Automatic Regulation Patents (Class 315/297)
  • Patent number: 9456117
    Abstract: An adaptive lighting apparatus (1) for high-speed image recordings for an object (2) uses a number of high-speed image recording devices (30, 31, 32), with a number of LED lighting units (10-18) having LED illuminants (100-104) that can emit light to light the object (2) during operation. An actuator actuates the LED lighting units (10-18) individually or in groups. A control device (4) controls the actuator, and has a memory that stores parameter sets for actuating the LED lighting units (10-18) for retrieval. An evaluation device calibrates the adaptive lighting apparatus (1) and then captures and evaluates the images of the object (2) that are recorded by the high-speed image recording devices (30, 31, 32) and calculates therefrom the parameter sets for adaptively actuating the LED lighting units (10-18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Walter Rentschler
  • Patent number: 9433061
    Abstract: Control of lighting fixtures in a lighting network may be distributed among the lighting fixtures. The lighting fixtures may be broken into groups that are associated with different lighting zones. At least some of the lighting fixtures will have or be associated with one or more sensors. Within the overall lighting network or the various lighting zones, the lighting fixtures may share sensor data from their sensors. Each lighting fixture may process sensor data provided by its own sensor, a remote standalone sensor, or lighting fixture, and process the sensor data according to the lighting fixture's own internal logic to control operation of the lighting fixture. The lighting fixtures may also receive control input from other lighting fixtures, control nodes, light switches, and commissioning tools. The control input may be processed along with the sensor data according to the internal logic to further enhance control of the lighting fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Chobot
  • Patent number: 9392656
    Abstract: An arrangement for driving a light source, including a plurality of LED strings by means of a current generator, wherein each said LED string forms a respective current mesh with said current generator, includes: at least one inductor acting on said current meshes, in each of said current meshes, an electronic switch having a first, working node towards the LED string and a second, reference node opposed to the LED string. All the reference nodes of all the electronic switches are connected together, and the working node of each electronic switch is connected to the work node of at least another one of the electronic switches via at least one current averaging capacitor. The electronic switches can be selectively rendered conductive, each one at a respective time interval, thereby selectively distributing the current of the current generator over the LED strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: OSRAM GmbH
    Inventors: Francesco Angelin, Paolo De Anna, Felix Franck, Enrico Raniero
  • Patent number: 9390647
    Abstract: The LED display system comprises an array of LEDs and a driver circuit that employs a scrambled PWM generator. The scrambled PWM generator is configured to generate a plurality of PWM pulses. The PWM pulses are distributed into a corresponding number of refresh segments. The driver circuit is configured so that one or more of PWM pulses are extendable by a certain offset value so that the pulse width in the corresponding refresh segments is wide enough for the LED to emit light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: SCT TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
    Inventors: Eric Li, Shang-Kuan Tang, Wenjie Yang, Yi Zhang
  • Patent number: 9392655
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an LED lighting device comprises at least one normally-on type switching element, an output generation unit that generates DC output by an on-off operation of the switching element, a semiconductor light emitting element that is lit by the DC output generated by the output generation unit, and a driving control unit that causes the switching element to perform an off operation using a current passed through the semiconductor light emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: TOSHIBA LIGHTING & TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noriyuki Kitamura
  • Patent number: 9386650
    Abstract: Provided are a light emitting diode (LED) lighting device and a method of controlling the same. The LED lighting includes an LED module in which a plurality of LED arrays having a plurality of LEDs connected in series are connected in parallel, a constant current supply configured to apply a constant current to the LED module, variable resistors connected to the LED arrays in series, respectively, and a controller configured to control the constant current supply and the variable resistors, wherein the controller adjusts the variable resistors and matches overall resistance of the respective LED arrays to maintain balance of a current thereof when one or more current values of measured current values of the LED arrays are in an abnormal range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: EMFIRST
    Inventor: Byoung Og Cho
  • Patent number: 9386645
    Abstract: A circuit is described which allows an LED driver to be controlled by a control signal in such a manner that at a predetermined dimming level the output current goes to zero instead of continuing to indefinitely low dim levels, thus avoiding the possibility of flickering or shimmer at extremely low dim levels. An electronic circuit for driving an LED load with a conventional LED drive circuit has inputs connected to a power source and output terminals providing regulated output power including a load disconnect switch in series with the LED load which has a control node responsive to a control circuit; and a control input which commands varying levels of input power. The control circuit is configured to be responsive to the control input so that when the control input corresponds to a certain continuous level of dimming, the load disconnect switch is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Patent number: 9380654
    Abstract: Provided is a driver circuit including an input port configured for coupling to a ballast and a transformer having a first side coupled to the input port. The driver circuit also includes a rectifier having an input portion coupled to a second side of the transformer and an output portion configured for coupling to a light source. The transformer is configured to match output characteristics of the ballast to input characteristics of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter Dankovits, Krisztian Novak, Peter Zalka
  • Patent number: 9338858
    Abstract: Control of lighting fixtures in a lighting network may be distributed among the lighting fixtures. The lighting fixtures may be broken into groups that are associated with different lighting zones. At least some of the lighting fixtures will have or be associated with one or more sensors. Within the overall lighting network or the various lighting zones, the lighting fixtures may share sensor data from their sensors. Each lighting fixture may process sensor data provided by its own sensor, a remote standalone sensor, or lighting fixture, and process the sensor data according to the lighting fixture's own internal logic to control operation of the lighting fixture. The lighting fixtures may also receive control input from other lighting fixtures, control nodes, light switches, and commissioning tools. The control input may be processed along with the sensor data according to the internal logic to further enhance control of the lighting fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Chobot
  • Patent number: 9337718
    Abstract: Disclosed are a direct current converter and an organic light emitting display including the converter. The converter includes a power supply generating an input power, a first power generator receiving the input power and a selected voltage from a selector and generating a first voltage, a first output terminal connected to the first power generator and outputting the first voltage; a second power generator receiving the input power and generating a second voltage, a second output terminal connected to the second power generator and outputting the second voltage, an external feedback wiring providing a feedback voltage, a feedback terminal connected to the external feedback wiring and inputting the feedback voltage to the selector, and the selector connected to and transferring the selected voltage to the first power generator, where the selected voltage is one of the feedback voltage and the voltage output from the first output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Cheon Park
  • Patent number: 9320090
    Abstract: A system and method for operating one or more light emitting devices is disclosed. In one example, the intensity of light provided by the one or more light emitting devices is adjusted responsive to follow a step change in requested lighting output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Phoseon Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ognyan Moore, Paul Eddy
  • Patent number: 9313854
    Abstract: A system and method for operating one or more light emitting devices is disclosed. In one example, the intensity of light provided by the one or more light emitting devices is adjusted responsive to a temperature of the one or more light emitting device. The light is adjusted via modifying a current supplied to the one or more light emitting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Phoseon Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ognyan Moore, Paul Eddy, Jeff Smith
  • Patent number: 9294189
    Abstract: A lighting fixture is configured to modulate light intensity of a light source (11) comprising a light-emitting device (2) to superpose a communication signal on illumination light of the light source (11). The fixture includes: a main power supply (3) configured to control light output of the light source (11) based on a dimming signal; a switch device (Q1) for modulating an output current supplied from the main power supply (3) to the light source (11); an impedance element (Rx); a communication circuit (7); and a control power supply (8). The communication circuit (7) is configured to control the switch device (Q1) to superpose a modulation signal on illumination light from the light source (11). The control power supply (8) is configured to supply electric power to the communication circuit (7). One end of two input ends of the control power supply (8) is connected to one end of the impedance element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Propeerty Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shojirou Kido, Eiji Shiohama
  • Patent number: 9283677
    Abstract: Awareness of a device, such as a robot, to proximate humans (or other moving object) is manifested by a visual signal aligned with—i.e., aimed at—the human. For example, an illumination system may take the form of a closed or partial ring around which lighting elements may be selectively activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Rethink Robotics, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Hersey
  • Patent number: 9281835
    Abstract: A method of providing a wide range of input currents for an analog to digital converter (ADC), the method constituted of: receiving an input current; selecting one of a plurality of selectable ratios; and generating at least one sense current, the magnitudes of the at least one generated sense current and the received input current exhibiting the selected ratio, wherein the ADC is arranged to receive a voltage representation of the at least one generated sense current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Microsemi Corp.—Analog Mixed Signal Group, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shimon Cohen, Gabi Levhar
  • Patent number: 9282608
    Abstract: Disclosed are dimming driving system and a dimming controller. A disclosed dimming driving system has a transformer, a lighting device, and a dimming controller. The transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding inductively-coupled to each other. The secondary winding is coupled to an output power line and secondary ground, both coupling to and powering the lighting device. The dimming controller is coupled to the secondary winding for controlling current flowing through the lighting device according to a voltage drop of the secondary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Leadtrend Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Yeu-Torng Yau, Kuo-Chien Huang
  • Patent number: 9263934
    Abstract: An example controller for a power supply includes a first circuit and a drive signal generator. The first circuit receives a first signal representative of a switch current flowing through a switch of the power supply and then generates a second signal in response the switch current not reaching a current threshold within an amount of time. The second signal indicates when a dimming circuit at an input of the power supply is utilized. The drive signal generator generates a drive signal to control switching of the switch in response to the second signal, where energy is transferred across an energy transfer element of the power supply in response to the switching of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Yury Gaknoki, Mingming Mao, Tiziano Pastore
  • Patent number: 9265104
    Abstract: Circuits and methods used therein provide an adjustable average current through a load in accordance with a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal. A condition detection circuit is configured to identify a condition of the electronic circuit and to generate a condition signal indicative of the condition. A current extension circuit is coupled receive the condition signal and coupled to receive the PWM signal. The current extension circuit is configured to generate, at the output node of the current extension circuit, an extended PWM signal having a first state and a second state. The first state of the extended PWM signal longer in time than a first state of the PWM signal by an amount related to a value or a state of the condition signal. Current pulses through the load are extended to be longer in accordance with the extended PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Szczeszynski, Vijay Mangtani
  • Patent number: 9253829
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the intensity of a light source (e.g., a light-emitting diode light source) reduces visible flickering in the light source when a target intensity of the light source is dynamically changing. The load control device includes a load regulation circuit operable to conduct a load current through the electrical load and to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The load control device also includes a controller for adjusting the average magnitude of the load current to a target current. The controller pulse-width modulates the magnitude of the load current between a first current less than the target current and a second current greater than the target current. When the target current is dynamically changing, the controller is operable to adjust to the average magnitude of the load current towards the sum of the target current and a supplemental signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventor: Dragan Veskovic
  • Patent number: 9237617
    Abstract: An inductor-less LED driver circuit is provided with soft startup and inherent current limiting capabilities. A diode rectifier is coupled across an AC mains input, with the outputs for the rectifier coupled directly across an LED array. A bi-directional switching circuit and current limiting capacitor are coupled in series between a first mains input and a first rectifier input. A controller turns the bi-directional switching circuit on and off to enable or disable conduction of power from the AC power source, wherein the bi-directional switching circuit is turned on in association with a detected zero voltage state for AC input power, and the bi-directional switching circuit is turned off in association with a detected zero current state for AC input power. The controller further adjusts switch states for the bi-directional switching circuit in response to a dimming control signal corresponding to a desired lighting output level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Wei Xiong
  • Patent number: 9232574
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load (e.g., an LED light source) comprises an isolated forward converter comprising a transformer, a controller, and a current sense circuit operable to receive a sense voltage representative of a primary current conducting through to a primary winding of the transformer. The primary winding is coupled in series with a semiconductor switch, while a secondary winding is adapted to be operatively coupled to the load. The forward converter comprises a sense resistor coupled in series with the primary winding for producing the sense voltage that is representative of the primary current. The current sense circuit receives the sense voltage and averages the sense voltage when the semiconductor switch is conductive, so as to generate a load current control signal that is representative of a real component of a load current conducted through the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventor: Dragan Veskovic
  • Patent number: 9232599
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a backlight unit including an LED assembly, wherein the LED assembly includes: a plurality of LED packages; an LED PCB on which the plurality of LED packages are arranged being spaced apart from each other; and an LED driving circuit board that is connected to the LED PCB and includes a LED driving circuit, wherein the LED package includes first and second LED chips emitting two colors, respectively, out of red, green and blue, and a fluorescent substance emitting the other one color out of the red, green and blue, wherein a temperature sensor is formed in the LED PCB, and wherein the first or second LED chip is supplied with a compensated voltage according to temperature change by the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 9218010
    Abstract: There is provided a load driving apparatus including: a power converter circuit configured to convert electric power into direct current power; an output electric current detecting circuit configured to detect an output current flowing in the load; and a control circuit section configured to switch ON/OFF-operations of the load depending on an operation instruction information, to perform constant current control during a period of the ON-operation of the load, to output a first pulse signal to the power converter circuit when starting the constant current control, ON-duty of the first pulse signal being substantially same as that during a period of a most recent operation of the load performed immediately before, to perform constant voltage control during a period of the OFF-operation of the load based on an output voltage applied to the load, and to output a second pulse signal to the power converter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nakamura, Shigemi Masuda, Toshikazu Koshiba, Naoki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9215775
    Abstract: A luminaire can comprise a system that automatically adjusts light output from the luminaire to control light level in an illuminated area. The system can increase light output if the light level in the area falls below a target light level or decrease light output if the light level in the area rises above the target. For example, when the area is illuminated by a combination of sunlight and luminaire light, the light level can be maintained at the target level by gradually decreasing light output as the sunlight contribution increases in the morning and by gradually increasing light output as the sunlight contribution decreases in the evening. The system adjustments can take into consideration whether the light level is offset from the target due to a change in the target or a short-term fluctuation that may be due to a cloud temporarily blocking the sun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Michael Alan Lunn, Brian Eugene Elwell
  • Patent number: 9203317
    Abstract: A load driver includes: a rectifying unit configured to rectify an AC voltage from a power source to generate a first voltage; a first converter configured to convert the first voltage outputted from the rectifying unit into a second voltage; a second converter configured to drive a load with a constant current, based on the second voltage converted by the first converter; and a feedback unit configured to generate feedback information, based on information obtained from the second converter and indicating an output voltage when the second converter drives the load with the constant current, wherein the first converter converts the first voltage into the second voltage having a magnitude based on the feedback information obtained from the feedback unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9185777
    Abstract: A luminaire comprising a solid-state light source and a photosensitive transducer each operatively coupled to a controller. The photosensitive transducer is oriented to be within an illumination path of the solid-state light source. When the solid-state light source is in an ON state in which at least some light is produced, the controller controls the solid-state light source to be in the OFF state in which no light is produced for a brief measurement period imperceptible to a human. During the measurement period the controller obtains an ambient light level measurement from the photosensitive transducer without interference from the solid-state light source, which is in the OFF state. The controller may record turn ON and turn OFF times of the solid-state light source for use in controlling the solid-state light source in various circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 9179526
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination control system comprising a plurality of outdoor luminaries and a motorized service vehicle. Each luminaire comprises a controllable light source producing a light illuminance. The motorized service vehicle comprises a light sensor configured to detect the light illuminance generated by the controllable light source at the motorized service vehicle. The motorized service vehicle computes light illuminance data based on the detected light illuminance and transmits these to the outdoor luminaire through a wireless communication link or stores the light illuminance data on a data recording device of the motorized service vehicle. The outdoor luminaire receives may use the light illuminance data to set or adjust a light illuminance of the controllable light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: HeSa Light A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Chresten Pedersen, Henning Engelbrecht Larsen
  • Patent number: 9148925
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling a switch in a power converter in which peak current is regulated to achieve a specified average current through a load. The circuit can include a first input to receive a voltage corresponding to a pre-specified target average current through the load, and a second input to receive a voltage corresponding to a voltage across a sensing resistor immediately after the switch turns ON. The circuit generates a threshold value that is approximately equal to twice the voltage corresponding to the pre-specified target average current through the load, minus the voltage corresponding to a non-zero voltage across the sensing resistor just after the switch turns ON. Control logic is operable to monitor a voltage across the sensing resistor such that when the voltage across the sensing resistor reaches or exceeds the threshold value, the control logic generates a signal that causes the switch to be turned OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Cai, Wai-Keung Peter Cheng
  • Patent number: 9144120
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination device comprising: a number of light sources arranged in at least a first group of light sources and in a second group of light sources, where said first group of light sources and said second group of light sources are individually controllable; a number of light collecting means, said number of light collecting means collect light from said first group of light sources and convert said collected light into a number of source light beams; at least one light guide comprising an input section and an output section, said light guide receives light generated by said second group of light sources at said input section and said transfer said received light to said output section, said output section being adapted to emit said received light at an area between at least two of said source light beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Martin Professional APS
    Inventors: Thomas Vinther, Claus Hansen
  • Patent number: 9125270
    Abstract: A LED dimming device, and a LED dimming and a driving circuit using such LED dimming device are discussed. In present embodiment, the LED dimming device multiplexes an inputting switch and/or a sampling module of the LED driving circuit for dimming. such LED dimming device will not affect the sine waves of input current, in such a way, power factor and work efficiency will be increased while the harmonic coefficient and interference signal will be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: FREMONT MICRO DEVICES (SZ) LIMITED
    Inventors: Weiming Liao, Matthew Man Ho Ku, Yue Zheng, Lifang Guo, Guangyao You
  • Patent number: 9119243
    Abstract: In a lighting system (SLS), a radar arrangement (RU1) transmits a signal (CW). The radar arrangement (RU) detects a spectral power distribution of a received signal (RF) susceptible of comprising a reflection of the signal that has been transmitted. Lighting is controlled as a function of the spectral power distribution that has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Paulus Thomas Maria Van Zeijl, Henricus Theodorus Van Der Zanden
  • Patent number: 9113529
    Abstract: A remote intelligent monitoring system includes a server and a plurality of LED street lamps. Each of the plurality of LED street lamps includes a plurality of LED light sources connected in parallel, a detecting module and a sensing module. The detecting module detects the functioning of each LED light source, and the sensing module detects atmospheric information of the area where the LED street lamp is located. If the detected functioning is not consistent with specified electrical standards corresponding to the detected atmospheric information, either the server or the LED street lamp itself can adjust the electrical functioning of the LED light sources to accord with the specified standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Te-Sheng Chen, Xiao-Guang Li, Kuan-Hong Hsieh, Yun Xiao, Shang-Hui Pi, Shuang Rui
  • Patent number: 9101030
    Abstract: LED lighting devices/systems having air quality detection functions and methods for detecting air quality using the LED lighting devices/systems are provided. Exemplary LED lighting device includes an air quality detection unit configured to detect air quality parameter; a controller unit connected to the air quality detection unit to process data corresponding to the air quality parameter; an LED light source assembly controlled by the controller unit and configured to provide lighting; and an LED driver and power supply unit connected to drive the LED light source assembly, and to supply power to the entire LED lighting device. Exemplary LED lighting system includes at least two nodes each including an LED lighting device. By combining an air quality detection unit with an LED lighting device that are widely distributed and installed, the disclosed LED lighting devices/systems thus provide real-time and convenient air quality monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG SHENGHUI LIGHTING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jinxiang Shen, Chaoqun Sun, Xia Wang
  • Patent number: 9084305
    Abstract: A lighting system includes a lighting load and a lighting control device. The lighting control device is configured to adjust a light output of the lighting load to a first light output corresponding to a first correlated color temperature and a first illuminance in a first time slot, and to decrease the light output of the lighting load up to a second light output corresponding to a second correlated color temperature and a second illuminance with the passage of time in a second time slot after the first time slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naohiro Toda, Hiroki Noguchi, Tadashi Nishimura, Shinsuke Nishioka, Toshikazu Kawashima
  • Patent number: 9072150
    Abstract: A light emitting element includes a light emitting layer that is provided between an anode, a cathode, an anode, and a cathode, and the light emitting layer is configured to include the compound represented by Formula 1 below and the compound represented by Formula RH-1 below. (In Formula 1, A indicates an aryl group, an arylamino group, or triarylamine that may respectively independently include a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, and a substituent.) (In Formula IRH-1, n indicates a natural number between 1 and 12, and R represents a substituent or a functional group, and indicates an aryl group or an arylamino group that may respectively independently include a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, and a substituent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuji Fujita, Hidetoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9072142
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for a LED lighting unit (200), including an inverter circuit (210) electrically coupled to a LED module (220) having a pair of antiparallel LED groupings. The inverter circuit (210) provides for color and/or dimming control of the LED module (220). A method of adjusting color and/or dimming of a LED module includes the step of cycling between a plurality of states during each of a plurality of time periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Patrick John Zijlstra, Henricus Marie Peeters
  • Publication number: 20150145437
    Abstract: Various embodiments may relate to a power supply unit, including an output for outputting an operating current depending on an internal measurement signal, a communications line, and a current-measuring device, which is connected to the communications line. The current-measuring device is designed to generate a current on the communications line which is proportional to the conductance of a current-setting resistance. The current-measuring device has a current mirror, which is designed to mirror the generated current on the communications line. The current-measuring device is designed to convert the mirrored current into an internal measurement signal with a reference potential which is different than the communications line. At least one light source module is connectable to the output, wherein the at least one light source module has the current-setting resistance, which is connectable to the communications line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Walter Limmer, Francesco Angelin, Paolo De Anna, Bernd Rudolph
  • Publication number: 20150145419
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to controlling illumination on a lighting unit (10). The method includes reading orientation data from an orientation sensor (17) on the lighting unit as well as reading distance data from a distance sensor (15) on the lighting unit. A controller (63) is provided to control various light output surfaces (12) on the lighting unit. Once the controller determines the orientation of the lighting unit as well as distance data of the lighting unit from external structures or luminaire structures, the controller adjusts various light output characteristics of the lighting unit. The method may additionally include a memory storage which allows the controller to compare read data with stored data to determine an associated light fixture type for automated commissioning. Alternatively, the lighting unit can reconfigure itself to output light in various orientations based upon said read data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Tatiana Aleksandrovna Lashina, Dzmitry Viktorovich Aliakseyeu, Bartel Marinus Van De Sluis, Bram Knaapen, Anthonie Hendrik Bergman, Jonathan David Mason, Tim Dekker
  • Publication number: 20150137704
    Abstract: A bleeder circuit emulator for use in a power converter to compensate and increase the current demand from the Triac dimmer above its holding current. The circuit includes an input voltage modifier and a leading edge dimming detection circuit. The input voltage modifier receives an input voltage signal that is representative of a magnitude of an input voltage of the power converter and selectively provides a modified input voltage signal to an input of a controller in response to receiving a control signal. The modified input voltage signal is representative of a value that is less than the magnitude of the input voltage. The leading edge dimming detection circuit generates the control signal to engage the input voltage modifier to generate the modified input voltage signal in response to detecting leading edge dimming at an input of the power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Christian Angeles, Jose Requinton Del Carmen, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150130370
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for controlling an LED display of a wearable smart equipment, comprising: setting a plurality of LED display patterns which correlate to predetermined information of the wearable smart equipment; if a first display triggering signal is received, then determining a function information display type according to the first display triggering signal; and if the function information display type indicates that the LED display pattern to be implemented correlates to a predetermined information, then reading a current predetermined information of the wearable smart equipment, determining the LED display pattern according to the current predetermined information, and making the LEDs of the wearable smart equipment implement the LED display pattern that correlates to the current predetermined information, where the LED display patterns comprises lighting up, lighting out, flashing, changing display colors/position, changing display frequencies, changing display dura
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Shih-Kuang Tsai, Xu-Dong Chen
  • Patent number: 9030127
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for controlling object appearance while maintaining a lighting function without noticeable changes in illumination. The techniques may be implemented to illuminate a given target with a first light source so as to cause the target to have a first appearance, and to illuminate the target with a second light source so as to cause the target to have a second appearance different from the first appearance. The first and second light sources have a chromaticity within a common MacAdam ellipse. The MacAdam ellipse size may range, for example, from a 7-step ellipse (for relaxed constancy in chromaticity) to a 1-step ellipse (for high constancy in chromaticity). In some cases, one of the first or second light sources includes a spectral feature not included in the other light source, and an optical response property of the target reacts to changes in the spectral feature thereby causing appearance changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventor: Nancy H. Chen
  • Patent number: 9030459
    Abstract: A backlight unit includes a DC-DC converter; a voltage control unit which controls output voltage of the DC-DC converter; a plurality of unit light emitting diode arrays; and current deviation compensating unit in connection with input terminals of the plurality of unit light emitting diode arrays. The current deviation compensating unit receives the controlled voltage of the voltage control unit and transfers a feedback signal to the voltage control unit based on the received voltage, and actively compensates a current deviation generated by electrical characteristics of the plurality of unit light emitting diode arrays and transfers the compensated current deviation to the input terminals of the plurality of unit light emitting diode arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Won Jang, Min-Soo Choi, Young Sup Kwon
  • Patent number: 9030113
    Abstract: If a dimming ratio of a light source unit is higher than a first ratio, an ON width of a first switching device is increased with a second switching device kept off when the dimming ratio is increased, and also the ON width of the first switching device is decreased with the second switching device kept off when the dimming ratio is decreased. If a dimming ratio of the light source unit is lower than the first ratio, the ON width of the second switching device is regulated with the ON width of the first switching device held at a lower limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sana Esaki, Akinori Hiramatu
  • Publication number: 20150126806
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting system (100) and a method for controlling lighting conditions in a room (R). The lighting system (100) comprises a controller (101) for controlling internal light sources (121, 122) and at least one actuator (131, 141) for changing the amount of external light entering the room (R). Moreover, at least one sensor (111,112, 31,141) is provided for detecting a parameter relating to the actual or to a desired lighting level of the room (R). Thus it is possible to control the lighting of the room (R) according to a predetermined schedule, particularly with a circadian rhythm that can reduce delirium in a patient (P). The actuator may for example comprise means (141) for closing or opening curtains (142) in front of a window (W).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Andre Melon Barroso, Thomas Falck
  • Publication number: 20150123568
    Abstract: A load drive circuit may include a DC power source configured to provide a DC output voltage for at least one load based on an output voltage of an AC/DC converter, the DC output voltage having a ripple, a variable resistance module connected to the load, a ripple reduction module that generates, based on a reference voltage and a feedback signal from the load, a variable resistance adjusting signal for adjusting the resistance of the variable resistance module so as to reduce a ripple of the load current, wherein the reference voltage is generated based on the DC output voltage, and a reference voltage adjusting module that adjusts the average value of the reference voltage based on the variable resistance adjusting signal, so as to make the average value of the reference voltage approach the average value of the feedback signal as much as possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Xusheng Yang, Shaoping Chen, Xiongqiang He, Qingfu Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150123569
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus related to a LED-based lighting fixture having a touch-sensitive light emitting surface that may be touched by a user to change light output characteristics of LEDs of the lighting fixture. The LED-based lighting fixture may include a flexible touch-sensitive layer and a flexible light emitting layer having a plurality of individually controllable LED groups. Touch events may be detected via input from the flexible touch-sensitive layer and at least one light output characteristic of the LED groups altered in correspondence with the touch events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Bram Knaapen, Bartel Marinus Van De Sluis, Anthonie Hendrik Bergman, Tim Dekker
  • Publication number: 20150123571
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of light-emitting devices electrically coupled together. A temperature of each of the light-emitting devices is correlated with a voltage of said light-emitting device. The system includes a current driver configured to control an amount of current through at least a subset of the light-emitting devices. The system includes electronic circuitry that is electrically coupled to the subset of the light-emitting devices. The electronic circuitry is configured to: measure a voltage of the subset of the light-emitting devices while the light-emitting devices are in operation; determine, based on the measured voltage, whether the subset of the light-emitting devices is hotter than an acceptable temperature threshold; and instruct the current driver to reduce the amount of current through the subset of the light-emitting devices if the subset of the light-emitting devices has been determined to be hotter than the acceptable temperature threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Wei-Yu Yeh
  • Publication number: 20150123570
    Abstract: A method and system for lighting merchandising aisles, in particular check-out aisles, is disclosed. A control unit activates lighting of the aisles automatically when the presence of a cashier is detected. Communicative links between control units in adjacent aisles allow lights to be controlled despite aisle space between the control unit and lighting hardware. The communicative link may be wireless. Frequency switching or encoding may be used to pair sets of controllers for a given aisle to the exclusion of others. Override switches are also provided as are power output for the lighting hardware and other ancillary hardware. The invention may also be adapted to merchandizing gondolas and end caps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Elmer A. Wessel
  • Publication number: 20150123549
    Abstract: The invention relates to a LED lighting system comprising a power supply circuit and at least one LED module. The power supply circuit comprises input terminals (K1, K2) for connection to a supply voltage source and output terminals (K3, K4),and a driver circuit (I, II) coupled between the input terminals and the output terminals for generating a LED current out of a supply voltage supplied by the supply voltage source, and comprising a driver control circuit (II) with an input terminal (K7) for receiving a current control signal and for generating a LED current in dependency of the current control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Harald Josef Günther Radermacher, Klaas Jacob Lulofs, Lino Adriaan Nicolaas Wilhelm De Wit, Peter Hubertus Franciscus Deurenberg
  • Patent number: 9024534
    Abstract: A solid-state lighting system comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices (e.g., light-emitting diodes) and an alternating current to direct current (AC-DC) converter that converts AC power to DC power for powering the plurality of light-emitting devices. The AC-DC converter is configured to perform AC-DC conversion directly, without the need for or use of a bridge rectifier or step-down transformer. According to one aspect of the invention, the light-emitting devices of the solid-state lighting system are autonomous and individually powered by a plurality of DC power supplies generated from the DC power produced by the AC-DC converter. According to another aspect, a plurality of phase-offset dimmer control signals are generated based on waveform distortions in a dimming signal produced by a conventional dimmer switch. The phase-offset dimmer control signals are used to individually control the dimming of the light-emitting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Earl W. McCune, Jr.