Attorney Docket No.: LYN-07I317DV02
`Divisional Application of U.S. App. No. 12/287,267
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`LED CIRCUITS AND ASSEMBLIES
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`RELATED APPLICATIONS
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`(0001]
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`This application is a divisional application of U.S. Application No. 12/287,267 filed
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`October 6, 2008 which claims tl~e priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/997,771, filed
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`October 6, 2007 —the contents of each of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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`[0002]
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`The present invention relates generally to light-emitting diode ("LED") circuits and
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`assemblies; and more specifically to scalable alternating current ("AC") driven LF.D circuits and
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`assemblies.
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`SUMMt~RY OF THE INVENTION
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`[0003]
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`While not intending to limit the scope of the claims or disclosure, in brief summary,
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`the present disclosure and claims are directed to providing improved ease of designing and
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`building lighting fixtures rising AC-driven LEDs. Disclosed and claimed are LED circuits
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`having scalable circuit configurations and LED packlge assembly configurations which can be
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`used in an ~-1C-drive platform to more easily match the voltage requirements of Che lighting
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`fixCure(s) or systems in which. the LCD's are desired. Circuits and LED package assemblies are
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`ctaitned and disclosed which reduce objectionable flicker produced from AC-driven LEDs and to
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`produce mare light per component. Packaged LED's are provided for lighting design according
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`to the invention which address flicker at low frequencies (e.g. 50/60 Hz) while being scalable as
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`desired for a particular IighCing goal without resort to designing individual assemblies at the
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`semiconductor die level. Circuits are also disclosed and claimed which provide for some of the
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`LEDs in a circuit to be on during both positive and negative phases of an AC source, to among
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`other things, address flicker. Also, circuits are claimed and disclosed where a basic circuit
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`Acuity v. Lynk
`Acuity Ex.1013
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`IPR PAGE 1
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`

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`Attorney Docket Na.: LYN-071317DV02
`Divisional Application of U.S. App. No. 12/287,267
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`design provides a voltage anti current performance whereby scalability or matching a particular
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`voltage requirement is achieved by configuring LF,Ds in the basic clesiglz and/or by joining one
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`or more of the basic circuits eagetl~er in series or parallel to achieve the design requirement.
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`[0004)
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`According to an embodiment of the invention an AC-driven LED circuit is proposed
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`having a fixst parallel circuit having LEDs. Each LED having an input and an output, and the
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`circuit having at least first and second branches connecting at first and second common points,
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`the common points providing input and output For an ~1C driving current for the circuit. The first
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`branch having a first and a second LED, and the second branch having a third and a fourth LED.
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`The first LED is connected to the second LED in opposing series relationship with the inputs of
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`the first and second LEDs defining a first branch junction. The third LED is connected to the
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`fourth ~,ED in opposing series with the outputs of the third and fourth LEDs defining a second
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`bra~lch j unction. The first and second branches are connected to one another such that the output
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`of the I`irst LED is connected to the input of the third .LED at the first common point and the
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`output of the second LED is connected to the input of the fourth LED at the second common
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`paint. A first cross-connecting circuit branch having at least a fifth LED, Che first cross-
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`connecting circuit being configured such that the input of the fifth LED is connected to second
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`branch junction and the output is connected to the first branch junction.
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`[0005
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`According to another embodiment of tl~e invention, an AC-driven LED circuit may
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`catnprise one or more additional parallel circuits each being the sarne as the first parallel circuit
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`identified above. Cacti additional circuit being conductively connected to the first parallel circuit
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`and to one another at their common paints for providing an input and an output for an AC
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`driving current of the circuit. According to other embodiments, the additional parallel circuits
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`2
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`IPR PAGE 2
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`

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`Attorney Docket No.: LYN-071317DV02
`Divisional Application of U.S. App. No. 12/287,267
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`may be connected in series to the first parallel circuit and to one another or the additional parallel
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`circuits may he connected in parallel to the first parallel circuit and to oiie another.
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`[0006]
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`According to another embodinnent of'the invention, n additional LEDs, in pairs, may
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`be provided in the circuit wherein the pairs are configu~~ed among the first and second branch
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`circuits of each of the respective parapet circuits, such that current flows through the respective
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`fifth diode of each parallel circuit upon both a negative aild positive phase of the ~1C driving
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`source and so that the current draw through each of the respective parallel circuits during both
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`AC phases is substantially the same.
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`[0007]
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`According to another embodiment the AC-driven LSD circuit further comprises x
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`cross-connecting circuit branches each having one oz• more LEDs and being configured such that
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`current flows through each of the respective one or mote LEDS upon both a negative and
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`positive phase of the AC driving source and so that the current draw through each of the
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`respective parallel circuits during both ~~ phases is substantially the same.
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`[0008]
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`According to another embodiment of the invention, an AC-driven LED assembly
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`comprises at lelst a first and a second LED each discretely packaged, the LEDs being connected
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`in an AC circuit and each LED package being mounted to a substrate at a distance from the other
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`of preferably approximately 3 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or less. In an
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`embodiment the packaged LEDs also each have a length of preferably approximately 2.5 mm or
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`less, and more preferably 2.0 rnm or less. In an embodiment the packaged LEDs also each have
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`a tividth of preferably approximately 2.5 inm or less, and more preferably Z.0 mm or less. In an
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`embodiment the LED packages are arranged with respect to each other in a linear spatial
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`relationship while in another embodiment the LED packages are arranged with respect to each
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`other in an XY rectilinear spatial relationship.
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`3
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`IPR PAGE 3
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`

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`Attorney Docket No.: I,YN=071317DVU2
`Divisional Application of U.S. App. No. 12/287,267
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`IIRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TI-IE DRAWINGS
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`[0009]
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`FIG. I is a schematic view of an AC-driven LED circuit according to an embodiment
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`of the invention;
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`[OQ10]
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`FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an AC-driven LED circuit according to an embodiment
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`of the invention;
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`[0011)
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`FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an AGdriven LED circuit according to an embodiment
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`of the invention;
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`[001?]
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`FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an AC-driven LED circuit according to an embodiment
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`of the invention;
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`[0013]
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`FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an RC-driven LF,D circuit according to an embodiment
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`oC the invention;
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`~d014~
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`FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of an A~-driven LSD assembly according to an
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`embodiment oI" the invention;
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`[0015]
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`FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of an AC-driven LED assembly according to an
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`embodiment of the invention;
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`[0016]
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`FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of an AC-driven LED assembly according to an
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`embodiment of the invention;
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`[0017]
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`FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an AC-driven LED circuit according to an embodiment
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`of the invention; and,
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`[0018]
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`FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an ACAdriven LED circuit according to an
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`embodiment of the invention,
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`IPR PAGE 4
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`

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`Attorney Docket No.: LYN-071317DVQ2
`Divisional Application of U.S. App. No. 12/287,267
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`DFTt~ILED DL'SCRI~'TION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
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`[0019]
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`While this invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are
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`shown in the drawings and will he~•ein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the
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`invention with the understandii~zg that the present disclosures are to be considered as
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`exennplifications of the principles of the invention and are not intended to limit the broad aspects
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`of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. Like components in the various FIGS. will be
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`given like reference numbers.
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`(0020]
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`FIG. I discloses an AC-driven LED circuit 10 including a f rst parallel circuit 12
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`having a first branch 14, and a second branch 16. Branches 14, 16 connect at first common point
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`18 and second common point 20. The common points 18, 20 provide input and output for an AC
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`driving current #'rom a driver 24 for the circuit.
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`[0021 ] The first branch 14 has a first LED 26 and a second LED 28, and the second branch
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`16 having a third LEU 30 and a fourth LED 32. The first LSD 26 is connected to the second
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`LED 28 in opposing series relationship with the inputs of the first and second LEDs 26, 28
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`defining a first branch junction 34. The third LED 30 is connected to the fourth LED 32 in
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`opposing series with tl~e outputs of the third and fourth LEDs 30, 32 defining a second branch
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`junction 36.
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`[0022]
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`The first and second branches 34, 36 are connected to oi~e another such that the
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`output of the first LED 26 is connected to the input of the third LED 30 at the first common point
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`18 and the output of the second LED 28 is connected to the input of the fourth LED 32 at the
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`second commozi point 20. A first cross-connecting circuit branch 38 has a fifth LED 40. The
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`first cross-connecting circuit branch 38 being configured sl~ch that the input of the fifth LED 40
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`5
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`IPR PAGE 5
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`

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`Attorney Docket No.: LYN-071317DV02
`Divisional Application of U.S. App. No. 12/287,267
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`is connected to second branch junction 36 and the output is connected to the first branch junction
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`34.
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`[0023]
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`As will be appreciated by thosz of skill in the art, the LED's 26 and 32 will provide
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`light only upon one half of an AC wave, pulse or phase, while LEDs 28 and 30 will provide light
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`only upon the opposite wave, pulse or phase. At lower frequencies, e.g. n-~ains Frequencies, if the
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`LEDs are spaced pursuant to another aspe;et oC the invention (disclosed below) at preferably
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`approximately 3.0 mzn ox less preferably approximately 2.0 mm or less, them the amount of
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`noticeable flicker may not be unacceptable. However•, the cross connecting circuit 38 and diode
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`40 will be on (produce light) in both phases of the AC drive and hence mitigate flicker tivhich
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`may be evidenced in its surrounding LEDs 26, 28, 30 and 32.
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`[0024]
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`rIG. 2 discloses an AC-driven LED circuit 50 which is a modification of AC-driven
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`LED circuit 10. Circuit 50 furthcz• mitigates flicker, Circuit 50 provides an addiiianal cross-
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`connecting circuit branch 42 having LED 44. The ZEDS 40, 44 are configured such that current
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`flows through each upon both a negative and positive phase of the ~1C driving source 24. It
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`should be appreciated that according to the invention x number of such cross connecting circuit
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`branches (such as 38, 42} may be added as desired (see for e.g. FIG. 9), however, since the LEL7s
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`(such as LL-;Ds 40, 44) are in parallel with each other, their voltage demand will he divided while
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`their current draw will not. Hence a suitable driver need be provided for this circumstance.
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`[0025]
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`To increase the light output of the circuit of the invention, it should be noted as
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`disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 10 that additional or n ZEDS may be provided in the branches I4 and
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`16. Specircally FIG. 3 discloses an AC-driven circuit 60 which is a modification of circuit 50.
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`Circuit 60 provides for additional LEDs 46 and 48. The pair of LEDs are configured among the
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`first and second branch circuits 14, 16 of the parallel circuit 15 such that current flows through
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`IPR PAGE 6
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`

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`t~ttorney Docket No.: LYN-071317DV02
`Divisional Application of U.S. App. No. 12/287,267
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`the respective diodes 40, 44 upon both a negative and positive phase of the AC driving source 24
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`and so that the current draw through parallel circuit 1 S during both AC phases is substantially the
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`same.
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`[0026
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`It should be noted that according to the invention, n pairs of LEDs can be configured
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`among first and second branch circuits of'a respective parallel circuit (see for e.g,, FIG. 10), such
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`that current flows through the respective cross connecting circuit branch LEDs of a parallel
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`circuit upon both a negative and positive phase of the AC driving source and so that the current
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`draw through each of the respective parallel circuits during both AC phases is substantially the
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`same. Mote LEDs in the branch circuits divide the current from the higher current LEDs in cross
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`connecting circuits 38, ~2.
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`[0027]
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`According to another aspect of the invention, to fiirther mitigate the amount of flicker
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`perceived, adding to the light provided and to scalabiiity, additional parallel cire~2its, each being
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`the same as the first parallel circuit, may be conductively connected to the first parallel circuit in
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`series or parallel at the their common points 18, ZO for providing an input and an output for an
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`AC driving current for the circuit.
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`[0028]
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`For instance, FIG. 4 discloses an AC-driven LCI7 circuit 70 which includes additional
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`parallel circuits 15 connected in series at common points 18, 20. Additionally, as seen in FIG. S,
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`an AC-driven LED circuit SO includes additional parallel circuits 15 connected in parallel at
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`common points 18, 20. This embodiment shows the utility of providing a scalable circuit that
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`can be manufactured modularly and used to connect to match higher voltage requirements e.g.
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`circuit 15 may d~•aw drawing 12 V AC while two such circuits 15 in series would meet 24V AC
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`requirements.
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`i7
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`IPR PAGE 7
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`

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`Attorney Docket Na.: LYN-071317DV02
`Divisional Application of U.S. App. No. 12/287,267
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`[0029]
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`Preferably, the number and type of LEDs in tl~e AC-driven LED circuit draws a
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`combined current and combined voltage which is substantially equal to the nominal voltage
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`capacity of the AC drive sat~rce.
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`[0030]
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`As shown in FIG. 6, an AC-driven LED assembly 90 has a first and a second LED 82
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`each discretely packaged, the LEDs being connected in an AC circuit and each LED package 82
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`being mounted to a substrate 92 at a distance dl from the other of preferably approximately 3
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`mm or less, and snore preferably 2.0 mm or less. The AC-driven LED assembly 90 also has
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`packaged LEDs 84 eac11 having a width d2 and a length d3 of preferably approximately 2.5 mm
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`or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or less.
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`[003 l ] FIG. 6 discloses an AC-driven LED assembly 90 wherein the LED packages 84 are
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`az-ranged with respect to each other in a linear spatial relationship, while I'IG. 7 discloses an
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`assembly 1 d0 wherein the LEI7 packages $4 are arranged with respect to each other in an XY
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`rectilinear spatial relationship.
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`[0032] As can be seen in rIG. 8, tivhen LED packages 84 are placed at 3 mm or less, the light
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`produced there From intersects, thereby reducing yr eliminating the eCfe;ets of flicker.
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`[0033]
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`As would be known to one skilled in the art, various embodiments of the LED
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`packages, substrates, and assemblies may be produced, such as creating an ~C-driven circuit
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`where all circuits and LEDs are formed on a semiconductor, where the LED are discretely
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`packaged apart from the circuits, and where each paralie( circuit is formed on a printed circuit
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`board.
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`[0034]
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`While in the preceding there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the
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`invention, it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in other specific
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`forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present
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`E':
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`IPR PAGE 8
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`

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`Attorney Docket Irto.: LYN-071317DV02
`Divisional Application of U.S. App. No. 12/287,267
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`embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and
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`the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. While specific embodiments have
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`been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly
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`departing from the characteristics of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by
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`the scope of the accompanying Claims.
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`D
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`IPR PAGE 9
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`

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`Attorney Docket No.: LYN-471317DV02
`Divisional Application of U.S. App. No. 12/287,267
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`CLAIMS
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`I claim:
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`An 1~C-driven LED assembly conlpt•ising:
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`at least a first and a second LED each discretely packaged, the LEDs being connected in
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`an AC circuit and each LED package being mounted to a substrate at a distance from the other of
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`preferably approximately 3 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or less.
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`2.
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`The AC-driven LED assembly according to claim 1 wherein the packaged LEDs each
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`have a length of preferably approximately 2.5 i~tm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or less.
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`3.
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`The AC-driven LED assembly according to claim 1 wherein the packaged LEDs each
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`have a width of preferably approximately 2.5 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or less.
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`4.
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`The AC-driven LED assembly according to claim 1 wherein the LED packages are
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`arranged with respect to each other in a linear spatial relationship.
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`The AC-driven LED assembly according to claim 1 wherein the LED packages are
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`arranged with respect to each other in an XY rectilinear spatial relationship.
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`fIl]
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`IPR PAGE 10
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`

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`Attorney Docket No.: LYN-071317DV02
`Divisional Application of U.S. App. No. 12/287,267
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`ABSTRACT
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`Ati AC-driven LED circuit 10 includes a first parallel circuit 12 having a first branch 14 and a
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`second branch 16 which connect at first and second common point 18, 20. The common points
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`18, 20 provide input and output for a~1 AC driving current from a driver of the circuit. The f rst
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`branch 14 has a first LF,D 26 and a second LED 28, the first LED 26 being connected to the
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`second LED 28 in opposing series relationship with the inputs of the first and second LEDs 26,
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`28 defining a First branch junction 34. A second branch 16 has a third LED 3U and a fourth I,F,D
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`32, the third LED 30 is connected to the fourth LED 32 in opposing series relationship with the
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`outputs of the third and fourth LEDs 30, 32 defining a second branch junction 36. Improvement
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`in performance and scalabiiity is provided by adding n diodes to a given parallel circuit and x
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`cross connecting circuit branch diodes (4Q, 44) and providing one or more parallel circuits (15)
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`in series anti or parallel. An AC-driven LED assembly with discretely packaged LEDs being
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`connected in an AL circuit and being sized preferably substantially 2.5 min or less in length and
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`width, and more preferably 2.0 tnm or less; and being mounted to a substrate at a distance fi•om
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`the other of preferably approximately 3 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or less.
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`11
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`IPR PAGE 11
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`

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`IPR PAGE 12
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`2/3
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`F/G. 5
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`~~
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`FIG. 6
`84
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`92
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`IPR PAGE 13
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`3/3
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`IPR PAGE 14