Patents Examined by Alexander H Taningco
  • Patent number: 11019693
    Abstract: A lighting-system (100) for illuminating an environment, comprising a lighting module (111, 112, 113), a sensor (141, 142, 143) and a lighting-system control device (130). The lighting module (111, 112, 113) comprises a light source (121) for emitting light, and a programmable controller (122) configured to control an operation of the light source. The sensor is arranged to obtain sensing data from an area illuminated by the light source (121). The lighting-system control device (130) comprises a processor circuit (133) configured to apply an activity classifier to the sensing data to obtain an activity classification for the area, to determine lighting control data to change a light spectrum of the light source based on the activity classification, and to transmit the lighting the lighting control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Judith Hendrika Maria De Vries, Tom Verhoven, Alexandre Georgievich Sinitsyn, Ralf Gertruda Hubertus Voncken, Dominika Lekse, Bert Van Willigen, Remco Theodorus Johannes Muijs
  • Patent number: 11013077
    Abstract: An LED driver has outputs to drive LEDs in groups of different colour temperatures. An input is configured to receive setpoint information, and a control device is configured to determine a combined LED setpoint intensity for the groups and a combined LED setpoint colour temperature for the groups, from the LED setpoint information. If the LED setpoint intensity is above a threshold, the control device operates the LED driver outputs to mix the LED group outputs to jointly achieve the LED setpoint intensity and the LED setpoint colour temperature. If the LED setpoint intensity is below the threshold, the control device selects a single LED group, operates the LED driver output associated with the selected LED group to drive that one LED group at the LED setpoint intensity, and operates the remaining LED driver outputs to drive the remaining LED groups at zero LED intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: ELDOLAB HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Marc Saes, Stephen Haight Lydecker
  • Patent number: 11011642
    Abstract: Devices, circuits, and methods for fabricating circuits. A device having ambipolar characteristics includes a semiconductor layer and multiple gates, a source contact, and a drain contact coupled to the semiconductor layer. One channel may have elections as the majority charge carrier and may be formed proximate to one of the gates. Another channel may have holes as the majority charge carrier and be formed proximate another gate. Each of the channels is generally parallel to the other and couples the source contact to the drain contact. The device may be optimized by adjusting the work-functions in one or more of source and drain contacts or gates to compensate for differences in the effective masses of the majority carriers in each of the channels. The ambipolar nature of the devices allows logic circuits to be fabricated using one or two of the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Ohio University
    Inventors: Savas Kaya, Avinash Karanth, Talha F. Canan
  • Patent number: 11001194
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp system includes: an imager; a luminance analyzer that detects a luminance of each of multiple individual regions; an illuminance setting unit that determines an illuminance value of light emitted to each individual region, based on a detection result from the luminance analyzer; a light source unit; and a light source controller that controls the light source unit. The illuminance setting unit uses different functions to determine the illuminance value for an individual region that falls within a certain first luminance range, and the illuminance value for an individual region that falls within a certain second luminance range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Shibata, Takao Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 11005166
    Abstract: Disclosed is a patch antenna module, which receives a signal for position information and a signal for vehicle communication by using one patch antenna, thereby minimizing a mounting space. The disclosed patch antenna module includes a dielectric; an upper patch formed on one surface of the dielectric and for receiving a signal for position information; a lower patch formed on the other surface of the dielectric; and a feed pin for penetrating the dielectric, the upper patch, and the lower patch, formed in a length within a predetermined range, and for receiving a signal for vehicle communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: AMOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chul Hwang, In-Jo Jeong, Sang-O Kim, Dong-Hwan Koh, Won-Hee Lee, Hyun-Woo Oh
  • Patent number: 11005477
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a driver circuit, a control method therefor, and a transmission/reception system that enable implementation of a large amplitude signal output required for long distance transmission with low power consumption. The driver circuit includes: a current drive circuit that outputs a predetermined current; and a termination resistance circuit connected in parallel with the current drive circuit, in which the termination resistance circuit connects a termination resistance to a transmission line when the current drive circuit outputs a current, and disconnects the termination resistance from the transmission line when the current drive circuit does not output the current. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a driver circuit that outputs a signal to a long distance transmission line, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Kihara
  • Patent number: 10998631
    Abstract: An antenna system is configured to transceive a wireless signal. The antenna system includes a first dipole antenna and a second dipole antenna. The first dipole antenna includes a first radiator, a second radiator, and a first feeding point. The second dipole antenna includes a third radiator, a fourth radiator, and a second feeding point. The first radiator and the third radiator have a notch facing towards a first direction. The second radiator and the fourth radiator have a notch facing towards a second direction inverse to the first direction. The first feeding point, disposed between the first radiator and the second radiator, is located on one side of the first dipole antenna adjacent to the second dipole antenna. The second feeding point, disposed between the third radiator and the fourth radiator, is located on one side of the second dipole antenna adjacent to the first dipole antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: SERCOMM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jhih-Hao Duan
  • Patent number: 10998011
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for drive strength calibration for multi-level signaling are described. A driver may be configured to have an initial drive strength and to drive an output pin of a transmitting device toward an intermediate voltage level of a multi-level modulation scheme, where the output pin is coupled with a receiving device via a channel. The receiving device may generate, and the transmitting device may receive, a feedback signal indicating a relationship between the resulting voltage of the channel and an value for the intermediate voltage level. The transmitting device may determine and configure the driver to use an adjusted drive strength for the intermediate voltage level based on the feedback signal. The driver may be calibrated (e.g., independently) for each intermediate voltage level of the multi-level modulation scheme. Further, the driver may be calibrated for the associated channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Thomas Hein
  • Patent number: 10986718
    Abstract: A method for setting up a lighting system comprising at least two luminaires, which are part of a network and each having a unique network address, wherein each luminaire has at least one sensor and one actuator, characterized by the steps of measuring the relative distance between respectively two luminaires by reading at least one sensor of the luminaire while simultaneously activating at least one actuator of the other luminaire, producing at least one data record, wherein each data record contains the network address of both luminaires and the relative distance of the luminaires from one another, and merging the data records to form a geo-localized network list and comparing the network list to a floorplan underlying the lighting system to determine the physical location of each luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: OSRAM GmbH
    Inventors: Eberhard Hoefflin, Herbert Ernst, Michael Eschey, Holger Sacher, Bernhard Siessegger
  • Patent number: 10980094
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus for string light includes a power cable, a switching circuit, and a power transformer. The switching circuit is electrically connected to the two wires and configured to selectively form a voltage grading between the two wires. The power transformer includes a power transforming circuit and a control circuit. The power transforming circuit receives an external power via an input terminal, transforms the external power into a driving power, and outputs the driving power via an output terminal. The receiving end of the power cable is electrically connected to the output terminal. The control circuit is electrically connected to the power transforming circuit and the two wires. The control circuit detects a voltage grading status between the two wires, and generates a switch signal according to the voltage grading status to the power transforming circuit to modulate the driving power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventors: Yen-Chiu Chang, Shu-Fa Shao
  • Patent number: 10973104
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides intelligent lighting control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Racepoint Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Caroline Sofiatti
  • Patent number: 10959306
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing a dimming function in a single stage AC input light emitting diode (LED) driver with a controller that contains an on-chip error amplifier and an on-chip fixed reference voltage source coupled to a first input of the error amplifier. The controller controls a duty cycle of a switching transistor to cause a feedback voltage, applied to a first package input terminal, to match the reference voltage. To achieve a dimming function, a voltage across a current sense resistor in series with the LEDs is applied to a first input of a high gain differential amplifier, and a variable dimming control voltage is applied to a second input of the differential amplifier. The output of the differential amplifier is coupled to the first package input terminal. The differential amplifier input signals will be matched at the target LED current level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Zhihua Song, Wouter Soer, Ron Bonne, Yifeng Qiu
  • Patent number: 10932348
    Abstract: A light emitting diode lamp includes a light emitting diode driving apparatus and at least one light emitting diode. The light emitting diode driving apparatus includes a radio frequency identification tag, an address burning controller, an address memory and a light emitting diode driving circuit. The radio frequency identification tag wirelessly receives a radio frequency identification signal. The radio frequency identification tag converts the radio frequency identification signal into a local address signal. The radio frequency identification tag sends the local address signal to the address burning controller. The address burning controller converts the local address signal into a local address data. The address burning controller burns the local address data into the address memory so the address memory stores the local address data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: SEMISILICON TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventor: Wen-Chi Peng
  • Patent number: 10932352
    Abstract: A flat pad structure, designed to generate a dielectric barrier discharge plasma on a contact side (109) of said pad structure, comprises a flat electrode arrangement (112) which is embedded in a flat dielectric (102), can be supplied with high-voltage signals and is shielded on all sides against an unimpeded current flow; said pad structure has better stability and can be better adapted to elongate treatment areas because a width of the structure extends in a longitudinal direction (L) and in the longitudinal direction (L) the structure has a plurality of identically structured portions (101), each with a dielectric portion in the width of the pad structure and each with at least one electrode portion; the electrode portions of said portions (101) adjoin one another in the longitudinal direction (L) and form an electrode arrangement (112) extending over the entire length such that, in order to reduce the size of the contact surface in the longitudinal direction (L), at least one portion (101) can be separate
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: CINOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Wandke, Mirko Hahnl, Karl-Otto Storck, Melanie Ricke, Leonhard Trutwig
  • Patent number: 10911049
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for shifting voltage levels of electrical signals and more specifically for boosted high-speed level shifting are described. A boosted level shifter may include a driver circuit that generates a drive signal having a greater voltage swing than an input signal, and the drive signal may drive the gate of a pull-up transistor within the boosted level shifter. The lower bound of the drive signal may in some cases be a negative voltage. Driving the pull-up transistor with a drive signal having a greater voltage swing than the input signal may improve the operational speed and current-sourcing capability of the pull-up transistor, which may provide speed and efficiency benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingdong Cui, Hari Giduturi
  • Patent number: 10912170
    Abstract: A lighting fixture includes a solid-state light source and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to receive one or more ambient light level measurements corresponding to the amount of ambient light detected by an ambient light sensor, and determine a range of values for the one or more ambient light level measurements corresponding to a desired amount of light detected by the ambient light sensor. The control circuitry is then configured to drive the solid-state light source such that the one or more ambient light level measurements received from the ambient light sensor fall within the determined range of values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC
    Inventor: Daniel J. Pope
  • Patent number: 10895352
    Abstract: An LED tube is provided. Two ends of the LED tube respectively have two conductive pin assemblies electrically connected to the mains supply and a detecting control component in the LED tube and electrically connected to an electrical ballast. A voltage conversion device perform an AC-DC voltage conversion. A recognizable electrical ballast detects a voltage state of the voltage conversion device to recognize a voltage impedance complying with the electrical ballast or the mains supply, thereby generating a feedback signal. A signal receiving module of the voltage impedance signal-recognizing device obtains the feedback signal, and the signal executing module of the voltage impedance signal-recognizing device generates a DC starting voltage complying with the electrical ballast or the mains supply. The DC starting voltage is filtered by the DC filtering module, and an outputted current magnitude of the DC starting voltage is adjusted by the buck-boost constant current module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Xiamen PVTECH Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fuxing Lu, Rongtu Liu
  • Patent number: 10893595
    Abstract: A two-way load control system comprises a power device, such as a load control device for controlling an electrical load receiving power from an AC power source, and a controller adapted to be coupled in series between the source and the power device. The load control system may be installed without requiring any additional wires to be run, and is easily configured without the need for a computer or an advanced commissioning procedure. The power device receives both power and communication over two wires. The controller generates a phase-control voltage and transmits a forward digital message to the power device by encoding digital information in timing edges of the phase-control voltage. The power device transmits a reverse digital message to the controller via the power wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Mark S. Taipale, Timothy P. Gredler, Akshay Bhat
  • Patent number: 10887972
    Abstract: A lighting network (100) comprises a plurality of lighting devices (200, 300, 400A-H) each having at least one connection to a source device (101), the connection being either direct or indirect via one or more others of the lighting devices forming the indirect connection, each of the lighting devices comprising a respective light source. A method of troubleshooting the lighting network comprises steps of: identifying, for a target one of the lighting devices, at least one of said connections between the source device and the target lighting device; determining a characteristic of the identified connection from the source device to the target device, wherein the characteristic comprises a signal strength of the identified one of said connections and/or a latency of the identified one of said connections; and controlling at least one of the light sources to render a visualization of the identified connection between the source device and the target lighting device in the lighting network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Dzmitry Viktorovich Aliakseyeu, Jonathan David Mason
  • Patent number: 10887962
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lamp control device. The lamp control device may include: a lamp having an LED channel; a channel resistor corresponding to the LED channel; and a controller configured to boost a channel resistor voltage applied to the channel resistor, and retain a channel current of the LED channel as a target current, using the boosted channel resistor voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Silicon Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wanyuan Qu, Se Won Lee, Byeong Ho Jeong, Ju Pyo Hong, Ju Hyun Lee, Sung Hwan Kim, Hai Feng Jin, Joo Wan Ha, Tae Young Yoo