Current And/or Voltage Regulation Patents (Class 315/291)
  • Patent number: 11508715
    Abstract: Solid-state lighting devices including light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and more particularly LED chip structures with electrical overstress protection are disclosed. LED chip structures are disclosed that include built-in electrical overstress protection. An exemplary LED chip may include an active LED structure that is arranged as a primary light-emitting structure and a separate active LED structure that is arranged as an electrical overstress protection structure. The electrical overstress protection structure may be electrically connected in reverse relative to the primary light-emitting structure. In this manner, under normal operating conditions, forward current will flow through the primary light-emitting structure to generate desired light emissions, and during an electrical overstress event, reverse current may flow through the electrical overstress protection structure, thereby protecting the light-emitting structure from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: CreeLED, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Stasiw, Steven Wuester, Michael Check
  • Patent number: 11503685
    Abstract: Self-identifying solid-state transducer (SST) modules and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In several embodiments, for example, an SST system can include a driver and at least one SST module electrically coupled to the driver. Each SST module can include an SST and a sense resistor. The sense resistors of each SST module can have at least substantially similar resistance values. The SSTs of the SST modules can be coupled in parallel across an SST channel to the driver, and the sense resistors of the SST modules can be coupled in parallel across a sense channel to the driver. The driver can be configured to measure a sense resistance across the sense resistors and deliver a current across the SSTs based on the sense resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. McMahon
  • Patent number: 11499698
    Abstract: A sweeping illumination system illuminates an aquarium with organisms requiring simulated sunlight for survival. The illumination system includes a downward-facing light housing for illuminating a top surface of the aquarium. A support arm is coupled to the light housing and enables the light housing to sweep a pattern across the top surface of the aquarium. The sweep pattern can be semi-circular or semi-elliptical along a plane parallel to the top surface of the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: Zachary Daniel Ladner
  • Patent number: 11490072
    Abstract: An image sensor system includes an image sensor and a prediction part. The image sensor includes an illumination module and a processing part. The illumination module includes a light emitting part for emitting light and a nonvolatile memory. The processing part stores a first data and a second data in the memory. The first data includes an electric parameter value when the light emitting part is applied with a power and a cumulative power-on time obtained by accumulating a time when the light emitting part is applied with the power. The second data includes a value obtained by multiplying the electric parameter value when the light emitting part is applied with the power by the cumulative power-on time. The prediction part obtains the first data or the second data from the memory and predicts a lifetime of the light emitting part based on the first data or the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Horie
  • Patent number: 11490488
    Abstract: A switching driving circuit includes a switch configured to switch a current supplied to a target circuit, a sensing resistor connected to the switch, a controller configured to control the switch by comparing a sensing voltage applied to the sensing resistor with a reference voltage, and a compensation circuit configured to regulate the reference voltage based on an amount of variation of an input voltage input into the target circuit and an output voltage output from the target circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: MagnaChip Semiconductor, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jang Hyuck Lee, Joo Han Yoon, Byoung Kwon An
  • Patent number: 11483909
    Abstract: A control circuit for a voltage source generates a reference signal for a voltage source, wherein the reference signal indicates a requested output voltage to be generated by the voltage source. A digital feed-forward control circuit computes a digital feed-forward regulation value indicative of a requested output voltage by determining a maximum voltage drop at strings of solid-state light sources. A digital feed-back control circuit determines a minimum voltage drop for current regulators/limiters for the strings and determines a digital feed-back correction value as a function of the minimum voltage drop. The control circuit then sets the reference signal after a start-up as a function of the digital feed-forward regulation value and corrects the reference signal as a function of the digital feed-back correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics Application GmbH, STMicroelectronics Design and Application S.R.O.
    Inventors: Donato Tagliavia, Vincenzo Polisi, Calogero Andrea Trecarichi, Francesco Nino Mammoliti, Jochen Barthel, Ludek Beran
  • Patent number: 11464093
    Abstract: In examples, an apparatus includes a transistor, a switch, a diode, a capacitor, a voltage divider, a second transistor, a resistor, and a controller. The transistor has a transistor drain, a transistor source, and a transistor gate. The switch is adapted to couple a power supply to the transistor drain through an inductor. The diode has a cathode and an anode, the diode cathode coupled to the transistor drain. The capacitor is coupled between the diode anode and ground. The voltage divider is coupled between the diode anode and ground and having a voltage divider output. The second transistor has a second transistor source and a second transistor gate. The resistor is coupled between the diode anode and the second transistor source. The controller is coupled to the transistor gate, the transistor source, the voltage divider output, the diode anode, the second transistor gate, and the second transistor source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tuan Van Tran, Vahid Yousefzadeh
  • Patent number: 11458554
    Abstract: A wire electrical discharge machine determines the position of an endface of a workpiece by relatively moving a wire electrode toward the workpiece. The wire electrical discharge machine includes: a voltage application control unit configured to continuously apply voltage pulses between the wire electrode and the workpiece; a voltage detection unit configured to detect a voltage between the wire electrode and the workpiece; a pulse occurrence ratio calculation unit configured to calculate a pulse occurrence ratio that is a ratio of the number of the voltage pulses detected by the voltage detection unit to the number of the voltage pulses applied per a predetermined time by the voltage application control unit; and an endface position determination unit configured to determine the position of the endface of the workpiece based on the pulse occurrence ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Minjie Al
  • Patent number: 11456611
    Abstract: A method of managing power and a power management circuit operable in a plurality of modes are presented. The power management circuit includes a three terminals switching converter coupled to a controller. The switching converter has a single inductor, two sets of switches, a bypass switch and a transition switch. The first set of switches is coupled to an input terminal. The second set of switches is coupled to a battery terminal. The bypass switch is coupled between the battery terminal and a load terminal. The single inductor is provided between a first switching node and a second switching node. The transition switch is provided between the first switching node and the battery or the load terminal. A controller is configured to select a mode of operation by changing a state of at least one of the bypass switch and the transition switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Pietro Gambetta, Mark Mercer
  • Patent number: 11450248
    Abstract: An image display device includes a use aspect information acquisition unit that acquires use aspect information regarding an equipment use aspect, an early period mode setting unit that sets a parameter related to processing or operation executed at a time of image display on the basis of the acquired use aspect information and causes image display operation to be executed as an early period mode, a later period mode setting unit that, in response to determination that it is the mode change timing, resets a parameter related to processing or operation executed at a time of image display and causes image display operation to be executed as a later period mode, and a timing determination unit that determines the mode change timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Toratani, Masahiro Tenpaku
  • Patent number: 11450090
    Abstract: A platform for design of a lighting installation generally includes an automated search engine for retrieving and storing a plurality of lighting objects in a lighting object library and a lighting design environment providing a visual representation of a lighting space containing lighting space objects and lighting objects. The visual representation is based on properties of the lighting space objects and lighting objects obtained from the lighting object library. A plurality of aesthetic filters is configured to permit a designer in a design environment to adjust parameters of the plurality of lighting objects handled in the design environment to provide a desired collective lighting effect using the plurality of lighting objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: KORRUS, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin James Harrison, Shruti Koparkar, Mark Reynoso, Paul Pickard, Raghuram L. V. Petluri, Gary Vick, Andrew Villegas
  • Patent number: 11441749
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrically addressable lighting assembly for providing different adjustable light distribution patterns. The light distributions can be pre-programmed or adjusted once installed in an environment by use of a controller or control device. The lighting assembly comprises at least one primary optical element such as a focusing lens or light guide, which can be backlit and/or edgelit, and light sources arranged in two or more independently addressed electrical channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Fusion Optix, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence Yeo, John Montminy, Lee Mantha, Michael Demas, Timothy Kelly
  • Patent number: 11445582
    Abstract: A control circuit of a zero current controlled dimming circuit having a high side power switch, a low side power switch and an inductor, having: an error circuit, providing a compensation signal based on a reference signal and a current sense signal indicative of an output current; a compensation circuit, providing a compensation off time signal based on the compensation signal and a peak value sample and hold signal indicative of a peak value of an inductor current; and a control signal generating circuit, providing a low side switch control signal to control the low side power switch based on the compensation off time signal, wherein after the inductor current decreases to zero, the low side power switch maintains on for a compensation off time period determined by the compensation off time signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hui Li, Siran Wang
  • Patent number: 11441747
    Abstract: The present invention relates to different embodiments of lighting fixtures, such as high bay lighting fixtures, comprising one or more improved features. Some of these features include the direct mounting of emitters on a heat sink and/or the use of a template-like board for providing an electrical connection between emitters. These features can improve heat dissipation from the emitters and simplify fabrication. In other embodiments, expensive lens optics of prior art SSL fixtures can be replaced with a flat lens and reflector in order to produce a fixture having a satisfactory spacing criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: IDEAL INDUSTRIES LIGHTING LLC
    Inventors: Nelson Man Hoi Lui, Jr., Felix Chi Hoi Mung, Gauss Ho Ching So, Alan Hoi Leung Ng
  • Patent number: 11438989
    Abstract: Aspects of the presently disclosed embodiments may include a wireless power outage lighting system comprising one or more power change detection apparatuses and one or more wireless lighting modules where the system is implemented to allow management of multiple groups in the same area such that interference may be avoided when there are multiple transmissions in the same area. A power change detection apparatus may be configured to transmit to avoid interference with another power change detection apparatus. A power change detection apparatus may also be configured through the user input method to operate different groups of wireless lighting modules such that lighting zones may be created. Multiple lighting zone allow a user to configure lighting provided by the wireless power outage lighting system based on their preference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Recker, David B. Levine
  • Patent number: 11425808
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus and a system for indicating locations within an area are provided. The system includes a plurality of lighting apparatuses that are installed at different locations within the area. The lighting apparatuses form a mesh network. Every lighting apparatus is assigned with an identifier for locating the lighting apparatus with a color or a pattern. The lighting apparatus includes a control circuit that controls the lighting apparatus to operate with a first mode or a second mode. The apparatus includes a lighting unit that can be activated to illuminate color or pattern on a region for indicating where the lighting apparatus is located under the second mode. In an aspect, the area is divided into multiple regions that are indicated by different combinations of colors and patterns illuminated by the lighting units of the lighting apparatuses separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: WISTRON NEWEB CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chia-Hsiang Wang
  • Patent number: 11404001
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of display technologies, and in particular, to a pixel driving circuit, a pixel driving method, and a display panel. The pixel driving circuit includes a first switch circuit, a compensation circuit, a power control circuit, a second switch circuit, a driving circuit, an isolation circuit, and an energy storage circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignees: CHENGDU BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taoran Zhang, Zailong Mo
  • Patent number: 11395392
    Abstract: A monitor device is provided for monitoring a lighting arrangement of lighting elements of unknown electrical load, and a driver using the monitoring arrangement. A set of duty cycles is applied to switches which control sub-sets of lighting elements thereby to create a desired light output. With this desired duty cycle setting, the current for an individual duty cycle period is monitored, in particular to detect variations in a current plateau level within the individual duty cycle period. This is used to determine electrical characteristics or parameters including at least a cable resistance between a power supply unit and the lighting arrangement. A power consumption of the lighting arrangement may then be obtained. This avoids the need to probe the sub-sets of lighting elements individually in order to determine the nature of the load and its power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Jorge Gabriel Squillace, Joris Hubertus Antonius Hagelaar, Aleksandar Sevo, Lucas Louis Marie Vogels, Marcel Van Der Ham
  • Patent number: 11392882
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing information associated with storage containers. In accordance with some embodiments, a wireless tracking module includes a communications interface, a timer, and an indicator. The communications interface may receive instructions to track spoilage status of a perishable stored in a storage container and the timer may track a time duration associated with spoilage status of the perishable based on the received instructions. An indication may be provided by the indicator that reflects the spoilage status based on the time remaining in the tracked time duration. Further disclosed embodiments include a storage container including a wireless tracking module. Other embodiments disclose a tracking device that communicates with the wireless tracking module and includes a timer controller, a communications interface, and an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Wide Afternoon, LLC
    Inventors: Ty Thompson, David Joseph
  • Patent number: 11380862
    Abstract: A display panel and method of manufacture are described. In an embodiment, a display substrate includes a pixel area and a non-pixel area. An array of subpixels and corresponding array of bottom electrodes are in the pixel area. An array of micro LED devices are bonded to the array of bottom electrodes. One or more top electrode layers are formed in electrical contact with the array of micro LED devices. In one embodiment a redundant pair of micro LED devices are bonded to the array of bottom electrodes. In one embodiment, the array of micro LED devices are imaged to detect irregularities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Bibi, Kapil V. Sakariya, Charles R. Griggs, James Michael Perkins
  • Patent number: 11382200
    Abstract: A load control device is configured to generate a control signal having a desired magnitude for controlling a load regulation device adapted to control the power delivered to an electrical load. The load control device may comprise a control terminal arranged to provide the control signal to the load regulation device, a communication circuit for generating the control signal, and a control circuit configured to generate an output signal that is provided to the communication circuit. The communication circuit may be characterized by non-linear operation. The control circuit may adjust the magnitude of the output signal in response to the difference between the magnitude of the control signal and the desired magnitude to adjust the magnitude of the control signal towards the desired magnitude. The control circuit may also be configured to determine if an incompatible load regulation device is coupled to the load control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Daniel G. Cooper, Ryan S. Bedell
  • Patent number: 11382194
    Abstract: A driving circuit turns on and off a driving current ILED that flows through a light source, so as to control the lighting on/off state of the light source. A judgment circuit compares a voltage VLED across the light source with a threshold value, and judges the lighting on/off state of the light source based on the comparison result. A first resistor R is provided in parallel with the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinji Ohta
  • Patent number: 11380226
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of setting light emission control of each light emission tool in an area more easily. The method of setting light emission control of each tool in an area of the present invention includes: a light emitting step of transmitting a freely-selected ID signal (Sn) to a plurality of tools in an area and emit light in response to receipt of corresponding ID signals to cause a tool (En) that has received the signal (Sn) to emit light; an imaging step of acquiring a light emission image (En) of the area after the signal (Sn) has been transmitted; a determining step of determining a position of the tool (En) that emitted light in the area based on the image (En); and a storing step of storing the position of the tool (En) in the area and the corresponding signal (Sn).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: NEC Solution Innovators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Iwao Waga, Chikashi Ito, Tetsuya Ito
  • Patent number: 11363687
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a portable low voltage switching device to control the power and brightness of LEDs in LE arrays. The device is further comprised of two circuits, one power circuit to control the LED wattage, and another brightness circuit to control the LED lumens. The device is connected in between an LED driver and the LED arrays, receiving a stepped down DC voltage and splitting it across the two LED arrays. The device can provide power and adjust the brightness to both of the LED arrays, with the first LED array having a “warm” colour and the second LED array having a “cool” colour. Therefore, instead of using a single light fixture containing a single LED array, the device can be used with a single fixture having two LED arrays, providing a variety of brightness and power options to the cool and warm colours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventors: Jeff Hayman, Jeremy MacGillivray
  • Patent number: 11349303
    Abstract: One or more embodiments provide a power module that includes a high-side power transistor; a low-side power transistor coupled to the high-side power transistor, the low-side power transistor including a first load path terminal through which a load current enters the low-side power transistor and a second load path terminal through which the load current exits the low-side power transistor; a gate driver integrated circuit (IC) configured to drive the high-side power transistor and/or the low-side power transistor; a leadframe having a low-side voltage pin configured to be coupled to a low-side voltage source; a surge voltage limiting element coupled between the second load path terminal of the low-side power transistor and the low-side voltage pin; and a module package, where the high-side power transistor, the low-side power transistor, the gate driver IC, the leadframe, and the surge voltage limiting element are encapsulated in the module package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventors: Minsub Lee, Byoungho Choo, Junbae Lee, Khai Yen Charles Low
  • Patent number: 11350507
    Abstract: A lighting device including a light source, one or more input devices, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to receive an input to illuminate the light source at a first illumination intensity value associated with a first operating mode and operate the light source at the first illumination intensity value based on the received input. The electronic processor is further configured to initiate a ramp-down operation of the light source from the first illumination intensity value. The electronic processor is further configured to receive a first mode change input to change from the first operation mode to a second operating mode at a first time, wherein a second illumination intensity value is associated with the second operating mode, and, in response to receiving the first mode change input, control the output of the light source to output a third illumination intensity value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Kuta, Gary Lee McMurray
  • Patent number: 11343892
    Abstract: A driver is configured to provide an output voltage and an output current to a load according to an input voltage. The driver includes a power converter, first and second detecting devices and a controller. The power converter is configured to receive and convert the input voltage to the output voltage and the output current. The first detecting device is configured to detect the input voltage to generate a first signal. The second detecting device is configured to detect the output voltage to generate a second signal, and detect the output current to generate a third signal. The controller is configured to perform a calculation to the second signal and the third signal according to one of lookup tables corresponding to the first signal to generate a power value. An operation method of a driver and a light source system are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Tsung-Ta Wu, Qi-Rong Lee, Wei-Cheng Chiu, Yu-Yung Huang, Ching-Ho Chou
  • Patent number: 11339927
    Abstract: A presence or an absence of an occupant is detected, and an occupancy sensor signal is generated representative of an active state in which the presence of the occupant is detected, and an inactive state in which the absence of the occupant is detected. An ambient light sensor detects the ambient light level and generates an ambient light sensor signal representative of the ambient light level. Dimmable illumination is generated at a first dimming level, based on the ambient light level, corresponding to the active state and a second dimming level corresponding to the inactive state. A transition delay time between an onset of the inactive state and a transition between the first dimming level and the second dimming level may be controlled. The first dimming level, the second dimming level, and/or the transition delay time may be variably set or controlled locally or via a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Chemel, Frederick Morgan, Christopher L. Elledge, John Egan
  • Patent number: 11343894
    Abstract: A controllable lighting device may utilize a controllable impedance circuit to conduct a load current through an LED light source. The controllable impedance circuit may be coupled in series with a first switching device, which may be rendered conductive and non-conductive via a pulse-width modulated signal to adjust an average magnitude of the load current. The controllable lighting device may further comprise a control loop circuit that includes a second switching device. The second switching device may be rendered conductive and non-conductive in coordination with the first switching device to control when a feedback signal is provided to the control loop circuit and used to control the LED light source. The control loop circuit may be characterized by a time constant that is significantly greater than an operating period of the load current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Stuart W. DeJonge, Robert C. Newman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11329645
    Abstract: A driving apparatus including: gate driving circuit to drive gates of a first semiconductor element and a second semiconductor element connected in series between a positive side power supply line and a negative side power supply line; a first timing generating circuit to generate a first timing signal when voltage applied to the second semiconductor element becomes reference voltage during a turn-off period of the first semiconductor element; and a first driving condition change circuit, wherein the gate driving circuit relaxes change in a charge amount of the gate of the first semiconductor element, according to the first timing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunio Matsubara, Hirotoshi Kaneda
  • Patent number: 11330682
    Abstract: Techniques for self-aware light are provided. A self-aware light can determine characteristics of the environment in which the self-aware light is installed, determine capabilities of self-aware light, determine one or more objectives of the installation of self-aware light, perform a self-configuration of self-aware light according to the determined one or more objectives, and determine and execute suitable actions for self-aware light to perform to achieve the determined one or more objectives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: RESILIENCE MAGNUM IP, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Rosen, Ronald Cozean, Eric Allen, David Edward Mordetzky, Megan Horvath, Anthony John Pyros, John Elwood, Michael Chang, Elie Attarian
  • Patent number: 11324096
    Abstract: A light dimming system includes one or more lights and includes a local light controller that includes a dimming controller and a processing circuit, the dimming controller configured to provide an output to the one or more light drivers. One or more electronic processors are configured to receive a dimming input value indicating a desired dimming level for the one or more lights. The processors are further configured to determine a configuration of the one or more light drivers, wherein the configuration defines whether the one or more light drivers utilize a non-linear dimming curve or a linear dimming curve, and provides the dimming controller a dimming level to output a dimming control signal to the one or more light drivers equivalent to the received dimming input value based on a non-linear or linear calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Aclara Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peggy Rose Devereaux, Dennis Kelley, Robert Walter Richardson
  • Patent number: 11316350
    Abstract: A battery management apparatus includes: a first transceiver configured to receive a first infrared (IR) signal output from a neighbor battery management apparatus and process the first IR signal; a controller configured to extract information from the processed first IR signal; and a second transceiver configured to output a second IR signal based on the extracted information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Oleg Petrakivskyi, Oleksandr Baiev, Serhiy Khomych, Alina Vitiuk
  • Patent number: 11310439
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein concerns a privacy enhancing device for use with IP cameras and related methods. The privacy device includes an adjustable light filter and is configured to be placed over the lens of an IP camera such that the image captured by the IP camera passes through the filter. The transparency of the light filter is controlled using a control module in response to user inputs received using an on-board user interface so as to provide varying levels of privacy ranging from an opaque state and a transparent state. Inputs that serve to facilitate and enhance operation of the device can also be received from other input sources such as connected computing devices. For security, the control path defined by the control module and the on-board user input device can be isolated from other more sophisticated control devices that can be prone to hacking and remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Vladan Djakovic, Shawn Monteith, Christopher J. Allen, Sr., Paul Brantner
  • Patent number: 11309794
    Abstract: There is provided a switching power supply device which has a high voltage control resolution. A switching power supply device according to the present invention includes: a power conversion circuit which includes a switching element; and a control circuit unit which outputs a driving pulse to the switching element based on an output voltage command value and an output voltage value of the power conversion circuit, and the control circuit unit changes a switching cycle and outputs a driving pulse based on a difference between a calculation value of an operation amount based on the output voltage command value and the output voltage value, and a setting value of the operation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoya Takahashi, Kenji Kubo, Takuma Ono
  • Patent number: 11308878
    Abstract: A pixel driving circuit and a driving method thereof, and a display panel are provided. The pixel driving circuit includes a first transistor (T1), a second transistor (T2), a third transistor (T3), a first storage capacitor (Cst1), a second storage capacitor (Cst2) and an organic light emitting element (OLED). By appropriately designing capacitance of the two capacitors and dividing a gate voltage of the first transistor (T1), it can be ensured that a black screen is achieved and contrast of a display panel is improved even though a negative drift is seriously caused on a threshold voltage of T1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qikun Liu, Jiexin Zheng
  • Patent number: 11304279
    Abstract: If there is an interruption of power to an electrical load while the electrical load is operating at low end, the electrical load may not turn back on when power is restored. This undesired operation may be avoided by detecting the application of power to the electrical load, and automatically increasing the magnitude of a control signal being applied to the electrical load by a sufficient amount for a short period of time after power has been applied. This way, the electrical load may be turned back on to low end, instead of erroneously operating in an electronic off condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Donald R. Mosebrook, Robert C. Newman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11300859
    Abstract: A projector including cooling target includes a controller and a cooler configured to cool the cooling target based on transformation of a refrigerant into gas. The cooler includes a refrigerant generator and a cooling air blower. The controller is configured to perform a first control and a second control. The controller performs one of the first and second controls based on information on the activation of the projector from the activation of the projector. In the second control, the controller performs at least one of a luminance control and an output control, the luminance control which reduces the luminance of the light outputted from the light source to a value smaller than the luminance of the light in the first control, and the output control which increases the output of the cooling air blower to a value larger than the output of the cooling air blower in the first control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuo Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 11297285
    Abstract: In various examples, a dental and medical loupe system for lighting control, streaming, and augmented reality (AR) assisted procedures is provided. Facial recognition algorithms and/or inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors may be used to determine when a light disposed on eye-glasses of a wearer should be activated. As a result, instead of requiring a medical practitioner to manually turn on and off the light source, facial recognition may be used to determine when the dentist is looking toward a face of a patient, and to turn on the light when a face is present and off when a face is not present. In addition, some examples leverage augmented reality (AR) functionality to overlay patient and procedure information on one or more lenses of eye-glasses worn by a practitioner to allow for an un-occluded view of the actual location where the procedure is being performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventor: Sean Solon Pierce
  • Patent number: 11291095
    Abstract: A coupling compensation module is provided, for compensating a channel voltage of a channel outputted by a constant current circuit of a light emitting diode (LED) driver. The coupling compensation module includes a detecting circuit, for detecting a voltage variation of the channel voltage, to generate a detection result; and a compensation circuit, for compensating the voltage variation of the channel voltage according to the detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: NOVATEK Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Tso-Sheng Chan, Jin-Yi Lin, Chun-Fu Lin, Jhih-Siou Cheng, Yu-Sheng Ma
  • Patent number: 11288989
    Abstract: A source driver and a calibration method thereof are provided. The source driver for driving and sensing a display panel of the disclosure includes a sensing circuit, an analog-to-digital converter circuit and a digital arithmetic circuit. The sensing circuit is configured to receive a reference signal through a sensing channel when the source driver is operated in a calibration mode. The analog-to-digital converter circuit is coupled to the sensing circuit, and configured to convert the reference signal to a digital reference signal. The digital arithmetic circuit is coupled to the analog-to-digital converter circuit, and configured to obtain a calibration parameter according to the digital reference signal. The source driver calibrates a sensing path for sensing a display panel according to the calibration parameter when the source driver is operated in a sensing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yi-Yang Tsai, Po-Hsiang Fang, Jhih-Siou Cheng, Ju-Lin Huang
  • Patent number: 11291094
    Abstract: A LED driving circuit (20) is for driving at least two LED segments (22, 24) of different color or color temperature, using an input current which has a current ripple amplitude. The LED driving circuit (20) comprises an input to receive the input current; an output to connect to the at least two LED segments (22, 24); and a current distributing circuit which provides the input current to a single one of the two LED segments when the current is at a peak portion, wherein the current distributing circuit is adapted, when providing the input current to a single one of the two LED segments during the peak portion, to provide the input current to the single one of the two LED segments alternately, and splits the input current into two non-zero currents for different LED segments when the current is in a trough. When all current is provided to one LED segment, the light conversion efficiency is lower than when two segments are driven with lower current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Liang Shi, Jie Fu, Kelvin Wang
  • Patent number: 11281082
    Abstract: A projector includes a cooling apparatus configured to cool a cooling target based on a transformation of a refrigerant into a gas. A refrigerant generator of the cooling apparatus includes a moisture absorbing and desorbing member, a first blower, a heat exchanger, a heater, and a second blower. The heat exchanger includes a housing having an internal space into which the air delivered by the second blower flows, and a heat absorbing portion disposed in the internal space, the heat absorbing portion removing heat from the air in the internal space to generate the refrigerant. The housing includes an inlet port through which the air flows into the internal space and an outlet port through which the air is exhausted from the internal space. An air guide portion configured to guide the air flowing into the internal space is disposed in the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuo Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 11284491
    Abstract: An LED lighting device is disclosed. The example LED lighting device includes at least one LED circuit having at least two LEDs, where an LED of the at least two LEDs is configured to emit light of a different color temperature or wavelength than at least one other LED of the at least two LEDs. The example LED lighting device also includes a switch connected to the at least one LED circuit and configured to dim at least one of the LEDs of the at least two LEDs that are configured to emit light of the different color temperature or wavelength to enable user selection of different color temperatures or wavelengths of light to be emitted by the at least one LED circuit. The at least one LED circuit and the switch are integrated into the LED lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Lynk Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Miskin, Robert L. Kottritsch
  • Patent number: 11271515
    Abstract: A motor control device includes a first inverter selector configured to output first PWM signals selectively or simultaneously to a first inverter unit and a second inverter unit, and a first microcomputer configured to output the first PWM signals and a first selection signal to the first inverter selector, and the first selection signal contains information on whether the first PWM signals are to be output to the first inverter unit and whether the first PWM signals are to be output to the second inverter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Kimura, Kohtaro Shiino, Hideaki Shimazu
  • Patent number: 11262788
    Abstract: A method and system for realizing synchronous display of LED light strings based on a high-precision clock signal, which relates to the field of LED technology and specifically comprises the steps of: performing synchronization timing for a data processing module based on a high-precision clock signal to generate a standard clock; dividing the standard clock into several time periods, each time period circularly corresponding to a group of program data; and converting the program data into a suitable control signal by means of a data conversion module and outputting it to the LED light strings. The present invention enables LED light strings of different controllers to change synchronously, and the distances between the controllers are not limited, and the synchronization effect can be achieved whenever the power is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: JIANGMEN PENGJIANG TIANLI NEW TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yanying Tan
  • Patent number: 11265978
    Abstract: Realizing a constant-current control even in a stable state of a lamp without increasing a rated output of a power supply. In a stable state of the lamp in which a change value of a lamp voltage after a discharge lamp is turned on becomes less than a certain value, when the lamp voltage rises, a discharge lamp lighting control apparatus changes a current command value to perform a constant-current control. This change is a change from a first current command value at the time when the discharge lamp is turned on to a second current command value that is smaller than the former by a predetermined value. Using this second current command value, the constant-current control is performed. Even after that, the second current command value is changed to a smaller value every time the lamp voltage rises, and the constant-current control is performed using the second current command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Sansha Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiki Takagi, Kazuhiro Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 11259379
    Abstract: A lighting fixture for powering multiple LED groups to generate a selectable color temperature. The lighting fixture provides varying amounts of power to each group of LEDs to achieve a selected color temperature. Current from a driver may be divided between the LED groups based on a selected operational state, which is selected using a switch or other configurable input. The operational states may turn the LED groups on or off or may control an amount of current received by the LED groups. In some configurations, all of the LED groups are always at least partially powered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventor: Yan Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11257616
    Abstract: A high-voltage noise filter of a power conversion device includes: a metal housing; an anode bus bar connecting anodes of a power source and a power module; a cathode bus bar connecting cathodes thereof; a first magnetic core having a through hole where the anode bus bar and the cathode bus bar pass through; an X capacitor having one end connected to the anode bus bar, and the other end connected to the cathode bus bar; a first Y capacitor having one end connected to the anode bus bar, and the other end grounded; a second Y capacitor having one end connected to the cathode bus bar, and the other end grounded; and a first cooling unit connected to the first magnetic core and the metal housing. The anode bus bar partly faces the first cooling unit, and the cathode bus bar partly faces the first cooling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Noda, Hiroki Funato, Isao Hoda, Hitoshi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 11252796
    Abstract: A supply circuit for supplying a light-emitting element includes a voltage regulator having a voltage output for outputting an output voltage and having a control input for regulating the output voltage based on a voltage at a divider node of a voltage divider. A first and a second terminal are used to connect the light emitting element, the first terminal being coupled to the voltage output and the second terminal being coupled to a reference potential terminal via a series resistor. The supply circuit further includes a control block having an analog-to-digital converter for generating a digital voltage feedback value from a voltage applied to the second terminal, a control element, and a digital-to-analog converter coupled to the divider node for outputting an analog control signal based on a digital control value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: charismaTec OG
    Inventor: Dieter Lutzmayr