Patents by Inventor Stefan Zudrell-Koch

Stefan Zudrell-Koch has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10057876
    Abstract: A network node for a lighting network, the node is at least one of: a light sensor; a motion sensor; lighting means; a control device; or an operating device for the lighting means; and includes means for measuring the signal quality or signal strength of the wireless connection to all wirelessly connected further nodes, storage means configured to store connection information e.g. based on the signal quality or signal strength together with an identifier for the associated wirelessly connected further node(s), and means for wirelessly forwarding the connection information to another node, wherein the network node is configured to receive at least one test pattern and/or to re-send the test pattern, the test pattern including the network node's identifier, e.g. the MAC address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Edgar John Holleis, Stefan Zudrell-Koch
  • Publication number: 20170164320
    Abstract: A network node for a lighting network, the node is at least one of: a light sensor; a motion sensor; lighting means; a control device; or an operating device for the lighting means; and includes means for measuring the signal quality or signal strength of the wireless connection to all wirelessly connected further nodes, storage means configured to store connection information e.g. based on the signal quality or signal strength together with an identifier for the associated wirelessly connected further node(s), and means for wirelessly forwarding the connection information to another node, wherein the network node is configured to receive at least one test pattern and/or to re-send the test pattern, the test pattern including the network node's identifier, e.g. the MAC address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Edgar John Holleis, Stefan Zudrell-Koch
  • Patent number: 9426852
    Abstract: A controller for a lamp assembly is disclosed. The controller comprises: a mains sensing unit arranged to detect a mains voltage supplied to the lamp assembly; a waveform evaluation unit coupled with the mains sensing unit and arranged to generate a light control signal based on the mains voltage waveform; a demodulation unit coupled with the mains sensing unit and arranged to demodulate a data signal modulated on the mains voltage; an arbitration unit coupled with the demodulation unit and arranged to evaluate the results of the waveform evaluation unit and the demodulation unit and to decide an operation mode; and a control unit coupled with the arbitration unit and arranged to generate a drive signal to drive a light source of the lamp assembly based on the determined light control signal or the demodulated data signal depending on the decided operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Stefan Zudrell-Koch
  • Patent number: 9345093
    Abstract: A controller for controlling the illumination state of a light source of solid state lighting devices such as LED or OLED assemblies, is presented. The controller controls the light source according to a plurality of illumination states subject to determine an event of a plurality of events. The controller controls a power converter that converts power derived from an input voltage waveform of line voltage power supply into a drive signal for the light source. The controller determines an event of a plurality of events encoded within the input voltage waveform of the line voltage power supply. A first state processor determines a next illumination state of the plurality of illumination states, based on the determined event and based on the current illumination state. Line voltage Switch event detection is performed while no power is available at the line voltage terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Zudrell-Koch
  • Patent number: 9307603
    Abstract: The present document relates to solid state lighting (SSL) devices. A driver circuit for phase-cut dimmable SSL based lighting assemblies is described. A control circuit for a power converter is provided. The power converter is configured to convert an input power derived from a mains power supply into a drive power for a light source. The control circuit comprises a dimmer mode detection unit to determine a first dimmer mode. The first dimmer mode indicates if the input power has been derived from the mains power supply using a dimmer. The control circuit comprises a state processor configured to determine a first operation mode of the power converter. The pre-determined first state information is dependent on the first dimmer mode. The control circuit comprises a first control unit configured to generate a first control signal for operating the power converter in accordance to the first operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Zudrell-Koch
  • Patent number: 9232596
    Abstract: Driver circuits which reduce or remove flicker of solid state lighting SSL devices, notably at relatively low dimming levels are presented. The driver circuit comprises a power converter to transfer energy from an input of the driver circuit to the SSL device. The energy at the input is derived from an AC mains voltage at a mains frequency. A controller determines a dim level for the SSL device. and operates the power converter continuously in a first operation mode for supplying energy to the SSL device at a first energy level, if the dim level is above a pre-determined dim level threshold. The controller operates the power converter in the first operation mode at a time duration of PWM pulses, and operates the power converter in a second operation mode at a time duration in-between the PWM pulses, if the dim level is below the pre-determined dim level threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Nebojsa Jelaca, Stefan Zudrell-Koch
  • Patent number: 9232582
    Abstract: A driver circuit of solid state light bulb assemblies including light emitting diodes comprises a first power converter stage converting an input voltage into an intermediate voltage; a second power converter stage converting the intermediate voltage into a drive voltage for the light source; and a controller. The controller comprises a first control unit generating a first control signal for the first power converter stage; a second control unit generating a second control signal for the second power converter stage; and a state control unit determining a target state of the light source; wherein the first and second control units are receiving information indicative of the target state; and wherein the first and second control units are generating the first and second control signals based on the information indicative of the target state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Knoedgen, Stefan Zudrell-Koch
  • Patent number: 9220141
    Abstract: A driver circuit for programmable solid state light bulb assemblies including light emitting diodes is operable to provide a drive current to a light source of the light bulb assembly. The controller comprises a data storage unit storing a test scenario for calibration of the light bulb assembly; wherein the test scenario indicates a sequence of states of the light source; wherein a state of the light source is associated with settings of the driver circuit; a data input unit receiving a command signal via a modulated electricity supply signal; and a data processing unit retrieving the test scenario from the data storage unit; in dependence of the received command signal, generating a control signal for operating the light source in at least one state of the sequence of states of the test scenario; and to output the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Knoedgen, Stefan Zudrell-Koch
  • Patent number: 9173273
    Abstract: In order to control of dimming of solid state lighting devices (SSL) a driver circuit drives the SSL subject to an input voltage using a phase-cut dimmer. The driver circuit comprises a transistor operable in two modes, either alternating between on/off states or continuously controlling a current through the transistor. A power converter network provides a switched-mode power converter in conjunction with the transistor when operated in the first mode generating a drive voltage for the SSL. The control unit controls the transistor to selectively operate in one of the two modes; to control the transistor to determine that the input voltage exceeds an input voltage threshold; and to control a drive current through the SSL based on a measurement of a phase-cut angle thereby controlling an illumination level of the SSL device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Zudrell-Koch, Nebojsa Jelaca
  • Publication number: 20150264769
    Abstract: Driver circuits which reduce or remove flicker of solid state lighting SSL devices, notably at relatively low dimming levels are presented. The driver circuit comprises a power converter to transfer energy from an input of the driver circuit to the SSL device. The energy at the input is derived from an AC mains voltage at a mains frequency. A controller determines a dim level for the SSL device. and operates the power converter continuously in a first operation mode for supplying energy to the SSL device at a first energy level, if the dim level is above a pre-determined dim level threshold. The controller operates the power converter in the first operation mode at a time duration of PWM pulses, and operates the power converter in a second operation mode at a time duration in-between the PWM pulses, if the dim level is below the pre-determined dim level threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Nebojsa Jelaca, Stefan Zudrell-Koch
  • Patent number: 9131546
    Abstract: In the case of an electronic ballast (1) for operating a lamp (10) or an operating device for illumination means, having mains terminals (5) for connecting the ballast (1) or operating device to a current supply, output terminals (6) for connecting a lamp or light source to the ballast (1) or operating device and a control unit (4) for controlling and/or regulating an operating voltage delivered to the lamp (LA) or light source via the output terminals (6), external control information (Vprog) for programming or configuring the operating behavior of the operating device is delivered to the control unit (4) via a programming input, and stored in a memory (4a) associated with the control unit (4). In accordance with the invention, the programming input is formed by means of the mains terminals (5) and/or the output terminals (6) of the ballast (1) or of the operating device (2), which are connected internally with the control unit (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: TridonicAtco GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Zudrell-Koch, Kai Arbinger
  • Patent number: 9125269
    Abstract: Controllers for driver circuits of solid state light bulb assemblies including light emitting diodes comprise a power converter, a data storage unit operable to store data items relating to an operating behavior of the light bulb assembly, a temperature sensor operable to determine a chip temperature of the controller, and a data processing unit operable to receive the chip temperature, to retrieve the stored data items from the data storage unit, to generate a control signal in dependence upon the chip temperature and the retrieved data items, and to output the control signal to the power converter for operation of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Knoedgen, Stefan Zudrell-Koch
  • Publication number: 20150237694
    Abstract: A controller for a lamp assembly is disclosed. The controller comprises: a mains sensing unit arranged to detect a mains voltage supplied to the lamp assembly; a waveform evaluation unit coupled with the mains sensing unit and arranged to generate a light control signal based on the mains voltage waveform; a demodulation unit coupled with the mains sensing unit and arranged to demodulate a data signal modulated on the mains voltage; an arbitration unit coupled with the demodulation unit and arranged to evaluate the results of the waveform evaluation unit and the demodulation unit and to decide an operation mode; and a control unit coupled with the arbitration unit and arranged to generate a drive signal to drive a light source of the lamp assembly based on the determined light control signal or the demodulated data signal depending on the decided operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventor: Stefan Zudrell-Koch
  • Patent number: 9024537
    Abstract: The present document relates to a method and system for dimming low power illumination devices, such as LED (Light Emitting Diode) assemblies. A controller for a driver circuit of a light source is described. The driver circuit controls a plurality of illumination states of the light source using a power converter, which converts power from an input voltage waveform of a mains power supply into a drive signal for the light source. The controller comprises an event detection unit; a state register to store an indication of a current state of the illumination states; a state processor to determine a target state of the illumination states, based on the detected event and based on the current state; and an output control unit controls the power converter of the driver circuit to provide a drive signal for the target state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Nebojsa Jelaca, Stefan Zudrell-Koch
  • Patent number: 8947007
    Abstract: The present document relates to providing power for driving SSL devices. A power converter converts a varying input voltage to supply an output voltage to a SSL device in series with a current source. The power converter comprises one or more capacitors; a plurality of switches to couple the capacitors in a plurality of configurations. A control unit operates the power converter in a plurality of operational modes providing a corresponding plurality of different conversion ratios between the input/output voltages. The operational modes comprise a first phase and a second phase, during which the capacitors are differently arranged. The control unit controls the switches to alternate between the phases at a commutation cycle rate. The control unit sets the operational mode based on the varying input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Zudrell-Koch, Horst Knoedgen
  • Publication number: 20150028778
    Abstract: The present document relates to solid state lighting (SSL) devices. A driver circuit for phase-cut dimmable SSL based lighting assemblies is described. A control circuit for a power converter is provided. The power converter is configured to convert an input power derived from a mains power supply into a drive power for a light source. The control circuit comprises a dimmer mode detection unit to determine a first dimmer mode. The first dimmer mode indicates if the input power has been derived from the mains power supply using a dimmer. The control circuit comprises a state processor configured to determine a first operation mode of the power converter. The pre-determined first state information is dependent on the first dimmer mode. The control circuit comprises a first control unit configured to generate a first control signal for operating the power converter in accordance to the first operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Zudrell-Koch
  • Publication number: 20150028775
    Abstract: A controller for controlling the illumination state of a light source of solid state lighting devices such as LED or OLED assemblies, is presented. The controller controls the light source according to a plurality of illumination states subject to determine an event of a plurality of events. The controller controls a power converter that converts power derived from an input voltage waveform of line voltage power supply into a drive signal for the light source. The controller determines an event of a plurality of events encoded within the input voltage waveform of the line voltage power supply. A first state processor determines a next illumination state of the plurality of illumination states, based on the determined event and based on the current illumination state. Line voltage Switch event detection is performed while no power is available at the line voltage terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Stefan Zudrell-Koch
  • Patent number: 8918118
    Abstract: Method for allocating an operating address to a bus-enabled operating device for luminaires, including determining an absolute position or a relative position of the operating device by a position detection device, converting the position into an operating address, and storing the operating address for the operating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Stefan Zudrell-Koch
  • Publication number: 20140328211
    Abstract: A network node for a wireless building automation network, such as a lighting network, the node comprising means for measuring the signal quality or signal strength of the wireless connection to all wirelessly connected further nodes, storage means configured to store connection information e.g. based on the signal quality or signal strength together with an identifier for the associated wirelessly connected further node(s), and means for wirelessly forwarding the connection information to another node, wherein the network node is configured to receive at least one test pattern and/or to re-send the test pattern, the test pattern including the network node's identifier, e.g. the MAC address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: TRIDONIC GMGH & CO KG
    Inventors: Edgar John Holleis, Stefan Zudrell-Koch
  • Patent number: 8829818
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for defining an operational parameter of an operational device for lighting means. According to the method,: a voltage supply of the operational device is preferably switched on/off manually, an on/off switching is evaluated by the operational device as to whether at least one first predetermined criterion is fulfilled, for example, time constants or repetition rates, in this is the case, a continuous, preferably cyclic change of the predetermined operational parameters is switched on by the operational device, the changed operational parameter is returned to the user directly or indirectly, optically and/or acoustically, and the actual value of the changed operational parameters is maintained at a moment in time for a subsequent operation of the lighting means to which an additional on/off switching of the voltage supply fulfills at least one second criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Tridonic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Zudrell-Koch, Rainer Troppacher, Florian Moosmann