Petitioner: Haag-Streit AG
`Petitioner: Haag-Streit AG
`
`Ex. 1003
`
`EX. 1003
`
`

`

`(12) Umted States Patent
`(16) Patent N0.:
`US 6,211,626 B1
`
`Lys et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`U5006211626B1
`
`(54)
`
`ILLUMINATION COMPONENTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Ih0r Lys; George G. Mueller, both of
`Boston; Frederick Marshall Morgan,
`anllldlflijIX/I(llclhsz)el K' Blackwell, Mllton,
`(73) Assignee: Color Kinetics, Incorporated, Boston,
`MA (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`.
`(21) Appl. NO.. 09/213,659
`(22)
`Filed:
`Dec. 17, 1998
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`Continuation—in—part of application No. 08/920,156, filed on
`Ang. 26, 1997.
`Provisional application No. 60/071,281, filed on Dec. 17,
`1997
`r0visi0nal a
`lication N0. 60 068 792 filed on Dec.
`
`24, 1,987, provisioriaIl) aptilication Nd. 60/078,861, fislecii110:11
`e
`ication N0. 60 079 28
`r0Visi0na a
`Mar. 20 1998
`on Mar.) 25, 1988, and proingional applicatio/n N0. 60/090,
`920’ filed on Jun' 26’ 1998'
`Int. Cl.7 ........................................................ G05F 1/00
`
`(52) US. Cl.
`
`............................................. 315/291; 315/324
`
`(58) Field of Search ..................................... 315/291, 178,
`315/77, 362, 324, 86; 362/234, 253, 184,
`154
`
`(56)
`
`References CitEd
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,746,918
`4,298,869
`:gégféi
`,
`,
`4,388,567
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`4,625,152
`4,727,289
`4,845,481
`
`........................ 315/77
`7/1973 Drucker et al.
`11/1981 0l<ur10 .................................. 340/782
`313:; Emmi“? ett all.
`.................. 3415;;ng
`ura as 1 e a.
`
`.
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`315/291
`.
`12/1983 Takahashi et al.
`315/296
`
`11/1986 Nakai
`.............
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`...... 315/71
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`................................... 340/762
`
`4,887,074
`5,008,595 *
`3,3339%;
`,
`,
`
`12/1989 Simon et al.
`........................ 340/782
`4/1991 Kazar ................................... 315/178
`
`£133:
`PBIOTHSIOTSt 6t al~
`~ gig/2:
`ara en .................................
`(List continued on next page.)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2 178 432
`12/1996 (CA).
`6 267 9
`12/1996 (AU).
`0534710 B1
`1/1996 (EP) .
`0752 632A2
`1/1997 (EP) .
`2 640 791
`6/1990 (FR) ~
`2 176 042 A
`12/1986 (GB) .
`6—043830
`2/1994
`JP .
`9-320766
`12/1997 E“);
`W0 89 05086
`6/1989 (W0) .
`W0 94 18809
`8/1994 (W0) .
`wo 95 13498
`5/1995 (wo) .
`W0 96 41098
`12/1996 (W0) .
`
`Primary Examiner—Don Wong
`Assistant Examiner—Chuc Tran D
`-
`
`-
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Foley, Hoag, &EhOt’ LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Disclosed herein is a current control for a lighting assembly,
`Which may be an LED lighting assembly, Which may be a
`pulse Width modulated (“PWM”) current control or other
`form of current control Where each current-controlled unit is
`uniquely addressable and capable of receiving illumination
`color information on a computer lighting network. In an
`embodiment, the invention includes a binary tree network
`configuration of lighting units (nodes).
`In another
`embodiment, the present invention comprises a heat dissi-
`pating housing, made out of a heat-conductive material, for
`housing the lighting assembly. The heat dissipating housing
`contains two stacked circuit boards holding respectively the
`power module and the light module. The light module is
`adapted to be conveniently interchanged With Other light
`modules.
`
`8 Claims, 75 Drawing Sheets
`
`(4 0f 75 Drawing Sheet(s) Filed in Color)
`
`100
`
`'
`
`100
`
`
`l6
`PROCESSOR
` PROCESSJ‘
`
`if
`
` 16
`
`\
`
`
`1 if
`
`
`500
`>
`
`
`DATA CONNECTION
`
`TRANSMITTER,
`CIRCUIT ore
`NETWORK
`
`
`
`502
`
`
`
`CONTROL
`504
`DATA
`
`GENERATOR
`
`
`

`

`US 6,211,626 B1
`
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`9/1994 Hamamoto et al.
`................. 315/291
`
`13/133: LUChaCO etal-
`-~ 313/53
`"
`/
`/
`2/1995
`40/570
`4/1995
`.. 362/249
`4/1995
`.. 315/292
`4/1995 Yoksza et al.
`345/82
`
`.
`
`
`
`
`5/1995 Phares .........
`7/1995 Yang
`10/1995 Johnson .....
`4/1996 Johnson et a1.
`
`.. 315/292
`.. 315/313
`.. 315/187
`........................ 315/71
`
`5,350,977
`£31332
`7
`7
`5,388,357
`5,404,282
`5,406,176
`5,410,328
`
`5,420,482
`5,436,535
`5,463,280
`5,504,395
`
`5,545,950
`5,561,346
`5,575,459
`5,592,051
`5,751,118
`5,769,527
`5,821,695
`5,896,212 *
`5,924,784 *
`6016038 *
`,
`,
`
`8/1996 Cho ........................................ 315/56
`10/1996 Byrne
`. 313/512
`
`11/1996 Anderson .
`. 362/240
`1/1997 Korkala ................................ 315/210
`5/1998 Mortimer ............................. 315/291
`
`6/1998 Taylor et al.
`362/85
`.
`.
`10/1998 Vllanllam et al.
`315/58
`
`.
`.
`
`4/1999 Mlkolajczak et al
`315/77
`.
`.
`
`. 362/234
`7/1999 Chhwnyl et al.
`“2000 M 11
`t
`1
`35/291
`ue ere a.
`
`......................
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 0f 75
`
`US 6,211,626 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`POWER
`
`DATA
`
`Fig. 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 0f 75
`
`US 6,211,626 B1
`
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 0f 75
`
`US 6,211,626 B1
`
`
`
`Fig. 3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 0f 75
`
`US 6,211,626 B1
`
`100
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`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 0f 75
`
`US 6,211,626 B1
`
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 0f 75
`
`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 0f 75
`
`US 6,211,626 B1
`
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`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 0f 75
`
`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 9 0f 75
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`US 6,211,626 B1
`
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 10 0f 75
`
`US 6,211,626 B1
`
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 11 0f 75
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`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 12 0f 75
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`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 13 0f 75
`
`US 6,211,626 B1
`
`202
`
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`
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`
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`
`SCHEDULE
`INTERRUPT
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 14 0f 75
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`US 6,211,626 B1
`
`
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`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 15 0f 75
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`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 16 0f 75
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`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 17 0f 75
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`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 18 0f 75
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`US 6,211,626 B1
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 20 0f 75
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`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 21 0f 75
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 22 0f 75
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`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 23 0f 75
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`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 24 0f 75
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 25 0f 75
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`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 26 0f 75
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 27 0f 75
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 28 0f 75
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`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 29 0f 75
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 30 0f 75
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`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 31 0f 75
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 32 0f 75
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`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
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`US. Patent
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Sheet 35 0f 75
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`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
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`US 6,211,626 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`Apr. 3, 2001
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`

`1
`ILLUMINATION COMPONENTS
`
`RELATED U.S. APPLICATION(S)
`
`The present application is a continuation-in-part of US.
`application Ser. No. 08/920,156, filed Aug. 26, 1997. The
`present application also claims priority from US. Provi-
`sional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60/071,281, filed Dec.
`17, 1997, 60/068,792, filed Dec. 24, 1997, 60/078,861, filed
`Mar. 20, 1998, 60/079,285, filed Mar. 25, 1998, and 60/090,
`920, filed Jun. 26, 1998. The present application incorpo-
`rates by reference the specifications of the following appli-
`cations: PCT/US98/17702 filed Aug. 26, 1998, the following
`US. patent applications filed Dec. 17, 1998, each naming
`George Mueller and Ihor Lys, application numbers to be
`assigned, having the following titles: Smart Light Bulb;
`Power/Data Protocol; Sensor/Feedback Illumination Meth-
`oa's and Systems; Precision Illumination Methods and Sys-
`tems; Lighting Entertainment System; Kinetic Illumination
`Systems and Methods; and Data Delivery Track, and US.
`patent application entitled Illumination Components, nam-
`ing George Mueller,
`Ihor Lys, Frederick Morgan and
`Michael Blackwell as inventors, filed Dec. 17, 1998 with
`application number to be assigned. All of these United States
`patents and patent applications are hereby incorporated
`herein by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`invention relates to providing light of a
`The present
`selectable color using light sources, such as light-emitting
`diodes (LEDs). More particularly, the present invention is a
`method and apparatus for providing multicolored illumina-
`tion. More particularly still,
`the present
`invention is an
`apparatus for providing a computer controlled multicolored
`illumination network capable of high performance and rapid
`color selection and change.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`Light emitting diodes are known which, when disposed
`on a circuit, accept electrical impulses from the circuit and
`convert the impulses into light signals. LEDs are energy
`efficient, they give off virtually no heat, and they have a long
`lifetime.
`
`Anumber of types of LED exist, including air gap LEDs,
`GaAs light-emitting diodes (which may be doubled and
`packaged as single unit offer greater reliability than conven-
`tional single-diode package), polymer LEDs, and semi-
`conductor LEDs, among others. Most LEDs in current use
`are red. Conventional uses for LEDs include displays for
`low light environments, such as the flashing light on a
`modem or other computer component, or the digital display
`of a wristwatch. Improved LEDs have recently been used in
`arrays for longer-lasting traffic lights. LEDs have been used
`in scoreboards and other displays. Also, LEDs have been
`placed in arrays and used as television displays. Although
`most LEDs in use are red, yellow or white, LEDs may take
`any color; moreover, a single LED may be designed to
`change colors to any color in the color spectrum in response
`to changing electrical signals.
`It is well known that combining the projected light of one
`color with the projected light of another color will result in
`the creation of a third color. It is also well known that three
`
`commonly used primary colors—red, blue and green—can
`be combined in different proportions to generate almost any
`color in the visible spectrum. The present invention takes
`advantage of these effects by combining the projected light
`
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`from at least two light emitting diodes (LEDS) of different
`primary colors. It should be understood that for purposes of
`this invention the term “primary colors” encompasses any
`different colors that can be combined to create other colors.
`
`Computer lighting networks that use LEDs are also
`known. US. Pat. No. 5,420,482, issued to Phares, describes
`one such network that uses different colored LEDs to
`
`generate a selectable color, primarily for use in a display
`apparatus. US. Pat. No. 4,845,481,
`issued to Havel,
`is
`directed to a multicolored display device. Havel uses a pulse
`width modulated signal
`to provide current
`to respective
`LEDs at a particular duty cycle. US. Pat. No. 5,184,114,
`issued to Brown, shows an LED display system. US. Pat.
`No. 5,134,387, issued to Smith et al., is directed to an LED
`matrix display.
`Illumination systems exist in which a network of indi-
`vidual lights is controlled by a central driver, which may be
`a computer-controlled driver. Such illumination systems
`include theatrical lighting systems. The USITT DMX-512
`protocol was developed to deliver a stream of data from a
`theatrical console to a series of theatrical lights.
`The DMX-512 protocol was originally designed to stan-
`dardize the control of light dimmers by lighting consoles.
`The DMX-512 protocol is a multiplexed digital lighting
`control protocol with a signal to control 512 devices, such
`device including dimmers, scrollers, non-dim relays, param-
`eters of a moving light, or a graphical light in a computerized
`virtual reality set. DMX-512 is used for control for a
`network of devices. The DMX-512 protocol employs digital
`signal codes. When a transmitting device, such as a lighting
`console, sends digital codes, a receiving device, such as a
`dimmer, transforms these codes into a function command,
`such as dimming to a specified level. With digital systems,
`signal integrity is compromised less over long cable runs,
`relative to analog control. When a coded string of 0/1 digits
`are sent and received, the device will perform the desired
`task.
`
`In hardware terms, DMX-512 protocol information is
`transferred between devices over metal wires using the
`RS-485 hardware protocol. This involves the use of two
`wires, known as a twisted pair. The first wire is referred to
`as a data+wire, and the second wire is referred to as a
`data—wire. The voltage used on the line is typically positive
`five volts. By way of example, to transmit a logical one, the
`data+wire is taken to positive five volts, and the data—wire
`to zero volts. To transmit a logical zero, the data+wire goes
`to zero volts, and the data—wire to positive five volts. This
`is quite different from the more common RS-232 interface,
`where one wire is always kept at zero volts. In RS-232, a
`logical one is transmitted by putting between positive six
`and positive twelve volts on the line, and a logical zero is
`transmitted by putting a voltage between negative six and
`negative twelve volts onto the line. RS-485 is generally
`understood to be better for data transmission than RS-232.
`
`With RS-232, the receiver has to measure if the incoming
`voltage is positive or negative. With RS-485, the receiver
`only needs to determine which line has the higher voltage on
`it.
`
`The two wires over which RS-485 is transmitted are
`
`preferably twisted. Twisting means that disturbances on the
`line tend to affect both lines simultaneously, more or less by
`the same amount, so that the voltage on both lines will
`fluctuate, but the difference in voltage between the lines
`remains the same. The result is that noise is rejected from the
`line. Also, the drive capability of RS-485 drivers is higher
`than RS-232 drivers. As a result, the RS-485 protocol can
`
`

`

`US 6,211,626 B1
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`3
`connect devices over distances hundreds of times further
`than would be possible when using RS-232. RS-485 also
`increases the maximum data rate, i.e., the maximum amount
`of data which can be transmitted over the line every second.
`Communication between devices using RS-232 is normally
`about nine thousand six hundred baud (bits per second).
`Faster communication is possible, but the distances over
`which data can be transmitted are reduced significantly if
`communication is faster. By comparison, DMX-512 (using
`RS-485) permits data to be sent at two hundred fifty thou-
`sand baud (two hundred fifty thousand bits per second) over
`distances of hundreds of meters without problems. Every
`byte transmitted has one start bit, which is used to warn the
`receiver that the next character is starting, eight data bits
`(this conveys up to two hundred fifty six different levels) and
`two stop bits, which are used to tell the receiver that this is
`the end of the character. This means that every byte is
`transmitted as eleven bits, so that the length of each char-
`acter is forty-four micro seconds.
`The receiver looks at the two incoming signals on a pair
`of pins and compares the differences. Avoltage rise on one
`wire and the inverse on the other will be seen as a differential
`
`and therefore deciphered as a digit. When both signals are
`identical, no difference is recognized and no digit deci-
`phered. If interference was accidently transmitted along the
`line, it would impart no response as long as the interference
`was identical on both lines. The proximity of the two lines
`assist in assuring that distribution of interference is identical
`on both wires. The signal driver sends five hundred twelve
`device codes in a continual, repetitive stream of data. The
`receiving device is addressed with a number between one
`and five hundred twelve so it will respond only to data that
`corresponds to its assigned address.
`A terminator resistor is typically installed at the end of a
`DMX line of devices, which reduces the possibility of signal
`reflection which can create errors in the DMX signal. The
`ohm value of the resistor is determined by the cable type
`used. Some devices allow for self termination at the end of
`
`the line. Multiple lines of DMX data can be distributed
`through an opto-repeater. This device creates a physical
`break in the line by transforming the electrical signals into
`light which spans a gap, then it is restored to electrical
`signals. This protects devices from damaging high voltage,
`accidentally traveling along the network. It will also repeat
`the original DMX data to several output lines. The input data
`is recreated at the outputs, eliminating distortion. The signal
`leaves the opto-repeater as strong as it left the console.
`DMX messages are typically generated through computer
`software. Each DMX message is preceded with a “break,”
`which is a signal for the receiver that the previous message
`has ended and the next message is about to start. The length
`of the break signal (equivalent to a logical zero on the line)
`has to be eighty-eight micro seconds according to the DMX
`specification. The signal can be more than eighty-eight
`micro seconds. After the break signal is removed from the
`line, there is a period during which the signal is at a logical
`one level. This is known as the “Mark” or ‘Mark After
`
`Break’ (MAB) time. This time is typically at least eight
`micro seconds. After the Mark comes the first character, or
`byte, which is knows as the “Start” character. This character
`is rather loosely specified, and is normally set to the value
`zero (it can vary between zero and two hundred fifty five).
`This start character may be used to specify special messages.
`It is, for example, possible to have five hundred twelve
`dimmers which respond to messages with the start character
`set to zero, and another five hundred twelve dimmers which
`respond to messages with the start character set to one. If one
`
`10
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`20
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`4
`transmits data for these one thousand twenty-four dimmers,
`and one sets the start character to zero for the first five
`hundred twelve dimmers, and to one for the second set of
`five hundred twelve dimmers, it is possible to control one
`thousand twenty four dimmers (or more if one wishes, using
`the same technique). The disadvantage is a reduction in the
`number of messages sent to each of the set of dimmers, in
`this example by a factor two. After the start character there
`are between one and five hundred twelve characters, which
`normally correspond to the up to five hundred twelve
`channels controlled by DMX. Each of these characters may
`have a value between zero (for ‘off’, zero percent) and two
`hundred fifty five (for full, one hundred percent). After the
`last character there may be another delay (at logic one level)
`before the next break starts. The number of messages which
`are transmitted every second are dependent on all
`the
`parameters listed above. In one case, where the break length
`is eighty-eight microseconds, the make after break length is
`eight micro seconds, and each character takes exactly forty-
`four micro seconds to transmit
`there will be forty-four
`messages per second, assuming that all five hundred twelve
`channels are being transmitted. Many lighting desks and
`other DMX sources transmit less than five hundred twelve
`
`channels, use a longer break and make after break time, and
`may have a refresh rate of seventy or eighty messages per
`second. Often, there is no benefit to be had from this, as the
`current value is not necessarily recalculated for each of the
`channels in each frame. The ‘standard’ DMX signal would
`allow for a lamp to be switched on and off twenty-two times
`per second, which is ample for many applications. Certain
`devices are capable of using sixteen-bit DMX. Normal eight
`bit messages allow two hundred fifty-six positions, which is
`inadequate for the positioning of mirrors and other mechani-
`cal devices. Having sixteen bits available per channel
`increases that quantity up to sixty-five thousand five hundred
`thirty-six steps, which removes the limitation of ‘standard’
`DMX.
`
`A significant problem with present lighting networks is
`that they require special wiring or cabling. In particular, one
`set of wires is needed for electrical power, while a second set
`of wires is needed for data, such as DMX-512 protocol data.
`Accordingly, the owner of an existing set of lights must
`undertake significant effort
`to rewire in order to have a
`digitally controlled lighting environment.
`A second significant problem with present lighting net-
`works is that particular lighting applications require particu-
`lar
`lighting types. For example, LED based lights are
`appropriate for some applications, while incandescent lamps
`or halogen lamps may be more appropriate for other appli-
`cations. A user who wishes to have a digitally controlled
`network of lights, in addition to rewiring, must currently add
`additional fixtures or replace old fixtures for each different
`type of light. Accordingly, a need has arisen for a lighting
`fixture that permits use of different types of digitally con-
`trolled lights.
`Use of pulse width modulated signals to control electrical
`devices, such as motors, is also known. Traditional methods
`of providing pulse width modulated signals include hard-
`ware using software programmed timers, which in some
`instances is not cost effective if not enough timer modules
`are available, and one interrupt per count processes,
`in
`which a microprocessor receives periodic interrupts at a
`known rate. Each time through the interrupt loop the pro-
`cessor compares the current count with the target counts and
`updates one or more output pins, thus creating a pulse width
`modulated signal, or PWM. In this case, the speed equals the
`clock speed divided by cycles in the interrupt routine
`
`

`

`US 6,211,626 B1
`
`5
`in a
`In a third method,
`divided by desired resolution.
`combination of the first two processes, software loops con-
`tain a variable number of instructions. The processor uses
`the hardware timer to generate a periodic interrupt, and then,
`depending on whether the pulse is to be very short or not,
`either schedules another interrupt to finish the PWM cycle,
`or creates the pulse by itself in the first interrupt routine by
`executing a series of instructions consuming a desired
`amount of time between two PWM signal updates. The
`difficulty with the third method is that for multiple PWM
`channels it is very difficult to arrange the timer based signal
`updates such that they do not overlap, and then to accurately
`change the update times for a new value of PWM signals.
`Accordingly, a new pulse width modulation method and
`system is needed to assisting in controlling electrical
`devices.
`
`Many conventional illumination applications are subject
`to other drawbacks. Conventional light sources, such as
`halogen and incandescent sources may produce undesirable
`heat. Such sources may have very limited life spans. Con-
`ventional light sources may require substantial lens and
`filtering systems in order to produce color. It may be very
`difficult to reproduce precise color conditions with conven-
`tional light sources. Conventional light sources may not
`respond quickly to computer control. One or more of these
`drawbacks may have particular significance in particular
`eXisting lighting applications. Moreover, the combination of
`these drawbacks may have prevented the development of a
`number of other illumination applications. Accordingly, a
`need eXists for illumination methods and systems that over-
`come the drawbacks of conventional illumination systems
`and that
`take advantage of the possibilities offered by
`overcoming such drawbacks.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Illumination methods and systems are provided herein
`that overcome many of the drawbacks of conventional
`illumination systems. In embodiments, methods and systems
`are provided for multicolored illumination.
`In an
`embodiment, the present invention is an apparatus for pro-
`viding an efficient, computer-controlled, multicolored illu-
`mination network capable of high performance and rapid
`color selection and change.
`In brief, disclosed herein is a current control for a lighting
`assembly, which may be an LED system or LED lighting
`assembly, which may be a pulse width modulated (“PWM”)
`current control or other form of current control where each
`
`current-controlled unit is uniquely addressable and capable
`of receiving illumination color information on a computer
`lighting network. As used herein, “current control” means
`PWM current control, analog current control, digital current
`control, and any other method or system for controlling
`current.
`
`As used herein, the term “LED system” means any system
`that is capable of receiving an electrical signal and produc-
`ing a color of light in response to the signal. Thus, the term
`“LED system” should be understood to include light emit-
`ting diodes of all types, light emitting polymers, semicon-
`ductor dies that produce light in response to current, organic
`LEDs, electro-luminescent strips, and other such systems. In
`an embodiment, an “LED system” may refer to a single light
`emitting diode having multiple semiconductor dies th