CS115 The Times Square Ball Case Study 20150330 ©2015 Lumileds Holding B.V. All rights reserved.

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groups of four LUXEON K2 LEDs in red, green, blue, and white

(RGBW). Each small triangle is fully isolated from its neighbors

by reflective separation panels that prevent bleeding of light

between triangles, allowing complete control of light color and

patterns in the Ball.

The large triangles are flanked by “wings”—linear strips of

white LUXEON Rebel LEDs that, when the large triangles

are joined, turn into bold, light or dark outlines, or can be

programmed to sparkle or “race”. In fact, each of the 9,576

LUXEON LEDs is individually addressed and controlled, with

the result that the Ball can produce billions of different lighting

effects.

The LUXEON lighting design created an opportunity for an

equally creative optical design. Waterford’s unique, triangular

lens crystal is “double cut” (cut on both sides) and “finely cut”,

with small facets spaced closely together. The detailed design

and careful arrangement of the crystal and the Luxeon LEDs

gives the crystals the ability to maximize both color blending

and light refraction. The new Times Square Ball is truly a jewel

in the sky.

“What is most striking to me is

how beautifully the tiny LEDs refracted

through the Waterford crystals. They just

sparkle and dance in a whole new way!

The older incandes- cent technology

created a big, uniform light surface, but

could not create the life and brilliance we

have achieved with the LUXEON LEDs.”

– Jeffrey Straus President of

Countdown Entertainment

Results

“What is most striking to me is how beautifully the tiny LEDs

refract through the Waterford crystals,’ says Jeff Straus.

“They just sparkle and dance in a whole new way! The older

incandescent technology created a big, uniform light surface,

but could not create the life and brilliance we have achieved

with the LUXEON LEDs.”

The sustainability of high-power Luxeon LEDs is an important

message for the 21st Century. The new ball can provide more

light using less power than its predecessor, without the use of

toxic substances such as lead or mercury. The light given off

by the 40W color incandescent bulbs in the older Ball can now

be created using just 1-2 watts in the new Ball. This, too, looks

forward to a future in which technology is used to create a

more sustainable society.

“Times Square has always been an arena where the latest

and greatest cutting-edge technology is unveiled and show-

cased. It’s also a neighborhood that’s rich in tradition—from

Broadway to Tin Pan Alley to Restaurant Row,” said Tim

Tompkins, President of the Times Square Alliance, “the

re-invented New Year’s Eve Ball reflects the spirit of Times

Square. It’s that same spirit of renewal and new beginnings

that brings people here from across the globe, in person or

in spirit while watching from home, on New Year’s Eve every

year.”

Waterford Crystal created an exclusive “Let There Be Light”

design for the crystal triangles on the new Ball. Designed and

crafted by Waterford artisans in Ireland, “Let There Be Light”

features a dramatically stylized, radiating sunburst on each of

the 672 crystal triangles. Due to the new design and technical

innovations, this represents an increase of 168 crystal trian-

gles from last year’s Ball. And, for the first time, the crystal

triangles will feature cutting on both sides. The double cutting

maximizes the light refraction within the crystal triangles.

“Waterford Crystal is once again extremely proud to join our

Times Square part- ners, Countdown Entertainment and the

Times Square Alliance, as an integral part one of the world’s