Patents by Inventor Youling Li

Youling Li 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: 9030122
    Abstract: A driving circuit for controlling power of a light-emitting diode (LED) light source includes a transformer, a switch controller, and a dimming controller. The transformer has a primary winding that receives input power from an AC/DC converter and a secondary winding that provides output power to the LED light source. The switch controller coupled between an optical coupler and the primary winding receives a feedback signal indicative of a target level of a current flowing through the LED light source from the optical coupler, and controls input power to the primary winding according to the feedback signal. The dimming controller coupled to the secondary winding receives a switch monitoring signal indicative of an operation of a power switch coupled between an AC power source and the AC/DC converter, and regulates the output power by adjusting the feedback signal according to the switch monitoring signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: O2Micro, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiesheng Yan, Feng Lin, Youling Li, Ching-Chuan Kuo
  • Patent number: 8890440
    Abstract: A controller for controlling power to a light source includes a first sensing pin, a second sensing pin, and a driving pin. The first sensing pin receives a first signal indicating an instant current through an energy storage element. The second sensing pin receives a second signal indicating whether the instant current decreases to a predetermined level. The driving pin provides a driving signal to a switch to control a current through the light source to a target level. The driving signal is generated based on one or more signals selected from the first signal and the second signal. The controller further includes an error amplifier for generating an error signal based on the first signal and a reference signal indicating the target level. The output of the error amplifier is coupled to a capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: O2Micro, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiesheng Yan, Youling Li, Feng Lin, Xinhe Su, Ching-Chuan Kuo
  • Patent number: 8664895
    Abstract: A controller for controlling power to a light source includes a first sensing pin, a second sensing pin, a third sensing pin, and a driving pin. The first sensing pin receives a first signal indicating an instant current flowing through an energy storage element. The second sensing pin receives a second signal indicating an average current flowing through the energy storage element. The third sensing pin receives a third signal indicating whether the instant current decreases to a predetermined current level. The driving pin provides a driving signal to a switch to control an average current flowing through the light source to a target current level. The driving signal is generated based on one or more signals selected from the first signal, the second signal and the third signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: O2Micro, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiesheng Yan, Youling Li, Feng Lin, Xinhe Su, Ching-Chuan Kuo
  • Publication number: 20130328498
    Abstract: A controller for controlling power to a light source includes a first sensing pin, a second sensing pin, and a driving pin. The first sensing pin receives a first signal indicating an instant current through an energy storage element. The second sensing pin receives a second signal indicating whether the instant current decreases to a predetermined level. The driving pin provides a driving signal to a switch to control a current through the light source to a target level. The driving signal is generated based on one or more signals selected from the first signal and the second signal. The controller further includes an error amplifier for generating an error signal based on the first signal and a reference signal indicating the target level. The output of the error amplifier is coupled to a capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: O2Micro, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiesheng YAN, Youling LI, Feng LIN, Xinhe SU, Ching-Chuan KUO
  • Patent number: 8575864
    Abstract: A controller for controlling power to a light source includes a first sensing pin, a second sensing pin, a third sensing pin, and a driving pin. The first sensing pin receives a first signal indicating an instant current flowing through an energy storage element. The second sensing pin receives a second signal indicating an average current flowing through the energy storage element. The third sensing pin receives a third signal indicating whether the instant current decreases to a predetermined current level. The driving pin provides a driving signal to a switch to control an average current flowing through the light source to a target current level. The driving signal is generated based on one or more signals selected from the first signal, the second signal and the third signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: O2Micro, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiesheng Yan, Youling Li, Feng Lin, Xinhe Su, Ching-Chuan Kuo
  • Publication number: 20130038227
    Abstract: A driving circuit for controlling power of a light-emitting diode (LED) light source includes a transformer, a switch controller, and a dimming controller. The transformer has a primary winding that receives input power from an AC/DC converter and a secondary winding that provides output power to the LED light source. The switch controller coupled between an optical coupler and the primary winding receives a feedback signal indicative of a target level of a current flowing through the LED light source from the optical coupler, and controls input power to the primary winding according to the feedback signal. The dimming controller coupled to the secondary winding receives a switch monitoring signal indicative of an operation of a power switch coupled between an AC power source and the AC/DC converter, and regulates the output power by adjusting the feedback signal according to the switch monitoring signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: O2MICRO, INC.
    Inventors: Tiesheng YAN, Feng LIN, Youling LI, Ching-Chuan KUO
  • Patent number: 8339063
    Abstract: A driving circuit includes a first inductor coupled in series with a light source for providing power to the light source. A controller coupled to the first inductor can control a switch coupled to the first inductor, thereby controlling a current flowing through the first inductor. A current sensor coupled to the first inductor can provide a first signal indicative of the current flowing through the first inductor, regardless of whether the switch is on or off. The switch is controlled according to the first signal. A second inductor magnetically coupled to the first inductor is also electrically coupled to the first inductor via a common node between the switch and the first inductor for providing a reference ground for the controller. The reference ground is different from the ground of the driving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: O2Micro Inc
    Inventors: Tiesheng Yan, Youling Li, Feng Lin, Xinhe Su, Ching-Chuan Kuo
  • Publication number: 20120299502
    Abstract: A controller for controlling power to a light source includes a first sensing pin, a second sensing pin, a third sensing pin, and a driving pin. The first sensing pin receives a first signal indicating an instant current flowing through an energy storage element. The second sensing pin receives a second signal indicating an average current flowing through the energy storage element. The third sensing pin receives a third signal indicating whether the instant current decreases to a predetermined current level. The driving pin provides a driving signal to a switch to control an average current flowing through the light source to a target current level. The driving signal is generated based on one or more signals selected from the first signal, the second signal and the third signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Tiesheng YAN, Youling LI, Feng LIN, Xinhe SU, Ching-Chuan KUO
  • Patent number: 8129982
    Abstract: A voltage sensing circuit includes a voltage divider and a voltage rectifier. The voltage divider divides a first output voltage on a first output voltage line to a first divided output voltage. The voltage divider comprises a first metal foil and a first capacitor. The first metal foil and the first output voltage line can form a first capacitive component. The first capacitive component is coupled in series with the first capacitor. The first capacitive component and the first capacitor can generate the first divided output voltage. The voltage rectifier is coupled to the voltage divider and can rectify the first divided output voltage to a sensing voltage indicative of the first output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: O2Micro International Limited
    Inventors: Youling Li, Yingpeng Hu, Xiaojun Wang
  • Patent number: 8058809
    Abstract: A circuit comprises a power tank, a pair of transformers and multiple loads. The power tank converts a DC input voltage to an AC voltage. The pair of transformers comprise a pair of primary windings and a pair of secondary windings and transform the intermediate AC voltage to an output AC voltage. The pair of primary windings are coupled to the power tank for receiving the intermediate AC voltage, and the pair of secondary windings provide the output AC voltage. The loads are coupled to the pair of secondary windings for receiving the output AC voltage. The pair of secondary windings are serially coupled to each other through the series-coupled loads to achieve current balance among the loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: O2Micro, Inc.
    Inventors: Youling Li, Sheng Tai Lee, Yingpeng Hu
  • Patent number: 8054001
    Abstract: A circuit structure for LCD backlight is disclosed in the present invention. The circuit structure includes an inverter topology, a current balance circuit, and a plurality of loads. The current balance circuit is coupled to the plurality of loads and capable of balancing current of N loads by using N/2?1 balance chokes. The circuit structure may further include a protection circuit which is coupled to the low voltage sides of the plurality of loads. The protection circuit is capable of sensing lamp voltages and providing a feedback signal to a controller. Furthermore, the protection circuit is composed of count-reduced and cost-competitive electronic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: O2Micro Inc
    Inventors: Xiaojun Wang, Sheng-Tai Lee, Youling Li, Da Liu, Ru Guo
  • Patent number: 8049438
    Abstract: A driving circuit for driving loads includes a switch circuit, a transformer, a current sensing circuit, and an inverter controller. The switch circuit and the transformer are used for converting a DC electric power to an AC electric power so as to energize the loads. The current sensing circuit coupled to the loads generates a feedback current signal indicative of a current flowing through the loads. The inverter controller includes a switch drive circuit, a current regulation circuit receiving the feedback current signal, and a mode controller circuit. The switch drive circuit controls the switch circuit so as to adjust power delivered to the primary winding of the transformer in accordance with the feedback current signal. The mode controller disables the switch circuit through the switch drive circuit if the external signal is in an absence state for a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: O2Micro, Inc.
    Inventors: Da Liu, ShengTai Lee, Youling Li
  • Publication number: 20110133662
    Abstract: A driving circuit includes a first inductor coupled in series with a light source for providing power to the light source. A controller coupled to the first inductor can control a switch coupled to the first inductor, thereby controlling a current flowing through the first inductor. A current sensor coupled to the first inductor can provide a first signal indicative of the current flowing through the first inductor, regardless of whether the switch is on or off. The switch is controlled according to the first signal. A second inductor magnetically coupled to the first inductor is also electrically coupled to the first inductor via a common node between the switch and the first inductor for providing a reference ground for the controller. The reference ground is different from the ground of the driving circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Tiesheng YAN, Youling LI, Feng LIN, Xinhe SU, Ching-Chuan KUO
  • Publication number: 20100039048
    Abstract: A driving circuit for driving loads includes a switch circuit, a transformer, a current sensing circuit, and an inverter controller. The switch circuit and the transformer are used for converting a DC electric power to an AC electric power so as to energize the loads. The current sensing circuit coupled to the loads generates a feedback current signal indicative of a current flowing through the loads. The inverter controller includes a switch drive circuit, a current regulation circuit receiving the feedback current signal, and a mode controller circuit. The switch drive circuit controls the switch circuit so as to adjust power delivered to the primary winding of the transformer in accordance with the feedback current signal. The mode controller disables the switch circuit through the switch drive circuit if the external signal is in an absence state for a predetermined period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Da Liu, ShengTai Lee, Youling Li
  • Publication number: 20090256490
    Abstract: A voltage sensing circuit includes a voltage divider and a voltage rectifier. The voltage divider divides a first output voltage on a first output voltage line to a first divided output voltage. The voltage divider comprises a first metal foil and a first capacitor. The first metal foil and the first output voltage line can form a first capacitive component. The first capacitive component is coupled in series with the first capacitor. The first capacitive component and the first capacitor can generate the first divided output voltage. The voltage rectifier is coupled to the voltage divider and can rectify the first divided output voltage to a sensing voltage indicative of the first output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Youling Li, Yingpeng Hu, Xiaojun Wang
  • Patent number: 7554319
    Abstract: A voltage sensing circuit includes a voltage divider and a voltage rectifier. The voltage divider divides a first output voltage on a first output voltage line to a first divided output voltage. The voltage divider comprises a first metal foil and a first capacitor. The first metal foil and the first output voltage line can form a first capacitive component. The first capacitive component is coupled in series with the first capacitor. The first capacitive component and the first capacitor can generate the first divided output voltage. The voltage rectifier is coupled to the voltage divider and can rectify the first divided output voltage to a sensing voltage indicative of the first output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventors: Youling Li, Yingpeng Hu, Xiaojun Wang
  • Publication number: 20090009097
    Abstract: A circuit comprises a power tank, a pair of transformers and multiple loads. The power tank converts a DC input voltage to an AC voltage. The pair of transformers comprise a pair of primary windings and a pair of secondary windings and transform the intermediate AC voltage to an output AC voltage. The pair of primary windings are coupled to the power tank for receiving the intermediate AC voltage, and the pair of secondary windings provide the output AC voltage. The loads are coupled to the pair of secondary windings for receiving the output AC voltage. The pair of secondary windings are serially coupled to each other through the series-coupled loads to achieve current balance among the loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Youling Li, Sheng Tai Lee, Yingpeng Hu
  • Publication number: 20080067944
    Abstract: A circuit structure for LCD backlight is disclosed in the present invention. The circuit structure includes an inverter topology, a current balance circuit, and a plurality of loads. The current balance circuit is coupled to the plurality of loads and capable of balancing current of N loads by using N/2-1 balance chokes. The circuit structure may further include a protection circuit which is coupled to the low voltage sides of the plurality of loads. The protection circuit is capable of sensing lamp voltages and providing a feedback signal to a controller. Furthermore, the protection circuit is composed of count-reduced and cost-competitive electronic elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Xiaojun Wang, Sheng-Tai Lee, Youling Li, Da Liu, Ru Guo