Patents by Inventor Hans Auer

Hans Auer 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: 20250063642
    Abstract: The invention relates to a feedback-controlled switched converter, comprising: at least one switch, terminals for supplying an LED load, a control unit being supplied with a feedback signal indicating a load current of the LED load. The control unit is configured to: generate an output signal on the basis of the feedback signal, combine the output signal with a periodic modulation signal in order to obtain a control signal, the control signal being configured to set an operation parameter of the at least one switch, apply the control signal to the at least one switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Applicant: Tridonic GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Manuel Egle, Lukas Saccavini, Hans Auer
  • Publication number: 20250008622
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control integrated circuit (1), control IC, for controlling an operating device (15) for lighting means (10). The control IC (1) comprises a driver logic (3a) for driving a hardware module (4a), a control logic (2a) for controlling the driver logic (3a), and a clock generator (5) for generating two or more clock signals (clk1, clk2) that have a different frequency with regard to each other. The clock generator (5) is configured to provide a first clock signal (clk1) of the two or more clock signals (clk1, clk2) to the control logic (2a), and a second clock signal (clk2) of the two or more clock signals (clk1, clk2) to the driver logic (3a). The invention further relates to an operating device (15) for lighting means, the operating device (15) comprising such a control IC (1); and to a luminaire comprising such an operating device (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Applicant: Tridonic GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Clemens Kucera, Hans Auer, Lukas Saccavini
  • Publication number: 20240430998
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control system (1) for controlling a current source (4) of an operating device (10) for lighting means (5). The current source (4) is configured to provide a current (ILM) to the lighting means (5). The operating device (10) comprises a bus interface (8) electrically connectable to a digital bus (7) and a voltage supply circuit (3) for providing a supply voltage (V1) to electrically supply the bus interface (8) and the current source (4). The control system (1) is configured to perform a feedback control of the current (ILM) with regard to a reference current (Iref1, Iref2), and determine whether a communication via the bus interface (8) is present or not.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Applicant: Tridonic GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Hans Auer, Fabio Romano, Stefan Stark
  • Publication number: 20230387794
    Abstract: A converter (1) for operating an LED load is provided. The converter (1) comprises an actively switched power factor correction, PFC, circuitry (104-112), having a control circuitry (2-4) for controlling a switch (105) of the PFC circuitry (104-112). The control circuitry (2-4) is configured to control a switch-on timing of the switch (105) such that an output voltage (113, Vbus) of the PFC circuitry (104-112) is feedback-controlled in accordance with a nominal value (201). In a discontinuous conduction mode, DCM, the control circuitry (2-4) is configured to control an actual value (204, Toff_act) of the switch-on timing of the switch (105) in one or more switching cycles to be a time of a valley of a voltage across the switch (105) succeeding a nominal value (302, Toff_nom) of the switch-on timing of a control algorithm implemented by the control circuitry (2-4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Tridonic GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Hans Auer, Andre Mitterbacher
  • Patent number: 11737188
    Abstract: The invention relates to an LED-driver, comprising an actively switched PFC circuitry and a bus interface for a wire-bound bus, wherein a voltage supply for the bus interface for powering the bus is tapped off the output voltage of the active PFC circuitry, further comprising a control circuitry for a feedback control of an output voltage of the actively switched PFC by controlling a switch of the PFC, wherein the time constant of the feedback control of the control circuitry is faster during time periods in which the bus interface is transmitting or receiving signals, compared to time periods without activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Tridonic GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Hans Auer, Clemens Kucera, Lukas Saccavini, Stefan Stark
  • Patent number: 11581802
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power factor correction (PFC) circuit (20), comprising an inductor (21) which is configured to provide a discharge current, a capacitor (23) which is connected to the inductor (21) via a switch (24) and which can be charged with said discharge current, a control unit (14) which is configured to alternately switch the switch (24) on and off based on a feedback control, wherein the control unit (14) has an input interface (42) for receiving a feedback signal (ZXCS) which represents a discharge voltage of the inductor (21), wherein the control unit (14), in a DCM mode, is further configured to calculate a switch on time (Ton) of the switch (24) which is after a first local minimum of the discharge voltage, and wherein, after switching off the switch (24), the control unit is configured to: either switch on the switch (24) at a next or closest local minimum of the inductor voltage after Ton, in case Ton is less than a directly or indirectly set reference time (Tref), or close the switch
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Tridonic GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Hans Auer, Patrick Marte
  • Publication number: 20220377860
    Abstract: The invention relates to an LED-driver, comprising an actively switched PFC circuitry and a bus interface for a wire-bound bus, wherein a voltage supply for the bus interface for powering the bus is tapped off the output voltage of the active PFC circuitry, further comprising a control circuitry for a feedback control of an output voltage of the actively switched PFC by controlling a switch of the PFC, wherein the time constant of the feedback control of the control circuitry is faster during time periods in which the bus interface is transmitting or receiving signals, compared to time periods without activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Tridonic GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Hans Auer, Clemens Kucera, Lukas Saccavini, Stefan Stark
  • Publication number: 20220271653
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power factor correction (PFC) circuit (20), comprising an inductor (21) which is configured to provide a discharge current, a capacitor (23) which is connected to the inductor (21) via a switch (24) and which can be charged with said discharge current, a control unit (14) which is configured to alternately switch the switch (24) on and off based on a feedback control, wherein the control unit (14) has an input interface (42) for receiving a feedback signal (ZXCS) which represents a discharge voltage of the inductor (21), wherein the control unit (14), in a DCM mode, is further configured to calculate a switch on time (Ton) of the switch (24) which is after a first local minimum of the discharge voltage, and wherein, after switching off the switch (24), the control unit is configured to: either switch on the switch (24) at a next or closest local minimum of the inductor voltage after Ton, in case Ton is less than a directly or indirectly set reference time (Tref), or close the switch
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Tridonic GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Hans Auer, Patrick Marte
  • Patent number: 10645578
    Abstract: A method for configuring a mobile terminal to control vehicle functions of a vehicle, where the mobile terminal and the vehicle each have a short-range radio system, includes receiving a request to a server to issue a vehicle key for the use of vehicle functions of the vehicle for a mobile terminal. The method also includes generating the vehicle key by the server, transmitting the vehicle key to a secure element of the mobile terminal, and storing the vehicle key in the secure element of the mobile terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Auer
  • Patent number: 10447146
    Abstract: For the purpose of power factor correction, an inductance (21) is supplied with an input voltage (Vin), wherein a controllable switching means (24) that is coupled to the inductance (21) is actuated in order to selectively charge and discharge the inductance (21). A control device (14) for actuating the switching means (24) is designed such that it actuates the switching means (24) selectively on the basis of one of a plurality of modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, a switch-on time is stipulated for the switching means (24) on the basis of a minimum waiting time and on the basis of a voltage that drops across the switching means (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Hans Auer, Peter Lampert
  • Publication number: 20170374550
    Abstract: A method for configuring a mobile terminal to control vehicle functions of a vehicle, where the mobile terminal and the vehicle each have a short-range radio system, includes receiving a request to a server to issue a vehicle key for the use of vehicle functions of the vehicle for a mobile terminal. The method also includes generating the vehicle key by the server, transmitting the vehicle key to a secure element of the mobile terminal, and storing the vehicle key in the secure element of the mobile terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Hans Auer
  • Patent number: 9433060
    Abstract: A power factor correction circuit (11) comprises an input for receiving an input voltage (UIN), an inductance (21) coupled to the input, a switching means (24) that is coupled to the inductance (21) and that is controllable in order to either charge or discharge the inductance (21), and a control device (14). The control device (14) is set up in order to produce a control signal (Ctrl) for controlling the switching means (24) on the basis of a parameter value. The control device (14) is set up in order to ascertain the parameter value on the basis of an arithmetic sign of a time derivation for the input voltage (UIN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Frank Lochmann, Peter Lampert, Hans Auer
  • Patent number: 9247617
    Abstract: The invention proposes a method for operating an actively clocked PFC circuit (2) having a directly or indirectly connected load circuit (5) at the output of the PFC circuit (2), wherein the load circuit (5) has at least one luminous means, in particular one or more LEDs (4), wherein the PFC circuit (2) is controlled by a PFC controller (30) in such a manner that the PFC controller (30) determines a control parameter, in particular a switched-on time period (ton), for the clocking of the PFC circuit (2) on the basis of at least one first controller setting (RE_fast) and one second controller setting (RE_slow), wherein the time of a change from the first controller setting (RE_fast) to the second controller setting (RE_slow) is dependent on the directly or indirectly determined average value of the control parameter, in particular the switched-on time period (ton).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Christoph Vonach, Hans Auer
  • Publication number: 20150237702
    Abstract: The invention proposes a method for operating an actively clocked PFC circuit (2) having a directly or indirectly connected load circuit (5) at the output of the PFC circuit (2), wherein the load circuit (5) has at least one luminous means, in particular one or more LEDs (4), wherein the PFC circuit (2) is controlled by a PFC controller (30) in such a manner that the PFC controller (30) determines a control parameter, in particular a switched-on time period (ton), for the clocking of the PFC circuit (2) on the basis of at least one first controller setting (RE_fast) and one second controller setting (RE_slow), wherein the time of a change from the first controller setting (RE_fast) to the second controller setting (RE_slow) is dependent on the directly or indirectly determined average value of the control parameter, in particular the switched-on time period (ton).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Christoph Vonach, Hans Auer
  • Publication number: 20150181675
    Abstract: A power factor correction circuit (11) comprises an input for receiving an input voltage (UIN), an inductance (21) coupled to the input, a switching means (24) that is coupled to the inductance (21) and that is controllable in order to either charge or discharge the inductance (21), and a control device (14). The control device (14) is set up in order to produce a control signal (Ctrl) for controlling the switching means (24) on the basis of a parameter value. The control device (14) is set up in order to ascertain the parameter value on the basis of an arithmetic sign of a time derivation for the input voltage (UIN).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Frank LOCHMANN, Peter LAMPERT, Hans AUER
  • Publication number: 20150054421
    Abstract: For the purpose of power factor correction, an inductance (21) is supplied with an input voltage (Vin), wherein a controllable switching means (24) that is coupled to the inductance (21) is actuated in order to selectively charge and discharge the inductance (21). A control device (14) for actuating the switching means (24) is designed such that it actuates the switching means (24) selectively on the basis of one of a plurality of modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, a switch-on time is stipulated for the switching means (24) on the basis of a minimum waiting time and on the basis of a voltage that drops across the switching means (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Hans Auer, Peter Lampert