Group Control Systems Patents (Class 315/318)
  • Patent number: 8222833
    Abstract: An illumination device for plants includes a lighting unit mounted on a lamp seat and including a cold cathode fluorescent lamp and a light emitting diode (LED) unit. A driving unit is mounted to the lamp seat, is coupled to the cold cathode fluorescent lamp and the LED unit, and is operable so as to drive the cold cathode fluorescent lamp and the LED unit such that the cold cathode fluorescent lamp and the LED emit respectively color lights having respective wavelengths. A dimming unit is coupled to the driving unit, and is operable so as to output a dimming output to the driving unit. The driving unit drives the cold cathode fluorescent lamp and the LED unit based on the dimming output from the dimming unit so that the color light emitted by each of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp and the LED unit has a respective light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Great Top Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 8222837
    Abstract: This invention relates to an ambience lighting system for use in conjunction with a display device including an image display region. A central control receives an incoming audio video stream (AVS) and to determines color information at the periphery of the image to be displayed. Light sources are disposed in a pre-fixed arrangement in relation to the periphery of the image display region, and local control units are coupled to open or more light sources selected from the multiple light sources for locally operating the at least one coupled light source. The central control unit is adapted to transmit the determined color information as a stream to each respective local control unit, which use a portion of the received color information to operate the at least one coupled light source, the portion being determined based on the position of the at least one coupled light source within the pre-fixed arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: TP Vision Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Guido Galeazzi
  • Patent number: 8219933
    Abstract: A file system for a stage lighting system that maintains the different files associated with the stage lighting system. Each of the files that can represent an effect are maintained within the system within a configuration file. The configuration file can be updated on each start of the system so that the system can maintain information indicative of current configuration files. A test mode can also be entered in which a pre-formed show can be tested against the current state of the configuration files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. Hunt
  • Patent number: 8207830
    Abstract: A network communication system (2) for two-way communication comprises: —at least one group of network devices (11); —at least one command device (20) capable of issuing at least one command signal (SC); 5—coordinating means (40) provided with a network definition memory (41) and with a device status memory (42). A network device, in response to receiving a command signal (SC), sends an acknowledgement signal (SA) to the command device. The coordinating means, in response to receiving a command signal for a 10 network device, watches for the corresponding acknowledgement signal from that network device and, in case of that network device failing to timely send the acknowledgement signal, amends in said device status memory (42) the status information (M(i)) relating to said network device. The coordinating means automatically removes a potentially defective 15 network device from the network definition memory (41) on entry of a network amendment mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Alwin Josephus Maria Rutjes, Jos Van Meurs
  • Patent number: 8188686
    Abstract: A system involves a plurality of RF-enabled occupancy detectors. Each occupancy detector communicates with and controls an associated plurality of RF-enabled fluorescent lamp starter units. A network master has an RF transceiver used to communicate with the occupancy detectors using a first protocol, thereby retrieving status information from the starter units. The network master also has a second RF transceiver for communicating directly with a cellular telephone using a second protocol. A user can use the cellular telephone to control and interact with the lighting system through the network master, and/or to retrieve status information from the network master. The network master automatically generates and sends email alerts to the user by sending the alerts to an email server. The email server forwards the emails to the cellular telephone via a cellular telephone network. Alerts may, for example, indicate a low battery voltage condition or that a lamp needs replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: IXYS CH GmbH
    Inventor: Steven M. Pope
  • Patent number: 8183783
    Abstract: Power is stored in a networked light allowing the networked light to send a message over the network providing information that the networked light is turning off if external power is no longer available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Greenwave Reality Pte, Ltd.
    Inventor: Karl Jonsson
  • Patent number: 8174213
    Abstract: The configurations of a light emitting device are provided in the present invention. The proposed device includes a light source, an enclosure, and an integrated control circuitry coupled to the light source, enclosed in the enclosure and receiving a universal input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Landry Gray, Po-Ming Tsai
  • Patent number: 8169164
    Abstract: A light output control device for laser light sources for respective RGB colors includes, for each of RGB, three sets, each including: a semiconductor laser for one of the colors; light output detection unit for detecting a light output from the semiconductor laser; light output adjustment unit for updating a light output target value; light output control unit for controlling the semiconductor laser based on the updated light output target value; and division unit for dividing the light output by an output from the light output adjustment unit to obtain a ratio of the rising of the light output, and includes rising determination unit for determining, based on results obtained by the respective division unit, a semiconductor laser with a slowest rising and outputs light output adjustment values for the respective colors. The light output adjustment unit update their respective light output target values based on the light output adjustment values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Inoue, Takahiro Kobayashi, Hiroshi Mitani, Toshiki Onishi, Yuichi Nishikoji
  • Patent number: 8159155
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system (12) for controlling the light output of a light emitting unit (10), which light emitting unit comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED) (14) and is adapted to emit light of at least one color, the control system comprising: a sensor unit (18) adapted to detect the light output of the light emitting unit and provide a corresponding feedback signal; and a control unit (22) adapted to control the light output of the light emitting unit based on a comparison between the feedback signal and a corresponding reference signal representing a desired light output, in order to provide an improved light output, wherein the control unit is further adapted to: determine a random switching period; determine on-time(s) for the LED(s) within the random switching period for providing the improved light output; and control energizing of the LED(s) according to the determined period and on-time(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Hubertus Franciscus Deurenberg, Erik Nieuwlands
  • Patent number: 8143813
    Abstract: In controlling an ambient lighting element, a category of data being rendered by a host is identified, ambient lighting data associated with the identified category is retrieved, and the retrieved ambient lighting data is rendered in correspondence with the rendered data. The retrieved ambient lighting data may be an ambient light script arranged to determine temporal portions of ambient lighting data. The ambient lighting data may be associated with the category based on user input. A sub-category of the data may be identified and the retrieved ambient lighting data may be modified with additional ambient lighting data associated with the sub-category. An association of a category with ambient lighting data may be edited by a user. A default association of a category to ambient lighting data may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Ronaldus Maria Aarts
  • Patent number: 8138690
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Digital Lumens Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian J. Chemel, Colin Piepgras, Steve T. Kondo, Scott D. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8138689
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a lighting control console for controlling a lighting system, wherein digital control commands are generated in the lighting control console and can be transmitted via data links to the lighting devices of the lighting system, and wherein the lighting control console includes at least one housing, in which the hardware components are arranged with protection against external influences, and wherein the lighting control console includes a plurality of operating elements, particularly keys, slide controls and/or rotary controls, which are arranged on the upper side of the housing and may be used for entering operating commands, and wherein the lighting control console includes at least one display device on which a user interface can be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: MA Lighting Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Adenau
  • Patent number: 8134310
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting system supporting multiple independently controlled zones utilizing a plurality of semiconductor switches coupled to a plurality of transformers to produce a non-sinusoidal power output and controlled by a digital controller that receives feedback from each zone in order to auto-sense the proper voltage for a plurality of connected loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventors: Joel Wacknov, Randall W. Brumbaugh, Paul D. Chancellor, Kenneth W. Keller, David J. McShane
  • Patent number: 8134299
    Abstract: An LED control system using a modulated signal includes a computer, a data storage unit, an AC power, a power conversion circuit, a control circuit, and an LED lamp string. The AC power is converted into a DC power by the power conversion circuit to supply a DC voltage to the control circuit and the LED lamp string. A computer control data is sent to the control circuit through the data storage unit by a user using the computer. The computer control data is modulated to a modulated signal by the control circuit. The modulated signal is sent to the LED lamp string with the same transmission line sending the DC voltage. The light of the LED lamp string is changed according to the modulated signal. The cost is reduced because the DC voltage and the modulated signal are sent in the same transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Semisilicon Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Wen-Chi Peng
  • Publication number: 20120056562
    Abstract: A lighting device includes first and second power source lines supplied with a driving current, first and second switching portions that respectively allow or prohibit supply of the driving current to the first and second power source lines, first and second current application lines respectively coupled with the first and second power source lines, first and second light-emitting element groups respectively disposed on the first and second current application lines, a driving portion coupled with the first and second current application lines and allowing flow of the driving current to the first and second current application lines, and a control portion that controls the first and second switching portions and the driving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masanao Higuchi
  • Patent number: 8120287
    Abstract: A LED display system includes multiple LEDs, a power converter to produce a supply voltage for the LEDs, and multiple drivers to drive the LEDs. According to the maximum one of the forward voltages of the LEDs, the drivers provides a feedback signal for the supply voltage control, and the feedback signal is amplified or digitized to reduce the voltage drop in the global power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Shui-Mu Lin, Ti-Ti Liu, Huan-Chien Yang
  • Patent number: 8115397
    Abstract: Power is stored in a networked light allowing the networked light to send a message over the network providing information that the networked light is turning off if external power is no longer available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Greenwave Reality PTE, Ltd.
    Inventor: Karl Jonsson
  • Patent number: 8111021
    Abstract: A method of controlling a lighting system includes a learning procedure. The lighting system includes lighting modules and a controlling device. The lighting modules are arbitrarily arranged, and each lighting module can communicate with neighboring lighting modules via communication units arranged at sides of the lighting module. The learning procedure defines a lighting module arrangement and a communication network for communication between the controlling device and the lighting modules. During the learning procedure, a token is forwarded from one lighting module to another lighting module, while ensuring that all lighting modules are visited by the token. Further, geometric information about how the lighting modules are arranged in relation to each other is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Jacob Snijder, Anthonie Hendrik Bergman, Gerritjan Henri Cowan
  • Patent number: 8106607
    Abstract: A system involves a plurality of RF-enabled occupancy detectors. Each occupancy detector communicates with and controls an associated plurality of RF-enabled fluorescent lamp starter units. A network master has an RF transceiver used to communicate with the occupancy detectors using a first protocol, thereby retrieving status information from the starter units. The network master also has a second RF transceiver for communicating directly with a cellular telephone using a second protocol. A user can use the cellular telephone to control and interact with the lighting system through the network master, and/or to retrieve status information from the network master. The network master automatically generates and sends email alerts to the user by sending the alerts to an email server. The email server forwards the emails to the cellular telephone via a cellular telephone network. Alerts may, for example, indicate a low battery voltage condition or that a lamp needs replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: IXYS CH GmbH
    Inventor: Steven M. Pope
  • Patent number: 8049437
    Abstract: A method for real time control of lighting system includes the steps of: providing a computer, a SCM (2), a digital-to-analog converter (3), and at least one power amplifier (41, 42, 43) connected to the digital-to-analog converter, each of the at least one power amplifiers connects with a lamp; receiving light control data inputted by a user; transmitting the light control data to the SCM; processing the light control data received by the SCM, and generating digital signals by the SCM; transmitting the digital signals to the digital-to-analog converter; converting the digital signals into an analog signals by the digital-to-analog converter, and transmitting the analog signals to the at least one power amplifier; and amplifying the analog signals and controlling the corresponding lamp connected to the at least one power amplifier. A system for real time control of the lighting system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Kuang Chang, Li Jiang, Dong-Hai Li
  • Patent number: 8047681
    Abstract: A flexible light emitting array includes a flexible substrate, pluralities of first wires, second wires and light emitting components. The flexible substrate has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first wires and the second wires penetrates across the first surface and the second surface to form pluralities of first conductive wire segments and second conductive wire segments on the first surface side and the second surface side. The light emitting components are arranged on the first surface side and electrically connected to the first conductive wire segments and the second conductive wire segments. The flexible light emitting array not only increases the reliability of bonding between the light emitting component and the flexible substrate but also drives the light emitting components with programmable control to achieve the dynamic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Royal Pacific Limited
    Inventors: Wei-Yean Howng, Ling King
  • Patent number: 8044612
    Abstract: An intelligent light source converts color and luminous flux data to luminous flux levels of individual color sources and automatically compensates for variations in operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick N. Prendergast, Benjamin T. Kropf
  • Patent number: 8035320
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing illumination in a manner that is energy efficient and intelligent. In particular, the present invention uses distributed processing across a network of illuminators to control the illumination for a given environment. The network controls the illumination level and pattern in response to light, sound, and motion. The network may also be trained according to uploaded software behavior modules, and subsets of the network may be organized into groups for illumination control and maintenance reporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: W. Olin Sibert
  • Patent number: 8027364
    Abstract: The electricity distribution network comprises a plurality of interconnection lines for the distribution of electricity among a plurality of interconnection boxes. At least some of said interconnection boxes are combined with a control unit for detection of stray voltage, comprising a transmitter to transmit to a receiver of at least one collecting unit a signal relating to any dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Power-One Italy S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Becattini, Davide Tazzari, Filippo Vernia, Lorenzo Cincinelli
  • Patent number: 8013545
    Abstract: Various methods of manufacturing a lighting apparatus and embodiments of a modular networked lighting apparatus are disclosed. One method defines a mechanical form factor with a minimum set of electrical connections for a networking module, builds a subassembly of the networked lighting apparatus, the subassembly comprising attachment points compatible with the mechanical form factor for the networking module and contacts for the minimum set of electrical connections for the networking module, installs a networking module into the subassembly of the networked lighting apparatus, the networking module compatible with a selected networking protocol for the networked lighting apparatus, completes the final assembly of the networked lighting module, and marks the networked lighting apparatus to indicate the selected networking protocol for the networked lighting apparatus. In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may function without the networking module installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Greenwave Reality, PTE, Ltd.
    Inventor: Karl Jonsson
  • Patent number: 7995101
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing system including an image supply unit arranged to transmit image data by wireless communication, an image receiving unit arranged to receive the image data supplied from the image supply unit, a first lighting unit arranged to illuminate an area in which the wireless communication with the image supply unit is possible, a detecting unit arranged to detect whether the image supply unit is in the area, and a controller arranged to control image communication between the image supply unit and the image receiving unit in accordance with an output of the detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuji Koide
  • Patent number: 7990080
    Abstract: A system for controlling multiple light sources is provided. The system includes a controller, a digital to analog converter (DAC), and at least one power amplifier. The controller is configured for receiving light control data for at least one light circuit, and for determining a digital luminance signal and an encoded address for each light circuit according to the light control data. The DAC is connected to the controller and configured for receiving the digital luminance signal and the encoded address for each light circuit, converting the digital luminance signal into an analog luminance signal, and for outputting the analog luminance signal according to the encoded address. Each power amplifier is connected to the DAC, and is configured for amplifying the analog luminance signal for the light circuit so as to drive the light circuit to control a corresponding light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Kuang Chang, Wei-Qi Sun
  • Patent number: 7990083
    Abstract: A method, for controlling color output of a variable color lighting system (1) capable of emitting light within a color gamut, comprising the steps of receiving (10) a request for a target color (T), converting the target color (T) to a set of lighting system control parameters, and applying (15) the set of lighting system control parameters, thereby controlling the color output of the lighting system (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Hubertus Franciscus Deurenberg, Eugen Jacob De Mol
  • Patent number: 7973498
    Abstract: An illumination control system includes lighting apparatuses connected to a communications line and a number of functional units of plural kinds functioning to detect information from ambient environments of the lighting apparatuses. Each lighting apparatus includes a lamp, an illumination circuit, a communication unit, a control unit, and a unit attaching part to which the functional unit is detachably attached. Each lighting apparatus belongs to one or more of plural groups corresponding to the functional units, the groups being operated based on information detected by the respective functional units. A functional unit having a detecting function corresponding to an operation of each group is attached to each unit attaching part of at least one lighting apparatus of each group, and each communication unit of the at least one lighting apparatus sends the control signal including information detected by the corresponding functional unit to another lighting apparatus in the same group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Kawashima, Junichi Katou, Atsuo Nanahara
  • Patent number: 7969102
    Abstract: An interactive LED lighting system for entertainment and a network thereof comprise a plurality of LED light controllers being capable of connecting with a wireless operating end, a plurality of kinetic energy sensors or wireless remote controls for receiving commands output by the wireless operating end, the kinetic energy sensors or the wireless remote controls so as to generate RGB signals and in turn make LED lamps connected with the LED light controllers change colors they emit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Chris Chang
  • Patent number: 7952302
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a lighting unit comprising a plurality of lighting elements and a dimmable power supply unit with an output for adjusting the brightness of at least some of the lighting elements. The method provides that for at least one dimmer setting at least one real electrical parameter is measured, as a function of the absorption of the lighting elements and that the measured electrical parameter is compared with at least one previously-stored theoretical value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Power-One Italy S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Becattini, Davide Tazzari, Filippo Vernia
  • Patent number: 7902763
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a piezoelectric cascade resonant lamp-ignition circuit, which uses the intrinsic capacitors of a piezoelectric transformer as piezoelectric capacitors. One lamp is cascaded to one set of the piezoelectric capacitors. Several sets of the piezoelectric capacitors and a resonant inductor are cascaded to form a resonant lamp-ignition circuit. The lamp-ignition circuit of the present invention has advantages of low temperature, small leakage current, high breakdown voltage and high lamp ignition efficiency. When applied to drive several lamps, the present invention uses a fixed frequency to attain a fixed inner impedance of the equivalent circuit of the piezoelectric capacitor. Thereby, the currents of the lamps are balanced to have an identical value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignees: Midas Wei Trading Co., Ltd., Champion Elite Company Limited
    Inventors: Tao-Chin Wei, Ming Shing Chou, Hsi Chen Chang
  • Patent number: 7902773
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes multiple light units each of which includes a semiconductor light source, and a current supply control means for controlling supply of current to the semiconductor light source. A control unit includes a control signal generation means for generating and providing a control signal. The light emitting device also includes switching means for controlling feeding from a DC power source to a corresponding one of the light units in response to the control signal. Each of the switching means is coupled to a corresponding one of the light units through a feed line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fuminori Shiotsu, Takanori Namba, Masayasu Ito
  • Patent number: 7893633
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control device for controlling a variable-color light source, the variable-color light source comprising a plurality of individually controllable color light sources. The control device comprises a control unit for generating, responsive to an input signal indicative of a color and a brightness, respective activation signals for each of the individually controllable color light sources. The control unit is configured to generate the activation signals from the input signal and from predetermined calibration data indicative of at least one set of color values for each of the individually controllable light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Martin Professional A/S
    Inventor: Allan Pedersen
  • Patent number: 7880405
    Abstract: The invention includes an electronic ballast that is operable to receive a ballast factor setting that enables the ballast to provide a desired ballast factor when the ballast drives a lamp. The electronic ballast includes an input that is adapted to receive a ballast factor setting that represents a desired ballast factor for the ballast and a respective lamp. The ballast further includes a memory that is adapted to store the ballast factor setting, and the ballast includes a processor that uses the ballast factor setting stored in the memory to cause the ballast to provide the desired ballast factor as the ballast drives the lamp. The ballast includes means for substantially preventing subsequently changing the ballast factor setting stored in the memory. Various business methods are further provided as a function of the electronic ballast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Russell L. MacAdam, Kenneth D. Walma, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7825613
    Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a plurality of unit blocks to emit light. Each unit block includes a light-emitting part and a driving part. The light-emitting part includes at least two red light-emitting diodes (LEDs), two green LEDs, and two blue LEDs. The driving part includes a red LED-driving element that provides the red LEDs with a driving voltage, a green LED-driving element that provides the green LEDs with a driving voltage, and a blue LED-driving element that provides the blue LEDs with a driving voltage. LEDs may be driven together in a group, or may be driven individually to sequentially emit red light, green light, and blue light so a color filter is not included in a display panel having the backlight assembly. A driving element is connected to the LEDs to reduce manufacturing costs for the driving element circuits, thereby reducing manufacturing costs of the backlight assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung-Dae Ye, Sang-Hoon Lee, Ho-Sik Shin
  • Patent number: 7764162
    Abstract: The invention regards a system and method for using a handheld programming device to configure a lighting control system wirelessly. In one embodiment, at least one device configured with a processing section is installed in the lighting control system. A communications receiver that is operable to receive a signal from the handheld programming device is also installed in the lighting control system, wherein the signal includes an instruction for configuring the lighting control system. Further, the signal is wirelessly sent from the handheld programming device to the communications receiver, and the instruction is transmitted from the communications receiver to a device in the system. The instruction functions to configure the lighting control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Audwin W. Cash, Rishi Raj Kumar, Christopher J. Rigatti, Dragan Veskovic, John C. Hewson
  • Patent number: 7728533
    Abstract: An exemplary backlight control circuit (20) includes: at least two load circuits (210), a pulse width modulation integrated circuit (PWM IC) (250) having a current sampling pin (251), a switching circuit (270), and an input circuit (230). Each load circuit includes a backlight and a backlight inspecting circuit having an output end. The switching circuit includes a first transistor which includes a source electrode connected to ground, a drain electrode connected to the current sampling pin, a gate electrode connected to a power supply. The input circuit includes at least two first diodes, at least two input resistor, a second transistor, and a pink-to-pink detector circuit. The pink-to-pink detector circuit includes a second diode, a second bias resistor, and a second filter capacitor. Each output end of the load circuits is connected to the gate electrode of the second transistor via the input resistor, the first and second diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Innolux Display Corp.
    Inventors: Jian-Hui Lu, Tong Zhou
  • Patent number: 7659675
    Abstract: The light sources for illuminating the stope support at a longwall face are operated at low voltage, connected to the control network device, for low voltage supply of the system controllers. LEDs are particularly suitable as light sources. Measures for avoiding an impairment of the function of the system controllers are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Tiefenbach Control Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Willi Kussel
  • Patent number: 7635958
    Abstract: The present invention includes a lighting control system provided with two or more lighting devices and one or more illumination comparing devices; wherein the illumination comparing device supplies to the lighting devices a comparison result in which a sampled illumination of an arbitrary position and a target illumination are compared; the two or more lighting devices carry out a judgment based on the comparison result obtained from the illumination comparing device and repetitively increase/decrease their respective light intensities; and the illumination of the arbitrary position is substantially controlled to the target illumination, and with this lighting control system, a predetermined position can be controlled to a desired illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: The Doshisha
    Inventor: Mitsunori Miki
  • Patent number: 7576497
    Abstract: The present invention provides a light emitting diode lamp, which includes at least a light emitting diode and a control circuit. The light emitting diode lamp has an anode pin, a cathode pin, and a synchronous pin. The anode pin and the cathode pin receive a DC voltage, and the synchronous pin is connected to the control circuit. Moreover, the present invention provides a synchronous light emitting diode lamp string, which includes a plurality of light emitting diode lamps and at least a power adapter. Each light emitting diode lamp has a synchronous pin, and all synchronous pins are connected together. The control circuit can control the color changing of the light emitting diode based on a reference signal from the synchronous pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Semisilicon Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jacky Peng
  • Patent number: 7573372
    Abstract: Control systems and methods for independent control of power systems, particularly lighting network branches, and separate control of individual branch components. Multi-branch systems comprise independently controllable branches that inter-communicate via PLC communications. In each branch, components such as ballasts, local control units, sensors, actuators, and repeaters, may exchange commands and queries independently of a branch remote control unit (BRCU). Alternatively, a BRCU may manage or arbitrate communications, or interact with other BRCUs, other control units and external management systems. Ballasts include a multi-channel ballast that enables close-loop control of individual fixtures, or of individual dimmable or non-dimmable lamps within a fixture. The close-loop control is facilitated by sampling circuits/sensors co-located with each controlled fixture or lamp. All controllers are preferably implemented using an integrated digital controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Systel Development & Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Rafael Mogilner, Boris Nogtev, Yuri Kuhlik, Daniel Rubin, Arie Lev, Eytan Rabinovitz
  • Patent number: 7560880
    Abstract: A control device for work lamp includes a microprocessor, which is able to receive signals sent from a power supply unit and a switch. The microprocessor is able to determine the number of times that the switch is pressed and then send out a command to the activation unit, which will in turn activate the light unit. All or a part (a quarter, half or three quarters) of the lights of the light unit may be turned on in their full brightness, half of their full brightness or a portion of the full brightness or in flashing light. Hence, the control device of the present invention allows a user to select from several brightness levels according to the actual needs so as to save electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventor: Li-Chun Lai
  • Patent number: 7557524
    Abstract: An LED lighting device is provided which is capable of being connected to a network and being controlled by a host computer also connected to the network. The lighting device has several lifespan expanding features such as including several extra LEDs such that as the LEDs of the lighting device degrade over time more LEDs can be turned on thus allowing a constant luminosity to be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Gestion Proche Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Chevalier, Alain Martel
  • Patent number: 7550935
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for downloading one or more lighting programs including one or more lighting effects. The lighting program(s) may be downloaded from a web site to one or more LED-based lighting devices that are configured to execute the downloaded lighting program(s) so as to reproduce the lighting effect(s). In various examples, a variety of programming devices may be employed to facilitate wired or wireless downloading, including one or more computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, media players (e.g., MP3 players), and the like. Information may be uploaded to the web site to facilitate selection and/or creation of lighting effect(s) that are included in the downloaded lighting program(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc
    Inventors: Ihor A. Lys, Kevin J. Dowling, Frederick M. Morgan
  • Patent number: 7548150
    Abstract: In a method for the allocation of short addresses in illumination systems, whose illumination components (DALI EB, Lp) are controlled via a DALI bus, the short address is determined and allocated automatically without the intervention of an operator with the aid of a localization device (Tag, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Osram Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Andreas Huber, Gotthard Schleicher
  • Patent number: 7541752
    Abstract: An illuminating device comprises a plurality of light-emitting element groups each including a plurality of series-connected light-emitting elements, a load which is connected in series with one of the light-emitting element groups, and forms a reference element group together with the one light-emitting element group, and a driving circuit which includes a monitor unit which monitors an electrical characteristic value of the reference element group, and supplies an electric current set on the basis of the electrical characteristic value obtained by the monitor unit to the reference element group and the other light-emitting element groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuichi Kunifuda
  • Patent number: 7471048
    Abstract: The present invention provides a light emitting diode lamp, which includes at least a light emitting diode and a control circuit. The light emitting diode lamp has an anode pin, a cathode pin, and a synchronous pin. The anode pin and the cathode pin receive a DC voltage, and the synchronous pin is connected to the control circuit. Moreover, the present invention provides a synchronous light emitting diode lamp string, which includes a plurality of light emitting diode lamps and at least a power adapter. Each light emitting diode lamp has a synchronous pin, and all synchronous pins are connected together. The control circuit can control the color changing of the light emitting diode based on a reference signal from the synchronous pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Semisilicon Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jacky Peng
  • Patent number: 7471051
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting system supporting multiple independently controlled zones utilizing a plurality of semiconductor switches coupled to a plurality of transformers to produce a non-sinusoidal power output and controlled by a digital controller that receives feedback from each zone in order to auto-sense the proper voltage for a plurality of connected loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Avatar Systems LLC
    Inventors: Joel Wacknov, Randall W. Brumbaugh, Paul D. Chancellor, Kenneth W. Keller, David J. McShane
  • Patent number: RE43476
    Abstract: A lighting system includes a central controller and multiparameter lights, including IPLDs. A display of the multiparameter lights at the central controller includes the IPLDs and their image parameters, which are used to evoke a display of graphics tools at the central controller for originating images. Images originating at the central controller are transmitted to the IPLDs either by or under control of the central controller. The graphics tools may also be able to manipulate images. The central controller is provided with one or more image editors, which include the graphics tools. The outputs of the image editors, which are referred to as “image banks,” are routed to multiple multiparameter lights (including IPLDs) in accordance with assignments made by the operator of the central controller. The central controller also uses a collage display screen of a collage generator to allow the operator to select an image to collage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Richard S. Belliveau