Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a precharge controlling method, including the steps of: providing a voltage generating circuit with an output circuit for outputting a voltage having a necessary level, and a comparator; judging an output voltage from the output circuit in the comparator during a precharge time period, and feeding back an output signal from the comparator to the output circuit; and controlling a precharge voltage until the voltage having the necessary level outputted from the output circuit is reached.

Abstract: An electronic ballast is provided for powering a high-pressure discharge lamp. A power supply circuit receives an AC input and provides a DC output in response to the AC input. An inverter circuit having a plurality of switching elements converts the DC output into an AC signal for the lamp. An LC resonant circuit is coupled between the inverter circuit and the lamp. A control circuit controls the switching operation of the switching elements, with the switching control associated with various operating modes. In an electrical breakdown mode the switching elements are controlled at a first switching frequency effective to provide a first resonant voltage and produce electrical breakdown of the lamp from an unlit state. In a high frequency preheat mode the switching elements after startup of the lamp are controlled at a second switching frequency lower than the first switching frequency to provide a current for preheating lamp electrodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for lighting systems, including high output lighting systems for various environments. The lighting systems include a lighting controller for driving lighting modules and transmitting a data signal to the lighting modules. The data signal varies between logical states. The lighting controller provides a low loss rectified power signal. The lighting controller further provides data within the power signal by forming a positive polarity rectified power waveform corresponding to data in a first state and a negative polarity rectified waveform signal corresponding to data in a second state using substantially loss-less circuitry.

Abstract: An electronic ballast is provided for powering one or more discharge lamps independently connected in parallel. An inverter having a pair of switching elements converts a DC supply signal into AC power. A transformer has a primary winding coupled to an output terminal of the inverter. A load circuit includes independently operable discharge lamp circuits coupled in parallel with each other and across a secondary winding of the transformer. An inductance control circuit includes an inductive element coupled in series with the primary winding of the transformer and a bi-directional switch coupled in parallel across the inductive element. A switch state of the bi-directional switch is controllably adjustable between first and second switch states and in accordance with a desired duty ratio. A magnitude of a voltage across the secondary winding of the transformer and thereby across each lamp circuit is dependent on the switch state of the bi-directional switch.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the disclosure, a discharge lamp lighting device comprises a discharge lamp driving section, a state detecting section that detects a deterioration state of an electrode of a discharge lamp, and a control unit. The control unit alternately performs a first DC driving processing and a first AC driving processing in a first section of the driving current. The control unit alternately performs a second DC driving processing and a second AC driving processing in a second section of the driving current different from the first section. According to a progress of the deterioration state of the electrode, the control unit increases a length of at least one of: (i) a period for which the first DC driving processing is performed, and (ii) a period for which the second DC driving processing is performed.

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.

Abstract: An electronic ballast provides controlled preheating for a discharge lamp. A power converting circuit receives a DC power input and converts it into an AC power output. A starting circuit coupled to the power converting circuit generates a high voltage for starting the lamp. A control circuit controls the power converting circuit to generate AC power output to the lamp dependent on a mode of operation. A symmetry detecting circuit determines a positive-negative symmetrical state of the output power provided to the discharge lamp with respect to ground. The control circuit has a starting mode wherein the discharge lamp is triggered to start with a high voltage generated by the starting circuit, an electrode heating mode wherein the AC power output of the power converting circuit is controlled to a first frequency for heating each lamp electrode, and a steady-state mode wherein the AC power output of the power converting circuit is controlled to a second frequency for maintaining lighting of the discharge lamp.

Abstract: An electronic ballast is provided for adjustable filament preheating of a discharge lamp based on output current symmetry. A power converter receives DC power and outputs AC power. A starting circuit generates a high voltage for starting the lamp. A control circuit controls the AC power output from the power converting circuit. A symmetry determining circuit determines a positive-negative symmetrical state of the AC power output to the lamp with respect to ground. After lamp startup, the control circuit enters a filament heating operation in which the output frequency of the power converting circuit is controlled to a first frequency. At one or more predetermined current detection points during the filament heating operation, the control circuit checks the symmetry state.

Abstract: A plasma device configured to receive ionizable media is disclosed. The plasma device includes a first pair of dielectric substrates each having an inner surface and an outer surface. The first pair of dielectric substrates is disposed in spaced, parallel relation relative to one another with the inner surfaces thereof facing one another. The device also includes a first pair of spiral coils each disposed on the inner surface of the dielectric substrates. The first pair of spiral coils is configured to couple to a power source and configured to inductively couple to an ionizable media passed therebetween to ignite the ionizable media to form a plasma effluent.

Abstract: An electronic ballast is provided for quickly restarting a high-pressure discharge lamp after shutdown. The ballast includes a power supply circuit for supplying power to the lamp from a commercial power source, a start voltage generation circuit for supplying a starting high voltage to the lamp and a control circuit for controlling the power supply circuit and the start voltage generation circuit. A lighting transition module detects a startup or shutdown of the lamp. A lighting time count module measures a lighting time of the lamp when startup is detected. A comparison module compares the lighting time and a first reference time when shutdown is detected. A delay time setting module sets a predetermined delay time of the start voltage generation circuit based on the comparison result. Operation of the ballast is halted from a startup trigger until lapse of the delay time, and then the high starting voltage is supplied to the lamp.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent device is provided which includes a colored polarizer to reduce power consumption requirements for desired levels of brightness. The organic electroluminescent device includes a substrate, an anode electrode layer, an organic layer, a cathode electrode layer, and a colored polarizer provided on a surface of the substrate opposite a surface of the substrate on which the anode electrode layer is formed such that the colored polarizer polarizes light incident from the outside. The colored polarizer increases transmission of a given color of light based on the color(s) included in the polarizer to thereby decrease total current required by the organic electroluminescent device.

Abstract: A system includes first and second illuminating devices respectively having different first and second identification numbers indicative of locations and/or serial numbers of the illuminating devices. A parameter of one of voltage, temperature, resistance, and power of a lighting unit of each illuminating device is detected. The parameter and the identification number of each illuminating device are encoded into a packet. The second illuminating device receives the packet of the first illuminating device and sends the packets of the first and second illuminating devices to a control center. The control center decodes the packets and judges operational states of the illuminating devices based on the parameters detected. A control signal is sent by the control center to turn on or off or control brightness of at least one of the illuminating devices when at least one of the illuminated devices is judged as operating abnormally after judging the parameters detected.

Abstract: The light-emitting device includes: a setting unit switching a potential difference between anode and cathode electrodes alternately between first and second potential differences so that light-emitting thyristors are caused to have one of the first and second potential differences in common; a specifying unit sequentially specifying, as a target for controlling, one light-emitting thyristor; a supply unit alternately supplying transition voltage for causing specified light-emitting thyristor to transition from the off state to the on state and maintaining voltage for keeping the thyristor being in the off state to a gate electrode of the thyristor, in a light-emission control period during which the specifying unit specifies the target and the setting unit sets the second potential difference; and an adjusting unit that adjusts a light-emitting period of the one light-emitting thyristor by supplying the maintaining voltage and stopping supplying the voltage at a variable timing, in the light-emission control

Abstract: An electronic ballast is provided for powering a discharge lamp without visible flash at startup. The ballast includes an integrated circuit having at least one inverter drive output and a voltage controlled oscillator input. A first capacitor is coupled to the voltage controlled oscillator input. An oscillating half-bridge inverter is arranged to receive control signals from the drive output and further coupled to the lamp. The integrated circuit is programmed to start up the lamp by: in a first startup time period, maintaining predetermined lamp preheat values; in a second period, charging the first capacitor to a lamp breakdown voltage; in a third period, continuing to charge the first capacitor to a maximum voltage controlled oscillator input voltage; and in a fourth period, discharging the first capacitor to a predetermined lamp steady state value.

Abstract: A flashlight in accordance with an aspect of the invention includes an ID module for generating an ID signal indicative of a power mode of the flashlight. In an aspect, the flashlight mates with a removable battery pack that regulates at least one of an output voltage and output current in accordance with the ID signal. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the ID module is mounted. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a soft-start module and a bulb, wherein the soft start module increases power to the bulb at a controlled rate when the flashlight is turned on. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a lamp housing having a lens retained by a bezel. The lens includes an axially extending peripheral edge. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a main housing having a lamp housing. A mounting mechanism and mating features are adapted to selectively couple and decouple the main housing and the lamp housing.

Abstract: A light source module includes a plurality of light-emitting blocks. A local-dimming driver drives the light-emitting blocks based on a received clock signal (first reference clock) and received dimming levels. The clock signal is input to a liquid crystal display panel and is also input to the local-dimming driver but is delayed within the local-dimming driver by fixed propagation delay. A delay modeling part performs modeling of the fixed propagation delay amount. The clock signal input to the local-dimming driver is first phase-compensated (delayed) by a phase compensation amount to synchronize the driving signals output by the local-dimming driver with the clock signal. The sum of the modeled propagation delay amount and the phase compensation amount is equal to an integral multiple of the period of the clock signal. The driving signal of the light-emitting blocks are synchronized and in phase with the clock signal.

Abstract: An electronic ballast is provided for controlled preheating of filaments in a discharge lamp. A power converter has a plurality of switching elements and converts DC power from a DC power source into AC power for the lamp. A starting circuit generates a high voltage for starting the lamp. A half-wave discharge detecting circuit detects an absolute value for each polarity peak of a lamp current, calculates an asymmetrical current value from the detected peaks with respect to a predetermined current threshold, and detects a half-wave discharge of the lamp wherein an absolute value of the asymmetrical current value is equal to or more than the current threshold for a predetermined determination time.

Abstract: A series circuit comprising a diode and a resistance is connected in parallel to a filament, and a series circuit comprising a diode and a resistance is connected in parallel to a filament. The filaments are preheated by a preheating current supplied from secondary windings of a preheating transformer, via preheating capacitors. Detection circuits detect DC voltage components of the preheating capacitors. Comparators compare the DC voltage components of the preheating capacitors with a reference voltage. The comparators cause a control circuit to protect the inverter circuit if an abnormality of the filaments is detected.

Abstract: A multi-lamp driving circuit for driving a plurality of lamp groups includes an inversion circuit configured to drive the plurality of lamp groups and a current balance circuit electrically connected between the inversion circuit and the plurality of lamp groups. The current balance circuit includes a plurality of transformers, each including a first magnetic loop composed of a first primary winding and a first secondary winding and a second magnetic loop composed of a second primary winding and a second secondary winding. Numbers of turns of the second primary winding and the second secondary winding of each of the plurality of transformers are equivalent, and numbers of turns of the first primary winding and the first secondary winding of each of the plurality of transformers are equivalent.

Abstract: A system includes a first transistor configured to control a current through one or more LEDs and an inductor coupled in series with the one or more LEDs. The system also includes a current mode switcher configured to control the first transistor so that the inductor has a substantially constant ripple current. The system may further include a resistor and a second transistor coupled across the one or more LEDs and an integrating capacitor coupled in series with the second transistor. The switcher may include a driver configured to drive the first transistor to turn the first transistor on and off. The switcher may also include a detector configured to turn off the first transistor when a current through the first transistor exceeds a first threshold. The switcher may further include a timer configured to turn on the first transistor when a voltage on the integrating capacitor exceeds a second threshold.