Solid state light emitter lighting apparatus and method of operation thereof

Abstract

A solid state lighting device and a method of operating the same are provided. The solid state lighting device comprises a plurality of solid state lighting units. Each of the solid state lighting units comprises one or more inter-unit communication modules. Each of the inter-unit communication modules is located at a corresponding side of the solid state lighting unit and configured to communicate with an inter-unit communication module of a corresponding adjacent lighting unit connected to the lighting unit at the corresponding side. Each of the inter-unit communication modules comprises a presence detector for detecting a presence of the corresponding adjacent lighting unit, a presence indicator for indicating a presence of the lighting unit to the corresponding adjacent lighting unit, and an optical transceiver for communicating with a corresponding optical transceiver in the corresponding adjacent lighting unit. The solid state lighting device is operable to operate in a synchronization mode or a chain effect mode. The present invention provides a light emitting diode lighting device which can be flexibly combined and conveniently installed and disassembled, and meets the requirements of providing different lighting illumination areas and modes for different scenes.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of solid-state luminary lighting, and more particularly, to a matrix light emitting diode (LED) lighting device and an operating method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] Light emitting diodes are widely used in the lighting field due to their high luminous efficiency, stable performance, small heat, and long service life. However, since the light emitted by the light emitting diode is divergent, the light irradiation distance is not far, and the irradiation intensity in the effective irradiation area is not high. Therefore, there are still many technical problems in making light emitting diodes into spotlights or spotlights. In addition, for some large activities and projects, it is necessary to install and disassemble the lighting equipment in a short time, and different application scenarios have different requirements for the irradiation area and mode of the light. SUMMARY

[0003] In order to overcome the technical problems of the light emitting diode in the prior art that the light irradiation distance is not far and the irradiation intensity in the effective irradiation area is not high, and to meet the requirements of installing and disassembling the lighting equipment in a short time, providing different lighting irradiation area and mode according to different scenes, the present application provides a light emitting diode lighting device which can be flexibly combined and conveniently installed and disassembled.

[0004] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a solid state lighting unit that is communicable with one or more neighboring lighting units. A solid state lighting device composed of a plurality of said solid state lighting units arranged in a matrix and a method of operating the same. The solid state lighting unit comprises: a housing; a front cover disposed at a front side of the housing; a plurality of light sources arranged on a circuit board; a control panel disposed at a back side of the housing; a driving module electrically connected to the plurality of light sources; one or more inter-unit communication modules, each inter-unit communication module located at a corresponding side of the solid state lighting unit and configured to communicate with an inter-unit communication module of a corresponding neighboring lighting unit connected to the lighting unit at the corresponding side; wherein each inter-unit communication module comprises: a presence detector for detecting a presence of the corresponding neighboring lighting unit; a presence indicator for indicating a presence of the lighting unit to the corresponding neighboring lighting unit; an optical transceiver for communicating with a corresponding optical transceiver in the corresponding neighboring lighting unit; a microprocessor electrically connected with the driving module and the one or more inter-unit communication modules and configured to control each of the inter-unit communication modules such that: when the corresponding presence detector detects a presence of the corresponding neighboring lighting unit, the inter-unit communication module is activated; when the corresponding presence detector does not detect a presence of the corresponding neighboring lighting unit, the inter-unit communication module is deactivated; and a control communication module electrically connected with the microprocessor and the control panel and configured to: receive a control signal from the control panel; decode the control signal into a control command; and transmit the control command to the microprocessor; and wherein the microprocessor is further configured to: receive the control command from the control communication module; and transmit the control command to one or more activated optical transceivers to forward the control command to one or more neighboring lighting units. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1A 、 1B FIGS. 1A, IB and 1C show front, back and exploded perspective views, respectively, of a solid state lighting unit communicable with neighboring lighting units according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0006] Figure 2A FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a solid state lighting unit according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0007] Figure 2B FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a solid state lighting unit according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0008] Figure 3A FIG. 6 shows a solid state lighting device composed of a plurality of solid state lighting units according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 2A

[0009] Figure 3B FIG. 7 shows a solid state lighting device composed of a plurality of solid state lighting units according to another embodiment of the present application; Figure 2B ​Solid-state lighting devices composed of solid-state lighting units;

[0010] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating how two adjacent solid-state lighting units communicate with each other according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0011] Figures 5A-5B A schematic diagram illustrating how two adjacent solid-state lighting units are mechanically connected according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0012] Figures 6-7 The structure of a plate-shaped connector according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0013] Figures 8-17 The invention illustrates how different optical components are attached to the front cover to form lighting units of different specifications and functions, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0014] Figures 18-19 A schematic diagram is shown illustrating how different optical components are attached or detached from a front cover plate by coupling a magnet to a sheet of iron, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] Figures 20A-20C A solid-state lighting unit with a detachable support is shown according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0016] Figures 21A-21B A structural diagram of the detachable support component is shown;

[0017] Figures 22A-22B A schematic diagram showing how to mount the support to the solid-state lighting unit is shown;

[0018] Figures 23A-23B A solid-state lighting unit with a pin mount is shown according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0019] Figures 24A-24B A solid-state lighting unit with a pin mount is shown according to other embodiments of the present invention; and

[0020] Figure 25 A method is shown for operating a solid-state lighting unit in combination with one or more lighting units to form a virtual single lighting unit in a synchronous mode or a chain effect mode. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0022] Figure 1A , 1B Figures 1A and 1C respectively show a front perspective view, a rear perspective view, and an exploded view of a solid-state lighting unit 1A / 1B capable of communicating with adjacent lighting units according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2A A block diagram of a solid state lighting unit 1A according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. Referring to Figures 1A-1C And 2A, the solid state lighting unit 1A can include a housing 11, a front cover plate 12, a driver module 13, inter-unit communication modules 14A-14B, a microprocessor 15, a control communication module 16, a control panel 17, and a plurality of light sources 18. The front cover plate 12 is disposed on the front side of the housing 11. The material of the housing 11 can be any plastic suitable for injection molding. The joint of the housing 11 and the front cover plate 12 can be sealed by a sealing ring. The upper and lower sides of the housing 11 can be respectively arranged with accessory boots 112. The accessory boots 112 include a sliding groove 1121 for receiving an accessory connector and a spring tensioner 1122 for locking the accessory connector.

[0024] The driver module 13, the inter-unit communication modules 14A-14B, the microprocessor 15, the control communication module 16, and the plurality of light sources 18 are arranged on a metal circuit board 21. The control panel 17 is disposed on the back of the housing 11.

[0025] The plurality of light sources 18 can be arranged in a two-dimensional array, with light sources 18a-18d at the four corners of the array placed at a 45° angle to make the light intensity distribution of the entire light source array more uniform. Each light source 18 can be composed of a plurality of light emitting diodes of different wavelengths to minimize the impact of individual different wavelength color peaks and generate a uniform visible color spectrum. For example, each light source 18 can be assembled from five different color light emitting diode chips. The five different color light emitting diode chips can include a red LED, a green LED, a fluorescent green LED, a blue LED, and a fluorescent amber LED.

[0026] The solid state lighting unit 1A can further include a reflective plate 19 disposed between the front cover plate 12 and the circuit board 21. The reflective plate 19 has a plane 191 and a plurality of windows 192 protruding from the plane 191, corresponding to the positions of the plurality of light sources 18, respectively. Each window has a slanted reflective surface 193 around its periphery, extending from the edge of the window 192 to the plane 191, for reflecting and diffusing the light emitted by the plurality of light sources 18.

[0027] The solid state lighting unit 1A can further include an internal heat sink 22, which is bonded to the metal circuit board 21 by thermal paste. The material of the heat sink 22 can be any metal or alloy with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum. The side of the housing 11 can include a plurality of ventilation holes 114, cooperating with the fin pins of the heat sink 22, to more effectively dissipate heat. The solid state lighting unit 1A can further include a magnet 113 disposed at the center of the back of the housing 11 to allow the solid state lighting unit 1A to be conveniently attached to a (magnetic) metal surface.

[0028] The drive module 13 is electrically connected to the plurality of light sources 18. The inter-unit communication modules 14A-14B are located on opposite sides A and B of the solid state lighting unit 1A, respectively, and are configured to communicate with the inter-unit communication modules of the corresponding adjacent lighting units connected to the lighting unit on its corresponding side.

[0029] The inter-unit communication modules 14A-14B can each include a presence detector 141A-141B for detecting the presence of the corresponding adjacent lighting unit. The inter-unit communication modules 14A-14B can also each include a presence indicator 142A-142B for indicating the presence of the lighting unit to the corresponding adjacent lighting unit.

[0030] The inter-unit communication modules 14A-14B can also each include an optical transceiver 143A-143B for communicating with a corresponding optical transceiver in the corresponding adjacent lighting unit. The optical transceiver 143A includes a transmitter 1431A and a receiver 1432A. The optical transceiver 143B includes a transmitter 1431B and a receiver 1432B.

[0031] The microprocessor 15 is electrically connected to the drive module 13 and the inter-unit communication modules 14A-14B and is configured to control the inter-unit communication modules 14A-14B, respectively, such that: when the corresponding presence detector of each inter-unit communication module detects the presence of the corresponding adjacent lighting unit, the inter-unit communication module is activated; and when the corresponding presence detector of each inter-unit communication module does not detect the presence of the corresponding adjacent lighting unit, the inter-unit communication module is deactivated. In this way, the inter-unit communication modules can be prevented from signaling to other nearby lighting units when the lighting unit 1A is used alone or when there is no adjacent lighting unit connected on the corresponding side of the inter-unit communication module.

[0032] The control communication module 16 is electrically connected to the microprocessor 15 and is configured to: receive a control signal; decode the control signal into a control command; and transmit the control command to the microprocessor 15. The control communication module 16 is configured to be electrically connected to the control panel 17 and to receive the control signal from the control panel. The control communication module 16 can also include a wireless communication module for receiving an external wireless control signal and a wired communication module for receiving an external wired control signal. The wireless control signal can come from an external controller, such as a dedicated remote control or a smart device installed with a dedicated application program. The wireless communication module can be configured to support various communication technologies, such as Bluetooth, WiFi, zigbee, etc. The wired communication module can be configured to receive the wired control signal through a digital multiplexing (DMX) data line or a power line superimposed with a DMX data signal.

[0033] The microprocessor 15 is further configured to receive control commands from the control communication module 16, and to transmit the control commands to the activated optical transceiver for forwarding the control commands to the corresponding adjacent lighting unit.

[0034] The lighting unit 1A can be powered by an internal battery or by an external power source. The lighting unit 1A can also include an electrical socket for connecting to a power source for providing continuous power or for charging the internal battery. The electrical socket can also be used in conjunction with a dedicated charging cradle or housing to prevent short-circuiting and reverse polarity power connections when the unit 1A is being charged. The lighting unit 1A can also be connected to other lighting units in a daisy chain configuration via power lines with superimposed DMX data signals to form a single lighting unit for operation and control.

[0035] Figure 2B A block diagram of a solid state lighting unit 1B according to another embodiment of the present application is shown. Referring to FIGS. 1B and 2B, the solid state lighting unit 1B is similar to the solid state lighting unit 1A. The solid state lighting unit 1B differs from the solid state lighting unit 1A in that the solid state lighting unit 1B includes four inter-unit communication modules 14A-14D, one on each side A-D of the solid state lighting unit 1B, configured to communicate with the inter-unit communication modules of the corresponding adjacent lighting units connected to the lighting unit 1B on its corresponding side. Figures 1A-1C

[0036] The inter-unit communication modules 14A-14D can each include a presence detector 141A-141D for detecting the presence of the corresponding adjacent lighting unit. The inter-unit communication modules 14A-14D can also each include a presence indicator 142A-142D for indicating the presence of the lighting unit 1B to the corresponding adjacent lighting unit.

[0037] The inter-unit communication modules 14A-14D can also each include an optical transceiver 143A-143D for communicating with the corresponding optical transceiver in the corresponding adjacent lighting unit. The optical transceiver 143A includes a transmitter 1431A and a receiver 1432A. The optical transceiver 143B includes a transmitter 1431B and a receiver 1432B. The optical transceiver 143C includes a transmitter 1431C and a receiver 1432C. The optical transceiver 143D includes a transmitter 1431D and a receiver 1432D.

[0038] ​In some embodiments, the presence indicators 142A-142D can be magnets and the presence detectors 141A-141D can be Hall effect sensors. The optical transceivers 143A-143D can be any transceiver suitable for exchanging optical signals in free space over short distances. In some embodiments, the optical transceivers 143A-143D can be infrared transceivers. In some embodiments, the optical transceivers 143A-143D can communicate with corresponding optical transceivers in corresponding adjacent lighting units based on a universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART) communication protocol.

[0039] Figure 3A A schematic diagram of a solid state lighting device 3A composed of a plurality of solid state lighting units 1A i , i = 1,..., M, M being a positive integer, is shown. The plurality of solid state lighting units 1A i are arranged side-by-side to form a one-dimensional array. Each solid state lighting unit 1A i may communicate with two adjacent solid state lighting units through two inter-unit communication modules, respectively. For example, unit 1A i may communicate with unit 1A i-1 and unit 1A i+1 through the inter-unit communication modules, respectively. In this way, a user can control other side-by-side solid state lighting units through the control panel of any one solid state lighting unit 1A i . Alternatively, a user can control the plurality of solid state lighting units 1A i through a remote control or a smart device connected to the control communication module 16 of any one solid state lighting unit.

[0040] The plurality of solid state lighting units 1A i in the solid state lighting device 3A can be operated as a single lighting unit and configured to work in a synchronized mode or a chain effect mode. In the synchronized mode, the plurality of solid state lighting units 1A i respond to a user input instruction synchronously. In the chain effect mode, the plurality of solid state lighting units 1A i are configured to respond to a user input instruction sequentially to achieve some dynamic lighting or animation effects. The plurality of solid state lighting units 1A i , when working in the chain effect mode, the control communication module in each solid state lighting unit is configured to set a DMX address for the lighting unit sequentially.

[0041] Figure 3B A schematic diagram of a solid state lighting device 3B composed of a plurality of solid state lighting units 1B i,j , i = 1,..., M, j = 1,..., N, N and M being positive integers, is shown. The plurality of solid state lighting units 1B i,j are arranged side-by-side to form a two-dimensional array. Each solid state lighting unit 1B i,jIt can communicate with four adjacent solid-state lighting units through four inter-unit communication modules. For example, unit 1B i,j It can communicate with unit 1B respectively through the inter-unit communication module. i-1,j Unit 1B i+1,j Unit 1B i,j-1 and Unit 1B i,j+1 Communication is established. Thus, a user can control other parallel solid-state lighting units via the control panel of any single solid-state lighting unit. Alternatively, a user can control multiple solid-state lighting units 1B via a smart device connected to the control communication module 16 of any solid-state lighting unit. i,j .

[0042] Multiple solid-state lighting units 1B in solid-state lighting device 3B i,j It can be operated and controlled as a single lighting unit and configured to operate in either synchronous or cascading mode. In synchronous mode, multiple solid-state lighting units 1B i,j Synchronously respond to user input commands. In cascading mode, multiple solid-state lighting units 1B i,j Configured to sequentially respond to user input commands to achieve dynamic lighting or animation effects. Multiple solid-state lighting units 1B i,j When operating in cascading mode, the control communication module in each solid-state lighting unit is configured to sequentially set the DMX address for that lighting unit.

[0043] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating how two adjacent solid-state lighting units 1 and 2 communicate with each other is shown. Figure 4 As shown, when illumination unit 2 approaches illumination unit 1 from side A, the presence detector 141A on side A of illumination unit 1 senses the signal emitted by the presence indicator 242B on side B of illumination unit 2, thereby detecting the presence of illumination unit 2. After the presence detector 141A detects the presence of the adjacent illumination unit 2, the optical transceiver 143A on side A of illumination unit 1 is activated by the microprocessor 15 to communicate with the optical transceiver 243B on side B of the adjacent illumination unit 2. More specifically, the transmitter 1431A is activated to transmit a signal to the receiver 2432B; the receiver 1432A is activated to receive the signal emitted by the transmitter 2431B.

[0044] On the other hand, the presence detector 241B on the B side of the lighting unit 2 senses the signal emitted by the presence indicator 142B on the A side of the lighting unit 1, thereby detecting the presence of the adjacent lighting unit 1. After the presence detector 241B detects the presence of the lighting unit 1, the optical transceiver 243B on the B side of the lighting unit 2 is activated by the microprocessor of the lighting unit 2 to communicate with the optical transceiver 143A on the A side of the lighting unit 1. More specifically, the transmitter 2431B is activated to transmit signals to the receiver 1432A; the receiver 2432B is activated to receive signals emitted by the transmitter 1431A.

[0045] In the case where the presence indicators 142A-142D are magnets and the presence detectors 141A-141D are Hall effect sensors, when the adjacent lighting unit 2 approaches the lighting unit 1 from the A side of the lighting unit 1, the Hall effect sensor on the A side of the lighting unit 1 senses the change in magnetic field caused by the magnet on the B side of the adjacent lighting unit 2, thereby detecting the presence of the adjacent lighting unit 2. On the other hand, when the adjacent lighting unit 1 approaches the lighting unit 2 from the B side of the lighting unit 2, the Hall effect sensor on the B side of the lighting unit 2 senses the change in magnetic field caused by the magnet on the A side of the adjacent lighting unit 1, thereby detecting the presence of the adjacent lighting unit 1.

[0046] Figure 5A and 5B A schematic diagram showing how two adjacent solid state lighting units 1 and 2 are mechanically connected according to some embodiments of the present application is shown. Referring to Figure 5A The housing 11 of the solid state lighting unit 1 can include a recess 115 and a protrusion 116 that mate with corresponding protrusion and recess (not shown) on the housing of the solid state lighting unit 2, respectively, to prevent the solid state lighting units 1 and 2 from shifting relative to each other after being combined. Referring to Figure 5B Any two adjacent solid state lighting units 1 and 2 can be mechanically connected by a plate-like connector 50.

[0047] Referring to Figures 6-7The plate-shaped connector 50 can include top screws 51 and 52, a frame 53, and an interconnect 54. The top screws 51 and 52 are located at two ends of the frame 53 along the axis Z, and the interconnect 54 protrudes laterally from a central portion of the frame 53 along an axis Y that is orthogonal to the axis Z. The interconnect 54 has a block member 541 and a block member 542 opposite the block member 541 along the axis Z. The interconnect 54 also has a groove 543 defined at a first side and a groove 544 defined at a second side opposite the first side, both of which extend through the interconnect 54 along the axis Y and between the block members 541 and 542. Accordingly, when the solid-state lighting units 1 and 2 are mechanically connected by the plate-shaped connector 50, the block members 541 and 542 of the interconnect 54 are inserted into the sliding grooves 1121 of the accessory boots 112 of the adjacent lighting units 1 and 2, respectively, and are locked by the spring tensioners 1122 of the accessory boots 112 of the lighting units 1 and 2, respectively. The top screws 51 and 52 can be used to apply pressure to the back surfaces of the lighting units 1 and 2, respectively, so as to align the lighting units 1 and 2 with respect to each other along the axis Y. The frame 53 can further include threaded holes 531, 532, 533, and 534 for securing other accessories.

[0048] Figures 8-17 Different optical components are shown attached on the front cover plate to combine into lighting units of different specifications and functions according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0049] Referring to Figure 8 and 9 The solid-state lighting unit 1 can further include a gel holder 80. The gel holder 80 is detachably attached to the front cover plate 12 for housing one or more color filters.

[0050] Referring to Figure 10 and 11 The solid-state lighting unit 1 can include a diffuser sheet 100. The diffuser sheet 100 is detachably attached to the front cover plate 12 and is configured to scatter light output from the plurality of solid-state light sources.

[0051] Referring to Figures 12-13 The solid-state lighting unit 1 can include a gel holder 80, a diffuser sheet 100, and an egg crate grid adjuster 120. The gel holder 80 is detachably attached to the front cover plate 12 for housing one or more color filters. The diffuser sheet 100 is detachably attached to the gel holder 80 and is configured to scatter light output from the plurality of solid-state light sources. The egg crate grid adjuster 120 is detachably attached to the diffuser sheet 100 for blocking off-axis light scattered by the diffuser sheet 100. The egg crate grid adjuster 120 can have different grid sizes.

[0052] Referring to Figures 14-15The solid state lighting unit 1 can comprise an enhancer 140. The enhancer 140 is detachably attached on the front cover plate 12 for enhancing the light output from the plurality of solid state light sources. The enhancer 140 can have different thicknesses to fit different requirements.

[0053] Referring to Figures 16-17 The solid state lighting unit 1 can further comprise an enhancer 140 and an egg crate grid adjuster 120. The enhancer 140 is detachably attached on the front cover plate 12 for enhancing the light output from the plurality of solid state light sources. The egg crate grid adjuster 120 is detachably attached on the enhancer 140 for blocking off-axis light. The egg crate grid adjuster 120 can have different grid sizes.

[0054] Referring to Figures 18-19 The front cover plate 12 can be attached or detached with different optical components (e.g. gel holder, diffuser, egg crate grid adjuster, enhancer) by the coupling of magnets and iron pieces, to assemble into lighting units of different specifications and functions. As shown in Figure 18 The front cover plate 12 can comprise magnets 1801 at four corners respectively, and the gel holder can comprise iron pieces 1802 at four corners respectively. The shape of the magnets matches the shape of the iron pieces, and the position of the magnets matches the position of the iron pieces. In this way, the gel holder can be conveniently attached on or detached from the front cover plate 12. As shown in Figure 19 The diffuser can comprise magnets 1901 at four corners respectively, and the egg crate grid adjuster can comprise iron pieces 1902 at four corners respectively corresponding to the magnets 1901. In this way, the egg crate grid adjuster can be conveniently attached on or detached from the diffuser.

[0055] Referring to Figures 20A-20C The solid state lighting unit 1 can further comprise a detachable support 200 fixed on the housing 11. The support 200 can allow the solid state lighting unit 1 to rotate along the horizontal axis X or the vertical axis Z, to adjust the direction of illumination.

[0056] Referring to Figure 21A and 21BThe support 200 can include a main body 201, a connecting member 202, a fixing element 203, a first bracket 204a and a second bracket 204b. The connecting member 202 is hinged to the main body 201 by screws 2081a and 2081b, bearings 2082a and 2082b for connecting the support 200 to the housing and allowing the solid state lighting unit to rotate along the horizontal axis X through the support 200 to adjust the direction of illumination. The fixing element 203 is fixed on the main body 201 by screws 207a and 207b. The fixing element 203 has an opening 2032 allowing the solid state lighting unit to be fixed by using an electric wire or cable tie. The first bracket 204a and the second bracket 204b are rotatably fixed on the main body 201 by screws 205a and 205b respectively for allowing the solid state lighting unit 1 to stand on the platform through the support 200 and rotate along the vertical axis Z.

[0057] Referring to Figure 22A and 22B The connecting member 202 is shaped to match the accessory boot 112 on the side of the housing 11 of the solid state lighting unit 1. When the support 200 is mounted to the housing 11 of the solid state lighting unit 1, the connecting member 202 can be tightly inserted into the accessory boot 112 on the housing 11.

[0058] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 23A-24B The solid state lighting unit 1 can further include a pin seat 230 fixed on the support 200 to allow the solid state lighting unit 1 to be used with other standard lighting devices. As shown in Figure 23A and 23B The pin seat 230 can be mounted on the main body 201 of the support 200. In other words, the pin seat 230 can be connected to the back of the housing 11 through the support 200. As shown in Figure 24A and 24B The pin seat 230 can be mounted on the connecting member 202 of the support 200. In other words, the pin seat 230 can be connected to the side of the housing through the support 200.

[0059] Figure 25 A method of operating a solid state lighting unit in combination with one or more lighting units as a virtual single lighting unit in a synchronized mode or a chained effect mode is shown. The method includes three stages, which are: S01: detection of the presence of adjacent lighting units; S02: setting of the DMX address of the adjacent lighting units; and S03: communication between the adjacent lighting units.

[0060] Stage S01 (detection of presence of neighboring lighting units) comprises, for each inter-unit communication module: starting, by the microprocessor, said inter-unit communication module when the corresponding presence detector detects the presence of the corresponding neighboring lighting unit; and stopping, by the microprocessor, said inter-unit communication module when the corresponding presence detector does not detect the presence of the corresponding neighboring lighting unit.

[0061] Stage S02 (setting of DMX address of neighboring lighting units) comprises, when said plurality of solid state lighting units is operating in said chain effect mode, setting, by said control communication module, a DMX address for each of said plurality of lighting units in turn.

[0062] Stage S03 (communication between neighboring lighting units) comprises: receiving, by the control communication module, a control signal from the control panel; decoding, by the control communication module, the control signal into a control command; sending, by the control communication module, the control command to the microprocessor; receiving, by the microprocessor, the control command from the control communication module; and transmitting, by the microprocessor, the control command to the activated optical transceiver to forward the control command to the neighboring lighting unit.

[0063] The embodiments are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the application and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the application in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Although the methods disclosed herein have been described with reference to particular operations performed in a particular order, it will be understood that these operations can be combined, sub-divided, or re-ordered to form equivalent methods without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Accordingly, unless specifically indicated herein, the order and grouping of operations is not limiting. Although the devices disclosed herein have been described with reference to particular structures, shapes, materials, compositions of matter, and relationships, these descriptions and illustrations are not intended to be limiting. Modifications can be made to suit a particular situation to the principles, spirit, and scope of this disclosure. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A solid-state lighting unit capable of communicating with one or more adjacent lighting units, comprising: case; Front cover, which is located on the front side of the housing; Multiple light sources arranged on a circuit board; The control panel is located on the back of the housing; The drive module is electrically connected to the plurality of light sources; One or more inter-unit communication modules, each inter-unit communication module being located on a corresponding side of the solid-state lighting unit and configured to communicate with the inter-unit communication modules of corresponding adjacent lighting units connected to the lighting unit on the corresponding side; Each inter-unit communication module includes: a presence detector for detecting the presence of the corresponding adjacent lighting unit; a presence indicator for indicating the presence of the lighting unit to the corresponding adjacent lighting unit; and an optical transceiver for communicating with the corresponding optical transceiver in the corresponding adjacent lighting unit. A microprocessor, electrically connected to the driving module and one or more inter-unit communication modules, and configured to control each of the inter-unit communication modules such that: when a corresponding presence detector detects the presence of a corresponding adjacent lighting unit, the inter-unit communication module is activated; when the corresponding presence detector does not detect the presence of a corresponding adjacent lighting unit, the inter-unit communication module is deactivated; and A control communication module, electrically connected to a microprocessor and a control panel and configured to: receive control signals from the control panel; decode the control signals into control commands; and transmit the control commands to the microprocessor; and The microprocessor is further configured to: receive the control command from the control communication module; and transmit the control command to one or more activated optical transceivers to forward the control command to one or more adjacent lighting units.

2. The solid-state lighting unit according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the one or more optical transceivers is an infrared transceiver.

3. The solid-state lighting unit according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the one or more optical transceivers is a Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART).

4. The solid-state lighting unit according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the one or more presence detectors is a Hall effect sensor.

5. The solid-state lighting unit according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the one or more presence indicators is a magnet.

6. The solid-state lighting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The control communication module further includes: a wireless communication module for receiving wireless control signals; and a wired communication module for receiving wired control signals.

7. The solid-state lighting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, Each of the light sources consists of five different colored light-emitting diodes (LEDs), including red LEDs, green LEDs, fluorescent green LEDs, blue LEDs, and fluorescent amber LEDs.

8. The solid-state lighting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5 further includes a magnet disposed at the center of the back side of the housing to allow the solid-state lighting unit to be attached to a magnetic metal surface.

9. The solid-state lighting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, It also includes a gel holder, which is detachably attached to the front cover for accommodating one or more color filters.

10. The solid-state lighting unit of claim 9 further includes a diffuser sheet detachably attached to the gel frame and configured to scatter light emitted from the plurality of light sources.

11. The solid-state lighting unit according to claim 10, characterized in that, It also includes an egg box grid adjuster, which is detachably attached to the diffuser to block off-axis light scattered by the diffuser.

12. The solid-state lighting unit of claim 11 further includes an enhancer detachably attached to the gel frame for enhancing light output from the plurality of light sources.

13. The solid-state lighting unit of claim 12 further includes an egg box grid adjuster, which is detachably attached to the intensifier and configured to block off-axis light amplified by the intensifier.

14. The solid-state lighting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, It also includes a detachable support member fixed to the housing, comprising: main body; A connector hinged to the body and configured to connect the body to the housing; The first and second brackets are fixed to the main body by screws, respectively, so that the solid-state lighting unit can stand on the platform.

15. The solid-state lighting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a pin seat fixed to the housing.

16. A solid-state lighting device comprising a plurality of solid-state lighting units according to claim 1 arranged in a matrix, wherein the plurality of solid-state lighting units operate in a synchronous mode or a cascading mode.

17. The solid-state lighting device according to claim 16, characterized in that, When the plurality of solid-state lighting units operate in the cascading effect mode, the control communication module in each lighting unit is configured to sequentially set a digital multiplexed address for the lighting unit.

18. The solid-state lighting device of claim 16, further comprising one or more plate connectors, each of said plate connectors being configured for mechanically connecting a pair of first adjacent lighting units and a pair of second adjacent lighting units, and comprising: frame, The first and second set screws are located at the two ends of the frame along the first axis, respectively; Interconnectors that protrude laterally from the central portion of the frame along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis; The interconnecting element has the following characteristics: A first block-shaped component and a second block-shaped component opposite to the first block-shaped component along a first axis; A first groove defined on a first side and a second groove defined on a second side opposite to the first side, both extending along the second axis through the interconnect and located between the first block component and the second block component.

19. The solid-state lighting device according to claim 18, wherein: Each of the first adjacent lighting unit and the second adjacent lighting unit includes at least one accessory boot, the accessory boot including a groove and a spring tensioner; When the first adjacent lighting unit and the second adjacent lighting unit are mechanically connected via the plate connector, the first block component and the second block component are respectively inserted into the slide groove of the accessory boot of the first adjacent lighting unit and the slide groove of the accessory boot of the second adjacent lighting unit, and are respectively locked by the spring tensioners of the accessory boots of the first adjacent lighting unit and the second adjacent lighting unit; and the first set screw is used to apply pressure to the back of the first adjacent lighting unit and the back of the second adjacent lighting unit, thereby aligning the first adjacent lighting unit and the second adjacent lighting unit with each other along the second axis.

20. A method for operating a solid-state lighting device according to any one of claims 16 to 19, comprising: For each inter-unit communication module: When the corresponding presence detector detects the presence of the corresponding adjacent lighting unit, the microprocessor (ARM) initiates the inter-unit communication module; as well as When the corresponding presence detector does not detect the presence of the corresponding adjacent lighting unit, the microprocessor disables the inter-unit communication module.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: The control communication module receives control signals from the control panel. The control communication module decodes the control signals into control commands; as well as The control communication module sends control commands to the microprocessor.

22. The method of claim 21, comprising: The microprocessor receives control commands from the control communication module. as well as The microprocessor transmits control commands to one or more activated optical transceivers to forward the control commands to one or more adjacent lighting units.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, Also includes: When the plurality of solid-state lighting units are operating in the cascading effect mode, the control communication module sequentially sets a digital multiplexed address for each of the plurality of lighting units.

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