Patents by Inventor Howard Mason

Howard Mason 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).

  • Current driving method and circuit for controlled driving of light-emitting diodes
    Patent number: 8436596
    Abstract: A circuit comprises an inductor, a load, and a controllable switching device arranged in either a first configuration: switchable between the load being bypassed and the inductor energised, and current flowing through the load, and the inductor discharging energy into the load; or, a second configuration: switchable between current being permitted to flow through the load, inductor and controllable switching device in series, energising the inductor, and the current flowing through the load, and the inductor discharging energy into the load. The circuit further comprises control means for controlling the switching device, a load current sensing resistor connected in series with the load, and a demand signal input. Monitoring means is arranged to monitor the demand signal and the voltages across the sense resistors, and generate a monitor signal. The control means is arranged to receive the monitor signal and to switch the switching device in response the monitor signal exceeding a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Zetex Semiconductors Plc
    Inventors: Craig Taylor, Howard Mason
  • Current driving method and circuit
    Publication number: 20100194368
    Abstract: A circuit comprises an inductor, a load, and a controllable switching device arranged in either a first configuration: switchable between the load being bypassed and the inductor energised, and current flowing through the load, and the inductor discharging energy into the load; or, a second configuration: switchable between current being permitted to flow through the load, inductor and controllable switching device in series, energising the inductor, and the current flowing through the load, and the inductor discharging energy into the load. The circuit further comprises control means for controlling the switching device, a load current sensing resistor connected in series with the load, and a demand signal input. Monitoring means is arranged to monitor the demand signal and the voltages across the sense resistors, and generate a monitor signal. The control means is arranged to receive the monitor signal and to switch the switching device in response the monitor signal exceeding a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: ZETEX SEMICONDUCTORS PLC
    Inventors: Craig Taylor, Howard Mason