Solid State Semiconductor LED Replacement for Fluorescent Lamps

Abstract

Various apparatuses and methods for replacing a fluorescent lamp with a non-fluorescent tube are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide an apparatus for replacing a fluorescent lamp, including an electrical connector adapted to electrically connect to a fluorescent lamp fixture, a DC rectifier connected to the electrical connector, a voltage converter connected to the DC rectifier, and a non-fluorescent light source connected to the voltage converter. The DC rectifier, voltage converter and non-fluorescent light source are substantially contained within a housing that is physically configured to replace the fluorescent lamp in a fluorescent lamp fixture.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for replacing a fluorescent lamp, the apparatus comprising:
 a constant current driver operable to receive electrical current from a fluorescent lamp fixture and operable to power a non-fluorescent light source, wherein the constant current driver comprises startup and feedback circuitry operable to simulate the electrical behavior of a fluorescent tube when no fluorescent tube is installed in the fluorescent lamp fixture.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the non-fluorescent light source comprises at least one organic light emitting diode. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the constant current driver is operable to be dimmed by a wall dimmer. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the constant current driver is operable to receive the electrical current from a magnetic ballast in the fluorescent lamp fixture. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the constant current driver is operable to receive the electrical current from an electronic ballast in the fluorescent lamp fixture. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the constant current driver is operable to control a color of the non-fluorescent light source. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the non-fluorescent light source comprises a red, green and blue light source. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the constant current driver is operable to store color choices. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a housing containing the constant current driver, and comprising a color filter in the housing. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the constant current driver is operable to operate with magnetic and electronic ballasts in the fluorescent lamp fixture. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the constant current driver is operable to receive the electrical current from the fluorescent lamp fixture when no ballast is installed in the fluorescent light fixture. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising power factor correction circuitry connected to the constant current driver. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a dimming control circuit connected to the constant current driver and operable to control dimming of the power to the non-fluorescent light source. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the dimming control circuit comprises a wireless interface operable to control the constant current driver. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the wireless interface comprises an infrared interface. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the wireless interface comprises an optical interface. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the dimming control circuit comprises a wired interface operable to control the constant current driver. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the dimming control circuit comprises a digital addressable lighting interface operable to control the constant current driver. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the dimming control circuit comprises a 0 to 10 volt interface operable to control the constant current driver. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a light sensor input operable to control dimming of the power to the non-fluorescent light source.