Periodic-type Current And/or Voltage Regulator In The Supply Circuit Patents (Class 315/287)
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Patent number: 8884539Abstract: According to one embodiment, a rectifying circuit includes a diode, a switching element, a capacitor and an auxiliary winding. The diode is connected between a first terminal and a second terminal while a direction directed from the second terminal to the first terminal is a forward direction. The switching element includes a first main electrode connected to the first terminal, a second main electrode connected to a cathode of the diode, and a gate electrode connected to an anode of the diode. The auxiliary winding is magnetically coupled to an inductor. The auxiliary winding is connected to the gate electrode through the capacitor, and is connected to the second main electrode of the switching element and the cathode of the diode.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology CorporationInventor: Noriyuki Kitamura
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Patent number: 8853959Abstract: This disclosure relates to illumination systems. In particular it relates to a method and system for avoiding flicker (in particular 100 Hz or 120 Hz flicker) in solid state lighting devices such as LED or OLED assemblies. A controller for a driver circuit of a solid state lighting device (SSL) is described. The driver circuit comprises a power converter to convert a varying input voltage into a drive voltage for the SSL device. The input voltage is derived from a rectified AC mains voltage and frequency. The power converter is used with a maximum voltage step-up conversion ratio. The controller synchronizes to the mains frequency and determines a plurality of pulse intervals repeated at a pulse frequency where the pulse frequency is greater than a perceptual frequency of light intensity variations perceivable by a human eye.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2013Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbHInventor: Horst Knoedgen
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Patent number: 8853947Abstract: A lighting device includes a light emitting diode (LED) lamp, a power generating panel that is disposed at a position where the power generating panel is capable of receiving sunlight and light irradiated by the LED lamp and that is configured to generate electric power by receiving the sunlight and the light irradiated by the LED lamp, a storage battery that is configured to store the electric power generated by the power generating panel and to supply the electric power to the LED lamp, a lamp drive portion that is configured to drive the LED lamp using pulse signals, a remaining amount detection portion, and a control portion that is configured to control, in accordance with the remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection portion, a pulse width and a period that are used when the lamp drive portion drives the LED lamp.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Kume Denki Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sunao Asato
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Patent number: 8853954Abstract: A power supply for illumination includes a detection circuit and a control circuit. The detection circuit compares an AC voltage whose phase is controlled with a first threshold voltage so as to detect a variation in a conduction state of phase control in the AC voltage, and compares the AC voltage with a second threshold voltage lower than the first threshold voltage so as to detect a zero-cross point of the AC voltage, thereby detecting a conduction period of the phase control. The control circuit outputs an output current according to the duration of the conduction period.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology CorporationInventors: Hirokazu Otake, Toshihiko Sasai, Katsuyuki Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20140292220Abstract: A driver circuit (11) for a current regulator (13), which can be coupled in series to an electrical load (14), comprises a control circuit (12) for controlling the current regulator (13). The control circuit (12) is designed to determine at least two target current values (SW1) for the current regulator current (IS1) of the current regulator (13) for at least two points in time in an operation phase on the basis of a signal (VS1, STR) that can be tapped at the current regulator (13).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2012Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: AMS AGInventor: Peter Trattler
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Publication number: 20140292219Abstract: A power-supply device includes a rectifying unit configured to rectify a phase-controlled AC voltage; a current limiting unit including a current limiting resistor, which limits an input current flowing from the rectifying unit at rise of a rectified voltage outputted from the rectifying unit; and an adjustment unit configured to cause the current limiting unit to limit the input current flowing from the rectifying unit until a predetermined time period has elapsed after an input of the AC voltage to the rectifying unit is started.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2013Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: MINEBEA CO., LTD.Inventors: Shinichi SUZUKI, Hideharu KANAMITSU
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Patent number: 8847505Abstract: The invention discloses an illumination control circuit and an illumination control method. The illumination control method includes modulating an alternating current input signal and accordingly generating a dimming signal, which includes several waveform pulses each with an adjustable conduction angles; continuously sampling the waveform pulses of the dimming signal and forming an average waveform pulse from the sampled waveform pulses; extracting the average waveform pulse, which has an average conduction angle corresponding to the conduction angles of the waveform pulses; performing an integration on the sampled average waveform pulse and accordingly generating a current-controlling signal; and driving an illumination lamp according to the current-controlling signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Lextar Electronics CorporationInventors: Po-Shen Chen, Chun-Kuang Chen, Feng-Ling Lin, Hui-Ying Chen
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Patent number: 8847507Abstract: An illuminating device comprising a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting devices differing in emission color and employing a semiconductor light-emitting element and a phosphor, wherein outputted light is stably combined, separation of light is inhibited, and color tone is variable, and which devices emit light outward on the basis of an emission from the semiconductor light-emitting element and from the phosphor which is excited by emission from the semiconductor light-emitting element to fluoresce or on the basis of emission from the phosphor which is so excited to fluoresce, the deviation duv of which from a blackbody radiation locus being within a range of ?0.02?duv?0.02, in the uv chromaticity diagram according to UCS (u,v) color system (CIE 1960), and outputted lights from the light-emitting part in which the plurality of kinds of the semiconductor light-emitting devices are integrated and arranged, are mixed together and emitted outward.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical CorporationInventors: Akeo Kasakura, Yoshihito Satou
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Publication number: 20140265866Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) is driven with a plurality of pulses having controllable pulse widths and positions within clock time periods that provide for both LED light intensity control and digital information communications from a single output node of an integrated circuit (IC) device. The LED light intensity is determined by the duty cycle of the pulses where the human eye integrates these light pulses from the LED into continuous light intensity levels. The digital information contained in the light output from the LED is detected by a photo-detector that converts the light pulses into electric signals that are demodulated and read by a circuit debugger and/or manufacturing test station. The aforementioned operations allow continuous visual display and data transmission using only one output node of the IC device. This is especially advantageous when using low pin count IC devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATEDInventors: Joseph Julicher, Jerrold S. Zdenek
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Publication number: 20140265896Abstract: A system for controlling a light source includes a control circuit to be coupled to an ac source to receive an ac signal. The control circuit includes an input controller coupled to receive an input control signal and dimming command circuitry coupled to the input controller and coupled to receive the ac signal. The dimming command circuitry is coupled to remove one or more portions of a predetermined duration from the ac signal followed by a substantially full ac signal in response to the input control signal. A lighting driver circuit is to be coupled to a light source and coupled to receive the ac signal from the control circuit. The lighting driver circuit is coupled to drive the light source to have a light output adjusted in response to the removed one or more portions of the predetermined duration from the ac signal by the dimming command circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Power Integrations, Inc.Inventor: Balu Balakrishnan
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Publication number: 20140265880Abstract: A two-way load control system comprises a power device, such as a load control device for controlling an electrical load receiving power from an AC power source, and a controller adapted to be coupled in series between the source and the power device. The load control system may be installed without requiring any additional wires to be run, and is easily configured without the need for a computer or an advanced commissioning procedure. The power device receives both power and communication over two wires. The controller generates a phase-control voltage and transmits a forward digital message to the power device by encoding digital information in timing edges of the phase-control voltage. The power device transmits a reverse digital message to the controller via the power wiring.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Mark Taipale, Timothy P. Gredler, Akshay Bhat
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Patent number: 8836236Abstract: An LED driver has a power supply configured to receive power from a power input. A primary controller configured to receive power from the power supply and output power to a power output. The power output is configured to be connected to LED lights. A dimmer provides a dimming signal, and the dimmer has an adjustable voltage circuit. An offset voltage is added to a ground path on the adjustable voltage circuit. The offset voltage can be created by a silicon diode adding the offset voltage to a transformer's secondary winding ground path on a DC regulated voltage circuit. The adjustable voltage circuit can be formed as the DC regulated voltage circuit. The DC regulated voltage circuit is a 10 VDC regulated voltage circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2013Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Inventors: Lee Chiang, Tom O'Neil
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Publication number: 20140239842Abstract: A load control device, such as an LED dimmer switch, for example, may be configured to automatically determine whether to provide a forward or reverse phase control signal to a load. As disclosed herein, such a load control device may provide a plurality of different control signals to the lighting load, for example, during an initial set-up procedure. The load control device may provide the plurality of different control signals to determine an appropriate control signal for the load. Each control signal may be characterized by a load control type and a switching time. The load control type may be one of a forward phase control type, a reverse phase control type, or a full conduction control type. The switching time may include, but is not limited to, switching times of approximately 0 ?s, 10 ?s, 50 ?s, and 100 ?s.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2013Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventor: Christopher J. Salvestrini
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Patent number: 8810143Abstract: A control system includes a detection circuit, a control circuit, and a dummy load system. The detection circuit is operable to detect a voltage level change of a direct-current voltage and output an activating signal when detecting the voltage level change of the DC voltage. The control circuit is operable to receive the activating signal. The dummy load system is electrically connected to the control circuit, and the control circuit controls the dummy load system by generating a turn-on signal in response to receiving the activating signal. A dimmer system and a control method thereof are further disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wei-Qiang Zhang, Li-Zhi Xu, Qi Zhang
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Patent number: 8803447Abstract: A light source control device controlling a light source that emits light corresponding to supplied current and a color wheel having a plurality of color segments that converts the light emitted from the light source, the light source control device includes: a current generation circuit, which supplies current to the light source, based on a control signal for controlling an amount of the light of the light source; and a control circuit unit, which stores a plurality of modulation factors corresponding to the plurality of color segments and has a plurality of calculation units corresponding to the plurality of color segments, and which operates the calculation unit corresponding to the segment in synchronization with each segment to thus calculate control information of the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshihiro Nakamura
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Patent number: 8803448Abstract: A constant current output sink or source eliminates a current limiting series resistor for a light emitting diode (LED) and maintains a constant light intensity from the LED for all operating and manufacturing variables of a digital device since the current through the LED is maintained at a constant value. The constant current output sink or source may be programmable for selection of a constant current value from a plurality of constant current values available.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2013Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Microchip Technology IncorporatedInventors: Ward R. Brown, Randy Yach
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Patent number: 8796949Abstract: The present invention provides an ultraviolet light irradiation device having a planer UV light source in which the irradiation intensity of UV light can be adjusted finely in a wider range. The ultraviolet light irradiation device of the present invention comprises an UV light source and a housing that holds the planer UV light source. In the UV light source, a plurality of thin plasma tubes, each of which has an UV phosphor layer formed therein, are arranged in parallel with each other on an electrode support sheet, and drive circuits apply a pulse voltage to electrode pairs provided between the electrode support sheet and an array of the thin plasma tubes. A control circuit controls a factor of the pulse voltage to be applied to the electrode pairs so as to adjust the irradiation intensity of the UV light.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignees: Shinoda Plasma Co., Ltd., Yumex Inc.Inventors: Kenji Awamoto, Bingang Guo, Koji Shinohe, Tsutae Shinoda, Yoshitaka Chigi, Tetsuro Nishimoto, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Mikihiro Kobayashi
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Patent number: 8796938Abstract: A switching power supply includes a switching element, a constant current element, a rectifying element, a first inductor, a second inductor, and a control circuit. If the switching element is on, the switching element supplies a power supply voltage to the first inductor and feeds an electric current. The constant current element turns off the switching element if the electric current of the switching element exceeds a predetermined upper limit. The rectifying element feeds the electric current of the first inductor if the switching element is turned off. The second inductor supplies the induced potential to a control terminal of the switching element. The control circuit supplies a pulse-like potential to a control terminal of the constant current element and outputs if an average of the potential is lower than a lower limit.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology CorporationInventors: Yuji Takahashi, Noriyuki Kitamura, Koji Suzuki, Koji Takahashi, Toru Ishikita
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Publication number: 20140210371Abstract: An apparatus to supply power to at least one gas lamp, the apparatus including a half bridge driver having a striation control circuit which determines an on time (Ton) for a cycle in accordance with a fifty percent duty cycle, the cycle having a plurality of segments and lasting for a predetermined period of time and modulates on times Ton1 and Ton2 of first and second power switches, respectively, of a half-bridge circuit in accordance with a striation control technique for each of the plurality of segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: William Lawrence Keith, George Gruev
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Publication number: 20140211192Abstract: An electronic driver circuit for LEDs and LASERs is provided for use in time-of-flight applications featuring a high efficiency of energy-conversion and a high precision of distance-measurements based on a dual conversion circuit. A voltage to voltage DC-DC conversion is hereby merged with a DC-voltage to pulsed-current booster, this booster operating at a time-of-flight modulation frequency. At the start of a new measurement cycle, the PWM signal for driving the DC-DC conversion is updated in response to currents observed during previous illumination periods.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2012Publication date: July 31, 2014Inventors: Riemer Grootjans, Sebastien Resimont, Maarten Kuijk
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Patent number: 8779692Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 12, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Kazunori Oshima, Hironobu Masuoka
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Publication number: 20140191679Abstract: A dimming circuit and a lighting device using the same are provided. The dimming circuit comprises an interface trigger unit, an average duty cycle calculating unit, a control voltage calculating unit and a comparing unit. The interface trigger unit receives an on-time of each pulse width from each period in a PWM signal. The average duty cycle calculating unit is coupled to the interface trigger unit and calculates a ratio of the on-time to the period. The control voltage calculating unit is coupled to the average duty cycle calculating unit, and calculates a desired voltage according to the ratio. The comparing unit is coupled to the control voltage calculating unit, and sends the desired voltage and a differential voltage to a driving circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Lextar Electronics CorporationInventors: Chun-Kuang Chen, Po-Shen Chen, Feng-Ling Lin, Hui-Ying Chen
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Patent number: 8773023Abstract: An improved LED traffic signal is provided. The LED traffic signal suitably includes a housing with an opening, a printed circuit board coupled to the housing, and a power supply system coupled to the printed circuit board. The power supply system includes a power supply module that receives an AC input voltage from an AC input line and transforms the AC input voltage into a DC voltage with a regulated current to power the LED load, and a synchronized power pulse circuit connected to the power supply that generates a synchronized power pulse representing a power consumption substantially equivalent to that of a halogen or incandescent traffic signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions, LLCInventors: Mohamed Cherif Ghanem, Sebastien Magnan, Christian Poirier
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Patent number: 8773036Abstract: A projector that outputs a first picture and a second picture alternately, wherein a control section performs first control and second control, controls a discharge lamp driving section. In the first control and the second control, the absolute value of a drive current is relatively small in a first period and relatively large in a second period. In the first control, the energy provided to a first electrode in the second period is greater than the energy provided to the second electrode in the second period. In the second control, the energy provided to the second electrode in the second period is greater than the energy provided to the first electrode in the second period.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Tetsuo Terashima
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Patent number: 8766551Abstract: A projector that outputs a first image and a second image alternately while performing switching between the first image and the second image, includes: a discharge lamp driving section that supplies, to a discharge lamp, a drive current that drives the discharge lamp; a state detecting section that detects a deteriorating state of the discharge lamp; and a control section that controls the discharge lamp driving section, wherein the control section controls the discharge lamp driving section so that the absolute value of the drive current becomes relatively small in a first period and relatively large in a second period and controls the discharge lamp driving section so that the ratio of the absolute value of the drive current in the second period to the absolute value of the drive current in the first period is increased with the progress of the deteriorating state.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Tetsuo Terashima, Shun Sato
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Publication number: 20140176005Abstract: A method for controlling a discharge plasma-based radiation source for stabilizing a radiation dose emitted in a pulsed manner is disclosed. A calibration function is determined from a relationship between values of an input quantity and values of an operating parameter of the source by applying different values of the input quantity to the source. Reference value selected from the values of the operating parameter is brought about during a pulse of the source. The value of a test quantity is acquired at each pulse. Any quantity influencing the emitted radiation dose can be selected as test quantity. A statistical value is formed from a defined quantity of values of the test quantity. A deviation between the statistical value and the reference value is determined. A result of a comparison of the deviation with a predefined tolerance range determines whether the method is repeated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: USHIO Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Sven Walter PROBST, Mohamad Hussein EL-HUSSEINI, Takahiro HIRAOKA
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Publication number: 20140176000Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides a circuit and a method for efficiently operating a lighting device, such as a light-emitting diode and a fluorescent lamp. In one aspect of the invention, the circuit includes an oscillator that generates a series of current pulses at a frequency that is at least 50,000 Hz and that corresponds to a resonant frequency of the circuit including the lighting device. The series of pulses is operated at a low duty cycle of no more than 15%. The lighting device has a manufacturer's specification for current consumption and power consumption for a specified luminosity. The circuit provides a current to the lighting device at no more than 1/500 of the manufacturer's specification to produce at least the specified luminosity. The lighting device also operates within the circuit at no more than 50% of the manufacturer's specification to produce the specified luminosity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: Colorado Energy Research TechnologiesInventors: Wayne J. Powell, Robert D. Boehmer, Lee L. Johnson
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Publication number: 20140176004Abstract: A system and method for controlling the dimming of a lighting element, or other electrical load, that uses a timer synchronized to the AC waveform is disclosed. The timer is set up to repeatedly count at a rate equal to twice the frequency of the AC waveform. An output from the timer logic is asserted when the timer value exceeds a predetermined value, stored in a compare register. This output is connected to the gate of a triac, which controls the passage of current from the AC power source to the electrical load. A capture register is used to determine the temporal relationship between the restart of the timer and the AC waveform. This system and method reduces the real time requirements of an associated processing unit, and improves consistency, thereby reducing flicker.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventor: DeWitt C. Seward, IV
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Patent number: 8760383Abstract: A backlight module includes a light-emitting unit, and a controller to receive a first control signal and generate a second control signal to control the light-emitting unit. The controller controls a frequency of the second control signal according to a duty cycle of the first control signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2009Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Innolux CorporationInventors: Cheng-Feng Yang, Cheng-I Wu, Shih-Pin Huang
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Patent number: 8754585Abstract: An LED driver includes an LED driver circuit adapted to receive a 110 volt AC current and to rectify the AC current into a low voltage DC output current; a PWM generator including control means to generate a PWM signal with an adjustable duty cycle; means operatively connecting the PWM generator to the LED driver circuit to provide the driver circuit with the PWM signal, the LED driver circuit generating a fixed frequency pulse in which the pulse width is modulated proportional to the PWM signal duty cycle to control LED brightness, wherein the driver circuit, the PWM generator and the connecting means are sized to fit within a standard 110 volt AC outlet box.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Inventor: Farhad Bahrehmand
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Publication number: 20140152193Abstract: A high frequency pulse generator, a distributed parameter coupling line, a sequential pulse variable voltage ignition system using a standard HMI lamp or a specialized ultra high frequency HMI lamp to provide a high Color Rendering Index, to reduce or eliminate audit lamp and igniter resonance and provide for a wide range of color correction from 7000° Kelvin to 3000° Kelvin from a standard HMI lamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Inventors: Sergio Alejandro Ortiz-Gavin, Peter Papp, Laszlo Kozma
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Patent number: 8743169Abstract: A high-frequency clock generating circuit generates a plurality of high-frequency clock signals having different phases. A modulation-signal generating circuit generates a pulse modulation signal based on transition timing data including data pertaining to a turn-on timing at which a state of a light source is changed from a turn-off state to a turn-on state and a turn-off timing at which the state of the light source is changed from the turn-on state to the turn-off state by inputting any one of the high-frequency clock signals for a predetermined period including the turn-on timing and the turn-off timing.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Dan Ozasa
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Publication number: 20140145640Abstract: A light source drive circuit is disclosed which uses a low withstanding voltage transistor is discussed. The light source drive circuit can enhance price competitiveness. Also, the light source drive circuit can allow a current flowing through an LED portion to be eliminated when a PWM signal is not applied. Therefore, the light source drive circuit can enhance a contrast ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2013Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.Inventors: Hyo Joon PARK, Sang Yong KIM
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Publication number: 20140145639Abstract: A method operates a light source of a motor-vehicle headlight with direct current. The light source is actually designed for operation with alternating current. The light source comprises an inductive load and is arranged between bridge sections of an electrical H-bridge circuit having four semiconductor switches. During “alternating current” operation, the light source is supplied with the alternating current via the H-bridge circuit. Two of the semiconductor switches are arranged at a top and actuated via a respective bootstrap circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2011Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbHInventor: Ruediger Laubenstein
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Patent number: 8736191Abstract: A method includes receiving a sense signal having multiple pulses, where the sense signal is based on an output of a dimmer. The method also includes, for each of multiple sampling periods, (i) identifying at least one pulse duty cycle for at least one pulse in the sense signal during that sampling period and (ii) generating an output value identifying a duty cycle for driving one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The output value is based on the at least one pulse duty cycle. The method further includes filtering the output values using a filter and adjusting the filter based on a rate at which the output of the dimmer changes. The filter could be adjusted by controlling whether an additional resistor forms part of an RC filter based on a sampling state.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventor: Steven M. Barrow
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Patent number: 8736185Abstract: The present invention relates to an SCR dimming circuit and method for regulating the luminance of an LED load. In one embodiment, an SCR dimming circuit can include: an SCR element that generates a lack-phase AC voltage based on a sinusoidal AC supply; a rectifier bridge that generates a lack-phase DC voltage based on the lack-phase AC voltage; a conduction angle generator that receives the lack-phase DC voltage, and generates a controlling signal representative of a conduction angle of the SCR element; and a dimming signal generator that generates a dimming signal to regulate luminance of the LED load, where the dimming signal generator receives the controlling signal, an adjustable signal, and a clamping voltage, an amplitude of a dimming phase angle range is selected by a fixed signal determined by the clamping voltage, and the dimming phase angle range may be shifted by regulating the adjustable signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Sileroy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) Ltd.Inventors: Shenglun Chen, Wei Chen, Xiaoru Xu
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Patent number: 8723439Abstract: A power-factor-corrected power supply adapted to supply power to one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), comprises: a triac dimmer electrically connected between an alternating current source and a bridge rectifier; a damping circuit electrically connected between the alternating current source and the bridge rectifier; a bleeder circuit configured to conduct current between a supply terminal of the bridge rectifier and ground only when a triac in the triac dimmer is not conducting current; a fast startup circuit configured to conduct current between the supply terminal of the bridge rectifier and a voltage supply terminal of a power-factor-corrected controller when the triac dimmer is initially turned on until a supply voltage capacitor coupled to the voltage supply terminal of the power-factor-corrected controller has charged; a dimming slope control circuit configured to reduce a first voltage sensed at a current sensing terminal of the power-factor-corrected controller, such that a reduced amount of curType: GrantFiled: December 6, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Huizhou Light Engine LimitedInventors: Wa-Hing Leung, Kam Wah Siu
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Publication number: 20140117873Abstract: A light emitting element drive circuit includes: a plurality of signal paths that respectively propagate a plurality of signals obtained by branching an input signal, a plurality of filters different in a frequency band to pass a signal; one or more amplifiers configured to amplify a signal, one or more delay circuits configured to delay a signal, and an addition circuit that adds a plurality of signals, the filter different in the frequency band being arranged in each of the plurality of signal paths, the delay circuit being arranged in one or more of the plurality of signal paths relatively low in the frequency band, the amplifier being arranged in one or more of the plurality of signal paths relatively high in the frequency band, and an output end of each of the plurality of signal paths being coupled to the addition circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventors: Mariko KASE, Yukito TSUNODA
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Publication number: 20140117872Abstract: This disclosure describes a non-dissipative snubber circuit configured to boost a voltage applied to a load after the load's impedance rises rapidly. The voltage boost can thereby cause more rapid current ramping after a decrease in power delivery to the load which results from the load impedance rise. In particular, the snubber can comprise a combination of a unidirectional switch, a voltage multiplier, and a current limiter. In some cases, these components can be a diode, voltage doubler, and an inductor, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventor: Kenneth W. Finley
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Publication number: 20140117859Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: Matthew J. Swatsky, Daniel J. Osle
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Patent number: 8704452Abstract: The present application relates to an illumination device having a light source module, a power supply module, a driving module, a control module and a start module. The driving module outputs a driving current to the light source module based on a power supply from the power supply module. The control module controls the magnitude of the driving current based on a first voltage signal generated by the power source module. After receiving the first voltage signal, the control module controls the driving module to steadily increase the driving current in a first stage output. After receiving the first voltage signal again, the control module controls the driving module to output a constant driving current equal to the driving current at the end of the first stage.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Lextar Electronics CorporationInventor: En-Min Wu
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Patent number: 8698414Abstract: A fluorescent lamp light intensity dimming control generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal at about a fifty percent duty cycle and has very fine frequency change granularity to allow precise and smooth light dimming capabilities. Intermediate PWM signal frequencies between the frequencies that are normally generated from values in a period register of the PWM generator are provided with a variable frequency clock source to the PWM generator. Selection of each frequency from the plurality of frequencies available from the variable frequency clock source may be determined from a value stored in a variable frequency clock register. A microcontroller may be used to select appropriate frequencies for dimming control of the fluorescent lamp from the variable frequency clock source, and the period and duty cycle values used in generating the PWM signal at about a fifty percent duty cycle.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Microchip Technology IncorporatedInventors: Stephen Bowling, James Bartling, Igor Wojewoda
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Patent number: 8680870Abstract: An apparatus and method for burning-in an electronic ballast for a lamp. The apparatus comprises a first stage for emulating an input impedance characteristic of a lamp for the electronic ballast and a second stage connected to the first stage for providing energy feedback to a power supply. An input of the first stage connects in use to the electronic ballast to be burnt-in. An output of the second stage connects in use to the power supply to provide energy feedback to said power supply from the electronic ballast being burnt-in. The energy-recyclable burn-in apparatus can emulate the lamp characteristics from start up to the steady state, process high-frequency ballast output power and recycle the power back into the power grid. The burn-in method includes operating the apparatus for a predetermined period of time such that a voltage applied to the electronic ballast simulates a steady-state operation of a lamp for the electronic ballast.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: City University of Hong KongInventors: Shu Hung Henry Chung, Nan Chen
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Publication number: 20140070722Abstract: A LED driving apparatus and an operating method thereof are disclosed. The LED driving apparatus includes an output stage, an input resistor, a plurality of voltage dividing resistors, and a control circuit. A first voltage dividing resistor, a second voltage dividing resistor, and a third voltage dividing resistor are coupled between an input voltage and ground in series to divide the input voltage. The control circuit senses a first voltage signal, a second voltage signal, and a third voltage signal between the first voltage dividing resistor and the second voltage dividing resistor, between the second voltage dividing resistor and the third voltage dividing resistor, and the input resistor respectively, and adjusts a setting voltage signal according to the first voltage signal, the second voltage signal, and the third voltage signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Raydium Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Chung-Tai Cheng, Chia-Hsiu Lin
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Publication number: 20140063471Abstract: A light source device includes a discharge lamp including a pair of electrodes arranged to be opposed to each other in a hollow section in which a discharge medium is encapsulated and a driving device. The driving device includes a supplying unit configured to supply an alternating current having a frequency higher than 1 kHz to the pair of electrodes in a high-frequency period and a control unit configured to set at least a first frequency higher than 1 kHz and a second frequency higher than 1 kHz and different from the first frequency as the frequency of the alternating current, switch an alternating current having the first frequency and an alternating current having the second frequency in the high-frequency period, and control the supplying unit to repeat the high-frequency period to supply an alternating current to the pair of electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Junichi SUZUKI, Satoshi KITO, Norio IMAOKA
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Patent number: 8664877Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a light driving apparatus which may stably drive an LED light at a normal operation by feeding back the output voltage of the LED light and stably drive the LED light at an abnormal operation by feeding back the voltage supplied to the LED light, and the light driving apparatus includes: a rectifier circuit; a transformer circuit; a power factor correction circuit; a smoothing circuit; a constant-current driving circuit; a dimming control circuit; a photo-coupler; a sample and hold circuit; a first photo-coupler driving circuit for feeding back the voltage output from the sample and hold circuit and applying the feedback voltage as a driving voltage of the photo-coupler; and a second photo-coupler driving circuit for feeding back the voltage output from the smoothing circuit and supplied to the LED module and supplying the feedback voltage as a driving voltage of the photo-coupler.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Dongwoon Anatech Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jung Ho Jin, Hyun Il Park, Ju Seong Kim
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Publication number: 20140054165Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a pulsed discontinuous spark discharge. The spark is fed via a capacitor. Between the pulses there are switched-off time intervals during which no spark current flows. Within the pulses, that is to say during the switched-on time intervals, the supply of charge is stopped upon a current threshold being reached and is restarted, with the result that subpulses occur within the pulses. The time intervals and subpulses are chosen according to the invention such that when the capacitor is switched on again, the spark discharge readily ignites again.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2012Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: OERLIKON TRADING AG, TRUBBACHInventors: Jürgen Ramm, Beno Widrig, Kurt Ruhm
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Patent number: 8648544Abstract: An illumination lighting apparatus is connected to, as an external apparatus, any of a human body sensing sensor configured to detect presence/absence of a person, an illuminance sensor configured to detect space illuminance, and a dimmer which arbitrarily adjusts the space illuminance, and is configured to produce an output control signal for controlling an optical output of a light source based on a signal output from the external apparatus. The illumination lighting apparatus includes: an external apparatus determining unit configured to determine which kind of the external apparatus is connected based on the signal output from the external apparatus; and a signal processing unit configured to produce the output control signal based on the signal output from the external apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2009Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Tomohiro Sasakawa, Naoki Onishi, Masafumi Yamamoto, Keisuke Ueda, Katsunobu Hamamoto, Kei Mitsuyasu
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Publication number: 20140035480Abstract: A system for the control of luminance of a gas-discharge lamp, which includes a variable frequency drive (VFD) accepting AC voltage supply. The VFD is has a constant ratio of frequency to AC voltage ratio of the output. Raising the frequency of the output of the VSD would result in an equivalent rise in the voltage. Typically, a ballast on the input AC of the lamp is required and the power factor correction capacitor usually associated with the lamp is to be removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2012Publication date: February 6, 2014Inventors: Tsvi Blumin, Emil Blumer
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Patent number: 8638049Abstract: A driving device, a light emitting diode (LED) driving device and a method thereof are provided. The driving device includes a driving unit and a plurality of selection units. The driving unit produces a driving signal to drive a light emitting diode. The selection units are coupled to the driving unit and respectively correspond to a current value. The driving unit selects one of the selection units according a first pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. The current value corresponding to the selected selection unit is taken as the current value of the driving signal. The driving unit generates a duty cycle of a second PWM signal according to the duty cycle of the first PWM signal to serve as a duty cycle of the driving signal. In this way, power consumption of the LED is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Chimei Innolux CorporationInventors: Cheng-Feng Yang, Cheng-I Wu, Li-Wei Mao