Abstract: In a method for operating at least one light emitting diode the at least one light emitting diode is operated at least in some ranges by means of a pulse number modulation, in which a number of uniform current pulses is set within a predetermined interval duration depending on a light energy desired value.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a light emitting element driving circuit includes a comparator having an input connected to smoothing circuit and an output connected to a voltage-dividing circuit through a transistor. A drain-to-source resistance of the transistor is connected in parallel with a portion of the voltage dividing circuit. An output signal of the voltage dividing circuit is connected to another comparator that generates a drive transistor drive signal. The drive transistor is connected to one or more light emitting elements. In accordance with another embodiment, a reference voltage is generated in response to a rectified signal and compared with a sense voltage to generate a drive signal that is used to drive the drive transistor. Light is emitted from the one or more light emitting elements in response to the drive signal and the rectified voltage being greater than the forward voltage drops of the one or more light emitting elements.

Abstract: A microcomputer of a light source control device specifies an LED belonging to LEDs and subjected to a short-circuit failure based on a result of determination by a short-circuit failure detecting circuit and current amounts sensed by current sensing circuits respectively. The microcomputer makes corresponding one of switching elements interrupt supply of a current to the specified LED. The microcomputer makes a constant current circuit supply an LED not specified with a current not exceeding a current responsive to the number of such LEDs not specified.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to regulate an input power applied to a plurality of light emitters are provided. A regulator device includes a plurality of switches and a control circuit that controls the plurality of switches. The plurality of switches selectively couple respective strings of the light emitters in series to the input power to emit light when deactivated. The control circuit may deactivate a number of the switches to couple the respective light emitters to the input power in response to a sensed operational parameter of the input power. The control circuit may adjust the number of the switches deactivated in response to a change in the sensed operational parameter of the input power. A number of the light emitters may be coupled to the input power regardless of the sensed operational parameter of the input power.

Abstract: A light emitting diode driving system with precise timing switched dimming control used for driving light emitting diode elements is provided, which comprises a power detection unit, a timer control logic, a light emitting diode dimming driver, and a power supply unit being able to overcome different conditions of power source, switch leakage, and system elements to design the timer dimming with steady and precise working status, and solve problems of each of the independent systems which are not synchronized due to imprecisely timed under power-off condition, while providing various dimming mode for users, and a dimming method using aforementioned LED driving system.

Abstract: An LED array switching apparatus, comprises: a plurality of LED arrays arranged in a serial path; a voltage supply coupled to the plurality of LED arrays; a plurality of current sources selectively coupled to the LED arrays, each of the current sources being switchable between a current regulating state and an open state; and a controller that outputs at least one control signal. The controller, the at least one switch and current sources cooperate together such that: when the voltage of the voltage source is below the at least one reference voltage, and/or when a predetermined level of current passes through the one or more current sources, at least one switch is closed and one or more associated current sources are controlled so as to break the serial path into one or more parallel paths each including less than all of the LED arrays.

Abstract: A switch mode power supply (SMPS) system includes a rectifying circuit for coupling to an AC input voltage and a transformer having a primary winding for coupling to the rectifying circuit and a secondary winding coupled to the primary winding. The system also has a power switch coupled to the primary winding and a control circuit coupled to the power switch. The control circuit is configured to control current flow in the primary winding such that an envelop waveform formed by peak points of current pulses are in phase with the magnitude of the AC input voltage. Moreover, the SMPS system is configured to provide a constant average output current.

Abstract: Proposed is a package (10) having at least two pins (11, 12). The package comprises a semiconductor structure (20) having a first function and an electrical circuit (30) comprising at least one circuit element having a second function. The structure (20) and the circuit (30) are electrically connected to the pins (11, 12). Moreover, the package is operable to perform the first and second function by time multiplexing a first (60) and second (70) operating signal through the pins (11, 12). Finally, the first function is a lighting function and the second function is a sensing function. The invention is especially advantageous as it provides a cost effective and versatile miniaturized light emitting package comprising LEDs or laser diodes.

Abstract: A physical vapor deposition system may include an RF generator configured to transmit an AC process signal to a physical vapor deposition chamber via an RF matching network. A detector circuit may be configured to sense the AC process signal and output a DC magnitude error signal and a DC phase error signal. A controller may be coupled to the detector circuit and the RF matching network and configured to receive the DC magnitude and phase error signals and to vary an impedance of the RF matching network in response to the DC magnitude and phase error signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a single photon source 1800 comprising a tapered nanowire 1802, where the nanowire 1802 is made of a semiconductor material, a first electrode 1828 and second electrode 1814, where the electrodes are electrically coupled to a photon emitter 1804 embedded in the nanowire 1802 and wherein the photon emitter 1804 is capable of emitting a single photon when an activation voltage is applied between the electrodes. In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the nanowire is encircled by air or vacuum, such that advantage can be taken of the resultant large ratio between a refractive index of the nanowire and the encircling material, air. Another advantageous feature might be that the first and second electrodes are optically transparent, such that they can be used as part of a reflective element or anti-reflective element.

Abstract: In an electronic device including a discharge lamp, and a lamp power supply section that supplies power to the discharge lamp, a control section makes the lamp power supply section execute a lamp refresh process of supplying power necessary for generation of a halogen cycle to the discharge lamp at predetermined time intervals during low power operation in which the discharge lamp is lighted with power less than the rated power. Further, the control section records, in a recording section (non-volatile memory), a control instruction which is issued to the lamp power supply section during low power operation.

Abstract: A photon source capable of emitting, for example, a single photon or a single pair of photons on demand. The photon source may include an excitation region where a single instance of a quantum system is excited using excitation energy. A Stimulated Raman Adiabatic Passage (STIRAP) technique can be used for exciting the quantum system to a desired energy level. The photon source may include a photon emission region physically displaced from the excitation region. A transport device can be used for controllably moving an excited quantum system from the excitation region to the photon emission region. The photon emission region may include a resonant cavity tuned to the de-excitation frequency of the quantum system for inducing de-excitation of the quantum system and emission of a photon. The photon emission resonant cavity may be switchably coupled to an output port by a tunable resonant cavity coupling device.

Abstract: A display backlight assembly includes a light guide panel having first and second principal faces and at least one edge surface. A display screen is aligned with and substantially perpendicular to the first principal face of the light guide panel. The assembly also includes a light source with one or more white LEDs and one or more first color LEDs, where each first color LED emits a first color of light that is red, green, blue, or yellow. Each white LED and each first color LED is positioned to emit light into the light guide panel. A controller is electrically coupled to the light source and capable of independently setting an intensity value for each white LED and for each first color LED. The controller controls illumination of the LEDs independently as needed to provide backlighting with the selected intensity.

Abstract: The apparatuses disclosed herein include a discharge lamp configured to emit ultraviolet and visible light, an optical filter configured to attenuate visible light, and a power circuit configured to operate the discharge lamp. Some embodiments of the apparatuses are configured such that ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp and passed through the optical filter encircles an exterior surface of the apparatus. Some cases of the apparatuses include a sensor system configured to monitor a first parameter associated with the operation of the discharge lamp and a second parameter associated with the transmittance of the optical filter. Some of the apparatuses include a means for moving the optical filter while the apparatus is in operation. In some cases, the apparatuses may be configured such that the optical filter may be arranged in and out of alignment with the discharge lamp. In some embodiments, the optical filter may be a multifaceted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a harmonic compensation circuit for compensating at least the third harmonic in the input current (Imains) drawn by an LED light source (1) from a mains voltage supply (2), comprising: a signal input (21, 22) for receiving a first input signal proportional to the input voltage (Vin) of said LED light source (1) and a second input signal (Vsh) proportional to the LED current (ILED) of said LED light source (1), a signal output (25) for outputting a compensation current (Icomp), a processing unit (24a, 24b) for comparing said second input signal (Vsh) to a reference signal (VRb, VR7) and for generating said compensation current (Icomp) based on said comparison, the sum of said compensation current (Icomp) and said LED current (ILED) being proportional to the input voltage (Vin) of said LED light source (1) and said compensation current (Icomp) being provided for minimizing at least the third harmonic in the input current (Imains) drawn by said LED light source (1) from said main

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a programmable underwater lighting system for pools and spas. A plurality of underwater lights, each having a plurality of LEDs for producing light of various colors, a microprocessor for controlling the plurality of LEDs, and a memory in communication with the microprocessor containing one or more stored control programs, allow for the generation of various lighting effects in a pool or spa. A central controller is provided in communication with the plurality of underwater lights, and allows a user to define or select a desired lighting effect (such as a sequence, a fading effect, a “moving” color pattern, etc.) using a display and a keyboard. Optionally, a handheld remote control could be provided, in wireless communication with the central controller, for allowing a user to remotely control the plurality of lighting fixtures.

Abstract: A step-up switching voltage regulator includes two or more inductors and a switching network. A control circuit drives the switching network in a repeating sequence that includes: a magnetizing phase where the inductors are connected in series between an input voltage and ground; and a charge transfer phase where the inductors are connected in parallel to provide current to an output node with at least one of the inductors is connected between ground and the output node.

Abstract: A mobile application is disclosed that allows a user to configure an LED-based lamp. The LED-based lamp has the capability of color matching color spectrums and calibrating its correlated color temperatures, brightness, and hue based on a color model. The mobile application can send or schedule commands actively or passively to activate the color matching and calibration process on the LED-based lamp. The mobile application can further receive status information regarding the LED-based lamp including fault detection, estimated life time, temperature, power consumption, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A circuit comprises a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a fourth switch. Each has a first end and a second end. The circuit also comprises a capacitive device having a first capacitive end and a second capacitive end, and a voltage source. A first node having a first voltage is coupled to the first fourth-switch end, to the first second-switch end, and to the first capacitive end. A second node having a second voltage is coupled to the voltage source, to the second fourth-switch end, and to the second third-switch end. A third node is coupled to the second second-switch end, and to the first first-switch end. The first switch and the second switch are controlled such that the first node and the voltage source selectively provide the second voltage.

Abstract: Compensating for disturbances in light output by a light source includes sensing light output by a light source and generating a light-sense signal based thereon, detecting a disturbance in the light-sense signal, and generating an output signal to compensate for the disturbance. An LED is driven in accordance with the periodic output signal to thereby compensate for the periodic disturbance.