FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0013] This invention relates to the field of lighting, and more particularly to the field of processor-controlled lighting.

BACKGROUND

[0014] With the advent of digital lighting technologies, it is becoming increasingly popular to create lighting networks of light-emitting diode (LED) based lighting devices, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,016,038, 6,150,774 and 6,166,496, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Fantastic lighting effects can be created with these systems and the lighting effects can be coordinated through a network to make, for example, a rainbow chase down a hallway or corridor. These lighting systems are generally controlled through a network, although there are many non-networked applications, wherein a data stream containing packets of information is communicated to the lighting devices. Each of the lighting devices may see all of the packets of information but only respond to packets that are addressed to the particular device. Once a properly addressed packet of information arrives, the lighting device may read and execute the commands. This arrangement demands that each of the lighting devices have an address and these addresses need to be unique with respect to the other lighting devices on the network. The addresses are normally set by setting switches on each of the lighting devices during installation. Settings switches tends to be time consuming and error prone.

[0015] Lighting systems for theatres, entertainment, retail and architectural venues such as casinos, theme parks, stores, malls, etcetera, require elaborate lighting instruments and, in addition, networks to control the lights. One of the designers' most onerous tasks comes after all the lights are in place: configuration. This involves going to each instrument or light fixture and determining and setting the network address of each unit through the use of switches or dials and then determining the setup and corresponding element on a lighting board or computer. Two people usually accomplish this and, depending on the distance, use walkie-talkies and enter into a lot of back and forth discussion during the process. With sufficient planning and coordination this address selection and setting can be done a priori but still requires substantial time and effort

[0016] This task can take many hours depending on the locations. For example, a new amusement park ride may use hundreds of lighting fixtures, each of which is controlled over a network and are neither line-of-sight to each other or to any single point. Each one must be identified and a correspondence made between the light and its setting on the lighting control board. Mix-ups and confusion are common during this process.

[0017] Currently, networked lighting devices have their addresses set through a series of physical switches such as dials, dipswitches or buttons. These devices have to be individually set to particular addresses and this process can be cumbersome. It would be useful to avoid this process or make the system more user friendly.

[0018] There are several other problems associated with these lighting systems. While many such lighting systems are used for indirect lighting, general illumination and the like, some such systems are used for direct view applications. That is, the viewer is directly viewing the light emitted from the lighting system (e.g. accent lighting on a building where the light is intended to outline the perimeter of the building.) Generally, these lighting systems have gaps in light emission towards the ends of the system and alignment of one lighting system next to another produces gaps where there is little or no light produced. There are many installations that require long lines of lighting systems placed in a row or other pattern in an attempt to produce a continuous light line. The gaps in light tend to detract from such applications.

[0019] Another problem associated with these systems is that when the LEDs are directly viewed they appear to be discrete light emitters until there is sufficient distance between the light and the viewer. Even when the viewer is relatively far away from the lighting system, the lighting system does not tend to produce very bright or brilliant lighting effects.

[0020] Another problem associated with these lighting systems is that the communication and power is fed through the ends of the housing and into junction boxes at the beginning and end of every light. The three lines, power ground, data, are run through each end and then passed through the length of the fixture. Each lighting element in the housing would tap into the three lines for power and data. Mounting of the lights is very expensive because it is done through junction boxes. Every light required two junction boxes to be mounted on the wall or other mounting surface and wires and conduit needs to be run between boxes to allow two lighting units to be connected together.

SUMMARY

[0021] One embodiment of the invention is directed to a device that is configured to set the address of an illumination device. For example, many lighting installations have hundreds of LED based lighting devices and these lighting devices may be connected through a network. Lighting control information may be sent over the network and each of the lighting devices may be waiting for addressed instructions. The data may be in the form of a data stream where lighting control information is communicated to all of the lighting devices. The data stream may be broken up into packets where each packet includes an address. Another example of data format is when the position of the data within the data stream indicates its address (e.g. DMX protocol). When a lighting device receives a data packet that is addressed to it the lighting device may read and execute the instructions. This technique is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,038. Rather than setting dip switches on every lighting device it would be much easier and faster to attach a lighting device to a programming device according to the principles of the invention and load an address into the lighting device. This may take the form of generating an address and then sending the address to the lighting device.

[0022] A method of setting the address of a lighting system according to the principles of the invention may include plugging the programming device into the lighting system. The programming device may also power the lighting system. Upon attachment of the programming device the lighting device may power up. A knob on the user interface of the programming device may be rotated to select a program, program parameter, or address mode. After the program has been selected, a parameter may then be selected and set. After the address mode has been selected, an address may be selected and set. The programming device may also automatically increment the address to provide quick setting of many lighting systems in an installation.

[0023] The lighting device can also be programmed to log the activities such as address setting, program selection, parameter setting or other settings. This may be useful in retrieving information at a later time. For example, many lighting devices have a unique identifier (e.g. a serial number) and this serial number could be retrieved along with the address settings and changes to the address setting. This information may be retrievable from a central computer operating the lighting network for example. This information could be used to locate the particular lighting device on the network by the serial number. This may be useful in the event the lighting device has to be changed for example. When the lighting device is removed from the network, the central controller, or master controller, may be monitoring the network and realize the lighting device has been removed. When the next lighting device is attached to the system, at a similar location with respect to other lighting devices, the central system or master device may automatically set the address. Other information may also be retrieved from the lighting device such as date of manufacture, calibration information, color settings or other information. The lighting network may also use this information. For example, a network may retrieve information from a lighting device; subsequently the lighting device may malfunction and be replaced. The new lighting device may be of a newer version and as a result it may be much brighter than the original device. The network system could compare the information gathered from the original lighting device and compare it to the information gathered from the replacement device and then adjust the replacement device accordingly.

[0024] Another embodiment relates to lighting methods and systems that include providing a substantially linear circuit board, disposing a plurality of light sources along the circuit board, disposing the circuit board and the light sources in a substantially linear housing, providing a light-transmissive cover for the housing and providing a connection facility of the housing that allows a first unit of the lighting system to connect end to end with a second unit of the lighting system without a gap between the housings. In embodiments the light sources are LEDs. In embodiments the processor and the LEDs are on the same circuit board. In embodiments the connection facility is a hole that allows cables to exit the housing at a location other than the end of the housing. In embodiments the processor is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In embodiments the ASIC is configured to receive and transmit a data stream. In embodiments the ASIC responds to data addressed to it, modifies at least one bit of the data stream, and transmits the modified data stream.

[0025] The methods and systems disclosed herein may further comprise disposing a plurality of lighting systems in a serial configuration and controlling all of them by a stream of data to respective ASICs of each of them, wherein each lighting system responds to the first unmodified bit of data in the stream, modifies that bit of data, and transmits the stream to the next ASIC.

[0026] In embodiments the lighting system may have a housing configured to resemble a fluorescent light. The housing may be linear, curved, bent, branched, or in a “T” or “V” shape, among other shapes.

[0027] The methods and systems may further include providing a communication facility of the lighting system, wherein the lighting system responds to data from a source exterior to the lighting system. The data may come from a signal source exterior to the lighting system. The signal source may be a wireless signal source. In embodiments the signal source includes a sensor for sensing an environmental condition, and the control of the lighting system is in response to the environmental condition. In embodiments the signal source generates a signal based on a scripted lighting program for the lighting system.

[0028] In embodiments the control of the lighting system is based on assignment of lighting system units as objects in an object-oriented computer program. In embodiments the computer program is an authoring system. In embodiments the authoring system relates attributes in a virtual system to real world attributes of lighting systems. In embodiments the real world attributes include positions of lighting units of the lighting system. In embodiments the computer program is a computer game. In other embodiments the computer program is a music program.

[0029] In embodiments of the methods and systems provided herein, the lighting system includes a power supply. In embodiments the power supply is a power-factor-controlled power supply. In embodiments the power supply is a two-stage power supply. In embodiments the power factor correction includes an energy storage capacitor and a DC-DC converter. In embodiments the PFC and energy storage capacitor are separated from the DC-DC converter by a bus.

[0030] In embodiments of the methods and systems provided herein, the lighting systems further include disposing at least one such lighting unit on a building. In embodiments the lighting units are disposed in an array on a building. In embodiments the array is configured to facilitate displaying at least one of a number, a word, a letter, a logo, a brand, and a symbol. In embodiments the array is configured to display a light show with time-based effects.

[0031] In embodiments of the methods and systems provided herein, the lighting systems can be disposed on a vehicle, an automobile, a boat, a mast, a sail, an airplane, a wing, a fountain, a waterfall or similar item. In other embodiments, lighting units can be disposed on a deck, a stairway, a door, a window, a roofline, a gazebo, a jungle gym, a swing set, a slide, a tree house, a club house, a garage, a shed, a pool, a spa, furniture, an umbrella, a counter, a cabinet, a pond, a walkway, a tree, a fence, a light pole, a statue or other object.

[0032] In embodiments the lighting units described herein are configured to be recessed into an alcove or similar facility.

[0033] Methods and systems disclosed herein include lighting systems that include a platform, circuit board wherein the circuit board comprises at least one circuit; an illumination source, LED, plurality of LEDs; multi-colored LEDs, wherein the illumination source is associated with the platform, wherein the illumination source is mounted on the circuit board; wherein the illumination source is associated with the at least one circuit, wire, bus, conductor, or plurality of conductors, wherein the foregoing comprises at least one data conductor and at least one power conductor, wherein the wire is electrically associated with the circuit through an insulation displacement system.

[0034] Methods and systems disclosed herein include a plurality of lighting systems wherein the plurality of lighting systems are electrically associated; wherein the electrical association comprises at least one conductor wherein the conductor is associated with each of the plurality of lighting systems through an insulation displacement system.

[0035] In embodiments the plurality of lighting systems is associated with an optic; wherein the association with the optic comprises an optical association; wherein the association with the optic comprises a mechanical association.

[0036] In embodiments the optic comprises an extruded material; wherein the material comprises polycarbonate; wherein the polycarbonate is translucent; wherein the optic further comprises a guide feature and the platform is mechanically associated with the guide feature; wherein the guide feature is on an interior surface of the optic; and wherein the plurality of lighting systems are mechanically associated with the guide feature

[0037] Methods and systems disclosed herein include a lighting system that includes one or more of various configurations of LEDs, including an LED, an LED color controllable system, two LEDs, two rows of LEDs, two rows of multicolored LEDs, or LEDs associated with a platform; an addressable controller; an optic, such as an extruded optic, polycarbonate optic, double lobe optic, upper and lower lobe, translucent, transparent, wherein the optic comprises platform guides.

[0038] In embodiments the LED illumination system is optically associated with the optic, wherein a plurality of LED illumination systems are associated with the optic, wherein the plurality of LED illumination systems are independently controlled; wherein the plurality of LED illumination systems are multi-colored illumination systems. In embodiments the optical association provides substantially uniform illumination of at least a portion of the optic, wherein the portion is at least a portion of the upper lobe, wherein the at least a portion of the optic is the upper lobe, wherein the LED illumination system projects a substantial portion of light within a beam angle, wherein the beam angle is formed by the light emitted by the two rows of LEDs, wherein the beam angle is aligned to project light onto the interior surface of the optic, wherein the alignment is optimized to generate substantially uniform illumination of the upper lobe of the optic.

[0039] Other embodiments include a ridged member, wherein the ridged member comprises metal, plastic, or ceramic. In embodiments the ridged member is mechanically associated with the optic and associated with the lower lobe to provide rigidity to the lighting system. In embodiments the ridged member is adapted to couple to an attachment device wherein the attachment device is adapted to attach the lighting system to another system, wherein the other system comprises a wall, building, exterior of building. In embodiments the methods and systems include at least one end cap, a first end cap associated with a first end of the optic and a second end cap associated with the second end of the optic, wherein the first and second end caps are hermetically sealed to the optic to form a water resistant lighting assembly. In embodiments the end cap comprises platform guides on an interior surface, and the platform is associated with the platform guides, wherein at least one of the first and second end caps comprises a gas exchange port (add a method of exchanging gas from the interior of the lighting system to provide a substantially dry atmosphere in the lighting system). In embodiments at least one of the first and second end caps further comprises an expansion facility, wherein the expansion facility is adapted to capture the ridged member and allow for expansion differences between the ridged member and at least one of the optic and the end cap. In embodiments the end cap comprises a cable sealing portion wherein the cable sealing portion is adapted to pass wires to the interior of the lighting system, wherein the cable sealing portion is hermetically sealed and wherein the cable sealing system further comprises a wire strain relief system. In embodiments the end caps comprise transparent material, translucent material, substantially the same material as the optic, or polycarbonate material, and the lighting system is adapted to provide substantially uniform illumination of the upper lobe and at least an upper portion of the end caps such that a second lighting system can be aligned with the lighting system to form a substantially uniform interconnection of illumination.

[0040] Methods and system provided herein also include providing a self-healing lighting system, which may include providing a plurality of lighting units in a system, each having a plurality of light sources; providing at least one processor associated with at least some of the lighting units for controlling the lighting units; providing a network facility for addressing data to each of the lighting units; providing a diagnostic facility for identifying a problem with a lighting unit; and providing a healing facility for modifying the actions of at least one processor to automatically correct the problem identified by the diagnostic facility.

[0041] As used herein for purposes of the present disclosure, the term “LED” should be understood to include any light emitting diode or other type of carrier injection/junction-based system that is capable of generating radiation in response to an electric signal. Thus, the term LED includes, but is not limited to, various semiconductor-based structures that emit light in response to current, light emitting polymers, light-emitting strips, electro-luminescent strips, and the like.

[0042] In particular, the term LED refers to light emitting diodes of all types (including semi-conductor and organic light emitting diodes) that may be configured to generate radiation in one or more of the infrared spectrum, ultraviolet spectrum, and various portions of the visible spectrum (generally including radiation wavelengths from approximately 400 nanometers to approximately 700 nanometers). Some examples of LEDs include, but are not limited to, various types of infrared LEDs, ultraviolet LEDs, red LEDs, blue LEDs, green LEDs, yellow LEDs, amber LEDs, orange LEDs, and white LEDs (discussed further below). It also should be appreciated that LEDs may be configured to generate radiation having various bandwidths for a given spectrum (e.g., narrow bandwidth, broad bandwidth).

[0043] It should be noted that LED(s) in systems according to the present invention might be any color including white, ultraviolet, infrared or other colors within the electromagnetic spectrum. As used herein, the term “LED” should be further understood to include, without limitation, light emitting diodes of all types, light emitting polymers, semiconductor dies that produce light in response to current, organic LEDs, electro-luminescent strips, and other such systems. In an embodiment, an “LED” may refer to a single light emitting diode having multiple semiconductor dies that are individually controlled. It should also be understood that the term “LED” does not restrict the package type of the LED. The term “LED” includes packaged LEDs, non-packaged LEDs, surface mount LEDs, chip on board LEDs and LEDs of all other configurations. The term “LED” also includes LEDs packaged or associated with material (e.g. a phosphor) wherein the material may convert energy from the LED to a different wavelength.

[0044] For example, one implementation of an LED configured to generate essentially white light (e.g., a white LED) may include a number of dies which respectively emit different spectrums of luminescence that, in combination, mix to form essentially white light. In another implementation, a white light LED may be associated with a phosphor material that converts luminescence having a first spectrum to a different second spectrum. In one example of this implementation, luminescence having a relatively short wavelength and narrow bandwidth spectrum “pumps” the phosphor material, which in turn radiates longer wavelength radiation having a somewhat broader spectrum.

[0045] It should also be understood that the term LED does not limit the physical and/or electrical package type of an LED. For example, as discussed above, an LED may refer to a single light emitting device having multiple dies that are configured to respectively emit different spectrums of radiation (e.g., that may or may not be individually controllable). Also, an LED may be associated with a phosphor that is considered as an integral part of the LED (e.g., some types of white LEDs). In general, the term LED may refer to packaged LEDs, non-packaged LEDs, surface mount LEDs, chip-on-board LEDs, radial package LEDs, power package LEDs, LEDs including some type of encasement and/or optical element (e.g., a diffusing lens), etc.

[0046] The term “light source” should be understood to refer to any one or more of a variety of radiation sources, including, but not limited to, LED-based sources as defined above, incandescent sources (e.g., filament lamps, halogen lamps), fluorescent sources, phosphorescent sources, high-intensity discharge sources (e.g., sodium vapor, mercury vapor, and metal halide lamps), lasers, other types of luminescent sources, electro-lumiscent sources, pyro-luminescent sources (e.g., flames), candle-luminescent sources (e.g., gas mantles, carbon arc radiation sources), photo-luminescent sources (e.g., gaseous discharge sources), cathode luminescent sources using electronic satiation, galvano-luminescent sources, crystallo-luminescent sources, kine-luminescent sources, thermo-luminescent sources, triboluminescent sources, sonoluminescent sources, radioluminescent sources, and luminescent polymers.

[0047] A given light source may be configured to generate electromagnetic radiation within the visible spectrum, outside the visible spectrum, or a combination of both. Hence, the terms “light” and “radiation” are used interchangeably herein. Additionally, a light source may include as an integral component one or more filters (e.g., color filters), lenses, or other optical components. Also, it should be understood that light sources may be configured for a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, indication and/or illumination. An “illumination source” is a light source that is particularly configured to generate radiation having a sufficient intensity to effectively illuminate an interior or exterior space.

[0048] An LED system is one type of illumination source. As used herein “illumination source” should be understood to include all illumination sources, including LED systems, as well as incandescent sources, including filament lamps, pyro-luminescent sources, such as flames, candle-luminescent sources, such as gas mantles and carbon arch radiation sources, as well as photo-luminescent sources, including gaseous discharges, fluorescent sources, phosphorescence sources, lasers, electro-luminescent sources, such as electro-luminescent lamps, light emitting diodes, and cathode luminescent sources using electronic satiation, as well as miscellaneous luminescent sources including galvano-luminescent sources, crystallo-luminescent sources, kine-luminescent sources, thermo-luminescent sources, triboluminescent sources, sonoluminescent sources, and radioluminescent sources. Illumination sources may also include luminescent polymers capable of producing primary colors.

[0049] The term “illuminate” should be understood to refer to the production of a frequency of radiation by an illumination source. The term “color” should be understood to refer to any frequency of radiation within a spectrum; that is, a “color,” as used herein, should be understood to encompass frequencies not only of the visible spectrum, but also frequencies in the infrared and ultraviolet areas of the spectrum, and in other areas of the electromagnetic spectrum.

[0050] The term “spectrum” should be understood to refer to any one or more frequencies (or wavelengths) of radiation produced by one or more light sources. Accordingly, the term “spectrum” refers to frequencies (or wavelengths) not only in the visible range, but also frequencies (or wavelengths) in the infrared, ultraviolet, and other areas of the overall electromagnetic spectrum. Also, a given spectrum may have a relatively narrow bandwidth (essentially few frequency or wavelength components) or a relatively wide bandwidth (several frequency or wavelength components having various relative strengths). It should also be appreciated that a given spectrum may be the result of a mixing of two or more other spectrums (e.g., mixing radiation respectively emitted from multiple light sources).

[0051] For purposes of this disclosure, the term “color” is used interchangeably with the term “spectrum.” However, the term “color” generally is used to refer primarily to a property of radiation that is perceivable by an observer (although this usage is not intended to limit the scope of this term). Accordingly, the terms “different colors” implicitly refer to different spectrums having different wavelength components and/or bandwidths. It also should be appreciated that the term “color” may be used in connection with both white and non-white light.

[0052] The term “color temperature” generally is used herein in connection with white light, although this usage is not intended to limit the scope of this term. Color temperature essentially refers to a particular color content or shade (e.g., reddish, bluish) of white light. The color temperature of a given radiation sample conventionally is characterized according to the temperature in degrees Kelvin (K) of a black body radiator that radiates essentially the same spectrum as the radiation sample in question. The color temperature of white light generally falls within a range of from approximately 700 degrees K (generally considered the first visible to the human eye) to over 10,000 degrees K.

[0053] Lower color temperatures generally indicate white light having a more significant red component or a “warmer feel,” while higher color temperatures generally indicate white light having a more significant blue component or a “cooler feel.” By way of example, a wood burning fire has a color temperature of approximately 1,800 degrees K, a conventional incandescent bulb has a color temperature of approximately 2848 degrees K, early morning daylight has a color temperature of approximately 3,000 degrees K, and overcast midday skies have a color temperature of approximately 10,000 degrees K. A color image viewed under white light having a color temperature of approximately 3,000 degree K has a relatively reddish tone, whereas the same color image viewed under white light having a color temperature of approximately 10,000 degrees K has a relatively bluish tone.

[0054] The terms “lighting unit” and “lighting fixture” are used interchangeably herein to refer to an apparatus including one or more light sources of same or different types. A given lighting unit may have any one of a variety of mounting arrangements for the light source(s), enclosure/housing arrangements and shapes, and/or electrical and mechanical connection configurations. Additionally, a given lighting unit optionally may be associated with (e.g., include, be coupled to and/or packaged together with) various other components (e.g., control circuitry) relating to the operation of the light source(s). An “LED-based lighting unit” refers to a lighting unit that includes one or more LED-based light sources as discussed above, alone or in combination with other non LED-based light sources.

[0055] The terms “processor” or “controller” are used herein interchangeably to describe various apparatus relating to the operation of one or more light sources. A processor or controller can be implemented in numerous ways, such as with dedicated hardware, using one or more microprocessors that are programmed using software (e.g., microcode or firmware) to perform the various functions discussed herein, or as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry to perform other functions.

[0056] In various implementations, a processor or controller may be associated with one or more storage media (generically referred to herein as “memory,” e.g., volatile and non-volatile computer memory such as RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM, floppy disks, compact disks, optical disks, magnetic tape, etc.). In some implementations, the storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and/or controllers, perform at least some of the functions discussed herein. Various storage media may be fixed within a processor or controller or may be transportable, such that the one or more programs stored thereon can be loaded into a processor or controller so as to implement various aspects of the present invention discussed herein. The terms “program” or “computer program” are used herein in a generic sense to refer to any type of computer code (e.g., software or microcode) that can be employed to program one or more processors or controllers, including by retrieval of stored sequences of instructions.

[0057] The term “addressable” is used herein to refer to a device (e.g., a light source in general, a lighting unit or fixture, a controller or processor associated with one or more light sources or lighting units, other non-lighting related devices, etc.) that is configured to receive information (e.g., data) intended for multiple devices, including itself, and to selectively respond to particular information intended for it. The term “addressable” often is used in connection with a networked environment (or a “network,” discussed further below), in which multiple devices are coupled together via some communications medium or media.

[0058] In one implementation, one or more devices coupled to a network may serve as a controller for one or more other devices coupled to the network (e.g., in a master/slave relationship). In another implementation, a networked environment may include one or more dedicated controllers that are configured to control one or more of the devices coupled to the network. Generally, multiple devices coupled to the network each may have access to data that is present on the communications medium or media; however, a given device may be “addressable” in that it is configured to selectively exchange data with (i.e., receive data from and/or transmit data to) the network, based, for example, on one or more particular identifiers (e.g., “addresses”) assigned to it.

[0059] The term “network” as used herein refers to any interconnection of two or more devices (including controllers or processors) that facilitates the transport of information (e.g. for device control, data storage, data exchange, etc.) between any two or more devices and/or among multiple devices coupled to the network. As should be readily appreciated, various implementations of networks suitable for interconnecting multiple devices may include any of a variety of network topologies and employ any of a variety of communication protocols. Additionally, in various networks according to the present invention, any one connection between two devices may represent a dedicated connection between the two systems, or alternatively a non-dedicated connection. In addition to carrying information intended for the two devices, such a non-dedicated connection may carry information not necessarily intended for either of the two devices (e.g., an open network connection). Furthermore, it should be readily appreciated that various networks of devices as discussed herein may employ one or more wireless, wire/cable, and/or fiber optic links to facilitate information transport throughout the network.

[0060] The lighting systems described herein may also include a user interface used to change and or select the lighting effects displayed by the lighting system. The communication between the user interface and the processor may be accomplished through wired or wireless transmission. The term “user interface” as used herein refers to an interface between a human user or operator and one or more devices that enables communication between the user and the device(s). Examples of user interfaces that may be employed in various implementations of the present invention include, but are not limited to, switches, human-machine interfaces, operator interfaces, potentiometers, buttons, dials, sliders, a mouse, keyboard, keypad, various types of game controllers (e.g., joysticks), track balls, display screens, various types of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), touch screens, microphones and other types of sensors that may receive some form of human-generated stimulus and generate a signal in response thereto.

[0061] The following patents and patent applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference:

[0062] U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,038, issued Jan. 18, 2000, entitled “Multicolored LED Lighting Method and Apparatus;”

[0063] U.S. Pat. No. 6,211,626, issued Apr. 3, 2001 to Lys et al, entitled “Illumination Components;”

[0064] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/870,193, filed May 30, 2001, entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Controlling Devices in a Networked Lighting System;”

[0065] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/344,699, filed Jun. 25, 1999, entitled “Method for Software Driven Generation of Multiple Simultaneous High Speed Pulse Width Modulated Signals;”

[0066] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/805,368, filed Mar. 13, 2001, entitled “Light-Emitting Diode Based Products;”

[0067] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/663,969, filed Sep. 19, 2000, entitled “Universal Lighting Network Methods and Systems;”

[0068] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/716,819, filed Nov. 20, 2000, entitled “Systems and Methods for Generating and Modulating Illumination Conditions;”

[0069] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/675,419, filed Sep. 29, 2000, entitled “Systems and Methods for Calibrating Light Output by Light-Emitting Diodes;”

[0070] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/870,418, filed May 30, 2001, entitled “A Method and Apparatus for Authoring and Playing Back Lighting Sequences;” and

[0071] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/045,629, filed Oct. 25, 2001, entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Controlling Illumination.”