Patents Examined by Minh M A
  • Patent number: 8030853
    Abstract: A circuit includes a driver configured to generate an output for driving one or more light emitting diodes. The circuit also includes a voltage booster configured to boost an input voltage provided to the driver when the voltage booster is coupled to a high-frequency pulsating alternating current (AC) voltage source that provides the input voltage. The voltage booster may include two first diodes coupled in series, two second diodes coupled in series, and first and second capacitors coupled in series. A first input voltage terminal may be coupled between the first diodes, and a second input voltage terminal may be coupled between the second diodes and between the capacitors. The voltage booster may be further configured to provide the input voltage to the driver without boosting when the voltage booster is coupled to a direct current (DC) or low-frequency AC voltage source that provides the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Siu-Hong Wong, Tze-Kau Man