Patent Publication Number: US-11639788-B2

Title: Flexible LEDs strips with staggered interconnects

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/125,878, filed Dec. 17, 2020, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/951,904, filed on Dec. 20, 2019, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a ceiling or general illumination flexible strip LED light assemblies with improved mechanical and electrical attachment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Flexible circuit boards or tape systems are widely used to provide power and control to LED lighting systems. Such flexible circuit boards, often known as a LED light strips, can include multiple LEDs of the same or different color that can be mounted within light fixtures or on ceilings or walls of buildings. Some types of light strips can use permanent or detachable electrical connectors to connect additional light strip segments together. 
     One common method of connecting LED light strip segments together relies on overlapping edge positioned solder pads from two separate LED light strips and providing a solder joint that mechanically and electrically connects together the LED light strips. Unfortunately, such connected LED light strip segments can be fragile, with overlapping solder joins being susceptible to mechanical breakage when the LED light strips are subjected to twist or pull apart force. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a flexible light emitting diode (LED) support assembly includes a flexible circuit having a first layer, the first layer including a conductive material configured to connect to an LED die; a second layer, the second layer including an electrically insulating material; and a third layer positioned between the first and second layer, the third layer having a first terminal extended electrically connecting tab that extends outward beyond the first layer and the second layer. The LED assembly can further include the LED die electrically connected to the first layer. The second layer can include an adhesive material. The first terminal extended connecting tab can include exposed solder pads. The number of the exposed solder pads can be equal to a number of colors of LEDs in the LED die. 
     The LED assembly can further include a fourth layer including a second terminal extended connecting tab. The LED assembly can further include a fifth layer positioned between the first and second terminal extended connecting tabs, the fifth layer including electrically insulating material, and the second terminal extended connecting tab extending outward beyond the first, second, and fourth layers. The second terminal extended connecting tab can extend outward beyond the first layer, the second layer, and fourth layer in a direction opposite the first terminal extended connecting tab. The pads on the first terminal extended connecting tab can face a first direction and the pads on the second terminal extended connecting tab can face a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     The pads on the first terminal extended connecting tab are offset from the pads on the second terminal extended connecting tab (such that the pads on the different extended terminal connecting tabs are not superposed or so that the footprints of the pads only partially overlap). The LED assembly can include a second flexible circuit electrically and mechanically coupled to the first terminal extended electrically connecting tab using a conductive adhesive. 
     Pads on an end of the flexible circuit opposite the first terminal extended electrically connecting tab can be electrically connected to the first terminal extended electrically connecting tab. The LED assembly can further include power and control circuitry coupled to the flexible circuit, the power and control circuitry configured to provide power to the LED assembly and control color and brightness of light emitted by the LED die. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates is a top “X-ray” view of a portion of a light emitting diode (LED) light strip system. 
         FIG.  2 A  illustrates a top view of a four color (e.g., red (R), green (G), blue (B), and white (W) (RGBW), or other color) LED light strip. 
         FIG.  2 B  illustrates the LED light strip of  FIG.  2 A  after the connecting tabs are situated proximate each other, such as for soldering the pads. 
         FIG.  3 A  illustrates a bottom view of the LED light strip. 
         FIG.  3 B  illustrates the LED light strip of  FIG.  3 A  after the connecting tabs are situated proximate each other, such as for soldering the pads together. 
         FIGS.  4  and  5    illustrate alternative cross sections of LED light strips. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates in cross section an alternative of an LED light strip. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates in cross-section an alternative of an LED light strip. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a cross-section view of two ends of one or more LED light strips being electrically connected at connecting tabs thereof. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a cross-section view of two ends of one or more LED light strips being electrically connected at connecting tabs (the inner connecting tabs are not labeled so as to not obscure the view) thereof. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a cross-section view of two ends of one or more LED light strips being electrically connected. 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a cross-section view of two ends of one or more LED light strips in close proximity, before electrical connection. 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a cross-section view of the two ends of the one or more LED light strips of  FIG.  11    after electrical connection. 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a cross-section view of two ends of one or more LED light strips that, after electrical connection, include offset conductive joints. 
         FIG.  14    illustrates an example of a cross-section view of the two ends of the one or more LED light strips of  FIG.  13    after electrical connection. 
         FIG.  15    illustrates another example of a cross-section view of the two ends of the one or more LED light strips of  FIG.  13    after electrical connection. 
         FIG.  16    illustrates a power and control circuitry system for controlling an LED light strip. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    illustrates is a top “X-ray” view of a portion of a light emitting diode (LED) light strip system  100 . The system  100  includes a connecting tab  130  with solder pads  132 . The solder pads  132  can be electrically connected to solder pads  132  of another flexible printed circuit board (PCB). 
     A flexible printed circuit board (PCB)  110  can have multiple layers. One or more of the layers of the flexible PCB  110  can include mechanical support or electrical insulation for electrical elements. In some embodiments a layer of the PCB  110  can include an adhesive to mechanically couple layers to each other. The electrical elements can include an etched circuit trace  120 , a ground plane, pads  122 , or the like. 
     Circuit traces  120  can provide electrical connection to LED die pads  122  for power and control. In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal connecting tab  130  is not formed from a top or bottom layer of the flexible printed circuit board  110  but is instead formed from an intermediate layer (a layer between a top layer and a bottom layer). The extending intermediate layer extends outside a footprint defining a perimeter of the top and bottom layers. The extending intermediate layer forming the terminal connecting tab  130  can be used to provide an electrical connection to another flexible PCB or other electrical circuit element. In some embodiments, the flexible PCB  110  can be connected to itself to form a circular or other shaped light strip. The extending connecting tab  130  can be electrically connected to a mating set of solder pads that are recessed in an opposite end of the flexible PCB  110 . 
     In addition to LEDs, the flexible printed circuit board  110  can support passive electronic components such as resistors or capacitors, and active electronic components such as LED driver components (e.g., amplifiers, transistors, or the like). The LEDs can be individually set, grouped, or set into an array. The LEDs can emit light of a single color or can emit multiple colors. The flexible PCB  110  can be serially, in parallel, or separately connected to a power and LED control unit (see  FIG.  9   ). 
     The flexible PCB  110  can be laminated onto frames for mechanical support and cooling. In one embodiment, the frame can be a circular metal frame cut from a stainless steel or aluminum cylinder. Other shapes are also possible, including rectangular, ovoid, or irregular. In some embodiments a solid frame is not required, with separated studs or attachment points being used to hold the flexible PCB  110 . Typically, a height of the frame should be at least as wide as the flexible PCB  110 . The frame can also be used to elevate the flexible PCB  110  to a suitable height that is determined by the optical design. The frame can have mechanical features that allow quick and easy rigid attachment to a baseplate, including but not limited to spring latches, clips, or screw threaded attachment points. 
       FIG.  2 A  illustrates a top view of a four color (e.g., red (R), green (G), blue (B), and white (W) (RGBW), or other color) LED light strip  200 . The LED light strip  200  includes a flexible PCB  210  with connecting tabs  230 ,  231  positioned at opposing ends  232 ,  233 , respectively. The top side includes attached LEDs  236 . LEDs of a first color can be electrically coupled to a first pad  234 A of the connecting tab  230  and a first pad  235 A of the connecting tab  231 , LEDs of a second color can be electrically coupled to a second pad  234 B of the connecting tab  231  and a second pad  235 B of the connecting tab  231 , and so on. Such a configuration allows for power to be provided to all LEDs of a specific color simultaneously. In some embodiments, the connecting tabs  230 ,  231  are formed under a topmost layer of the flexible PCB  210 . In some embodiments, the connecting tabs  230 ,  231  include a proper subset of the layers of the remainder of the flexible PCB  200 . In some embodiments, the pads  234 A,  235 A are electrically coupled to LEDs of a first color, the pads  234 B,  235 B are electrically coupled to LEDs of a second color, the pads  234 C,  235 C are electrically coupled to LEDs of a third color, and the pads  234 D,  235 D are electrically coupled to LEDs of a fourth color. This is sometimes called a “symmetric” configuration. In the symmetric configuration, the pads most proximate to the side  240  (the pads  234 A,  235 A) are electrically coupled to a same color LED, the pads directly adjacent to the pads most proximate to the side  240  are coupled to a same color LED, and so on until an opposing side  242  is reached. 
       FIG.  3 A  illustrates a bottom view of the LED light strip  200 .  FIG.  3 A  illustrates a bottom side opposing the top side in the view of  FIG.  2   . The bottom side of the LED light strip  200  can include a protective support or adhesive layer  212 . The LED light strip  200  further includes additional connecting tabs  330 ,  331 . The connecting tab  330  includes pads  334 A,  334 B,  334 C,  334 D. The connecting tab  331  includes pads  335 A,  335 B,  335 C,  335 D. The pads  334 A,  335 A can be electrically coupled to LEDs of a first color, the pads  334 B,  335 B can be electrically coupled to LEDs of a second color, the pads  334 C,  335 C can be electrically coupled to LEDs of a third color, and the pads  334 D,  335 D can be electrically coupled to LEDs of a fourth color. 
     The pads  334 A,  334 B,  334 C,  334 D can be staggered from the pads  234 A,  234 B,  234 C,  234 D, such that a footprint of the pads  234 A,  234 B,  234 C,  234 D does not completely overlap the footprint of the pads  334 A,  334 B,  334 C,  334 D. The pads  335 A,  335 B,  335 C,  335 D can be staggered from the pads  235 A,  235 B,  235 C,  235 D, such that a footprint of the pads  235 A,  235 B,  235 C,  235 D does not completely overlap the footprint of the pads  335 A,  335 B,  335 C,  335 D. Such a staggering can help reduce electrical interference or cross-talk between electrical signals. 
     The pads  334 A,  335 A can be electrically coupled LEDs of a different color than the pads  234 A,  235 A. In some embodiments, the pads  334 A,  335 A are electrically coupled to the same LEDs as the pads  234 D,  235 D. The pads  334 B,  335 B can be electrically coupled LEDs of a different color than the pads  234 B,  235 B. In some embodiments, the pads  334 B,  335 B are electrically coupled to the same LEDs as the pads  234 C,  235 C. The pads  334 C,  335 C can be electrically coupled LEDs of a different color than the pads  234 C,  235 C. In some embodiments, the pads  334 C,  335 C are electrically coupled to the same LEDs as the pads  234 B,  235 B. The pads  334 D,  335 D can be electrically coupled LEDs of a different color than the pads  234 D,  235 D. In some embodiments, the pads  334 D,  335 D are electrically coupled to the same LEDs as the pads  234 A,  235 A. 
     For the LED light strip  200 , and similar to the embodiment discussed with respect to  FIG.  1   , circuit traces can provide electrical connection to LEDs  236 , which can be LED dies, such as for power and control. In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal connecting tabs  230 ,  231 ,  330 ,  331  are not formed from a top or bottom layer of the flexible PCB  210  but are instead formed from one or more intermediate layers that extend beyond the rest of the flexible PCB layers. The extending intermediate layer forming the terminal connecting tab  230 ,  231 ,  330 ,  331  can be used to provide a solder interconnection with another flexible PCB. In some embodiments, the flexible PCB  210  can be connected to itself to form a circular or other shaped light strip. 
       FIG.  2 B  illustrates the LED light strip  200  of  FIG.  2 A  after the connecting tabs  230 ,  231  are situated proximate each other, such as for soldering the pads  234 A,  234 B,  234 C,  234 D to the pads  235 A,  235 B,  235 C,  235 D, respectively.  FIG.  3 B  illustrates the LED light strip  200  of  FIG.  3 A  after the connecting tabs  330 ,  331  are situated proximate each other, such as for soldering the pads  334 A,  334 B,  334 C,  334 D to the pads  335 A,  335 B,  335 C,  335 D, respectively 
       FIGS.  4  and  5    illustrate alternative cross sections of LED light strips  400  and  500 . The LED light strip  400  includes a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA)  442 . A solder mask  444  is situated on the PSA  442 . Conductive material  446  is situated on the solder mask  444 . The solder mask  444  can be a liquid photo-imageable (LPI) material, silicone, or the like. The conductive material  446  can include copper, silver, gold, aluminum, stainless steel, an alloy thereof, or the like. A base material  448  can be situated between conductive layers  454  and  446 . An adhesive layer  452  can bond the conductive layer  454 ,  446  the base material  448 ,  450 , and the solder mask  444 . The base material  448 ,  450 , can include a polyimide (PI), another polymer, FR-4, prepreg, a combination thereof, or the like. The conductive material  454 , base material  450 , and adhesive  452  can extend, in a first direction, beyond material situated below the based material  450  to form a connecting tab  456 . The conductive material  446 , adhesive  452 , and base material  448  can extend, in a second direction opposite the first direction, beyond material situated above the base material  448  to form the connecting tab  446 . Electrical pads can be formed on the connecting tab  446  or  456 , such as to provide electrical connectivity to the conductive material  446 ,  456 , respectively. 
     The LED light strip  500  includes a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA)  442  on a liner  550 . The liner  550  can include paper, plastic, or a combination thereof. The liner  550  can be disposable. The liner  550  can include a Poly-Coated Craft (PCK) material. A solder mask  444  is situated on the PSA  442 . Conductive material  446  is situated on the solder mask  444 . A base material  448  can be situated between conductive layers  454  and  446 . An adhesive layer  452  can bond a conductive layer  552  and the base material  448 . Another base material  450  can be situated on the conductive material  552 . The conductive material  454  can be situated on the base material  450 . A solder mask  554 ,  556  can be situated on the conductive material  454 . The conductive material  446 , solder mask  444 , and PSA  442  can extend beyond material situated above the conductive material  446  and below the PSA  442  to form the connecting tab  558 . 
     As illustrated in both  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the LED light strips  400  and  500  are formed from multiple insulating and copper layers, with at least one layer forming the terminal connecting tab  446 ,  456 , or  558 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates in cross section an alternative of an LED light strip  600 . In this embodiment based on two level soldering process and design, bottom solder pads (electrodes) are shifted compared to top solder pads so as not to be superposed vertically, minimizing shorting risk. Solder pads correspond to exposed portion of conductive material  666 ,  676 . The LED light strip  600  is similar to the LED light strip  400  with a liner  550  below the PSA  442  and a conductive material  660  between the base  448  and the adhesive  452 . The liner  550  can include a paper material, plastic material, or a combination thereof. Poly-Coated Kraft is an example of a disposable liner material. The LED strip  600  includes connecting tabs  662 ,  664  extending in different directions therefrom. 
       FIG.  7    illustrates in cross-section an alternative of an LED light strip  700 . The LED light strip  600  is similar to the LED light strip  600  without the connecting tab  662  and including a via  770  connecting conductive material  446  and  454 . To cover the solder pads on or formed in the conductive material  446 ,  454 , the bottom PSA  550  can be applied after soldering on the conductive material  446  is completed. A tape tab, such as a Kapton® tab, can also be included at these locations prior to PSA  550  integration, such as to reinforce the dielectric strength. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates a cross-section view of two ends of one or more LED light strips  886 ,  888  being electrically connected at connecting tabs  890 ,  892  thereof. The LED light strips  886 ,  888  include LED dies  880 ,  882  thereon. The LED dies  880 ,  882  can include LEDs of multiple colors thereon. The colors can include one or more of R, G, B, W, among others. Solder  884 , or other electrical adhesive, can be situated on one or more of the connecting tabs  890 ,  892 . The connecting tabs  890 ,  892  can be pressed together such that the solder  884  mechanically bonds and electrically connects electrical pads of the connecting tabs  890 ,  892 . As seen with respect to  FIG.  8   , light strip  886  includes a copper layer  894  with an extending terminal connecting tab  890 ,  892  that can be joined to another end of a same or another LED light strip. Multiple extending tab connection is also possible, as seen with respect to  FIG.  9   . 
       FIG.  9    illustrates a cross-section view of two ends of one or more LED light strips  990 ,  992  being electrically connected at connecting tabs  994 ,  995  (the inner connecting tabs are not labeled so as to not obscure the view) thereof. The LED light strips  990 ,  992  include the LED dies  880 ,  882  thereon. Solder  996 ,  998  or other electrical adhesive, can be situated on one or more of the connecting tabs  994 ,  995 . The connecting tabs  994 ,  995  can be pressed together such that the solder  996 ,  998  mechanically bonds and electrically connects electrical pads of the connecting tabs  994 ,  995 . Multiple connecting tabs  994  of the LED light strip  992  can be electrically and mechanically coupled to mating multiple connecting tabs  995  of the LED light strip  990 , simultaneously. As seen with respect to  FIG.  9   , the light strip  990  includes conductive material  997 ,  999  on corresponding extending terminal connecting tabs  995  that can be joined, respectively, to conductive material  993 ,  991  on extending terminal connecting tabs  994  of the same or another LED light strip. 
       FIG.  10    illustrates a cross-section view of two ends of one or more LED light strips  1012 ,  1014  being electrically connected. Since the LED light strips  1012 ,  1014  are formed on the flexible PCB and include one or more connecting tabs  1016 , the light strips  1012 ,  1014  can be pressed together with adhesive  1010  forming a bond between the light strips  1012 ,  1014 . Support for conductive material can be provided by one or more base, adhesive, or other layers of the flexible PCB. Advantageously, electrically or mechanically coupling LED light strips by the connecting tabs can reduce mechanical or electrical breakage when the LED light strips are subjected to twist or pull apart force. This is compared to prior solutions that use wire bonds, or a solder bridge across solder pads to electrically and mechanically coupled the LED light strips. 
       FIG.  11    illustrates a cross-section view of two ends  1102 ,  1104  of one or more LED light strips in close proximity, before electrical connection. The flexible printed circuit (FPC) end  1102  includes a material stack including a solder mask material  1118 A, a conductive material  1104 A on the solder mask material  1116 A, a first adhesive  1114 A bonding the conductive material  1116 A and a dielectric material  1112 A, a second adhesive  1110 A bonding the dielectric material  1112 A and a second conductive material  1108 A, and a solder mask  1106 A on the conductive material  1108 A. The flexible printed circuit (FPC) end  1104  includes a same material stack including a solder mask material  1118 B, a conductive material  1104 B on the solder mask material  1116 B, a first adhesive  1114 B bonding the conductive material  1116 B and a dielectric material  1112 B, a second adhesive  1110 B bonding the dielectric material  1112 B and a second conductive material  1108 B, and a solder mask  1106 B on the conductive material  1108 B. Conductive material  1220 ,  1222  (see  FIG.  12   ) can be applied to electrically and mechanically connect the conductive material  1108 A and  1108 B, and  1116 A and  1116 B, respectively. Unfortunately, electrically and mechanically coupling such structures comes with a risk of shorting the conductive material  1108 A and  1108 B and  1116 A and  1116 B. This is illustrated in FG.  12 . 
       FIG.  12    illustrates a cross-section view of the two ends of the one or more LED light strips of  FIG.  11    after electrical connection. Since the conductive material  1220  is stacked directly over the conductive material  1222 , and over the ends, there is a risk that conductive material  1220 ,  1222  will bridge together, shorting the conductive material  1108 A,  1108 B,  1116 A, and  1116 B. The solder joints (conductive material  1220 ,  1222 ) can be staggered to help reduce the chances of the conductive material  1220 ,  1222  bridging. Many examples of such staggering are presented already and some more are presented regarding  FIGS.  13 ,  14 , and  15   . 
       FIG.  13    illustrates a cross-section view of two ends  1302 ,  1304  of one or more LED light strips that, before electrical connection, includes offset conductive pads (exposed conductive material  1330 A and  1330 B, and  1338 A and  1338 B). Instead of having exposed conductive material stacked directly over each other, as in  FIGS.  11  and  12   , the ends  1302 ,  1304  of one or more LED light strips include exposed conductive material offset vertically. This helps reduce the changes that the conductive material  1330 A and  1330 B does not bridge with conductive material  1338 A and  1338 B. 
     The FPC end  1302  includes a material stack including a solder mask material  1340 A, a first conductive material  1338 A on (in contact with) the solder mask material  1340 A, a first adhesive  1336 A bonding the conductive material  1338 A and a dielectric material  1334 A, and a second adhesive  1332 A bonding the dielectric material  1334 A and a second conductive material  1330 A. The FPC end  1304  includes a material stack including a first conductive material  1338 B, a first adhesive  1336 B bonding the first conductive material  1338 B and a dielectric material  1334 B, a second adhesive  1332 B bonding the dielectric material  1334 B and a second conductive material  1330 B, and a solder mask  1340 B on (in contact with) the second conductive material  1330 B. 
       FIG.  14    illustrates an example of a cross-section view of the two ends  1302 ,  1304  of the one or more LED light strips of  FIG.  13    after electrical connection. The electrical connection includes a conductive joint  1440  that electrically and mechanically connects the second conductive material  1330 A and  1330 B. Another conductive joint  1442  is illustrated electrically and mechanically connecting the first conductive material  1338 A and  1338 B. Since the conductive joints  1440  and  1442  are offset vertically from each other, it is much more unlikely for them to electrically short to each other. This is because conductive material would need to flow along line  1444  between the first conductive material  1330 A,  1330 B and second conductive material  1338 A,  1338 B to short the conductive joints  1440  and  1442 . 
       FIG.  15    illustrates another example of a cross-section view of the two ends  1302 ,  1304  of the one or more LED light strips of  FIG.  13    after electrical connection.  FIG.  15    is similar to  FIG.  14    with more of the ends  1302 ,  1304  illustrated including additional solder mask  1540 A,  1540 B in view and with the FPCs deformed before electrical and mechanical connection by solder joints  1550 ,  1552 . Because the conductive joints  1550 ,  1552  are offset from each other vertically (not stacked directly over one another or in the shadow of each other) the ends  1302 ,  1304  can be bent and still be reliably electrically and mechanically connected without shorting the conductive joints  1550 ,  1552 . In contrast, the ends  1102 ,  1104  (see  FIGS.  11  and  12   ) are much more likely to short the conductive joints  1220 ,  1222  if the ends are bent before or during electrical and mechanical connecting. This is because the already space between the conductive material  1108 A or  1108 B and  1116 A or  1116 B is further reduced when one or more ends  1102 ,  1104  are bent or otherwise deformed. 
       FIG.  16    illustrates a power and control circuitry system  1600  for controlling an LED light strip, such as described herein. As seen in  FIG.  16   , the system  1600  includes a power and control circuitry  1602  that includes connectivity circuitry  1612  and processing circuitry  1614 . The connectivity circuitry  1612  can include wireless or wired connection for user or automatic control via the processing circuitry  1614 . In some embodiments, smart phones with lighting apps installed can be used to provide lighting control and determine lighting status (e.g., LEDs on or off). The processing circuitry  1614  can control a color tuning circuitry  1616 . The color tuning circuitry  1616  is able to change or adjust LED color, temperature, intensity, or the like produced by the LED light strip  1601 . Control and power is provided to LED die  1632  via LED interface circuitry  1620 . The control circuitry  1602  can manage correlated color temperature (CCT) tuning. A user can change the tint of light along an iso-CCT line desired. 
     The power and LED control circuitry  1602  includes electrical or electronic circuitry to enable the operation of the LEDs of the LED light strip  1601 . Furthermore, the LED circuit boards of the LED light strip  1601  can include circuitry configured to manage individual or grouped operation of the plurality LEDs in LED light strip  1601 . In some embodiments, each LED can be separately controlled by the power and control circuitry  1602 , while in other embodiments groups of LEDs can be controlled as a block. In still other embodiments, both single LEDs and groups of LEDs can be controlled. In one embodiment, intensity can be separately controlled and adjusted by setting appropriate ramp times and pulse width for each LED. This allows staging of LED activation to reduce power fluctuations, and to provide superior luminous intensity control. 
     The LEDs discussed in this disclosure can include but are not limited to LEDs formed of sapphire or silicon carbide. The LEDs can be formed from an epitaxially grown or deposited semiconductor n-layer. A semiconductor p-layer can then be sequentially grown or deposited on the n-layer, forming an active region at the junction between layers. Semiconductor materials capable of forming high-brightness light emitting devices can include, but are not limited to, Group III-V semiconductors, particularly binary, ternary, and quaternary alloys of gallium, aluminum, indium, and nitrogen, also referred to as III-nitride materials. In certain embodiment, laser light emitting elements can be used. 
     Color of emitted light from the LEDs can be modified using a phosphor contained in glass, or as a pre-formed sintered ceramic phosphor, which can include one or more wavelength converting materials able to create white light or monochromatic light of other colors. All or only a portion of the light emitted by the LEDs may be converted by the wavelength converting material of the phosphor. Unconverted light may be part of the final spectrum of light, though it need not be. Examples of common devices include a blue-emitting LED segment combined with a yellow-emitting phosphor, a blue-emitting LED segment combined with green- and red-emitting phosphors, a UV-emitting LED segment combined with blue- and yellow-emitting phosphors, and a UV-emitting LED segment combined with blue-, green-, and red-emitting phosphors. 
     Direction of light emitted from each LED can be modified by one or more optics. Optic can be a single optical element or a multiple optic elements. Optical elements can include converging or diverging lenses, aspherical lens, Fresnel lens, or graded index lens, for example. Other optical elements such as mirrors, beam diffusers, filters, masks, apertures, collimators, or light waveguides are also included. Optics can be positioned at a distance from the LED elements in order to receive and redirect light from multiple LEDs. Alternatively, optics can be set adjacent to each LED element to guide, focus, or defocus emitted light. In some embodiments, optics are connected to actuators for movement. In some embodiments, actuator movement can be programmed. This allows, for example, a lens to be moved to increase or decrease beam size. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that embodiments are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. It is also understood that other embodiments may be practiced in the absence of an element/step not specifically disclosed herein.