Patent Publication Number: US-9841167-B2

Title: Lighting system with actively controllable optics and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/055,323, which was filed on 25 Sep. 2014, and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein relate to lighting systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Different types of lighting systems include light sources that generate light. The light can be emitted by the lighting systems in a wide variety of shapes and/or directions. In some systems, filters are used to change the appearance or direction in which the light is oriented. For example, optic lenses may be fixed onto lighting systems between the light source and one or more targets or observers of the light. These fixed lenses can refract the light to change the direction and/or appearance of the light. The lenses, however, may not be able to be moved relative to the light source without manually removing or altering the lenses, or without some mechanical system that moves the light source relative to the lens or moves the lens. As a result, the direction and/or appearance of the light emitted by the lighting systems may be fixed without manual intervention with the lighting system or mechanical actuation of the system, both of which add to the complexity and/or cost of lighting systems. 
     Other types of lighting systems can include lenses or surfaces that change appearance in order to block some or all of the light emitted by a light source. For example, some windows and/or glass doors may include materials that become cloudy or otherwise change appearance to block the transmission of one or more, or all, wavelengths of light from passing through the window and/or door for security or privacy purposes. Some automobiles include windows that may change a tinting color to block one or more wavelengths of light from passing through the window. These types of systems, however, can reduce the amount of energy of the light that passes through between the source of the light and one or more targets or observers of light. As a result, these types of systems may be undesirable for lighting systems that are used to illuminate a room or other area. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     In one embodiment, a method (e.g., for actively controlling optics of a lighting system) includes generating light comprising a light distribution from a light source and changing the light distribution by changing an electric potential applied across an electro-active optical component by an electronic control system. 
     In another embodiment, a system (e.g., a lighting system) includes a light source and an electro-active optical component. The light source is configured to generate a light defined by a light distribution. The electro-active optical component is configured to change the light distribution responsive to a change in an electric potential applied to the electro-active optical component. 
     In another embodiment, another system (e.g., a lighting system) includes a light source and an electro-active optical component. The light source is configured to generate a light defined by a light distribution. The electro-active optical component is configured to change the light distribution responsive to a change in an electric potential applied to the electro-active optical component. The electro-active optical component also is configured to change a direction at which the light distribution is oriented responsive to a change in specularity of the electro-active optical component. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter described herein will be better understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a lighting system according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates another view of the lighting system shown in  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates operation of a cross-sectional view of a diffusing assembly shown in  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates operation of the cross-sectional view of the diffusing assembly shown in  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates one example of a relationship between light scattering in the diffusing assembly shown in  FIG. 2  and electric potentials applied across conductive and light transmissive layers in the diffusing assembly shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates examples of different shapes of distribution of light emanating from the diffusing assembly at different electric potentials applied across or between the conductive and light transmissive layers of the diffusing assembly; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates operation of the diffusing assembly of the lighting system according to one example; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates additional examples of changing the shape or size of the distribution of light emitted by the lighting system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates operation of the lighting system by changing a direction in which the distribution of the light is electrically controlled according to one example; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-section of one embodiment of a reflective assembly shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the reflective assembly shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 12  represents a distribution of light reflected off of the reflective assembly according to a first example; 
         FIG. 13  represents a distribution of light reflected off of the reflective assembly according to a second example; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a circuit diagram of the power supply circuit shown in  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates another embodiment of the power supply circuit; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates another embodiment of the power supply circuit; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a control system for the lighting system shown in  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates another embodiment of the diffusing assembly shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates another embodiment of the diffusing assembly shown in  FIG. 2  and the lighting system; and 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for electrically controlling optics of a lighting system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of inventive subject matter described herein provide for lighting systems and methods that include or use a light source generating light defined by a light distribution. The light distribution can represent a direction in which the light generated by light source is oriented, a shape or throw of the light, or an intensity of the light. One or more optical assemblies, such as diffusing assemblies and/or reflective assemblies, are electrically controlled to change the distribution of the light. These assemblies may apply electric potential between or across conductive layers on opposite sides of a liquid crystal layer. Depending on the application, removal, and/or magnitude of the electric potential, the assemblies may scatter the light by different amounts to change the light distribution. In one aspect, a reflective assembly can include a reflective layer on one side of the liquid crystal layer and a light transmissive and conductive layer on the opposite side of the liquid crystal layer. Application or removal of electric potential and/or the magnitude of electric potential that is applied across the reflective layer and the other conductive layer can change the specularity of the reflecting assembly. The change in specularity also can change the distribution of the light. 
     The embodiments described herein may change the distribution of the light without blocking one or more wavelengths of the light that is generated in one embodiment. For example, instead of filtering or blocking one or more wavelengths of the light from passing through or propagating through the assemblies, one embodiment of the subject matter described herein may not block or reduce energy of the light propagating through the assemblies by more than a designated amount (for example, may not reduce the energy of the light by more than 10%, 15%, 20%, or the like). 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a lighting system  100  according to one embodiment. The lighting system includes an external or outer housing  102  with a light source (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) disposed therein. A lens  104  may be coupled with the housing  102  with light generated by the light source inside the housing  102  propagating through the lens  104  and on to one or more targets or observers of the lighting system  100 . For example, light generated by the light source may propagate through the lens  104  and out of the lighting system  100  on to floors, walls, ceiling, or other objects around. Alternatively, the lens  104  is not included in the lighting system  100 . An electrical connector  106  is operably connected with the light source in order to connect the light source with a power supply (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) to power the light source. As described herein, the connector  106  also may supply electric current from the power supply to one or more of the optical assemblies described herein. While the lighting system  100  is shown as a floodlight, alternatively, the lighting system  100  may represent another type of light, such as a light bulb, a lamp, a directional lamp, a tube, a troffer, a light fixture (for example, a streetlight) or the like. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates another view of the lighting system  100  shown in  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment. The lighting system  100  includes the light source  200  disposed within the housing  102  of the lighting system  100 . The light source may represent one or more devices that generate light, such as one or more light emitting devices (LEDs). The connector  106  connects a power supply circuit  202  of the lighting system  100  with the power supply  220 . The power supply circuit  202  can include or be embodied in a printed circuit board or other type of device that conducts electric current from the power supply  220  to the power source  200  via the connector  106 . The power supply  220  can represent a source of electric current, such as an outlet, a utility grid, a battery, or the like. The power supply  220  may be internal to the lighting system  100  (such as when the power source  220  is included within or connected with the housing  102 ) or may be external to the lighting system  100 . 
     The lighting system  100  may include one or more optical assemblies, such as one or more diffusing assemblies  216  and/or one or more reflective assemblies  218 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting system  100  includes a single diffusing assembly  216  and a single reflective assembly  218 . Alternatively, the lighting system  100  may include multiple assemblies  216 , multiple assemblies  218 , no assembly  216 , and/or no assembly  218 . 
     The diffusing assembly  216  may be in the shape of a substantially planar disk (e.g., a circular or other shape of the disk with the outer dimensions of the diffusing assembly  216  being larger in two directions in a common plane than in a direction that is orthogonal to the plane). The reflective assembly  218  may have a frustoconical shape around the light source  200 . Alternatively, a different number, arrangement, and/or shape of the diffusing assembly  216  and/or reflective a summary  218  may be provided. 
     In operation, the light source  200  generates light having a light distribution  204 . The light distribution  204  can be defined by a shape and/or direction  212  in which the light propagates from the lighting system  100 . The direction of the light can represent an optical axis of the light that indicates a center of the distribution of light emitted by the light source  200 . Alternatively, the direction of the light distribution represents an axis about which the distribution of the light is symmetric. The shape of the light can represent a throw or an emitted volume or angle of the light. The throw of the light can represent the angles at which the intensity of the emitted light is at least 50% of the maximum intensity of the emitted light. 
     The diffusing assembly  216  and/or reflective assembly  218  may be electrically controlled in order to change the distribution  204  of the light without moving the light source  200  or any other component of the lighting assembly  100 . The light generated by the light source  200  may initially be generated by the light source  200  to the shape defined by a throw angle  206  shown in  FIG. 2 . The light emanating from the lighting system  100  may have a distribution with a shape defined by a throw angle  208  or  210 . The throw angles  206 ,  208 ,  210  represent the spread of the light, and can represent volumes that include at least 50% of the maximum intensity of the light. 
     The light may propagate from the light source  200  to the diffusing assembly  216 . The diffusing assembly  216  may electrically change scattering of the light as the light propagates through the diffusing assembly  216 , as described below. This scattering can change the distribution of the light, such as by reducing or increasing the throw angle  208 ,  210  of the light. For example, electrically controlling the diffusing assembly  216  to reduce the amount of scattering of the light as the light passes through the diffusing assembly  216  can cause the distribution of the light to have a throw angle  210 . Electrically controlling the diffusing assembly  216  to increase the scattering of the light as the light passes through the diffusing assembly  216  can cause the distribution of the light to have a larger throw angle  208 . 
     The reflective assembly  218  may be electrically controlled in order to change the direction of the light. The light may be initially generated by the light source  202  and propagate along a direction  212 . The specularity of the reflective assembly  218  can be electrically controlled to vary the amount of scattering of the light as the light passes through one or more layers of the reflective assembly  218  prior to and/or after reflecting off of a reflective surface in the reflective assembly  218 . Changes in the amount of scattering of the light within the reflective assembly  218  can change the specularity of the reflective assembly  218  and, as a result, alter the direction of the light. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates operation of a cross-sectional view of the diffusing assembly  216  shown in  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment. The diffusing assembly  216  includes a diffusing layer  316  that controls how much light is scattered during passage of the light through the diffusing assembly  216 . In one embodiment, the diffusing layer  316  includes a liquid crystal layer. The diffusing assembly  316  can include a polymer matrix  310  having liquid crystals  312  with liquid crystal molecules  314  disposed therein. The diffusing layer  316  is disposed between opposite conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308 . 
     The layers  306 ,  308  may be conductive and also may permit light generated by the light source  200  shown in  FIG. 2  to propagate through the layers  306 ,  308 . One example of such layers  306 ,  308  includes indium tin oxide (ITO) layers. Other types of transmissive and conductive materials, such as other metal oxides or graphene, may be employed as materials for the layers  306 ,  308 . In the illustrated embodiment, outer dielectric layers  302 ,  304  are disposed outside of the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308 . The layers  302 ,  308  can be formed from one or more light transmissive dielectric materials, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). 
     The conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308  may be conductively coupled with the power source  220 , such as by the power supply circuit  202  shown in  FIG. 2 . The power supply circuit  202  can include one or more switching devices  300 , such as switches, relays, etc., which can close to supply electric current to the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308 . This current can apply an electric potential across or between the layers  306 ,  308  such that one layer  306  or  308  is at a higher potential or voltage than the other layer  308  or  306 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates operation of the cross-sectional view of the diffusing assembly  216  shown in  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment.  FIG. 4  represents how the diffusing layer  316  behaves when no electric potential is applied across or between the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308  (or, when electric potential is applied, but the potential is less than a designated switching voltage of the layer  316 ).  FIG. 3  represents how the diffusing layer  316  behaves when the electric potential is applied across or between the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308  (or, when the electric potential is applied at a magnitude that at that is at least as great as the switching voltage). 
     As shown by comparison of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , when no electric potential or an electric potential less than the switching voltage is applied between or across the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308 , the molecules  314  in the liquid crystals  312  of the diffusing layer  316  are randomly oriented. This random orientation can cause at least some of the light to be scattered or otherwise diffused by the molecules  314 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The arrowheads of the light distribution  204  represent the direction in which the light propagates through the diffusing layer  316 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , some of the light is scattered by the molecules  314  thereby resulting in the light scattering in various directions during propagation through the diffusing assembly  216 . 
     In contrast, when an electric potential is applied across the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , this potential generates electric field across or through the liquid crystal layer  316 . This electric field can orient the molecules  314  of the liquid crystals  312  in the liquid crystal layer  316  toward or along common or parallel direction. The common orientation of the molecules  314  causes less light to be scattered by the molecules  314  relative to no or a lesser electric potential being applied across the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308 . Consequently, less light in the light distribution  204  is scattered during propagation of the light through the diffusing assembly  216 . 
     The application of the electric potential across the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308  can cause the diffusing layer  316  to become clearer (or more light transmissive) relative to no electric potential being applied or less electric potential being applied. As a result, less light is scattered and the shape of the distribution of light  204  can be smaller (relative to more light being scattered). This can reduce the throw angle of the distribution of the light. 
     Different amounts of electric potential can be applied across or between the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308  to cause different amounts of light scattering as the light propagates through the liquid crystal layer  316 . For example, the amount or degree at which the light is scattered or diffused by the diffusing assembly  216  can be a function of the amount of electric potential applied across the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308 . When a first amount electric potential is applied across the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308 , less light may be scattered by the diffusing layer  316  relative to no electric potential being applied across the layers  306 ,  308 . If a larger, second amount electric potential is applied across the layers  306 ,  308 , the light may be scattered to a lesser degree or amount by the liquid crystal layer  316  then when no electric potential or the first electric potential is applied across the layers  306 ,  308 . When an even larger, third electric potential is applied across the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308 , even less light may be scattered or may be scattered to an even lesser degree than when no electric potential is applied across layers  306 ,  308 , when the second electric potential is applied across layers  306 ,  308 , or when the first electric potential is applied across layers  306 ,  308 . As a result, the amount of light scattering caused by the diffusing assembly  216  may be a function of electric potential applied to the layers  306 ,  308 , such as by the amount of light scattering being inversely proportional, inversely related, or otherwise related to the electric potential. This can cause the size or shape of the light distribution to be a function of the electric potential, such as the size or shape of the light distribution increasing for smaller electric potentials and the size or shape of the light distribution decreasing for larger electric potentials. 
     The scattering of the light can provide for controlling the shape of the light distribution  204 , which can cover from the original beam angle  206  or  208  to a full lambertian distribution. While some energy of the light generated by the light source  200  may be reduced during propagation through the diffusing assembly  216 , this loss may be less than 10% (or another threshold) of the energy of the light emitted by the light source  200 . This energy loss can result in a small loss in lumens of the light, such as 4% or less. 
     In one aspect, the liquid crystal layer  316  may include one or more additional dopants to alter the light propagating therethrough. For example, in addition to the liquid crystals  312  in the liquid crystal layer  316 , one or more inorganic ions (such as neodymium ions) or organic molecules may be added to the polymer matrix  310 . These additional dopants can provide for color filtering of the light propagating through the liquid crystal layer  316  and the diffusing assembly  216  and for warm dimming of the light. 
     In one embodiment, visible light emitted by the light source  200  that is below a cut-off absorption wavelength of the diffusing layer  316  may be absorbed by the diffusing assembly  216  or one or more of the layers of the diffusing assembly  216 . This can prevent the visible or ultraviolet light below the cut off absorption wavelength to not propagate through the diffusing assembly  216 . 
     The conductive and light transmissive layers  316  may extend over the entire surface area of the liquid crystal layer  316  in one embodiment. Alternatively, one or more of the conductive and light transmissive layer  306 ,  308  may extend over part, but not all, of the surface area on either side of the liquid crystal layer  316 . The conductive and light transmissive layer  316  and/or  308  may be patterned, or formed in the one or more discrete areas or sub-areas, to cause different amounts of light scattering when the electric potential is applied to the layers  306 ,  308  at a level below the switching voltage or is not applied to the layers  306 ,  308 . Different patterns and/or shapes formed by the layer  306  and/or  308  can result in different changes in the shape of the distribution of the light that emanates from the diffusing assembly  214 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates one example of a relationship  500  between light scattering in the diffusing assembly  216  and electric potentials applied across the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308  in the diffusing assembly  216 . The relationship  500  is shown alongside a horizontal axis  502  representative of different electric potentials applied across or between the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308  in the diffusing assembly  216  and a vertical axis  504  representative of the light scattering caused by the diffusing assembly  216 . The amounts of scattering shown along the vertical axis  504  may represent intensities of the light emanating from the diffusing assembly  216 , such as full widths of the distribution  204  of the light at half maximum of intensity, or FWHM. 
     As the electric potential applied across the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308  increases, the amount of light scattering caused by the diffusing assembly  216  decreases because the diffusing layer  316  becomes clearer with increasing electric potentials. Conversely, reducing the electric potential applied across the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308  increases the amount of scattering caused by the diffusing assembly  216 . Using the relationship  500 , the lighting system  100  or an operator of the lighting system  100  can vary the electric potential applied across the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308  along a continuous range of potentials in order to continuously vary or alter the amount of light scattering. Consequently, the amount or degree of light scattering caused by the diffusing assembly  216  can be selected by changing the electric potential applied across the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates examples of different shapes of the distribution  204  of light emanating from the diffusing assembly  216  at different electric potentials applied across or between the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308 . The different shapes include distribution shapes  600 ,  602 ,  604 ,  606 ,  608 ,  610 ,  612 ,  614 ,  616 , which are shown alongside a horizontal axis  618  representative of different angles from the direction  212  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the distribution  204  of light and a vertical axis  620  representative of relative intensities of the light at the different angles. The location of the vertical axis  620  along the horizontal axis  618  can represent the direction  212  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The angles represented by the horizontal axis  618  can represent angles to one or more sides of the direction  212  in which the light is generated or emanates from the lighting system  100 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . For example, the location along the horizontal axis  618  at a value of 20° can represent an angle that is 20° to the right of the direction  212  shown in  FIG. 2 , a location along the horizontal axis  618  of negative 40° can represent an angle that is 40° to the left of the direction  212  shown in  FIG. 2 , and so on. 
     The different distribution shapes shown in  FIG. 6  represent different shapes of the distribution  204  of the light for different electric potentials applied across or between the layers  306 ,  308  in the diffusing assembly  216 . At larger amounts of electric potential, less diffusion of the light occurs while, at smaller amounts of electric potential, more diffusion of the light occurs. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates operation of the diffusing assembly  216  of the lighting system  100  according to one example. Two lighting systems  100  are shown in  FIG. 7 . The lighting systems  100  each emit light from an upper or light emitting surface  700 , which can represent the outer surface of the lens  104  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The light emitting surfaces  700  of the two lighting systems  100  may be the same distance  702  from a common plane or surface  716 . The surface or plane  716  may represent a floor, wall, or other surface. 
     The lighting system  100  on the left side of  FIG. 7  may have an electric potential applied across the layers  306 ,  308  that is greater than the switching voltage of the diffusing assembly  216 . The lighting system  100  on the right side of  FIG. 7  may have no electric potential applied across the layers  306 ,  308 , may have an electric potential applied that is less than the blocking voltage of the diffusing assembly  216 , or may have an electric potential applied that is less than the lighting system  100  on the left side of  FIG. 7 . The shapes or spread of the distributions  204 A,  204  B of the light emitted by the lighting systems  100  shown in  FIG. 7  may differ. 
     Because the diffusing layer  316  in the diffusing assembly  216  of the lighting system  100  on the left side of  FIG. 7  may be more clear (due to the larger electric potential), the shape or size of the distribution  204 A of the light may be tighter or smaller than the shape or size of the distribution  204 B of the light emitted from the lighting system  100  on the right side of  FIG. 7 . The light in the distributions  204 A,  204 B may be cast upon the surface  716  at different intensities and/or in different shapes. Areas  704 ,  710  represent areas illuminated by the light in the distributions  204 A,  204 B. These areas  704 ,  710  may be defined by outer dimensions of  706 ,  708  for the area  704  and outer dimensions  712 ,  714  for the area  710 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the spread or size of the distribution  204 B of the light emitted by the lighting system  100  having no electric potential or a smaller electric potential applied across or between the layers  306 ,  308  may be wider or larger than the shape of the distribution  204 A of the light emitted by the lighting system  100  (which has a larger or at least some electric potential applied across the layers  306 ,  308 ). This is due to the increased amount of scattering in the light that propagates through the diffusing assembly  216  in the lighting system  100  on the right side of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates additional examples of changing the shape or size of the distribution  204  of light emitted by the lighting system  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . The same lighting system  100  casts a distribution  204  of light toward a surface, such as a floor of a room. When a first amount of electric potential is applied across the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308  of the diffusing assembly  216  in the lighting system  100 , the distribution  204  of the light is smaller and, as a result, a smaller illuminated area  800  is cast on the floor. When this electric potential applied across the layers  306 ,  308  is decreased, the shape of the distribution  204  of the light emitted by the lighting system  100  is larger, as shown by the larger illuminated area  802  in  FIG. 8 . When this electric potential is decreased even more, the size of the shape of the distribution  204  of the light emitted by the lighting system  100  is even larger, as shown by the largest illuminated area  804  shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     In addition or as an alternate to changing the shape of the distribution  204  of the light emitted from the lighting system  100 , the direction  212  in which the light is emitted from the lighting system  100  can be changed by changing the electric potential applied to one or more of the assemblies  216 ,  218  shown in  FIG. 2 . As described above, the shape or size of the distribution  204  of light can be altered electrically by changing, applying, or removing electric potential applied across or between conductive layers in the diffusing assembly  216 . The shape or size of the distribution  204  of light can be altered without mechanically moving the light source  200 , lens  104 , diffusing assembly  216 , or any other component or part of the lighting system  100 . 
     The direction  212  in which the distribution  204  of the light is oriented optionally may be changed by electrically changing an amount of electric potential applied to a reflective assembly  218  of the lighting system  100  and/or by changing the amount of electric potential applied to the diffusing assembly  216 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates operation of the lighting system  100  by changing a direction  212 ,  214  in which the distribution  204  of the light is electrically controlled according to one example. In  FIG. 9 , the lighting system  100  may emit light to have the distribution  204 A toward the surface  716  to illuminate the area  704 A on the surface  716 . The distribution  204 A of the light is oriented along a first direction  212 A. In order to laterally shift the distribution  204 A of light in a different direction  212 B, an electric potential can be applied to the reflective assembly  218  to cause the light to have the distribution  204 B, which is oriented in a different direction  212 B and that illuminates a different area  704 B on the surface  716 . In one aspect, the lighting system  100  can include multiple, different reflective assemblies  218  with different potentials applied (or not applied) to the reflective assemblies  218  in order to alter the direction of the light. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-section of one embodiment of the reflective assembly  218  shown in  FIG. 2 . The reflective assembly can include a diffusing layer  1000 , which may be similar or identical to the diffusing layer  316  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Alternatively, the diffusing layer  1000  may differ from the diffusing layer  316  in that the diffusing layer  1000  may include a different polymer matrix  310 , different liquid crystals  312 , different liquid crystal molecules  314 , different amounts or densities of the liquid crystals  312  and/or molecules  314 , or the like. The diffusing layer  1000  is disposed between opposite conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308 , which may be the same as or similar to the layers  306 ,  308  in the diffusing assembly  216 . Layers  302 ,  304  may be the same or similar to the layers  302 ,  304  in the diffusing assembly  216 . 
     One difference between the reflective assembly  218  and the diffusing assembly  216  is that the reflective assembly  218  includes a reflective layer  1002 . The reflective layer  1002  reflects the light entering into the reflective assembly  218 . The reflective layer  1002  can represent a metallized layer or coating (for example, an aluminum or other metallic coating) on an opposite side of the polymer layer  304  than the conductive and light transmissive layer  308  shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     In operation, light emitted by the light source  200  can propagate through the polymer layer  302  of the reflective assembly  218 , through the first conductive and light transmissive layer  306 , through the diffusing layer  1000  (where the light may or may not be scattered), through the second conductive and light transmissive layer  308 , through the second polymer layer  304 , be reflected off of the reflective layer  1002 , and then propagate back through the polymer layer  304 , the conductive and light transmissive layer  308 , the diffusing layer  1000  (where the light may be scattered), the first conductive and light transmissive layer  306 , the first polymer layer  302 , and out of the reflective assembly  218 . 
     Applying electric potential across the layers  306 ,  308  in the reflective assembly  218  can cause the layer  1000  scatter or not scatter the light, as described above in connection with the diffusing assembly  216 . Applying, removing, or changing electric potential applied across the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308  of the reflective assembly  218  can change the specularity of the assembly  218 . In one aspect, the specularity of the reflective assembly  218  can be measured as the cosine of an angle made by a direction of light onto or into the reflective assembly  218  to an angle made by the light that is reflected off of an out of the reflective assembly  218 . 
     When no electric potential is applied across the layers  306 ,  308  of the reflective assembly  218  (or when a potential that is less than the switching voltage of the diffusing layer  1000  is applied across the conductive and light transmissive layers  306 ,  308 ), light passing into the reflective assembly  218  is scattered upon first passage through the diffusing layer  1000 . This scattered light is then reflected off of the reflective layer  1002  and travels back into the diffusing layer  1000 , where the light may again be scattered before emanating from the reflective assembly  218  via the polymer layer  302 . The scattering of the light by the diffusing layer  1000  prior to and/or subsequent to reflection of the light off of the reflective layer  1002  can cause a decrease in the specularity of the reflective assembly  218 . Conversely, applying an electric potential across the layers  306 ,  308  can cause less scattering of the light by the diffusing layer  1000  prior to and/or subsequent to reflection of the light off of the reflective layer  1002 . This can cause an increase in specularity of the reflective assembly  218 , as the reflective assembly  218  becomes more reflective to the light. Changing the clarity or amount of scattering in the diffusing layer  1000  can vary the specularity and, as a result, the direction at which the light emanates from the reflective layer  218 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the reflective assembly  218  shown in  FIG. 2 . In contrast to the embodiment of the reflective assembly  218  shown in  FIG. 10 , the reflective assembly  218  shown in  FIG. 11  includes a conductive and reflective layer  1100  between the diffusing layer  1000  and the second polymer layer  304 . The reflective assembly  218  shown in  FIG. 11  may not include the separate reflective layer  1002 . Instead, the layer  1100  operates as both the reflective layer  1002  and the conductive and light transmissive layer  308  of the reflective assembly  218  shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     In contrast to the reflective assembly  218  shown in  FIG. 10 , light that is reflected by the reflective assembly  218  does not pass through the second polymer layer  304  before or after being reflected by the reflective layer  1100 . The reflective layer  1100  may be formed from a conductive and reflective layer, such as a metallized layer (for example, formed from aluminum or other reflective conductive material). The potential that is applied in order to change the clarity or scattering of the liquid crystal layer  1000  may be applied between or across the conductive and light transmissive layer  306  and the reflective layer  1100 . 
       FIG. 12  represents a distribution  1200  of light reflected off of the reflective assembly  218  according to a first example. The distribution  1200  represents the spread of the light reflected by the reflective assembly  218  when the electric potential applied across or between the conductive layers on opposite sides of the diffusing layer  1000  shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  is at or above the switching voltage of the diffusing layer  1000 . The distribution  1200  is shown alongside a linear vertical axis  1202  representative of intensities of the light reflected off of the reflective assembly  218  and alongside an angular axis  1204  representative of angles relative to a normal or perpendicular direction to the polymer layer  302  of the reflective assembly  218 . The vertical axis  1202  can represent the direction that is normal or perpendicular to the surface of the first polymer layer  302  of the reflective assembly  218 . 
     The distribution  1200  of the light can indicate or represent the specularity of the reflective assembly  218 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the distribution  1200  of the light reflected off of the reflective assembly  218  is relatively small or tightly constrained due to the highly specular characteristic of the reflective assembly  218 . The distribution  1200  of the light may be relatively tight or narrowly constrained due to the diffusing layer  1000  being relatively clear due to application of electric potential between the conductive layers on opposite sides of diffusing layer  1000 , as described above in connection with diffusing assembly  216 . 
       FIG. 13  represents a distribution  1300  of light reflected off of the reflective assembly  218  according to a second example. The distribution  1300  represents the spread of the light reflected by the reflective assembly  218  when the electric potential applied across or between the conductive layers on opposite sides of the diffusing layer  1000  shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  is not at or above the switching voltage of the diffusing layer  1000  (or when no electric potential is applied). The distribution  1300  of the light may be broader or less tightly constrained relative to the distribution  1200  due to the diffusing layer  1000  being less clear due to absence of electric potential or a smaller electric potential applied between the conductive layers on opposite sides of diffusing layer  1000 . 
     Changing the specularity of the reflective assembly  218  may change the distribution of the light emanating from the lighting system  100 . Similar to the amount of scattering in the diffusing assembly  216  being a function of the magnitude of electric potential applied across or between the conductive layers on opposite sides of a diffusing layer, the specularity of the reflective assembly  218  also can be a function of the magnitude of electric potential applied across or between the conductive layers on opposite sides of the liquid crystal layer in the reflective assembly  218 . Changing the specularity of the reflective assembly  218  may change how the light is reflected inside the lighting assembly  100  and, consequently, alter the direction in which light emanates from the lighting system  100 . The specularity of the reflective assembly  218  may be variable with respect to the different electric potentials applied to the conductive layers on opposite sides of the liquid crystal layer  1000 , which can allow for many varied different directions or profiles or distributions of the light relative to some known directional lamps or luminaires. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a circuit diagram of the power supply circuit  202  shown in  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment. The power supply circuit  202  may be operably coupled with the power supply  220  which is shown as an alternating current input in  FIG. 14  (“AC Input” in  FIG. 14 ). Alternatively, the power supply  220  may be another type of or source electric current. The power supply circuit  202  includes a driver  1400  which may be conductively coupled with the power supply  220  in order to receive current, such as alternating current, from the power supply  220 . The driver  1400  may be an LED driver that regulates electric power supplied to the light source  200 . The driver  1400  may respond to changing demands of the light source  200  by providing a constant or substantially constant quantity of electric power to the light source  200 . 
     The light source  200  is illustrated in  FIG. 14  as including a string or series of light emitting diodes  1402 . The light source  200  is connected between the driver  1400  and one or more of the diffusing assembly  216  and/or the reflective assembly  218 . The assemblies  216 ,  218  may each be referred to as an electro-active optical component or may collectively be referred to as an electro-active optical component. For example, the light source  200  may be connected with the driver  1400  in parallel with the diffusing assembly  216  and/or the reflective assembly  218 . While the diffusing assembly  216  and/or reflective assembly  218  are represented by a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) device in  FIG. 14 , alternatively, one or more of the diffusing assembly  216  and/or reflective assembly  218  may be formed from a liquid crystal layer other than a PDLC device. 
     The power supply circuit  202  can include a control device  1404  that is used to control the amount of current supplied to the diffusing assembly  216  and/or the reflective assembly  218 . In one aspect, the control device  1404  can represent a potentiometer or other device having a resistance that can be changed. The control device  1404  and the diffusing assembly  216  and/or the reflective assembly  218  may be connected in series with each other and in parallel with the light source  200 . In operation, the control device  1404  may change the resistance provided by the control device  1404  to change how much electric potential is supplied to the conductive layers on opposite sides of the diffusing layers in the diffusing assembly  216  and/or the reflective assembly  218 . As described above, changing the electric potential can change the distribution of light that emanates from the lighting system  100 . In one embodiment, multiple control devices  1404  may be provided, with one control device  1404  controlling the electric potential applied to the conductive layers on opposite sides of the diffusing layer in the diffusing assembly  216  and another control device  1402  controlling the electric potential supplied to the conductive layers on opposite sides of the diffusing layer in the reflective assembly  218 . As a result, these control devices  1404  can independently control how the diffusing assembly  216  changes the distribution  204  of the light and how the reflective assembly  218  controls the distribution  204  of light. Alternatively, a single control device  1404  may control the electric potential supplied to both the diffusing assembly  216  and the reflective assembly  218 . 
     The power supply circuit  202  diverts at least some of the electric current away from the light source  200  and conducts this diverted current to the diffusing assembly  216  and/or reflective assembly  218 , while the light source  200  continues to receive sufficient electric current to continue generating the light. For example, the power supply circuit  202  may tap off of the power supply to the light source  200  while the light source  200  is generating light in order to apply the electric potentials to the diffusing assembly  216  and/or reflective assembly  218  to make either or both assemblies  216 ,  218  more clear as described above. 
     The switching voltages for different types of liquid crystal layers may differ. For example, for liquid crystal layers formed from PDLC, the switching voltage may be between twenty and one hundred volts. For liquid crystal layers formed from polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) or twisted nematics (TN), the switching voltage can be between three and five volts. Alternatively, the liquid crystal layers  316 ,  1000  and one or more of the diffusing assembly  216  and/or reflective assembly  218  may have different or other switching voltages. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates another embodiment of the power supply circuit  202 . The power supply circuit  202  shown in  FIG. 15  includes a rectifier  1500  that receives alternating current from the power supply  220 . The rectifier  1500  converts the alternating current into a direct current that is supplied to a driver  1502 , such as an LED driver or the driver  1400  shown in  FIG. 14 . As described above in connection with  FIG. 14 , the light source  200  may represent plural light devices  1402 , such as LEDs, connected in series with each other in parallel with the driver. A control device  1504  also may be connected with the LED driver  1502  in parallel with the light source  200 . The control device  1504  may represent the control device  1404  shown in  FIG. 14 . The control device  1504  may divert some of the current supplied by the driver  1502  from the light source  200  to one or more of the diffusing assembly  216  and/or the reflective assembly  218 , as described above. This can allow for the light source  200  to generate light concurrently with the electric potential being applied to either or both assemblies  216 ,  218  to change the scattering of light by either or both assemblies  216 ,  218 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates another embodiment of the power supply circuit  202  shown in  FIG. 1 . The power supply circuit  202  shown in  FIG. 16  includes the rectifier  1500  connected with the power supply  220 . The power supply  220  may supply alternating current to the rectifier  1500 , which is modified into a direct current. The rectifier  1500  supplies this direct current to the driver  1502 , which supplies the current to the light source  200  to power the light source to generate the light. In contrast to the power supply circuit  202  shown in  FIG. 15 , the control device  1504  and the power supply circuit  202  shown in  FIG. 16  is not connected with the driver  1502  in parallel with the light source  200 . Instead, the control device  1504  and the assemblies  216 ,  218  shown in  FIG. 16  are connected in series with each other in a branch of the circuit  202  that does not include the driver  1502  or the light source  200 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a control system  1700  for the lighting system  100  according to one embodiment. The control system  1700  includes a communication assembly  1702  that is connected with the assemblies  216 ,  218  and/or the light source  200 , such as via the power supply circuit  202 . In the illustrated embodiment, the communication assembly  1702  also is connected with the power supply  220 . In another embodiment, however, the communication assembly  1702  may not be connected with the power supply  220  the supplies power to light source  204 /or the assemblies  216 ,  218 . 
     The communication assembly  1702  represents hardware circuitry that includes and/or is connected with transceiving hardware or receiving hardware that can wirelessly communicate with one or more remote control devices  1704 ,  1706 . For example, the communication assembly  1702  may include one or more antennas, Bluetooth receivers, demodulators, network adapters, or the like, that can receive a wireless signals  1708  from one or more of the remote control devices  1704 ,  1706 . The wireless signal  1708  can direct the power supply circuit  202  of the lighting system  100  to supply amount of current or electric potential to one or more of the assemblies  216 ,  218 . In response to receiving the wireless signal  1708 , the communication assembly  1702  can direct the power supply circuit  202  to supply the appropriate or requested current to one or more of the assemblies  216 ,  218  so that the appropriate assembly  216 ,  218  applies, removes, or changes the electric potential applied across or between the conductive layers and opposite sides of liquid crystal layer to change the distribution of light emanating from the lighting system  100 . 
     The remote control devices  1704 ,  1706  can represent one or more electronic devices capable of communicating the wireless signal  1708  to the communication assembly  1702 . In the illustrated embodiment, the remote controlled by  1704  represents a mobile phone or tablet computer capable of sending the wireless signal  1708 . The remote control device  1706  shown in  FIG. 17  is illustrated as a remote control having buttons or other devices for generating and sending the wireless signal  1708  to the communication assembly  1702 . Optionally, the lighting system  100  may include a switch or other input device, or may be connected with the switch or other input device. The switch or input device may be actuated by an operator to cause the power supply circuit  202  to apply, remove, or change the electric potential supplied to one or more of the assemblies  216 ,  218 . 
       FIG. 18  illustrates another embodiment of the diffusing assembly  216  shown in  FIG. 2  and the lighting system  100 . The diffusing assembly  216  may include the liquid crystal layer  316  and/or the conductive layers  306 ,  308  extending over the entire surface area of the diffusing assembly  216  through which light enters and/or exits the diffusing assembly  216 . Alternatively, the liquid crystal layer  316  and/or conductive layers  306 ,  308  may extend over only a portion, but not all, of the surface area through which the light enters and/or exits the diffusing assembly  216 . In  FIG. 18 , the diffusing assembly  216  includes first areas  1800  and different, non-overlapping second areas  1802 . The number, size, shapes, and arrangement of the areas  1800 ,  1802  shown in  FIG. 18  are provided as one example, and are not limiting on all embodiments of the subject matter described herein. 
     One of the areas  1800  or  1802  represents the locations in the diffusing assembly  216  where the liquid crystal layer  316  and/or the conductive layers  306 ,  308  are located, while the other areas  1802  or  1800  represents the locations in the diffusing assembly  216  where the liquid crystal layer  316  and/or the conductive layers  306 ,  308  are not located. Separating the areas where the liquid crystal layer  316  and/or layers  306 ,  308  are located can allow for different distributions  1804 ,  1806  of the light to emanate from the lighting system  100 . For example, having only discrete areas of the diffusing assembly  216  alternate between clear or different levels of scattering the light can allow for various distributions  1804 ,  1806  of the light to be achieved. In one aspect, changing the scattering of the light in the areas  1800  or  1802  (by applying or removing the electric potential across the areas  1800  or  1802 ) can cause the light to emanate from the lighting system  100  in the distribution  1804  while not changing the scattering of the light in the areas  1800  or  1802  can cause the light to emanate in the distribution  1806 . 
       FIG. 19  illustrates another embodiment of the diffusing assembly  216  shown in  FIG. 2  and the lighting system  100 . The diffusing assembly  216  may be used to change the distribution of the light emanating from the lighting system  100  by changing the shape of the distribution of light and/or by changing the direction in which the light emanates from the lighting system  100 . Similar to the diffusing assembly  216  shown in  FIG. 18 , the diffusing assembly  216  shown in  FIG. 19  may have different areas  1900 ,  1902 , with one area  1900  or  1902  including the liquid crystal layer  316  and/or the conductive layers  306 ,  308  and the other area  1902  or  1900  not including one or more of the liquid crystal layer  316  or the conductive layers  306 ,  308 . 
     When an electric potential is applied to the area  1900  or  1902  having the liquid crystal layer and conductive layers, this area  1900  or  1902  may become more clear and cause the lighting system  100  to generate the light along a distribution  1904  shown in  FIG. 19 . Removing or reducing this electric potential across the conductive layers in the area  1900  or  1902  having the liquid crystal layer and conductive layers, however, can cause increased scattering of light passing through the area  1900  or  1902 , as described above. As a result, the light may be directed to one side and cause the lighting system  100  to generate a different distribution  1906  of light. As shown in  FIG. 19 , this can result in the direction in which the light emanates from the lighting system  100  to change. The diffusing assembly  216  therefore can be used to change the shape of the distribution of light (e.g., by causing the light to be cast or thrown over a larger or smaller area depending on the amount of scattering caused by the diffusing assembly  216 ) and/or to change the direction in which the distribution of light is cast (e.g., by directing the light to one side or another of the lighting system). The reflective assembly  218  may be used to additionally steer (e.g., control) the direction of the distribution of light, or the lighting system  100  may use the diffusing assembly  216  without the reflective assembly  218  to control the direction of the light distribution. 
     While the lighting systems  100  illustrated herein include a single diffusing assembly  216  between the light source  200  and one or more target objects onto which the light is generated toward (e.g., persons, floors, walls, ceilings, etc.), alternatively, two or more diffusing assemblies  216  may be between the light source  200  and the target objects. For example, plural diffusing assemblies  216  may be stacked or serially aligned with each other such that at least one of the diffusing assemblies  216  is between the light source  200  and one or more other diffusing assemblies  216 . This can allow for additional or alternative control over the distribution of light emanating from the lighting system  100 . 
     The lighting systems  100  described herein can provide for different control over distributions of light emanating from the systems  100 . The light distributions can be controlled depending on the environment, goals, etc. For example, with respect to a lighting system  100  that illuminates a crosswalk across a road or other path at an intersection between two or more roads, the lighting system  100  may generate a distribution of light having a wide shape and direction to illuminate a large portion of the intersection between the roads. Responsive to a person being able to enter the cross walk (e.g., by a traffic signal changing signals, by the person pressing a button, by a motion sensor detecting the person), the lighting system  100  can change the distribution of light. The distribution of light can be altered by reducing the size of the light distribution and/or changing the direction of the light distribution to focus on the cross walk instead of the entire intersection. As another example, the lighting system  100  may illuminate an entire office or other room during designated time periods of a day, but then switch to focusing the light distribution on a desk or other location in the room during other designated time periods of the day. The lighting system  100  may include a timer (e.g., a clock) in the power supply circuit  202  that can autonomously change the light distribution responsive to changes in time. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a flowchart of one embodiment of a method  2000  for electrically controlling optics of a lighting system. The method  200  may be performed using the systems  1700  described herein. Alternatively, the method  2000  may be performed by one or more other lighting systems or other systems. The operations described in connection with the method  2000  may be used to generate a software program or algorithm for use in controlling one or more lighting systems. 
     At  2002 , input is received to change the distribution of light emanating from a lighting system. This input may be received from the remote control device, by actuating a switch or other input device communicatively coupled with the lighting system, by a timer that autonomously changes the distribution of light, or from other input. 
     At  2004 , a determination is made as to whether or not the change in the distribution of light is to change a shape of the light distribution. If the shape of light distillation is to change, then flow of the method  2000  may proceed toward  2006 . If, on the other hand, the shape of the light distribution is not to change, then flow the method  2000  can proceed toward  2008 . 
     At  2006 , the amount of scattering of the light and one or more diffusing assemblies of the lighting system is electrically changed. As described above, by applying, removing, or changing electric potential applied across or between conductive layers on opposing sides of a liquid crystal layer, the amount of scattering of the light passing through the diffusing assembly may be controlled or otherwise changed. Changing the amount of scattering in the diffusing assembly can alter the shape of the light distribution in that increased scattering in the diffusing assembly can create a larger distribution or larger shape of the light while reduce scattering can reduce the size of the distribution of the light. 
     At  2008 , a determination is made as to whether or not the direction of light distribution is to be changed. If the direction in which the light distribution is oriented is to be changed, then flow of the method  2000  can proceed toward  2010 . If, on the other hand, the direction of light distribution is not to be changed, then flow of the method  2000  may return back toward  2002 . For example, the method  2000  may proceed in a loop-wise manner back to  2002  to receive additional input to change distribution of the light. Alternatively, operation of the method  2000  may terminate if the direction of the light distribution is not to be changed at  2008 . 
     At  2010 , specularity of one or more reflective assemblies in the lighting system is electrically changed and/or the amount of scattering of the light in one or more diffusing assemblies is electrically changed. As described above, the specularity of the reflective assembly in a lighting system may be altered by changing the amount of scattering in a diffusing layer of the reflective assembly. Light that propagates through this diffusing layer before and/or after reflecting off a reflective surface in the reflective assembly. Applying, changing, or removing electric potential applied to conductive layers on opposite sides of the liquid crystal layer can change amount of scattering in the reflective assembly before and/or after reflection of the light off of the reflective layer and the reflective assembly. These changes in the scattering of the reflective assembly can alter the specularity of the reflective assembly. As a result, the direction in which light emanates from the lighting system may be changed. Optionally, changing the amount of scattering in the diffusing assembly may change the direction in which light emanates from the lighting system, as described above. 
     In one embodiment, a method (e.g., for actively controlling optics of a lighting system) includes generating light comprising a light distribution from a light source and changing the light distribution by changing an electric potential between conductive and light transmissive layers of a diffusing assembly that includes a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second conductive and light transmissive layers. 
     In one aspect, the light distribution comprises one or more of a shape of the generated light or a direction in which the generated light is oriented. 
     In one aspect, one or more of shape of the light that is generated or the direction in which the light that is generated is oriented, is changed. 
     In one aspect, changing the first electric potential changes a scattering of the generated light by the first liquid crystal layer. 
     In one aspect, the scattering of the generated light by the first liquid crystal layer is changed as a function of the first electric potential between the first and second conductive and light transmissive layers. 
     In one aspect, changing the light distribution includes changing a shape of the light by changing an amount of diffusion of the light with the first liquid crystal layer as a function of the first electric potential. 
     In one aspect, changing the light distribution includes changing a direction at which the light is oriented upon exiting the diffusing assembly by changing specularity of a reflective assembly that reflects at least a portion of the light toward the diffusing assembly. 
     In one aspect, the specularity of the reflective assembly is changed by changing a second electric potential between first and second conductive layers of the reflective assembly that includes a second liquid crystal layer between the first and second conductive layers. 
     In one aspect, the method also includes diverting at least some of an electric current that is supplied to the light source to power the light source away from the light source and to the first and second conductive and light transmissive layers of the diffusing assembly while the light source continues to generate the light. 
     In one aspect, the method also includes receiving a control signal from a remote control device to remotely change the light distribution. 
     In one aspect, changing the light distribution occurs without blocking one or more wavelengths of the light from passing through the diffusing assembly. 
     In one aspect, changing the light distribution occurs without mechanically moving the light source or the diffusing assembly. 
     In another embodiment, a system (e.g., a lighting system) includes a light source and a diffusing assembly. The light source is configured to generate a light defined by a light distribution. The diffusing assembly includes a liquid crystal layer disposed between conductive and light transmissive layers. The diffusing assembly is configured to change the light distribution responsive to a change in an electric potential between the conductive and light transmissive layers. 
     In one aspect, the change in the first electric potential changes a scattering of the light by the first liquid crystal layer. 
     In one aspect, the scattering is changed as a function of the first electric potential between the first and second conductive and light transmissive layers. 
     In one aspect, the diffusing assembly is configured to change a shape of the light by changing an amount of diffusion of the light with the first liquid crystal layer as a function of the first electric potential. 
     In one aspect, the system also includes a reflective assembly comprising a second liquid crystal layer disposed between first and second conductive layers. The reflective assembly is configured to change a direction at which the light distribution is oriented responsive to a change in specularity of the reflective assembly that reflects at least a portion of the light. 
     In one aspect, the reflective assembly is configured to change the specularity of the reflective assembly responsive to changing a second electric potential between first and second conductive layers of the reflective assembly. 
     In one aspect, the system also includes a power supply circuit configured to conduct electric current from a power source to the light source to power the light source for generation of the light. The power supply circuit also is configured to divert at least some of the electric current that is supplied to the light source to power the light source to the first and second conductive and light transmissive layers of the diffusing assembly while the light source continues to be powered by the power source and continues to generate the light. 
     In one aspect, the system also includes a communication assembly configured to receive a control signal from a remote control device to remotely change the first electric potential applied to the first and second conductive and light transmissive layers of the diffusing assembly. 
     In one aspect, the diffusing assembly is configured to change the light distribution without blocking one or more wavelengths of the light from passing through the diffusing assembly. 
     In one aspect, the diffusing assembly is configured to change the light distribution without mechanically moving the light source or the diffusing assembly. 
     In another embodiment, another system (e.g., a lighting system) includes a light source and a diffusing assembly and/or a reflective assembly. The light source is configured to generate a light defined by a light distribution. The diffusing assembly includes a first liquid crystal layer disposed between conductive and light transmissive layers. The diffusing assembly is configured to change the light distribution responsive to a change in an electric potential between the conductive and light transmissive layers. The reflective assembly includes a liquid crystal layer disposed between conductive layers. The reflective assembly is configured to change a direction at which the light distribution is oriented responsive to a change in specularity of the reflective assembly that reflects at least a portion of the light. 
     In one aspect, the system includes the diffusing assembly and the diffusing assembly is configured to change a shape of the light distribution by changing an amount of diffusion of the light with the first liquid crystal layer as the function of the first electric potential. 
     In one aspect, the system includes the reflective assembly and the reflective assembly is configured to change the specularity of the reflective assembly responsive to changing a second electric potential between first and second conductive layers of the reflective assembly. 
     The foregoing description of certain embodiments of the inventive subject matter will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. The various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings. The above description is illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the inventive subject matter without departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the inventive subject matter, they are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Other embodiments may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the inventive subject matter should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure. And, as used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the inventive subject matter are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising,” “including,” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose several embodiments of the inventive subject matter and also to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the inventive subject matter, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the inventive subject matter is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.