Executive Overview

Executive Overview -
What Makes Responsiv^{^TM} Better

LED products have vast potential to replace incandescent and fluorescent lighting with superior features and performance. Tens of billions of existing installations call for easy, practical retrofits that work seamlessly and economically with common wiring and usage practices. Responsiv addresses an important aspect of this requirement.

Traditional incandescent dimmers are a poor match for LEDs. Extra circuits in the bulb or fixture, and often the dimmer as well, are required to adapt traditional controls. Wireless controls are complex, costly and vulnerable to interference. Responsiv offers a new state of the art, optimized for LEDs powered via traditional wiring. A software programmable internal dimmer replaces "dimmability" circuitry of comparable cost. The control device can be as simple as an ordinary switch, or can present a rich user interface. It merely sends commands to the built in dimmer via the power line. The approach facilitates computer control, and multi-color, animated lighting, without burdening cost. Manufacturers can leverage field proven Responsiv technology quickly and easily.

Standard Dimmer and/or Alternative Dimming Controls

The Responsiv chip in your product effects dimming based on power line signals. It can translate the AC power waveform created by a standard dimmer to Pulse Width Modulation for full function dimmability. A mini-range "signaling dimmer" eases power supply design. Alternative signals can also activate dimming as desired. The light switch that turns LEDs on and off can be used with appropriate switching gestures. When controlled by a switch, the Responsiv dimmer can return to its previous setting after an extended period of power off.

Practical Switch Activated Dimming

Simple dimming is practical using only an ordinary switch. Our convenient "Blink'n'Dim" protocol works as follows: From full brightness, blink lights off about 1 second to begin gradual dimming. Lights will dim fully in about 6 seconds, or may be set at any desired level by another blink signal. After dimming, a blink signal begins gradual brightening. Another blink halts brightening at any point until lights reach full brightness. Manual signaling is also suitable for limited color control, such as adjusting color balance, or stepping through several pre-programmed animations. If multiple switches control a set of LEDs, dimming functions may be activated from any switch location.

Electronic Digital Remote Signaling

A simple digital remote switch can look and feel like a standard dimmer switch. Users will appreciate its intuitive simplicity, while manufacturers appreciate its sales value added. For more complex control, such as multi-color and animation programming, a digital remote electronic switch makes extended control features practical. It may have a touch screen, or numerous buttons, sliders and knobs. It may also participate in a "smart home" network. A single digital remote can command multiple lights individually or in groups. The Responsiv LED controller can be configured to respond to both manual and electronic commands. We encourage control manufacturers to offer Responsiv compatible units with rich user interfaces.

LED Lighting Controls