Patents Examined by Amy Yang
  • Patent number: 9546637
    Abstract: An ignition apparatus includes: sparking coil supplying a sparking plug with a high voltage; an energy supply device supplying the sparking coil with energy; a first switch disposed therebetween; and a control device controlling the first switch's conduction. The energy supply device has a DC power supply, a resonance coil connected to the DC power supply, a sparking capacitor connected to the resonance coil, and a second switch disposed between the sparking capacitor and an earth, and charges the sparking capacitor to have a voltage value larger than that of the DC power supply in absolute value by making the resonance coil and the sparking capacitor generate an LC resonance when the second and first switches are turned ON and OFF, respectively, according to an instruction from the control device whereas supplying the sparking coil with energy when the second and first switches are operated inversely according to another instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kimihiko Tanaya, Futoshi Aida, Hiroshi Okuda, Takayoshi Nagai
  • Patent number: 9521725
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for lighting systems, including high output lighting systems for various environments. The lighting systems include a lighting controller for driving lighting modules and transmitting a data signal to the lighting modules. The data signal varies between logical states. The lighting controller provides a low loss rectified power signal. The lighting controller further provides data within the power signal by forming a positive polarity rectified power waveform corresponding to data in a first state and a negative polarity rectified waveform signal corresponding to data in a second state using substantially loss-less circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: HUNTER INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Peter John Woytowitz
  • Patent number: 9509525
    Abstract: Intelligent illumination device are disclosed that use components in an LED light to perform one or more of a wide variety of desirable lighting functions for very low cost. The LEDs that produce light can be periodically turned off momentarily, for example, for a duration that the human eye cannot perceive, in order for the light to receive commands optically. The optically transmitted commands can be sent to the light, for example, using a remove control device. The illumination device can use the LEDs that are currently off to receive the data and then configure the light accordingly, or to measure light. Such light can be ambient light for a photosensor function, or light from other LEDs in the illumination device to adjust the color mix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Ketra, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Knapp
  • Patent number: 9484493
    Abstract: A light emitting diode device includes a substrate; a first conducting terminal and a second conducting terminal receiving the alternative current signal; a first and a third light-emitting diode groups disposed on the substrate including a plurality of light emitting diodes electrically connecting with the first conducting terminal and the second conducting terminal and emitting light during the positive half power cycle; a second and the third light-emitting diode groups disposed on the substrate including a plurality of light emitting diodes electrically connecting with the first conducting terminal and the second conducting terminal and emitting light during the negative half power cycle; wherein one light emitting diode in the first light-emitting diode group includes more than three conductive connecting points to electrically connect to the second light-emitting diode group and the third light-emitting diode group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: EPISTAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chao-Hsing Chen
  • Patent number: 9480121
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of large area lighting, such as lighting for sport venues. More specifically, some embodiments of the present invention relate to controlling solid state illumination for various applications including sports lighting, architectural lighting, security lighting, parking, general area, interior, larger area and others. Embodiments according to aspects of the current invention monitor lighting circuits with regard to voltage and current, compare readings with stored models, characterize lighting circuits with regard to stored models for voltage and current, and control lighting circuits in accordance with desirable outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Musco Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Blanchard, Andrew J. Schembs, Alan W. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 9426869
    Abstract: A multi-output electronic ballast is disclosed. The multi-output electronic ballast is used to drive a plurality of lamp assemblies and includes an AC/DC converter, a first inverter, a second inverter, an auxiliary voltage generator, and a control circuit. The AC/DC converter converts an AC input voltage to a high DC voltage. The first inverter converts the high DC input voltage to a first AC voltage selectively. The second inverter converts the high DC voltage to a second AC voltage. The auxiliary voltage generator generates an auxiliary voltage. The control circuit receives the auxiliary voltage generating circuit and outputs a control signal to the first inverter according to the switching operation of a first external switch. When the control signal is transmitted to the first inverter, the first inverter comes into operation and converts the high DC voltage to the first AC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ching-Ho Chou, Yung-Chuan Lu
  • Patent number: 9392668
    Abstract: The lighting device according to the present invention includes a power supply circuit, a temperature detection circuit, and a temperature control circuit. The power supply circuit supplies operation power to a light source including a solid state light emitting device. The temperature detection circuit measures a surrounding temperature of the light source and outputs the measured surrounding temperature as a detection temperature. The temperature control circuit determines whether an increase rate of the surrounding temperature exceeds a predetermined criterion value. When determining that the increase rate exceeds the criterion value, the temperature control circuit performs a process of decreasing a temperature of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kamoi, Hiroshi Kido, Akinori Hiramatu, Junichi Hasegawa, Shigeru Ido, Nobutoshi Matsuzaki, Daisuke Yamahara
  • Patent number: 9374856
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy efficient under-cabinet lighting system with a low profile switch mode power supply complying with Class 2 requirements of Underwriters Lab. Northbrook, Ill. This power source is enclosed in a suitable electrical container to provide constant current to the Light Emitting Diodes (LED's) with long life. The system is specially designed to reduce the power consumption as compared to Halogen lamps or Fluorescent lamps without compromising light output. The height of this lighting system is 0.8 inch. A specifically formed transparent diffuser is positioned over the Light Emitting Diodes for uniform illumination over a desired area. These luminaries provide focused light in a desired area and can be coupled or linked by an external interconnect cord. The luminarie provides manual dimming capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: Jeffrey Winton
  • Patent number: 9370064
    Abstract: A device driver which includes an input driver configured to produce a sequence of uncompensated drive signals along with compensation circuitry connected to receive the uncompensated drive signals and to produce corresponding compensated drive signals. The compensation circuitry is capable of storing two or less control points that define a single compensation curve such as a Bezier curve, with the compensation circuitry converting the uncompensated drive signals to the corresponding compensated drive signals utilizing the control points. An output driver is configured to drive a device such as one or more light emitting diodes to be connected to the output driver with the compensated drive signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: David James Fensore
  • Patent number: 9363867
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems of an intelligent light controller controlling a light, are disclosed. One method includes interpreting a switch from a normal power supply to an emergency power supply. Upon interpreting the switch from the normal power supply to the emergency power supply, the intelligent light controller controllably powers the light for a predetermined period of time. Further, the intelligent light controller executes an energy-savings behavior control of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: enLighted, Inc.
    Inventors: Tanuj Mohan, David Perkins, Premal Ashar
  • Patent number: 9353921
    Abstract: A luminaire is disclosed that allows a transfer from ambient light to task light through physical manipulation by the user. The luminaire comprises OLED light sources for generating an ambient light effect and LED light sources for generating a task light effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Mathew Lee Bembridge, George Francis Watson, Oscar Enrique Pena, Stefano Luigi Marzano
  • Patent number: 9345080
    Abstract: A LED light source comprises a first rectifier (DB1) having input terminals coupled to an AC voltage source and output terminals connected by a first series arrangement comprising N LED loads and further comprises circuitry (I1, I2, I3, CC) for making the LED loads one by one carry a current when the momentary value of the AC voltage increases and one by one stop carrying a current when the momentary value of the AC voltage decreases. The LED light source also comprises a second rectifier (DB2) having input terminals coupled to the AC voltage source via a reactive element and output terminals connected by a second series arrangement comprising M LED loads and further comprises circuitry (I4) for making the LED loads one by one carry a current when the momentary value of the AC voltage present at the input terminals of the second rectifier increases and one by one stop carrying a current when the momentary value of the AC voltage decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Henricus Marius Joseph Maria Kahlman, Ralph Kurt, Haimin Tao
  • Patent number: 9295112
    Abstract: Illumination devices and related systems and methods are disclosed that can be used for LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) backlights, LED lamps, or other applications. The illumination devices can include a photo detector, such as a photodiode or an LED or other light detecting device, and one or more LEDs of different colors. A related method can be implemented using these illumination devices to maintain precise color produced by the blended emissions from such LEDs. One application for the illumination devices is backlighting for FSC (Field Sequential Color) LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays). FSC LCDs temporally mix the colors in an image by sequentially loading the red, green, and blue pixel data of an image in the panel and flashing the different colors of an RGB backlight. Precise and uniform color temperature across such a display can be advantageously maintained by continually monitoring ratios of photodiode currents induced by the different colored LEDs in each illumination device as each color is flashed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ketra, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Knapp
  • Patent number: 9265128
    Abstract: A load control system controls a lighting load provided in a space and comprises a load control device and one or more occupancy sensors. The load control device controls the load in response to the wireless control signals received from the occupancy sensors. Each occupancy sensor transmits an occupied control signal to the load control device in response to detecting an occupancy condition in the space and a vacant control signal to the load control device in response to detecting a vacancy condition. The load control device adjusts the intensity of the load to a first intensity in response to receiving the occupied control signal from at least one of the occupancy sensors, and adjusts the intensity of the load to a second intensity less than the first intensity (e.g., a non-off intensity) in response to receiving vacant control signals from both of the occupancy sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Andrew Ryan Offenbacher, Adam J. Schrems, Brian Raymond Valenta
  • Patent number: 9265123
    Abstract: A display device includes a lamp unit, a dimming signal controller, and an inverter device. The dimming signal controller receives a lamp brightness signal and an external environment illumination signal, selects the lamp brightness signal or a signal based on the received external environment illumination signal, and outputs the selected signal as a dimming signal. The inverter device may operate to control brightness of the lamp unit based on the dimming signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwang-woo Nam, Jun-Deok Choi, Min-ki Ahn
  • Patent number: 9220133
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load is operable to conduct enough current through a thyristor of a connected dimmer switch to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor. The load control device comprises a controllable-load circuit operable to conduct a controllable-load current through the thyristor of the dimmer switch. The load control device disables the controllable-load circuit when the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a reverse phase-control waveform. When the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a forward phase-control waveform, the load control device is operable to decrease the magnitude of the controllable-load current so as to conduct only enough current as is required in order to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher James Salvestrini, Ryan S. Bedell, Matthew V. Harte
  • Patent number: 9161422
    Abstract: An electronic ballast for driving a gas discharge lamp includes an EMI filter, a bridge rectifier coupled to a DC bus without a conventional electrolytic capacitor, a passive valley fill circuit built as a network having 4 charge/discharge energy storage capacitors and 9 diodes (4C9C), and a resonant DC to AC high frequency inverter for powering gas discharge lamp. The 4C9D circuit divides the rectified peak voltage by four and the low output voltage of the circuit is used to provide continuous lamp operation. The result is a ballast having substantially improved power factor, total harmonic distortion, and current crest factor. The electronic ballast is provided with a dimming capability from a TRIAC based wall dimmer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Lucidity Lights, Inc.
    Inventor: Felix I. Alexandrov
  • Patent number: 9148937
    Abstract: A load control system controls a lighting load provided in a space and comprises a load control device and one or more occupancy sensors. The load control device controls the load in response to the wireless control signals received from the occupancy sensors. Each occupancy sensor transmits an occupied control signal to the load control device in response to detecting an occupancy condition in the space and a vacant control signal to the load control device in response to detecting a vacancy condition. The load control device adjusts the intensity of the load to a first intensity in response to receiving the occupied control signal from at least one of the occupancy sensors, and adjusts the intensity of the load to a second intensity less than the first intensity (e.g., a non-off intensity) in response to receiving vacant control signals from both of the occupancy sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Andrew Ryan Offenbacher, Adam J. Schrems, Brian Raymond Valenta
  • Patent number: 9137880
    Abstract: A circuit for a dimmer system is disclosed, in which a phase-cut dimmer output signal is converted to a dimming control level signal. The phase-cut dimmer output signal is used to generated a pulse modulated signal indicative of the duty cycle of the phase cut dimmer output signal, and the pulse modulated signal is directly converted to a piece-wise linear dimming control level signal. By directly converting the pulse modulated signal to a piece-wise linear dimming control level signal, no further processing is necessary to produce a dimming signal which closely resembles the ideal logarithmic response of the human eye. A corresponding method for a dimmer system is also disclosed, as is a dimmer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Bobby Jacob Daniel, Hinderikus Maria Wilhelmus Langeslag
  • Patent number: 9113504
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a portable lighting device having an external switch configured to allow a user to control and/or configure the functionality portable lighting device while the light is in use and without the need for extra equipment. In one aspect, a portion of a switch may be configured to control some functionality provided by the light, while another portion of the switch may be configured to control the remaining functions. In another aspect, the circuit board may include a microcontroller which includes an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). Advantageously, the EEPROM may function to save any settings and/or modes configured by the user such that the settings/modes do not need to be reset after the portable lighting device is turned off and then back on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventor: Noriaki Hamasaki