WO2008131524A1

WO2008131524A1 - Modular solid-state lighting system

Info

Publication number: WO2008131524A1
Application number: PCT/CA2008/000762
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adrian Weston; Ion Toma; Lawrence Schmeikal
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2007-04-30
Filing date: 2008-04-23
Publication date: 2008-11-06
Also published as: BRPI0813162A2; EP2145509A1; KR20100017530A; RU2009144140A; RU2462004C2; CN101682958A; JP2010525528A

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a modular solid-state lighting system, including a power supply module (PSM) for providing power to the system, a light-emitting element module (LEEM), and a slave control module (SCM), operatively connected to the LEEM and configured to provide one or more drive signals. The LEEM includes one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs) for providing light in response to the one or more drive signals. The SCM further configured to generate the one or more drive signals based on the at least one predetermined parameter of the light, and at least one operating condition of the LEEM and/or the PSM.

Description

MODULAR SOLID-STATE LIGHTING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention pertains to solid-state lighting and more particularly to modular solid-state lighting systems.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Monolithic lighting systems typically cannot be easily configured, maintained, extended, upgraded or repaired without either replacing or changing the entire system. In contrast, modular lighting systems comprise interconnected components, enabling efficient and flexible system design, improved expandability, and cost-efficient maintenance.

[0003] Advances in the development and improvements of the luminous flux of light- emitting devices such as solid-state semiconductor and organic light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have made these devices suitable for use in general illumination applications, including architectural, entertainment, and roadway lighting. Functional advantages and benefits of LEDs include high energy conversion and optical efficiency, durability, lower operating costs, and many others, making LED-based light sources increasingly competitive with traditional light sources, such as incandescent, fluorescent, and high- intensity discharge lamps. Also, recent advances in LED technology and ever-increasing selection of LED wavelengths to choose from have provided efficient and robust white light and colour-changing LED light sources that enable a variety of lighting effects in many applications. Therefore, effective solid-state lighting systems may benefit from modular system designs that provide new ways of component interconnectivity and enable systems of networks of luminaires to be implemented and operated easily and cost-effectively.

[0004] A number of modular solid-state lighting systems have been previously proposed. Many known solutions, however, are based on control systems that require replacing modules of the solid-state lighting system with similar or practically identical modules of the same kind, which may be an undesired limitation. There is therefore a need for a modular solid-state lighting system that addresses at least this disadvantage of existing systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a modular solid-state lighting system wherein the lighting modules are readily replaceable and interchangeable with modules of predetermined compatible types. The modular system configuration provides the ability for the system to be altered or serviced by replacing one or more modules without necessarily requiring having to replace the entire system. Different types of modules, including modules that may differ in hardware or firmware or software or a combination of one or more of the hardware, software and firmware, may be combined to build and operate a modular solid-state lighting system with a predetermined number of different luminaires. Modules can be interconnected into systems with multiple luminaires.

[0006] Generally, in one aspect, the present invention relates to a modular solid-state lighting system including a light-emitting element module (LEEM) having a first plurality of operating conditions and comprising at least one light-emitting element (LEE) for generating light having at least one predetermined parameter in response to one or more drive signals. The system further includes a slave control module (SCM) operatively connected to the LEEM and configured to receive signals indicative of at least one operating condition of the first plurality of operating conditions; and a power supply module (PSM) operatively connected to the SCM for controllably providing power thereto, the PSM having a second plurality of operating conditions. The SCM is further configured to generate the one or more drive signals based on the at least one predetermined parameter of the light, and at least one operating condition of the first and/or second plurality of operating conditions.

[0007] In another aspect, the present invention focuses on a slave control module (SCM) for use in a modular solid-state lighting system that includes a light-emitting element module (LEEM) having a first plurality of operating conditions and comprising at least one light-emitting element (LEE) for generating light having at least one predetermined parameter in response to one or more drive signals and a power supply module (PSM) having a second plurality of operating conditions. The SCM is operatively connected to the LEEM and PSM and configured to receive signals indicative of at least one operating condition of the first plurality of operating conditions; and generate the one or more drive signals based on the at least one predetermined parameter of the light, and at least one operating condition of the first and/or second plurality of operating conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a modular solid-state lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figures 2, 3 and 4 schematically illustrate block diagrams of modular solid- state lighting systems according to different embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 5 illustrates an example embodiment of a slave control module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figures 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B illustrate different views of example light-emitting element modules according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 8 illustrates details of an example light-sensor housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figures 9 to 15 illustrate schematics of example components of a modular solid-state lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figures 16, 17 and 18 illustrate example circuitry of components of light- emitting element modules according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figures 19 to 25 illustrate circuit diagrams of example components of a modular solid-state lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figures 26 to 36 illustrate circuit diagrams of example components of a modular solid-state lighting system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 37 illustrates an example Master of Communication Microprocessor and example circuitry according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0018] Figure 38 illustrates an example Slave or Light Engine Microprocessor and example circuitry according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 39 illustrates an example DC/DC Converter and example Auto- calibration Feedback circuitry for a red channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 40 illustrates an example DC/DC Converter and example Auto- calibration Feedback circuit for a green channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 41 illustrates an example DC/DC Converter and example Auto- calibration Feedback circuit for a blue channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 42 illustrates an example DC/DC Converter and example Auto- calibration Feedback circuit for an amber channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 43 illustrates circuits for an example RS485 communication circuit, example DC/DC voltage control circuit, example SPI/I2C bridge and example digital I/O interface circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 44 illustrates an example constant current LED driver and example voltage reference according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 45 illustrates an example constant current LED driver and example voltage reference according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 46 illustrates an example 5 V and 3.3V regulator, example Power Supply Voltage Circuit, example digital to analog ground filter and example on-board thermistor according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

[0027] The term "light-emitting element" (LEE) is used to define a device that emits radiation in a region or combination of regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, for example, the visible region, infrared or ultraviolet region, when activated by applying a potential difference across it or passing an electrical current through it, because of, at least in part, electroluminescence. LEEs can have monochromatic, quasi- monochromatic, polychromatic or broadband spectral emission characteristics. Examples of LEEs include semiconductor, organic, or polymer/polymeric light-emitting diodes (LEDs), optically pumped phosphor coated LEDs, optically pumped nano-crystal LEDs or other similar devices as would be readily understood. Furthermore, the term LEE is used to define the specific device that emits the radiation, for example a LED die, and can equally be used to define a combination of the specific device that emits the radiation together with a housing or package within which the specific device or devices are placed.

[0028] The term "solid-state lighting" is used to refer to illumination which can be used for space or decorative or indicative purposes and which is provided by manufactured light sources such as for example fixtures or luminaires, which at least in part can generate light because of electroluminescence.

[0029] As used herein, the term "about" refers to a +/-10% variation from the nominal value. It is to be understood that such a variation is always included in any given value provided herein, whether or not it is specifically referred to.

[0030] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0031] The present invention provides a modular solid-state lighting system comprising a power supply module (PSM) for providing power to the system, a light- emitting element module (LEEM) including one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs) for providing light in response to one or more drive signals and a slave control module (SCM) operatively connected to the LEEM and configured to provide the one or more drive signals. The SCM is further configured to generate the one or more drive signals based on desired characteristics or certain predetermined parameters of the light and operating conditions, including certain operational characteristics, of the LEEM and/or the PSM. Each module can provide one or more functions. The modular solid-state lighting system can optionally comprise an optics module for generating predetermined illumination, an input/output (I/O) interface module for receiving, transmitting or transceiving data, and a master control module for controlling one or more SCMs.

[0032] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a modular solid-state lighting system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the system 10 can comprise a number of modules including a power supply module (PSM) 40, a LEEM 30, a slave control module (SCM) 20 for driving the LEEs, an optics module 60, an input/output (I/O) interface module 70 and a master control module (MCM) 50, for example. Each module can comprise software or firmware or both software and firmware including corresponding application programming interfaces for operating the modules. Each module may comprise or be operatively connected to one or more user interfaces (UIs). According to one embodiment of the present invention, a luminaire may comprise at least an LEEM, an SCM and a PSM.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the modules are readily replaceable and interchangeable with predetermined compatible types of modules. The modular system configuration provides the ability for the system to be altered or serviced by replacing one or more modules without necessarily requiring having to replace the entire system. Different types of modules, including modules that may differ in hardware or firmware or software or a combination of one or more of the hardware, software and firmware, may be combined to build and operate a modular solid-state lighting system with a predetermined number of different luminaires. Modules can be interconnected into systems with multiple luminaires.

[0034] A modular solid-state lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to be controlled in a hierarchical manner by employing one or more SCMs in combination with one or more optional MCMs. Modules may optionally provide multiple functions for multi-purpose uses that enable multiple system functions. Modules can have one or more I/O interfaces for exchanging data and for receiving and transmitting control signals to or from predetermined interconnect systems or to enable different interconnect configurations and network topologies, for example. Modules may comprise optional user interfaces, for example, switches, sliders, buttons, displays, screens or indicators or other elements as would be readily understood by a person skilled in the art. [0035] According to some embodiments of the present invention, different solid-state lighting systems with different functions may be assembled by combining different modules or by employing different interconnect configuration or networking topologies. Predetermined modules of modular solid-state lighting systems according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to undergo automatic self configuration or reconfiguration in response to predetermined changes of configurations of the lighting system.

[0036] Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate block diagrams of modular solid-state lighting systems (MSSLS) according to different embodiments of the present invention. Optional components, modules or connections are indicated by dashed lines. As illustrated, an MSSLS may comprise different numbers of modules in different combinations or modules that are interconnected differently.

[0037] As illustrated in Figure 2, an MSSLS may comprise a PSM 40 operatively connected to a SCM 20 which in turn can be operatively connected to a LEEM 30. The LEEM 30 can comprise an optional calibration memory 33, for example, for storing information about operating conditions of the LEEM 30. The calibration memory 33 may be operatively connected to the SCM 20 for providing data about operational characteristics of the LEEM 30 to the SCM 20. The calibration memory 33 can optionally be connected to the SCM 20 via connection 245 for receiving data. Connection 240 and 245 may be integrally configured in form of a single bi-directional connection (not illustrated) as would be readily understood by a worker skilled in the art.

[0038] The LEEM 30 may further comprise an optional feedback sensor system 37 operatively connected to the SCM 20 for providing predetermined sensor data. The feedback sensor system 37 may comprise a number of sensors, for example, optical sensors for sensing a portion of the light emitted by the LEEs of the LEEM, or temperature or LEE forward voltage sensors for determining the operating temperature of the LEEs. The LEEM 20 can be operatively connected to the SCM 20 via connection 235 for receiving LEE drive signals.

[0039] As is further illustrated, the PSM 40 can be configured to receive power of adequately conditioned electrical energy via an adequate power connection 210. The PSM can provide electrical energy of predetermined formats to the SCM 20 via connection 220. The LEEM 30 may be optionally connected to receive power from the PSM 40 via optional connection 225. Fi Iher, the SCM 20 may optionally be connected to PSM 40 via connection 215 in order to provide control signals to the PSM 40 for controlling, for example, one or more output voltages or output currents of the PSM 40. The SCM 20 may optionally be interconnected via interconnection 250 to an interconnect system (not illustrated) for receiving or transmitting DMX or otherwise configured interconnect signals.

[0040] Figure 3 illustrates a modular solid-state lighting system according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein this embodiment of a MSSLS is similar to that as illustrated in Figure 2. As illustrated in Figure 3, a PSM 40 may be integrally or modularly combined with a manual control interface (MCI) 310 into a combined power and control module (CPC) 330. The MCI may provide a number of functions as described herein, for example, to receive user input 311 or provide, for example display, information about the system to a user. The CPC 330 can be operatively connected to the SCM 20 via connection 320 for communicating information about the system or the user input between the MCI 310 and the SCM 20. The MSSLS of Figure 3 is otherwise similar to the one of Figure 2.

[0041] Figure 4 illustrates a modular solid-state lighting system according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein this embodiment of a MSSLS is similar to that as illustrated in Figure 2. As illustrated in Figure 4, a MCI 310 may be operatively connected to the SCM 20 for receiving user input 410. The MCI may again be used to provide a number of functions as described, for example, receiving user input or providing display, information about the system. The MSSLS of Figure 4 is otherwise similar to the ones of Figure 2 and 3.

Power Supply Module (PSM)

[0042] The power supply module (PSM) is configured to convert electrical energy of a first format provided at an input into electrical energy of a second format provided at an output. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the PSM can be configured to provide electrical energy of a third or further format at respective additional outputs. The PSM may be configured to convert power provided by predetermined, for example, AC line voltages at the input into DC voltages at one or more outputs. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the PSM can be configured to provide electrical energy in a constant current format at a predetermined output. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the PSM can comprise one or more of a number of different constant current sources, for example a linear constant current source, or other regulated or unregulated constant current sources as would be readily understood by a person skilled in the art.

[0043] According to various embodiments of the present invention, the PSM may be configured as a controllable PSM to provide an input for receiving one or more control signals for controlling one or more of one or more output voltages or output currents. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the PSM may be configured as a self-regulated power supply which may provide current or voltage limiting functions as would be readily understood by a person skilled in the art.

[0044] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the PSM may be configured to provide one or more predetermined voltages or currents. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the PSM may be configured to provide manual control over one or more of the output voltages or output currents or both, or it may comprise an interface for connecting the PSM to an adequate user interface that may be used to control predetermined functions of the PSM. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a PSM may be configured as a programmable PSM for providing one or more predetermined output voltages or output currents or both.

Slave Control Module (SCM)

[0045] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ability of a modular solid-state lighting system to adapt to predetermined system configurations may be provided, at least in part, by employing a suitably configured SCM. A suitably configured SCM may provide a predetermined amount of auto-adaptive functionality. Auto-adaptive functionality includes the ability of the system to automatically adjust to predetermined variations of the nominal operating characteristics of the replaced modules while retaining the ability to maintain desired lighting and illumination under operating conditions. Moreover, auto-adaptive functionality may include the ability to maintain desired lighting and illumination under operating conditions in response to fluctuations of the voltage or electrical current provided by the PSM. This may include variations that may be caused by responses of the PSM to varying power demands of the system.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the SCM can be operatively connected to the PSM for receiving electrical power from the PSM and for providing drive signals to the LEEM and thereby also providing power to the LEEM for driving the LEEs. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the SCM can condition the power to provide drive signals to the LEEM in forms that can be indicative of the drive currents or drive voltages or both currents and voltages for driving the LEEs. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the SCM can provide drive signals to the LEEM that merely indicate the drive currents or drive voltages required for driving the LEEs. Depending on the configuration of the drive signals, the LEEM can, if required, convert the drive signals into the drive currents or drive voltages needed to drive the LEEs. If required, the LEEM may be operatively connected to the PSM for receiving power for operating the LEEs directly from the PSM rather than through the SCM.

[0047] According to some embodiment of the present invention, the SCM may be configured to operate on a wide range of input voltages or input currents which may be provided by a PSM. For example, the SCM may be operatively connected to a suitably configured controllable PSM so the SCM may control the output of the PSM.

Drive Signals

[0048] Drive signals can be analog or digital. Drive signals may provide information for generating one or more drive voltages or one or more drive currents or they may themselves provide one or more drive voltages or drive currents. Digital drive signals may comprise pulsed signals, for example, pulse width modulated (PWM), pulse code modulated (PCM), bit-angle modulated (BAM) or other random digital drive signals (RDS), as would be readily understood by a person skilled in the art. It is known that suitably configured pulsed signals provide more accurate and reproducible control over a wider range of intensities of light emitted by LEEs under operating conditions than for LEEs that are controlled with analog signals.

[0049] According to a number of different embodiments of the present invention, drive signals, drive currents or drive voltages may be pulsed, PWM, PCM or other, for example, random asynchronous multi-channel PWM drive signals, or random digital drive signals (RDS). A RDS can be a randomly-generated digital signal provided by an electronic circuit under the control of a set of routines implemented in firmware, for example. A RDS can be set to a pre-calculated duty cycle in real-time that is within a predetermined time, based on the data received from a processing unit. Current Limiting Circuit (CLC)

[0050] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the SCM can comprise a drive circuit for generating LEE drive currents that can include a current limiting circuit (CLC) for suppressing undesired drive current spikes during drive current transients. The CLC can be configured to suppress or practically eliminate undesired drive current spikes specifically when operating the SCM in combination with a PSM where the PSM does not provide current-limiting functions. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a PSM may comprise, for example, one or more constant current sources, or linear constant current sources or other suitable elements that can provide a current-limiting function. The CLC can be configured as an integral or modular component of a modular solid-state lighting system according to the present invention.

[0051] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a CLC can be configured to ensure that LEE drive currents remain within a predetermined range of drive currents, for example, a range of nominal drive currents that may correspond to nominal operating conditions of one or more predetermined LEEs of the LEEM. A CLC may be employed in certain embodiments of the present invention, to avoid damaging LEEs or other parts of the solid-state lighting system that may otherwise be caused by excessive drive currents. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a CLC may be employed to ensure accurate feed forward control of the intensity of the light emitted by LEEs under operating conditions. Feed forward control in combination with current limiting functionalities may be employed to facilitate feed forward control of LEE brightness in high frequency pulse-width modulation controlled solid-state lighting systems.

Automatic Calibration

[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, the SCM can evaluate adequate forward voltages for LEEs during an automatic calibration procedure and subsequently set to previously calibrated values. The calibration procedure determines the lowest forward voltages which are required for each LEE color channel to provide predetermined drive currents in each channel while maintaining a desired color and intensity of the light emitted by the LEEs in each one of a predetermined number of LEE color channels. As is known, the chromaticity of light emitted by some types of LEEs can also deviate undesirably from its nominal value when the drive current is below a predetermined minimum nominal drive current. This may affect the configuration and performance of an adequate automatic calibration procedure.

[0053] To avoid overheating, the calibration procedure can take into account information about the operating temperature of the LEEs. As is known in the art, forward voltages may need to be decreased with increasing LEE operating temperatures to maintain the same drive current. The LEE operating temperatures can be derived from LEE forward voltages or from temperature sensors, for example. LEE voltages can be sensed with a number of sensors and circuits that can provide a suitable sensor signal to the SCM. A programmable closed loop circuit can be employed to determine, set and maintain the forward voltages that are to be supplied to the LEEs.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present invention, the SCM can access memory associated with a LEEM which comprising information relating to the light-emitting elements associated with the LEEM. In this manner, the SCM can actively access information which can provide a means for calibration.

[0055] The SCM is further configured to control the input power and at least in part the light output level of the LEEs, based on the predetermined correlations between input power and the light output level of the LEEs. The SCM is further configured to control power losses and the heat generation, both, in the SCM and the LEE module(s). The SCM is configured with predetermined response times, in order to control the described characteristics without causing undesired delays or latencies of at least a portion of the utility light output. Undesired heating effects can therefore be reduced and overall system efficiency improved. Repeated recalibration after adequate operating times can effectively maintain desired brightness and chromaticity of the light emitted by the LEEs and it can provide good system performance and long system life. For example, even small efficiency improvements can significantly reduce system power requirements. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an auto-adaptive SCM that can reduce system power requirements by 10%, for example, can reduce operating temperatures of the SCM module by 1O⁰C. An example embodiment of an SCM is illustrated in Figure 5.

[0056] Different embodiments of the SCM may be adapted for controlling different numbers of LEE channels. LEE modules can be designed to have LEEs arranged or grouped in LEE channels, for example by nominal color, if desired. An LEE channel can be a series or other connection of two or more LEEs, for example. The LEE channel can also comprise a more complex com^{" '}nation of LEEs and other devices. [0057] Figure 5 illustrates a block diagram of an SCM according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the SCM is operatively coupled to light-emitting elements of a LEEM. The SCM comprises a predetermined number of LEE channels (CHANy - with y being the number of the channel) and a predetermined number of groups of one or more LEE channels (GRx - with x being the number of the group). Different channels can comprise different numbers of LEEs and, for example, a particular group of LEEs can comprise multiple LEEs identified by multiple channels. The nominal colour or intensity of the LEEs in different channels or per channel may be different.

[0058] The SCM can independently control up to a predetermined number of channels. The SCM comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 510, a current sensing circuit (CSC) 520, a voltage control circuit (VCC) 530, and a channel selection circuit (CHSC) 540. The control apparatus can be attached to one or more groups of LEEs comprising one or more channels. Each channel can comprise LEEs of the same nominal colour. The SCM can optionally include a power supply voltage control circuit (PSVC) 555 for controlling the output voltage of an operatively connected PSM (not illustrated). The SCM can set the LEE drive currents per channel according to the type of LEEs in the channel.

[0059] The SCM comprises a CPU with two microprocessors 512 and 514 that can be interconnected into a multi-master architecture, for example, via the indicated I2C and RS485 serial bus systems and interfaces 518 and 519. Each microprocessor 512 or 514 can have its own memory and optionally can share common memory 517.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the CPU can receive and transmit data at a programmable speed in digital format via the serial RS485 interface 511. The CPU processes and converts the input data into a stream of suitably formatted instructions for compatibly controlling the VCC 530 and CHSC 540.

[0061] A multi-master architecture can be implemented using a multi-master protocol for communication between the two microprocessors via the serial I2C bus system. The speed of the communication along the I2C bus system can be programmable. The CPU processes instructions in accordance with the adaptive control method, for example, to determine each minimum forward voltage which is required at the respective LEE channel in order to obtain a desired LEE drive current. The CPU can be configured to receive current sensing signals from the CSC 520 and send instructions to the VCC 530 to provide adequate forward voltages. [0062] The VCC can comprise one or more voltage control subsystems (VCCx - with x being the number of the subsystem) for each LEE group and can convert digital input signals into analog output signals. The VCC 530 may receive the addresses and commands from the CPU 510 and can process the commands and provide respective output voltage levels for each LEE group as defined by the received addresses. The VCC may include volatile or non- volatile memory in which addresses and commands may be stored.

[0063] The PSVC 555 may employ a digital to analog conversion system for receiving data in digital format from the CPU 510 and can provide this information to a PSM. For example, it may be configured to convert the information into an analog signal for application to an error amplifier of a voltage regulator of the power supply. The SCM may be configured to adjust output voltage of an operatively connected PSM (not illustrated) through the PSVC 555. The PSVC 555 can provide power via the CSC 520 to the VCC 530.

[0064] The CSC 520 may be part of the current feedback loop and can convert the LEE group drive currents into respective analog signals which can be representative of the drive currents. The SCM may be configured so that each analog signal can be transformed to fit a predetermined range of magnitudes and further analog-digital converted and processed. As illustrated, the analog-digital conversion can take place in the CPU 510 or alternatively in a separate device (not illustrated). The CSC 520 can optionally provide information about the LEE group voltages.

[0065] The CHSC 540 can employ a digital circuit for enabling or disabling channels in LEE groups in accordance with received CPU instructions. The CHSC can comprise one or more channel-selection circuits (EN GRx) per LEE group (GRx). The CHSC can be accessed by any CPU microprocessor 512 or 514.

Light-Emitting Element Module (LEEM)

[0066] According to various embodiments of the present invention, a light-emitting element module (LEEM) includes a predetermined number of LEEs of one or more predetermined colors, a substrate on which the LEEs are operatively disposed along with adequate drive circuitry, suitable connections and interface components. The LEEM can be configured to receive drive signals for driving the LEEs. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the LEEM may be configured to convert the drive signals into drive currents or drive voltages. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the LEEM can be configured to utilize adequate drive signals for driving the LEEs under operating conditions. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the LEEM may optionally include a power interface for receiving electrical energy of a suitable format. In many embodiments, the LEEM may be configured to enable generation of various dynamic color-changing effects and/or monochromatic light of varying intensity.

[0067] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an LEEM may optionally be configured to provide or be operatively connected to a memory system. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the memory system may be used to store a number of data regarding, for example, predetermined operating conditions of the LEEM or components of the LEEM such as the nominal or maximum drive currents or nominal or maximum operating temperatures of the one or more LEEs, forward voltage calibration data, optical calibration data, usage history or aging data, or information about one or more optional sensors of the sensor system, and other characteristics and parameters. The memory system may comprise a number of different types of non-volatile or volatile memory including ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic memory, flash memory or optical memory, for example, or other forms of memory devices as would be readily understood by a person skilled in the art.

[0068] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an LEEM may comprise an optional sensor system for providing feedback about operating conditions of the LEEM, for example to the SCM. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor system may comprise one or more sensors for sensing a predetermined amount of light emitted by one or more of the one or more LEEs of the LEEM, or for sensing the temperature or forward voltages of one or more of the LEEs for determining operating temperatures of the LEEs, for example.

Manual Control Interface

[0069] According to an embodiment of the present invention, predetermined aspects of a modular solid-state lighting system may be controlled through one or more manual control interfaces (MCIs). One or more of the MCIs can be modularly interconnected or monolithically integrated in other modules of the lighting system such as a SCM or a combined power and control module (CPC). A CPC can comprise a PSM with pluggable or replaceable interface board, for example. A MCI can provide or be connected to an adequate number of switches, push-buttons, sliders, sticks, touch pads or user interface components on a touch screen with suitable elements, a screen in combination with a pointing device or a keyboard, for example, or other user interface components as would be readily understood by a person skilled in the art.

[0070] According to an embodiment of the present invention, one or more MCI can be used to control a luminaire in a number of different ways, for example, by permitting to enter chromaticity coordinates and intensity values or by separately controlling the light emitted by the different colour LEEs of the luminaire or by cycling through different predetermined operating conditions. For example, the MCI can comprise three buttons for controlling the mixed light characteristics, one for changing the x-chromaticity coordinate, one for changing the y-chromaticity coordinate, and one for changing the intensity. Pushing a button may either increase or decrease the respective characteristic in a predetermined way, such as by a predetermined value, or dynamically depending on the pressure or time the button is being pushed.

[0071] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an MCI may comprise a predetermined number of buttons for controlling the intensities of a predetermined number of LEE colors, for example, of red, green and blue (RGB) LEEs in an LEEM or luminaire comprising one or more LEEMs. Alternatively, for example, two or three buttons may be used to control individual RGB intensities relative to each other with respect to a reference and a respective third or fourth button may be used to control the intensity of the combined light. An MCI can also comprise two buttons for browsing between predetermined (preset) lighting conditions of a luminaire, for example. The preset lighting conditions may be saved in a memory of adequate storage capacity. The memory may be part of the MCI or a component of another module. According to an embodiment of the present invention, preset lighting conditions may be provided via an interconnect system.

[0072] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an MCI may be configured to optionally support the interconnection of a synchronizer module (ESM). An ESM may be used to supply a common time reference signal for one or more components of a modular solid-state lighting system which may be used for synchronizing the occurrence of a number of different events within the system. For example, the ESM can be used to facilitate dynamic lighting programs that require synchronized switching between different presets in more than one luminaire. Interconnect System

[0073] Modules of modular solid-state lighting systems according embodiments of the present invention may be interconnected for the purpose of exchanging data or control signals in a number of different ways by employing one or more of a number of different interconnect systems. For example, an SCM may be interconnected to a PSM or one or more SCMs may be interconnected with a MCM.

[0074] Modules of lighting systems according to the present invention may be configured to support a number of interconnect systems for information and data exchange including DMX, DALI, RDM or TBUS, for example, or other readily known interconnect systems. According to an embodiment of the present invention, modules of a modular solid-state lighting system may be configured to support a predetermined one or a predetermined combination of two or more of DMX, DALI, RDM, TBUS, power line control or other interconnect systems.

[0075] Command sets of interconnect systems may include functionality for transmitting commands to one or more modules in a direct dedicated or broadcast fashion to control operating conditions of lighting system modules such as for setting chromaticity or intensity or presets of intensity and chromaticity as well as for synchronizing desired transitions of operating conditions in two or more modules. Half- duplex or full-duplex interconnect systems may be employed to support message protocols that can enable modules to transmit data to MCMs which can be used for querying operating conditions of one or more modules of the system from the MCM, for example.

[0076] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a power line control interconnect system may be employed. Power line control can utilize power distribution networks of proper topology to physically connect to and exchange control signals with other modules in the lighting system. For example, control signals according to a power line control protocol can be superimposed onto the power line voltage signals in the power line system, as would be readily understood by a person skilled in the art.

[0077] Moreover, different interconnect systems sharing the same physical layer may be employed in different embodiments of the present invention. Interconnect systems for use in embodiments of the present invention may employ simplex, half-duplex or full-duplex communication schemes or utilize a message and command format equal or similar to or not available or distinct from DMX, DALI, RDM or TBUS, for example. Such message formats may include ledicated addressing schemes and message protocols and support command sets similar to or exceeding those commonly used with DMX, for example. It is noted that there are a wide range of other forms of interconnect systems known in the art of network data transfer that may be employed or be suitable for use in different embodiments of the present invention.

[0078] USITT DMX512-A (DMX) is an RS-485 based interconnect system that is most commonly used to control lighting effects in a number of applications, for example, in stage lighting. As is readily known in the art, DMX was developed by the Engineering Commission of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT). DMX has been recognized as a standard since 1986 with revisions in 1990 and 2004. DMX can be used in modular solid-state lighting systems according to the present invention.

[0079] One or more modules of a modular solid-state lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise one or more interfaces, including connectors, communication support hardware and suitable software or firmware, for establishing adequate connections to an interconnect system. Modules that can be interconnected to a DMX control device, which may include SCMs, for example, can optionally be configured to respond to commands formatted according to other interconnect systems that share the same physical configuration of the interconnect system. Such modules may be able to automatically detect whether commands are formatted according to DMX or another interconnect system.

[0080] One or more modules of modular solid-state lighting systems according to an embodiment of the present invention may optionally be configured to adequately operate based on commands submitted in formats corresponding to different interconnect systems. Such commands may be used for completing certain steps during initial configurations of lighting systems, for example, to assign DMX addresses to certain modules as well as to load presets into the SCM Module. According to another embodiment, DMX addresses may, alternatively, also be set manually in modules that provide a adequate components such as a suitable number of DIP switches or rotary switches.

[0081] The invention will now be described with reference to particular examples. It will be understood that the following examples are intended to describe embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. EXAMPLES

[0082] Figures 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B illustrate an example LEE module in top and side view. The Figures illustrate an example position of a light-sensor housing. It is noted that the example LEE module in combination with the optics module can be designed for a particular lighting purpose. The configuration of the example LEE module is essentially determined by the spatial alignment of the LEEs in it. LEEs of two or more different nominal colors in an LEE module can generally be arranged in specific ways which may determine the mixing efficacy of the light emitted by different LEEs or the ability of a LEE module to aid in the generation of predetermined color patterns.

[0083] Figure 8 illustrates details of the light-sensor housing. Figures 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B illustrate other views of the light-sensor housing. The illustrated light-sensor housing provides four predetermined locations for the deposition of LEEs. The light-sensor housing can be configured to collect predetermined portions of light from LEEs in each of these four positions and redirect and optionally concentrate that light in one or more predetermined locations at the surface of the light-sensor housing for adequate exposure of suitably positioned light sensors. Other embodiments of the present invention may include other light-sensor housings with different shapes, locations and number of LEE positions or sensor positions.

[0084] The light sensor housing facilitates proper alignment of one or more optical sensors and ensures that the one or more sensors capture adequate portions of light emitted by respective LEEs and, if present, different color LEEs, within the LEE module. The light-sensor housing can be configured to at least in part block ambient light. The light-sensor housing can also be configured to optically couple predetermined sensors with predetermined LEEs so that per sensor, at least a predetermined first portion of light from first predetermined LEEs but no more than a predetermined second portion of light from LEEs other than the first predetermined LEEs reaches the sensor.

[0085] Figure 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 illustrate schematics of example components of a modular solid-state lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 illustrates schematics of parts of a slave control module according to an embodiment of the present invention. The SCM includes a microcontroller, an interface drive circuit and an LEE drive subsystem for driving eight LEE channels. The interface drive circuit provides for connectivity with an MCI, an interconnect system and a programming interface. The programming interface may be used to provide firmware to the SCM <^J -ring a configuration stage. The interface drive circuit comprises a 4 Button/Sync interface circuit. An example 4 Button/Sync interface circuit is illustrated in Figure 10.

[0086] Figure 11 illustrates a schematic of a drive current circuit with a drive current limiting function for use in an SCM according to an embodiment of the present invention. The drive current circuit includes a drive current limiting sub-circuit that can limit drive currents to within predetermined limits. The predetermined limits can be set to avoid damage to parts of the modular solid-state lighting system. The example circuit may be used to avoid excessive drive currents that may otherwise occur during operation of an SCM in combination with PSMs that cannot adequately limit electrical current supplied by the PSM. PSMs comprising one or more linear constant current sources, for example, however, can provide limited drive currents even during rapidly varying load conditions.

[0087] The drive current limiting sub-circuit can aid provide stable amplitudes of drive current pulses and hence aid provide stable operating conditions in feed-forward controlled modular solid-state lighting systems without optical feedback according to the present invention. Pulsed drive currents with stable amplitudes, even at high pulse frequencies, may be generated by SCMs according to the present invention even from PSMs with switching constant current sources but may require more complex and costly circuitry. Figures 10 to 15 illustrate other components of the modular solid-state lighting system of Figure 9.

[0088] Figures 16, 17 and 18 illustrate schematics of elements of three example LEE modules according to certain embodiments of the present invention. The illustrated example LEEMs each include an EEPROM for retaining information that may be used for calibrating the LEEM including photometric and characteristic aging and usage parameters for the LEEs. The information may be read and used by an SCM, for example, to maintain adequate operating conditions when controlling the LEEM. The information may be optionally updated.

[0089] Figures 19 to 25 illustrate schematics of example components of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] Figures 26 to 36 illustrate schematics of example components of a lighting system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] Figures 37 to 46 illustrate schematics of example components of a lighting system according to another embodime_2Q θf the present invention. [0092] Figure 37 illustrates an example Master/Communication Microprocessor and corresponding example circuitry for according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] Figure 38 illustrates an example Slave/Light Engine Microprocessor and example circuitry according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] Figure 39 illustrates an example DC/DC Converter & Autocalibration Feedback circuit for a red channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] Figure 40 illustrates an example DC/DC Converter & Autocalibration Feedback circuit for a green channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] Figure 41 illustrates an example DC/DC Converter & Autocalibration Feedback circuit for a blue channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] Figure 42 illustrates an example DC/DC Converter & Autocalibration Feedback circuit for an amber channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] Figure 43 illustrates example circuits for a RS485 communication, DC/DC voltage controller, SPI/I2C bridge and digital I/O interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] Figure 44 illustrates an example constant current LED driver and example voltage reference according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[00100] Figure 45 illustrates an example constant current LED driver and example voltage reference according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[00101] Figure 46 illustrates an example 5V and 3.3V regulator, example Power Supply Voltage Circuit, example digital to analog ground filter and on-board thermistor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Characteristics and parts list for example components

[00102] The following is a list of example features achievable with the listed example parts in accordance with embodiments of the present invention:

[00103] In one embodiment, example features of the system include: a number of channels, for example, 3, 4, 6, 8 or 12, each at 100 kHz constant current Random Digital Signals with Programmable ON/OFF time ratio for controlling separate groups or colors of LEEs, programmable duty cycle, forward voltage auto-calibration and current feedback control loop using four programmable DC/DC converters, power supply voltage control circuit, one or more microprocessors with optional SPI/I2C interfaces and peripheral circuits, and optionally, SCD board and LEE board temperature reading(s).

[00104] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes auto-test of the HW circuitry, Master and Slave JTAG interfaces used for downloading the application code, RS485 interface, up to IMbps, for external connections, digital I/O 4- button, AC synchronizer, and address selection interfaces, and +5 V and +3.3 V DC voltage.

[00105] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system runs the Master and the Slave application code including the following main functions: generates the RDS signal under the control of the RDS algorithm, implements the SPI/I2C on-board communication protocol, executes the auto-calibration, power supply remote control, HW auto-test algorithms, executes the temperature de-rating algorithm, executes the I/O interface algorithms/protocols, and runs the network communication protocol with external devices.

Parts list

[00106] According to one embodiment of the present invention, temperature and aging compensation algorithms require a master microprocessor with 128KB memory.

[00107] In one embodiment of the present invention, the master microprocessor characteristics include: Microprocesor Ul - MC56F8145 VFGE (Freescale/Motorola, 16-bit unified DSP & MCU, 60MHz CPU core and internal bus, SPI, I2C, RS232, 128KB Flash, 8KB RAM, 8KB Boot FLASH.

[00108] In one embodiment of the present invention, the firmware SCD SSL MODULE Master includes: SCI bidirectional interface, max IMbps, Master -Slave SPI/I2C comm. protocol, Voltage Control Circuit control, Auto-calibration algorithm, PCB & LEE board temperature reading temperature derating algorithm, temperature and aging compensation algorithms.

[00109] In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication Support includes: 2 x IMbps SCI bidirectional, on-chip 100Kbps/400Kbps I2C, SPI interfacing the SPI/I2C bridge, U3 Philips SC18ISfⁿ0IPW [00110] In one embodiment of the present invention, the I/O digital interface includes: digital interface to accommodate the external one or more buttons, synchronizer, address setting circuitry, SWINTO...8, PRSTINCR, PRSTDIR, TXDO, RXDO.

[00111] In one embodiment of the present invention, the LEE Voltage Control includes: U4 - AD5254BRUZ50 I2C digital potentiometer with four programmable outputs setting the inputs to the Voltage Control Circuitry (VCRED, VCGR, VCBL, VCAMB), U8 - AD5258BRMZ1 -I2C digital potentiometer with one programmable output setting the PS voltage, A/D auto-calibration feedback -CS_RED, CS_GREEN,CS_BLUE, CS_AMBER, VRED_LEE, VGREENJLEE, VBLUE_LEE, VAMB_LEE.

[00112] In one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature monitoring includes: A/D inputs TEMPI, TEMP2 - LEE board temperature, and TEMP3 - PCB temperature.

[00113] In one embodiment of the present invention, the reset includes DSl 818 power-on reset circuit.

[00114] In one embodiment of the present invention, the JTAG interface includes: Pl -JTAG interface for downloading the application code to internal FLASH.

[00115] In one embodiment of the present invention, the characteristics of the slave microprocessor are as follows: Freescale MC56F8013, 16-bit unified DSP & MCU, 32MHz, CPU core and internal bus, SPI, I2C, RS232, 16KB Flash, 4KB RAM

[00116] In one embodiment of the present invention, the firmware includes: SCM SSL MODULE Slave - Light engine and communication, random Digital Signal with Programmable ON/OFF Time Ratio source, I2C communication protocol, SCL and SDA signals.

[00117] In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication support circuit includes on-Chip 100Kbps/400Kbps I2C.

[00118] In one embodiment of the present invention, the drive signals generation circuit includes: LEDCHJU, LEDCH_G1, LEDCH_B1, LEDCH_A1, 4 x Random, digital Signal with Programmable ON/OFF Time Ratio, 100 KHz.

[00119] In one embodiment of the present invention, the reset circuit includes Dallas DS 1818 - power-on reset circuit. [00120] In one embodiment of the present invention, the JTAG interface circuit includes JTAG interface for downloading the application code to internal FLASH, PS Voltage Control Circuit, U8 AD5258 Nonvolatile Digital Potentiometer, output OV to 5V. The forward voltage auto-calibration algorithm sets the minimum PS voltage needed to supply the SCD SSL MODULE. The output is an analog signal made available on the JP2 connector, U8 is connected to the I2C interface and digitally controlled by the Master processor.

[00121] In one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature reading circuit includes: R201 - Thermistor 6.8K NCP18XW682J03RB, Murata, TEMP3 - analog signal reflecting the on board temperature, input to the on-chip A/D, converter of the Master processor, TEMP3 is processed by the temperature-derating algorithm.

[00122] In one embodiment of the present invention, the LEE Interface circuit includes: JPl - 22 pin, 2-1445120-2 Tyco, MTA-50 Header, Through-Hole; Vertical Mount Angle, Tin-Lead Plating, Centerline (mm [in]) = 1.27 [0.050] - polarized, VRED_LEE, VBL LEE, VGR_LEE, VAMB_LEE - outputs from the Voltage Control Circuit applied to the LEE groups, LEDOUT_xx - outputs from the Constant Current Drivers connected to the LEE string.

[00123] In one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature monitoring circuit includes TEMPI and TEMP2 for sensing temperatures of the LEE board, SDA, SCL - I2C interface signals that connect the EEPROM and photosensor located on the LEE board, VCC 3.3V - 3.3V digital for the EEPROM memory and photo-sensor chip located on the LEE board, VDDA3.3V - 3.3V analog, supplies the temperature reading circuits, GND -digital ground, GNDA -analog ground.

[00124] In one embodiment of the present invention, the RS485 input/output interface circuitry includes: J2.2, J2.3 - IMbps RS485_AIN, RS485_BIN bidirectional, J2.1 - shield.

[00125] In one embodiment of the present invention, the 5 V and 3.3V regulator circuitry includes: LM2676S-5.0, National Semiconductor, 5 V Step-Down Regulator, LMl 1 17T-3.3, National Semiconductor, 3.3V Low Drop Out Regulator.

[00126] In one embodiment of the present invention, the GND and GNDA includes a low pass filter to protect the analog ground from the noise induced by the digital circuits, L6, L7, C105 ... C107, C87, C88. [00127] In one embodiment of the present invention, the VPSIN circuitry includes VPSIN is the voltage supplied by the power supply. A transient voltage suppressor, TVS3 and two resettable polyfuses are used to protect the SCD against a voltage higher than 29V (breakdown voltage).

[00128] In one embodiment of the present invention, the LEE voltage control circuitry includes: U4 - AD5254BRUZ50 I2C digital potentiometer with four programmable outputs setting the inputs to the Voltage Control Circuitry (VCRED, VCGR, VCBL, VCAMB), four outputs from OV to 5V.

[00129] In one embodiment of the present invention, the SPI to I2C bridge circuit includes: the I2C peripherals are connected to the Master CPU through U3, a SPI/I2C Philips converter, SC18IS600IPW.

[00130] In one embodiment of the present invention, the RS485 Interface circuit includes: RS485 interface supports a baud-rate up to IMbps. It is bidirectional, and uses an Analog Device chip, ADM4853ARZ. The /RRDYl signal sets the direction of the data, TVSl & TVS2, SMAJ6.5CA and the poly-fuses Fl & F2, MINISMDC014F-2 protect the interface against over- voltage and over-current, RXDl and TXDl are connected to the SCIl, one of the two Master's serial interfaces.

[00131] In one embodiment of the present invention, the I/O digital interface includes: P3 carries 14 pins that connect to the 4-button panel, the AC synchronizer, and the linear or rotary switches for setting the address of the SCD when it is connected to a network.

[00132] While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

[00133] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[00134] The indefinite articles "a" and "an," as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean "at least one."

[00135] The phrase "and/or," as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B", when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[00136] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and/or" shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only one of or "exactly one of," or, when used in the claims, "consisting of," will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. "one or the her but not both") when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one of," or "exactly one of." "Consisting essentially of," when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[00137] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase "at least one," in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently, "at least one of A or B," or, equivalently "at least one of A and/or B") can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[00138] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[00139] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying," "having," "containing," "involving," "holding," "composed of," and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of and "consisting essentially of shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A modular solid-state lighting system comprising:

(a) a light-emitting element module (LEEM) having a first plurality of operating conditions and comprising at least one light-emitting element (LEE) for generating light having at least one predetermined parameter in response to one or more drive signals;

(b) a slave control module (SCM) operatively connected to the LEEM and configured to receive signals indicative of at least one operating condition of the first plurality of operating conditions; and

(c) a power supply module (PSM) operatively connected to the SCM for controllably providing power thereto, the PSM having a second plurality of operating conditions; wherein the SCM is further configured to generate the one or more drive signals based on

(i) the at least one predetermined parameter of the light, and (ii) at least one operating condition of the first and/or second plurality of operating conditions.

2. The modular solid-state lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the LEEM further comprises a memory for storing the first plurality of operating conditions, the SCM being configured to access the memory, thereby enabling calibration of the SCM.

3. The modular solid-state lighting system according to claim 2, wherein the SCM is further configured to receive signals representative of operating temperature of the at least one LEE, thereby enabling further calibration of the SCM.

4. The modular solid-state lighting system according to claim 1 , wherein the SCM is configured to determine drive current levels for the at least one LEE.

5. The modular solid-state lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the SCM comprises a current limiting circuit (CLC) configured to limit at least one drive current derived from the one or more drive signals.

6. The modular solid-state lighting system according to claim 5, wherein the CLC is configured to maintain the at least one drive current within a predetermined range.

7. The modular solid-state lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the SCM further provides an interface for operative interconnection to a predetermined interconnect system for receiving or transmitting interconnect signals.

8. The modular solid-state lighting system according to claim 7, wherein the interconnect signals comprise at least indications of the desired properties of the light.

9. The modular solid-state lighting system according to claim 7, further comprising a master control module operatively connected to the interconnect system for receiving or transmitting the interconnect signals.

10. The modular solid-state lighting system according to claim 7, wherein the interconnect system comprises at least one of a DMX, DALI or TBUS interconnect system.

11. The modular solid-state lighting system according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one manual control interface module (MCIM) for receiving and displaying information representative of the at least one operating condition of the first and/or second plurality of operating conditions.

12. A slave control module (SCM) for use in a modular solid-state lighting system, the system comprising a light-emitting element module (LEEM) having a first plurality of operating conditions and comprising at least one light-emitting element (LEE) for generating light having at least one predetermined parameter in response to one or more drive signals and a power supply module (PSM) having a second plurality of operating conditions, the SCM being operatively connected to the LEEM and PSM and configured to

(a) receive signals indicative of at least one operating condition of the first plurality of operating conditions; and

(b) generate the one or more drive signals based on

13. The slave control module according to claim 12, wherein the LEEM further comprises a memory for storing the first plurality of operating conditions, the SCM being configured to access the memory, thereby enabling calibration of the SCM.

14. The slave control module according to claim 12, wherein the SCM comprises a current limiting circuit (CLC) configured to limit at least one drive current derived from the one or more drive signals and to maintain the at least one drive current within a predetermined range.