Abstract: A position dependent information retrieval system is disclosed including a light source having a driver and an encoder. The driver and the encoder are coupled to the light source so that the light source produces a modulated light signal in accordance with a predetermined signature. The system also includes a receiver having a photosensitive detector capable of detecting the modulated light signal and a decoder capable of decoding the predetermined signature. A controller is communicatively coupled to the receiver, a memory and output device. The controller is arranged to receive the decoded predetermined signature, based upon the decoded predetermined signature, obtain at least one localized message in the memory, and output the localized message using the output device.

Abstract: A power supply comprising a flyback converter and a controller is disclosed. The flyback converter drives a load when electrically coupled to an alternating current power source. The controller controls a soft switching during each switching time period of the flyback converter. Upon an initial switching time period, the controller determines each acceptable switching frequency for the subsequent switching time periods and selects one of the acceptable switching frequencies for soft switching the flyback converter over one or more switching time periods during a constant load.

Abstract: A digital controller comprises two control paths each having an A/D converter. One of the two converters has a substantially higher sampling speed and lower resolution than the other. Thus, one is suitable to deal with the fast responses while the other is suitable to deal with the slow responses, and can replace high-speed high-resolution A/D converter which is high in both cost and power consumption.

Abstract: A power transforming apparatus comprises at least two transformers connected parallel to each other between a common power source and a common output, each of said transformers including a primary and a secondary for transforming power from said same power source to said same output. The resistive loss is substantially decreased because the current is split among multiple transformers, and therefore the temperature of the transformer is kept low as less heat is produced from the transformer loss.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for contact-less charging of battery operated devices is presented. There is a host charger with a power converter and resonant tank circuit and a portable device where the battery is located, with a battery charging control IC. The method obviates the need for a voltage controller in each of both the host and the portable stages, thus decreasing complexity and increasing efficiency. The charging of the battery in the portable device is controlled by a charging controller therein, which is in continual electric communication with the host, whose output power the control IC dynamically monitors and controls. Two embodiments for the charging circuitry in the portable device are presented. In one embodiment component count is minimized but battery charging is not optimized when the battery voltage is very low. In the other embodiment charging efficiency is maximized regardless of the output voltage of the battery, but additional components are utilized.

Abstract: A navigation system is disclosed including a light source having a driver and an encoder. The driver and the encoder are coupled to the light source so that the light source produces a modulated light signal in accordance with a predetermined signature. The system also includes a receiver having a photosensitive detector capable of detecting the modulated light signal and a decoder capable of decoding the predetermined signature. A controller is communicatively coupled to the receiver, a memory and output device. The controller is arranged to receive the decoded predetermined signature, based upon the decoded predetermined signature, obtain at least one navigation instruction stored in the memory, and output the navigation instruction using the output device.

Abstract: An adaptive compensation circuit for controlling a universal lamp driver coupled to a lamp is disclosed. The adaptive compensation circuit utilizes an identification of a lamp type of the lamp to thereby generate a signal indicative of a time constant of the lamp. The adaptive compensation circuit subsequently determines a zero position and a pair of pole positions corresponding to the time constant, and generates a control voltage in response to a determination of the zero position and the pair of pole positions. The control voltage facilitates an operation of the universal lamp driver to stably provide a lamp current to the lamp.

Abstract: A multiple-output, bi-directional flyback converter with soft switching of an input switch is disclosed. The primary-side of the converter is comprised of an input power supply, a transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding, and an input switch with an associated diode, wherein a first end of the primary winding is connected to the input power supply and a second end of the primary winding is connected to the input switch. A first predetermined number of output voltage circuits are connected to a single secondary winding or one of a plurality of secondary windings each producing an output voltage. Each output voltage circuit has an output switch with an associated diode, and a diode connected in series between the output voltage switch and the secondary winding. A last output voltage circuit with a bi-directional switch and associated diode is connected connection to the secondary winding.

Abstract: A dual energy coupling device involving the transfer of magnetic energy and electric energy between a pair of electric conductors is disclosed. The transfer of magnetic energy establishes an inductive coupling of a power source and a load of the device whereby an electric signal as a power signal or an indication of information can be communicated between inductively coupled power source and load. The transfer of electric energy facilitates an establishment of a capacitive coupling of another power source and another load of the device whereby an electric signal as part of a power signal or an indication of information can be communicated between the capacitively coupled power source and load.

Abstract: A switch mode power supply (SMPS) and method are provided. In particular, the present invention provides an SMPS in which data is encoded by manipulating voltage pulses on a primary side. The manipulated voltage pulses are then transferred over a transformer to a secondary side. Secondary side pulses generated in response to the primary side pulses are sensed and decoded by a detector. The present invention allows data to be transferred from the primary side to the secondary side without affecting output voltages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing closed loop feedback control is presented. The method consists of a hybrid software and hardware solution to take advantage of the useful attributes of both. Analog signals output by the device are sampled at a rate sufficient to preserve all necessary high frequency information, and preprocessed at high speed in hardware. The outputs of the preprocessing stage are then operated on in software at much lower speeds. The method and apparatus allow for the complex real time processing of feedback signals in the digital domain, yet allow the cost efficiencies and programming flexibility of a standard micro-controller to be utilized.

Abstract: A flyback power converter is described which provides multiple independently regulated outputs. Zero-volt primary side switching is achieved at a resonance minimum which occurs at the end of each energy cycle between a primary side capacitor and an isolation transformer primary winding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fault condition protection for a lighting control circuit is presented. The method consists of a hybrid software and hardware solution to take advantage of the useful attributes of both. In the event of a fault condition being detected the software set driving signals to the light are rapidly blocked via hardware. In the event the fault condition persists, software modifies the driving signals to the light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing closed loop feedback control is presented. The method consists of a hybrid software and hardware solution to take advantage of the useful attributes of both. Analog signals output by the device are sampled at a rate sufficient to preserve all necessary high frequency information, and preprocessed at high speed in hardware. The outputs of the preprocessing stage are then operated on in software at much lower speeds. The method and apparatus allow for the complex real time processing of feedback signals in the digital domain, yet allow the cost efficiencies and programming flexibility of a standard micro-controller to be utilized.

Abstract: A method for reducing harmonic distortions and switching losses in a power factor correction circuit of a quasi-resonant voltage converter, wherein using data derived from the sensing a voltage impressed on the switching device in the power converter, a multitude of event times can be calculated that will align the timings of the drive circuitry of the power converter to those of the natural resonance transitions of reactive elements of the converter. An over-sampling of the voltage impressed on the switching device voltage allows accurate sensing of a “zero-current” cross-over condition in an inductance of the converter.

Abstract: A power supply comprising a flyback converter and a controller is disclosed. The flyback converter drives a load when electrically coupled to an alternating current power source. The controller controls a soft switching during each switching time period of the flyback converter. Upon an initial switching time period, the controller determines each acceptable switching frequency for the subsequent switching time periods and selects one of the acceptable switching frequencies for soft switching the flyback converter over one or more switching time periods during a constant load.

Abstract: A multi-mode modular pulse-width-modulator capable of outputting low-speed and high-speed control signals is presented. The operation of the modulator is determined by parameters that are stored within the modulator and provide for high-speed updating and control capability in response to changes in voltage or current. In one mode, an update and control signal is generated based on timing parametric data stored in a local memory. In a second mode, an update and control signal is generated based on timing parametric data that provided by an external input device. Furthermore, control variables are also stored locally which control the position of switches, which alter signal paths within the modulator.

Abstract: A dual-mode modular pulse-width-modulator capable of outputting low-speed and high-speed control signals is presented. In one mode, a control signal is generated based on timing parametric data stored in a memory. In a second mode, a control signal is generated based on timing parametric data stored in a memory and an external input. Timing parametrics and control variables used to determine the operational mode can be pre-loaded in the memory or loaded through a communication link.

Abstract: A master-slave programmable controller arrangement is disclosed for implementing control schemes in various control system topologies. The arrangement employs a modular design which allows a master unit to set operational modes for one or more instances of the same generic slave unit. The master unit and the slave unit communicate via a communications interface. Each slave unit is configured by the master unit to monitor/control one or more components or stages of, for example, a power supply.