Patent ID: 8390207

Claim:
An illumination apparatus, comprising: an LED-based light source; an optic coupled to the LED-based light source; a heat sink coupled to the LED-based light source; a base for mechanically and electrically engaging with a socket; and a housing comprising an electrically non-conducting material and mechanically coupled to the base, wherein the LED-based light source, the optic, and the heat sink are disposed within the housing; the LED-based light source includes at least one first LED for generating first radiation having a first spectrum and at least one second LED for generating second radiation having a second spectrum different from the first spectrum; the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED are electrically connected in series between a first node and a second node, a series current flows between the first node and the second node when an operating voltage is applied across the first node and the second node: a temperature sensor disposed proximate to the LED-based light source for generating a temperature signal; a switching power supply for providing power factor correction and the operating voltage; the switching power supply receiving the temperature signal and controlling at least one controllable current path connected in parallel with one of the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED so as to at least partially divert the series current around the one of the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED in response to the temperature signal, such that a first current through the at least one first LED and a second current through the at least one second LED are different.