Abstract: A luminaire assembly generally includes a reflector having a center of symmetry and a lamp supported within the reflector, wherein the lamp is offset from the reflector center of symmetry, whereby light emitted from the lamp is reflected by the reflector in an asymmetric pattern. In a method of illuminating a roadway having traffic moving in a flow direction, a luminaire having a reflector and a lamp is mounted at a side of the roadway and light emitted from the lamp is reflected with the reflector whereby a greater portion of the reflected light is directed in the traffic flow direction than is directed against the traffic flow direction.

Abstract: The invention provides an illuminant device for a projecting system. The illuminant device includes an illuminant unit, a diffusing element, and a concave mirror. The illuminant unit has a plurality of illuminants which are closely disposed. The diffusing element has an incident surface opposite to the illuminant unit and an emergent surface for a diffused light radiating therefrom. The concave mirror has a reflective surface used for condensing at least a part of the light radiated by the illuminant unit on the incident surface of the diffusing element.

Abstract: The invention provides a certain type of optical film, processes for making the film, and a backlight device containing the film. The film includes a substantially monolayer arrangement of beads partially submerged in a binder.

Abstract: A Light Emitting Diode Lamp Module for specific use in all vehicle tail, brake or turn signal lamp fixtures for integrated single and dual element operation. The module has integrated dual element control circuitry, voltage and current control circuitry, brightness enhancement circuitry, and LED circuitry built into the universal body to produce a bright, reliable, long life, energy efficient LED lamp that fits all vehicles. Preferably, there is a built-in or attached load/resistance to match the impedance/resistance requirements of the application for which the bulb is used.

Abstract: A light emitting device with a top electrode and a bottom electrode is pushed by a plug to make contacts with either an upper metal plate or a lower metal plate each serving as one of the leads for an electrode of the light emitting devices. The plug is inserted through an opening larger than the light emitting device in the metal plate not in contact with the light emitting device but serving as another lead for the light emitting device. The plug is locked in place by means of threaded screw heads, snug-fit, snap-on buttons or an elastic sleeve. Thus, the light emitting device can be easily replaced without any wire bonding. A plurality of the light unit can be sandwiched between the upper metal plate and the lower metal plate.

Abstract: A device for lowering a fixture mounted on a high ceiling that requires a ladder to access the fixture includes a docking mount adapted to be mounted on the fixture, a docking station adapted to receive the docking mount, and a tether operably connected to the docking station and the docking mount for raising and lowering the fixture between a fully raised operating position and a fully lowered servicing position. The docking station or the docking mount has an annular inner surface, while the other has an annular outer surface that engages the inner surface in self-aligning, mating engagement. The inner surface may be disposed at an angle with the outer surface disposed at substantially the same angle as the inner surface. The device further includes a motor rotatably coupled to a pulley attached to the tether and a controller for activating the motor to rotate the pulley.

Abstract: A lamp includes a bottom casing and a top casing. The bottom casing is a hollow pillar with its top opening shrank inwardly to form a bottom inner flange. The interior of the bottom casing is formed with a bottom chamber for disposing the top casing therein. The bottom surface of the bottom casing is connected to a base having an outer supporting ring and an inner supporting ring that partially extend in an outward and oblique manner. Between both supporting rings, an electric line chamber is provided. A battery chamber is further provided beneath the base. The top casing is also a hollow pillar with its bottom opening extending outwardly to form a top outer flange. When the top casing moves upwardly, it cannot be separated from the bottom casing due to the tight engagement between these two casings. The top end of the top casing is connected to a top base. The top base has several supporting pillars and a top plate and is formed with a lamp chamber therebetween.

Abstract: A running board assembly includes a frame having an interior and a top surface. The top surface of the frame includes at least one slot extending therethrough. A lightpipe step-strip includes a first portion disposed within the interior of the frame and a second portion mounted along the top surface of the frame. A lamp assembly is fixedly secured to the frame for transmitting light towards the lightpipe step-strip. The first portion of the lightpipe step-strip redirects light through the at least one slot in the frame to light the second portion of the lightpipe step-strip and provide nighttime visibility of the running board assembly.

Abstract: A headlamp assembly that utilizes a modified bulb shield and a lower heat deflection temperature plastic material for the construction of one or more components of the headlamp assembly. The components of the headlamp assembly that may be formed from the lower HDT plastic material include the reflector substrate, the housing, or a combination thereof. The modified bulb shield reduces the maximum temperature requirements of headlamp assemblies thereby enabling lower HDT plastic materials to be used in the headlamp assembly. The bulb shields are modified to reflect and/or transmit infrared (IR) energy that, if absorbed (at the bulb shield surface) would lead to localized heating of the headlamp reflector and the requirement that higher HDT plastic materials be used for the reflector substrate and/or housing of the headlamp assembly. The bulb shields may reflect and/or transmit IR energy using a reflective coating, an additive, and/or surface structures.

Abstract: An infrared light irradiating lamp for a vehicle includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a light source bulb disposed behind the projection lens, the light source bulb including a filament for emitting light; a reflector for reflecting light emitted from the light source bulb in a forward direction; and an infrared light transmitting film provided between the reflector and the projection lens. The light source bulb is disposed such that a longitudinal direction of the filament is substantially orthogonal to the optical axis.

Abstract: An infrared light irradiating lamp for a vehicle includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a light source bulb disposed behind a rear focal point of the projection lens such that a longitudinal direction of a filament is substantially orthogonal to the optical axis; a reflector for reflecting light emitted from the light source bulb in a forward direction close to the optical axis by setting the light source bulb as a first focal point of the reflector; and a filter driving unit disposed between the projection lens and the light source bulb. The filter driving unit comprising a movable shaft to be driven in a vertical direction. The infrared light irradiating lamp also includes a bracket comprising a tip portion and a base end; and a rotating shaft linking the movable shaft to the base end of the bracket, wherein a distance from the rotating shaft to the base end is less than a distance from the rotating shaft to the tip portion.

Abstract: An infrared light irradiating lamp for a vehicle includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a light source bulb disposed behind a rear side focal point of the projection lens that includes a filament for emitting a light; a reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the light source bulb in a forward direction close to the optical axis; and an infrared light transmitting filter disposed between the reflector and the projection lens. The infrared light transmitting filter includes an infrared light transmitting film and a diffusing portion for diffusing a light transmitted from the reflector. The infrared light transmitting filter is movable between a transmitting position in which the infrared light transmitting film intercepts light reflected by the reflector and a retreating position in which infrared light transmitting film does not intercept the reflected light.

Abstract: A light source module is provided comprising an emitter having at least one light emitting surface and an at least partially hollow integrating optic mounted over the emitting surface; where the index of refraction within the hollowed area is less then the index of the subsequent medium along the optical path. The integrating optic has a proximal end facing the emitting surface and a distal end facing away from the emitting surface. The distal end of the integrating optic is flat and has a rectangular aspect ratio which can differ from the aspect ratio of the emitter. One or more optical films and/or an optical component such as a collection lens can be adhered to the distal end of the integrating optic.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical plate, includes forming a protrusion on a base film by jetting ink containing a liquid resin on the base film, contacting a light guiding plate to the protrusion, and curing the protrusion which contacts with the light guiding plate.

Abstract: A modular fiber optic light line unit has a housing in which distal portions of one or more fiber optic bundles fan out such that termini of the fibers are arrayed in a continuous fiber row. The proximal ends of the bundles are held in respective sleeves, and light source modules are removably attached over the sleeves to generate light that is incident on the proximal end of the bundle. The light source modules are removably installed by pushing on, without requiring tools. The light source modules have a canister housing containing a solid-state light source, e.g., five watts. Heat management is achieved using fins on the modular housing. Different color wavelength light sources can be employed, and the fibers from the various bundles can be interleaved.

Abstract: An optical plate (32) includes a transparent plate (321) and a light diffusion layer (322). The transparent plate includes a light output surface (3211), a light input surface (3213) opposite to the light output surface, and a plurality of spot-shaped depressions (3215) at the light input surface. The light diffusion layer is coated on the light input surface and the spot-shaped depressions. A backlight module (30) using the present optical plate is also provided. The backlight module using the optical plate can have a thin body with a good optical performance.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a housing having a stamped section recessed relative to a front of the housing and circumferentially surrounding a loading opening to a rotatably mounted drum of the appliance. A door is disposed on the front of the housing for closing the loading opening. An edge of the door and a surrounding edge of the stamped section form a gap area between them when the door is in a closed position. An illumination device is disposed in the stamped section so as to be concealed behind the door when the door is in the closed position. Light of the illumination device is reflected at an edge surface of the stamped section and a surface of the door edge so as to provide an illuminating ring visible at the front of the housing in the gap area.

Abstract: A lighting fixture includes a backlight module comprised of a light diffusion board and multiple light guide sticks arranged on multiple sides of the light diffusion board and multiple point light sources respectively oriented in facing those light guide sticks to guide light streams emitted form those point light sources to the light diffusion board for increasing the luminance and creating visual effects of generalized glow.

Abstract: A single light source arranged in the central portion of an operation device illuminates operation portions and illumination windows of the operation device. The light emitted from the light source is reflected by a reflection surface of an elastic sheet into an inner side surface of a light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a plurality of light redirection areas for redirecting the light toward the illumination windows.

Abstract: A lamp assembly includes a lamp housing for housing one or more predefined tubular lamps and at least a first lamp socket for coupling to and removably retaining respective first electrodes of the one or more lamps and for further coupling an integral conduction path of the lamp housing to at least one of the first electrodes.

Abstract: A tapered prism illumination apparatus for LCD backlight consists of an LCD, a plurality of LEDs and a heat dissipation base. The plurality of LEDs consists of high power LEDs mounted in the back of the LCD, wherein each of the LEDs includes a light emitting point that is packaged exteriorly with a transparent covering body and, on the light emitting path of the LED, a tapered prism is disposed. In the periphery of the LED a thermally conducting substrate is disposed, while the heat dissipation base is mounted in the rear of the LEDs and has reflecting faces in the periphery of each of the LEDs. When light is generated at the light emitting point, it can be projected onto the tapered prism, by which it is bent by 90°, and then projected onto the LCD via the reflecting faces. The heat generated by the high power LEDs is conducted by the thermally conducting substrate to the heat dissipation base to be removed.

Abstract: A lighting fixture is disclosed to include a light guide bar, a connector holding a LED at a first end of the light guide bar, and a first reflector and a second reflector respectively covered on a part of the periphery and a second end of the light guide bar to reflect light from the LED out of the light guide bar. The connector has a barrel at the first end thereof that accommodates one end of the light guide bar and the LED, an accommodation space at the second end that accommodates electronic components, and a detoured wire path that guides electric wires of the LED out of the connector and prevents disconnection of the electric wires from the LED. A second LED may be attached to the second end of the light guide bar to substitute for the second reflector.

Abstract: An optical plate (30) includes a transparent plate (321) and a light diffusion layer (322). The transparent plate includes a light output surface (3213), a light input surface (3211) opposite to the light output surface, and a plurality of elongated depressions (3215) formed on the light input surface. The light diffusion layer is coated on the light input surface and filled with the elongated depressions. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided. The present backlight module using the optical plate can have a thin body with a good optical performance.

Abstract: A plurality of display portions are illuminated in different colors using a light source of a single type and a single light guide plate. A light source (220) has a light emitting element for emitting blue light, and a red fluorescent substance which is excited by blue light to generate red light, thereby emitting violet light (L1) as a whole. The violet light (L1) enters a side surface of a light guide plate (210) and is emitted from an upper surface (211) and a lower surface (212) as violet light (L1-1) and (L1-2), respectively. A green fluorescent substance is provided in a fluorescent film (230). The light (L2) obtained after the violet light (L1-1) passes through the fluorescent film (230), becomes white light because green color component light generated from the fluorescent substance is mixed with the violet light (L1-1). On the other hand, on a lower surface side, the violet light L1-2 is used as illuminating light.

Abstract: A backlight apparatus comprises (a) a light source; (b) a light guiding plate; and (c) a light redirecting article for redirecting light toward various angles, the light redirecting article comprising a plurality of prismatic structures with a selected apex angle, a selected first base angle, a selected second base angle and comprising a material having a selected refractive index value, the selections being sufficient to provide improved luminance at a 60° polar angle wherein the prismatic structures are essentially parallel to the length direction of the light guiding plate.

Abstract: A modular illumination system includes light emitting tile modules, each module comprising a light guide substrate, at least one source of illumination optically coupled to a light guiding substrate and interconnection means to connect one light emitting tile module to another light emitting tile module. The interconnection means may include mechanical and/or electrical elements. A plurality of modules may be connected to create an extended continuous extended illuminating system without significant gaps or seams. In one embodiment, the light guiding substrate of one module extends over the source of illumination of an adjacent module. In a further embodiment, the light guiding substrate may be textured to create a patterned area with higher light extraction. In a further embodiment, the source of illumination may be included in a separate electrical member. The illumination sources may include LEDs directed into an edge of the light guiding substrate.

Abstract: An illumination device includes a light source member, a flexible wired board the light source member mounted thereon and a wiring provided thereon, and a structure to be stuck to the wired hoard via sticking members at a plurality of sticking surfaces, wherein one end of the wiring provided on the wired board is electrically connected to and terminated at the light source member, and the other end of the wiring is provided with a connecting path to be electrically connected to the outside, and wherein the bond strength of the plurality of sticking surfaces is set in such a manner that the bond strength of the sticking surface located on the one end side of the wiring is lower than that of the sticking surface located on the other end side of the wiring.

Abstract: A connecting structure for cold cathode fluorescent tubes of a backlight module provided to make the cold cathode fluorescent tubes in the backlight module have better connecting effect; the backlight module includes at least a controlling circuit board, at least one cold cathode fluorescent tube connecting with the controlling circuit board, each cold cathode fluorescent tube has more than one electrode connecting pin. Wherein a lateral edge of the controlling circuit board is provided with more than one connecting area for direct welding of the electrode connecting pins, the connecting areas at least have a leading end for leading and connecting the electrode connecting pins.

Abstract: The present invention is a fluorescent (or LED) illuminated backlight panel. Cold-cathode lamps, external electrode fluorescent lamps, thin fluorescent lamps, or LED strips are inserted into a transparent or translucent twinwall plastic sheet, similar in construction to corrugated cardboard. The lamp (or LED) spacing is easily changed in order to alter the intensity of the light emitted by the lightpanel, the number of lamps (or LEDs) used and to change the “evenness” of the light across the panel. The twinwall plastic sheet is thin, durable and lightweight, protecting the fragile lamps and providing a simple method of mounting and wiring. The plastic sheet may also be slit on one, or both sides, yielding a flexible lightpanel; graduated dots or lines may be printed onto the surface of the plastic sheet or translucent materials may be used on the surface of the plastic sheet to assist in making the intensity of the light across the surface of the sheet more even.

Abstract: In a backlight assembly and a flat panel display apparatus, the backlight assembly has a diffusing plate, a supporting member and a reflecting plate. The supporting member has a base body portion, a supporting portion supporting the diffusing plate and a lamp holder receiving lamps to uniformly maintain spaced intervals between the lamps. The base body portion is disposed under the reflecting plate. The supporting portion and the lamp holder are inserted through engaging openings formed at the reflecting plate such that the supporting portion and the lamp holder are upwardly protruded with respect to the reflecting plate. Accordingly, the backlight assembly may reduce an area of the reflecting plate covered by the supporting member, thereby providing the light having uniform brightness distribution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control circuit for multi-channels power converter to save power at light load. The control circuit comprises a modulation circuit and an oscillation circuit to modulate the switching frequency of switching signals for power saving. The modulation circuit generates a modulation signal in response to a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal. The oscillation circuit is coupled to the modulation circuit to control a switching frequency of switching signals in accordance with the modulation signal. The switching frequency of the first switching signal can be linearly decreased in response to the decrease of the load when the second switching signal is enabled. The first switching signal can be busted for further power saving once the second switching signal is disabled.

Abstract: A device for converting AC voltage to DC voltage. The device includes an AC input circuit, a rectifier circuit, a first switch, and a second switch. The AC input circuit includes a pair of first input terminals to which AC current is input, a pair of first output terminals, and at least one inductance element arranged in a path extending from the first input terminals to the first output terminals. The rectifier circuit includes a pair of second input terminals, a pair of second output terminals from which DC current is output, a transformer connected to the second input terminals, and a rectifier arranged between the transformer and the second output terminals. The first switch is connected between the first output terminals and the second input terminals. The second switch is connected between the first output terminals.

Abstract: A dc-ac converter capable of supplying a finely regulated ac drive voltage to a load is provided. For this purpose, the converter includes, in a primary winding of a transformer, a full-bridge or half-bridge type semiconductor switch circuit whose switches can be controlled, by pulse-width modulation. Transformer has a secondary winding for connection with a load. Based on PWM signals and by use of adequate switching logics for controlling multiple semiconductor switches, sophisticated control including zero-current switching and penetrating current prevention can be effected. Moreover, by means of regulated burst control of the ratio of on-duty period to off-duty period together with pulse-width modulation control, power supplied to the load can be regulated over a wide range beyond the limits of control obtained by the pulse-width modulation.

Abstract: A high-voltage generator includes a high-voltage transformer having a primary coil, a secondary coil, and an auxiliary coil, and a PNP bipolar junction transistor. Based on the self-oscillation theory of a LC oscillator, an oscillating voltage is generated across the primary coil. The oscillating voltage is amplified to a high-level AC voltage through the secondary coil. One end of the auxiliary coil and an emitter of the transistor are coupled to an input DC voltage, and the other end of the auxiliary coil is connected to the base of the transistor through a RC circuit. One end of the primary coil is connected to the collector of the transistor, and the other end of the primary coil is connected to ground.

Abstract: This invention relates to control techniques and controllers for resonant discontinuous forward power converters (RDFCs). We describe a controller for a resonant discontinuous forward converter (RDFC), said forward converter including a transformer with first and second matched polarity windings and a switch to switch dc power to said first winding of said transformer, said converter further having a dc output coupled to said second winding of said transformer, and wherein said controller has two modes, a first operational mode during which said switch is controlled to switch said dc power at a frequency which substantially coincides with a resonant frequency of operation of said RDFC such that said RDFC supplies power from said dc output, and a second, reduced power operational mode during which a drive to said switch is controlled to increase a proportion of time during which said switch is off.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to discontinuous conduction mode switch mode power supply (SMPS) controllers employing primary side sensing. We describe an SMPS controller which integrates a feedback signal from a point determined by a target operating voltage to a peak or trough of an oscillatory or resonant portion of the feedback signal when substantially no energy is being transferred to the SMPS output. When regulation is achieved this value should be zero; the difference from zero can be used to regulate the output voltage of the SMPS.

Abstract: A DC-AC converter for converting DC voltage to AC voltage. The converter includes a conversion circuit for converting DC voltage to voltage having a polarity corresponding to AC voltage. A filter circuit receives the converted voltage, smoothes the converted voltage, and outputs the smoothed voltage as AC voltage. A first switch operably connects the voltage conversion circuit and filter circuit. A second switch is arranged between input terminals of the filter circuit. An output current detection circuit detects overcurrent that is greater than a predetermined first threshold. When overcurrent that is greater than the first threshold is detected, the protection circuit stops the supply of power in the voltage conversion circuit, deactivates the first switch, and activates the second switch.

Abstract: A green-mode flyback pulse width modulation apparatus adopting a bipolar transistor structure IC process is used in a power supply. An oscillator circuit outputs a periodic clock signal to a control terminal of a power switch through an amplifier circuit for periodically turning on the power switch. A latch circuit is connected to the oscillator circuit, the amplifier circuit, the power switch and a feedback terminal of the power supply for periodically pulling down the potential at a control terminal of the power switch in response to a feedback signal generated by the feedback terminal to turn off the power switch and continue suspending the operation of the oscillator circuit when the power supply is at a light load, and will resume the output of the oscillator circuit till the potential of the feedback signal potential drops, so as to achieve the green-mode function.

Abstract: Disclosed is a current mode switched power supply. The current mode switched power supply includes a switching element and a power stage coupled to the switching element and configured to provide, in response to the switching of the switching element, an output voltage and a feedback voltage related to the output voltage. The current mode switched power supply also includes a digital control circuit connected to the switching element to digitally control the switching of the switching element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filtering device which includes a common-mode inductor (LF) comprising a winding (L1, L2) on each line of an AC power supply and a magnetic core made up of a first torus (T1) and a second torus (T2). The first torus (T1) has a first magnetic permeability (?1) and the second torus (T2) has a second magnetic permeability (?2, ??2), the first permeability being equal to or greater than three times the second permeability, in order to prevent the common-mode inductor from saturating in the resonant frequency range of the filtering device. Application to the EMC filter of a speed variator.

Abstract: A method for driving a converter that converts DC voltage to AC voltage. A voltage conversion circuit has first input terminals and first output terminals insulated from the first input terminals. A filter circuit has second input terminals and second output terminals. A first switch circuit connects the first output and second input terminals. A second switch circuit connects the first switch circuit and the second input terminals. The method includes supplying the first input terminals with DC voltage, converting the DC voltage to AC voltage and supplying the converted voltage to the first output terminals, supplying the second input terminals with the converted voltage, stopping the supply of the converted voltage, and maintaining the first switch circuit or the second switch circuit in an activated state to output AC voltage from the second output terminals of the filter circuit.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a three- or single-phase semiconductor power converter employing fixed-pulse switching patterns superposes a DC component on an AC output voltage, to suppress asymmetrical magnetization of a transformer connected to the power converter. The three-phase semiconductor power converter 1 provides an AC output. The voltage of the AC output is changed by the transformer 12.

Abstract: A high voltage generator of the DAC-controlled type, has an input terminal connected to a first voltage reference and an output terminal providing an output voltage and comprises at least a voltage control circuit and a charge pump circuit inserted, in series to each other, between the input and output terminals of the high voltage generator, and an output regulator connected to the output terminal of the high voltage generator and comprising at least a digital-to-analog converter or DAC. The output regulator further comprises at least an additional current regulation portion connected to the output terminal of the high voltage generator through a first resistive element of the output regulator as well to an enabling terminal which provides an enabling signal, the additional current regulation portion being supplied by a second voltage reference having a voltage level higher than a voltage level of the first voltage reference.

Abstract: A synchronous rectification circuit for power converters operable under fixed and/or variable frequencies where no current sense circuit or phase-lock circuit are needed is provided. It has a power switch coupled to a transformer for the rectification. A signal-generation circuit is used for generating a control signal in response to a magnetized voltage of the transformer, a demagnetized voltage of the transformer, and a magnetization period of the transformer. The control signal is coupled to turn on the power switch. The enable period of the control signal is correlated to a demagnetization period of the transformer.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to suppress the amount of heat generated by a light emitting diode and prevent the light emitting diode from being overheated without reducing the amount of emitted light even when the light emitting diode is a high-power light emitting diode. A light emitting device is configured so that one or more light emitting diodes 11 are lighted by a lighting circuit 12. A DC power is converted into a pulse power by a switching regulator 13 of this lighting circuit 12 and the voltage of a pulse power converted by this switching regulator is lowered by an output control portion 14. The pulse width of a pulse power lowered in voltage by this output control portion is adjusted by a pulse width adjusting oscillation means 16, and the current of a pulse power adjusted in pulse width by this pulse width adjusting oscillation means is limited by a limiting resistor 17.

Abstract: An inverter device has a DC/AC inverter section that converts input DC voltage into AC voltage with a rectangular wave and outputs the AC voltage. A duty cycle setting section sets a duty cycle for controlling turning on and off of a switching element of the DC-AC inverter section by a controller. The duty cycle setting section determines the duty cycle using a signal based on the value of the DC voltage and a charging curve determined by a CR circuit. Accordingly, regardless of changes in the input voltage, the effective value of the output voltage approximates to a theoretical value compared to the conventional art.

Abstract: An electrical DC-to-AC power conversion apparatus is disclosed that is primarily intended for use with solar photovoltaic sources in electric utility grid-interactive applications. The invention improves the conversion efficiency and lowers the cost of DC-to-AC inverters. The enabling technology is a novel inverter circuit topology, where throughput power, from DC source to AC utility, is processed a maximum of 1½ times instead of 2 times as in prior-art inverters. The AC inverter output configuration can be either single-phase, split-phase or poly-phase.

Abstract: A device and method for supplying a display, such as a liquid crystal display, for example a bistable ChLCD, with drive voltages for extremely low power operation. The method and the device implementing the method provides an energy storage device and a voltage converter being utilized to store energy in the storage device, such that a display can be driven during an inactive, powered-down phase of the converter by using the stored energy to drive the display.

Abstract: A memory device having memory cells fabricated in a substrate well is described. The memory device includes control circuitry to perform an erase operation on the memory cells and a voltage bias circuit to bias the substrate well to a positive voltage level during an erase verification operation of memory cells. The voltage bias circuit controls a discharge level of the substrate well following the erase operation to prevent the substrate well from fully discharging lower than the positive voltage level.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a memory card includes a bottom plastic piece having a plurality of lateral sides, one of which includes a notch, and a cavity interposed along the lateral sides. A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, including memory, is positioned in the cavity. A fin-structure is created as part of the manufacturing process of the bottom plastic piece of the card. The memory card is configured to function in a read-write mode when the fin-structure is present, and in a write-protect mode when the fins are snapped off, and the notch is exposed. Alternatively, a plug device can be insertably positioned into the notch, causing the memory card to function in a read-write mode when the plug device is positioned into the notch, and in a write-protect mode when the plug device is removed and the notch is exposed.