APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING COLOUR AND COLOUR TEMPERATURE OF LIGHT GENERATED BY A DIGITALLY CONTROLLED LUMINAIRE

摘要

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling thecorrelated colour temperature (CCT) or colour of light produced by an array oflight-emitting elements by providing multiple selectable paths for the flow ofdrive current. The apparatus includes a primary path comprising primary light-emitting elements, and one or more secondary paths comprising secondary light-emitting elements that are used for compensation or correction of the colourof light emitted by the primary light-emitting elements. A plurality ofcontrol means, for example switches are used to direct current throughparticular paths. During operation, the drive current primarily flows throughthe primary light-emitting elements and is redirected, periodically forexample, to a secondary path comprising light-emitting elements of aparticular colour that is desired in addition to the colour produced by theprimary light-emitting elements.