Current And/or Voltage Regulation Patents (Class 315/291)
  • Patent number: 10104741
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) driving apparatus driving an LED module includes: a first output circuit configured to supply a first driving current to a first LED array; a second output circuit configured to supply a second driving current to a second LED array; and a controller configured to transmit a first control signal and a second control signal respectively to the first output circuit and the second output circuit, wherein the controller is further configured to control the LED module based on the first input signal so that a color temperature of the LED module has a value between a first color temperature and a second color temperature, to control brightness of the LED module based on the second input signal, and includes a lookup table including information about the first control signal and the second control signal respectively corresponding to the first input signal and the second input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung-kwan Choi, Min-su Kim
  • Patent number: 10103561
    Abstract: A power supply system comprises a first battery, a second battery, an output electric circuit, a first switching element, a second switching element, and a third switching element. The output electric circuit includes a first electric circuit and a second electric circuit. The second electric circuit has a potential lower than a potential of the first electric circuit. The first, second and third switching elements are provided in series with each other from the first electric circuit toward the second electric circuit. The first battery is provided in parallel with the second switching element. The second battery is provided in parallel with a series connection between the second switching element and the third switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihiko Ide, Koichi Sakata
  • Patent number: 10104749
    Abstract: A communication device according to an embodiment includes: a communication module including a first substrate, and a communication element attached to one surface of the first substrate; and a sensor module including a second substrate connected to the first substrate, and a sensor element attached to one surface of the second substrate. The communication module includes a first interface unit detachably connected to a connector of an object and configured to transmit, to the object, a lighting control signal received via a wireless network and a sensing signal sensed through the sensor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Won Suk Chung
  • Patent number: 10104731
    Abstract: A dimmable driver for an LED light fixture allows multiple types of dimmers to be used with the light fixture. The dimmable driver may be disconnected from one type of dimmer and subsequently connected to another type of dimmer without having to replace or otherwise adjust the driver for each dimmer. Multiple types of dimmers may be connected to dimmable driver at the same time and the dimmable driver may use dimming signals from one or several of these dimmers. In some embodiments, the dimmable driver is configured to accommodate a step dimmer, a 0-10 V dimmer, and a phase-cut dimmer. Other dimmers and dimming protocols may be accommodated by the dimmable driver in alternative embodiments. Such an arrangement maximizes flexibility for lighting specifiers, contractors, and distributors while minimizing potential errors, costs, delays, and obsolete inventory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Feng-Kang Hu, Hangyang Wang, Feng Chen, Towfiq Chowdhury, Charles J. Spencer
  • Patent number: 10104723
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a solid-state lighting circuit, a ballast connection port including first and second terminals and a filament-imitating impedance coupled between the first and a second terminals of the ballast connection port and to an input terminal of the solid-state lighting circuit. The filament-imitating impedance may be configured to transfer power at a nominal frequency of an output produced by the ballast and to provide an impedance between the first and second terminals of the ballast connection port that prevents shutdown of the ballast. In some embodiments, the filament-imitating impedance may vary with temperature, e.g., the filament-imitating impedance may be configured to imitate a temperature dependence of a fluorescent tube filament. The lighting apparatus may be included in a fluorescent lamp replacement lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Zhang
  • Patent number: 10098201
    Abstract: A system for controlling lighting devices at one or more light-enabled facilities includes a portable electronic device with an app that communicates with a gateway controller at each facility, and/or a remote server. The portable electronic device pairs with a gateway controller upon arrival at the facility. The portable electronic device may receive available scenes from the gateway controller upon arrival, or from the remote server before arrival, and it may select scenes for the gateway controller to implement. Each scene will adjust various hardware settings of the lighting devices to alter the optical characteristics of emitted light at various times. The system also may use geolocation data to identify and schedule lighting services at various light-enabled facilities in a geographic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Cooper Lighting, LLC
    Inventors: Brian M. Wilson, Joseph R. Casper, Christopher D. Nolan
  • Patent number: 10096898
    Abstract: A passive, self-reconfigurable antenna device, components of a corresponding wireless network, and methods pertaining to operations and controls of the antenna device are provided. The antenna device can include at least one antenna element configured to receive a modulated or unmodulated wireless signal, a power harvester configured to obtain power from the modulated or unmodulated wireless signal, and a first switch coupled to the power harvester and powered by the obtained power from the power harvester. The first switch can be configured to operate automatically when receiving the obtained power without requiring the receipt of control information. Further, the first switch can be configured to automatically operate according to one or more predetermined operating patterns when receiving the obtained power to modulate the corresponding antenna element. This way, antenna operating frequency, or radiation pattern or polarization states can be reconfigured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: INTERMEC, INC.
    Inventors: Pavel Nikitin, Stephen J. Kelly
  • Patent number: 10089520
    Abstract: A system for remotely monitoring the contents of a refrigerator, consisting of monitor and remote components. The monitor component is associated with a user and a refrigerator. The monitor component has a camera, light sensor, angular position sensor and a computer. The light sensor determines when the computer is powered on, the computer and position sensors determine when the camera will take pictures. The quality of the picture information is calculated, and the picture information is sent to the remote component. A user can request the picture information for a refrigerator that he is associated with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventors: Krishna V Motukuri, Abhinav Katiyar
  • Patent number: 10088117
    Abstract: A light fixture includes a housing having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The light fixture further includes a first light board coupled to the first side. The first light board has at least one light emitting element emitting a first light output in a first direction. The light fixture further includes a second light board coupled to the second side. The second light board has at least one light emitting element emitting a second light output in a second direction. The light fixture further includes a first driver supported by the housing and in electrical communication with the first light board. The first driver is operable to control the first light output. The light fixture further includes a second driver supported by the housing and in electrical communication with the second light board. The second driver is operable to control the second light output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeremy W. Ogg, Derek B. Baker, Michael J. Centazzo, Cory A. Passerello
  • Patent number: 10091842
    Abstract: An LED device for use with an AC voltage power source configured such that at least one LED emits light during a positive phase of power provided from an AC power supply and at least one LED emits light during the negative phase of power provided from an AC power supply. The LED device includes a first power connection lead and a second power connection lead, both leads capable of being connected to and receiving power from an AC power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: LYNK LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Miskin, James N. Andersen
  • Patent number: 10090924
    Abstract: Remote controllers, positioning systems, and methods configured for the efficient assignment of addresses in a coded lighting positioning system are proposed. Particularly, a proposed remote controller comprises a receiver for receiving coded light from a light source in a coded lighting positioning system, where the coded light comprises an initial light source identifier of the light source. The remote controller also comprises a processing unit for assigning a modified light source identifier to the light source based on the received coded light, and a transmitter for transmitting the modified light source identifier to the light source. The modified light source identifier is a locally unique identifier used to provide positional information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Tim Corneel Wilhelmus Schenk, Hongming Yang, Lorenzo Feri, Wijnand Johannes Rietman, Johan Cornelis Talstra, Johan-Paul Marie Gerard Linnartz
  • Patent number: 10085652
    Abstract: An optical sensor and a method of using the optical sensor in an optical measuring device that measures cardiovascular properties and compensates for movement artifacts by directing a sheet of light towards an artery. The optical sensor may include one or more light sources, one or more transmit light guides coupled to the one or more light sources and configured to direct light from the one or more light sources as a sheet of light towards an artery, such that the cross-sectional profile of the sheet of light may have a length transverse to a longitudinal direction of the artery that is longer than the diameter of the artery. The optical sensor may include one or more light detectors configured to receive backscattered light and generate an output based on the received backscattered light that is a reflection of the sheet of light from the artery and surrounding tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: David Boettcher Baek, Russell Gruhlke, Evgeni Poliakov, Khurshid Alam, Lars Lading
  • Patent number: 10091861
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device capable of switching power on and power off by a switch outside the electronic device, the electronic device includes a determination unit, a detection unit, an output unit, and a control unit. The determination unit determines whether power is supplied from an AC power source or not. The detection unit detects a conductive state of the switch. The control unit performs at least one of cutting off power to be supplied to the output unit, supplying power from the AC power source to the output unit, and supplying power from a second power source different from the AC power source to the output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Takashi Usui, Mitsuaki Kato
  • Patent number: 10091846
    Abstract: A LED driving system has an energy storage component receiving an input voltage, a power switch coupled between the energy storage component and a reference ground, a first output switch coupled between the energy storage component and a first output terminal, a second output switch coupled between the energy storage component and a second output terminal, and a control circuit, wherein the first output terminal produces a first output voltage to supply power for a first LED array, the second output terminal produces a second output voltage to supply power for a second LED array, the control circuit controls a duty cycle of the first output switch according to voltages at cathode terminals of multiple LED strings in the LED array and controls a duty cycle of the second output switch according to voltages at cathode terminals of multiple LED strings in the second LED array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bairen Liu
  • Patent number: 10091854
    Abstract: A portable lighting device such as a flashlight, headlight, or electric lantern comprises an onboard power supply (e.g., one or more batteries), a light source (e.g., one or more LEDs), and an onboard controller for regulating the light emitted by the portable lighting device. The onboard controller is in communication with one or more sensors configured to monitor component characteristics, such as a light source temperature and/or a power supply voltage. Based at least in part on the monitored characteristics, the controller is configured to generate a start-up ramp profile to gradually increase the brightness level emitted by the light source according to a defined brightness rate of change. After a power switch for the portable lighting device is activated, the controller initializes the start-up ramp profile to gradually increase the brightness emitted from the portable lighting device to a steady-state brightness level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Energizer Brands, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Brandon, II
  • Patent number: 10082815
    Abstract: A two-wire load control device may be configured to compute an accurate estimate of real-time power consumption by a load that is electrically connected to, and controlled by, the two-wire load control device. The load control device may be adapted to measure a voltage drop across the device during a first portion of a half-cycle of an AC waveform provided to the device. The device may be further configured to estimate a voltage drop across the load during the second portion of the half-cycle. The estimated voltage drop may be based on the measured voltage drop. The device may be further configured to measure a current supplied to the load during a second portion of the half-cycle. The device may be configured to estimate power consumed by the load based on the measured current and the estimated voltage drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Robert Blakeley, William Zotter
  • Patent number: 10079555
    Abstract: A control method for a polyphase step-up converter that drives step-up circuits, the step-up circuits being connected in parallel between an input terminal and an output terminal from which an output voltage supplied to a load circuit is output. The control method includes, in changing the frequency of each of driving signals from a first frequency to a second frequency while N circuits are being driven, determining whether the second frequency is M times as high as a resonance frequency of a resonance circuit provided between the polyphase step-up converter and the load circuit; and when the second frequency is M times as high as the resonance frequency, setting a phase difference between driving signals to a phase difference determined in accordance with a value of M.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Hasuka, Kazuo Kajihata
  • Patent number: 10076010
    Abstract: A constant current is configured to control an FET to adjust a drain current so that a detection voltage is equal to a reference voltage. A reference setter is configured to set the reference voltage to a sum of a first voltage and a second voltage. The first voltage is equal to a voltage developing across the detection resistor while a current, which has a same magnitude as a current supplied to the light source so that a current dimming level of the light source is equal to the dimming instruction value, flows through the detection resistor. The second voltage is equal to a voltage developing across the detection resistor while a second current, which has a same magnitude as a current flowing through the limiting resistor while the light source is on, flows through the detection resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Kumada, Shinichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 10072802
    Abstract: A mobile solar charged light source system includes a lighting apparatus to be secured to a pre-determined location within a user's yard or house, the lighting apparatus having a body; and a top attached to the body and to provide an opening to a cavity, the top having one or more solar panels secured to a top surface of the top; a removable light source having a housing to be removably secured within the cavity, the removable light source having a battery to receive charge from the one or more solar panels; and a light in electrical communication with the battery; the removable light source can be removed from the lighting apparatus to be used as an emergency light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Inventor: Dale Lee Boehm
  • Patent number: 10069416
    Abstract: A controller for a DC-DC converter includes a state machine and a plurality of drivers for controlling switches in the DC-DC converter, where each state in the state machine determines a state of the drivers, and a plurality of timers, where each state in the state machine, other than a passive state, has an associated timer for the state of the drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Neil Gibson, Antonio Priego, Erich Bayer, Joerg Kirchner, Michael Lueders, Stefan Herzer, Michael Couleur
  • Patent number: 10070491
    Abstract: A light system (FIG. 2) is disclosed. The light system includes a plurality of series connected light emitting diodes (240-246). Each of a plurality of switching devices (230-236) has a control terminal and each has a current path coupled in parallel with a respective LED. A plurality of fault detector circuits (220-226) are each coupled in parallel with a respective light emitting diode. Each fault detector circuit has a first comparator (FIG. 7, 704) arranged to compare a voltage across the respective light emitting diode to a respective first reference voltage (708). When a fault is detected, a control signal is applied to the control terminal to turn on a respective switching device of the plurality of switching devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph V. DeNicholas, Perry Tsao, Christoph Goeltner, Daniel Ross Herrington, James Masson, James Patterson, Werner Berns
  • Patent number: 10057969
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a starting device for a CDM lamp, comprising: a full-bridge inverter, which at least provides an output as a starting power source to initiate the CDM lamp to work normally; a driving circuit for driving the full-bridge inverter; a single-chip microcomputer, which is connected to the driving circuit; an ignition determining module, one end of which is connected to the full-bridge inverter to sense whether the output of the full-bridge inverter has powered on the CDM lamp, so as to determine whether ignition of the CDM lamp succeeds and then output a result of the determining to the single-chip microcomputer via the other end. The present disclosure provides a novel starting device for a CDM lamp, which facilitates determining whether starting of the CDM lamp succeeds and also facilitates enhancement of successful rate of starting the CDM lamp subsequently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU TRIZ INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Hu, Jian Huang
  • Patent number: 10056187
    Abstract: A trans inductor having a powdery magnetic substance and a power converter using the trans inductor are provided. The trans inductor and the power converter reduce peak current flowing in an inverter power module (IGBT), improve inverter efficiency, reduce output RMS current (output effective current) and reduce capacitor consumption by applying a material with properties that are resistant against current saturation instead of a core material of a conventional trans inductor employed in a power converter. Accordingly, an inductance decreasing rate due to core saturation when high current is generated is improved and current flowing in a switch device is prevented from being abruptly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Dae Woo Lee, Si Hun Yang, Jin Young Yang, In Yong Yeo, Byeong Seob Song, Woo Young Lee
  • Patent number: 10057952
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a lighting circuit including at least one light-emitting device, e.g., a string of LEDs, and at least one current sense diode configured to generate a forward voltage responsive to a current passing through the at least one light-emitting device. The apparatus further includes a control circuit configured to control the lighting circuit responsive to the generated forward voltage. In some embodiments, the least one light-emitting device includes the at least one current sense diode. In some embodiments, the at least one current sense diode is connected in series with the at least one light-emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Paul Chobot
  • Patent number: 10057964
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a lighting system that includes a line control module and light modules. The line control module can be configured to interrupt power to the light modules according to one or more power interruption schemes to control an operation of the light modules. The line control module can have user interface circuitry including a rotary encoder with a shaft and a push button, a preview circuit, and indicator light emitting diodes. A user can interact with the lighting system via the user interface circuitry, which can be configured to provide visual feedback of various settings of the lighting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny Raposo, James Carter, Gregory Fournier, James Murdock, Kevin Potucek
  • Patent number: 10056843
    Abstract: A method and a device for supplying energy to a low-voltage load using an electronic power supply device. The method involves: a) setting the power supply device to be able to provide an output current to the low-voltage load up to a specified peak current value upon demand; b) monitoring the output current (IL) provided to the low-voltage load by the electronic power supply device to detect an increase of IL over a threshold (IN) which is lower than the peak current value, c) if an increase of IL to an increased output current value higher than IN is detected, detecting the increased IL value and ascertaining an output current pulse duration (tPulse) based on the increased current value; d) providing IL at the level of the increased current value for the duration of the ascertained tPulse; and e) providing the IL at the level of IN after tPulse has expired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Florian Zowislok, Dirk Lill
  • Patent number: 10057959
    Abstract: In a Power over Ethernet (PoE) system, a Powered Device (PD) having circuitry to measure the load current from a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) in the PD. Circuitry compares the measured load current with a first threshold. Circuitry automatically generates load pulses for signaling the PSE, that power to the PD should be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jean Picard, David N. Abramson, Karl H. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 10056899
    Abstract: A signal gating circuit includes a logic circuit that receives a stop signal and an input signal and provides an intermediate signal in response, and a pulse stretcher. The pulse stretcher provides an output signal with no pulse when a width of a pulse of the intermediate signal is less than a first amount, with a pulse having a first pulse width that begins after a start of the pulse of the intermediate signal and ends at a predetermined delay thereafter when a pulse width of the intermediate signal is greater than the first amount but less than a second amount, and with a pulse having a second pulse width that begins after the start of the pulse of the intermediate signal and ends after an end of the pulse of the intermediate signal when a pulse width of the intermediate signal is greater than the second amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SILICON LABORATORIES INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Fernald, Chester Yu, Hegong Wei
  • Patent number: 10057949
    Abstract: A signal transmitting device includes an input unit, an output unit, and a step-down circuit. The input unit is configured to receive an input voltage. The output unit is configured to output an output voltage. The step-down circuit is configured to controllably adjust the output voltage by stepping down the input voltage. The step-down circuit includes first and second capacitors, a switch circuit, an inductor, first and second diodes, and a control circuit. The switch circuit includes a series circuit of first and second switches. The control circuit is configured to control the first and second switches to change a voltage value of the output voltage in order to transmit transmission data from the output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Motomura, Hirofumi Konishi, Kenichi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 10051712
    Abstract: A driving module, being electrically connected to a control module and for driving a light emitting device with at least one light emitting element, is provided. The driving module has a driving circuit, which receives a control signal from the control module and transmits a drive current signal and a test current signal to the at least one light emitting element, so as to drive the least one light emitting element. A value of the drive current signal is expressed as If. A value of the test current signal is expressed as It. A relationship between the value of the drive current signal and the value of the test current signal satisfies the following equation (1), (It/If)=0.1%˜35% . . . (1), the driving circuit generates a feedback signal based on a status of the least one light emitting element. A light source system having the driving module is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Cheng-Yen Tsai, Hsuan-Yu Lin, Sue-Chen Liao, Pang-Min Shih
  • Patent number: 10047939
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a light emitting diode (LED) tube lamp is provided along with a method of installing the LED tube lamp into a lighting fixture. In various embodiments, the LED tube lamp comprises: a tube; at least one LED positioned within the tube; and a passage formed through at least a portion of the tube, the passage configured to receive there-through a set of electrical connecting wires, wherein a first end of the electrical connecting wires comprises at least one of a two- or three-prong polarized plug. Various embodiments may further comprise a driver circuit positioned within the tube, the driver circuit comprising a second end of the electrical connecting wires. In various embodiments, the LED lamp tube may further comprise at least one end cap disposed on an end of the tube and at least one pin secured thereon wherein the pin is electrically isolated from the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: FEIF ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Brian Halliwell
  • Patent number: 10047912
    Abstract: A lighting assembly including a shell, wherein the shell includes an inner wall defining an inner lumen, an outer wall encircling the inner wall, a set of radial fins connecting the inner and outer walls, the set of fins cooperatively defining a set of cooling channels between adjacent fins, the inner wall, and the outer wall; an insert removably mounted within the inner lumen, the insert defining a power storage lumen; a power storage unit arranged within the power storage lumen; a circuit board coupled to the power storage unit, the circuit board comprising a processor and communication module; a lighting module electrically connected to the circuit board, wherein the lighting module includes a substrate and a set of light emitting elements mounted to a first broad face of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: LIFI Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Anthony Bosua, Marc Alexander
  • Patent number: 10047921
    Abstract: A system for managing emergency lighting is generally described. In particular, the present disclosure relates to self-tests and predictive life expectancy operations of emergency lighting systems. Further, the present disclosure relates to an automated system and method for performing self-tests and predicting emergency lighting fixture life expectancy. In the exemplary embodiments, emergency lighting system tests may be automatically scheduled, carried out, and evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Gooee Limited
    Inventors: Simon Coombes, Shmuel Silverman, Jonathan Couch
  • Patent number: 10045430
    Abstract: A lighting system and a method for a operating a lighting system, enabling to obtain an identification tag (7) comprised in lighting design data (5) directly from an output beam (3), i.e. from the emitted light of the at least one lighting unit (2). It is thus possible to trace any unauthorized distribution of a lighting design by monitoring the emitted light without the need to directly access the controller or any other part of the lighting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Wendt, Wolfgang Otto Budde, Aweke Negash Lemma
  • Patent number: 10045416
    Abstract: An improved lighting apparatus is disclosed. The lighting apparatus includes a direct current power supply unit, a light emitting unit operating in response to a direct current voltage applied from the direct current power supply unit, and a voltage control unit located between the direct current power supply unit and the light emitting unit to control the level of a voltage applied from the direct current power supply unit to the light emitting unit. The light emitting unit includes first light emitting groups having a first correlated color temperature and being turned on at a first turn-on voltage (VB) or above and second light emitting groups having a second correlated color temperature and being turned on at a second turn-on voltage (VA) greater than the first turn-on voltage. The first light emitting groups are connected in parallel with the second light emitting groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: LUMENS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae Kyoung Yoo, Seong Bok Yoon
  • Patent number: 10044983
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating collaboration between a local user or team in a meeting space and one or more remote users outside the meeting space are provided. The virtual co-location system may include, for example, an IOT device including sensors, a microphone, a beacon light, a speaker, a user control interface (e.g., including a control input adjusted by the local user, the user control interface producing an electronic control signal representing a setting of a control device), and/or a local microprocessor for executing local collaboration software. The virtual co-location systems and methods may also or alternatively include a remote computer having a remote microprocessor for executing remote collaboration software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: The Travelers Indemnity Company
    Inventors: Ryan M. Scanlon, Douglas L. Roy
  • Patent number: 10044289
    Abstract: The LED drive circuit has a rectifying circuit that rectifies an alternating-current voltage, an LED string including a plurality of LEDs connected in series, a first switch whose one end is connected to a cathode of an LED in a last stage of the LED string, a capacitor whose one end is connected to the other end of the first switch, a second switch that is connected between one end of the capacitor and the anode of the LED in the first stage of the LED string, and a third switch that is connected between the cathode of the LED in the last stage of the LED string and a second terminal of the rectifying circuit, and which turns on when the full-wave rectified voltage is lower than a charge start voltage and turns off when the full-wave rectified voltage is higher than or equal to the charge start voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignees: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 10043446
    Abstract: An OLED display assembly includes a DC-DC power source driver chip and an OLED display panel. The DC-DC power source driver chip is provided with a soft-start circuit including a first time-delay circuit, a first anti-surge circuit and a second anti-surge circuit. The first time-delay circuit is configured to disable the first anti-surge circuit and enable the second anti-surge circuit at an initialization stage, delay a voltage applied to an output end of the first time-delay circuit, and after the end of the initialization stage, enable the first anti-surge circuit and disable the second anti-surge circuit. The first anti-surge circuit is configured to control, after the end of the initialization stage, a voltage applied to the first input end of the OLED display panel. The second anti-surge circuit is configured to control, at the initialization stage, a voltage applied to the first input end of the OLED display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., ORDOS YUANSHENG OPTOELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chenggeng Zhang, Ying Liu
  • Patent number: 10038501
    Abstract: A visible light communication (VLC) device for lighting and data transmission is disclosed. The VLC device may comprise circuitry configured to receive a first stream of bits and determine a first switchpoint for transmitting the first stream of bits and first filler data. The VLC device may further comprise red, green, and blue (RGB) light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to transmit the first stream of bits and the first filler data in the visible light spectrum. The first filler data may begin to be transmitted at the first switchpoint. Similar to the first stream of bits, a second stream of bits may be received and transmitted by the RGB LEDs of the VLC device. In this way, a naked eye of a human may not detect flicker of the VLC device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas R. Castor, Samian Kaur, Weimin Liu
  • Patent number: 10039166
    Abstract: Dimming system with parallel dimmers each with user interface and dimmer circuit are connected in series with a load and AC source. AC switch in dimmer circuit switches AC to the load at a conduction angle, the AC conducted in ON state and not OFF state; a controller determines the conduction angle to control turn-ON at each half cycle to control switching of ON and OFF states based on user control signal; controller detects zero-crossing of the AC and track conduction angle by detecting change in conduction angle based on zero-crossing of the AC. If the controller of an initiating dimmer determines a new conduction angle based on user signal this controller uses the new conduction angle. The controller of each dimmer except the initiating one detects a change in the conduction angle of the load in response to the new angle and the controller of each dimmer except the initiating one adopts that angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Ozuno Holdings Limited
    Inventor: James Vanderzon
  • Patent number: 10039176
    Abstract: A discharge lamp lighting device includes: a storage unit that stores information; a lamp drive unit that supplies drive power to the discharge lamp; a voltage detection unit that detects the lamp voltage of the discharge lamp; and a control unit that, on the basis of the voltage detection value supplied from the voltage detection unit, stores in the storage unit error log information that indicates the operating state of the discharge lamp when change of the lamp voltage indicates a predetermined voltage characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: NEC DISPLAY SOLUTIONS, LTD.
    Inventors: Koichi Tagishi, Hiroki Tanaka, Yasuji Kawai
  • Patent number: 10031175
    Abstract: Method for determining a light-emission capacity of a light emitting diode, referred to as a LED. The method includes the following steps: reverse biasing the LED so as to cause an accumulation of an electric charge by the LED, said LED being subjected to a light source incident to the LED; causing a discharge of the electric charge accumulated by the LED; obtaining a value representing a time taken for discharging the charge from the LED; determining the light-emission capacity of the LED according to the discharge time obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SAGEMCOM BROADBAND SAS
    Inventor: Patrice Pelin
  • Patent number: 10034353
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatuses and methods for bulb detection for a lighting control system. The apparatus includes a lighting control module configured to cause a transmission of a quantity of electrical energy to a lighting circuit of a light fixture electrically connected to the lighting control module. The apparatus includes a detector circuit positioned in the lighting control module. The detector circuit is configured to measure a response of the lighting circuit to the transmission of the quantity of electrical energy. The apparatus also includes a controller in electrical communication with the detector circuit. The controller is specially programmed to correlate the quantity of electrical energy transmitted to the lighting circuit to the response of the lighting circuit. The controller is further programmed to determine the bulb type of a bulb electrically coupled to the lighting circuit of the light fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Noon Home, Inc.
    Inventors: William Lark, Jr., Ryan Aylward, Andreas Wagner, Erik Charlton, Nicholas David Pennycooke
  • Patent number: 10034354
    Abstract: A lighting network (110) includes at least one lighting unit (120, 200, 300, 600, 700, 800, 900). The lighting unit includes: a serial data input (121) receiving serial input data including at least first lighting data; first and second demultiplexed serial data outputs (123, 125); one or more individually addressable light sources (222, 322); one or more lighting drivers (250, 460, 650) receiving the first lighting data and in response thereto driving the individually addressable light source(s) to emit light; and a demultiplexer (124, 224, 324, 624). The demultiplexer demultiplexes at least a portion of the serial input data into first and second serial output data, and supplies the first serial output data to the first demultiplexed serial data output to be output from the first lighting unit, and the second serial output data to the second demultiplexed serial data output to be output from the first lighting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Ramon Antoine Wiro Clout, Philip Steven Newton
  • Patent number: 10026593
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a power converter configured to generate a high-frequency power signal and be connected to a load to supply a plasma process or gas laser process with power. The power converter includes at least one amplifier stage having first and second amplifier paths each having an amplifier. The first and second amplifier path are connected to a phase-shifting coupler unit that is configured to couple phase-shifted output signals from the first and second amplifier paths to form the high-frequency power signal. At least one amplifier of the first and second amplifier paths includes a field effect transistor implemented in a semiconductor device with a semiconductor structure having a substantially layered construction, and the semiconductor device includes a channel, a current flowing in the channel substantially in parallel with layers of the semiconductor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: TRUMPF Huettinger GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Alt, Andre Grede, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc
  • Patent number: 10028346
    Abstract: The present invention intends to increase the type of a light source that can be determined by widening a range of an identification resistance value. The power source device is connected to a light radiation device which is equipped with: a light source having one or more LEDs; and an identification resistance whereof the resistance value differs for each type of the light source. The power source device comprises: an identification resistance determination circuit having a voltage dividing resistance connected in series to the identification resistance; and a control unit for measuring the divided voltage applied to the voltage dividing resistance, determining the type of the light source based on the divided voltage value, and controlling the power to the light source according to the type thereof. The identification resistance determination circuit has a plurality of switchable voltage dividing resistances are provided, each having a different resistance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Sho Nakano
  • Patent number: 10027866
    Abstract: Example refrigerators having internal content cameras, and methods of operating the same are disclosed. A disclosed example refrigerator includes a cabinet, an internal compartment disposed within the cabinet, a closing member operatively coupled to the cabinet providing selective access to the internal compartment, two cameras disposed in the compartment and positioned to capture images of different portions of the compartment, two light sources disposed in the compartment, and a controller communicatively coupled with the cameras and light sources and configured to control the light sources to provide two different illuminations for respective ones of the two cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Victor Henrique Sfoggia Carlotto, Michael Todd Moore, Sushanth Purandhar, Ryan Michael Post, Michael S. Richards
  • Patent number: 10015854
    Abstract: A driver circuit for driving an LED arrangement (22), comprising: a power source for providing the LED arrangement with a regulated driving current, said converter (20) being adapted to convert an dimmed input power into said driving current; a current sensing element (42) in series with the LED arrangement (22) and adapted to sense the LED arrangement current through the LED arrangement (22); a bleeder circuit (40) having a bleeding path connected in parallel with the LED arrangement, adapted for removing a bleed portion from the driving current so as to decrease the output power of the LED arrangement; and a control circuit for enabling said bleeder circuit when the LED arrangement current sensed by the current sensing element is below a threshold so as to further dim the LED arrangement down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Achim Hilgers, Yuanqiang Liu, Harald Josef Gunther Radermacher
  • Patent number: 10015870
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a light attenuation controlling apparatus for a CDM lamp, comprising: a full-bridge inverter as a power source to supply an output to the CDM lamp; a driving circuit for driving the full-bridge inverter; a single-chip microcomputer connected to the driving circuit; a tube voltage sensing module, one end of which is connected to the full-bridge inverter so as to sense a tube voltage currently outputted by the full-bridge inverter to the CDM lamp, and through the other end of which the tube voltage of the CDM lamp is outputted to the single-chip microcomputer. The present disclosure provides a novel light attenuation controlling apparatus for a CDM lamp, which can effectively control light attenuation of the CDM lamp by constantly regulating the output of the full-bridge inverter, thereby enhancing duration of the CDM lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU TRIZ INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Hu, Jian Huang
  • Patent number: 10014848
    Abstract: A compensation circuit for compensating an input voltage offset of an error amplifier has a level shifter, a first trimming circuit, a second trimming circuit, and a compensation current sinking device. The level shifter shifts levels of a feedback voltage and a predetermined reference voltage and outputs a level shifted feedback voltage and a level shifted reference voltage. The first trimming circuit adjusts the level shifted reference voltage by trimming a first resistance thereof according to a trimming code, wherein the trimming code has the ratio relation of the input voltage offset and a resistance to be trimmed. The second trimming circuit adjusts the level shifted feedback voltage by trimming a second resistance thereof according to a trimming code. The compensation current sinking device sinks currents passing through the first and second trimming circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: I-Hsiu Ho