Abstract: A re-keyable cylinder lock includes a plug inserted into a lock housing and having a plurality of radial holes connected to a key hole. The lock housing has a first engaging element provided in an inner surface thereof. A limit unit has a second engaging element and is inserted into one of the radial holes located at a predetermined depth of the key hole. The first engaging element engages the second engaging element to limit the plug from rotating when a replacement key which is inserted into the key hole for re-keying does not reach a predetermined depth of the key hole. Incomplete re-keying can therefore be prevented.

Abstract: A driving circuit for controlling a light source includes a frequency controller and a switch module. The frequency controller is operable for receiving a first dimming signal for controlling the light source to achieve a predetermined brightness, and for generating a second dimming signal having a frequency out of one or more predetermined ranges according to the first dimming signal when the frequency of the first dimming signal is within the predetermined ranges. The switch module coupled to the frequency controller is operable for switching on and off alternately to achieve the predetermined brightness of the light source according to the second dimming signal when the frequency of the first dimming signal is within the predetermined ranges and according to the first dimming signal when the frequency of the first dimming signal is out of the predetermined ranges.

Abstract: A controller for controlling dimming of a light source includes a detection pin, an input signal pin, and a monitoring pin. The detection pin is operable for monitoring a rectified voltage and for detecting whether the rectified voltage comes from a TRIAC dimmer or an on/off switch dimmer. The input signal pin is operable for receiving an input signal indicative of the rectified voltage and the controller controls dimming of the light source according to the input signal if the rectified voltage comes from a TRIAC dimmer. The monitoring pin is operable for receiving a monitoring signal indicating an operation of the on/off switch dimmer and the controller controls dimming of the light source according to the monitoring signal if the rectified voltage comes from an on/off switch dimmer.

Abstract: A differential driving circuit for powering a light source is disclosed. The differential driving circuit includes a first set of switches and a second set of switches. A first current from a power source flows through the first set of switches to charge a first energy storage element when the first set of switches are turned on. A second current from the first energy storage element flows through the second set of switches to power the light source when the second set of switches are turned on. The differential driving circuit further includes a second energy storage element coupled to the light source in parallel and for providing a differential voltage to the light source.

Abstract: A driving circuit for driving a light source includes a power converter, a controller and a voltage-controlled current source. The power converter is coupled to the light source, and receives an input voltage from a power source and provides an output voltage to the light source. The power converter includes a switch coupled in series with the light source. The controller is coupled to the power converter and controls a power of the light source by controlling the switch. The voltage-controlled current source is coupled to the controller and provides a first current. The controller controls the switch based on the first current.

Abstract: A driving circuit includes a first inductor coupled in series with a light source for providing power to the light source. A controller coupled to the first inductor can control a switch coupled to the first inductor, thereby controlling a current flowing through the first inductor. A current sensor coupled to the first inductor can provide a first signal indicative of the current flowing through the first inductor, regardless of whether the switch is on or off. The switch is controlled according to the first signal. A second inductor magnetically coupled to the first inductor is also electrically coupled to the first inductor via a common node between the switch and the first inductor for providing a reference ground for the controller. The reference ground is different from the ground of the driving circuit.

Abstract: A light source driving circuit for powering multiple light sources in a vehicle includes multiple current limiters and a balance controller. The current limiters are coupled to the light sources for adjusting currents of the light sources respectively. The balance controller coupled to the current limiters can control the current limiters such that a current flowing through each of the light sources is substantially the same as a first target current. Moreover, the balance controller can control the current limiters in response to a brake of the vehicle such that a current flowing through each of the light sources is substantially the same as a second target current.

Abstract: A circuit for driving a light source, e.g., an LED light source, includes a converter, a sensor, and a controller. The converter converts an input voltage to an output voltage across the LED light source based upon a driving signal. A duty cycle of the driving signal determines an average current flowing through the LED light source. The sensor is selectively coupled to and decoupled from the converter based upon the driving signal. The sensor generates a sense voltage indicative of a current flowing through the LED light source when the sensor is coupled to the converter. The controller is coupled to the converter and sensor. The controller compares the sense voltage to a reference voltage indicative of a predetermined average current through the LED light source to generate a compensation signal and generates the driving signal based upon the compensation signal.

Abstract: A controller for controlling dimming of a light source includes a detector, a dimming signal generator coupled to the detector, and a pulse generator coupled to the dimming signal generator. The detector can detect a startup phase of a burst dimming cycle of the light source and can generate a triggering signal when the startup phase ends. The burst dimming cycle includes an ON period and an OFF period. The dimming signal generator can trigger the ON period of the burst dimming cycle for a predetermined duration in response to the triggering signal. The pulse generator operable for generating a pulse signal to control a current through the light source can be enabled during the ON period and disabled during the OFF period.

Abstract: A circuit for driving a light source includes a voltage converter, a switch and a controller. The voltage converter converts an AC input voltage signal to a first rectified AC voltage signal. The voltage converter further generates an average signal proportional to an average voltage level of the first rectified AC voltage signal. The switch is coupled to the light source in series. The controller coupled to the voltage converter and the switch compares the first rectified AC voltage signal with the average signal to generate a pulse signal. The controller further generates a dimming control signal based on the pulse signal to control the switch thereby controlling dimming of the light source.

Abstract: A cylinder lock includes a lock housing receiving a plug assembly that has a key hole, tumbler pieces having respective toothed parts, and a re-keying unit. The re-keying unit has rotatable gear wheels engaged releasably with the respective toothed parts to reposition the respective tumbler pieces. The gear wheels disengage from the respective tooth parts by moving transversely of a longitudinal axis of the lock housing. Re-keying methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit for driving a load includes a power line, converter circuitry, and a controller. The power line is operable for providing an input current and an input voltage. The converter circuitry coupled to the power line is operable for converting the input voltage to a regulated voltage to drive the load, and for providing a current detection signal indicating whether a converter current flowing through the converter circuitry drops to a predetermined level. The controller coupled to the converter circuitry is operable for correcting a power factor of the circuit based on the current detection signal and the input voltage such that a waveform of the input current follows a waveform of the input voltage.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a controller includes a first comparator, a second comparator and a control unit coupled to the first and second comparators. The first comparator is operable for comparing a first sense signal indicative of an output current flowing through an energy storage component of the power converter with a first threshold, and for generating a first comparison signal. The second comparator is operable for comparing a second sense signal indicative of the output current with a second threshold and for generating a second comparison signal. The control unit is operable for turning a switch of the power convertor on and off according to the first and second comparison signals. The energy storage component is coupled to a power source for storing energy from the power source if the switch is turned on, and is decoupled from the power source for releasing stored energy to a load if the switch is turned off.

Abstract: A latch-bolt mechanism includes a housing, a latch-bolt, and a distance-adjusting device. The latch-bolt is movable relative to the housing between an extended position and a retracted position. The distance-adjusting device includes a movable unit movable in the housing between first and second vertical positions and including a first drive member for driving movement of the latch-bolt from the extended position to the retracted position when the movable unit is disposed at either the first or second vertical positions, and a fastener unit for locking the movable unit releaseably at a selected one of the first and second vertical positions.

Abstract: A latch-bolt mechanism includes a housing, a latch-bolt, and a drive member. The latch-bolt is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and includes a bolt body and an engaging member operable to move relative to the bolt body between an engagement position and a disengagement position and having an engaging portion. The drive member has a driving portion. When the engaging member is at the engagement position, the driving portion can be activated to contact and push the engaging portion so as to move the latch-bolt from the extended position to the retracted position. When the engaging member is at the disengagement position, contact between the driving portion and the engaging portion can be prevented.

Abstract: A dimming controller for controlling power of a light source has a monitoring terminal, a dimming terminal, and a control terminal. The monitoring terminal is operable for receiving a current monitoring signal indicating a current flowing through the light source. The dimming terminal is operable for receiving a ramp signal. The voltage of the ramp signal increases if a power switch coupled between a power source and the light source is turned on. The control terminal is operable for providing a control signal to control a control switch coupled in series with the light source based on the current monitoring signal and the ramp signal. An average current of the light source increases as the ramp signal increases until the average current reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A multi-lamp backlight system is disclosed. The multi-lamp backlight system includes a plurality of lamps, an inverter circuit and a current balance circuit. The inverter circuit is capable of converting a DC input signal to a pair of AC output signals, which have a 180 degree phase shift. The pair of AC output signals are delivered to the plurality of lamps. The current balance circuit is connected to the low voltage sides of the plurality of lamps for balancing the lamp currents.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment may include supplying ignition power and steady state power to at least one lamp. The method of this embodiment may also include receiving, during an ignition period of said lamp, a feedback signal indicative of power supplied to said lamp; comparing said feedback signal to a signal that is approximately equal to a signal indicative of steady state power; and maintaining a supply of ignition power to said lamp while said feedback signal remains below said signal indicative of said steady state power. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.

Abstract: There is provided a driving circuit for controlling power of a light source. The driving circuit includes a power converter and a dimming controller. The power converter is coupled between a power source and the light source, and can receive power from the power source and provide a regulated power to the light source. The dimming controller is coupled to the power converter, and can receive a switch monitoring signal. The switch monitoring signal can indicate an operation of a power switch coupled between the power source and the driving circuit. The dimming controller is further operable for adjusting the regulated power from the power converter by controlling a switch coupled in series with the light source according to the switch monitoring signal.