LED-BASED FIXTURES AND RELATED METHODS FOR THERMAL
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`-1-
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`Attorney Docket No.: C1104.70163US00
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`MANAGEMENT
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`Background
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`[0001]
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`Adventof digital lighting technologies, i.e. illumination based on semiconductorlight
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`sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), offers a viable alternative to traditional
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`fluorescent, HID, and incandescent lamps. Functional advantages and benefits of LEDs include
`high energy conversion and optical efficiency, robustness, lower operating costs, and many
`others. For example, LEDs are particularly suitable for applications requiring small or low-
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`profile light fixtures, The LEDs’ smaller size, long operating life, low energy consumption, and
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`durability make them a great choice when space is at a premium,
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`[0002]
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`A “downlight”is a lightfixture that is installed into a hollow opening in a ceiling and
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`often referred to as a “recessed light” or “can light.” Wheninstalled, it appears to concentrate
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`light in a downward direction from the ceiling as a broad floodlightor narrow spotlight.
`Generally, there are two parts to recessed lights, the trim and housing. The trim is the visible
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`portion of the light and includes the decorative lining around the edgeofthe light. The housing is
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`the fixture itself that is installed inside the ceiling and contains the light socket.
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`Analternative to recessed lights is a surface-mount or suspended downlight,
`[0003]
`combining the general functionality of a downlight with flexibility and ease of installation over
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`conventional junction boxes, particularly where disposal of the recessed light housing in the
`ceiling is impractical. In this regard, architects, engineers and lighting designers are often under
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`considerable pressure to use low-profile, shallow-depth fixtures. Fundamentally, in connection
`with multiple-floor buildings, floor-to-floor heights are limited by developers looking to
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`maximize their floor-to-arearatio; yet designers often want to maximize the volumeofthe space
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`by including the tallest ceilings possible, This contradiction sets up a conflict between various
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`utilities, including lighting, that are competing forthe limited recess depth found between the
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`finished ceiling and the structural slab above.
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`[0004]
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`Designers have also shunned most surface-mounted general-illumination solutions;
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`the size of the primary light sources, along with required optics and glare shielding techniques,
`quickly makes the fixtures too large to be aesthetically acceptable by most designers. Also, the
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`1185284.1
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 1
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 1
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`Attorney Docket No.: C1104.70163US00
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`compromises made to achieve low profile mounting heights in fixtures with traditionallight
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`sources typically negatively impacts overall fixture efficacy. In fact, total fixture efficacy for
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`many surface mounted compact fluorescent units averages only 30 lumens/Watt,
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`Summary
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`[0005]=In view of the foregoing, Applicants have recognized and appreciated thatit is
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`desirable to provide a downlightfixture employing LED-based light sources that addresses a
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`numberof disadvantages of conventional downlightfixtures, particularly those associated with
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`thermal management, light output, and ease of installation. Accordingly, one object of the
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`technology disclosed herein is to provide a shallow surface-mountfixture — as shallow as 1”-2”
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`overall height — to alleviate the undesirable constraints of shallow recess depths for many
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`designers; in fact, it could help many projects reclaim up to 6” of ceiling height. Additionally,it
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`would offer an elegant solution to projects with no recess cavity at all (mounting directly to
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`concrete slabs). Another object is to achieve an overall fixture efficacy of about 30 lumens/Watt
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`or better in orderto set various implementations of this technology on an equal plane with
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`fluorescent sources, yet at output levels normally associated with incandescentfixtures, thus
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`setting this fixture up well for environments with low ambientlightlevels.
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`[0006]
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`Additionally, Applicants have recognized and appreciated that maintaining a proper
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`LED junction temperature is an important componentto developing an efficient LED-based
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`lighting system, as the LEDs perform with a higher efficacy when run at cooler temperatures,
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`The use of active cooling via fans and other mechanical air moving systems, however,is
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`typically discouraged in the general lighting industry primarily due to its inherent noise, cost and
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`high maintenance needs. Thus, it is desirable to achieve air flow rates comparable to that of an
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`actively cooled system without the noise, cost or moving parts.
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`[0007]
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`Accordingly, the technology disclosed herein generally relates to lighting fixtures
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`employing LED-based light sources that are suitable for general illumination in surface-mount or
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`suspendedinstallations, as well as other fixture types. More specifically, this technologyis
`directed to improving heat dissipation properties of such fixtures by generally decreasing a
`thermalresistance between one or more LEDsassociated with the fixture (particularly the LED
`junctions). In contrast to conventional naturally-cooled heat sink designs relying solely on
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`considerations of form factor, surface area, and mass to dissipate a generated thermalload,in its
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`1185284.1
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 2
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 2
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`

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`-3-
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`Attorney Docket No.: C1104.70163US00
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`various inventive aspects and particular implementations, the technology disclosed herein
`additionally contemplates creating and maintaining a “chimneyeffect” within the fixture,
`employed alone or in combination with otherfactors relating to decreased thermalresistance,
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`such as increased surface area of heat dissipating elements (e.g., one or more heat sinks) and
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`improved thermal coupling between the LED(s)ofthe fixture and one or more heat dissipating
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`elements. The resulting high flow rate, natural convection cooling system is capable of
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`efficiently dissipating the waste heat from an LED lighting module withoutactive cooling.
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`[0008]
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`The technique for enhancing the air flow through a heat sink disclosed herein can be
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`used with different kinds of LED-based lighting fixtures. In some exemplary embodiments,the
`air flow enhancementtechniques disclosed herein can be implemented with particular efficiency
`for fixtures configured to project light unidirectionally, in particular, downward (ie. ina
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`substantially vertical orientation), Such fixtures inchide downlights, pendants, track lights, and
`sconces,
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`In one implementation, a low-profile downlight fixture for unicolor, for example,
`[0009]
`white illumination, is disclosed, capitalizing on the low profile of LED lighting modules to create
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`a surface-mounted fixture thinner than any other fixture utilizing conventional light sources, The
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`fixture also capitalizes upon the directionality and optic capabilities of LEDs to create a total
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`fixture efficacy that matches or surpasses even fluorescent sources. A unique thermal venting
`design maintains appropriate thermaldissipation while creating a “‘clean” minimalist,
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`contemporary appearance.
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`[0010]
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`In another implementation, this disclosure features a hanging spot pendant,
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`particularly suitable for the general ambient illumination of a small, intimate environment, such
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`as a dining, kitchen island, or conference room setting. It could also be used for task lighting,
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`low ambient mood lighting, accentlighting and other purposes.
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`[0011]
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`In still another implementation, this disclosure features a track head fixture suitable
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`for general ilhumination and accentlighting of objects and architectural features and configured
`for installation with a conventional open architecture track.
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`1185284.1
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 3
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 3
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`Attorney Docket No.: C1104.70163US00
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`Relevant Terminology
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`[0012]
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`As used herein for purposes of the present disclosure, the term “LED” should be
`
`understood to include any electroluminescent diode orother type of carrier injection/junction-
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`based system that is capable of generating radiation in response to an electric signal. Thus, the
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`term LED includes, but is not limited to, various semiconductor-based structures that emit light
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`in response to current, light emitting polymers, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs),
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`electroluminescentstrips, and the like.
`
`[0013]
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`In particular, the term LEDrefers to light emitting diodes of all types (including
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`semi-conductor and organic light emitting diodes) that may be configured to generate radiation
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`in one or more ofthe infrared spectrum, ultraviolet spectrum, and various portions of the visible
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`spectrum (generally including radiation wavelengths from approximately 400 nanometers to
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`approximately 700 nanometers), Some examples of LEDs include, but are not limited to, various
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`types of infrared LEDs, ultraviolet LEDs, red LEDs, blue LEDs, green LEDs, yellow LEDs,
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`amber LEDs, orange LEDs, and white LEDs (discussed further below). It also should be
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`appreciated that LEDs may be configured and/or controlled to generate radiation having various
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`bandwidths(e.g., full widths at half maximum, or FWHM)for a given spectrum (e.g., narrow
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`bandwidth, broad bandwidth), and a variety of dominant wavelengths within a given general
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`color categorization.
`
`[0014]
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`For example, one implementation of an LED configured to generate essentially white
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`light (e,g., a white LED) may include a numberof dies which respectively emit different spectra
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`of electroluminescence that, in combination, mix to form essentially white light. In another
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`implementation, a white light LED may be associated with a phosphor material that converts
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`electroluminescence having a first spectrum to a different second spectrum, In one example of
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`this implementation, electroluminescence having a relatively short wavelength and narrow
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`bandwidth spectrum “pumps” the phosphor material, which in turn radiates longer wavelength
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`radiation having a somewhat broaderspectrum.
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`[0015]=‘It should also be understood that the term LED does notlimit the physical and/or
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`electrical package type of an LED. For example, as discussed above, an LED mayrefer to a
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`single light emitting device having multiple dies that are configured to respectively emit different
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`spectra ofradiation (e.g., that may or may not be individually controllable). Also, an LED may
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`1185284.1
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 4
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 4
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`Attorney Docket No.; C1104.70163US00
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`be associated with a phosphorthat is considered as an integral part of the LED (e.g., some types
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`of white LEDs). In general, the term LED mayrefer to packaged LEDs, non-packaged LEDs,
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`surface mount LEDs, chip-on-board LEDs, T-package mount LEDs,radial package LEDs,
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`power package LEDs, LEDs including some type of encasement and/or optical element(e.g., a
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`diffusing lens), etc.
`
`[0016]
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`The term “light source” should be understood to refer to any one or more of a variety
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`of radiation sources, including, but not limited to, LED-based sources (including one or more
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`LEDsas defined above), incandescent sources(e.g., filament lamps, halogen lamps), fluorescent
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`sources, phosphorescent sources, high-intensity discharge sources (e.g., sodium vapor, mercury
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`vapor, and metal halide lamps), lasers, other types of electroluminescent sources, pyro-
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`luminescent sources(e.g., flames), candle-luminescent sources(e.g., gas mantles, carbon arc
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`radiation sources), photo-luminescent sources (e.g., gaseous discharge sources), cathode
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`luminescent sources using electronic satiation, galvano-luminescent sources, crystallo-
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`luminescent sources, kine-luminescent sources, thermo-luminescent sources, triboluminescent
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`sources, sonoluminescent sources, radioluminescent sources, and luminescent polymers.
`
`[0017]
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`A given light source may be configured to generate electromagnetic radiation within
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`the visible spectrum, outside the visible spectrum, or a combination of both. Hence, the terms
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`-
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`“light” and “radiation” are used interchangeably herein. Additionally, a light source may include
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`as an integral component one or morefilters (e.g., color filters), lenses, or other optical
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`components. Also, it should be understood that light sources may be configured for a variety of
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`applications, including, but not limited to, indication, display, and/or illumination. An
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`“illumination source” is a light source thatis particularly configured to generate radiation having
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`a sufficient intensity to effectively illuminate an interior or exterior space. In this context,
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`“sufficient intensity” refers to sufficient radiant powerin the visible spectrum generated in the
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`space or environment(the unit “lumens” often is employed to representthe total light output
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`from a light source in all directions, in terms of radiant poweror“luminous flux”) to provide
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`ambient illumination (i.e., light that may be perceived indirectly and that may be, for example,
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`reflected off of one or more of a variety of intervening surfaces before being perceived in whole
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`or in part).
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`[0018]
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`The term “spectrum” should be understood to refer to any one or more frequencies (or
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`1185284.1
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 5
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 5
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`Attorney Docket No.: C1104.70163US00
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`wavelengths) of radiation produced by one or morelight sources. Accordingly, the term
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`“spectrum”refers to frequencies (or wavelengths) not only in the visible range,but also
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`frequencies (or wavelengths) in the infrared, ultraviolet, and other areas of the overall
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`electromagnetic spectrum. Also, a given spectrum may havea relatively narrow bandwidth (e.g.,
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`a FWHM having essentially few frequency or wavelength components) or a relatively wide
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`bandwidth (several frequency or wavelength components having variousrelative strengths), It
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`should also be appreciated that a given spectrum may be the result of a mixing of two or more
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`other spectra (e.g., mixing radiation respectively emitted from multiple light sources).
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`[0019]
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`For purposesof this disclosure, the term “color” is used interchangeably with the term
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`“spectrum.”’ However, the term “color” generally is used to refer primarily to a property of
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`radiation that is perceivable by an observer (although this usage is not intended to limit the scope
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`of this term). Accordingly, the terms “different colors” implicitly refer to multiple spectra
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`having different wavelength components and/or bandwidths. It also should be appreciated that
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`the term “color” may be used in connection with both white and non-white light.
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`[0020]
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`The term “color temperature” generally is used herein in connection with white light,
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`although this usage is not intended to limit the scope of this term. Color temperature essentially
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`refers to a particular color content or shade (e.g., reddish, bluish) of white light. The color
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`temperature of a given radiation sample conventionally is characterized according to the
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`temperature in degrees Kelvin (K) of a black body radiator that radiates essentially the same
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`spectrum as the radiation sample in question. Black body radiator color temperatures generally
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`fall within a range of from approximately 700 degrees K (typically considered thefirst visible to
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`the human eye) to over 10,000 degrees K; white light generally is perceived at color
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`temperatures above 1500-2000 degrees K.
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`[0021]
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`Lowercolor temperatures generally indicate white light having a more significant red
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`component or a “warmerfeel,” while higher color temperatures generally indicate white light
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`having a more significant blue componentor a “cooler feel.” By way of example, fire has a
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`color temperature of approximately 1,800 degrees K, a conventional incandescent bulb has a
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`color temperature of approximately 2848 degrees K, early morning daylight has a color
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`temperature of approximately 3,000 degrees K, and overcast midday skies have a color
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`temperature of approximately 10,000 degrees K. A color image viewed under white light having
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`1185284.1
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 6
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 6
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`Attorney Docket No.: C1104.70163US00
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`a color temperature of approximately 3,000 degree K has a relatively reddish tone, whereas the
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`samecolor image viewed under white light having a color temperature of approximately 10,000
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`degrees K hasa relatively bluish tone.
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`[0022]
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`The term “lighting fixture” is used herein to refer to an implementation or
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`arrangement of one or more lighting units in a particular form factor, assembly, or package. The
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`term “lighting unit” is used herein to refer to an apparatus including one or morelight sources of
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`same or different types. A given lighting unit may have any one of a variety of mounting
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`arrangements for the light source(s), enclosure/housing arrangements and shapes, and/or
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`electrical and mechanical connection configurations. Additionally, a given lighting unit
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`optionally may be associated with (e.g., include, be coupled to and/or packaged together with)
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`various other components (e.g., control circuitry) relating to the operation ofthe light source(s).
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`An “LED-based lighting unit” refers to a lighting unit that includes one or more LED-basedlight
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`sources as discussed above, alone or in combination with other non LED-basedlight sources. A
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`“multi-channel” lighting unit refers to an LED-based or non LED-based lighting unit that
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`includesat least two light sources configured to respectively generate different spectrums of
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`radiation, wherein each different source spectrum maybe referred to as a “channel” of the multi-
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`channellighting unit.
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`[0023}
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`The term “controller” is used herein generally to describe various apparatusrelating
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`to the operation of one or more light sources. A controller can be implemented in numerous
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`ways(e.g., such as with dedicated hardware) to perform various functions discussed herein, A
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`“processor” is one example of a controller which employs one or more microprocessors that may
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`be programmed using software (e.g., microcode) to perform various functions discussed herein.
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`A controller may be implemented with or without employing a processor, and also may be
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`implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor
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`(€.g., one or More programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other
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`functions, Examples of controller components that may be employed in various embodiments of
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`the present disclosure include, but are notlimited to, conventional microprocessors, application
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`specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).
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`[0024]
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`In various implementations, a processor or controller may be associated with one or
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`more storage media (generically referred to herein as “memory,”e.g., volatile and non-volatile
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`1185284.1
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 7
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 7
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`

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`-8-
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`Attorney Docket No.: C1104.70163US00
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`computer memory such as RAM, PROM, EPROM,and EEPROM,floppy disks, compact disks,
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`optical disks, magnetic tape, etc.). In some implementations, the storage media may be encoded
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`with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and/orcontrollers,
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`perform at least some of the functions discussed herein. Various storage media maybe fixed
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`within a processor or controller or may be transportable, such that the one or more programs
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`stored thereon can be loaded into a processor or controller so as to implement various aspects of
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`the present disclosure discussed herein. The terms “program”or “computer program”are used
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`herein in a generic sense to refer to any type of computer code(e.g., software or microcode) that
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`can be employed to program one or more processors or controllers.
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`[0025]
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`The term “addressable” is used herein to refer to a device (e.g., a light source in
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`general, a lighting unit or fixture, a controller or processor associated with one or morelight
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`sourcesorlighting units, other non-lighting related devices, etc.) that is configured to receive
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`information (e.g., data) intended for multiple devices, including itself, and to selectively respond
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`to particular information intended for it. The term “addressable” often is used in connection with
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`a networked envuonment(ora “network,” discussed further below), in which multiple devices
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`are coupled together via some communications medium or media.
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`[0026]
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`In one network implementation, one or more devices coupled to a network may serve
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`as a controller for one or more other devices coupled to the network(e.g., in a master/slave
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`relationship). In another implementation, a networked environment may include one or more
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`dedicated controllers that are configured to control one or more of the devices coupled to the
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`network. Generally, multiple devices coupled to the network each may have accessto data that
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`is present on the communications medium or media; however, a given device may be
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`“addressable”in thatit is configured to selectively exchange data with (i.e., receive data from
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`and/or transmit data to) the network, based, for example, on one or more particular identifiers
`(e.g, “addresses”) assigned to it.
`
`[0027]
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`The term ‘“‘network” as used herein refers to any interconnection of two or more
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`devices (including controllers or processors) that facilitates the transport of information (e.g. for
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`device control, data storage, data exchange, etc.) between any two or more devices and/or among
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`multiple devices coupled to the network. As should be readily appreciated, various
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`implementations of networks suitable for interconnecting multiple devices may include any of a
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`1185284.1
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 8
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 8
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`Attorney Docket No.: C1104.70163US00
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`variety of network topologies and employ any of a variety of communication protocols.
`Additionally, in various networks according to the present disclosure, any one connection
`between two devices may represent a dedicated connection between the two systems, or
`alternatively a non-dedicated connection. In addition to carrying information intended for the
`two devices, such a non-dedicated connection may carry informationnot necessarily intended for
`either of the two devices(e.g., an open network connection), Furthermore, it should be readily
`appreciated that various networks of devices as discussed herein may employ one or more
`wireless, wire/cable, and/or fiber optic links to facilitate information transport throughoutthe
`network,
`
`[0028]
`
`The term “user interface” as used herein refers to an interface between a human user
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`or operator and one or more devices that enables communication between the user and the
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`device(s), Examples of user interfaces that may be employed in various implementationsof the
`present disclosure include, but are not limited to, switches, potentiometers, buttons, dials, sliders,
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`a mouse, keyboard, keypad, various types of gamecontrollers (e.g., joysticks), track balls,
`display screens, various types of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), touch screens, microphones
`and other types of sensors that may receive some form of human-generated stimulus and
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`generate a signal in responsethereto,
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`It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein that also
`[0029]
`may appearin any disclosure incorporated by reference below should be accorded a meaning
`most consistent with the particular inventive concepts disclosed herein.
`
`Related Patents and Patent Applications
`
`The following patents and patent applications, relevant to the present disclosure and
`[0030]
`any inventive concepts contained therein , are hereby incorporated herein by reference:
`
`[0031]
`
`USS. Patent No. 6,016,038, issued January 18, 2000, entitled “Multicolored LED
`
`Lighting Method and Apparatus;”
`
`[0032]
`
`U.S. Patent No. 6,211,626, issued April 3, 2001, entitled “Illumination Components;”
`
`[0033]
`
`U.S. Patent No, 6,720,745 issued April 13, 2004, entitled “Data Delivery Track;”
`
`[0034]
`
`U.S. Patent No. 6,965,205, issued November 15, 2005, entitled “Light Emitting
`
`1185284.1
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 9
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 9
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`Attorney Docket No.: C1104.70163US00
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`Diode Based Products;”
`
`[0035]
`
`U.S, Patent No, 6,975,079, issued December 13, 2005, entitled “Systems and
`
`Methods for Controlling Iumination Sources;”
`
`[0036]
`
`U.S. Patent No. 7,014,336, issued March 21, 2006,entitled “Systems and Methods for
`
`Generating and Modulating Illumination Conditions;”
`
`[0037]
`
`U.S. Patent Application Serial No, 10/163,085, filed June 5, 2002, entitled “Systems
`
`and Methodsfor Controlling Programmable Lighting Systems;”
`
`[0038]
`
`U.S. Patent No. 7,038,399, issued May 2, 2006, entitled “Methods and Apparatus for
`
`Providing Powerto Lighting Devices;”
`
`[0039]
`
`U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/828,933,filed April 21, 2004, entitled “Tile
`
`Lighting Methods and Systems;”
`
`[0040]
`
`U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/010,840, filed December 13, 2004, entitled
`
`“Thermal Management Methods and Apparatus for Lighting Devices;”
`
`[0041]
`
`U.S, Patent Application Serial No, 11/079,904, filed March 14, 2005, entitled “LED
`
`Power Control Methods and Apparatus;”
`
`[0042]
`
`U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/225,377, filed September 12, 2005, entitled
`
`“Power Control Methods and Apparatus for Variable Loads;”
`
`[6043]
`
`U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/429,715, filed May 8, 2006, entitled “Power
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`Control Methods and Apparatus;” and
`
`[0044]
`
`U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/419,995, filed May 23, 2006, entitled “Modular
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`LED-Based Lighting Fixtures Having Socket Engagement Features.”
`
`Brief Description of the Drawings
`
`[0045]
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`In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout
`
`the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally
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`being placed uponillustrating the principles of the invention.
`
`[0046]
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`FIG. 1 is a diagramillustrating a controlled LED-basedlight source suitable for use
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`with a downlight fixture disclosed herein.
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`1185284.1
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 10
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`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 10
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`Attorney Docket No.: C1104.70163US00
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`[0047]
`FIG, 1.
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`FIG,2 is a diagram illustrating a networked system of LED-based light sources of
`
`[0048]
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`FIGS. 3A illustrate a downlightfixture assembly according to one implementation of
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`the present technology.
`
`[0049]
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`FIGS. 3B illustrate the downlight fixture assembly of FIG. 3A with a bezel cover
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`removed
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`[0050]
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`FIGS, 4-6 illustrate some of the components of the downlight fixture assembly shown
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`in FIGS. 3A-3B.
`
`[0051]
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`‘FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section of the downlight fixture assembly of FIGS. 3A,
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`showing an air gap for creating a chimney effect with the fixture.
`
`[0052]
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`FIGS, 8A-8Dillustrate a hanging spot pendantfixture according to another
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`implementation of the present technology.
`
`[0053]
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`FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate CFD simulations of temperature and air flow distribution in a
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`cross section of the pendantfixture shown in FIGS. 8A-8D.
`
`[0054]
`
`FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate a track head fixture assembly according to yet another
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`implementation of the present technology.
`
`[0055]
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`FIGS. 11-13 illustrate some of the componentsofthe track head fixture assembly
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`shown in FIGS. 10A-10B.
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`Detailed Description
`
`[0056]
`
`Various implementations of the present technology and related inventive concepts are
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`described below, including certain embodimentsrelating particularly to LED-based light sources.
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`It should be appreciated, however,that the present disclosure is not limited to any particular
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`manner of implementation, and that the various embodiments discussed explicitly herein are
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`primarily for purposesofillustration. For example, the various concepts discussed herein may
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`be suitably implementedin a variety of environments involving LED-based light sources, other
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`types of light sources not including LEDs, environments that involve both LEDs and other types
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`of light sources in combination, and environments that mvolve non-lighting-related devices alone
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`or in combination with various types of light sources.
`
`1185284.1
`
`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 11
`
`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 11
`
`

`

`-12-
`
`Attorney Docket No.; C1104.70163US00
`
`[0057]
`
`FIG,1 illustrates one example of a lighting unit 100 that is suitable for use with any
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`of the fixtures described herein. Some general examples of LED-based lighting units similar to
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`those that are described below in connection with FIG, 1 may be found, for example, in U.S.
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`Patent No. 6,016,038, issued January 18, 2000 to Muelleret al., entitled “Multicolored LED
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`Lighting Method and Apparatus,” and U.S. Patent No. 6,211,626, issued April 3, 2001 to Lys et
`
`al, entitled “Hlumination Components,” which patents are both hereby incorporated herein by
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`reference.
`
`[0058]
`
`In various implementations, the lighting unit 100 shown in FIG. 1 may be used alone
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`or together with other similar lighting units in a system of lighting units (e.g., as discussed
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`further below in connection with Fig, 2), Used alone or in combination with other lighting units,
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`the lighting unit 100 may be employed in a variety of applications including, but notlimited to,
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`direct-view or indirect-view interior or exterior space (e.g., architectural) lighting and
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`illumination in general, direct or indirect illumination of objects or spaces, theatrical or other
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`entertainment-based/special effects lighting, decorative lighting, safety-oriented lighting,
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`vehicularlighting, lighting associated with,or illumination of, displays and/or merchandise(e.g.
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`for advertising and/or in retail/consumer environments), combined lighting or illumination and
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`communication systems, etc., as well as for various indication, display and informational
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`purposes.
`
`[0059]
`
`Additionally, one or more lighting units similar to that described in connection with
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`FIG, 1 may be implemented in a variety of products including, but not limited to, various forms
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`of light modules or bulbs having various shapes and electrical/mechanical coupling arrangements
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`(including replacementor “retrofit” modules or bulbs adapted for use in conventional sockets or
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`fixtures), as well as a variety of consumerand/or household products(e.g., night lights, toys,
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`games or game components, entertainment components or systems, utensils, appliances, kitchen
`aids, cleaning products, etc.) and architectural components (e.g., lighted panels for walls, floors,
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`ceilings, lighted trim and ornamentation components,etc.).
`
`[0060]
`
`The lighting unit 100 shown in FIG. 1 may include one or more light sources 104A,
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`104B, 104C, and 104D (shown collectively as 104), wherein one or more ofthe light sources
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`may be an LED-based light source that includes one or more LEDs. Any two or more ofthe
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`light sources may be adapted to generate radiation of different colors (e.g. red, green, blue); in
`
`1185284.1
`
`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 12
`
`PETITIONERS, Ex. 1012; PG. 12
`
`

`

`-13-
`
`Attorney Docket No.: C1104.70163US00
`
`this respect, as discussed above, each ofthe different colorlight sources generates a different
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`source spectrum that constitutes a different “channel” of a “multi-channel”lighting unit.
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`Although Fig. 1 showsfourlight sources 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D,it should be appreciated
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`that the lighting unit is not limited in this respect, as different numbers and various types of light
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`sources (all LED-based light sources, LED-based and non-LED-basedlight sources in
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`combination, etc.) adapted to generate radiation of a variety of different colors, including
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`essentially white light, may be employed in the lighting unit 100, as discussed further below,
`
`[0061]
`
`Still referring to FIG, 1, the lighting unit 100 also may include a controller 105 thatis
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`configured to output one or more control signals to drive the light sources so as to generate
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`various intensities of light from the light sources. For example, in one implementation, the
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`controler 105 may be configured to output at least one control signal for each light source so as
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`to independently control the intensity of light (e.g., radiant power in lumens) generated by each
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`light source; alternatively, the controller 105 may be configured to output one or more control
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`signals to collectively control a group of two or more light sources identically. Some examples
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`of control signals that may be generated by the controller to contro] the light sources include, but
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`are not limited to, pulse modulated signals, pulse width modulated signals (PWM), pulse
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`amplitude modulated signals (PAM), pulse code modulated signals (PCM) analog control signals
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`(e.g., current control signals, voltage control signals), combinations and/or modulations of the
`foregoing