APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING AC LINE POWER TO LIGHTING DEVICES

摘要

An apparatus, method and system are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; first and second current regulators; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through a series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the series LED current path at different current levels. A voltage regulator is also utilized to provide a voltage during a zero-crossing interval of the AC voltage. In a representative embodiment, first and second segments of LEDs are both in the series LED current path regulated at a lower current level compared to when only the first segment of LEDs is in the series LED current path.

主权项

1. A method of providing power to a plurality of light emitting diodes couplable to receive an AC voltage, the plurality of light emitting diodes couplable to form a plurality of segments of light emitting diodes, each of the plurality of segments comprising at least one light emitting diode, the method comprising:
monitoring a first parameter; during a first part of an AC voltage interval, in response to the first parameter reaching a first level, selectively including a segment of light emitting diodes in a series light emitting diode current path; and during a second part of the AC voltage interval, in response to the first parameter reaching a second level, selectively excluding the segment of light emitting diodes from the series light emitting diode current path.