Regulator Selectively Connectable To Plural Circuits Patents (Class 315/295)
  • Patent number: 11818820
    Abstract: A system (1) for adapting a lighting control interface is configured to receive a signal indicative of conversational input from a user, analyze the conversational input, determine an activity and a location (14) based on the analysis, select a stored activity matching the activity from a plurality of activities stored in a memory, each of the plurality of activities being associated with a light setting in the memory, obtain a light setting associated with the selected activity from the memory, identify a light device (24) at the location based on the determined location, and adapt a lighting control interface (27) to allow the light device at the location to be controlled according to the determined light setting in response to receiving an input via the lighting control interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Berent Willem Meerbeek, Bartel Marinus Van De Sluis
  • Patent number: 11363704
    Abstract: Modules, devices, systems and methods that allow for remotely changing the white colors of LEDS (light emitting diodes) in overhead or wall mounted lights, as well as in ceiling fan lights by a remote control or wall switch, without requiring a three-position mechanical switch mounted on the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: CHIEN LUEN INDUSTRIES CO., LTD., INC.
    Inventors: Charles E. Bucher, Zachary Zauhar
  • Patent number: 11350505
    Abstract: A semiconductor light source includes multiple light-emitting elements coupled in series. A driving circuit receives an input voltage, and supplies a driving current to the semiconductor light source. A bypass circuit is coupled to a part of the multiple light-emitting elements. When a low-voltage state occurs, the bypass circuit is set to the enabled state, thereby bypassing the driving current. An auxiliary power supply circuit is coupled in series with the part of the multiple light-emitting elements. When an expected current does not flow through the auxiliary power supply circuit after the bypass circuit is set to the disabled state, a judgement unit judges that an open-circuit fault has occurred in the part of the multiple light-emitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 11178740
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a string of light emitting diode (LED) sets coupled in series where each set includes at least one LED. A current diversion circuit is coupled to the string and is configured to operate responsive to a bias state transition of one of the LED sets to direct current away from another one of the LED sets. A current limiting circuit is coupled in series with the string and is configured to conduct current responsive to a forward biasing of all of the LED sets. The current limiting circuit includes only passive electrical component(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ideal Industries Lighting LLC
    Inventors: Antony P. van de Ven, Liqin Ni
  • Patent number: 10904988
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus, methods and systems for providing lighting and communication. An apparatus may include a solid-state lighting panel including multiple solid-state light emitters and an input module that is configured to receive an input signal from a lighting panel group controller that is configured to collaboratively control multiple solid-state lighting panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventor: John Roberts
  • Patent number: 10541620
    Abstract: A two-wire load control device (such as, a dimmer switch) for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load (such as, a high-efficiency lighting load) includes a thyristor coupled between the source and the load, a gate coupling circuit coupled between a first main load terminal and the gate of the thyristor, and a control circuit coupled to a control input of the gate coupling circuit. The control circuit generates a drive voltage for causing the gate coupling circuit to conduct a gate current to thus render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a half cycle of the AC power source, and to allow the gate coupling circuit to conduct the gate current at any time from the firing time through approximately the remainder of the half cycle, where the gate coupling circuit conducts approximately no net average current to render and maintain the thyristor conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Robert C. Newman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10477648
    Abstract: An automated dimming load controller automatically measures the relationship between the current draw and the dimmer setting for each light or group of lights connected to the load controller. Once measured, the relationship between the current draw and the dimmer setting can be used to enable the dimmer controller to adjust the lights between their minimum and maximum effective illumination. This automatic setting of the dimmer controller may be performed regularly to accommodate changes in performance or replacement of any of the connected lights, drivers or ballasts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Cartrette, Peter J. Horton
  • Patent number: 10405403
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus, methods and systems for providing lighting and communication. An apparatus may include a solid-state lighting panel including multiple solid-state light emitters and an input module that is configured to receive an input signal from a lighting panel group controller that is configured to collaboratively control multiple solid-state lighting panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: CREE, INC.
    Inventor: John Roberts
  • Patent number: 10104743
    Abstract: The invention relates to color selection input, for example by means of color selection wheels or pads, particularly for a lighting system. An embodiment of the invention provides a color selection input device (10) comprising hue selection means (12) representing selectable colors in terms of hue gradation along a direction thereof, saturation selection means (14) representing a selectable saturation gradation along a direction thereof, wherein the hue selection means (12) and the saturation selection means (14) are arranged such that they comprise an overlapping region (16) and the saturation selection means (14) are transparent and shaded from fully transparent to fully white for visualizing a hue and saturation selection in the overlapping region (16), and means (18) for detecting the positions of the hue selection means (12) and the saturation selection means (14) and generating a color selection signal (19) depending on the detected positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Marieke Johanna Catharina Van Liempd, Abraham Franciscus Maria Hendriks, Judith Maria Trippelvizt, Lotte Van Lier, Nina Roelande Horstra, Willemijn Elise Damai Prins, Lucius Theodorus Vinkenvleugel
  • Patent number: 10045424
    Abstract: A lighting control system includes: lighting apparatuses; a controller; an image sensor capturing an image of an irradiation surface irradiated by the lighting apparatuses; and a display. The controller includes: a calculator which performs calculation of a position of one of the lighting apparatuses, on a basis of a luminance level in an image obtained by capturing the image of the irradiation surface by the image sensor in a state in which only the one of the lighting apparatuses is turned on or off; an associator which, every time the calculator performs the calculation of a position of one of the lighting apparatuses which is turned on or off, associates the identification information item set in advance to the one of the lighting apparatuses, with a position information item indicating the position of the one of the lighting apparatuses; and a generator that generates a map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiya Moriwaki, Tatsumi Setomoto
  • Patent number: 10027127
    Abstract: A load control system may include load control devices for controlling power provided to an electrical load. The load 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. A user device may discover load control devices when the load control devices are within an established range associated with the user device. The user device and the load control devices may communicate via a wireless communications module. The established range may be adjusted based on the configurable transmit power of the user device or the wireless communications module associated with the user device. A discovered control-target device may be associated with a control-source device to enable the control-target device to control the power provided to the electrical load based on digital messages received from the control-source device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Jordan H. Crafts, William Bryce Fricke, Stephen M. Ludwig, Jr., Jonathan T. Lenz, Bryan Robert Barnes, Kyle Thomas Barco
  • Patent number: 10009978
    Abstract: A lighting device or system is configured to control of one or more parameters of light output, such as ON/OFF status, intensity when ON, color characteristics and position or orientation of light output (e.g. via a motorized luminaire control). The device or system may have other output capability, e.g. display projection or audio. Sensors or other input devices are responsive to the user. Responsive to user input, sensed activity, and/or acquired information, the device or system, controls a light source in accordance with a lighting control function. Operation of the light source and the lighting control function may be modified based on learning by the device or system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Darren Blum, Januk Aggarwal, Aaron Engel-Hall, John England, Min-Hao Michael Lu
  • Patent number: 9863598
    Abstract: A lighting system that includes a light source able to generate a light beam and means for scanning the light beam incorporating at least one oscillating reflective body for deflecting the path of the beam. The oscillating reflective body is moved by deformations of a piezoelectric operating member. The means for scanning the light beam also have optical means for amplifying the deflection of the path of the light beam positioned downstream of the reflective body, in relation to the propagation direction of the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Pierre Albou, Jean-Claude Puente, Vincent Godbillon
  • Patent number: 9862302
    Abstract: A color temperature control module of a vehicle headlight, installed to a moving vehicle body, includes a light emitting element, a sensing element and an auto switching element. The light emitting element includes a low-penetration light emitting source and a high-penetration light emitting source adjacent to the low-penetration light emitting source. The sensing element senses an ambient environment of the moving vehicle body and sends a sensing signal. The auto switching element, electrically connected to the light emitting element and the sensing element, receives the sensing signal sent by the sensing element to control switching of the low-penetration light emitting source and the high-penetration light emitting source. With the low-penetration light emitting source and the high-penetration light emitting source disposed, the light emitting element is allowed to switch in coordination with changes in the ambient environment of the moving vehicle body to increase driving safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventor: Chun-Hsien Kuo
  • Patent number: 9826684
    Abstract: There is provided a remote server that receives a machine type, an operating day, a position, a load factor, an engine rotational speed, a traveling speed, and a fuel consumption amount. The remote server identifies a working position based on the position, selects past operating days of an operation status corresponding to a current load factor of the same machine at the same working position, identifies a minimum fuel consumption amount out of fuel consumption amounts corresponding to the selected past operating days, and compares a current fuel consumption amount with the past minimum fuel consumption amount. If the current fuel consumption amount is larger than the past minimum fuel consumption amount, the remote server transmits an engine rotational speed and a traveling speed during a working period of the minimum fuel consumption amount, to a predetermined communication terminal corresponding to information for machine identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ouchida, Shingo Eguchi, Naoki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 9795004
    Abstract: A lighting device or system is configured to control of one or more parameters of light output, such as ON/OFF status, intensity when ON, color characteristics and position or orientation of light output (e.g. via a motorized luminaire control). The device or system may have other output capability, e.g. display projection or audio. Sensors or other input devices are responsive to the user. Responsive to user input, sensed activity, and/or acquired information, the device or system, controls a light source in accordance with a lighting control function. Operation of the light source and the lighting control function may be modified based on learning by the device or system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Darren Blum, Januk Aggarwal, Aaron Engel-Hall, John England, Min-Hao Michael Lu
  • Patent number: 9785007
    Abstract: A display may have an array of display pixels for displaying images for a user. A backlight unit may provide backlight for the display pixels. The backlight unit may have a substrate such as a printed circuit substrate. An array of locally dimmable backlight elements may be mounted on the substrate. The substrate may be mounted against an inner surface of a metal electronic device housing or other support structure in an electronic device. Each backlight element may have a semiconductor package containing a semiconductor die. The semiconductor die may have a light-emitting diode and a light-emitting-diode control circuit. The light-emitting-diode control circuit may have a pair of transistors and a capacitor. One of the transistors may be connected in series with the light-emitting diode. The light-emitting diode control circuit may receive control signals on a gate line terminal and a source line terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: ByoungSuk Kim, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin
  • Patent number: 9763303
    Abstract: A control device for power delivered to electrical loads in a load control system via respective load control devices may comprise a programming user interface for programming the operation of the load control system. The control device may be configured to select one or more load control devices in response to successive actuations of a programming button of the programming interface. The control device may be configured to controllably illuminate visual indicators of the programming interface to indicate which of the load control devices is selected in response to successive actuations of the programming button. The control device may transmit programming information to the load control devices. The programming information may determine which of the load control devices are responsive to a digital message transmitted on the digital communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventor: James P. Steiner
  • Patent number: 9699863
    Abstract: A multiple location load control system comprises a main device and remote devices, which do not require neutral connections, but allow for visual and audible feedback at the main device and the remote devices. The main device and the remote devices are adapted to be coupled together via an accessory wiring. The main device can be wired on the line side and the load side of the load control system. The main device is configured to enable a charging path to allow the remote devices to charge power supplies through the accessory wiring during a first time period of a half-cycle of the AC power source. The main device and the remote devices are configured to communicate with each other via the accessory wiring during a second time period of the half-cycle, for example, by actively pulling-up and actively pulling-down the accessory wiring to communicate using tri-state logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Russell Weightman, Jonathan T. Lenz, Jaykrishna A. Shukla, Daniel Curtis Raneri
  • Patent number: 9642204
    Abstract: Systems and methods for driving solid state light sources are provided. A first drive circuit is configured to generate a drive current to cause a first solid state light source load and a second solid state light source load to illuminate. A feedback and control circuit is configured to receive feedback from the first solid state light source load and to control the drive current through the first solid state light source load based on the feedback. A second drive circuit is configured to control the drive current through the second solid state light source load. A master controller is configured to provide a first input to the feedback and control circuit to control the drive current through the first solid state light source load and a second input to the second drive circuit to control the drive current through the second solid state light source load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Voravit Puvanakijjakorn, Masatoshi Honji, Anne Janet Milliez
  • Patent number: 9582942
    Abstract: An error logging method for a coating plant is disclosed. The error logging method generally includes capturing an error during running of process data records for the coating plant, wherein the individual process data records are ordered according to the given time of operation of the coating plant and each of which contain various process data of the coating plant. The method may further include storage of the captured process data records, detection of a possible error condition of the coating plant, and/or production of an error code when detection of an error condition of the coating plant occurs. The various examples may also relate to storage of the error code in chronological order with the stored process data records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Durr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Dietmar Wildermuth, Roland Wolf
  • Patent number: 9572228
    Abstract: Commissioning a lighting system is disclosed. A user can be provided with a pointing device capable of emitting or returning a signal which can be received by detectors co-located with each fixture in the lighting system. The user can add a fixture to a group by aiming the pointing device at the fixture when the fixture is not assigned to the group, and the user can remove a fixture from a group in the same way when the fixture was previously assigned to the group. Additional user gestures are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Redwood Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Henig, David Fowler, Deepak Nulu, David Leonard, Carl P. Zwanzig
  • Patent number: 9521728
    Abstract: A multiple location load control system comprises a main device and remote devices, which do not require neutral connections, but allow for visual and audible feedback at the main device and the remote devices. The main device and the remote devices are adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source and an electrical load, and to be further coupled together via an accessory wiring. The remote devices can be wired on the line side and the load side of the load control system, such that the main device is wired “in the middle” of the load control system. The main device is operable to enable a charging path to allow the remote devices to charge power supplies through the accessory wiring during a first time period of a half-cycle of the AC power source. The main device and the remote devices are operable to communicate with each other via the accessory wiring during a second time period of the half-cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Cyril Baby, Christopher Buck, Daniel F. Carmen
  • Patent number: 9504134
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for lighting control. One or more properties of light output are controlled based on a light origination input and a light destination input received via one or more user interfaces. For example, in some embodiments a light origination input and a light destination input may be utilized to determine one or more control parameters of one or more LEDs to achieve illumination of a light destination area indicated by the light destination input, wherein the illumination is from a light origination area indicated by the light origination input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Dzmitry Viktorovich Aliakseyeu, Philip Steven Newton, Bartel Marinus Van De Sluis, Tatiana Aleksandrovna Lashina
  • Patent number: 9485827
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices, circuits, and methods for driving an LED display panel, so as to ensure the delivery of equal global charge at minimum gray scale. In one example, the circuit of the present disclosure includes a current source, a detection module, and a measurement module. The current source is configured to generate a current signal for the LEDs. The detection module is configured to detect a forward voltage of the LEDs in response to a low current applied to the LEDs. The detection module is further configured to hold the detected forward voltage. The measurement module is configured to measure a time period for an anode voltage of the LEDs to rise to the detected forward voltage in response to a display current applied to the LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SCT TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
    Inventors: Eric Li, Shang-Kuan Tang, Wenjie Yang, Lei Shen, Yi Zhang, Yutao Chen, Shahnad Nadershahi
  • Patent number: 9439272
    Abstract: A method for creating a display lighting presentation is provided. The method includes providing a light sequence definition graphical user interface configured to enable entry of lighting states associated with a lighting sequence to be included in the display lighting presentation, and receiving input via the light sequence publication user interface, the input specifying lighting states to be included in the display lighting presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas C. Moore, Matthew Eliot Neutra, Jesse Flack
  • Patent number: 9301371
    Abstract: A load control system comprises a main load control device and a remote load control device, which does not require a neutral connection and allows for feedback at the remote load control device. The main device and the remote load control device are adapted to be coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load. The main load control device comprises a load control circuit for controlling the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The main load control device is operable to enable a charging path to allow the remote load control device to charge a power supply during a first time period of a half-cycle of the AC power source. The main load control device and the remote load control device are operable to communicate with each other during a second time period of the half-cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Cyril Baby, Christopher Buck, Daniel F. Carmen
  • Patent number: 9226372
    Abstract: A hands-free lighting system comprising: a master control unit, a light unit, and a remote control unit. The master control unit is configured for controlling the operation of a remote light unit based on a signal received from a remote control unit. The light unit comprising at least one light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: RAPTOR INVENTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Neal Landon Johnson, Stegen David Phillips
  • Patent number: 9215787
    Abstract: A light device with remote function includes a remote controller and a light stick. When the remote controller is switched on, the remote controller transmits a control message to the light stick, wherein one lighting mode datum is attached to the control message; the light stick lights according to one lighting mode which corresponds to one lighting mode datum. Therefore, when there are many users with light sticks in a large concert, the light sticks of the users are all controlled by only one remote controller; therefore, the lighting modes of the light sticks are the same as each other; in other words, a light effect in front of a stage would be performed uniformly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: BESPARK LED CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chih-Ming Hung
  • Patent number: 9113526
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a controller and a method of controlling a light emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventor: Dwight L. Stewart
  • Patent number: 9072133
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for commissioning improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to send and receive signals and control the LED light bars, and network connectivity to other fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Digital Lumens, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Chemel, Colin Piepgras, Steve T. Kondo, Scott D. Johnston
  • Patent number: 9000682
    Abstract: A dimming circuit and method for a LED provide a first driving voltage or a second driving voltage according to a dimming signal provided by a functional IC to enable or disable the LED. The values of the first and second driving voltages are controlled so that overstressing of the LED is avoided while the functional IC is capable of working even when the LED is off. The LED's life time is thus prolonged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Richpower Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chen-Jie Ruan, Chin-Hui Wang, Peng-Ju Lan
  • Patent number: 8975833
    Abstract: Disclosed is an LED driving circuit. The LED driving circuit includes a power supply, an LED array to receive a signal of the power supply, an IC connected to the LED array, and an inrush current restricting part to gradually increase an output current recognized in the IC. The inrush current restricting part comprises at least one of a frequency adjusting part and a current adjusting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Hyun Han
  • Patent number: 8928245
    Abstract: A driving circuit comprising a control unit, a current control unit, a pulse width modulation control unit and a current driving unit is described. The control unit provides a first control signal and a second control signal. The current control unit is connected to the control unit, and converts a reference current into a plurality of current setting signals based on a data signal and the first control signal. The pulse width modulation control unit is connected to the control unit and outputs a pulse signal based on the data signal and the second control signal. The current driving unit is connected to the pulse width modulation control unit and drives the light emitting diode based on a driving current, wherein the control unit generates a continuous conduction time in a predetermined operation period based on the pulse signal and the current setting signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Macroblock, Inc.
    Inventor: Chung-Yu Wu
  • Patent number: 8816955
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a liquid crystal panel; a light guide plate disposed at a rear side of the liquid crystal panel; at least one LED module disposed in at least one side of the light guide plate and including a plurality of LEDs; a driver which drives the plurality of LEDs; an image analyzer which analyzes an input image; and a switch unit which turns off at least one LED among the plurality of LEDs while a remainder of the plurality of LEDs are being driven by the driver, according to a result of the analyzing the input image, wherein the at least one LED is disposed closer to a corner of the liquid crystal panel than the remainder of the plurality of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-il Kang, Kun-ho Cho
  • Patent number: 8810154
    Abstract: A multiple location load control system comprises a main device and remote devices, which do not require neutral connections, but allow for visual and audible feedback at the main device and the remote devices. The main device and the remote devices are adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source and an electrical load, and to be further coupled together via an accessory wiring. The remote devices can be wired on the line side and the load side of the load control system, such that the main device is wired “in the middle” of the load control system. The main device is operable to enable a charging path to allow the remote devices to charge power supplies through the accessory wiring during a first time period of a half-cycle of the AC power source. The main device and the remote devices are operable to communicate with each other via the accessory wiring during a second time period of the half-cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Cyril Baby, Christopher Buck, Daniel F. Carmen
  • Patent number: 8796951
    Abstract: A location commissioning method for a lighting system, having several lighting arrangements, includes selecting an illuminated position, assigning the position a position id, measuring light at the position, deriving light data associated with each lighting arrangement from the measured light, associating the light data with the position id, determining light transfer data from the light data and current drive data for the lighting arrangements, and storing in a light effect setting array for the position id. A light effect setting method includes requesting a selected light effect at a selected position, receiving a position id and a target light effect setting associated with the position, deriving the associated initial light effect setting array, for example by retrieving a stored one, determining the drive data for obtaining the target light effect setting, via the light transfer data in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Feri, Dragan Sekulovski, Sel Brian Colak, Johan-Paul Marie Gerard Linnartz, Paulus Henricus Antonius Damink, Jorge Guajardo Merchan
  • Patent number: 8749150
    Abstract: A circuit for driving a plurality of light sources via a current generator, wherein the light sources are grouped into a plurality of light source sets wherein the driver circuit comprises a plurality of inductive elements, a plurality of switches adapted to selectively connect each light source set in series with one of the inductive elements, and a control circuit configured for driving the switches, so that during a first operation time interval, each light source set is connected in series with a respective first inductive element, and during a second operation time interval, each light source set is connected in series with a respective second inductive element, wherein the respective second inductive element is separate from the respective first inductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Osram AG
    Inventors: Alberto Alfier, Lorenzo-Roberto Trevisanello, Simone Massaro, Matteo Toscan
  • Patent number: 8729729
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing controllable power to the load via AC-line power source where load is less than minimal required for proper operation of said source. In one example LED lamp connected to AC power source via conventional triac-based dimmer uses less power than minimum required for proper operation of said dimmer. In another example LED lamp connected to AC power source via device known as electronic transformer uses less power than required for proper operation of said electronic transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Mikhail Fridberg
  • Patent number: 8710771
    Abstract: A remote directs illumination of an illumination source according to a duty cycle. The duty cycle defines a first portion of time power is provided from a battery and a second portion of time power is not provided. The remote monitors voltage output by the battery and adjusts the duty cycle to increase the duration of the first portion based on a decrease of the monitored voltage compared to a maximum voltage level. The remote may adjust the duty cycle in order to maintain a consistent illumination output level. In some implementations, the remote may adjust the duty cycle based on one or more threshold values. In other implementations, the remote may adjust the duty cycle directly based on the measured voltage. In still other implementations, the remote may not calculate the duty cycle directly but may instead reference a lookup table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: William R. Reams
  • Publication number: 20140084809
    Abstract: Light sources with arrangements of multiple LEDs (or other light-emitting devices) disposed at or near the focus of a reflecting optic and controllable individually or in groups facilitate varying the angular distribution of the light beam (e.g., the beam divergence) via the drive currents supplied to the LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Anthony W. Catalano
  • Patent number: 8648550
    Abstract: A lighting system includes a master that controls a plurality of light fixtures via wireless RF communications. An ambient light sensor in the master is used to monitor total ambient light and to prevent excessive illumination. In an auto-calibration process, the master makes ambient light measurements A, B and C when the light fixtures are illuminating an area at a minimum setting, at a maximum setting, and at an intermediate setting, respectively. A first threshold is set to be approximately (B?A). A second threshold is set to be slightly larger than (B?A)+(B?C). In normal system operation, total ambient light measurements are taken and compared to the two thresholds. In one example, if detected brightness is lower than the first threshold then the system is set at its maximum illumination setting, whereas if detected brightness is greater than the second threshold then the system is set at its intermediate illumination setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Zilog, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Staab
  • Patent number: 8633661
    Abstract: A time-delayed power switching device for providing power pass-through and timed off conductive pathways to one or more light outputs comprises a power source input, one or more first conductive pathways, one or more second conductive pathways, at least one timing circuit, and at least one relay. The time-delayed power switching device controls power from a power source electrically coupled though the power source input to the timed off conductive pathways by operation of the at least one timing circuit controlling the at least one relay. The relay has a first position adapted to energize the second conductive pathways when receiving a first signal from the timing circuit, and a second position adapted to de-energize the second conductive pathways when receiving a second signal from the timing circuit. Additionally, methods of using one or more time-delayed power switching devices to retrofit lighting areas are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventor: Gary Skwarlo
  • Patent number: 8587203
    Abstract: Multiple output channel light source power supply circuits, and methods for protecting, are provided. A front end circuit receives an input voltage and provides a regulated front end DC voltage (FEDC). Voltage converter circuits (VCCs) receive the FEDC and provide a separate associated DC output for each associated output channel. A protection switch is coupled between. In its conducting state, the FEDC is coupled to the VCCs. In its non-conducting state, the FEDC is decoupled. A current sense circuit of a current sensor in parallel with a bypass switch is coupled to the VCCs to provide a current sense output representing current through at least one VCC. A controller circuit places the protection switch in the non-conducting state in response to the current sense output. The bypass switch may be placed in a conducting state to shunt current around the current sensor during normal operation to reduce or eliminate inefficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Keng Chen, Christian Breuer, Peng Xiao
  • Publication number: 20130241438
    Abstract: A driving device includes a power source that converts input power to output power, first and second capacitors connected to an output of the power source, a load selector, and a capacitor selector. The load selector opens/closes circuits of first and second loads connected to the output of the power source to alternately close these circuits such that the second-load circuit is closed after the opening of the first-load circuit. The capacitor selector opens/closes circuits of the first and second capacitors to alternately close these circuits such that the first-capacitor circuit is closed in synchronization with the closing of the first-load circuit, and such that the second-capacitor circuit is closed in synchronization with the closing of the second-load circuit. The capacitor selector opens the first-capacitor circuit after the opening of the first-load circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideo SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8531119
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) tube and an LED lamp using the same are provided. The LED tube is suitable for direct installation in a lamp holder which has a starter and a ballast. The LED tube includes an LED array, an LED driver, and a rectification-block diplexer. When the LED array is driven by the LED driver, the rectifier-block diplexer disables the starter and the ballast and at the same time receives and converts an AC power supply. Thus the rectifier-block diplexer provides an operating voltage to the LED driver. Without removing the starter and shorting the ballast, the user can easily install the LED tube into a traditional fluorescent lamp socket, saving the cost of lamp modification, thus achieving the purpose of energy saving and environmental protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignees: Cal-Comp Electronics & Communications Company Limited, Kinpo Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Yao-Sheng Liu, Kwan Ho
  • Patent number: 8531128
    Abstract: An electrical circuit is disclosed. The electrical circuit comprises a plurality of color strings coupled in series, where each color string has at least one lamp, preferably a light emitting diode. The color strings may be of dissimilar length and may contain light emitting diodes of different colors. In one embodiment, a switch coupled in parallel with one of the color strings is configured to shunt power away from the color string to a power supply. In another embodiment, a switch coupled in parallel with one of the color strings is configured to shunt power away from the color string to one or more other color strings. In several embodiments, passive storage elements are utilized to store shunted power. In another embodiment, a current injector is configured to inject or remove current from a node adjacent to a color string. In several embodiments the invention is implemented as a light emitting diode driver integrated circuit or chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Lumenetix, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Weaver, Herman Ferrier
  • Patent number: 8450949
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) driving device outputs a driving signal according to a select signal, an update data, and an update command. The driving device includes a buffer circuit, a display data storage, and a signal generating circuit. The buffer circuit includes register series and a bypass register. The buffer circuit selectively stores the update data in the register series and the bypass register according to the update command. The display data storage stores multiple display data. The display data storage updates the display data by using the update data stored in the register series according to the update command. The signal generating circuit outputs the driving signal according to the display data. When the update data is stored in the bypass register, the clock of the update data passing through the driver is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Macroblock, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang-Ci Jheng, Cheng-Jung Lee
  • Patent number: 8436554
    Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating a target surface, the apparatus having a plurality of LED arrays, where each of the arrays has a plurality of individually addressable LEDs, and where at least one of the arrays is disposed at an angle of between about forty-five degrees and about ninety degrees relative to the target surface, where all of the arrays supply light into a light pipe, the light pipe having interior walls made of a reflective material, where light exiting the light pipe illuminates the target surface, and a controller for adjusting an intensity of the individually addressable light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Guoheng Zhao, Ady Levy, Alex Salnik, Mehdi Vaez-Iravani, Lena Nicolaides, Samuel S. H. Ngai
  • Patent number: 8373366
    Abstract: A user interface (240) includes buttons (410) associated with lighting scenes stored in a memory (230). Selection of one of the buttons (410) selects an associated lighting scene as a focus group including focus light sources, where the remaining light sources are included in a surrounding group. A contrast switch (430, 435) of the user interface (240) may be configured to change a ratio of the focus group to the surrounding group, and a brightness switch (440, 445) may be configured to change the intensity by multiplying by a factor focus intensity levels of the focus light sources and/or surrounding intensity levels of the remaining light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Petrus Wilhelmus Baaijens, Bram Francois Joosen