Radiant Energy Controlled Regulation Of The Current Supply For The Load Device Patents (Class 315/158)
  • Patent number: 9955560
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for replacing a lighting device in a wireless lighting device network. A first lighting device is identified using a mobile device such as, for example, a smart phone. Configuration data for the first lighting device is downloaded to the mobile device from a configuration database. The first lighting device is physically replaced with a second, replacement lighting device and the second lighting device is identified using the mobile device. The downloaded configuration data corresponding to the first lighting device is then uploaded from the mobile device to the second lighting device and is subsequently used by the second lighting device to control the operation of the second lighting device. The configuration database is then updated based on the identification information for the second lighting device and the configuration data uploaded to the second lighting device from the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GmbH
    Inventors: Ryan Thomas Meitl, Allen Marecki
  • Patent number: 9907928
    Abstract: A therapeutic environmental light and image system and related methods are provided. A controller controls a lighting system and one or more images displayed on a display monitor to create a virtual window in a patient recovery room that simulates characteristics of a real window. Optionally, circadian full-spectrum light cycling is delivered via a prescriptively-selected circadian light cycle, which may or may not be configured based on the images provided on the display monitor. Additionally, ultraviolet light from an ultraviolet light source may be dosed to the patient to favorably impact biologic functions and other health aspects of the patient, to facilitate patient recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignees: St. Peter's Health Partners, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: George W. Seabury, Robert Cella, Mark Pettus, Dorothy Maria Urschel, Charles Gianfagna, Partha Dutta
  • Patent number: 9876568
    Abstract: A light source emits a modulated light, and a radio-frequency transceiver disposed therewith emits a radio-frequency signal. A mobile device may receive either or both signals and determine its position based thereon. The light and radio-frequency sources may be disposed in node in a network of said sources, and the nodes may communicate via the radio-frequency transceivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Ryan, Kelby Edward Green, Emanuel Paul Malandrakis, Konstantin Klitenik
  • Patent number: 9866858
    Abstract: A method of video operations includes generating derivative byproducts related to encoded video captured of a scene, initializing a first operation based on the encoded video, and initializing a second operation different from the first operation based on the derivative byproducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Verint Americas Inc.
    Inventor: Francois Morin
  • Patent number: 9867245
    Abstract: LED strings cascaded to one another are driven by an electronic circuit that includes regulation modules and a brightness-compensation module. The regulation modules carry out in sequence a current-regulation phase, in which they regulate the current that flows in the corresponding LED strings. The regulation module includes: a compensation regulator coupled to a compensation LED string and to a capacitor and a generator that generates an electrical quantity indicating the luminous flux emitted by the LED strings and by the compensation LED string. The compensation regulator regulates a current that flows in the compensation LED string as a function of the electrical quantity, discharging the capacitor through the compensation LED string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Davide Lena, Simone Crespi
  • Patent number: 9863623
    Abstract: A lighting device may include a light irradiation portion, a main control module, and a second connector. The light irradiation portion may generate and irradiates light. The light control portion may control power applied to the light irradiation portion. The main control module may include an antenna to communicate with an external device by a wireless communication and control the light control portion according to a control signal from the external device. The second connector may be provided in the main control module and may connect the main control module and the light control portion by a wired communication. The second connector may include a first printed circuit board having a mode pin (for determining a control mode of the light control portion) and a power pin (for supplying power from the light control portion to the main control module), and a second printed circuit board having a control pin (for supplying a control signal from the main control module to the light control portion).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeonghwa Kim, Sunghoon Ahn, Heegu Park
  • Patent number: 9819910
    Abstract: A smart system includes a connector plug that fits into a bulb socket; a processor to control the smart system; and at least one of a receiver and a transmitter coupled to the processor for receiving or transmitting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventors: Yi Huang, Joshua Huang, Jonathan Huang
  • Patent number: 9801264
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus that emits light from a light source using accumulated electric energy and that performs wireless communication with another illumination apparatus via a communication unit includes a capacitor that accumulates the electric energy used to emit light from the light source, a detection unit that detects a charge state of the capacitor, and a notification unit that performs notification indicating information indicating that the illumination apparatus is in a flash available state and notification indicating information indicating that both the illumination apparatus and the other illumination apparatus are in a flash available state in a distinguishable manner in accordance with information on the other illumination apparatus received by the communication unit and a result of the detection performed by the detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kentarou Midorikawa
  • Patent number: 9791133
    Abstract: A lighting control device includes a sensor that detects a state of a user and a gesture made by the user and a controller that controls a lighting characteristic of a lighting device. In the lighting control device and/or the lighting control method, it is determined (by the controller) whether a gesture made by the user and acquired by the sensor matches a first predetermined gesture including a predetermined hand shape and a predetermined movement of both hands of the user made within a detecting region between a boundary 30% larger than a periphery of a projection region illuminated by the lighting device and a boundary 30% smaller than the periphery of the projection region. When it is determined that the gesture matches the first predetermined gesture, a size of the projection region is changed (by the controller).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Hyodo, Minoru Tanaka, Tatsuya Sasago, Haruka Miyagata, Teruyuki Kimata, Ryo Kawamura
  • Patent number: 9795013
    Abstract: A modular wireless lighting control device includes a wireless interface device that includes a wireless transceiver, a first controller, and a power supply. The wireless transceiver is in electrical communication with the first controller. The wireless interface device receives lighting control instructions wirelessly via the wireless transceiver. The modular wireless lighting control device further includes a lighting control device in electrical communication with the wireless communication device. The lighting control device includes a second controller and control interface circuitry. The control interface circuitry is compatible with a light fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Nam Chin Cho, Ryan Lamon Cunningham
  • Patent number: 9788382
    Abstract: Systems and methods for maintaining the illumination intensity of one or more LEDs above a minimal intensity level. The systems and methods may include: (1) a current regulator for regulating the current in a circuit; (2) a voltage source for applying current to a circuit; (3) an LED with a minimal intensity level that correlates to a set-point temperature; and (4) a thermal sensor that is in proximity to the LED and adapted to sense a temperature proximal to the LED. The thermal sensor may transmit a signal to the current regulator if the sensed temperature exceeds the set-point temperature. Thereafter, the current regulator may take steps to regulate the current in order to maintain the LED illumination intensity above the minimal intensity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Luminator Holding LP
    Inventors: Vadim Zlotnikov, John B. Gunter, Jim Coker, George Berman, Valeriy K. Berger
  • Patent number: 9775219
    Abstract: A mobile terminal includes: an image capturer which captures a video of one or more lighting devices each transmitting identification information of the lighting device through visible light communication; an input device which obtains an indication from an operator; a wireless communicator which wirelessly communicates with lighting devices; and a controller which controls the image capturer, the input device, and the wireless communicator, wherein the controller detects, by analyzing a video obtained by the image capturer, identification information of a lighting device included in the video, and if the input device obtains an operation indication directed to the lighting device, transmits a control signal corresponding to the operation indication via the wireless communicator to the lighting device (at least one of the lighting devices) having the detected identification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Ikehara, Yoshihiko Matsukawa
  • Patent number: 9775222
    Abstract: A wireless detection and control device is provided, which is applicable a lighting device, and may include a first connection interface, a processing module, a detection module and a control module. The first connection interface may be detachably coupled to the power conversion module of the lighting device. The processing module may be coupled to the first connection interface. The detection module may include two second connection interfaces, and be detachably coupled to the processing module via one of the second connection interfaces; the detection module may detect the change of the surrounding environment to generate a detection signal. The control module may be detachably coupled to the processing module. The detection module may transmit the detection signal to the power conversion module, or transmit the detection signal to the control module for the control module to generate a control signal accordingly so as to control a controlled device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: HEP TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Yen Chen, Ta-Sheng Hung, Chen-Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 9755525
    Abstract: A power converter circuit includes a transformer for converting a primary side voltage to a secondary side voltage and generating an output current. A power limit control unit senses the secondary side voltage to obtain a waveform feature of the primary side voltage, and decides a target of the output current according to the waveform feature of the primary side voltage. When the primary side voltage drops to a threshold, the output current is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tzu-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 9736893
    Abstract: The present document relates to the compensation of voltage variations within power converters. A driver circuit for a solid state light source is described. The driver circuit comprises a switched-mode power converter comprising a switch; wherein the switched-mode power converter is configured to convert an input voltage at an input of the switched-mode power converter into an output voltage at an output of the switched-mode power converter. Furthermore, the driver circuit comprises current sensing means configured to determine a sensed current signal indicative of a current through the switch; and voltage sensing means configured to determine a sensed voltage signal indicative of the input voltage. In addition, the driver circuit comprises a control unit configured to determine a gate control signal for putting the switch into an off-state, based on the sensed current signal and based on the sensed voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Knoedgen, Thomas Nedwal
  • Patent number: 9723695
    Abstract: A lighting control system is provided with a communication method utilizing downstream current modulation. A primary controller is electrically coupled to a plurality of lighting devices via a mains power transmission network. Each of the respective lighting devices includes an occupancy sensor and is configured to provide full illumination when occupancy is detected in the associated area. The controller identifies occupancy by an increase in current on the mains lines, directs the other devices to fully illuminate, and activates a timer. Prior to lapsing of the timer, any of the devices may indicate continued occupancy by adjusting an operating current to a respective light source according to a predetermined pattern. Upon identifying the pattern, the controller generates control signals directing each of the other devices to remain fully illuminated, and resets the timer. The predetermined pattern may for example include amplitude modulation, threshold numbers of cycles, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Berry, John Cavacuiti, Rob Mahaffey, Wei Xiong
  • Patent number: 9713222
    Abstract: A method of controlling a plurality of light fixtures. The method includes determining first light outputs for each of the plurality of light fixtures. The method also includes determining a first spectrum of light reflected off of a surface. The method further includes determining a first difference between the first light outputs and desired light outputs for each of the plurality of light fixtures. The method also includes determining a second difference between the first spectrum of light reflected off of the surface and a desired spectrum of light reflected off of the surface. The method further includes calculating an updated output spectrum for the plurality of light fixtures based at least in part on the first difference and the second difference. The method also includes determining a second set of light source output values based at least in part on the updated output spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Bewick, Joshua Jordan, Timothy G. Robbins
  • Patent number: 9713236
    Abstract: A solid-state lighting arrangement (10) designed for use within a lighting fixture (100) having existing ballast circuitry (110) for powering one or more discharge lamps. The solid-state lighting arrangement (10) includes a solid-state light source (50) and a startup delay circuit (60) coupled to light source (50). During operation, delay circuit (60) prevents application of power to light source (50) for a startup delay period, so as to provide compatibility with a wide variety of existing ballasts, as well as enhanced compatibility with the protection circuitry that is present in many existing ballasts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: ELB Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Purdy
  • Patent number: 9706610
    Abstract: A circuit for driving light emitting elements, such as LEDs, includes a first transistor having a source coupled to ground through a first resistive element, and a second transistor having a gate electrically coupled to a gate of the first transistor, a source electrically coupled to ground, and a drain for electrical connection to a first group of light emitting elements. The circuit also includes circuitry to provide a predetermined voltage at the source of the first transistor, circuitry to compensate for a difference in respective gate-source voltages of the first and second transistors, and circuitry to compensate for a difference in respective drain-source voltages of the first and second transistors. In some implementations, the circuit can achieve relatively low power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Sean S. Chen, Wenbo Liang
  • Patent number: 9674915
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for lighting control based on a combination of inputs. One or more properties of light output of a lighting fixture (120A, 120B, 120C) are controlled based on local input (based on local sensor readings) and group input (provided to the lighting fixture and additional lighting fixtures) and/or one or more sensors (125A, 125B) are auto-calibrated. For example, in some embodiments a lighting controller (130A) of a lighting fixture may receive both the local input and the group input and control a dimming level of a light source (150A) of the lighting fixture based on the local input and the group input. For example, the local input may be based on input from a local sensor that is indicative of a light level near the lighting fixture and the group input may be indicative of a desired group level of dimming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Peter Deixler
  • Patent number: 9655213
    Abstract: A modular wireless lighting control device includes a wireless interface device that includes a wireless transceiver, a first controller, and a power supply. The wireless transceiver is in electrical communication with the first controller. The wireless interface device receives lighting control instructions wirelessly via the wireless transceiver. The modular wireless lighting control device further includes a lighting control device in electrical communication with the wireless communication device. The lighting control device includes a second controller and control interface circuitry. The control interface circuitry is compatible with a light fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Nam Chin Cho, Ryan Lamon Cunningham
  • Patent number: 9626936
    Abstract: The technology provides a dimming module for a near-eye display (NED) device that controls an amount of ambient light that passes through the transmissive near-eye display to a user. The dimming module includes at least one electrochromic cell that enables variable density dimming so that the NED device may be used in an augmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) application. The electrochromic cell may be a monochrome electrochromic cell having stacked layers of, a monochrome electrochromic compound layer and insulator sandwiched between a pair of transparent substrates and conductors. A current may be applied to the conductor layers to control the amount of dimming in response to a dimming value. A NED device having a dimming module may be included in a visor, or other type of head-mounted display (HMD). The dimming module may be flat and supported by a flat waveguide mount in the user's field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Cynthia Bell
  • Patent number: 9620081
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for synchronizing backlight adjustments to frame updates in a display pipeline. A change in the ambient light is detected and as a result, backlight settings are adjusted. To offset a reduction in the backlight, the color intensity in the frames is increased. While the change in ambient light is detected asynchronously, the adjustment to the backlight settings and color intensity is synchronized to a frame update via a virtual channel for the auxiliary channel of the display interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brijesh Tripathi, Peter F. Holland, Marc Albrecht, Christopher P. Tann
  • Patent number: 9612138
    Abstract: A sensor (10) having a housing (12) is provided which has a main housing part (14) and a connection part (16) having a connection (18, 20, 22), wherein the connection part (16) is movably attached at the main housing part (14), in such a way that the connection (18, 20, 22) is selectively accessible from two sides of the housing (12). In this connection the connection part (16) has at least three connections (18, 20, 22) and is movable at the main housing part (14) in such a way that the at least three connections (18, 20, 22) are selectively accessible from two sides of the housing (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Christoph Anselment, Jakob Burger
  • Patent number: 9585218
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a current modulation circuit configured to modulate a current in at least one light-emitting device responsive to a pulse width modulated control signal and a control circuit configured to control a pulse width of the pulse width modulated control signal responsive to a first control input and to control a frequency of the pulse width modulated control signal responsive to a second control input. The first control input may include, for example, a current control input, and the second control input may include a light intensity control input, such as a dimming input. The control circuit may be configured to increase the frequency responsive to a change in the light intensity control input corresponding to a decrease in light intensity and to decrease the frequency responsive to a change in the light intensity control input corresponding to an increase in light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Pope, Xiuge Yang
  • Patent number: 9561768
    Abstract: A capacitive sensing device includes an antenna electrode for emitting an alternating electric field in response to an alternating voltage caused in the antenna electrode and a control and evaluation circuit configured to maintain the alternating voltage equal to an alternating reference voltage by injecting a current into the antenna electrode and to measure the current. The control and evaluation circuit includes a microcontroller with a digital output for providing a digital signal and a low-pass filter operatively connected to the digital output for generating the alternating reference voltage by low-pass-filtering the digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventor: Laurent Lamesch
  • Patent number: 9538619
    Abstract: A controllable light source is provided that includes a load control circuit and an integrated lighting load. The controllable light source is configured to receive wirelessly communicated commands transmitted by a remote control device associated with the controllable light source, such as a rotary remote control device. The controllable light source may include an actuator for associating the controllable light source with the remote control device, such that the load control circuit is operable to adjust the intensity of the lighting load in response to wireless signals received from the remote control device. The controllable light source may support the actuator such that the actuator may be actuated when the controllable light source is installed in a fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Swatsky, Daniel J. Osle, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Daniel Curtis Raneri
  • Patent number: 9516719
    Abstract: Compensating for disturbances in light output by a light source includes sensing light output by a light source and generating a light-sense signal based thereon, detecting a disturbance in the light-sense signal, and generating an output signal to compensate for the disturbance. An LED is driven in accordance with the periodic output signal to thereby compensate for the periodic disturbance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TerraLUX, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur Lionel Stevens
  • Patent number: 9516726
    Abstract: A method for controlling a communications terminal is provided. The method includes causing a computer included in the communications terminal to store first illumination setting information and second illumination setting information in the memory; causing the computer of the communications terminal to transmit, at a certain illumination start time at which the illumination device is to be turned on, a first control signal corresponding to the first illumination setting information to the illumination device such that the illumination device is set to the first illumination state; and causing the computer of the communications terminal to transmit, in a case where the sensor senses a motion of the communications terminal after the certain illumination start time has passed, a second control signal corresponding to the second illumination setting information to the illumination device such that the illumination device is set to the second illumination state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Kento Ogawa, Toru Tanigawa
  • Patent number: 9510429
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to a LED-based lighting unit (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) having a radar for presence detection. A radar circuit (140; 240; 340A; 340B; 440) may be electrically coupled to conductive wiring (25; 125; 225; 325; 425) of the LED-based lighting unit that at least selectively powers the radar circuit and at least selectively powers the LEDs. In some implementations, an antenna coupled to the radar circuit may be formed from the conductive wiring and optionally at least partially isolated from any current flowing through the LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Philip Steven Newton
  • Patent number: 9504114
    Abstract: An illumination control apparatus including a controller which: in switching a first lighting mode to a second lighting mode when a combination of results of detections by occupancy sensors changes, compares a first priority level pre-assigned to the first lighting mode and a second priority level pre-assigned to the second lighting mode; if the second priority level is lower than the first priority level, maintains the first lighting mode for a predetermined amount of wait time from a moment when the combination of the results of the detections changes, and subsequently switches the first lighting mode to the second lighting mode; and if the second priority level is higher than the first priority level, switches the first lighting mode to the second lighting mode at the moment when the combination of the results of the detections changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiya Moriwaki, Akihiro Kishimoto, Naotake Katayama
  • Patent number: 9488327
    Abstract: A lighting system has a recessed panel (light source or window) and a side wall or a set of side walls around the recess. The side wall (or at least one of the side walls), is provided with a lighting arrangement for controlling the color of illumination and/or shape from which light is emitted from the side wall or side walls. This can be used to replicate the sharp lighting boundaries that arise on the recess walls from sun illumination through a skylight, or else they can be used to provide general illumination around a window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Jochen Renaat Van Gheluwe, Berent Willem Meerbeek, Petrus Johannes Hendrikus Seuntiens, Jacobus Dingenis Machiel Van Boven, Evert Jan Van Loenen
  • Patent number: 9488355
    Abstract: An LED lamp (1) is employed in a state mounted on a lighting fixture. The LED lamp (1) includes an LED source portion (2) including a plurality of LED chips, an illuminance sensor module (12) detecting ambient illuminance, and a controller controlling the LED source portion (2) in response to illuminance of ambient light other than light emitted by the LED source portion (2) on the basis of an output signal received from the illuminance sensor module (12) when the LED source portion (2) is in a lighting-up state. When the LED source portion (2) is in the lighting-up state, there is a possibility that the illuminance sensor module (12) detects not only the ambient light illuminance but also spontaneous light illuminance. The controller eliminates influence by the spontaneous light illuminance, and controls the LED source portion (2) in response to the illuminance of the ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Igaki, Masahide Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9488861
    Abstract: A display device includes a backlight module and a display panel. A spectrum of the backlight module has three peaks, so that the backlight module can emit a white light, wherein a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the peak in a range of a green wavelength is less than or equal to 55 nm. The display panel is disposed on a light emitting surface of the backlight module, and includes a pixel array and a color filter array disposed correspondingly to the pixel array. The color filter array includes a red, a green and a blue filter patterns. The green filter pattern and the backlight module satisfy the following relations: ? 553 562 ? ? BL ? ( ? ) × CF Green ? ( ? ) × ?? ? 4 ? 580 600 ? ? BL ? ( ? ) × CF Green ? ( ? ) × ?? ? 2 ? 601 650 ? ? BL ? ( ? ) × CF Green ? ( ? ) × ?? ? 1.2 . Besides, a x coordinate of green light of CIE is less than 0.22 and a y coordinate of green light of CIE is greater than 0.70.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventor: Wei-Chih Ke
  • Patent number: 9485813
    Abstract: An illumination device and methods are provided herein for avoiding over-current and over-power conditions in one or more power converters included within the illumination device. The illumination device may include at least a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) chains, a driver circuit, at least one power converter, and a control circuit. In some embodiments, the control circuit may be generally configured for determining a maximum safe current level and/or a maximum safe power level attributed to the power converter(s) at a present operating temperature, and for adjusting respective drive currents supplied to the plurality of LED chains by the driver circuit, so as not to exceed the maximum safe current level or the maximum safe power level at the present operating temperature. In some embodiments, a temperature sensor may be included within the illumination device for measuring the operating temperature presently associated with the power converter(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ketra, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Lewis, Ryan Matthew Bocock, Joseph Savage, Jivan James Luu, David Knapp
  • Patent number: 9477263
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display with a brightness that is adjusted based on ambient light data from one or more ambient light sensors. An ambient light sensor may be formed from a semiconductor substrate such as a silicon substrate. Sensor structures may be formed in the silicon substrate. Conductive vias or other conductive paths may be used to interconnect sensor structures on a frontside surface of the ambient light sensor to contacts on a backside surface of the ambient light sensor. The ambient light sensor may be mounted on a substrate layer in the electronic device. The substrate layer may be a planar layer of glass or plastic such as a transparent display layer. The contacts of the ambient light sensor may be mounted to corresponding contacts on the surface of the substrate layer. The substrate layer may be a thin-film transistor layer in a liquid crystal display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Hotelling, Dong Zheng
  • Patent number: 9460645
    Abstract: Apparatus intelligent illuminated sign comprising: controller, sensors, illumination devices, interfaces, power source. Apparatus configurations include: display, sensor, operator interface, controller interface, acceptance criteria, control algorithm. Display providing parallel view illumination, with mounting configuration including replacement without impacting integrity of apparatus. Sensors include: ambient light, proximity, temperature, power. Plug and power source includes intelligent power splitter, sustaining operation of apparatus during power outage. Operator interface include interrupting ambient light for triggering sensor status. Controller interface include: LAN, INTERNET, mobile devices. Acceptance criteria include: optimization using energy, sustaining apparatus safety and contributing to safety of surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventor: Zachary Leonid Braunstein
  • Patent number: 9451668
    Abstract: A method of controlling a plurality of light fixtures. The method includes detecting the light outputs of a plurality of light fixtures and detecting a reflection of light from a surface. The light outputs and the reflection of light are analyzed. Differences among the light outputs of the plurality of light fixtures are determined, and a difference between the reflection of light and a desired reflection of light is determined. New or updated values for output color, output brightness, and/or output spectra are determined for the plurality of light fixtures such that the light outputs of the light fixtures are consistent and correspond to a desired light output, and such that the reflection of light corresponds to the desired reflection of light. Each of the plurality of light fixtures is then driven using respective light source output values to produce the desired light outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Bewick, Joshua Jordan, Timothy G. Robbins
  • Patent number: 9451247
    Abstract: A camera testing apparatus includes a frame assembly, a control unit, and a plurality of first light sources and second light sources coupled to the frame assembly and in communication with the control unit. Each of the first and second light sources is in one of an illuminated first state or a non-illuminated second state, and each of the plurality of first and second light sources is adapted to be within a field of vision of a camera disposed remote from the first and second light sources. The control unit sends a first command to each of the first light sources to change a first operational parameter. The control unit sends a second command to a first one of the second light sources to illuminate at a first brightness and a third command to a second one of the second light sources to illuminate at a second brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: UL LLC
    Inventors: Fan He, Paul W. Brazis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9433799
    Abstract: This invention relates to phototherapy lights, in particular for a combination of Bright Light Therapy and Dawn Simulation. A phototherapy light source having two operational modes, a first dawn simulator mode; and a second, bright light therapy mode; the light comprising a controller coupled to a light source; and wherein, in said first mode said light source is controlled to provide variable illumination with a minimum light intensity of less than 1 lux at 50 centimeters, and in said second mode said light source is controlled to provide illumination with a light intensity of at least 1000 lux at 50 centimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Outside In (Cambridge) Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen Bryce Hayes
  • Patent number: 9405052
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an optical device comprising: a transparent foil including a series of ridges and furrows, a first distal portion configured to receive light, and a second distal portion to emit at least a portion of the received light, wherein the series of ridges and furrows diverges in a direction from the first distal portion to the second distal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Modilis Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Juho Ilkka Jalava
  • Patent number: 9400418
    Abstract: A light source module and a projection apparatus including the light source module, an optical engine module, and a projection lens are provided. The light source module includes a lamp holder, a casing, a light source, and a heat dissipation fan. The lamp holder has a cover having a first inlet and a first outlet. The casing is connected to the lamp holder and has a second inlet and at least one second outlet. The light source is fixed to the lamp holder fixed to a housing of the projection apparatus. The heat dissipation fan generates a heat dissipation airflow through an outflow side. A first part of the heat dissipation airflow enters the cover through the first inlet, and leaves the cover through the first outlet. A second part of the heat dissipation airflow enters the casing through the second inlet, and leaves the casing through the second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Tung-Chou Hu, Li-Wei Tseng
  • Patent number: 9398661
    Abstract: An LED-based light includes one or more LEDs, a sensor arranged to detect a brightness level in an area resulting from the combination of light emitted by the LEDs with light from at least one ambient light source other than the LEDs, and operable to output a signal corresponding to the detected brightness level, a controller operable to regulate an amount of power provided to the LEDs in response to the signal, a light transmitting housing for the LEDs, the sensor and the controller and a connector shaped for connection with a light socket disposed at an end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: iLumisys, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Scapa, David L. Simon, John Ivey
  • Patent number: 9390658
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for displaying an image, and an apparatus and a method for driving a light emitting device are provided. The light emitting device of the image display is controlled in accordance with a periodic signal relating to the image and a sensing signal reflecting an operating state of the light emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jeong-il Kang, Gil-Yong Jang
  • Patent number: 9391118
    Abstract: There is provided a light emitter comprising light emitting devices (for example, light emitting diodes) which are electrically interconnected to provide an array of at least two serially connected subsets of parallel connected light emitting devices, each subset comprising at least three light emitting devices. In some embodiments, the light emitting devices are from a contiguous region of a wafer. There is also provided a light emitter, comprising light emitting devices, means for mechanically interconnecting the light emitting devices and means for electrically interconnecting the light emitting devices to provide serially connected subsets interconnected in parallel, each subset comprising at least three light emitting devices. Also, methods of fabricating light emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald H. Negley, Antony Paul Van De Ven
  • Patent number: 9380682
    Abstract: A method and system for facilitating at least first and second different activities within a first space that includes a first set of environmental control affordances including at least a first subset of lighting devices, the method comprising the steps of monitoring for triggers associated with the first space, when a trigger occurs, determining which of the first and second activities to facilitate, when the first activity is to be facilitated, controlling the environmental control affordances to present a first series of environments associated with the first activity and when the second activity is to be facilitated, controlling the environmental control affordances to present a second series of environments associated with the second activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Mead, Hyun Yoo, Cherie Johnson
  • Patent number: 9373278
    Abstract: A display device, including display elements two-dimensionally disposed in a matrix; scanning lines, initialization control lines, and display control lines extending in a first direction; data lines extending in a second direction different from the first direction; and a scanning drive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Tanikame, Seiichiro Jinta
  • Patent number: 9363857
    Abstract: The possibility to emit and detect coded light, whereby data is modulated into the light, is known. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, to reduce the risk of the modulation going undetected due to possible frequency blind spots in the detection spectrum, the lighting device (2a, 2b, 2c) is arranged such that the frequency of its emitted modulated light (3a, 3b, 3c) shivers around a base, or center, frequency. For example the modulated light (3a, 3b, 3c) may be transmitted using pulse-width-modulation, and the resulting pulse-width-modulation light signal (3a, 3b, 3c) may thus have a period that fluctuates around the base period (T). The parameters determining the shivering of the modulated light (3a, 3b, 3c) may be chosen such that visible flicker in the emitted modulated light (3a, 3b, 3c) is avoided. According to another aspect, the lighting device (2a, 2b, 2c) emits with a plurality of different modulation frequencies simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Feri, Stephanus Joseph Johannes Nijssen, Tommaso Gritti, Ruben Rajagopalan, Frederik Jan De Bruijn
  • Patent number: 9338862
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for remote lighting control by a processor of photocontrol device for a light fixture. The photocontrol receives, via a wireless network interface, a request to establish a communication session with a remote device using the wireless network interface. The request includes an authentication credential. A command is received, via the communication session with the remote device, to control light output produced from the light fixture. The photocontrol initiates performance of the command for the light fixture, where the command supersedes any other command from ambient light sensing logic of the photocontrol device. The photocontrol device indicates a result of the performance of the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Kevin E. Noesner, Terry L. Utterback
  • Patent number: RE46586
    Abstract: A wireless battery-powered daylight sensor for measuring a total light intensity in a space is operable to transmit wireless signals using a variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the total light intensity in the space. The sensor comprises a photosensitive circuit, a wireless transmitter for transmitting the wireless signals, a controller coupled to the photosensitive circuit and the wireless transmitter, and a battery for powering the photosensitive circuit, the wireless transmitter, and the controller. The photosensitive circuit is operable to generate a light intensity control signal in response to the total light intensity in the space. The controller transmits the wireless signals in response to the light intensity control signal using the variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the total light intensity in the space. The variable transmission rate may be dependent upon an amount of change of the total light intensity in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Greg Edward Sloan