Automatic Regulation Patents (Class 315/297)
  • Patent number: 8907589
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a group of lighting fixture nodes (10A-D) at a reduced power level are disclosed. In some versions of the methods a plurality of lighting fixture nodes in a group of electrically connected lighting fixture nodes may each be operated at a nominal fixture power level; a current draw across at least a test lighting fixture node of the lighting fixture nodes may be identified; and the extent to which to reduce power of each lighting fixture node may be determined as a function of the current draw across the test lighting fixture node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: George Bradley Mills, Michael William Johnson, Bradford Thomas Kolsky
  • Patent number: 8909380
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for controlling and managing a plurality of luminaires are disclosed. One method includes sensing, by a sensor of each of the plurality of luminaires, light received by the sensor, communicating, by a device, with the plurality of luminaires by a device through light pulses, commissioning and calibrating, by the device, the plurality of luminaires using the communication, and placing, by the device, at least one of the plurality of luminaires on a floor plan through the communication with light pulses, wherein the at least one of the plurality of luminaires identifies itself over a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: enLighted, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Golding, Ajit Sanzgiri
  • Publication number: 20140354169
    Abstract: A lighting device includes an electrical circuit for energizing an LED light source having a variable illuminating resistance. The electrical circuit includes at least one target parameter, at least one target relationship and is configured for energizing the LED light source with an energizing waveform for the LED light source having a plurality of operating parameters. The operating parameters change in response to changes in ambient conditions thereby changing the performance characteristics of the LED light source. The circuit determines at least one operating parameter, compares the operating parameter with the target parameter and changes the energizing waveform applied to the LED light source for changing the effective power applied to the LED light source for maintaining the operating parameter in conformance with a target relationship with the target parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Kevin McDermott
  • Publication number: 20140354179
    Abstract: A luminaire (1a, 1b) and a method for controlling a luminaire are disclosed. The luminaire (1a, 1b) comprises a light source (2) and an ultrasonic sensor (3). The ultrasonic sensor (3) detects the presence and direction of movement of a person (4) with respect to the light source (2). A controller modifies a lighting parameter emitted from the light source (2) depending on whether a person (4) is moving towards or away from the light source (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Philip Steven Newton, Bart Kroon
  • Publication number: 20140354162
    Abstract: LED lighting device and LED control system are provided. An LED lighting device includes an LED power supply unit, a controller unit, a microphone module, a wireless communication module, and an LED light source assembly. An LED control system includes at least one LED lighting device, at least one of a smart terminal and a cloud server, and at least one smart home appliance. When a user sends a voice command to the LED lighting device, the LED lighting device captures and processes signal data from the voice command to provide control data to the smart terminal or cloud server, which then recognizes and processes the control data to provide processed control data. The processed control data are then sent to a corresponding smart home appliance communicated with the smart terminal or the cloud server to control an operation of the smart home appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: CHAOQUN SUN, JIAYANG RUAN, JINXIANG SHEN
  • Patent number: 8901835
    Abstract: LED controllers, LED lighting systems and control methods capable of providing an average luminance intensity independent from the variation of an AC voltage. LEDs are divided into LED groups electrically connected in series between a power source and a ground. A disclosed LED controller has path switches, a management center and a line waveform sensor. Each path switch is for coupling a corresponding LED group to the ground. The management center controls the path switches. When turning off an upstream path switch, the management center controls a downstream path switch for a downstream LED group to make the driving current passing the upstream LED group substantially approach a target value. The line waveform sensor is coupled to the power source, sensing the waveform of the input voltage of the power source. The line waveform sensor is configured to decrease the target value when the input voltage increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Analog Integrations Corporation
    Inventors: Chin-Feng Kang, Jing-Chyi Wang
  • Patent number: 8901838
    Abstract: The semiconductor device is included in the LED driving circuit (current regulator) of driving the LED array (with series-connected number m×parallel-connected number n), and is formed of a plurality (n pieces) of LED driving devices of controlling a current (constant-current driving) flowing in each string. A vertical semiconductor device, for example, a vertical MOSFET is used as the LED driving device. Both of a main device functioning as a constant-current driving device and a subsidiary device functioning as a circuit-breaking switch during dimming are formed inside a chip of the device, which are formed of the vertical semiconductor devices. In a first surface of the device, each source region of the main device and the subsidiary device is formed so as to be insulated from each other through an isolation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Akiyama, Takayuki Hashimoto, Takashi Hirao, Nobuyoshi Matsuura, Hideo Ishii
  • Patent number: 8901836
    Abstract: A dimming controlling circuit for LED includes: a switch configured to connect a main circuit and a power grid; a switch-on duration controlling circuit configured to output a switch-on duration controlling signals according to action times of the switch; a switch-off controlling circuit configured to output a switch-off controlling signal according to a comparison result of the voltages of the switch-on duration controlling signal and of a signal from a terminal of a switch transistor in the main circuit; a switch-on controlling circuit configured to generate a switch-on controlling signal after a first preset duration since receiving the switch-off controlling signal; and a logic unit configured to output a switch transistor controlling signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen BYD Auto R&D Company Limited, BYD Company Limited
    Inventors: Pengfei Liang, Wei Wu, Yun Yang
  • Patent number: 8901850
    Abstract: An adaptive anti-glare light system including a sensor, a color selection engine, a controller, and a plurality of light sources each configured to emit a source light. The sensor transmits a source color signal designating a reflected light characterized by a detected color and a discomfort glare rating. The color selection engine determines a dominant wavelength of the detected color, and a combination of the light sources that the controller may operate to emit a combined wavelength that matches the dominant wavelength of the detected color. A method of adapting light as a countermeasure to glare comprises receiving the detected color, determining a subset of the plurality of light sources that may be combined to form an adapted light that matches the detected color, and operating the light sources with a white light to emit the adapted light at or above a threshold discomfort glare level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation
    Inventors: Frederic S. Maxik, Robert R. Soler, David E. Bartine
  • Patent number: 8896232
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a DC/DC power converter, a controller/processor electrically connected to the DC/DC power converter, a light emitting diode (LED) current control circuit communicably coupled to the controller/processor and electrically connected to the DC/DC power converter, and two or more LEDs comprising at least a first color LED and a second color LED electrically connected to the LED current control circuit. The LED current control circuit provides an on/off signal having a cycle time to each LED in response to one or more control signals received from the controller/processor such that the two or more LEDs produce a blended light having a specified color based on how long each LED is turned ON and/or OFF during the cycle time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: iLumi Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Swapnil Bora, Corey Egan
  • Patent number: 8896235
    Abstract: An LED lighting system powered by an AC power source comprising a rectifier module configured to provide a rectified output to a first group of LED devices and a second group of LED devices electrically coupled to the first group of LED devices. A current monitor module electrically coupled to the first group and to the second group of LED devices is configured to determine a first current level using a drawn current level signal associated with the first group of LED devices and a second current level using a reference current level signal associated with the second group of LED devices. The current monitor module is electrically coupled to a temperature sensing module that is configured to generate at least one compensation factor based at least in part on a temperature. The compensation factor is used to control (directly or indirectly) current through the LED devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Soraa, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Tin Chung Shum, Frank M. Steranka, Clifford Jue
  • Patent number: 8896218
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a DC/DC power converter, a controller/processor electrically connected to the DC/DC power converter, a light emitting diode (LED) current control circuit communicably coupled to the controller/processor and electrically connected to the DC/DC power converter, and two or more LEDs comprising at least a first color LED and a second color LED electrically connected to the LED current control circuit. The LED current control circuit provides an on/off signal having a cycle time to each LED in response to one or more control signals received from the controller/processor such that the two or more LEDs produce a blended light having a specified color based on how long each LED is turned ON and/or OFF during the cycle time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: iLumi Solultions, Inc.
    Inventors: Swapnil Bora, Corey Egan
  • Patent number: 8890437
    Abstract: A system for automatically adjusting light intensity of a lighting fixture having multiple emitters, includes a power supply for supplying at least one current source to multiple emitters, at least one first emitter capable of emitting light of a first wavelength, at least one second emitter capable of emitting light of a second wavelength and a luminous intensity adjusting circuit for adjusting light intensity of the at least one first emitter. Particularly, the luminous intensity adjusting circuit stabilizes a first current distributed from a feeding current of the at least one current source and the multiple emitters collectively emit light at a predefined variable light-intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ledzworld SDN BHD
    Inventors: Deepak Ken Chakravarti, Say Joo Ng
  • Patent number: 8890443
    Abstract: A backlight unit is provided, which includes a light-emitting diode LED, an LED driving unit which drives the LED, a control unit which measures a temperature of the LED driving unit, and, if the temperature exceeds a preset threshold temperature, interrupts an operation of the LED driving unit, and a threshold temperature adjustment unit which changes the preset threshold temperature based on a limit temperature of a circuit element included in the LED driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-il Kang, Ju-taek Lee, Gil-yong Chang
  • Patent number: 8890435
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a DC/DC power converter, a controller/processor electrically connected to the DC/DC power converter, a light emitting diode (LED) current control circuit communicably coupled to the controller/processor and electrically connected to the DC/DC power converter, and two or more LEDs comprising at least a first color LED and a second color LED electrically connected to the LED current control circuit. The LED current control circuit provides an on/off signal having a cycle time to each LED in response to one or more control signals received from the controller/processor such that the two or more LEDs produce a blended light having a specified color based on how long each LED is turned ON and/or OFF during the cycle time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: iLumi Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Swapnil Bora, Corey Egan
  • Patent number: 8890423
    Abstract: A backlight driving circuit includes a power module and a constant current driver chip. The power module includes a first controllable switch. An adjustable load is connected between the first controllable switch and a ground terminal of the backlight driving circuit, and the adjustable load includes a switching module controlling a resistance value of the adjustable load, a switching mode signal of the backlight driving circuit is sent to a control end of the switching module. A first end of the adjustable load that is connected to the first controllable switch is coupled to an over current protection (OCP) port of the constant current driver chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventors: Anle Hu, Xianming Zhang
  • Patent number: 8890420
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a first array of LEDs, a temperature sensor, memory, and a system controller. The memory may include a first duty cycle offset and first curve information that defines a relationship between temperature and a duty cycle for driving at least one LED of the first array of LEDs. The system controller will determine a temperature based on information from the temperature sensor. Based on the temperature, the system controller will determine a first pre-calibrated duty cycle that corresponds to the temperature from the first curve information and then adjust the first pre-calibrated duty cycle with the first duty cycle offset to generate a first calibrated duty cycle. The LED is then driven with a first pulse width modulated signal having the first calibrated duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Everett Bradford
  • Patent number: 8890415
    Abstract: The invention provides a backlight driving circuit, an LCD device, and a manufacturing method thereof. The backlight driving circuit includes at least two LED lightbars arranged in parallel connection, the output end of each of the LED lightbars is coupled with a variable current circuit, and the variable current circuit is provided with adjustable variable resistors used for balancing the voltage difference between the LED lightbars. In the invention, because the adjustable variable resistors are arranged in the variable current circuit which is connected in series with the LED lightbars, the resistance of the adjustable variable resistors can be adjusted according to the resistance of different LED lightbars before being used; thus, the total voltage of each LED lightbar and the variable resistor connected with ed LED lightbars in series can keep consistent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xianming Zhang
  • Patent number: 8884552
    Abstract: An Illumination system comprising a light source (1010) and a control unit (CU1) for controlling the light source is described. The control unit is arranged to operate in a first state to control a first illumination parameter of the light source and in a second state to control a second illumination parameter, a transition from the first state to the second state is obtained by providing a pulling force to a control element of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Eldolab Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Hubert Johan Marie Robert van Doorne, Petrus Johannes Maria Welten
  • Patent number: 8884547
    Abstract: An exemplary current regulating circuit of LED string includes a capacitor, an inductor, a diode, a switch and a detection circuit. First and second terminals of the capacitor respectively are connected to a low voltage and a preset voltage. A first terminal of the inductor is connected to the low voltage. Positive and negative terminals of the diode are respectively connected to a second terminal of the inductor and a high voltage. First and second terminals of the switch are respectively connected to the second terminal of the inductor and the preset voltage. The detection circuit detects the low voltage to thereby switch ON-OFF states of the switch in demand. Moreover, a LED illumination device using the current regulating circuit also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Huang-Ti Lin, Wen-Ti Chang, Chia-Yuan Chang, Chun-Chieh Huang
  • Patent number: 8884536
    Abstract: A lighting power source according to an embodiment includes a rectification circuit, a smoothing capacitor, a waveform shaping circuit, and a DC-DC converter. The rectification circuit rectifies an AC voltage input thereto. The waveform shaping circuit is connected between the rectification circuit and the smoothing capacitor, performs a switching operation to repeat an ON state and an OFF state when the voltage output from the rectification circuit is relatively high, continues to be in the ON state to allow the current to flow to the rectification circuit when the voltage output from the rectification circuit is relatively low. The DC-DC converter converts a voltage charged in the smoothing capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kitamura, Hirokazu Otake, Yuji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8884551
    Abstract: The disclosed switching regulator, including a controller for a switching regulator, is adaptable to supplying, or controlling the supply of, regulated current to a load that is isolated from a source of input power by a flyback transformer, and includes: (a) detecting, after transistor SWOFF, a zero crossing ZCD corresponding to a primary side switching node voltage VSW decreasing to the input voltage Vin, which occurs after a secondary current IS is substantially zero and before the next SWON; (c) establishing a time-integral window T-I_W with a leading edge corresponding to SWOFF and a trailing edge corresponding to ZCD; and (d) modulating at least the time SWOFF relative to SWON based on the primary peak current IPP at SWOFF and the time-integral window, such that a regulated load current is supplied to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Hok-Sun Ling
  • Publication number: 20140327361
    Abstract: A colour tunable lighting module is described which includes at least three solid state lighting emitters (such as light emitting diodes) and at least two wavelength converting elements (such as phosphors). The three solid state lighting emitters are formed of the same semiconductor material system and the light generated by them has dominant wavelengths in the blue-green-orange range of the optical spectrum. The two wavelengths converters are used re-emit some of the light from two of the emitters in broader spectra having longer dominant wavelengths, while the third emitter is selected to emit light at a wavelength between the dominant wavelengths of the light from the two emitters and the two converters. A control system may be employed to monitor and control the module and the lighting module can be optimised for tunable high colour quality white light applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: PHOTONSTAR LED LIMITED
    Inventors: Majd Zoorob, Thomas David Matthew Lee
  • Publication number: 20140327376
    Abstract: A method is used for measuring injection energy associated with an organic light emitting diode display device. The method includes disposing the display panel inside a chamber and controlling temperature inside the chamber. The method further includes determining a plurality of electric current values corresponding to a plurality of temperature values for each voltage value of plurality of voltage values, the plurality of voltage values being associated with voltages provided to the organic light emitting member. The method further includes calculating a plurality of injection energy values using the plurality of electric current values and the plurality of temperature values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae-Kyu SHIM, Hye-Lim SHIN, Won-Jun SONG, Jae-Bok KIM
  • Patent number: 8878456
    Abstract: A filter device (10) for filtering high-frequency interferences, such as due to switching flanks of a DC converter, has a current path (4) between an input (2) and an output (3), and an inductor (L) in the current path (4), wherein the inductor (L) is disposed in the current path (4) as a first component and is connected to the input (2), and wherein a reverse polarity protective diode (D) is disposed in series with the inductor (L) downstream thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Holzinger, Christian Stöger
  • Publication number: 20140320019
    Abstract: A system and method for operating one or more light emitting devices is disclosed. In one example, the light emitting devices may be deactivated in response to a rate of temperature rise of the light emitting devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Phoseon Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Smith
  • Publication number: 20140320021
    Abstract: Arrangements involving portable devices (e.g., smartphones and tablet computers) are disclosed. One arrangement enables a content creator to select software with which that creator's content should be rendered—assuring continuity between artistic intention and delivery. Another utilizes a device camera to identify nearby subjects, and take actions based thereon. Others rely on near field chip (RFID) identification of objects, or on identification of audio streams (e.g., music, voice). Some technologies concern improvements to the user interfaces associated with such devices. Others involve use of these devices in connection with shopping, text entry, sign language interpretation, and vision-based discovery. Still other improvements are architectural in nature, e.g., relating to evidence-based state machines, and blackboard systems. Yet other technologies concern use of linked data in portable devices—some of which exploit GPU capabilities. Still other technologies concern computational photography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventor: William Y. Conwell
  • Patent number: 8872441
    Abstract: A controller with protection function, for controlling a transistor having a control terminal, a first terminal coupled to a load, a second terminal, is disclosed. The controller comprises a judgment unit and a current control unit. The judgment unit is coupled to the transistor and generates a current reducing signal when a potential of the first terminal of the transistor or a voltage difference between the first terminal and the second terminal of the transistor is higher than a preset value. The current control unit is coupled to the control terminal of the transistor for substantially stabilizing the current flowing through the transistor at a preset current value, and reduces the current flowing from the preset current value when receiving the current reducing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Green Solution Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Che Yu, Li-Min Lee, Shian-Sung Shiu
  • Patent number: 8872444
    Abstract: A lighting device for a solid-state light source includes a DC power source circuit section which flows a current in a solid-state light source by using a charging/discharging current or either one of charging and discharging currents of a inductor connected in series to a switching element, and a current control section having a first switching control unit for changing an ON width of the switching element depending on a dimming level and a second switching control unit for controlling an ON timing of the switching element. The second switching control unit changes a time until the switching element is turned on from a zero-crossing of the discharging current of the inductor such that the time becomes substantially the same when the dimming level is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, and the time becomes longer when the dimming level is less than the predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Watanabe, Kazuhiro Nisimoto, Hiromitsu Mizukawa
  • Patent number: 8872437
    Abstract: The lighting apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes: a switching regulator including a switching element; and a control circuit configured to adjust a switching frequency and on-duration of the switching element in accordance with a dimming ratio. The control circuit is configured to, when the dimming ratio falls within a first dimming range, adjust the switching frequency to a frequency associated with the first dimming range and adjust the on-duration to duration corresponding to the dimming ratio. The control circuit is configured to, when the dimming ratio falls within a second dimming range, adjust the on-duration to duration associated with the second dimming range and adjust the switching frequency to a frequency corresponding to the dimming ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Sana Esaki, Akinori Hiramatu
  • Publication number: 20140312785
    Abstract: A lighting device having an electrical circuit includes an LED having a variable illuminating resistance. The electrical circuit is configured for energizing the LED light source with a source of electrical power. The LED light source is energized with an effective power such that the LED light source functions in accordance with a targeted illuminating resistance. The circuit includes one or more components for monitoring circuit parameters, calculating the illuminating resistance of the LED and for changing the effective power applied to the LED light source in response to a relationship between the illuminating resistance and the targeted illuminating resistance. The change in effective power made by the circuit is for returning the illuminating resistance to a predetermined relationship with the targeted illuminating resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Kevin McDermott
  • Patent number: 8866408
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Digital Lumens Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian J. Chemel, Colin Piepgras, Steve T. Kondo, Scott D. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8866409
    Abstract: A constant-current Light Emitting Diode (LED) driver circuit is provided, and the circuit includes: an output voltage adjustable circuit and at least one path of LED load, wherein the output voltage adjustable circuit comprises: a switch converting main circuit, an output characteristic parameter sampling circuit, and an output voltage controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Inventronics (Hangzhou), Inc.
    Inventors: Liang'an Ge, Xiaoli Yao, Guichao Hua, Lijun Ren
  • Patent number: 8866402
    Abstract: The present invention is through the power control unit, which is connected with the voltage-dividing load in parallel, to perform shunt regulation for the current passing through the voltage-dividing load; in which the methods of the shunt regulation by the power control unit includes using the power control unit to perform shunt regulation of PWM, shunt regulation of conductive phase angle, or shunt regulation of switch type turn-on or cut-off, or regulating the impedance of the power control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 8860330
    Abstract: A programmable current source programmable current source circuit has DAC current source providing an incrementally programmable current levels. A programmable reference current source adjusts a compliance factor of the DAC current source. An input adjustment code indicating an output current amplitude is adjusted by a adjustment code modification circuit when the output current is less than the activation compliance level and generates a signal to set the reference current to a lower level to adjust the compliance factor of the DAC current source to a lower level to decrease power dissipation in the programmable current source at lower current levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventor: Rupert Howes
  • Patent number: 8860329
    Abstract: The invention concerns a control circuit arranged to generate a control signal (Vc) for controlling at least one transistor of a switched mode power supply (SMPS, 102) during first, second and third successive time periods based on a feedback voltage (VF), wherein during the first and third time periods the control circuit is adapted to regulate the output voltage of the SMPS to a first voltage level, and during the second time period the control circuit is adapted to control the SMPS to output a low voltage, the control circuit having a memory (304) adapted to store an indication of the control signal generated by the control circuit at the end of the first time period, wherein the control circuit is adapted to output a control signal based on the stored indication at the start of the third time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: ST-Ericsson SA
    Inventor: Shu Wang
  • Patent number: 8860325
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high efficiency LED driver and driving method thereof. In one embodiment, a high efficiency LED driving method configured for a LED device can include: (i) receiving a DC bus voltage and generating a driving voltage for the LED device through a power switch; (ii) comparing the DC bus voltage against a sum of the driving voltage and a first reference voltage; (iii) where when the DC bus voltage is greater than the sum of the driving voltage and the first reference voltage, generating a first output current; (iv) where when the DC bus voltage is greater than the driving voltage and less than the sum of the driving voltage and the first reference voltage, generating a second output current; and (v) matching an average current of the first output current and the second output current with a corresponding driving current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) Ltd
    Inventor: Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 8860324
    Abstract: A system and method for commissioning a lighting system is provided in which signals from light sensors are filtered in order to determine whether light is received from light fixtures in the lighting system or from external light sources. Alternatively or in addition, signals from light sensors may be filtered to determine the amount of light from external light sources. By filtering the signals from the light sensors, an identification of which light fixtures are colocated with which light sensors may be made even in the presence of light received from external light sources or light from multiple light fixtures in the lighting system. Physical locations of light fixtures and/or sensors may be determined based on detecting the amount of light received from external light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Redwood Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Barrilleaux, Mark Covaro
  • Publication number: 20140300294
    Abstract: The present application is generally directed to systems and methods for control and management of lighting components connected in a network. A user specified rule is executed to control lighting effects in a lighting network which comprises an interface module in communication with one or more lighting control modules. The interface module may receive a rule for controlling a lighting network. The rule may comprise a user identified input and a user specified lighting effect to occur responsive to the user identified input. The interface module detects receipt of the user identified input and executes the rule to trigger the user specified lighting effect via the one or more lighting control modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Integrated Illumination Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Lawrence Zampini, II, Mark Alphonse Zampini
  • Patent number: 8853949
    Abstract: An LED lighting device includes a DC/DC power converter having output terminals coupled to respective lamp sockets. A controller receives signals from a current sensor and a voltage sensor, and controls the DC/DC power converter to increase/decrease an output voltage based on a sensed output current with respect to a target value. A sensed output voltage is compared to predetermined upper and lower limit values, and the DC/DC power converter is disabled when the output voltage exceeds the predetermined upper limit value or falls below the predetermined lower limit. The controller further measures an accumulated lighting time of the device, and after the accumulated lighting time has exceeded a predetermined switching time, decreases the upper limit value monotonously or in increments as the accumulated lighting time passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunobu Hamamoto, Masafumi Yamamoto, Keisuke Ueda, Hisaya Takikita
  • Patent number: 8853966
    Abstract: A lighting device includes lighting control units respectively provided for controlling lighting of solid state light emitting element groups irradiating light of different chromaticities and a color ratio setting unit for setting a target output ratio of the solid state light emitting element groups. In an xy chromaticity diagram of an XYZ color system, a straight line connecting chromaticity coordinates of lights irradiated by a first and a second solid state light emitting element group intersects a black body locus. Further, the lighting control units include a first and a second lighting control unit for controlling lighting of the first and the second solid state light emitting element group, and the first and the second control unit perform a feedback control such that an output ratio of the second to the first solid state light emitting element group becomes equal to the target output ratio thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Naruo, Shigeru Ido, Sana Esaki, Akinori Hiramatu
  • Publication number: 20140292226
    Abstract: At least one controllable source of visible light is configured to illuminate a space to be utilized by one or more occupants. A controller causes the source(s) to emit light in a manner that varies at least one characteristic of visible light emitted into the space over a period of time at least in part in accordance with a chaotic function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140292630
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) backlight driving circuit of the present disclosure includes a monitor module, a first light cluster, a first boost voltage module that drives the first light cluster a second light cluster, and a second boost voltage module that drives the second light cluster. The first boost voltage module includes a first detection unit that detects an output current of the first boost voltage module, and the second boost voltage module includes a second detection unit that detects an output current of the second boost voltage module. The monitor module includes a current comparing unit coupled to the first detection unit and the second detection unit, and an actuator coupled to the current comparing unit. The actuator controls running states of the first boost voltage module and the second boost voltage module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: SHENZEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Xianming Zhang, Xiang Yang
  • Patent number: 8847508
    Abstract: A multi-function lighting system is provided. A design of multiplex configuration of a multi-diode lighting module and a design of optical time domain modulation of an electric controlling system are applied to a lighting system which senses environmental conditions to automatically or artificially change a color, a light intensity and a color-temperature of a light to influence people's feelings and moods. At the same time, the environmental sensing device further feedbacks an information of humidity or temperature so that parameter of optimum light environment can be set accordingly. The multi-diode lighting module is applied to the design of the lighting system, such that the lighting system can be manufactured in a customization way to meet varied requirements in the landscaping and optical designs, not only reducing the cost and increasing mass production rate but also providing multi-functions including landscaping lighting, ergonomic lighting, plant lighting and air purifying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Sheng-Ho Huang, Hung-Lieh Hu, Chen-Kun Chen, Yu-Chen Yu
  • Patent number: 8847750
    Abstract: An occupancy detection network controls illumination from lighting devices in each of a plurality of defined areas. Motion detection modules and sound detection modules provide output signals based on detected occupancy in each defined area. The sound detection modules automatically adjust sorting criteria over time in accordance with identified sound characteristics associated with occupancy, detect sound in the associated defined area in accordance with the sorting criteria, and provide an output signal based on the detected sound. A central lighting controller is linked to the detection modules via a common bidirectional data bus. The controller receives an output signal, determines an occupancy state for the associated defined area, and controls lighting devices in the area to be turned on and off in accordance with the determined occupancy state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kaveh Malakuti
  • Patent number: 8847500
    Abstract: An LED driver includes a power converter to convert an input voltage to a regulated voltage, a current source to be connected with an LED string in series between the power converter and a bias node, and a switching circuit to apply a bias voltage to the bias node to set the total voltage drop of the LED string and the current source. By controlling the total voltage drop of the LED string and the current source, the LED driver will automatically select a boost mode or a buck mode for operation, thereby improving the efficiency thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Shui-Mu Lin, Chueh-Kuei Jan, Shei-Chie Yang, Huan-Chien Yang
  • Publication number: 20140285113
    Abstract: An illumination control system provides wireless data transmission with a lamp through a mobile communication device. The lamp has a built-in wireless communication module and a microcontroller. The microcontroller stores a location of the lamp with latitude-longitude values and height values. Accordingly, a user may use the mobile communication device to read the latitude-longitude values and height values of the lamps to achieve an indoor positioning function by calculating a positioning information of the user through indoor positioning algorithms, and thereby enable illumination control through the mobile communication device according to the positioning information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL MOBILE IOT CORP.
    Inventor: Jung-Tang Huang
  • Publication number: 20140285105
    Abstract: A system (100, 200, 300) includes a lighting unit (120, 320, 320), an optical isolator (220, 320) and a primary processor (110, 210, 310). The lighting unit includes a lighting module (250, 350), and a lighting driver (240, 340) supplying power to the lighting module. The lighting module includes: one or more light sources (252-1/252-2, 352-1/352-2), one or more sensors (254, 354) for sensing data indicating one or more operating parameters of the lighting module, and a secondary processor (156, 256, 356) receiving the sensed data. The primary processor and the secondary processor communicate with each other via the optical isolator according to a message-based communication protocol wherein each message communicated between the primary processor and the secondary processor has an identical message format (500) and includes a command field (530) and a response field wherein the response field (550) is provided for indicating a response to a command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Nicholaos Hillas
  • Publication number: 20140285095
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for commissioning improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to send and receive signals and control the LED light bars, and network connectivity to other fixtures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Digital Lumens, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Chemel, Colin Piepgras, Steve T. Kondo, Scott D. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8841860
    Abstract: A power converter includes a single magnetic element in communication with a plurality of output channels. Each output channel includes one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that may output a desired light output. Desired amounts of current may be discharged from the single magnetic element through the LEDs to generate the desired light output. The current may be drawn through the LEDs by switching “on” and “off” switches connected to the LEDs. A controller in communication with the power converter may generate switching signals to turn “on” and “off” the switches to draw the desired amounts of current. The controller may measure the current and determine whether to adjust the switching signals if the measured current draw is not the desired current draw in order to generate the desired light output from the LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Gilliom