Patent Publication Number: US-9854651-B2

Title: Programmable lighting device and method and system for programming lighting device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/906,404, filed on Jan. 20, 2016, which claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §371 of international patent application no. PCT/IB2014/063964, filed on Aug. 19, 2014, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/867,326, filed on Aug. 19, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention is directed generally to lighting devices, for example light emitting diode (LED) drivers. More particularly, various inventive methods and apparatus disclosed herein relate to a method and system for programming a lighting device, such as an LED driver. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Lighting technology continues to evolve providing enhanced functionality and efficiency for end users. For example, digital lighting technologies, i.e. illumination based on semiconductor light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), offer a viable alternative to traditional fluorescent, HID, and incandescent lamps. Functional advantages and benefits of LEDs include high energy conversion and optical efficiency, durability, lower operating costs, and many others. Recent advances in LED technology have provided efficient and robust full-spectrum lighting sources that enable a variety of lighting effects in many applications. Some of the lighting fixtures embodying these LED-based sources feature a lighting module, including one or more LEDs capable of producing different colors, e.g. red, green, and blue, as well as a processor for independently controlling the output of the LEDs in order to generate a variety of colors and color-changing lighting effects, for example, as discussed in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,016,038 and 6,211,626, incorporated herein by reference. 
     Commonly, one or more light sources may be driven by a lighting driver which may convert input power, for example from AC Mains, into an appropriate form for use by the particular light source, and supply the converted power to the light source(s). For example, an LED driver may receive AC Mains power, convert or format the power to an appropriate form for use by one or more LEDs, and supply the converted power to drive one or more LED-based lighting units. 
     To provide enhanced performance and flexibility, different lighting devices (e.g., LED drivers) may operate with one or more different configurations and/or operating parameters. Here, the term “configuration” refers to an operating mode of a lighting device. For example, LED drivers may be configured to operate with different dimming interfaces in order to dim the light source(s) which they drive. In particular, one LED driver may be configured to operate with a DALI interface, another LED driver may be configured to operate with an analog 0-10V dimming signal, still another may operate with phase-cut AC dimming, and yet another LED driver may be configured to operate with a Digital MultipleX (DMX) interface, etc. Meanwhile, the term “operating parameter” refers to a value or setting of an operational variable of the lighting device. For example, an LED driver may be configured to stop supplying current to drive an LED load if the temperature of the LED load exceeds a threshold value. This threshold value is an operating parameter of the LED driver, and may change from LED driver to LED driver, depending on a particular installation or target application for the LED driver. A variety of other configuration settings and operating parameters may change from one LED driver to another. 
     However, it is undesirable for a manufacturer to manufacture a large number of different lighting devices just to provide a large number of different configurations and different operating parameters—especially if large portions of the lighting devices are the same as each other. It is also undesirable for a manufacturer, vendor, and/or end user to have to maintain in inventory a large number of different lighting devices, each having its own specific configuration and/or its own specific operating parameters. 
     Accordingly, a manufacturer may manufacture a programmable lighting device (e.g., a programmable LED driver) which includes a programming interface or connector by means of which the device may be programmed with different configuration settings and/or with different operating parameters. In that way, a manufacturer may design and manufacture one generic lighting device for a large number of different applications or target installations, and then program each device to tailor it for its particular target application or installation. A programmable lighting device may be programmed by the manufacturer, the vendor, or the end user. For example, the manufacturer may maintain the generic programmable lighting devices in stock, and then program the devices with particular configuration setting(s) and/or operating parameter(s) to fill specific orders, prior to shipment. Also, an end user may purchase and stock one generic programmable LED driver model, and then program each device at the time of installation with the appropriate configuration setting(s) and/or operating parameter(s) for its particular application or target installation. Additionally, even after a programmable lighting device has been programmed and installed, it may be reprogrammed with one or more new operating parameters and/or reconfigured with one or more new or changed configuration settings. 
     However, existing methods of programming programmable lighting devices are cumbersome and relatively time-consuming. Each programmable lighting device is connected to a power supply (e.g., AC Mains) during its programming operation. Typically a connector on the device is connected to a programming device or terminal (e.g., through a matching cable). Then the configuration setting(s) and/or operating parameter(s) are transferred from the programming device or terminal to the programmable lighting device via the connector, after which the power may be removed from the programmable lighting device. Typically, the programming interface for the programmable lighting device may be an RS-232 or DALI interface. In some cases, wireless interfaces such WIFi or Zigbee may be employed, but their deployment is limited due to the high cost of implementation. Furthermore, with any of these wired or wireless interfaces, the programmable lighting device still must be supplied power, for example by plugging it into an AC outlet, during the programming operation. 
     When a large number of programmable lighting devices are to be programmed with a wired programming interface, either a corresponding number of connections/cables must be provided for programming the devices in parallel, or else the programmable lighting devices must be programmed in series, extending the time required for the programming operation. This programming operation may be especially burdensome for an end user, for example an end user which performs a commissioning process for a large number of lighting devices which must each be programmed. Often such an end user may have only one or a few programming device(s) or terminal(s) and corresponding connection(s) or cable(s) for programming a large number of devices, such that the programming is performed in a serial fashion. This repetitive serial individual programming operation is especially inefficient when several programmable lighting devices are all to be programmed with the same configuration settings or operating parameters. 
     Thus, there is a need in the art to provide a programmable lighting device, for example an LED driver, which can be easily programmed to apply one or more configuration settings and/or operating parameters thereto. There is further a need to provide an arrangement whereby several programmable lighting devices may be programmed with the same configuration settings or operating parameters at the same time. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to inventive methods and apparatus for lighting devices and for programming programmable lighting devices. 
     Generally, in one aspect, a programmable lighting device, comprises: a power stage configured to receive power from an external supply and to supply power to at least one light source; a controller configured to control an operation of the power stage according to at least one operating parameter or configuration setting for the programmable lighting device; a nonvolatile memory configured to store therein the at least one operating parameter or configuration setting for the programmable lighting device; and a near field communication device configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal which communicates the at least one operating parameter or configuration setting for the programmable lighting device, and in response thereto to store the at least one operating parameter or configuration setting for the programmable lighting device in the nonvolatile memory. The near field communication device is configured to generate from the RF signal a supply voltage for powering the nonvolatile memory while the near field communication device stores in the nonvolatile memory the at least one operating parameter or configuration setting for the programmable lighting device. 
     In some embodiments, the near field communication device may be further configured to generate from the RF signal a second supply voltage for powering the controller. 
     In some embodiments, the near field communication device may further comprise an antenna or a coil configured to provide the radio frequency signal to the near field communication device. 
     In some versions of these embodiments, the near field communication device may be further configured to transmit a verification signal via the antenna or coil in response to receiving the at least one operating parameter or configuration setting for the programmable lighting device. 
     In some versions of these embodiments, the near field communication device may be further configured to transmit via the antenna or coil at least one additional operating parameter, at least one additional configuration setting, or operating data for the programmable lighting device. 
     In some versions of these embodiments, the programmable lighting device may comprise a substantially metallic housing having at least one non-metallic aperture through which the radio frequency signal may be communicated to the antenna or coil. 
     In some embodiments, the nonvolatile memory may be a dual port memory having a first port for communicating with the near field communication device and a second and a second port for communicating with the controller. 
     In some embodiments, the programmable lighting device may further comprise a second nonvolatile memory, wherein the second nonvolatile memory is configured to store operating data for programmable lighting device in response to the controller. 
     In some embodiments, the programmable lighting device may further comprise the at least one lighting device. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one lighting device may include at least one light emitting diode (LED). 
     In some versions of these embodiments, the power stage may comprise a controllable current source for supplying a current to drive the at least one LED. 
     In some versions of these embodiments, the power stage is configured to receive AC Mains voltage and further comprises a rectifier for rectifying the AC Mains voltage to produce the current to drive the at least one LED. 
     In some embodiments, the RF signal communicates the at least one configuration setting for the programmable lighting device, wherein the at least one configuration setting identifies an active dimming interface for the programmable lighting device among a plurality of dimming interfaces available for the programmable lighting device. 
     In some versions of these embodiments, the plurality of dimming interfaces available for the programmable lighting device include a DALI interface, an analog 0-10V dimming signal interface, a Digital MultipleX (DMX) interface, and a phase-cut AC dimming interface. 
     In some embodiments, the RF signal communicates the at least one operating parameter for the programmable lighting device, wherein the at least one operating parameter for the programmable lighting device includes at least one of: an output current to be supplied by the power stage to the at least one light source; a variable startup time parameter for the at least one light source; an operating time period after which the lighting device should increase the output current; at least one temperature threshold for reducing the output current; an operating time period after which the lighting device should trigger an end of life signal; and at least one time setting for automatically dimming the at least one light source. 
     In another aspect, a method is provided for programming a programmable lighting device. The method comprises: receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal which communicates at least one operating parameter or configuration setting for the programmable lighting device; generating from the RF signal a supply voltage for powering a nonvolatile memory of the programmable lighting device; and while the nonvolatile memory is powered by the voltage generated from the RF signal, storing at least one operating parameter or configuration setting for the programmable lighting device in the nonvolatile memory. A power stage of the programmable lighting device is configured to receive power from an external supply and to be controlled to supply power to at least one light source according to the at least one operating parameter or configuration setting for the programmable lighting device. 
     In some embodiments, the method further comprises generating from the RF signal a second supply voltage for powering a controller which is configured to control the power stage. 
     In some embodiments, the method further comprises the controller retrieving the least one operating parameter or configuration setting for the programmable lighting device from the nonvolatile memory. 
     In some embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting a verification signal from the programmable lighting device in response to receiving the at least one operating parameter or configuration setting for the programmable lighting device. 
     In some embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting from the programmable lighting device via a reply RF signal at least one additional operating parameter, at least one additional configuration setting, or operating data for the programmable lighting device. 
     In some embodiments, receiving the RF signal comprises receiving the RF signal via least one non-metallic aperture in a substantially metallic housing. 
     In some embodiments, the RF signal communicates the at least one configuration setting for the programmable lighting device, wherein the at least one configuration setting identifies an active dimming interface for the programmable lighting device among a plurality of dimming interfaces available for the programmable lighting device. 
     In some embodiments, the plurality of dimming interfaces available for the programmable lighting device include a DALI interface, an analog 0-10V dimming signal interface, a Digital MultipleX (DMX) interface, and a phase-cut AC dimming interface. 
     In some embodiments, the RF signal communicates the at least one operating parameter for the programmable lighting device, wherein the at least one operating parameter for the programmable lighting device includes at least one of: an output current to be supplied by the power stage to the at least one light source; a variable startup time parameter for the at least one light source; an operating time period after which the lighting device should increase the output current; at least one temperature threshold for reducing the output current; an operating time period after which the lighting device should trigger an end of life signal; and at least one time setting for automatically dimming the at least one light source 
     As used herein for purposes of the present disclosure, the term “LED” should be understood to include any electroluminescent diode or other type of carrier injection/junction-based system that is capable of generating radiation in response to an electric signal. Thus, the term LED includes, but is not limited to, various semiconductor-based structures that emit light in response to current, light emitting polymers, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), electroluminescent strips, and the like. In particular, the term LED refers to light emitting diodes of all types (including semi-conductor and organic light emitting diodes) that may be configured to generate radiation in one or more of the infrared spectrum, ultraviolet spectrum, and various portions of the visible spectrum (generally including radiation wavelengths from approximately 400 nanometers to approximately 700 nanometers). Some examples of LEDs include, but are not limited to, various types of infrared LEDs, ultraviolet LEDs, red LEDs, blue LEDs, green LEDs, yellow LEDs, amber LEDs, orange LEDs, and white LEDs (discussed further below). It also should be appreciated that LEDs may be configured and/or controlled to generate radiation having various bandwidths (e.g., full widths at half maximum, or FWHM) for a given spectrum (e.g., narrow bandwidth, broad bandwidth), and a variety of dominant wavelengths within a given general color categorization. 
     For example, one implementation of an LED configured to generate essentially white light (e.g., a white LED) may include a number of dies which respectively emit different spectra of electroluminescence that, in combination, mix to form essentially white light. In another implementation, a white light LED may be associated with a phosphor material that converts electroluminescence having a first spectrum to a different second spectrum. In one example of this implementation, electroluminescence having a relatively short wavelength and narrow bandwidth spectrum “pumps” the phosphor material, which in turn radiates longer wavelength radiation having a somewhat broader spectrum. 
     It should also be understood that the term LED does not limit the physical and/or electrical package type of an LED. For example, as discussed above, an LED may refer to a single light emitting device having multiple dies that are configured to respectively emit different spectra of radiation (e.g., that may or may not be individually controllable). Also, an LED may be associated with a phosphor that is considered as an integral part of the LED (e.g., some types of white LEDs). In general, the term LED may refer to packaged LEDs, non-packaged LEDs, surface mount LEDs, chip-on-board LEDs, T-package mount LEDs, radial package LEDs, power package LEDs, LEDs including some type of encasement and/or optical element (e.g., a diffusing lens), etc. 
     The term “light source” should be understood to refer to any one or more of a variety of radiation sources, including, but not limited to, LED-based sources (including one or more LEDs as defined above), incandescent sources (e.g., filament lamps, halogen lamps), fluorescent sources, phosphorescent sources, high-intensity discharge sources (e.g., sodium vapor, mercury vapor, and metal halide lamps), lasers, other types of electroluminescent sources, pyro-luminescent sources (e.g., flames), candle-luminescent sources (e.g., gas mantles, carbon arc radiation sources), photo-luminescent sources (e.g., gaseous discharge sources), cathode luminescent sources using electronic satiation, galvano-luminescent sources, crystallo-luminescent sources, kine-luminescent sources, thermo-luminescent sources, triboluminescent sources, sonoluminescent sources, radioluminescent sources, and luminescent polymers. 
     A given light source may be configured to generate electromagnetic radiation within the visible spectrum, outside the visible spectrum, or a combination of both. Hence, the terms “light” and “radiation” are used interchangeably herein. Additionally, a light source may include as an integral component one or more filters (e.g., color filters), lenses, or other optical components. Also, it should be understood that light sources may be configured for a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, indication, display, and/or illumination. An “illumination source” is a light source that is particularly configured to generate radiation having a sufficient intensity to effectively illuminate an interior or exterior space. In this context, “sufficient intensity” refers to sufficient radiant power in the visible spectrum generated in the space or environment (the unit “lumens” often is employed to represent the total light output from a light source in all directions, in terms of radiant power or “luminous flux”) to provide ambient illumination (i.e., light that may be perceived indirectly and that may be, for example, reflected off of one or more of a variety of intervening surfaces before being perceived in whole or in part). 
     The term “spectrum” should be understood to refer to any one or more frequencies (or wavelengths) of radiation produced by one or more light sources. Accordingly, the term “spectrum” refers to frequencies (or wavelengths) not only in the visible range, but also frequencies (or wavelengths) in the infrared, ultraviolet, and other areas of the overall electromagnetic spectrum. Also, a given spectrum may have a relatively narrow bandwidth (e.g., a FWHM having essentially few frequency or wavelength components) or a relatively wide bandwidth (several frequency or wavelength components having various relative strengths). It should also be appreciated that a given spectrum may be the result of a mixing of two or more other spectra (e.g., mixing radiation respectively emitted from multiple light sources). 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “color” is used interchangeably with the term “spectrum.” However, the term “color” generally is used to refer primarily to a property of radiation that is perceivable by an observer (although this usage is not intended to limit the scope of this term). Accordingly, the term “different colors” implicitly refers to multiple spectra having different wavelength components and/or bandwidths. It also should be appreciated that the term “color” may be used in connection with both white and non-white light. 
     The term “color temperature” generally is used herein in connection with white light, although this usage is not intended to limit the scope of this term. Color temperature essentially refers to a particular color content or shade (e.g., reddish, bluish) of white light. The color temperature of a given radiation sample conventionally is characterized according to the temperature in degrees Kelvin (K) of a black body radiator that radiates essentially the same spectrum as the radiation sample in question. Black body radiator color temperatures generally fall within a range of from approximately 700 degrees K (typically considered the first visible to the human eye) to over 10,000 degrees K; white light generally is perceived at color temperatures above 1500-2000 degrees K. 
     Lower color temperatures generally indicate white light having a more significant red component or a “warmer feel,” while higher color temperatures generally indicate white light having a more significant blue component or a “cooler feel.” By way of example, fire has a color temperature of approximately 1,800 degrees K, a conventional incandescent bulb has a color temperature of approximately 2848 degrees K, early morning daylight has a color temperature of approximately 3,000 degrees K, and overcast midday skies have a color temperature of approximately 10,000 degrees K. A color image viewed under white light having a color temperature of approximately 3,000 degree K has a relatively reddish tone, whereas the same color image viewed under white light having a color temperature of approximately 10,000 degrees K has a relatively bluish tone. 
     The term “lighting fixture” is used herein to refer to an implementation or arrangement of one or more lighting units in a particular form factor, assembly, or package. The term “lighting unit” is used herein to refer to an apparatus including one or more light sources of same or different types. A given lighting unit may have any one of a variety of mounting arrangements for the light source(s), enclosure/housing arrangements and shapes, and/or electrical and mechanical connection configurations. Additionally, a given lighting unit optionally may be associated with (e.g., include, be coupled to and/or packaged together with) various other components (e.g., control circuitry) relating to the operation of the light source(s). An “LED-based lighting unit” refers to a lighting unit that includes one or more LED-based light sources as discussed above, alone or in combination with other non LED-based light sources. A “multi-channel” lighting unit refers to an LED-based or non LED-based lighting unit that includes at least two light sources configured to respectively generate different spectrums of radiation, wherein each different source spectrum may be referred to as a “channel” of the multi-channel lighting unit. 
     The term “lighting device” is used herein generally to refer to a component of a lighting system. Examples of a lighting device include a lighting fixture, a lighting unit, a lighting driver, a lighting controller, and a light source. 
     The term “controller” is used herein generally to describe various apparatus relating to the operation of one or more light sources. A controller can be implemented in numerous ways (e.g., such as with dedicated hardware) to perform various functions discussed herein. A “processor” is one example of a controller which employs one or more microprocessors that may be programmed using software (e.g., microcode) to perform various functions discussed herein. A controller may be implemented with or without employing a processor, and also may be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions. Examples of controller components that may be employed in various embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). 
     In various implementations, a processor or controller may be associated with one or more storage media (generically referred to herein as “memory,” e.g., volatile and non-volatile computer memory such as RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM, floppy disks, compact disks, optical disks, magnetic tape, etc.). In some implementations, the storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and/or controllers, perform at least some of the functions discussed herein. Various storage media may be fixed within a processor or controller or may be transportable, such that the one or more programs stored thereon can be loaded into a processor or controller so as to implement various aspects of the present invention discussed herein. The terms “program” or “computer program” are used herein in a generic sense to refer to any type of computer code (e.g., software or microcode) that can be employed to program one or more processors or controllers. 
     The term “addressable” is used herein to refer to a device (e.g., a light source in general, a lighting unit or fixture, a controller or processor associated with one or more light sources or lighting units, other non-lighting related devices, etc.) that is configured to receive information (e.g., data) intended for multiple devices, including itself, and to selectively respond to particular information intended for it. The term “addressable” often is used in connection with a networked environment (or a “network,” discussed further below), in which multiple devices are coupled together via some communications medium or media. 
     In one network implementation, one or more devices coupled to a network may serve as a controller for one or more other devices coupled to the network (e.g., in a master/slave relationship). In another implementation, a networked environment may include one or more dedicated controllers that are configured to control one or more of the devices coupled to the network. Generally, multiple devices coupled to the network each may have access to data that is present on the communications medium or media; however, a given device may be “addressable” in that it is configured to selectively exchange data with (i.e., receive data from and/or transmit data to) the network, based, for example, on one or more particular identifiers (e.g., “addresses”) assigned to it. 
     The term “network” as used herein refers to any interconnection of two or more devices (including controllers or processors) that facilitates the transport of information (e.g. for device control, data storage, data exchange, etc.) between any two or more devices and/or among multiple devices coupled to the network. As should be readily appreciated, various implementations of networks suitable for interconnecting multiple devices may include any of a variety of network topologies and employ any of a variety of communication protocols. Additionally, in various networks according to the present disclosure, any one connection between two devices may represent a dedicated connection between the two systems, or alternatively a non-dedicated connection. In addition to carrying information intended for the two devices, such a non-dedicated connection may carry information not necessarily intended for either of the two devices (e.g., an open network connection). Furthermore, it should be readily appreciated that various networks of devices as discussed herein may employ one or more wireless, wire/cable, and/or fiber optic links to facilitate information transport throughout the network. 
     The term “user interface” as used herein refers to an interface between a human user or operator and one or more devices that enables communication between the user and the device(s). Examples of user interfaces that may be employed in various implementations of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, switches, potentiometers, buttons, dials, sliders, a mouse, keyboard, keypad, various types of game controllers (e.g., joysticks), track balls, display screens, various types of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), touch screens, microphones and other types of sensors that may receive some form of human-generated stimulus and generate a signal in response thereto. 
     It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example embodiment of a system including a programmable lighting device and a near field communication programming unit for programming the programmable lighting device. 
         FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a programmable lighting device. 
         FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a power stage of a programmable lighting device. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a user interface which may be employed for programming one or more configuration settings and/or operating parameters into nonvolatile memory of a programmable lighting device. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of a housing for a programmable lighting device. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate another embodiment of a housing for a programmable lighting device. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate yet another embodiment of a housing for a programmable lighting device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Existing methods of programming of existing programmable lighting devices are cumbersome and relatively time-consuming. 
     More generally, Applicants have recognized and appreciated that it would be beneficial to provide a programmable lighting device, for example an LED driver, which can be easily programmed to apply one or more configuration settings and/or operating parameters thereto. There is further a need to provide an arrangement whereby several programmable lighting devices may be programmed with the same configuration settings or operating parameters at the same time. 
     In view of the foregoing, various embodiments and implementations of the present invention are directed to a programmable lighting device, and a method and system for programming a programmable lighting device. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example embodiment of a system  100  including a programmable lighting device  120  and a near field communication (NFC) programming unit  110  for programming programmable lighting device  120 . 
     NFC programming unit  110  includes an NFC transceiver  112  and an associated coil or RF antenna (not shown). In some embodiments, NFC programming unit  110  includes a host processor system and has associated therewith a user interface by means of which a user may enter one or more configuration settings and/or operating parameters to be programmed into programmable lighting device  120 . In some embodiments, NFC programming unit  110  comprises a computer, such as a personal computer running an operating system such as UNIX or WINDOWS. In some embodiments, NFC programming unit  110  comprises a portable device, such as a mobile phone (e.g., a smart phone) or tablet device. In that case, NFC programming unit  110  may include a touch screen as a user interface. 
     Programmable lighting device  120  includes a coil or antenna  121 , an NFC device  124  including an NFC transceiver and associated nonvolatile memory (NVM), a microcontroller  126 , and a power stage  128 . 
     In some embodiments, programmable lighting device  120  may be a connected to a network, in particular a lighting network (e.g., a DALI network, a DMX network, etc.). In other embodiments, programmable lighting device  120  may be a “standalone” device. Programmable lighting device  120  may be a lighting driver (e.g., an LED driver), a lighting fixture, a lighting unit, a lighting controller, etc. In some embodiments programmable lighting device  120  may include one or more light sources (e.g., one or more LEDs). In other embodiments, programmable lighting device  120  may just include a lighting driver (e.g., an LED river) and may be designed to be connected to, and to drive, an external lighting unit. 
     Power stage  128  receives power from an external power supply, for example 60 Hz AC Mains power at 110 VAC, 50 Hz AC Mains power at 230 V, etc., via power connector  127 . Power stage  128  converts or formats the power to an appropriate form for use by lighting unit  130 , which in the illustrated example is an LED-based lighting unit having a plurality of LED light sources, and supplies the converted power to lighting unit  130  via an output interface  129 . 
     Microcontroller  126  controls a power conversion operation of power stage  128  according to one or more configuration settings and/or operating parameters. 
     In some embodiments, NFC device  124  and the associated NVM may be included together on a single integrated circuit. In some embodiments, the nonvolatile memory may comprise an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). In some embodiments, the NVM may comprise Flash memory. In some embodiments, the NVM may be segmented or partitioned, and may have separate password associated with different segments of the NVM. In this way, a manufacturer may store certain data in one or more segments of the NVM which are accessible by the manufacturer, but which may not be accessible by an end user. 
     In some embodiments, NFC device  124  and associated NVM may be an M24SRxxE or M24LRxxE device from STMicroelectronics. In other embodiments, various other ICs may be employed, including for example NTAG21x series devices from NXP Semiconductors, the AS3953 device from AMS AG, the TRF796Fx devices, including the TRF7970A device, from Texas Instruments, etc. 
     In some embodiments, NFC transceiver  112  transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal at 13.56 MHz across interface  115  which may be received by NFC device  124 . In various embodiments, NFC transceiver  112  and NFC device  124  may operate in accordance with one or more industry standards, for example ISO/IEC 15693, ISO/IEC 14443 A/B, NFC Interface and Protocol (NFCIP-1; NFCIP-2), ISO-18000-3, and ISO/IEC 18092, each of which standards is incorporated herein by reference. 
     In some embodiments, the IC for NFC device  124  has a unique serial number associated therewith, which may be stored in an assigned location in the associated NVM. 
     Example programming operations for programmable lighting device  120  will now be explained. 
     In general, NFC transceiver  112  of NFC programming unit  110  is placed close to programmable lighting device  120  (for example within 1 cm-10 cm) and transmits data and power using an NFC RF signal, for example using a standard ISO/IEC 16593 protocol at 13.56 MHz. Programmable lighting device  120 , and more specifically NFC device  124 : receives data and power from NFC programming unit  110  via the NFC RF signal; uses the power to generate a supply voltage for powering the NVM; and while it powers the NVM with the supply voltage generated from the received NFC RF signal, NFC device  124  stores the data into the NVM. When programmable lighting unit  120  is subsequently powered by external power (e.g., AC Mains), microcontroller  126  may retrieve data from the NVM associated with NFC device  124  and act on it, for example setting an output current level, selecting an active dimming interface, etc. 
     In another embodiment, NFC programming unit  110  communicates with microcontroller  126 , simultaneously powering microcontroller  126  via a second supply voltage generated by NFC device  124  from the received NFC RF signal, and retrieving data from microcontroller  126 , or a second NVM associated with microcontroller  126 . For example, in this embodiment, NFC programming unit  110  may upgrade the firmware of microcontroller  126 . 
     In yet another embodiment, NFC programming unit  110  may communicate with microcontroller  126  via NFC device  124 , and control power stage  128  by turning it ON/OFF or dimming the light source(s) of a lighting unit  130  connected to and driven by power stage  128 . 
     In some embodiments, NFC device  124  sends a return NFC RF verification signal via antenna  121  to indicate that data has been successfully received from NFC programming unit  110 . In some embodiments, NFC device  124  transmits one or more operating parameters, configuration settings, or operating data for programmable lighting device  120  to NFC programming unit  110  with an NFC RF signal via antenna  121 . 
       FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a programmable lighting device  200  which may be an example of programmable lighting device  120  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Programmable lighting device  200  includes a coil (or inductor) or RF antenna  221 , an analog front end  222 , logic  223 , a power management unit  224 , a dual port nonvolatile memory (NVM)  225 , a controller  226 , and a power stage  228 . Analog front end  224  comprises an NFC transceiver and may include functions such as a demodulator and/or a modulator. Logic  223  communicates data between analog front end  222  and dual port NVM  225 . Power management unit  224  harvests power from a received NFC RF signal and converts that power to a form (e.g., one or more supply voltages) which may be used to power other elements of programmable lighting device  200 , for example logic  223 , dual port NVM  225 , and controller  226 . 
     Analog front end  222 , logic  223 , and power management unit  224  comprise a near field communication (NFC) device. 
     Dual port NVM  225  may have a first port by means of which memory cells are accessible by logic  223 , and a second port by means of which memory cells are accessible by controller  226 . In some embodiments, dual port NVM  225  may comprise an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). In some embodiments, dual port NVM  225  may comprise Flash memory. 
     Power stage  228  receives power from an external power supply, for example 60 Hz AC Mains power at 110 VAC, 50 Hz AC Mains power at 230 V, etc., via power connector  227 . Power stage  228  converts or formats the power to an appropriate form for use by a lighting unit, for example an LED-based lighting unit having a plurality of LED light sources, and supplies the converted power to the lighting unit via an output interface  229 . 
     In some embodiments, lighting device  200  may include a lighting unit, including one or more light sources. In some embodiments, the lighting unit may include one or more LEDs, which may be white LEDs and/or color LEDs. In some embodiments, power stage  228  may provide a different output signal level (e.g., different current level) depending on the light sources which it drives. In some embodiments, one or more operating parameters for driving specific light sources may be communicated to programmable lighting device  200  via an NFC RF signal. 
       FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a power stage  300  of a programmable lighting device. Power stage  300  is one embodiment of power stage  128  of  FIG. 1  and of power stage  228  of  FIG. 2 . In particular, power stage  300  is an example of a power stage for one embodiment of an LED driver. Power stage  300  includes an AC/DC converter  310 , a DC/DC converter  320 , a current control device  330 , and a galvanic isolation device  340 . 
     In some embodiments, AC/DC converter  310  may comprise a rectifier. In some embodiments, current control device  330  may comprise one or more switching devices (e.g., field effect transistors). In some embodiments, galvanic isolation device  340  may comprise the input winding of an isolation transformer. 
     In operation, power stage  300  receives at its input  327  AC power from an external power source, for example AC Mains. AC/DC converter  310  converts the input power from AC to DC, and DC/DC converter  320  converts the DC voltage to a desired level for driving a particular lighting unit based on its light sources (e.g., LEDs). Current control device  330  operates in response to one or more control signals provided by a controller (e.g., controller  226  of  FIG. 2 ) to output a desired current to the lighting unit by output terminals  329 . For example, in some embodiments the controller may provide one or more pulse width modulated (PWM) signals to control switching operations of one or more switches of current control device  330 . In some embodiments, the controller may generate the control signal(s) based on one or more configuration settings or operating parameters received as data in an NFC RF signal by analog front end  222  via coil or antenna  221 , and in response thereto stored in dual port NVM  225 . 
     Various embodiments of power stage  300  may omit one or more of these elements. For example, where power stage  300  receives power from an external DC power supply, then AC/DC converter  310  may be omitted. In some embodiments where galvanic isolation is not required between a lighting driver and a lighting unit, for example, then galvanic isolation device  340  may be omitted. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments controller  226  includes a second nonvolatile memory (e.g., EEPROM or Flash memory). The second nonvolatile memory may store therein configuration settings and operating parameters for programmable lighting device  200 , including for example configuration settings and operating parameters received by the NFC device via antenna  221  and stored in dual port NVM  225 . The second nonvolatile memory may also store therein operating data for lighting device  200 . Examples of such operating data may include: a number of operating hours for lighting device  200  and/or for a lighting unit which is driven by lighting device  200 ; PWM settings for controlling power stage  228 ; sensed maximum and minimum temperature values of lighting device  200  and/or for a lighting unit which is driven by lighting device  200 ; a serial number of lighting device  200  and/or a lighting unit which is driven by lighting device  200 ; a network address for lighting device  200  and/or for a lighting unit which is driven by lighting device  200  when lighting device  200  and/or the lighting unit is connected in a network (e.g., a DALI network); etc. In some embodiments, operating data may be transferred from the second nonvolatile memory associated with controller  226  to dual port NVM  225  from where it can be transmitted via an NFC RF signal to an external monitoring device. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a user interface  400  which may be employed for programming one or more configuration settings and/or operating parameters into nonvolatile memory of a programmable lighting device. In some embodiments, user interface  400  may be provided to a user via a computer display screen, and the user may select one or more operating parameters with a keyboard, mouse, trackball, etc. In some embodiments, user interface  400  may be provided to a user via a touch screen of a portable device, such as a mobile phone, a tablet device, etc. 
     User interface  400  may be employed to program a variety of configuration settings and operating parameters into a programmable lighting device, and to read back configuration settings and operating parameters from the programmable lighting device to an external programming unit or monitoring device. 
     Examples of configuration settings include a serial number for the programmable lighting device, an active dimming interface for the programmable lighting device among a plurality of dimming interfaces available for the programmable lighting device, and firmware for a controller (e.g., controller  226  in  FIG. 3 ) of the programmable lighting device. In various embodiments, dimming interfaces available for the programmable lighting device may include a DALI interface, an analog 0-10V dimming signal interface, a Digital MultipleX (DMX) interface, and/or a phase-cut AC dimming interface. Other dimming control options are possible. 
     Examples of operating parameters include an output current to be supplied by the power stage to the light source(s); a variable startup time parameter for the light source(s); an operating time period after which the lighting device should increase the output current; at least one temperature threshold for reducing the output current; an operating time period after which the lighting device should trigger an end of life signal; and at least one time setting for automatically dimming the at least one light source. 
     In some embodiments, operating parameters of a programmable lighting device which may be configured via NFC communication include the following. 
     Constant Light Output (CLO): 
     Capability of LED driver to count number of operating hours of LED light source and counteract the depreciation of lumen output by increasing drive current to LED. The operating hours at which LED current must increase are stored as settings in LED driver which may be programmed by end user. 
     Adjustable Startup Time (AST): 
     Variable startup time of LED current from OFF state to maximum output current. 
     Module Temperature Protection (MTP): 
     Ability of LED driver to sense temperature of LED light source and reduce current. This avoids overheating of LED and hence increases its life. The temperature thresholds to activate current reduction are programmable parameters in LED driver. 
     End of Life (EOL): 
     Capability of LED driver to count number of operating hours of LED light source and flash when it nears end of operational life. The flashing occurs only at turn ON of light source and then continues normal operation. The operating hours at which flashing must be triggered is programmable in LED driver. 
     Dynadimmer Settings: 
     Driver feature that allows automatic dimming at night. The time instances at which dimming must start is programmable by end user. 
     Dimming Interface Selection: 
     Programmable LED driver is capable of supporting multiple dimming interfaces like 1-10V, DALI, Dynadimmer etc. The selection of which interface is active is programmable by end user. 
     In some embodiments, programmable lighting devices (e.g., LED drivers) as described above may be housed in a plastic, rubber, or other non-metallic housing. However in some cases, building codes and/or safety concerns may necessitate the use of an electrically conductive (e.g., metallic) housing, for example to permit the housing to be electrically grounded. In that case, provisions must be made for the NFC RF signal to reach the coil or RF antenna of the programmable lighting device. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of a housing  500  for a programmable lighting device. Housing  500  is a substantially metallic housing, but includes first and second nonmetallic (e.g., plastic or rubber) grommets  512  and  514 , which comprise apertures through which an NFC RF signal may be received by a programmable lighting device housed within housing  500 . Grommets  512  and  514  may be used to hold and seal wires coming out from a driver mounted within housing  500 . Grommets may be placed on any side of substantially metallic housing  500 , and may be of any shape and size. For example, in some embodiments a grommet may be as big as the height of housing  500 . 
     In some embodiments, a coil or RF antenna (e.g., element  121  in  FIG. 1  or element  221  in  FIG. 2 ) may be embedded into a grommet, or may be attached to a grommet. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate another embodiment of a housing  650  for a programmable lighting device  600 . Housing  650  is a substantially metallic housing and supports a first connector  627  and a second connector  629 . In some embodiments, first connector  627  may supply external power (e.g., AC Mains power) to lighting device  600 . In some embodiments, second connector  629  may supply output power to a lighting unit. 
     Housing  650  includes an aperture  615  through which an NFC RF signal may be received by a programmable lighting device housed within housing  650 . In some embodiments, aperture  615  may have a non-metallic (e.g., a rubber) grommet  625  inserted therein. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate yet another embodiment of a housing  750  for a programmable lighting device  700 . Housing  750  is a substantially metallic housing and supports a first connector  727  and a second connector  729 . In some embodiments, first connector  727  may supply external power (e.g., AC Mains power) to lighting device  700 . In some embodiments, second connector  729  may supply output power to a lighting unit. 
     Housing  750  includes an aperture  715  through which an NFC RF signal may be received by a programmable lighting device housed within housing  750 . 
     Other arrangements taking advantage of a lighting device which includes an NFC element are contemplated. For example, an outdoor lighting controller (OLC) designed for the U.S. has a limited number of input pins to be compatible with a legacy National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) standard socket. To add dimming capability, a custom socket needs to be built to accommodate additional wires. In some embodiments, NFC communication may be used to transmit and receive data from an electronic driver to provide dimming capability and hence avoid the need to create a custom socket. 
     While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure. 
     All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms. 
     The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” 
     The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. 
     As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law. 
     As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc. 
     It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited. 
     In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.