Plural Automatic Regulators Patents (Class 315/301)
  • Patent number: 10212769
    Abstract: The invention provides a driver circuit, an LED lighting tube and a method for providing a controlled DC output power. An open loop control is used for controlling the DC output power in the case that a voltage of an AC input power is in a first voltage range. A closed loop control is used for controlling the DC output power in the case that the voltage of the AC input power is in a second voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: LEDVANCE GMBH
    Inventors: Shaoping Chen, ShiYu Ding, Hui Ye
  • Patent number: 10129941
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to display circuitry such as backlight control circuitry for operating light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The backlight control circuitry may include a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) transistor and a current regulation transistor coupled in series with at least one LED. The current regulation transistor may have a gate terminal that receives a feedback-controlled gate voltage. The backlight control circuitry may include a gate clamp circuit coupled to the gate terminal of the current regulation transistor that clamps the gate voltage during a portion of a PWM on pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad J. Navabi-Shirazi, Jingdong Chen, Asif Hussain, Yanhui Xie
  • Patent number: 9443478
    Abstract: A light source device capable of preventing luminance from being decreased, a driving method of the light source device and a display device having the light source device are disclosed. Alight source device includes a plurality of light-emitting diode (“LED”) strings and an LED driving circuit. The LED strings include LEDs emitting lights connected in serial. The LED driving circuit supplies a driving voltage to the LED strings. The LED driving circuit maximizes the driving voltage supplied to the LED strings by using the minimum string current of string currents supplied to each LED string in an initial driving period. The LED driving circuit supplies the maximum driving voltage to the LED strings by blocking a current flowing through a sensing resistor disposed to sense the minimum string current in a normal driving period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-Kyou Min, Won-Hyoung Kang, Song-Yi Han
  • Patent number: 9253833
    Abstract: A power stage for light emitting diode (LED)-based light bulbs may include a bipolar junction transistor (BJT). The base of BJT switch may be biased externally and the operation of the BJT may be through a single pin to the emitter of the BJT. A controller integrated circuit (IC) may control the power stage through the main BJT's emitter pin in an emitter-controlled BJT-based power stage. The emitter-controlled BJT-based power stage may replace the conventional buck-boost power stage topology. For example, the controller may activate and deactivate a switch coupling the BJT's emitter to ground. A power supply for the controller IC may be charged from a reverse recovery of charge from the BJT, and the reverse recovery controlled by the controller IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramin Zanbaghi, John L. Melanson, Jieyeon Choi
  • Patent number: 9247617
    Abstract: The invention proposes a method for operating an actively clocked PFC circuit (2) having a directly or indirectly connected load circuit (5) at the output of the PFC circuit (2), wherein the load circuit (5) has at least one luminous means, in particular one or more LEDs (4), wherein the PFC circuit (2) is controlled by a PFC controller (30) in such a manner that the PFC controller (30) determines a control parameter, in particular a switched-on time period (ton), for the clocking of the PFC circuit (2) on the basis of at least one first controller setting (RE_fast) and one second controller setting (RE_slow), wherein the time of a change from the first controller setting (RE_fast) to the second controller setting (RE_slow) is dependent on the directly or indirectly determined average value of the control parameter, in particular the switched-on time period (ton).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Christoph Vonach, Hans Auer
  • Patent number: 9018845
    Abstract: Provided is a circuit for adjusting light-emitting diode (LED) current; the circuit comprises: a single-output constant current source (21), a multi-path LED output circuit (22) and a control bus (20) connected to the multi-path LED output circuit (22); any given LED output circuit comprises: a load circuit (23), an adjustment circuit (24), a current regulation circuit (25) and an adjustment control circuit (26). The circuit for adjusting LED current provided in the technical solution of the present invention adjusts the current of each LED output circuit via the load circuit, the adjustment circuit, the current regulation circuit and the adjustment control circuit, thus adjusting characteristic parameters such as color, color temperature, color rendering index, brightness and the like of the LED light source, thereby avoiding the problem of high cost caused by using multi-path constant current DC/DC circuit to adjust the current of each path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Inventronics (Hangzhou), Inc.
    Inventors: Liang'an Ge, Xiaoli Yao
  • Patent number: 8994295
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, apparatuses and systems for commissioning a light fixture are disclosed. One method includes receiving, by the light fixture, a message from a central controller, wherein reception of the message puts the light fixture into a known condition, establishing communication between the light fixture and a user, and communicating, by either the light fixture or the user, a location of the user at a time of the established communication, to the central controller, thereby allowing the central controller to record a location of the light fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: enLighted, Inc.
    Inventors: Tanuj Mohan, Premal Ashar, Saurabh Gupta
  • Patent number: 8963439
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power supply for lighting includes an output element. The output element is connected between a power supply and a lighting load, and configured to be capable of being switched to a switching operation repeating an ON state and an OFF state and an ON continuation operation continuing the ON state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kitamura, Hirokazu Otake, Yuji Takahashi, Toshio Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20150008837
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a driver circuit for light-emitting diodes has a first DC/DC converter (DCDC1) with an input (IN) for feeding a supply voltage (VBAT) and with a first output (OUT), a second DC/DC converter (DCDC2), which is coupled on the output side to the first output (OUT) and is designed for operation with energy supplied in advance, a current source (IFlash) that is connected to the first output (OUT), and a main output (LED OUT), which is coupled to the current source (IFlash) and is designed to be connected to the light-emitting diodes. The first DC/DC converter (DCDC1) is designed for operation in a current-limiting mode. The second DC/DC converter (DCDC2) is designed for regulation to a nominal voltage (Vds) of the current source (IFlash).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Mario Teufel
  • Patent number: 8928238
    Abstract: A supplemental dimming circuit for an electronic led driver comprising a universal control section has a VCC3 startup and low conduction period circuit for providing a current during start-up and during low conduction periods; a CC hold current circuit for providing a hold current for the dimmer at low conduction periods; a latch circuit for providing a current draw latch on; and a PWM synchronized dimming circuit for providing a PWM signal dependent on the conduction period of the dimmer in real time. The supplemental dimming circuit also has a socket and a plug. The universal control section is on a daughter board that is pluggable to the socket. The VCC3 startup and low conduction period circuit creates a low AC voltage dummy load, which is a resistive load. The CC hold current circuit creates a low AC current dummy load that is a constant current load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Eptronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas O'Neil
  • Patent number: 8912734
    Abstract: A lighting system includes methods and systems to mix colors of light emitted from at least two LED emitters. In at least one embodiment, the lighting system includes a controller that responds to phase-cut angles of the dimming signal and correlates the phase-cut angles with a predetermined black body radiation function to dynamically adjust a color spectra of the mixed light in response to changes in phase cut angles of the phase-cut dimming level signal. In at least one embodiment, the controller utilizes the predetermined black body radiation function to dynamically adjust the color spectra of the mixed, emitted light in response to changes in phase cut angles of a phase-cut dimming level signal. In at least one embodiment, the predetermined black body radiation function specifies correlated color temperatures (CCTs) that model the CCTs of an actual non-LED based lamp, such as an incandescent lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Alfredo R. Linz, Michael A. Kost, Sahil Singh
  • Patent number: 8786206
    Abstract: A method for controlling an intelligent lamp to work automatically according to people's habit includes generating a table in the memory, the table records values of a group of operational parameters of the intelligent lamp each time a user operates the intelligent lamp. Determining a frequent event and an accidental event in the predetermined time period in one day in last one week/month/year. Then obtaining all values of the operational parameters of the frequent events, and respectively calculating an accuracy value for each operational parameter according to an algorithm. In addition, controlling the lighting unit to work according to the accuracy values of the operational parameters, thus, an intelligent lamp for automatically working according to people's habit is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Hong Hsieh, Han-Che Wang, Xiao-Guang Li, Wen-Hsiang Lu
  • Patent number: 8664870
    Abstract: A cascoded current regulator, including: a first load circuit, having a first load and a current source unit; and a second load circuit, being cascaded with the first load circuit and having a second load and a current mirror unit, wherein a first current flowing through the first load and a second current flowing through the current source unit are controlled by a control voltage, and a third current flowing through the second load and a fourth current flowing through the current mirror unit are generated according to the second current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Immense Advance Technology, Corporation
    Inventors: Wei-Chuan Su, Pen-Li Chou, Yen-Hui Wang
  • Patent number: 8629630
    Abstract: A control circuit adapted to control a power converting circuit for stabilizing an output of the power converting circuit is provided. The control circuit includes a capacitor, a charging unit, a discharging unit, a feedback control unit, and a duty-cycle adjusting unit. The charging unit has a first current source coupled to the capacitor for charging the capacitor. The discharging unit is coupled to the capacitor for discharging the capacitor. The feedback control unit controls the charging unit to charge the capacitor according to a feedback signal which represents the output of the power converting circuit. The duty-cycle adjusting unit generates a control signal and adjusts a duty cycle of the control signal according to a voltage of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Green Solution Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shian-Sung Shiu, Chung-Che Yu, Li-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 8575860
    Abstract: The light emitting device control circuit device 100 in accordance with the disclosure includes a power source V1, a transistor TR1, a light emitting unit EU1, switches S1 to S17, constant current sources CC1 to CC17, and a controller 110. A switching voltage Vs1 is supplied from the controller 110 to turn ON or turn OFF the transistor TR intermittently, a pulse voltage is supplied to a pulse voltage supplying line Y1 connected to a drain terminal D of the transistor TR1. The driving signals SP1 to SP17 are sequentially supplied to the switches S1 to S17 to turn ON or turn OFF them (i.e., time division drive). The light emitting devices A1 to A17 are driven sequentially by a pulse current (i.e., time division drive) when a high voltage is supplied to the pulse voltage supplying line Y1 and when the driving signals SP1 to SP17 are turned ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kikuchi, Akinobu Sawada
  • Patent number: 8508154
    Abstract: A lighting device is provided, having at least one light emitting diode module, a power factor correction circuit, a non-regulated isolation DC to DC converter and at least one regulated non-isolation DC to DC converter. The power factor correction circuit performs a power factor correction on an AC power source and outputs a corrected DC voltage. The non-regulated isolation DC to DC converter generates an output voltage in a predetermined voltage range according to the corrected DC voltage, wherein the non-regulated isolation DC to DC converter is an open-loop controlled buck DC to DC converter. The regulated non-isolation DC to DC converter generates a fixed current or a fixed voltage according to the output voltage output from the non-regulated isolation DC to DC converter, thereby driving the light emitting diode module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Ho Chou, Chia-Jung Nian
  • Patent number: 8502471
    Abstract: A planar light-emitting module lighting circuit uses a lamp comprising an organic electroluminescence layer and electrodes sandwiching the organic electroluminescence layer as a load, and applies a current to the load so as to cause the organic electroluminescence layer to emit light. In the planer light-emitting module lighting circuit, a current at a lighting start time of the lamp is made small as compared with a current at a stationary lighting time at which a predetermined time period has passed since a lighting start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masanao Ookawa, Shin Ukegawa, Minoru Maehara, Hirofumi Konishi, Hirofumi Takaki
  • Patent number: 8487538
    Abstract: A driving power control circuit and method for light emitting diodes (LEDs) are provided. The driving power control circuit includes a plurality of switch units and a control unit. Each switch unit is electrically coupled to one LED string whose end generates node voltage. The control unit includes a voltage selecting module, a subtractor, and an adjusting module. The voltage selecting module is electrically coupled to the node voltages and outputs one of the node voltages as a reference node voltage. The subtractor is electrically coupled to an output terminal of the voltage selecting module and generates a corresponding feedback voltage according to the reference node voltage and the node voltage. The adjusting module is electrically coupled to an output terminal of the subtractor and outputs a corresponding adjusting signal according to the feedback voltage to determine whether the corresponding switch unit is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yueh-Han Li, Sheng-Kai Hsu
  • Patent number: 8334662
    Abstract: An adaptive switch mode LED driver provides an intelligent approach to driving multiple strings of LEDs. The LED driver determines an optimal current level for each LED channel from a limited set of allowed currents. The LDO driver then determines a PWM duty cycle for driving the LEDs in each LED channel to provide precise brightness control over the LED channels. Beneficially, the LED driver minimizes the power dissipation in the LDO circuits driving each LED string, while also ensuring that the currents in each LED string are maintained within a limited range. A sample and hold LDO allows PWM control over extreme duty cycles with very fast dynamic response. Furthermore, fault protection circuitry ensures fault-free startup and operation of the LED driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: iWatt Inc.
    Inventors: Xuecheng Jin, Yu Cheng Chang, Yang Li, Maofeng Lan, John W. Kesterson, Xiaoyan Wang, Chenghung Pan
  • Patent number: 8212498
    Abstract: A dimmable ballast and methods are presented in which the operating frequency of a self-oscillating inverter is controlled according to a sensed lamp current for dimming control or cathode heating, and an AC bus voltage of the inverter is controlled to be at or below a voltage threshold value to prevent over driving operating lamps when one or more lamps are being replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Louis R. Nerone
  • Patent number: 8169155
    Abstract: A method of driving a light source includes adjusting a number of duty adjustments of driving signals driving light sources based on a dimming control signal and adjusting each duty ratio of each of the driving signals provided to each of the light sources in accordance with the adjusted number of the duty adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Seok Hong, Yo-Han Lee
  • Patent number: 8154217
    Abstract: A driver circuit, operating method, and use of a current mirror of a driver circuit is provided that includes at least one output transistor, a reference network with at least one reference transistor, a switching device, which is connected to the control input of the output transistor and to the control input of the reference transistor to form a switchable current mirror, a current source for providing a reference current for a reference current path, whereby the current source and the reference transistor are arranged in the reference current path, a load terminal, whereby the load terminal and the output transistor are arranged in a load current path, and at least one damping network, which is connected to or connectable to the reference current path. Wherein a connection of components of the at least one damping network and a connection of components of the reference network are substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Guenther Bergmann, Peter Kolb, Holger Vogelmann, Michael Offenwanger
  • Publication number: 20120013268
    Abstract: A lighting device is provided, having at least one light emitting diode module, a power factor correction circuit, a non-regulated isolation DC to DC converter and at least one regulated non-isolation DC to DC converter. The power factor correction circuit performs a power factor correction on an AC power source and outputs a corrected DC voltage. The non-regulated isolation DC to DC converter generates an output voltage in a predetermined voltage range according to the corrected DC voltage, wherein the non-regulated isolation DC to DC converter is an open-loop controlled buck DC to DC converter. The regulated non-isolation DC to DC converter generates a fixed current or a fixed voltage according to the output voltage output from the non-regulated isolation DC to DC converter, thereby driving the light emitting diode module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Ching-Ho CHOU, Chia-Jung Nian
  • Patent number: 8084960
    Abstract: A light source driving circuit for powering multiple light sources in a vehicle includes multiple current limiters and a balance controller. The current limiters are coupled to the light sources for adjusting currents of the light sources respectively. The balance controller coupled to the current limiters can control the current limiters such that a current flowing through each of the light sources is substantially the same as a first target current. Moreover, the balance controller can control the current limiters in response to a brake of the vehicle such that a current flowing through each of the light sources is substantially the same as a second target current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: O2Micro, Inc
    Inventors: Ching-Chuan Kuo, ShengTai Lee
  • Patent number: 8058812
    Abstract: An LED driver circuit that includes a buck-mode boost converter that provides a regulated output current and that requires only a single connection to each channel of LEDs. The buck-mode boost controller may include a current regulator that includes an integrator. The current regulator may be configured to integrate a difference between a reference signal that is representative of the desired level of the average current through the electronic power switch and a detected signal that is representative of the actual current that is being delivered to the buck-mode boost circuit through the electronic power switch. The reference signal to the integrator may not change during operation of the buck-mode converter. The current regulator may be configured to deactivate the integrator and/or to disconnect the detected signal from the integrator while the electronic power switch is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Michael George Negrete
  • Publication number: 20110241569
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operation of an actively clocked PFC circuit with a directly or indirectly connected load circuit at the output of the PFC circuit, wherein the load circuit has a lighting means, in particular one or more LEDs, wherein the PFC circuit is supplied at least with a measurement signal which reflects the power consumption of the load circuit or with an external control signal which indicates the power consumption, and a control circuit adjusts the mode of operation of the PFC circuit continuously or preferably in two or more steps, depending on the control signal or measurement signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Tridonic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Zimmermann, Dominique Combet
  • Patent number: 7728532
    Abstract: A circuit device for an LED's driving and stabilizing system includes an AC/DC controllable driving voltage source, a feedback driving controller, an LED demodulation driving controller controllable driving voltage source, an external regulator, and an LED modular device. While various internal conditions or factors of the circuit device may be obtained through integrally or partially setting and computing, the circuit device may also be externally connected to an input signal source according to the characteristics of different attributive conditions to thereby achieve the function of automatic regulation, enabling the LED modular device connected thereto and having been used over a long period of time to have lowered brightness attenuation rate, reduced power loss, reduced heat generation, and accordingly, extended the LED's lifespan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Top-Bound Enterprise Co., Ltd., Ruey Chiann Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ivan Peng
  • Patent number: 7719207
    Abstract: The present invention is related to the apparatus for driving the light emitting devices with different colors. The input powers of the light emitting devices are measured and controlled by a feedback control system to maintain constant, and by setting different power inputs to the different light emitting devices different stable colors are produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: L&C Lighting Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bin-Juine Huang, Heng-Lun Tseng, Jong-Fu Yeh, Po-Chien Hsu, Min-Sheng Wu, Shing-Tung Chen, Kuo-Yang Chen
  • Publication number: 20100013415
    Abstract: A lamp detection driving system is disclosed for performing adaptive lamp driving and related detection operations based on a recipe. The system includes a micro-controller, a driver, a defect detection module and a feedback circuit. The micro-controller provides a modulation signal and a plurality of reference signals based on the recipe. The driver generates at least one driving signal for driving at least one lamp based on the modulation signal. The feedback circuit generates a plurality of feedback signals based on lamp currents or lamp voltages. The defect detection module generates a plurality of detection signals based on the reference signals and the feedback signals. Furthermore, disclosed is a lamp detection driving method including downloading the recipe, generating at least one driving signal for driving at least one lamp based on the recipe, and providing at least one reference signal for performing defect detection processes based on the recipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Wei-Chung Chuang, Yung-Lung Hsuao, Shih-Ping Chou
  • Publication number: 20090128056
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a plurality of light-emitting units, a plurality of non-address-embedded brightness control integrated circuits (ICs) and at least one system control unit. Each of the brightness control ICs is electrically connected to each of the light-emitting units. The system control unit addresses each of the brightness control ICs by outputting at least one addressing signal through an external circuit, and writes a brightness control signal to each of the brightness control ICs. Each brightness control IC controls each of the light-emitting units according to the received brightness control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Chung-Jyh LIN
  • Publication number: 20090128055
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for driving a light emitting element. The apparatus includes a power unit, a light emitting element array, a constant-current circuit unit, and a voltage limiting circuit unit. The power unit supplies driving power. The light emitting element array includes a plurality of light emitting elements connected in series between an anode terminal connected to the power unit and a cathode terminal. The constant-current circuit unit maintains a constant current flowing through the light emitting element array according to a first tuning voltage. The voltage limiting circuit unit is connected between the cathode terminal of the light emitting element array and the constant-current circuit unit, and divides a total voltage applied between the cathode terminal of the light emitting element array and a ground according to a second tuning voltage to limit a voltage applied to the constant-current circuit unit below a predetermined voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Cheol SHIN, Byoung Own MIN, Jung Chul GONG, Yu Jin JANG, Seung Kon KONG
  • Patent number: 7196482
    Abstract: A controller for controlling a voltage applied to a load from a power source includes a square wave producing circuit for connection in the circuit with the battery and the lamp. The square wave producing circuit produces a variable duty cycle square wave for controlling application of power to the load in accordance with the duty cycle of the square wave. The square wave producing circuit has a control input for varying the duty cycle of the square wave in response to a voltage at the control input. A voltage varying circuit is connected to the power source for producing a selectively variable voltage that is fed to the control input of the square wave producing circuit for selectively adjusting the duty cycle of the square wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Vector Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Krieger, Bruce Randolph, Henry Shum
  • Patent number: 7093140
    Abstract: A computer system includes a voltage regulator that supplies power to a component. The component may provide a signal indicating an amount of current the component consumes under a high utilization operating condition. The voltage regulator may then determine the slope of a load line using this signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Pochang Hsu, Don J. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20010000422
    Abstract: An addressable lighting device and control system uses a DMX-512 protocol controller or other serial network protocol controller to selectively generate an electronic address for the addressable lighting device on which the device will respond to all future signals from the controller corresponding to that electronic address. The addressable device has a program mode for setting the address and a working mode for receiving control signals on the set address. The addressable device may have the address set and changed remotely using the DMX-512 protocol controller and a remote control to switch modes, thereby avoiding the problems associated with using DIP switches to set device electronic addresses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: April 26, 2001
    Applicant: MAF TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventor: Alberto Sid
  • Patent number: 6127787
    Abstract: A series of arc lamps is ignited sequentially while maintaining a specified voltage on one side of each lamp with dielectric insulation on the high voltage side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Maurice LeRoy Strong, III, James Robert Guzak, Michael A. Mast
  • Patent number: 5495150
    Abstract: A series of arc lamps each has an inductor connected in series with its anode which is field-coupled to a similar inductor connected to its cathode, the inductors being connected in series with each other through the inductors between an arc lamp power supply and a high current modulator for illuminating the arc lamps, once ignited. Ignition takes place serially from a single source of high voltage through respective charging networks, the charge time of each network being different from the others so as to successively create arcs in the arc lamps in sequence. The high voltage used for initial ignition of the arc lamps is differentially balanced to ground by means of the coils in series with the cathode and anode respectively of each arc lamp. The coils are poled so that the buildup of field in each coupled pair oppose each other, thereby rendering the coils invisible to the high current modulation during illumination of the arc lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Zawislak, Donald A. Brichta, Donald V. Comiskey
  • Patent number: 5237244
    Abstract: In a lighting power controller having a controllable switch (such as a thyristor), in order to compensate for perturbations in the mains supply waveform, the waveform is analysed and a table is set up of thyristor firing angle against output RMS voltage. To obtain a desired output RMS voltage, the thyristor is fired at the angle indicated by the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Inventors: David R. Bertenshaw, Richard Williamson, John Wright
  • Patent number: 5046152
    Abstract: Ignition circuit for a gas discharge lamp. In the ignition circuit, the generating of uniform current pulses for ignition over the entire useful life of the gas discharge lamp is guaranteed. A control circuit is provided for holding constant the current-time integral of current pulses applied to the gas discharge lamp during ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Heimann GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Bartscher
  • Patent number: 4733136
    Abstract: During operation of ionized vapor discharge lamps and the partial load range, the lamp current is reduced from the rated value, the drop in voltage is measured during and after the reduction of the lamp current, and when the period of constant voltage that follows the drop in voltage is reached, the lamp current is increased accompanied by simultaneous determination of the increase in voltage. The lamp current is thereupon controlled in such a way that during the partial load range operation of the lamp, the voltage value is slightly greater than that of the voltage of the period of constant voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Inventor: Volker Schaft
  • Patent number: 4724360
    Abstract: A circuit for operating a discharge lamp (1) by means of a direct voltage. The circuit comprises direct voltage terminals (A,B) for connection of a direct voltage source, alternating voltage output terminals (K,L) for connection to the discharge lamp, a direct voltage/alternating voltage sine converter (3), and a current limiter (5) for limiting the current through the lamp in its operating condition. A controllable direct voltage converter (2) is coupled between the sine converter and the direct voltage input terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Meerten Luursema