Patent ID: 6858994

Claim:
An LED light source, comprising: (a) an input for connection of a current source; (b) furthermore, at different potential levels between the upper potential and the base potential; a string of a plurality of LEDs connected in series; a coil provided in series with the LEDs; a recovery diode provided in parallel to the LEDs and the coil and having its forward direction opposed to that of the LEDs; and a rapid electronic switch provided in series with the LEDs, the coil and the recovery diode in parallel to the LEDs and the coil; and (c) a pulse generator that is connected to the rapid electronic switch and generates pulses that open and close the rapid electronic switch, wherein (d) there are provided several parallel-connected strings each containing several series-connected LEDs; (e) there is provided a common coil for said strings of LEDs; and (f) the pulse generator is a pulse-width modulator in the form of an integrated component or a frequency modulator in the form of an integrated component.