Patents by Inventor Michael A. Kost
Michael A. Kost 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).
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Patent number: 9024541Abstract: A power distribution system includes controller of a switching power converter to control the switching power converter and determine one or more switching power converter control parameters. In at least one embodiment, the switching power converter utilizes a transformer to transfer energy from a primary-side of the transformer to a secondary-side of the transformer. In at least one embodiment, the switching power converter control parameters includes a secondary-side conduction time delay that represents a time delay between when the primary-side ceases conducting a primary-side current and the secondary-side begins to conduct a secondary-side current. In at least one embodiment, determining and accounting for this secondary-side conduction time delay increases the prediction accuracy of the secondary-side current value and accurate delivery of energy to a load when the controller does not directly sense the secondary-side current provided to the load.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2014Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Yanhui Xie, Michael A. Kost, John L. Melanson, Zhaohui He, Chris M. Franklin
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Publication number: 20150061536Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus may comprise a controller to provide compatibility between a load and a secondary winding of an electronic transformer. The controller may be configured to operate a single-stage power converter in a first power mode for a first period of time, such that the single-stage power converter is enabled to transfer energy from the secondary winding to the load during the first power mode and operate the single-stage power converter in a second power mode for a second period of time prior to the first period of time, such that the single-stage power converter is enabled to transfer energy from the secondary winding to the load during the second power mode, wherein the first power mode and the second power mode occur within a half-line cycle of an electronic transformer secondary signal present on the secondary winding.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Yanhui Xie, Sahil Singh, Michael A. Kost
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Patent number: 8933648Abstract: According to systems and methods of this disclosure, a controller may be configured to: operate in a first compatibility mode of operation, determine from an input signal of the lamp assembly during operation in the first compatibility mode whether the first compatibility mode of operation provides compatibility between the lamp assembly and a power infrastructure to which it is coupled, select the first compatibility mode of operation from a plurality of modes of operation as a compatibility mode responsive to determining that the first compatibility mode of operation provides compatibility between the lamp assembly and a power infrastructure to which it is coupled, and select a second compatibility mode of operation from the plurality of modes of operation as the compatibility mode responsive to determining that the first compatibility mode of operation does not provide compatibility between the lamp assembly and the power infrastructure to which it is coupled.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Richard Dean Putman, Yanhui Xie, Michael Kost, Jean Charles Pina
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Patent number: 8912734Abstract: A lighting system includes methods and systems to mix colors of light emitted from at least two LED emitters. In at least one embodiment, the lighting system includes a controller that responds to phase-cut angles of the dimming signal and correlates the phase-cut angles with a predetermined black body radiation function to dynamically adjust a color spectra of the mixed light in response to changes in phase cut angles of the phase-cut dimming level signal. In at least one embodiment, the controller utilizes the predetermined black body radiation function to dynamically adjust the color spectra of the mixed, emitted light in response to changes in phase cut angles of a phase-cut dimming level signal. In at least one embodiment, the predetermined black body radiation function specifies correlated color temperatures (CCTs) that model the CCTs of an actual non-LED based lamp, such as an incandescent lamp.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: John L. Melanson, Alfredo R. Linz, Michael A. Kost, Sahil Singh
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Publication number: 20140333205Abstract: An electronic transformer stabilization circuit includes a detection circuit and a reactive load. The detection circuit may be configured to receive a transformer output or a transformer signal derived from the transformer output. The detection circuit may determine whether the transformer that generated the transformer output is an electronic transformer. The determination may be made based on the presence of absence of high frequency components in the transformer output. Responsive to determining that an electronic transformer generated the transformer output, the stabilization circuit may operate a switch to connect the reactive load across an output of the transformer. The reactive load may include an inductor and may be configured to draw a stabilization current from the transformer. The stabilization current may ensure that the total current drawn from the transformer exceeds an oscillation current required to maintain reliable operation of the electronic transformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Kost, Eric J. King, John L. Melanson, Kan Wang, Ramin Zanbaghi
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Patent number: 8866452Abstract: An electronic system includes a controller that controls switching in a switching power converter in accordance with a dynamically determined, minimum line voltage switching threshold based on one or more operating parameters of the electronic system. In at least one embodiment, the one or more operating parameters of the electronic system include power utilization of a load. The controller utilizes the dynamically determined, minimum line voltage switching threshold to determine when to enable and disable switching in the switching power converter. Since the controller bases determination of the dynamically determined, minimum line voltage switching threshold on power utilization of the load, the controller operates more efficiently by reducing switching losses while still meeting power demand by the load.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Kost, Celite Milbrandt
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Publication number: 20140252981Abstract: A power distribution system includes controller of a switching power converter to control the switching power converter and determine one or more switching power converter control parameters. In at least one embodiment, the switching power converter utilizes a transformer to transfer energy from a primary-side of the transformer to a secondary-side of the transformer. In at least one embodiment, the switching power converter control parameters includes a secondary-side conduction time delay that represents a time delay between when the primary-side ceases conducting a primary-side current and the secondary-side begins to conduct a secondary-side current. In at least one embodiment, determining and accounting for this secondary-side conduction time delay increases the prediction accuracy of the secondary-side current value and accurate delivery of energy to a load when the controller does not directly sense the secondary-side current provided to the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Yanhui Xie, Michael A. Kost, John L. Melanson, Zhaohui He, Chris M. Franklin
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Patent number: 8823289Abstract: A lighting system includes one or more methods and systems to control the color spectrum of a lamp in response to both temperature and dim levels. In at least one embodiment, the lighting system includes a controller to control a correlated color temperature (CCT) and intensity of the lamp by independently adjusting currents to electronic light sources based on a dim level of the lighting system and temperature of the lighting system. The controller controls a first current to a first set of LEDs and a second current to a second set of LEDs. The control of the first current by the controller is jointly dependent on a dim level and temperature in the lighting system. In at least one embodiment, the control of the second current is dependent on the dim level or the dim level and temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Alfredo R. Linz, Michael A. Kost, Sahil Singh
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Patent number: 8723438Abstract: Power control systems generate electromagnetic interference (EMI). In at least one embodiment, a power control system includes a switching power converter and a controller that utilizes a spread spectrum strategy to reduce peak EMI values of the power control system. The controller generates a power regulation, switch control signal to control an input voltage to output voltage conversion by the switching power converter. The controller modulates the period of the control signal in accordance with the spread spectrum strategy. The spread spectrum strategy is an intentional plan to spread the spectrum of the control signal to reduce peak EMI values, and, thus, reduce the potential for degradation in performance, a malfunction, or failure of an electronic circuit caused by the EMI. The controller also modulates a pulse width of the switch control signal in response to modulation of the period of the control signal to provide power factor correction.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: John L. Melanson, Michael A. Kost
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Patent number: 8680771Abstract: A controller is configured to generate one or more power control signals for a lamp to supply power to the lamp from a supply voltage. The controller is further configured to receive customization data encoded in the supply voltage. Thus, in at least one embodiment, the controller receives the customization data via one or more power terminals of the lamp. Phase cut angles in the supply voltage provided to the controller encode the customization data, and each phase cut angle encodes N symbols of data. N is an integer greater than or equal to one (1). In at least one embodiment, the customization data alters the controller from one state to another state in accordance with data represented by phase cuts in the supply voltage that encode the customization data. Examples of customization data include calibration data and configuration data.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Robert T. Grisamore, William A. Draper, Eric J. King, Michael A. Kost, John L. Melanson
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Publication number: 20140028214Abstract: A controller may be configured to: (i) predict based on an electronic transformer secondary signal an estimated occurrence of a high-resistance state of a trailing-edge dimmer coupled to a primary winding of an electronic transformer, wherein the high-resistance state occurs when the trailing-edge dimmer begins phase-cutting an alternating current voltage signal; (ii) operate a power converter in a trailing-edge exposure mode for a first period of time immediately prior to the estimated occurrence of the high-resistance state, such that the power converter is enabled to transfer energy from the secondary winding to the load during the trailing-edge exposure mode; and (iii) operate the power converter in a power mode for a second period of time prior to and non-contiguous with the first period of time, such that the power converter is enabled to transfer energy from the secondary winding to the load during the power mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Poornima Mazumdar, Michael A. Kost, Yanhui Xie, Sahil Singh
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Publication number: 20140009078Abstract: In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, a system and method for providing compatibility between a load and a secondary winding of an electronic transformer driven by a trailing-edge dimmer may include predicting based on an electronic transformer secondary signal an estimated occurrence of a high-resistance state of the trailing-edge dimmer, wherein the high-resistance state occurs when the trailing-edge dimmer begins phase-cutting an alternating current voltage signal and operating the load in a high-current mode for a period of time immediately prior to the estimated occurrence of the high-resistance state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Yanhui Xie, Eric Jerome King, John L. Melanson, Michael A. Kost
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Patent number: 8581504Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a controller allows triac-based dimmer to properly function and dim a load whose voltage is regulated by a switching power converter. In at least one embodiment, the switching power converter includes a switch to control voltage conversion of an input voltage to the switching power converter, wherein phase delays are introduced in the input voltage by a triac-based dimmer during a dimming period. In at least one embodiment, the controller is configured to control the switch of the switching power converter to establish an input resistance of the switching power converter during a dimming portion of the input voltage, wherein the input resistance allows the triac-based dimmer to phase modulate a supply voltage to the dimmer so that an output voltage of the dimmer has a substantially uninterrupted phase delay during each half-cycle of the supply voltage during the dimming period.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2012Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Kost, Mauro L. Gaetano, John L. Melanson
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Patent number: 8437478Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing over-current protection include reducing a clip level while an over-current condition is being detected. Once the over-current condition is no longer detected, the clip level is maintained for a specified period before allowing the clip level to be increased. In an embodiment, the specified period, for which the clip level is maintained before the clip level is allowed to be increased, starts when the over-current condition is no longer detected, and ends when each of N immediately preceding sample(s) of the audio signal are not clipped to the clip level, where N is an integer ?1. After an over-current condition is no longer detected, and after the clip level has been maintained for the specified period, the clip level can be increased if an over-current condition is not detected for a sample and the clip level is below a specified maximum clip level.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventor: Michael A. Kost
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Publication number: 20120306407Abstract: An electronic system includes controller to control a switching power converter to provide power to a load. To control the amount of power provided to the load, in at least one embodiment, the controller senses a current value representing a current in the switching power converter and detects when the current value reaches a target peak value. However, due to delays in the controller and/or the switching power converter, the detected target peak value will not be the actual current peak value generated by the switching power converter. In at least one embodiment, the controller adjusts the detected target peak value with a post-detection delay compensation factor to generate a delay compensated current value that more accurately represents an actual peak current value associated with the current in the switching power converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Inventors: Zhaohui He, Robert T. Grisamore, Michael A. Kost
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Publication number: 20120299501Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a controller allows triac-based dimmer to properly function and dim a load whose voltage is regulated by a switching power converter. In at least one embodiment, the switching power converter includes a switch to control voltage conversion of an input voltage to the switching power converter, wherein phase delays are introduced in the input voltage by a triac-based dimmer during a dimming period. In at least one embodiment, the controller is configured to control the switch of the switching power converter to establish an input resistance of the switching power converter during a dimming portion of the input voltage, wherein the input resistance allows the triac-based dimmer to phase modulate a supply voltage to the dimmer so that an output voltage of the dimmer has a substantially uninterrupted phase delay during each half-cycle of the supply voltage during the dimming period.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Michael A. Kost, Mauro L. Gaetano, John L. Melanson
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Publication number: 20120274225Abstract: A controller is configured to generate one or more power control signals for a lamp to supply power to the lamp from a supply voltage. The controller is further configured to receive customization data encoded in the supply voltage. Thus, in at least one embodiment, the controller receives the customization data via one or more power terminals of the lamp. Phase cut angles in the supply voltage provided to the controller encode the customization data, and each phase cut angle encodes N symbols of data. N is an integer greater than or equal to one (1). In at least one embodiment, the customization data alters the controller from one state to another state in accordance with data represented by phase cuts in the supply voltage that encode the customization data. Examples of customization data include calibration data and configuration data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Inventors: Robert T. Grisamore, William A. Draper, Eric J. King, Michael A. Kost, John L. Melanson
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Publication number: 20120242242Abstract: A lighting system includes one or more methods and systems to control the color spectrum of a lamp in response to both temperature and dim levels. In at least one embodiment, the lighting system includes a controller to control a correlated color temperature (CCT) and intensity of the lamp by independently adjusting currents to electronic light sources based on a dim level of the lighting system and temperature of the lighting system. The controller controls a first current to a first set of LEDs and a second current to a second set of LEDs. The control of the first current by the controller is jointly dependent on a dim level and temperature in the lighting system. In at least one embodiment, the control of the second current is dependent on the dim level or the dim level and temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: Alfredo R. Linz, Michael A. Kost, Sahil Singh
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Patent number: 8212491Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a controller allows triac-based dimmer to properly function and dim a load whose voltage is regulated by a switching power converter. In at least one embodiment, the switching power converter includes a switch to control voltage conversion of an input voltage to the switching power converter, wherein phase delays are introduced in the input voltage by a triac-based dimmer during a dimming period. In at least one embodiment, the controller is configured to control the switch of the switching power converter to establish an input resistance of the switching power converter during a dimming portion of the input voltage, wherein the input resistance allows the triac-based dimmer to phase modulate a supply voltage to the dimmer so that an output voltage of the dimmer has a substantially uninterrupted phase delay during each half-cycle of the supply voltage during the dimming period.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Kost, Mauro L. Gaetano, John L. Melanson
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Patent number: RE44525Abstract: Systems and methods for over-current protection in all-digital amplifiers using low-cost current sensing mechanisms. An over-current hard clipping unit receives a digital audio signal, clips the signal according to a clip level, and provides the signal to a modulator. The modulator modulates the signal to produce, e.g., a PWM signal and provides the modulated signal to an output stage which generates an output current to drive a speaker. An over-current sensing unit is compares the output current to a threshold value and generates a binary signal indicating whether the output current exceeds the threshold value. The hard clipping unit receives the binary signal and ramps down the clip level during time periods in which the binary signal indicates that the output current exceeds the threshold. When the binary signal indicates that the output current does not exceed the threshold value, the hard clipping unit ramps up the clip level.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: D2Audio CorporationInventors: Daniel L. W. Chieng, Michael A. Kost, Jack B. Andersen, Larry E. Hand, Wilson E. Taylor