Patents Assigned to EPtronics, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10782938
    Abstract: An I2C and Manchester multiple serial interface LED driver programmer has a programmer that changes the operation parameters in the EEPROM of the LED driver via a computer graphic user interface. The LED driver operation is thus programmed according to the parameters stored in the EEPROM. The multiple interfaces are selectable as USB-to-I2C, RS232-to-I2C, USB-to-TxD/RxD, RS232-to-TxD/RxD and 3rd via a pass through USB-to-USB port for expanded LED programming interface such as Near Field Communication. The I2C and Manchester multiple serial interface LED driver has multiple output interface with USB-to-I2C, RS232-to-I2C, USB-to-TxD/RxD, RS232-to-TxD/RxD and third pass through USB-to-USB port for Near Field Communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: EPtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Patent number: 9763300
    Abstract: An LED driver includes a first stage. The first stage converts AC power from an AC power source into a DC power source. The driver also includes a second stage that receives the DC power from the first stage. The driver has a buck converter with a constant current output. The buck converter is managed by a buck converter control chip. The buck converter control chip is controlled by a microprocessor with an associated EEPROM. The EEPROM stores settings for the LED driver can be changed either with a wired GUI port or wirelessly through a Zigbee interface. The microprocessor can select a value of a DC output current according to a value of the analog dimming input signal which has been translated using a predetermined programmable relationship between the input signal and the output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: EPTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Patent number: 9730301
    Abstract: A wireless lighting control module for LED lighting includes a Zigbee wireless receiver receiving an input wireless control signal, an analog control output which conforms to the 0-10V format, and a microcontroller which is connected to the wireless receiver and receives the input wireless control signal from the wireless receiver. The microcontroller regulates the analog control output. The analog control output has a predetermined cutoff level. A lighting power output is controlled by the microcontroller and cut off by opening a relay when the analog control output is below the predetermined cutoff level. The predetermined cutoff level of the analog control output is 0.5V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: EPTRONICS, INC
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Patent number: 9699849
    Abstract: A phase control dimming LED driver is able to achieve complete stabilization of both TRIAC and trailing edge dimmers by using a large inductor to limit the inrush normally associated with the switching on of the TRIAC during each half cycle. Such a large inductor is not normally used because when a trailing edge dimmer is applied, a damaging voltage surge known as “ring up” can be generated when the trailing edge dimmer switch turns off. In this invention the inductor is placed after the input rectifier bridge and equipped with a diode and resistor which allow the energy in the inductor at the moment when a trailing edge dimmer switches off to be harmlessly dissipated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: EPTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Patent number: 9603208
    Abstract: An LED driver has a primary side regulation with at least one input connected to the AC power line, and at least two outputs. At least one output is for driving LEDs and at least one output is for providing auxiliary power for associated circuits. The driver is constructed using the flyback principle, having at least one flyback transformer which has at least one primary winding connected to a flyback switching transistor. At least one principal output winding is connected to the LED load, and at least one feedback winding is connected to a control chip. At least one auxiliary winding drives the auxiliary power output. The auxiliary winding has a coupling coefficient to said feedback winding which is greater than the coupling coefficient between the principal output winding and the feedback winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: EPTronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Publication number: 20170034880
    Abstract: An LED driver comprising a first stage, wherein the first stage converts AC power from an AC power source into a DC power source. A second stage receiving the DC power source from the first stage and further comprising: a second stage step-down buck converter with a constant current output that receives power from the DC power source; and a second stage intelligent step-down LED driver chip that runs a step down buck converter that produces the constant current output to the external LED load. A companion microcontroller controls a second stage intelligent step down LED driver chip. The companion microcontroller provides programmable features for a user, wherein the programmable features provide user programmable variables to reprogram the LED Driver to alter default variables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: EPtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • 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: D667789
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: EPtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom O'Neil