Patents Examined by Thuy Vinh Tran
  • Patent number: 10194507
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus for powering intelligent lighting networks. The power for the intelligent lighting network is supplied by Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switches and/or Mid-Spans, which are conditioned by a powered device to distribute power tuned specifically for each, at least one light emitting diode (LED) fixture. The Power-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span with associated router and wireless access point is used to communicate with and power a sensor network that collects data relevant to the intelligent lighting network. Optionally, the Power-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span is used to communicate with and power a network of sensors that collects data relevant to the space the intelligent lighting network is operating in or is used to communicate with and power a network of AC wall plugs that is turned on and off and various switches, relays, and PLCs, RFID systems, USB hubs, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: IDS-IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: David M. Snyder
  • Patent number: 10194508
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus for powering intelligent lighting networks. The power for the intelligent lighting network is supplied by Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switches and/or Mid-Spans, which are conditioned by a powered device to distribute power tuned specifically for each, at least one light emitting diode (LED) fixture. The Power-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span with associated router and wireless access point is used to communicate with and power a sensor network that collects data relevant to the intelligent lighting network. Optionally, the Power-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span is used to communicate with and power a network of sensors that collects data relevant to the space the intelligent lighting network is operating in or is used to communicate with and power a network of AC wall plugs that is turned on and off and various switches, relays, and PLCs, RFID systems, USB hubs, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: IDS-IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: David M. Snyder
  • Patent number: 10187951
    Abstract: Lighting systems and methods implementing toggle control are provided. In one example implementation, a lighting system includes a first LED array having one or more LED devices and a second LED array having one or more LED devices. The system further includes a single throw circuit interrupter configured to receive power from a power source. The system further includes a power conversion circuit configured to convert an input power received via the toggle switch to a power output for the first LED array and the second LED array. The power conversion circuit is configured to control a power distribution ratio between the first LED array and the second LED array based at least in part on a detected toggle input (e.g., a toggle pattern) implemented using the single throw circuit interrupter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Pritam Yadav, T. Warren Weeks, Jr., Douglas M. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 10172430
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a gel nail photocuring machine with multicolor light effects, comprising: a machine body and a control module. The machine body has a curing cavity and one or a plurality of multicolor indicator light module provided on the machine body to produce color light effects on a housing of the machine body, wherein the multicolor indicator light module has a composite light source and a uniform illumination unit provided on one side of the composite light source. The control module is provided on the machine body and is connected to the multicolor indicator light module on the machine body, wherein the control module provides a color difference control instruction to the multicolor indicator light module according to a preset instruction in order to control an output power of each of a plurality of base-color light-emitting units of the composite light source, thereby instructing the multicolor indicator light module to emit light of various colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: COSMEX CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Wan Chieh Hsieh, Ya Wen Wu, Yu Ching Li, Wen Shan Chung
  • Patent number: 10178730
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a horticultural light for use in a horticultural facility that uses current sharing across any one or more LED strings within the horticultural light. A processor determines the current requirements of the one or more LED strings that are needed to produce a given intensity level. The processor then apportions the current generation capability of a DC-DC converter across all active LED strings using time division multiple access whereby each LED string conducts its apportioned current within its allocated time slot to the mutual exclusion of the remaining active LED strings in the allocated time slot. The processor employs analog (continuous) and/or digital (discontinuous) dimming techniques within each time slot to further modulate the amount of current conducted by any LED string within its allocated time slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Illum Horticulture LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Adams, James V. Rhodes, Arthur A. Wilkes
  • Patent number: 10178722
    Abstract: A lighting device (1) and an operating method for the lighting device (1), which comprises at least one base chip (21) and a plurality of cover emitter regions (22). The base chip or chips (21) and the cover emitter regions (22) are realized by light-emitting diode chips and are electrically controlled independently of one another. Main emission directions (M) of these light-emitting diode chips are oriented parallel to one another. The cover emitter regions (22) are partially overlapping with the at least one base chip (21), so that an overlap region (3, B) is formed and the at least one base chip (21) radiates through the cover emitter regions (22) during operation. The cover emitter regions (22) are arranged in a common plane perpendicular to the main emission directions (M).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: OSRAM OPTO SEMICONDUCTORS GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Streppel, Siegfried Herrmann
  • Patent number: 10178719
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a feedback voltage regulator circuit including input terminals receiving a rectified alternating input voltage signal and a feedback input terminal receiving a feedback voltage that is generated based on a load current through an electric load. A sensing element senses the load current through the electric load and generates sensed voltage based upon the sensed load current. A current transducer receives the sensed voltage and provides the feedback voltage based upon the sensed voltage. A current generator receives the alternating input voltage signal and provides a biasing current signal that is a function of the alternating input voltage signal to modulate the feedback voltage on the feedback input terminal based upon the alternating input voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Fulvio Ottavio Lissoni, Domenico Attianese, Stefano Signoria
  • Patent number: 10170002
    Abstract: An in-vehicle lighting apparatus includes a lighting device attached to an instrument panel at a lower part of a vehicle A-pillar in an interior compartment of a subject vehicle. The in-vehicle lighting apparatus has a vehicle information obtainer for obtaining information about a state of the vehicle, and a light controller for controlling the lighting device based on the vehicle information obtained by the vehicle information obtainer. The lighting device includes an indirect lighting part that directs light from a light source toward a surface of the A-pillar, for enabling an effective notification of vehicle information and events to a driver of the subject vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michinaga Nagura
  • Patent number: 10172218
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lighting fixture that includes a driver module and at least one other module that provides a lighting fixture function, such as a sensor function, lighting network communication function, gateway function, and the like. The driver module communicates with the other modules in a master/slave scheme over a communication bus. The driver module is configured as a slave communication device, and the other modules are configured as master communication devices. As such, the other modules may initiate communications with the driver to send information to or retrieve information from the driver module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold Motley, Joseph P. Chobot, Daniel J. Pope, John J. Trainor, Michael James Harris
  • Patent number: 10172217
    Abstract: A method for configuring an electronic element (e.g., a ballast) in a lighting system prior to powering up the lighting system uses a wireless communication interface in the electronic element based on near field communication or radio frequency identification communication. An external configuring device, such as a programmed smartphone or tablet, is equipped with a wireless communication module and transmits configuration data to the wireless communication interface which in turn writes the data to memory in the electronic element without power being supplied to the electronic element. The control for the electronic element reads the configuration when it is powered up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Cristiano De Menezes, Ian Wilson
  • Patent number: 10172201
    Abstract: An electronic converter allows a power transfer from an AC voltage source, connected between an input terminal and a common terminal, to a load connected between an output terminal and a reference terminal, the AC voltage including positive alternations interspersed with negative alternations at a first frequency. The converter includes an input inductance connected to the input terminal; an output inductance connected to the output terminal; a storage capacitor between the inductances; a chopper circuit that: in a first state, charges the input inductance via the AC voltage source and discharges the storage capacitance in the output inductance by supplying the load; in a second state, discharges the input inductance in the storage capacitance and discharges the output inductance by supplying the load; and a device for controlling the chopper circuit to activate, during each alternations, consecutive operating cycles at a second frequency higher than the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Pierre Perichon, Othman Ladhari, Léo Sterna
  • Patent number: 10172221
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, lighting sources having operating parameter(s), which is controllable in lighting sequence(s) as a function of a time code data set coupled with the sequence, are controlled as a function of a videogame played on display(s): by providing a repository of operating data files for the sources coupled with the lighting sources with each data file including time code data set(s) for lighting sequence(s) for one of the lighting sources, by retrieving in the data repository operating data file(s) coupled with a source selected among the lighting sources, and by detecting from the display a videogame signal indicative of the development of a videogame, and by operating the selected lighting source by controlling the operating parameter(s) as a function of the operating data included in the operating data file retrieved and as a function of the videogame signal detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: OSRAM GMBH
    Inventors: Alberto Alfier, Simone Capeleto, Giovanni Zucchinali, Andrea Morra
  • Patent number: 10168040
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a dimming device and a driving and dimming device, where the dimming device includes a communication unit, a microcontrol unit, a power supply unit and a connector, and the power supply unit is input with a mains voltage and outputs a voltage required by the communication unit, the communication unit receives a control signal obtained by wired or wireless transmission and outputs the control signal to the microcontrol unit, the microcontrol unit outputs a dimming signal for dimming, and the connector is detachably connected with a connector of another device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: OPPLE LIGHTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xingxing Xu, Shiwei Yu, Lei Zheng, Zhuang Zuo, Jianlin Xu, Mingxing Zhou, Huiqing Duan
  • Patent number: 10165660
    Abstract: A low-voltage controller (LVC) is configured to utilize a low-voltage signal to operate a high-voltage load, such as, for example, a lamp. The LVC is configured to receive a low-voltage step signal at a switch input. The LVC has a line input for connection to a source of power at a line voltage and a load output for connection to a load, and a dimmer for setting an intensity of the load. Subsequent step signals alter the intensity of the load. A method for low-voltage control of a lamp is provided. A method includes the steps of receiving a first switch signal at a switch input of an LVC; setting the lamp to a first intensity; receiving a second switch signal at the switch input; and setting the lamp to a second intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Curbell Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Wilkolaski
  • Patent number: 10165656
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus for powering intelligent lighting networks. The power for the intelligent lighting network is supplied by Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switches and/or Mid-Spans, which are conditioned by a powered device to distribute power tuned specifically for each, at least one light emitting diode (LED) fixture. The Power-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span with associated router and wireless access point is used to communicate with, and power a sensor network that collects data relevant to the intelligent lighting network. Optionally, the Power-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span is used to communicate with, and power a network of sensors that collects data relevant to the space the intelligent lighting network is operating in, or is used to communicate with and power a network of AC wall plugs that is turned on and off, and various switches, relays, and PLCs, RFID systems, USB hubs, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: IDS-IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: David M. Snyder
  • Patent number: 10165645
    Abstract: An LED lighting module comprises a plurality of serially-connected LED strings, which include N LED strings from a first LED string to an Nth LED string, and each LED string has a specific driven voltage. The control method comprises steps of: (a) receiving an AC voltage signal and converting the AC input signal into a first AC signal; (b) receiving the first AC signal and converting the first AC signal into a first DC signal; and (c) if the first DC signal exceeds the sum of the driven voltages from the first LED string to an nth LED string, driving the serially-connected LED strings from the first LED string to the nth LED string sequentially, wherein n is smaller than or equal to N, so as to adjust the correlated color temperature of the light emitted by the LED lighting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Kuan-Hsien Tu, Ying-Hao Huang
  • Patent number: 10159126
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting application, the lighting application comprises an LED assembly comprising a serial connection of two or more LED units, each LED unit comprising one or more LEDs, each LED unit being provided with a controllable switch for substantially short-circuiting the LED unit. The lighting application further comprises a control unit for controlling a drive unit and arranged to receive a signal representing a voltage level of the supply voltage, and control the switches in accordance with the signal. The invention further provides for an LED driver that enables to operate a TRIAC based dimmer at an optimal holding current and an LED driver comprising a switchable buffer, e.g. a capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: ELDOLAB HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Petrus Johannes Maria Welten
  • Patent number: 10156350
    Abstract: An apparatus including a theater lighting device including a lamp housing; a base housing; and an internal spectral sensor. The lamp housing is rotationally mounted to the base housing; and includes a plurality of light sources, and lenses which cooperate to project a final output light; wherein residual light is received by the internal spectral sensor from internal reflections of a first lens of the plurality of lenses and the residual light is converted to spectral data. The spectral sensor is a multispectral filter array type. The theater lighting device further includes a microprocessor; and a memory, wherein the memory stores a first set of data for a plurality of electronically adjustable parameters of the theater lighting device. The microprocessor is programmed to receive a first command and in response put the theater lighting device in a first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Inventor: Richard S. Belliveau
  • Patent number: 10154560
    Abstract: A lighting device includes one or more LED modules, each of which includes a group of LED sets positioned on a substrate. Each LED set includes two or more sections, optionally under a single lens. Each section is configured to emit light of different luminescent properties, such as different colors or different color temperatures. The color, color temperature or other characteristics of light emitted by the device is controlled by selectively activating the sections of each LED set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Cooper Lighting, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher D. Nolan, Joseph R. Casper, Benjamin David Vollmer, George Dederich
  • Patent number: 10147070
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a configurable lighting system that can be used to redefine the size of the storage areas holding items. When changing the dimensions of the storage areas, an associate may also want to change the assignment of lights disposed near the storage areas. To do so, the configurable lighting system includes a series of lights disposed along a first axis and a set of confirmation devices corresponding to the series of lights. The lighting system can receiving first and second input signals from the set of confirmation devices and identify a first subset of the series of lights corresponding to the first input signal and a second subset of the series of lights corresponding to the second input signal. The first and second subsets can define respective lengths of first and second storage areas when illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith C. Tate, Steven Scott Altvater, Jaemi Cheri Tiangco Bermudez, Kevin W. Keck, Benjamin Christopher Zink