Lighting apparatuses and led modules for both illumination and optical communication

Abstract

Lighting apparatuses and LED modules capable of both illumination and data transmission are disclosed. An exemplifying lighting apparatus has a LED module and a modulator. The LED module comprises a plurality of LED cells connected as a LED chain having two conductive pads. The light emitted from the LED module is visible. The modulator provides driving current to the LED module to transmit data.

1 . An LED module, comprising:
 a modulator;   a first LED chain, connected to the modulator, comprising a first group of LED cells and configured to emit a first light, wherein the first light comprises a digital data over a signal carrier;   a driver independent from the modulator in controlling an emission of light;   a second LED chain, connected to the driver, comprising a second group of LED cells, and configured to emit a second light which is independent from an emission of the first light; and   a wavelength conversion layer associated with the first LED chain and disassociated with the second LED chain.   
     
     
         2 . The LED module of  claim 1 , further comprising first conductive pads connected to the first LED chain and second conductive pads connected to the second LED chain, wherein the first conductive pads and the second conductive pads share a common conductive pad. 
     
     
         3 . The LED module of  claim 2 , wherein the first LED chain comprises a first-type contact layer, the second LED chain comprises a second-type contact layer, the first-type and the second-type contact layers are electrically coupled to the common conductive pad. 
     
     
         4 . The LED module of  claim 2 , wherein the first LED chain comprises a p-type contact layer, the second LED chain comprises an n-type contact layer, the p-type contact layer and the n-type contact layer are electrically coupled to the common conductive pad under which an insulating layer is formed. 
     
     
         5 . The LED module of  claim 1 , wherein the second LED chain comprises an LED cell having an area of not greater than 121 mil 2 . 
     
     
         6 . The LED module of  claim 1 , wherein the first LED chain is capable of emitting a color light which is different from that emitted from the second LED chain. 
     
     
         7 . The LED module of  claim 1 , wherein the first LED chain comprises at least one LED cell capable of emitting a color light different from that emitted from another LED cell in the second LED chain. 
     
     
         8 . The LED module of  claim 1 , wherein the second LED chain has less LED cells than the first LED chain. 
     
     
         9 . The LED module of  claim 1 , further comprising a substrate having an area between 1.21*10 2  and 1*10 5  mil 2 . 
     
     
         10 . The LED module of  claim 1 , wherein the signal carrier has a frequency imperceptible to human eyes. 
     
     
         11 . The LED module of  claim 1 , wherein the LED module is capable of receiving data in a way of power line communication. 
     
     
         12 . The LED module of  claim 1 , wherein the first LED chain comprises a first LED, the second LED chain comprises a second LED, wherein the second LED has an area greater than that of the first LED. 
     
     
         13 . The LED module of  claim 1 , wherein the first light has a wavelength spectrum having a peak which is not affected by the second light. 
     
     
         14 . An LED module, comprising:
 a modulator;   an LED module configured to emit a light comprising a digital data over a signal carrier by the modulator; and   a wavelength conversion layer bonded to the LED module.