Patent ID: 8569956

Claim:
A method of providing power to a plurality of light emitting diodes couplable to receive an AC voltage, the plurality of light emitting diodes coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of light emitting diodes, each comprising one or more light emitting diodes, the method comprising: monitoring and regulating a current level through a series light emitting diode current path; providing for a first segment of light emitting diodes to be switched in or out of the series light emitting diode current path in response to the monitored current level at about a first predetermined current level or until the monitored current level has reached about the first predetermined current level; and providing for a second segment of light emitting diodes to be switched in or out of the series light emitting diode current path in response to the monitored current level at about a second predetermined current level or until the monitored current level has reached about the second predetermined current level.