Patents by Inventor Everett Bradford

Everett Bradford 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: 20140239848
    Abstract: Dynamic light emitting device (LED) lighting adjustment systems and related methods are disclosed. In one aspect, a method can receive, at an LED lighting fixture, a lighting adjustment signal corresponding to a target lighting level and determine a delta value that represents a difference between a current lighting level of the LED lighting fixture and the target lighting level and a step time value associated with the determined delta value. The method can further include adjusting the current lighting level of the LED lighting fixture to a new current lighting level for the duration of the step time value and repeating the determining and adjusting steps until the new current lighting level equals the target lighting level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventor: Everett Bradford
  • Publication number: 20140063779
    Abstract: A lighting device includes one or more lumiphoric materials spatially segregated from one or more electrically activated (e.g., solid state) emitters and arranged to emit light toward a reflector for reflection of lumiphor-converted light emissions toward a light transmissive end of the lighting device. One or more adjustment elements may be arranged adjust position of the at least one lumiphoric material, and/or to adjust at least one of (a) position, (b) aim, and (c) focus, of the at least one electrically activated light emitting source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventor: Everett Bradford
  • Publication number: 20130082601
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lighting device that employs at least one string of LEDs as a lighting source. The string of LEDs is coupled in series with a first semiconductor switch, wherein the string of LEDs and the first semiconductor switch are coupled between a power supply node and ground. During a period when the lighting device is powering up after being initially provided power by a power supply, the system controller is configured to monitor a drive current through the first string of LEDs and modulate a control signal provided to the first semiconductor switch based on the drive current to prevent the drive current from exceeding a maximum allowable drive current value for the first string of LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Everett Bradford
  • Publication number: 20130082616
    Abstract: A lighting device employs at least one string of LEDs as a lighting source. The string of LEDs is coupled in series with a first switch, wherein the string of LEDs and the first switch are coupled between a power supply node and ground. During a normal operation mode, a system controller is configured to close the first switch to deliver a drive current to the string of LEDs from the power supply node. The system controller is further associated with a temperature sensor and is configured to detect an over-temperature condition based on information provided by the temperature sensor. Upon detecting the over-temperature condition, the system controller will open the first switch to stop the drive current from flowing through the string of LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Everett Bradford, John Perry
  • Publication number: 20130082602
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lighting device that employs at least one string of LEDs as a lighting source. The string of LEDs is coupled in series with a first switch, wherein the string of LEDs and the first switch are coupled between a power supply node and ground. During a normal operation mode, a system controller is configured to operate the first switch to deliver a drive current to the string of LEDs from the power supply node. The system controller is associated with circuitry that allows the system controller to monitor the drive current and determine when an overcurrent condition occurs. Upon detecting the overcurrent condition, the system controller will open the first switch to stop the drive current from flowing through the string of LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventor: Everett Bradford
  • Publication number: 20130082610
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a first array of LEDs, a temperature sensor, memory, and a system controller. The memory may include a first duty cycle offset and first curve information that defines a relationship between temperature and a duty cycle for driving at least one LED of the first array of LEDs. The system controller will determine a temperature based on information from the temperature sensor. Based on the temperature, the system controller will determine a first pre-calibrated duty cycle that corresponds to the temperature from the first curve information and then adjust the first pre-calibrated duty cycle with the first duty cycle offset to generate a first calibrated duty cycle. The LED is then driven with a first pulse width modulated signal having the first calibrated duty cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventor: Everett Bradford
  • Publication number: 20130049603
    Abstract: A modularized LED lamp is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention provide an LED lamp in which digital and/or analog communication takes place between the LED module and the power supply unit (PSU) of the lamp. A controller in the LED module sends signals to the PSU, allowing separation of the two parts so that each part can be manufactured independently as opposed to being manufactured as a calibrated, matched pair. The LED module, by way of its controller, provides information to the PSU that allows the power supply to adjust its drive current appropriately. The PSU controller can also respond to operating temperature variations of the LEDs in order to provide thermal shutdown, brightness compensation, and other control if needed. In some embodiments, a controller in the PSU also responds to an external dimming input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventor: Everett Bradford