INTEGRATED POWER CONTROLLER FOR LED SYSTEM

Abstract

Disclosed is a wireless integrated lighting control system and a wireless processer control lighting system that are capable of illumination of LED light displays, LED ornaments, and pre-lit Christmas trees. Various programs and sequences can be provided to an integrated power controller or an integrated power processor controller using a remote control, a foot switch, and in one embodiment, a programming controller. The integrated power controller and integrated power processor controller can be an integrated system having electrical socket blades that are adapted to be plugged into a wall outlet to obtain power and can be made waterproof for use outside.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

LED systems have been used to provide decorative lighting in numerous applications. Also, there has been widespread use of LED lighting systems in commercial applications. Control systems for controlling LED lights have become more advanced and sophisticated. As a result, LED systems have become popular for decorative purposes and other practical applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may therefore comprise a method of controlling light emitting diodes comprising: generating lighting commands from a remote control device; transmitting the lighting commands wirelessly from the remote control device to a receiver that is connected to a controller in an integrated power controller; generating operational control signals from a foot switch; transmitting the operational control signals wirelessly from the foot switch to the receiver that is connected to the controller in the integrated power controller; connecting power from a power supply to create converted power signals; processing the lighting commands in the controller to create lighting control signals from the converted power signals; processing the operational control signals in the controller to control the lighting control signals; connecting the power supply to electrical socket blades; placing the electrical socket blades, the receiver, the processor, the memory, the controller and the power supply in the integrated power controller that is plugged into a wall socket using the electrical socket blades to obtain power; connecting the integrated power controller to the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in accordance with the lighting control instructions, the lighting commands and the operational control signals.

The present invention may further comprise a system for controlling illumination of light emitting diodes comprising: a remote control that is configured to create lighting commands; a remote control wireless transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit the lighting commands from the remote control; a foot switch that is configured to create operational control signals; a foot switch wireless transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit the operational control signals; an integrated power controller comprising: a receiver that is configured to receive the lighting commands and the operational control signals; a power supply connected to an alternating current power signal, the power supply configured to convert the alternating current power signal to a conditioned direct current power signal; a controller that receives the lighting commands and the operational control signals and generates lighting control signals from the converted direct current power signals that control the illumination of the light emitting diodes in accordance with the lighting commands and the operational control signals.

The present invention may further comprise a method of controlling light emitting diodes comprising: generating lighting control instructions from a programming controller; transmitting the lighting control instructions wirelessly from the programming controller to a receiver connected to a processor in a processor controlled integrated power system; generating lighting commands from a remote control device; transmitting the lighting commands wirelessly from the remote control device to the receiver that is connected to the processor in the processor controlled integrated power system; generating operational control signals from a foot switch; transmitting the operational control signals wirelessly from the foot switch to the receiver that is connected to the processor controlled integrated power system; converting power from a power supply to create converted power signals; storing the lighting control instructions in a memory that is connected to the processor; retrieving the lighting control instructions from the memory in response to the lighting commands; processing the lighting control instructions to create lighting control signals that are transmitted from the processor to a controller; controlling application of the converted power signals to the light emitting diodes using the controller that operates in response to the lighting control signals; placing the receiver, the processor, the memory, the controller and the power supply in a processor controlled integrated power system package; connecting the processor controlled integrated power system package to the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in accordance with the lighting control instructions, the lighting commands and the operational control signals.

The present invention may further comprise a system for controlling illumination of light emitting diodes comprising: a programming controller that is configured to create lighting control instructions; a programming controller wireless transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit the lighting control instructions from the programming controller; a remote control that is configured to create lighting commands; a remote control wireless transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit the lighting commands from the remote control; a foot switch that is configured to create operational control signals; a foot switch wireless transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit the operational control signals; an integrated power processor controller comprising: a receiver that is configured to receive the lighting control instructions, the lighting commands and the operational control signals; a power supply connected to an alternating current signal that is configured to convert the alternating current signal to a converted direct current power signal; a memory that stores the lighting control instructions; a processor that is configured to retrieve the lighting control instructions from the memory in response to the lighting commands or the operational control signals, and generate processed lighting command and instruction signals; a controller that receives the processed lighting command and instruction signals and generates lighting control signals from the converted direct current power signals in response to the processed lighting command signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a wireless integrated lighting control system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a wireless processor controlled lighting system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the processor of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a foot switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless integrated lighting control system 100. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a foot switch 102 includes a wireless transmitter 104 that is connected to antenna 110. Antenna 110 transmits operational control signals 114 that are transmitted to antenna 120 of the integrated power controller 118. The operational control signals 114 can be control signals such as on, off signals that control the integrated power controller 118. Other types of signals can also be generated to control the integrated power controller 118, such as control signals to switch from one sequence of illumination, color, fading, blinking, or other operational processes. Remote control 106 also includes a wireless transmitter 108 that transmits lighting commands 116 through antenna 112 to antenna 120 of the integrated power controller 118. The operational control signals 114 and lighting commands 116 received by antenna 120 are transmitted to the receiver 122 that receives and amplifies the wireless signals. These amplified signals are then transmitted to an interface 124. The operating control signals and lighting command signals 116 are received by controller 126 via receiver 122 and interface 124. Power supply 128 receives alternating current signal 140 from the electrical socket blades 130, that are plugged into a standard wall socket. Power supply 128 generates a converted direct current (DC) power signal 138 that is converted from the alternating current signal 140. The alternating current 140 is normally a 117 volts rms signal. Power supply 128 may convert the alternating current signal to a converted DC power signal 138, having the proper voltage for illuminating the light emitting diodes.

As set forth above, interface 124 provides signals corresponding to the lighting commands 116 and operational control signals 114 to the controller 126. The lighting commands 116 may cause controller 126 to generate a lighting signal 136 that causes the LEDs to blink or flash at a certain rate or cause fading or color change using current reversal or phase changes. This may occur in various sequences. Various types of LEDs such as a LED light display, a LED ornament, or a pre-lit tree may comprise the LEDs indicated by reference numeral 134. The various LEDs 134 are connected to the controller 126 through connector 131 and conductor 134. In this manner, the remote control 106 and foot switch 102 can wirelessly control the LEDs, such as LED light displays, LED ornaments, pre-lit trees or other LED illumination devices.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment, which comprises a wireless processor controlled lighting system 200. As illustrated in FIG. 2, foot switch 202 includes wireless transmitter 204 that transmits operational control signals 208 through antenna 206 to antenna 228 of the integrated power processor controller 226. The operational control signals 208 may comprise on and off signals, or signals that control the selection of various sequences of illumination, color changes, fading, blinking or other effects created in the LEDs 250. As also illustrated in FIG. 2, remote control 210 includes wireless transmitter 212 which transmits lighting commands 216 through antenna 214 to antenna 228 of the processor controlled integrated power system 226. The lighting commands 216 select certain sequences or operational characteristics for the manner in which LEDs, such as LED light display, LED ornament, or pre-lit tree 250, are illuminated, including illumination sequences, color changes, fading, blinking and other effects and sequences of effects produced in the LEDs 250.

Programming controller 218, illustrated in FIG. 2, includes wireless transmitter 220 that transmits lighting control instructions 224 from antenna 222 to antenna 228 of the integrated power processor controller 226. The lighting control instructions 224 are lighting instructions that are stored in memory 236 which comprise processes and sequences in which the processor 234 generates processed lighting command and instruction signals 255. The operational control signals 208, the lighting commands 216, and the lighting control instructions 224 received by the receiver 230 are filtered, amplified, and transmitted to the interface 232. Interface 232 creates binary signals 235 that are transmitted to the processor 234. The processor receives the binary signals 235 and generates processed lighting command and instruction signals 237 that are supplied to controller 238 to instruct the controller 238 as to the generation of lighting control signals 242. The lighting commands, which may comprise, in part or in whole, the processed lighting command and instruction signals 237, may instruct the processor to turn off or turn on the LEDs 250. Another command signal may instruct the processor to proceed to a subsequent sequence of lighting effects of the processor by the lighting control instructions 224. Lighting control instructions 224, which may comprise, in part or in whole, the processed lighting command and instruction signals 237, comprise instructions that are used to control the sequences and processes of the illumination of the LEDs in the LED light display, LED ornament, or pre-lit tree illustrated by reference numeral 250. For example, the programming controller 218 creates lighting control instructions 224 which are stored in memory 236 and retrieved by processor 234 in response to a lighting command signal 216, to cause a processor 234 to instruct the controller 238 to produce color change and fading between color change. Other processes include blinking and flashing of the LEDs in response to lighting signals 242. Operational control signals 208 can cause the processor to switch between lighting control instructions 224. Power supply 240 conditions the alternating current power signal 246 from the electrical socket blades 244 to provide proper illumination of the LEDs. For example, a 5V DC signal may be created at the output of power supply 240 from an AC 117 volts rms alternating current signal.

Any number of different programs and sequences can be transmitted by the programming controller 218 and stored in the memory 236 which can be retrieved by remote control 210 from memory 236. Flashing, fading, or color change, to a LED light display, a LED ornament, or a LED pre-lit tree, can be achieved using the stored programs in memory 236. In this manner, the wireless processor controlled lighting system 200 can create numerous different lighting sequences to produce a variety of illumination projections from LED light displays, LED ornaments, or LED pre-lit trees 250. In addition, integrated power processor controller 226 is a single package that can be made waterproof so that it can be used outside.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating the processor operation 300. At step 302, the processor 234 receives lighting control instructions 224 from the programming controller 218 of FIG. 2, as described with respect to FIG. 2. These lighting control instructions 224 provide various programs and sequences of illumination intensities, color change, and other illumination implementations. These lighting control instructions 224 are then stored in the memory 236 for later retrieval by processor 234 in response to lighting commands 216 at step 304. Processor 234 then receives lighting commands at step 306. These lighting commands are received from interface 232 in receiver 230 from the remote control 210 and changed to binary signals 235. At step 308, the processor retrieves lighting control instructions 224 based on, and in some cases, in response to, the lighting commands 216 received by processor 234 from the remote control 210. At step 312, the processor generates processed lighting command and instruction signals 237 to illuminate the LEDs at reference numeral 250. At step 310, operational control signals 208 from foot switch 202 are received at the processor 234. These operational control signals 208 can simply instruct controller 238 to turn on and turn off the LEDs 250, or can cause the processor 234 to retrieve the next lighting control instructions 224 from memory 236 and execute those lighting control instructions 224. Sequential operation of the foot switch 202 generates additional operational control signals 208, which cause the processor 234 to retrieve the next subsequent lighting control instruction 224 from memory 236. In this manner, the foot switch 202 can be sequentially activated to activate each of the lighting control instructions 224 stored in memory 236 until the user obtains the desired lighting control instructions that produces the desired display. Once the controller 238 generates the lighting signals 242, in response to the lighting control signals 235, the LED light display, LED ornament, pre-lit tree, or other LED device, illustrated at reference number 250, is connected to connector 248 to receive the lighting control signals 242 and be illuminated in accordance with the lighting control instructions 224 executed by processor 234 at step 314.

FIG. 4 is a schematic, exploded diagram of a foot switch 400. Foot switch 400 includes foot pad 402 and a printed circuit board 404 that is mounted inside of the foot switch 400. The foot switch 400 has a foot pad 402 that is spring mounted to a lower cover 406 for activation of the foot switch 400. When the foot pad 402 is depressed, the spring within the foot switch 400 is compressed and a switch in printed circuit board 404 is activated. Printed circuit board 404 produces the operational control signals 208 (FIG. 2) which are transmitted to the integrated power processor controller 226 (FIG. 2).

As such, the present invention provides an integrated power system which is wireless that may operate with up to three different modules that connect to a processor controlled integrated power system 226 that can be plugged directly into the wall power. A modular foot switch can be used to easily turn the system on and off or sequentially access different lighting sequences. A remote control can also be used to turn the system on and off and access different lighting control processes and sequences. A programming controller 218 can also be used to program different lighting sequences. The programming controller 218 may comprise a computer or phone that can be connected wirelessly, such as through Bluetooth connection, to the integrated power processor controller 226 to program the memory 236 with different lighting functions and controls.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art.

Claims

1. A method of controlling light emitting diodes comprising: generating lighting commands from a remote control device;transmitting said lighting commands wirelessly from said remote control device to a receiver that is connected to a controller in an integrated power controller;generating operational control signals from a foot switch;transmitting said operational control signals wirelessly from said foot switch to said receiver that is connected to said controller in said integrated power controller;connecting power from a power supply to create converted power signals;processing said lighting commands in said controller to create lighting control signals from said converted power signals;processing said operational control signals in said controller to control said lighting control signals;connecting said power supply to electrical socket blades;placing said electrical socket blades, said receiver, said processor, said memory, said controller and said power supply in said integrated power controller that is plugged into a wall socket using said electrical socket blades to obtain power;connecting said integrated power controller to said light emitting diodes to illuminate said light emitting diodes in accordance with said lighting control instructions, said lighting commands and said operational control signals.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said lighting control signals create a sequence of illumination of said light emitting diodes.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said lighting control signals create a sequence of colors generated by said light emitting diodes.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said lighting control signals create fading of said light emitting diodes.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said lighting control signals create blinking of said light emitting diodes.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein said lighting control signals create a sequence of colors generated by said light emitting diodes.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said lighting control signals create fading of said light emitting diodes.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said lighting control signals create blinking of said light emitting diodes.

9. A system for controlling illumination of light emitting diodes comprising: a remote control that is configured to create lighting commands;a remote control wireless transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit said lighting commands from said remote control;a foot switch that is configured to create operational control signals;a foot switch wireless transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit said operational control signals;an integrated power controller comprising: a receiver that is configured to receive said lighting commands and said operational control signals;a power supply connected to an alternating current power signal, said power supply configured to convert said alternating current power signal to a conditioned direct current power signal;a controller that receives said lighting commands and said operational control signals and generates lighting control signals from said converted direct current power signals that control said illumination of said light emitting diodes in accordance with said lighting commands and said operational control signals.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising: electrical socket blades disposed on said integrated power controller configured to be inserted into a power socket.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein said controller is configured to create illumination sequences of said light emitting diodes.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein said controller is configured to create color sequences of said light emitting diodes.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein said controller is configured to create fading effects of said light emitting diodes.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein said controller is configured to create blinking effects of said light emitting diodes.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein said controller is configured to create color sequences of said light emitting diodes.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said controller is configured to create fading effects of said light emitting diodes.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said controller is configured to create blinking effects of said light emitting diodes.

18. A method of controlling light emitting diodes comprising: generating lighting control instructions from a programming controller;transmitting said lighting control instructions wirelessly from said programming controller to a receiver connected to a processor in a processor controlled integrated power system;generating lighting commands from a remote control device;transmitting said lighting commands wirelessly from said remote control device to said receiver that is connected to said processor in said processor controlled integrated power system;generating operational control signals from a foot switch;transmitting said operational control signals wirelessly from said foot switch to said receiver that is connected to said processor controlled integrated power system;converting power from a power supply to create converted power signals;storing said lighting control instructions in a memory that is connected to said processor;retrieving said lighting control instructions from said memory in response to said lighting commands;processing said lighting control instructions to create lighting control signals that are transmitted from said processor to a controller;controlling application of said converted power signals to said light emitting diodes using said controller that operates in response to said lighting control signals;placing said receiver, said processor, said memory, said controller and said power supply in a processor controlled integrated power system package;connecting said processor controlled integrated power system package to said light emitting diodes to illuminate said light emitting diodes in accordance with said lighting control instructions, said lighting commands and said operational control signals.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: connecting said power supply to electrical socket blades that are configured to be plugged into a power socket.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said lighting control signals create a sequence of illumination of said light emitting diodes.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein said lighting control signals create a sequence of colors generated by said light emitting diodes.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein said lighting control signals create fading of said light emitting diodes.

23. The method of claim 18 wherein said lighting control signals create blinking of said light emitting diodes.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein said lighting control signals create a sequence of colors generated by said light emitting diodes.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said lighting control signals create fading of said light emitting diodes.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said lighting control signals create blinking of said light emitting diodes.

27. A system for controlling illumination of light emitting diodes comprising: a programming controller that is configured to create lighting control instructions;a programming controller wireless transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit said lighting control instructions from said programming controller;a remote control that is configured to create lighting commands;a remote control wireless transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit said lighting commands from said remote control;a foot switch that is configured to create operational control signals;a foot switch wireless transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit said operational control signals;an integrated power processor controller comprising: a receiver that is configured to receive said lighting control instructions, said lighting commands and said operational control signals;a power supply connected to an alternating current signal that is configured to convert said alternating current signal to a converted direct current power signal;a memory that stores said lighting control instructions;a processor that is configured to retrieve said lighting control instructions from said memory in response to said lighting commands or said operational control signals, and generate processed lighting command and instruction signals;a controller that receives said processed lighting command and instruction signals and generates lighting control signals from said converted direct current power signals in response to said processed lighting command signals.

28. The system of claim 27 further comprising: electrical socket blades disposed on said integrated power processor controller that are configured to be inserted into a power socket.

29. The system of claim 27 wherein said controller is configured to create illumination sequences of said light emitting diodes.

30. The system of claim 27 wherein said controller is configured to create color sequences of said light emitting diodes.

31. The system of claim 27 wherein said controller is configured to create fading effects of said light emitting diodes.

32. The system of claim 27 wherein said controller is configured to create blinking effects of said light emitting diodes.

33. The system of claim 29 wherein said controller is configured to create color sequences of said light emitting diodes.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein said controller is configured to create fading effects of said light emitting diodes.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein said controller is configured to create blinking effects of said light emitting diodes.