Multiple LED control apparatus and method

Abstract

One embodiment of a system for illuminating multiple LEDs comprises a plurality of LEDs and a controller programmed to provide a plurality of serial binary signals, each of which drives a respective one of the plurality of LEDs. Each of the serial binary signals comprises a series of pulses with each of said plurality of LEDs emitting light during each pulse of its respective one of the serial binary signals. The emitting intensity of each of the plurality of LEDs depends on the number of pulses in its respective one of the serial binary signals, wherein the light from the plurality of LEDs combines to emit a color of light.

1 . A light emitting system, comprising: 
 one or more light emitters; and    a controller connected to activate said one or more light emitters, said controller providing a respective signal to each of said one or more emitters, said respective signals comprising a series of pulses having substantially the same width, each of said one ore more emitters emitting light in response to each of said pulses.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said controller accepts a plurality of control inputs to control the color or mode of light from said emitters, said controller generating different ones of said signals according to the state of said control inputs.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of transistors, each of which is coupled to a respective one of said emitters, a respective one of said signals coupled to one of said transistors, said transistor causing its respective one of said LEDs to emit light during each pulse of its signal.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said signals comprises a series of 8-bit binary words generated by said controller.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said pulses is approximately the same voltage.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said light emitters comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).  
   
   
       7 . A lighting system, comprising: 
 a plurality of light emitters connected to produce an output spectrum, wherein at least two of said light emitters are different colors;    a controller connected to control the brightness of each of said light emitters, said controller inputting a respective serial binary signal comprising a series of pulses having substantially the same width to each of said emitters, said emitters emitting light in response to said pulses; and    wherein the brightness of each of said emitters is proportional to the number of pulses input to said emitter over a time period such that the color of said output spectrum is controlled by selectively adjusting the brightness of said differently colored emitters.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of emitters comprises at least three different colors of emitters.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of emitters comprises at least one red emitter, at least one green emitter and at least one blue emitter.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein an input to the controller controls the color or mode of light from said emitters, said controller generating different ones of said plurality of serial binary signals according to the state of said control input.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said system is housed in a channel letter.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said system is housed in a spa unit.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said light emitters comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).  
   
   
       14 . A light emitter, comprising: 
 a plurality of light emitters; and    a controller connected to adjust the brightness of each of said emitters, said controller inputting a respective serial binary signal comprising a series of pulses having substantially uniform width to each of said emitters, said emitters emitting light in response to said pulses;    wherein the brightness of each emitter is proportional to the number of pulses input to said emitter over a time period.    
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said light emitters comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said light emitters comprise at least one red emitter, at least one green emitter and at least one blue emitter.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the brightness of said differently colored emitters are controlled to provide an output spectrum having a desired color.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said controller accepts one or more control inputs to control the color or mode of light from said emitters, said controller generating different ones of said plurality of serial binary signals depending on the state of said control inputs.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of transistors, each of which is coupled to a respective one of said plurality of emitters, a respective one of said serial binary signals coupled to one of said transistors, said transistor causing its respective one of said emitters to emit light during each pulse of its serial binary signal.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein each of said serial binary signals comprises a series of 8-bit binary words generated by said controller.