Automatic Regulation Patents (Class 315/307)
  • Publication number: 20150077020
    Abstract: A method of driving LED chips of same power but different rated voltages and currents includes the following steps: set a predetermined power; provide a LED chip which has a rated power accordant to the predetermined power; measure the LED chip to obtain a working current thereof while the LED chip is operated; provides a driving current to the LED chip, and maintain the driving current the same as the working current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Ming-Feng LIN
  • Patent number: 8981674
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detector circuit comprising a connection for a voltage supply (Vbat) and a connection for connecting a lamp (LED), said connection being connected to the connection for a voltage supply (Vbat) and to a first control component (I2C) of a first interface protocol and a second control component (PWM) of a second interface protocol. The detector circuit further comprises a first input node (In1) and a second input node (In2), wherein the first control component (I2C) is connected to the first input node (In1) and the second input node (In2) and the second control component (PWM) is connected to the second input node (In2). A detector (det) for ascertaining an interface standard is coupled to the connection for a voltage supply (Vbat) and the first input node (In1) on one side and to ground (GND) on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventor: Jan Enenkel
  • Patent number: 8981666
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a light emitting element driving circuit. In one embodiment the light emitting element driving circuit may comprise a power conversion circuit and a current balancing circuit. In other embodiment the light emitting element driving circuit may further comprise other modules integrated and interacting with the power conversion circuit and the current balancing circuit, such as fault detection and protection circuits, status indication circuits and phase-shift PWM dimming circuits. In other embodiment, the present disclosure further discloses a current balancing circuit. In other embodiment, the present disclosure further discloses a fault detection and protection circuit. In still other embodiment, the present disclosure further discloses a phase-shift PWM dimming circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Yu, Yuancheng Ren, Lei Du, Naixing Kuang, Zhijiang Yang
  • Patent number: 8981669
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a lamp comprising a first emitting device, a second emitting device, and a control signal generation device. The control signal generation device generates a first control signal and a second control signal to control the first emitting device and the second emitting device, so that a first light flux generated by the first emitting device is equivalent to a second light flux generated by the second emitting device, wherein the second control signal is generated according to the first control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Lextar Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-Kuang Chen, Feng-Ling Lin, Po-Shen Chen, Hui-Ying Chen, Tung-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 8981659
    Abstract: An input voltage transfer apparatus for an LED lighting system is provided. The input voltage transfer apparatus includes a source voltage storage unit, a zero voltage switching unit, and a nonzero voltage switching unit. The source voltage storage unit stores a source voltage. The zero voltage switching unit turns on according to the source voltage stored in the source voltage storage unit when a zero voltage is inputted. The nonzero voltage switching unit turns on according to a current applied thereto through the zero voltage switching unit when a nonzero voltage is inputted. When the nonzero voltage switching unit is turned on, the source voltage storage unit discharges the stored source voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Jong Kim, Sang Hyun Park, Sang Man Kim, Woo Chang Jung, Gwan Bon Koo, Dong Young Huh, Seok Yoon
  • Patent number: 8981658
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for driving a light emitting diode (LED), performing switching-operation with respect to a pair of LED groups by a phase difference of 180 degrees. The apparatus includes a switching unit that alternately switches a first LED unit and a second LED unit of at least one pair of LED units emitting light by receiving rectified power, in accordance with a predetermined phase difference, a current limiting unit that limits a current flowing in the at least one pair of LED units through the switching of the switching unit, and a driving control unit that controls switching driving of the switching unit in accordance with a voltage level of the rectified power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun Joong Lee, Je Hyeon Yu, Sang Hyun Cha, Deuk Hee Park
  • Patent number: 8981676
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) backlight driving circuit includes an LED light bar, a power supply that drives the LED light bar, and a control assembly that controls the LED light bar and the power supply. The control assembly is configured with a monitor that reduces brightness of the LED light bar when a display image of a liquid crystal (LC) panel is switched between a two-dimensional (2D) display mode of the LC panel and a three-dimensional (3D) display mode of the LC panel, and the brightness of the LED light bar goes normal after a preset delay time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Hua Zhang
  • Patent number: 8981677
    Abstract: A lighting device comprises groups of solid state light emitters, a sensor and circuitry. If the emitters are illuminated, the sensor is exposed to combined light from the groups, and senses only a portion of the combined light. The circuitry adjusts current applied to at least one of the emitters based on an intensity of the light sensed. Also, a device comprising emitters, a circuit board and a sensor, at least one of the emitters being positioned on the first circuit board and the sensor being spaced from the circuit board. Also, a lighting device comprising emitters, a sensor, and circuitry which adjusts current applied an emitters based on detection by the first sensor, the circuitry comprising a differential amplifier circuit. Also, a lighting device, comprising light emitters and circuitry which adjusts current applied to only some of the emitters based on ambient temperature. Also, methods of lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Jay Myers, Michael Harris, Gerald H. Negley
  • Patent number: 8981662
    Abstract: A backlight driving circuit is disclosed. The backlight driving circuit includes a boost circuit, a constant-current driving chip, a detecting module and a LED string coupled with the boost circuit. The boost circuit boosts an input voltage and then provides the boosted voltage to the LED string. The detecting module receives and calculates external PWM optical signals to obtain a duty-cycle ratio of the PWM optical signals, and compares the duty-cycle ratio of the external PWM optical signals with a predetermined threshold to determine if control signals have to be generated for the constant-current driving chip such that the constant-current driving chip controls the current passing through the LED string. The backlight driving circuit can operate normally even when the duty-cycle ratio of the PWM optical signals is very small. In addition, a liquid crystal display includes the above backlight driving circuit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hua Zhang, Fei Li
  • Patent number: 8981653
    Abstract: A flash driver to limit a load current for a flash comprises a dc/dc converter (DCDC) having a first input (IN1) to receive an input voltage (Vin) and an output (OUT) to supply an output voltage (Vout). The dc/dc converter is designed to convert the input voltage (Vin) to the output voltage (Vout). Furthermore the flash driver has an adjustable current source (Iadj) connected between the output (OUT) and a load terminal (LT). A first control unit (CTRL—1) is connected to the first input (IN1) and coupled to the adjustable current source (Iadj), and is designed to compare the input voltage (Vin) to a threshold (Vth) and, if the comparison indicates the input voltage (Vin) being smaller than the threshold value (Vth), adjust the adjustable current source (Iadj) such that the input voltage (Vin) is equal or greater than the threshold value (Vth).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Peter Trattler, Karl Georg Waser
  • Patent number: 8981675
    Abstract: A voltage monitoring circuit includes: a ripple filter configured to output an output voltage from which a ripple component included in an input voltage, which is input from a voltage source, has been removed; a load configured to operate with the output voltage as a supply voltage and output a first signal through the operation; a comparator configured to compare an electric potential of the output voltage with an electric potential of the first signal and output a second signal when the electric potential difference is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value; and a control circuit configured to reduce the electric potential of the first signal under the condition that the second signal is input thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nihon Kohden Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8981673
    Abstract: A power supply includes a switch configured to control flow of current output from an inductor to an output of the power supply. The switch receives a switching signal from a control circuit. An auxiliary bias is generated to power the control circuit. A bias circuit outputs a bias signal that is used to generate the auxiliary bias. The bias circuit senses a level of the auxiliary bias to control output of the bias signal. Output of the bias signal may be controlled to maintain the level of the auxiliary bias at a target level or within a target range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Praneet Jayant Athalye
  • Patent number: 8981672
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of adjusting the fixture color emitted by a first and a second lighting fixture to a target color, each lighting fixture comprising at least a first and a second light source emitting light having different source colors, and said fixture color is obtained as a combination of said source colors, and said fixture color can be varied by varying the intensity of each light source; where the adjusting of said fixture color to a target color is performed by varying the intensity of said light sources based on both a first color gamut and a second color gamut respectively described by said source colors from said first lighting fixture and said second lighting fixture. The invention further relates to a light adapter and light system for adjusting the fixture color emitted by a first and a second lighting fixture to a target color and to a computer-readable medium having stored therein instructions for causing a processing unit to execute said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: VIP 1 ApS
    Inventor: Christian Krause
  • Patent number: 8981671
    Abstract: An illumination system includes a plurality of illumination apparatuses, each of the illumination apparatuses including a light source, a detection sensor for sensing presence and absence of a moving object, a wireless communication unit for transmitting a sensing signal of the detection sensor to other illumination apparatuses and for receiving a sensing signal from other illumination apparatuses and a control unit for controlling an output of the light source based on the sensing signal of the detection sensor or the sensing signal transmitted from other illumination apparatuses. If the detection sensor of one of the illumination apparatuses senses the moving object, at least one of remaining illumination apparatuses is controlled together by the sensing signal wirelessly transmitted from said one of the illumination apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yosinori Karasawa, Shigeo Gotou, Kensuke Yamazoe
  • Publication number: 20150069907
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a power converter and a controller. The power converter includes a transformer having primary, secondary and tertiary windings, and a switching device electrically connected in series with the primary winding. The controller is configured to measure a signal simulating a primary current flowing through the primary winding based on a voltage occurring across the tertiary winding and detect timing for turning the switching device off based on the signal simulating the primary current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Takahiro FUKUI, Kazutoshi SUGANUMA, Toshifumi TANAKA
  • Patent number: 8975826
    Abstract: A digital compensator detects time-varying or periodic variations in the input voltage and, via the use of an iterative-learning control (“ILC”) system, a repetitive-control (“RC”) system, or a run-to-run control (“R2R”) system, generates a compensating signal based on prior behavior of the time variance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Terralux, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur Lionel Stevens
  • Patent number: 8975821
    Abstract: A LAM/ICM assembly comprises an integrated control module (ICM) and an LED array member (LAM). The ICM includes interconnect through which power from outside the assembly is received. In a first novel aspect, active circuitry is embedded in the ICM. In one example, the circuitry monitors LED operation, controls and supplies power to the LEDs, and communicates information into and out of the assembly. In a second novel aspect, a lighting system comprises an AC-to-DC converter and a LAM/ICM assembly. The AC-to-DC converter outputs a substantially constant current or voltage. The magnitude of the current or voltage is adjusted by a signal output from the LAM/ICM. In a third novel aspect, the ICM includes a built-in switching DC-to-DC converter. An AC-to-DC power supply supplies a roughly regulated supply voltage. The switching converter within the LAM/ICM receives the roughly regulated voltage and supplies a regulated LED drive current to its LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Bridgelux, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Neal Gershowitz, Babak Imangholi
  • Patent number: 8975835
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a backlight dimmer circuit and a backlight dimming method. The backlight dimmer circuit includes a PLL dimming module, which detects a rising edge of a 3D synchronous signal to generate multiple channels of 3D mode dimming signal in phase with the 3D synchronous signal; a phase delay module, which generates time-divided outputs of the multiple channels of 3D mode dimming signal according to a delay set value; an external dimming module, which receives an external dimming signal to generate a 2D mode dimming signal; and a trigger, which receives the 2D mode dimming signal and the multiple channels of 3D mode dimming signal and determines whether to output the 2D mode dimming signal or the multiple channels of 3D mode dimming signal according to a 2D/3D conversion signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelctronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiang Yang
  • Patent number: 8975834
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control circuit for an illuminating device, characterized in that the control circuit comprises a detecting unit, a central control unit and an illumination mode control unit, the detecting unit detects ambient brightness and generates a detection signal, the central control unit controls the illumination mode control unit, according to the detection signal, to generate a plurality of first driving signal enabling the illuminating device to operate in a first illumination mode or a plurality of second driving signal enabling the illuminating device to operate in a second illumination mode. The control circuit can automatically adjust the illuminating device to be in different operation modes according to different ambient brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: OSRAM GmbH
    Inventors: Shaoping Chen, Yuli Chen, Jin Hu, Jing Lin
  • Publication number: 20150062188
    Abstract: Disclosed are a display apparatus, a light source driving apparatus and a driving method thereof, the display apparatus including: an image processor which is configured to process an image; and a controller which is configured to set a plurality of current levels corresponding to a plurality of screen modes for a display and control the display to perform a dimming by receiving a current level of a current which corresponds to a screen mode of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong-il KANG
  • Publication number: 20150061543
    Abstract: A method for driving an LED lighting device includes receiving an input voltage from a battery unit and converting the input voltage into a driving current to drive the LED lighting device. The method further includes detecting whether the battery unit is in a low battery state. When the low battery state of the battery unit is detected, the driving current is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Pierce, Brent Hughes
  • Publication number: 20150061524
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode driving apparatus including a rectifying circuit, a switching element, a choke coil, an output current sensing circuit, an LED light source, a rectifier diode, a control circuit, and a feedback sensing circuit which is connected to the output current sensing circuit for receiving an output feedback signal output from the output current sensing circuit, wherein the feedback sensing circuit outputs a feedback dummy signal, and outputs to the control circuit a control signal that controls switching of the switching element in response to a signal based on an error between the output feedback signal and the feedback dummy signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Takashi KUNIMATSU
  • Publication number: 20150061504
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques are provided for operating a display and/or an illumination source based upon the direction of a user's gaze and/or a desired illumination level in a monitored area. One or more elements may be controlled with sensor input and application lighting preferences. For example, when a user receives a video call, light may be activated to illuminate their face. When the user is looking at the display, the display will be at the brightness necessary for the lighting conditions. When the user looks away from the screen, the screen may dim further and the lighting elements for the desk can brighten. Similarly, embodiments may adjust the lighting in a monitored location based upon lighting levels identified in other areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Universal Display Corporation
    Inventors: Emory Krall, Ruiqing Ma, Michael Hack, Eoin Billings, Duncan Jackson
  • Publication number: 20150061544
    Abstract: A driving device includes: a power source circuit that converts inputted power to a constant voltage or constant current power, and outputs this converted power; a driver circuit that supplies the power outputted by the power source circuit to a load; and a control unit that receives the voltage or current of the power outputted by the power source circuit, calculates a value by multiplying a control gain by a difference of the detected value and a constant target value, and outputs a feedback signal based on this calculated value to the power source circuit, thereby performing feedback control on the power source circuit, the control unit raising the control gain when the voltage or current of the power outputted by the driver circuit is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideo HAMANAKA
  • Publication number: 20150061545
    Abstract: A lighting control method and an electronic device using the same are provided. The method includes receiving pattern information for controlling lighting, generating lighting control information including brightness level information corresponding to operation time information based on the received pattern information, and transmitting the lighting control information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Gyeyoung LEE, Daedong KIM, Dusan BAEK, Changhyun LEE, Jaeho JUNG, Yangwook KIM, Haein CHUN
  • Patent number: 8970132
    Abstract: A lighting device controlling chip, an apparatus, a system and an addressing method thereof are provided. The lighting device has a trigger terminal for receiving a first setting voltage, an output terminal for outputting a second setting voltage and a signal receiving interface for receiving a data packet having a plurality of serially transmitted data slots. The lighting device controlling chip may automatically set an address thereof according to a voltage level of the first setting voltage and a counting signal corresponding to the number of the received data slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: My-Semi Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Fu Lin, Chun-Ting Kuo, Cheng-Han Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8970128
    Abstract: A two-wire load control device (such as, a dimmer switch) is operable to control the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load (such as, a high-efficiency lighting load) and has substantially no minimum load requirement. The load control device includes a bidirectional semiconductor switch (such as a thyristor), which may be operable to remain conductive independent of the magnitude of a load current conducted through semiconductor switch and to conduct the load current to and from the load during a single half-cycle. The dimmer switch comprises a control circuit that conducts a control current through the load in order to generate a gate drive signal for rendering the bidirectional semiconductor switch conductive and non-conductive each half-cycle. The control circuit may provide a constant gate drive to the bidirectional semiconductor switch after the bidirectional semiconductor switch is rendered conductive each half-cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Newman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8970115
    Abstract: A LED lamp that includes a LED lamp controller with delayed startup after a fault condition is detected. The type of the fault condition is used in determining a length of the startup delay, such as a number of power cycles during which the LED lamp controller is prevented from completing its configuration. Examples of different types of fault conditions include faults in a supply voltage or faults in a feedback voltage to the LED lamp controller. Fault type information can also be stored in circuitry that retains data and is not reset across the power cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Myers, Clarita C. Poon, Liang Yan
  • Patent number: 8970133
    Abstract: A representative apparatus controls current supplied to solid state lighting, such as light emitting diodes. The apparatus includes an inductor, a memory adapted to store a plurality of current parameters and a controller. The controller is configured to control a power source to supply current to the inductor to start an energizing cycle, monitor an inductor current level, reduce the inductor current level in response to the inductor current level reaching a predetermined peak inductor current, and increase the inductor current level in response to the inductor current reaching a predetermined minimum current is reached. In at least one embodiment, the controller modulates a current provided to the solid state lighting such that a DC average current level is substantially proportional to one-half of a sum of the predetermined peak current level and the predetermined minimum current level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Point Somee Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Anatoly Shteynberg, Harry Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8970125
    Abstract: In a memory unit 6, there is stored a correction table for each candidate value of an output set value of each of LED units 2. If UV rays have ever been emitted so far by the LED units 2, each of which is formed of a plurality of LED chips 8, then a PLC 5 acquires, upon setting of a output set value by an operation unit 53, a correction value corresponding to a cumulative emission time up to a previous emission, from the correction table of the output set value. Thereafter, the PLC 5 sets the magnitude of the power supplied to each of the LED units 2 using the acquired correction value. If an output set value different from a previous output set value is set, the PLC 5 obtains the correction value starting from the cumulative emission time upon modification. As a result, the UV irradiation apparatus enables power consumption necessary for emission of UV rays to be reduced, and UV ray output to be kept constant regardless of the cumulative emission time, even if the output set value is modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Industrial Devices Sunx Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Inui, Hideo Kado
  • Patent number: 8970120
    Abstract: A lamp driving apparatus and an illumination equipment using the same are provided. The provided lamp driving apparatus is responsible for driving a lamp. When any one of two terminals of the lamp is opened or the lamp is over-voltage, the provided driving apparatus stops driving the lamp, and thus achieving the purpose of open lamp and over-voltage protection/detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Beyond Innovation Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhen-Chun Liu, Chen-Lung Kao
  • Patent number: 8970472
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for driving a light emitting diode (LED) array and an LCD device using the same. The apparatus for driving the LED array includes a current amount setter configured to have a resistance value which varies according to a selection signal inputted from an external system, and a controller configured to generate a driving voltage and a driving current by using an input voltage inputted from the external system and the resistance value set by the current amount setter, and supply the driving voltage and the driving current to the LED array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: ByeongYun Ha
  • Patent number: 8970122
    Abstract: A LED driver comprising: a power switch; a transformer comprising a primary winding coupled to the power switch, a secondary winding and a third winding; a current sense circuit configured to sense a current flowing through the power switch and generates a current sense signal; a zero cross detecting circuit configured to detect a current flowing through the secondary winding, and generates a zero cross detecting signal; a compensation circuit configured to compensate the current sense signal based on the current flowing through the third winding; a control circuit configured to receive the compensated current sense signal and the zero cross detecting signal, and wherein the control circuit generates a control signal to control the power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naixing Kuang, Haigang Cao, Zhijun Ye
  • Publication number: 20150055097
    Abstract: A discharge lamp driving device includes: a direct-current power supply section (a power supply section) that controls a current of power to be supplied to a discharge lamp from input power, and outputs the current; a voltage detecting section that detects a lamp voltage (a drive voltage) of the discharge lamp; and a control section that controls a modulation factor of a lamp current (a drive current) on which amplitude modulation has been performed, the lamp current (the drive current) which is supplied to the discharge lamp from the direct-current power supply section (the power supply section), in accordance with the detected lamp voltage (drive voltage) of the discharge lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Keishi KIMURA
  • Patent number: 8963434
    Abstract: The electrical switch device can includes a method and dimmer determination device that automatically determining a dimmer level for an electronic device. A signal is received and, when coupled with the time of day and the ambient light level, an appropriate algorithm can be selected. The output of the algorithm provides the dimmer level, which is sent to a controller for output to the electrical device. Based on user feedback, the algorithms and thresholds used to determine the dimmer level can be adjusted, created, and deleted to provide a more accurate dimming level in the future.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Carlos Eduardo Restrepo
  • Patent number: 8963440
    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 may be provided. The load control device may include a bidirectional semiconductor switch coupled between the source and the load and a controller operable to control the bidirectional semiconductor switch. The load control device may also include a front accessible trimming actuator to adjust a low end intensity setting of the load control device. The trimming actuator may be coupled to the controller such that the controller may control the bidirectional semiconductor switch appropriately. Additionally, the trimming actuator may include indicia to help a user readily identify the proper low end intensity setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Edward Jennings, Christopher James Salvestrini, John Panos Petropoulos, Nicholas Robert Baer, Walter S. Zaharchuk, James P. Steiner, Andrew Ryan Offenbacher, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Mikko Hakkarainen
  • Patent number: 8963445
    Abstract: The invention relates to a driver circuit for light sources, in particular LEDs, comprising a selection circuit, comprising at least one selection circuit element defined by an electric quantity having one of a plurality of pre-established electric quantity levels, and an electronic control unit (ECU), comprising a reference circuit, suitable for providing a reference electric quantity, and a regulation circuit of the driver current, suitable for establishing a driver current of the light sources on the basis of said reference electric quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Davide Baccarin, Andrea Englaro
  • Patent number: 8963448
    Abstract: An output buffer circuit includes an amplifier and a transmission circuit. The amplifier includes a plurality of inputs and an output. The inputs provide first input signals and second input signals to the amplifier. The output provides an output signal as a first input signal of the first input signals to the amplifier. The transmission circuit has an input coupled to the output of the amplifier and further has an output that provides a transmission circuit output signal as a second input signal of the second input signals to the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung Tae Kim, Soo Ik Cha, Jun Ho Song, Jin Chul Choi, Chul Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 8963449
    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: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Melanson
  • Patent number: 8963431
    Abstract: A circuit is disclosed for driving a plurality of LED strings from an AC supply and arranged to, in use, drive current through a series arrangement of a plurality N of the LED strings when the AC voltage is sufficient to drive the plurality N of the LED strings: the circuit comprising a first current source configured to be switchably connected to a one end of said series arrangement of N LED strings; a series combination of a second current source and a heat dissipater, wherein the series combination of the second current source and the heat dissipater is arranged in parallel with the first current source; and a current balancer for balancing the current through the first current source and the second current source. A driver for such a circuit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Arjan van den Berg, Jie Chen, Wihelmus Hinderikus Maria Langeslag, Anton Cornelis Blom, Dirk Wouter Johannes Groeneveld
  • Patent number: 8963450
    Abstract: An LED lamp includes a frame, a power circuit, a driver circuit coupled with the power circuit, an optical member comprising a reflective surface and a lower surface, the reflective surface defining an optical cavity, a light source support member defining a first aperture, and a light source comprising a plurality of LED dies coupled to and driven by the driver circuit. The light source support member is positioned proximate to the lower surface and generally conforms to a shape of the lower surface forming a gap therebetween defined as a second aperture. Additionally, the light source support member is configured to carry the light source in an orientation such that light emitted by the plurality of LEDs is incident upon the reflective surface. Furthermore, the reflective surface is configured to reflect light incident thereupon in the direction of at least one of the first aperture and the second aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Biological Illumination, LLC
    Inventors: Fredric S. Maxik, David E. Bartine, Robert R. Soler, Mark Andrew Oostdyk, Matthew Regan
  • Patent number: 8963446
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus having at least one set of light sources, a microprocessor, and an orientation sensor. The microprocessor and the orientation sensor are capable of maintaining the light source in a desired orientation. The lighting apparatus and devices having a lighting apparatus are capable of controlling the plurality of light sources to maintain the desired orientation of the lighting. The lighting apparatus may be connected to a device, such as a piece of wheeled luggage, stroller or hat, such that when the luggage is tilted the light source maintains an desired orientation relative to a fixed orientation, such as a horizontal orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: Martin Edward Hellkamp
  • Patent number: 8963447
    Abstract: A ballast configured to connect to a set of lamps to energize the set of lamps is provided. The ballast comprises an inverter circuit for generating an oscillating power signal, wherein the oscillating power signal has a frequency, and a resonant tank circuit electrically connected to the inverter circuit for receiving the oscillating power signal and therefrom providing a lamp current to the set of lamps. A resistance circuit is connected to the inverter circuit. The resistance circuit has a resistance that defines the frequency of the oscillating power signal generated by the inverter circuit. A current control circuit is connected to the resistance circuit for adjusting the resistance of the resistance circuit as a function of a number of lamps that are connected to the ballast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Nitin Kumar, Shashank Bakre
  • Publication number: 20150048760
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus connected to a network includes a light source for emitting light. A controller controls operation of the light source in response to an external control signal. A non-contact sensor detects a non-contact signal and generates a reset signal in response to detecting the non-contact signal. A communication interface communicatively connects the lighting apparatus to a wireless network to receive the external control signal from a remote apparatus via the wireless network and disconnects the lighting apparatus from the wireless network in response to receiving the reset signal from the non-contact sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Heui-sam KWAG, Tae-Eung KIM, Yong-Min JUNG, Ju-young JUNG, Ho-chan CHO
  • Publication number: 20150048761
    Abstract: Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide a dimming arrangement for a variable load, such as a lamp. The dimming arrangement is coupled to a drive circuit for the load and arranged to reduce a drive current associated with the drive circuit, based on a control voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Tiam Poh LAU, Zhongfang WANG
  • Publication number: 20150048762
    Abstract: Lighting control interface techniques and corresponding circuitry are provided. The techniques include receiving a first signal potentially representative of a first lighting control signal, and receiving a second signal potentially representative of a second lighting control signal, and determining if either of the first and second signals complies with a first or second lighting control protocol. The lighting control signal may be applied to the same interface connector (regardless of the protocol), thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated interface connectors. In some cases, the techniques further include determining that a dummy control signal is manifesting in the first and/or second signals, thereby indicating that no lighting control signal is being applied. Depending on the resulting determination, the techniques may include, for example, setting output lighting power according to a pre-established value, or according to the first or second lighting control protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventors: Lin Yang, Sivakumar Thangavelu, Michael Ardai
  • Publication number: 20150048677
    Abstract: Techniques are described for a multi-function pin of a light emitting diode (LED) driver. The techniques utilize this multi-function pin for switching current that flows through one or more LEDs, as well as for charging the power supply of the LED driver. The techniques further utilize this multi-function pin to determine whether the voltage at an external transistor is beginning to oscillate, and utilize this multi-function pin to determine whether the current through the one or more LEDs has fully dissipated to an amplitude of zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Xiaowu Gong
  • Publication number: 20150048678
    Abstract: Techniques are described for a multi-function pin of a light emitting diode (LED) driver. The techniques utilize this multi-function pin for switching current that flows through one or more LEDs, as well as for charging the power supply of the LED driver. The techniques further utilize this multi-function pin to determine whether the voltage at an external transistor is beginning to oscillate, and utilize this multi-function pin to determine whether the current through the one or more LEDs has fully dissipated to an amplitude of zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Xiaowu Gong
  • Patent number: 8957599
    Abstract: The invention relates to supervision circuits (10) for supervising organic light emitting diode devices (1) via detection circuits (20) for detecting failure states of the organic light emitting diode devices (1) and for generating decision signals in response to detected failure states of the organic light emitting diode devices (1), which detected failure states have durations equal to or larger than time intervals. In response to the decision signals, the organic light emitting diode devices (1) can be bypassed and deactivated through switching circuits (30) such as bi-stable circuits. The failure states may include that the organic light emitting diode devices (1) have a relatively low impedance or “short” and a relatively high impedance or “open”. The supervision circuit (10) further prevents the organic light emitting diode devices (1) from being bypassed unjustly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Dirk Hente
  • Patent number: 8957595
    Abstract: An AC line voltage may be encoded with control information, such as dimming information derived from an output signal of a conventional dimmer, so as to provide an encoded AC power signal. One or more lighting units, including LED-based lighting units, may be both provided with operating power and controlled (e.g., dimmed) based on the encoded power signal. In one implementation, information may be encoded on the AC line voltage by inverting some half cycles of the AC line voltage to generate an encoded AC power signal, with the ratio of positive half-cycles to negative half-cycles representing the encoded information. In other aspects, the encoded information may relate to one or more parameters of the light generated by the LED-based lighting unit(s) (e.g., intensity, color, color temperature, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Koniniklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Scott D. Johnston, Michael Keenan Blackwell