Patents by Inventor Jean-Jacques M. Avenel

Jean-Jacques M. Avenel 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: 20120206146
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a first voltage from an intermediate node in a string of multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs). The method also includes receiving at least one second voltage based on a string voltage (VLED) across the string of LEDs. The method further includes identifying whether at least one of the LEDs has a fault using the first voltage and the at least one second voltage. The second voltage could be a single reference voltage, and a difference between the first voltage and the reference voltage could be compared to a threshold. Multiple second voltages could define a voltage range that includes a reference voltage, and a determination could be made whether the first voltage falls within the voltage range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques M. Avenel
  • Publication number: 20120200296
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a first voltage from a first node associated with a first string of multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs). The method also includes receiving a second voltage from a second node associated with a second string of multiple LEDs. The method further includes identifying whether at least one of the LEDs has a fault using the first and second voltages. Identifying whether at least one of the LEDs has a fault could include comparing a difference between the first and second voltages to a threshold. Identifying whether at least one of the LEDs has a fault could also include determining whether a difference between the first and second voltages falls within a voltage range defined by higher and lower voltage limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicants: NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION, Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques M. Avenel