Patents by Inventor Charles Valois

Charles Valois has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20190132815
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed systems, methods, and apparatus for light enabled indoor positioning and reporting. A server receives data including sensor data from each of a plurality of display devices established at a predetermined location of a plurality of predetermined locations. The server determines, from data of a first display device of the plurality of display devices, a first state of a first predetermined location of the plurality of predetermined locations. The server determines, from data of a second display device of the plurality of display devices, a second state of a second predetermined location of the plurality of predetermined locations. The server communicates, to one or more mobile devices, one of the first state of the first predetermined location or the second state of the second predetermined location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Zampini, II, Charles Valois, Jeffrey Zampieron
  • Patent number: 9578703
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a solution that provides for continuous adjustment of a reference signal to a control chip to facilitate controlling the average output power. In some aspects, a system may facilitate continuous adjustment of power provided to a device by providing a reference signal with a slope to a control pin (e.g., current control pin) of a control chip (e.g., power regulator or LED driver). Providing a reference signal with a slope (e.g., a triangle or a sinusoidal wave) can increase the control range of the control chip and improve control chip performance. For example, systems and methods of the present disclosure may increase the dimming range of an LED from less than 0.1% to 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Integrated Illumination Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Valois
  • Patent number: 9554450
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an inexpensive yet intelligent solution for dimming light devices to low level intensities in which the common lighting systems generally have difficulties maintaining stability and flicker-free operation. The systems and method described herein enable a lighting system to utilize a dimmer to dim one or more lighting devices to low level intensities without introducing flickering or inconsistent operation of the lights. More specifically, the systems and methods described herein enable a dimmer to dim lights to anywhere between 0% and 5% of maximum brightness, while ensuring that the lights operate at these levels consistently, smoothly and without any visible flickering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Integrated Illumination Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Valois, Thomas Lawrence Zampini, II
  • Publication number: 20160353536
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a solution that provides for continuous adjustment of a reference signal to a control chip to facilitate controlling the average output power. In some aspects, a system may facilitate continuous adjustment of power provided to a device by providing a reference signal with a slope to a control pin (e.g., current control pin) of a control chip (e.g., power regulator or LED driver). Providing a reference signal with a slope (e.g., a triangle or a sinusoidal wave) can increase the control range of the control chip and improve control chip performance. For example, systems and methods of the present disclosure may increase the dimming range of an LED from less than 0.1% to 100%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Charles VALOIS
  • Patent number: 9485814
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a hysteresis based driver that incorporates the forward voltage of the LEDs being driven into the design of the driver itself. Instead of providing a typical fixed voltage reference, the forward voltage of one or more LEDS driven by the driver is used as a voltage reference. As the input voltage varies during operation of the one or more LEDs, the current varies as well. This current change is larger than it would be without the LEDs and only resistors. This variable current measurement may be used as input into a hysteresis circuit that controls the switch that turns on and off the one or more LEDs. As such, the driver may not incorporate or use a typical fixed voltage reference such as one provided by a zener diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Integrated Illumination Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Valois
  • Patent number: 9420665
    Abstract: The present solution provides continuous adjustment of a reference signal to a control chip to facilitate controlling the average output power. In some aspects, a system may facilitate continuous adjustment of power provided to a device by providing a reference signal with a slope to a control pin (e.g., current control pin) of a control chip (e.g., power regulator or LED driver). Providing a reference signal with a slope (e.g., a triangle or a sinusoidal wave) can increase the control range of the control chip and improve control chip performance. For example, systems and methods of the present disclosure may increase the dimming range of an LED from less than 0.1% to 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Integration Illumination Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Valois
  • Patent number: 9379578
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a solution providing multi-state power management. In some aspects, the design of the multi-state power management system (MPMS) facilitates switching to battery back up power upon identifying a power outage and further controlling the intensity level of a load (e.g., a light source) such that the light run time meets a minimum required run time. The MPMS may be designed and configured to identify a power outage and a battery status based on the voltage at a voltage input of the lighting device. The design may also include controlling the intensity level of the light source responsive to temperature measurements, e.g., ambient temperature or the temperature of one or more components, to maintain the health of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Integrated Illumination Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Valois, Thomas Lawrence Zampini, II
  • Publication number: 20160113093
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an inexpensive yet intelligent solution for dimming light devices to low level intensities in which the common lighting systems generally have difficulties maintaining stability and flicker-free operation. The systems and method described herein enable a lighting system to utilize a dimmer to dim one or more lighting devices to low level intensities without introducing flickering or inconsistent operation of the lights. More specifically, the systems and methods described herein enable a dimmer to dim lights to anywhere between 0% and 5% of maximum brightness, while ensuring that the lights operate at these levels consistently, smoothly and without any visible flickering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: Integrated Illumination Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Valois, Thomas Lawrence ZAMPINI, II
  • Publication number: 20140191684
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a hysteresis based driver that incorporates the forward voltage of the LEDs being driven into the design of the driver itself. Instead of providing a typical fixed voltage reference, the forward voltage of one or more LEDS driven by the driver is used as a voltage reference. As the input voltage varies during operation of the one or more LEDs, the current varies as well. This current change is larger than it would be without the LEDs and only resistors. This variable current measurement may be used as input into a hysteresis circuit that controls the switch that turns on and off the one or more LEDs. As such, the driver may not incorporate or use a typical fixed voltage reference such as one provided by a zener diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Charles Valois
  • Publication number: 20140184127
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a solution that provides for continuous adjustment of a reference signal to a control chip to facilitate controlling the average output power. In some aspects, a system may facilitate continuous adjustment of power provided to a device by providing a reference signal with a slope to a control pin (e.g., current control pin) of a control chip (e.g., power regulator or LED driver). Providing a reference signal with a slope (e.g., a triangle or a sinusoidal wave) can increase the control range of the control chip and improve control chip performance. For example, systems and methods of the present disclosure may increase the dimming range of an LED from less than 0.1% to 100%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: I2SYSTEMS INC
    Inventor: Charles Valois
  • Publication number: 20140139122
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a solution providing multi-state power management. In some aspects, the design of the multi-state power management system (MPMS) facilitates switching to battery back up power upon identifying a power outage and further controlling the intensity level of a load (e.g., a light source) such that the light run time meets a minimum required run time. The MPMS may be designed and configured to identify a power outage and a battery status based on the voltage at a voltage input of the lighting device. The design may also include controlling the intensity level of the light source responsive to temperature measurements, e.g., ambient temperature or the temperature of one or more components, to maintain the health of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: INTEGRATED ILLUMINATION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Valois, Thomas Lawrence Zampini, II