Patent Publication Number: US-6340868-B1

Title: Illumination components

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATION(S) 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/213,659, filed Dec. 17, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,211,626, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/920,156, filed Aug. 26, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,038. The present application also claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Nos. 60/071,281, filed Dec. 17, 1997, U.S. Ser. No. 60/068,792, filed Dec. 24, 1997, U.S. Ser. No. 60/078,861, filed Mar. 20, 1998, U.S. Ser. No. 60/079,285, filed Mar. 25, 1998, and U.S. Ser. No. 60/090,920, filed Jun. 26, 1998. The present application incorporates by reference the aforementioned applications and the specifications of the following applications: PCT/US98/17702 filed on Aug. 26, 1998; PCT/US98/26853 filed on Dec. 17, 1998; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/215,624 filed on Dec. 17, 1998; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/213,537 filed on Dec. 17, 1998; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/213,607 filed on Dec. 17, 1998; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/213,189 filed on Dec. 17, 1998; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/213,548 filed on Dec. 17, 1998; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/213,581 filed on Dec. 17, 1998; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/213,540 filed on Dec. 17, 1998. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to providing light of a selectable color using light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs). More particularly, the present invention is a method and apparatus for providing multicolored illumination. More particularly still, the present invention is an apparatus for providing a computer controlled multicolored illumination network capable of high performance and rapid color selection and change. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Light emitting diodes are known which, when disposed on a circuit, accept electrical impulses from the circuit and convert the impulses into light signals. LEDs are energy efficient, they give off virtually no heat, and they have a long lifetime. 
     A number of types of LED exist, including air gap LEDs, GaAs light-emitting diodes (which may be doubled and packaged as single unit offer greater reliability than conventional single-diode package), polymer LEDs, and semi-conductor LEDs, among others. Most LEDs in current use are red. Conventional uses for LEDs include displays for low light environments, such as the flashing light on a modem or other computer component, or the digital display of a wristwatch. Improved LEDs have recently been used in arrays for longer-lasting traffic lights. LEDs have been used in scoreboards and other displays. Also, LEDs have been placed in arrays and used as television displays. Although most LEDs in use are red, yellow or white, LEDs may take any color; moreover, a single LED may be designed to change colors to any color in the color spectrum in response to changing electrical signals. 
     It is well known that combining the projected light of one color with the projected light of another color will result in the creation of a third color. It is also well known that three commonly used primary colors—red, blue and green—can be combined in different proportions to generate almost any color in the visible spectrum. The present invention takes advantage of these effects by combining the projected light from at least two light emitting diodes (LEDS) of different primary colors. It should be understood that for purposes of this invention the term “primary colors” encompasses any different colors that can be combined to create other colors. 
     Computer lighting networks that use LEDs are also known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,420,482, issued to Phares, describes one such network that uses different colored LEDs to generate a selectable color, primarily for use in a display apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,481, issued to Havel, is directed to a multicolored display device. Havel uses a pulse width modulated signal to provide current to respective LEDs at a particular duty cycle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,114, issued to Brown, shows an LED display system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,387, issued to Smith et al., is directed to an LED matrix display. 
     Illumination systems exist in which a network of individual lights is controlled by a central driver, which may be a computer-controlled driver. Such illumination systems include theatrical lighting systems. The USITT DMX-512 protocol was developed to deliver a stream of data from a theatrical console to a series of theatrical lights. 
     The DMX-512 protocol was originally designed to standardize the control of light dimmers by lighting consoles. The DMX-512 protocol is a multiplexed digital lighting control protocol with a signal to control 512 devices, such device including dimmers, scrollers, non-dim relays, parameters of a moving light, or a graphical light in a computerized virtual reality set. DMX-512 is used for control for a network of devices. The DMX-512 protocol employs digital signal codes. When a transmitting device, such as a lighting console, sends digital codes, a receiving device, such as a dimmer, transforms these codes into a function command, such as dimming to a specified level. With digital systems, signal integrity is compromised less over long cable runs, relative to analog control. When a coded string of 0/1 digits are sent and received, the device will perform the desired task. 
     In hardware terms, DMX-512 protocol information is transferred between devices over metal wires using the RS-485 hardware protocol. This involves the use of two wires, known as a twisted pair. The first wire is referred to as a data+wire, and the second wire is referred to as a data−wire. The voltage used on the line is typically positive five volts. By way of example, to transmit a logical one, the data+wire is taken to positive five volts, and the data−wire to zero volts. To transmit a logical zero, the data+wire goes to zero volts, and the data−wire to positive five volts. This is quite different from the more common RS-232 interface, where one wire is always kept at zero volts. In RS-232, a logical one is transmitted by putting between positive six and positive twelve volts on the line, and a logical zero is transmitted by putting a voltage between negative six and negative twelve volts onto the line. RS-485 is generally understood to be better for data transmission than RS-232. With RS-232, the receiver has to measure if the incoming voltage is positive or negative. With RS-485, the receiver only needs to determine which line has the higher voltage on it. 
     The two wires over which RS-485 is transmitted are preferably twisted. Twisting means that disturbances on the line tend to affect both lines simultaneously, more or less by the same amount, so that the voltage on both lines will fluctuate, but the difference in voltage between the lines remains the same. The result is that noise is rejected from the line. Also, the drive capability of RS-485 drivers is higher than RS-232 drivers. As a result, the RS-485 protocol can connect devices over distances hundreds of times further than would be possible when using RS-232. RS-485 also increases the maximum data rate, i.e., the maximum amount of data which can be transmitted over the line every second. Communication between devices using RS-232 is normally about nine thousand six hundred baud (bits per second). Faster communication is possible, but the distances over which data can be transmitted are reduced significantly if communication is faster. 
     By comparison, DMX-512 (using RS-485) permits data to be sent at two hundred fifty thousand baud (two hundred fifty thousand bits per second) over distances of hundreds of meters without problems. Every byte transmitted has one start bit, which is used to warn the receiver that the next character is starting, eight data bits (this conveys up to two hundred fifty six different levels) and two stop bits, which are used to tell the receiver that this is the end of the character. This means that every byte is transmitted as eleven bits, so that the length of each character is forty-four micro seconds. 
     The receiver looks at the two incoming signals on a pair of pins and compares the differences. A voltage rise on one wire and the inverse on the other will be seen as a differential and therefore deciphered as a digit. When both signals are identical, no difference is recognized and no digit deciphered. If interference was accidently transmitted along the line, it would impart no response as long as the interference was identical on both lines. The proximity of the two lines assist in assuring that distribution of interference is identical on both wires. The signal driver sends five hundred twelve device codes in a continual, repetitive stream of data. The receiving device is addressed with a number between one and five hundred twelve so it will respond only to data that corresponds to its assigned address. 
     A terminator resistor is typically installed at the end of a DMX line of devices, which reduces the possibility of signal reflection which can create errors in the DMX signal. The ohm value of the resistor is determined by the cable type used. Some devices allow for self termination at the end of the line. Multiple lines of DMX data can be distributed through an opto-repeater. This device creates a physical break in the line by transforming the electrical signals into light which spans a gap, then it is restored to electrical signals. This protects devices from damaging high voltage, accidentally traveling along the network. It will also repeat the original DMX data to several output lines. The input data is recreated at the outputs, eliminating distortion. The signal leaves the opto-repeater as strong as it left the console. 
     DMX messages are typically generated through computer software. Each DMX message is preceded with a “break,” which is a signal for the receiver that the previous message has ended and the next message is about to start. The length of the break signal (equivalent to a logical zero on the line) has to be eighty-eight micro seconds according to the DMX specification. The signal can be more than eighty-eight micro seconds. After the break signal is removed from the line, there is a period during which the signal is at a logical one level. This is known as the “Mark” or ‘Mark After Break’ (MAB) time. This time is typically at least eight micro seconds. After the Mark comes the first character, or byte, which is knows as the “Start” character. This character is rather loosely specified, and is normally set to the value zero (it can vary between zero and two hundred fifty five). This start character may be used to specify special messages. It is, for example, possible to have five hundred twelve dimmers which respond to messages with the start character set to zero, and another five hundred twelve dimmers which respond to messages with the start character set to one. If one transmits data for these one thousand twenty-four dimmers, and one sets the start character to zero for the first five hundred twelve dimmers, and to one for the second set of five hundred twelve dimmers, it is possible to control one thousand twenty four dimmers (or more if one wishes, using the same technique). The disadvantage is a reduction in the number of messages sent to each of the set of dimmers, in this example by a factor two. After the start character there are between one and five hundred twelve characters, which normally correspond to the up to five hundred twelve channels controlled by DMX. Each of these characters may have a value between zero (for ‘off’, zero percent) and two hundred fifty five (for full, one hundred percent). After the last character there may be another delay (at logic one level) before the next break starts. The number of messages which are transmitted every second are dependent on all the parameters listed above. In one case, where the break length is eighty-eight microseconds, the make after break length is eight micro seconds, and each character takes exactly forty-four micro seconds to transmit there will be forty-four messages per second, assuming that all five hundred twelve channels are being transmitted. Many lighting desks and other DMX sources transmit less than five hundred twelve channels, use a longer break and make after break time, and may have a refresh rate of seventy or eighty messages per second. Often, there is no benefit to be had from this, as the current value is not necessarily recalculated for each of the channels in each frame. The ‘standard’ DMX signal would allow for a lamp to be switched on and off twenty-two times per second, which is ample for many applications. Certain devices are capable of using sixteen-bit DMX. Normal eight bit messages allow two hundred fifty-six positions, which is inadequate for the positioning of mirrors and other mechanical devices. Having sixteen bits available per channel increases that quantity up to sixty-five thousand five hundred thirty-six steps, which removes the limitation of ‘standard’ DMX. 
     A significant problem with present lighting networks is that they require special wiring or cabling. In particular, one set of wires is needed for electrical power, while a second set of wires is needed for data, such as DMX-512 protocol data. Accordingly, the owner of an existing set of lights must undertake significant effort to rewire in order to have a digitally controlled lighting environment. 
     A second significant problem with present lighting networks is that particular lighting applications require particular lighting types. For example, LED based lights are appropriate for some applications, while incandescent lamps or halogen lamps may be more appropriate for other applications. A user who wishes to have a digitally controlled network of lights, in addition to rewiring, must currently add additional fixtures or replace old fixtures for each different type of light. Accordingly, a need has arisen for a lighting fixture that permits use of different types of digitally controlled lights. 
     Use of pulse width modulated signals to control electrical devices, such as motors, is also known. Traditional methods of providing pulse width modulated signals include hardware using software programmed timers, which in some instances is not cost effective if not enough timer modules are available, and one interrupt per count processes, in which a microprocessor receives periodic interrupts at a known rate. Each time through the interrupt loop the processor compares the current count with the target counts and updates one or more output pins, thus creating a pulse width modulated signal, or PWM. In this case, the speed equals the clock speed divided by cycles in the interrupt routine divided by desired resolution. In a third method, in a combination of the first two processes, software loops contain a variable number of instructions. The processor uses the hardware timer to generate a periodic interrupt, and then, depending on whether the pulse is to be very short or not, either schedules another interrupt to finish the PWM cycle, or creates the pulse by itself in the first interrupt routine by executing a series of instructions consuming a desired amount of time between two PWM signal updates. The difficulty with the third method is that for multiple PWM channels it is very difficult to arrange the timer based signal updates such that they do not overlap, and then to accurately change the update times for a new value of PWM signals. Accordingly, a new pulse width modulation method and system is needed to assisting in controlling electrical devices. 
     Many conventional illumination applications are subject to other drawbacks. Conventional light sources, such as halogen and incandescent sources may produce undesirable heat. Such sources may have very limited life spans. Conventional light sources may require substantial lens and filtering systems in order to produce color. It may be very difficult to reproduce precise color conditions with conventional light sources. Conventional light sources may not respond quickly to computer control. One or more of these drawbacks may have particular significance in particular existing lighting applications. Moreover, the combination of these drawbacks may have prevented the development of a number of other illumination applications. Accordingly, a need exists for illumination methods and systems that overcome the drawbacks of conventional illumination systems and that take advantage of the possibilities offered by overcoming such drawbacks. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Illumination methods and systems are provided herein that overcome many of the drawbacks of conventional illumination systems. In embodiments, methods and systems are provided for multicolored illumination. In an embodiment, the present invention is an apparatus for providing an efficient, computer-controlled, multicolored illumination network capable of high performance and rapid color selection and change. 
     In brief, disclosed herein is a current control for a lighting assembly, which may be an LED system or LED lighting assembly, which may be a pulse width modulated (“PWM”) current control or other form of current control where each current-controlled unit is uniquely addressable and capable of receiving illumination color information on a computer lighting network. As used herein, “current control” means PWM current control, analog current control, digital current control, and any other method or system for controlling current. 
     As used herein, the term “LED system” means any system that is capable of receiving an electrical signal and producing a color of light in response to the signal. Thus, the term “LED system” should be understood to include light emitting diodes of all types, light emitting polymers, semiconductor dies that produce light in response to current, organic LEDs, electro-luminescnt strips, and other such systems. In an embodiment, an “LED system” may refer to a single light emitting diode having multiple semiconductor dies that are individually controlled. 
     An LED system is one type of illumination source. As used herein “illumination source” should be understood to include all illumination sources, including LED systems, as well as incandescent sources, including filament lamps, pyro-luminescent sources, such as flames, candle-luminescent sources, such as gas mantles and carbon arch radiation sources, as well as photo-luminescent sources, including gaseous discharges, flourescent sources, phosphorescence sources, lasers, electro-luminescent sources, such as electro-luminescent lamps, light emitting diodes, and cathode luminescent sources using electronic satiation, as well as miscellaneous luminescent sources including galvano-luminescent sources, crystallo-luminescent sources, kine-luminescent sources, thermo-luminescent sources, triboluminescent sources, sonoluminescent sources, and radioluminescent sources. Illumination sources may also include luminescent polymers capable of producing primary colors. 
     The term “illuminate” should be understood to refer to the production of a frequency of radiation by an illumination source. The term “color” should be understood to refer to any frequency of radiation within a spectrum; that is, a “color,” as used herein, should be understood to encompass frequencies not only of the visible spectrum, but also frequencies in the infrared and ultraviolet areas of the spectrum, and in other areas of the electromagnetic spectrum. 
     In a further embodiment, the invention includes a tree network configuration of lighting units (nodes). In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a heat dissipating housing, made out of a heat-conductive material, for housing the lighting assembly. The heat dissipating housing contains two stacked circuit boards holding respectively a power module and a light module. In another embodiment, the LED board is thermally connected to a separate heat spreader plate by means of a thermally conductive polymer and fasteners and should be considered substantially the same as an LED board with metal in center. The light module is adapted to be conveniently interchanged with other light modules having programmable current, and hence maximum light intensity, ratings. Such other light modules may include organic LEDs, electro-luminescent strips, and other modules, in addition to conventional LEDs. Other embodiments of the present invention involve novel applications for the general principles described herein. 
     Disclosed herein is a high performance computer controlled multicolored lighting network, which may be an LED lighting network. Disclosed herein is an LED lighting network structure capable of both a linear chain of nodes and a tree configuration. Disclosed herein is a heat-dissipating housing to contain the lighting units of the lighting network. Disclosed herein is a current-regulated LED lighting apparatus, wherein the apparatus contains lighting modules each having its own maximum current rating and each conveniently interchangeable with one another. Disclosed herein is a computer current-controlled LED lighting assembly for use as a general illumination device capable of emitting multiple colors in a continuously programmable twenty-four-bit spectrum. Disclosed herein are a flashlight, inclinometer, thermometer, general environmental indicator and lightbulb, all utilizing the general computer current-control principles of the present invention. 
     The lighting assembly of the present invention, in certain embodiments, includes a modular LED unit for illumination within a range of diverse environments. The LED unit includes, in one embodiment, a light module having an LED system for generating a range of colors within a color spectrum and a processor for controlling the amount of current supplied to the LED system, so that a particular amount of current supplied thereto generates a corresponding color within the color spectrum. The manner in which the LED unit may be used includes initially placing the modular LED unit having the light module within an environment, and subsequently controlling the amount of electrical current to the LED system, so as to generate a color within a color spectrum, for instance, the visible spectrum. Other aspects of the present disclosure will be apparent from the detailed description below. 
     The present invention provides applications for digitally controlled LED based lights. Systems and methods of the present invention include uses of such lights in a number of technical fields in which illumination technology is critical. Systems and methods of the present invention include systems whereby such lights may be made responsive to a variety of different signals. Systems and methods of the present invention include improved data and power distribution networks. 
     Systems and methods of the present invention include use of LEDs as part of or on a wide range of items to provide aesthetically appealing or function effects. The digitally controlled light emitting diodes (LEDs) of the present invention may be used in a number of technological fields in inventions more particularly described below. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The patent or application file contains at least one drawing (FIGS. 95-98) executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Patent Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. 
     FIG. 1 depicts a light module of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 depicts a light module of FIG. 1 in data connection with a generator of control data for the light module. 
     FIG. 3 depicts a schematic of an embodiment of light module. 
     FIG. 4 depicts an array of LEDs in an embodiment of a light module. 
     FIG. 5 depicts a power module in an embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 depicts a circuit design for an embodiment of a light module. 
     FIG. 7 depicts a circuit design for an array of LEDs in a light module in an embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 8 depicts an array of LEDs that may be associated with a circuit such as that of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 9 depicts a schematic of the electrical design of an embodiment of a light module. 
     FIG. 10 depicts a power module for a light module of the invention. 
     FIG. 11 depicts another view of the power module of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 12 depicts a circuit for a power supply for a light module of the invention. 
     FIG. 13 depicts a circuit for a power/data multiplexor. 
     FIG. 14 depicts a circuit for another embodiment of a power/data multiplexor. 
     FIG. 15 depicts flow charts depicting steps in a modified pulse width modulation software routine. 
     FIG. 16 depicts a data delivery track lighting system. 
     FIG. 17 depicts a circuit design for a data driver for the track system of FIG.  16 . 
     FIG. 18 depicts a circuit design for a terminator for a track system of FIG.  16 . 
     FIG. 19 depicts an embodiment of a light module in which a cylindrical housing houses the light module. 
     FIG. 20 depicts a modular light module. 
     FIG. 21 depicts a modular light module constricted to fit a halogen socket. 
     FIG. 22 depicts a circuit design for an embodiment of a light module. 
     FIG. 23 depicts a modular housing for a light module. 
     FIG. 24 is a schematic illustration of a modular LED unit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 25 illustrates a light module in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 26 illustrates a light module in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 27 illustrates a light module in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 28A-C illustrate a plurality of LEDs arranged within the various configurations for use with the modular LED unit of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 29-68 illustrate the various environments within which the modular LED unit of the present invention may illuminate. 
     FIG. 69 depicts a smart light bulb embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 70 depicts the embodiment of FIG. 69 in data connection with another device. 
     FIG. 71 depicts the embodiment of FIG. 69 in connection with other smart light bulbs. 
     FIG. 72 depicts a network of smart light bulbs in data connection with each other 
     FIG. 73 depicts a light buffer sensor/feedback application using a smart light bulb. 
     FIG. 74 depicts an EKG sensor/feedback environment using a smart light bulb. 
     FIG. 75 depicts a schematic diagram of a sensor/feedback application. 
     FIG. 76 depicts a general block diagram relevant to a color thermometer. 
     FIG. 77 depicts a color speedometer. 
     FIG. 78 depicts a color inclinometer. 
     FIG. 79 depicts a color magnometer. 
     FIG. 80 depicts a smoke alert system. 
     FIG. 81 depicts a color pH meter. 
     FIG. 82 depicts a security system to indicate the presence of an object. 
     FIG. 83 depicts an electromagnetic radiation detector. 
     FIG. 84 depicts a color telephone indicator. 
     FIG. 85 depicts a lighting system using a light module of the present invention in association with an entertainment device. 
     FIG. 86 depicts a schematic of the system of FIG.  85 . 
     FIG. 87 depicts a schematic of an encoder for the system of FIG.  85 . 
     FIG. 88 depicts a schematic of an encoding method using the encoder of FIG.  87 . 
     FIG. 89 depicts a schematic of a decoder of the system of FIG.  85 . 
     FIG. 90A depicts an embodiment of a system for precision illumination. 
     FIG. 90B depicts a block diagram of a control module for the precision illumination system of FIG.  90 A. 
     FIG. 91 depicts an embodiment comprising a precision illumination system held in an operator&#39;s hand. 
     FIG. 92A depicts fruit-bearing plants illuminated by an array of LED systems. 
     FIG. 92B depicts fruit-bearing plants illuminated by natural light. 
     FIG. 93A is a generally schematic view illustrating the anatomy of the porta hepatis as illuminated by an embodiment of an LED system affixed to a medical instrument. 
     FIG. 93B depicts an embodiment of an LED system affixed to a medical instrument. 
     FIG. 93C depicts an embodiment of an LED system affixed to an endoseope. 
     FIG. 93D depicts an embodiment of an LED system affixed to a surgical headlamp. 
     FIG. 93E depicts an embodiment of an LED system affixed to surgical loupes. 
     FIG. 94 depicts a method for treating a medical condition by illuminating with an embodiment of an LED system. 
     FIG. 95 depicts changing the perceived color of colored objects by changing the color of the light projected thereon. 
     FIG. 96 depicts creating an illusion of motion in a colored design by changing the color of the light projected thereon. 
     FIG. 97 depicts a vending machine in which an illusion of motion in a colored design is created by changing the color of the light projected thereon. 
     FIG. 98 depicts a vending machine in which objects appear and disappear in a colored design by changing the color of the light projected thereon. 
     FIG. 99 depicts a system for illuminating a container. 
     FIG. 100 depicts an article of clothing lit by an LED system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     The structure and operation of various methods and systems that are embodiments of the invention will now be described. It should be understood that many other ways of practicing the invention herein are available, and the embodiments described herein are exemplary and not limiting. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a light module  100  is depicted in block diagram format. The light module  100  includes two components, a processor  16  and an LED system  120 , which is depicted in FIG. 1 as an array of light emitting diodes. The term “processor” is used herein to refer to any method or system for processing in response to a signal or data and should be understood to encompass microprocessors, integrated circuits, computer software, computer hardware, electrical circuits, application specific integrated circuits, personal computers, chips, and other devices capable of providing processing functions. The LED system  120  is controlled by the processor  16  to produce controlled illumination. In particular, the processor  16  controls the intensity of different color individual LEDs, semiconductor dies, or the like of the LED system  120  to produce illumination in any color in the spectrum. Instantaneous changes in color, strobing and other effects, more particularly described below, can be produced with light modules such as the light module  100  depicted in FIG.  1 . The light module  100  may be made capable of receiving power and data. The light module  100 , through the processor  16 , may be made to provide the various functions ascribed to the various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the light module  100  may be constructed to be used either alone or as part of a set of such light modules  100 . An individual light module  100  or a set of light modules  100  can be provided with a data connection  500  to one or more external devices, or, in certain embodiments of the invention, with other light modules  100 . As used herein, the term “data connection” should be understood to encompass any system for delivering data, such as a network, a data bus, a wire, a transmitter and receiver, a circuit, a video tape, a compact disc, a DVD disc, a video tape, an audio tape, a computer tape, a card, or the like. A data connection may thus include any system of method to deliver data by radio frequency, ultrasonic, auditory, infrared, optical, microwave, laser, electromagnetic, or other transmission or connection method or system. That is, any use of the electromagnetic spectrum or other energy transmission mechanism could provide a data connection as disclosed herein. In embodiments of the invention, the light module  100  may be equipped with a transmitter, receiver, or both to facilitate communication, and the processor  16  may be programmed to control the communication capabilities in a conventional manner. The light modules  100  may receive data over the data connection  500  from a transmitter  502 , which may be a conventional transmitter of a communications signal, or may be part of a circuit or network connected to the light module  100 . That is, the transmitter  502  should be understood to encompass any device or method for transmitting data to the light module  100 . The transmitter  502  may be linked to or be part of a control device  504  that generates control data for controlling the light modules  100 . In an embodiment of the invention, the control device  504  is a computer, such as a laptop computer. The control data may be in any form suitable for controlling the processor  16  to control the LED system  120 . In embodiment of the invention, the control data is formatted according to the DMX-512 protocol, and conventional software for generating DMX-512 instructions is used on a laptop or personal computer as the control device  504  to control the light modules  100 . The light module  100  may also be provided with memory for storing instructions to control the processor  16 , so that the light module  100  may act in stand alone mode according to pre-programmed instructions. 
     Turning to FIG. 3, shown is an electrical schematic representation of the light module  100  in one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the LED-containing side and the electrical connector side of an exemplary embodiment of such a light module  100 . Light module  100  may be constructed, in an embodiment, as a selfcontained module that is configured to be a standard item interchangeable with any similarly constructed light module. Light module  100  contains a ten-pin electrical connector  110  of the general type. In this embodiment, the connector  110  contains male pins adapted to fit into a complementary ten-pin connector female assembly, to be described below. Pin  180  is the power supply. A source of DC electrical potential enters light module  100  on pin  180 . Pin  180  is electrically connected to the anode end of light emitting diode (LED) sets  120 ,  140  and  160  to establish a uniform high potential on each anode end. 
     LED system  120  includes a set  121  of red LEDs, a set  140  of blue LEDs, and a set  160  of green LEDs. The LEDs may be conventional LEDs, such those obtainable from the Nichia America Corporation. These LEDs are primary colors, in the sense that such colors when combined in preselected proportions can generate any color in the spectrum. While use of three primary colors is preferred, it will be understood that the present invention will function nearly as well with only two primary colors to generate a wide variety of colors in the spectrum. Likewise, while the different primary colors are arranged herein on sets of uniformly colored LEDS, it will be appreciated that the same effect may be achieved with single LEDs containing multiple color-emitting semiconductor dies. LED sets  121 ,  140  and  160  each preferably contains a serial/parallel array of LEDs in the manner described by Okuno in U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,869, incorporated herein by reference. In the present embodiment, LED system  120  includes LED set  121 , which contains three parallel connected rows of nine red LEDs (not shown), as well as LED sets  140  and  160 , which each contain five parallel connected rows of five blue and green LEDS, respectively (not shown). It is understood by those in the art that, in general, each red LED drops the potential in the line by a lower amount than each blue or green LED, about two and one-tenth V, compared to four volts, respectively, which accounts for the different row lengths. This is because the number of LEDs in each row is determined by the amount of voltage drop desired between the anode end at the power supply voltage and the cathode end of the last LED in the row. Also, the parallel arrangement of rows is a fail-safe measure that ensures that the light module  100  will still function even if a single LED in a row fails, thus opening the electrical circuit in that row. The cathode ends of the three parallel rows of nine red LEDs in LED set  121  are then connected in common, and go to pin  128  on connector  110 . Likewise, the cathode ends of the five parallel rows of five blue LEDs in LED set  140  are connected in common, and go to pin  148  on connector  1   10 . The cathode ends of the five parallel rows of five green LEDs in LED set  160  are connected in common, and go to pin  168  on connector  110 . Finally, on light module  100 , each LED set in the LED system  120  is associated with a programming resistor that combines with other components, described below, to program the maximum current through each set of LEDS. Between pin  124  and  126  is resistor  122 , six and two-tenths ohms. Between pin  144  and  146  is resistor  142 , four and seven-tenths ohms. Between pin  164  and  166  is resistor  162 , four and seven-tenths ohms. Resistor  122  programs maximum current through red LED set  121 , resistor  142  programs maximum current through blue LED set  140 , and resistor  162  programs maximum current through green LED set  160 . The values these resistors should take are determined empirically, based on the desired maximum light intensity of each LED set. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the resistances above program red, blue and green currents of seventy, fifty and fifty mA, respectively. 
     As shown in FIG. 6, a circuit  10  for a digitally controlled LED-based light includes an LED assembly  12  containing LED output channels  14 , which are controlled by the processor  16 . Data and power are fed to the circuit  10  via power and data input unit  18 . The address for the processor  16  is set by switch unit containing switches which are connected to individual pins of pin set  21  of processor  16 . An oscillator  19  provides a clock signal for processor  16  via pins  9  and  10  of the same. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, data and power input unit  18  has four pins, including a power supply  1 , which may be a twenty-four volt LED power supply, a processor power supply  2 , which may be a five volt processor power supply, a data in line  3  and a ground pin  4 . The first power supply  1  provides power to LED channels  14  of LED assembly  12 . The second processor power supply  2  may be connected to power supply input  20  of processor  16  to provide operating power for the processor  16  and also may be connected to a pin  1  of the processor  16  to tie the reset high. A capacitor  24 , such as a one-tenth microfarad capacitor, may be connected between the processor power supply  2  and ground. The data line  3  may be connected to pin  18  of processor  16  and may be used to program and dynamically control the processor  16 . The ground may be connected to pins  8  and  19  of the processor  16 . 
     LED assembly  12  may be supplied with power from the LED power supply  1  and may contain a transistor-controlled LED channel  14 . The LED channel  14  may supply power to at least one LED. As shown in FIG. 1, the LED assembly  12  may supply multiple LED channels  14  for different color LEDs (e.g., red, green and blue), with each LED channel  14  individually controlled by a transistor  26 . However, it is possible that more than one channel  14  could be controlled by a single transistor  26 . 
     As shown in FIG. 7, LEDs  15  may be arrayed in series to receive signals through each of the LED channels  14 . In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, a series of LEDs of each different color (red, green and blue) is connected to an output LED channel  14  from the circuit  10  of FIG.  6 . LEDs  15  may also be arrayed to receive data according to a protocol such as the DMX-512 protocol, so that many individual LEDs  15  may be controlled through programming the processor  16 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 6, gates of transistors  26  are controlled by processor  16  to thereby control operation of the LED channels  14  and the LEDs  15 . In the illustrated example, the output of the microprocessor appears on pins  12 ,  13  and  14  of processor  16 , which are then connected to the gates of the LED channels  14  of the LEDs  15 . Additional pins of processor  16  could be used to control additional LEDs. Likewise, different pins of processor  16  could be used to control the illustrated LEDs  15 , provided that appropriate modifications were made to the instructions controlling operation of processor  16 . 
     A resistor  28  may be connected between transistor  26  and ground. In the illustrated example, resistor  28  associated with the red LED has a resistance value of sixty-two ohms, and the resistors associated with the green and blue LEDs each have a resistance of ninety ohms. A capacitor  29  may be connected between the first LED power supply  1  and ground. In the illustrated embodiment, this capacitor has a value of one-tenth of a microfarad. 
     Processor  16  may be connected to an oscillator  19 . One acceptable oscillator is a crystal tank circuit oscillator which provides a twenty megaHertz clock. This oscillator may be connected to pins  9  and  10  of processor  16 . It is also possible to use an alternative oscillator. Primary considerations associated with selection of an oscillator are consistency, operating speed and cost. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, processor  16  is a programmable integrated circuit, or PIC chip, such as a PIC 16C63 or PIC 16C66 manufactured by Microchip Technology, Inc. A complete description of the PIC 16C6X series PIC chip (which includes both the PIC 16C63 and PIC 16C66) is attached to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application filed on Dec. 17, 1997, entitled Digitally Controlled Light Emitting Diode Systems and Methods, to Mueller and Lys, and is incorporated by reference herein. Although the PIC 16C66 is currently the preferred microprocessor, any processor capable of controlling the LEDs  15  of LED assembly  12  may be used. Thus, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) may be used instead of processor  16 . Likewise, other commercially available processors may also be used without departing from this invention. 
     In an embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 8, a total of eighteen LEDs  15  are placed in three series according to color, and the series are arranged to form a substantially circular array  37 . The processor  16  can be used to separately control the precise intensity of each color series of the LEDs  15 , so that any color combination, and thus any color, can be produced by the array  37 . 
     The responsiveness of LEDs to changing electrical signals permits computer control of the LEDs via control of the electrical impulses delivered to the LEDs. Thus, by connecting the LED to a power source via a circuit that is controlled by a processor, the user may precisely control the color and intensity of the LED. Due to the relatively instantaneous response of LEDs to changes in electrical impulses, the color and intensity state of an LED may be varied quite rapidly by changes in such impulses. By placing individual LEDs into arrays and controlling individual LEDs, very precise control of lighting conditions can be obtained through use of a microprocessor. The processor  16  may be controlled by conventional means, such as a computer program, to send the appropriate electrical signals to the appropriate LED at any given time. The control may be digital, so that precise control is possible. Thus, overall lighting conditions may be varied in a highly controlled manner. 
     With the electrical structure of an embodiment of light module  100  described, attention will now be given to the electrical structure of an example of a power module  200  in one embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG.  9 . FIGS. 10 and I I show the power terminal side and electrical connector side of an embodiment of power module  200 . Like light module  100 , power module  200  may be self contained. Interconnection with a male pin set  110  is achieved through complementary female pin set  210 . Pin  280  connects with pin  180  for supplying power, delivered to pin  280  from supply  300 . Supply  300  is shown as a functional block for simplicity. In actuality, supply  300  can take numerous forms for generating a DC voltage. In the present embodiment, supply  300  provides twenty-four volts through a connection terminal (not shown), coupled to pin  280  through transient protection capacitors (not shown) of the general type. It will be appreciated that supply  300  may also supply a DC voltage after rectification and/or voltage transformation of an AC supply, as described more fully in U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,869. 
     Also connected to pin connector  210  are three current programming integrated circuits, ICR  220 , ICB  240  and ICG  260 . Each of these may be a three terminal adjustable regulator, such as part number LM317B, available from the National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif. The teachings of the LM317 datasheet are incorporated herein by reference. Each regulator contains an input terminal, an output terminal and an adjustment terminal, labeled I, O, and A, respectively. The regulators function to maintain a constant maximum current into the input terminal and out of the output terminal. This maximum current is pre-programmed by setting a resistance between the output and the adjustment terminals. This is because the regulator will cause the voltage at the input terminal to settle to whatever value is needed to cause one and twenty-five hundredths volts to appear across the fixed current set resistor, thus causing constant current to flow. Since each functions identically, only ICR  220  will now be described. First, current enters the input terminal of ICR  220  from pin  228 . Pin  228  in the power module is coupled to pin  128  in the light module and receives current directly from the cathode end of the red LED system  121 . Since resistor  122  is ordinarily disposed between the output and adjustment terminals of ICR  220  through pins  224 / 124  and  226 / 126 , resistor  122  programs the amount of current regulated by ICR  220 . Eventually, the current output from the adjustment terminal of ICR  220  enters a Darlington driver. In this way, ICR  220  and associated resistor  122  program the maximum current through red LED system  120 . Similar results are achieved with ICB  240  and resistor  142  for blue LED set  140 , and with ICG  260  and resistor  162  for green LED set  160 . 
     The red, blue and green LED currents enter another integrated circuit, ICI  380 , at respective nodes  324 ,  344  and  364 . ICI  380  may be a high current/voltage Darlington driver, such as part no. DS2003, available from the National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif. ICI  380  may be used as a current sink, and may function to switch current between respective LED sets and ground  390 . As described in the DS2003 datasheet, incorporated herein by reference, ICI contains six sets of Darlington transistors with appropriate on-board biasing resistors. As shown, nodes  324 ,  344  and  364  couple the current from the respective LED sets to three pairs of these Darlington transistors, in the well known manner to take advantage of the fact that the current rating of ICI  380  may be doubled by using pairs of Darlington transistors to sink respective currents. Each of the three on-board Darlington pairs is used in the following manner as a switch. The base of each Darlington pair is coupled to signal inputs  424 ,  444  and  464 , respectively. Hence, input  424  is the signal input for switching current through node  324 , and thus the red LED set  121 . Input  444  is the signal input for switching current though node  344 , and thus the blue LED set  140 . Input  464  is the signal input for switching current through node  364 , and thus the green LED set  160 . Signal inputs  424 ,  444  and  464  are coupled to respective signal outputs  434 ,  454  and  474  on microcontroller IC 2   400 , as described below. In essence, when a high frequency square wave is incident on a respective signal input, ICI  380  switches current through a respective node with the identical frequency and duty cycle. Thus, in operation, the states of signal inputs  424 ,  444  and  464  directly correlate with the opening and closing of the power circuit through respective LED sets  121 ,  140  and  160 . 
     The structure and operation of microcontroller IC 2   400  in the embodiment of FIG. 9 will now be described. Microcontroller IC 2   400  is preferably a MICROCHIP brand PIC16C63, although almost any properly programmed microcontroller or microprocessor can perform the software functions described herein. The main function of microcontroller IC 2   400  is to convert numerical data received on serial Rx pin  520  into three independent high frequency square waves of uniform frequency but independent duty cycles on signal output pins  434 ,  454  and  474 . The FIG. 9 representation of microcontroller IC 2   400  is partially stylized, in that persons of skill in the art will appreciate that certain of the twenty-eight standard pins have been omitted or combined for greatest clarity. Further detail as to a similar microcontroller is provided in connection with FIG. 12 for another embodiment of the invention. 
     Microcontroller IC 2   400  is powered through pin  450 , which is coupled to a five volt source of DC power  700 . Source  700  is preferably driven from supply  300  through a coupling (not shown) that includes a voltage regulator (not shown). An exemplary voltage regulator is the LM340 3-terminal positive regulator, available from the National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif. The teachings of the LM340 datasheet are hereby incorporated by reference. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that most microcontrollers, and many other independently powered digital integrated circuits, are rated for no more than a five volt power source. The clock frequency of microcontroller IC 2   400  is set by crystal  480 , coupled through appropriate pins. Pin  490  is the microcontroller IC 2   400  ground reference. 
     Switch  600  is a twelve position dip switch that may be alterably and mechanically set to uniquely identify the microcontroller IC 2   400 . When individual ones of the twelve mechanical switches within dip switch  600  are closed, a path is generated from corresponding pins  650  on microcontroller IC 2   400  to ground  690 . Twelve switches create twenty-four possible settings, allowing any microcontroller IC 2   400  to take on one of four thousand ninety-six different IDs, or addresses. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, only nine switches are actually used because the DMX-512 protocol is employed. 
     Once switch  600  is set, microcontroller IC 2   400  “knows” its unique address (“who am I”), and “listens” on serial line  520  for a data stream specifically addressed to it. A high speed network protocol, such as a DMX protocol, may be used to address network data to each individually addressed microcontroller IC 2   400  from a central network controller (not shown). The DMX protocol is described in a United States Theatre Technology, Inc. publication entitled “DMX512/1990 Digital Data Transmission Standard for Dimmers and Controllers,” incorporated herein by reference. Basically, in the network protocol used herein, a central controller (not shown) creates a stream of network data consisting of sequential data packets. 
     Each packet first contains a header, which is checked for conformance to the standard and discarded, followed by a stream of sequential characters representing data for sequentially addressed devices. For instance, if the data packet is intended for light number fifteen, then fourteen characters from the data stream will be discarded, and the device will save character number fifteen. If as in the preferred embodiment, more than one character is needed, then the address is considered to be a starting address, and more than one character is saved and utilized. Each character corresponds to a decimal number zero to two hundred fifty-five, linearly representing the desired intensity from Off to Full. (For simplicity, details of the data packets such as headers and stop bits are omitted from this description, and will be well appreciated by those of skill in the art.) This way, each of the three LED colors is assigned a discrete intensity value between zero and two hundred fifty-five. These respective intensity values are stored in respective registers within the memory of microcontroller IC 2   400  (not shown). Once the central controller exhausts all data packets, it starts over in a continuous refresh cycle. The refresh cycle is defined by the standard to be a minimum of one thousand one hundred ninety-six microseconds, and a maximum of one second. 
     Microcontroller IC 2   400  is programmed continually to “listen” for its data stream. When microcontroller IC 2   400  is “listening,” but before it detects a data packet intended for it, it is running a routine designed to create the square wave signal outputs on pins  434 ,  454  and  474 . The values in the color registers determine the duty cycle of the square wave. Since each register can take on a value from zero to two hundred fifty five, these values create two hundred fifty six possible different duty cycles in a linear range from zero percent to one hundred percent. Since the square wave frequency is uniform and determined by the program running in the microcontroller IC 2   400 , these different discrete duty cycles represent variations in the width of the square wave pulses. This is known as pulse width modulation (PWM). 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the PWM interrupt routine is implemented using a simple counter, incrementing from zero to two hundred fifty-five in a cycle during each period of the square wave output on pins  434 ,  454  and  474 . When the counter rolls over to zero, all three signals are set high. Once the counter equals the register value, signal output is changed to low. When microcontroller IC 2   400  receives new data, it freezes the counter, copies the new data to the working registers, compares the new register values with the current count and updates the output pins accordingly, and then restarts the counter exactly where it left off. Thus, intensity values may be updated in the middle of the PWM cycle. Freezing the counter and simultaneously updating the signal outputs has at least two advantages. First, it allows each lighting unit to quickly pulse/strobe as a strobe light does. Such strobing happens when the central controller sends network data having high intensity values alternately with network data having zero intensity values at a rapid rate. If one restarted the counter without first updating the signal outputs, then the human eye would be able to perceive the staggered deactivation of each individual color LED that is set at a different pulse width. This feature is not of concern in incandescent lights because of the integrating effect associated with the heating and cooling cycle of the illumination element. LEDS, unlike incandescent elements, activate and deactivate essentially instantaneously in the present application. The second advantage is that one can “dim” the LEDs without the flickering that would otherwise occur if the counter were reset to zero. The central controller can send a continuous dimming signal when it creates a sequence of intensity values representing a uniform and proportional decrease in light intensity for each color LED. If one did not update the output signals before restarting the counter, there is a possibility that a single color LED will go through nearly two cycles without experiencing the zero current state of its duty cycle. For instance, assume the red register is set at 4 and the counter is set at 3 when it is frozen. Here, the counter is frozen just before the “off part” of the PWM cycle is to occur for the red LEDS. Now assume that the network data changes the value in the red register from four to two and the counter is restarted without deactivating the output signal. Even though the counter is greater than the intensity value in the red register, the output state is still “on”, meaning that maximum current is still flowing through the red LEDS. Meanwhile, the blue and green LEDs will probably turn off at their appropriate times in the PWM cycle. This would be perceived by the human eye as a red flicker in the course of dimming the color intensities. Freezing the counter and updating the output for the rest of the PWM cycle overcomes these disadvantages, ensuring the flicker does not occur. 
     The microprocessors that provide the digital control functions of the LEDs of the present invention may be responsive to any electrical signal; that is, external signals may be used to direct the microprocessors to control the LEDs in a desired manner. A computer program may control such signals, so that a programmed response to given input signals is possible. Thus, signals may be generated that turn individual LEDs on and off, that vary the color of individual LEDs throughout the color spectrum, that strobe or flash LEDs at predetermined intervals that are controllable to very short time intervals, and that vary the intensity of light from a single LED or collection of LEDs. A variety of signal-generating devices may be used in accordance with the present invention to provide significant benefits to the user. Input signals can range from simple on-off or intensity signals, such as that from a light switch or dial, or from a remote control, to signals from detectors, such as detectors of ambient temperature or light. The precise digital control of arrayed LEDs in response to a wide range of external signals permits applications in a number of technological fields in accordance with the present invention. 
     The network interface for microcontroller IC 2   400  will now be described. Jacks  800  and  900  are standard RJ-45 network jacks. Jack  800  is used as an input jack, and is shown for simplicity as having only three inputs: signal inputs  860 ,  870  and ground  850 . Network data enters jack  800  and passes through signal inputs  860  and  870 . These signal inputs are then coupled to IC 3   500 , which is an RS-485/RS-422 differential bus repeater of the standard type, preferably a DS96177 from the National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif. The teachings of the DS96177 datasheet are hereby incorporated by reference. The signal inputs  860 ,  870  enter IC 3   500  at pins  560 ,  570 . The data signal is passed through from pin  510  to pin  520  on microcontroller IC 2   400 . The same data signal is then returned from pin  540  on IC 2   400  to pin  530  on IC 3   500 . Jack  900  is used as an output jack and is shown for simplicity as having only five outputs: signal outputs  960 ,  970 ,. 980 ,  990  and ground  950 . Outputs  960  and  970  are split directly from input lines  860  and  870 , respectively. Outputs  980  and  990  come directly from IC 3   500  pins  580  and  590 , respectively. It will be appreciated that the foregoing assembly enables two network nodes to be connected for receiving the network data. Thus, a network may be constructed as a daisy chain, if only single nodes are strung together, or as a tree, if two or more nodes are attached to the output of each single node. 
     From the foregoing description, one can see that an addressable network of LED illumination or display units can be constructed from a collection of power modules each connected to a respective light module. As long as at least two primary color LEDs are used, any illumination or display color may be generated simply by preselecting the light intensity that each color LED emits. Further, each color LED can emit light at any of  255  different intensities, depending on the duty cycle of PWM square wave, with a full intensity generated by passing maximum current through the LED. Further still, the maximum intensity can be conveniently programmed simply by adjusting the ceiling for the maximum allowable current using programming resistances for the current regulators residing on the light module. Light modules of different maximum current ratings may thereby be conveniently interchanged. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a special power supply module  38  is provided, as depicted in FIG.  12 . The power supply module  38  may be disposed on any platform of the light module  100 , such as, for example, the platform of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. The output of the power supply module  38  supplies power to a power and data input, such as the power and data input  18  of the circuit  10  of FIG.  6 . The power supply module  38  is capable of taking a voltage or current input in a variety of forms, including an intermittent input, and supplying a steady, clean source of power to the circuit  10 . In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 12, the power supply module includes inputs  40 , which may be incoming electrical signals that would typically be of alternating current type. Incoming signals are then converted by a rectifying element  42 , which in an embodiment of the invention is a bridge rectifier consisting of four diodes  44 . The rectifying element  42  rectifies the alternating current signal into a clean direct current signal. The power supply module  38  may further include a storage element  48 , which may include one or more capacitors  50 . The storage element stores power that is supplied by the rectifying element  42 , so that the power supply module  38  can supply power to the input  18  of the circuit  10  of FIG. 6, even if power to the input  40  of the power supply module  38  is intermittent. In the illustrated example, one of the capacitors is an electrolytic capacitor with a value of three hundred thirty microfarads. 
     The power supply module  38  may further include a boost converter  52 . The boost converter takes a low voltage direct current and boosts and cleans it to provide a higher voltage to the DC power input  18  of the circuit  10  of FIG.  6 . The boost converter  52  may include an inductor  54 , a controller  58 , one or more capacitors  60 , one or more resistors  62 , and one or more diodes  64 . The resistors limit the data voltage excursions in the signal to the processor of the circuit  10 . The controller  58  may be a conventional controller suitable for boost conversion, such as the LTC1372 controller provided by Linear Technology Corporation. The teachings of the LTC1372 data sheet are incorporated by reference herein. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the boost converter  52  is capable of taking power at approximately ten volts and converting it to a clean power at twenty-four volts. The twenty-four volt power can be used to power the circuit  10  and the LEDs  15  of FIG.  6 . 
     In certain embodiments of the invention, power and data are supplied to the circuit  10  and the LEDs  15  by conventional means, such as a conventional electrical wire or wires for power and a separate wire, such as the RS-485 wire, for data, as in most applications of the DMX-512 protocol. For example, in the embodiment of FIG.  4  and FIG. 5, a separate data wire may provide data to control the LEDs  15 , if the platform is inserted into a conventional halogen fixture  34  that has only electrical power. 
     In another embodiment, electrical power and serial data are simultaneously supplied to the device, which may be a lighting device such as the LED-based lighting device of FIG. 1 or may be any other device that requires both electrical power and data. Electrical power and data may be supplied to multiple lighting devices on a single pair of wires. In particular, in this embodiment of the invention, power is delivered to the device (and, where applicable, through the power supply module  38 ) along a two wire data bus such as the type normally used for lighting in applications where high power is required, such as halogen lamps. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the power supply module  38  recovers power from data lines. In order to permit power recovery from data lines, a power data multiplexer  60  is provided, which amplifies an incoming data stream to produce logical data levels, with one or more of the logical states having sufficient voltage or current that power can be recovered during that logical state. Referring to FIG. 13, in an embodiment of the invention, a data input  64  is provided, which may be a line driver or other input for providing data. In embodiment of the invention, the data is DMX-512 protocol data for control of lighting, such as LEDs. It should be understood that the power data multiplexer  60  could manipulate data according to other protocols and for control of other devices. 
     The power data multiplexer  60  may include a data input element  68  and a data output element  70 . The data output element  70  may include an output element  72  that supplies combined power and data to a device, such as the power supply module  38  of FIG. 12, or the input  18  of the circuit  10  of FIG.  6 . The data input element  68  may include a receiver  74 , which may be an RS-485 receiver for receiving DMX-512 data, or any other conventional receiver for receiving data according to a protocol. The data input element  68  may further include a power supply  78  with a voltage regulator  80 , for providing regulated power to the receiver  74  and the data output element  70 . The data input element  68  supplies a data signal to the data output element  70 . In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 12, a TTL data signal is supplied. The data output element  70  amplifies the data signal and determines the relative voltage direction of the output. In the illustrated embodiment, a chip  82  consists of a high speed PWM stepper motor driver chip that amplifies the data signal to a positive signal of twenty four volts to reflect a logical one and to negative signal of twenty four volts to reflect a logical zero. It should be understood that different voltages could be used to reflect logical ones and zeros. For example, zero volts could represent logical zero, with a particular positive or negative voltage representing a logical one. 
     In this embodiment, the voltage is sufficient to supply power while maintaining the logical data values of the data stream. The chip  82  may be any conventional chip capable of taking an input signal and amplifying it in a selected direction to a larger voltage. It should be understood that any circuit for amplifying data while maintaining the logical value of the data stream may be used for the power data multiplexer  60 . 
     The embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 13 should be understood to encompass any devices for converting a data signal transmitted according to a data protocol, in which certain data are represented by nonzero signals in the protocol, into power that supplies an electrical device. The device may be a light module  100 , such as that depicted in FIG.  1 . In an embodiment of the invention, the data supplied to the power data multiplexer  60  is data according to the USITT DMX-512 protocol, in which a constant stream of data is transmitted from a console, such as a theatrical console, to all devices on the DMX-512 network. DMX-512 formats are enforced upon the data. Because of this one can be assured that the power data multiplexer  60 , either in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 13, or in another embodiment, can amplify the DMX-512 signal from the standard signal voltage and/or electrical current levels to higher voltages, and usually higher electrical currents. 
     The resulting higher power signal from the power data multiplexer  60  can be converted back into separated power by the power supply module  38 , or by another circuit capable of providing rectification with a diode and filtering with a capacitor for the power. 
     The data stream from the power data multiplexor  60  can be recovered by simple resistive division, which will recover a standard data voltage level signal to be fed to the input  18 . Resistive division can be accomplished by the resistors  84  of FIG.  12 . 
     The power data multiplexer  62 , when combined with the power supply module  38  and the array  37  mounted on a modular platform  30 , permits the installation of LED-based, digitally controlled lighting using already existing wires and fixtures. As the system permits the device to obtain power and data from a single pair of wires, no separate data or power wires are required. The power data multiplexor  60  can be installed along a conventional data wire, and the power supply module  38  can be installed on the platform  30 . Thus, with a simple addition of the power data multiplexor  60  and the insertion of the modular platform  30  into a conventional halogen fixture, the user can have LED based, digitally controlled lights by supplying DMX-512 data to the power data multiplexor  60 . 
     It should be understood that the power supply module  38  can be supplied with standard twelve volt alternating current in a non-modified manner. That is, the power supply module can supply the array  37  from alternating current present in conventional fixtures, such as MR- 16  fixtures. If digital control is desired, then a separate data wire can be supplied, if desired. 
     Another embodiment of a power data multiplexor  60  is depicted in FIG.  14 . In this embodiment, a power supply of between twelve and twenty-four volts is used, connected to input terminals  899 . 
     The voltage at  803  is eight volts greater than the supply voltage. The voltage at  805  is about negative eight volts. The voltage at  801  is five volts. The power data multiplexor  60  may include decoupling capacitors  807  and  809  for the input power supply. A voltage regulator  811  creates a clean, five volt supply, decoupled by capacitor  813 . A voltage regulator  815 , which may be an LM317 voltage regulator available from National Semiconductor, forms an eighteen volt voltage regulator with resistors  817  and  819 , decoupled by capacitors  821  and  823 . The teachings of the LM317 data sheet are incorporated by reference herein. This feeds an adjustable step down regulator  823 , which may be an LT1375 step down regulator available from Linear Technology of Milpitas Calif., operated in the voltage inverting configuration. The teachings of the LT1375 data sheet are incorporated by reference herein. The resistances of resistors  817  and  819  have been selected create negative eight volts, and a diode  844  is a higher voltage version than that indicated in the data sheet, inductor  846  is may be any conventional inductor, for example, one with a value of one hundred uH to allow a smaller and cheaper capacitor to be used for the capacitor  848 , supply has been further bypassed with capacitor  852 . Diode  854  may be a plastic packaged version 1N914, and frequency compensating capacitor  856  sized appropriately for changes in other components according to data sheet formulas. The circuit generates negative eight volts at  805 . 
     Also included may be a step up voltage regulator  825 , which may be an LT1372 voltage regulator available from Linear Technology of Milpitas, Calif. The teachings of the LT1372 data sheet are incorporated by reference herein. The step up voltage regulator may be of a standard design. Diode  862  may be a diode with higher voltage than that taught by the data sheet. Inductor  864  and capacitor  839  may be sized appropriately according to data sheet formulas to generate eight volts more than input voltage over the range between input voltages of twelve and twenty-four volts. Capacitor  866  may be sized for frequency compensation given values of inductor  864  and capacitor  868  as per data sheet guidelines. A set of resistors  827 ,  833 ,  837 , along with transistors  829  form the voltage feedback circuit. Resistors  833  and  837  form a voltage divider, producing a voltage in proportion to the output voltage  803  at the feedback node pin  835 . Resistors  827  and transistors  829  form a current mirror, drawing a current from the feedback node at  835  in proportion to the input voltage. The voltage at feedback pin  835  is thus proportional to the output voltage minus the input voltage. The ratio of resistor  833  to that of resistor  837 , which may need to be equal to resistor  827  for the subtraction to work, is chosen to produce eight volts. Capacitors  839  may be used to further bypass the supply. 
     Incoming data, which may be in the form of an incoming RS-485 protocol data stream, is received by a receiver chip  841  at the pins  843  and  845 , buffered, and amplified to produce true and complement data signals at pins  847  and  849  respectively. These signals are further buffered and inverted by element  851  to produce true and complement data signals with substantial drive capabilities at pins  853  and  855 , respectively. 
     Each of the signals from the pins  853  and  855  is then processed by an output amplifier. There are two output amplifiers  857  and  859 , which may be substantially identical in design and function. In each case, the data signal entering the amplifier connected to two switched cascode type current sources  861  and  863 , the first composed of resistor  865  and transistor  867 , the second composed of resistor  869  and transistor  871 , at the junction of the two resistors  865  and  869 . The current source  863  will sink a current of approximately 20 milliamps when the signal entering the amplifier is low, such as at zero volts, and will sink no current when the signal is high, for example at positive five volts. The other current source  861  will source approximately twenty milliamperes when the signal is high, but not when low. These currents are fed to two current mirrors  873  and  875 , composed of transistors  877  and  879  and resistors  881  and  883  for current source  863  and transistors  885  and  887  and resistors  889  and  891  for current source  861 , which are of a standard design, familiar to analog circuit designers. The collectors of transistors  877  and  885  are connected together, forming a current summing node. The net current delivered to this node by these transistors will be about twenty milliamps in either the sourcing direction (flowing into the node) if the input signal is low, or the sinking direction (flowing out of the node) if the signal is high. When a transition from the low state to the high state occurs at the input signal, the resulting twenty milliampere sinking current will cause capacitor  893  (and the parasitic capacitance at this node) to discharge at a controlled rate of approximately fifty volts per microsecond, until the voltage at the node reaches approximately negative five volts, at which time diodes  895  and  897  will begin to conduct, clamping the negative excursion of the node voltage at negative five volts, and preventing the saturation of transistor  885 . Transistors  899  and  901  form a bi-directional Class B voltage follower of a standard design, and the voltage at the junction of their emitters follows the transition at the node connected to capacitor  893 . Specifically transistor  899  turns off and transistor  901  conducts, causing the voltage at the gates of transistors  903  and  907  to decrease, switching off transistor  903  and slowly turning on transistor  907 , causing current to flow from the output pin  909  to ground. Field effect transistors  903  and  907 , which may be of the type available from National Semiconductor of Santa Clara, Calif., also form a Class B Voltage follower, of standard design. When the voltage at the current summing node is clamped at negative five volts, the voltage at the gate of  903  will reach negative four and four-tenths volts, and transistor  907  will remain on so long as the input signal remains high. 
     Once the input signal goes low, the current at the summing node will change direction, and capacitor  893  will charge at the same rate, eventually being clamped to a value of the input voltage plus five volts. Transistor  899  will cause the voltage at the gates of transistor  903  and transistor  905  to rise, turning off transistor  903  and turning on transistor  907 , sourcing current from the input supply to the output through resistor  911 . It will take approximately five hundred nanoseconds for the voltage at the summing node, and hence the output, to fully switch between zero and twenty-four volts (if the power input is the maximum of twenty four volts), or approximately two hundred fifty nanoseconds to move between zero and twelve volts (if the power input is twelve volts). Transistor  905  and resistor  911  form a short circuit protection circuit, limiting the current flowing through  903  to approximately six amperes. Diode  913  isolates the short circuit protector circuit when transistor  903  is not on. No protection is provided for transistor  907 , because the expected short circuit paths would be either to ground or to the other amplifier channel. In the first case no current could flow through transistor  907 , while in the second, the other amplifier&#39;s short circuit protection would protect transistor  907 . 
     Because of the bridge rectifier at the input to the device, as disclosed in connection with the description of the embodiment of FIG. 6, the power data multiplexor circuits depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14 supply power to the device during both the data=1 and data=0 states and does not rely on any data format at the input to maintain sufficient power to the device. The data is extracted as in other embodiments of the invention. 
     The circuit of FIG. 14 produces a controlled slew rate; that is, the power and data generated have relatively smooth transitions between a logical zero state and a local one state. The controlled slew rate produced by the circuit of FIG. 14 decreases the magnitude of the radio frequency interference generated, as described more particularly below in connection with the data track embodiment of the invention. 
     The lamps themselves auto terminate the line, as their input looks substantially similar to the terminating circuit in the track embodiment described below, having the same effect as that terminating circuit. This eliminates any need for terminators on the line. Additional termination is only needed in the case of a device that is commanded to be off, with actual data wire impedance low, with a long wire, and where there are many transitions going by. Since this is a very unlikely combination of factors, the configuration with an additional terminator is not needed as a practical matter. 
     For the embodiment of FIG. 14, six amperes of power runs forty eight lights at twenty-four volts or twenty four lights at twelve volts. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, a modified method and system is provide to provide multiple simultaneous high speed pulse width modulated signals. The method may be accomplished by computer software coding of the steps depicted in the flow charts  202  and  205  of FIG. 15, or by computer hardware designed to accomplish these functions. To generate a number, N, of PWM signals, in a step  204  the processor schedules an interrupt of at least N possibly equal (as in this embodiment) sub-periods. In this embodiment this interrupt is generated by a counter, interrupting the processor every two hundred fifty-six processor clock cycles. In step  208  each sub-period&#39;s coarse PWM values are computed. In step  212 , the vernier value for each PWM channel is computed. The sub-periods may be denoted P i  where the first sub-period is one, etc. 
     In each sub-period, which begins with an interrupt at a step  213 , the interrupt routine executes the steps of the flow chart  205 . In a step  214 , all PWM signals are updated from pre-computed values corresponding to this specific sub-period. In most cases this entails a single read from an array of pre-computed values, followed by a single write to update the multiple I/O pins on which the PWM signals are generated. 
     In a step  218 , one of the PWM signals is then modified. The step  218  is accomplished by executing a write to the I/O pins, executing a series of instructions consuming the desired amount of time, and then executing another update (I/O) write. 
     In a step  222 , the processor advances the sub-period bookkeeping value to point to the next sub-period. 
     The vernier in the step  218  can reduce or increase the amount of time that the PWM signal is on, by changing the state of the signal for up to one-half of the sub-period. There are two possible cases. Either the coarse update places the signal in the “off” state and the vemier routine turns it “on” for a time period of up to one-half of the sub period, or the coarse update is “on” and the vernier routine turns the signal “off” for a period of time of up to one-half of the sub period. 
     Using this method, each PWM signal can change multiple times per PWM period. This is advantageous because software can use this property to further increase the apparent PWM frequency, while still maintaining a relatively low interrupt rate. 
     The method disclosed thus far consumes a maximum of approximately half of the processor time compared to conventional PWM routines. 
     As an example: consider two signals A and B with a resolution of twenty counts programmed to seven and fourteen counts respectively. These signals could be generated as follows:                    
     In this example the pre-computed update value at P i =1 is both signals on. Signal A then spends some time in the on state, while the interrupt routine continues to execute. A then goes off in the vernier step at the first “v”, and the interrupt routine executes time delay code during the time before restoring the signal to the on state at the second “v”. 
     The actual time between the multiple update at the beginning of the sub period and the vernier update need not be known, so long as the time spent between the vernier updates is the desired time. While the vernier updates are occurring, signal B, which was switched on, remains on and un-affected. When the second interrupt occurs, both signals are switched off, and the vernier routine now adds four additional counts to the period of signal B. In this example only thirty-five percent of the processor time plus the time required for two interrupts has been consumed. 
     Since only one vernier period is required per signal generated, increasing the number of periods per PWM cycle can generate non-uniform PWM waveforms at frequencies higher than those possible on most microprocessors&#39; dedicated hardware PWM outputs for a large number of possible PWM channels. The microprocessor still executes interrupts at fixed intervals. 
     To change the duty cycles of the signals produced, the software can asynchronously update any or all of the coarse or vernier values, in any order, without having to worry about synchronization with the interrupt routine, and more importantly, without stopping it. The interrupt routine never changes any variables which the main code changes or vice-versa. Thus there is no need for interlocks of any kind. 
     This software routine can thus utilize a single timer to generate multiple PWM signals, with each signal ultimately having the resolution of a single processor cycle. On a Microchip PIC microprocessor, this allows three PWM signals to be generated with a resolution of two hundred fifty-six counts, each corresponding to only a four instruction delay. This allows a PWM period of just one thousand twenty four instruction cycles, i.e four thousand eight hundred eighty two Hertz at a twenty megaHertz clock. 
     Furthermore, for counts between sixty-four and one hundred ninety-two, the PWM waveform is a non-uniform nine thousand seven hundred sixty-five Hertz signal, with much lower noise than a conventional PWM generator in such a processor. 
     As described above, the LED arrays of the present invention are responsive to external electrical signals and data. Accordingly, it is desirable to have improved data and signal distribution mechanisms in order to take full advantage of the benefits of the present invention. In an embodiment of the invention, the data connection  500  can be a DMX or lighting data network bus disposed in a track on which conventional lights or LEDs are located. Thus, a track capable of delivering data signals may be run inside a track lighting apparatus for LEDs or conventional lights. The data signals may then be controlled by a microprocessor to permit intelligent individual control of the individual lamps or LEDs. It is within the scope of the present invention to provide distributed lights that are responsive to both electrical and data control. 
     The LEDs of the present invention are highly responsive to changes the input signal. Accordingly, to take advantage of the features of the invention, rapid data distribution is desirable. In embodiment of the invention, a method for increasing the communication speed of DMX-512 networks is provided. In particular, DMX 512-networks send data at two hundred fifty-thousand baud. All receivers are required by the DMX standard to recognize a line break of a minimum of eighty-eight microseconds. After the mark is recognized, all devices wait to receive a start code and ignore the rest of the packet if anything other than zero was received. If a non-zero start code is sent prior to sending data at a higher baud rate, the devices are able to respond more quickly to the higher baud rate. Alternatively channels above a certain number could be assigned to the high baud rate, and other devices would not be deprived of necessary data as they would already have received their data from that frame. It may be desirable to frame several characters with correct stop bits to prevent loss of synchronization. 
     The present invention may also include an automation system chassis that consists of a mother board that communicates with a network and/or bus using the DMX, Ethernet or other protocol to control a wide range of electrical devices, including the LED arrays of the present invention. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the input signals for the microprocessor can be obtained from a light control network that does not have a direct electrical circuit connection. A switch that is mounted on a wall or a remote control can transmit a programmed infrared, radio frequency or other signal to a receiver which can then transmit the signal to the microprocessor. 
     Another embodiment provides a different track lighting system. Present track lighting systems use both the physical and electrical properties of a track of materials, which typically consist of an extruded aluminum track housing extruded plastic insulators to support and house copper conductors. A conventional track lighting system delivers power and provides a mechanical support for light fixtures, which can generally be attached to the “track” at any location along its length by a customer without tools. 
     In the simplest form, a track provides only two conductors, and all fixtures along he track receive power from the same two conductors. In this situation, all fixtures attached to the track are controlled by a single control device. It is not possible to control remotely (switch on or off, or dim) a subset of the fixtures attached to the track without affecting the other fixtures. 
     Track systems have generally included more than two conductors, primarily because of the requirements of the Underwriters Laboratories for a separate ground conductor. Many systems have also endeavored to provide more than just two current-carrying conductors. The purpose of additional current-carrying conductors is typically either to increase the total power carrying capacity of the track, or to provide separate control over a subset of fixtures. Tracks with up to four “circuits,” or current-carrying conductors, are known. 
     Even with four circuits however, full flexibility may not be achieved with conventional tracks, for a number of reasons. First, a fixture is assigned to a subset at the time of insertion into the track. Thus, that fixture will be affected by signals for the particular subset. If there are more lights than circuits, it is not possible to control lights individually with conventional systems. Also, the fixture typically only receives power, which can be modified somewhat (i.e. dimmed), but cannot easily be used to send substantial quantities of data. Further, information cannot be returned easily from the fixtures. 
     The track embodiment disclosed herein provides individual control of a large number of lighting fixtures installed on a track and allows robust bi-directional communication over that track, while complying with regulatory requirements pertaining to both safety and pertaining to elimination of spurious radio frequency emissions. Disclosed herein are methods and systems for creating electrical signals for delivering data to a multitude of lighting fixtures attached to a track, a track capable of delivering the signals to the fixtures, and specialized termination devices for ensuring that the signals do not cause excessive spurious reflections. 
     Referring to FIG. 16, in an embodiment, a user may wish to send lighting control data over a track  6002  to a fixture  6000 , preferably using an industry standard. The fixture  6000  could be a light module  100 , such as that disclosed herein, or it could be any other conventional fixture capable of connection to a conventional track lighting track. In an embodiment, the data control standard is the DMX-512 standard described herein. 
     DMX-512 specifies the use of RS-485 voltage signaling levels and input/output devices. However, use of RS-485 presents certain problems in the track lighting applications described herein, because it requires that the network to which the fixture  6000  is attached be in the form of a bus, composed of lengths of controlled impedance media, and it requires that the network be terminated at each bus endpoint. These properties are not provided in typical track lighting systems, which generally do not contain controlled impedance conductor systems. Furthermore, track installations often contain branches or “Ts” at which one section of track branches to multiple other sections, and it is undesirable to electrically regenerate signals at such points, for cost, reliability and installation reasons. Because of this, each section cannot be “terminated” with its characteristic impedance to achieve a properly terminated network for purposes of RS-485. 
     It is possible however, through the present invention, to send signals conforming to a modification of the RS-485 specification, which can be received by currently available devices that conform to the RS-485 specification. 
     To deliver data effectively in this environment, a new data transmitter  6004  is needed. In order to negate the transmission line effect created by the multiple sections of track, a controlled waveshape driver is utilized as the data transmitter  6004 . The design of this driver may be further optimized to minimize the amount of unintended radio frequency radiation, to allow conformance to FCC and CE regulatory requirements. To further ensure signal integrity, a specialized termination network may be utilized. 
     Certain characteristics of the track system are relevant. First, multiple sections of track can be viewed as a collection of individual transmission lines, each with some (generally unknown) characteristic impedance, and with some unknown length. Fixtures attached to the track present some load along the transmission line&#39;s length. The RS-485 standard specifies that the minimum impedance of such loads shall be not less than ten and five-tenths kilo-ohms, and that the added capacitance must not exceed fifty picofarads. In a large lighting network, it is possible to envision a track system comprised of several dozen sections, each up to several meters long. The total number of fixtures can easily exceed two hundred in just a single room. Thus the total load presented by the controlled devices alone can be below fifty ohms and contain an added ten thousand picofarads of capacitance. Furthermore, crosstalk between the power conductors and signal conductors in the track can also occur. The track itself may present upwards of twenty-five picofarads per foot of additional capacitance. 
     It is generally understood that transmission lines shorter than one-fourth of the wavelength of the highest frequency signal transmitted on them can be analyzed and viewed as a lumped load; i.e., their transmission line effects can be effectively ignored. Thus any combination of loads and track sections can be viewed as a single lumped load, so long as the maximum length from any one terminus to any other terminus is less than one-fourth of the wavelength of the highest frequency signal delivered to it. For a digital signal, the highest frequency component is the edge, at which the signal transitions between the two voltage states representing a logical one and a logical zero. The DMX-512 lighting control protocol specifies a data transmission rate of two hundred fifty thousand bits per second. The signal edge transition time required to reliably transmit such a signal is at least five times faster than that rate; i.e., the transition must occur in no longer than eight hundred nanoseconds, in order to assure reliable data transmission. If we assume that a data driver capable of creating electrical signals which transition at this rate can be constructed, that the speed of light is three times ten to the eighth meters per second, and that the velocity of propagation in track is approximately seventy percent of the speed of light, then a conservative limit on the maximum network length is about forty-two meters. This is an adequate length for most applications. Assuming that the total length of a branched network might be as much as two such forty-two meter track sections, a total capacitance added by the track itself could be as much as another seven thousand picofarads, for a total load of seventeen thousand picofarads. 
     In order to effectively transmit data into such a network, a driver with significantly more power than a driver for the current RS-485 standard is required. To achieve a five volt transition, for a highly loaded network as described above, the driver is preferably capable of supplying at least one hundred milliamps continuously for the resistive portion of the load, and at least one hundred milliamps additionally during the transition period, which will be absorbed by the capacitive load. Thus the driver output current is preferably at least two hundred milliamps to ensure adequate margin. A circuit design for a driver  6004  which meets these criteria is illustrated in FIG.  17 . It is important to note that transitions faster than eight hundred nanoseconds will still not cause the network to fail, but will cause the current needed during the transient to increase, will cause excessive ringing at lightly loaded track endpoints, and will substantially increase the spurious radio frequency generated from the system. All of these effects are undesirable. At an eight hundred nanosecond transition time, most spurious harmonics generated by the system fall well below the thirty megahertz starting frequency for CE testing, and higher order harmonics do not have sufficient energy to violate the requirements. 
     In order to effectively propagate signals along the length of a track, the track&#39;s data conductors should have a low resistance per unit length, ideally less than that needed to deliver one and one-half volts of signal to all receivers as specified in the RS-485 standard. In a highly loaded network (with all loads being at the end), this is approximately nine one-hundredths ohms per foot. This includes the intermediate connectors, so the track conductor&#39;s resistance should ideally be much lower than this figure. The track&#39;s inductive effect will also contribute to signal degradation. 
     In order to compensate for the inductive effect of the track, limited termination may be provided at the endpoint of each branch. This termination is preferably not purely resistive, but rather compensates only for the inductive effect of the track. A circuit design for a suitable terminator  6008  is shown in FIG.  18 . This circuit effectively clamps the voltage between the data+ and data−connections to plus or minus five volts. Any overshoot of the signal may thus be absorbed by a shunt regulator  6148  of FIG.  18 . The terminator  6008  effectively terminates the line, without drawing power constantly from the data lines. 
     Recovering data from the track then becomes a matter of attaching (using any of the commonly used attachment methods, e.g., spring clips) to the electrical and mechanical attachment points of the track itself. Many examples of track lighting attachment are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. One example is the Halo Power Track provided by Cooper Lighting. 
     Once both the power and data are available on a wire, for example, we can use the network version of the light modules  100  described above, or any digitally controlled dimmer, to achieve individual control over the lighting unit. The data can correspond not only to light intensity, but also to control effects, such as moving a yoke, gobo control, light focus, or the like. Moreover, the system can be used to control non-lighting devices that are RS-485 compliant. 
     It is further possible, by using this embodiment, to create devices which can respond over the same data conductors or over a separate pair, using substantially similar drivers, possibly with added circuitry to allow the driver(s) to be electrically disconnected from the data conductors during times when the device is not selected for a response, i.e., to allow bus sharing. Units can send status information to the driver, or information can be provided to the units through other means, such as radio frequency, infrared, acoustic, or other signals. 
     Referring again to FIG. 17, a circuit design for the data driver  6004  includes a connector  6012  through which power, which may nominally be positive twelve volts of unregulated power, is delivered to the data driver  6004 . The power may be split into positive eight and one-half volts of unregulated supply and negative three and one-half volts of regulated supply by a shunt regulator  6014  consisting of a resistor  6016 , a resistor  6018 , and a transistor  6020 . Decoupling may be provided by capacitors  6022 ,  6024  and  6028 . The shunt regulator  6014  may be of a standard design familiar to analog circuit designers. The eight and one-half volt supply is further regulated to produce a five volt supply by a voltage regulator  6030 , which may be an LM78L05ACM voltage regulator available from National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif., and may be decoupled by capacitor  6032 . The teachings of the data sheet for the LM78L05ACM are incorporated herein by reference. 
     The incoming RS-485 data stream may be received by the RS-485 receiver chip  6034  at pins  6038  and  6040 . The data stream may be further buffered by the receiver chip  6034  to produce a clean, amplified true and complement data signals at pins  6042  and  6044 , respectively. These signals are further buffered and inverted by buffer  6048  to produce true and complement data signals with substantial drive capabilities at pins  6050  and  6052  respectively. Each of these signals is then processed by an output amplifier. There are two output amplifiers  6054  and  6058 , identical in design and function. 
     Each amplifier  6054  and  6058  draws power from the previously described power supplies, and both amplifiers share the bias voltage generator network composed of resistors  6060 ,  6062  and  6064 . Amplifier  6054  is composed of all parts to the left of this network on FIG. 17, while amplifier  6058  is composed of all parts to the right of this bias network. Only amplifier  6054  will be described, as amplifier  6058  is substantially identical, with the exception that its input is an inverted copy of the input to amplifier  6054 . 
     The bias network generates two bias voltages, nominally positive six and four-tenths volts, and negative one and four-tenths volts, appearing at the base of transistors  6068  and  6070 , respectively. Transistor  6068  and resistor  6072  form a constant current source  6074 , sourcing a current of approximately twenty milliamps from the collector of transistor  6068 . Similarly transistor  6078  and resistor  6080  provide a current sink  6082  to sink a current of twenty milliamps from the collector of transistor  6078 . Diodes  6010 ,  6084 ,  6088 ,  6090 ,  6092  and  6094  form a current steering network  6098  and steer the twenty milliamp currents alternately into the incoming data line, or capacitor  6100  (through the one volt shunt regulator composed of transistor  6102 , resistor  6104  and resistor  6108  if the current is from transistor  6068 ). If the incoming data line switches from the low state of zero volts to the high state of positive five volts, current sink  6082  will sink current from the incoming data line, through diodes  6090  and  6092 , because the voltage at the anode of  6090  will be greater than the voltage at the anode of diode  6094 . Diodes  6084  and  6088  will be reverse-biased, and current will flow through  6010  and the shunt regulator  6110  comprised of transistor  6102  and resistors  6104  and  6108 . The circuit node at the anode of diode  6094  will not immediately follow the transition, as capacitor  6100  must slowly charge from the current provided by transistor  6068 . Capacitor  6100  will charge at a rate of approximately six and sixty-seven hundredths volts per microsecond, and will reach approximately four volts approximately seven hundred fifty nanoseconds later. At that time the voltage at the collector of transistor  6068  will become large enough to forward bias diodes  6084  and  6088 , causing the current source  6074  to be steered into the input data line. As long as this data line is held in a high state (at five volts), no more current will flow through diode  6010 , the shunt regulator  6110  and into capacitor  6100 . The cathode of diode  6010  will remain at approximately five and five-tenths volts until the data line changes state to the low state of zero volts. During the switching as described, transistor  6112  acts as a common collector current buffer and will source as much current as is required into resistor  6114 . This current will flow into the output at pin  6118  of output device  6120 . The voltage at the output will thus be a slowly rising signal, whose slope is regulated by the charging of capacitor  6100  from current source  6074 . A small base current will be drawn from transistor  6068  by transistor  6112 , but its effect on the transition timing will be negligible. 
     When the incoming data line transitions to the low state, diodes  6084 ,  6088  and  6094  will be forward-biased, diodes  6090 ,  6092  and  6010  will be reverse-biased, and capacitor  6100  will discharge through diode  6094  through the current sink  6082  at similar rates to the positive transition described above. Current from current source  6074  will flow into the data line, now held at zero volts. The voltage at the anode of diode  6094  will reach negative five-tenths volts, and current will again flow through  6090  and  6092 , instead of diode  6094  and transistor  6078 , completing the downward transition. During this period transistor  6129  will sink as much current as necessary through resistor  6128 , from the output at pin  6118  of device  6120 , to cause it to follow the voltage at the anode of diode  6094 . A small base current will be drawn by transistor  6129  from transistor, but its effect on the transition timing will be negligible. Transistors  6130  and  6132  in combination with resistors  6114  and  6128  protect transistors  6112  and  6129  respectively in case of a short circuit at the output, limiting the maximum possible output current (and hence the current through transistors  6112  and  6130 ) to approximately two hundred fifty milliamps. 
     The wave-shaping performed by this circuit can be implemented by a variety of different circuits. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 17 is only one example of a circuit for producing a desirable wave shape. Any circuit which slows the rising and falling transitions of the data signal can be considered to be an implementation of a wave-shaping circuit as disclosed herein. 
     Referring to FIG. 18, the terminating circuit is composed of a bridge rectifier  6134  composed of diodes  6138 ,  6140 ,  6142  and  6144  and a shunt regulator  6148  composed of resistors  6150 ,  6152  and transistors  6154  and  6158 . This circuit is a bidirectional voltage limiter and clamps the voltage between the input terminals at approximately five and three-tenths volts, regardless of the polarity of the applied input. Both the shunt regulator  6148  and the bridge rectifier  6134  are of a standard design, known by those familiar with analog circuit design. Capacitor  6150  improves the transient response of the voltage limiter. 
     Excess energy stored in a transmission line would normally cause voltage excursions above five and three-tenths volts. The termination circuit  6008  of FIG. 18 will absorb the excess energy as it clamps the voltage at the terminus of the transmission line to five and three-tenths volts. Approximately ninety-five percent of the reflected energy may be absorbed by the circuit, and the resulting oscillation will be of insignificant amplitude. 
     The transistors disclosed herein may be of a conventional type, such as those provided by Zetex. The diodes may be of industry standard type. Buffer  6048  may be of industry standard type, and may be 74HC04 type. The receiver chip  6034  may be a MAX490 receiver chip made by Maxim Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif. Other receiver chips may be used. 
     The foregoing embodiments may reside in any number of different housings. Turning now to FIG. 19, there is shown an exploded view of an illumination unit of the present invention comprising a substantially cylindrical body section  602 , a light module  604 , a conductive sleeve  608 , a power module  612 , a second conductive sleeve  614 , and an enclosure plate  618 . It is to be assumed here that the light module  604  and the power module  612  contain the electrical structure and software of light module  100  and power module  200 , described above, or other embodiments of the light module  100  or other power modules disclosed herein. Screws  622 ,  624 ,  626 ,  628  allow the entire apparatus to be mechanically connected. Body section  602 , conductive sleeves  604  and  614  and enclosure plate  618  are preferably made from a material that conducts heat, such as aluminum. Body section  602  has an open end, a reflective interior portion and an illumination end, to which module  604  is mechanically affixed. Light module  604  is disk-shaped and has two sides. The illumination side (not shown) comprises a plurality of LEDs of different primary colors. The connection side holds an electrical connector male pin assembly  632 . Both the illumination side and the connection side are coated with aluminum surfaces to better allow the conduction of heat outward from the plurality of LEDs to the body section  602 . Likewise, power module  612  is disk shaped and has every available surface covered with aluminum for the same reason. Power module  612  has a connection side holding an electrical connector female pin assembly  634  adapted to fit the pins from assembly  632 . Power module  612  has a power terminal side holding a terminal  638  for connection to a source of DC power. Any standard AC or DC jack may be used, as appropriate. 
     Interposed between light module  602  and power module  612  is a conductive aluminum sleeve  608 , which substantially encloses the space between modules  602  and  612 . As shown, a disk-shaped enclosure plate  618  and screws  622 ,  624 ,  626  and  628  seal all of the components together, and conductive sleeve  614  is thus interposed between enclosure plate  618  and power module  612 . Once sealed together as a unit, the illumination apparatus may be connected to a data network as described above and mounted in any convenient manner to illuminate an area. In operation, preferably a light diffusing means will be inserted in body section  602  to ensure that the LEDs on light module  604  appear to emit a single uniform beam of light. 
     Another embodiment of a light module  100  is depicted in FIG.  20 . One of the advantages of the array  37  is that it can be used to construct an LED-based light that overcomes the problem of the need for different fixtures for different lighting applications. In particular, in an embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 20, an array of LEDs  644 , which can be the circular array  37  depicted in FIG. 8 or another array, may be disposed on a platform  642  that is constructed to plug into a fixture, such as an MR-16 fixture for a conventional halogen lamp. In other embodiments of the invention, the platform  642  may be shaped to plug, screw or otherwise connect into a power source with the same configuration as a conventional light bulb, halogen bulb, or other illumination source. In the embodiment of FIG. 20, a pair of connectors  646  connect to a power source, such as an electrical wire, in the same manner as connectors for a conventional halogen bulb in an MR-16 fixture. 
     In an embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 21, the platform  642  bearing the LED array  644  can be plugged into a conventional halogen fixture. Thus, without changing wiring or fixtures, a user can have LED based lights by simply inserting the modular platform  642 . The user can return to conventional lights by removing the modular platform  642  and installing a conventional halogen bulb or other illumination source. Thus, the user can use the same fixtures and wiring for a wide variety of lighting applications, including the LED system  120 , in the various embodiments disclosed herein. 
     Referring to FIG. 22, a schematic is provided for a circuit design for a light module  100  suitable for inclusion in a modular platform, such as the platform  642  of FIG.  20 . An LED array  644  consists of green, blue and red LEDs. A processor  16  provides functions similar to the processor  16  described in connection with FIG.  6 . Data input pin provides data and power to the processor  16 . An oscillator  19  provides clock functions. The light module  100  includes other circuit elements for permitting the processor  16  to convert incoming electrical signals that are formatted according to a control protocol, such as a DMX-512 protocol, into control signals for the LEDs of the array  644  in a manner similar to that disclosed in connection with other embodiments disclosed above. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, depicted in FIG. 23, a modular platform  648  is provided on which a digitally controlled array  37  of LEDs  15 , which may be an LED system  120  of a light module  100  according to the other embodiments disclosed herein, is disposed. The modular platform  648  may be made of clear plastic or similar material, so that the platform  648  is illuminated to whatever color is provided by the array  37 . The modular platform  648  may include extrusions  652  and intrusions  654 , so that modular blocks can be formed that interconnect to form a variety of three-dimensional shapes. A wall, floor, ceiling, or other object can be constructed of blocks, with each block being illuminated to a different color by that block&#39;s array  37  of LEDs  15 . The blocks  648  can be interconnected. Such an object can be used to create signage; that is, the individual blocks of such an object can be illuminated in the form of symbols, such as letters, numbers, or other designs. For example, a wall can be used as a color display or sign. Many different shapes of modular blocks  648  can be envisioned, as can many different interlocking mechanisms. In fact, light modules  100  may be disposed in a variety of different geometric configurations and associated with a variety of lighting environments, as further disclosed herein. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, an arrayed LED is mounted on a pan or tilt platform, in a manner similar to conventional theater lights. Known robotic lights shine a conventionally produced light beam from a bulb or tube onto a pan or tilt mirror. The arrayed LEDs of the present invention may be placed directly on the pan or tilt platform, avoiding the necessity of precisely aligning the light source with the pan or tilt mirror. Thus, an adjustable pan/tilt beam effect may be obtained similar to a mirror-based beam, without the mirror. This embodiment permits pan/tilt beam effects in more compact spaces than previously possible, because there is not a need for a separation between the source and the mirror. 
     Also provided is an LED based construction tile, through which a wall, floor or ceiling may be built that includes an ability to change color or intensity in a manner controlled by a microprocessor. The tile may be based on modularity similar to toy plastic building blocks. Multicolor tiles can be used to create a multicolor dance floor or shower, or a floor, wall or bathroom tile. 
     Also provided is a modular lighting system which allows the creation of various illuminating shapes based on a limited number of subshapes. In this embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of light emitting squares (or other geometric shapes) may be arranged into larger shapes in one, two or three dimensions. The modular blocks could communicate through physical proximity or attachment. Modular multicolor lighting blocks can be configured into different formats and shapes. 
     As described above, embodiments of the present invention may be utilized in a variety of manners. By way of examples, the following discussion provides different environments within which the LEDs of the present invention may be adapted for lighting and/or illumination. 
     Looking now at FIG. 24, a modular LED unit  4000 , is provided for illumination within an environment. Modular unit  4000  comprises a light module  4002 , similar to item  120  discussed in connection with FIG. 1, and a processor  4004 , similar to item  16  discussed in connection with FIG.  1 . The light module  4002  may include, as illustrated in FIG. 25, an LED  4006  having a plurality of color-emitting semiconductor dies  4008  for generating a range of radiation within a spectrum, for example, a range of frequencies within the visible spectrum. Each color-emitting die  4008  preferably represents a primary color and is capable of individually generating a primary color of varying intensity. When combined, the primary colors from each of dies  4008  can produce a particular color within the color spectrum. The processor  4004 , on the other hand, may be provided for controlling an amount of electrical current supplied to each of the semiconductor die  4008 . Depending on the amount of electrical current supplied to each die, a primary color of a certain intensity may be emitted therefrom. Accordingly, by controlling the intensity of the primary color produced from each die, the processor  4004 , in essence, can control the particular color illuminated from the LED  4006 . Although FIG. 25 shows three color-emitting semiconductor dies  4002 , it should be appreciated that the use of at least two color emitting dies may generate a range of radiation within a spectrum. 
     The modular unit  4000  may further include a mechanism (not shown) for facilitating communication between a generator of control signals and the light module  4002 . In one embodiment, the mechanism may include a separate transmitter and receiver, as discussed above in connection with FIG.  2 . However, it should be appreciated that the transmitter and receiver may be combined into one mechanism. The modular unit  4000  may also include a power module  4010 , as discussed in connection with FIG. 9, for providing an electrical current from a power source, for example, an electrical outlet or a battery, to the light module  4002 . To permit electrical current to be directed from the power module  4010  to the light module  4002 , an electrical connector, similar to complementary male pin set  632  and female pin set  634  in FIG. 19, may be provided. In this manner, the electrical connector may be designed to removably couple the light module  4002  to the power module  4010 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the light module  4002 , as shown in FIG. 26, may include a plurality of LEDs  4006  illustrated in FIG.  25 . Each LED  4006  may be part of a light module  4002 , which may be provided with a data communication link  4014 , similar to item  500  described above in connection with FIG. 2, for communication with a control signal generator, or, in certain embodiments of the invention, with other light modules  4002 . In this manner, data such as the amount of electrical current controlled by processor  4004  may be supplied to the plurality of semiconductor dies  4008  in each of the LEDs  4006 , so that a particular color may be generated. 
     In another embodiment, the light module  4002 , as shown in FIG. 27, may include a plurality of conventional light emitting diodes (LEDs)  4016 . The conventional LEDs  4016  may be representative of primary colors red, blue and green. Thus, when the primary color from each of the LED  4016  is generated, the combination of a plurality of LEDs  4016  can produce any frequency within a spectrum. It should be understood, that similar to the semiconductor dies  4008 , the intensity and/or illumination of each LED  4016  may be varied by processor  4004  to obtain a range of frequencies within a spectrum. To facilitate communication amongst the plurality of LEDs  4016  and with the processor  4004 , data communication link  4014  may be provided. 
     The modular LED unit  4000 , in certain embodiments, may be interconnected to form larger lighting assemblies. In particular, the light module  4002  may include LEDs  4006  or  4016  arranged linearly in series within a strip  4020  (FIG.  28 A). The LEDs  4006  or  4016  may also be arranged within a two dimensional geometric panel  4022  (FIG. 28B) or to represent a three-dimensional structure  4024  (FIG.  28 C). It should be appreciated that the strip  4020 , the geometric panel  4022  or the three-dimensional structure  4024  need not adhere to any particular design, and may be flexible, so as to permit the light module  4002  to conform to an environment within which it is placed. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the strip  4020 , the geometric panel  4022  and the three-dimensional structure  4024  may be provided with a coupling mechanism (not shown) to permit coupling between modular LED units  4000 . Specifically, the coupling mechanism may permit a plurality of strips  4020  to be stringed together, or a plurality of geometric panels  4022  to be connected to one another, or a plurality of three-dimensional structures  4024  to be coupled to one another. The coupling mechanism may also be designed to permit interconnection of one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  to another of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024 . The coupling mechanism can permit either mechanical coupling or electrical coupling between the modular LED units  4000 , but preferably permits both electrical and physical coupling between the modular LED units  4000 . By providing an electrical connection between the modular LED units  4000 , power and data signals may be directed to and between the modular LED units  4000 . Moreover, such connection permits power and data to be provided at one central location for distribution to all of the modular LED units  4000 . In an embodiment of the invention, data may be multiplexed with the power signals in order to reduce the number of electrical connections between the modular LED units  4000 . The mechanical coupling, on the other hand, may simply provide means to securely connect the modular LED units  4000  to one another, and such function may be inherent through the provision of an electrical connection. 
     The modular LED unit  4000  of the present invention may be designed to be either a “smart” or “dumb” unit. A smart unit, in one embodiment, includes a microprocessor incorporated therein for controlling, for example, a desired illumination effect produced by the LEDs. The smart units may communicate with one another and/or with a master controller by way of a network formed through the mechanism for electrical connection described above. It should be appreciated that a smart unit can operate in a stand-alone mode, and, if necessary, one smart unit may act as a master controller for other modular LED units  4000 . A dumb unit, on the other hand, does not include a microprocessor and cannot communicate with other LED units. As a result, a dumb unit cannot operate in a stand-alone mode and requires a separate master controller. 
     The modular LED unit  4000  may be used for illumination within a range of diverse environments. The manner in which the LED unit may be used includes initially placing the modular LED unit  4000  having a light module  4002 , such as those provided in FIGS. 25-27, within an environment, and subsequently controlling the amount of electrical current to at least one LED, so that a particular amount of current supplied thereto (i.e., the semiconductor dies  4008  or the plurality of conventional LEDs) generates a corresponding frequency within a spectrum, for instance, the visible spectrum. An environment within which the modular LED unit  4000  may illuminate includes a handheld flashlight  4029  (FIG. 29) or one which requires the use of an indicator light. Examples of an environment which uses an indicator light include, but are not limited to, an elevator floor button, an elevator floor indication display or panel, an automobile dashboard, an automobile ignition key area, an automobile anti-theft alarm light indicator, individual units of a stereo systems, a telephone pad button  4030  (FIG.  30 ), an answering machine message indicator, a door bell button, a light status switch, a computer status indicator, a video monitor status indicator, and a watch. Additional environments within which the modular LED unit  4000  may illuminate can include (i) a device to be worn on a body, examples of which include, an article of jewelry, an article of clothing, shoes, eyeglasses, gloves and a hat, (ii) a toy, examples of which include, a light wand  4031  (FIG.  31 ), a toy police car, fire truck, ambulance, and a musical box, and (iii) a hygienic product, examples of which include, a tooth brush  4032  (FIG. 32) and a shaver. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a modular LED unit  4000  having a plurality of LEDs  4006  or  4016  arranged linearly in series within a strip  4020  may be also be used for illumination within an environment. One such environment, illustrated in FIG. 33, includes a walkway  4033 , for instance, an airplane aisle, a fashion show walkway or a hallway. When used in connection with a walkway, at least one strip  4020  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned along one side of the walkway  4033  for use as a directional indicator. 
     Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 34, includes a cove  4034 . When used in connection with a cove, at least one strip  4020  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned adjacent the cove  4034 , such that the strip of LEDs may illuminate the cove. In one embodiment, the strip  4020  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be placed within a housing  40345 , which housing is then placed adjacent the cove  4034 . 
     Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 35, includes a handrail  4035 . When used in connection with a handrail, such as that in a dark movie theater, at least one strip  4020  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on a surface of the handrail  4035  to direct a user to the location of the handrail. 
     Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 36, includes a plurality of steps  4036  on a stairway. When used in connection with a plurality of steps, at least on strip  4020  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  is positioned at an edge of a step  4036 , so that at night or in the absence of light, a user may be informed of the location of the step. 
     Another environment, illustrated in FIG. 37, includes a toilet bowl  4037 . When used in connection with a toilet bowl, at least one strip  4020  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned about a rim of the bowl  4037  or the seat  40375 , so that in the absence of light in the bathroom, a user may be informed of the location of the bowl or the seat. 
     Another environment, illustrated in FIG. 38, includes an elevated brake light  4038  located in the rear of an automobile. When used in connection with an elevated brake light, at least one strip  4020  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned within a previously provided housing  40385  for the brake light. 
     Another environment, illustrated in FIG. 39, includes a refrigerator door  4039 . When used in connection with a refrigerator door, at least one strip  4020  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on a refrigerator door handle  40395 , so that in the absence of light in, for example, the kitchen, a user may quickly locate the handle for opening the refrigerator door  4039 . 
     Another environment, illustrated in FIG. 40, includes a tree  4040 . When used in connection with a tree, at least one strip  4020  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on the tree  4040 , so as to permit illumination thereof. The tree  4040  could be a Christmas tree or other ornamental tree, such as an artificial white Christmas tree. By strobing the LEDs  4006  between different colors, the tree  4040  can be caused to change color. 
     Another environment, illustrated in FIG. 41, includes a building  4041 . When used in connection with a building, at least one strip  4020  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned along a surface of the building  4041 , so that illumination of the LEDs may attract attention from an observer. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a modular LED unit  4000  having a plurality of LEDs  4006  or  4016  arranged within a geometric panel  4022  may be also be used for illumination within an environment. One such environment, illustrated in FIG. 42, includes a floor  4042 . When used in connection with a floor, at least one geometric panel  4022  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned within at least one designated area in the floor  4042  to provide illumination thereof. 
     Another environment within which a geometric panel  4022  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be used includes a ceiling  4043 , as illustrated in FIG.  43 . When used in connection with a ceiling, at least one geometric panel  4022  may be positioned within at least one designated area on the ceiling  4043  to provide illumination thereof. 
     Another environment within which a geometric panel  4022  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be used includes a vending machine  4044 , as illustrated in FIG.  44 . When used in connection with a vending machine, at least one geometric panel  4022  may be positioned posterior to a frontal display  40445  of the vending machine, so as to provide illumination of illustration on the frontal display. 
     Another environment within which a geometric panel  4022  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be used includes an illuminating surface  4045 , as illustrated in FIG.  45 . When used in connection with an illuminating surface  4045 , at least one geometric panel  4022  may be positioned posterior to the surface to provide illumination of a graphical illustration on the surface or illumination of an object placed on the surface. Examples of such an illuminating surface may include an advertisement sign of the type typically seen at an airport, or a transparent surface of a stand  40455  for displaying an object  40458 . 
     Another environment within which a geometric panel  4022  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be used includes a displayment sign  4046 , as illustrated in FIG.  46 . When used in connection with a displayment sign, such as a billboard or a advertisement board, at least one geometric panel  4022  may be positioned within a housing  40465  located, for example, in front of the sign to provide illumination of illustration thereon. 
     Another environment within which a geometric panel  4022  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be used includes a traffic light  4047 , as illustrated in FIG.  47 . When used in connection with a traffic light, at least one geometric panel  4022  may be positioned within a housing  40475  for at least one of the lights. It should be noted that on a conventional traffic light, a geometric panel  4022  may be needed for each of the three lights. However, since the modular LED unit of the present invention may generate a range of colors, including red, yellow and green, it may be that a new traffic light might be designed to include placement for only one modular LED unit. A variety of different colors could be provided within each signal light, so that an adequate signal is provided for different users, including those with red/green color blindness. 
     Another environment within which a geometric panel  4022  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be used includes a directional display sign  4048 , as illustrated in FIG.  48 . When used in connection with a directional display sign, at least one geometric panel  4022  may be positioned within a housing  40485  for the directional display sign. 
     Another environment within which a geometric panel  4022  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be used includes an information board  4049 , as illustrated in FIG.  49 . When used in connection with an information board, at least one geometric panel  4022  may be positioned on a front side of the board  4049 , so that informational data may be provided to the reader. In one embodiment of the invention, the information board includes, but is not limited to, a traffic information sign, a silent radio  40495 , a scoreboard, a price board, an electronic advertisement board, and a large public television screen. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a modular LED unit  4000  having a plurality of LEDs  4006  or  4016 , arranged to represent a three-dimensional structure  4024 , may be also be used for illumination within an environment. One such environment, illustrated in FIG. 50, includes a toy construction block  4050 . When used in connection with a toy construction block, at least one three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on or within the toy construction block  4050  to provide illumination thereof. It should be appreciated that the three-dimensional structure of LEDs can be design to represent any desired three-dimensional object. 
     A further environment within which the three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be utilized includes, as shown in FIG. 51, an ornamental display  4051 . 
     Since the three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs, as indicated, can be designed to represent any three-dimensional object, the structure may be formed into the ornamental display  4051  of interest, so that illumination of the LEDs provides an illuminated representation of the object. Examples of an ornamental display  4051  can include a Christmas tree ornament, an animal-shaped figure, a discotheque ball  40515 , or any natural or man-made object capable of being represented. 
     A further environment within which the three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be utilized includes an architectural glass block  4052 , as shown in FIG. 52, or large letters  4053 , as shown in FIG.  53 . To utilize the three-dimensional structure  4024  in connection with the glass block, at least one three-dimensional structure  4024  may be positioned within the glass block  4052  for illumination thereof. To utilize the three-dimensional structure  4024  in connection with the large letter  4053 , at least one three-dimensional structure  4024  may be positioned on the letter, or if the letter  4053  is transparent, within the letter. 
     A further environment within which the three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be utilized includes a traditional lighting device  4054 , as shown in FIG.  54 . To utilize the three-dimensional structure  4024  in connection with the traditional lighting device  4054 , at least one three-dimensional structure  4024 , in the shape of, for example, a conventional light bulb  40545 , may be positioned within a socket for receiving the conventional light bulb. 
     A further environment within which the three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be utilized includes a warning tower  4055 , as shown in FIG.  55 . To utilize the three-dimensional structure  4024  in connection with the warning tower, at least one three-dimensional structure  4024  may be positioned on the tower  4055  to act as a warning indicator to high flying planes or distantly located vessels. 
     A further environment within which the three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be utilized includes a buoy  4056 , as shown in FIG.  56 . To utilize the three-dimensional structure  4024  in connection with the buoy, at least one three-dimensional structure  4024  may be positioned on the buoy  4056  for illumination thereof 
     A further environment within which the three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be utilized includes a ball  4057  or puck  40571 , as shown in FIG.  57 . To utilize the three-dimensional structure  4024  in connection with the ball or puck, at least one three-dimensional structure  4024  may be positioned within the ball  4057  or puck  40571  to enhance visualization of the ball or puck. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, two or more of the modular LED unit  4000  having a plurality of LEDs  4006  or  4016 , arranged linearly in a strip  4020 , in a geometric panel  4022  or as a three-dimensional structure  4024 , may be used for illumination within an environment. One such environment, illustrated in FIG. 58, includes an ornamental display  4058 . When used in connection with an ornamental display, at least one strip  4020  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  and one of a geometric panel  4022  and three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned along a surface to provide illumination of the ornamental display. Examples of an ornamental display  4058  can include a Christmas tree ornament  40585 , an animal-shaped figure, a discotheque ball, or any natural or man-made object capable of being represented. 
     Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 59, includes a bowling alley  4059 . When used in connection with a bowling alley, one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned along a lane  40595 , and one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on a ceiling, a floor or a wall of the bowling alley. 
     Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 60, includes a theatrical setting. When used in connection with a theatrical setting, one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on a ceiling, a floor, or a wall of a theater  4060 , and one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on the remainder of the ceiling, the floor or the wall of the theater. 
     Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 61, includes a swimming pool  4061 . 
     When used in connection with a swimming pool, one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on a floor or a wall of the swimming pool  4061 , and one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on the other of the floor or the wall of the swimming pool. 
     Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 62, includes a cargo bay  4062  of a spacecraft  40625 . When used in connection with the cargo bay of a spacecraft, one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on a ceiling, a floor, or a wall of the cargo bay  4062 , and one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on the remainder of the ceiling, the floor or the wall of the cargo bay  4062 . 
     Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 63, includes an aircraft hangar  4063 . When used in connection with an aircraft hangar, one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on a ceiling, a floor, or a wall of the hangar  4063 , and one of a one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on the remainder of the ceiling, the floor or the wall of the hangar. 
     Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 64, includes a warehouse  4064 . When used in connection with a warehouse, one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on a ceiling, a floor, or a wall of the warehouse  4064 , and one of a one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on the remainder of the ceiling, the floor or the wall of the warehouse. 
     Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 65, includes a subway station  4065 . When used in connection with a subway station, one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on a ceiling, a floor, or a wall of the subway station  4065 , and one of a one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on the remainder of the ceiling, the floor or the wall of the subway station. 
     Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 66, includes a marina  6066 . When used in connection with a marina, one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on a buoy  40662 , a dock  40664 , a light fixture  40666 , or a boathouse  40668 , and one of a one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on the remainder of the buoy, the dock, the light fixture, or the boathouse. 
     Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 67, includes a fireplace  4067 . When used in connection with a fireplace, one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on a simulated fire log  40675 , a wall, or a floor of the fireplace  4067 , and one of a one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on the remainder of the simulated log, the wall, or the floor of the fireplace, such that when frequencies within the spectrum are generated, an appearance of fire is simulated. 
     Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 68, includes an underside  4068  of a car  40685 . When used in connection with the underside of a car, one of a strip  4020 , a geometric panel  4022 , and a three-dimensional structure  4024  of LEDs  4006  or  4016  may be positioned on the underside of the car to permit illumination of a road surface over which the car passes. 
     Although certain specific embodiments of the light module  4002  in the modular LED unit  4000  have been discussed in connection with particular environments, it should be understood that it would be apparent to those of skilled in the art to use light modules similar to those discussed within many different environments, as well as combinations of light module and environment not yet discussed, but readily conceivable. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that PWM current control of LEDs to produce multiple colors may be incorporated into countless environments, with or without networks. Certain embodiments of the invention are described herein, but it should be understood that other embodiments are within the scope of the invention. 
     Another use of the present invention is as a light bulb. Using appropriate rectifier and voltage transformation means, the entire power and light modules may be placed in any traditional lightbulb housing, such as an Edison-mount (screw-type) light bulb housing. Each bulb can be programmed with particular register values to deliver a particular color bulb, including white. The current regulator can be preprogrammed to give a desired current rating and thus preset light intensity. Naturally, the lightbulb may have a transparent or translucent section that allows the passage of light into the ambient. 
     Referring to FIG. 69, in one embodiment of the invention a smart light bulb  701  is provided. The smart light bulb may include a housing  703  in which are disposed a processor  705  and an illumination source  707 . The housing may include a connector  709  for connection to a power source. The connection may also serve as a connection to a data source, such as the data connection  500  disclosed in connection with certain other embodiments herein. The processor may be a processor  16  such as that disclosed elsewhere herein. The smart light bulb  701  may form one embodiment of a light module  100  that may be used in the various embodiments disclosed or encompassed herein. 
     In an embodiment the housing  703  may be configured to resemble the shape of housing for a conventional illumination source, such as a halogen light bulb. In one embodiment, depicted in FIG. 69, connector  709  is configured to fit into a conventional halogen socket, and the illumination source  707  is an LED system, such as the LED system  120  disclosed above in connection with FIG.  1 . 
     Processor  705  may be similar to the processor  16  disclosed in connection with the discussion of FIG. 1 above and further described elsewhere herein. That is, in one embodiment of the invention, the smart light bulb  701  consists of a light module  100  such as that disclosed above. However, it should be understood that the smart light bulb may take a variety of other configurations. For example, the housing  703  could be shaped to resemble an incandescent light bulb, in which case the connector  709  could be a set of threads for screwing into a conventional incandescent light slot, and the illumination source  707  could be an incandescent light source. The housing  703  could be configured to resemble any conventional light bulb or fixture, such as a headlamp, a flashlight bulb, an alarm light, a traffic light, or the like. In fact, the housing  703  could take any geometric configuration appropriate for a particular illumination or display environment. 
     The processor  705  may be used to control the intensity of the illumination source, the color of the illumination source  707  and other features or elements included in the housing  703  that are capable of control by a processor. In an embodiment of the invention the processor  705  controls the illumination source  707  to produce any color in the spectrum, to strobe rapidly between different colors, and to otherwise produce any desired illumination condition. Illumination sources that could disposed in a housing  703  and made subject to the processor  705  could include any type of illumination source, including the range of such sources disclosed above. 
     In an embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 70, the smart light bulb  701  may be equipped with a receiver  711  and/or a transmitter  713 , which may be connected to the processor  705 . The receiver  711  may be capable of receiving data signals and relaying them to the processor  705 . It should be understood that the receiver  711  may be merely an interface to a circuit or network connection, or may be a separate component capable of receiving other signals. Thus, the receiver may receive signals by a data connection  715  from another device  717 . In an embodiment of the invention, the other device is a laptop computer, the data connection is a DMX data track, and the data is sent according to the DMX-512 protocol to the smart light bulb  701 . Processor  705  then processes the data to control the illumination source  707  in a manner similar to that described above in connection with other embodiments of the invention. The transmitter  713  may be controlled by the processor  705  to transmit the data from the smart light bulb  701  over the data connection  715  to another device  717 . The other device may be another smart light bulb  701 , a light module  100  such as disclosed above, or any other device capable of receiving a signal data connection  715 . Thus, the data connection  715  could be any connection of among the types disclosed above. That is, any use of the electromagnetic spectrum or other energy transmission mechanism for the communication link could provide the data connection  715  between the smart light bulb  701  and another device  717 . The other device  717  could be any device capable of receiving and responding to data, such as an alarm system, a VCR, a television, an entertainment device, a computer, an appliance, or the like. 
     Referring to FIG. 71, the smart light bulb  701  could be part of a collection of smart light bulbs similarly configured. One smart light bulb could through use of the transmitter  711  transmit data to the receiver  713  of one or more other smart light bulbs  701 . In this manner, a plurality of smart light bulbs  701  may be established in a master/slave arrangement, whereby the master smart light bulb  701  controls the operation of one or more other slave smart light bulbs  701 . The data connection  715  between the smart light bulbs  701  could be any type of data connection  715 , including any of those described in connection with FIG.  70 . 
     The smart light bulb  701  may be part of a network of such smart light bulbs  701  as depicted in FIG.  72 . Through use of the transmitter  711  and the receiver  713  of each of the smart light bulbs  701 , as well as the processor  705 , each smart light bulb  701  in a network  718  may send and receive queries over a data connection  715  similar to that disclosed in connection with the description of FIG.  70 . Thus, the smart light bulb  701  can determine the configuration of the network in which the smart light bulb  701  is contained. For example, the smart light bulb  701  can process signals from another smart light bulb  701  to determine which of the light bulbs is the master and which is the slave in a master/slave relationship. 
     Additional processing capabilities may be included in each smart light bulb  701 . For example, each smart light bulb  701  may be made responsive to an external data signal for illumination control. For example, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 73, a light sensor  719  may be disposed in proximity to a window  722  for sensing external illumination conditions. The light sensor  719  may detect changes in the external illumination conditions and send a signal  723  to one or more smart light bulbs  701  to alter the illumination in an interior space  725 , to compensate for or otherwise respond to the external illumination conditions sensed by the light sensor  719 . Thus, the room lights in the exterior space  725  can be made to turn on or change color at sunrise or sunset, in response to changes in the external illumination conditions at those times. The light sensor  719  could also be made to measure the color temperature and intensity of the external environment and to send a signal  723  that instructs the light module  701  to produce a similar color temperature and intensity. Thus, the room lights could mimic an external sunset with an internal sunset in the internal space  725 . Thus, the smart light bulb  701  maybe used in a wide variety of sensor and feedback applications as disclosed in connection with other embodiments described herein. 
     Referring to FIG. 74, in another embodiment a plurality of smart light bulbs  701  may be disposed on a data network  727 . The data network may carry signals from a control device  729 . The control device may be any device capable of sending a signal to a data network  727 . The control device in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 74 is an electrocardiogram (EKG) machine. The EKG machine  729  has a plurality of sensors  731  that measure the electrical activity of the heart of a patient  733 . The EKG machine  729  may be programmed to send control data over the network  727  to the smart light bulb  701  in instances in which the EKG machine  729  measures particular states of the electrical activity measured by the sensors  731 . Thus, for example, the light bulbs could illuminate with a particular color, such as green, for normal cardiac activity, but could change to a different color to reflect particular cardiac problems. For example, arrhythmia could be reflected by a flashing red illumination signal to the smart light bulb  701 , a rapid pulse could be reflected by a yellow signal to the smart light bulbs  701 , or the like. 
     A smart light bulb such as depicted in FIG. 70 can be programmed to operate in a stand alone mode as well. Thus, preprogrammed instructions may cause the smart light bulb  701  to change colors at intensities in a designed way; thus, the light may be designed to shine a particular color at a particular time of day, or the like. The smart light bulb  701  may also include algorithms for altering the illumination from the smart light bulb  701  to reflect the state of the smart light bulb  701 . For example, the light bulb could display a particular illumination pattern if the LED system  707  is near the end of its life, if there is a problem with the power supply, or the like. 
     The present invention may be used as a general indicator of any given environmental condition. FIG. 75 shows the general functional block diagram for such an apparatus. Shown within FIG. 75 is also an exemplary chart showing the duty cycles of the three color LEDs during an exemplary period. As one example of an environmental indicator, the power module can be coupled to an inclinometer. The inclinometer measures general angular orientation with respect to the earth&#39;s center of gravity. The inclinometer&#39;s angle signal can be converted through an AID converter and coupled to the data inputs of the processor  16  in the power module. The processor  16  can then be programmed to assign each discrete angular orientation a different color through the use of a lookup table associating angles with LED color register values. Another indicator use is to provide an easily readable visual temperature indication. For example, a digital thermometer can be connected to provide the processor  16  a temperature reading. Each temperature will be associated with a particular set of register values, and hence a particular color output. A plurality of such “color thermometers” can be located over a large space, such as a storage freezer, to allow simple visual inspection of temperature over three dimensions. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the signal-generating device may be a detector of ambient conditions, such as a light meter or thermometer. Thus, lighting conditions may be varied in accordance with ambient conditions. For example, arrayed LEDs may be programmed to increase room light as the external light entering the room from the sun diminishes at the end of the day. LEDs may be programmed to compensate for changes in color temperature as well, through a feedback mechanism. 
     When coupled to transducers, many embodiments of the present invention are possible that associate some ambient condition with an LED system. As used herein, the term “transducer” should be understood to encompass all methods and systems for converting a physical quantity into an electrical signal. Electrical signals, in turn, can be manipulated by electronic circuits, digitized by analog to digital converters, and sent for processing to a processor, such as a microcontroller or microprocessor. The processor could then send out information to dictate the characteristics of the light emitted by the LED system of the present invention. In such manner, physical conditions of the environment involving external forces, temperature, particle number, and electromagnetic radiation, for example, can be made to correspond to a particular LED system. We also note that other systems involving liquid crystal, fluorescence, and gas discharge could also be used. 
     In a specific embodiment, a temperature transducer such as a thermocouple, thermistor, or integrated circuit (IC) temperature sensor and the light module  100  of the present invention can be used to make a color thermometer. As mentioned above, such a thermometer would emit a particular set of colors from the LED system to indicate the ambient temperature. Thus the inside of an oven or freezer having such an LED system could emit different colored lights to indicate when certain temperatures have been reached. 
     FIG. 76 shows a general block diagram relevant to the color thermometer. Item  1000  is an IC temperature sensor like the LM335. This is a two-terminal temperature sensor with an accuracy of approximately ±1° C. over the range −55° C. to 125° C. Further information pertaining to the LM335 may be found in the monograph The Art of Electronics, by Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill. The entire disclosure of such monograph is hereby incorporated. Item  1001  is an analog to digital (AID) converter that converts the voltage signal from the IC temperature sensor to binary information. As mentioned above, this is fed to a microcontroller or microprocessor  1002  such as a MICROCHIP brand PIC16C63 or other processor, such as the processor  16  mentioned above. Output from the microcontroller or microprocessor  1002  proceeds to a switch  1003  which can be a high current/voltage Darlington driver, part no. DS2003, available from the National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif. as mentioned above. Element  1003  switches current from LED system  1004 . Shown within FIG. 76 as item  1009  is also an exemplary chart showing the duty cycles of the three color LEDs during an exemplary period. 
     The enlargement of FIG. 76 is a general diagram that is also applicable to other embodiments that follow. Each of these embodiments are similar to the extent that they associate the different environmental conditions mentioned above with an LED system. The different embodiments differ from each other because they possess different transducers appropriate to the environmental condition that is being indicated. Thus, in the embodiments that follow, the temperature sensor  1000  is replaced by another appropriate transducer. 
     The power module (not shown in FIG. 76) can be included in the color thermometer. The signal from the temperature transducer  1000  can be converted by the A/D converter  1001  and coupled to the data inputs of the microcontroller  1002  in the power module. The microcontroller can then be programmed to assign a range of temperatures to a different color through the use of a lookup table associating temperatures with LED color register values. 
     In another specific embodiment, a force transducer such as a differential transformer, strain gauge, or piezoelectric device and the LED system of the present invention can be used to associate a range of forces with a corresponding LED system. FIG. 77 shows a color speedometer  1010  having a force transducer  1011 , such as a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT), coupled to an A/D converter  1017  which is in turn coupled to an LED system  1012  of the present invention. A housing  1013  encloses the force transducer  1011  and the LED system  1012 . The housing possesses a fastener to affix the housing and contents to a rotating object like a bicycle wheel  1015 . The fastener shown in FIG. 77 is a clamp  1016 , although other fasteners such as screws, or rivets could also be used that permit the color speedometer to become affixed to a wheel rim  1018 . 
     Such a color speedometer  1010  could be used to “see” the angular speed of various rotating objects. Thus, as in the example of FIG. 77, the LED system  1012  coupled to the force transducer  1011  could be mounted to the bicycle wheel  1015  at a distance r from the center of the wheel  1015 . A reference mass m in the transducer (not shown) could exert a force mω 2 r from which the angular speed ω could be ascertained. Each distinct force or range of forces would result in a particular color being emitted from the LED system  1012 . Thus the wheel rim  1018  would appear in different colors depending on the angular speed. 
     Another specific embodiment comprising a force transducer appears in FIG. 78 where an color inclinometer  1020  is shown. The inclinometer  1020  possesses a force transducer  1021  such as a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) coupled to an A/D converter  1027  which is in turn coupled to an LED system  1022  of the present invention. A housing (not shown) encloses the force transducer  1021  and the LED system  1022 . The housing possesses a fastener (not shown) to affix the housing and contents to an object whose inclination one wants to determine such as an airplane. The fastener could, for example, consist of screws, clamps, rivets, or glue to secure the inclinometer  1020  to an airplane console, for example. 
     A power module (not shown) can be coupled to the inclinometer. The inclinometer  1020  measures general angular orientation with respect to the earth&#39;s center of gravity. The inclinometer&#39;s angle signal can be converted by the A/D converter  1027  and coupled to the data inputs of the microcontroller in the power module. The microcontroller can then be programmed to assign angular orientations to different color through the use of a lookup table associating angles with LED color register values. The color inclinometer may be used for safety, such as in airplane cockpits, or for novelty, such as to illuminate the sails on a sailboat that sways in the water. 
     In another embodiment, the light module  100  of the present invention can be used in a color magnometer as an indicator of magnetic field strength. FIG. 79 shows such a magnometer  1036  having a magnetic field transducer  1031  coupled to an LED system  1032  via an A/D converter  1037 . The magnetic field transducer can include any of a Hall-effect probe, flip coil, or nuclear magnetic resonance magnometer. 
     The magnetic field transducer  1031  changes a magnetic field strength into an electrical signal. This signal is, in turn, converted to binary information by the A/D converter  1037 . The information can then be sent as input to the microcontroller controlling the LED system  1032  to cause to shine lights of various colors that correspond to the magnetic field strength. This embodiment could find wide use in the fields of geology and prospecting, as well as in the operation of instruments that rely on magnetic fields to operate such as magnetic resonance devices, magnetrons, and magnetically focused electron devices. 
     In another embodiment, the light module  100  of the present invention can be used for a smoke alert system shown in FIG.  80 . The smoke alert system  1040  comprises a smoke detector  1041 , either of the ionization or optical (photoelectric) variety, electrically coupled to an LED system  1042  of one embodiment of the present invention via an AID converter (not shown). The LED system  1042  need not be proximal to the detector  1041 . In particular, the smoke detector  1041  can be in one room where a fire might ignite, while the LED system  1042  might be in another room where it would be advantageous to be alerted, the bedroom or bathroom for example. 
     As those of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, the smoke detector  1041  can be of either of two types: ionization or optical (photoelectric). If the latter is used, a detection chamber in the smoke detector  1041  is employed whose shape normally prevents a light sensitive element (e.g., a photocell) from “seeing” a light source (e.g., an LED). When smoke from a fire enters the chamber, it scatters light so that the light sensitive element can now detect the light. In a smoke detector  1041  employing ionization technology, radioactive materials ionize air molecules between a pair of electrodes in a detection chamber. The resultant charged air molecules permit a current to be conducted between the electrodes. The presence of smoke in the chamber, however, diminishes the amount of charged air particles and thus diminishes the current. In both types of smoke detectors, therefore, the strength of a current is indicative of the concentration of smoke particles in the detection chamber. The strength of this current can be converted by the A/D converter into binary information that can be sent to the microprocessor controlling the LED system  1042 . By using a look-up table, this binary information can dictate the range of frequencies, corresponding to various smoke concentrations, that is emitted from the LED system  1042 . For example, a green or red light can be emitted if the concentration of smoke particles is below or above a certain threshold. This invention could alert a person to a potential fire even if that person is incapable of hearing the smoke detector&#39;s alarm. (The person may be deaf, listening to music, or in the shower, for example.) Also, conventional detectors convey only two pieces of information: the alarm is either off, or, if sufficient smoke is in the detection chamber, on. The smoke alert system of the present invention would also convey information about the amount of smoke present by emitting characteristic colors. 
     Smoke is but one type of particle whose concentration can be indicated by the light module  100  of the present invention. With the use of other particle detectors such as an ionization chamber, Geiger counter, scintillator, solid-state detector, surface-barrier detector, Cerenkov detector, or drift chamber, concentrations of other types of particles such as alpha particles, electrons, or energetic photons represented by x-rays or gamma rays, can be manifested by different colored LED lights. 
     In another specific embodiment of the present invention, the light module  100  of the present invention can be used to build an electronic pH color meter for indicating the acidity of solutions by displaying colored lights. FIG. 81 depicts a color pH meter  1050  comprising a pH meter  1051  electrically coupled to an LED system  1052  via an A/D converter (not shown). 
     The electronic pH meter can be of a variety known to those of ordinary skill in the art. A possible example of an electronic pH meter that can be used is Corning pH Bench Meter Model  430 , which provides digital measurements and automatic temperature compensation. The meter produces an analog recorder output, which can be converted to a digital signal by the A/D converter. The signal can then be sent to a microcontroller controlling the LED system  1052  which can emit colors corresponding to various pH levels. 
     Besides the aforementioned pH meter, meters having ion-specific electrodes that produce an analog signal corresponding to the concentration of a particular species in solution can also be used. These meters measure voltages developed between a reference electrode, typically silver-coated with silver chloride immersed in a concentrated solution of potassium chloride, and an indicator electrode. The indicator electrode is separated from an analyte by a membrane through which the analyte ions can diffuse. It is the nature of the membrane that characterizes the type of ion-specific electrode. Electrode types include glass, liquid-ion exchanger, solid state, neutral carrier, coated wire, field effect transistor, gas sensing, or a biomembrane. The reference electrode can communicate with the solution whose concentration one is trying to determine via a porous plug or gel. As described above, an embodiment of an LED system of the present invention can be electrically coupled to such meters to associate a particular ion concentration with the emission of light of various colors. 
     In another specific embodiment, the light module  100  of the present invention could be used to produce a security system to indicate the presence of an object. FIG. 82 shows such a system comprising an identification badge  1060 , an LED system  1061  of the present invention, a transmitter and receiver  1062  together with an electromagnetic radiation detector  1066  coupled to an A/D converter (not shown), and a security clearance network  1063  having a receiver and transmitter  1064  of electromagnetic signals to the badge  1060 . 
     The security clearance network  1063  responsive to the transmitter and receiver  1062  may identify the individual as having the appropriate security clearance for the room at a given time. The badge  1060  itself may include the transmitter and receiver  1062 , the electromagnetic radiation detector  1066 , coupled to the A/D converter, and the LED system  1061  responsive to the security clearance network  1063 , so that the badge  1060  changes color depending on whether the individual has clearance to be in proximity to a particular receiver or not. The ID badge  1060  with the LED system  1061  on it may change color in response to a control network depending on whether the person wearing it is “authorized” to be in a certain area, so that others will know if that person is supposed to be there. This could also tell others if the person must be “escorted” around the area or can roam freely. The advantages include time of day based control, zone based control and the concept of moving control zones or rapid zone modification. For example, maintenance staff could be allowed in an area only when another object is not present. For example, in a military aircraft hangar, cleaning might be allowed only when the plane is not there. As another example, security zones in a factory may be used for the purpose of keeping people safe, but when the factory is shut down, much larger areas may be accessible. 
     In another embodiment, the light module  100  of the present invention can be used to change the lighting conditions of a room. FIG. 83 depicts an electromagnetic radiation detector  1071  such as a photodiode, phototransistor, photomultiplier, channel-plate intensifier, charge-coupled devices, or intensified silicon intensifier target (ISIT) coupled to an AID converter (not shown), which in turn is electrically coupled to an LED system  1072 . 
     The light module  100  may be programmed to increase room light as the external light entering the room from the sun diminishes at the end of the day and to compensate for changes in color temperature as well, through a feedback mechanism. In particular, a user may measure the color temperature of particular lighting conditions with the electromagnetic radiation detector  1071 , identify the signal from the electromagnetic radiation detector  1071  under desired conditions, connect the microprocessor of the present invention to the electromagnetic radiation detector  1071  and strobe the LED system  1072  of the present invention through various lighting conditions until the signal from the electromagnetic radiation detector  1071  indicates that the desired conditions have been obtained. By periodically strobing the LED system  1072  and checking the signal from the electromagnetic radiation detector  1071 , the light module  100  may be programmed to maintain precise lighting conditions in a room. 
     In another embodiment, room or telephone lights could help identify the source or intent of a telephone call. FIG. 84 shows a color telephone indicator  1080  comprising an LED system  1082  of the present invention, an output port  1083  that can be either serial or parallel and a connection wire  1084  connecting the system to a caller ID box  1085 . 
     By emitting a characteristic color, it would be possible to determine whence a telephone call is being placed. Thus, one could program the light module  100  to cause the LED system  1082  to emit a red light, for example, if the call is being placed from a certain telephone. Alternatively, a caller&#39;s wish to designate a call as being urgent could be conveyed to a receiver by a particular color display. Thus, one could program the light module  100  to cause the LED system  1082  to emit a red light, for example, if a caller has designated the call to be an emergency. Still another telephone application involves displaying a range of colors to indicate to the receiver the length of time that a caller has been on hold. For example, the LED system  1082  could emit a green, amber, or red light depending on whether the caller has been on hold for less than one minute, between one and two minutes, and more than two minutes, respectively. This last feature would be especially useful if the telephone has more than one line, and it is important to keep track of various people who have been put on hold. 
     The foregoing disclosure has dealt with physical conditions that could be indicated by using the LED system of the present invention. Also capable of being indicated in this manner are other such conditions which include acceleration, acoustic, altitude, chemical, density, displacement, distance, capacitance, charge, conduction, current, field strength, frequency, impedance, inductance, power, resistance, voltage, heat, flow, friction, humidity, level, light, spectrum, mass, position, pressure, torque, linear velocity, viscosity, wind direction, and wind speed. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the signal-generating device is a remote control of a conventional type used to control electronic devices through radio frequency or infrared signals. The remote control includes a transmitter, control switches or buttons, and a microprocessor and circuit responsive to the controls that causes the transmitter to transmit a predetermined signal. In this embodiment of the invention, the microprocessor or microprocessors that control the LEDs is connected to a receiver via a circuit and is capable of processing and executing instructions from the remote control according to the transmitted signal. The remote control may include additional features, such as illuminated buttons or controls that are formed of LEDs and that change color or intensity in correspondence to the change in the signal sent from the remote control. Thus a lever that is depressed to cause the color of a controlled room light to strobe from red to violet may itself strobe in correspondence to the room light. This effect permits the user to control lights in conditions where the actual LEDs may not be visible, or where interference from other sources makes the true color of the controlled LED difficult to see. 
     In other embodiments of the invention, the input device for the signals that control the microprocessor may be a light switch for control and mood setting. In particular, the physical mechanism of the light switch, such as a dial, slide bar, lever or toggle, may include one or more LEDs that are responsive to the external signal generated by the switch, so that using the switch to change a microprocessor controlled array of LEDs, such as room lights, causes the switch itself to change colors in a way that matches the changes in the room. The signal could be used to control a multi-color light, monitor, television, or the like. Any control switch, dial, knob or button that changes color in association with the output light that is controlled by the same is within the scope of the present invention. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the input control device may constitute a badge, card or other object associated with an individual that is capable of transmitting a radio frequency, infrared, or other signal to a receiver that controls the microprocessor that controls the arrayed LEDs of the present invention. The badge thus constitutes an interface to the color settings in a room. The badge or card may be programmed to transmit signals that reflect the personal lighting preferences of the individual to the microprocessor, so that room lights or other illumination may be changed, in color or intensity, when the person is in proximity to the receiver for the lights. The desired lighting environment conditions are automatically reproduced via the lighting network in the room. The badge could also include other data associated with the individual, such as music preferences, temperature preferences, security preferences and the like, so that the badge would transmit the data to receivers associated with networked electronic components that are responsive to the signals. Thus, by walking into a room, the individual could cause the lights, music and temperature to be changed automatically by microprocessors controlling arrayed LEDs or other lights, a compact disc player or similar music source, and a thermostat. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the arrayed LEDs may be placed in the floor, ceiling or walls of an elevator, and the LEDs may be made responsive to electrical signals indicating the floor. Thus, the color of the light in the elevator (or of a floor, ceiling or wall lit by the light) may be varied according to the floor of the elevator. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, depicted in FIG. 85, the signal-generating device  504  may be a generator of a television, stereo, or other conventional electronic entertainment signal. That is, the lighting control signal can be embedded in any music, compact disc, television, videotape, video game, computer web site, cybercast or other broadcast, cable, broadband or other communications signal. Thus, for example, the signal for the microprocessor may be embedded into a television signal, so that when the television signal is processed by the receiver, a microprocessor processes certain portions of the bandwidth of the television signal for signals relating to the room lights. In this embodiment, the color and intensity of room lights, as well as other lighting effects, may be directly controlled through a television signal. Thus, a television signal may instruct the room lights to dim at certain points during the presentation, to strobe to different colors at other points, and to flash at other points. The signals are capable of controlling each LED, so that a wide variety of effects, such as those more particularly described herein, may be obtained. Among other things, selected color washes may enhance visual effects during certain television or movie scenes. For example, the explosion scene in a movie or on a computer game, could cause lights in the room to flash a sequence or change to a specified color. A sunset in a movie scene could be imitated by a sunset generated by the room lights. Alternatively, a music CD, DVD disk, audio tape, or VHS tape could contain room color, intensity or lighting positional data. The present invention may be embodied not only in television signals, but in any other signal-based source, such as music, film, a website, or the like, so that the lighting environment, or specific lights, whether in the home, at work, or in a theater, can be matched to the entertainment source. 
     Referring to FIG. 85, a signal generator  504  may be any device capable of generating an entertainment signal, such as a television broadcast camera. Referring to FIG. 86, lighting control data may be added to the signal generated by the signal generator through use of a data encoder or multiplexor  508 . Methods and systems for adding data to television signals and other entertainment signals are known to those or ordinary skill in the art; for example, standards exist for insertion of closed-captioning data into the vertical blanking interval of a television broadcast signal, in order to have captioned text for the hearing-impaired appear on a portion of a television screen. Similar techniques can be used to insert lighting control data into the same or similar portions of the television signal. In an embodiment of the invention, a multiplexor may detect a horizontal sync pulse that identifies the beginning of the television line, count a pre-determined amount of time after the pulse, and replace or supplement the television signal data for a pre-determined amount of time after the pulse. Thus, a combined signal of control data superimposed on the television signal may be produced. Similar techniques may be used for other types of signals. 
     Once the signal is encoded, the signal may be transmitted by a data connection  512 , which may be a transmitter, circuit, telephone line, cable, videotape, compact disk, DVD, network or other data connection of any type, to the location of the user&#39;s entertainment device  514 . A decoder  518  may be designed to separate the lighting control data from the entertainment signal. The decoder  518  may be a decoder box similar to that used to decode closed-captioning or other combined signals. Such a decoder may, for example, detect the horizontal sync pulse, count time after the horizontal sync pulse and switch an output channel between a channel for the entertainment device  514  and a different channel dedicated to lighting control data, depending on the time after the horizontal sync pulse. Other techniques for reading or decoding data from a combined signal, such as optical reading of black and white pixels superimposed onto the television screen, are possible. Any system adding and extracting lighting control data to and from an entertainment signal may be used. The entertainment signal may then be relayed to the entertainment device  514 , so that the signal may be played in a conventional manner. The lighting control data, once separated from the entertainment signal by the decoder  518 , may be relayed to a lighting module or modules  100  for controlled illumination. The signal may be relayed to the light modules  100  by a data connection  522  by any conventional data connection, such as by infrared, radio, or other transmission, or by a circuit, network or data track. 
     Systems and methods provided herein include an system for combining illumination control with another signal. One such embodiment is an entertainment system, which is disclosed herein. It should be understood that other signals, such as those used for informational, educational, business or other purposes could be combined with illumination control signals in the manner described herein, and are within the scope of the disclosure, notwithstanding the fact that the depicted embodiment is an entertainment system. 
     The entertainment system may include an illumination source  501 , which may be part of a group of such illumination sources  501 . The illumination source  501 , in this embodiment of the invention, may be a light module  100  such as that disclosed above. Referring to FIG. 85, the illumination source  501  may be disclosed about a space  503  in which an entertainment system  561  is located. The illumination system may include the illumination sources  501 , as well as an entertainment device  514 . The illumination source  501  may include a receiver  505  for receiving a control signal to control the illumination source  501 . The control signal can be any type of control signal capable of controlling a device, such as a radio frequency signal, an electrical signal, an infrared signal, an acoustic signal, an optical signal, or any other energy signal. 
     The entertainment system  561  may include a decoder  518  that is capable of decoding an incoming signal and transmitting the signal by a transmitter  522  to the illumination sources  501 . The illumination system may further include a signal generator  504 , which is depicted in schematic form in FIG.  86  and FIG.  85 . The signal generator  504  may generate any form of entertainment signal, whether it be a video signal, an audio signal, a data packet, or other signal. In an embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 85, a signal generator  504  generates a television signal that is transmitted to a satellite  507 . Referring to FIG. 86, the signal generator  504  may be associated with an encoder  508  which may include a multiplexor and which may combine a signal from a signal generator  504  with control data from a control data generator  509 . The encoded signal  508  may then be transmitted by a transmitter  512  to the decoder  518 . Once decoded by the decoder  518 , the signal may be split back into the entertainment signal component and the illumination control data component. The entertainment signal may be sent to the entertainment device  514  by a circuit or other conventional means. The control data may be sent by a transmitter, circuit, network or other conventional connection  522  to the illumination sources, which in the embodiment depicted in  86  are light modules  100  such as disclosed above. As a result, illumination control may be associated with an entertainment signal, so that the illumination produced by the illumination sources  501  can be matched to the entertainment signal played on the entertainment device  514 . Thus, for example, the room lights may be synchronized and controlled to create different conditions simultaneously with events that occur in programs that are being displayed on a television. 
     It should be recognized that any type of entertainment signal could be combined or multiplexed with the control signal to permit control of the illumination sources  501  with the entertainment device  514 . For example, the entertainment device could be a television, a computer, a compact disc player, a stereo, a radio, a video cassette player, a DVD player, a CD-ROM drive, a tape player, or other device. It should be understood that the entertainment device  514  could be a device for display for one or more of the above signals for purposes other than entertainment. Thus, educational, informational, or other purposes and devices should be understood to be within the scope disclosed herein, although the embodiment depicted is an entertainment device  514 . It should be understood that the particular system for combining the data, transmitting the data, and decoding the data for use by the device  514  and the illumination sources  501  will depend on the particular application. Thus, the transmitter used in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 85 and 86 could be replaced with a circuit, a network, or other method or system for connecting or transmitting a decoded signal. Similarly the connection between the decoder  518  and the illumination sources  501  could be a transmitter, circuit, network, or other connection method of delivering data to the illumination sources  501 . 
     The illumination control driver  509  that generates control data can be any data generator capable of generating data for controlling the illumination sources  501 . In an embodiment of the invention, the control driver is similar to that disclosed in connection with FIG. 6 hereof, and the illumination sources a light module  100 . In this case, the data would be sent according to the DMX-512 protocol. 
     In an embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 87, an encoder  508  is depicted in schematic form in an embodiment where the signal is a television signal. In this embodiment, a video signal  511  enters the device at  513  from the signal generator  504 . Control data  515  may enter the encoder  508  at  517  from the illumination control driver  509 . Other data or signals may enter at  519  and  521 . These other signals may be used to control the encoder  508 , to change the operation mode of the controller  508 , or for other purposes. The other signal  521  could also be some other form of piggyback signal that is related to the video signal  511 . For example, the other signal  521  could be closed-caption or teletext data that would be multiplexed with the video signal. The encoder  508  may include a sync detector  523 . The sync detector  523  may detect the horizontal sync pulse in the video signal  511 . The sync detector may then send a signal  525  to a timing and control circuit  527 . 
     The timing and control circuit  527  may count a predetermined amount of time after the horizontal sync pulse detected by the sync detector  523  and control a series of gates or switches  529 ,  531 ,  533  and  535 . In particular, the timing and control circuit  527  may be used to open one of the gates  529 ,  531 ,  533  and  535  while keeping the other gates closed. Thus, the signal at the node  537  of FIG. 87 represents the particular selected signal among the signals  511 ,  515 ,  519  and  521  that has an open gate among the gates  529 ,  531 ,  533  and  535 . By opening and closing different gates at different times, the timing and control circuit  527  can generate a combined signal at  537  that captures different data at different points of the output signal. 
     In an embodiment the invention may include an analog to digital converter  539 , an amplifier  541 , or other component or components to convert the signal to appropriate format or to provide an adequate signal strength for use. The end result is an output combined signal  543  that reflects multiple types of data. In an embodiment, the combined signal combines a video signal  511  with illumination control data  515  that is capable of controlling the illumination sources  501  depicted in FIG.  85 . 
     Referring to FIG. 88, a depiction of the operation of the timing and control circuit  527  is provided. For each of the signals  511 ,  519 ,  515  and  521  the gate for the signal may be kept on or off (i.e., open or closed) at a predetermined time after detection of the sync pulse by the sync detector  523 . The timing and control circuit may thus allocate the time periods after detection of the sync pulse to be different signals, with only one of the gates  529 ,  531 ,  533  and  535  open at any particular time. Thus, the gate for the video signal  511  is open for the time immediately after detection of the sync pulse and for a time after the gates have been opened and closed. The gate for the data signal  519 , the control data  515  and the other signal  521  can be opened in sequence, with no single gate open at the same time as any other gate. This approach, as reflected by the schematics of FIG.  87  and FIG. 88, establishes a combined signal without interference between the constituent signals  511 ,  519 ,  515  and  521 . 
     Referring to FIG. 89, an embodiment of a decoder  518  is provided. In this embodiment, the decoder  518  is a decoder box for a video signal. The incoming signal at  545  may be the combined signal produced by the encoder  508  of FIG. 87. A detector  547  may detect the horizontal or other sync pulse in the combined signal  545  and send a signal  549  to a control circuit  551  to establish the timing of the control circuit  551 . The combined signal  545  may be also be sent to the timing and control circuit  551 , which may process the incoming combined signal  545  according to the time of arrival, or using other information. In one embodiment, the decoder may separate the incoming signal according to the time of arrival as determined by the sync detector  547 . Therefore, by coding the timing of the opening of the gates as depicted in FIG. 88, the timing and control circuit  551  can separate video, control data, and other data according to the time of arrival. Thus, the timing and control circuit  551  can send a video signal  553  to the entertainment device  514 . The timing and control circuit  551  can similarly send control data  555  to the illumination source  501 , which may be a light module  100  such as that depicted above. The other data can be sent to another device  557 . 
     Other elements can be included between the timing and control circuit  551  and the respective device; for example, a digital to analog converter  559  could be disposed between the timing and control circuit  551  and the entertainment device  514  to permit use of an analog signal with the entertainment device  514 . It should be understood that the timing and control approach depicted in the schematic FIG. 89 is only one of many approaches of decoding a combined signal. For example, the signal could be a data packet, in which case the packet could include specific information regarding the type of signal that it is, including information that specifies which illumination source  501  it is intended to control. In this case the timing and control  551  could include a shift register for accepting and outputting data packets to the appropriate devices. 
     The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 85-89 are merely illustrative, and many embodiments of circuits or software for producing such a system would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, many systems and methods for inserting data into signals are known. For example, systems are provided for including closed-caption data, vertical interval time code data, non-real time video data, sample video data, North American Basic Teletex specification data, World System Teletex data, European broadcast union data and Nielsen automated, measurement and lineup data, and entry video signals. One such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,615 to Nuber et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Systems and methods for nesting signals within a television signal are also known. One such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,689 to Small, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Other applications include surround sound, in which certain sound data is combined with a signal, which may be a motion picture, music, or video signal. Such surround sound systems are known to those skilled in the art. One such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,718 to Ambourn et al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Any system for superimposing data onto a signal or combining data with a signal for controlling a device wherein the system is capable of also carrying illumination control information produced by an illumination control driver for controlling an illumination source should be understood to be within the scope of the invention. 
     In the television embodiment, different portions of the television signal are used for different purposes. One portion of the signal is used for the visible image that appears on the screen. Another portion is used for audio signals. Another is the overscan area. 
     Another portion is the vertical blanking interval. Another portion is the horizontal blanking interval. Any portion of the signal can be used to carry data. In an embodiment, the data is located in one of the portions, such as the horizontal blanking interval or the vertical blanking interval, that does not interfere with the display on the screen. However, it is known that a typical television does not display all of the display portion of the television signal. Therefore, the initial part of the television display signal could also be replaced with the illumination control data without substantially interfering with the appearance of the picture to the user of the entertainment device  514 . 
     In embodiments, a user may measure the color temperature of particular lighting conditions with a light sensor, identify the signal from the light sensor under desired conditions, connect the processor of the present invention to the light sensor and strobe the arrayed LEDs of the present invention through various lighting conditions until the signal from the light sensor indicates that the desired conditions have been obtained. By periodically strobing the LEDs and checking the signal from the light sensor, the arrayed LEDs of the present invention may thus be programmed to maintain precise lighting conditions in a room. This light compensation feature may be useful in a number of technological fields. For example, a photographer could measure ideal conditions, such as near sunset when warm colors predominate, with a light sensor and reestablish those exact conditions as desired with the arrayed LEDs of the present invention. Similarly, a surgeon in an operating theater could establish ideal lighting conditions for a particular type of surgery and reestablish or maintain those lighting conditions in a controlled manner. Moreover, due to the flexible digital control of the arrayed LEDs of the present invention, any number of desired lighting conditions may be programmed for maintenance or reestablishment. Thus, a photographer may select a range of options, depending on the desired effect, and the surgeon may select different lighting conditions depending on the surgical conditions. For example, different objects appear more or less vividly under different colors of light. If the surgeon is seeking high contrast, then lighting conditions can be preprogrammed to create the greatest contrast among the different elements that must be seen in the surgery. Alternatively, the surgeon, photographer, or other user may strobe the lighting conditions through a wide range until the conditions appear optimal. 
     The ability to vary lighting conditions, continuously or discretely, at short time intervals and over a wide range of colors, permits a number of technological advances in fields that depend on controlled illumination. Certain embodiments of the invention in the area of controlled illumination are set forth as follows. 
     The present disclosure further provides systems and methods for precision illumination. Precision illumination is understood to include those systems and methods that direct light at specified targets to achieve predetermined effects. The present invention provides a light source that does not generate excessive heat in the area being illuminated. The invention further provides facile alteration of light color being used for illumination. The invention further delivers illumination to a target material through a durable and manipulable apparatus. 
     The present invention provides a system for illuminating a material, including an LED system, a processor and a positioning system. The LED system is adapted for generating a range of frequencies within a spectrum, the processor is adapted for controlling the amount of electrical current supplied to the LED system, so that a particular amount of current supplied thereto generates a corresponding frequency within a spectrum, and the positioning system is capable of positioning the LED system in a spatial relationship with the material whereby the LED system illuminates the material. In one embodiment, the processor can be responsive to a signal relating to a feature of the material. In an embodiment, the positioning system can be capable of being directed by a part of an operator&#39;s body. In another embodiment, the positioning system can include a remote control system. In another embodiment, the illumination system described herein can include a robotic vision system. 
     The present invention provides a method for illuminating a material including the steps of providing an LED system, providing a processor, positioning the LED system in a spatial relationship with the material whereby the LED system illuminates the material, and producing light from the LED system. As described above, the LED system is adapted for generating a range of frequencies within a spectrum, and the processor is adapted for controlling the amount of electrical current supplied to the LED system, so that a particular amount of current supplied thereto generates a corresponding color within the spectrum. In one practice, the method can include providing an image capture system, wherein the image capture system is adapted for recording an image of the material. A practice of the method can include the steps of determining the range of frequencies within the spectrum for illuminating the material, and controlling the LED system to generate the corresponding color within the spectrum. The material being illuminated by these methods can include a biological entity. The biological entity can include a living organism. A method of the disclosed invention can include the steps of selecting an illumination condition to be produced in the material, illuminating the material with a range of frequencies produced by the LED system, and selecting from the range of frequencies produced by the LED system a set of colors, whereby the set of colors produces in the material said illumination condition. A practice of the methods of this invention can include a further step of illuminating the material with the selected set of colors. 
     The present invention provides a method for evaluating a material, including the steps of selecting an area of the material for evaluation, illuminating the area of the material with an LED system, determining at least one characteristic of a light reflected from the area, wherein the characteristic is selected from the group including color and intensity, and comparing the characteristic of the light reflected from the area with a set of known light parameters, whereby the set of known light parameters relates to a feature of said material. According to one practice of the method, the set of known light parameters relates to an abnormal feature of the material. In one embodiment, the material being evaluated comprises a biological entity. 
     The present invention provides a system for illuminating a body part, including a power source, an LED system connected to the power source, said LED system being adapted for illuminating the body organ, a medical instrument adapted for positioning the LED system in proximity to the body part to illuminate the body part, and a microprocessor for controlling the LED system. In one embodiment, the microprocessor is responsive to a signal relating to a feature of the body part. The feature of the body part can be a structural condition. In one embodiment, the body part is illuminated in vivo. In one embodiment, the body part includes a lumen. In an embodiment, the medical instrument is adapted for insertion within a body cavity. 
     The present invention provides a method for diagnosing a condition of a body part, including the steps of selecting an area of the body part for evaluation, illuminating the area of the body part with an LED system, determining at least one characteristic of a light reflected from the area, wherein the characteristic is selected from the group including color and intensity, and comparing the characteristic of the light reflected from the area with a set of known light parameters, wherein the set of known light parameters relates to the condition of the body part. In one practice of the method, the set of known light parameters relates to a pathological condition of the body part. The method can include the additional step of administering an agent to a patient, wherein the agent is delivered to the body part, and whereby the agent alters the characteristic of the light reflected from the area of the body part. 
     The present invention provides a method for effecting a change in a material, including the steps of providing an LED system for generating a range of frequencies within a spectrum, selecting from the range of colors a set of colors, whereby the set of colors produces in the material the change, illuminating the material with the LED system for a period of time predetermined to be effective in producing the change. In one embodiment, the material being illuminated can comprise a biological entity. The biological entity can comprise a living organism. The living organism can be a vertebrate. In one practice, the method can include the step of illuminating the an environment surrounding the living organism. 
     The present invention provides a method for treating a condition of a patient, including the steps of providing an LED system comprising a plurality of color-emitting semiconductor dies for generating a range of frequencies within a spectrum, selecting from the range of colors a set of colors, whereby the set of colors produces in the patient a therapeutic effect, and illuminating an area of the patient with the set of colors for a period of time predetermined to be effective in producing the therapeutic effect. In one embodiment, the area of the patient comprises an external surface of the patient. In one embodiment, the area of the patient comprises a body part. According to one practice of these methods, an agent can be administered to a patient, wherein the agent is delivered to the area of the patient, and whereby the agent alters the therapeutic effect achieved by illuminating the area of the patient with the set of colors. 
     The present invention provides an illumination system, including a power terminal, an LED system, a current sink coupled to the LED system, the current sink comprising an input responsive to an activation signal that enables flow of current through the current sink, an addressable controller having an alterable address, the controller coupled to the input and having a timer for generating the activation signal for a predefined portion of a timing cycle, the addressable controller further comprising a data receiver corresponding to the alterable address and indicative of the predefined portion of the timing cycle, and a positioning system capable of positioning the LED system in a spatial relationship with a material whereby the LED system illuminates the material. 
     Other practices and embodiments of the invention will, in part, be set forth below and will, in part, be obvious to one of ordinary skill in these arts given the following descriptions. 
     In the embodiments depicted below, LED systems are used to generate a range of colors within a spectrum. “LED system,” as the term is used herein, refers to an array of color-emitting semiconductor dies. Color emitting semiconductor dies are also termed light emitting diodes or LEDs. The array of color-emitting semiconductor dies can include a plurality of color-emitting semiconductor dies grouped together in one structural unit. Alternatively, the array of color-emitting semiconductor dies can comprise a plurality of structural units, each comprising at least one color-emitting semiconductor die. An LED system can further comprise a plurality of structural units, each unit comprising a plurality of color-emitting semiconductor dies. It is understood that as long as at least two primary color LEDs are used, any illumination or display color may be generated simply by preselecting the light intensity that each color LED emits. Further, as described in part in the foregoing specification, each color LED can emit light at any of a large number of different intensities, depending on the duty cycle of PWM square wave, with a full intensity pulse generated by passing maximum current through the LED. The term brightness, as used herein, is understood to refer to the intensity of a light. As an example, described in part above, the maximum intensity of an LED or of the LED system can be conveniently programmed simply by adjusting the ceiling for the maximum allowable current using programming resistances for the processors residing on the light module. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a multicolor illuminating system is provided for illuminating a material. The terms “illumination” and “illuminate” as used herein can refer to direct illumination, indirect illumination or transillumination. Illumination is understood to comprise the full spectrum radiation frequencies, including, visible, ultraviolet, and infrared, as well as others. Illumination can refer to energy that comprises any range of spectral frequencies. Illumination can be viewed or measured directly, whereby the reflected light regarded by the viewer or sensor is reflected at an angle relative to the surface substantially equivalent to the angle of the incident light. Illumination can be viewed or measured indirectly, whereby the reflected light regarded by the viewer or sensor is reflected at an angle relative to the surface that is different than the angle of the incident light. Direct or indirect illumination can be directed at the surface of a material. A surface can be a naturally occurring surface such as a body part or a geological formation. Alternatively, the surface can be a face of an apparatus. A surface can have a three-dimensional topography. A surface can have a plurality of objects affixed to it. 
     The term “material” as used herein encompasses the full range of materials that can be targets for illumination. The term “transillumination” refers to an illumination method whereby light is directed at least in part through a material, wherein the characteristics of the light are regarded by a viewer or a sensor after the light has passed through the material. As an example of transillumination, illumination from a gastroscope can be directed through the wall of the stomach and through the overlying soft tissues so that a site can be identified for placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube. As another example of transillumination, a light can be directed at a surface of a tissue mass to determine whether it is cystic or solid. A cystic mass is said to transilluminate, this term efeing to the fact that light passes through the mass to be perceptible by an observer at a site remote from the site of the incident light. 
     FIG. 90A depicts an embodiment of an illumination system  2020 . The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 90A shows a positioning system  2010 , a control module  2012 , an LED assembly  2014  and a target material  2018 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 90A, the target material  2018  is represented as a surface of an apparatus. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts that the target material  2018  can be any material, and is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. In FIG. 90A, an embodiment of the illumination system  2020  is shown directing incident light  2022  at material  2018 . FIG. 90A further illustrates a LED assembly  2014 , comprising a sensor system  2024  and an LED system  2028 . In one embodiment, a plurality or an array of LEDs comprises the LED system  2028 , each LED being controlled by the control module  2012 . An LED system  2028  is understood to comprise a plurality of color-emitting semiconductor dies for generating a range of colors within a spectrum. The LED system  2028  can comprise the light module  100  or the smart light bulb  701  disclosed above. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 90A, the sensor system  2024  is capable of providing a signal related to the characteristics of the light reflected to the sensor system  2024  from the material  2018 . In an alternate embodiment, a sensor system  2024  can be responsive to other features of the material  2018 . A sensor system  2024  can be affixed to the LED system housing, or a sensor system  2024  can be positioned in juxtaposition to the LED system  2028 . Other placements of the sensor system  2024  relative to the LED system  2028  can be readily envisioned by those of ordinary skill in these arts. Alternately, an embodiment can provide no sensor system. 
     FIG. 90A further depicts a positioning arm  2032 , a control module  2012  and a LED cable  2034  through which can pass the electrical signal to the LED system  2028 , and the data signal to the LED system  2028 . Optionally, a data signal can pass to the sensor module (not shown) from the sensor system  2024 . The LED cable  2034  can carry these sensor signals. The control module  2012  in the illustrated embodiment can contain the processor for the LED system, the power source for the LED system, the sensor module for the sensor system and a processor for relating the signals received by the sensor system  2024  to the processor, so that signals received by the sensor module affect the output characteristics of the LED system  2028 . The control module can further include a position controller (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment the positioning system  2010  comprises the positioning arm  2032 , the position controller and a positioning cable  2038 . This depiction of a positioning system is merely illustrative. As the term is used herein, a positioning system is understood to include any system capable of positioning the LED system in a spatial relationship with the material being illuminated whereby the LED system illuminates the material. A positioning system, therefore, can include an apparatus of any kind capable of positioning the LED system. A positioning system can comprise a human operator who is capable of positioning the LED system in a spatial relationship with the material being illuminated whereby the LED system illuminates the material. A positioning system can further comprise the LED cable if the LED cable is adapted for positioning the LED system in a spatial relationship with the material being illuminated. 
     A plurality of positioning systems can be envisioned by practitioners in these arts that will conform to the features of the particular material being illuminated. For example, a positioning system adapted for microsurgery can be mounted on an operating microscope and can be controlled by a control module suitable for receiving positioning input from the microsurgeons. As one option for a positioning system to be used in microsurgery or other surgical procedures, a foot pedal system can provide positioning input, either using a foot-operated button, pedal or slide. As an alternative option, a manual control can be adapted for placement in the sterile field by covering the manual control with a sterile plastic bag or sheet so the microsurgeon can manipulate the control manually without compromising sterile technique. 
     As an example of a positioning system, a standard surgical light fixture can be equipped with an LED system as disclosed herein. The standard surgical light fixture is capable of positioning the LED system in a spatial relationship with the material being illuminated whereby the LED system illuminates the material. This positioning system can be adjusted manually in the standard fashion well-known to surgical practitioners. Alternatively, the positioning system can be controlled in response to signals input from a separate control module. The positioning system can change its position to illuminate materials designated by the operator, either in response to direct input into the control module or as a response to signals transmitted to a sensor apparatus. Other embodiments of positioning systems can be envisioned by those skilled in these arts. The scope of the term “positioning system” is not to be limited by the embodiment illustrated in this figure. A plurality of other positioning systems can be envisioned consistent with the systems and methods described herein. 
     FIG. 90A illustrates an embodiment of a positioning system  2010  where the LED assembly  2014  is located at the distal end of the positioning arm  2032 . In this embodiment, the position controller can transmit signals to the positioning arm  2032  to adjust its spatial position. These signals can be carried through the positioning cable  2038 . Alternatively, the signals can be transmitted by infrared, by radio frequency, or by any other method known in the art. Remote access to the control module  2012  can permit the illumination system  2020  to be controlled from a great distance, for example in undersea or aerospace applications. Remote access also permits control of the illumination system  2020  when the illumination system  2020  is operating in hostile or inhospitable environments. Remote access to the control module is understood to comprise remote control. Techniques for remote control are familiar to practitioners in these arts. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the positioning arm  2032  has a plurality of articulations  2040  permitting its three-dimensional motion. In the illustrated embodiment, the articulations  2040  are arranged to provide the flexibility required by a particular technical application. Positioning can be accomplished with other mechanisms besides those depicted in FIG.  90 A. These mechanisms will be familiar to practitioners in the art. As depicted in FIG. 90A, the proximal end of the positioning arm  2032  is anchored to a base  2026 . The articulation connecting the positioning arm  2032  to the base  2026  can be arranged to permit motion along an axis parallel to or perpendicular to the axes of motion permitted by the other articulations  2040 . 
     The positioning system depicted in FIG. 90A is merely one embodiment of the systems described herein. A plurality of other embodiments are available, as will be realized by practitioners of ordinary skill in the relevant arts. In one embodiment, the positioning system  2010  can be configured for large-scale applications, such as the evaluation of sheet metal or structural steel. Alternatively, the positioning system  2010  can be adapted for microscopic adjustments in position. It is understood that the light provided by the illumination system can be used for a plurality of precision applications. Fine three-dimensional control of the illumination pattern can direct the light to an exact three-dimensional position. In an alternate embodiment, signals from the sensor module can be used to control or to activate the position controller, so that the positioning system  2010  can be directed to move the LED assembly  2014  in response to received sensor data. The illumination system comprising the LED system  2028  allows the selection of a colored light predetermined to facilitate visualization of the target material  2018 . The strobing effect provided by an embodiment of the illumination system can permit freeze-frame imaging of dynamic processes, or can enhance the resolution of images acquired using conventional imaging modalities. 
     An embodiment of the illumination system can be used for taking photomicrographs. In another embodiment of the present invention, the illumination system  2020  may be used to improve the quality of robotic vision applications. In many robotic vision applications, such as location of semiconductor chips during the manufacturing process, reading of bar code matrices, location of robotic devices during manufacturing, or the like, a robotic camera is required to identify shapes or contrasts and to react accordingly. Different lighting conditions can have a dramatic effect on such vision systems. A method for improving the accuracy of such systems includes creating a color image via a sequence of multiple black and white images taken under multiple different strobed illuminating sequences. For example, the user may strobe a red strobe to get the red frame, a green strobe to get the green frame, and a blue strobe to get the blue frame. The strobing effect permits a higher resolution by the robotic camera of the image required for robotic vision. Other embodiments can be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     FIG. 90B shows in more detail a schematic diagram of the control module  2012 . In the illustrated embodiment, the control module  2012  provides a housing  2042  that contains a power source  2044 , a first microprocessor  2048  for the LED, a sensor module  2050  adapted for receiving signals from the sensors affixed to the distal end of the position arm, and a position controller  2052 . The illustrated embodiment features a second microprocessor  2054  for relating data received by the sensor module  2050  to data for controlling the LED system. The position controller  2052  is adapted for adjusting the three-dimensional position of the positioning arm. The position controller  2052  can include an input device- 2058  for receiving signals or data from an outside source. As an example, data can be input through a control panel operated by an operator. Data can be in the form of 3-D coordinates to which the position system is directed to move, or in any other form that can be envisioned by practitioners of these arts. Data can also be provided through computer programs that perform calculations in order to identify the 3-D coordinates to which the position system is directed to move. The input device  2058  can be configured to receive data received through a computer-based 3-dimensional simulator or virtual reality apparatus. Further examples of input devices  2058  can be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of this invention. The control module  2030  depicted in FIG. 90B further shows a sensor module  2050  adapted for receiving signals from the sensors affixed to the distal end of the position arm. The sensor module  2050  can be configured to receive any type of signal, as described in part above. A sensor module  2050  can comprise a light meter for measuring the intensity of the light reflected by the surface being illuminated. A sensor module  2050  can comprise a colorimeter, a spectrophotometer or a spectroscope, although other sensor modules and sensor systems can be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. A spectrophotometer is understood to be an instrument for measuring the intensity of light of a specific wavelength transmitted or reflected by a substance or a solution, giving a quantitative measure of the amount of material in the substance absorbing the light. Data received in the sensor module  2050  can be used to evaluate features of a material. In one embodiment, sensor module  2050  can be configured to provide data output to an output device  2060 . The output data can include values that can be compared to a set of known values using algorithms familiar to those skilled in these arts. The relationship between the output data and the set of known values can be determined so as to yield meaningful information about the material being illuminated by the illumination system. 
     FIG. 91 depicts an embodiment of an illumination system  2056  capable of being directed by a part of an operator&#39;s body. The embodiment shown in FIG. 91 depicts an illumination system  2056  held in the operator&#39;s hand  2062 . In the illustrated embodiment, the LED system  2064  is positioned at the distal end of a handheld wand  2068  that can be disposed in the operator&#39;s hand  2062  and directed towards a material  2070 . The LED cable  2072  connects the LED system  2064  to a power source (not shown). The LED cable  2072  transmits power signals and data signals to the LED system  2064 . In an alternate embodiment, sensors can be positioned at the distal end of the handheld wand  2068  to provide sensing data as described above. The signals from the sensors can be transmitted through the LED cable  2072  in one embodiment. In yet another embodiment, the handheld wand  2068  can include an imaging system for video imaging. This imaging system can permit display of real-time images, for example on a video screen. Alternatively, this imaging system can permit capture of still or motion images through appropriate software and hardware configurations. Illuminating the material  2070  with a variety of colors can result in significantly different images, as described in part above. Strobing the light provided by the illumination system  2056  can allow capture of still images and can allow improved improved resolution. The handheld system can be used for any application where using an operator&#39;s hand  2062  is advantageous in positioning the illumination system. In an embodiment, the system can be entirely handheld, as illustrated in FIG.  91 . In an alternate embodiment, a wand bearing the LED can be affixed to a framework that supports it, whereby the positioning of the wand is facilitated by direct manipulation by the operator&#39;s hand. In yet another embodiment, the illumination system can be borne on the operator&#39;s hand by a band or a glove, so that the position of the illumination system can be directed by the movements of the operator&#39;s hand. In other embodiments, the illumination system can be affixed to or retained by other body parts, to be directed thereby. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the LEDs are displayed in proximity to the workpiece that requires illumination. Thus, an improved flashlight, light ring, wrist band or glove may include an array of LEDs that permit the user to vary the lighting conditions on the workpiece until the ideal conditions are recognized. This embodiment of the invention may be of particular value in applications in which the user is required to work with the user&#39;s hands in close proximity to a surface, such as in surgery, mechanical assembly or repair, particularly where the user cannot fit a large light source or where the workpiece is sensitive to heat that is produced by conventional lights. 
     In one practice of a method for illuminating a material, a LED system, as described above, can be used. According to this practice, an LED system and a processor are provided. The practice of this method can then involve positioning the LED system in a spatial relationship with the material to be illuminated. The positioning can take place manually or mechanically. The mechanical placement can be driven by input from an operator. Alternately, mechanical placement can be driven by a data set or a set of algorithms provided electronically. A first microprocessor can be provided for controlling the LED system. In an embodiment, a second microprocessor can be provided for positioning the positioning system in relation to the material to be illuminated. In yet another embodiment, a third microprocessor can be provided for processing data input from a sensor system or input from a control panel. Each microprocessor can be related to each other microprocessor, so that changes in one function can be related to changes in other functions. 
     In one practice, the method can further comprise providing an image capture system for recording an image of the material. An image capture system, as the term is used herein, comprises techniques using film-based methods, techniques using digital methods and techniques using any other methods for image capture. An image capture system further comprises methods that record an image as a set of electronic signals. 
     Such an image can exist, for example, in a computer system. In the current arts, images can be captured on film, on magnetic tape as video or in digital format. Images that are captured using analog technologies can be converted to digital signals and captured in digital format. Images, once captured, can be further manipulated using photomanipulative software, for example Adobe Photoshop™. Photomanipulative software is well-known in the art to permit modification of an image to enhance desirable visual features. An image once captured can be published using a variety of media, including paper, CD-ROM, floppy disc, other disc storage systems, or published on the Internet. The term recording as used herein refers to any image capture, whether permanent or temporary. An image capture system further includes those technologies that record moving images, whether using film-based methods, videotape, digital methods or any other methods for capturing a moving image. An image capture system further includes those technologies that permit capture of a still image from moving images. An image, as the term is used herein, can include more than one image. As one embodiment, a photography system can be provided whereby the material being illuminated is photographed using film-based methods. In this embodiment, the LED system can be strobed to permit stop-action photography of a moving material. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a sensor system can be arranged to identify the characteristics of light reflected by a material and the LED system can be controlled to reproduce a set of desired light characteristics so that the material will be optimally illuminated to achieve a desired photographic effect. This effect may be an aesthetic one, although industrial and medical effects can be achieved. For example, a set of characteristics for ambient light in the operating room can be identified by surgical personnel and replicated during surgery. Certain types of lighting conditions can be more suitable for certain operations. As another example, photography can be carried out using the LED system to provide certain characteristics for the photographic illumination. As is well-known in the art, certain light tones and hues highlight certain colors for photography. Different light systems used for photography can cause different tones and hues to be recorded by the photograph. For example, incandescent light is known to produce more reddish skin tones, while fluorescent light is known to produce a bluish skin tone. The LED system can be used to provide consistent tones and hues in a photographic subject from one lighting environment to another. Other desired photographic effects can be envisioned by those skilled in the relevant arts. 
     As one practice of a method for illuminating a material, a predetermined range of colors can be selected within the spectrum. The LED system can then be controlled to generate these colors and to illuminate the material thereby. The material to be illuminated can be an inanimate entity. In one embodiment, a chemical reaction or its component reagents can be illuminated according to this method, whereby the illumination is understood to influence the characteristics of the chemical reaction. In another embodiment, the method of illumination can be directed to a biological entity. The term biological entity as used herein includes any entity related to biology. The term biology refers to the science concerned with the phenomena of life and living organism. Hence, a biological entity can comprise a cell, a tissue, an organ, a body part, a cellular element, a living organism, a biological product, a chemical or an organic material produced by a biological entity or through biotechnology, or any other entity related to biology. Further, though, the term biological entity can refer to a substance that was once part of a living organism, including a substance extracted from a living organism and including a substance that is no longer alive. Pathological specimens are encompassed by the term biological entity. A living organism is called out as a particular embodiment of a biological entity, but this usage is not intended to narrow the scope of the term biological entity as it is used herein. In one practice of a method for illuminating a biological entity, that biological entity can be a living organism. A living organism can include cells, microorganisms, plants, animals or any other living organism. 
     As a practice of a method for illuminating a material, a predetermined desired illumination condition can be selected, and a material can be illuminated with a range of colors until the desired condition is attained. A range of colors can be selected according to this method, whereby the selected colors are capable of producing the desired condition. Optionally, an additional step of this practice comprises illuminating the material with the selected colors, so as to bring about the desired effect. This method can be applied to non-living or biological entities. 
     It is understood that a method for illuminating a living organism can have specific effects upon its structure, physiology or psychology. As embodiments of a method for illuminating a living organism, these technologies can be directed towards cells, microorganisms, plants or animals. These practices can comprise, without limitation, microbiological applications, cloning applications, cell culture, agricultural applications, aquaculture, veterinary applications or human applications. As an example, plant growth can be accelerated by precisely controlling the spectrum of light they are grown in. FIG. 92A shows a practice of this method, whereby a plurality of LED systems  2074  provide illumination to fruitbearing plants  2078  being grown in a greenhouse environment. The size and number of fruit  2080  on these plants  2078  are understood to compare advantageously to the results of the method illustrated in FIG. 92B, wherein the fruitbearing plants  2078  illuminated with natural light  2082  are observed to bear smaller and fewer fruits  2080 . As a further example, cellular growth in culture can be improved by illuminating the cells or the media with light having certain spectral qualities. As another example, optimal breeding and animal health can be achieved by illuminating the subjects with a range of colors within the spectrum. As yet another example, replicating for a marine species in an aquarium the spectrum of light in its waters of origin can significantly increase its lifespan in captivity. For example, it is understood that the spectrum in the Red Sea is distinctly different from the spectrum in the waters of Cape Cod. According to a practice of this method, the illumination conditions of the Red Sea can be reproduced in an aquarium containing Red Sea species, with salubrious effect. As an additional example, an organism&#39;s circadian rhythms can be evoked by illuminating the subject creature with light of varying spectral characteristics. 
     As a practice of a method for illumination, a material can be evaluated by selecting an area of the material to be evaluated, illuminating that area with an LED system, determining the characteristics of the light reflected from that area and comparing those characteristics of color and/or intensity with a set of known light parameters that relate to a feature of the material being evaluated. The feature being evaluated can be a normal feature or an abnormal feature of the material. As an example, the integrity of a tooth can be evaluated by directing light of a particular color at the tooth to identify those areas that are various. Structural conditions of materials can be evaluated by illuminating those materials and looking for abnormalities in reflected light. A practice of this method can be applied to biological entities. In forensic pathology, for example, various kinds of fillings for teeth can be distinguished by the way in which they reflect light of particular spectra. This allows identifications to be made based on dental records for forensic purposes. An embodiment of this method related to biological entities is adapted for use in a variety of medical applications, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, as described in part above, a multicolor illuminator is provided for surgical illumination. Different body organs are typically low in relative color contrast. By changing color conditions in a controlled manner, the surgeon or assistant can increase this relative contrast to maximize the visibility of important surgical features, including internal organs and surgical instruments. Thus, if the surgeon is trying to avoid nerve tissue in a surgery, a light that is designed to create the maximum apparent contrast between nerve tissue color and other tissue will permit the greatest precision. Surgical lights of the present invention can be of any conventional configuration, such as large theater lights, or can be attached to surgical instruments, such as an endoscope, surgical gloves, clothing, or a scalpel. 
     FIG. 93A depicts one embodiment of a system for illuminating a body part according to the present invention. This illustration shows a medical instrument for positioning the LED system in proximity to a body part, here a conventional surgical retractor  2084  with the LED system  2088  affixed to the anterior aspect of its retracting face  2090 . The illustrated surgical retractor  2084  resembles a Richardson-type retractor, well-known in the art. Other medical instruments can be employed to bear the LED system  2088  without departing from the scope of these systems and methods. Medical instruments bearing LED systems can be used for illuminating a body part. 
     In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 93A, a conventional surgical retractor  2084  is shown elevating a segment of body tissue, here depicted as the edge of the liver  2104 . The illumination from the LED system  2088  is directed at a body part, here the gallbladder  2110  and porta hepatis  2112 . As used herein, the term body part refers to any part of the body. The term is meant to include without limitation any body part, whether that body part is described in anatomic, physiologic or topographic terms. A body part can be of any size, whether macroscopic or microscopic. The term body part can refer to a part of the body in vivo or ex vivo. The term ex vivo is understood to refer to any body part removed from body, whether that body part is living or is non-living. An ex vivo body part may comprise an organ for transplantation or for replantation. An ex vivo body part may comprise a pathological or a forensic specimen. An ex vivo body part can refer to a body part in vitro. The term body part shall be further understood to refer to the anatomic components of an organ. As an example, the appendix is understood to be an anatomic component of the organ known as the intestine. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the porta hepatis  2112  is an anatomic region that is a body part. The porta hepatis  2112  is understood to bear a plurality of other body parts, including the portal vein  2114 , the hepatic artery  2118 , the hepatic nerve plexus, the hepatic ducts and the hepatic lymphatic vessels. The hepatic ducts  2120  from the liver  2104  and the cystic duct  2124  from the gallbladder  2110  converge to form the common bile duct  2128 ; all these ducts are body parts as the term is used herein. Distinguishing these body parts from each other can be difficult in certain surgical situations. In the depicted embodiment, the LED system  2088  is directed at the porta hepatis  2112  during a gallbladder procedure to facilitate identification of the relevant body parts. Directing lights of different colors at the discrete body parts can allow the operator more readily to decide which body part is which, a decision integral to a surgical operation. 
     A plurality of other applications of these illumination systems can be readily envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts. While the embodiment depicted in FIG. 93A shows a handheld retractor  2084  being used in an open surgical procedure, the illumination systems described herein can also be applied to endoscopic surgery, thoracoscopy or laparoscopy. Discrimination among the various body parts in a region such as the porta hepatis  2112  can be particularly difficult during a laparoscopic procedure. As an alternate embodiment, the relevant anatomic structures can be illuminated using an LED system affixed to the instrumentation for laparoscopy, thereby facilitating the identification of the structures to be resected and the structures to be preserved during the laparoscopic procedure. 
     Other endoscopic applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. As illustrative embodiments, an LED system can be combined with endoscopic instrumentation for the evaluation of intraluminal anatomy in gastrointestinal organs, in cardiovascular organs, in tracheobronchial organs or in genitourinary organs. A lumen is understood to be a body part, within the meaning of the latter term. The term lumen is understood to refer to a space in the interior of a hollow tubular structure. The term body part further comprises the wall of a hollow tubular structure surrounding the lumen. Subcutaneous uses of the illumination system can be envisioned to allow identification of body parts during endoscopic musculocutaneous flap elevation. Such body parts identified can include nerves, blood vessels, muscles and other tissues. Other embodiments can be readily envisioned by skilled practitioners without departing from the scope of the systems disclosed herein. 
     In FIG. 93A, the LED system  2088  is shown arrayed at the distal edge of the retractor  2084  mounted on the undersurface of the retracting face  2090  of the retractor  20 S 4 . This arrangement interposes the retracting face  2090  of the retractor  2084  betveen the body tissue, here the edge of the liver  2104 , and the LED system  2088  so that a retracting force on the body tissue, here the edge of the liver  2104 , does not impinge upon the LED system  2088 . The LED system  2088  in the illustrated embodiment is arranged linearly along the retracting face  2090  of the retractor. Here the power cord  2108  is shown integrated with the handle  2106  of the retractor  2084 . The systems described herein can be adapted for a plurality of medical instruments without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a malleable retractor or a Deaver retractor can bear the LED system. Other types of retractors for specialized surgical applications can similarly be adapted to bear the LED system in any arrangement with respect to the retracting face that fits the particular surgical need. As an example, an LED system can be mounted on a flexible probe for illuminating a particular tissue where the probe does not serve the function of retraction. In an embodiment, an LED system can be directed at lymph nodes in the axilla or in the inguinal region following percutaneous access and subcutaneous dissection, illuminating these lymph nodes with a light color selected to illuminate a feature of the lymph nodes preferentially, such as their replacement with the melanotic tissue of malignant melanoma; the illumination of the lymph nodes can be simultaneously evaluated through endoscopy or videoendoscopy using minimally invasive techniques, thereby reducing the need for full operative lymphadenectomy with its consequent sequelae. This example is offered as an illustration of an embodiment of an application of the technologies described herein, but other examples and illustrations can be devised by those of ordinary skill in these arts that fall within the scope of the invention. 
     A plurality of arrangements of LEDs can be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in these arts without departing from the scope of the invention. The LED array is capable of being placed in proximity to the target organ by a surgical instrument. The term proximity as used herein refers to the degree of propinquity such that the illumination directed at the target body part is effective in accomplishing the clinical purpose intended by the operator. Thus, the proximity to the target body part is determined by the medical judgment of the operator. Since the LED system does not produce heat, it can be positioned extremely close to the target body parts and other body parts without damaging the tissues. In an embodiment, the illumination assembly is capable of being directed at microsurgical structures without causing heat damage. The intensity of the light available from an LED system is a feature that influences how close the LED system needs to be positioned in order to accomplish the operator&#39;s clinical purpose. 
     As an alternative embodiment, the LED system can be combined with other features on a medical instrument. The term medical instrument as used herein comprises surgical instruments. For example, the LED system can be combined with a cautery apparatus or a smoke aspirator to be used in surgery. FIG. 93B depicts one embodiment of a surgical instrument that combines several other pieces of apparatus with the LED system. In FIG. 93B, a Bovie cautery assembly  2132  is depicted, well-known in the surgical art. The cautery assembly  2132  includes a cautery tip  2134  and a handheld wand  2138 . Imbedded in the wand  2138  in standard fashion is an array of control buttons  2140 , an arrangement familiar to those in the art. At the distal tip of the handheld wand  2138  is a LED system  2144 . The power and data signals to the LED system  2144  are carried through a LED cable  2148  affixed to the superior aspect of the handheld wand  2138 . The LED cable  2148  joins with the Bovie power cord  2152  at the proximal end of the instrument to form a single united device cable  2150 . In an alternate embodiment, the LED cable can be contained within the Bovie wand housing  2136  in proximity to the Bovie power cord  2152 . 
     The depicted embodiment permits the surgeon to direct LED light at a particular structure to identify it anatomically as part of cautery dissection. The spectral capacity of the LED system  2144  is useful in identifying blood vessels, for example. Blood vessels embedded in tissues can be especially difficult to identify. The surgeon can dissect with the cautery tip  2134  of the illustrated embodiment while directing a light from the LED that is selected to highlight vascular structures. The tissues themselves would be distinguishable from the vascular structures based on the response of each set of structures to the light illumination from the LED system  2144 . The contrast between tissues requiring dissection and blood vessels to be preserved would be highlighted by the light illumination from the LED system  2144 . The surgeon, therefore, would be able to identify what structures are safe to transgress with cautery dissection. In this way, the surgeon could preserve blood vessels more readily, as required by the surgical procedure. Alternatively, the surgeon could identify blood vessels imbedded in tissues and take precautions to coagulate or ligate them effectively before transgressing them. The illustrated embodiment represents only one possible arrangement of combined surgical instrumentation that employs an LED system. Other arrangements can be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in these arts. For specialized surgical applications, specialized combinations can be required. For example, particular instruments are employed in neurosurgery and in microsurgery. The same principles illustrated in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 93B can be applied in the fabrication of surgical instruments appropriate for these purposes. 
     As an alternate embodiment, the LED system can be combined with a sensor system that provides signals that correlate with some characteristic of the body part being illuminated. As an example, FIG. 93C shows an LED assembly  2100  affixed to a nasal endoscope  2092  being inserted transnasally  2094  to evaluate an intranasal or a pituitary tumor  2098 . The endoscope  2092  is shown in this figure entering through the naris  2096  and being passed through the nasal airway  2086 . The tumor  2098  is here shown at the superior aspect of the nasal airway  2086 . The LED assembly  2100  can comprise an LED system (not shown) and a sensor system (not shown). The LED system can illuminate the intranasal and intrasellar structures with a range of colors, while the sensor system can provide data relating to the characteristics of the reflected light. The tumor  2098  can be identified by how it reflects the range of light bcing used to illuminate it. The sensor system can provide information about the characteristics of the reflected light, permitting the operator to identify the tumor  2098  in these remote locations. Further, such an endoscope  2092  can be combined with means familiar to practitioners in these arts for resecting or ablating a lesion. 
     The illumination system described herein is available for both direct illumination and transillumination. Transillumination is understood to refer to the method for examining a tissue, an anatomical structure or a body organ by the passage of light through it. For example, transilluminating a structure can help determine whether it is a cystic or a solid structure. One embodiment of an illumination system can employ LEDs to direct light of differing colors through a structure, whereby the appearance of the structure when subjected to such transillumination can contribute to its identification or diagnosis. Transillumination using LED light can be directed to a plurality of structures. In addition to soft tissues and organs, teeth can be transilluminated to evaluate their integrity. An additional embodiment can employ a LED as an indwelling catheter in a luminal structure such as a duct. Illuminating the structure&#39;s interior can assist the surgeon in confirming its position during surgery. For example, in certain surgical circumstances, the position of the ureter is difficult to determine. Transilluminating the ureter using an LED system placed within its lumen can help the surgeon find the ureter during the dissection and avoid traumatizing it. Such an LED system could be placed cystoscopically, for example, as a catheter in a retrograde manner before commencing the open part of the operative procedure. In this embodiment, the LED system is particularly useful: not only can the color of the LED be varied in order to maximize the visibility of the transilluminated structure, but also the LED avoids the tissue-heating problem that accompanies traditional light sources. 
     Evaluation of a tissue illuminated by an embodiment of the illuminating system described herein can take place through direct inspection. In an alternative embodiment, evaluation can take place through examining the tissues using videocameras. In an illustrative embodiment, the tissues would be visualized on a screen. Color adjustments on the video monitor screen can enhance the particular effect being evaluated by the operating team. As an alternative embodiment, the illuminating system can be combined with a sensor module, as partially described above, whereby the intensity of the reflected light can be measured. As examples, a sensor module could provide for spectroscopic, colorometric or spectrophotometric analysis of the light signals reflected from the illuminated area. Other types of sensor modules can be devised by those skilled in the relevant arts. A sensor module can be combined with direct inspection for evaluating tissues. Alternatively, a sensor module can provide a means for remote evaluation of tissues in areas not available for direct inspection as a substitute for or as an adjunct to video visualization. Examples of such areas are well-known in the surgical arts. Examples of such areas can include transnasal endoscopic access to the pituitary, endoscopic evaluation of the cerebral ventricles, and intraspinal endoscopy, although other areas can be identified by those familiar with the particular anatomic regions and relevant methods of surgical access. In addition to the abovementioned embodiments for use in living tissues, embodiments can be devised to permit evaluation of forensic tissues or pathology specimens using the illuminating systems disclosed herein. 
     FIG. 93D depicts an embodiment of the illumination system wherein the LED system  2154  is mounted within a traditional surgical headlamp  2158  apparatus. In the illustrated embodiment, the LED system  2154  is affixed to the headband  2160  using methods of attachment well-known to practitioners. Advantageously, however, the LED system  2154  of the illustrated embodiment can be considerably lighter in weight than traditional headlamps. This reduces strain for the wearer and makes the headlamp apparatus more comfortable during long procedures. As depicted herein, the LED system  2154  is connected to apower cord  2156 . In distinction to traditional headlamp apparatus, however, the power cord  2156  for the LED system  2154  is lightweight and non-bulky. The power cord  2156  can therefore be deployed around the headband  2160  itself, without having to be carried above the surgeon&#39;s head in a configuration that predisposes to torquing the headband and that collides with pieces of overhead equipment in the operating room. 
     Furthermore, the power cord employed by the LED system avoids the problems inherent in the fiberoptic systems currently known in the surgical arts. In the traditional surgical headlamp as employed by practitioners in these arts, light is delivered to the lamp through a plurality of fiberoptic filaments bundled in a cable. With the systems known presently in the art, individual fiberoptic filaments are readily fractured during normal use, with a concomitant decrease in the intensity of the light generated by the headlamp. By contrast, the power cord  2156  for the LED system  2154  does not contain fiberoptic elements but rather contains a wire carrying power to the LED system  2154 . This provides a more durable illumination unit than those known in the present art. Furthermore, the LED system  2154  is sufficiently lightweight that it is capable of being integrated with the surgeon&#39;s magnifying loupes  2164 . 
     Although the LED system in the illustrated embodiment is affixed to a headband  2160 , an alternative embodiment can permit eliminating the headband  2160  entirely and integrating the LED system  2154  in the surgeon&#39;s spectacles or magnifying loupes  2164 . 
     FIG. 93E depicts an embodiment of this latter arrangement. In this embodiment, an LED system  2166  is shown integrated with the frame  2168  of the loupes  2164 . The LED system  2166  can be situated superiorly on the frame  2168  as depicted in this figure, or it can be arranged in any spatial relation to the frame  2168  that is advantageous for illuminating aspects of the surgical field. In this embodiment, the power cord  2162  can be positioned to follow the templepiece  2170  of the loupes  2164 . 
     The methods of the present invention comprise methods for diagnosing a condition of a body part. The methods for diagnosing a condition of a body part comprise selecting an area of the body part for evaluation, illuminating the area with an LED system, determining characteristics of the light reflected from the body part, and comparing the characteristics with known characteristics, wherein the known characteirstics relate to the condition of the body part. These methods can be applied to normal, nonpathological conditions of a body part. Alternatively, these methods can be used to identify pathological conditions of the body part. 
     It is understood that different body parts reflect light differently, depending upon their anatomic or physiological condition. For example, when subjected to room light, an ischemic body part can be perceived to be a purplish color, a color termed “dusky” or “cyanotic” by practitioners in these arts. Ischemia can therefore be at times diagnosed by direct inspection under room light. However, a multitude of situations exist where the vascular status of a body part cannot be evaluated by inspection under room light. For example, ischemia can be hard to see in muscles or in red organs. Further, skin ischemia is difficult to evaluate in room light in people with dark skins. The methods of the present invention include practices that permit the diagnosis of ischemia to be made by illuminating a body part with an LED system and comparing the reflected light with known light characteristics indicative of ischemia. These methods further can permit this diagnosis to be made at an earlier stage, when room light may not reveal color changes but when LED system illumination can permit the perception of more subtle color changes. A spectrometer or another sort of sensor system can be optionally employed to evaluate the color and/or the intensity of the light reflected from the illuminated body part. For example, the systems and methods of the present invention can be adapted for the diagnosis of early circulatory compromise following vascular procedures. Common vascular procedures which can be complicated by circulatory compromise include surgical vascular reconstructions or revascularizations, surgical replantations, free tissue transfers, embolectomies, percutaneous angioplasties and related endovascular procedures, and medical thrombolytic therapies. The systems and methods disclosed herein can be adapted for the evaluation of tissues within the body by providing an LED system capable of implantation and removal and by providing a sensor system capable of implantation and removal, the former system adapted for directing illumination at a body part within the body and the latter system adapted for receiving color data from the light that is reflected or absorbed by the target body part. Systems and methods adapted for the evaluation of internal body parts can be advantageous in the monitoring of buried free flaps, for example. The lack of heat generated by the LED system makes it feasible to implant it without subjecting the surrounding tissues to heat trauma. Practitioners skilled in the relevant arts can identify other conditions besides ischemia that can be diagnosed using the methods disclosed herein. The full spectrum of light available from the LED systems disclosed herein is particularly advantageous for diagnosis of a plurality of conditions. 
     As a further example of the methods described herein, the LED system can be used to illuminate the retina for ophthalmological examination. Variation in light color can facilitate ophthalmological examination, for example the diagnosis of retinal hemorrhage or the evaluation of the retinal vessels. Practitioners of these arts will be able to envision other forms of retinopathy that are suitable for diagnosis using these methods. In one embodiment, an LED system can be integrated in a slit lamp apparatus for ophthalmological examination. In an additional embodiment, the LED system can be adapted for use in ophthalmological surgery. As an example, the LED system is capable of assisting in the localization of mature and hypermature cataracts, and is capable of assisting in the surgical extraction of cataracts. 
     One practice of these methods for diagnosing a condition of a body part can comprise administering an agent to the patient that will be delivered to the body part, whereby the agent alters the characteristic of the light reflected from the body part. An agent is any bioactive substance available for administration into the patient&#39;s tissues. All agent can include a drug, a radioisotope, a vitamin, a vital dye, a microorganism, a cell, a protein, a chemical, or any other substance understood to be bioactive. An agent can be administered by any route which will permit the agent to be delivered to the body part being evaluated. Administration can include intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, intraarterial injection, ingestion, inhalation, topical application, intrathecal delivery, intraluminal or intravesical delivery, subcutaneous delivery or any other route. The full spectrum of light provided by the systems and methods disclosed herein is advantageously employed in conjunction with certain administered agents. 
     An example of an agent known to alter the characteristic of light reflected from a body part is fluoroscein, a vital dye applied topically for ophthalmic purposes or injected intravenously to evaluate vascular perfusion. When illuminated by a Wood&#39;s lamp, fluoroscein glows green. Wood&#39;s lamp, though, is not adaptable to many surgical situations because of its physical configuration. Fluoroscein administered to remote body parts cannot be illuminated by a Wood&#39;s lamp, nor can the fluorescence be seen in part too remote to inspect. Illuminating the tissues with an LED system after the administration of a vital dye such as fluorescein can produce a characteristic pattern of reflected light. This reflected light can be evaluated by direct visualization, by remote visualization or by a light sensor system. Other agents will be familiar to those of skill in these arts, whereby their administration permits the evaluation of a body part subjected to LED illumination. 
     As one example, gliomas are understood to have a different uptake of vital dye than other brain tissues. Directing an LED system at a glioma after the administration of vital dye can permit more complete excision of the tumor with preservation of surrounding normal brain tissue. This excision can be performed under the operating microscope, to which can be affixed the LED system for illuminating the brain tissues. The lack of heat generation by the LED system makes it particularly advantageous in this setting. As an additional example, the LED system can be combined with fluoroscein dye applied topically to the surface of the eye for ophthalmological evaluation. As yet another example, the LED system combined with fluoroscein can permit diagnosis of ischemia in patients whose skin pigmentation may prevent the evaluation of skin ischemia using traditional methods such as Wood&#39;s lamp illumination. As disclosed in part above, these systems and methods can advantageously be directed towards body parts within the human body for evaluation of those body parts after the administration of an agent taken up by the body part. 
     The methods according to the present invention can be directed towards effecting a change in a material. In a practice of these methods, a change in a material can be effected by providing an LED system, selecting a range of colors from the spectrum that are known to produce the change in the material being illuminated, and illuminating the material with the LED system for a period of time predetermined to be effective in producing that change. The methods disclosed herein are directed to a plurality of materials, both non-biological materials and biological entities. A biological entity can include a living organism. A living organism can include a vertebrate. A living organism can include an invertebrate. A biological entity can be treated with light exposure in order to effect a change in its structure, physiology or psychology. For example, persons afflicted with the depressive syndrome termed seasonal affective disorder are understood to be benefited psychologically by exposure to illumination with light of known characteristics for predetermined periods of time. The illumination can be provided directly to the living organism, for example to the person with seasonal affcctive disorder. Alternatively, the illumination can be provided to the environment surrounding the person. For example, illumination can be provided by a room light comprising an LED system that can provide light with the predetermined characteristics. 
     As a practice of these methods, a condition of a patient can be treated. This practice can comprise providing an LED system, selecting a set of colors that produce a therapeutic effect and illuminating an area of the patient with the set of colors. A therapeutic effect is understood to be any effect that improves health or well-being. According to this practice, a pathological condition can be treated. Alternatively, a normal condition can be treated to effect an enhanced state of well-being. The area being illuminated can include the external surface of the patient, to wit, the skin or any part of the skin. The external surface of the patient can be illuminated directly or via ambient illumination in the environment. These methods can be likewise applied to internal body parts of a patient. 
     FIG. 94 shows a practice of these methods. This figure depicts a patient  2180  afflicted with a lesion  2172  on an external surface, here shown to be his cheek  2174 . A LED system  2178  is directed to provide direct illumination to the lesion  2172 . Here the LED system  2178  is shown affixed to the distal end of a positioning system  2182 . Other arrangements for positioning the LED system can be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in these arts. It is understood that illumination of dermatological lesions with different spectra of light can have therapeutic effect. For example, acne, Bowen&#39;s disease of the penis and certain other skin cancers have responded to treatment with illumination. As another example, certain intranasal conditions are understood to respond to illumination therapies. In one practice of these methods, an agent can be administered to the patient that alters or increases the therapeutic effect of the set of colors of light directed towards the area being treated. 
     A variety of agents are familiar to practitioners in the arts relating to phototherapy and photodynamic therapy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is understood to comprise certain procedures that include the steps of administering an agent to a patient and illuminating the patient with a light source. Laser light is typically involved in PDT. Since the illumination provided by the LED system can provide full spectrum lighting, including infrared, visible and ultraviolet light spectra, the LED system is available for those therapeutic applications that rely on non-visible light wavelengths. A number of applications of topical illumination have been described in the relevant arts. LED technology has the additional advantage of avoiding heat generation, so prolonged illumination can be accomplished without tissue damage. 
     Although the practice depicted in FIG. 94 shows an LED system  2178  directed towards the skin of a patient  2180 , various practices of this method can apply an LED system for illuminating body parts. Treatment can be directed towards internal or external body parts using modalities familiar to practitioners for accessing the particular body part. As described above, open surgical techniques or endoscopic techniques can be employed to access internal body parts. For example, an intraluminal tumor can be treated using these methods as applied through an endoscope such as a colonoscope or a cystoscope. Alternatively, illumination therapy can be provided following or during a surgical procedure. For example, following surgical extirpation of a tumor, an agent can be administered that is taken up by the residual microscopic tumor in the field and the surgical field can be illuminated by an LED system to sterilize any remaining tumor nodules. These methods can be employed palliatively for reducing tumor burden after gross excision. As another practice, these methods can be directed towards metastatic lesions that can be accessed directly or endoscopically. 
     These embodiments described herein are merely illustrative. A variety of embodiments pertaining to precision illumination can be envisioned by ordinary skilled practitioners in these arts without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     In other embodiments of the present invention, LEDs are used to create attractive and useful ornamental or aesthetic effects. Such applications include disposition of the LEDs in various environments, such as those disclosed above, including multicolor, LED-based eyeglass rims, an LED-lit screwdriver, a multi color light source for artistic lamps or displays, such as a multicolor LED source for a Lava® lamp, and LED-based ornamental fire or fire log with a simulated fire flicker pattern and coloring, a light-up toothbrush or hairbrush using LEDs or other lighting devices. LEDs may also be disposed on ceiling fan blades for to create unusual lighting patterns for artistic effects or display. In particular, pattern generation may be possible with addition of LEDs to the blades of a fan. Also in accordance with the present invention are an LED-based ornamental simulated candle, a multicolor, LED-based light rope, an LED battery charge indicator and an LED color sensor feedback mechanism, through which an LED may respond to tension, temperature, pressure, cavitation, temperature, or moisture. Thus, an LED disposed near the body can serve as a skin temperature and skin moisture feedback color mechanism. Also provided is an LED-based multicolor hand held wand or indicator light. In particular, wands are provided that are similar to the popular glow sticks, which are widely used in the modem dance/night clubs and for dance expression. Multicolor electronic versions allow color control features as well as remote synchronization via a master lighting controller, provided that the LEDs are connected to a receiver and the master controller includes a transmitter. The LED-based personal devices are reusable, unlike chemically based current devices. The master controller may also control other LED items, such as drink coasters made of LEDs, in a controlled, synchronized manner. Such controllers can be used to control an LED disco ball, in which LEDs are disposed on the exterior or a sphere or other three-dimensional shape and may be controlled to simulate the flashing of a conventional disco ball. For example, effect simulated by the ball include ball strobe, spot movement, color changing, line lighting and plane lighting. 
     The present invention permits the user to control LEDs at the individual diode level. The effects that may be produced by generating light of a range of colors within the spectrum permit a number of useful applications in a wide range of technological fields. Among other effects, the controlled LEDs can produce color washes that can be instantly varied discretely or continuously over a wide range of colors and intensities, and that can flash or strobe with a wide range of frequencies. Applying a continuous range of color washes results in a number of unusual effects, some of which are aesthetically appealing, functionally valuable, or both. For example, affecting the same object with light of different colors may yield a very different appearance, as is readily apparent when, for example, a white object is shown under a so-called “black light.” An observer viewing the object will perceive a change of color in the object being observed. Thus, a red object illuminated with a red light appears very different from a red object illuminated with a blue light. The former may be a vivid red, whereas the latter may appear purple or black. When objects having color contrast are viewed under colored lights, quite different effects may result. For example, a red and white checkerboard pattern may appear completely red under a red light, while the checkerboard pattern is evident under a white light. By strobing red and white light in an alternating time sequence over such a pattern, the white squares on the checkerboard will seem to appear and disappear. More complex patterns, such as those in multi-color paintings, can result in remarkable effects, such as disappearing and reappearing figures, or figures that undergo dramatic color changes to an observer. The appearance of movement, color change and appearance and disappearance can result in animation-like effects from a single still photograph, painting, design, or image, merely as a result of controlled lighting changes. Similarly, selecting appropriate light conditions can result in dramatic changes in the relative contrast of different-colored items. Items that have little contrast under certain lighting conditions may be perceived to have dramatic contrast under different color conditions. Furthermore, the spectrum of the light produced according to embodiments of the present invention extends to infrared and ultraviolet light, allowing the incorporation of effects such as fluorescence into the display. The lighting changes employed may be pre-programmed, or may be responsive to the environment of the lighting system, such as to the proximity of people, to the ambient lighting conditions, to the location of the display, or to the time of day. 
     As an example, in FIG. 95 at the top, the numeral 88 is intended to represent such a numeral that is colored with green in the top half of the eights  3100  and red in the bottom half of the eights  3150 . When lit with white light, the numeral 88 so colored will appear to have green in the top half  3100  and red in the bottom half  3150 . When lit with green light, as shown in the middle of FIG. 95, the top half of the 88  3100  still will appear green, but the bottom half  3150 , originally red, will appear black. When lit with red light, as shown at the bottom of FIG. 95, the top half of the 88  3100 , originally green, will appear black, and the bottom half  3150  will appear red. Thus, by gradually changing the color of the illumination, the different portions of the numeral will alternately stand out and fade to black. As will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, this technique can be used to create images designed to appear and disappear as the color of the illuminating light is altered. In addition, other color effects can be produced. For example, shining blue light on the two halves of the numeral would produce a blue-green color in the top half  3100  of the numeral and a purple color in the bottom half  3150 . 
     As a second example, FIG. 96 at the top shows a pair of interlocking circles (left  3200 , right  3205 . When lit with white light, as shown at the top, the drawing is intended to represent the following colors: the left crescent  3210  represents green, the right crescent  3220  represents red, the overlapping area  3230  is black, and the background  3240  is white. When lit with green light, as shown in the middle of FIG. 96, the left crescent  3210  appears green, the right crescent  3220 , originally red, is now black, the overlapping area  3230  remains black, and the background  3240 , originally white, appears green. Thus, the left crescent  3210  can no longer be distinguished from the background  3240 , and the entire rightmost circle  3205  now appears black. When lit with red light, as shown at the bottom of FIG. 96, the left crescent  3210 , originally green, now appears black, the right crescent  3220  appears red, the overlapping area  3230  appears black, and the background  3240 , originally white, now appears red. Thus, the right crescent  3220  can no longer be distinguished from the background  3240  and the leftmost circle  3200  appears black. By changing the color of the illumination from green to red over time, the circle appears to move from right to left, imparting the illusion of motion to an observer. A skilled artisan will appreciate that variations upon this example will allow the creation of myriad displays that function in a like manner, permitting animation effects to be produced from a single image or object. 
     The nature of the lighting system of the present invention permits gradual changes of color from one side of a system to another. Furthermore, the color change can progress gradually along the system, effectively simulating motion of the color change. Additionally, the light can be delivered in a constant manner, or by flashing or strobing the lights. Flashing can also be programmed to occur with simultaneous change of color. These abilities, which can be directed by a microprocessor, can grant additional impetus and vitality to the effects described above. 
     It will also be apparent that similar effects can be obtained by passing colored light through a transparent or translucent colored screen, such as a stained glass window or a photographic slide, placed between the light source and an observer. 
     It will also be obvious to the skilled artisan that these effects can be used in more complex displays to create eye-catching illusions of motion and phantom objects that alternately emerge from and fade into the background. Such effects are particularly advantageous when used in applications such as museum exhibits, dioramas, display cases, retail displays, vending machines, display signs, information boards (including traffic information signs, silent radios, scoreboards, price boards, and advertisement boards), advertising displays, and other situations where the attracting the attention of observers is desired. Because the light generated according to embodiments of the present invention can include ultraviolet and infrared light, the objects can incorporate effects such as fluorescence that are particular to illumination with such light. 
     A vending machine, as contemplated by the present invention, is an apparatus which dispenses products contained therein, such as a soda machine, a snack machine, a gumball machine, a cigarette machine, a condom machine, or a novelty dispenser. Illumination provided according to the present invention can be used to attract the attention of an observer in a variety of ways. For example, a hypothetical olive-dispensing vending machine  3300  using a dove as a logo is depicted in FIG.  97 . As seen in standard white light, depicted at the top of FIG. 97, the backing of the machine  3310  is white, the body of the dove  3320  is black, an upper set of wings  3330  are intended to be green, and a lower set of wings  3340  are intended to be red. When the color of the lighting in the machine is changed to red as in the middle of FIG. 97, the lower set of wings  3340 , originally red, are invisible against the backing  3310  which now appears red. The upper set of wings  3330 , originally green, appear black under red light, and so the image of the dove appears black with wings raised. When the color of the lighting in the machine is changed to green as shown in the bottom of FIG. 97, the upper set of wings  3330 , originally green, now are invisible against the backing  3310 , which now appears green. The lower set of wings  3340 , originally red, now appear black in green light. Thus, the image of the dove appears black with wings raised. In this manner, the image of the dove appears to flap its wings, even though there is no actual motion. The illusion is created simply by changing the color of the light. It should be recognized that much more complicated effects can be produced by using of objects of many different colors and illuminating the objects with a wide variety of colors within the spectrum, ranging from infrared, to visible, to ultraviolet. 
     The vending machine of this and related embodiments may include an LED system  3370  illuminating the vending machine. The LED system may, in embodiments, include a light module  100 , a smart light bulb  701 , or another embodiment of an LED system, such as those disclosed herein. Accordingly, the LED system may have one or more of the characteristics and provide one or more of the functions of the various other embodiments disclosed elsewhere herein. It should be noted that the light source need not be disposed inside the vending machine, but may be placed outside the vending machine in any position that permits the light source to illuminate the vending machine. Those skilled in the art will recognize many opportunities for designing displays to take advantage of the color-changing attributes of the lighting systems of the present invention. 
     As another technique available to the olive distributor of the above example, objects or designs may be made to appear and disappear as the color of light is changed. If the olive distributor should name its dove ‘Oliver’, this name might appear in the vending machine  3300  as shown in FIG.  98 . The backing of the vending machine  3310  is white (FIG. 98, top), and displayed thereon are a dove  3350  colored red and the dove&#39;s name, ‘Oliver’,  3360  in green lettering. When the lighting in the vending machine is changed to green (FIG. 98, center), the lettering  3360  disappears against the green background  3310 , while the dove  3350  appears black. When the lighting is changed to red (FIG. 98, bottom), the dove  3350  disappears against the background, which now also appears red, and the lettering  3360  appears black. Thus, by changing only the color of the light, the display in the vending machine varies between a dove, and the dove&#39;s name. This sort of a display is eye-catching, and therefore useful for advertising purposes. 
     Additionally, attention-grabbing effects can be achieved independent of a specific display tailored to take advantage of the color-changing properties of the lighting system of the present invention. The lights may be positioned within or about the display such that the color changes of the lights themselves serve to draw attention to the display. In one embodiment, the lights are positioned behind the display, such as behind a non-opaque backing of a vending machine, so that changing the color of the light is sufficient to attract attention from observers. 
     The above examples are intended for illustration only, and are not limiting with respect to the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily devise other ways of using the lighting systems disclosed herein to achieve a variety of effects which attract the attention of observers, and these effects are encompassed by the present invention. 
     The present invention permits the user to change the lighting environment by strobing between different colors while taking feedback or spectrum sensor data from the surrounding environment. Such strobes may include a variable-cycle frequency color washing strobing effect using arrayed LEDs. The strobes may thus flash rapidly between colors, or may slowly change throughout the spectrum in a programmed order. The strobing effect can make otherwise unremarkable objects appear quite distinct and aesthetically appealing. Moreover, objects such as paintings may appear to become quite animated when periodically strobed with different colors of light. The attractive illumination effects of the variable frequency strobe permit improved, dynamic lighting environments in areas where lighting is attractive to customers, such as in retail stores, restaurants, museums and the like. The effect may be particularly useful in conjunction with the display of art, such as in art galleries, where known works of art may be radically changed by different lighting conditions. With works of art, for example, the lighting conditions may be controlled to reproduce the light intended by the creator, such as sunlight. Furthermore, the lighting system of the present invention can be used to project infrared and ultraviolet light, in addition to the more common visible wavelengths, and these uncommon frequencies can be used to induce fluorescence and other interesting effects. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, digitally-controlled, LED-based lights according to the present invention are used to illuminate a non-opaque object for display purposes. In one aspect of the invention, the object is a container containing a fluid, both of which may be substantially transparent. In one aspect, the container is a bottle of gin, vodka, rum, water, soda water, soft drink, or other beverage. An example of such a display is depicted in FIG. 99, wherein a beverage container  3500  is placed on a platform  3510  lit by an LED system  3370 . Furthermore, the light source may be disposed on a coaster, to illuminate an individual drink from below. The LED system may, in embodiments, include a light module  100 , a smart light bulb  701 , or another embodiment of an LED system, such as those disclosed herein. Accordingly, the LED system may have one or more of the characteristics and provide one or more of the functions of the various other embodiments disclosed elsewhere herein. In another aspect, the object is a tank of substantially transparent liquid, such as a fish tank or aquarium. In yet another aspect, the object is a non-opaque solid object, such as an ice sculpture, glass figurine, crystal workpiece, or plastic statue. In another aspect, the light source is placed into a Lava® Lamp to provide illumination thereof. 
     The present invention also permits projection of attractive effects or works of art. In particular, in an embodiment of the present invention, a LED-based illumination source is used for projection images or patterns. This system may utilize an LED light source with a series of lenses and/or diffusers, an object containing distinct transparent and opaque areas such as a pattern, stencil, gobo, photographic slide, LCD display, micro-mirror device, or the like, and a final shaping lens. Only the light source, the patterned object, and a surface to receive the projection are necessary for this embodiment. This embodiment, for example, can be used to project a logo or sign onto a ceiling, floor, or wall, or onto a sidewalk outside of a business. In an alternate embodiment, the light may be projected on a cloud, a screen, or a fabric surface. The present invention is particularly advantageous in this regard, because it permits variation of the color of the projection coupled with a light source that does not generate heat. 
     The color strobe effect of the present invention may be used to create improved display case lighting, such as multicolor display case lighting. The lighting may be provided as part of a modular lighting system or in a standalone control panel. In general, the present lighting system may be used to alter lighting environment, such as work environments, museums, restaurants and the like. In certain applications, special lighting is required, such as in museums, where low UV lighting or heatless lighting may be needed. In other applications, such as cooled display cases, or illuminating edible objects such as food, the heatless light sources of the present invention offer advantages over standard incandescent lighting, which emits significant amounts of heat, while providing light of variable color. Standard fluorescent lighting, which also generates little heat, is often considered to look unappealing. The present invention projects attractive lighting of a controlled, variable spectrum without accompanying heat, while maintaining the flexibility to change the parameters of the generated light. 
     LED systems of the present invention may be imbedded in articles of clothing to permit light to be projected from the clothing (FIG.  100 ). The LEDs may be mounted on a flexible circuit board and covered with latex, vinyl, plastic, cotton, etc. This embodiment includes a method for creating light weight flexible material suited for the construction of clothing. Sandwich of fabrics and silicone are provided, which then are lit by an LED. Conventional clothing using LEDs includes discrete LEDs in the form of words or patterns formed by the points of light. The LED-based clothing of the present invention may light clothing fabric without protruding. The LED-based clothing of the present invention may be controlled via a radio frequency or infrared signal by a remote control or a master controller having a transmitter element. The clothing can be made to fit the wearer in a manner that permits disposition of the LEDs in close proximity over the body, permitting the user&#39;s external appearance to be modified, for example to simulate an appearance, such as nudity or a particular type of clothing. The clothing can be paired with a sensor to allow the LED system to display a condition of the user, such as heart rate, or the like. 
     The utility of such clothing can be manifested in many ways. An LED display so disposed in the clothing can be used purely for effect, to generate dazzling patterns, visual effects, and the like. The LED displays can represent real-world images, such as the surrounding environment, or may simply reflect surrounding conditions by changing color in response to external data such as temperature, lighting conditions, or pressure. These displays might also be responsive to the proximity of a similar garment, or might receive data from transmitters in the environment. In one embodiment, the display on the clothing is responsive to pressure. Clothing of this embodiment might be worn in a sporting event to provide visual evidence of illegal contact. For example, in the game of baseball, a batter who is struck by the ball would have visible evidence thereof on the portion of clothing so struck. Furthermore, the clothing could include appropriate processors to enable recent data to be repeated on the clothing, effectively creating an ‘instant replay’ of the previous event. Clothing of these and related embodiments may include the sensors required for such responsive requirements. 
     In yet another embodiment, the display on the clothing could be a medical imaging display. Data from magnetic resonance imaging, for example, could be represented in three dimensions on the surface of clothing worn by the patient as an aid to physicians visualizing the information. Similarly, such clothing could serve as a wearable video screen for any application, such as television, video games, and related displays. The clothing could also be programmed to display a series of predetermined images. For example, pictures might be taken of a person wearing a series of outfits, the person might put on LED display clothing, the picture data might be adjusted for optimal correspondence with the LED clothing, and then the images might be serially displayed on the clothing to simulate instantaneous changes of clothing. Images may also be controlled remotely. Those skilled in the art will envision many related applications of this embodiment. 
     While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.