Diverse-type Current Supplies Patents (Class 315/175)
  • Patent number: 11257453
    Abstract: A bluephase liquid crystal pixel circuit, which includes first to fifth electrical switches, a first capacitance, and a second capacitance. According to the bluephase liquid crystal pixel circuit, a data signal voltage of a panel can be significantly lowered to achieve a purpose of reducing power consumption, and a compensation effect for a threshold voltage may also be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Yan Xue
  • Patent number: 10085092
    Abstract: A flash generator is capable of identifying which type of flash head and flash head extension cables that is connected to the flash generator. A flash head and flash head extension cable can be identified by the flash generator. The flash generator provides a power supply to a flash head. Further the flash generator includes a first current generator for charging the capacitor. The flash generator further includes a second current generator or a voltage generator connected to an output of the flash generator and arranged to provide a current or a voltage to create a voltage UID over a component in a flash head or a flash head extension cable connected to the flash generator. Processing means are arranged to identify the flash head or the flash head extension cable by the measured voltage UID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: PROFOTO AB
    Inventors: Anton Falk, Ulf Carlsson
  • Patent number: 9812083
    Abstract: A display device includes a substrate, display units, and a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs). The substrate includes an active area and a non-active area. The non-active area is located around the active area. The display units are disposed in the active area of the substrate, and arranged in a matrix. The ICs are disposed in the active area of the substrate, arranged in a matrix, and are electrically coupled to the display units. Each of the ICs includes a shift register unit. Each of the shift register units of the ICs is configured to receive a previous-stage scan signal, and generate a current-stage scan signal according to the previous-stage scan signal. The ICs drive the display units according to the current-stage scan signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shao-Wen Yen, Tsung-Shiun Lee, Yi-Cheng Liu, Sheng-Yu Hsu
  • Patent number: 9226376
    Abstract: An electronic circuit including a microchip for use as an intelligent user interface also comprises touch sensor technology that differentiates between proximity and physical contact events to activate and control various loads including light bulbs, products with radio frequency circuitry or electric motors. An input to the microchip is connected to a switch or sensing structure that does not form a serial link between the power source and the load. The electronic circuit controls various functions in response to user actions including automatic delayed shut-off functions, find-in-the-dark indicator and power source level/product state indications. The microchip allows the user to select specific functions based on the time duration of activation signals, the time duration between activation signals and the number of activation signals at the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBAL TOUCH SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Frederick Johannes Bruwer
  • Patent number: 9203323
    Abstract: The invention is an electrical power conversion topology. The preferred embodiment is as a three-phase, on-line Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). The desired AC output voltage waveform is formed on each output line or phase of the UPS, using pulse modulation techniques and a smoothing output filter inductor. A semiconductor switching matrix is used to switch the power converter side of each output filter inductor between three voltage potentials, a positive battery potential, a negative battery potential and a third intermediate and varying AC potential synchronized with the desired output voltage. The invention potentially provides the same performance as that of a multi-level inverter topology approaching an infinite number of DC levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: RENEWABLE POWER CONVERSION, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Travis West
  • Patent number: 8994276
    Abstract: A power management system for a lighting circuit may include a grid shifting controller that includes a processor and a connection to an external power source. The power management system may also include a communication interface associated with the grid shifting controller. The grid shifting controller may be configured to provide control information to a processor of at least one grid shifting electrical fixture over the communication interface, the control information being configured to direct the at least one grid shifting electrical fixture on the use of power from the external power source and an energy storage device associated with the at least one grid shifting electrical fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Wireless Environment, LLC
    Inventors: Michael V. Recker, David B. Levine
  • Publication number: 20140368118
    Abstract: Methods and systems described herein provide efficient lighting where electric grid systems are unreliable. One as-peel includes a light assembly that includes an input to receive power from a power source, a controllable power supply having a control input, a power input coupled to the first input, and an output to provide a voltage level controllable based on a control signal received at the control input, a light circuit coupled to the output of the controllable power supply and configured to provide output light in response to the output voltage, a feedback circuit configured to detect a current to a battery and a voltage across the battery and having an output coupled to the control input of the controllable power supply to provide the control signal to the controllable power supply based on at least one of the current to the battery input and the voltage across the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Dhruv Bhardwaj, Rupan Sarkar
  • Patent number: 8829799
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for autonomous shifting of at least a portion of a lighting load off an energy distribution grid, comprising electrically connecting a lighting device to the energy distribution grid; causing the lighting device to interpret information obtained from an information source proximate the lighting device; and causing the lighting device to select from at least two different power sources based on the interpretation, where selecting may include a sharing of the load between the two different power sources, and where one power source may be the energy distribution grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Wireless Environment, LLC
    Inventors: Michael V. Recker, David B. Levine
  • Publication number: 20140226135
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a light source apparatus includes a discharge lamp with a pair of electrodes and a driving unit that supplies a driving current to the pair of electrodes. The driving unit includes an AC supplier that supplies an alternating current to the pair of electrodes and a DC supplier that supplies a direct current to the pair of electrodes. The AC supplier is configured to alternately repeat an AC supply section in which the alternating current is supplied and an AC stop section in which the supply of the alternating current is stopped. The DC supplier is configured to supply the direct current during a period corresponding to the AC stop section. A frequency of the direct current is not lower than 10 Hz and not higher than 1 kHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Suzuki, Satoshi Kito
  • Patent number: 8803769
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter generates a first power and a second power for driving pixels in an organic light emitting display, such that the voltages of the first power and the second power are substantially independent of the voltage from a power supply or a battery. A voltage detector detects the voltage from the power supply, and a booster circuit and an inverter circuit respectively boost and invert the voltage from the power supply to generate and output the first and the second powers, respectively, for the pixels. A PWM controller controls the booster circuit and the inverter circuit to control voltages of the first power and the second power. The booster circuit is adapted to reduce the voltage from the power supply to be lower than the voltage of the first power when the voltage from the power supply detected by the voltage detector is higher than a reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Cheon Park, Su-Yeon Yun
  • Patent number: 8803859
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a display driving circuit and a display driving system, and more particularly, to a display driving circuit having a half-VDD power supply circuit built therein and a display driving system including the same, in which the display driving circuit is further provided with a half voltage VDD terminal in addition to the highest voltage VDD terminal and the lowest voltage VSS terminal, and the half voltage, which is between the highest voltage and the lowest voltage, is generated and supplied by the half voltage power supply from the inside of the display driving circuit, rather than being supplied from an external power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Ho Cho, Yong Bok Kim, Pyung Sik Ma, An Young Kim, Yong Icc Jung, Joon Ho Na
  • Patent number: 8779672
    Abstract: Driving circuit comprises a first input, at which a first supply voltage is present, a second input, at which a second supply voltage is present, a first current supply unit selectively coupled to first or second input as function of at least one first control signal, at least one second current supply unit selectively coupled to first or second input as function of at least one second control signal, a control unit connected to first current supply unit and to at least one second current supply unit for respective control thereof and designed to provide at least one first and second control signal, and a first output coupled to first current supply unit to provide a first current for at least one first light-emitting diode, at least one second output coupled to at least one second current supply unit to provide second current for at least one second light-emitting diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Peter Bosmuller, Gilbert Promitzer, Andreas Hartberger
  • Publication number: 20130207554
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a luminaire includes a light-emitting module, a first lighting circuit and a back-flow preventing circuit. The light-emitting module includes a light-emitting element and a capacitive element. The first lighting circuit is supplied with power from the first power supply and is configured to activate the light-emitting element. The back-flow preventing circuit interrupts current flowing in a direction from the capacitive element to the first lighting circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi NAKAJIMA, Toshio Tsuji, Masahiko Kamata
  • Publication number: 20130049611
    Abstract: Power efficient power supply regulator circuits are disclosed. The circuits are configured to modify their overhead current according to current load. This is particularly advantageous for use in display devices with widely varying current loads. Such displays include bi-stable displays, such as interferometric modulation displays, LCD displays, and DMD displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20120319599
    Abstract: A light source apparatus includes a discharge lamp including a light-emitting container, and a pair of electrodes disposed such that a respective tip portion thereof opposes each other in the light-emitting container, and a driving unit that supplies a driving current to the pair of electrodes. The driving unit includes an AC supplier that supplies an alternating current of a frequency not lower than 1 kHz and not higher than 10 GHz to the pair of electrodes and a DC supplier that supplies a direct current to the pair of electrodes. The AC supplier is configured so as to alternately repeat an AC supply section in which the alternating current is supplied and an AC stop section in which the supply of the alternating current is stopped, and the DC supplier is configured so as to supply the direct current during a period corresponding to the AC stop section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Suzuki, Satoshi Kito
  • Publication number: 20120187852
    Abstract: An elevator emergency LED lighting power supply assembly including an inverter that receives DC power from a battery and outputs backup power to LED lamps of an elevator lighting system. An LED driver is connected to the inverter, is connectable to an LED lamp of the elevator lighting system, receives AC power from the inverter, and outputs DC power sufficient to power an LED lamp. A relay is connected between the inverter and the LED driver, is connectable to a primary elevator electrical power supply, and allows AC power to flow from a primary elevator electrical power supply to elevator lighting system LEDs through the LED driver as long as AC power is available from a primary elevator electrical power supply. Upon loss of power from the primary elevator power supply the relay switches contacts and provides to the LED driver AC power received from the inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Man-D-Tec, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Roy Mandy, Dalton John Mandy, Brandon Roy Mandy
  • Patent number: 8159154
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of driving a backlight unit and a display apparatus employing the same. Wherein a driving current, which is divided in a step-by-step fashion, is sequentially changed and output according to a current control signal. The current control signal is divided into low levels and high levels that are consecutively and repeatedly applied to a backlight controller. The driving current is reduced from a reference current corresponding to a number of the high levels during a time period that starts when the low level is applied for at least a first reference time interval and ends when the high level is applied for at least a second reference time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kon-Ho Lee, Kil-Soo Choi, Bum-Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 7994722
    Abstract: An energy saving control 40 for a fluorescent light which is easily installed in an existing merchandising machine 10 and a method of retrofitting the energy saving control for a fluorescent light into an existing merchandising machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Vendors Exchange International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent D. Garson, Glen Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110140609
    Abstract: A lamp control system includes a first driving circuit, an assistance DC power source having an output voltage lower than a working voltage of a lamp and a second driving circuit. The first driving circuit electrically connects the lamp with a utility power source to convert an AC power a DC power and supply the DC power to the lamp. The second driving circuit electrically connects the assistance DC power source with the lamp. The second driving circuit includes a boost circuit, which is connected to the assistance DC power source to promote the output voltage of the assistance DC power source to the working voltage of the lamp and then supply electrical power with the promoted voltage to the lamp when the utility power source is off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicants: FU ZHUN PRECISION INDUSTRY (SHEN ZHEN) CO., LTD., FOXCONN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHIN-LONG KU, YANG SUN
  • Publication number: 20110133655
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for autonomous shifting of at least a portion of a lighting load off an energy distribution grid, comprising electrically connecting a lighting device to the energy distribution grid; causing the lighting device to interpret information obtained from an information source proximate the lighting device; and causing the lighting device to select from at least two different power sources based on the interpretation, where selecting may include a sharing of the load between the two different power sources, and where one power source may be the energy distribution grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Michael V. Recker, David B. Levine
  • Publication number: 20090174333
    Abstract: A display device where the influence of variations in current of the light emitting element due to changes in ambient temperature and changes with time can be suppressed. The display device of the invention has a light emitting element, a driving transistor connected in series to the light emitting element, a monitoring light emitting element, a limiter transistor connected in series to the monitoring light emitting element, a constant current source for supplying a constant current to the monitoring light emitting element, and a circuit for outputting a potential equal to an inputted potential. A first electrode of the light emitting element is connected to an output terminal of the circuit through the driving transistor, and a first electrode of the monitoring light emitting element is connected to an input terminal of the circuit through the limiter transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiko Hayakawa, Yu Yamazaki, Yukari Ando, Keisuke Miyagawa, Jun Koyama, Mitsuaki Osame, Aya Anzai, Shunpei Yamazaki, Satoshi Seo, Hiroko Abe
  • Publication number: 20090146573
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a primary lighting source powered by from a facility A-C power source, and backup LED lighting source powered by batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: DM Technology & Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Jia H. Deng
  • Patent number: 7466081
    Abstract: An emergency lighting with an electrical illuminant (DL1, DL2, DL3), which, as a power supply drops below a predeterminable value, can be connected to an energy source that can be charged from the power supply by means of a charging connection, for example, by means of an electronic switch (T1), where the energy source consists of at least one high-capacity storage condenser (CS; CS1, CS2) and where light-emitting diodes can be provided as illuminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens AG Österreich
    Inventor: Harald Schweigert
  • Patent number: 7327092
    Abstract: A circuit for driving the current for inductive loads such as an electron beam deflection coil for an x-ray generator system. The circuit includes two selectable voltage levels provided by a high level and a low level source. A plurality of switches selects the voltage level and determines the polarity of the current through the coil. The high level source is selected when the load is charging or discharging. The low level source is selected when the load is operating in a constant current mode, where a high frequency switching device controls the voltage through the load by switching the low level source to generate a PWM waveform according to a reference current duty cycle. A feedback loop monitors the current through the load to adjust the duty cycle of the PWM waveform to more accurately control the current through the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: GE Homeland Protection, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonio Caiafa, Juan Antonio Sabate
  • Publication number: 20080001545
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a pixel array section and a driving section configured to drive the pixel array section. The pixel array section includes a plurality of first scanning lines and a plurality of second scanning lines extending along rows, a plurality of signal lines extending along columns, a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix at positions at which the first and second scanning lines and the signal lines intersect with each other, and a plurality of power supply lines and a plurality of ground lines configured to perform feeding to the pixels. The driving section includes a first scanner, a second scanner, and a signal selector. Each of the pixels includes a light emitting element, a sampling transistor, a drive transistor, a switching transistor, and a pixel capacitance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhide Uchino, Junichi Yamashita, Naobumi Toyomura
  • Patent number: 7239041
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes an input node set, a light emitting unit including at least one light emitting element connected across first and second nodes of the input node set, an impedance matching element having a first end connected to the first node, a switch unit connected between a second end of the impedance matching element and the second node, and a control unit connected in parallel to the light emitting unit and connected to the switch unit. The control unit is operable so as to control the switch unit to operate in an ON-state, where the switch unit makes connection between the impedance matching element and the second node when the first node is applied with an AC input power signal, or an OFF-state, where the switch unit interrupts connection between the impedance matching element and the second node when the first node is applied with a DC input power signal for a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: T.Y.C. Brother Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Chen Wu, Ming-Shan Kuo
  • Patent number: 6756951
    Abstract: A display apparatus and a driving circuit of a display panel, in which even when an anode line driving circuit is made of a plurality of IC chips, light emission luminance values on the display panel can be uniformed. The display apparatus is made of a plurality of driving circuits having a plurality of light-emission drive current sources each for generating a light-emission drive current to allow a light emitting element of the display panel to emit the light and supplying the light-emission drive current to first electrode lines of the display panel. At least one of the driving circuits is provided with a drive current control circuit for adjusting a current amount of the light-emission drive current to be generated by the driving circuit on the basis of the light-emission drive current generated from the other driving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Ishizuka, Masami Tsuchida, Tsuyoshi Sakamoto, Hideo Ochi
  • Patent number: 6693390
    Abstract: A load driving apparatus is constituted with a high voltage power source, a low voltage power source, a first switching element, a second switching element, a lamp load, current detecting section, and PWM control section. The first switching element is connected to the high voltage power source which supplies a high voltage and is connected to the lamp load. The second switching element is connected to the low voltage power source which supplies a low voltage and is connected to the lamp load. The current detecting section detects a value of current flowing in the lamp load. The PWM control section is connected the first switching element, the second switching element, and the current detecting section to control a voltage to be supplied to the lamp load. The PWM control section turns the second switching element in ON state at first, and the low voltage is being supplied to the lamp load while the value of the current detected in the current detecting section is more than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tamai, Tetsuya Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6507333
    Abstract: A display is provided with an insulative layer with electrical properties which have been selected so that the display can be addressed with a stylus and which minimizes the effects of stray triboelectrically generated charges. Also provided is a method of addressing such a display by depositing charges on a surface of the display, maintaining sufficient charge to effect an image change, and then removing the charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Mikkelsen, Jr., Nicholas K. Sheridon, Edward A. Richley
  • Patent number: 5770924
    Abstract: To largely, or entirely inhibit glow discharges during the start-up or run-on phase (Ta) of a high-pressure discharge lamp, the lamp is operated in a second time period (T2) immediately after ignition (T1) with continuous direct current during which the electrode of the lamp which then functions as an anode has reached emission temperature; in a third time period (T3), the polarity of the direct current is reversed and the other electrode, which now will function as an anode, is heated to emission temperature; thereafter, alternating current energy is supplied to both electrodes, typically in frequencies between 90 and 150 Hz. A suitable second time period (T2) can be about 2 to 21/2 second, the third time period (T3) being shorter. The total warm-up time may extend to a minute or more; current being supplied during the second, third and subsequent periods is usually higher, for example by a factor of 1.5 of the normal or rated operating current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft F. Elektrische Gluehlampen mbH
    Inventors: Josef Osterried, Andreas Huber, Alwin Veser, Frank Hansmann
  • Patent number: 5635800
    Abstract: Circuit arrangements generate start, glow, and/or run signals to be applied to and for operating a DC arc discharge lamp. A first circuit arrangement provides start, glow, and run signals. The first circuit arrangement includes a tapped transformer flyback converter circuit for combining the start and glow functions; a buck/boost converter for providing the run function; and blocking diodes for providing a blocking function for the glow circuit during the start and run modes, and further for providing a blocking function for the run circuit during the start and glow modes. A second circuit arrangement provides start and glow functions, and includes a tapped transformer flyback converter circuit for combining the start and glow functions; and a blocking diode for providing a blocking function for the glow circuit during the start mode. A third circuit arrangement includes a buck/boost converter for providing glow and run functions, and further includes an inductive storage element, such as an inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Timothy A. Taubert
  • Patent number: 5578906
    Abstract: A field emission device (100) having an electron emitter (101), for emitting electrons, an extraction electrode (102) proximally disposed with respect to the electron emitter (101), an anode (103) for collecting some of any emitted electrons is formed. Anode (103) is distally disposed with respect to the electron emitter (101). A transient current source (110) is operably coupled between the electron emitter (101) and a reference potential (107). Transient current source (110) provides a transient current to the electron emitter (101) to enhance response time for emission of electrons from the electron emitter (101) of the field emission device (100). A controlling input line (111) is provided for current controlling signals to the transient current source (110) with the controlling input line (111) being operably coupled to the transient current source (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola
    Inventor: Robert T. Smith
  • Patent number: 5498934
    Abstract: Connected in circuit between the battery and the light bulb in a flashlight is a slide switch and an electronic forward converter. The slide switch has an OFF-position, an ON-position, and a spring-loaded variable BOOST-position. In full BOOST, the electronic forward converter operates such as to increase the magnitude of the voltage applied to the light bulb by a factor of about 1.5; thereby increasing the light output from the flashlight by a factor of about 4.0. However, at that degree of BOOST, if indeed maintained on a continuous basis, the life of the light bulb will be shortened to about 15 minutes versus about 50 hours when used in the normal ON-position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Inventor: Ole K. Nilssen
  • Patent number: 5418433
    Abstract: A flashlight has a hybrid battery pack consisting of a primary-cell battery (ex: an Alkaline battery) and an auxiliary rechargeable battery of low internal resistance (ex: a Ni--Cad battery). Connected in circuit between the batteries and the flashlight's light bulb is a slide switch and an electronic control circuit. The slide switch has an OFF-position, an ON-position, and a spring-loaded variable BOOST-position. In full BOOST, the electronic control circuit operates such as to apply a voltage of about 1.5 times normal magnitude to the light bulb; thereby increasing the flashlight's light output by a factor of about 4.0 above normal. However, at that degree of BOOST, if indeed maintained on a continuous basis, the life of the light bulb will be shortened to about 15 minutes versus about 50 hours when used in the normal ON-position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: Ole K. Nilssen
  • Patent number: 5384516
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus employs a liquid crystal display and a fluorescent lamp for backlighting the screen of the liquid crystal display. A lighting circuit for supplying alternating current lighting power to the fluorescent lamp receives input power from either a commercial alternating current power source or from a direct current battery. The level of the lighting power supplied to the fluorescent lamp is determined based upon a determination of whether the input power is being supplied from the commercial power source or from the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Microcomputer System, Ltd., Hitachi Video & Information System, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Kawabata, Soichiro Ogawa, Susumu Iijima, Kunio Seki, Hirotaka Mochizuki, Makoto Goto, Ryuichi Ikeda, Motohiro Sugino, Kenichi Onda
  • Patent number: 5323089
    Abstract: In a method for operating high-pressure discharge lamps in a pulsed mode to improve the light properties thereof, gating pulses for the high-pressure discharge lamp are in the form of pulse groups of bipolar individual pulses with a pulse width of less than 100 .mu.s. The repetition frequency of the pulse groups is higher than 100 Hz at a duty cycle of less than 0.8 and the individual pulses have a frequency of more than 400 Hz at an arbitrary duty cycle. A sinusoidal keep alive current or direct current is applied to the lamp between the pulse groups. The individual pulses can be spike pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: NARVA Berliner Gluehlampenwerk GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Bonigk
  • Patent number: 5315215
    Abstract: A pair of transistors (110 and 112) configured with their channels connected in series. The gate of the "upper" transistor (110) is coupled to a relatively low-voltage, DC power supply voltage by a voltage-clamping and current-steering diode (144); to a relatively high-voltage, DC power supply voltage by the series combination of a current-steering diode (152) and one voltage-clamping zener diode (154 and 156) and coupled to the source of the "upper" transistor by a charge-removing resistor (162).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: METCAL, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald A. Lesea
  • Patent number: 5252893
    Abstract: A rechargeable electronic flasher powered by a solar panel and solar-rechargeable battery. The circuit has particular application as an auxiliary safety measure for use in roadway cats' eyes, or in memorial symbols for mounting on, or near, grave stones and the like so as to provide substantially perpetual illumination. Minimum charging time is necessary, while operation on battery power is extended to many days, rather than hours. The circuit can also be set to flash at a rate above the frequency the eye can distinguish, creating a substantially constant light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Interplex Solar Corporation
    Inventors: Chaim Chacham, Roni Friedman, Uri Amir
  • Patent number: 5233271
    Abstract: A lamp having a lamp base, switches, AC power supply, a Philips lamp, battery, and circuit board. In addition to a conventional circuit of AC for starting the Philips lamp, there is also a loop using DC to start the Philips lamp. The loop includes the conversion, oscillation, and amplification of AC and DC, as well as an automatic switching circuit. A conductive ring clamp mounted on the Philips lamp may light up the lamp by means of the battery when there is no supply of AC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignees: Lung-Hsiang Huang, Hsin-Hung Chung
    Inventors: Lung-Hsiang Huang, Hsin-Hung Chung
  • Patent number: 5198727
    Abstract: Miniature high pressure arc lamps containing a substantial pressure of xenon, in addition to metal halide and mercury, can provide instant light at turn-on and are suitable for automotive headlamps. The xenon aggravates convection which causes arc-bowing and overheating of the envelope above the arc. By operating the lamps on unidirectional current upon which a frequency-modulated high frequency ripple has been imposed, acoustic resonance is used to straighten out the arc. The use of unidirectional current permits a reduction in cost and size of the ballast control circuits operated from auto storage battery. Frequency modulation of the ripple broadens the band allowing acoustic straightening of the arc. Additional control of the arc plus reduction of cataphoresis may be achieved through a horizontal magnetic field at the arc, transverse to current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gary R. Allen, Joseph M. Allison, John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler, Kenneth S. King
  • Patent number: 5170099
    Abstract: A discharge lamp lighting device includes a DC power supplying means which supplies as superposed on a high frequency power fed to a low-tension, mercury-arc discharge lamp a DC power of a level capable of maintaining a discharge upon low light flux lighting, the lamp being thereby made stably lighted to an extremely low level of the flux of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Ueoka, Akio Okude
  • Patent number: 5144189
    Abstract: The assembly of a headlight and a connector has in the headlight an electric discharge lamp with a lamp cap and contacts at this lamp cap, which cap is attached by a fixing member to a reflector. The headlight has beside the lamp cap a contact member. The connector has main contacts for the lamp and additional contacts adapted to cooperate with the contact member. It is not until the contact member interconnects the additional contacts that a high voltage is applied across the main contacts of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Johannes A. A. M. Van Heeswijk, Josephus F. Rijckaert
  • Patent number: 5068577
    Abstract: Novel systems, circuits, and methods for initiating ionization, maintaining constant illumination current, and extinguishing illumination in a gas discharge tube and in gas discharge tube arrays. Input controls for current regulating circuits for gas discharge tubes comprise directly connected semiconductor logic circuits. In the currently preferred embodiment, each gas discharge tube is maintained in consistently bright illumination by a constant current or extinguished by inhibition of the constant current, as controlled by a surprisingly simple circuit comprising a single PNP transistor and three resistors. A parallel coupled input which provides an impedance connection for a gas discharge tube ionizing high voltage pulse comprises a single resistor and a serially interposed isolating diode which protects the transistor from the high voltage ionizing pulse and imposes the ionizing pulse primarily upon the gas discharge tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Integrated Systems Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent W. Brown
  • Patent number: 5047695
    Abstract: A method and a ballast circuit are disclosed for operating a xenon-metal halide lamp particularly suited for automotive applications with a direct curernt (DC) levels having selectable amount of ripple imposed thereon. The ripple provides for acoustically straightening the arc between the electrodes of the xenon-metal halide lamp. The DC acoustic operation has the capability of utilizing cataphoresis effect so as to provide a less distracting forward beam illumination for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gary R. Allen, Joseph M. Allison, John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler
  • Patent number: 5039915
    Abstract: A multipurpose fluorescent light device suitable for use with power sources of 12 volts DC and 220 volts AC without having to use a voltage transformer, comprising a fluorescent lamp, a pair of antivibration covers, a starter switch, a circuit board assembly, a pair of positive and negative bypassing connections, a 120/220 voltage reduction wire, a 12 volt power cord, a transparent, heat-resistant plastic tube and a hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Inventor: Hsing-Tseng Lu
  • Patent number: 4887007
    Abstract: A DC-AC converter for supplying energy to a dishcarge lamp (17). The converter is in the form of an imcomplete half-bridge circuit (11, 12; 15, 16, 19, 18). The lamp (17) is connected in series with a coil (18) and a capacitor (16). Two switching elements (11, 12) in the half-bridge circuit are formed as semiconductor switching elements. The lamp current is a square-shaped alternating current. A diode (13) is connected in parallel with the one switching element (11) and a diode (14) is connected in parallel with the other switching element (12). The control circuit of the switching elements is provided with a switching circuit (21) which alternately switches the one switching element (11) and the other switching element (12) several times. The number of switching elements through which the lamp current flows can therefore remain limited to two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Antonius F. J. Almering, Henri A. I. Melai
  • Patent number: 4855646
    Abstract: A fluorescent illuminator including a fluorescent lamp, a lamp housing, and a lamp power supply with a variable current output with a relatively fixed frequency at least an order of magnitude greater than line frequency and a non-integral multiple thereof. There are means for connecting the power supply to the lamp and also means for varying the current output of the power supply between a first, lowest level and a second, highest level to change the light intensity of the fluorescent lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Techni-Quip Corp.
    Inventors: Guy R. Peckitt, Edward E. Kopelman
  • Patent number: 4812712
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus wherein a means is provided to apply the proper negative DC voltage through a filter circuit to an electrode for generating the low-temperature plasma through the feed of the high-frequency power. When the high-frequency power has been fed in the higher high-frequency power density to the electrode for generating the low temperature plasma, the sparks (abnormal discharge) easy to be generated are prevented from being caused to generate the stable low-temperature plasma for better plasma processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youichi Ohnishi, Akira Okuda, Hiromi Shima, Shinichi Mizuguchi
  • Patent number: 4803406
    Abstract: A high-pressure discharge lamp operating circuit performs a low-frequency AC operating at an early stage of operating and thereafter performs a high-frequency AC operation or DC operation during the steady-state of lamp operation. This circuit comprises a circuit for effecting a transition from the low-frequency AC operation to the high-frequency AC operation or DC operation either at the time which is a predetermined time period after the ignition of discharge before the high-pressure discharge lamp reaches the steady-state of operation, or after having detected at least one of predetermined lamp characteristics, thereby providing a stabilized light output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Yasuda, Tsune Miyashita, Seiichi Murayama, Yoji Arai, Fuzio Yamada
  • Patent number: 4749908
    Abstract: An emergency power supply including an input for connection to a power line, an output for connecting the input to electrical equipment so as to supply power thereto from the power line, a supplemental power supply connected to the output and adapted to supply power to the electrical equipment upon a power abnormality in the power line, an electrical energy storage means connected to the supplemental power supply and adapted to supply electrical energy thereto; and a circuit for detecting the abnormalities in the power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Electronic Specialists, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis J. Stifter