Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PRECISION LIGHT CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHODS
Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to control of lighting devices.
Back rg o and
[0002] Lighting devices are often connected to dimmers to provide control over
the
intensity of light emitted from the lighting devices. Many existing dimmers
provide a
single user control device, such as a knob, slider, or the like, with which to
control
light intensity.
[0003] The inventor has determined a need for improved apparatus and methods
for
controlling the intensity of light emitted from lighting devices using
existing dimmers.
Summary
[0004] One aspect provides a method of controlling an illumination apparatus.
The
method comprises monitoring a dimmer modulated control voltage, controlling
the
illumination apparatus in a normal mode wherein changes in the dimmer
modulated
control voltage adjust a light output of the illumination apparatus within a
normal range
until the dimmer modulated control voltage manifests a first mode change
condition,
and, when the dimmer modulated control voltage manifests the first mode change
condition, switching from the normal mode to a deep dimming mode wherein
changes
in the dimmer modulated control voltage adjust the light output of the
illumination
apparatus within a deep dimming range which is smaller than the normal range.
[0005] Another aspect provides a control system for an illumination apparatus.
The
control system comprises an input for receiving a dimmer modulated control
voltage
and an output for selectively controlling a light output of the illumination
apparatus.
The control system is configured to monitor the dimmer modulated control
voltage, and
switch from a normal mode to a deep dimming mode when the dimmer modulated
control voltage manifests a first mode change condition. In the normal mode
the
control system is configured to control the light output of the illumination
apparatus
within a normal range, and in the deep dimming the control system is
configured to
control the light output of the illumination apparatus within a deep dimming
range
which is smaller than the normal range.
[0006] Further aspects and details of example embodiments are described below.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
[0007] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the
drawings. It
is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be
considered
illustrative rather than restrictive.
[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a LED-based illumination apparatus
according
to an example embodiment.
[0009] Figure IA is a schematic view of an incandescent illumination apparatus
according to an example embodiment.
[0010] Figure 1B is a block diagram of a LED-based illumination apparatus with
a
built in control system according to an example embodiment.
[0011] Figure 1C is a schematic view of a LED-based illumination apparatus
controlled
with a DC dimmer according to an example embodiment.
[0012] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a method for controlling an illumination
apparatus
according to an example embodiment.
[0013] Figure 3A is a state diagram illustrating the operation of a control
system for an
illumination apparatus according to an example embodiment.
[0014] Figure 3B is a state diagram illustrating the operation of a control
system for an
illumination apparatus according to an example embodiment.
[0015] Figures 4A-4D are graphs illustrating how dimmer control positions may
be
mapped to different ranges of luminous flux in different operating modes
according to
various example embodiments.
Description
[0016] Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in
order to
provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art, However,
well
known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid
unnecessarily
obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be
regarded
in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.
[0017] Figure 1 shows an illumination apparatus 100 according to an example
embodiment. An input voltage 111 is provided to a dimmer 112. The dimmer 112
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modulates the input voltage 111 according to input from a user interface 113.
Dimmer
112 may comprise any type of dimmer, including, for example and without
limitation,
a leading-edge phase-cut AC dimmer, a trailing-edge phase-cut AC dimmer, a
dimmer
which modulates the amplitude of an AC voltage, or a dimmer which modulates
the
magnitude of a DC voltage (e.g. 0-10V, 1-10V). In some embodiments which use a
DC dimmer, input voltage 111 may be provided directly to control system 114
instead
of through dimmer 112, with dimmer 112 providing only a control voltage to
control
system 114 based on input from user interface 113. Figure 1 C shows an example
illumination apparatus I OOC according to such an embodiment. Returning to
Figure 1,
User interface 113 may comprise, for example, a knob, a dial, a slider, a
lever, it
touchpad, an array of switches, an audio-controlled interface, a light-
controlled
interface, a computer-controlled interface, or any other type of interface.
The dimmer-
modulated voltage is provided to a control system 114. In the illustrated
embodiment,
control system 114 provides output DC voltages 115 to a plurality of LEDs 116
packaged together in a lighting instrument 117. In other embodiments, lighting
instrument 117 may comprise other types of non-LED lighting devices, and
control
system 114 may provide different types of output voltages for controlling such
lighting
devices. For example, Figure IA shows an illumination apparatus 100A similar
to
apparatus 100 of Figure 1 except that lighting instrument 117 comprises an
incandescent light bulb having a filament 118 and control system 114 provides
an
output AC voltage 115A to filament 118. In general, control system 114 may be
configured to control any type of dimmable lighting instrument. The term
"lighting
instrument" as used herein is to be understood to refer to any type of
apparatus which
emits light including, for example and without limitation, luminaires, lamps,
light
bulbs, etc.
[0018] The term "LED" as used herein is to be understood to include any
electroluminescent diode or other type of carrier injection/ junction-based
component
that generates electromagnetic radiation in response to an electrical signal,
including,
without limitation, semiconductor-based structures that emit light in response
to
current, light emitting polymers, electroluminescent structures, and the like.
The term
LED may refer to any type of light emitter (including semi-conductor and
organic light
emitting diodes) that generate radiation in the visible, infrared and/or
ultraviolet
spectrums. Also, the term LED does not necessarily imply a particular type of
physical and/or electrical package. For example, the term LED may refer to a
single
light emitting device having multiple elements that may or may not be
individually
controllable that are configured to respectively emit different spectra of
radiation. Also,
a LED may include a phosphor that is considered as part of the LED (as in, for
example, some white LEDs). The term LED may refer to, for example and without
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limitation, packaged LEDs including T-package mount LEDs, radial package LEDs,
and power package LEDs, non-packaged LEDs, surface mount LEDs, chip-on-board
LEDs, LEDs with casings and/or optical elements such as, for example,
diffusing
lenses, etc.
[0019] Control system 114 is connected to receive a control voltage as
modulated by
dimmer 112 and control LEDs 116 based on the control voltage. Control system
114
may control LEDs 116 individually or in groups. Control system 114 is
configured to
switch between two or more operating modes. In some embodiments, control
system
114 is configured to selectively control the intensity of light emitted from
LEDs 116
over a different range in each mode, as described below.
[0020] In some embodiments, control system 114 is configured to control the
intensity
of light output by an individual LED 116 or group of LEDs 116 by varying the
level of
current with which that LED or group is driven. In some embodiments, control
system
114 is configured to control the intensity of light output by an LED or group
by
varying the duty cycle for that LED or group. In some embodiments, control
system
114 is configured to control the intensity of light output by an LED or group
by
varying both the current level and duty cycle of the driving current.
[0021] In some embodiments, control system 114 is separate from lighting
instrument
117. In some embodiments control system 114 is partially or wholly combined
into
lighting instrument 117. For example, in some embodiments control system 114
and
lighting instrument 117 are packaged together and configured to fit into a
socket
designed to receive an incandescent light bulb.
[0022] Figure lB shows a LED-based illumination apparatus 1008 having a built
in
control system according to an example embodiment. Apparatus 100E comprises a
rectifier 121 which receives modulated AC line voltage from an AC dimmer (not
shown in Figure IA) as the control voltage. The output of rectifier 121 is
passed
through a filtering circuit 122, a transformer 123, and then a further
rectifying/filtering
circuit 124 to provide voltage for use by LEDs 125. Current sources 126
regulate the
current passed through LEDs 125 in response to a control signal received from
a LED
controller 128. Controller 128 also measures the voltage drop across current
sources
126.
[0023] An AC line voltage condition detector 127 also receives the output of
rectifier
121 and provides a signal indicative of AC line voltage conditions to
controller 128
through opto-coupler 123A. A power supply control circuit 129 controls
transformer
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123 to regulate the voltage provided to LEDs 125. Power supply control circuit
129
may receive an LED voltage control signal from controller 128 through opto-
coupler
123B, and control transformer 123 based on the LED voltage control signal from
controller 128. However, it is not necessary for power supply control circuit
129 to
receive an LED voltage control signal from controller 128 in some embodiments,
as
indicated by the use of dashed lines to represent the LED voltage control
signal and
opto-coupler 123B in Figure 113. In some embodiments, power supply control
circuit
129 may receive a different type of feedback from controller 128. Transformer
123
and opto-couplers 123A and 123B provide isolation from AC line voltage for
rectifier/filter 124, LEDs 125, current sources 126 and controller 128. In
other
embodiments, isolation may be provided by elements other than transformer 123
and
opto-couplers 123A and 123B, such as, for example and without limitation,
capacitors,
digital isolators, magneto-isolators, isolation amplifiers, signal transfer
devices having
transmitters and receivers that are electrically isolated from one another and
exchange
signals such as optical, radio, or ultrasound signals or the like,
[0024] Controller 128 may, for example, comprise a processor and memory
storing
instructions which configure the processor to carry out methods for
controlling LEDs
based on the dimmer modulated AC line voltage according to various
embodiments.
Controller 128 may also have memory allocated for storing values
representative of
dimmer modulated AC line voltage conditions for future use by the processor.
Controller 128 is connected to receive various signals. Where the signals
include
analog signals then controller 128 may comprise an analog to digital
converter. In the
illustrated embodiment, controller 128 comprises an analog to digital
converter (not
specifically enumerated) for receiving analog signals from current sources
126. The
analog to digital converter may optionally or in the alternative be connected
to convert
analog signals from other sources into a digital format. In the illustrated
embodiment
controller 128 comprises digital to analog converters (not specifically
enumerated) for
sending analog signals to current sources 126 and power supply control circuit
129.
[0025] Figure 2 shows a method 200 according to an example embodiment which a
control system for an illumination apparatus (such as, for example, control
system 114)
may be configured to execute. An input is read at step 202. The input may be,
for
example, a control voltage such as a dimmer modulated AC voltage signal, a
dimmer
modulated DC voltage signal, another power-related signal from an AC or DC
source,
a signal derived from either thereof, or the like. In some embodiments, the
input is
read continuously or periodically throughout operation of method 200.
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[0026] At step 204 the control system determines if the input manifests a mode
change
condition. A mode change condition may comprise, for example:
= a particular instantaneous signal value;
= a time averaged signal value;
= a interruption of signal for a pre-determined time;
= a particular rate of change of signal value;
= a particular time-dependent pattern of change in signal value;
= a particular time-independent pattern of change in a signal value;
= a combination thereof; and/or
= other conditions.
[0027] In some embodiments, a mode change may be indicated by a parameter of a
dimmer modulated AC line voltage (such as, for example, the phase cut angle or
the
amplitude) or a parameter of a dimmer modulated DC voltage (such as, for
example,
the magnitude) transitioning across a threshold a predetermined number of
times in a
predetermined time period. For example, in some embodiments, a mode change
condition may occur when the parameter transitions from below to above to
below to
above to below 90% of its maximum value within 1.5 seconds. In some
embodiments,
a mode change condition may occur when the parameter transitions from above to
below to above 90% of its maximum value within 1.5 seconds (e.g. in a "V"
pattern"),
or above to before to above to below to above 90% of its maximum value within
1.5
seconds (e.g. a "W" pattern). Such "V" and "W" patterns may be desirable in
some
embodiments wherein the dimmer control has a physical end stop at the upper
end of its
range, such that the user can easily locate the starting point of a mode
change initiation
pattern. Other numbers of transitions, threshold levels, and/or time periods
may
indicate a mode change condition in other embodiments. In some embodiments,
different thresholds may be used for detecting upward and downward
transitions,
wherein a slightly higher threshold is used for detecting upward transitions
and a
slightly lower threshold is used for detecting downward transitions. In some
embodiments, the threshold level may be selected based on the current value of
the
parameter, such that a user may trigger a mode change by performing the same
pattern
of actions regardless of the current position of the user interface.
[0028] As long as the input does not manifest a mode change condition (step
204 NO
output), method proceeds to step 206. At step 206 the overall intensity of
light emitted
by the LEDs of the lighting instrument is adjusted according to the input. The
intensity
at step 206 is adjustable over a "normal" range of intensities, which may
correspond to
the full range of intensities achievable by the illumination apparatus.
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[0029] In some embodiments, the control system may sample the control voltage
at a
first rate for adjusting the intensity of light emitted by the LEDs and at a
second rate
for detecting mode change conditions. The second rate is less than the first
rate in
some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments the first rate is 120 Hz
and
the second rate is 60 Hz.
[0030] In some embodiments, step 204 of monitoring the input for mode change
conditions and step 206 of adjusting intensity according to the input occur
substantially
simultaneously. For example, step 204 may be implemented as a background task,
such that detection of mode change conditions occurs in parallel with
intensity
adjustment.
[0031] If the input does manifest a mode change condition (step 204 YES
output),
method 200 proceeds to step 208, where the control system switches to a "deep
dimming" mode, wherein the range over which the intensity of light from the
illumination apparatus is adjustable is a sub-range of the normal range, as
described
below. In the deep dimming mode, adjustment of the control voltage provided to
the
input across its full range of values (e.g. by operating the user interface
through it's
full range of control positions) causes the intensity of light from the
illumination
apparatus to vary over a smaller range than the full range of intensities
achievable by
the illumination apparatus, such that a maximum control voltage value
corresponds to
less than a maximum light intensity.
[0032] In some embodiments, the lower end of the sub-range may correspond to
zero
light intensity. In some embodiments, the lower end of the sub-range may
correspond
to a non-zero light intensity. In embodiments wherein the only power available
for
operating the illumination apparatus is provided by a dimmer modulated control
voltage, and adjustment of the user interface to the a minimum control
position results
in a substantially zero control voltage (such as is typically the case for
phase-cut AC
dimmers), the lower end of the sub-range will necessarily correspond to zero
light
intensity. In embodiments wherein the illumination apparatus receives power
other
than through the dimmer modulated control voltage (such as is typically the
case for
DC dimmers), the lower end of the sub-range may correspond to either a zero or
a non-
zero light intensity.
[0033] After step 208, method 200 proceeds to step 212, where the input is
read. It
will be understood that the inputs read at steps 202 and 212 may be supplied
by the
same source (e.g., a single dimmer-modulated AC or DC voltage), and that they
are
shown separately in Figure 2 to make the explanation of method 200 more easily
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comprehensible. In some embodiments, the inputs read at steps 202 and 212 are
combined into a single physical input. In some embodiments, the inputs read at
steps
202 and 212 are implemented as distinct physical inputs. The inputs read at
steps 202
and 212 may be sampled at the same rate, or may be sampled at different rates,
as
discussed above.
[0034] At step 214 the control system determines if the input manifests a mode
change
condition. Monitoring for a mode change condition at step 214 may be
substantially
similar to step 204 described above. In some embodiments, the same input
conditions
may indicate a mode change at both steps 204 and 214. In some embodiments,
different input conditions may indicate mode changes at steps 204 and 214.
[0035] As long as the input does not manifest a mode change condition (step
214 NO
output), method proceeds to step 216. At step 216 the overall intensity of
light emitted
by the LEDs of the lighting instrument is adjusted according to the input. The
intensity
at step 216 is adjustable over a sub-range of intensities, which is smaller
than the full
range of intensities achievable by the illumination apparatus.
[0036] In some embodiments, similar to the normal mode discussed above, in the
deep
dimming mode the control system may sample the control voltage at a first rate
for
adjusting the intensity of light emitted by the LEDs and at a second rate for
detecting
mode change conditions. The second rate is less than the first rate in some
embodiments. For example, in some embodiments the first rate is 120 Hz and the
second rate is 60 Hz.
[0037] In some embodiments, step 214 of monitoring the input for mode change
conditions and step 216 of adjusting intensity according to the input occur
substantially
simultaneously. For example, step 214 may be implemented as a background task,
such that detection of mode change conditions occurs in parallel with
intensity
adjustment.
[0038] If the input does manifest a mode change condition (step 214 YES
output),
method 200 proceeds to step 218, where the control system switches to the
normal
mode. After step 218 method 200 and then returns to step 202.
[0039] Figures 3A and 3B respectively show state diagrams 300A and 300B which
illustrate the operation of illumination apparatus control systems
implementing methods
according to an example embodiments. In each of Figures 3A and 3B, the control
system may is operable in a normal mode 310, a first deep dimming mode 320,
and a
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second deep dimming mode 330. In normal mode 310, the intensity of light
emitted by
the illumination apparatus is adjustable over a "normal" range of intensities,
which
may correspond to the full range of intensities achievable by the illumination
apparatus.
In first deep dimming mode 320, the intensity of light emitted by the
illumination
apparatus is adjustable over a first sub-range of intensities. In second deep
dimming
mode 330, the intensity of light emitted by the illumination apparatus is
adjustable over
a second sub-range of intensities. In some embodiments, the second sub-range
of
intensities may comprise a subset of the first sub-range of intensities. In
some
embodiments, the first sub-range of intensities may comprise a subset of the
second
sub-range of intensities. In some embodiments, the first and second sub-ranges
of
intensities may overlap but neither is a subset of the other. In some
embodiments, the
first and second sub-ranges of intensities may not overlap.
[0040] In the Figure 3A example, the control system is configured to cycle
through
normal mode 310, first deep dimming mode 320 and second deep dimming mode 330
in sequence. Action 301 causes the control system to transition from normal
mode 310
to first deep dimming mode 320. Action 302 causes the control system to
transition
from first deep dimming mode 320 to second deep dimming mode 330. Action 303
causes the control system to transition from second deep dimming mode 320 to
normal
mode 310. Actions 301-303 may, for example, comprise operating the user
interface
of the dimmer to produce a mode change condition as described above. In some
embodiments, actions 301-303 may each comprise different movements of the user
interface. In some embodiments, actions 301-303 may each comprise the same
movement(s) of the user interface, such that a user may cycle through modes
310, 320
and 330 by repeatedly performing the same movements.
[0041] In the Figure 3B example, the control system is configured to switch to
a
selected one normal mode 310, first deep dimming mode 320 and second deep
dimming
mode 330 depending on the action performed. Action 304 causes the control
system to
transition from normal mode 310 to first deep dimming mode 320. Action 305
causes
the control system to transition from first deep dimming mode 320 to normal
mode
310. Action 306 causes the control system to transition from first deep
dimming mode
320 to second deep dimming mode 330. Action 307 causes the control system to
transition from second deep dimming mode 330 to first deep dimming mode 320.
Action 308 causes the control system to transition from second deep dimming
mode
320 to normal mode 310. Action 309 causes the control system to transition
from
normal mode 310 to second deep dimming mode 320. Actions 304-309 may, for
example, comprise operating the user interface of the dimmer to produce a mode
change condition as described above. In some embodiments, actions 304-309 may
each
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comprise different movements of the user interface. In some embodiments,
action 304
may comprise the same movement(s) of the user interface as action 307, and
likewise
actions 305 and 308 may comprise the same movement(s), and actions 306 and 309
may comprise the same movement(s), such that a user may select a desired one
of
modes 310, 320 and 330 by performing the same movement(s) of the user
interface
regardless of the current mode of the control system.
[0042] Figures 4A to 4D respectively show graphs 400A to 400D which illustrate
how
dimmer control positions may be mapped to different ranges of luminous flux in
different operating modes according to various example embodiments. In each of
Figures 4A to 4D, the vertical axis represents relative luminous flux output
by an
illumination apparatus, and the horizontal axis represents a control position
of a user
interface which controls a dimmer. Curve 410 shows an example of how relative
luminous flux may vary with control position in a normal mode in some
embodiments.
It is to be understood that curve 410 could have different shapes in other
embodiments.
In the normal mode, the relative luminous flux is adjustable over a normal
range 412,
with a minimum control position (at the left side of the graph) generating
zero luminous
flux and a maximum control position (at the right side of the graph)
generating a
luminous flux 413 which is 100% of the maximum luminous flux achievable by the
illumination apparatus. However, it is to be understood that luminous flux 413
generated at the maximum control position may have some value which is lower
than
100% of the maximum luminous flux achievable by the illumination apparatus in
some
embodiments.
[0043] In the Figure 4A example, curve 420A shows an example of how relative
luminous flux may vary with control position in a deep dimming mode in some
embodiments. It is to be understood that curve 420A could have different
shapes in
other embodiments. In the deep dimming mode represented by curve 420A, the
relative luminous flux is adjustable over a sub-range 422A, with the minimum
control
position generating zero luminous flux and the maximum control position
generating a
luminous flux 423A which is less than 100% of the maximum luminous flux
achievable
by the illumination apparatus. In some embodiments, luminous flux 423A may,
for
example be about 50% of the maximum luminous flux achievable by the
illumination
apparatus, although it is to be understood that other values of luminous flux
423A are
also possible.
[0044] In the Figure 4B example, curve 420B shows an example of how relative
luminous flux may vary with control position in a first deep dimming mode in
sonic
embodiments, and curve 430B shows an example of how relative luminous flux may
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vary with control position in a second deep dimming mode in some embodiments.
It is
to be understood that curves 420B and 430B could have different shapes in
other
embodiments. In the first deep dimming mode represented by curve 420B, the
relative
luminous flux is adjustable over a sub-range 422B, with the minimum control
position
generating zero luminous flux and the maximum control position generating a
luminous
flux 423B which is less than 100% of the maximum luminous flux achievable by
the
illumination apparatus. In the second deep dimming mode represented by curve
4306,
the relative luminous flux is adjustable over a sub-range 432B, with the
minimum
control position generating zero luminous flux and the maximum control
position
generating a luminous flux 433B which is substantially less than luminous flux
423B.
[0045] In the Figure 4C example, curve 420C shows an example of how relative
luminous flux may vary with control position in a deep dimming mode in some
embodiments. It is to be understood that curve 420C could have different
shapes in
other embodiments. In the deep dimming mode represented by curve 420C, the
relative luminous flux is adjustable over a sub-range 422C, with the minimum
control
position generating a non-zero luminous flux 421C and the maximum control
position
generating a luminous flux 423A which is less than 100% of the maximum
luminous
flux achievable by the illumination apparatus.
[0046] In the Figure 4D example, curve 420D shows an example of how relative
luminous flux may vary with control position in a first deep dimming mode in
some
embodiments, and curve 430D shows an example of how relative luminous flux may
vary with control position in a second deep dimming mode in some embodiments.
It is
to be understood that curves 420D and 430D could have different shapes in
other
embodiments. In the first deep dimming mode represented by curve 420D, the
relative
luminous flux is adjustable over a sub-range 422D, with the minimum control
position
generating zero luminous flux and the maximum control position generating a
luminous
flux 423D which is less than 100% of the maximum luminous flux achievable by
the
illumination apparatus. In the second deep dimming mode represented by curve
430D,
the relative luminous flux is adjustable over a sub-range 432B, with the
minimum
control position generating a non-zero luminous flux 431 D and the maximum
control
position generating a luminous flux 433D which is less than luminous flux
423D.
[0047] Some embodiments may be implemented in illumination apparatus which
include AC-DC power supplies which receive AC power on a primary side and
output
DC power on a secondary side. Some such supplies operate most efficiently when
their
power output is within some range of their input power. For example, some
power
supplies have maximum efficiency when operated to output approximately 70-80%
of
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full power. Some embodiments may provide power supplies with different
secondary
sides optimized for the normal and deep dimming modes. Some embodiments may
provide for reconfiguration of the primary and/or secondary side (for example,
by
switching in different components) to optimize operation in the normal and
deep
dimming modes. Some embodiments may provide power supplies wherein different
transformer taps are selected to optimize operation in the normal and deep
dimming
modes. Some embodiments may provide power supplies in which the one time is
selected to optimize operation in the normal and deep dimming modes.
[0048] Some embodiments may be configured for use with thyristor-based dimmers
which require at least a holding current to be drawn therethrough to maintain
proper
operation. Some such embodiments may include a holding current circuit
configured to
ensure that enough current is drawn through the dimmer to maintain proper
operation.
[0049] Certain implementations of the invention comprise computer hardware,
software
or both hardware and software components which perform a method of the
invention.
For example, one or more processors in a control system for a device may
implement
methods as described herein by executing software instructions in a program
memory
accessible to the processors. Processing hardware in such embodiments may
include
one or more appropriately-configured programmable processors, programmable
logic
devices (such as programmable array logic ("PALs") and programmable logic
arrays
("PLAs")), digital signal processors ("DSPs"), field programmable gate arrays
("FPGAs"), application specific integrated circuits ("ASICs"), large scale
integrated
circuits ("LSIs"), very large scale integrated circuits ("VLSIs") or the like.
As one
skilled in the art will appreciate, these example embodiments are for
illustrative
purposes only, and methods and systems according to embodiments of the
invention
may be implemented in any suitable device having appropriately configured
processing
hardware. In some embodiments, the invention may be implemented in software.
For
greater clarity, "software" includes (but is not limited to) firmware,
resident software,
microcode, and the like. Both processing hardware and software may be
centralized or
distributed (or a combination thereof), in whole or in part, as known to those
skilled in
the art.
[0050] The invention may also be provided in the form of a computer program
product
accessible from a computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with
processing hardware. A computer-readable medium can be any medium which
carries a
set of computer-readable signals comprising instructions which, when executed
by
processing hardware, causes the processing hardware to execute a method of the
invention. A computer-readable medium may be in any of a wide variety of
forms,
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including an electronic or semiconductor system (e.g. ROM and flash RAM),
magnetic
or electro-magnetic system (e.g. floppy diskettes and hard disk drives), or
optical or
infrared system (e.g. CD ROMs and DVDs). The computer-readable signals on the
program product may optionally be compressed or encrypted.
[0051] Where a component (e.g. a software module, processor, assembly, device,
circuit, etc.) is referred to above, unless otherwise indicated, reference to
that
component (including a reference to a "means") should be interpreted as
including as
equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the
described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), including
components which
are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the
function in
the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.
[0052] While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed
above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications,
permutations,
additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the
following
appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all
such
modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within
their true
spirit and scope.
