WO2010034108A1

WO2010034108A1 - String lighting system

Info

Publication number: WO2010034108A1
Application number: PCT/CA2009/001316
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brendan Holtom Haveman; Mark Zekulin; James Russell Beninger
Original assignee: Brendan Holtom Haveman; Mark Zekulin; James Russell Beninger
Priority date: 2008-09-23
Filing date: 2009-09-18
Publication date: 2010-04-01

Abstract

A string-lighting system is described to comprise a plurality of lighting devices, an activation module for independently activating the plurality of lighting devices and a wire harness operatively coupling each of the lighting devices to the activation module via respective activation paths thereby enabling independent lighting device activation. A computer-readable medium configured for implementation of a graphical user interface for programming a user-programmable embodiment of the disclosed string-lighting system is also described.

Description

STRING LIGHTING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention pertains to the field of lighting and in particular to a string lighting system.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventional string lighting systems are generally know in the art to comprise a plurality of interconnected lighting devices that can be powered by a regular power outlet and turned on and off either directly at the outlet, through a light switch or various types of programmable timers or the like configured to activate the lights for a preset period of the day. In general, the string sighting system comprises either identically or differently coloured bulbs that are simultaneously turned on or off via a single activation switch. Namely, a colour pattern or scheme is determined by the pre-selection and installation of light bulbs or the like and set until such light bulbs are replaced by different coloured bulbs. Given the simplicity of these systems, the wiring required to implement these systems is quite minimal and therefore readily manageable to maintain an aesthetically pleasing result, for example, when mounted or placed in a windowsill, on a tree, a house and other places as decoration.

[0003] A variation of the above traditional systems of illumination include preprogrammed systems wherein a manufacturer may provide various preset color changing or flashing effects at certain time intervals, with limited or no user interactivity. One example of such systems is provided in United States Patent Numbers 6,086,222 and 5,975,717 to Juba et al. and Rahman respectively, wherein cascade effect icicle light sets are described to comprise three distinct groups of serially connected lamps physically disposed such that a sequential activation of the three groups provides a cascading effect. Similarly, United States Patent No. 5,639,157 to Yeh describes a system comprising different illuminators grouped by colour and activated by a wire harness having different circuit paths for separately activating each illuminator group; for example, up to fifty illuminators of a same colour may be serially connected in each of four distinct circuit paths to provide continuous or sequential activation of the different colour groups. United States Patent No. 6,686,701 to Fullarton describes a similar string light assembly comprising a control panel having a plurality of colour enabling switches for selectively illuminating different colour-grouped light bulbs. As will be appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in the art, while these grouped systems do provide for some diversity in illumination relative to the conventional string lighting systems, and in the last case, also provide for some user selectivity, these systems still remain relatively limited.

[0004] With light emitting diodes (LEDs) now readily affordable and available in different types and colours, new lighting products have been developed to produce attractive lighting effects. For example, United States Patent No. 7,161,313 to Piepgras et al. for Light Emitting Diode Based Products teaches different light emitting element based illumination products wherein different illumination characteristics of these products can be programmed and controlled to provide dynamic lighting. String lighting products, however, are discouraged given the prohibitively complicated wiring harnesses deemed necessary to provide such effects in a string lighting system, which ultimately, could hinder the aesthetic appeal of such products, and lead to prohibitive manufacturing costs.

[0005] Therefore there is a need for a new string lighting system that overcomes some of the drawbacks of known systems, or alternatively, provides the public with a new and useful alternative.

[0006] This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.

SUMMARY

[0007] An object of the invention is to provide a string lighting system. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a string-lighting system comprising: a plurality of lighting devices; an activation module for independently activating said plurality of lighting devices; and a wire harness operatively coupling each of said lighting devices to said activation module via respective activation paths thereby enabling independent lighting device activation.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer- readable medium comprising statements and instructions for operation by a processing device to implement a graphical user interface for use in programming lighting characteristics for each of a plurality of lighting devices in a string lighting system, wherein said string lighting system comprises an activation module for independently activating each of said plurality of lighting devices in response to said programming, the user interface comprising: one or more user-selectable functions for associating a selected lighting characteristic with each of said lighting devices; and a graphical representation corresponding to each of said lighting devices visually identifying said selected lighting characteristic thereof.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for assembling a string-lighting system comprising a plurality of lighting devices and an activation module: operatively coupling different subsets of said plurality of lighting devices to the activation module via a common first path connection respective to each of said subsets; and operatively coupling each lighting device within a given one of said subsets to the activation module via a distinct second path connection; whereby respective activation paths are provided for each of the lighting devices thereby enabling independent lighting device activation.

[0010] Other aims, objects, advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of specific embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] Figures IA and IB are schematic views of a string lighting system, in accordance with different embodiments of the invention.

[0012] Figures 2A to 2D are schematic diagrams of different string lighting systems, in accordance with different embodiments of the invention. [0013] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary string lighting system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0014] Figures 4A to 4D are schematic top, bottom, side cross sectional and exterior side views of an input module, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0015] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a lighting system, and wire harness therefor, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0016] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a lighting system, and wire harness therefore, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

[0017] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a lighting system, and wire harness therefore, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

[0018] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary lighting system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Figures 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams of exemplary activation module circuitry, and connectivity thereof within a string lighting system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0020] Figure 11 is an exemplary screen shot of a graphical user interface implemented by a programming module for programming operation of a string lighting system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0021] Figure 12 is an exemplary screen shot of a graphical user interface implemented by a programming module for programming operation of a string lighting system, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

[0022] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary string lighting system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of exemplary activation module circuitry, and connectivity thereof within a string lighting system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. [0024] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary lighting system circuit board, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Figures 16A to 16C combine a schematic diagram of distinct circuit boards for each lighting device of a string-lighting system, wherein each lighting device comprises three independently operable light-emitting elements, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The term "light-emitting element" is used to define a device configured to emit optical radiation upon activation, wherein said optical radiation can be characterized by one or more characteristics of the light-emitting element. For example, a light-emitting element may be characterized as a device that emits radiation in a region or combination of regions of the electromagnetic spectrum for example, the visible region, infrared and/or ultraviolet region, when activated by applying a potential difference across it or passing a current through it. Therefore a light-emitting element can have monochromatic, quasi- monochromatic, polychromatic or broadband spectral emission characteristics. Examples of light-emitting elements include semiconductor, organic, or polymer/polymeric light- emitting diodes, optically pumped phosphor coated light-emitting diodes, optically pumped nano-crystal light-emitting diodes or other similar light-emitting devices as would be readily understood by a worker skilled in the art. Furthermore, the term light-emitting element is used to define the specific device that emits the radiation, for example a LED die, and can equally be used to define a combination of the specific device that emits the radiation together with a housing or package within which the specific device is placed, for example, when combining different packaged LED dies within a same lighting device or the like to provide a combined optical effect. It will also be appreciated that while some of the embodiments described below relate generally to LED-based products, the scope of the present disclosure should not be construed to be limited as such as different light-emitting elements, ranging from standard incandescent and fluorescent lamps and bulbs to recently developed and forthcoming LED technologies can be considered herein in different embodiments without departing from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure. [0027] The term "lighting device" is used to define a device used to provide illumination, and can generally comprise one or more light-emitting elements operatively disposed within the lighting device to emit light of a given nature or of particular characteristics. Accordingly, a lighting device may include various optical components for manipulating the light generated by the one or more light-emitting elements, which may include, but are not limited to, reflectors, filters, masks, lenses, collimators, gratings and the like, as will be readily appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0028] The terms "illumination" and "light" are used interchangeably to refer to the radiation emitted from a lighting device, the one or more light-emitting elements thereof, or a combination of light-emitting element or lighting device radiation. It will be appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in the art that a given illumination can be characterised by a number of parameters (e.g. lighting characteristics), which may include, but are not limited to, colour {e.g. a wavelength, spectrum, frequency or otherwise measurable and/or perceivable spectral power distribution of the illumination), intensity (e.g. absolute, relative and/or perceived intensity), duration (e.g. continuous or substantially/perceivably continuous activation, periodic or substantially/perceivably periodic activation - e.g. flashing, streaming or the like, random or substantially/perceivably random activation, etc.) and other such characteristics readily known in the art. It will be further appreciated that while most of the embodiments described herein are directed to human consumption and therefore generally involve characteristics perceivable to a human being (e.g. colours generally from within the visible spectrum, perceivable frequency modulations for periodic/flashing effects and observable intensities), other embodiments may be contemplated herein that make use of alternative characteristics, such as radiation emitted in the near to far infrared or ultraviolet regions of the optical spectrum, for example.

[0029] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0030] The following describes various embodiments of a string lighting system comprising a plurality of lighting devices, each comprising one or more light-emitting elements, an activation module for independently activating the plurality of lighting devices, and a wire harness operatively coupling each of the lighting devices to the activation module via respective activation paths thereby enabling independent lighting device activation.

[0031] With reference to Figure IA, and in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a string lighting system, generally referred to using the numeral 100, will now be described. The string lighting system 100 generally comprise a series of lighting devices 102 each comprising one or more light-emitting elements 104 operatively connected to an activation module 106 (depicted herein toward the center of the system 100) via wire harness 108 configured to provide power thereto, for example, from a power outlet through male outlet plug 110. It will be appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in the art that power for the lighting system 100 may be provided by different power means such as batteries, battery packs, solar cells, and other such means readily known in the art, without departing from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure. It will also be appreciated that various electrical components, such as transformers or the like, may be used in conjunction with, or as an integral part of the lighting system 100 in order to properly convert the input power source for use with the other components of the system, such as the lighting devices 102 and activation module 106, for example. A female outlet plug 112 may also be provided at an opposite end of the system 100, or at one or more other appropriate points within the system to transfer power, and optionally activation data (to be discussed below) to subsequent string lighting systems connected downstream.

[0032] With reference to Figure IB, a similar system 120 is depicted in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the activation module 126 is provided toward one end of wire harness 128 proximal to input plug 130. It will be appreciated that the activation module 126 may be provided at different locations within the system, and that such different locations may provide different advantages depending on the selected implementation of the system. For example, if the system is designed to provide a activation module embedded within the activation module or operable through physical connection of a remote activation module to the activation module such that a use thereof requires a user to access the activation module directly, this may be more easily achieved if the activation module is located toward the plug-in end of the harness (as in Figure IB). If the activation module is operated remotely, for example via IR, then this advantage becomes less significant. These and other such considerations should become apparent to the person of skill in the art depending on the application for which the system is designed, and therefore, should not be considered to depart from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure.

[0033] As will be described in further detail below, the wire harness is generally configured to operatively couple each of the lighting devices, or each light-emitting element thereof, to the activation module via respective activation paths thereby enabling independent lighting device activation by the activation module. Accordingly, the activation module may be programmed to independently activate each of the lighting devices within the system, or light-emitting elements thereof, to provide a desired luminous output. As will be discussed below, such activation module programming may be preset for a given luminous output upon manufacture of a given lighting system, programmed to provide for user selection from a series of preset luminous outputs, or user- programmable wherein a user may actively select various illumination characteristics of the lighting system, the lighting devices thereof, and/or light-emitting elements of these lighting devices.

[0034] Accordingly, by providing independent activation of each of the lighting system's lighting devices, or light-emitting elements thereof, the illumination characteristics of each said device may be controlled independently, which characteristics may include, but are not limited to, intensity, duration and/or colour, to name a few, as further defined in greater detail above. It will be appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in the art that these and other such characteristics of the lighting device may be controlled independently by the provision of respective activation paths for each of these devices. Furthermore, in an embodiment provided with user programmability, such characteristics may be selected by the user through one or more pre-set illumination schemes, sequences, patterns and/or colours, or again customized by providing the user programmatic access to the activation module for selecting one or more illumination characteristics for each of the lighting devices, or subset thereof, in some embodiments, in combination with one or more present functions to facilitate and/or accelerate the programming process. Such programmatic access may be provided for example, via a user input/programming device integrated within the activation module, a distinct input/programming device communicatively linkable (e.g. direct and/or wireless link) to the activation module, and/or distinctly operated input and programming devices, for instance enabling a user to select or customize one or more illumination programs remotely via one or more computing devices, for example, and transfer these one or more programs to a portable input device for input to the activation module via an appropriate communication link (e.g. direct and/or wireless link).

[0035] Accordingly, the various embodiments of the invention provide an improved system of illumination, wherein one or more illumination characteristics of the system's lighting devices may be programmed independently to provide a more expressive and selective source of illumination. Furthermore, in different user-programmable embodiments, to be discussed in greater detail below, the system may allow for different levels of user-programmability, for example, via direct and/or remote user program selection, and/or direct/remote user program customization. Accordingly, the system may be configured to provide, in different examples, a variety of colour, flash and/or intensity combinations and variations (/. e. different colour, flash and/or intensity schemes, patterns, etc.) for each lighting device, for mounting and display in a manner similar to existing string lighting systems, thereby providing greater versatility and/or usability for such systems.

[0036] As described above, in order to provide independent activation of each lighting device of a string lighting system, a wire harness may be configured, in some embodiments, to provide respective activation paths for each lighting device, and in colour changing embodiments, respective activation paths for at least some of the constituent light-emitting elements, or groups thereof, of respective lighting devices. As will be appreciated by the person of skill in the art, however, while respective activation paths may be desired, providing distinct first and second activation path connections for each lighting device, or for each light-emitting element, may in fact, lead to cumbersome wiring deterring from the overall aesthetic and/or practicality of such systems.

[0037] Therefore, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the wire harness is configured to operatively couple different subsets of the lighting system's plurality of lighting devices via a common first path connection respective to each of said subsets and to operatively couple each lighting device within a given one of said subsets via a distinct second path connection, wherein one or more said distinct second path connection is shared with another lighting device from one or more others of said subsets, thereby reducing the total required number of wires to provide independent path connections for each lighting device. In another embodiment, each said distinct second path connection is also shared with another lighting device from each other of said subsets, thereby even further reducing a number of wires required.

[0038] With reference to Figure 5, and in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a string lighting system 500 is presented as comprising a plurality of lighting devices 502, an activation module 504 for controllably independently activating each of the lighting devices 502, and a wire harness 506 providing respective path connections for each of the lighting devices. For example, in this embodiment, the lighting devices 502 are separated into distinct subsets 508, wherein a common first path connection 510 is respectively provided for each of the subsets (e.g. negative path) and wherein distinct second path connections 512 (e.g. positive path) are provided for each lighting device within a same subset. In this embodiment, each second path connection 512 is shared with another lighting device of another subset, thereby further reducing a total number of second path connections provided through the wire harness. Accordingly, while twelve distinct path connections would traditionally have been required to provide a series of 6 distinctly activated lighting devices, or possibly 7 if a common ground was provided for all devices, only 5 distinct path connections are required in this embodiment. It will also be appreciated that the scalability of this approach can yield great advantage in reducing the number of path connections required for a larger number of lighting devices, for example, wherein 8 subsets of 3 lighting devices (e.g. 24 lighting devices) could be independently activated via as low as 11 path connections. It will be appreciated by the person of skill in the art that by changing the number of subsets, and the number of lighting devices within each subset, different optimisations in the number of path connections can be reached. It will also be appreciated that while sharing each second path connection with each subset may lead a most optimised count of path connections, depending on the number of subsets, or the string lighting system's configuration (e.g. activation in the middle of the harness), second path connections may only be shared, in some embodiments, with one or more, but not necessarily all of the other subsets.

[0039] With reference to Figure 6, and in accordance with another embodiment, a string lighting system 600 is presented as comprising a plurality of lighting devices 602, each comprising three light-emitting elements 603 in red (R), green (G) and blue (B), an activation module 604 for controllably independently activating each of the lighting devices lighting-emitting elements 603, and a wire harness 606 providing respective path connections for each of the lighting devices' light emitting elements. For example, in this embodiment, the lighting devices 602, and elements thereof, are separated into distinct subsets 608, wherein a common first path connection 610 is respectively provided for each of the subsets (e.g. negative path figuratively connected to a common negative pin of each of the subset's lighting devices) and wherein distinct second path connections 612 (e.g. positive path) are provided for each light-emitting element 603 within a same subset. In this embodiment, each second path connection 612 is again shared with another light- emitting element of another subset, thereby further reducing a total number of second path connections provided through the wire harness. Accordingly, while thirty six distinct path connections would traditionally have been required to provide a series of 18 distinctly activated light-emitting elements, or possibly 19 if a common ground was provided for all elements, only 11 distinct path connections are required in this embodiment. It will also be appreciated that the scalability of this approach can yield great advantage in reducing the number of path connections required for a larger number of lighting devices, for example, wherein 8 subsets of 3 lighting devices (e.g. 24 lighting devices, 72 light-emitting elements) could be independently activated via as low as 17 path connections (rather than 73).

[0040] It will be appreciated by the person of skill in the art that by changing the number of subsets, and the number of lighting devices within each subset, different optimisations in the number of path connections can be reached. It will also be appreciated that while this embodiment depicts each constituent light-emitting element as being independently activated to control an output colour for example, groups of light-emitting elements within a same lighting device may be commonly activated via common first and second path connections, for example, where a particular colour of light-emitting element is doubled to compensate for reduced output capacity as compared to other colours. Other examples may include embodiments where a combination of two colours are always activated simultaneously to provide a combined effect, for example, when using different colour combinations, colour and UV combinations, and the like. These and other colour changing and/or generating principles and approaches will be readily known to the person of skill in the art and should therefore not be considered to depart from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure. It will also be appreciated that while the same number of light- emitting elements are provided for each lighting device, and while the same number of lighting devices are provided for each subset, different combinations may be provided, depending on the desired effect and/or activation module programming.

[0041] With reference to Figure 7, and in accordance with another embodiment, a string lighting system 700 is presented as comprising a plurality of lighting devices 702, each comprising two light-emitting elements 703 in red (R) and blue (B), an activation module 704 for controllably independently activating each of the lighting devices' lighting- emitting elements 703, and a wire harness 706 providing respective path connections for each of the lighting devices' light-emitting elements. For example, in this embodiment, the lighting devices 702, and elements thereof, are separated into distinct subsets 708, wherein a common first path connection 710 is respectively provided for each of the subsets (e.g. negative path figuratively connected to a common negative pin of each of the subset's lighting devices) and wherein distinct second path connections 712 (e.g. positive path) are provided for each light-emitting element 703 within a same subset. In this embodiment, each second path connection 712 is again shared with another light-emitting element of another subset, thereby further reducing a total number of second path connections provided through the wire harness. Accordingly, while sixteen distinct path connections would traditionally have been required to provide a series of eight distinctly activated light-emitting elements, or possibly 9 if a common ground was provided for all elements, only 6 distinct path connections are required in this embodiment. Again, scalability of this approach can yield great advantage in reducing the number of path connections required for a larger number of lighting devices, depending on the number of devices in each subset, and the number of light-emitting elements in each lighting device.

[0042] With reference to Figure 8, and in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a string lighting system 800 is presented as comprising a plurality of lighting devices 802, each comprising three light-emitting elements 803 in red (R), green (G) and blue (B), an activation module 804 for controllably independently activating each of the lighting devices' lighting-emitting elements 803, and a wire harness 806 providing respective path connections for each of the lighting devices' light emitting elements on either side of the activation module 804. Namely, the lighting system 800 comprises twelve lighting devices 802 on either side of the activation module 806, with only half of them shown for simplicity. In this embodiment, the lighting devices 802, and elements thereof, are again separated into distinct subsets of three lighting devices (nine light- emitting elements), wherein a common first path connection (negative paths N1-N4) is respectively provided for each of the subsets and wherein distinct second path connections (positive paths A-I) are provided for each light-emitting element within a same subset. In this embodiment, each second path connection is again shared with another light-emitting element of another subset, thereby further reducing a total number of second path connections provided through the wire harness. Furthermore, the wire harness comprises a positive line 820 and negative line 822 operatively coupling the lighting system 800 to a power source, for example via transformer 824 and male plug 826, and providing power to the activation module 806 and in this embodiment, optionally to additional lighting systems via output plug 828. An optional data line (not shown) may also be provided by the wire harness to communicate activation data to subsequent lighting systems.

[0043] In this embodiment, as above, each and every individual lighting device is capable of being programmed to be a different color. While the number of wires required would be prohibitive from both a cost and aesthetic point of view using a conventional harness (i.e. the wire holding the bulbs would be unwieldy and thick), the total number of wires used in this embodiment is effectively reduced to fifteen (with substantially identical wiring and activation methodology on either side of the module). Alternatively, should the activation module be implemented at the end of the harness, a similar configuration could be achieved using only nineteen wires, which is quite reasonable to implement a functional yet aesthetically pleasing and reasonably priced embodiment.

[0044] In one embodiment, the wiring and activation scheme of the lighting system is further configured to increase power consumption efficiency. For example, as depicted in Figure 8, the lighting devices are wired in groups of three, with each series of three lights being on one negative wire (Nl to N4). Each of these subsets of three is wired in the same method as the preceding subset. In one embodiment at any one time only one of the lights in each of these subsets is accepting power. For example, if one light is "on" the other two lights are, by default, "off. By sequencing activation of the lights within a subset at a frequency imperceptible to the human eye, such sequencing does not unduly diminish or limit the aesthetic value of the lights to the viewer. Namely, the naked eye should not be able to detect that at any one time, two of the lights from each subset are actually "off; all three lights in each subset appear to be "on" continuously. However, with only one light from each subset of three "on" at a given time, only eight of the twenty-four lights on each string of lights is "on" at a given time, allowing for greater efficiency.

[0045] For example, and in one embodiment, if a signal is sent from the activation module to each of the twelve lights identifying a selected colour, this signal will instruct each of the red, green, and blue elements of each light to be "on" or "off. This process is carried out in sequence for each of the subsequent subsets and then repeated from the beginning. Within this framework, while the toggling of negative paths is ongoing, for each lighting device while "on" only one of the lighting devices is getting powered. In this aspect, different lighting devices aren't "on" at the same time, but are rather switching continuously.

[0046] With reference to Figure 2A, and in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a system 200 generally comprises an activation module 202 configured to control activation of the system's lighting devices (e.g. directly and/or via one or more downstream activation modules), wherein the activation module 202 generally comprises light activation circuitry 204 (for example a microprocessor or the like) configured to retrieve light activation programming from a data storage device 206 storing statements and instructions representative of a preset activation program.

[0047] In figure 2B, and in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a system 210 comprises an activation module 212 again configured to control activation of the system's lighting devices (e.g. directly and/or via one or more downstream activation modules), wherein the activation module 212 comprises activation circuitry 214 configured to retrieve light activation programming from a data storage device 216 storing statements and instructions representative of a selected activation program, whose selection is enabled by an integrated input/programming device 218. For example, in one embodiment, the programming/input device 218 is provided as a component of the activation module 212 wherein programming for the activation is formed integrally and/or cooperatively within the overall activation circuitry of the activation module 212. In such embodiments, the programming/input device 218 is effectively embedded within the activation module 212, but is interactively programmed via a user interface provided directly from the activation module 212. For example, the user interface may comprise one or more control devices and/or displays (e.g. one or more touch screens, scroll dials, push buttons, toggles and/or other such control devices, that may be combined with one or more displays such as LCDs, light indicators, or other such visual indicators) to enable a user of the system to select (e.g. input) and/or customize a programming of the activation module 212 to implement a desired illumination scheme or effect, for example.

[0048] In figure 2C, and in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a system 220 comprises an activation module 222 again configured to control activation of the system's lighting devices (e.g. directly and/or via one or more downstream activation modules), wherein the activation module 222 comprises activation circuitry 224 configured to retrieve light activation programming from a data storage device 226 storing statements and instructions representative of a selected activation program and communicated thereto via a distinct and/or remote user programming/input device 228. For example, in one embodiment, the programming/input device 228 is provided as a distinct or detachable device, for example a battery operated device or the like, providing one or more control devices and/or displays to again enable the user to select and/or customize a programming of the activation module 222 to implement a desired illumination scheme or effect, for example. The user selections or customization can then be imparted to the activation module 222 via one or more communication links to input port 229, for example, via a direct physical connection to the activation module 222 (e.g. standard or proprietary data link plug-in, such as for example, a USB link or the like) or via one or more wireless connections (e.g. infrared, radio frequency (RF) such as blue tooth or the like, etc.). These and other such communication technologies will be readily known by the person of skill in the art, and can be implemented interchangeably or by providing complimentary communication ports and/or devices on the programming/input device 228 and activation module 222.

[0049] In figure 2D, and in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a system 230 comprises an activation module 232 again configured to control activation of the system's lighting devices (e.g. directly and/or via one or more downstream activation modules), wherein the activation module 232 comprises activation circuitry 234 configured to retrieve light activation programming from a data storage device 236 storing statements and instructions representative of a selected activation program and communicated thereto via a distinct and/or remote input device 238. In this embodiment, however, the input device 238 is itself programmed by a distinct and/or remote programming device 240 such that one or more activation programs may be communicated thereto, and later selected from for transfer to the activation module 232. For example, in one embodiment, a removable or remote input device may be used as an intermediary device to link a computer-implemented user interface stored and operated on one or more computing devices accessible by the user, so to enable a greater versatility and/or programmability of the lighting system through a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) implemented by the potentially greater computing power of a user's personal computer, laptop, smart-phone, personal digital assistant or the like. For example, this remote input device may comprise an appropriate communication port (e.g. USB or the like) enabling dedicated programming software to be implemented on a remote computing device to transfer one or more selected or customized lighting system activation programs to the input device for later transfer to the activation module via direct and/or wireless connection to input port 239. In such embodiments, the functions of the programming/input device are effectively distributed between the remote computing device, configured to enable a user to select/customize programming for the lighting system and thereby operating as a programming device, and the remote device configured to receive this programming from the computing device and communicate this programming to the activation module, thereby operating as a portable input device bridging communications between the programming device and the activation module.

[0050] In a similar manner the programming/input device may be provided directly by the computing device, which may be adapted to communicate directly with the activation module via an appropriate wired or wireless network. For instance, control software implemented on a portable computing device may be used by the user to select or customize a programming for the lighting system, which selections and/or customizations may then be communicated directly from the wireless communication device of this portable computing device to the activation module.

[0051] The person of ordinary skill in the art should now understand that various computing and/or communication technologies, and combinations thereof, may be used within the context of the herein disclosed lighting system in selecting and/or transferring programming information to the activation module for implementation of a desired illumination scheme or results, examples of which will be described in greater detail below. [0052] In one embodiment the activation module receives patterns of illumination from an input module with the customized color, intensity and/or frequency patterns as preprogrammed or as programmed by the user. The activation module then transmits the information to the lighting system's lighting devices, in accordance with the programmed pattern. The activation module thereby executes the programming it receives from the input module, generating the signals that control the color, frequency and/or intensity of the illumination.

[0053] In one embodiment, the activation module is comprised of the following components, an Input-Module-to-Lights Receiver (IMLR) (e.g. input port and data input interface) and a Light Controller (e.g. light activation circuitry). Once a pattern signal is received, the signal is buffered until the full pattern has been stored. Once the pattern has been fully received, it is sent to the light controller. At this point, no further patterns can be received until acknowledgement has been received from the light controller. Once a new pattern is ready, it is parsed and internal variables are appropriately set. Once the new pattern has been parsed, it takes effect and acknowledgement is sent to the IMLR.

[0054] In one embodiment, for example, the light activation circuitry of the activation module receives as input (e.g. directly from an integrated storage device and/or from an integrated, detachable and/or remote input/programming module) a string of binary data, which contains instructions to be translated into a specific output resulting in the selected/customized color and/or flashing pattern or other user-selected variables, as will be appreciated by the person of skill in the art. For example, a given implementation of the input could be through serial communication on a single input pin, though this need not be the case. Having received the binary data instructions, the activation module translates these instructions thereby creating a repeating loop of "on'V'off ' commands for the output pins associated with the wiring for a respective lighting device, or light-emitting element thereof, of the lighting system.

[0055] For example, in one embodiment, the output commands are established in a manner whereby when the positive wire signals are configured to output the selected colors for lights X(I) through X(n) (e.g. through first/second path connections), only the negative wire to lights X(I) through X(n) is enabled (e.g. through respective second/first path connections), meaning that all other lights are not on. Then the output commands are changed to output the colors selected for lights X(n+1) to X(n+x), and correspondingly only those lights are provided with an appropriate signal allowing them to be on. This process is continued, and occurs at a rate fast enough that the human eye perceives every light to be "on" all the time, even though this is not the case, unless dead or off times are specified for certain lighting devices given the activated lighting program.

[0056] When considering an embodiment wherein lighting devices are composed of two or more light-emitting elements, for example red, green and blue LEDs in the context of colour changing and/or customizable systems, a further process within the above process may be occurring in order to ensure that a constant number of light-emitting elements are on at any given time. For example, when the positive wire signal outputs are configured to output colors for lighting devices X(I) through X(n), the light-emitting element commands (e.g. sub-light commands) for light X(I) may be set to output the color purple, which requires a command to output signals to each of the red, blue and green light-emitting elements for light Xl. In this situation, for the color purple, the red and blue lights may be on, and the green light off. In one example, again preferably occurring at a speed/frequency undetectable to the human eye, four time periods may apply within the single command to output purple on light X(I). For example, at time period Tl, the red light-emitting element may be on while the blue and green light-emitting elements may be off; at time period T2, the green light-emitting element may be on as required (in general for other colours than purple), otherwise, no light-emitting elements would be on for light Xl at time period T2; at time period T3, the blue light-emitting element could be on if required; at time period T4, any one of the three light-emitting elements may be on depending upon the color selected. For example, this time period may be used to allow a greater variety of color selection options to the user. For example, both the colors yellow and orange consist of red and green combinations, however by issuing commands during time period T4 for either of the red or green light-emitting elements to be on, both yellow and orange can be created.

[0057] As described above, in some embodiments, the system may optionally comprise different types of input modules, which may include, but are not limited to, integrated, detachable and/or remote input modules, to name a few. The input module may also, in accordance with different embodiments, act independently as an input/programming module, where lighting programming is integrally programmed therein for communication to the activation module, again either integrally or via one or more communication means.

[0058] In the embodiment depicted exemplarily in Figure 3, the input module or device 304 is used as an intermediary device, wherein programming is implemented externally on a dedicated or adequately programmed computing device (e.g. via a dedicated and/or remotely accessible programming software package or application) and imparted to the input device 304 for communication to the activation module.

[0059] With particular reference to Figure 3, and in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a high level diagram of connections between a series of compatible lighting systems (e.g. string lighting systems 300 and 302) and corresponding input module 304 is provided. In this embodiment, a power/data connection port 306 of the activation module 308 of string lighting system 300 is connected to a power outlet 312 via an intermediating transformer 314. At this particular level, given that the system 300 is only connected to the power outlet 312 for accessing operating power for the combined lighting system, a data port is not actively connected at this juncture. In order to relay power to system 302, the wire harness' (depicted generally herein as wiring 320) power and ground lines are run along the length of the harness, both to power activation module 308 and the lighting devices (not shown) of system 300, and the activation module 322 and lighting devices (also not shown) of system 302. In this exemplary embodiment, an additional signal line is also run along the length of the harness to share activation information from the activation module 308 of the first system to the activation module of one or more subsequent systems (e.g. module 322 of system 302), for example, via an appropriate power/data connector.

[0060] The activation module 308 is also provided with an input port 316 for receiving commands and/or instructions from input device 304, for example via a wired and/or wireless connection. The input device 304 is also provided with a physical connection device (e.g. USB connector 318) enabling transfer of information, commands and/or instructions from a remote computing device (for example configured to operate as a distinct programming device) to the input device 304 (in which case effectively operating as a portable input device), which can then be transferred to the lighting system via connection port 316 and data link 317. Since a data line is used to communicate data between activation modules 308 and 322, in one embodiment, input device 304 need only communicate with one of the activation modules to program the combined lighting system.

[0061] For example, in one embodiment, and with reference to Figures 4A to 4D, the input module 400 may be in the form of a remote controller, which the user can use to transmit information to a corresponding activation module. In this embodiment, the input module consists of a receiver or input port 402 (e.g. USB connector or the like) for receiving data from a programming module or the like, a data storage device (not shown) e.g. to permanently and/or temporarily store one or more lighting instructions, patterns and/or programs, and a transmitter or output port (e.g. infrared transmitter 404) for communicating such lighting information to an appropriate activation module via a data link (e.g. depicted generally in Figure 3 as data link 317). The input module further comprises a battery compartment 406 for powering the input module, a microprocessor 408 or the like for implementing the communication functions of the input module, for example, and other such components common to such remote communication/storage devices as would be readily known to the person of ordinary skill in the art. Four buttons 410 are also provided as a user interface to implement various user activated communication and/or data selection processes. In this embodiment, the input module 400 would receive pattern data from the receiver and store it. When activation of a button 410, for example, is detected, the remote transmits the respective pattern to the output 404.

[0062] In this embodiment, each of the four buttons 410 are associated with a stored pattern. For example, the pattern storage may consist of four banks, each containing one pattern of illumination. Each of these banks may be initialized with a default pattern. The default patterns may be written from the receiver and read for output by the output device 404. To prevent any one pattern from being written before it is fully read, a standard memory protection method can be used (for example, reading/writing synchronously on a single clock cycle).

[0063] In different embodiments, the memory may store algorithms or various patterns of illumination. The memory may also store look-up tables, calibration information, and other information associated with the programmed signals. This memory can be any volatile or non- volatile memory for storing program information and data, including, but not limited to, random access memory and variations thereof, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, flash memory, or any combinations thereof.

[0064] When a message is received, it is buffered until the full pattern is received. If no errors occur during transmission, which follows, in one embodiment, the USB 1.1 standard, the pattern is written to pattern storage. When a button press is detected, the appropriate pattern associated with that button is moved from pattern storage to a transmission buffer. The pattern is transmitted serially by the output device 404.

[0065] As will be appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in the art, the transmitter can be implemented using any type of remote transmitter including, but not limited to, infrared, radio frequency, microwave, acoustic, electromagnetic, cable, wire, network or other method of communication.

[0066] Once a pattern signal has been received, the signal is buffered until the full pattern has been stored. Once the pattern has been received, it is sent to the activation module. Further patterns cannot be received until acknowledgement has been received from the light controller.

[0067] Alternate embodiments of the input module may also include such input modules as a dial, button, slider, switch, or other module capable of providing input signals to the activation module. As such, the input module may include a transceiver to allow wireless connections (for example, radio frequency transceivers) or an interface to a wired method of communication such as a serial connection, a fire wire connection, a USB connection or another wired method of connection.

[0068] The input module may also transmit information by way of Blue Tooth technology. In this embodiment, the input module need not be a separate device and may be housed alongside the programming module within a personal computer, or other such programming module.

[0069] The input module could also achieve communication with the activation module through conventional lighting control mechanisms, such as a standard residential or industrial "switch" lighting installation. As such, the color and frequency of illumination of the lights could be coordinated with a wall-mounted conventional lighting switch serving as the input module. [0070] Finally, it should be understood that the input module is optional and that the system of illumination can function on its own without the benefits the input module offers. For example, activation of the one or more sources of illumination can be achieved with the operation of the activation module with the one or more sources of illumination. However, the input module may serve to augment the operation and performance of the system of illumination.

[0071] In Figures 9 and 10, and in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, activation module circuitry, and its connectivity with other comments of an exemplary lighting system, is presented. In this embodiment, a microcontroller (PIC18F4450) is provided to interconnect data and activation paths between the various components of the lighting system, namely providing a series of lighting device activation paths (RGBl, RGB2, ... and Common lines C1-C9), data lines (Data In, Data Out), USB ports for connectivity with a removable input module and a standard power line.

[0072] In another embodiment, for example as depicted in Figure 13, the input module is integrated within the activation module, which is itself removable and/or transportable for programming via a distinct and optionally remote programming module. Namely, in this embodiment, the activation module 1302 can be detached from a given lighting system and programmed, somewhat as considered above with respect to input module 304 of Figure 3, however, in this embodiment, a single activation module may be operated with respect to a series of lighting systems.

[0073] In Figure 14, and in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, activation module circuitry, and its connectivity with other comments of an exemplary lighting system, is presented. In this embodiment, a microcontroller (PIC18F4450) is provided to interconnect data and activation paths between the various components of the lighting system. In this embodiment, however, 4-button circuitry is incorporated within the circuitry of the activation module for implementation of an integrated input module and providing direct connectivity between the activation module and a programming module, for example, via an appropriate USB port.

[0074] In Figure 15, an activation module circuit board is illustratively depicted, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. [0075] In Figures 16A to 16C, a schematic diagram of distinct circuit boards 1600 provided for each lighting device 1606 of a twenty-five (25) string-lighting system is depicted, wherein each lighting device 1606 comprises three light-emitting elements (e.g. red, green and blue) independently operable via respective connections and a common ground, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Namely, each circuit 1600 is configured to pass through each of the wires or the wire harness (e.g. 25 wires in this embodiment) and provide taps for the four wires required to operate the light-emitting elements for that connection. In this particular diagram, lighting device inputs are ordered as blue, green, common and red. Also, in this embodiment, lines 1 (Vdd) 1602 and 14 (Gnd) 1604 are marked wider than other activation/signal lines, as they are generally required to carry a higher current than other lines. For example, in one embodiment, these lines are configured to carry as much current as an associated transformer is adapted to provide (e.g. between 500 and 1000mA), whereas all other lines may be configured to carry currents in the range of 8OmA, for example, depending the type and configuration of the lighting devices and its respective light-emitting elements. As will be appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in the art, while direct lead connections may otherwise be provided with respect to each light-emitting element directly, provision of respective path coupling circuit boards for each lighting device may facilitate such coupling and thereby simplify the manufacturing process, for example. These and other such considerations should be apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art, and are therefore not intended to depart from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure.

[0076] As introduced above, an optional programming module can also be used to create and store instructions or sequences of instructions for a number of characteristics of the one or more lighting devices. In some embodiments, these characteristics may include the color, intensity and frequency of illumination. In one embodiment, the programming device may be a computer, housing a 'lighting program' that may be installed to set the desired characteristics of each individual lighting device on a string of lights.

[0077] In one embodiment, the user will choose the color they desire for a particular segment of a lighting system (for example, a lighting device on a string of lights) and insert that information into the corresponding slot in the program. Once the user has programmed the colors for each of the segments of the lighting system he/she can then save that light pattern. The programming device can be used in this fashion to create custom displays of color and/or frequency of illumination.

[0078] The programming module may also or alternatively be used to generate a number of preset lighting patterns, of differing colors, intensities and/or frequencies of illumination. In another embodiment, the programming module may be connected to a network (for example, the Internet) whereby various pre-fabricated programs may be downloaded, such as programs related to current holiday colors (for example, green, red and white colors for Christmas). The programming module may also be able to connect to various remote platforms to generate various color and/or frequency patterns, to in turn be transferred directly and/or via an input module, to the activation module to be expressed by the lighting system.

[0079] While the following examples will consider an embodiment wherein the programming module comprises a personal computer communicatively accessible by a distinct or remote input device, it should be understood that the invention encompasses all processing modules capable of performing the programming functions described herein. For example, cellular telephones, MP3 players, hand-held computing devices, video game consoles, custom-designed computing devices, and/or other such computing modules readily known in the art and capable of supporting programming functionalities, of various complexities, to enable a user to program one or more characteristics of the system's lighting devices. It will also be appreciated that the optional programming module may be provided as a dedicated device or module offered with the lighting system, such that such programming may be enabled directly by the system, for example via one or more integrated user interfaces. Such dedicated programming modules may again, be provided as a detachable device configured to operate remotely from the lighting system (e.g. battery powered and/or independently powered device) and communicate data thereto via one or more of a wired or wireless link, or again via a dedicated intermediate input device. Alternatively, a dedicated programming module may be provided as an attachment or integral part of the lighting system to be commonly powered thereby, for example, as an integrated component of the activation module. These and other examples are well within the scope of the present disclosure, as will be appreciated by the person of skill in the art. [0080] Finally, it should be understood that the programming module is optional and that the system can function on its own without the benefits and/or advantages an optional programming device or module may offer.

[0081] In one embodiment, the programming module comprises one or more processors operatively coupled to one or more data storage devices or other such computer-readable media for storing statements and instructions for operation by the processor to implement a graphical user interface (GUI) for use in programming lighting characteristics for each of a plurality of lighting devices in a string lighting system. In general, the string lighting system will comprise an activation module, for example as described above, for independently activating each of said plurality of lighting devices in response to said programming. In general, the user interface will comprise one or more user-selectable functions for associating a selected lighting characteristic with each of the lighting devices; and a graphical representation corresponding to each of the lighting devices visually identifying a selected lighting characteristic thereof (e.g. colour, sequence, frequency, duration, etc.).

[0082] In one embodiment, the one or more user-selectable functions comprise one or more preset colouring schemes for simultaneously programming an output colour of different lighting devices.

[0083] As presented above, the GUI may be implemented integrally on the activation module, or remotely therefrom, for example on a remote input/programming device, or again on a remote programming device configured to communicate with the activation module via an intermediary input device. The GUI may further comprise means for programming two or more networked string lighting systems, for example.

[0084] With reference to Figure 11, and in accordance with one embodiment, an example of a graphical user interface (GUI) 1100 is provided, for example to be implemented by a computing device such as a personal computer, laptop or the like, or again implemented by a dedicated programming module, to allow a user to program one or more illumination sequences and/or schemes for a lighting system, as described above. In general, the GUI 1100 provides a series of user-selectable functions. Examples provided in this Figure include the following functions. [0085] A "select all lights as" function 1102 allows a user to select all lights to be a same colour, such as orange.

[0086] A "set in random pattern" function 1104 allows a user to select that random colours be applied to the sytem.

[0087] A "set pattern as" function 1106 allows a user to select the number of different colours in their pattern, i.e. 3 colours. Upon selection of the number of colours desired in the pattern, three colour drop down boxes 1108 are provided, for example enabling the colour selection red, white and green. Upon activation the GUI would automatically instruct the programming module to set an automatic 3 -colour pattern using the selected colours, for example as shown by the graphical colour representation 1110 of the lighting system.

[0088] A "set the colour yourself function 1109 allows a user to select the colour of each lighting device using the graphical colour representation 1110, which, in one example, can be used to override one or more of the colours preset using other functions.

[0089] A "add flashing effect" function 1112, wherein selections may include flashing, sparkling, pattern and/or flowing.

[0090] A "preset pattern" function 1114 allows a user to select a preset pattern, i.e. preset by the manufacturer or saved by the user in a previous interaction.

[0091] A "colour rotation" function 1116, wherein the colours may be rotated based on a selected rotation period.

[0092] Once all parameters have been set, the user may then select to have the identified illumination scheme saved in one of 4 banks through save buttons 1-4 1118, for example, that may correspond with respective data storage banks in an input device, activated and communicated to the lighting device via respective activation buttons, for example, as provided by the input unit shown illustratively in Figure 4.

[0093] It will be appreciated that various other options and combinations of options may be considered herein, without departing from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure. For example, Figure 12 provides a further example of a GUI 1200, wherein similar functionality and programmability are offered to the user via a series of programming buttons, drop boxes, and other such user- selectable functions.

[0094] It is apparent that the foregoing embodiments of the invention are exemplary and can be varied in many ways. Such present or future variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A string-lighting system comprising:

a plurality of lighting devices;

an activation module for independently activating said plurality of lighting devices; and

a wire harness operatively coupling each of said lighting devices to said activation module via respective activation paths thereby enabling independent lighting device activation.

2. The string-lighting system of claim 1, said wire harness being configured to operatively couple different subsets of said plurality of lighting devices via a common first path connection respective to each of said subsets and to operatively couple each lighting device within a given one of said subsets via a distinct second path connection, wherein one or more said distinct second path connection is shared with another lighting device from one or more others of said subsets.

3. The string-lighting system of claim 2, wherein each said distinct second path connection is shared with another lighting device from each other of said subsets.

4. The string-lighting system of 1, wherein at least some of said lighting devices comprise two or more light-emitting elements, said wire harness operatively coupling each of said two or more light-emitting elements via respective activation paths thereby enabling independent light-emitting element activation.

5. The string lighting system of claim 4, said wire harness being configured to activate different subsets of said light-emitting elements via a common first path element connection respective to each of said subsets and to operatively couple each light-emitting element within a given one of said subsets via a distinct second path connection, wherein one or more said distinct second path connection is shared with another light-emitting element from one or more others of said subsets.

6. The string-lighting system of claim 5, wherein each said distinct second path connection is shared with another light-emitting element from each other of said subsets.

28

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91 1)

7. The string lighting system of claim 4, wherein at least some of said two or more light- emitting elements are configured to emit differently coloured light which, when independently activated and combined within a given lighting device provide for a variable lighting device colour.

8. The string lighting system of claim 1, said activation module comprising a user- programmable activation module enabling selective programming of one or more user- selectable lighting characteristics for each of said lighting devices.

9. The string lighting system of claim 8, wherein said user-programmable activation module is configured for user programming via a graphical user interface implemented by a computing device selected from an integral computing device and a remote computing device configured for operative coupling to said user-programmable activation module.

10. The string lighting system of claim 9, wherein said graphical user interface is implemented via statements and instructions stored on a computer-readable medium of the computing device and operable via a processor operatively coupled thereto, and wherein user-selected lighting characteristics selected via said graphical user interface are automatically implemented via said user-programmable activation module in operation.

11. The string lighting system of claim 8, wherein said one or more user-selectable lighting characteristics comprise colour.

12. The string lighting system of claim 8, wherein at least one of said lighting devices comprise two or more constituent light-emitting elements, said user-programmable activation module being configured to independently activate two or more of said constituent light- emitting elements to implement at least one of said user-selectable lighting characteristics.

13. The string lighting system of claim 12, wherein said independent activation of said two or more of said constituent light-emitting elements comprises a relative activation of said two or more light-emitting elements with respect to one another.

14. The string lighting system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of lighting devices comprise different subsets of lighting devices and wherein said wire harness is configured to provide said respective activation paths via a series of activation path connections, at least some of which being shared between lighting devices within a same subset and others

29

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91.1) between lighting devices of different subsets to reduce a required number of said path connections.

15. The string lighting system of claim 14, wherein said required number of path connections is based on a number of said subsets and a number of said lighting devices within each of said subsets.

16. The string lighting system of claim 4, wherein said plurality of light-emitting elements comprise different subsets of lighting-emitting elements and wherein said wire harness is configured to provide said respective activation paths via a series of activation path connections, at least some of which being shared between light-emitting elements within a same subset and others between light-emitting elements of different subsets to reduce a required number of said path connections.

17. The string lighting system of claim 16, wherein said required number of path connections is based on a number of said subsets and a number of said light-emitting elements within each of said subsets.

18. The string lighting system of claim 1, wherein said activation module comprises activation circuitry configured to independently activate two or more of said lighting devices while providing perceptively substantially simultaneous activation.

19. The string lighting system of claim 1, said wire harness comprising a data control path for operative coupling to one or more additional activation modules of corresponding string lighting systems.

20. The string lighting system of claim 19, wherein said additional activation modules form a lighting network programmable via a common user interface.

21. A computer-readable medium comprising statements and instructions for operation by a processing device to implement a graphical user interface for use in programming lighting characteristics for each of a plurality of lighting devices in a string lighting system, wherein said string lighting system comprises an activation module for independently activating each of said plurality of lighting devices in response to said programming, the user interface comprising:

30

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91.1) one or more user-selectable functions for associating a selected lighting characteristic with each of said lighting devices; and

a graphical representation corresponding to each of said lighting devices visually identifying said selected lighting characteristic thereof.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein said lighting characteristics comprise a colour of said lighting devices.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein said one or more user-selectable functions comprise one or more preset colouring schemes for simultaneously programming an output colour of different lighting devices.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein said lighting characteristics comprise one or more lighting device activation sequences.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein said computer-readable medium and processing device are integral to said activation module and wherein said graphical user interface is implemented directly therefrom.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein said computer-readable medium and processing device are remote and configured for operative coupling to said activation module for transfer of said programming of said lighting characteristics thereto.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein said transfer is implemented via one or more of a wired communication transfer, a radio frequency communication transfer and an optical communication transfer.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein said graphical user interface further comprises means for programming two or more networked string lighting systems.

29. A method for assembling a string-lighting system comprising a plurality of lighting devices and an activation module:

operatively coupling different subsets of said plurality of lighting devices to the activation module via a common first path connection respective to each of said subsets; and

31

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91 1 operatively coupling each lighting device within a given one of said subsets to the activation module via a distinct second path connection;

whereby respective activation paths are provided for each of the lighting devices thereby enabling independent lighting device activation.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein each said distinct second path connection is also connected to another lighting device from each other of said subsets.

31. The method of claim 30, at least some of the lighting devices comprising two or more light-emitting elements, wherein each of said light-emitting elements for each of said lighting devices in said given one of said subsets are operatively coupled to the activation module via said common first path connection and wherein each of said light-emitting elements for each of said lighting devices in said given one of said subsets is operatively coupled to the activation module via respective second path connections whereby respective activation paths are provided for each of the light-emitting elements thereby enabling independent light- emitting element activation.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein each of said respective second path connections are connected to another light-emitting element from each other of said subsets.

32

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91.1)