Light emitting diode retrofit with dynamic sequential illumination of individual light emitting diode chips

Abstract

According to one or more embodiments, a method for individually and sequentially illuminating light emitting diode groups of a light emitting diodes retrofit device is provided. The method includes energizing a first light emitting diode group including light emitting diode upon an input signal voltage level exceeding a first threshold and monitoring the input signal voltage level with respect to subsequent thresholds. The method includes sequentially energizing subsequent light emitting diode groups based upon the input signal voltage level exceeding a corresponding threshold of the subsequent thresholds. Each of the subsequent light emitting diode groups including at least one light emitting diode. The energizing of the first light emitting diode group and the subsequent light emitting diode groups is the individually and sequentially illuminating that provides a dynamic effect.

Description

LIGHT EMITTING DIODE RETROFIT WITH DYNAMIC SEQUENTIAL ILLUMINATION OF INDIVIDUAL LIGHT EMITTING DIODE CHIPSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 63 / 580,570, filed September 5, 2023, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Halogen lamps have been the default light source for many years for automotive head lighting. However, recent advances in LED technology with concomitant new design possibilities and energy efficiency has spurred interest in finding a legal replacement for halogen lamps that is based on LED technology, which are so-called LED retrofits. Such LED retrofits have been on the market for a couple of years and are a popular aftermarket replacement for halogen headlamps.

[0003] For instance, current LED retrofit light sources are used to replace halogen light sources in headlamps. In current LED retrofit light sources, linear arrays of LEDs are used. Linear arrays of LEDs may take the form of groups of individual LED chips connected in series. In current LED retrofit light sources, all of the groups light up together (as in a halogen headlamps).

[0004] Generally, these current LED retrofit light sources may not fulfil the legal requirements and hence may not be allowed on a road. Additionally, in many new car models, a lighting feature is present that shows some dynamic effect when a driver switches on an ignition or an exterior lighting (e.g. a low beam). These dynamic effect scenarios can be referred to as "welcome light” and can hardly be realized with halogen headlamps.

[0005] A solution is needed.SUMMARY

[0006] According to one or more embodiments, a method for individually and sequentially illuminating light emitting diode groups of a light emitting diodes retrofit device is provided. The method includes energizing a first light emitting diode group including at least one light emitting diode upon an input signal voltage level exceeding a first threshold and monitoring the input signal voltage level with respect to one or more subsequent thresholds. The method includes sequentially energizing one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups based upon the input signal voltage level exceedinga corresponding threshold of the one or more subsequent thresholds. Each of the one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups including at least one light emitting diode. The energizing of the first light emitting diode group and the one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups is the individually and sequentially illuminating that provides a dynamic effect.

[0007] According to one or more embodiments, a light emitting diodes retrofit device is provided. The light emitting diodes retrofit device includes a plurality of light emitting diode groups comprising a first light emitting diode group and one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups. The light emitting diodes retrofit device is configured to energize the first light emitting diode group including at least one light emitting diode upon an input signal voltage level exceeding a first threshold, monitor the input signal voltage level with respect to one or more subsequent thresholds, and sequentially energize the one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups based upon the input signal voltage level exceeding a corresponding threshold of the one or more subsequent thresholds. Each of the one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups include at least one light emitting diode. The energizing of the first light emitting diode group and the one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups provides a dynamic effect.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic plan section view according to one or more embodiments;

[0009] FIG. 2 depicts an example schematic diagram according to one or more embodiments;

[0010] FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of an example method according to one or more embodiments;

[0011] FIG. 4 depicts a diagram of an example light pattern according to one or more embodiments;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example vehicle headlamp system; and

[0013] FIG. 7 is a diagram of another example vehicle headlamp system.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Described herein is a device and a method for illuminating light emitting diodes (LEDs). According to one or more embodiments, a LED retrofit (LRF) device is provided. The LRF includes LEDs. For instance, the LRF device includes LED chips that can be individually controlled and illuminated, whether dynamically and / or sequentially, with respect to a power source. The LRF device also includes electronics that activate and control the individual LED chips after power (from the power source) is applied to generate a dynamic effect. For example, controlling a LFR device by include energizing a first LED upon a power source exceeding a first threshold and energizing a subsequent LED connected in series with the first LED based upon the power source exceeding a second threshold.

[0015] Examples of different light illumination systems and / or LED implementations will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. These examples are not mutually exclusive, and features found in one example may be combined with features found in one or more other examples to achieve additional implementations. Accordingly, it will be understood that the examples shown in the accompanying drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and they are not intended to limit the disclosure in any way. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan section view 100 according to one or more embodiments. The schematic plan section view 100 is an example LRF device (e.g., LRF lamp), which can provide capabilities beyond a functionality provided by current LED retrofit light sources. The schematic plan section view 100 can include LEDs 110 arranged in any array configuration. As shown by the schematic plan section view 100 of FIG. 1 , LEDs 110 are arranged in a five by three (5 x 3) array. In other words, after installation in a vehicle, the LEDs 1 10 are arranged in five (5) horizontal rows of three (3) LEDs each (or three (3) vertical columns). The LEDs 1 10 may be grouped in two (2) or more LED groups (such as LED group 11 1 and LED group 112 identified in FIG. 1) in an LED mounting area 120. In the illustrated example, the LED groups 1 11 and 1 12 overlap in the three middle LEDs. The schematic plan section view 100 further shows a body 130 and power contacts 140. Note that dashed lines 145 indicate a potential continuation of the elements, such as extent. Note also that the schematic plan section view 100 schematically represents a controller 150 and a radio interface 160.

[0017] According to one or more embodiments, in a LRF lamp for a vehicle (e.g., for a headlight of the vehicle), the LEDs 110 can be mounted on opposite sides of a planar carrier therebymaking FIG. 1 a schematically sectional view. Thus, the schematic plan view 100 can provide an arrangement of the LEDs 1 10 on a first side of these opposite sides. A second side of these opposite sides other side can carry an LED arrangement (such as a mirrored arrangement of the LEDs 110 or the LEDs 1 10 arranged in any array configuration). Further, the controller 1050 and the radio interface 160 can exist once or on one side and may be inside the body 130. According to one or more embodiments, the controller 150 can be representative of various controllers involved in controlling LEDs 1 10. For example, the controller 150 can be a controller that is part of a lighting module itself, that is external to the lighting module itself, that is part of the vehicle itself, that is part of a phone or computer application, etc.

[0018] According to one or more embodiments, the LEDs 110 of FIG. 1 are not limited to a five by three (5 x 3) array or arrays on two opposite sides of the planar carrier. For example, the LEDs 110 may be arranged in any scheme, such as a six by one (6 x 1 array). Further, the planar carrier can have two sides angled (e.g., at an angle other than being opposite to each other at 180°) or can be a prism with three, four, or more sides including equal or different angles with each other. Particular shapes may be selected to either more closely mimic the 360° emission pattern of a conventional lamp or to adapt to particular properties of the vehicle light optics. The sides of the carrier need not be planar but may be curved.

[0019] FIG. 2 is an example schematic diagram 200 according to one or more embodiments. The example schematic diagram 200 can be a LED lighting circuit. Generally, although additional detail is provided below, the LED lighting circuit is an LRF light source with individually addressable LED chips and electronics that activate the individual LED chips in a controlled way after power is applied to generate a dynamic effect.

[0020] FIG. 2 further provides a table 201 . As shown, the example schematic diagram 200 can include one or more LEDs (210, 220, 230, and 240), one or more switching devices (e.g., metal- oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors of MOSFETs 211 , 221 , 231 , and 241 ), one or more comparators (212, 222, 232, and 242), and one or more resistors (213, 223, 233, 243, and 253). The example schematic diagram 200 further includes a current source 281 , an input signal 283, a ramp generator 285, a power source 287 (e.g., a voltage supply), and a ground 289. It is noted that more or less components may be included. For example, additional LEDs may be utilized in addition to the those shown in FIG. 2. Also, by way of example, each LED 210, 220, 230, and 240 can be representative of an individual LED or a group of individual LEDs switched at as he same time. Also,although the circuitry is shown with the connections shown, it is noted that any arrangement of circuitry that causes sequential illumination of the LEDs can be utilized.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the current 281 source is provided to flow through the LED 210, LED 220, LED 230, and LED 240. The input signal 283 can be provided by the ramp generator 285, which is connected to a negative of each comparator. The resistors 213, 223, 233, 243, and 253 can be connected in series, such as between the power source 287 and the ground 289 (e.g., the power source 287 can be a battery voltage of 12V and the ground 289 can be neutral or 0V. In an example, values of the one or more resistors 213, 223, 233, 243, and 253 may be ten (10) kQ resistors. Also, examples of the one or more switching devices 211 , 221 , 231 , and 241 include, but are not limited to, switches, relays, transistors, or other devices.

[0022] According to one or more embodiments, as the input signal 283 is ramped up by the ramp generator 285, the one or more LEDs 210, 220, 230, and 240 can illuminate in sequential order as shown below in Table 201 . That is, as power is ramped up on the input signal 283 so that a power level crosses a threshold voltage, the one or more LEDs 210, 220, 230, and 240 can illuminate in sequence beginning with LED 240 and continuing to LED 210.

[0023] According to one or more embodiments, each switching device 211 , 221 , 231 , and 241 can be controlled by a corresponding comparator 212, 222, 232, and 242, which compare the input signal 283 provided by the ramp generator 285 with a reference signal The reference signal can be generated inside the LED lighting circuit. According to one or more embodiments, in FIG. 2, the reference signal can be generated internally by the resistors in series for comparison with the input signal 283. Thus, the example schematic diagram 200 provides the technical effect and benefit of generating the reference signal and the input signal 283 internal to the light source. For example, the ramp generator 285 is constructed as a specific resistor / capacitor combination (i.e., RC circuit), which generates a slow ramp (e.g., one (1 ) to two (2) seconds for a sweep) after the twelve (12) volt power is applied.

[0024] According to one or more embodiments, each comparator 212, 222, 232, and 242 can be connected to a resistor chain (e.g., the resistors 213, 223, 233, and 243), such that a raising voltage at the resistor chain will open or close the switching device 211 , 221 , 231 , 241 sequentially. By way of example, FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of an example method 300 according to one or more embodiments. One or more operation of the method 300 can be implemented by, for example, the controller 150 of FIG. 1 .

[0025] The method 300 can be for sequential illumination of LEDs. The method 300 begins at block 310, where a first LED 240 is energized and / or illuminated. This may occur, for example, when the voltage exceeds a first threshold (e.g., when the input signal 283 is greater than 2.4V, as shown in Table 201). At block 320, a subsequent LED (e.g , LED 230) is energized and / or illuminated. More particularly, the LED 230 is energized and / or illuminated as the voltage exceeds a second threshold (e.g., when the input signal 283 is greater than 4.8V in Table 201 ).

[0026] At decision block 330, whether all of the one or more LEDs 210, 220, 230, and 240 are energized are determined. For example, the controller 150 of FIG. 1 can determine which of the one or more LEDs 210, 220, 230, and 240 are operating, energized, or illuminated. When all the of the one or more LEDs 210, 220, 230, and 2400 are energized, then the method 300 ends as represented by block 340. According to one or more embodiments, the ramp generator 285 of FIG. 2 may be analog. Thus, if the ramp generator reaches a maximum output value, all LEDs (e.g., all LEDs 210, 220, 230, and 240) are switched on and the method 300 ends as represented by block 340. According to one or more embodiments, the ramp generator 284 can be controlled by a digital or programable circuit that is implements the method 300, which causes a monitoring and determining of the operations of blocks 310 and 320 at decision block 330.

[0027] FIG. 4 is diagram 400 of an example light pattern in accordance one or more embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of LEDs (e.g., LED 410, LED 420, LED 430, LED 440, LED 450, and LED 460) that are sequentially illuminated / energized during the input current power ramp up. The plurality of LEDs are focused at a portion of the road 470. The plurality of LEDs can also be focused just off the road 470. For example, LED 401 is focused on a portion closest to a centerline 475 of the road 470, while LED 460 is shown as focused at a point farthest from the centerline 475. When the LEDs are lit sequentially, a resulting beam pattern shows a dynamic effect. It is noted that areas of focus targets for each of the plurality of LEDs can differ. The dynamic effect of the resulting beam pattern can also be visible, if a vehicle is parked, on a parking lot, or on a wall in front of the vehicle.

[0028] Further, when any one of the of the one or more LEDs 210, 220, 230, and 24 is not energized or not illuminated, then the method 300 returns to block 320, where a next subsequent LED is energized and / or illuminated. For example, LEDs 220 and 210 are energized or illuminated as the voltage thresholds are exceeded (e.g., LED 220 is energized when the input signal 283 is greater 7.2V and LED 210 is energized when the input signal 283 is greater 9.6V in Table 201). Again, it is noted that more or less LEDs may be included in the LRF lamp and that LEDs without a parallel switchcan be present to illuminate without delay after the current source 281 provides power. Thus, a technical effect and benefit of the example schematic diagram 200 is that only the input signal 283 is needed to control the one or more LEDs 210, 220, 230, and 240.

[0029] According to one or more embodiments, the input signal 283 can be a slowly raising voltage generated by the ramp generator 285 or other RC-circuit after the LED lighting circuit is connected to the power source 287. Thus, a standalone LED lighting circuit can be realized that , over time (e.g., along a range of 1-2 seconds, which is considered slow) ramps up the current after the board net voltage is applied and hence switches on the LED lighting circuit in a predetermined sequence.

[0030] According to one or more embodiments, one of the LEDs 210, 220, 230, and 240 (e.g., a first LEDs) can be operated without a parallel switch (e.g., to avoid a short circuit). As shown in FIG. 2, an external interface of the LED lighting circuit is a connection to the power source 287 at 12 V and the ground 289 at 0V. While this connection is the same as for halogen light sources, a technical effect and benefit of the example schematic diagram 200 is that the LED lighting circuit exhibits a dynamic effect in a beam pattern when being illuminated.

[0031] According to one or more embodiments, individually addressable LEDs enable switching devices to be added in parallel to each junction. For example, when the LEDs 210, 220, 230, and 24 are connected in series to the current supply 281 , the switching devices are connected to each LED in parallel. In turn, a current can flow flowing through the LEDs when a corresponding switching device is open. When the corresponding switching device is closed, the LEDs are turned off as no current is received. According to one or more embodiments, alternative circuits with different arrangements of switches are contemplated to result in a dynamic variation of a number of LEDs, which are turned on or off. For example, one of the lines of each the switching device 211 , 221 , 231 , 241 can be directly connected to ground.

[0032] FIG. 5 is an example schematic diagram 500 according to one or more embodiments. The example schematic diagram 500 can be a LED lighting circuit. Generally, although additional detail is provided below, the LED lighting circuit is an LRF light source with individually addressable LED chips and electronics that activate the individual LED chips in a controlled way after power is applied to generate a dynamic effect. Accordingly, identifiers of FIG. 5 that are similar to FIG> 4 are reused for brevity and are not reintroduced. As shown, the example schematic diagram 500 can include LED controller 502. The LED controller 502 can be programable to provide direct on / off signals to the MOSFETs 211 , 221 , 231 , and 241 to individually energize and illuminate the LEDs 210, 220,230, and 240. By way of example, the LED controller 502 can be a digital device that generates a predetermined sequence of signals at lines controlling the MOSFETs 211 , 221 , 231 , and 241. As shown in FIG. 5, an external interface of the LED lighting circuit is a connection to the power source 287 at 12 V and the ground 289 at OV. While this connection is the same as for halogen light sources, a technical effect and benefit of the example schematic diagram 500 is that the LED lighting circuit exhibits a dynamic effect in a beam pattern when being illuminated.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example vehicle headlamp system 600 that may incorporate one or more of the embodiments and examples described herein. The example vehicle headlamp system 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 includes power lines 602, a data bus 604, an input filter and protection module 606, a bus transceiver 608, a sensor module 610, an LED direct current to direct current (DC / DC) module 612, a logic low-dropout (LDO) module 614, a micro-controller 616, and an active head lamp 618.

[0034] The power lines 602 may have inputs that receive power from a vehicle, and the data bus 604 may have inputs / outputs over which data may be exchanged between the vehicle and the vehicle headlamp system 600. For example, the vehicle headlamp system 600 may receive instructions from other locations in the vehicle, such as instructions to turn on turn signaling or turn on headlamps, and may send feedback to other locations in the vehicle if desired. The sensor module 610 may be communicatively coupled to the data bus 604 and may provide additional data to the vehicle headlamp system 600 or other locations in the vehicle related to, for example, environmental conditions (e.g ., time of day, rain, fog, or ambient light levels), vehicle state (e.g . , parked, in-motion, speed of motion, or direction of motion), and presence / position of other objects (e.g., vehicles or pedestrians). A headlamp controller that is separate from any vehicle controller communicatively coupled to the vehicle data bus may also be included in the vehicle headlamp system 600. In FIG. 6, the headlamp controller may be a micro-controller, such as micro-controller (pc) 616. The microcontroller 616 may be communicatively coupled to the data bus 604.

[0035] The input filter and protection module 606 may be electrically coupled to the power lines 602 and may, for example, support various filters to reduce conducted emissions and provide power immunity. Additionally, the input filter and protection module 606 may provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, load-dump protection, alternator field decay protection, and / or reverse polarity protection.

[0036] The LED DC / DC module 612 may be coupled between the input filter and protection module 106 and the active headlamp 618 to receive filtered power and provide a drive current topower LEDs in the LED array in the active headlamp 618. The LED DC / DC module 612 may have an input voltage between 6 and 18 volts with a nominal voltage of approximately 13.2 volts and an output voltage that may be slightly higher (e.g., 0.3 volts) than a maximum voltage for the LED array (e.g., as determined by factor or local calibration and operating condition adjustments due to load, temperature or other factors).

[0037] The logic LDO module 614 may be coupled to the input filter and protection module 606 to receive the filtered power. The logic LDO module 614 may also be coupled to the microcontroller 616 and the active headlamp 618 to provide power to the micro-controller 616 and / or electronics in the active headlamp 618, such as CMOS logic.

[0038] The bus transceiver 608 may have, for example, a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART) or serial peripheral interface (SPI) interface and may be coupled to the microcontroller 616. The micro-controller 616 may translate vehicle input based on, or including, data from the sensor module 610. The translated vehicle input may include a video signal that is transferrable to an image buffer in the active headlamp 618. In addition, the micro-controller 616 may load default image frames and test for open / short pixels during startup In embodiments, an SPI interface may load an image buffer in CMOS. Image frames may be full frame, differential or partial frames. Other features of micro-controller 616 may include control interface monitoring of CMOS status, including die temperature, as well as logic LDO output. In embodiments, LED DC / DC output may be dynamically controlled to minimize headroom. In addition to providing image frame data, other headlamp functions, such as complementary use in conjunction with side marker or turn signal lights, and / or activation of daytime running lights, may also be controlled.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a diagram of another example vehicle headlamp system 700. The example vehicle headlamp system 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes an application platform 702, two LED lighting systems 706 and 708, and secondary optics 710 and 712.

[0040] The LED lighting system 708 may emit light beams 714 (shown between arrows 714a and 714b in FIG. 7). The LED lighting system 706 may emit light beams 716 (shown between arrows 716a and 716b in FIG. 7). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a secondary optic 710 is adjacent the LED lighting system 708, and the light emitted from the LED lighting system 708 passes through the secondary optic 710. Similarly, a secondary optic 712 is adjacent the LED lighting system 706, and the light emitted from the LED lighting system 706 passes through the secondary optic 712. In alternative embodiments, no secondary optics 710 / 812 are provided in the vehicle headlamp system.

[0041] Where included, the secondary optics 710 / 812 may be or include one or more light guides. The one or more light guides may be edge lit or may have an interior opening that defines an interior edge of the light guide. LED lighting systems 708 and 706 may be inserted in the interior openings of the one or more light guides such that they inject light into the interior edge (interior opening light guide) or exterior edge (edge lit light guide) of the one or more light guides. In embodiments, the one or more light guides may shape the light emitted by the LED lighting systems 708 and 706 in a desired manner, such as, for example, with a gradient, a chamfered distribution, a narrow distribution, a wide distribution, or an angular distribution.

[0042] The application platform 702 may provide power and / or data to the LED lighting systems 706 and / or 708 via lines 704, which may include one or more or a portion of the power lines 602 and the data bus 604 of FIG. 6. One or more sensors (which may be the sensors in the vehicle headlamp system 700 or other additional sensors) may be internal or external to the housing of the application platform 702. Alternatively, or in addition, as shown in the example vehicle headlamp system 600 of FIG. 6, each LED lighting system 708 and 706 may include its own sensor module, connectivity and control module, power module, and / or LED array.

[0043] In embodiments, the vehicle headlamp system 700 may represent an automobile with steerable light beams where LEDs may be selectively activated to provide steerable light. For example, an array of LEDs or emitters may be used to define or project a shape or pattern or illuminate only selected sections of a roadway. In an example embodiment, infrared cameras or detector pixels within LED lighting systems 706 and 708 may be sensors (e.g., similar to sensors in the sensor module 610 of FIG. 6) that identify portions of a scene (e.g., roadway or pedestrian crossing) that require illumination.

[0044] As would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art, based on the description herein, embodiments of the present invention can be designed in software using a hardware description language (HDL) such as, for example, Verilog or VHDL. The HDL-design can model the behavior of an electronic system, where the design can be synthesized and ultimately fabricated into a hardware device. In addition, the HDL-design can be stored in a computer product and loaded into a computer system prior to hardware manufacture.

[0045] Having described the embodiments in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, given the present description, modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit of the inventive concept. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described.

[0046] For example, as described above in an example, two LEDs may be placed back to back in an LED retrofit light source. The above methods and devices may be applied to both sides of the LRF light source, either in parallel or sequentially, his basic configuration can be varied to allow different switching sequences through a re-routing of the control lines. Additionally, more complexity of the electronics driving the individual switches can be added, (e.g. the sequence of the individual switches can be varied with appropriate programmable arrays).

[0047] The above description includes that the light source will continue to emit light from a limited number of LEDs in case the board net voltage drops below the forward voltage of the full string. If the LRF light source uses only a simple buck converter, it may not emit light any more without the extra electronics (e.g. and LRF light source with four (4) LEDs would stop emitting light if the voltage drops below ~12 V). Having described the embodiments in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, given the present description, modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit of the inv concept. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described.

[0048] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element may be termed a second element and a second element may be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term "and / or" may include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0049] It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" or extending "onto" another element, it may be directly on or extend directly onto the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or extending "directly onto" another element, there may be no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element and / or connected or coupled to the other element via one or more intervening elements. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present between the element and the other element. It will be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the element in addition to any orientation depicted in the figures.

[0050] Relative terms such as "below," "above," "upper,", "lower," "horizontal" or "vertical" may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . A method for individually and sequentially illuminating light emitting diode groups of a light emitting diodes retrofit device, the method comprising: energizing a first light emitting diode group comprising at least one light emitting diode upon an input signal voltage level exceeding a first threshold; monitoring the input signal voltage level with respect to one or more subsequent thresholds; and sequentially energizing one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups based upon the input signal voltage level exceeding a corresponding threshold of the one or more subsequent thresholds, each of the one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups comprising at least one light emitting diode, and the energizing of the first light emitting diode group and the one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups being the individually and sequentially illuminating that provides a dynamic effect.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the light emitting diode groups comprises the first light emitting diode group, a second light emitting diode group, a third light emitting diode group, and a fourth light emitting diode group.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more subsequent thresholds comprise a second threshold, a third threshold, and a fourth threshold that respectively correspond to sequentially illuminating to the second light emitting diode group, the third light emitting diode group, and the fourth light emitting diode group.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first light emitting diode group is focused at a first target location.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein a second light emitting diode group of the one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups is focused at a second target location.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first target location is adjacent to the second target location.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the light emitting diode groups are connected in series.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the light emitting diodes retrofit device comprises one or more comparators and one or more switching devices.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the one or more comparators sequentially activates a corresponding switch device of the one or more switching devices as the input signal increases.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the light emitting diodes retrofit device comprises a connection configured to retrofit to an external interface of a power source.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the light emitting diodes retrofit device receives at the connection a voltage source of 12 V and a ground at 0V from the power source.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the light emitting diodes retrofit device comprises a light emitting diode controller.

13. A light emitting diodes retrofit device comprising: a plurality of light emitting diode groups comprising a first light emitting diode group and one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups, wherein the light emitting diodes retrofit device is configured to: energize the first light emitting diode group comprising at least one light emitting diode upon an input signal voltage level exceeding a first threshold, monitor the input signal voltage level with respect to one or more subsequent thresholds, and sequentially energize the one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups based upon the input signal voltage level exceeding a corresponding threshold of the one or more subsequent thresholds, wherein each of the one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups comprising at least one light emitting diode, andwherein the energizing of the first light emitting diode group and the one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups provides a dynamic effect.

14. The light emitting diodes retrofit device of claim 13, wherein the light emitting diode groups comprises the first light emitting diode group, a second light emitting diode group, a third light emitting diode group, and a fourth light emitting diode group.

15. The light emitting diodes retrofit device of claim 14, wherein the one or more subsequent thresholds comprise a second threshold, a third threshold, and a fourth threshold that respectively correspond to sequentially illuminating to the second light emitting diode group, the third light emitting diode group, and the fourth light emitting diode group.

16. The light emitting diodes retrofit device of claim 13, wherein the first light emitting diode group is focused at a first target location.

17. The light emitting diodes retrofit device of claim 16, wherein a second light emitting diode group of the one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups is focused at a second target location.

18. The light emitting diodes retrofit device of claim 17, wherein the first target location is adjacent to the second target location.

19. The light emitting diodes retrofit device of claim 13, wherein the light emitting diode groups are connected in series.

20. A retrofit device utilizing an internal input signal and providing a stand-alone light source solution by individually and sequentially illuminating plurality of light emitting diode groups of the retrofit device, the retrofit device comprising: a connection configured to receive a voltage source from a power source, the voltage source provides a power for the retrofit device to generate the internal input signal; and the plurality of light emitting diode groups comprising a first light emitting diode group and one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups, wherein the light emitting diodes retrofit device is configured to: provide a dynamic effect by energizing the first light emitting diode group upon the internal input signal exceeding a first threshold,monitor the internal input signal with respect to one or more subsequent thresholds, and further providing the dynamic effect by sequentially energizing the one or more subsequent light emitting diode groups based upon the internal input signal exceeding a corresponding threshold of the one or more subsequent thresholds.

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