Current And/or Voltage Regulation Patents (Class 315/291)
  • Patent number: 10548187
    Abstract: In connection with a ground transportation vehicle light head (86) powered by a battery-based voltage source (20) supplying positive (76) and reference (i.e., ground) (78) voltages that define a voltage difference (22) applied across a number of multiple series-connected high-power light-emitting diodes (HP LEDs) (12) and current regulator circuitry (80) electrically connected to them, ultra-low dropout circuit techniques are disclosed for increasing a portion of the voltage difference available from the battery-based voltage source to forward bias and thereby maximize the number of the multiple series-connected HP LEDs emitting light by maintaining a low voltage drop (82) across the current regulator circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Code 3, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Nelson Brower
  • Patent number: 10542600
    Abstract: A light emitting diode driving apparatus includes a rectifier, a converter, a feedback circuit, and a controller. The rectifier converts alternating current power to direct current (DC) power. The converter supplies driving power to a plurality of LEDs based on the DC power. The feedback circuit generates a feedback signal based on a current flowing in the plurality of LEDs and adjusts a magnitude of the feedback signal. The controller changes a maximum value of a current output by the converter based on the adjusted magnitude of the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bong Jin Lee, Kyu Cheol Kang, Kil Yoan Chung
  • Patent number: 10537011
    Abstract: A modular coordinated lighting system comprising one or more wireless lighting devices that can communicate over a network and coordinate their operation to provide illumination to an area is provided. Wireless control present in one wireless lighting device can be used to propagate the wireless control of that wireless lighting device to an entire of group of lights in a lighting system. In this manner, a user can easily install wireless lighting devices that work in coordination to illuminate an area as if they are one lighting device. A networked wireless lighting device may also be configured through the user input method to operate different groups of wireless lighting modules such that lighting groups may be created. Multiple lighting groups allow a user to configure lighting provided by the modular coordinated lighting system based on their preference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Recker, David B. Levine
  • Patent number: 10536021
    Abstract: An electronic device and a method thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a memory, a battery, a charging circuit for charging the battery using current supplied from a power supply device, a slew rate variable circuit electrically connected to the charging circuit, and a processor electrically connected to the memory, the battery, the charging circuit, and the slew rate variable circuit. The processor is configured to control the charging circuit to control the charging of the battery, to monitor a state of the electronic device during battery charging, and to control the slew rate variable circuit based on the state of the electronic device to change a slew rate related to the battery charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ku-Chul Jung, Sanghyun Ryu, Chulwoo Park, Kwangsub Lee
  • Patent number: 10524323
    Abstract: An LED lamp control system comprises a power supply, a MOS transistor, a signal encoding module, a control signal input module, a signal change judging module, a MOS transistor control module, an LED lamp, a filter capacitor, and a signal decoding module, and a DC/DC converter. The signal encoding module is configured to convert the control signal output by the control signal input module into a PWM signal, and the output of the signal encoding module is connected to the gate of the MOS transistor and output a PWM signal to control the on and off of the MOS transistor, the signal decoding module is configured to convert a PWM signal loaded onto the power supply output which is connected to a MOS transistor to a dimming signal. The DC/DC converter controls the output parameters of the LED lamp according to the dimming signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Self Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wentian Zhang
  • Patent number: 10517164
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide multi-mode phase control dimmers for lighting devices, particularly for use with wireless lighting control systems. The disclosed universal dimming devices include a load-type detection circuit for determining whether the load for connected lighting devices has an inductive characteristic. The system automatically detects the load characteristic and self-adjusts its phase-cut dimming mode in response. The disclosed solutions require minimal additional components to provide load-type detection beyond those components already included in typical phase dimming applications, particularly in a wireless lighting control environment, thereby minimizing cost. The disclosed solutions have improved reliability by detecting multiple characteristics detected for each of a plurality of AC cycles in order to reliably distinguish between load types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.
    Inventor: Yves Charles
  • Patent number: 10511142
    Abstract: A current driver is disclosed which allows very short pulses at high currents to be generated for high power laser diodes. The parasitic inductance of the laser diode limits the speed at which the laser diode may be turned on and off. A high voltage is used to charge this inductance rapidly and maximize the rise time. The fall time is shortened by allowing a similar high voltage to be generated at turnoff without damage to the laser diode or switching components. A portion of the energy stored in the parasitic inductance may recovered to reduce drain on the power source, and to improve overall efficiency. The anode of the laser may be switched to ground at the end of a pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Analog Modules, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian D Crawford, Dwight E Wildon
  • Patent number: 10506676
    Abstract: An LED driver and a driving method thereof include at least two sub-LED drivers connected in series between two terminals of an AC power source. The at least two sub-LED drivers have a common configuration. Each sub-LED driver includes a switch circuit having a first reference ground, an inductor having a first terminal connected to the first reference ground and a first capacitor. The first capacitor has a first terminal connected to a second terminal of the inductor and a second terminal connected to a second reference ground. A load with at least one LED to be driven is connected between the first terminal and the second terminal of the first capacitor. An inductance value of the inductor is designed such that each sub-driver operates in an open loop mode. The LED driver and the driving method thereof can achieve an output current balance between the respective sub-LED drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: LEDVANCE GMBH
    Inventors: Shengdie Lin, Yang Liu
  • Patent number: 10506689
    Abstract: A two-way load control system comprises a power device, such as a load control device for controlling an electrical load receiving power from an AC power source, and a controller adapted to be coupled in series between the source and the power device. The load control system may be installed without requiring any additional wires to be run, and is easily configured without the need for a computer or an advanced commissioning procedure. The power device receives both power and communication over two wires. The controller generates a phase-control voltage and transmits a forward digital message to the power device by encoding digital information in timing edges of the phase-control voltage. The power device transmits a reverse digital message to the controller via the power wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Mark S. Taipale, Timothy P. Gredler, Akshay Bhat
  • Patent number: 10492255
    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: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Donald R. Mosebrook, Robert C. Newman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10491416
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a system of intelligent lights together with control devices and sensors communicating over a wireless network, with methods to allow the lights to take actions based on logical combinations of events generated by other devices. The lights can function autonomously as they have built-in functions of logic processing, storage and wireless communications which allow them to receive events and take actions according to the stored logic configuration data. Complete freedom in the grouping of lights as well as association of control devices and sensors to each individual lights is enabled by this system architecture. Seamless communication coverage is enabled by a wireless protocol that allows the light to form a mesh network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: WiSilica Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Kumar Singamsetty, Dennis Ching Chung Kwan
  • Patent number: 10492253
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a backlight driving circuit, comprising: a voltage supply configured to supply a first driving voltage; and a voltage regulator configured to receive the first driving voltage supplied by the voltage supply, output the first driving voltage to a light emitting element when an ambient temperature of the light emitting element is lower than a preset threshold, and output a second driving voltage less than the first driving voltage to the light emitting element when the ambient temperature of the light emitting element is higher than the preset threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhaohui Meng
  • Patent number: 10491115
    Abstract: An arrangement involving printed conductive traces, the arrangement including at least a voltage source (Vsupply) and at least one target component, preferably a light-emitting component such as an LED. The arrangement is adapted to produce a current-controlled voltage (VOUT2, Vout) originating from the voltage source, the current-controlled voltage being coupled to the at least one target component, wherein said voltage is dependent on the current (IR,LED, ILED) that is being passed through the target component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: TACTOTEK OY
    Inventors: Miikka Kärnä, Tuomas Heikkilä
  • Patent number: 10481470
    Abstract: Provided is a camera using a light source having a subject eye protection function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: MEERECOMPANY INC.
    Inventors: Byung Jun Kim, Sung Hyeok Jung, Pil Ho Jung
  • Patent number: 10473315
    Abstract: Controlling device for controlling a lighting system including at least one light fitting, where said controlling device is linked to said lighting system, and where the controlling device includes a switching mechanism intended to turn on and turn off the lighting system, an adjusting mechanism intended to adjust the light intensity of the lighting system, and an interface, able to be actuated by a user in order to control the turning on and turning off, as well as adjust the light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SIMON, S.A.U.
    Inventors: Andrià Riquè Rebull, Clara Batiste Mayas, Salvi Plaja Miró, Miguel Gragera Gil, Susana Díaz González
  • Patent number: 10470260
    Abstract: A lamp power supply realize 0 percent flicker and 0 flicker index with feedback setting the product of voltage and current of the lamp equal to the reference voltage times a constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Inventor: Wei Zhao
  • Patent number: 10463875
    Abstract: A light irradiation substrate includes plural unit substrates that have a flexible substrate. A portion of the unit substrates have a pair of external connection portions. A first surface of the flexible substrate is provided with an LED chip and a wire for each of the unit substrates, and a second surface is provided with a back surface wire across the unit substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuji Iguchi, Hidenori Kawanishi, Jun Mori, Tohru Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 10470265
    Abstract: A PWM control circuit for a driving chip and an LED driving chip for an automotive reading lamp are compatible to existing car interior lighting solutions, that is, PWM signals output by MCUs are used to turn on and off LEDs. Also provided is a PWM signal automatically generated within a driving chip and used to control the lighting status of an LED. By using PWM signals generated internally in chips to control LEDs, MCUs can be unburdened from complicated operation, and thereby can operate with improved efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SI EN TECHNOLOGY (XIAMEN) LIMITED
    Inventor: Dongshi Zhao
  • Patent number: 10470263
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a light source, a power input coupled to the light source, and a dimming control module coupled to the power input and the light source. The dimming control module is configured to change a brightness level of the light source in response to toggling of a power signal supplied at the power input. Related methods of operating a lighting apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: IDEAL INDUSTRIES LIGHTING LLC
    Inventor: Mark Edward Dixon
  • Patent number: 10458639
    Abstract: A tubular LED lighting device (10) comprising an LED, a driver (18) for driving the LED, and an electrical connector (14). The lighting device further comprises a thermally triggered switch (16) for prevention of overheating of the electrical connector. The thermally triggered switch is connected in series between the electrical connector and the driver, and the thermally triggered switch is configured to interrupt current in the event of the temperature of the electrical connector meeting a triggering condition. If a significant degree of arcing occurs the electrical connector will heat up such that the triggering condition will be met and the current flow between the electrical connector and the driver will be interrupted. There is also provided a luminaire (20) comprising the tubular LED lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Tian Xiang Wen, Robertus Leonardus Tousain, Yun Wang, Zhigang Pei
  • Patent number: 10461661
    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: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Daniel G. Cooper, Ryan S. Bedell
  • Patent number: 10455673
    Abstract: A light string with a non-extinguishing function and an independent LED blinking function includes an LED light string having a plurality of LED bidirectional lamp groups and a plurality of LED independent blinking lamp groups connected in series, and a switchable-polarity power supply connected to the LED light string for providing a pair of DC voltages with switchable polarity to the LED light string. The LED bidirectional lamp group includes a plurality of LED bidirectional lamps connected in parallel, and the LED independent blinking lamp group includes a blinking control circuit and a plurality of LED bidirectional lamps connected in parallel. The plurality of LED bidirectional lamps may be a plurality of LED two-color bidirectional lamps or LED mono-color bidirectional lamps; and the blinking control circuit controls the plurality of LED bidirectional lamps to blink independently and to cyclically vary the brightness of the plurality of LED bidirectional lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Jetmax Lighting Industrial Co., Limited
    Inventor: Ping Yang
  • Patent number: 10442670
    Abstract: A restaurant system includes a work area for cooking and preparing food or beverages and at least one hospitality area; the work area and the hospitality area are connected by means of at least one conveying system designed to convey food from the work area to the hospitality area in dedicated conveying devices; the conveying system having rails, in particular sliding rails, preferably sliding rails having a sliding surface, or tracks or roller conveyors or tubes for conveying the food and/or beverages; in the dedicated conveying device, the food is provided with at least one unique electronically readable identifier created in the work area, and the conveying system includes at least one distribution section which is located downstream of the work area and in which the food is conveyed on the conveying devices onto an additional conveying system by means of an automatic distribution device in a targeted manner on the basis of the identifier in order for the food to be conveyed from the distribution section t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLERCOASTERRESTAURANT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Michael Mack
  • Patent number: 10448487
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a driver module for use in a light fixture, especially an outdoor light fixture. The driver module is arranged for wirelessly powering a further module and for transmitting data from and/or to this further module. The further module can be a sensor module or a communications module. This allows for easy replacement of modules in light fixtures, late stage configuration of light fixtures and for upgradeability of light fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Reinier Imre Anton Den Boer, Adrianus Maria Goijaerts, Yves Sebastien Boulin, Biju Kumar Sreedharan Nair, Robert Eugenio Marie Geertman
  • Patent number: 10448479
    Abstract: An LED tube lamp is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Jiaxing Super Lighting Electric Appliance Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Aiming Xiong, Qifeng Ye
  • Patent number: 10439605
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for an electronic device having at least two semiconductor elements of the same type connected in parallel with each other. At least one first semiconductor element has a first characteristic and at least one second semiconductor element has a second characteristic. Each of the two characteristics is defined by at least one power loss. The at least one power loss of the at least one first semiconductor element has a first value, and the at least one power loss of the at least one second semiconductor element has a second value. The two values of the at least one power loss are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Andreas Apelsmeier, Johann Asam
  • Patent number: 10440789
    Abstract: An event based integrated driver system for an end-use power based application is disclosed. The driver system includes an analog module for operating analog input and analog output, a digital module for operating digital input and digital output, a software module for operating software input and software output, an event based module to receive the analog output, digital output or software output, and configured to generate one or more events corresponding to the analog output, digital output and software output respectively, a firmware module configured to generate a response for the one or more events and transmit the response via the event based module to operate at least one of the analog module, digital module, or software module, where the firmware module comprises instructions for operating the analog module, the digital module and the software module based on the end-use power based application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Bhagwat, Krishnadas Bhagwat, Rajesh Swaminathan, Somnath Samantha, Abhisek Khare
  • Patent number: 10440791
    Abstract: The lamp (2) contains a plurality of semiconductor light sources (21) as well as an electrical terminal node (22) and at least one electrical connection line (23). Said semiconductor light sources (21) are electrically connected with the terminal node (22) via the connection line (23). Electrical operating data of the semiconductor light sources (21) are saved in the terminal node (22). The semiconductor light sources (21) can be electrically activated independently of each other. In addition, the terminal node (22) is an electrically passive or active component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: TRAXON TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Yan Hau Szeto
  • Patent number: 10440786
    Abstract: Devices and techniques for individual control of multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) in a LED array. A LED array may include multiple strands of LEDs with each strand including a single LED or multiple LEDs. The techniques of this disclosure include a parallel approach to controlling a LED array with a current measurement circuit in each LED strand. The current measurement circuits may be selectable by a controller via a multiplexer (MUX). The arrangement of circuit elements provides for an improved initialization phase and operating phase and may achieve an accurate and substantially equal current at all LEDs. The current control may ensure a homogenous light output that accounts for process and production variability, as well as changes in operating conditions. A LED control circuit of this disclosure may also include system safety features including temperatures sensing, and over voltage and over current sensing and protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Stefan Stoegner, Christian Djelassi-Tscheck, Tobias Giersch
  • Patent number: 10433241
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for registering and discovering a service. An access point (AP) may receive and maintain service information registered by an associated station (STA), and serve as a proxy for a STA to discover service information in a network, and further discover a direct association service and manage direct communication between STAs, thereby meeting a user's demand of selecting a network according to a service requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yan Zhuang, Yungui Wang, Yingjie Gu, Fuqing Sun
  • Patent number: 10433407
    Abstract: An illumination system includes an alert unit connected to a control device. During work to connect the illumination equipment to the relay, the control device searches whether or not the illumination equipment is connected, through the relay; when the connection of the illumination equipment is detected, sends an inquiry on a type of the illumination equipment to the illumination equipment and acquires information on the type of the illumination equipment; when the information on the type of the illumination equipment is the same as the planned connection equipment type stored in advance, sets an identification number for the illumination equipment connected to the control device; and, when the information on the type of the illumination equipment differs from the planned connection equipment type stored in advance, causes the alert unit to generate a first alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kosuke Ihara
  • Patent number: 10431162
    Abstract: A display device includes first pixels in a first pixel area, second pixels in a second pixel area, first stages, second stages, and third stages. The first pixels are electrically connected to first signal lines, second signal lines, and data lines. The second pixels are electrically connected to at least a portion of third signal lines, fourth signal lines, or data lines. The first stages supply a first signal to the first and third signal lines. The second stages supply a second signal to the second signal lines and at least one of the fourth signal lines. The third stages supply the second signal to the fourth signal lines other than the at least one fourth signal line connected to the second stages. The second stages are spaced from the third stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yang Wan Kim, Sun Ja Kwon, Byung Sun Kim, Hyun Ae Park, Su Jin Lee, Jae Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 10426010
    Abstract: In described examples, a circuit for controlling a light emitting diode (LED) includes a first flip flop including first and second control inputs. In response to assertion of a first control signal, the first flip flop generates a second control signal to control a first switch coupled in parallel with the LED. An edge detect circuit is coupled to an output of the first flip flop. In response to generation of the second control signal, the edge detect circuit generates a third control signal. A second flip flop includes third and fourth control inputs. The third control input is coupled to an output of the edge detect circuit. The second flip flop generates a fourth control signal to control a second switch coupled, via an inductor, to the first switch and the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John Peter Fenske, Muhammad Roshanali Rajabali, Jeffrey Scott Farris
  • Patent number: 10416495
    Abstract: Disclosed are a backlight control method and a liquid crystal display device, where the backlight control method includes generating backlight data of a backlight partition corresponding to an image partition according to grayscale data of each of the image partition in an image to be displayed; generating a PWM backlight control signal for the each of the backlight partition according to a grayscale interval where the backlight data of the each of the backlight partition lies, where current amplitudes of PWM backlight control signals corresponding to backlight data in different grayscale intervals are different; and controlling a backlight source of the each of the backlight partition according to the PWM backlight control signal for the each of the backlight partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignees: HISENSE ELECTRIC CO., LTD., HISENSE USA CORPORATION, HISENSE INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuxin Zhang
  • Patent number: 10420188
    Abstract: Embodiments include computing devices, apparatus, and methods implemented by the apparatus for constant current regulation for luminaires of an aircraft escapes slide lighting system. In various embodiments, a power source may be electrically connectable to a luminaire. The power source may be regulated, unregulated, rechargeable, and/or non-rechargeable. Each of a plurality of constant current regulator circuits may be integral to a luminaire having at least one LED. Each of the constant current regulator circuits may be electrically connected in parallel to a power source. A protection circuit may be configured to provide power surge and/or reverse polarity protection to the constant current regulator circuits as a centralized protection circuit, or a decentralized plurality of protection circuits, each corresponding to a constant current regulator circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: BaseWest Inc.
    Inventors: Gary C. Leegate, Edgar E. Cuervo, Andrew W. DeWeerd
  • Patent number: 10413748
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a skin treatment device, in particular a temporal hair removal device, having a light emission unit having a substrate, a plurality of first LED dies mounted on the substrate on an area of at least 0.2 cm2, in particular of at least 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Braun GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Beerwerth, Christian Neyer, Dalibor Dadic, Felix Heinemann
  • Patent number: 10405382
    Abstract: A method for controlling a lighting system includes detecting a phase angle of a rectified input signal, determining a current shaping signal using the detected phase angle, and adjusting the rectified input signal in response to the current shaping signal. A circuit for controlling a lighting system includes a phase angle detector detecting a phase angle of a rectified input signal and generating a phase angle signal indicative of the phase angle, and a current shape controller determining a current shaping signal using the detected phase angle and a scaled input signal and adjusting the rectified input signal in response to the current shaping signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Hyunchul Eum
  • Patent number: 10405391
    Abstract: An improved LCD backlighting unit (“BLU”), preferably having white light emitting diode (“LED”) light sources, enhances a liquid crystal display's (“LCD's”) readability in sunlight. The improved BLU briefly increases a display screen's brightness, typically 2-6× greater than the BLU's maximum continuous operating brightness. The BLU brightness substantially increases brightness for a predefined and relatively short interval, typically 2 to 60 seconds, without damage. The LED driver control prevents boosting the display brightness too frequently or for too long thereby avoiding damaging the LEDs by adequately dissipating increased heat. The BLU may include a thermal sensor on or near the LEDs to provide real time temperature feedback to the LED driver control. The BLU preferably includes a thermal ballast that absorbs excess heat generated by the LEDs during intervals of increased brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Inventor: Kevin Joseph Hathaway
  • Patent number: 10397997
    Abstract: A dimming controller is capable of receiving a dimming signal to dim light-emitting device no matter the dimming signal is of a first type or of a second type. A type identifier identifies whether the dimming signal received from an input node is of the first type or of the second type, to accordingly generate a selection signal. A signal converter generates a first signal in response to the dimming signal, and the first signal is of the first type. A multiplexer has two inputs receiving the first signal and the dimming signal respectively, and, in response to the selection signal, forwards one of the first signal and the dimming signal to a driver driving the light-emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: LEADTREND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chun Hsin Li, Wei Cheng Su, Hung Ching Lee, Chung-Wei Lin
  • Patent number: 10379505
    Abstract: A load control system may include control devices for controlling power provided to an electrical load. The control devices may include a control-source device and a control-target device. The control-target device may control the power provided to the electrical load based on digital messages received from the control-source device. The control devices may include a load control discovery device capable of sending discovery messages configured to discover control devices within a location. The discovered control devices may be organized by signal strength and may be provided to a network device to enable association of the discovered control devices within a location. The discovery messages may be transmitted within an established discovery range. The discovery range may be adjusted to discover different control devices. Different control devices may be identified as the load control discovery device for discovering different control devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Kyle Thomas Barco, Bryan Robert Barnes, Erica L. Clymer, Brian Michael Courtney, Jordan H. Crafts, William Bryce Fricke, Galen Edgar Knode, Sanjeev Kumar, Jonathan T. Lenz, Stephen M. Ludwig, Jr., Sandeep Mudabail Raghuram, Richard M. Walsh, III
  • Patent number: 10374438
    Abstract: A distributed low voltage power system is disclosed herein. The system can include a power source generating line voltage power, and a first line voltage cable having a first line voltage end and a second line voltage end, where the first line voltage end is coupled to the power source. The system can also include a first power distribution module (PDM) comprising a first power transfer device and a first output channel. The system can further include a first LV cable having a first LV end and a second LV end, where the first LV end is coupled to the first output channel of the first PDM. The system can also include at least one first LV device operating on the first LV signal, where the second LV end of the first LV cable is coupled to the at least one first LV device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James Christopher Andrews, Kenneth Dale Walma, William Lee Shiley, Liang Fang, James Moan, Brian Eugene Elwell, Anthony Audenzio Mangiaracina, Michael Troy Winslett
  • Patent number: 10374601
    Abstract: An input device includes an input line connected to a voltage divider node for connecting a load to the voltage divider node. A first switching component connects to the voltage divider node. A first resistor connects to the voltage divider node for connecting a first voltage source to the input line. A second resistor connects between the input line and the voltage divider node for limiting current to the load, wherein the first voltage source is also connected to the first switching component. A second switching component is operatively connected to the first switching component, wherein the second switching component is configured to connect an second voltage source to a logic device for discrete input to the logic device that is decoupled from voltage supplied to the input line by the first voltage source for providing logic high and low input regardless of voltage supplied by the first voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Blazer
  • Patent number: 10362649
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to reduce heat generated through a switching IC circuit in order to protect a switching IC circuit by connecting a resistor to an LED unit in which a plurality of LEDs are connected so as to disperse heat in the resistor when a rated voltage or more is inputted. To this end, the LED lighting device comprises: a rectification circuit unit for receiving input power from a power source unit and outputting a rectified power; an LED unit having a plurality of LED channels connected in series and a resistor unit connected to the last end of the LED channels; a current sensing resistor; and a switch circuit unit comprising a plurality of switches, wherein an nth switch is connected to the rear end of an nth LED channel so as to control an operation of the nth LED channel and is controlled by a sum of a current of the nth switch and a current of an (n+1)th switch, which flows through the current sensing resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: LUMENS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Myeong-Kook Gong, Kyung Ho Yoo, Kil Ho Choo, Jong Il Kim, Young June Lee, Seung Jong Han, Yong-Wook Cho
  • Patent number: 10362659
    Abstract: An illumination control system includes a manipulation detector and an electric power controller. The electric power controller stops supply of electric power to a plurality of lighting apparatuses when an OFF manipulation is detected. The electric power controller starts the supply of the electric power to the lighting apparatuses when an ON manipulation is detected after detection of the OFF manipulation and before a first timing, or when the ON manipulation is detected at or after a second timing. The first timing is a timing at which a threshold time which is predetermined has elapsed since the detection of the OFF manipulation. The second timing is a timing at which a predetermined forced interruption time has elapsed since the first timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 10359741
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling a first switch terminal of an occupied building. The system includes a plurality of switch terminals at the building. A first computer system is coupled to the first switch terminal or equivalent of the building at a first location of the building. A first plurality of sensors is coupled to the first switch terminal and the first computer system. At least a portion of the sensors provide signal data to the first computer system. The first computer system produces a command or data output that relates to a command or data output for a local or non-local control system or device. A second switch terminal includes a second plurality of sensors coupled to a second computer system. The system is configured to provide information of how at least a portion of the first plurality of sensors relate to the second plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Edison Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Colin Billings
  • Patent number: 10362281
    Abstract: A projection apparatus includes a discharge lamp; a control apparatus for controlling a discharge current through the lamp. The apparatus is designed in a first drive mode, to control the discharge current having an amplitude profile; in a second drive mode, to control the discharge current in accordance with the amplitude profile; and to change between the first mode and the second mode. The time difference between two changes is given by a first time interval, and the time difference between the change from the first mode to the second mode and a next instance of leaving the second mode is given by a second time interval. The apparatus further includes a control device to determine a first manipulated variable depending on a control deviation determined by the difference between a target voltage value and a measured voltage value, and to determine the first and/or the second time interval therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: OSRAM GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Heise, Marc Czichy, Bastian Dobler
  • Patent number: 10356857
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) lighting system includes a power factor correction (PFC) controller that determines at least one power factor correction control parameter from phase delays of a phase modulated signal. In at least one embodiment, a peak voltage of the phase modulated signal is a PFC control parameter used by the PFC controller to control power factor correction and generation of a link voltage by a PFC LED driver circuit. The phase delays are related to a peak voltage of the phase modulated signal. Thus, in at least one embodiment, detecting the phase delay in one or more cycles of the phase modulated signal allows the PFC controller to determine the peak voltage of the phase modulated signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: John L. Melanson
  • Patent number: 10354839
    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: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: TRUMPF Huettinger GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Alt, Andre Grede, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc
  • Patent number: 10349477
    Abstract: A double-capped LED lamp operates on an electronic ballast for a low-pressure discharge lamp. The lamp has a first lamp cap having at least one first lamp connection, a second lamp cap having at least one second lamp connection, and an LED driver unit, which is electrically coupled between the first lamp connection and the second lamp connection, for activating a plurality of LEDs on the basis of a lamp voltage supplied by the electronic ballast between the first lamp connection and the second lamp connection in a first operating state. The lamp comprises a switching element for the galvanic separation of the first lamp connection from the LED driver unit in a second operating state, and an activation device for switching at least from the second operating state into the first operating state according to the lamp voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: LEDVANCE GMBH
    Inventors: Arwed Storm, Xusheng Yang, Andreas Mitze, Peter Hummel
  • Patent number: 10349485
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a control assembly comprising control units connected in series along with a respective control method, which allow for the provision of a particularly efficient data transfer, in particular for light-emitting diode control units. The present invention is also directed to a respective protocol causing control units to carry out the respective method steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Inova Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Neumann