Patents by Inventor Mike Walters

Mike Walters 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).

  • Patent number: 10234121
    Abstract: A sensor module for a lighting fixture includes a light sensor and a sensor cover over the light sensor. The sensor cover includes a front surface and a light focusing surface opposite the front surface. The front surface is configured to face an area of interest that is generally illuminated by the lighting fixture. The light focusing surface is opposite the front surface and includes a number of lens sections, each of which is configured to focus light from a different portion of the area of interest toward the light sensor. By including a number of lens sections each focusing light from a different portion of the area of interest, a relatively large area of interest can be observed while maintaining desirable aesthetics of the sensor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, Jin Hong Lim, Andrew Bendtsen, Mike Walters
  • Patent number: 10009971
    Abstract: Lighting apparatus includes a first string of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) having a first terminal coupled to a current source and configured to produce a first correlated color temperature (CCT) and a second string of LEDs having a first terminal coupled to the current source and configured to produce a second CCT different from the first CCT. The lighting apparatus further includes a current control circuit coupled to second terminals of the first and second strings of LEDs and configured to vary a proportionality relationship between current levels in the first and second strings of LEDs responsive to variation in a current provided by the current source to the first terminals of the first and second strings of LEDs. The current control circuit may include a current mirror circuit and a control circuit configured to selectively enable and disable the current mirror circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Chobot, Mike Walters
  • Patent number: 9706611
    Abstract: A solid state lighting apparatus can include a variable color input signal configured to indicate a target color of light output from the apparatus. A string current Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controller circuit can be coupled to the variable color input signal, where the string current PWM controller circuit can be configured to generate a plurality of PWM signals having respective variable duty cycles to enable/disable respective particular string currents for respective variable times as the variable color input signal changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Walters, Jason Taylor, Daniel Pope
  • Patent number: 9686477
    Abstract: A lighting fixture with a control system, a light source, and an image sensor is disclosed. The image sensor is configured to capture an image in response to an image capture signal. The light source emits light in response to a drive signal. The control system provides the drive signal to control the light emitted by the light source, and when an image needs to be captured, provides the image capture signal. When capturing an image, the control system may coordinate the drive signal and the image capture signal so that the image sensor captures the image when the light source is emitting light, if light is needed or desired. The control system may control the drive signal to control the light emitted by the light source or control other lighting fixtures in the lighting network based, at least in part, on information derived from one or more captured images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Walters, Andrew Dummer
  • Patent number: 9648687
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of series-connected current control circuits configured to control a current therethrough responsive to at least one current reference signal and to be coupled in parallel with a load, such as a string of LEDs. The apparatus further includes a voltage control circuit configured to control respective voltages across respective ones of the current control circuits. In some embodiments, the voltage control circuit may be configured to individually adjust responses of the current control circuits responsive to the voltages across the current control circuits. In further embodiments, the voltage control circuit may include respective voltage limiters coupled across respective ones of the current control circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Pope, Mike Walters
  • Publication number: 20170027033
    Abstract: Lighting apparatus includes a first string of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) having a first terminal coupled to a current source and configured to produce a first correlated color temperature (CCT) and a second string of LEDs having a first terminal coupled to the current source and configured to produce a second CCT different from the first CCT. The lighting apparatus further includes a current control circuit coupled to second terminals of the first and second strings of LEDs and configured to vary a proportionality relationship between current levels in the first and second strings of LEDs responsive to variation in a current provided by the current source to the first terminals of the first and second strings of LEDs. The current control circuit may include a current mirror circuit and a control circuit configured to selectively enable and disable the current mirror circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Chobot, Mike Walters
  • Patent number: 9504105
    Abstract: A switched mode power supply may include circuitry configured to output a bias signal that turns off and on switching circuitry of the switched mode power supply. The circuitry may wait for a first time period determined by the bias signal, and output the bias signal to turn off the switching circuitry when the time period expires. In addition or alternatively, the circuitry may begin waiting for a second time period when the bias signal turns off the switching circuitry. The circuitry may turn on the switching circuitry either when energy in inductive storage circuitry is depleted or when the second time period expires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashish Ekbote, Mike Walters
  • Publication number: 20160241765
    Abstract: A lighting fixture with a control system, a light source, and an image sensor is disclosed. The image sensor is configured to capture an image in response to an image capture signal. The light source emits light in response to a drive signal. The control system provides the drive signal to control the light emitted by the light source, and when an image needs to be captured, provides the image capture signal. When capturing an image, the control system may coordinate the drive signal and the image capture signal so that the image sensor captures the image when the light source is emitting light, if light is needed or desired. The control system may control the drive signal to control the light emitted by the light source or control other lighting fixtures in the lighting network based, at least in part, on information derived from one or more captured images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Mike Walters, Andrew Dummer
  • Publication number: 20160195252
    Abstract: A sensor module for a lighting fixture includes a light sensor and a sensor cover over the light sensor. The sensor cover includes a front surface and a light focusing surface opposite the front surface. The front surface is configured to face an area of interest that is generally illuminated by the lighting fixture. The light focusing surface is opposite the front surface and includes a number of lens sections, each of which is configured to focus light from a different portion of the area of interest toward the light sensor. By including a number of lens sections each focusing light from a different portion of the area of interest, a relatively large area of interest can be observed while maintaining desirable aesthetics of the sensor module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, Jin Hong Lim, Andrew Bendtsen, Mike Walters
  • Publication number: 20160057828
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of series-connected current control circuits configured to control a current therethrough responsive to at least one current reference signal and to be coupled in parallel with a load, such as a string of LEDs. The apparatus further includes a voltage control circuit configured to control respective voltages across respective ones of the current control circuits. In some embodiments, the voltage control circuit may be configured to individually adjust responses of the current control circuits responsive to the voltages across the current control circuits. In further embodiments, the voltage control circuit may include respective voltage limiters coupled across respective ones of the current control circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel Pope, Mike Walters
  • Publication number: 20150357899
    Abstract: A switched mode power supply may include circuitry configured to output a bias signal that turns off and on switching circuitry of the switched mode power supply. The circuitry may wait for a first time period determined by the bias signal, and output the bias signal to turn off the switching circuitry when the time period expires. In addition or alternatively, the circuitry may begin waiting for a second time period when the bias signal turns off the switching circuitry. The circuitry may turn on the switching circuitry either when energy in inductive storage circuitry is depleted or when the second time period expires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Ashish Ekbote, Mike Walters
  • Publication number: 20150351190
    Abstract: A solid state lighting apparatus can include a variable color input signal configured to indicate a target color of light output from the apparatus. A string current Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controller circuit can be coupled to the variable color input signal, where the string current PWM controller circuit can be configured to generate a plurality of PWM signals having respective variable duty cycles to enable/disable respective particular string currents for respective variable times as the variable color input signal changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Mike Walters, Jason Taylor, Daniel Pope
  • Patent number: 8528996
    Abstract: A table or similar structure is provided having an expandable surface area arrangement where the usable or working surface area is retractable into and out of a housing along a curvilinear path that includes both horizontal and vertical components and wherein weight compensating structure is provided to offset the impact of vertical movement of the surface area. The usable surface is formed from an array of adjacent panels connected by a backing web which allows them to lie flush together when the surface area is retracted for use and to separate as needed to follow the curvilinear path when retracted into the housing for storage. The extent of movement into and out of the housing is variable according to the amount of surface area required in a given instance. When implemented into a dining table, for example, vertical support legs for one end of the table can be attached to the end panel of the surface area which is first withdrawn from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Newmar Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Chupp, Robert Fisher, Steve Hulse, Doug Kemp, Mike Walter, Mahlon Miller
  • Publication number: 20120133254
    Abstract: A table or similar structure is provided having an expandable surface area arrangement where the usable or working surface area is retractable into and out of a housing along a curvilinear path that includes both horizontal and vertical components and wherein weight compensating structure is provided to offset the impact of vertical movement of the surface area. The usable surface is formed from an array of adjacent panels connected by a backing web which allows them to lie flush together when the surface area is retracted for use and to separate as needed to follow the curvilinear path when retracted into the housing for storage. The extent of movement into and out of the housing is variable according to the amount of surface area required in a given instance. When implemented into a dining table, for example, vertical support legs for one end of the table can be attached to the end panel of the surface area which is first withdrawn from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Carl Chupp, Robert Fisher, Steve Hulse, Boug Kemp, Mike Walter, Mahlon Miller
  • Patent number: 7436162
    Abstract: A synchronous buck converter having an improved transient response during output current includes a first switching transistor connected between an input node and a first node, a second switching transistor connected between the first node and a second node, a series inductor connected between the first node and an output node, an output capacitor connected between the output node and the second node, a first driver circuit operative to turn the first switching transistor one and off according to a variable duty cycle determined by an error signal representing the difference between the voltage output of the converter and a reference voltage, a sensing circuit operative to provide a control signal output when the duty cycle for the first switching transistor is zero, a second drive circuit responsive to the control signal output of the sensing circuit to turn off the second switching transistor and a second sensing circuit operative to provide a second control signal when a dissipating current of the inductor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Mike Walters
  • Patent number: 7208921
    Abstract: A switch mode power supply in which the switching frequency is controlled by an oscillator having a nominal frequency, and having an error amplifier to provide an output signal which represents departure of the power supply output from a nominal value, and which functions by adjusting the frequency of the oscillator to a frequency which is higher or lower than the nominal frequency according to the value of the error amplifier output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Mike Walters
  • Publication number: 20060232252
    Abstract: A synchronous buck converter having an improved transient response during output current includes a first switching transistor connected between an input node and a first node, a second switching transistor connected between the first node and a second node, a series inductor connected between the first node and an output node, an output capacitor connected between the output node and the second node, a first driver circuit operative to turn the first switching transistor one and off according to a variable duty cycle determined by an error signal representing the difference between the voltage output of the converter and a reference voltage, a sensing circuit operative to provide a control signal output when the duty cycle for the first switching transistor is zero, a second drive circuit responsive to the control signal output of the sensing circuit to turn off the second switching transistor and a second sensing circuit operative to provide a second control signal when a dissipating current of the inductor
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventor: Mike Walters
  • Publication number: 20050184717
    Abstract: A switch mode power supply in which the switching frequency is controlled by an oscillator having a nominal frequency, and having an error amplifier to provide an output signal which represents departure of the power supply output from a nominal value, and which functions by adjusting the frequency of the oscillator to a frequency which is higher or lower than the nominal frequency according to the value of the error amplifier output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventor: Mike Walters