Flexible component light engine

Abstract

The invention relates to a flexible component-based light engine. A light device, a lighting apparatus, and a system including a controller and a plurality of light devices are described. An example light device includes a printed circuit board (PCB), an input connector disposed at a first side of the PCB, an output connector disposed at a second side of the PCB, one or more light engines disposed on the PCB between the input connector and the output connector, and one or more drivers disposed on the PCB. Each of the one or more light engines includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). Each of the one or more drivers is configured to control illumination emitted from a respective one of the one or more light engines.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to lighting. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein provide a flexible modular light device having one or more light engines. BACKGROUND

[0002] Light emitting diode (LED) technology is used in a wide variety of applications, including, by way of illustrative examples, entertainment applications, residential applications, commercial applications, and industrial applications. In many entertainment applications, by way of illustrative examples, LED technology can be used to provide lighting effects for theme entertainment attractions, theatrical productions, performance scenes, stages, displays, and props. In such applications, lighting effects are generally produced by LED devices, such as, by way of illustrative examples, LED light strips, LED light bars, and LED rope lights. SUMMARY

[0003] One embodiment described herein is a light device. The light device includes a printed circuit board (PCB), an input connector disposed at a first side of the PCB, and an output connector disposed at a second side of the PCB. The light device also includes one or more light engines disposed on the PCB between the input connector and the output connector, each of the one or more light engines including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The light device further includes one or more drivers disposed on the PCB, each of the one or more drivers configured to control illumination emitted from a respective one of the one or more light engines.

[0004] Another embodiment described herein is a lighting apparatus. The lighting apparatus includes a plurality of light devices. Each of the plurality of light devices includes a printed circuit board (PCB), an input connector disposed at a first side of the PCB, an output connector disposed at a second side of the PCB, a light engine disposed on the PCB between the input connector and the output connector, the light engine including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), a driver configured to control illumination emitted from the light engine, a light pipe having a first portion disposed on and aligned with the light engine and having a second portion disposed above the output connector, the light pipe configured to pass light emitted from the plurality of LEDs of the light engine from the first portion to the second portion, and a housing attached to the PCB and forming an enclosure around the input connector, the output connector, the light engine, the driver, and the first portion of the light pipe.

[0005] Another embodiment described herein is a computer-implemented method. The computer-implemented method includes detecting, by a controller, an error state associated with a lighting configuration comprising a plurality of light fixtures. Each light fixture includes (i) at least one light engine comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), and (ii) at least one driver for controlling the at least one light engine. The computer-implemented method also includes sending, by the controller, a command to shut down one or more of the light engines in response to the detecting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] In order that the manner in which the above-recited aspects and features of the embodiments described herein can be understood in detail, a brief description of a certain embodiments can be had by reference to the drawings.

[0007] It should be noted, however, that the attached drawings illustrate only typical embodiments and thus are not to be considered limiting in scope; the other equally effective embodiments can be used.

[0008] Figure 1 An example lighting system is shown in accordance with one embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 A light fixture and controller of the lighting system shown in Figure 1

[0010] Figure 3 An example lighting configuration is shown in accordance with one embodiment.

[0011] Figure 4 Another example lighting configuration is shown in accordance with one embodiment.

[0012] Figure 5 An example wiring harness for the lighting configuration shown in Figure 4

[0013] Figure 6 An example light fixture is shown in accordance with one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7 Another example light fixture is shown in accordance with one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 8 An example of spacing between different types of light fixtures is shown in accordance with one embodiment.

[0016] Figures 9A-9C Different views of another example light fixture are shown in accordance with one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 10 A flowchart of a method for controlling one or more light fixtures in accordance with one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION​​

[0018] Today, existing LED light devices used in many entertainment applications (e.g., theme entertainment attractions, concerts, theatrical productions, performance scenes, props, etc.) and other applications (e.g., residential, commercial, etc.) are generally low-quality mass-produced LED light strips or LED modular devices. However, such devices can have some drawbacks that make them unsuitable and unreliable for certain applications (e.g., entertainment applications).

[0019] For example, such devices can have a limited color gamut (e.g., range of colors that can be produced) that is not tuned for stage lighting, object lighting, background lighting, and other lighting effects typically used in entertainment applications and other applications. Additionally, using multiple LED devices of the same and / or different form factors together can introduce lighting matching issues (e.g., different devices can not emit matching colors), which can take a significant amount of time to resolve. Additionally, in many cases, the number of remote drivers that are compatible with conventional LED light devices can be limited because such devices can be designed to interact with proprietary remote drivers and control protocols. Additionally, the useful life of conventional LED light devices can be limited due to a lack of thermal management of such devices. Moreover, in many cases, when a single LED in a conventional LED light device (e.g., LED light string) fails, typically the entire LED light device will fail, or the device can operate in an unexpected manner (e.g., produce a strobe effect), which compromises the overall quality of the lighting effect. In this case, the entire LED light device (e.g., LED light string) can have to be replaced, which can be complex and time-consuming for many entertainment facilities.

[0020] Embodiments described herein provide flexible, modular, componentized, and highly reliable light devices that can be used in various applications, such as entertainment applications, residential applications, commercial applications, etc. The light devices described herein can mitigate and / or resolve one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks associated with conventional LED devices.

[0021] For example, as described below, certain embodiments of the light devices can include one or more light engines that can be designed to emit light tailored for a particular application. For example, for entertainment applications, each light engine can include a set of LEDs with a high color gamut (e.g., a high color rendering index (CRI)) that allows for tuning various lighting effects typically used in entertainment applications (e.g., stage lighting, object lighting, background lighting, etc.). Additionally, certain embodiments of the light devices described herein can have onboard driver hardware that eliminates the need for proprietary drivers and can have built-in thermal management that allows for extended lifetimes of the light devices relative to conventional LED devices. Each of the light devices described herein can be individually controlled via the onboard drivers, allowing for individual control of the light of the light devices and shutting down of the light devices in the event of a fault or unexpected behavior.

[0022] Additionally, certain embodiments of the light devices described herein can have a modular form factor that allows the light devices to be used individually or in combination with other light devices in different lighting configurations (e.g., chain configurations, string configurations, and other configurations). The modularity of the light devices described herein can allow for easy replacement of any light device within a configuration of light devices without the need to replace the entire configuration. That is, a failure of a single light device can not result in a failure of the entire configuration. In certain embodiments, a light device can be shut down (e.g., via the onboard driver) rather than replaced to prevent unexpected behavior.

[0023] Note that although many of the embodiments described herein use entertainment applications as an exemplary example of an application in which the light devices described herein can be implemented, the light devices described herein are not limited to entertainment applications; other applications are contemplated. For example, the light devices described herein can be used in residential applications, commercial applications, industrial applications, and other applications involving lighting.

[0024] As used herein, a reference number in hyphenated form refers to a specific example of an element, and a reference number without a hyphenation refers to a set of elements. Thus, for example, device "12-1" refers to an example of a device category that can be collectively referred to as devices "12," and any one of which can be collectively referred to as devices "12."

[0025] As used herein, the phrase "connected with" or "connected to," in various tenses, can mean that element A is directly connected to element B, or that other elements can be connected between elements A and B (i.e., element A is indirectly connected to element B). In the case of electrical components, the phrase "connected with" or "connected to" can also be used herein to mean that elements A and B are electrically connected (as well as any components electrically connected therebetween) using a wire, a trace, or other electrically conductive material.

[0026] Figure 1An exemplary lighting system 100 (hereinafter "system 100") in accordance with various embodiments is shown. The system 100 can be located in any environment, such as an indoor environment, an outdoor environment, or other environment type (e.g., a hybrid indoor / outdoor environment, such as a partially enclosed stadium). In certain embodiments, the system 100 can be used in various entertainment applications, such as theme entertainment attractions (e.g., queue lines), theatrical / production stages, performance scenes, and stage props, as exemplary, non-limiting examples.

[0027] As shown, the system 100 includes a plurality of lighting devices 110-1 through 110-3 (collectively, lighting devices 110) that can be used in various entertainment applications. Each lighting device 110 is generally configured to produce a lighting (or illumination) effect using one or more light fixtures 120. The lighting devices 110 can have various form factors, can be movable or fixed, and can be deployed in various locations (e.g., floors, ceilings, walls, and other structures). In certain embodiments, each lighting device 110 can provide a structure (e.g., a panel, a board, etc.) for deploying (e.g., attaching) one or more of the light fixtures 120, which can be (partially or completely) integrally incorporated within or disposed on the lighting device 110. In some embodiments, the lighting devices 110 can be configured to provide a variety of lighting effects, such as static lighting effects, dynamic lighting effects, and / or interactive lighting effects. Figure 1 In the example depicted in FIG. 1, the lighting devices 110-1 through 110-3 include a display panel (e.g., lighting device 110-1), a stage lighting fixture (e.g., lighting device 110-2), and a live lighting fixture (e.g., lighting device 110-3). Each lighting device 110 can include any number of light fixtures suitable for generating a desired lighting effect. In the example of FIG. 1, for example, the lighting device 110-1 includes a configuration of forty-two light fixtures (e.g., light fixtures 120-1 through 120-42). Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1, for example, the lighting device 110-1 includes a configuration of forty-two light fixtures (e.g., light fixtures 120-1 through 120-42).

[0028] The light fixtures 120 can be flexible, modular, componentized, and highly reliable fixtures that can be deployed in a variety of different configurations to produce lighting effects for different applications. In some embodiments, one or more of the light fixtures 120 can be at least partially enclosed within a housing 125. For example, in the lighting device 110-1, the light fixtures 120-1 through 120-42 can be (partially or completely) enclosed within respective housings 125-1 through 125-42. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the form factors of the light fixtures 120 within a given lighting device 110 can be the same or different. Using the lighting device 110-1 as an exemplary example, the light fixture 120-1 can have a different form factor (or configuration) than at least one of the remaining light fixtures (e.g., light fixture 120-2), and can have the same form factor as at least another of the remaining light fixtures (e.g., light fixture 120-3).

[0029] In certain embodiments, the light fixtures 120 can be deployed in configurations without enclosures. In Figure 1 In the example depicted in FIG. 1, a plurality of different groups of light fixtures 120 can be connected together to form different lighting configurations 140, 170, 180, and 190. The lighting configuration 180 includes a group of light fixtures 120 deployed at the bottom of the wall 160, for example, to produce an illumination effect such as uplighting. Similarly, the lighting configuration 170 includes another group of light fixtures 120 deployed at the top of the wall 160, for example, to produce an illumination effect such as downlighting. In another example, the lighting configurations 140 and 190 can be used to produce a tunnel lighting effect on the walls 160 and 150. Similar to the exemplary example of the lighting fixture 110-1, the form factor of the light fixtures 120 within a given lighting configuration 140, 170, 180, and 190 can be the same or different.

[0030] Each light fixture 120 can include, without limitation, one or more light engines 130, among other components described in greater detail herein. Each light engine 130 can include one or more LEDs. The number of light engines 130 within a light fixture 120 can be based on the form factor of the light fixture 120. For example, certain light fixtures 120 can include four light engines (e.g., light engines 130-1 through 130-4), while other light fixtures 120 can include a single light engine 130. However, it is noted that these are merely examples, and the light fixtures 120 described herein can include any number of light engines 130. As described in greater detail below, even in embodiments where light fixtures 120 of different form factors are used within a lighting configuration or lighting fixture, the spacing between the light engines 130 can be maintained such that the light engines 130 are aligned with one another. By achieving a consistent line spacing throughout a given configuration / lighting fixture, the embodiments herein can allow the light fixtures 120 to be used for lighting effects where pixel alignment is critical (e.g., LED displays).

[0031] The system 100 also includes a controller 105 communicatively coupled to the various lighting fixtures 110 and light fixtures 120 within the lighting configurations 140, 170, 180, and 190. The controller 105 can be communicatively coupled to the light fixtures 120 via wired or wireless interfaces. The controller 105 generally represents a computing system that can control the intensity, color, and other parameters of the light engines 130 within each light fixture 120. As described in greater detail below, the controller 105 can use data signals according to a lighting control protocol (e.g., a digital multiplexing (DMX) protocol, such as DMX512) to control the functionality of the light engines 130 within each light fixture 120. It is noted that the controller 105 can be communicatively coupled to the light fixtures 120 via wired or wireless interfaces. Figure 2 The controller 105 is described in greater detail.

[0032] It is noted that, Figure 1An exemplary example of a lighting system 100 in which one or more of the light fixtures 120 described herein can be implemented is depicted, and the light fixtures 120 described herein can be implemented in other systems and / or environments. For example, although the system 100 is shown with a certain number of lighting devices, lighting fixtures, light fixtures, and controllers, the system 100 can include any number of lighting devices, lighting fixtures, light fixtures, and controllers.

[0033] Figure 2 Further details of the light fixtures 120 (a plurality of light fixtures 120-1...N are shown) and the controller 105 in accordance with one embodiment are shown. As shown, the controller 105 includes, without limitation, a processor 220, a memory 222, a storage device 224, and a network interface 226. Figure 1

[0034] The processor 220 is representative of any number of processing elements, which can include any number of processing cores. The memory 222 can include volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and combinations thereof. The memory 222 generally includes program code for performing various functions of controlling lighting via the light fixtures 120. The program code is generally described as various functional “components” or “modules” within the memory 222, but alternative implementations can have different functions or combinations of functions. Here, the memory 22 includes a lighting control component 240 (e.g., a software component or logic) that can control the light fixtures 120-1 through 120-N using one or more techniques described herein. In certain embodiments, the lighting control component 240 can perform lighting control in accordance with a lighting control protocol / standard, such as the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) DMX512-A defined by the American National Standards (ANSI) Entertainment Industry Technology.

[0035] The storage device 224 can be a disk drive storage device. Although shown as a single unit, the storage device 224 can be a combination of fixed and / or removable storage devices, such as fixed disk drives, removable memory cards, optical storage, network attached storage (NAS), or a storage area network (SAN). The network interface 226 can be any type of network communication interface (e.g., a serial interface, such as a Recommended Standard (RS) 232) that allows the controller 105 to communicate with the light fixtures 120 in the system 100, for example, via a cable (or cord or wire) 250.

[0036] ​Each optical device 120-1 to 120-N may include, but is not limited to, one or more optical engines 130, drivers 206, regulators 208, input connectors 210, and output connectors 212. In some embodiments, the optical engines 130, drivers 206, regulators 208, input connectors 210, and output connectors 212 may be disposed on a single printed circuit board (PCB) 214. The PCB 214 may be a metal-core PCB and may provide thermal management for the optical devices 120. In some embodiments, the power level of each optical device 120 may be 24 volts DC (VDC), which may allow for the use of a large number of optical devices 120 within an illumination configuration and improve voltage regulation on the optical devices 120.

[0037] The light engine 130 may include one or more LEDs 204, each of which is a monochromatic emitter. In some embodiments, the light engine 130 includes four LEDs 204 (e.g., red, green, blue, and white (RGBW) monochromatic emitters). The LEDs 204 may be arranged in a manner that allows light emission from the LEDs 204 to be mixed with or without optics, reduces accidental phosphor excitation between the LEDs 204, provides thermal management for the LEDs 204, or a combination thereof. For example, for four LEDs 204, the LEDs 204 may be arranged in a quadrilateral (or square) arrangement (e.g., a rectangular or square arrangement), as described herein with respect to... Figure 6 Examples are shown in further detail. The light engine 130 can be a broad-spectrum or narrow-spectrum light engine and can have any wavelength including infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV). Each light engine 130 can constitute a single illumination pixel as part of a larger illumination construct / illuminator. In some examples, each LED 204 can emit 9000 Kelvin (K) of light, with a CRI of approximately 90 and a forward current target of approximately 100 mA. However, it should be noted that this is only an exemplary example, and the light engine 130 described herein can include LEDs with different parameters.

[0038] As described, the number of light engines 130 included in each of the respective light devices 120-1 to 120-N may be different. As an exemplary example, light device 120-1 may include four light engines 130 (each including four LEDs 204), and light device 120-2 may include a single light engine 130 (including four LEDs 204). In some embodiments, when multiple light devices 120 (with different numbers of light engines 130) are used together in an illumination configuration and / or illumination device, the spacing between the light engines of the light devices 120 may still be maintained, even though different numbers of light engines 130 are used within the light devices 120.

[0039] The driver 206 is generally configured to control each LED 204 within the light engine 130 based on a data signal generated at the controller 105. For example, the controller 105 is connected to a first light fixture (e.g., light fixture 120-1) of the N light fixtures 120 via the cable 250. The controller 105 can send a data signal (e.g., a DMX data signal) to the first light fixture (e.g., light fixture 120-1) to control one or more of the N light fixtures 120. The driver 206 of the first light fixture can accept the data signal and pass the signal to each light fixture 120 in the configuration. Note that the respective drivers 206 of the light fixtures 120 can be connected in parallel to the data signal chain such that a failure of a single driver 206 does not interrupt the chain.

[0040] In certain embodiments, the driver 206 is a multi-channel (e.g., 4-channel) constant current LED driver integrated circuit (IC) with integrated lighting control and single-wire auto-addressing functionality. The driver 206 can perform lighting control according to a lighting control protocol / standard, such as USITT DMX512-A defined by ANSI Entertainment Industry Technology. The driver 206 can be configured to allow multiple light fixtures 120 to be connected in a chain and pass power, data signals (e.g., DMX512 data signals), and single-wire addressing between the light fixtures 120 up to a predetermined number of interconnected pixels (e.g., 128 interconnected pixels, assuming a configuration of light fixtures including 128 light engines 130, each including four LEDs 204).

[0041] The driver 206 can be configured to provide individual, discrete dimming control of each LED 204 within the light engine 130 via a data signal (e.g., a DMX512 data signal). For example, the driver 206 can process a data signal from the controller 105 to extract a light level value for the LEDs 204 of the light engine 130. The driver 206 can also automatically configure a starting address for each LED 204 in the chain such that each LED 204 can be controlled via a unique address (e.g., a DMX512 address). For example, when the light fixtures 120-1 through 120-N are connected, each respective driver 206 can automatically address and assign a unique address to each LED 204 within its respective light engine 130. Additionally, in certain embodiments, power and data signals can be routed via the light fixtures 120 such that a failure of a single driver 206 does not prevent operation of downstream light fixtures 120. Although a single driver 206 is depicted within the light fixture 120-1, in certain embodiments, a respective driver 206 can be included within the light fixture 120-1 for each light engine 130.

[0042] The regulator 208 (e.g., a voltage regulator) is generally configured to provide voltage regulation for the light device 120. The regulator 208 can protect the light device 120 from circuit damage in scenarios where power is switched or the light device 120 is connected or disconnected. The regulator 208 can pass power (e.g., 24VDC or other voltage supply) between light devices when the light device 120-1 is connected to at least one other light device (e.g., light device 120-2). Each light device 120 can be connected in parallel to the power supply chain such that a failure of a single light device 120 does not interrupt the configuration of light devices.

[0043] The input connector 210 and the output connector 212 can allow two PCBs 214 (e.g., two light devices 120) to mate end-to-end. The input connector 210 and the output connector 212 can be electrically compatible with the controller 105. For example, assuming the controller 105 is a DMX controller, the input connector 210 and the output connector 212 can be electrically compatible with the output of the DMX controller. In such an example, the input connector 210 can be a DMX IN connector and the output connector 212 can be a DMX OUT connector. The light device 120 (e.g., light device 120-1) can use the input connector 210, the output connector 212, or a combination thereof to receive addressing signals, data signals, power, or a combination thereof from the controller 105 or another light device 120. The light device 120 (e.g., light device 120-1) can also use the input connector 210, the output connector 212, or a combination thereof to forward addressing signals, data signals, power, or a combination thereof to another light device 120 (e.g., light device 120-2). In certain embodiments, the input connector 210 can have a plug configuration and the output connector 212 can have a socket configuration.

[0044] The input connector 210 and the output connector 212 can enable the light device 120 to be used with other light devices 120 in different lighting configurations, including light devices 120 having the same form factor, light devices 120 having different form factors, or a combination thereof. For example, Figure 3 and Figure 4 Example lighting configurations 300 and 400 are depicted in accordance with various embodiments. In the lighting configuration 300, multiple light devices 120-1 through 120-4 are connected in a chain configuration. In the lighting configuration 400, multiple light devices 120-1 through 120-5 are connected in a string configuration.

[0045] In the chain configuration, the light devices 120 can be connected directly together with both the input connector 210 and the output connector 212. As Figure 3As shown, for example, the input connector 210-2 of optical device 120-2 is directly connected to the output connector 212-1 of optical device 120-1, the input connector 210-3 of optical device 120-3 is directly connected to the output connector 212-2 of optical device 120-2, and the input connector 210-4 of optical device 120-4 is directly connected to the output connector 212-3 of optical device 120-3. The input connector 210-1 of optical device 120-1 or the output connector 212-4 of optical device 120-4 can be connected via a cable ( Figure 3 (Not shown) is connected to controller 105. Input connector 210 and output connector 212 allow removal of light devices 120 (e.g., light device 120-3 or another light device) within the lighting configuration 300 without interfering with other light devices 120. For example, input connector 210, output connector 212, or a combination thereof may be detachable components that can slide onto and / or slide off the PCB 214 of the respective light device 120. Note that although... Figure 3 Each light device 120 depicted has the same shape factor, but in some embodiments, the illumination configuration 300 may include a chain configuration of light devices 120 having the same shape factor, light devices 120 having different shape factors, or combinations thereof.

[0046] In a string light configuration, each individual light device 120 may be connected to a mating wiring harness only via its input connector 210 (e.g., the output connector 212 of each light device 120 may not be used). Figure 4 As shown, for example, the input connector 210-1 of optical device 120-1 is directly connected to connector 430-1 of wiring harness 402, the input connector 210-2 of optical device 120-2 is directly connected to connector 430-2 of wiring harness 402, the input connector 210-3 of optical device 120-3 is directly connected to connector 430-3 of wiring harness 402, the input connector 210-4 of optical device 120-4 is directly connected to connector 430-4 of wiring harness 402, and the input connector 210-5 of optical device 120-5 is directly connected to connector 430-5 of wiring harness 402. In the lighting configuration 400, each input connector 210 allows the removal of an optical device 120 within the lighting configuration 400 without interfering with other optical devices 120 (e.g., the input connector 210 may be a detachable component that can slide onto and / or slide off the PCB 214 of the corresponding optical device 120). Note that although Figure 4 Each light device 120 depicted has the same shape factor, but in some embodiments, the illumination configuration 400 may include a chain configuration of light devices 120 having the same shape factor, light devices 120 having different shape factors, or combinations thereof.

[0047] In lighting configuration 400, wire harness 402 can deliver control (e.g., addressing signals) and data signals (e.g., DMX512 data signals) and power to each light device 120-1 through 120-5 in lighting configuration 400 via a plurality of cables. Figure 5 Further shown is wire harness 402 in accordance with one embodiment. Figure 4 In the depicted embodiment, wire harness 402 can include respective connectors 430-1 through 430-128 for each input connector 210-1 through 210-128 of a light string configuration having 128 light devices 120. Here, wire harness 402 can deliver addressing signals (e.g., single wire addressing) between light devices 120 via cable 522, data signals (e.g., DMX512 data signals) between light devices 120 via cables 526 and 528, and power between light devices 120 via cables 524 and 530. In certain embodiments, as shown in Figure 5 As shown in

[0048] Figure 6 An example light device 620 in accordance with one embodiment is shown. Light device 620 is an exemplary example implementation of light device 120 described in Figure 1 and Figure 2 For example, light device 620 shows an example form factor of light device 120 within lighting configurations 300 and 400 shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4

[0049] ​As shown, light fixture 620 has a rectangular form factor that includes a single light engine 130, an input connector 210 disposed on one (short) side of PCB 214, an output connector 212 disposed on the other (short) side of PCB 214, a regulator 208 disposed between input connector 210 and light engine 130, and a driver 206 disposed between light engine 130 and output connector 212. Here, light engine 130 can be disposed at approximately the center of PCB 214. The other components of light fixture 620 can be placed so that the output from light engine 130 is not adversely affected (e.g., shadowed).

[0050] In certain embodiments, light fixture 620 can include positioning holes that allow optical or other components to be positioned and secured over light engine 130. For example, in Figure 6 , light fixture 620 includes four positioning holes 606-1 through 606-4 adjacent to LEDs 204-1 through 204-4, respectively, of light engine 130. Light fixture 620 also includes one or more mounting holes 604-1 through 604-2 and slots (or cutouts) 602-1 through 602-2 to allow light fixture 620 to be attached to a surface or enclosure.

[0051] Figure 7 Another example light fixture 720 according to one embodiment is shown. Light fixture 720 is an exemplary example implementation of light fixture 120 described in Figure 1 and Figure 2 . For example, light fixture 720 shows another example form factor for light fixture 120 that can be used within lighting fixtures 300 and 400 shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 .

[0052] As shown, light fixture 720 has a form factor that includes multiple (e.g., four) light engines 130-1 through 130-4 compared to light fixture 620. Although Figure 7 is not shown, in certain embodiments, light fixture 720 can include a respective driver 206 disposed on a PCB 214 for each light engine 130-1 through 130-4. In certain embodiments, light fixture 720 can include a single driver 206 disposed on a PCB 214 for light engines 130-1 through 130-4.

[0053] As noted, in lighting fixtures that include multiple light fixtures 120 having multiple different form factors, the spacing between light engines 130 within the lighting fixture can be maintained (e.g., the spacing is the same). For example, Figure 8Examples of maintaining line spacing are depicted in the context of placing four light fixtures 620-1 through 620-4 adjacent to a single light fixture 720. As shown, the light engines within light fixtures 620 and light fixture 720 are arranged in a grid, with a consistent spacing (d) between line engines. As noted, achieving consistent line spacing throughout a given fixture / lighting device can allow light fixtures 120 to be used for lighting effects for which pixel alignment is critical (e.g., LED displays).

[0054] In certain embodiments, one or more light fixtures 120 can be partially or completely enclosed within a housing (or enclosure) 125. Figures 9A-9C Different views of a device 900 including a light fixture 620 enclosed within a housing 125 are shown, in accordance with one embodiment. In particular, according to one embodiment, Figure 9A A perspective view of device 900 is shown, Figure 9B A side view of device 900 is shown, and Figure 9C An exploded perspective view of device 900 is shown.

[0055] As Figures 9A-9C shown in FIG. 9B, device 900 can include a single piece housing (or enclosure) 125 that can be attached to light fixture 620 via mounting holes 604 and slots 602. For example, as shown in FIG. 9C, housing 125 can include alignment pins 952-1 through 952-2 that can be inserted into corresponding mounting holes 604-1 through 604-2, and can include snap elements 950-1 through 950-2 that can be locked to PCB 214 of light fixture 620 via corresponding slots 602-1 through 602-2. Figure 9C

[0056] As Figure 9B shown in FIG. 9B, device 900 can include a single piece housing (or enclosure) 125 that can be attached to light fixture 620 via mounting holes 604 and slots 602. For example, as shown in FIG. 9C, housing 125 can include alignment pins 952-1 through 952-2 that can be inserted into corresponding mounting holes 604-1 through 604-2, and can include snap elements 950-1 through 950-2 that can be locked to PCB 214 of light fixture 620 via corresponding slots 602-1 through 602-2.

[0057] As Figures 9A-9C ​As shown in FIG. 9, the device 900 includes a light pipe 940 that is configured to pass light emitted from the light engine 130 from a portion 932 of the light pipe 940 to a portion 930 of the light pipe 940. The light pipe 940 can be formed of any suitable material (e.g., polycarbonate) for passing emitted light. The positioning holes 606-1 through 606-4 of the light fixture 620 can be used to attach the portion 932 of the light pipe 940 to the light engine 130 such that total internal reflection (TIR) mixing of the emitted light is maximized. The portion 930 of the light pipe 940 can be a diffused half-dome feature of the light pipe 940. The light pipe 940 can be configured to provide illumination through the portion 930 based on the emitted light received from the light engine 130 via the portion 932. At least a portion (e.g., the portion 930) of the light pipe 940 can be inserted through an opening of the housing 125.

[0058] In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the housing 125 can be sealed to form a waterproof enclosure. For example, the opening of the housing 125 through which the portion 930 of the light pipe 940 extends can be sealed to prevent water, dust, and other foreign matter from entering the housing 125. In such embodiments, the device 900 can be configured to have a particular ingress protection (IP) rating.

[0059] Note that although Figures 9A-9C While a housing 125 is depicted for forming an enclosure over the light fixture 620, in certain embodiments, a similar housing 125 can be used to form an enclosure over the light fixture 720.

[0060] Figure 10 is a flowchart of a method 1000 for controlling one or more light fixtures 120 (e.g., the light fixture 620 and / or 720) according to one embodiment. The method 1000 can be performed by a controller (e.g., the controller 105).

[0061] The method 1000 can begin at block 1002, where the controller detects an error state associated with a lighting configuration. The lighting configuration can include a plurality of light fixtures (e.g., the light fixture 620, the light fixture 720, or a combination thereof). The lighting configuration can be a single lighting configuration of a plurality of lighting configurations deployed in an environment.

[0062] In certain embodiments, detecting the error state (at block 1002) can include determining a source of the error state (e.g., which light engine 130 is the source of the error state). For example, the controller can receive an indication from a driver (e.g., the driver 206) associated with a light engine (i.e., the source of the error state) that the particular light engine has encountered the error state. In some embodiments, the driver associated with the light engine that is the source of the error state can generate the indication, which can then be passed upstream driver by driver until it reaches the controller.

[0063] In certain embodiments, detecting an error condition (at block 1002) can include comparing a data output from an end (or ending) light device in the lighting configuration to a data input to an initial (or beginning) light device in the lighting configuration, and determining that an error condition has occurred when the data output is different from the data input.

[0064] At block 1004, the controller can generate and transmit a command to shut down one or more light engines within the lighting configuration in response to the detection at block 1002. For example, in some cases, when the controller has determined the source of the error, the controller can shut down the light engine in the light device that is the source of the error. In some cases, the controller can shut down the entire lighting configuration, for example, to prevent the lighting configuration from operating in an unexpected manner.

[0065] As used herein, "processor," "at least one processor," or "one or more processors" generally refers to a single processor configured to perform one or more operations or multiple processors configured to perform one or more operations collectively. In the case of multiple processors, the performance of the one or more operations can be divided among the different processors, but one processor can perform multiple operations and multiple processors can collectively perform a single operation. Similarly, "memory," "at least one memory," or "one or more memories" generally refers to a single memory configured to store data and / or instructions or multiple memories configured to store data and / or instructions collectively.

[0066] In this disclosure, reference is made to various embodiments. However, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specifically described embodiments. Rather, any combination of the following features and elements, whether related to a different embodiment or not, is contemplated as embodying the teachings provided herein. Additionally, when describing elements of an embodiment as being included in "at least one of A and B," it is understood that an embodiment can include only A, only B, or both A and B. Further, although some embodiments can achieve advantages over other possible solutions or over the prior art, whether or not a given embodiment achieves advantages is not a limitation of this disclosure. Thus, the aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages disclosed herein are merely exemplary and are not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the appended claims, unless otherwise specifically recited in the claims. Similarly, reference to "the invention" should not be interpreted as a reference to any one of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein and should not be interpreted as a limitation of the scope of the claims, unless otherwise specifically recited in the claims.

[0067] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the embodiments described herein can be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, embodiments can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that can all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit," "module" or "system." Furthermore, embodiments described herein can take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

[0068] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium can be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wired, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0069] Computer program code for carrying out operations of embodiments of the present disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code can execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection can be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

[0070] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart or block diagram block or blocks.

[0071] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function / act specified in the flowchart or block diagram block or blocks.

[0072] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus or other device implement the functions / acts specified in the flowchart or block diagram block or blocks.

[0073] The flow and block diagrams in the drawings show the architectural, functional, and operational views of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to the various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flow or block diagrams can represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks can occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks can sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the involved functions. It will also be noted that each block in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special-purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or combinations of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0074] While the forgoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure can be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope of the present disclosure is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An optical device, comprising: Printed circuit board (PCB); An input connector is located on the first side of the PCB; An output connector is located on the second side of the PCB; One or more light engines are disposed on the PCB between the input connector and the output connector, and each of the one or more light engines includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs); as well as One or more drivers are disposed on the PCB, each of the one or more drivers being configured to control illumination emitted from a corresponding light engine in the one or more light engines.

2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein, Each driver is configured to individually control the illumination emitted from each of the plurality of LEDs within the respective light engine.

3. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein, The input connector is connected to the output connector of another optical device.

4. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein, The input connector is connected to the wiring harness.

5. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein, The input connector mechanism is connected to the controller via at least one cable.

6. The optical device of claim 1, further comprising a housing attached to the PCB, the housing forming an enclosure surrounding the input connector, the output connector, the one or more optical engines, and the one or more drivers.

7. The optical device of claim 6, further comprising one or more optical tubes at least partially surrounded by the housing, each optical tube having: (i) a first portion disposed on and aligned with a respective optical engine of the one or more optical engines, and (ii) a second portion partially disposed on the outer side of the housing at a first side of the PCB.

8. The optical device according to claim 7, wherein, Each light tube is configured to transmit light emitted from the corresponding light engine from the first part to the second part.

9. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein, The number of the one or more light engines is one.

10. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein, The number of the one or more light engines is four.

11. A lighting device, comprising: A plurality of optical devices, wherein each of the plurality of optical devices comprises: Printed circuit board (PCB); An input connector is located on the first side of the PCB; An output connector is located on the second side of the PCB; An optical engine, comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), is disposed on the PCB between the input connector and the output connector. A driver configured to control the illumination emitted from the light engine; A light tube having a first portion disposed on and aligned with the light engine and a second portion disposed above the output connector, the light tube being configured to transmit light emitted from the plurality of LEDs of the light engine from the first portion to the second portion; and A housing that is attached to the PCB and forms a cover around the first portion of the input connector, the output connector, the optical engine, the driver, and the optical tube.

12. The lighting device according to claim 11, wherein, The second portion of the light tube extends partially through the opening in the housing on the second side of the PCB.

13. The lighting device of claim 11, further comprising a wiring harness including a plurality of connectors, each connector of the wiring harness being connected to a corresponding input connector of a corresponding optical device among the plurality of optical devices.

14. The lighting device according to claim 13, wherein, The wiring harness is configured to provide power, data signals, and addressing signals to each of the plurality of optical devices.

15. The lighting device according to claim 11, wherein, Each of the plurality of optical devices further includes a voltage regulator disposed on the PCB between the input connector and the output connector.

16. The lighting device according to claim 11, wherein, The spacing between each optical engine within the plurality of optical devices is the same.

17. A computer-implemented method, comprising: The controller detects an error state associated with an illumination configuration comprising multiple light devices, each light device including: (i) at least one light engine comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and (ii) at least one driver for controlling said at least one light engine; and In response to the detection, the controller sends a command to shut down one or more of the light engines.

18. The computer-implemented method according to claim 17, wherein, Detecting the error state includes determining that at least one optical engine of the first optical device among the plurality of optical devices is the source of the error state.

19. The computer-implemented method according to claim 18, wherein, Determining that at least one optical engine of the first optical device is the source of the error state includes obtaining an indication generated by at least one driver of the corresponding optical engine of the first optical device via at least a second optical device among the plurality of optical devices.

20. The computer-implemented method according to claim 17, wherein, Detecting the error status includes: A first data signal output from a first optical device among the plurality of optical devices is compared with a second data signal input to a second optical device among the plurality of optical devices; and When the first data signal is different from the second data signal, it is determined that the error state has occurred.

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