Patents Issued in July 15, 2014
  • Patent number: 8779644
    Abstract: A group of coils used in a stator of a rotating electrical machine, wound continuously upon a divided core with a crossover wire, in which 2N coils (where N is a natural number) are arranged at approximately regular intervals, wherein a winding direction of N coils, which are first through Nth continuously wound coils, of a front half of the 2N coils, and a winding direction of rear half coils which are (N+1)-st through (2N)-th continuously wound coils, are opposite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kokusan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Tanaka, Takashi Ishigami, Kota Sakuma, Toshihiko Mato
  • Patent number: 8779645
    Abstract: A gear motor assembly includes a gearbox and a motor mounted to the gearbox. The gearbox includes a gear casing and a worm gear installed in the gear casing. The motor includes a stator, a rotor and brush gear. The rotor includes an shaft, a rotor core and a commutator fixed to the shaft. A worm integrally rotates with the shaft and is meshed with the worm gear. The brush gear includes multiple brushes slidably contacting the commutator, and multiple springs urging the corresponding brush towards the commutator. A lengthwise axis of the brush is inclined to a rotational axis of the commutator with a first angle between 75° to 87°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Wei Xing Mao, Xiao Liang Yue, Fan OuYang
  • Patent number: 8779646
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuator including a supporting portion including a first electrode, a second electrode disposed opposite the first electrode, and a part of a planar electrolyte member disposed therebetween, and having terminals configured to apply a voltage between the first and second electrodes; a displacement portion; and an intermediate portion disposed between the supporting portion and the displacement portion and including a third electrode on the electrolyte member and a conductive connecting member. The third electrode includes linear members and a conductive material. The linear members have major axes thereof extending in a direction crossing a direction from the supporting portion toward the displacement portion. The third electrode has conduction paths through which a current flows in the crossing direction. The conductive connecting member is electrically connected to one of the first and second electrodes and electrically connects the conduction paths together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Hino, Sotomitsu Ikeda, Amita Goyal
  • Patent number: 8779647
    Abstract: An electrostatic motor has a container having a main body, a stator fixed to the main body in the container; and a rotor which is disposed opposite to the stator in the container, and which is pivotally supported so as to freely rotate via a rotating shaft. The stator has first electrodes attached to a first electrode support and second electrodes attached to a second electrode support. The first electrodes and the second electrodes are electrically insulated. The rotor has third electrodes attached to a third electrode support and fourth electrodes attached to a fourth electrode support. The third electrodes and the fourth electrodes are electrically insulated, and the third electrodes and the fourth electrodes are respectively arranged at different positions from the first electrodes and the second electrodes in a radial direction of the rotor so as to be spaced apart from the first electrodes and the second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Shinsei Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiiku Sashida
  • Patent number: 8779648
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus, system, and method for driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic transducer in a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating a first ultrasonic drive signal by a generator coupled to an ultrasonic drive system, actuating the ultrasonic transducer with the first ultrasonic drive signal, generating a second ultrasonic drive signal by the generator, and actuating the ultrasonic transducer with the second ultrasonic drive signal. The first drive signal is different from the second drive signal. The first and second drive signals define a step function waveform. The system comprises a generator coupled to an ultrasonic instrument. The ultrasonic instrument comprises an ultrasonic drive system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to a waveguide and an end effector coupled to the waveguide. The ultrasonic drive system resonates at a resonant frequency. The apparatus comprises an ultrasonic drive system coupled to a generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Brian DiNardo, Daniel J. Abbott
  • Patent number: 8779649
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes a case having a closed end in the main axis direction, a piezoelectric element located substantially at the center of the closed end of the case, and a body arranged inside the case so as to be opposed to the piezoelectric element. The body has an irregular surface opposed to and spaced from the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hironori Sakai
  • Patent number: 8779650
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an electromechanical, for example piezoelectric, transducer in which a first polymer layer comprising cutouts is applied to a first continuous polymer layer by means of a printing and/or coating method, a cover is applied to the first polymer layer comprising cutouts in such a way that the cutouts of the first polymer layer comprising cutouts are closed off with the formation of cavities, and the cover is connected to the first polymer layer comprising cutouts. The invention also relates to electromechanical transducers produced by the method according to the invention, and the use of said electromechanical transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Werner Jenninger, Joachim Wagner, Wolfgang Fischer, Jörg Büchner, Thomas Bernert, Andreas Nübler
  • Patent number: 8779651
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting vibratory mechanical energy into electrical energy includes a mobile mass, a support, first and second beams, the second being piezoelectric, and a junction element. The first beam extends longitudinally between the support and the mass, each of which has a beam end embedded therein. The second beam links the support and the mobile mass. Its elongation stiffness is lower than that of the first beam. The junction element extends between the beams. A first assembly, with a first bending stiffness, comprises the first beam, the second beam, and the junction element. A second assembly consists of the first assembly minus the second beam. Its bending stiffness is less than or equal to half of that of the first assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Bouhadjar Ahmed Seddik, Emmanuel Defay, Ghislain Despesse
  • Patent number: 8779652
    Abstract: AT-cut quartz-crystal vibrating pieces and corresponding quartz-crystal devices are disclosed each having a vibrating portion surrounded by a frame portion across a through-slot configured to provide a wide vibrating portion. An exemplary vibrating piece has a quartz-crystal vibrating portion that vibrates when electrically energized, a frame portion surrounding the vibrating portion, and a through-slot defined between the vibrating portion and the frame portion. The through-slot includes a first through-slot extending in the X-axis direction along +Z?-edge of the vibrating portion, and a second through-slot extending in the X-axis direction along the ?Z?-edge of the vibrating portion. The first through-slot has a different width than the second through-slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Mizusawa, Takehiro Takahashi, Kunio Morita, Masakazu Harada
  • Patent number: 8779653
    Abstract: A solid state lighting devices includes a heatsink having a first end arranged proximate to a base end, and a second end arranged between the first end and a solid state emitter, wherein at least a portion of the heatsink is wider at point intermediate the first end and the second end than the width of the heatsink at the second end. Such reverse angled heatsink reduces obstruction of light. A heatsink may include multiple fins and a heatpipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Antony Paul van de Ven
  • Patent number: 8779654
    Abstract: The present invention provides a discharge lamp apparatus including a high pressure discharge lamp, a concave reflection mirror, and a laser light source. An electrical discharge space is within the high pressure discharge lamp. A pair of electrodes faces each other in the electrical discharge space. A concave reflection mirror surrounds the high pressure discharge lamp. A laser light source emits laser light of a red wavelength band, wherein the laser light passes through the electrical discharge space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ai Okazaki, Yoshio Okazaki, Takumi Sato
  • Patent number: 8779655
    Abstract: An organic electroluminescence device includes: a cathode; an anode; and a single-layered or multilayered organic thin-film layer provided between the cathode and the anode. The organic thin-film layer includes at least one emitting layer. The at least one emitting layer contains at least one phosphorescent material and a host material represented by the following formula (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuki Nishimura, Toshihiro Iwakuma, Kenichi Fukuoka, Chishio Hosokawa, Masahiro Kawamura, Mitsunori Ito, Yoriyuki Takashima, Toshinari Ogiwara
  • Patent number: 8779656
    Abstract: Provided are organic electroluminescence elements that suppress SP loss even in a strong cavity satisfying a ?/4 interference condition, thereby being improved in luminous efficiency. The organic electroluminescence elements emit light having a peak wavelength of 440 nm or more to 470 nm or less, in which a wavenumber difference ?k (Re) between surface plasmons generated at respective reflecting electrode and transparent electrode falls within a specific range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norifumi Kajimoto
  • Patent number: 8779657
    Abstract: An organic EL display unit applying a bottom-emission structure which takes light emitted from organic EL devices from the reverse side of a substrate on which pixel circuits are formed, includes: a color filter formed on the pixel circuit; and a metal wiring formed so as to surround the periphery of the color filter, wherein the metal wiring is set to an anode potential of the organic EL device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Keisuke Omoto
  • Patent number: 8779658
    Abstract: The invention provides an electro-optical device that has luminescent elements of a long lifetime by preventing oxygen or moisture from entering to luminescent layers or electrodes even in case of an electrode-optical device provided with a number of luminescent layers and an electronic apparatus provided with the electro-optical device. The invention can include an electro-optical device having first electrodes on a base body, a plurality of element areas including element layers including at least one functional layers disposed above the first electrodes, a second electrode formed above the element layers, a surrounding sections disposed on the base body so as to cover outer sides of the element layers included the element areas in the nearest proximity of the periphery of the base body, and a gas-barrier layer covering over the second electrode. Outer sides of the surrounding sections can be covered with the second electrode, and the gas-barrier layer can be in contact with the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Hayashi, Mitsuru Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 8779659
    Abstract: An embodiment provides an organic light emitting diode display device that includes a substrate; a display unit formed on the substrate and including a common power supply line and a common electrode; a sealing substrate attached to the substrate by a bonding layer which surrounds the display unit, the sealing substrate including a resin base and a carbon fiber, and the sealing substrate including a first through-hole and a second through-hole; a first conductive unit formed on an inner surface and an outer surface of the sealing substrate through the first through-hole, and the first conductive unit supplying a first signal to the common power supply line; and a second conductive unit formed on both the inner surface and the outer surface of the sealing substrate through the second through-hole, and the second conductive unit supplying a second signal to the common electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Do-Hyung Ryu, Chun-Seok Ko, Sang-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8779660
    Abstract: An illumination device for enhancing plant growth includes a substrate unit, a light-emitting unit, a current-limiting unit, and a control unit. The substrate unit includes a substrate body. The light-emitting unit, the current-limiting unit, and the control unit are disposed on the substrate body. The light-emitting unit includes a first light-emitting module, a second light-emitting module, and a third light-emitting module. The current-limiting unit includes a first current-limiting chip electrically connected to the first light-emitting module, a second current-limiting chip electrically connected to the second light-emitting module, and a third current-limiting chip electrically connected to the third light-emitting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Paragon Semiconductor Lighting Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Tin Chung, Shih-Neng Tai
  • Patent number: 8779661
    Abstract: An electric light having a semiconductor mounted to a base (6). The semiconductor, preferably a LED is at least partly surrounded by a liquid container (18), which is filled with liquid such that the liquid is in thermal conducting path with the liquid and the base. The light emitted from the semiconductor passes through the liquid. An electronic ballast (16) is provided in the base between supply contacts (8) and semi conductor (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: James Bain Smith
  • Patent number: 8779662
    Abstract: A physical vapor deposition system may include an RF generator configured to supply a pulsing AC process signal to a target in a physical vapor deposition chamber via the RF matching network. A detector circuit may be coupled to the RF generator and configured to sense the pulsing AC process signal and to produce a corresponding pulsing AC voltage magnitude signal and pulsing AC current magnitude signal. An envelope circuit may be electrically coupled to the detector circuit and configured to receive the pulsing AC voltage and current magnitude signals and to produce a DC voltage envelope signal and a DC current envelope signal. A controller may be electrically coupled to the envelope circuit and the RF matching network and configured to receive the DC voltage and current envelope signals and to vary an impedance of the RF matching network in response to the DC voltage and current envelope signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: COMET Technologies USA, Inc
    Inventor: Gerald E. Boston
  • Patent number: 8779663
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode includes at least one light-emitting diode chip, at least one control device, wherein each of the light-emitting diode chips is electrically connected to one of the at least one control devices, each of the at least one control devices including a data storage device in which brightness data for each light-emitting diode chip which is connected to the control device is stored, and the control device drives the connected light-emitting diode chip with a current which is selected according to stored brightness data for the light emitting-diode chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Francis Nguyen, John McNatt, Sven Weber-Rabsilber, Peter Brick
  • Patent number: 8779664
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an organic EL element lighting device whereby surge current can be reduced at start-up while controlling start-up variation, along with a lighting fixture using the same. Provided are a current supply part for supplying lighting current to a light source formed of one or more organic EL elements and connected between output terminals of the current supply part, a current detection part for detecting the lighting current, a target setting part for setting a target value of the lighting current, and a control part for performing feedback control of the lighting current by controlling the current supply part so that the detected value of the current detection part matches the target value of the lighting current. The target setting part has a sweep period during which the target value is gradually increased at start-up of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Nakajo, Hiroshi Kido
  • Patent number: 8779665
    Abstract: A backlight unit including: at least one light emitting diode (“LED”) string having an anode, which receives a string current, and a chassis-grounded cathode; and a current source control unit which receives a driving current and outputs the string current to the at least one LED string, where the current source control unit senses the driving current and compensates for the string current based on the sensed driving current and a reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won Sik Oh, Youngsup Kwon, Jaekyu Park, Eun Chul Shin, Jaeeun Um
  • Patent number: 8779666
    Abstract: A compensation circuit for keeping luminance intensity of a diode. The compensation circuit comprises a stabilization unit, a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a fourth transistor and an organic light emitting diode (OLED). The stabilization unit comprises a photodiode and a compensation capacitor. The second transistor is used to control the input time of data. In the operation of the OLED, the third transistor discharges or charges a node of the stabilization unit continuously to keep a voltage equal to VSS or VDD, so as to maintain the luminance intensity of the OLED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hannstar Display Corporation
    Inventors: Chien-Chaun Ko, Chao-Hui Wu
  • Patent number: 8779667
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes a light source; a sensor which has an image sensor and detects an illuminance and a presence of a human based on a captured image while setting a range overlapping a range illuminated by the light source as a visual field; an illuminance determining unit for varying a light output from the light source based on the illuminance and the presence of a human; and a dimming control unit. The illuminance determining unit obtains an illuminance of an illuminance maintaining area included in the visual field based on the captured image, and when the sensor detects no human, the illuminance determining unit reduces the light output while maintaining the illuminance of the illuminance maintaining area to be equal to or greater than a threshold that is set in advance as a lower limit illuminance, which makes it feasible for the image sensor to capture an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Atuo Nanahara, Shinji Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8779668
    Abstract: An AC LED lamp adaptive to ambient luminance has a lamp shell, an LED lamp board, an LED driving circuit and a luminance sensor. The LED lamp board, the LED driving circuit and the luminance sensor are mounted inside the lamp shell and are electrically connected to each other. The luminance sensor is mounted on the LED lamp board, is capable of sensing light emitted from the LED lamp board. Multiple LED elements on the LED lamp board are alternately driven to turn on and turn off and a luminance signal is sensed by the luminance sensor while the LED elements are driven to turn off. As the luminance signal contains an ambient luminance only, accurate ambient luminance for the lamp can be therefore acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Luxul Technology Incorporation
    Inventor: Cheng-Hung Pan
  • Patent number: 8779669
    Abstract: At least one controllable source of visible light is configured to illuminate a space to be utilized by one or more occupants. A controller causes the source(s) to emit light in a manner that varies at least one characteristic of visible light emitted into the space over a period of time at least in part in accordance with a chaotic function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8779670
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a pyroelectric sensor, a shutter and a lighting control unit. The lighting control unit is configured, when the lighting load is turned off, to turn the lighting load on if the pyroelectric sensor detects a change in infrared radiation. The lighting control unit is also configured, when the lighting load is turned on, to turn the lighting load off if a repetition count or time of a lighting retention time reaches a specified count or time, respectively, with no change in infrared radiation detected through the pyroelectric sensor within each lighting retention time per the passage of lighting retention time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Kato, Takashi Kanda, Koji Saeki, Tomoaki Mannami, Yuichirou Hirowatari, Shinichiro Kurihara
  • Patent number: 8779671
    Abstract: An illumination device includes an organic EL panel having a light emission layer provided between a first electrode and a second electrode, a power source, a power switcher, a control circuit, and a plurality of power supply portions connected to the first electrode. The control circuit controls the power switcher in such a way that, when a first power supply portion of the plurality of power supply portions is connected to the power source, a second power supply portion is not connected to the power source. The power supply portions that supply power to the first electrode are switched sequentially at a high speed. Therefore, a user will feel as if the illumination device emits light without any unevenness of brightness two-dimensionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuma Kitadani
  • Patent number: 8779672
    Abstract: Driving circuit comprises a first input, at which a first supply voltage is present, a second input, at which a second supply voltage is present, a first current supply unit selectively coupled to first or second input as function of at least one first control signal, at least one second current supply unit selectively coupled to first or second input as function of at least one second control signal, a control unit connected to first current supply unit and to at least one second current supply unit for respective control thereof and designed to provide at least one first and second control signal, and a first output coupled to first current supply unit to provide a first current for at least one first light-emitting diode, at least one second output coupled to at least one second current supply unit to provide second current for at least one second light-emitting diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Peter Bosmuller, Gilbert Promitzer, Andreas Hartberger
  • Patent number: 8779673
    Abstract: The present invention provides a LED device with voltage-limiting unit and voltage-equalizing resistance in which a light-emitting unit is structured through a LED being connected in parallel with a voltage-limiting unit in the same polarity, and two ends thereof being further connected in parallel with an voltage-equalizing resistance, so that when plural sets of the light-emitting units are connected in series or in series-parallel in the same polarity, the end voltage of each set is stabilized by the voltage-equalizing resistance connected in parallel with the two ends of the LED and the voltage-limiting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 8779674
    Abstract: This invention provides an integrated power supply for a controller of an electronic ballast for a fluorescent lamp. The integrated power supply couples output power from the electronic ballast and uses the coupled power to provide power to the controller. In one embodiment, the electronic ballast may include a rectifier for converting an alternating current input voltage into a direct current output voltage, and a circuit including a combined power factor correction (PFC) stage and an inverter, wherein the PFC stage and the inverter share a switch. Also provided is a controller for an electronic ballast. The controller may include a voltage mode or current mode duty ratio controller that controls a duty ratio of a switch of the ballast. The controller and the ballast allow dimming of the fluorescent lamp while maintaining a high power factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: John Lam, Praveen Jain
  • Patent number: 8779675
    Abstract: An alternating current (“AC”)-powered light emitting diode (“LED”) driver is described herein for driving one or more arrays of series-connected LEDs. The LED driver includes a first transistor that includes a collector-emitter path connected in series with at least one LED of an array of series-connected LEDs. The LED driver also includes a second transistor configured to selectively activate the first transistor based on a level of current through the array of series-connected LEDs. The array of series-connected LEDs has a turn-on voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Vaske Mikani, Li Li, Christopher Lee Bohler, Scott Edward Rhodes
  • Patent number: 8779676
    Abstract: A driver circuit for a dimmable solid state light source, and devices such as lamps and fixtures incorporating the same, and methods of driving such sources, are provided. A supply voltage circuit provides a supply voltage to a power factor controller circuit, such that the supply voltage is maintained within the high end of a nominal supply voltage operating range of the power factor controller circuit. The driver may also include an open circuit protection circuit for disabling the power factor controller circuit when an open circuit occurs in the load, and/or protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Patent number: 8779677
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for driving a light source, in particular, a light-emitting diode, comprises a first adjustable current path (1), that connects a terminal (BAT_IN) for a battery to a terminal (CAP_IN) for a capacitor, a second current path (2) that connects the terminal (CAP_IN) for a capacitor to a terminal (LED_OUT) for a light source, and a third adjustable current path (3) that connects the terminal (BAT_IN) for a battery to the terminal (LED_OUT) for a light source. A control unit (CTRL) is provided that has a control input (IN) and is set up to adjust current intensities (I_CHRG, I_CAP, I_DIRECT) on the first, second and third control paths (1, 2, 3), respectively, as a function of control signals (I_in) that can be applied to the control input (IN). A method for operating a light source, in particular, a light-emitting diode, is also proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventor: Peter Trattler
  • Patent number: 8779678
    Abstract: Described herein are segmented electronic ballasts for a high power are lamp, such as a High Intensity Discharge (“HID”) lamp, capable of drop-in replacement of a pre-existing magnetic ballast and methods of use thereof. In certain aspects, the segmented electronic ballasts described herein include a first housing containing a driver circuit configured to receive electrical power from a source of electrical power and configured to output a conditioned power signal; and also include a second housing containing a striker circuit connected to the driver circuit and configured to receive the conditioned power signal and ignite the lamp. In certain aspects, the methods described herein include removing a transformer of the pre-existing magnetic ballast from a transformer mounting position; and also include fixing the first housing to the transformer mounting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Dudley Allan Roberts, John Keen Mathews
  • Patent number: 8779679
    Abstract: An LED lamp 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of input terminal parts 20a, 20c, a rectifier circuit unit 22, and an LED unit 24. And the LED lamp 20 has variable inductance units L50, L60 for causing an AC to flow from one of the pair of input terminal parts 20a, 20c to the other input terminal part through the rectifier circuit unit 22, a current detection unit 31 for detecting a magnitude of a DC flowing through the LED unit 24, and an inductance variable control unit 32 for making inductance values of the variable inductance units L50, L60 variable according to the magnitude of the DC detected by the current detection unit 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: M-System Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Saburo Miyamichi
  • Patent number: 8779680
    Abstract: A device that enables “smart” dimmers comprising electronic circuits beyond those found in traditional dimmers to be installed in existing houses with no need for any new electrical wires. In particular, for smart dimmers comprising PLC (power line communication) modems, the device overcomes the large attenuation imposed on power-line communication (PLC) transmissions, introduced by a load electrically connected in series with the smart dimmer, and eliminates the large noise and ringing otherwise introduced by the switching device, found in dimmers. The device enables a fair amount of sustained current to feed a smart dimmer's internal circuitry, and low PLC signal attenuation, in conjunction with undisturbed dimming functionality, with no need for any new wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tritonics Technologies Ltd
    Inventor: Danny Braunshtein
  • Patent number: 8779681
    Abstract: Described herein are ambient lighting devices, methods, and systems that utilize at least one multimode artificial ambient light source, a control unit, and a remote image sensor. The control unit couples to at least one artificial ambient light source and is configured to output at least one control signal to the at least one artificial ambient light source. The at least one multimode artificial ambient light source is configured to output light of varying color and color temperature in response to said at least one control signal. The remote image sensor couples to the at least one control unit and is configured to detect at least one color and intensity characteristic and output an output signal to the at least one control unit, based on said color and intensity characteristic detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: Helmar Adler
  • Patent number: 8779682
    Abstract: A fixture-compatible, dimmable illumination driving apparatus including: a rectifying unit rectifying a phase-controlled waveform of an alternating current (AC) power; a comparing unit comparing an output waveform of the rectifying unit with a first voltage according to a preset reference clock; a reference voltage generating unit generating a reference voltage corresponding to the number of high signals higher than the first voltage among outputs of the comparing unit during one cycle of the output waveform; and a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generating unit generating a PWM signal from the reference voltage and a feedback voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd., University of Seoul Industry Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Joong Ho Choi, Yeun Joong Lee, Deuk Hee Park, Sang Hyun Cha, Chang Seok Lee
  • Patent number: 8779683
    Abstract: An electronic circuit and/or method that determines a type and/or size of a battery in a light and controls operation of a light source may comprise: a circuit measuring the voltage of the battery; and a processor for determining the measured battery voltage. The processor may compare the measured battery voltage and a predetermined voltage and set an operating condition of the light source based upon the difference between the measured battery voltage and the predetermined voltage. The processor may apply a predetermined load to the battery for a predetermined time and measure battery voltage during the predetermined time; and determine the difference between the measured voltage of the battery and the measured battery voltage during the predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Snyder, Raymond L. Sharrah, Thomas D. Boris, Brian Orme
  • Patent number: 8779684
    Abstract: A high gate voltage generator and a display module are provided. The high gate voltage generator includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generating circuit, a boost circuit, and an amplifier circuit. The PWM signal generating circuit is used for outputting a PWM signal. The boost circuit is electrically connected to the PWM signal generating circuit and used for receiving an input voltage to boost the input voltage according to the PWM signal and then outputting a power voltage. The amplifier circuit is electrically connected to the boost circuit and used for receiving a reference voltage to amplify the power voltage and then outputting a high gate voltage. The reference voltage is greater than the high gate voltage and is provided by a backlight module electrically connected to the amplifier circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventor: Meng-Sheng Chang
  • Patent number: 8779685
    Abstract: A high CRI white light emitting device comprises: a blue solid state light emitter (LED) operable to generate blue light; a phosphor material operable to absorb a portion of the blue light and to emit green/yellow light and a red solid state light emitter (LED) operable to generate red light. The emission product of the device comprises the combined light generated by the blue and red LEDs and green/yellow light generated by the phosphor material and appears white in color. The device further comprises a drive circuit operable to compensate for variation in the ratio (relative contribution) of red to blue light in the emission product such as to ensure that said variation is less than 20% over an operating temperature range of at least 25° C. The drive circuit can reduce variation in the CRI and CCT of the device's emission product over the operating temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Intematix Corporation
    Inventors: Gang Wang, Yi-Qun Li
  • Patent number: 8779686
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) based luminaire driving arrangement constituted of: a switched driver; a plurality of LED based luminaries arranged to receive power from the switched driver; at least one electronically controlled switch in series with at least one of the plurality of LED based luminaries and arranged to alternatively pass current through the at least one LED based luminaire when closed and prevent the flow of current through the at least one LED based luminaire when opened; and at least one synchronous driver in communication with the at least one electronically controlled switch, the at least one synchronous driver arranged to close the at least one electronically controlled switch only when the switched driver is actively supplying power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventor: Xiaoping Jin
  • Patent number: 8779687
    Abstract: An illumination module includes a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) located in different zones to preferentially illuminate different color converting surfaces. The flux emitted from LEDs located in different zones may be independently controlled by selectively routing current from a single current source to different strings of LEDs in the different zones. In this manner, changes in the CCT of light emitted from LED based illumination module may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard Harbers
  • Patent number: 8779688
    Abstract: A light emitting diode driving circuit includes connected driving units, each of which is configured for driving multiple channels of light emitting diodes generating a feedback voltage for the corresponding driving unit. Each of the driving units includes a selection circuit for comparing the feedback voltage with an input voltage to output a smaller one of the feedback voltage and the input voltage to a next one of the driving units, as the input voltage for the next one of the driving units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Himax Analogic, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuan-Jen Tseng
  • Patent number: 8779689
    Abstract: An electronic OLED driver apparatus is presented, which includes a DC-DC converter stage with a waveform generator generating converter setpoints with profiles having minimum rise time and fall time values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Louis R. Nerone, Deeder Aurongzeb
  • Patent number: 8779690
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a direct current (DC) light emitting device control circuit with dimming function, and a method thereof, wherein the dimming function is provided in a feedback loop for feeding back a feedback signal from an output terminal to a power switch control circuit; the feedback signal relates to an output current supplied to the DC light emitting device. The present invention adjusts the feedback signal according to the desired brightness of the DC light emitting device. The present invention controls a power switch according to the adjusted feedback signal, such that the output current supplied to the DC light emitting device is adjusted, and accordingly the brightness of the DC light emitting device is adjusted below the full brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corporation, R.O.C.
    Inventors: Fu-Sheng Tsai, Pei-Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 8779691
    Abstract: A circuit for dimming a light emitting diode is provided. The circuit includes an alternating current input voltage that is delivered to a light emitting diode. The circuit also includes a correction circuit configured to monitor the input voltage, which also delivers a current to the light emitting diode, wherein the current delivered to the light emitting diode is commensurate with the input voltage. The circuit also includes a simulation circuit electrically coupled to the correction circuit and configured to deliver an additional voltage to the correction circuit to modify a setpoint voltage when the input voltage falls below a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Scott Edward Rhodes
  • Patent number: 8779692
    Abstract: A light emitting element drive device includes a light emitting unit that includes a light emitting element and that performs dimming based on a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal, a first switching element that is turned ON or OFF based on the PWM signal and that is connected in series to the light emitting unit, and a protection circuit that includes a charging circuit and a second switching element. The second switching element is turned ON when a first voltage obtained by a charging operation of the charging circuit is equal to or more than a first predetermined value. The charging circuit discharges electric charge through the first switching element when a second voltage between input and output terminals of the first switching element drops. The first switching element is turned OFF despite the existence of the PWM signal when the second switching element is turned ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Oshima, Hironobu Masuoka
  • Patent number: 8779693
    Abstract: A system for providing thermal protection for an LED light module and methods for manufacturing the same are described herein. The thermally protected LED light module may include a heat sink assembly thermally coupled to an LED light source, and a thermal protector. The thermal protector may be connected to the heat sink assembly by a mechanical fastener. Further, the thermal protector is electrically coupled to the LED light source and a power source where the thermal protector breaks the power provided to the LED light source from the power source when the thermal protector detects heat at or above a threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Robert Allan Blalock, George Michael Drake