LED dimming method, dimming controller and system, lighting device, and readable storage medium

Abstract

The application provides an LED dimming method, a dimming controller and system, a lighting device and a readable storage medium, wherein the actual duty cycle information of each dimming stage is changed from the fixed duty cycle in the prior art to be related to the initial duty cycle of the current dimming stage and the initial duty cycle of the next dimming stage, so that the change of the duty cycle of each dimming stage is refined, and the difference (i.e., the step value of the duty cycle of adjacent dimming stages in the prior art) between the initial duty cycles of adjacent dimming stages does not need to be reduced, so that the current change flowing through the LED light source is smoother, the light intensity of the LED light source also changes more smoothly according to the average value of the current flowing through the LED light source, the visual effect is reduced or even eliminated, and the comfort of the human eye vision for the LED dimming effect or the brightness change is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of LED dimming technology, and in particular to an LED dimming method, a dimming controller and system, a lighting device, and a readable storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Most current light-emitting diode (LED) dimming products use pulse width modulation (PWM) or serial communication for dimming. Specifically, the LED driver chip identifies the duty cycle information of the dimming signal and adjusts the current flowing through the LED light source accordingly, thereby controlling the brightness of the LED light source. Generally, a duty cycle of the dimming signal varying between 0-100% allows the brightness of the LED light source to vary between 0-100% of its maximum brightness, thus achieving dimming of the LED light source.

[0003] Currently, the minimum step value of the duty cycle for most LED light source dimming is 1% or 1‰. When two adjacent duty cycles switch directly and each duty cycle is maintained for a relatively long time, especially when the dimming duty cycle is low, the switching between two adjacent duty cycles will cause a visually abrupt feeling similar to a light step. In terms of the change in the brightness of the LED light source, the LED light source will change its brightness abruptly, causing discomfort (i.e., abrupt feeling) to the human eye regarding the dimming effect or brightness change of the LED light source. Even if the dimming step value is 1‰, the human eye can still perceive this problem.

[0004] In the prior art, if the problem is to be improved by reducing the step value of the dimming duty cycle, the following problems exist: (1) Most LED driver chips cannot respond to small duty cycle changes, especially when the dimming signal frequency is high, so the problem cannot be improved; (2) If a new LED driver chip is developed that can recognize lower duty cycle information to improve the problem, the chip development will bring higher costs.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new LED dimming method, dimming controller and system, lighting device and readable storage medium that can improve the dimming effect based on existing LED driver chips without reducing the step value of the dimming duty cycle. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an LED dimming method, dimming controller and system, lighting device and readable storage medium, which can reduce or even eliminate the abruptness of the visual effect caused by LED dimming and improve the comfort of human vision with LED dimming effect or brightness change.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an LED dimming method, which adjusts the current flowing through the LED light source according to the duty cycle information of the dimming signal to adjust the brightness of the LED light source. The LED dimming method includes multiple dimming stages, and in two adjacent dimming stages, the actual duty cycle information of the earlier dimming stage is related to the initial duty cycle of the earlier dimming stage and the initial duty cycle of the later dimming stage.

[0008] Optionally, the actual duty cycle information of the prior dimming stage is a function of the initial duty cycle of the prior dimming stage and the initial duty cycle of the subsequent dimming stage as parameters.

[0009] Optionally, the actual duty cycle information of the earlier dimming stage is a weighted function with the initial duty cycle of the earlier dimming stage and the initial duty cycle of the later dimming stage as parameters.

[0010] Optionally, the dimming stage includes k large dimming cycles, each large dimming cycle includes n small dimming cycles, k≥2, n≥2, and among the n small dimming cycles, n1 small dimming cycles have the duty cycle of the initial duty cycle of the preceding dimming stage, and n2 small dimming cycles have the duty cycle of the initial duty cycle of the subsequent dimming stage, n1+n2=n, and from the first large dimming cycle to the kth large dimming cycle, n1 gradually decreases and n2 gradually increases.

[0011] Optionally, within at least one of the dimming stages, from the first large dimming cycle to the kth large dimming cycle, the step size n1 decreases and the step size n2 increases, and the step value of n1 is Δn1≥1, and the step value of n2 is Δn2≥1.

[0012] Optionally, in two adjacent dimming stages, the difference between n2 in the last large dimming cycle of the earlier dimming stage and n1 in the first large dimming cycle of the later dimming stage is the step value Δn2 of n2 in the earlier dimming stage.

[0013] Optionally, the initial duty cycle of each dimming stage is stepped with a minimum duty cycle.

[0014] Optionally, the minimum duty cycle is 1‰, the step value of n1 is Δn1=1, and the step value of n2 is Δn2=1.

[0015] Optionally, the step value Δn1 of n1 is not equal to the step value Δn2 of n2.

[0016] Based on the same inventive concept, the present invention also provides a dimming controller, which is coupled to an LED light source and configured to output a corresponding dimming signal according to the LED dimming method described in the present invention, so as to adjust the current flowing through the LED light source and thereby adjust the brightness of the LED light source.

[0017] Based on the same inventive concept, the present invention also provides a dimming system, which includes a driving power supply and a dimming controller as described in the present invention; wherein the dimming controller and the driving power supply are coupled, the driving power supply and a corresponding LED light source are coupled, the dimming controller is used to output a corresponding dimming signal, and the driving power supply is used to adjust the current flowing through the LED light source according to the dimming signal, thereby adjusting the brightness of the LED light source.

[0018] Based on the same inventive concept, the present invention also provides a lighting device comprising an LED light source and a dimming controller coupled thereto as described in the present invention, or comprising an LED light source and a dimming system coupled thereto as described in the present invention.

[0019] Based on the same inventive concept, the present invention also provides a readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the LED dimming method as described in the present invention.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0021] The actual duty cycle information for each dimming stage is changed from a fixed duty cycle in the prior art to duty cycle information related to the initial duty cycle of the current dimming stage and the initial duty cycle of the next dimming stage. This refines the duty cycle change of each dimming stage without reducing the difference in the initial duty cycle of adjacent dimming stages (i.e., the step value of the duty cycle of adjacent dimming stages in the prior art). This makes the change in current flowing through the LED light source smoother, and the change in light intensity of the LED light source is also smoother according to the average value of the current flowing through the LED light source. This reduces or even eliminates the abruptness of the visual effect and improves the comfort of human vision for the LED dimming effect or brightness change. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the changes in duty cycle and the corresponding changes in current flowing through the LED light source during three consecutive dimming stages in existing LED dimming methods.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the duty cycle changes of each dimming cycle in the first and second dimming stages of existing LED dimming methods.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the actual duty cycle information and the change in current flowing through the LED light source during two consecutive dimming stages in the LED dimming method of a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4This is an example schematic diagram illustrating the duty cycle changes of each dimming cycle in the first and second dimming stages of the LED dimming method in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the dimming controller, dimming system and lighting device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, certain technical features well-known in the art have not been described to avoid confusion with the invention. It should be understood that the invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the provision of these embodiments will make the disclosure thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals denote the same elements throughout. It should be understood that when an element is referred to as "connected" or "coupled" to other elements, it may be directly connected to other elements, or there may be intervening elements. Conversely, when an element is referred to as "directly connected" to other elements, there are no intervening elements. Although the terms "left side," "right side," etc., may be used to describe various elements, components, and / or portions, these elements, components, and / or portions should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, or portion from another element, component, or portion. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of this invention, the “left-side” element, component, or portion discussed below may be referred to as a “right-side” element, component, or portion. When used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “comprising” is used to identify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups. When used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of the associated listed items.

[0028] As described in the background section, existing LED dimming methods suffer from a visually abrupt change in LED brightness during dimming. The inventors have investigated and discovered the specific reasons for this problem as follows:

[0029] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 duty1 (duty cycle set to duty) 10 duty2 (duty cycle set to duty) 20 duty3 (duty cycle set to duty)30 Each dimming stage consists of three consecutive dimming stages with different duty cycles. Each dimming stage has m dimming cycles, and the duty cycle within each dimming cycle of each dimming stage is the same (i.e., the duty cycle within each dimming stage is constant). The duty cycle between adjacent dimming stages is incremented. The duty cycle increases sequentially from dimming stage duty1 to dimming stage duty3 (i.e., the duty cycle increases sequentially). 10 duty 20 duty 30 (Increasing sequentially), in these three dimming stages, the constant current drive power supply (not shown) of the LED light source modulates the current I flowing through the LED light source according to the duty cycle in each dimming stage. LED This is used to adjust the brightness (i.e., light intensity) of the LED light source.

[0030] Among them, before t1, I LED Keep I1 constant because the duty cycle of duty1 remains constant during the dimming phase. 10 The duty cycle information of I1 and dimming stage duty1 is related. At time t1, the duty cycle of dimming stage duty2 is... 20 The current I flowing through the LED light source is then received by the constant current drive power supply of the LED light source, thereby adjusting the current I. LED Let I2 be the value of I2. In this case, I2 > I1, meaning I... LED The duty cycle increases to achieve dimming; similarly, at time t2, the duty cycle of dimming stage duty3 is... 30 The current I flowing through the LED light source is then received by the constant current drive power supply of the LED light source, thereby adjusting the current I. LED Adjust to I3, at which point I3 > I2, I LED It gets bigger.

[0031] from Figure 1 It is evident from this that during the process of changing from dimming stage duty1 to dimming stage duty3 (i.e., a dimming process of the LED light source), regardless of whether it is at time t1 or t2, the current I flowing through the LED light source is... LED There will be a step change in current, I LED The step difference between time t1 and t2 is caused by the difference in duty cycle (i.e., step value) between adjacent dimming stages. If the duration of each dimming stage is long enough, then each I... LED The duration of the current phase will be long enough that when the current jumps, the human eye will perceive the LED light source due to the change in current I. LED The abrupt changes in light intensity caused by the step-like changes in brightness can lead to discomfort when adjusting LED dimming or brightness.

[0032] Based on this, the present invention provides an LED dimming scheme that changes the actual duty cycle information of each dimming stage from the traditional fixed duty cycle to a combination of the initial duty cycle of the current dimming stage and the initial duty cycle of the next dimming stage. This refines the duty cycle change of each dimming stage by combining the duty cycles, without reducing the difference in the initial duty cycle of adjacent dimming stages (i.e., the step value of the initial duty cycle). This makes the change in the current flowing through the LED smoother, and the change in the light intensity of the LED light source is also smoother according to the average value of the current flowing through the LED light source. This reduces or even eliminates the abruptness of the visual effect and improves the comfort of the human eye for the LED dimming effect or brightness change.

[0033] The technical solution proposed by the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The advantages and features of the present invention will become clearer from the following description. It should be noted that the drawings are all in a very simplified form and use non-precise proportions, and are only used to facilitate and clarify the illustration of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 3 An embodiment of the present invention provides an LED dimming method, which adjusts the current flowing through the LED light source according to the duty cycle information of the dimming signal to adjust the brightness of the LED light source. The method is characterized in that the LED dimming method includes multiple dimming stages, and in two adjacent dimming stages, the actual duty cycle information of the earlier dimming stage is related to the initial duty cycle of the earlier dimming stage and the initial duty cycle of the later dimming stage.

[0035] In this embodiment, any two adjacent dimming stages are defined as the preceding dimming stage i and the following dimming stage i+1. The actual duty cycle information of the preceding dimming stage i is dutyi. 实际 The initial duty cycle in the prior dimming stage is dutyi 初始 The initial duty cycle (duty(i+1)) in the subsequent dimming stage. 初始 Then dutyi 实际 =f(dutyi 初始 duty(i+1) 初始 ), that is, dutyi 实际 It is dutyi 初始 and duty(i+1) 初始 A function with parameter variables. For example... Figure 3 The three sequential dimming stages shown are duty1, duty2, and duty3, with initial duty cycles of duty1, duty2, and duty3, respectively. 10 duty 20 duty 30 ,but:

[0036] The actual duty cycle information for duty1. 实际 =f(duty 10 duty 20 );

[0037] The actual duty cycle information for duty2. 实际 =f(duty 20 duty 20 );

[0038] The actual duty cycle information for duty3 实际 =f(duty 30 duty 40 ).

[0039] If there is a fourth dimming stage, duty4, after dimming stage duty3, then duty... 40 This is the initial duty cycle for the fourth dimming stage. If duty3 is the last dimming stage, then duty... 40 It is the ultimate target duty cycle.

[0040] The function mentioned above can be any suitable and common bivariate function, such as a weighted function (e.g., a monotonic function), a quadratic function, etc.

[0041] Optionally, the LED dimming method of the present invention includes multiple dimming stages performed sequentially in time, and the initial duty cycle of these dimming stages increases sequentially with a fixed step value (e.g., the minimum duty cycle, which can be 1‰, 2‰ or 3‰ or even larger) (at this time, the brightness of the LED gradually increases) or decreases sequentially (at this time, the brightness of the LED gradually decreases).

[0042] Taking the LED dimming method of this embodiment as an example of adjusting the brightness of an LED to gradually increase, please refer to... Figure 4 In the LED dimming method of this embodiment, each dimming stage includes k large dimming cycles, and each large dimming cycle includes n small dimming cycles, where k≥2 and n≥2. Within any two adjacent dimming stages, in the n small dimming cycles of the earlier dimming stage, the duty cycle of n1 small dimming cycles is the initial duty cycle of the earlier dimming stage, and the duty cycle of n2 small dimming cycles is the initial duty cycle of the later dimming stage, i.e., n1+n2=n. From the first large dimming cycle to the kth large dimming cycle, n1 gradually decreases, and n2 gradually increases.

[0043] In any two adjacent dimming stages, within the n smaller dimming cycles of the first dimming stage, from the first large dimming cycle to the kth large dimming cycle, n1 can decrease by an equal step size, and n2 can increase by an equal step size. The step value of n1 is Δn1≥1, and the step value of n2 is Δn2≥1. Furthermore, the step value of n1 is the same in all dimming stages, and the step value of n2 is also the same in all dimming stages. The difference between n2 in the last large dimming cycle of the first dimming stage and n1 in the first large dimming cycle of the subsequent dimming stage is the step value Δn2 of n2 in the first dimming stage. This ensures that the current flowing through the LED light source changes as smoothly as possible, thereby achieving a relatively smoother dimming effect.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 4 The technical solution of the present invention will be explained in detail by taking the step value of the initial duty cycle of two adjacent dimming stages as the minimum duty cycle and 1‰, the step value of n1 Δn1=1 (i.e. n1 decreases by 1 each time), the step value of n2 Δn2=1 (i.e. n2 increases by 1 each time), and k=n as an example. Figure 4 The image mainly shows the entire first dimming stage and the first two large dimming cycles of the second dimming stage, but it does not mean that the dimming method in this embodiment only has these two dimming stages.

[0045] Please refer to Figure 4 The first dimming stage has n large dimming cycles, and each large dimming cycle has n small dimming cycles.

[0046] Within the first dimming stage, in the first large dimming cycle, the duty cycle of each of the n small dimming cycles is 1‰, meaning the initial duty cycle of the first dimming stage is 1‰, n1 = n, n2 = 0; in the second large dimming cycle, the duty cycle of the first small dimming cycle is 2‰, and the duty cycle from the second small dimming cycle to the nth small dimming cycle is 1‰, meaning the initial duty cycle of the second dimming stage is 2‰, n1 = n-1, n2 = 1; and so on, with each large dimming cycle within the first dimming stage following this pattern. The number of duty cycles increased and decreased by 2‰ and 1‰ is determined as follows: In the i-th large dimming cycle, the duty cycle from the 1st to the (i-1)th small dimming cycle is 2‰, and the duty cycle from the i-th to the nth small dimming cycle is 1‰, i.e., n1 = n-i+1, n2 = i-1; In the n-th large dimming cycle, the duty cycle from the 1st to the (n-1)th small dimming cycle is 2‰, and the duty cycle of the nth small dimming cycle is 1‰, i.e., n1 = 1, n2 = n-1. Furthermore, the actual duty cycle information for each large dimming cycle within the first dimming stage is n1*1‰ + n2*2‰, and n1 + n2 = n. This means the actual duty cycle information for each large dimming cycle within the first dimming stage is a weighted function of 1‰ and 2‰, and the weighting coefficients n1 and n2 are different for different large dimming cycles within the first dimming stage.

[0047] In the second dimming stage, within the first large dimming cycle, the duty cycle of each of the n small dimming cycles is 2‰, meaning the initial duty cycle of the second dimming stage is 2‰, n1 = n, n2 = 0. Furthermore, the difference between n1 in the first large dimming cycle of the second dimming stage and n2 in the nth small dimming cycle of the first dimming stage is exactly Δn2. Therefore, the first large cycle of the second dimming stage is equivalent to the (n+1)th small cycle of the first dimming stage. In other words, the actual duty cycle information of the first large dimming cycle of the second dimming stage and the nth small dimming cycle of the first dimming stage is continuous, thus achieving smooth dimming of the LED light source from the first dimming stage to the second dimming stage, without visually perceiving any step-like or abrupt dimming transitions.

[0048] Similarly, in the second large dimming cycle within the second dimming stage, the duty cycle of the first small dimming cycle is 3‰, and the duty cycle from the second small dimming cycle to the nth small dimming cycle is 2‰. That is, the initial duty cycle of the subsequent third dimming stage (not shown) is 3‰, n1 = n-1, n2 = 1; and so on. The distribution of the duty cycle of the subsequent large dimming cycles within the second dimming stage and the n dimming cycles of the subsequent dimming stages all follow the above combination variation pattern, which will not be elaborated here.

[0049] Clearly, the actual duty cycle information for each large dimming cycle within the i-th dimming stage is n1*dutyi 初始 +n2*duty(i+1) 初始 Furthermore, n1 + n2 = n, meaning that the actual duty cycle information of each large dimming cycle within each dimming stage is a weighted function of the initial duty cycle of that dimming stage and the initial duty cycle of the immediately following dimming stage, and the weighting coefficients n1 and n2 are different for different large dimming cycles within any dimming stage. Moreover, in any two adjacent dimming stages, the actual duty cycle information of the nth large dimming cycle in the earlier dimming stage is continuous with the actual duty cycle information of the first large dimming cycle in the later dimming stage.

[0050] Compared to existing dimming methods, the LED dimming method in this example uses a progressive combination of increasing and decreasing duty cycle information within each dimming stage, which is equivalent to refining the current I flowing through the LED light source in each dimming stage. LED The average value can improve the dimming effect, while the minimum duty cycle remains at 1‰.

[0051] Furthermore, in comparison Figure 1 and Figure 3 and comparison Figure 2 and Figure 4As can be seen, the LED dimming method of this embodiment changes the fixed duty cycle information of each dimming stage in the prior art to a combination of its initial duty cycle and the initial duty cycle of the next dimming stage, that is, the actual duty cycle information of the duty1 stage is changed from... Figure 1 Central Plains Duty 10 Change to duty 10 With duty 20 The combination of these methods, with each subsequent dimming stage following the same logic, refines the changes in each dimming stage without reducing the difference in duty cycle information between adjacent dimming stages. Through this combination, the current I flowing through the LED light source... LED The average value will increase linearly with a certain slope (e.g.) Figure 3 As shown), the change in light intensity emitted by the LED light source also depends on I. LED The change in the average value becomes smoother, and the visual abruptness of dimming is improved.

[0052] It should be noted that, although the above embodiments are illustrated by taking the Δn1 and Δn2 within each dimming stage and the Δn1 and Δn2 between two dimming stages as being the same, k = n, and the initial duty cycle of adjacent dimming stages as an example of the minimum duty cycle step, the technical solution of the present invention is not limited to this. In other embodiments of the present invention, firstly, the initial duty cycle of adjacent dimming stages can also be other values, such as multiples of the minimum duty cycle, and k can be equal to n or not equal to n; secondly, for a dimming stage, from the first large dimming cycle to the kth large dimming cycle, the step value Δn1 of n1 can also be different, the step value Δn2 of n2 can also be different, and Δn1 and Δn2 can be the same or different, thereby maximizing the LED dimming speed while making the step feel of LED dimming insignificant. In addition, the step value Δn1 of n1 in each dimming stage can be different, and the step value Δn2 of n2 in each dimming stage can also be different. Δn1 and Δn2 can be the same or different. The difference between n2 in the last large dimming cycle of the earlier dimming stage and n1 in the first large dimming cycle of the later dimming stage can also be different from Δn2, but it is acceptable as long as it is within an acceptable range. In this way, the effect of improving the dimming speed of LED is maximized while making the step feel of LED dimming less obvious.

[0053] Furthermore, it should be understood that when the LED dimming method of the present invention is applied to adjust the brightness of an LED to gradually weaken, it also includes multiple dimming stages performed sequentially in time. The initial duty cycle of these dimming stages decreases sequentially with a fixed step value (e.g., a minimum duty cycle, which can be 1‰, 2‰, or 3‰ or even larger). In other words, the step value of the initial duty cycle is negative, for example, a negative minimum duty cycle, which can be -1‰, -2‰, or -3‰, etc. In this case, since the initial duty cycle of the earlier dimming stage is greater than that of the later dimming stage, n1 also decreases sequentially in time, and n2 also increases sequentially in time.

[0054] Based on the same inventive concept, please refer to Figure 5 In one embodiment of the present invention, a dimming controller 11 is provided, which is coupled to an LED light source 20 and configured to output a corresponding dimming signal according to the LED dimming method described in the present invention, so as to adjust the current flowing through the LED light source 20 and thereby adjust the brightness of the LED light source 20.

[0055] Based on the same inventive concept, please refer to Figure 5 An embodiment of the present invention also provides a dimming system 10, which includes a driving power supply 12 and a dimming controller 11 as described in the present invention. The dimming controller 11 is coupled to the driving power supply 12, and the driving power supply 12 is coupled to a corresponding LED light source 20. The dimming controller 11 is used to output a corresponding dimming signal, and the driving power supply 12 is used to adjust the current flowing through the LED light source 20 according to the dimming signal, thereby adjusting the brightness of the LED light source 20.

[0056] Among them, the driving power supply 12 can be a constant current driving power supply.

[0057] Based on the same inventive concept, please refer to Figure 5 An embodiment of the present invention also provides a lighting device, which includes an LED light source 20 and a dimming controller 11 coupled to the present invention, or includes an LED light source 20 and a dimming system 10 coupled to the present invention.

[0058] Optionally, the lighting device in this embodiment is a remotely controllable dimming lighting device, and its dimming controller 11 is coupled to an external remote controller 30.

[0059] Specifically, the driver power supply 12 in the dimming system 10 controls the connected LED light source 20, and the driver power supply 12 can change the current flowing through the LED light source 20. The remote control 30 can be a device such as a mobile phone remote control, and transmits commands to the dimming controller 11. The dimming controller 11 receives the commands from the remote control 30 and modulates the commands into a dimming signal with duty cycle information. The dimming signal is transmitted to the driver power supply 12, which adjusts the current flowing through the LED light source 20 according to the duty cycle information in the dimming signal. When the current flowing through the LED light source changes, the intensity of the luminous flux emitted by the LED light source 20 changes, and thus the human eye can observe a change in the light intensity (i.e., the brightness of the LED light source 20).

[0060] The lighting device in this embodiment does not have a sudden dimming effect because it uses the dimming controller or dimming system of the present invention.

[0061] Based on the same inventive concept, one embodiment of the present invention also provides a readable storage medium storing a computer program thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the LED dimming method as described in the present invention and any variations thereof. The readable storage medium can be any medium capable of containing, storing, transmitting, propagating, or transmitting instructions. For example, the computer storage medium can include, but is not limited to, electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, devices, instruments, or propagation media. Specific examples of the readable storage medium include: magnetic storage devices, such as magnetic tape or hard disk drives (HDDs); optical storage devices, such as optical discs (CD-ROMs); memory, such as random access memory (RAM) or flash memory; and / or wired / wireless communication links.

[0062] The above description is merely a description of preferred embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Any changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the above disclosure shall fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An LED dimming method, wherein the current flowing through an LED light source is adjusted according to the duty cycle information of a dimming signal to regulate the brightness of the LED light source, characterized in that, The LED dimming method includes multiple dimming stages, each of which includes k large dimming cycles. Each large dimming cycle includes n small dimming cycles, where k ≥ 2 and n ≥ 2. In any two adjacent dimming stages, the actual duty cycle information of the earlier dimming stage is related to the initial duty cycle of the earlier dimming stage and the initial duty cycle of the later dimming stage. Among the n small dimming cycles of the earlier dimming stage, the duty cycle of n1 small dimming cycles is the initial duty cycle of the earlier dimming stage, and the duty cycle of n2 small dimming cycles is the initial duty cycle of the later dimming stage, where n1 + n2 = n. From the first large dimming cycle to the kth large dimming cycle, n1 gradually decreases and n2 gradually increases.

2. The LED dimming method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The actual duty cycle information of the preceding dimming stage is a function of the initial duty cycle of the preceding dimming stage and the initial duty cycle of the subsequent dimming stage.

3. The LED dimming method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The actual duty cycle information of the preceding dimming stage is a weighted function with the initial duty cycle of the preceding dimming stage and the initial duty cycle of the subsequent dimming stage as parameters.

4. The LED dimming method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, During at least one of the dimming stages, from the first large dimming cycle to the kth large dimming cycle, the step size n1 decreases and the step size n2 increases, and the step value of n1 is Δn1≥1 and the step value of n2 is Δn2≥1.

5. The LED dimming method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, In two adjacent dimming stages, the difference between n2 in the last large dimming cycle of the preceding dimming stage and n1 in the first large dimming cycle of the following dimming stage is the step value Δn2 of n2 in the preceding dimming stage.

6. The LED dimming method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The initial duty cycle of each dimming stage is incremented by the minimum duty cycle.

7. The LED dimming method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The minimum duty cycle is 1‰, the step value of n1 is Δn1=1, and the step value of n2 is Δn2=1.

8. The LED dimming method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The step value of n1, Δn1, is not equal to the step value of n2, Δn2.

9. A dimming controller, characterized in that, Coupled to an LED light source and configured to output a corresponding dimming signal according to the LED dimming method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, so as to adjust the current flowing through the LED light source and thereby adjust the brightness of the LED light source.

10. A dimming system, characterized in that, The device includes a driving power supply and a dimming controller as described in claim 9; wherein the dimming controller is coupled to the driving power supply, the driving power supply is coupled to a corresponding LED light source, the dimming controller is used to output a corresponding dimming signal, and the driving power supply is used to adjust the current flowing through the LED light source according to the dimming signal, thereby adjusting the brightness of the LED light source.

11. A lighting device, characterized in that, The dimming controller of claim 9, which includes an LED light source and its coupling, or the dimming system of claim 10, which includes an LED light source and its coupling.

12. A readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the LED dimming method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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