Abstract:
An AC LED package and circuits are disclosed along with an AC LED driver. The AC LED circuit may include as few as one LED or an array of anti-parallel LEDs driven with AC power sources and AC LED drivers at various voltages and frequencies. The AC LEDs are pre-packaged in various forms and materials and designed for mains or high frequency coupling in various forms to AC power sources, inverter type drivers or packages. The AC LED driver is a fixed frequency driver that provides a relatively constant voltage output to different size loads within the wattage limitation of the driver and in some cases is a direct mains power source.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/066,414 filed Feb. 25, 2005, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 7,489,086, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/547,653, filed Feb. 25, 2004 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/559,867, filed Apr. 6, 2004, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) and LED drivers. The present invention specifically relates to alternating current (“AC”) driven LEDs, LED circuits and AC drive circuits and methods. 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) and LED drivers. The present invention specifically relates to alternating current (“AC”) driven LEDs, LED circuits and AC drive circuits and methods. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     LEDs are semiconductor devices that produce light when a current is supplied to them. LEDs are intrinsically DC devices that only pass current in one polarity and historically have been driven by DC voltage sources using resistors, current regulators and voltage regulators to limit the voltage and current delivered to the LED. Some LEDs have resistors built into the LED package providing a higher voltage LED typically driven with 5V DC or 12V DC. 
     With proper design considerations LEDs may be driven more efficiently with AC than with DC drive schemes. LED based lighting may be used for general lighting, specialty lighting, signs and decoration such as for Christmas tree lighting. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,147 entitled LED LIGHT STRING SYSTEM to Lanzisera (hereinafter “Lanzisera”) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,999 entitled STRING OF LIGHTS SPECIFICATION to Leake (hereinafter “Leake”) describes different forms of LED based light strings. In both Lanzisera and Leake, exemplary light strings are described employing purely parallel wiring of discrete LED lamps using a step-down transformer and rectifier power conversion scheme. This type of LED light string converts input electrical power, usually assumed to be the common U.S. household power of 110 VAC, to a low voltage, rectified to nearly DC input. 
     Pat. Pending Application No. 0015968A1 entitled PREFERRED EMBODIMENT TO LED LIGHT STRING to Allen (hereinafter “Allen”) discloses AC powered LED-based light strings. Allen describes LED light strings employing series parallel blocks with a voltage matching requirement for direct AC drive placing fundamental restrictions on the number of diodes (LEDs) on each diode series block, depending on the types of diodes used. Allen discloses that for the forward voltage to be “matched,” in each series block, the peak input voltage must be less than or equal to the sum of the maximum forward voltages for each series block in order to prevent over-driving. 
     LEDs can be operated from an AC source more efficiently if they are connected in an “opposing parallel” configuration as shown by WO98/02020 and JP 11/330561. More efficient LED lighting systems can be designed using high frequency AC drivers as shown by Patent Publication Number 20030122502 entitled Light Emitting Diode Driver (“Clauberg et. al.”) Clauberg et. al. discloses that higher frequency inverters may be used to drive an opposing parallel LED pair, an opposing parallel LED string and/or an opposing parallel LED matrix by coupling the LEDs to a high frequency inverter through a resonant impedance circuit that includes a first capacitor coupled in series to one or more inductors with the impedance circuit coupled in series to opposing parallel LEDs with each set of LEDs having a second series capacitor in series to the impedance circuit. In this system additional opposing parallel configurations of LEDs with capacitors may not be added to or removed from the output of the driver without effecting the lumens output of the previously connected LED circuits unless the driver or components at the driver and/or the opposing parallel LED capacitors were replaced with proper values. By adding or removing the opposing parallel LED circuits the voltage would increase or drop at the inductor and the current would increase or drop through the first series capacitor as the load changed therefore the inductor and all capacitors or entire driver would need to be replaced or adjusted each time additional LEDs were added to or removed from the system. 
     Patent application number US2004/0080941 entitled Light Emitting Diodes For High AC Voltage Operation And General Lighting discloses that a plurality of opposing parallel series strings of LEDs can be integrated into a single chip and driven with high voltage low frequency mains AC power sources as long as there are enough LEDs in each opposing parallel series string of LEDs to drop the total source voltage across the series LEDs within the chip. Patent numbers WO2004023568 and JP2004006582 disclose that a plurality of opposing parallel series strings or opposing parallel series matrix of LEDs can be integrated into a single chip and mounted on an insulating substrate and driven with a high drive voltage and low drive current as long as there are enough LEDs in each opposing parallel series string of LEDs to drop the total source voltage across the series LEDs within the chip. These patents and application disclose that for single chip or packaged LED circuits a plurality of opposing parallel series strings are required with the total number of LEDs in each series string needing to be equal to or greater than the AC voltage source in order to drop the total forward voltage and provide the required drive current when driven direct with low frequency AC mains power sources. 
     The present invention addresses the above-noted shortcomings of the prior art while providing additional benefits and advantages 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one broad aspect of the invention a lighting system is provided having two or more LED circuits. Each LED circuit has at least two diodes connected to each other in opposing parallel relation, at least one of which such diodes is an LED. At least one capacitor is connected to and is part of each opposing parallel LED circuit. The capacitor has only one end connected to the opposing parallel LEDs. A driver is connected to the one or more LED circuits, the driver providing AC voltage and current to the one or more LED circuits. The driver and the LED circuits form a driven circuit. The driver and the LED circuits are also configured such that LED circuits may be added to or subtracted (intentionally or by component failure) from the driven circuit:
         (a) without significantly affecting the pre-determined desired output range of light from any individual LED; and,   (b) without the need to: (i) change the value of any discrete component; or, (ii) to add or subtract any discrete components, of any of the pre-existing driven circuit components which remain after the change. In another embodiment of the invention at least one resistor is connected to and is part of each opposing parallel LED circuit noted above. The resistor is connected in series with the at least one capacitor.       

     According to another aspect of the invention LED circuit (sometimes referred to as an “AC LED”) can comprise two opposing parallel LEDs, an opposing parallel LED string or an opposing parallel LED matrix having a capacitor in series to at least one junction of the connected opposing parallel configurations within a single chip, a single package, an assembly or a module. 
     When a real capacitor is connected in series in one or more lines between an LED and an AC power source, there is a displacement current through that capacity of magnitude: I=2πfCV. The capacitor in the LED circuits of the invention regulates the amount of current and forward voltage delivered to the one or more opposing parallel LEDs based on the voltage and frequency provided by the AC driver. Based on the number of LEDs in the LED circuit the opposing parallel connections provide two or more junctions for at least one series capacitor to be connected in series of at least one power connection lead. In some embodiments, LED circuits use a series resistor in addition to the capacitor providing an “RC” resistor capacitor network for certain LED circuit driver coupling that does not provide protection against surge currents to the LED circuits. 
     It should be noted that “package” or “packaged” is defined herein as an integrated unit meant to be used as a discrete component in either of the manufacture, assembly, installation, or modification of an LED lighting device or system. Such a package includes LED&#39;s of desired characteristics with capacitors and or resistors sized relative to the specifications of the chosen opposing parallel LED&#39;s to which they will be connected in series and with respect to a predetermined AC voltage and frequency. 
     Preferred embodiments of a package may include an insulating substrate whereon the LEDs, capacitors and or resistors are formed or mounted. In such preferred embodiments of a package the substrate will include electrodes or leads for uniform connection of the package to a device or system associated with an AC driver or power source. The electrodes, leads, and uniform connection may include any currently known means including mechanical fit, and/or soldering. The substrate may be such as sapphire, silicon carbide, galium nitride, ceramics, printed circuit board material, or other materials for hosting circuit components. 
     A package in certain applications may preferably also include a heat sink, a reflective material, a lens for directing light, phosphor, nano-chrystals or other light changing or enhancing substances. In sum, according to one aspect of the invention, the LED circuits and AC drivers of the present invention permit pre-packaging of the LED portion of a lighting system to be used with standardized drivers of known specified voltage and frequency output. Such packages can be of varied make up and can be combined with each other to create desired systems given the scalable and compatible arrangements possible with, and resulting from, the invention. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, AC driven LED circuits (or “driven circuits”) permit or enable lighting systems where LED circuits may be added to or subtracted (either by choice or by way of a failure of a diode) from the driven circuit without significantly affecting the pre-determined desired output range of light from any individual LED and, without the need to: (i) change the value of any discrete component; or, (ii) to add or subtract any discrete components, of any of the pre-existing driven circuit components which remain after the change. During design of a lighting system, one attribute of the LEDs chosen will be the amount of light provided during operation. In this context, it should be understood that depending on the operating parameters of the driver chosen, the stability or range of the voltage and frequency of the driver will vary from the nominal specification based upon various factors including but not limited to, the addition or subtraction of the LED circuits to which it becomes connected or disconnected. Accordingly, as sometimes referred to herein, drivers according to the invention are described as providing “relatively constant” or “fixed” voltage and frequency. The extent of this relative range may be considered in light of the acceptable range of light output desired from the resulting circuit at the before, during, or after a change has been made to the lighting system as a whole. Thus it will be expected that a pre-determined range of desired light output will be determined within which the driven LED circuits of the invention will perform whether or not additional or different LED circuits have been added or taken out of the driven circuit as a whole. 
     According to another aspect of the invention and LED circuit may be at least one pre-packaged LED and one pre-packaged diode connected together opposing parallel of each other, two opposing parallel pre-packaged LEDs, an opposing parallel LED string of pre-packaged LEDs or an opposing parallel LED matrix of pre-packaged LEDs having a capacitor in series of at least one junction of the connected LED circuits. The LED circuit capacitor allows for direct coupling of at least one LED circuit to the LED driver without additional series components such as capacitors and/or inductors between the LED circuit driver and the LED circuits. The LED circuit driver provides a relatively fixed voltage and relatively fixed frequency AC output even with changes to the load using feedback AC voltage regulator circuitry. The LED circuit&#39;s may be directly coupled and scaled in quantity to the LED circuit driver without affecting the other LED circuit&#39;s lumen output as long as the LED circuit driver maintains a relatively fixed voltage and relatively fixed frequency AC output. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, an LED circuit driver provides a relatively fixed voltage and relatively fixed frequency AC output such as mains power sources. The LED circuit driver output voltage and frequency delivered to the LED circuit may be higher or lower than mains power voltage and frequencies by using an LED circuit inverter driver. The LED circuit inverter driver providing higher frequencies is required for LED circuits that are integrated into small form LED packages that include integrated capacitors or resistor capacitor “RC” networks. The LED circuit inverter driver has feedback circuitry such as a resistor divider network or other means allowing it to sense changes to the load and re-adjust the frequency and/or voltage output of the LED circuit driver to a desired relatively fixed value. The LED circuit driver may also provide a soft-start feature that reduces or eliminates any surge current from being delivered to the LED circuit when the LED circuit driver is turned on. Higher frequency and lower voltage LED circuit inverter drivers are preferred enabling smaller package designs of LED circuits as the capacitor at higher frequencies would be reduced in size making it easier to integrate into a single LED circuit chip, package, assembly or module. 
     According to the invention LED circuits may have a resistor capacitor (“RC”) network connected together in series or separate to the connected junction or junctions of the LED circuits. The maximum resistor value needed is only that value of resistance needed to protect the one or more LEDs within the LED circuit from surge currents that may be delivered by LED circuit drivers that do not provide soft start or other anti surge current features. Direct mains power coupling would require RC network type LED circuits as the mains power source delivers surge currents when directly coupled to an LED circuit. 
     The higher frequency LED circuit inverter driver may be a halogen or high intensity discharge (HID) lamp type driver with design modifications for providing a relatively fixed voltage and relatively fixed frequency output as the LED circuit load changes. Meaning if the LED circuit inverter driver is designed to have an output voltage of 12V at a frequency of 50 Khz the LED circuit driver would provide this output as a relatively constant output to a load having one or more than one LED circuits up to the wattage limit of the LED circuit driver even if LED circuits were added to or removed from the output of the LED circuit driver. 
     The higher frequency inverter having a relatively fixed voltage and relatively fixed frequency output allows for smaller components to be used and provides a known output providing a standard reference High Frequency LED circuit driver enabling LED circuits to be manufactured in volume in existing or reasonably similar LED package sizes with integrated capacitors or RC networks based on the number of LEDs desired in the LED circuit package. 
     Patent publication number 20030122502 entitled Light Emitting Diode driver (Clauberg and Erhardt) does not disclose the use of a high frequency inverter driver having a means or keeping a relatively fixed voltage and relatively frequency in response to changes in the load. According to the present invention described herein, by not having additional components such as an inductor or capacitor in series between the LED circuit and the LED circuit driver one LED circuit at a time may be added to or removed from the LED circuit driver output without having to change any components, the LED circuit driver or make adjustments to the LED circuit driver. Additionally, according to this invention the lumen output of the existing LED circuits stays relatively constant due to the self-regulating nature of each individual LED circuit when driven with the relatively fixed frequency and voltage of the LED circuit driver. This level of scalability, single chip LED circuit packaging and standardization is not possible with the prior art using an inductor in series between the LEDs or other components due to the voltage or current increase or drop across the inductors and capacitors in response to changes in the load. 
     Prior art for single chip LED circuits, for example those disclosed in 02004023568 and JP2004006582 do not provide a way to reduce the number of LEDs within the chip below the total forward voltage drop requirements of the source. The present invention however, enables an LED circuit to be made with any number of LEDs within a single chip, package or module by using capacitors or RC networks to reduce the number of LEDs needed to as few as one single LED. Improved reliability, integration, product and system scalability and solid state lighting design simplicity may be realized with LED circuits and the LED circuit drivers. Individual LED circuits being the same or different colors, each requiring different forward voltages and currents may be driven from a single source LED circuit driver. Each individual LED circuit can self-regulate current by matching the capacitor or RC network value of the LED circuit to the known relatively fixed voltage and frequency of the LED circuit driver whether the LED circuit driver is a mains power source, a high frequency LED circuit driver or other LED circuit driver capable of providing a relatively fixed voltage and relatively fixed frequency output. 
     This again is premised upon the fact that when a real capacitor is connected in series in one or more lines between an LED and an AC power source, there is a displacement current through that capacity of magnitude: I=2πfCV. This means that one can predetermine the amount of current to be delivered through a capacitance based upon a known voltage and frequency of an AC source. 
     According to other aspects of the invention, the LED circuit driver may be coupled to a dimmer switch that regulates voltage or frequency or may have integrated circuitry that allows for adjustability of the otherwise relatively fixed voltage and/or relatively fixed frequency output of the LED circuit driver. The LED circuits get brighter as the voltage and/or frequency of the LED circuit driver output is increased to the LED circuits. 
     One form of the invention is at least one LED and one diode connected together opposing parallel of each other, two opposing parallel LEDs, an opposing parallel LED string and/or opposing parallel LED matrix having a capacitor in series of at least one connected junction of the connected opposing parallel LED configurations within a single chip, a single package, an assembly or a module. The LED circuit with capacitor may be placed on an insulating substrates such as but not necessarily ceramic or sapphire and/or within various LED package sizes; materials and designs based of product specifications or assembled on printed circuit board material. The integrated LED circuit capacitor is of a predetermined value enabling the LED circuit to self-regulate a reasonably constant and specific current when coupled to an LED circuit driver that provides a relatively fixed voltage and frequency output. The LED circuit capacitor may be of a value needed to provide the typical operating voltage and current of the LED circuit when designed for coupling to a specific LED circuit driver. 
     Another form of the invention is an LED circuit comprising at least one LED and one diode connected together opposing parallel of each other, two opposing parallel LEDs, an opposing parallel LED string and/or opposing parallel LED matrix having a series resistor capacitor (“RC”) network connected together in series or independently in series between at least one connected junction of the opposing parallel LEDs and the respective power connection of the LED circuit. The opposing parallel LEDs and RC network may be placed on an insulating substrate such as but not necessarily ceramic or sapphire and/or within various LED package sizes; materials and designs based of product specifications or assembled on printed circuit board material. The LED circuit RC network may be of a value needed to provide the typical operating voltage and current of the LED circuit when designed for coupling to a specific LED circuit driver. 
     Another form of the invention is an LED circuit comprising a matrix of two opposing parallel LEDs connected together in parallel with every two opposing parallel LEDs having an individual capacitor in series to the power source connection. The entire parallel array of opposing parallel LED circuits including capacitors may be may be placed on an insulating substrate such as but not necessarily ceramic or sapphire and/or within various LED package sizes; materials and designs based of product specifications or assembled on printed circuit board material. The opposing parallel matrix of LED circuits integrated in the LED circuit package may be RC network type LED circuits. 
     Another form of the invention is an LED circuit comprising a matrix of opposing parallel LEDs connected together in parallel with every set of opposing parallel LEDs having an individual RC network in series to the power connection lead. 
     Another form of the invention is an LED circuit comprising a matrix of opposing parallel LEDs connected together in parallel, a capacitor connected in series to at least one side of the line going to the matrix of opposing parallel LEDs with every set of opposing parallel LEDs having an individual resistor in series to the power connection. 
     Yet another form of the invention is an LED circuit comprising opposing parallel series strings of LEDs connected together and driven direct with a high frequency AC voltage equal to or less than to total series voltage drop of the opposing parallel series strings of LEDs within the LED circuit. 
     Another form of the invention comprises a method of driving LED circuits direct from an AC power source (“LED circuit driver”) having a relatively fixed voltage and relatively fixed frequency. The LED circuit driver may be a mains power source, the output of a transformer, a generator or an inverter driver that provides a relatively fixed voltage and relatively fixed frequency as the load changes and may be a higher or lower frequency than the frequencies of mains power sources. The LED circuit driver provides a relatively fixed voltage and relatively fixed frequency output even when one or more LED circuits are added to or removed from the output of the LED circuit driver. Higher frequency inverters with lower output voltages are used as one LED circuit driver in order to reduce component size and simplify manufacturing and standardization of LED circuits through the availability of higher frequency LED circuit drivers. The LED circuit driver may also include circuitry that reduces or eliminates surge current offering a soft-start feature by using MOSFET transistors, IGBT transistors or other electronic means. The LED circuit driver may also be pulsed outputs at a higher or lower frequency than the primary frequency. 
     Another form of the invention is a LED lighting system comprising a LED circuit array having a plurality of different LED circuits each drawing the same or different currents and delivering the same or different lumen outputs that may be the same or different colors and an LED circuit driver coupled to the LED circuit array. The LED circuit driver delivering a relatively fixed t frequency and voltage output allows for mixing and matching of LED circuits requiring different forward voltages and drive currents. The LED circuits may be connected to the output of an LED circuit driver in parallel one LED circuit at a time within the limit of the wattage rating of the LED circuit driver with no need to change or adjust the LED circuit driver as would typically be required with DC drivers and LEDs when increasing or reducing the load with LEDs and other components. Never having to go back to the power source allows for more efficient integration and scalability of lighting systems designed with LED circuits. Introducing an inductor and/or an additional capacitor such as the impedance circuit described in prior art between the LED circuit drive source and the LED circuits would require changes to the driver or components and prohibit scalability, standardization and mass production of AC-LEDs with integrated capacitors or RC networks. 
     With the LED circuit driver providing a known relatively constant AC voltage and frequency, mass production of various LED circuits with specific capacitor or RC network values would deliver 20 mA, 150 mA or 350 mA or any other desired current to the LED circuit based on the output of the specified LED circuit driver. The relatively fixed voltage and frequency allows for standardization of LED circuits through the standardization of LED circuit drivers. 
     In another aspect, a transistor is coupled to at least one power connection of the LED circuit or built into the LED circuit package in series between the power connection lead and the LED circuit with the transistor being operable to control (e.g., varying or diverting) the flow of the alternating current through the LED circuit through a capacitance within the transistor. 
     The foregoing forms as well as other forms, features and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the present invention rather than limiting, the scope of the present invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 15  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 19  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 20A  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 20B  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 20C  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 20D  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 20E  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 21  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 22  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 23  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 24  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 25  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; and, 
         FIG. 26  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  discloses a schematic diagram of a light emitting device  10  for an AC driver according to the invention. The device  10  includes a first LED  12  connected to a second LED  14  in opposing parallel configuration, a capacitor  16  connected in series between a first junction  18  of the two opposing parallel LEDs, a first power connection  20  connected to the two opposing parallel LEDs, and a second power connection  22  connected to a second junction  24  of the two opposing parallel connected LEDs. A diode may be used in place of LED  12  or LED  14 . 
       FIG. 2  discloses a schematic diagram of a light emitting device  26  for an LED circuit driver according to the invention. The device  26  includes the device  10  as disclosed in  FIG. 1  mounted on an insulating substrate  28  such as but not necessarily ceramic or sapphire and integrated into an LED package  30  that may be various LED package sizes; materials and designs based of product specifications or on printed circuit board material. The device  26  provides power connection leads  32  and may have a first or additional lens  34  that may be made of a plastic, polymer or other material used for light dispersion and the lens may be coated or doped with a phosphor or nano-particle that would produce a change in the color or quality of light emitted from the device  10  through the lens  34 . 
       FIG. 3  discloses a schematic diagram of a device  36  having a schematic diagram of a light emitting device  26  driven directly by an AC driver  38  that is connected to the power connections  32  of the device  26  without any additional components in series between the AC driver  38  and the device  26  such as a capacitor, inductor or resistor. The AC driver  38  provides a relatively constant AC voltage and frequency output to the device  26  no matter what the total load of the device  26  may be or the number of devices  26  changed as long as the load does not exceed the wattage limitation of the AC driver  38 . The AC driver  38  may be a generator, a mains power source, or an inverter capable of providing a relatively fixed voltage and relatively fixed frequency output to different size loads. The AC driver may provide a low or high voltage and a low or high frequency to the device  26  according to the invention as long as the capacitor  16  is the proper value for the desired operation of the device  26 . 
       FIG. 4  discloses a schematic diagram of a light emitting device  40  for coupling to an LED circuit driver according to the invention. The device  40  includes a first LED  42  connected to a second LED  44  in opposing parallel configuration. A capacitor  46  is connected in series between a first junction  48  of the two opposing parallel LEDs and a first power connection  50 . A resistor  52  is connected in series between a second junction  54  of the two opposing parallel LEDs and a second power connection  56 . A diode may be used in place of LED  42  or LED  44  and the resistor  52  may be put in series on either end of the capacitor  46  as an alternate location. 
       FIG. 5  discloses a schematic diagram of a light emitting device  58  for LED circuit drivers according to the invention. The device  58  includes the device  40  as disclosed in  FIG. 4  integrated into a package as disclosed in the device  26  in  FIG. 2 . The device  58  provides power connection leads for connecting to an AC driver  38  as disclosed in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 6  discloses a diagram of a light emitting device  64  for coupling to an LED circuit driver according to the invention. The device  64  includes a first series string of LEDs  66  connected to a second series string of LEDs  68  in opposing parallel configuration, a capacitor  70  connected in series between a first junction  72  of the opposing parallel series string of LEDs and a first power connection  74 , and a second power connection  76  connected to a second junction  78  of the opposing parallel series string of LEDs. A diode may be used in place of one or more LEDs  66  and one or more of LEDs  68  and the LEDs  66  and  68  are integrated into a package  80  as described in the package  30  disclosed in  FIG. 2 . along with capacitor  70 . 
       FIG. 7  discloses a diagram of a light emitting device  82  for AC drive according to the invention. The device  82  includes a first series string of LEDs  84  connected to a second series string of LEDs  86  in opposing parallel configuration, a capacitor  88  connected in series between a first junction  90  of the opposing parallel series string of LEDs and a first power connection  92 , and a resistor  94  connected in series between a second junction  96  of the opposing parallel series string of LEDs and a second power connection  98 . A diode may be used in place of one or more LEDs  84  and one or more of LEDs  86  and the LEDs  84  and  86  are integrated into a package  100  as described in the package  30  disclosed in  FIG. 2  along with capacitor  88  and resistor  94 . The resistor  94  may be put in series on either end of the capacitor  88  as an alternate location. 
       FIG. 8  discloses a diagram of a light emitting device  102  according to the invention. The device  102  includes a first series string of LEDs  104  connected to a second series string of LEDs  106  in opposing parallel configuration. A first power connection  108  is connected to a first junction  110  of the opposing parallel series string of LEDs and a second power connection  112  is connected to a second junction  114  of the opposing parallel series string of LEDs. A diode may be used in place of one or more LEDs  104  and one or more of LEDs  106  and the LEDs  104  and  106  are integrated into a package  118  as described in the package  30  disclosed in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 9  discloses a circuit diagram of a light emitting device  120  according to the invention. The device  120  is similar to the device disclosed in  FIG. 5  and includes a second series resistor  122  that can be placed in series on either side of the first capacitor  46 . 
       FIG. 10  discloses a diagram of a light emitting device  124  according to the invention. The device  124  is similar to the device disclosed in  FIG. 2  and includes a second series capacitor  126  connected in series between the junction  128  of the opposing parallel LEDs and a power connection  130 . 
       FIG. 11  discloses a diagram of a light emitting device  130  according to the invention. The device  130  has a matrix of individual light emitting devices  10  as described in  FIG. 1  integrated into a package  132  similar to package  30  as described in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 12  discloses a diagram of a light emitting device  134  according to the invention. The device  134  has a matrix of individual light emitting devices  40  as described in  FIG. 4  integrated into a package  136  similar to package  30  as described in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 13  discloses a diagram of a light emitting device  138  according to the invention. The device  138  has a matrix of individual sets of 2 opposing parallel light emitting devices  140  with each set having an individual series resistor to connect to a first power connection  140  and a capacitor  146  connected in series between a second power connection and the matrix of devices  140 . The capacitor  146  may alternately be in series between the first power connection  144  and all resistors  142 . The matrix of devices  140 , resistors  142  and capacitor  146  are integrated into a package  150  similar to package  30  as described in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 14  discloses a diagram of a light emitting device  152  according to the invention. The device  152  includes another version of a series opposing parallel LED matrix  154  and a capacitor  156  connected in series between a first junction  158  of the opposing parallel LED matrix  154  and a first power connection, and a second power connection  162  connected to a second junction  164  of the opposing parallel LED matrix. A first power connection  108  is connected to a first junction  110  of the opposing parallel series string of LEDs and a second power connection  112  is connected to a second junction  114  of the opposing parallel series string of LEDs. A diode may be used in place of one or more LEDs  104  and one or more of LEDs  106  and the LEDs  104  and  106  are integrated into a package  118  as described in the package  30  disclosed in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 15  discloses a schematic diagram of a lighting system  168  according to the invention. The device  168  includes a plurality of devices  26  as described in  FIG. 2  connected to a high frequency inverter AC drive Method  170  as described in  FIG. 3  which in this example provides a relatively constant 12V AC source at a relatively constant frequency of 50 Khz to the devices  26 . Each or some of the devices  26  may have integrated capacitors  172  of equal or different values enabling the devices  26  to operate at different drive currents  174  from a single source AC drive Method. 
       FIG. 16  discloses a schematic diagram of a lighting system  176  according to the invention. The lighting system  176  includes a plurality of devices  178 ,  180  and  182  each able to have operate at different currents and lumens output while connected directly to the transformer  184  output of a fixed high frequency AC drive Method  186 . 
       FIG. 17  discloses another schematic view diagram of a light emitting device  188  identical to the device  130  disclosed in  FIG. 11  and integrated into a package  30  as described in  FIG. 2  for an AC drive Method according to the invention. The device  188  includes the device  130  as disclosed in  FIG. 11  mounted on an insulating substrate  28  such as but not necessarily ceramic or sapphire and integrated into an LED package  30  that may be various LED package sizes; materials and designs based of product specifications or on printed circuit board material. The device  188  provides power connection leads  190  and  192  and may have a first or additional lens  194  that may be made of a plastic, polymer or other material used for light dispersion and the lens may be coated or doped with a phosphor or nano-crystals that would produce a change in the color or quality of light emitted from the device  130  through the lens  194 . The device  130  has a matrix of devices  10 . The power connection opposite the capacitors  16  within the device  130  and part of each device  10  is connected to a power connection  196  that is connected to a solderable heat sinking material  198  and integrated into the package  30 . The power connection  196  connected to the heat sink  198  may be of a heavier gauge within the device  130  or  188  than other conductors. The schematic view of the device  188  provides a side view of the package  30  and an overhead view of the device  130  in this  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 18  discloses another schematic view diagram of a light emitting device  198  similar to the device  188  described in  FIG. 17  with a different light emitting device  200  identical to the device  136  disclosed in  FIG. 12  and integrated into a package  30  as described in  FIG. 2  for an AC drive Method according to the invention. The device  198  includes a reflective device integrated into the package  30  for optimized light dispersion. The light emitting device  200  may be facing down towards the reflector  202  and opposite direction of light output from the lens  194  if the reflector  202  is integrated into the package  30  properly for such a design. 
       FIG. 19  shows a block diagram of an LED circuit driver  204  having a high frequency inverter  206  stage that provides a relatively constant voltage and relatively constant frequency output. The high frequency inverter  206  stage has an internal dual half bridge driver with an internal or external voltage controlled oscillator that can be set to a voltage that fixes the frequency. A resistor or center tapped series resistor diode network within the high frequency inverter  206  stage feeds back a voltage signal to the set terminal input of the oscillator. An AC regulator  208  senses changes to the load at the output lines  210  and  212  of the inverter  206  and feeds back a voltage signal to the inverter  208  in response changes in the load which makes adjustments accordingly to maintain a relatively constant voltage output with the relatively constant frequency output. 
       FIG. 20  shows a schematic diagram of an LED circuit driver  214  having a voltage source stage  216 , a fixed/adjustable frequency stage  218 , an AC voltage regulator and measurement stage  220 , an AC level response control stage  222 , an AC regulator output control stage  224  and a driver output stage  226 . 
       FIG. 21  shows a schematic diagram of the voltage source stage  216  described in  FIG. 20 . The voltage source stage  216  provides universal AC mains inputs  228  that drive a diode bridge  230  used to deliver DC to the LED circuit driver system  214 . Direct DC could eliminate the need for the universal AC input  228 . Power factor correction means  232  may be integrated into the LED circuit driver  216  as part of the circuit. The voltage source stage  216  includes a low voltage source circuit  234  that may include more than one voltage and polarity. 
       FIG. 22  shows a schematic diagram of the fixed/adjustable frequency stage  218  as described in  FIG. 20 . The fixed/adjustable frequency stage  218  includes a bridge driver  236  that may include an integrated or external voltage controlled oscillator  238 . The oscillator  238  has a set input pin  240  that sets the frequency of the oscillator to a fixed frequency through the use of a resistor or adjustable resistor  242  to ground. The adjustable resistor  242  allows for adjusting the fixed frequency to a different desired value through manual or digital control but keeps the frequency relatively constant based on the voltage at the set terminal  240 . 
       FIG. 23  is a schematic diagram of the AC voltage regulator with voltage measurement stage  220  as described in  FIG. 20 . The AC voltage regulator with voltage measurement circuit  220  monitors the voltage at the driver output  226  as shown in  FIG. 20  and sends a voltage level signal to the AC level response control stage  222  as shown in  FIG. 20 . 
       FIG. 24  is a schematic diagram of the AC level response control  228  stage. The AC level response control stage  228  receives a voltage level signal from the AC voltage regulator with voltage measurement circuit  220  as shown in  FIG. 23  and drives the AC regulator output control stage  224  as shown in  FIG. 20 . 
       FIG. 25  is a schematic diagram of the AC regulator output control stage  230 . The AC regulator output control stage  230  varies the resistance between the junction of the drive transistors  232  and the transformer input pin  234  of the driver output  226  as shown in  FIG. 26 . The AC regulator output control stage  230  is a circuit or component such as but not necessarily a transistor, a voltage dependent resistor or a current dependent resistor circuit having a means of varying its resistance in response to the voltage or current delivered to it. 
       FIG. 26  is a schematic diagram of the driver output stage  226 . The driver output stage  226  includes drive transistors  232  and the transformer  236  that delivers an AC voltage output  238  to LED circuits at a relatively constant voltage and frequency.