Abstract:
A light-emitting structure, comprising: a ground path; a first current path receiving a control current; a first light-emitting element receiving the control current from the first current path and generating light within a first wavelength range based on the control current; a first conductive substrate portion formed over the first light-emitting element, and receiving the control current from the first light-emitting element; a first connection element receiving the first control current from the first conductive substrate; a second current path receiving the control current from the first connection element; a second light-emitting element receiving the first control current from the second current path, and generating light within the first wavelength range based on the control current; a second conductive substrate portion receiving the first control current; and a grounding element receiving the control current from the second substrate portion, and passing the control current to the ground path.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a multiple-color lighting device, and more particularly to a multiple-color lighting device in which lights of each individual color can be separately addressed. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can be used to provide low-cost, low-power lighting in a variety of situations, using a variety of colors. Furthermore, by employing groups of multiple-color LEDs, it is possible to produce a greater variety of color in a lighting device then would be available with individual LEDs. One way to further increase the variety of color available in a lighting device would be to vary the intensity of the individual LEDs in a group of multiple-color LEDs. 
         [0003]    However, different LEDs can have different sizes and thicknesses, particularly if different brands of LEDs are mixed. But, using such a variety of LEDs requires individual control of all the dies connected to the lighting device. This is in contrast to a conventional approach in which a controller sends a signal to each package where an electronic board will control each pixel (i.e., LED color). 
         [0004]    It would therefore be desirable to provide a system and method that allows for the individual control of a cluster of similar-colored LEDs in a multiple-color lighting device containing LEDs that emit light of differing colors. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A variable-color light-emitting structure is provided, including: a ground path connected to a ground voltage; a first current path configured to receive and pass a first control current; a first light-emitting element connected to the first current path, configured to receive the first control current from the first current path, configured to generate light within a first wavelength range based on the received first control current, and configured to pass the first control current; a first conductive substrate portion formed over the first light-emitting element, and electrically connected to the first light-emitting element, the first conductive substrate being configured to receive and pass the first control current from the first light-emitting element; a first connection element, having a first upper contact and a first lower contact, the first connection element being configured to receive the first control current from the first conductive substrate, and to pass the first control current from the first upper contact to the first lower contact; a second current path configured to receive and pass the first control current from the first connection element; a second light-emitting element being electrically connected to the second current path, being configured to receive the first control current from the second current path, being configured to generate light within the first wavelength range based on the received first control current, and configured to pass the first control current; a second conductive substrate portion formed over the second light-emitting element, and electrically connected to the second light-emitting element, the second conductive substrate being configured to receive and pass the first control current; and a grounding element electrically connected between the second conductive substrate portion and the ground path, the grounding element being configured to receive the first control current from the second substrate portion, and to pass the first control current to the ground path. 
         [0006]    The first and second conductive substrate portions may both be substantially transparent the first wavelength range. 
         [0007]    A first voltage drop across the first light-emitting element may be sufficient to cause the first light-emitting element to emit light in the first wavelength range, and a second voltage drop across the second light-emitting element is sufficient to cause the second light-emitting element to emit light in the first wavelength range. 
         [0008]    The first current path may be electrically connected to a first pad, and may be configured to receive the first control current from the first pad. 
         [0009]    The first wavelength range may produce one of red, green, blue and yellow light. 
         [0010]    The first and second light-emitting elements may be light-emitting diodes. 
         [0011]    The first and second conductive substrate portions may be separated by a non-conductive material. 
         [0012]    The variable-color light-emitting structure may further include: a third current path configured to receive and pass the first control current; a third light-emitting element being electrically connected to the third current path, being configured to receive the first control current from the third current path, being configured to generate light within the first wavelength range based on the received first control current; a third conductive substrate portion formed over the third light-emitting element, and electrically connected to the third cathode, the third conductive substrate being configured to receive and pass the first control current from the third cathode; and a third connection element, having a third upper contact and a third lower contact, the third lower contact being electrically connected to the first current path, the third connection element being configured to receive the first control current from the third conductive substrate, and to pass the first control current from the first upper contact to the first current path, through the first lower contact. 
         [0013]    The variable-color light-emitting structure may further include: a fourth current path configured to receive and pass a second control current; a fourth light-emitting element having a fourth anode and a fourth cathode, the fourth anode being electrically connected to the fourth current path and configured to receive the second control current from the fourth current path, the fourth light-emitting element being configured to generate light within a second wavelength range, different from the first wavelength range, based on the second control current received at the fourth anode, and to pass the second control current from the fourth anode to the fourth cathode; a fourth conductive substrate portion formed over the fourth light-emitting element, and electrically connected to the fourth cathode, the fourth conductive substrate being configured to receive and pass the second control current from the fourth cathode; a fourth connection element configured to receive and pass the second control current from the fourth conductive substrate; a fifth current path configured to receive and pass the second control current from the fourth connection element; a fifth light-emitting element having a fifth anode and a fifth cathode, the fifth anode being electrically connected to the fifth current path and configured to receive the second control current from the fifth current path, the fifth light-emitting element being configured to generate light within the second wavelength range based on the second control current received at the fifth anode, and to pass the second control current from the fifth anode to the fifth cathode; a fifth conductive substrate portion formed over the fifth light-emitting element, and electrically connected to the fifth cathode, the fifth conductive substrate being configured to receive and pass the second control current from the fifth cathode; and a grounding element electrically connected between the fifth conductive substrate portion and ground, the grounding element being configured to receive the second control current from the fifth substrate portion, and to pass the second control current to ground. 
         [0014]    The first, second, fourth, and fifth light-emitting elements may be light-emitting diodes. 
         [0015]    The second wavelength range may produce one of red, green, blue and yellow light. 
         [0016]    The variable-color light-emitting structure may further include: a sixth current path configured to receive and pass the second control current; a sixth light-emitting element having a sixth anode and a sixth cathode, the sixth anode being electrically connected to the sixth current path and configured to receive the second control current from the sixth current path, the sixth light-emitting element being configured to generate light within the second wavelength range based on the second control current received at the sixth anode, and to pass the second control current from the sixth anode to the sixth cathode; a sixth conductive substrate portion formed over the sixth light-emitting element, and electrically connected to the sixth cathode, the sixth conductive substrate being configured to receive and pass the second control current from the sixth cathode; and a sixth connection element configured to receive and pass the second control current from the sixth conductive substrate to the fourth current path. 
         [0017]    A method is provided of forming a variable-color light-emitting structure, including: placing a ground path over a substrate, such that the ground path is electrically connected to a ground voltage; placing a first current path over the substrate; placing a second current path over the substrate; placing a first light-emitting element over the first current path such that the light-emitting element is electrically connected to the first current path, the first light-emitting element is configured to generate light within a first wavelength range based on a first control current, and to pass the first control current; placing a second light-emitting element over the second current path, such that the second light-emitting element is electrically connected to the second current path, the second light-emitting element being configured to generate light within the first wavelength range based on the first control current, and to pass the first control current; placing a grounding element having a first upper contact electrically connected to a lower contact over the ground path, such that the lower contact is electrically connected to the ground path; placing a first connection element, having a first upper contact and a first lower contact, over the second current path, such that the first lower contact is electrically connected to the second current path, the first connection element being configured to pass the first control current from the first upper contact to the first lower contact; placing a first conductive substrate portion over the first light-emitting element and the first connection element, such that the first conductive substrate portion electrically connects the first light-emitting element to the first upper contact; and placing a second conductive substrate portion over the second light-emitting element and the grounding element, such that the second conductive substrate portion electrically connects the second light-emitting element to the first upper contact. 
         [0018]    The operations of placing the first conductive substrate portion and placing the second conductive substrate portion may include: placing a base conductive substrate over the first light-emitting element, the first connection element, the second light-emitting element, and the grounding element; and cutting a gap in the base conductive substrate such that a first portion of the base conductive substrate forms the first conductive substrate portion, a second portion of the base conductive substrate forms the second conductive substrate portion, and the first and second conductive substrate portions are electrically isolated from each other. 
         [0019]    The first current path may be electrically connected to a first pad, and may be configured to receive the first control current from the first pad. 
         [0020]    The first wavelength range may produce one of red, green, blue and yellow light. 
         [0021]    The first and second light-emitting elements may be light-emitting diodes. 
         [0022]    The second conductive substrate portion may be placed such that it is separated from the first conductive substrate portion by a non-conductive material. 
         [0023]    The method may further include: placing a third current path over the substrate; 
         [0024]    placing a third light-emitting element over the third current path, such that the third light-emitting element is electrically connected to the third current path, the third light-emitting element being configured to generate light within the first wavelength range based on the first control current, and to pass the first control current; placing a third connection element, having a third upper contact and a third lower contact, over the first current path, such that the third lower contact is electrically connected to the first current path, the third connection element being configured to pass the first control current from the third upper contact to the third lower contact; and placing a third conductive substrate portion over the third light-emitting element and the third connection element, such that the third conductive substrate portion electrically connects the third light-emitting element to the third upper contact, wherein the third current path is electrically connected to the first light-emitting element. 
         [0025]    The method may further include: placing a fourth current path over the substrate; placing a fifth current path over the substrate; placing a fourth light-emitting element over the fourth current path, such that the fourth light-emitting element is electrically connected to the fourth current path, the fourth light-emitting element is configured to generate light within a second wavelength range based on a second control current received at the fourth anode, and to pass the second control current from the fourth anode to the fourth cathode; placing a fifth light-emitting element, having a fifth anode and a fifth cathode, over the fifth current path, such that the fifth anode is electrically connected to the fifth current path, the fifth light-emitting element being configured to generate light within the second wavelength range based on the second control current received at the fifth anode, and to pass the second control current from the fifth anode to the fifth cathode; placing a fourth connection element, having a fourth upper contact and a fourth lower contact, over the fifth current path, such that the fourth lower contact is electrically connected to the fifth current path, the fourth connection element being configured to pass the second control current from the fourth upper contact to the fourth lower contact; placing a fourth conductive substrate portion over the fourth light-emitting element and the fourth connection element, such that the fourth conductive substrate portion electrically connects the fourth cathode to the fourth upper contact; and placing a fifth conductive substrate portion over the fifth light-emitting element and the grounding element, such that the fifth conductive substrate portion electrically connects the fifth cathode to a second upper contact of the grounding element, the second upper contact being electrically connected to the lower contact. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate an exemplary embodiment and to explain various principles and advantages in accordance with the present invention. These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a light-emitting element according to disclosed embodiments; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is an overhead view of a portion of a three-color lighting device according to first disclosed embodiments; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is an overhead view of the lower trace layer of the lighting device portion of  FIG. 2  according to first disclosed embodiments; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is an overhead view of the top trace layer of the lighting device portion of  FIG. 2  according to first disclosed embodiments; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is an overhead view of a device layer of the lighting device portion of  FIG. 2  according to first disclosed embodiments; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is an overhead view of a top layer of the lighting device portion of  FIG. 2  according to disclosed embodiments; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is an overhead view of a portion of a three-color lighting device according to second disclosed embodiments; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device portion of  FIG. 7  along line VII-VII′ according to disclosed embodiments; 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device portion of  FIG. 7  along line IX-IX′ according to disclosed embodiments; 
           [0036]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device portion of  FIG. 7  along line X-X′ according to disclosed embodiments; 
           [0037]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device portion of  FIG. 7  along line XI-XI′ according to disclosed embodiments; 
           [0038]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device portion of  FIG. 7  along line XII-XII′ according to disclosed embodiments; 
           [0039]      FIG. 13  is a block diagram of an equivalent circuit of the lighting device portion of  FIG. 7  according to disclosed embodiments; 
           [0040]      FIG. 14  is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the lighting device portion of  FIG. 7  according to disclosed embodiments; 
           [0041]      FIG. 15  is a flow chart showing a method of manufacturing a multiple-color lighting device according to disclosed embodiments; 
           [0042]      FIG. 16  is a flow chart describing the operation of placing the first and second transparent conductive substrate portions of the method of  FIG. 15  according to first disclosed embodiment; and 
           [0043]      FIG. 17  is a flow chart describing the operation of placing the first and second transparent conductive substrate portions of the method of  FIG. 15  according to second disclosed embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]    The instant disclosure is provided to further explain in an enabling fashion the best modes of performing one or more embodiments of the present invention. The disclosure is further offered to enhance an understanding and appreciation for the inventive principles and advantages thereof, rather than to limit in any manner the invention. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued. 
         [0045]    It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as first and second, and the like, if any, are used solely to distinguish one from another entity, item, or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities, items or actions. It is noted that some embodiments may include a plurality of processes or steps, which can be performed in any order, unless expressly and necessarily limited to a particular order; i.e., processes or steps that are not so limited may be performed in any order. 
         [0046]    Furthermore, elements having the same number represent the same element across the various figures, and throughout the disclosure. Their description is not always repeated for each embodiment, but may be inferred from previous descriptions. Elements that have the same number but have the addition of a letter designator indicate distinct embodiments of a more generic element. 
         [0047]    Light-Emitting Element 
         [0048]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a light-emitting element  100  according to disclosed embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the light-emitting element  100  includes a light-emitting portion  110 , a first contact  120 , and a second contact  130 . 
         [0049]    The light-emitting portion  110  operates to generate light of a given wavelength based on an electrical signal received at the first contact  120 . 
         [0050]    The first contact  120  operates to receive the electrical signal that controls the light-emitting portion  110 . 
         [0051]    The second contact  130  operates to pass the electrical signal that controls the light-emitting portion  110 , either to ground or to another device. 
         [0052]    In some embodiments, the light-emitting element  100  can be a light-emitting diode (LED). In such case, the first contact  120  will be an anode, and the second contact  130  will be a cathode. 
       Multiple-Color Lighting Device 
     First Embodiment 
       [0053]      FIG. 2  is an overhead view of a portion of a three-color lighting device  200  according to first disclosed embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the lighting device portion  200  includes a bottom substrate  205 , a ground pad  210 , a first pad  212 , a second pad  214 , a third pad  216 , first through eleventh vias  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226 ,  240 ,  242 ,  244 ,  246 ,  272 ,  274 ,  276 , a ground line  230 , a first control line  232 , a second control line  234 , a third control line  236 , first through third connection lines  252 ,  254 ,  256 , a first light-emitting element  262 , a second light-emitting element  264 , a third light-emitting element  266 , a grounding element  270 , first through third conductive top substrate portions  282 ,  284 ,  286 , pad opening  290 , and first through third isolation portions  292 ,  294 ,  296 . 
         [0054]    Although not explicitly disclosed in  FIG. 2 , there is also an affixing layer provided between the bottom substrate  205  and the first through fourth top substrate portions  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288 , and around all of the other elements located between these two substrates. This affixing layer is configured to fix these other elements in place and to secure the bottom substrate  205  and the first through fourth top substrate portions  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288  to each other. Because light from the light-emitting elements  252 ,  254 ,  256  will need to pass through the affixing layer, it is generally desirable that the affixing layer also be substantially transparent to the wavelengths of light that are emitted from the light-emitting elements  252 ,  254 ,  256 . 
         [0055]    In the embodiments of  FIG. 2 , the various elements are located at different heights from the bottom substrate  205 . In general, most elements will be located either on one of a bottom layer, a lower trace layer  300 , an upper trace layer  400 , a device layer  500 , and a top layer  600 , or between two such layers. (See,  FIGS. 3-6 , as described below.) The lower trace layer  300  is formed over the bottom layer; the upper trace layer  400  is formed over the lower trace layer  300 ; the device layer  500  is located over the upper trace layer  400 ; and the top layer  600  is formed over the device layer  500 . 
         [0056]    The bottom substrate  205  serves as a base for the remainder of the lighting device  200 . As a reference direction, the lower substrate  105  can be considered to be a “bottom” substrate upon which the other elements are stacked. However, this is as a point of reference only. The lighting device  200  has no inherent direction, and can be oriented in any manner, even with the lower substrate  105  being on the “top” of the structure. 
         [0057]    The lower substrate  105  can be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene napthalate (PEN), polyester, a polymer, an oxide-coated polymer, a flexible plastic, a metal-coated flexible plastic, or any suitable flexible material. If the entire lighting device  200  needs to be flexible, then the lower substrate  105  should be flexible. Because light does not typically shine out of the lower substrate  105 , it is not typically necessary for the lower substrate  105  to be transparent to light. 
         [0058]    The ground pad  210  is formed on the lower substrate  105  and serves as a connector from the lighting device  200  to a ground voltage. As such, it is formed to be open to the outside of the lighting device  200 . In various embodiments, the ground pad  210  can be any suitable electrical connector, e.g., a metal pad. 
         [0059]    The first pad  212 , the second pad  214 , and the third pad  216  are formed on the lower substrate  105  and serve as connectors from the lighting device  200  to elements that provide a first control signal, a second control signal, and a third control signal, respectively. The first, second, and third control signals are generated to control the operation of first, second, and third light-emitting elements on the lighting device  200 . In various embodiments, the first, second, and third pads  212 ,  214 ,  216  can be any suitable electrical connector, e.g., a metal pad. 
         [0060]    In this embodiment, the substrate  105 , the ground pad  210 , and the first, second, and third pads  212 ,  214 ,  216  can be considered to be on a bottom layer of the lighting device  200 . 
         [0061]    The first via  220  is formed through the affixing layer and is filled with a conductive material that electrically connects the ground pad  210  to the ground line  230 . The first via  220  can be considered to pass from the bottom layer to the lower trace layer  300 . 
         [0062]    The second through fourth vias  222 ,  224 ,  226  are formed through the affixing layer and are filled with a conductive material that electrically connects the first, second, and third pads  212 ,  214 ,  2162  the first control line  232 , the second control line  234 , and the third control line  236 , respectively. The second through fourth vias  222 ,  224 ,  226  pass from the bottom layer to the lower trace layer  300 . 
         [0063]    The ground line  230  is electrically connected to the ground pad  210 , and extends parallel to the surface of the lower substrate  205 . The ground line  230  serves to electrically connect the fifth via  240  to the ground pad  210 . The ground line  230  is located in the lower trace layer  300 . It may extend past the portion of the lighting device  200  disclosed in  FIG. 2  and connect to other vias as the light-emitting elements  252 ,  254 ,  256 , the ground pad  270 , and related structures, are repeated. 
         [0064]    The first control line  232 , the second control line  234 , and the third control line  236  are electrically connected to the first pad  212 , the second pad  214 , and the third pad  216 , respectively and extend on or near the surface of the lower substrate  205 . The first control line  232  serves to connect the second via  222  to the sixth via  242 ; the second control line  234  serves to electrically connect the third via  224  to the seventh of via  244 ; and the third control line  236  serves to electrically connect the third via  226  to the eighth via  246 . The first, second, and third control lines  232 ,  234 ,  236  are all located in the lower trace layer  300 . They may extend past the portion of the lighting device  200  disclosed in  FIG. 2  and connect to other vias as the light-emitting elements  252 ,  254 ,  256 , the ground pad  270 , and related structures are repeated. 
         [0065]    The first control line  232  includes two sections, a main section  232 A, and a side section  232 B. The main section  232 A extends from the first pad  212  along the lighting device  200  in a direction parallel to the line of light-emitting elements  252 ,  254 ,  256 . The side section  232 B extends from the main section  232 A in a direction perpendicular to the line of light-emitting elements  252 ,  254 ,  256 . 
         [0066]    In alternate embodiments, the side section  232 B can be eliminated. In this case, the size of the first connection element  262  and the location of the sixth via  242  can be adjusted such that the fifth via  242  is located over the main section  232 A, and the end of the first connection element  262  is located above the sixth via  242 . Likewise, any of the ground line  230 , the second control line  234 , and the third control line  236  can be formed to have a main section and a side section. This allows the location of the fifth through eighth vias  240 ,  242 ,  244 ,  246  to be varied with respect to the light-emitting elements  252 ,  254 ,  256 . This flexibility of location can aid in the design of the lighting device  200 . 
         [0067]    The fifth via  240  is formed through the affixing layer and is filled with a conductive material that electrically connects the ground line  230  to the grounding element  270 . The fifth via  240  passes from the lower trace layer  300  to the device layer  500 . 
         [0068]    The sixth via  242  is formed through the affixing layer and is filled with a conductive material that electrically connects the first control line  232  to the first connection line  262 ; the seventh via  244  is formed through the affixing layer and is filled with a conductive material that electrically connects the second control line  234  to the second connection line  264 ; and the eighth via  246  is formed through the affixing layer and is filled with conductive material electrically connects the third control line  236  to the third connection line  266 . The sixth through eighth vias  242 ,  244 ,  246  pass from the lower trace layer  300  to the upper trace layer  400 . 
         [0069]    The first through third connection lines  252 ,  254 ,  256  serve to electrically connect the sixth through eighth vias  242 ,  244 ,  246 , respectively, to the bottoms of the first, second, and third light-emitting elements  262 ,  264 ,  266 , respectively. As noted above, the particular shape of the first through third connection lines  252 ,  254 ,  256  can be adjusted based on the location of the sixth through eighth vias  242 ,  244 ,  246 , such that the end of each respective connection line  252 ,  254 ,  256  is located directly above the associated via  242 ,  244 ,  246 . The first through third connection lines  252 ,  254 ,  256  are located in the upper trace layer  400 . 
         [0070]    The first light-emitting element  262  operates to emit light of a first wavelength in response to a first control signal supplied to the first pad  212 . It also serves to pass the first control signal from a bottom contact to a top contact. The first light-emitting element  262  is located in the device layer  500 . 
         [0071]    The second light-emitting element  264  operates to emit light of a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength, in response to a second control signal supplied to the second pad  214 . It also serves to pass the second control signal from a bottom contact to a top contact. The second light-emitting element  264  is located in the device layer  500 . 
         [0072]    The third light-emitting element  266  operates to emit light of a third wavelength, different from the first and second wavelengths, in response to a third control signal supplied to the third pad  216 . It also serves to pass the third control signal from a bottom contact to a top contact. The third light-emitting element  266  is located in the device layer  500 . 
         [0073]    In various embodiments, the first, second, and third light-emitting elements  262 ,  264 ,  266  may be light-emitting diodes (LEDs). 
         [0074]    In one set of embodiments, the first, second, and third wavelengths can be “red” (620-750 nm), “green” (495-570 nm), and “blue” (450-495 nm). However, this is merely one example. Alternate embodiments could employ any desired combination of colors, including colors not visible to the naked eye (e.g., infrared light). Furthermore, although the disclosed embodiments show three light-emitting elements  252 ,  254 ,  256 , this is also by way of example. Alternate embodiments could use two light-emitting elements, or four or more light-emitting elements, as desired. In such cases, connections similar to those shown here for the three light-emitting elements would be made. 
         [0075]    The grounding element  270  serves to connect the ninth through eleventh vias  272 ,  274 ,  276  to the fifth via  240 , and the ground voltage. In some embodiments, the grounding element  270  can be a ground bar. The grounding element  270  is located in the device layer  500 . 
         [0076]    The ninth through eleventh vias  272 ,  274 ,  276  pass through the affixing layer and are filled with conductive material that electrically connects the grounding element  270  to the second through fourth top substrate portions  284 ,  286 ,  288 , respectively. The ninth through eleventh vias  272 ,  274 ,  276  pass from the device layer  500  to the bottom of the top layer  600 . 
         [0077]    The first through fourth conductive top substrate portions  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288  are formed above the affixing layer, and are held in place by the affixing layer. Each of the first through fourth conductive top substrate portions  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288  is made of a conductive material that is substantially transparent to the wavelengths of light emitted by the first, second, and third light-emitting elements  262 ,  264 ,  266 . The first through fourth conductive top substrate portions  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288  are formed in the top layer  600 . These conductive top substrate portions  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288  collectively cover all of the portion of the lighting device shown in  FIG. 2 , with the exception of the pad opening  290 . 
         [0078]    The first conductive top substrate portion  282  extends over the ground pad  210 , the first pad  212 , the second pad  214 , and the third pad  216 . It contains a cut-out portion called the pad opening  290  that is located above at least part of each of the ground pad  210 , the first pad  212 , the second pad  214 , and the third pad  216 . 
         [0079]    The second conductive top substrate portion  284  extends over the first light-emitting element  262  and a portion of the ground element  270 . It is electrically connected to a top of the first light-emitting element  262 , and to a top of the ninth via  272 . The second conductive top substrate portion  284  serves to electrically connect the first light-emitting element  262  to the ninth via  272 , and through the ninth via  272  to the grounding element  270 . 
         [0080]    The third conductive top substrate portion  286  extends over the second light-emitting element  264  and a portion of the ground element  270 . It is electrically connected to a top of the second light-emitting element  264 , and to a top of the tenth via  274 . The third conductive top substrate portion  286  serves to electrically connect the second light-emitting element  264  to the tenth via  274 , and through the tenth via  274  to the grounding element  270 . 
         [0081]    The fourth conductive top substrate portion  288  extends over the third light-emitting element  266  and a portion of the ground element  270 . It is electrically connected to a top of the third light-emitting element  266 , and to a top of the eleventh via  276 . The fourth conductive top substrate portion  288  serves to electrically connect the third light-emitting element  266  to the eleventh via  276 , and through the eleventh via  276  to the grounding element  270 . 
         [0082]    The pad opening  290  extends through the first conductive substrate portion  282  and the affixing layer to expose at least part of each of the ground pad  210  and the first, second, and third pads  212 ,  214 ,  216 . It extends from the top substrate layer  600 , through the device layer  500 , the upper trace layer  400 , and the lower trace layer  300 . 
         [0083]    The first isolation portion  292  is located between the first top substrate layer  282  and the second top substrate layer  284 . It serves to electrically isolate the first top substrate layer  282  from the second top substrate layer  284 . 
         [0084]    The second isolation portion  294  is located between the second top substrate layer  284  and the third top substrate layer  286 . It serves to electrically isolate the second top substrate layer  284  from the third top substrate layer  286 . 
         [0085]    The third isolation portion  296  is located between the third top substrate layer  286  and the fourth top substrate layer  288 . It serves to electrically isolate the third top substrate layer  286  from the fourth top substrate layer  288 . 
         [0086]    The first through third isolation portions  292 ,  294 ,  296  are each filled with an insulating material, which provides the necessary electrical isolation. The first through third isolation portions  292 ,  294 ,  296  are located in the top layer  600 . 
         [0087]    The Lower Trace Layer 
         [0088]      FIG. 3  is an overhead view of the lower trace layer  300  of the lighting device portion  200  of  FIG. 2  according to first disclosed embodiments. The lower trace layer  300  is located between the bottom layer and the upper trace layer  400 . In order to make the orientation of the elements in the lower trace layer  300  clear, the location and size of the bottom substrate  205  of the lighting element portion  200 , located below the lower trace layer  300 , is shown using dashed lines. 
         [0089]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , lower trace layer  300  includes the ground line  230 , the first, second, and third control lines  232 ,  234 ,  236 , and the pad opening  290 . The lower trace layer  300  also connects to the top of the first through fourth vias  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226 , and the bottom of the fifth through eighth vias  240 ,  242 ,  244 ,  246 . The structure of these elements has been discussed above with respect to  FIG. 2 , and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. 
         [0090]    The ground line  230  electrically connects the first via  220  to the fifth via  240 , and in doing so allows the ground voltage to be carried from the first via  220  to the fifth via  240 . 
         [0091]    The first control line  232  electrically connects the second via  222  to the sixth via  242 , and in doing so allows the first control signal to be carried from the second via  222  to the sixth via  242 . 
         [0092]    The second control line  234  electrically connects the third via  224  to the seventh via  244 , and in doing so allows the second control signal to be carried from the third via  224  to the seventh via  244 . 
         [0093]    The third control line  236  electrically connects the fourth via  226  to the eighth via  246 , and in doing so allows the third control signal to be carried from the fourth via  226  to the eighth via  246 . 
         [0094]    The pad opening  290  is a gap in the affixing layer throughout the entirety of the lower trace layer  300 . 
         [0095]    The Upper Trace Layer 
         [0096]      FIG. 4  is an overhead view of the top trace layer  400  of the lighting device portion  200  of  FIG. 2  according to first disclosed embodiments. The top trace layer  400  is located between the lower trace layer  300  and the device layer  500 . In order to make the orientation of the elements in the top trace layer  400  clear, the location and size of the bottom substrate  205  of the lighting element portion  200 , located below the top trace layer  400 , is shown using dashed lines. 
         [0097]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the top trace layer  400  includes the first through third connection elements  252 ,  254 ,  256 , the fifth via  240 , and the pad opening  290 . The top trace layer  400  also connects to the top of the sixth through eighth vias  242 ,  244 ,  246 , and to the bottom contacts of the first, second, and third light-emitting elements  262 ,  264 ,  266 . The structure of these elements has been discussed above with respect to  FIG. 2 , and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. 
         [0098]    The first connection element  252  electrically connects the sixth via  242  to the bottom contact of the first light-emitting element  262 , and in doing so allows the first control signal to be carried from the sixth via  242  to the bottom contact of the first light-emitting element  262 . 
         [0099]    The second connection element  254  electrically connects the seventh via  244  to the bottom contact of the second light-emitting element  264 , and in doing so allows the second control signal to be carried from the seventh via  244  to the bottom contact of the second light-emitting element  264 . 
         [0100]    The third connection element  256  electrically connects the eighth via  246  to the bottom contact of the room light-emitting element  266 , and in doing so allows the third control signal to be carried from the eighth via  246  to the bottom contact of the third light-emitting element  266 . 
         [0101]    The fifth via  240  passes through the top trace layer  400  on its way from the ground line  230  to the grounding element  270 . 
         [0102]    The pad opening  290  is a gap in the affixing layer throughout the entirety of the upper trace layer  400 . 
         [0103]    The Device Layer 
         [0104]      FIG. 5  is an overhead view of a device layer  500  of the lighting device portion  200  of  FIG. 2  according to first disclosed embodiments. The device layer  500  is located between the top trace layer  400  and the top layer  600 . In order to make the orientation of the elements in the device layer  500  clear, the location and size of the bottom substrate  205  of the lighting element portion  200 , located below the device layer  500 , is shown using dashed lines. 
         [0105]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the device layer  500  includes the first light-emitting element  262 , the second light-emitting element  264 , the third light-emitting element  266 , the grounding element  270 , and the pad opening  290 . The device layer  500  also connects to the top of the fifth via  240 , and to at least a portion of the first through third connection elements  252 ,  254 ,  256 . The structure of these elements has been discussed above with respect to  FIG. 2 , and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. 
         [0106]    The first light-emitting element  262  electrically connects the first connection element  252  to the second conductive top substrate portion  284 , and in doing so allows the first control signal to be carried from the first connection element  252  to the second conductive top substrate portion  284 . In addition, the first light-emitting element  262  emits light of a first wavelength in response to the first control signal. 
         [0107]    The second light-emitting element  264  electrically connects the second connection element  254  to the third conductive top substrate portion  286 , and in doing so allows the second control signal to be carried from the second connection element  254  to the third conductive top substrate portion  286 . In addition, the second light-emitting element  264  emits light of a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength, in response to the second control signal. 
         [0108]    The third light-emitting element  266  electrically connects the third connection element  256  to the fourth conductive top substrate portion  288 , and in doing so allows the third control signal to be carried from the third connection element  256  to the fourth conductive top substrate portion  288 . In addition, the third light-emitting element  266  emits light of a third wavelength, different from the first and second wavelengths, in response to the third control signal. 
         [0109]    The grounding element  270  electrically connects the fifth via  240  to the ninth through eleventh vias  272 ,  274 ,  276 , and in doing so allows the ninth through eleventh vias  272 ,  274 ,  276  to connect to a ground voltage. 
         [0110]    The pad opening  290  is a gap in the affixing layer throughout the entirety of the device layer  500 . 
         [0111]    The Top Trace Layer 
         [0112]      FIG. 6  is an overhead view of a top layer  600  of the lighting device portion  200  of  FIG. 2  according to disclosed embodiments. The top layer  600  is located above the device layer  500 . 
         [0113]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the top layer  600  includes the first through fourth conductive top substrate portions  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288 , the pad opening  290 , and the first through third isolation portions  292 ,  294 ,  296 . The structure of these elements has been discussed above with respect to  FIG. 2 , and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. 
         [0114]    The first conductive top substrate portion  282 , is formed over the ground pad  210 , and the first, second, and third pads  212 ,  214 ,  216 . It includes the pad opening  290 . 
         [0115]    The second conductive top substrate portion  284  electrically connects the first light-emitting element  262  to the ninth via  272 , and in doing so allows the first control signal to be carried from the first light-emitting element  262  to the ninth via  272 , where it connects to a ground voltage, completing the circuit for the first control signal. 
         [0116]    The third conductive top substrate portion  286  electrically connects the second light-emitting element  264  to the tenth via  274 , and in doing so allows the second control signal to be carried from the second light-emitting element  264  to the tenth via  274 , where it connects to a ground voltage, completing the circuit for the second control signal. 
         [0117]    The fourth conductive top substrate portion  288  electrically connects the third light-emitting element  266  to the eleventh via  276 , and in doing so allows the third control signal to be carried from the third light-emitting element  266  to the eleventh via  276 , where it connects to a ground voltage, completing the circuit for the third control signal. 
         [0118]    The pad opening  290  is a gap in the first conductive top substrate portion  282  throughout the entirety of the top layer  600 . 
         [0119]    The first isolation portion  292  electrically isolates the first top substrate layer  282  from the second conductive top substrate portion  284 ; the second isolation portion  294  electrically isolates the second conductive top substrate portion  284  from the third conductive top substrate portion  286 ; and the third isolation portion  296  electrically isolates the third conductive top substrate portion  286  from the fourth conductive top substrate portion  288 . 
       Operation of the Multiple-Color Lighting Device 
     First Embodiment 
       [0120]    In operation, the portion of the lighting device  200  disclosed in  FIGS. 2-6  behaves as follows. 
         [0121]    A ground voltage is provided to the ground pad  210 , passes from the ground pad  210  through the first via  220  to the ground line  230 , passes from the ground line  230  through the fifth via  240  to the grounding element  270 , and passes from the ground element  270  through the ninth through eleventh vias  272 ,  274 ,  276 , to the second through fourth conductive top substrate portions  284 ,  286 ,  288 , respectively. In this way, a ground voltage is supplied to each of the second through fourth conductive top substrate portions  284 ,  286 ,  288 . 
         [0122]    A first control signal is provided to the first pad  212 , passes from the first pad  212  through the second via  222  to the first control line  232 , passes from the main portion  232 A of the first control line  232  to the side portion  232 B of the first control line  232 , and through the side portion  232 B to the sixth via  242 , passes through the sixth via  242  to the first connection element  252 , and passes through the first connection element  252  to a bottom contact of the first light-emitting element  262 . In this way, the first control signal is passed to the first light-emitting element  262 , so that the first light-emitting element  262  may emit light in accordance with the first control signal. 
         [0123]    The first light-emitting element  262  passes the first control signal to a top contact, where it passes to the second conductive top substrate portion  284 , and then passes through the second conductive top substrate portion  284  to the ninth via  272 , where it is grounded. In this way, the path of the first control signal is properly grounded, allowing the first control signal to flow. Furthermore, because the second conductive top substrate portion  284  is isolated from the first and third conductive top substrate portions  282 ,  286  by the first and second isolation portions  292 ,  294 , respectively, the first control signal can pass without interference from any other signals. 
         [0124]    A second control signal is provided to the second pad  214 , passes from the second pad  214  through the third via  224  to the second control line  234 , passes through the second control line  234  to the seventh via  244 , passes through the seventh via  244  to the second connection element  254 , and passes through the second connection element  254  to a bottom contact of the second light-emitting element  264 . In this way, the second control signal is passed to the second light-emitting element  264 , so that the second light-emitting element  264  may emit light in accordance with the second control signal. 
         [0125]    The second light-emitting element  264  passes the second control signal to a top contact, where it passes to the third conductive top substrate portion  286 , and then passes through the third conductive top substrate portion  286  to the tenth via  274 , where it is grounded. In this way, the path of the second control signal is properly grounded, allowing the second control signal to flow. Furthermore, because the third conductive top substrate portion  286  is isolated from the second and fourth conductive top substrate portions  284 ,  288  by the second and third isolation portions  294 ,  296 , respectively, the second control signal can pass without interference from any other signals. 
         [0126]    A third control signal is provided to the third pad  216 , passes from the third pad  216  through the fourth via  226  to the third control line  236 , passes through the third control line  236  to the eighth via  246 , passes through the eighth via  246  to the third connection element  256 , and passes through the third connection element  256  to a bottom contact of the third light-emitting element  66 . In this way, the third control signal is passed to the third light-emitting element  266 , so that the third light-emitting element  266  may emit light in accordance with the third control signal. 
         [0127]    The third light-emitting element  264  passes the third control signal to a top contact, where it passes to the fourth conductive top substrate portion  288 , and then passes through the fourth conductive top substrate portion  288  to the eleventh via  276 , where it is grounded. In this way, the path of the third control signal is properly grounded, allowing the third control signal to flow. Furthermore, because the fourth conductive top substrate portion  288  is isolated from the third conductive top substrate portion  286  by the third isolation portion  296 , the third control signal can pass without interference from any other signals. 
         [0128]    Thus, the portion of a multiple-color lighting device  200  shown in  FIG. 2 , can individually control the operation of the first, second, and third light-emitting elements  262 ,  264 ,  266  by providing respective first, second, and third signals to the first, second, and third pads  212 ,  214 ,  216 , respectively, and a ground voltage to the ground pad  210 . 
       Multiple-Color Lighting Device 
     Second Embodiment 
       [0129]      FIG. 7  is an overhead view of a portion of a three-color lighting device  700  according to second disclosed embodiments. The embodiment of  FIG. 7  is similar to the embodiments shown in  FIG. 2 . However, in the embodiments of  FIG. 7 , the grouping of different-color light-emitting elements is repeated such that there are three groups of three colors of light-emitting elements. This is by way of example only, and alternate embodiments could employ two groups of light-emitting elements, or four or more groups of light emitting elements. Furthermore, the groups could include two different-color light-emitting elements, or four or more different-color light-emitting elements. In addition, although the embodiments of  FIG. 7  list the three different colors as red, green, and blue, this is also by way of example. Alternate embodiments could use any desired combination of colors, including those not visible to the naked eye (e.g., infrared light). Alternate embodiments could even employ groups of light-emitting elements that emit light of the same color, but needed to be controlled separately. 
         [0130]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the lighting device portion  700  includes a bottom substrate  701 , an affixing layer  703 , a ground pad  711 , a red pad  713 , a green pad  715 , a blue pad  717  a ground line  721 , a red control line  723 , a green control line  725 , a blue control line  727 , first through eighth vias  731 ,  733 ,  735 ,  737 ,  743 ,  745 ,  747 ,  749 , first through ninth connection lines  753 ,  755 ,  757 ,  783 A,  785 A,  787 A,  783 B,  785 B, and  787 B, a first red light-emitting element  763 A, a first green light-emitting element  765 A, a first blue light-emitting element  767 A, a second red light-emitting element  763 B, a second green light-emitting element  765 B, a second blue light-emitting element  767 B, a third red light-emitting element  763 C, a third green light-emitting element  765 C, a third blue light-emitting element  767 C, a first red connection circuit  773 A, a first green connection circuit  775 A, a first blue connection circuit  777 A, a second red connection circuit  773 B, a second green connection circuit  775 B, a second blue connection circuit  777 B, a ground bar  779 , first through ninth isolation portions  791 - 799 , and first through tenth conductive top substrate portions  7001 - 7010 . 
         [0131]    The bottom substrate  701  serves as a base for the remainder of the lighting device  700 . As a reference direction, the bottom substrate  701  can be considered to be a “bottom” substrate upon which the other elements are stacked. However, this is as a point of reference only. The lighting device  700  has no inherent direction, and can be oriented in any manner, even with the bottom substrate  701  being on the “top” of the structure. 
         [0132]    The bottom substrate  701  can be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene napthalate (PEN), polyester, a polymer, an oxide-coated polymer, a flexible plastic, a metal-coated flexible plastic, or any suitable flexible material. If the entire lighting device  200  needs to be flexible, then the bottom substrate  701  should be flexible. Because light does not typically shine out of the bottom substrate  701 , it is not typically necessary for the bottom substrate  701  to be transparent to light. 
         [0133]    The affixing layer  703  is provided between the bottom substrate  701  and the first through tenth conductive top substrate portions  7001 - 7010 , and around all of the other elements located between these two substrates. The affixing layer  703  is configured to fix these other elements in place and to secure the bottom substrate  701  and the first through tenth conductive top substrate portions  7001 - 7010  to each other. Because light from the light-emitting elements  763 A,  765 A,  767 A,  763 B,  765 B,  767 B,  763 C,  765 C,  767 C will need to pass through the affixing layer  703 , it is generally desirable that the affixing layer  703  also be substantially transparent to the wavelengths of light that are emitted from the light-emitting elements  763 A,  765 A,  767 A,  763 B,  765 B,  767 B,  763 C,  765 C,  767 C. 
         [0134]    The ground pad  711  is formed on the bottom substrate  701  and serves as a connector from the lighting device  700  to a ground voltage. As such, it is formed to be open to the outside of the lighting device  700 . In various embodiments, the ground pad  711  can be any suitable electrical connector, e.g., a metal pad. 
         [0135]    The red pad  713 , the green pad  715 , and the blue pad  717  are formed on the bottom substrate  701  and serve as connectors from the lighting device  700  to elements that provide a red control signal, a green control signal, and a blue control signal, respectively. The red control signal is generated to control the operation of first, second, and third red light-emitting elements  763 A,  763 B,  763 C; the green control signal is generated to control the operation of first, second, and third green light-emitting elements  765 A,  765 B,  765 C; and the blue control signal is generated to control the operation of first, second, and third blue light-emitting elements  767 A,  767 B,  767 C. In various embodiments, the red, green, and blue pads  713 ,  715 ,  717  can be any suitable electrical connector, e.g., a metal pad. 
         [0136]    The first via  731  is formed through the affixing layer  703 , and is filled with a conductive material that electrically connects the ground pad  711  to the ground line  721 . 
         [0137]    The second via  733  is formed through the affixing layer  703 , and is filled with a conductive material that electrically connects the red pad  713  to the red control line  723 ; the third via  735  is formed through the affixing layer  703 , and is filled with a conductive material that electrically connects the green pad  715  to the green control line  725 ; and the fourth via  737  is formed through the affixing layer  703 , and is filled with a conductive material that electrically connects the blue pad  717  to the blue control line  727 . 
         [0138]    The ground line  721  is electrically connected between the first via  731  and the eighth via  749 . It extends parallel to the surface of the bottom substrate  701 , and provides a ground voltage to the ground bar  779  through the eighth via  749 . The ground line  721  may extend past the portion of the lighting device  700  disclosed in  FIG. 7  and connect to other vias as additional groups of light-emitting elements, ground pads, and related structures, are repeated. 
         [0139]    The ground bar  779  is electrically connected to the eighth via  749 , and is configured to provide a ground voltage to the eighth through tenth conductive top substrate portions  7008 - 7010   
         [0140]    The red control line  723 , the green control line  725 , and the blue control line  727  are electrically connected to the red pad  711 , the green pad  713 , and the blue pad  715 , respectively and extend on or near the surface of the bottom substrate  701 . The red control line  723  serves to connect the second via  733  to the fifth via  743 ; the green control line  723  serves to connect the third via  735  to the sixth via  745 ; and the blue control line  725  serves to connect the fourth via  727  to the seventh via  747 . The red, green, and blue control lines  723 ,  725 ,  727  may extend past the portion of the lighting device  700  disclosed in  FIG. 7  and connect to other vias as the light-emitting elements, the ground bar, and related structures are repeated. 
         [0141]    The red control line  723  includes two sections, a main section  723 A, and a side section  723 B. The main section  723 A extends from the second via  733  above the red pad  713 , along the lighting device  700  in a direction parallel to the line of light-emitting elements  763 A,  765 A,  767 A,  763 B,  765 B,  767 B,  763 C,  765 C,  767 C. The side section  723 B extends from the main section  723 A in a direction perpendicular to the line of light-emitting elements  763 A,  765 A,  767 A,  763 B,  765 B,  767 B,  763 C,  765 C,  767 C. 
         [0142]    In alternate embodiments, the side section  723 B can be eliminated. In this case, the size of the first connection element  753  and the location of the fifth via  743  can be adjusted such that the fifth via  743  is located over the main section  723 A, and the end of the first connection element  753  is located above the fifth via  743 . Likewise, any of the ground line  721 , the green control line  725 , and the blue control line  727  can be formed to have a main section and a side section. This allows the location of the fifth through eighth vias  743 ,  745 ,  747 ,  749  to be varied in a direction perpendicular to the line of light-emitting elements  763 A,  765 A,  767 A,  763 B,  765 B,  767 B,  763 C,  765 C,  767 C. This flexibility of location can aid in the design of the lighting device  700 . 
         [0143]    The fifth via  743  is formed through the affixing layer  703 , and is filled with a conductive material that electrically connects the red control line  723  to the first connection line  753 ; the sixth via  745  is formed through the affixing layer  703 , and is filled with a conductive material that electrically connects the green control line  725  to the second connection line  755 ; and the seventh via is formed through the affixing layer  703  and is filled with a conductive material that electrically connects the blue control line  727  to the third connection line  757 . 
         [0144]    The eighth via  749  is formed through the affixing layer  703 , and is filled with a conductive material that electrically connects the ground line  721  to the ground bar  779 . 
         [0145]    The first connection line  753  serves to electrically connect the fifth via  743  to the bottom of the first red light-emitting element  863 A; the second connection line  755  serves to electrically connect the sixth via  745  to the bottom of the first green light-emitting element  865 A; and the third connection line  757  serves to electrically connect the seventh via  747  to the bottom of the first blue light-emitting element  767 A. 
         [0146]    As noted above, the particular shape of the first through third connection lines  753 ,  755 ,  757  can be adjusted based on the location of the fifth through seventh vias  743 ,  745 ,  747 , such that the end of each respective connection line  753 ,  755 ,  757  is located directly above the associated via  743 ,  745 ,  747 . 
         [0147]    The first red light-emitting element  763 A operates to emit light of a “red” wavelength (i.e., 620-750 nm) in response to the red control signal supplied to the red pad  713 , which the first red light-emitting element  763 A receives from the first connection line  753 . It also serves to pass the red control signal from a bottom contact to a top contact. 
         [0148]    The first green light-emitting element  765 A operates to emit light of a “green” wavelength (i.e., 495-570 nm), in response to the green control signal supplied to the green pad  715 , which the first green light-emitting element  765 A receives from the second connection line  755 . It also serves to pass the green control signal from a bottom contact to a top contact. 
         [0149]    The first blue light-emitting element  765 A operates to emit light of a “blue” wavelength (i.e., 450-495 nm), in response to the blue control signal supplied to the blue pad  717 , which the first blue light-emitting element  767 A receives from the third connection line  757 . It also serves to pass the blue control signal from a bottom contact to a top contact. 
         [0150]    The first conductive top substrate portion  7001  operates to cover a portion of the bottom substrate  701  that holds the ground pad  711 , and the red, green, and blue pads  713 ,  715 ,  717 . It has a pad opening that passes through the entire first conductive top substrate portion  7001  and the affixing layer  703  below it, and which exposes the ground pad  711 , and the red, green, and blue pads  713 ,  715 ,  717 . 
         [0151]    The second conductive top substrate portion  7002  is electrically connected between the first red light-emitting element  763 A and the first red connection circuit  773 A. In particular, it is connected between a top contact of the first red light-emitting element  763 A and a top portion of the first red connection circuit  773 A. The second conductive top substrate portion  7002  operates to pass the red control signal from the first red light-emitting element  763 A to the first red connection circuit  773 A. 
         [0152]    The third conductive top substrate portion  7003  is electrically connected between the first green light-emitting element  765 A and the first green connection circuit  775 A. In particular, it is connected between a top contact of the first green light-emitting element  765 A and a top portion of the first green connection circuit  775 A. The third conductive top substrate portion  7003  operates to pass the green control signal from the first green light-emitting element  765 A to the first green connection circuit  775 A. 
         [0153]    The fourth conductive top substrate portion  7004  is electrically connected between the first blue light-emitting element  867 A and the first blue connection circuit  777 A. In particular, it is connected between a top contact of the first blue light-emitting element  767 A and a top portion of the first blue connection circuit  777 A. The fourth conductive top substrate portion  7004  operates to pass the blue control signal from the first blue light-emitting element  767 A to the first blue connection circuit  777 A. 
         [0154]    The first red connection circuit  773 A is electrically connected between the second conductive top substrate portion  7002  and the fourth connection line  783 A. It receives the red control signal from the second conductive top substrate portion  7002  at a top portion, passes the red control signal, and provides the red control signal to the fourth connection line  783 A at a bottom portion. 
         [0155]    The first green connection circuit  775 A is electrically connected between the third conductive top substrate portion  7003  and the fifth connection line  785 A. It receives the green control signal from the third conductive top substrate portion  7003  at a top portion, passes the green control signal, and provides the green control signal to the fifth connection line  785 A at a bottom portion. 
         [0156]    The first blue connection circuit  777 A is electrically connected between the fourth conductive top substrate portion  7004  and the sixth connection line  787 A. It receives the blue control signal from the fourth conductive top substrate portion  7004  at a top portion, passes the blue control signal, and provides the blue control signal to the sixth connection line  787 A at a bottom portion. 
         [0157]    The fourth connection line  783 A is electrically connected between the first red connection circuit  773 A and the second red light-emitting element  763 B. It is configured to pass the red control signal from the first red connection circuit  773 A to the second red light-emitting element  763 B. 
         [0158]    The fifth connection line  785 A is electrically connected between the first green connection circuit  775 A and the second green light-emitting element  765 B. It is configured to pass the green control signal from the first green connection circuit  775 A to the second green light-emitting element  765 B. 
         [0159]    The sixth connection line  787 A is electrically connected between the first blue connection circuit  777 A and the second blue light-emitting element  767 B. It is configured to pass the blue control signal from the first blue connection circuit  777 A to the second blue light-emitting element  767 B. 
         [0160]    The second red light-emitting element  763 B operates to emit light of a “red” wavelength (i.e., 620-750 nm) in response to the red control signal supplied to the red pad  713 , which the second red light-emitting element  763 B receives from the fourth connection line  783 A. It also serves to pass the red control signal from a bottom contact to a top contact. 
         [0161]    The second green light-emitting element  765 B operates to emit light of a “green” wavelength (i.e., 495-570 nm), in response to the green control signal supplied to the green pad  715 , which the second green light-emitting element receives from the fifth connection line  785 A. It also serves to pass the green control signal from a bottom contact to a top contact. 
         [0162]    The second blue light-emitting element  765 B operates to emit light of a “blue” wavelength (i.e., 450-495 nm), in response to the blue control signal supplied to the blue pad  717 , which the second blue light-emitting element  765 B receives from the sixth connection line  787 A. It also serves to pass the blue control signal from a bottom contact to a top contact. 
         [0163]    The fifth conductive top substrate portion  7005  is electrically connected between the second red light-emitting element  763 B and the second red connection circuit  773 B. In particular, it is connected between a top contact of the second red light-emitting element  763 B and a top portion of the second red connection circuit  773 B. The fifth conductive top substrate portion  7005  operates to pass the red control signal from the second red light-emitting element  763 B to the second red connection circuit  773 B. 
         [0164]    The sixth conductive top substrate portion  7006  is electrically connected between the second green light-emitting element  765 B and the second green connection circuit  775 B. In particular, it is connected between a top contact of the second green light-emitting element  765 B and a top portion of the second green connection circuit  775 B. The sixth conductive top substrate portion  7006  operates to pass the green control signal from the second green light-emitting element  765 B to the second green connection circuit  775 B. 
         [0165]    The seventh conductive top substrate portion  7007  is electrically connected between the second blue light-emitting element  767 B and the second blue connection circuit  777 B. In particular, it is connected between a top contact of the second blue light-emitting element  767 B and a top portion of the second blue connection circuit  777 B. The seventh conductive top substrate portion  7007  operates to pass the blue control signal from the second blue light-emitting element  767 B to the second blue connection circuit  777 B. 
         [0166]    The second red connection circuit  773 B is electrically connected between the fifth conductive top substrate portion  7005  and the seventh connection line  783 B. It receives the red control signal from the fifth conductive top substrate portion  7005  at a top portion, passes the red control signal, and provides the red control signal to the seventh connection line  783 B at a bottom portion. 
         [0167]    The second green connection circuit  775 B is electrically connected between the sixth conductive top substrate portion  7006  and the eighth connection line  785 B. It receives the green control signal from the sixth conductive top substrate portion  7006  at a top portion, passes the green control signal, and provides the green control signal to the eighth connection line  785 B at a bottom portion. 
         [0168]    The second blue connection circuit  777 B is electrically connected between the seventh conductive top substrate portion  7007  and the ninth connection line  787 B. It receives the blue control signal from the seventh conductive top substrate portion  7007  at a top portion, passes the blue control signal, and provides the blue control signal to the ninth connection line  787 B at a bottom portion. 
         [0169]    The seventh connection line  783 B is electrically connected between the second red connection circuit  773 B and the third red light-emitting element  763 C. It is configured to pass the red control signal from the second red connection circuit  773 B to the third red light-emitting element  763 C. 
         [0170]    The eighth connection line  785 B is electrically connected between the second green connection circuit  775 B and the third green light-emitting element  765 C. It is configured to pass the green control signal from the second green connection circuit  775 B to the third green light-emitting element  765 C. 
         [0171]    The ninth connection line  787 B is electrically connected between the second blue connection circuit  777 B and the third blue light-emitting element  767 C. It is configured to pass the blue control signal from the second blue connection circuit  777 B to the third blue light-emitting element  767 C. 
         [0172]    The third red light-emitting element  763 C operates to emit light of a “red” wavelength (i.e., 620-750 nm) in response to the red control signal supplied to the red pad  713 , which the third red light-emitting element  763 C receives from the seventh connection line  783 B. It also serves to pass the red control signal from a bottom contact to a top contact. 
         [0173]    The third green light-emitting element  765 C operates to emit light of a “green” wavelength (i.e., 495-570 nm), in response to the green control signal supplied to the green pad  715 , which the third green light-emitting element  765 C receives from the eighth connection line  785 B. It also serves to pass the green control signal from a bottom contact to a top contact. 
         [0174]    The third blue light-emitting element  765 C operates to emit light of a “blue” wavelength (i.e., 450-495 nm), in response to the blue control signal supplied to the blue pad  717 , which the third blue light-emitting element  765 C receives from the ninth connection line  787 B. It also serves to pass the blue control signal from a bottom contact to a top contact. 
         [0175]    The eighth conductive top substrate portion  7008  is electrically connected between the third red light-emitting element  763 C and ground bar  779 . In particular, it is connected between a top contact of the third red light-emitting element  763 C and the top of the ground bar  779 . The eighth conductive top substrate portion  7008  operates to pass the red control signal from the second red light-emitting element  763 B to the second red connection circuit  773 B. 
         [0176]    The eighth conductive top substrate portion  7008  extends over the third red light-emitting element  763 C and a portion of the ground pad  779 . It is electrically connected to a top contact of the third red light-emitting element  763 C, and to a portion of the top of the ground pad  779 . The eighth conductive top substrate portion  7008  serves to electrically connect the third red light-emitting element  763 C to the ground pad  779 . It is configured to pass the red control signal from the third red light-emitting element  763 C to the ground pad  779 , where the red control signal is grounded. This allows the red control signal to flow through the remainder of the lighting device portion  700 . 
         [0177]    The ninth conductive top substrate portion  7009  extends over the third green light-emitting element  765 C and a portion of the ground pad  779 . It is electrically connected to a top contact of the third green light-emitting element  765 C, and to a portion of the top of the ground pad  779 . The ninth conductive top substrate portion  7009  serves to electrically connect the third green light-emitting element  765 C to the ground pad  779 . It is configured to pass the green control signal from the third green light-emitting element  765 C to the ground pad  779 , where the green control signal is grounded. This allows the green control signal to flow through the remainder of the lighting device portion  700 . 
         [0178]    The tenth conductive top substrate portion  7010  extends over the third blue light-emitting element  767 C and a portion of the ground pad  779 . It is electrically connected to a top contact of the third blue light-emitting element  767 C, and to a portion of the top of the ground pad  779 . The tenth conductive top substrate portion  7010  serves to electrically connect the third blue light-emitting element  767 C to the ground pad  779 . It is configured to pass the blue control signal from the third blue light-emitting element  767 C to the ground pad  779 , where the blue control signal is grounded. This allows the blue control signal to flow through the remainder of the lighting device portion  700 . 
         [0179]    The first isolation portion  791  is located between the first top substrate portion  7001  and the second top substrate portion  7002 . It is configured to electrically isolate the first top substrate portion  7001  from the second top substrate portion  7002 . Likewise, the second through ninth isolation portions  792 - 799  are each located between subsequent adjacent pairs of first top substrate portions  7002 - 7010 . Each of the second through ninth isolation portions  792 - 799  are configured to electrically isolate the pair of adjacent top substrate portions from each other. 
         [0180]    In various embodiments, the light-emitting elements  763 A,  765 A,  767 A,  763 B,  765 B,  767 B,  763 C,  765 C,  767 C may be light-emitting diodes (LEDs). 
         [0181]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device portion  700  of  FIG. 7  along line VII-VII′ according to disclosed embodiments. A basic description of the elements in this drawing has been made above with respect to  FIG. 7 . That description will not be repeated with respect to  FIG. 8 . 
         [0182]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , each of the light-emitting elements  763 A,  765 A,  767 A,  763 B,  765 B,  767 B,  763 C,  765 C,  767 C includes a lower contact and an upper contact (unnumbered). The upper contact of the first red light-emitting element  763 A is connected to the second conductive top substrate portion  7002 ; the upper contact of the first green light-emitting element  765 A is connected to the third conductive top substrate portion  7003 ; the upper contact of the first blue light-emitting element  767 A is connected to the fourth conductive top substrate portion  7004 ; the upper contact of the second red light-emitting element  763 B is connected to the fifth conductive top substrate portion  7005 ; the upper contact of the second green light-emitting element  765 B is connected to the sixth conductive top substrate portion  7006 ; the upper contact of the second blue light-emitting element  767 B is connected to the seventh conductive top substrate portion  7007 ; the upper contact of the third red light-emitting element  763 C is connected to the eighth conductive top substrate portion  7008 ; the upper contact of the third green light-emitting element  765 C is connected to the ninth conductive top substrate portion  7009 ; and the upper contact of the third blue light-emitting element  767 C is connected to the tenth conductive top substrate portion  7010 . 
         [0183]      FIG. 8  does not show any connection to the bottom contacts of the light-emitting elements  763 A,  765 A,  767 A,  763 B,  765 B,  767 B,  763 C,  765 C,  767 C, since no connections occur along the line VIII-VIII′. 
         [0184]    The first through ninth isolation portions  791 - 799  each are configured to electrically isolate adjacent conductive top substrate portions from the first through tenth conductive top substrate portions  7001 - 7010 . In one set of embodiments, the isolation portions  791 - 799  can be filled with an insulating protective covering material applied over the whole device (not shown), although any suitable insulating material can be used. 
         [0185]      FIG. 8  also shows the blue control line  727  extending from the blue pad  717 , parallel to the surface of the bottom substrate  701 . The fourth via  737  extends upward through the affixing layer  703  from the blue pad  717  to the blue control line  727 . Likewise, the seventh via  747  extends upward through the affixing layer  703  from the blue control line  727  to the third connection line  757 . 
         [0186]    In addition,  FIG. 8  shows that the first conductive top substrate portion  7001  and the affixing layer  703  have a pad opening (unnumbered) that extends through the first conductive top substrate portion  7001  and the affixing layer  703 , to expose the blue pad  717 . 
         [0187]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device portion  700  of  FIG. 7  along line IX-IX′ according to disclosed embodiments. A basic description of the elements in this drawing has been made above with respect to  FIG. 7 . That description will not be repeated with respect to  FIG. 9 . 
         [0188]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , the first red connection element  773 A is located between, and electrically connects, the second conductive top substrate portion  7002  and the fourth connection line  783 A; the first green connection element  775 A is located between, and electrically connects, the third conductive top substrate portion  7003  and the fifth connection line  785 A; and the first blue connection element  777 A is located between, and electrically connects, the fourth conductive top substrate portion  7004  and the sixth connection line  787 A. 
         [0189]    Likewise, the second red connection element  773 B is located between, and electrically connects, the fifth conductive top substrate portion  7005  and the seventh connection line  783 B; the second green connection element  775 B is located between, and electrically connects, the sixth conductive top substrate portion  7006  and the eighth connection line  785 B; and the second blue connection element  777 B is located between, and electrically connects, the seventh conductive top substrate portion  7007  and the ninth connection line  787 B. 
         [0190]    The eighth, ninth, and tenth conductive top substrate portions  7008 ,  7009 ,  7010  all are electrically connected to, the ground bar  779 . The eighth via  749  extends through the affixing layer  703  and electrically connects to the ground line  721 . The ground line  721  extends through the affixing layer  703 , parallel to the bottom substrate  701  and is electrically connected to the first via  731 . The first via  731  extends through the affixing layer  703  and electrically connects to the ground pad  711 . 
         [0191]    In this way, when a ground voltage is applied to the ground pad  711 , the ground bar is likewise provided with the ground voltage, through the first via  731 , the ground line  721 , and the fourth via  749 . Therefore, when the eighth, ninth, and tenth conductive top substrate portions  7008 ,  7009 ,  7010  all electrically connect to the ground bar  779 , they are likewise each connected to the ground voltage. 
         [0192]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the first through ninth isolation portions  791 - 799  each are configured to electrically isolate adjacent conductive top substrate portions from the first through tenth conductive top substrate portions  7001 - 7010 . 
         [0193]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device portion  700  of  FIG. 7  along line X-X′ according to disclosed embodiments. A basic description of the elements in this drawing has been made above with respect to  FIG. 7 . That description will not be repeated with respect to  FIG. 10 . 
         [0194]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the ground line  721  and the red, green, and blue control lines  723 ,  725 ,  727  run through the affixing layer  703 , parallel to each other above the bottom substrate  701 . The seventh via  747  is formed up through the affixing layer  703 , and electrically connects the blue control line  727  to the third connection line  757 . The third connection line  757  extends through the affixing layer  703 , parallel to the surface of the bottom substrate  701 , from the seventh via  747  to a point where it turns to connect with the first blue light-emitting element  767 A (not shown in  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0195]    In addition, the fourth and fifth connection lines  783 A,  785 A pass through the affixing layer  703  at this spot in the lighting device  700 , on their way from the first red and green connection circuits  773 A,  775 A, respectively to the second red and green light-emitting elements  763 B,  765 B, respectively. 
         [0196]    In the cross-section of the lighting device  700  shown in  FIG. 10 , the third isolation portion  793  extends across the width of the bottom substrate  701 . 
         [0197]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device portion  700  of  FIG. 7  along line XI-XI′ according to disclosed embodiments. A basic description of the elements in this drawing has been made above with respect to  FIG. 7 . That description will not be repeated with respect to  FIG. 11 . 
         [0198]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , the ground line  721  and the red, green, and blue control lines  723 ,  725 ,  727  run through the affixing layer  703 , parallel to each other above the bottom substrate  701 . The fourth through seventh connection lines  783 A,  785 A,  787 A,  783 B all pass through the affixing layer  703  above the ground line  721  and the red, green, and blue control lines  725 ,  725 ,  727 . 
         [0199]    The fourth connection line  783 A connects to a bottom contact of the second red light-emitting element  763 B. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the fourth connection line  783 A comes to the second red light-emitting element  763 B from the first red connection circuit  773 A. 
         [0200]    The fifth and sixth connection lines  785 A,  787 A pass through the affixing layer  703  from the first green connection circuit  775 A and the first blue connection circuit  777 A, respectively (both not shown in  FIG. 11 ), on their way to the second green light-emitting element  765 B and the second blue light-emitting element  767 B, respectively (both not shown in  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0201]    The seventh connection line  783 B extends through the affixing layer  703  from the second red connection circuit  773 B to the third red light-emitting element  763 C (not shown in  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0202]    The fifth conductive top substrate portion  7005  extends above the affixing layer  703 , across the width of the bottom substrate  701 , and is connected to both the top contact of the second red light-emitting element  763 B and the top of the second red connection circuit  773 B, electrically connecting these two elements. 
         [0203]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , a red control current I R  (i.e., a red control signal) passes from the second red light-emitting element  763 B, through the fifth conductive top substrate portion  7005  to the second red connection circuit  773 B, through the second red connection circuit  773 B to the seventh connection line  783 B, and thence to the third red light-emitting element  763 C. In this way, the red control current I R  (i.e., the red control signal) can pass from the string of red light-emitting elements  763 A,  763 B,  763 C, independently of the other control signals, and in a manner where all of the red light-emitting elements  763 A,  763 B,  763 C are controlled by the same signal. Similar connections can be shown for the green and blue light-emitting elements. 
         [0204]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device portion  700  of  FIG. 7  along line XII-XII′ according to disclosed embodiments. A basic description of the elements in this drawing has been made above with respect to  FIG. 7 . That description will not be repeated with respect to  FIG. 12 . 
         [0205]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the ground line  721  and the red, green, and blue control lines  723 ,  725 ,  727  run through the affixing layer  703 , parallel to each other above the bottom substrate  701 . 
         [0206]    The tenth conductive top substrate portion  7010  extends above the affixing layer  703 , across the width of the bottom substrate  701 , and is connected to both the top contact of the third blue light-emitting element  767 C and the top of the ground bar  779 , electrically connecting these two elements. 
         [0207]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , a blue control current I B  (i.e., a blue control signal) passes from the third blue light-emitting element  767 C, through the tenth conductive top substrate portion  7010  to the ground bar  779 , through the ground bar  779  to the eighth via  749 , and thence to the ground line  721 . In this way, the blue control current I B  (i.e., the blue control signal) can pass from the string of blue light-emitting elements  767 A,  767 B,  767 C, and to ground, thus completing the circuit. Furthermore, the blue control signal can do this independent of the other control signals, and in a manner where all of the blue light-emitting elements  767 A,  767 B,  767 C are controlled by the same signal. Similar connections can be shown for the red and green light-emitting elements. 
       Operation of the Multiple-Color Lighting Device 
     Second Embodiment 
       [0208]    The operation of the portion of the lighting device  700  of  FIGS. 7-12  will now be described. Initially, a ground voltage is provided to the ground pad  711 , a red control signal is provided to the red pad  713 , a green control signal is provided to the green pad  715 , and a blue control signal is provided to the blue pad  717 . This can be done by connecting external wires or the like to the respective pads  711 ,  713 ,  715 ,  717 . This is possible because the pads  711 ,  713 ,  715 ,  717  are exposed by the pad gap in the affixing layer  703  and the first conductive top substrate portion  7001 . 
         [0209]    The ground voltage passes from the ground pad  711  through the first via  731  to the ground line  721 , through the ground line  721  to the eighth via  749 , and through the eighth via  749  to the ground bar  779 . In this way, the ground bar is provided with a ground voltage. 
         [0210]    The red control signal passes from the red pad  713  through the second via  733  to the main portion  723 A of the red control line  723 , from the main portion  723 A of the red control line  723  to the side portion  723 B of the red control line  723 , from the side portion  723 B of the red control line  723  to the fifth via  743 , through the fifth via  743  to the first connection line  753 , and through the first connection line  753  to the first red light-emitting element  763 A at a lower contact. 
         [0211]    The first red light-emitting element  763 A then emits red light in accordance with the red control signal. The first red light-emitting element  763 A also passes the red control signal to an upper contact, where the red control signal passes from the first red light-emitting element  763 A to the second conductive top substrate portion  7002 , through the second conductive top substrate portions  7002  to the top of the first red connection circuit  773 A, through the first red connection circuit  773 A to the fourth connection line  783 A, and from the fourth connection line  783 A to the second red light-emitting element  763 B at a lower contact. 
         [0212]    The second red light-emitting element  763 B then emits red light in accordance with the red control signal. The second red light-emitting element  763 B also passes the red control signal to an upper contact, where the red control signal passes from the second red light-emitting element  763 B to the fifth conductive top substrate portion  7005 , through the fifth conductive top substrate portions  7005  to the top of the second red connection circuit  773 B, through the second red connection circuit  773 B to the seventh connection line  783 B, and from the seventh connection line  783 B to the third red light-emitting element  763 C. 
         [0213]    The third red light-emitting element  763 C then emits red light in accordance with the red control signal. The third red light-emitting element  763 C also passes the red control signal to an upper contact, where the red control signal passes from the third red light-emitting element  763 C to the eighth conductive top substrate portion  7008 , through the eighth conductive top substrate portions  7008  to the top of the ground bar  779 , which, as noted above, is provided with a ground voltage. 
         [0214]    In this way, the red control signal that is provided at the red pad  713  controls the operation of all three of the red light-emitting elements  763 A,  763 B,  763 C. Furthermore, the disclosed portion of the lighting element  700  provides a proper circuit path for the red control signal, from the red pad  713 , through each of the red light-emitting element  763 A,  763 B,  763 C, to the ground pad  711 . 
         [0215]    Likewise, the green control signal passes from the green pad  715  through the third via  735  to the green control line  725 , from the green control line  725  to the sixth via  745 , through the sixth via  745  to the second connection line  755 , and through the second connection line  755  to the first green light-emitting element  765 A at a lower contact. 
         [0216]    The first green light-emitting element  765 A then emits green light in accordance with the green control signal. The first green light-emitting element  765 A also passes the green control signal to an upper contact, where the green control signal passes from the first green light-emitting element  765 A to the third conductive top substrate portion  7003 , through the third conductive top substrate portions  7003  to the top of the first green connection circuit  775 A, through the first green connection circuit  775 A to the fifth connection line  785 A, and from the fifth connection line  785 A to the second green light-emitting element  765 B. 
         [0217]    The second green light-emitting element  765 B then emits green light in accordance with the green control signal. The second green light-emitting element  765 B also passes the green control signal to an upper contact, where the green control signal passes from the second green light-emitting element  765 B to the sixth conductive top substrate portion  7006 , through the sixth conductive top substrate portions  7006  to the top of the second green connection circuit  775 B, through the second green connection circuit  775 B to the eighth connection line  785 B, and from the eighth connection line  785 B to the third green light-emitting element  765 C. 
         [0218]    The third green light-emitting element  765 C then emits green light in accordance with the green control signal. The third green light-emitting element  765 C also passes the green control signal to an upper contact, where the green control signal passes from the third green light-emitting element  765 C to the ninth conductive top substrate portion  7009 , through the ninth conductive top substrate portions  7009  to the top of the ground bar  779 , which, as noted above, is provided with a ground voltage. 
         [0219]    In this way, the green control signal that is provided at the green pad  715  controls the operation of all three of the green light-emitting elements  765 A,  765 B,  765 C. Furthermore, the disclosed portion of the lighting element  700  provides a proper circuit path for the green control signal, from the green pad  715 , through each of the green light-emitting element  765 A,  765 B,  765 C, to the ground pad  711 . 
         [0220]    Finally, the blue control signal passes from the blue pad  717  through the fourth via  737  to the blue control line  727 , from the blue control line  727  to the seventh via  747 , through the seventh via  747  to the third connection line  757 , and through the third connection line  757  to the first blue light-emitting element  767 A at a lower contact. 
         [0221]    The first blue light-emitting element  767 A then emits blue light in accordance with the blue control signal. The first blue light-emitting element  767 A also passes the blue control signal to an upper contact, where the blue control signal passes from the first blue light-emitting element  767 A to the fourth conductive top substrate portion  7004 , through the fourth conductive top substrate portions  7004  to the top of the first blue connection circuit  777 A, through the first blue connection circuit  777 A to the sixth connection line  787 A, and from the sixth connection line  787 A to the second blue light-emitting element  767 B. 
         [0222]    The second blue light-emitting element  767 B then emits blue light in accordance with the blue control signal. The second blue light-emitting element  767 B also passes the blue control signal to an upper contact, where the blue control signal passes from the second blue light-emitting element  767 B to the seventh conductive top substrate portion  7007 , through the seventh conductive top substrate portions  7007  to the top of the second blue connection circuit  777 B, through the second blue connection circuit  777 B to the ninth connection line  787 B, and from the ninth connection line  787 B to the third blue light-emitting element  767 C. 
         [0223]    The blue green light-emitting element  767 C then emits blue light in accordance with the blue control signal. The third blue light-emitting element  767 C also passes the blue control signal to an upper contact, where the blue control signal passes from the third blue light-emitting element  767 C to the tenth conductive top substrate portion  7010 , through the tenth conductive top substrate portions  7010  to the top of the ground bar  779 , which, as noted above, is provided with a ground voltage. 
         [0224]    In this way, the blue control signal that is provided at the blue pad  717  controls the operation of all three of the blue light-emitting elements  767 A,  767 B,  767 C. Furthermore, the disclosed portion of the lighting element  700  provides a proper circuit path for the blue control signal, from the blue pad  717 , through each of the blue light-emitting element  767 A,  767 B,  767 C, to the ground pad  711 . 
         [0225]    Equivalent Circuits 
         [0226]      FIG. 13  is a block diagram of an equivalent circuit of the lighting device portion of  FIG. 7  according to disclosed embodiments. For simplicity of disclosure, this drawing shows the ground line  721 , the red, green, and blue control signal lines  723 ,  725 ,  727 , the connection lines  753 ,  755 ,  757 ,  783 A,  785 A,  787 A,  783 B,  785 B,  787 B, the vias  731 ,  733 ,  735 ,  737 ,  743 ,  745 ,  747 ,  749 , and the conductive top substrate portions  7002 - 7010  all as simple lines connecting circuit elements. 
         [0227]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , in the equivalent circuit  1300 , a red control signal, a green control signal, and a blue control signal are provided to a red pad  713 , a green pad  715 , and a blue pad  717 , respectively. The ground pad  711  is connected to the ground voltage. Each of the control signals passes from a respective input pad, through three light-emitting elements of the same color, and to the ground pad, completing the circuit. 
         [0228]    The red control signal is provided to the red pad  713  and passes, in turn, through the first red light-emitting element  763 A, the first red connection circuit  773 A, the second red light-emitting element  763 B, the second red connection circuit  773 B, the third red light-emitting element  763 C, the ground bar  779 , and the ground pad  711 . 
         [0229]    Likewise, the green control signal is provided to the green pad  715  and passes, in turn, through the first green light-emitting element  765 A, the first green connection circuit  775 A, the second green light-emitting element  765 B, the second green connection circuit  775 B, the third green light-emitting element  765 C, the ground bar  779 , and the ground pad  711 . 
         [0230]    Finally, the blue control signal is provided to the blue pad  717  and passes, in turn, through the first blue light-emitting element  767 A, the first blue connection circuit  777 A, the second blue light-emitting element  767 B, the second blue connection circuit  777 B, the third blue light-emitting element  767 C, the ground bar  779 , and the ground pad  711 . 
         [0231]    Although the actual connections within the lighting device portion  700  includes twists and turns, using a combination of lines, vias, and conductive top substrate portions to connect the various elements, the connections can be simplified to the circuit shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0232]    As noted above, this circuit design allows a set of light-emitting elements of a given color to be controlled in unison by a single control signal furthermore the various control signals provided can be controlled independently of each other. 
         [0233]      FIG. 14  is a circuit diagram  1400  of an equivalent circuit of the lighting device portion  700  of  FIG. 7  according to disclosed embodiments. This circuit diagram reduces the description of the lighting device portion  700  to its simplest form. In addition, the circuit diagram of  FIG. 14  also shows how the red, green, and blue control signals are provided to the lighting device portion  700 . 
         [0234]    As shown in  FIG. 14 , a red voltage supply V R  and a red input resistor R R  operate together to provide the red control signal. This red control signal is passed through the red pad  713  to a first red light-emitting element  763 A, a second red light-emitting element  763 B, and a third red light-emitting element  763 C, in series, and then through the ground pad  711  to a ground voltage. 
         [0235]    Similarly, a green voltage supply V G  and a green input resistor R G  operate together to provide the green control signal. This green control signal is passed through the green pad  715  to a first green light-emitting element  765 A, a second green light-emitting element  765 B, and a third green light-emitting element  765 C, in series, and then through the ground pad  711  to a ground voltage. 
         [0236]    Likewise, a blue voltage supply V B  and a blue input resistor R B  operate together to provide the blue control signal. This blue control signal is passed through the blue pad  717  to a first blue light-emitting element  767 A, a second blue light-emitting element  767 B, and a third blue light-emitting element  767 C, in series, and then through the ground pad  711  to a ground voltage. 
         [0237]    As with the equivalent block diagram of  FIG. 13 , the equivalent circuit diagram  1400  shows that each string of same-colored light-emitting elements is controlled by a single control signal, and that each control signal can be operated independently of the other control signals. 
         [0238]    In addition,  FIG. 14  shows that from an electrical standpoint, it is the light-emitting elements where the primary voltage drops will occur. In the disclosed embodiments, the light-emitting elements are arranged such that the voltage drop across each light-emitting element is sufficient to activate that light-emitting element. For example, if V R  is 12 V, the total voltage drop across the three red light-emitting elements  763 A,  763 B,  763 C will be 12 V. The three red light-emitting elements  763 A,  763 B,  763 C should be designed such that the portion of the 12 V that drops across each red light-emitting element  763 A,  763 B,  763 C is sufficient to cause that light-emitting element to generate light. One possible implementation of this is to have each of the red light-emitting elements  763 A,  763 B,  763 C have the same voltage drop across it. Therefore, the drop across each of the three red light-emitting elements  763 A,  763 B,  763 C will be one-third of 12 V, or 4 V. In such an embodiment, the red voltage V R  need only be set to be at least three times the required voltage drop across one of the red light-emitting elements r  763 A,  763 B,  763 C. A similar analysis can be performed for the green and blue light-emitting elements. Similarly, a similar analysis can be performed if fewer or more light-emitting elements are used in a given current path. 
         [0239]    Furthermore, as noted above, although the embodiments of  FIGS. 7-14  disclose the use of three colors in the lighting device portion  700 , this is by way of example only. Two colors or four or more colors could also be used in alternate embodiments. Likewise, although the embodiments of  FIGS. 7-14  specifically disclose red, green, and blue light-emitting elements, this is also by way of example. Different colored light-emitting elements can be used in alternate embodiments, including light that is not visible to the naked eye (e.g., infrared light). 
         [0240]    In addition, although the embodiments of  FIGS. 7-14  disclose that the set of light-emitting elements controlled by each individual control signal emit light of a different color from all of the other sets of light-emitting elements, this too is by way of example only. In alternate embodiments it may be desirable to separately control different groups of light-emitting elements that transmit light of the same color. The circuit described above can be used in such embodiments. 
         [0241]    Method of Manufacture 
         [0242]      FIG. 15  is a flow chart showing a method  1500  of manufacturing a multiple-color lighting device according to disclosed embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the manufacturing method begins by placing a ground path over a substrate ( 1510 ). 
         [0243]    A first current path is then placed over the substrate ( 1520 ), and a second current path is placed over the substrate ( 1530 ). 
         [0244]    A first light-emitting element is then placed such that it is electrically connected to the first current path ( 1540 ). Likewise, second light-emitting element is placed such that it is electrically connected to the second current path ( 1550 ). 
         [0245]    A grounding element is placed such that it is electrically connected to the ground path ( 1560 ). 
         [0246]    A first connection element is placed such that it is electrically connected to the second current path ( 1570 ). 
         [0247]    Finally, first and second transparent conductive substrates are formed such that the first transparent conductive substrate portion electrically connects the first light emitting element to the first connection element, and such that the second transparent conductive substrate portion electrically connects the second light-emitting element to the grounding element ( 1580 ). 
         [0248]    In this way, a current path for a control signal will be created from the first current path, through the first and second light-emitting elements, to the ground path. In particular, the first current path is connected to the first light-emitting element, from the first light-emitting element to the first transparent conductive substrate portion, from the first transparent conductive substrate portion to the first connection element, from the first connection element to the second current path, from the second current path to the second light-emitting element, from the second light-emitting element to the second transparent conductive substrate portion, from the second transparent substrate portion to the grounding element, and from the grounding element to the ground path. 
         [0249]      FIG. 16  is a flow chart describing the operation of placing the first and second transparent conductive substrate portions ( 1580 ) of the method of  FIG. 15  according to first disclosed embodiments. 
         [0250]    As shown in  FIG. 16 , in the first disclosed embodiments, a base conductive substrate is formed over a first light-emitting element, a first connection element, a second light-emitting element, and a grounding element, such that the base conductive substrate is electrically connected to the first light-emitting element, the first connection element, the second light-emitting element, and the grounding element ( 1610 ). 
         [0251]    Then, a gap is cut in the base transparent conductive substrate to form a first conductive substrate portion and a second conductive substrate portion, separated by an insulating gap ( 1620 ). In various embodiments, this gap can be filled with an insulating substance. 
         [0252]      FIG. 17  is a flow chart describing the operation of placing the first and second transparent conductive substrate portions ( 1580 ) of the method of  FIG. 15  according to second disclosed embodiments. 
         [0253]    As shown in  FIG. 17 , in the second disclosed embodiments, a first transparent conductive substrate portion is placed over the first light-emitting element and the first connection element, such that it electrically connects the first light-emitting element to the first connection element ( 1580 ). 
         [0254]    Then, a second transparent conductive substrate portion is placed over the second light-emitting element and the grounding element, such that it electrically connects the second light-emitting element to the grounding element ( 1590 ). 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0255]    This disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use various embodiments in accordance with the invention rather than to limit the true, intended, and fair scope and spirit thereof. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment(s) was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims, as may be amended during the pendency of this application for patent, and all equivalents thereof, when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. The various circuits described above can be implemented in discrete circuits or integrated circuits, as desired by implementation.