Patents Assigned to Fulham Company Limited
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Patent number: 11558946Abstract: A network bridge for a lighting system is disclosed. For one example, a lighting system includes an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) cable, a light emitting diode (LED) driver, and wireless module coupled to the LED driver by way of the I2C cable. The LED driver is configured to control one or more LED light sources. The wireless module includes an antenna configured to receive a message according to any number of a plurality of wireless communication protocols. The wireless module is configured to process the message into an I2C data frame and to deliver the I2C data frame to the LED driver via the I2C cable, and the LED driver is configured to control a lighting application or one or more LED light sources based on an I2C data frame. The message can be a wireless communication protocol message such as a ZigBee message, Bluetooth message or WiFi message.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2018Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: FULHAM COMPANY LIMITEDInventor: Alvaro Garcia
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Patent number: 11477874Abstract: A network bridge for a lighting system is disclosed. For one example, a lighting system includes an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) cable, a light emitting diode (LED) driver, and wireless module coupled to the LED driver by way of the I2C cable. The LED driver is configured to control one or more LED light sources. The wireless module includes an antenna configured to receive a message according to any number of a plurality of wireless communication protocols. The wireless module is configured to process the message into an I2C data frame and to deliver the I2C data frame to the LED driver via the I2C cable, and the LED driver is configured to control a lighting application or one or more LED light sources based on an I2C data frame. The message can be a wireless communication protocol message such as a ZigBee message, Bluetooth message or WiFi message.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: FULHAM COMPANY LIMITEDInventor: Alvaro Garcia
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Patent number: 10806011Abstract: A driver for a lighting device includes a light emitting diode (LED) driver circuit utilizing interface elements for supporting multiple control connectivity options, the LED driver circuit utilizing a processor having a physical layer interfaces coupled to the interface elements and configured to operatively support a plurality of network protocols, the processor being configured to perform a plurality of functions, including a function of providing a bridge or gateway between network protocols of the plurality of network protocols, the processor being configured to: detect available network protocols of the plurality of network protocols; select, for a physical layer interface, a mode of operation (from modes of operation including, for example: an inactive mode, a monitoring mode, a gateway mode, and a primary mode) appropriate to ensure interoperability and backward compatibility for the available network protocols; and assign one or more of the available network protocols to the physical layer interface(Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: FULHAM COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Mark Rumer, Chunyan Han, Xu Wang, Duoping Wang, Colin Whittaker, Brad Hubbard, Zhonghua Shi
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Patent number: 10791610Abstract: A driver for a lighting device includes a light emitting diode (LED) driver circuit utilizing interface elements for supporting multiple control connectivity options, the LED driver circuit utilizing a processor having a physical layer interfaces coupled to the interface elements and configured to operatively support a plurality of network protocols, the processor being configured to perform a plurality of functions, including a function of providing a bridge or gateway between network protocols of the plurality of network protocols, the processor being configured to: detect available network protocols of the plurality of network protocols; select, for a physical layer interface, a mode of operation (from modes of operation including, for example: an inactive mode, a monitoring mode, a gateway mode, and a primary mode) appropriate to ensure interoperability and backward compatibility for the available network protocols; and assign one or more of the available network protocols to the physical layer interface(Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Fulham Company LimitedInventors: Mark Rumer, Chunyan Han, Xu Wang, Duoping Wang, Colin Whittaker, Brad Hubbard, Zhonghua Shi
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Patent number: 10736200Abstract: A driver for a lighting device includes a light emitting diode (LED) driver circuit utilizing interface elements for supporting multiple control connectivity options, the LED driver circuit utilizing a processor having a physical layer interfaces coupled to the interface elements and configured to operatively support a plurality of network protocols, the processor being configured to perform a plurality of functions, including a function of providing a bridge or gateway between network protocols of the plurality of network protocols, the processor being configured to: detect available network protocols of the plurality of network protocols; select, for a physical layer interface, a mode of operation (from modes of operation including, for example: an inactive mode, a monitoring mode, a gateway mode, and a primary mode) appropriate to ensure interoperability and backward compatibility for the available network protocols; and assign one or more of the available network protocols to the physical layer interface(Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: FULHAM COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Mark Rumer, Chunyan Han, Xu Wang, Duoping Wang, Colin Whittaker, Brad Hubbard, Zhonghua Shi
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Patent number: 10595373Abstract: A dimming light emitting diode (LED) system comprises an LED driver. A switch-mode power supply controller is coupled to the LED driver to drive an LED light source array. The LED driver is configured to output an LED drive command to the switch-mode power supply controller to dim the LED light source array based on one or more LED parameters. The one or more LED parameters include a photometric response parameter, a gamma parameter, an aging parameter, a temperature parameter, or any combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: FULHAM COMPANY LIMITEDInventor: Mark Rumer
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Patent number: 10418847Abstract: A driver for a lighting device includes: a lighting driver configured to drive LED(s) of the lighting device in a first mode of operation when a primary power source is available and provided to the lighting driver and to control power output and/or final output current utilizing a backup or other secondary power source during an emergency mode of operation. In example embodiments and implementations, the lighting driver includes a single instance of a LED driver (e.g., only one LED driver circuit) configured to drive LED(s) of the lighting device during both modes of operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2016Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: FULHAM COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Shiyu Liu, Alvaro Garcia, Zhihua Jian, Duoping Wang
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Patent number: 10225901Abstract: LED driver apparatus and methods may include a sensing circuit for adjusting an output based on either a pulse width modulation dimming control or an analog dimming control. An LED driver apparatus and methods may also include a sensor for a parameter such as temperature and for recording such parameter, for example as a function of time. A setting unit for an LED driver apparatus can be used to sense and/or adjust settings in the LED apparatus even when the LED apparatus is not independently powered.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: FULHAM COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Shiyu Liu, Xu Wang, Jianwei Cao, Alvaro Garcia, Kamran Sarmadi
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Patent number: 10057965Abstract: A driver for a lighting device includes a light emitting diode (LED) driver circuit utilizing interface elements for supporting multiple control connectivity options, the LED driver circuit utilizing a processor having a physical layer interfaces coupled to the interface elements and configured to operatively support a plurality of network protocols, the processor being configured to perform a plurality of functions, including a function of providing a bridge or gateway between network protocols of the plurality of network protocols, the processor being configured to: detect available network protocols of the plurality of network protocols; select, for a physical layer interface, a mode of operation (from modes of operation including, for example: an inactive mode, a monitoring mode, a gateway mode, and a primary mode) appropriate to ensure interoperability and backward compatibility for the available network protocols; and assign one or more of the available network protocols to the physical layer interface(Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Fulham Company LimitedInventors: Mark Rumer, Chunyan Han, Xu Wang, Duoping Wang, Colin Whittaker, Brad Hubbard, Zhonghua Shi
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Publication number: 20160356469Abstract: A supplemental lighting system includes a charging circuit having a reference voltage for the charging circuit set through changes to reference resistances, and/or having an output voltage, current or power set through a connector configuration. In one example, a battery storage connector can be used to select a particular resistance for setting the reference voltage. Additionally, a supplemental lighting system may have a rechargeable battery coupled to a low-voltage part of the circuit, for example protected by an isolation circuit. Furthermore, a lithium ion or similar rechargeable battery supply can include a circuit for allowing it to be used with a circuit designed for a NiCad powered system or with a circuit designed for a lithium ion powered system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Applicant: FULHAM COMPANY LIMITED, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the lawsInventors: Alvaro Garcia, Brian Soderholm, Thomas E. Woods
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Publication number: 20140339996Abstract: A technique for providing control for an electronic ballast by responding to the current in the common bus (DC power rail) betweeen a boost circuit such as a power factor circuit (PFC) and an output (such as a high frequency (HF) inverter) circuit, and adjusting, changing or shutting down either the power factor control circuit or the inverter circuit when the power going into the inverter circuit is above a threshold. Power going into the inverter circuit may be measured by a resistor, and temperature compensation may be provided. Excess power indicative of a spark is detected in such a way that normal starting of a lamp load connected to the ballast occurs without triggering the change/shutdown but an external arc will trigger the change/shutdown. For example, the output circuit may be shut down and the external arc curtailed within 200 msecs.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: FULHAM COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Ning ZHAI, Xingwei HU
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Publication number: 20140252991Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described that can provide improved power factor correction and total harmonic distortion, efficiency and/or direct feedback of load current variations to a power source inverter. In one example, a power supply, for example, a ballast, can have an input circuit, an output circuit and an inverter circuit coupled between the input circuit and the output circuit. A current feedback circuit is coupled between the output circuit and the inverter circuit and configured to feed current back to the inverter circuit through a transformer stage separate from the inverter as a function of a current level in the output circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: FULHAM COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Peter W. Shackle, Zhanqi Du
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Patent number: 8796945Abstract: A technique for providing control for an electronic ballast by responding to the current in the common bus (DC power rail) between a boost circuit such as a power factor circuit (PFC) and an output (such as a high frequency (HF) inverter) circuit, and adjusting, changing or shutting down either the power factor control circuit or the inverter circuit when the power going into the inverter circuit is above a threshold. Power going into the inverter circuit may be measured by a resistor, and temperature compensation may be provided. Excess power indicative of a spark is detected in such a way that normal starting of a lamp load connected to the ballast occurs without triggering the change/shutdown but an external arc will trigger the change/shutdown. For example, the output circuit may be shut down and the external arc curtailed within 200 msecs.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Fulham Company LimitedInventors: Ning Zhai, Xingwei Hu
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Patent number: 8736189Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described that can provide improved power factor correction and total harmonic distortion, efficiency and/or direct feedback of load current variations to a power source inverter. In one example, a power supply, for example, a ballast, can have an input circuit, an output circuit and an inverter circuit coupled between the input circuit and the output circuit. A current feedback circuit is coupled between the output circuit and the inverter circuit and configured to feed current back to the inverter circuit through a transformer stage separate from the inverter as a function of a current level in the output circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Fulham Company LimitedInventors: Peter W. Shackle, Zhanqi Du
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Publication number: 20130307429Abstract: A ballast and method for operating a ballast includes a switch or other circuit for connecting and disconnecting a voltage multiplier to a rectifier circuit. A control circuit for controlling the switch senses an input voltage and connects the voltage multiplier to the rectifier circuit when an input voltage falls below a selected voltage level.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: FULHAM COMPANY LIMITEDInventor: Fulham Company Limited
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Patent number: 8344646Abstract: A ballast and method for operating a ballast includes a switch or other circuit for connecting and disconnecting a voltage multiplier to a rectifier circuit. A control circuit for controlling the switch senses an input voltage and connects the voltage multiplier to the rectifier circuit when an input voltage falls below a selected voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Fulham Company LimitedInventors: Huijie Xue, Ning Zhai