Intelligent drive circuit for a light emitting diode (LED) light engine

Abstract

A controller for controlling a light emitting diode (LED) light engine. The controller includes a temperature sensor configured to sensor temperature at the LED light engine. A current sensor senses a drive current of the LED light engine. A voltage differential sensor senses a voltage differential across LEDs of the LED light engine. A timer monitors a time of operation of the LED light engine. Further, a control device controls the drive current to the LED light engine based on the sensed temperature, the sensed drive current, the sensed voltage differential, and the monitored time of operation. Further, the control device outputs an indication of intensity degradation of an LED, and if the intensity degradation exceeds a predetermined threshold the control can output an indication of such to a user, so that the user can be apprised that the LED needs to be changed.

1 - 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . A controller for controlling a light emitting diode (LED) light engine comprising: 
 a controller configured to determine if a degradation slope of the LED light engine exceeds a predetermined threshold, and configured to vary an intensity of a drive current to the LED light engine for a predetermined period of time in a transition of the LED light engine from an ON or OFF state when it is determined that the degradation slope exceeds the predetermined threshold.    
   
   
       8 - 13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A controller for controlling a light emitting diode (LED) light engine comprising: 
 means for controlling for determining if a degradation slope of the LED light engine exceeds a predetermined threshold, and for varying an intensity of a drive current to the LED light engine for a predetermined period of time in a transition of the LED light engine from an ON or OFF state when it is determined that the degradation slope exceeds the predetermined threshold.