Electrically Operated Switch Controlling The Signal Circuit Patents (Class 315/136)
  • Patent number: 11871497
    Abstract: A load regulation device is adapted to control an electrical load. The load regulation device may be in a low power state, a ready state, and/or an on state. The low power state is characterized by the electrical load being unenergized. The ready state is characterized by a load control device and/or the load regulation device using more power than the low power state and the electrical load being unenergized. The on state is characterized by the electrical load being energized. The load regulation device is configured to receive an indication of a user's presence when the load regulation device is in the low power state. The load regulation device is configured to change from the low power state to the ready state in response to receiving the indication. The load regulation device is configured to wait in the ready state for a change state instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Knauss
  • Patent number: 11719399
    Abstract: A light system having a hollow housing; a light source provided in the housing; means for mounting the housing to a pool wall or floor; and a lens provided at an open end of the housing, having at least a portion configured to modify at least a portion of the light to match, blend in with, or at least compliment the pool wall or floor; and a flange surrounding the periphery of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Custom Molded Products, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary T. Vogtner, Victor L. Walker, Thomas R. Moore
  • Patent number: 11069398
    Abstract: A controller controlling a memory device includes an elapsed time calculator suitable for receiving an absolute time from a host whenever a state is changed between an active state and an inactive state, calculating an average hibernation elapsed time for elapsed times between first and second absolute times, and calculating a system time based on a third absolute time and the average hibernation elapsed time, and a flash translation layer suitable for controlling a program operation for the memory device in response to a program command for a memory region, calculating a program operation time for the memory region based on the system time, and controlling a read operation for the memory device using a read voltage, which is determined based on an elapsed time since the program operation time, in response to a read command for the memory region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Youn-Won Park
  • Patent number: 10899269
    Abstract: A common lamp driving circuit is configured to supply current. A switching circuit is configured to selectively supply the current to either a first lamp or a second lamp that are of different types. A processor is configured to control the switching circuit such that a state in which the current is supplied to the first lamp and a state in which the current is supplied to the second lamp are repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Tomono, Yasushi Noyori
  • Patent number: 10808900
    Abstract: Embodiments include an automotive LED lighting module comprising an LED lamp comprising a number of light-emitting diodes; a first driver module configured to drive the LED lamp at a first DC voltage level (U_hi); a second driver module configured to drive the LED lamp at a second DC voltage level (U_lo), which second DC voltage level (U_lo) is lower than the first DC voltage level (U_hi); and a switch arrangement comprising an interface for connection to a two-level DC voltage supply (PS), and wherein the switch arrangement is configured to connect the first driver module to the LED lamp when the input voltage is at a first level (U_hi), and to connect the second driver module to the LED lamp when the input voltage level is at a second level (U_lo). Embodiments can further include an automotive lighting system of a vehicle, and a method of operating an automotive LED lighting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Lumileds LLC
    Inventor: Andreas Timinger
  • Patent number: 10536137
    Abstract: A short pulse generating circuit including a pulse generating circuit, an actuation control circuit and a delay control circuit is provided. The pulse generating circuit is electrically coupled to a switch, which is coupled to a power. When the power is turned on, the power causes the pulse generating circuit to generate a long pulse. The actuation control circuit is electrically coupled to the power and the pulse generating circuit. When the power is turned on, the actuation control circuit controls a voltage level of each output of the pulse generating circuit to a fixed value. The delay control circuit is electrically coupled to the pulse generating circuit. When the switch is turned on, the power controls the delay control circuit to change the voltage level of each output of the pulse generating circuit to generate a short pulse output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: AVISION INC.
    Inventors: Yu-Lang Wang, Hsing-Lu Chen, Chun-Hung Pan
  • Patent number: 10426012
    Abstract: There is provided a lighting circuit configured to drive a light emitting unit including a first light source and a second light source connected in series. The lighting circuit includes a first pin connected to one end of the first light source, a second pin connected to a connection node of the first light source and the second light source, a third pin connected to one end of the second light source, a drive circuit configured to supply a drive current to the light emitting unit, a bypass switch provided between the second pin and the third pin, a first resistor provided in parallel with the bypass switch between the second pin and the third pin, and an abnormality detection circuit configured to detect abnormality based on a detection voltage generated between the second pin and the third pin when an ON signal is applied to the bypass switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shohei Yanagizu, Masayasu Ito, Takao Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9758169
    Abstract: A vehicle comprises a fuel cell that is configured to receive supply of a fuel gas and generate electric power and a motor that is configured to be driven with the electric power generated by the fuel cell. The vehicle selectively sets a drive mode of the vehicle in an accelerator-off state between an ordinary mode and a deceleration enhanced mode that decelerates the vehicle with higher deceleration force than deceleration force in the ordinary mode. The vehicle performs regenerative control of the motor in the ordinary mode or performs deceleration control of generating the deceleration force in the deceleration enhanced mode, in order to decelerate the vehicle in the set drive mode. When an accelerator stroke based on a driver's depression of an accelerator becomes higher than a cancellation threshold in the drive mode set to the deceleration enhanced mode, the vehicle changes the drive mode from the deceleration enhanced mode to the ordinary mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Umayahara, Mitsuhiro Nada, Takuya Nakagami
  • Patent number: 9035557
    Abstract: A converting controller comprises a power pin, a ground pin, at least one input pin, at least one output pin, at least one set pin and a failure generating circuit. The power pin is adapted to be coupled with a power source to receive electric power for operation, and the ground pin is adapted to be grounded. The input pin is adapted to receive a corresponding input signal and the output pin is used to output a corresponding output signal. The set pin is adapted to set a corresponding operating parameter of the converting controller. The failure generating circuit is coupled with and uses one of the input pin and the set pin as a protection output pin. The failure generating circuit modulates the level of the protection output pin to be a protection logic level when the converting controller is under a protection state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: GREEN SOLUTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shian-Sung Shiu, Li-Min Lee, Chung-Che Yu
  • Publication number: 20150102727
    Abstract: An LED driver circuit includes a first driver, a second driver, a switch, a first detection module, a second detection module and a control module. The first driver provides a first driving current according to a supply voltage. The second driver provides a second driving current according to the supply voltage. The switch is selectively coupled to the first or second driver. An LED emits light according to the first or second driving current. When the switch is coupled to the first driver, the first detection module keeps detecting the first driving current and outputting a first sensing signal. When the switch is coupled to the second driver, the second detection module keeps detecting the second driving current and outputting a second sensing signal. The control module outputs a first or second control signal according to the first or second sensing signal for controlling the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Chun-Kuang CHEN, Po-Shen CHEN
  • Patent number: 8901822
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting arrangement with an operating device (3) and with an LED light source (4) which is controlled by said operating device and which is formed by at least two LEDs (4a, 4b, 4c), which emit light of different colors and together emit a white total light. The operating device (3) drives some of the LEDs (4a, 4b, 4c) forming the LED light source (4) which are intended to emit monochromatic (non-white) light in such a way that said LEDs emit light signals representing certain operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Tridonic GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Martin Hartmann, John Kears
  • Patent number: 8796940
    Abstract: A dimmer switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to and thus the intensity of a lighting load comprises a visual display operable to provide a visual indication representative of energy savings and usage information. The dimmer switch comprises an intensity adjustment actuator, such as a slider knob or a rotary knob, which may be coupled to a potentiometer for adjusting the amount of power delivered to the lighting load. The potentiometer may comprise a dual potentiometer including a resistive element and a conductive element having a cut. The visual display may comprise a single visual indicator, which may be illuminated a first color, such as green, when the intensity of the lighting load is less than or equal to the eco-level intensity, and illuminated a second different color, such as red, when the intensity of the lighting load is greater than the eco-level intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Altonen, Elliot G. Jacoby, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: 8794816
    Abstract: An LED lighting apparatus according to the embodiment includes: a heat radiation frame having a reception groove therein; a substrate disposed on a top surface of the heat radiation frame and to which at least one light emitting device is attached; an antenna on a top surface of an upper end portion of the heat radiation frame; and a diffusion frame combined with the light emitting frame and formed therein with a reception groove for receiving the substrate and the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong Woon Kim
  • Patent number: 8622579
    Abstract: An illumination system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes at least one light emitting apparatus including at least one light emitting module detachably coupled to the at least one light emitting apparatus, the at least one light emitting module including an information storage unit to store characteristic information of the at least one light emitting module. The at least one light emitting apparatus also includes a controller configured to detect whether the at least one light emitting module is connected to or disconnected from the at least one light emitting apparatus, and to read out the characteristic information of the at least one light emitting module according to a detection result, wherein the characteristic information includes unique identification information or absolute lifetime information of the at least one light emitting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun-Gu Kang
  • Patent number: 8598792
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provided a driving circuit for powering a light-emitting diode (LED) light source. The driving circuit includes a rectifier, a filter capacitor, and a control circuit. The rectifier converts an AC voltage from an AC power source to a rectified AC voltage. The filter capacitor coupled to the rectifier filters the rectified AC voltage to provide a DC voltage. The control circuit controls power supplied to the LED light source. The control circuit enables a discharging current periodically to discharge the filter capacitor if a switch coupled between an AC power source and a rectifier is turned off and disables the discharging current if the control circuit determines that the switch is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: O2Micro Inc.
    Inventors: Zhimou Ren, Ching-Chuan Kuo, Tiesheng Yan, Yunning Xie, Jun Ren
  • Patent number: 8558458
    Abstract: An exit light and an emergency light which have a function to indicate a residual charge of a storage battery are provided for users to efficiently check the residual charge of the battery by using a bar graph indicating unit formed on a front portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute
    Inventors: SangMin Bae, Woo Seog Ryu, TaeKook Kim, YoungGerl Ryu
  • Patent number: 8525372
    Abstract: A dimming switch comprises an enclosure with a mounting surface, a flat plate button mounted on the mounting surface, a dimming button, a tripping button, a dimmer mounted inside the enclosure, a resetting/tripping device, a dimming control circuit, a power input end configured to connect to a live wire of a power supply, and a power output end configured to connect to an electrical load. Pressing the flat plate button resets the resetting/tripping device, thereby electrically connecting the power input end with the power output end through the dimming control circuit. The dimming button is configured so that rotating the dimming button and pressing the dimming button up and down regulates the output voltage of the dimming control circuit. The tripping button and resetting/tripping device trip so that the electrical connection between the power input end and the power output end will be cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Huadao Huang
  • Patent number: 8525542
    Abstract: A short circuit detection device is provided to check a circuit layout. The circuit layout includes electronic components connected in parallel. Any of the electronic components includes two contacts on the circuit layout. The short circuit detection device includes a determination circuit configured to determine whether a short circuit has occurred in the circuit layout, and a detection circuit configured to determine the specific electronic component or components responsible for the short circuit. The determination circuit connects with one contact of any of the electronic components. The detection circuit connects with two contacts of any of the electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-Liang Xiong
  • Publication number: 20130221853
    Abstract: A lamp includes a lamp body, an LED light source, a storage unit, a switch apparatus, and a microprocessor. The storage unit stores a function table recording a relationship between a plurality of types of touches and a plurality of control functions. The switch apparatus includes a touch panel, a touch controller, and an indicator located under the first touch region. The touch panel generates signals in response to touches applied on thereon. The touch panel includes a first touch region and a second touch region. The touch controller receives the signals and determines the type of the touch intended. The microprocessor refers to the function table, and controls the LED light source to execute the control function and to give visual feedback when the touch panel is touched. A switch apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: LING CHANG, QUAN-QUAN LIU, LI-ZHANG HUANG, HAN-CHE WANG, KUAN-HONG HSIEH, XIAO-GUANG LI
  • Publication number: 20130215166
    Abstract: A control circuit for a light emitting diode for indicating power-on in a normal operating mode, power-on in a sleep mode, and power-off, the control circuit includes: a first voltage source having a DC voltage that is greater than a nominal forward voltage drop of the light emitting diode, the first voltage source connected to a first resistor in series with an anode of the light emitting diode; a second voltage source having a DC voltage that is greater than the DC voltage of the first voltage source; a first transistor connected between a cathode of the light emitting diode and ground; a control signal connected to an input of the first transistor; a second transistor connected between the first voltage source and the second voltage source, wherein an output of the first transistor is connected to an input of the second transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Pan Honglin
  • Patent number: 8482228
    Abstract: A lamp includes an arc tube and a lighting unit for lighting the arc tube. The lighting unit includes a rectifier circuit, a smoothing circuit for partial smoothing, and an inverter circuit having a pair of switching elements. The smoothing circuit smoothes portions of the output voltage of the rectifier circuit below the first voltage value and outputs a voltage that falls between the first voltage value and the second voltage value. The discharge sustaining voltage of the arc tube is set to fall between the first and second values of the voltage Vdc output from the smoothing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Itou, Masayoshi Gyoten, Shiro Iida
  • Patent number: 8442785
    Abstract: One or more example diagnostics may be implemented as part of an intelligent luminaire manager or other radio frequency (RF) device that is in communication with an equipment or fixture such as a luminaire. Example diagnostics can determine a status such as a fixture malfunction, a cycling condition, a miswiring configuration, or another condition. The determined status can be wirelessly transmitted from the intelligent luminaire manager or other radio frequency device to a network server via a network. The network may be a network of intelligent luminaire managers and/or RF devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Walters, Michael Dorogi, Szabolcs Zigovski, Voicu Cristian, Ion Ticus
  • Publication number: 20130069534
    Abstract: End-of-life indicators for lamps, and methods for indicating the end-of-life for lamps, are provided. A solid state light source end-of-life indicator is located on the exterior of a housing of a lamp, and includes at least one light emitting diode. The solid state light source end-of-life indicator emits light at the end of the life of the lamp. The solid state light source end-of-life indicator may emit light upon receiving an end-of-life signal from an end-of-life detection circuit, which detects when the lamp is at an end of its life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Heinz W. Ito, Dan Bodocan, Shaun P. Montana
  • Patent number: 8314562
    Abstract: A lamp includes a lighting module providing illumination, a control unit, and a detecting unit. The control unit is connected or not connected to the lighting module. The detecting unit is coupled to the control unit. The detecting unit detects operational statuses of the lighting module and sends a detection result to the control unit. The control unit controls the lighting module or an alarm unit to enter an alarm mode based on the detection result. A user can immediately know the operational statuses by the alarm unit and take necessary actions to assure normal operation of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alex Horng, Ching-Shen Hong
  • Publication number: 20120268015
    Abstract: Alight power compensation circuit includes a current source to be electrically coupled to a temperature-detecting light-emitting device and providing a working current for the temperature-detecting light-emitting device, a detector unit operable to detect a forward bias voltage across the temperature-detecting light-emitting device and providing a detector voltage proportional to the forward bias voltage, a compensation voltage converting module converting the detector voltage into a compensation voltage which has a negative relation to change in the detector voltage, and a driving module converting the compensation voltage into a driving current which is proportional to the compensation voltage and which drives operation of a controlled light-emitting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: NATIONAL CHI NAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tai-Ping Sun, Chia-Hung Wang, Huei-Jyun Lin
  • Patent number: 8274233
    Abstract: A dimmer switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to and thus the intensity of a lighting load comprises a visual display operable to provide a visual indication representative of energy savings and usage information. The dimmer switch comprises an intensity adjustment actuator, such as a slider knob or a rotary knob, which may be coupled to a potentiometer for adjusting the amount of power delivered to the lighting load. The potentiometer may comprise a dual potentiometer including a resistive element and a conductive element having a cut. The visual display may comprise a single visual indicator, which may be illuminated a first color, such as green, when the intensity of the lighting load is less than or equal to the eco-level intensity, and illuminated a second different color, such as red, when the intensity of the lighting load is greater than the eco-level intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Altonen, Elliot G. Jacoby, Christopher James Salvestrini, Jamie J. Steffie, Joel S. Spira
  • Publication number: 20120176040
    Abstract: An indicator drive circuit includes a current mirror circuit including a first transistor located at a control side and a second transistor located at a controlled side, a current through the current mirror circuit being switched by an external control signal, a current source adapted to feed a control current to the first transistor of the current mirror circuit, and a switching element adapted to be driven by a current through the second transistor of the current mirror circuit and to switch on or off an indicator light source. The current source includes two transistors cascode-connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Yusuke KAMIYA, Satoki URUNO, Junichi MATSUBARA
  • Publication number: 20120074849
    Abstract: An illumination system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes at least one light emitting apparatus including at least one light emitting module detachably coupled to the at least one light emitting apparatus, the at least one light emitting module including an information storage unit to store characteristic information of the at least one light emitting module. The at least one light emitting apparatus also includes a controller configured to detect whether the at least one light emitting module is connected to or disconnected from the at least one light emitting apparatus, and to read out the characteristic information of the at least one light emitting module according to a detection result, wherein the characteristic information includes unique identification information or absolute lifetime information of the at least one light emitting module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: SEOUL SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyun-Gu KANG
  • Patent number: 8140276
    Abstract: One or more example diagnostics may be implemented as part of an intelligent luminaire manager or other radio frequency (RF) device that is in communication with an equipment or fixture such as a luminaire. Example diagnostics can determine a status such as a fixture malfunction, a cycling condition, a miswiring configuration, or another condition. The determined status can be wirelessly transmitted from the intelligent luminaire manager or other radio frequency device to a network server via a network. The network may be a network of intelligent luminaire managers and/or RF devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Walters, Michael Dorogi, Szabolcs Zigovszki, Voicu Cristian, Ion Ticus
  • Publication number: 20110279040
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for changing a DC supply voltage applied to a lighting circuit are disclosed. In specific cases, a constant voltage power supply is used to power an LED lighting circuit in which there are uncertainties within the forward voltages of the LEDs, which in turn creates uncertainty with respect to the current level flowing through the LEDs. To manage these uncertainties, the current flowing through the LEDs is measured and an indication of the current level is communicated to a person who can manually adjust the DC voltage supply applied to the LED lighting apparatus by the constant voltage power supply. Alternatively, an automatic adjustment of the DC voltage supply applied to the LED lighting apparatus by the constant voltage power supply can be performed based upon the measured current level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: ARKALUMEN INC.
    Inventors: Gerald Edward BRIGGS, Sean MacLean Murray
  • Patent number: 8053996
    Abstract: A light emitting device 1 is adapted, with a distributed power supply voltage, to turn on a light emitter 7, while timing a continuous conduction time with a pulse generating circuit 2, a frequency dividing circuit 3, and a counting memory circuit 4, to flash the light emitter 7 on and off with an on-off pattern depending on a result of the timing, signaling out information on the continuous conduction time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akira Sawada, Tetsuya Hara, Motohiko Okabe
  • Patent number: 7977887
    Abstract: An LED drive apparatus includes a microprocessor having a configurable input/output port, a FET current control transistor, and a diagnostic interface circuit. The diagnostic interface circuit includes a transistor having an input coupled to a junction between the FET and the LED, and an output coupled to an input of the FET. The microprocessor input/output port is coupled to the input of the FET for turning the LED ON and OFF and performing fault protection and diagnostics. At each desired transition of the LED, the microprocessor configures its input/output port as an output and momentarily sets the output state to achieve the desired transition, then re-configures the input/output port to determine the conduction state of the diagnostic interface circuit transistor, and determines an output fault status of the drive apparatus based on the determined conduction state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Balakrishnan Nair Vijayakumaran Nair
  • Patent number: 7701153
    Abstract: A lamp includes an arc tube and a lighting unit for lighting the arc tube. The lighting unit includes a rectifier circuit, a smoothing circuit for partial smoothing, and an inverter circuit having a pair of switching elements. The smoothing circuit smoothes portions of the output voltage of the rectifier circuit below the first voltage value and outputs a voltage that falls between the first voltage value and the second voltage value. The discharge sustaining voltage of the arc tube is set to fall between the first and second values of the voltage Vdc output from the smoothing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Itou, Masayoshi Gyoten, Shiro Iida
  • Publication number: 20090322230
    Abstract: A button assembly includes a button, an indicating lamp, a rheostat and a switch. The button includes a transparent pressing portion. The indicating lamp is positioned in the pressing portion. The rheostat includes a base and an adjuster rotatably attached to the base. The adjuster is rotated by rotation of the button. The switch is capable of being triggered by downwardly movement of the button.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: KUO-HUA WANG, LI-PING CHEN
  • Publication number: 20090267522
    Abstract: A portable electronic device operable to indicate received media is disclosed. A first set of lighting units is used to indicate a received media based on an orientation of the portable electronic device. A second set of the lighting units may be activated based on a change in the orientation of the portable electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Masatsugu NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20090251837
    Abstract: A current limiting MOSFET monitors power applied to a direct current boost regulator that powers an LED backlight to automatically shut off power to the boost regulator if the current exceeds a predetermined amount. An embedded controller interfaces with the current limiting MOSFET for normal control of operation of the boost regulator by turning the MOSFET on and off. An overcurrent alert is communicated from the MOSFET to the embedded controller if the current exceeds the predetermined amount so that the embedded controller shuts off power to the boost regulator and indicates the failure to an end user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Greg R. Fiebrich, Erin L. Price, Guangyong Zhu
  • Patent number: 7583031
    Abstract: A Style A PAPI system comprises a plurality of identical lamp housing assemblies, each with one or more lamps and each housing assembly including a tilt circuit. A master control includes a microcontroller that supplies an inverted 1 KHz, 50% duty cycle pulse signal to each tilt circuit through a corresponding blocking diode. Each of the tilt circuits includes an optical pendulum tilt switch that responds to tilting of the housing assembly. DC power is developed in each tilt circuit from one phase of the pulse signal. A pair of steering diodes and a voltage divider network enable return pulses to be supplied back to the microcontroller via the same wires that deliver the pulse train. The returned pulses exhibit different voltages corresponding to tilt and no tilt conditions of the tilt switch. Visual indications of the status of each tilt circuit are presented at the tilt circuits and at the master control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Multi Electric Mfg Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Sansone
  • Publication number: 20090167191
    Abstract: A light emitting device 1 is adapted, with a distributed power supply voltage, to turn on a light emitter 7, while timing a continuous conduction time with a pulse generating circuit 2, a frequency dividing circuit 3, and a counting memory circuit 4, to flash the light emitter 7 on and off with an on-off pattern depending on a result of the timing, signaling out information on the continuous conduction time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akira Sawada, Tetsuya Hara, Motohiko Okabe
  • Publication number: 20090115336
    Abstract: An infrared signaling apparatus is disclosed, which utilizes high intensity solid state lighting elements, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) to provide signaling for navigational as well as search/rescue applications employing night vision equipments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: BWT PROPERTY INC.
    Inventor: Sean Xiaolu Wang
  • Patent number: 7511628
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source comprises a semiconductor switch having a control input, a triggering circuit, a timing circuit, and a status indicator circuit. Preferably, the status indicator circuit includes a light-emitting diode in a rectifier bridge. In a first embodiment, the status indicator circuit is coupled in series with a capacitor in the timing circuit such that the status indicator is illuminated to a dim level when the load is not powered and the status indicator is illuminated to a bright level when the load is powered. In a second embodiment, the status indicator circuit is coupled in series with a control input of the semiconductor switch such that the status indicator is not illuminated when the load is not powered and the status indicator is illuminated when the load is powered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J Salvestrini
  • Patent number: 7501769
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light fixture assembly having a ballast substantially maintaining a consistent current and further includes an indicator for indicating a problem with the light fixture assembly. A switch remote from the ballast may be provided where a circuit in cooperation with the switch impedes the flow of electricity through the ballast when the switch is in an off position. The light fixture assembly may be assembled and disassembled, namely the lamp head, post, base, ballast, and electrical cord, without use of a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Verilux, Inc.
    Inventor: Edmund Farmer
  • Patent number: 7227310
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and devices for controlling at least one load connected to an AC power line. The method is based on the introduction of interruptions in the line voltage, which correspond to data being sent. The method centers on interruptions of variable length, yielding the opportunity of sending more data with a reduced number of interruptions. The invention is further related to a particular design of the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter is equipped with a means for measuring the line current. The receiver is equipped with a comparator with a feedback connection. The receiver is also capable of increasing momentarily the line current, which creates the possibility of sending information back towards the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek (VITO)
    Inventors: Paul Van Tichelen, Dominique Weyen
  • Patent number: 7218057
    Abstract: A Style B PAPI system comprises a plurality of identical lamp housing assemblies, each with one or more lamps and each housing assembly including: an electronic bypass circuit with first and second oppositely poled SCRs coupled across the terminals of each lamp; a zener diode; and a diode bridge for developing a first trigger voltage across the zener diode in the event of failure of a lamp. The first trigger voltage causes alternate conduction in the first and second SCRs from the AC voltage developed across the failed lamp. A lamp control circuit includes a third SCR that is coupled across the zener diode for developing a second trigger voltage for similarly driving the SCRs. The lamp control circuit is operated by a microcontroller-controlled common lamp control circuit that activates all of the lamp control circuits and disable all of the lamps in response to a tilt condition for the lamp housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Multi Electric Mfg. Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Sansone, Kenneth R. Horning
  • Patent number: 7098877
    Abstract: A driver circuit that allows high-speed switching when the reference current (I) is small. The driver circuit includes a drive current generation circuit (220) for supplying to a first node (232) a drive current based on a binary data signal (DATA); a current mirror circuit (240) for conducting through a second node (234) a current (mI) having a magnitude of the current flowing through the first node (232), multiplied by a predetermined current mirror ratio (m); and a pre-bias circuit (260) for supplying a first pre-bias current (Ib1) to the first node (232) and supplying a second pre-bias current (Ib2) having a magnitude of the first pre-bias current (Ib1), multiplied by said current mirror ratio (m), to the second node (234).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Shinji Masuda
  • Patent number: 6945666
    Abstract: A portable, cable free, industrial troubleshooting stroboscope includes a housing having a light source, a control circuitry, a display and a user control mechanism. A pair of power terminals internal to the housing connect to a removable power pack. One or more easily removable replenishable power packs with mating power terminals connect internally to the housing. Means used to directly replenish the removable power pack is in or out of the housing are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Monarch Instrument
    Inventor: Alan Julian Woolfson
  • Patent number: 6791276
    Abstract: Gradually lighting/dimming wireless transmission indicator lamp used in a wireless data transmission apparatus. The wireless transmission indicator lamp includes at least one light emitting diode, a wireless transceiver circuit for receiving or transmitting radio signal and converting the received radio signal into digital pulse signal and a controlling circuit having an input terminal and at least one output terminal. The input terminal is connected with the wireless transceiver circuit. The output terminal is connected with the light emitting diode. The controlling circuit is controllable by the digital pulse signal to generate a slowly varying current for the light emitting diode, whereby the light emitting diode can gradually light and dim as human breath to indicate the connection state and transmission state of the wireless data transmission apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Zyxel Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Jian-Huei Li
  • Patent number: 6737814
    Abstract: Illumination sources, each including at least one light emitting diode, are connected either in series or in parallel by a switching circuit, depending upon an applied input voltage. The switching circuit switches the illumination sources from series- to parallel-connection, or vice versa, when the applied input voltage crosses a threshold value in traversing the operating range of applied input voltages. Because the light emitting diodes within the illumination sources are switched from series to parallel connection at a defined kickover point, the voltage-luminance characteristic changes on opposite sides of the kickover point. The resulting overall voltage-luminance characteristic has greater variability in luminance across the entire operating range of applied input voltages, and luminance-variance is not limited to only a portion of the operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Aerospace Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Don W. Guthrie, Craig Jay Coley
  • Patent number: 6717660
    Abstract: A light monitoring system provides a sensing unit coupled to a luminaire. The sensing unit monitors both the input and the output of the luminaire for both current and voltage. In this manner, a variety of problems with the luminaire can be detected by the sensor and this information can be passed to monitoring equipment that is either hard-wired or remotely coupled to the sensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Safe Passage Systems Corporation
    Inventor: James S. Bernardo
  • Patent number: 6710553
    Abstract: A control circuit for operating a lamp or other electrically operated device using a conventional wall socket outlet that is selectively energized under the control of a conventional wall mounted switch. To permit the lamp to be independently controlled using either the wall switch or the lamp switch, a wall adapter unit is employed that plugs into the wall outlet and into which the lamp's power cord is plugged. Sensing means are employed to detect the operation of either the wall switch or the lamp switch to control an electrically operated switch which turns the lamp ON and OFF whenever either the wall switch or the lamp switch are operated. Different embodiments are provided for use with conventional electrical wiring and with either a conventional lamp or lamp incorporating additional circuitry to adapt it for use with the wall socket adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: James D. Logan
  • Patent number: 6603342
    Abstract: A light emitting element driver composed of two transistors, one ground resistor, one inductance and a single capacitor is arranged to drive an LED with a supplied voltage as low as about 0.92 V. The transistors include an NPN transistor and a PNP transistor, the base of the PNP transistor being connected to the ground resistor and the base of the NPN transistor being connected to the collector of the PNP transistor, with the capacitor being connected between the base of the PNP transistor and the node connecting the collector of the NPN transistor to the inductance and to the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Precision Instrument Development Ctr., National Science Council
    Inventors: Tai-Shan Liao, Ming-Li Chen, Ming Hung Huang, Ho-Lin Tsay