Electric Switch In The Supply Circuit Patents (Class 315/362)
  • Patent number: 8169165
    Abstract: A portable lighting device, such as a flashlight, with a mechanical power switch and multiple operating modes is provided. The mechanical power switch is disposed in series with the controller for the lighting device and acts as the user interface to the controller to change modes of operation. Because the mechanical power switch is in series with the controller, the portable lighting device does not consume battery power when the mechanical switch is open. A state machine coupled to the controller is polled by the controller each time it is powered up to determine the operational mode of the lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: MAG Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: Stacey H. West
  • Publication number: 20120098467
    Abstract: An illuminated latch apparatus is provided. The illuminated latch apparatus can include a latch member 100 with at least one surface 110 having a channel 120 formed therein. A light guide 200 having a first end 210 and a second end 220 can be at least partially disposed within the channel 120. A light source 310 can be disposed proximate the first end 210 of the light guide 200.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Mark S. Tracy, Earl W. Moore
  • Publication number: 20120098306
    Abstract: An article of furniture including one or more decorative light members placed along the bottom or other portions of the article furniture is provided. In some embodiments, the article of furniture is a sofa. According to some embodiments, a light member is a light emitting diode (LED) tube. A light assembly including at least one light member that can be removably attached to the article of furniture is also provided. The operation of the light assembly can be controlled by at least one switch used to cut the light member(s) on and off and/or regulate the amount brightness of light emitted from the light member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Michael W. Jarnagin, Jonathan Richard Butts, Tommy Jack Harper, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120098466
    Abstract: A shakable lighting element includes a main unit, an inner seat, a conductive rod, a spring, a swing block, an LED and an outer shade. The inner seat is latched into the main unit and is installed with the spring and the LED. The spring is connected with the swing block, an end of the conductive rod penetrates the inner seat to be in contact with a battery and the other end is transfixed in the spring. When the main unit shakes, the swing block drives the spring to swing and when the spring touches the conductive rod, the LED illuminates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Chung-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 8164281
    Abstract: A device comprising a solid state or mechanical switch coupled to a first connector and a second connector and at least one lighting device such as an LED light source wherein when power is applied to the first connector, the switch is operable to direct power to the lighting device and to a portion of the pins of the second connector. By constructing the connectors as similar, but with opposite genders, the connectors can be disposed on a circuit assembly to allow for daisy chaining a series of luminaire assemblies together. The connectors may be Ethernet connectors and the switch may be operable through control signals coupled to the Ethernet connector such that a smart power controller operating using power over Ethernet (POE) can operate to control the light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Warton
  • Publication number: 20120091925
    Abstract: A display device is provided including an optical waveguide, and a light source, and also a louver, a transparent/scattering state switching element, and a transmissive liquid crystal display panel, provided in order on the side of a light-emitting surface of the optical waveguide. The transparent/scattering state switching element switches between a state for scattering the incident light and a state for transmitting the light without scattering. The light source drive circuit causes the transparent/scattering state switching element to transfer from the transparent state to the scattering state, and when the viewing angle range of the display is switched from narrow to wide, the intensity of the light source is gradually increased in conjunction with the transition state of the transparent/scattering state switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: NEC LCD TECHNOLOGIES, LTD
    Inventors: Shinichi UEHARA, Ken SUMIYOSHI, Fujio OKUMURA
  • Publication number: 20120091924
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp starter unit determines whether the lighting fixture into which it has been plugged is in a first state (for example, the lamp is off) or is in a second state (for example, the lamp is on). If the fixture is in the first state then the starter unit uses a first method to detect ballast type, whereas if the fixture is in the second state then the starter unit uses a second method to detect ballast type. In one example, the first method involves turning on the power switch of the starter unit at a time after a zero-crossing and then using the periodicity of a transient switch current signal to determine ballast type, whereas the second method involves turning on the power switch at the time of the zero-crossing and then using peak amplitude information of the transient switch current to determine ballast type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Quyen Tran, Yefim Gluzman
  • Publication number: 20120085006
    Abstract: A lighting fixture comprising a mounting frame adapted to be mounted to a vertical mounting surface. The mounting frame supports a panel. The panel may include decorative indicia on a front surface thereof. Further, the panel may include an array of tiles thereon. The lighting fixture also comprises a mounting frame adapted to support the panel and a plurality of support arms projecting from the mounting frame. Each of the arms supports at least one lamp socket. The lighting fixture further comprises a secondary light source coupled to the mounting frame at a location between the front surface of the panel and the wall. The lighting fixture comprises control electronics adapted to selectively apply power to the light source and the at least one lamp socket. In some embodiments, the secondary light source is responsive to an activation signal from at least one of a presence detector and a photodetector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Quoizel, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd L. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20120081040
    Abstract: A light emitting diode driving circuit comprising a power supply circuit, a rectifier circuit, a light emitting diode load and a controlling circuit. The rectifier circuit is connected between the power supply circuit and one port of the light emitting diode load. The other port of the light emitting diode load is connected to ground through a transistor. of the controlling circuit. The power supply circuit, the rectifier circuit, the light emitting diode load are connected to the ground when the transistor is turned on and disconnected from the ground when the transistor is turned off. The controlling circuit further comprises a pulse generating unit which controls the turn on/off of the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: FOXCONN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHIN-LONG KU
  • Publication number: 20120081013
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an energy conversion device comprises a nuclear battery, a light source coupled to the nuclear battery and operable to receive electric energy from the nuclear battery and radiate electromagnetic energy, and a photocell operable to receive the radiated electromagnetic energy and convert the received electromagnetic energy into electric energy. The nuclear battery comprises a radioactive substance and a collector operable to receive particles emitted by the radioactive substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Frazier, Timothy J. Imholt, Alexander F. St. Claire
  • Publication number: 20120081005
    Abstract: A luminaire is provided, which includes a first light source for providing an illumination light and a second light source passing through at least one image pattern for providing a patterned light. The first light source and the second light source are coupled to a driving circuit and covered by a lamp cover. The driving circuit is used to selectively drive at least one of the first light source and the second light source for providing the illumination light and/or the patterned light. A user may turn on or switch different patterns by touching a casing of the luminaire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicants: LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, SILITEK ELECTRONIC (GUANGZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: WEN-HSIANG LIN, PO-WEI LI, CHIH-CHIANG KAO
  • Patent number: 8150269
    Abstract: The invention relates to A method for a lighting device, in particular for a display device such as a LCD-TV, projector etc., generating radiation including at least visible light for illumination with at least one light-emitting element (1) being a LED (1) or an OLED, emitting radiation comprising an average light intensity for illumination purpose, a controller (2) coupled to the light-emitting element (1) modulating said radiation for a data transfer simultaneously to the illumination purpose, wherein the controller (2) is configured in such a way, that simultaneously data signals are transmitted via the generated radiation of said light-emitting element (1) and said modulation is not visible by an observer, wherein the data signals are transmitted to a detecting unit (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Georg Sauerlander, Bart Andre Salters
  • Patent number: 8142058
    Abstract: A tri-dimming push handle switch lamp holder is disclosed, which enables a user to press the push handle for a selection among three dimming levels: full brightness, middle luminance and complete darkness, where the lamp holder is made up of a body, a first conducting member, a first contact plate, a conducting plate, a second conducting member, a second contact plate, a rectifying diode, a flap, a push handle, an insulating plate and a threaded tube shell, which are integrated together to form an advanced lamp holder that features not only the basic switching function but an extra tri-level dimming function, substantially boosting its usage for all kinds of occasions. Moreover, an extra arrangement of the conducting plate and the rectifying diode enables the structural combination and the function of this invention to present great creativeness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Goldweal Far East Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Ho Yang
  • Patent number: 8143815
    Abstract: A control circuit of a DC/DC converter is provided for supplying a driving voltage to a light emitting element. A hysteresis comparator compares a detection voltage that corresponds to the output voltage of the DC/DC converter with two threshold voltages. If the detection voltage is smaller than the lower threshold voltage, the hysteresis comparator outputs a comparison signal at the low level. Otherwise, the comparison signal is set to the high level. The switching control unit uses the comparison signal as a reference. The switching control unit instructs the switching transistor of the DC/DC converter to perform the switching operation during a period when the comparison signal is at the low level. Otherwise, the switching operation is suspended. The control circuit inhibits light emission of the light emitting element during a period when the comparison signal is at the low level. Otherwise, the control circuit permits the light emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Tamegai, Isao Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20120068630
    Abstract: A light source device includes a light emitting element and a wavelength conversion device. The wavelength conversion device includes a stationary member, a moveable carrier made of a transparent material carrying one or more wavelength conversion materials and moveable relative to the stationary member, and a stationary first filter. The first filter is fixed on the stationary member and disposed adjacent the moveable carrier. The excitation light from the light emitting element passes through the first filter and illuminates the wavelength conversion materials on the moveable carrier. The wavelength conversion materials convert the excitation light into converted light as the output of the light source device. The size of the first filter is smaller than the size of the moveable carrier and smaller than a carrying area of the moveable carrier that carries the wavelength conversion material. A wavelength conversion method using the wavelength conversion device is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: APPOTRONICS CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Yi Li, Yi Yang
  • Publication number: 20120068625
    Abstract: Various lighting devices and related methods are provided. In one example, a portable lighting device includes a light source, lighting control circuitry, first and second power terminals adapted to receive a battery power source, first and second electrical connections between the lighting control circuitry and the first and second power terminals, a third electrical connection between the second power terminal and the lighting control circuitry, and a switch adapted to selectively connect and disconnect the third electrical connection. The lighting control circuitry is adapted to operate the light source in response to a signal received over the third electrical connection in response to the switch. The first and second electrical connections are adapted to provide constant power to the lighting control circuitry while the battery power source is connected to the first and second power terminals regardless of operation of the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: SUREFIRE, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Matthews, William A. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20120068624
    Abstract: Various lighting devices and related methods are provided. In one example, a portable lighting device includes a light source, lighting control circuitry, a body, and a tailcap assembly attached to an end of the body. The tailcap assembly includes a multi-position joystick adapted to pivot relative to the body in response to lateral pressure and move vertically relative to the body in response to vertical pressure. The tailcap assembly also includes switches adapted to provide signals to the lighting control circuitry in response to pivot movement and vertical movement of the joystick. The lighting control circuitry is adapted to operate the light source in response to the signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: SUREFIRE, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Matthews, Ammar Burayez, Luis M. Sanchez, William A. Hunt, Michael D. Picciotta, Andrew Castañeda
  • Publication number: 20120049768
    Abstract: To provide a novel organic compound having a bipolar property. To reduce power consumption of a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, and an electronic device. The organic compound has a fluorene skeleton and a structure in which an electron-accepting unit and a hole-accepting unit are bonded through carbon at the 9-position of the fluorene skeleton. The organic compound has a bipolar property and a large band gap. The use of the organic compound makes it possible to reduce power consumption of a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, and an electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Satoshi Seo, Sachiko Kawakami, Harue Osaka
  • Publication number: 20120043915
    Abstract: An operating light (1) has a housing (2), which has a light exit opening (4); a holding system, which is coupled with housing (2) and is designed to movably hold the operating light; at least one light source (3) as well as at least one corresponding optical system to direct light emitted by the at least one light source (3) in the direction of light exit opening (4). A grip assembly unit (14) is provided approximately in the middle of light exit opening (4). The grip assembly unit (14) has a handle (5) to pivot the operating light (1) into a desired position. At least one rotating ring (11) is located between the handle (5) and the housing (2) and is rotatable in relation to the handle (5) and is designed to set various functions of operating light (1). As an alternative or in addition, a touch-sensitive sensor element (15), which is designed to set various functions of operating light (1), is located between the handle (5) and the housing (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: DRAGER MEDICAL GMBH
    Inventors: Bjørn ROHWEDDER, Hanno KRETSCHMANN, Sven MÜLLER
  • Publication number: 20120043910
    Abstract: Of the various technological features disclosed in the present specification, a structure according to the one technological feature is as follows. A lighting apparatus changeable between an illuminating state and a non-illuminating state comprising: a non-contact motion sensor arranged to sense a movement of a hand near the lighting apparatus; and a controller arranged to control the lighting apparatus in the non-illuminating state to change from the non-illuminating state to the illuminating state in response to the movement of hand sensed by the non-contact motion sensor, and to control the lighting apparatus in the illuminating state to cause a change in illumination with the illuminating state kept in response to the same movement of hand sensed by the non-contact motion sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsunori Nagashima, Masahide Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20120043914
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a surface; the surface has a conductive layer within a thickness of the surface. A trench is formed in the conductive layer to define a touch area, the touch area is isolated from the rest of the conductive layer. A conductive pickup is mounted on a back side of the surface over the touch area and the conductive pickup is electrically connected to a capacitive touch controller, such that when a user touches the touch area on a front side of the conductive the touch controller responds to the user's touch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Electric Mirror, LLC
    Inventors: James V. Mischel, JR., Ross Divanfard, Paul John Ropella, Mark Joseph Stefka
  • Patent number: 8120279
    Abstract: A color adjustable lamp may be controlled using a TRIAC dimmer circuit and includes a lamp driving circuit and two or more light sources. Each light source may output light having a different color. By setting an output intensity of each light source, light having a desired color may be output. A circuit or a processing unit of the lamp driving circuit may detect a set phase angle of the TRIAC dimmer circuit by determining a shape of the supplied alternating voltage. According to the determined shape, the circuit or processing unit controls a lamp driver circuit for each light source in order to control the intensity of the light output by each light source and set the color of the color adjustable lamp by adjusting the intensity of the light emitted by each light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Thijs Oosterbaan, Bernardus Lambertus Martinus Van Bakel, Joseph Franciscus Raymond Eijsermans, Nicola Bettina Pfeffer, Marinus Cornelis Raas
  • Patent number: 8120289
    Abstract: Packaged semiconductor electronic device to be individually positioned and coupled to peripheral electronic devices, the package comprising a light emitting semiconductor device, and a switch for controlling the light emitting semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Steven F. E. Vaassen, Peter Deixler
  • Publication number: 20120032606
    Abstract: The amplitude of a potential of a signal line is decreased and a scan line driver circuit is prevented from being excessively loaded. A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting element; a first power supply line having a first potential; a second power supply line having a second potential; a first transistor for controlling a connection between the first power supply line and the light-emitting element; a second transistor, which is controlled in accordance with a video signal, whether outputting the second potential applied from the second power supply line or not; a switching element for selecting either the first potential applied from the first power supply line or the output of the second transistor; and a third transistor for selecting whether the first potential or the output of the second transistor which is selected by the switch is applied to a gate of the first transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Ryota Fukumoto, Hiroyuki Miyake, Yoshifumi Tanada, Kei Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8102130
    Abstract: An electrical power distribution system for efficiently installing electrical lights, devices, and power outlets to selectively energize or de-energize an electrical load in a building or structure. The electrical power distribution system comprises a control module installed in a building comprising the controlled output that is selectively energized by controlling a latching relay connected to an AC supply source and a load to be energized. Some embodiments further comprise an electronic switch in parallel with a relay. In addition, other embodiments include an electronic switch in parallel with a relay controlled by the same control signal to energize a load, where the electronic switch is energized before the contacts of the relay close and the electronic switch is de-energized after the contacts of the relay open. In an exemplary embodiment the load may be controlled and its ON/OFF status may be known at a distance of at least one mile with a pair of wires, AWG #24 or smaller diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Light-On, LLC
    Inventors: James N. Seib, Kevin Broc Seib, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20120014104
    Abstract: The present invention comprise a flag illumination assembly that both (i) illuminates an associated flag from a vertical edge of the flag and (ii) swivels with the edge of the flag as the flag is tossed in the wind. The foregoing facilitates illumination of the flag regardless of the direction of the wind. Further, a simmering effect is often created as a result of natural undulations of the flag in wind relative to the beams of light being directed thereon from the illumination assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Michelle Morris, John Bode
  • Patent number: 8098029
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the load control device comprising a semiconductor switch operable to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the load, the semiconductor switch having a control input for controlling the semiconductor switch between a non-conductive state and a conductive state; a controller operatively coupled to the control input of the semiconductor switch for controlling the semiconductor switch between the non-conductive state and the conductive state; a touch sensitive front surface; a touch sensitive device responsive to a point actuation on the touch sensitive front surface, the point actuation characterized by a position and a force, the touch sensitive device comprising a resistive divider and an output operatively coupled to the controller for providing a control signal to the controller; and a capacitor coupled to the output of the touch sensitive device for stabilizing the c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Jeremy Nearhoof, Gregory Altonen, Daniel F. Carmen
  • Publication number: 20110316453
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to lighting control systems and methods. In one exemplary embodiment, a building having at least one light source controlled by a manually-actuated switch is retrofitted with a networked control system. In this regard, the manually-actuated switch is decoupled from a power line that provides power to the light source, and the power line is coupled to a node of a wireless network to provide in-line control of the light source. Another node of the network is coupled to the manually-actuated switch so that the node can receive inputs from such switch. Such node uses the wireless network to transmit data indicative of the inputs from the manually-actuated switch. Logic then uses such data to control the activation state of the light source via the in-line relay coupled to the power line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: David B. Ewing
  • Patent number: 8084964
    Abstract: A method for adjusting brightness of a light source is provided. A light source with X brightness degrees is provided. The light source is turned on and off at least one time. When the number n of times of turning on the light source is less than or equal to the total number X of brightness degrees, the brightness degree of the light source is determined to be the nth brightness degree. When the number n is greater than the total number X, the brightness degree of the light source is determined to be the mth brightness degree, wherein the number m is equal to a remainder obtained by dividing the number n by the number X, is determined; if the number m is equal to zero, the brightness degree of the light source is determined to be the last brightness degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Princeton Technology Corporation
    Inventors: En-Hsun Hsiao, Chin-Yen Huang
  • Patent number: 8084963
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, and apparatuses related to managing a rechargeable battery in an enclosed lighting module. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Innovative Engineering & Product Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance Chandler, Jim Scalf, Thomas L. Downer, Laurence G. Teeter, Jr., Thomas T. Teeter
  • Publication number: 20110304282
    Abstract: A power supply device of an electronic cigarette is disclosed, the device comprising a battery and a control board installed inside a battery sleeve; the power supply device further comprises electrode connectors provided at one end of the battery for connecting an atomizer as a load into the circuit loop of the electronic cigarette, wherein the electrode connectors comprises a negative pole connector coupled to one end of the battery sleeve; a positive pole connector sit inside the negative pole connector; an insulation ring being provided between the negative pole connector and the positive pole connector to achieve electric isolation; the controlling board being provided at the other end of the battery inside the battery sleeve; the controlling board is integrated thereon a controller, a LED light and an airflow switch; the controller connecting the load connected between the positive pole connector and the negative pole connector into the power supply loop of the battery and controlling on/off of the LED
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: YONGHAI LI, ZHONGLI XU
  • Patent number: 8076872
    Abstract: Disclosed are light emitting diode circuits employing first sub-circuits including first light emitting diodes and connected in parallel with second sub-circuits including second light emitting diodes and switches for, in conducting states, switching on the second light emitting diodes and switching off the first light emitting diodes and for, in non-conducting states, switching off the second light emitting diodes and switching on the first light emitting diodes. The first sub-circuits and the second sub-circuits have different signal characteristics such as different minimum threshold voltages to be realized by using different kinds of light emitting diodes, by using different total numbers of serial light emitting diodes, or by adding threshold voltage elements to the first sub-circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Georg Sauerlander, Bernd Ackermann
  • Patent number: 8075155
    Abstract: An electric power tool, which comprises a motor that drives a tool, a power source unit that applies voltage to the motor, a main switching circuit that makes/breaks an electrical connection between the power source unit and the motor, an illuminator that illuminates a work spot, a switching device that electrically connects the illuminator to the power source unit, and an OR circuit that is electrically connected to terminals of the motor to the base terminal is provided. The OR circuit electrically connects one of the motor terminals at which a voltage is higher to the base terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Watanabe, Jiro Suzuki, Takuya Kusakawa
  • Patent number: 8076854
    Abstract: A light source apparatus includes: a lamp replacement door configured to open and close a lamp replacement window; an igniter replacement door configured to open and close an igniter replacement window which is opened at a position different from the position of the lamp replacement window; a door opening detection switch configured to detect the opening and closing of the lamp replacement door; a circuit breaker device configured, when the opening state of the lamp replacement door is detected by the door opening detection switch, to interrupt power supply to an electric circuit; and a door opening regulation mechanism configured to lock the closing state of the igniter replacement door, and configured to permit the opening of the igniter replacement door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Seiki Toriyama, Mutsumi Oshima
  • Publication number: 20110291581
    Abstract: A local minimum of a current monitoring signal is identified by a starter unit that turns off a fluorescent lamp without using a wall switch. Closing a main switch in the starter unit stops an illuminating current from flowing through a gas in the lamp. The local minimum of the current monitoring signal is reached when an increasing valid sample is identified following four valid samples. A sample is valid if it does not differ from the preceding valid sample by more than a threshold difference based on known properties of the signal. By skipping invalid samples, the local minimum is accurately determined to have been reached despite transient noise spikes in the signal that would trip any voltage threshold used to locate the local minimum. When the main switch is opened at a predetermined time after the local minimum, the illuminating current does not again flow through the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Kamlapati Khalsa, Rogers Ball
  • Patent number: 8063588
    Abstract: A circuit uses a single control input to an oscillator of an electronic ballast to program the parameters of soft-start frequency, pre-heat frequency, ignition ramp time, and ballast run frequency. The output frequency of the oscillator is based on an electrical parameter at the control input node. A resistor-capacitor network may be used to program the soft-start ramp time and ignition ramp time. The resistive element of the restive-capacitance network may be used to program the pre-heat frequency. A switchable impedance may be used to program the ballast run frequency. A look-up table circuit may also be used in the alternative to implement a single control input for the oscillator of an electronic ballast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Ribarich, Peter Bredemeier
  • Publication number: 20110282218
    Abstract: An apparatus includes (a) a dial having a front face with indicia thereon and a transparent face plate and a back surface; and (b) a light source attached to the dial and positioned exterior to the transparent face plate and oriented so as to illuminate the face plate. The apparatus is advantageously used to measure blood pressure under adverse lighting conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Seltzer
  • Publication number: 20110279064
    Abstract: An apparatus for routing data and power cables under raised floors and through other structures is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such an apparatus includes an illuminated attachment comprising a connection mechanism to removably connect the illuminated attachment to an end of a cable. The illuminated attachment adds weight to the end of the cable to aid in tossing the end from one location to another. A corresponding method is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew E. Brooks, David F. DeHaan
  • Patent number: 8058821
    Abstract: A control circuit of a DC/DC converter is provided for supplying a driving voltage to a light emitting element. A hysteresis comparator compares a detection voltage that corresponds to the output voltage of the DC/DC converter with two threshold voltages. If the detection voltage is smaller than the lower threshold voltage, the hysteresis comparator outputs a comparison signal at the low level. Otherwise, the comparison signal is set to the high level. The switching control unit uses the comparison signal as a reference. The switching control unit instructs the switching transistor of the DC/DC converter to perform the switching operation during a period when the comparison signal is at the low level. Otherwise, the switching operation is suspended. The control circuit inhibits light emission of the light emitting element during a period when the comparison signal is at the low level. Otherwise, the control circuit permits the light emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Tamegai, Isao Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110266980
    Abstract: A method is provided for illuminating a port on an electronic device. The method comprises an actuator on the electronic device receiving an input, and the actuator causing a light source on the electronic device to illuminate the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: Amy Lynn Schellenberg
  • Publication number: 20110260655
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement in the structure of luminous umbrella, using integrated illumination components. The components are ideal for luminous umbrella particularly designed to be used in the evening when visibility is poor, and can be used for other decoration purposes. The integrated illumination components of the present invention are constructed by combining illumination emitter of LED with bases of parts of umbrella, such as linkage members on slip ring, rib members on fixed collar and umbrella handle. When the illumination emitter of LED is mounted on the surface of these parts, the overall umbrella structure can be made smaller and lighter, and the flexibility of light source design can also be maximized. In particular, when base parts with high heat dissipation capability are used as the heat dissipating fins, the full performance of high-brightness illumination emitter of LED can be achieved. The integrated illumination components offer another advantage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Huan-Jan CHIEN, Tsung-Hong Tsai
  • 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: 8040080
    Abstract: A user interface for a lighting control has a touch sensitive front surface; a four-wire resistive touch pad responsive to a point actuation on the front surface, the touch pad having a longitudinal resistive element for providing a first control signal representative of the position of the point actuation along the longitudinal axis, and a lateral resistive element for providing a second control signal representative of the position of the point actuation along the lateral axis; a controller receiving the first and second control signals; a first capacitor coupled between the lateral resistive element and a circuit common that charges and discharges through the longitudinal resistive element of the resistive touch pad to stabilize the first control signal; and first, second, and third switches controlled by the controller to provide a DC supply voltage to the resistive elements and to couple a respective resistive element to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Jeremy Nearhoof, Gregory Altonen, Daniel F. Carmen
  • Publication number: 20110248650
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing coupled to an electrical power source, a motor contained in the housing, and a motor control circuit that controls output speed of the motor. A light unit is coupled to the housing to illuminate a work surface. A light unit control circuit controls illumination of the light unit. A switch unit is coupled to the housing and selectively operable to control the operation of the motor control circuit and the light unit control circuit. The light unit control circuit includes a timer configured to cause the light unit to illuminate a first brightness level when the switch unit is actuated, and to remain illuminated at the first brightness level for a predetermined time period after the trigger is actuated. The predetermined time period restarts if the switch unit is not deactivated before the end of the predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Brian C. Sterling, Stephen P. Osborne, Paul S. White, Jeffrey D. Delcamp
  • Publication number: 20110227509
    Abstract: A control device is provided, for controlling the supply of power from a remote power source to a headgear mounted illumination device to selectively turn the corresponding illumination source on and off. The control device includes an attachment feature that facilitates donning the control device on the body of a user. To operate the control device, the wearer causes hands-free, tactile contact with a switch contact surface of the control device, e.g., by bumping, pressing or otherwise engaging the switch contact surface against a limb or external structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Hady Saleh
  • Publication number: 20110227508
    Abstract: An ornament of the present invention includes a display that is hidden behind a panel. An ornament body includes at least one panel which includes a two-way mirror and a display in the interior of the body. The ornament includes a light disposed in the ornament body which, when active, reveals the display which is otherwise hidden behind the two-way mirror. The light may be activated by a sensor that recognizes physical motion, and may also include a speaker to play music and a moving display element driven by a motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: MR. CHRISTMAS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Leslie Hermanson, Huang Meng-Suen
  • Patent number: 8022821
    Abstract: A power supply, such as for powering and supplying communication data to devices connected with a low voltage line, is disclosed. For example, a converter device is coupled with an alternating current voltage source. The converter device down-converts an alternating current voltage to a direct current voltage. A switching device is in communication with the converter device. A processor is in communication with the switching device. The processor outputs a signal to the switching device. The switching device generates a square wave signal as a function of the signal from the processor and the direct current voltage. A remote device is controlled by data encoded in the square wave signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: J. Baxter Brinkman International Corporation
    Inventors: Peter D. Joseph, David A. Saathoff
  • Publication number: 20110221362
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a circuit board received in the housing, and an indicator module. The indication module includes an illumination member electrically connected to the circuit board, and an optical fiber segment coupled to the illumination member for transmitting light generated by the illumination member. The optical fiber segment includes a light input end facing the illumination member to receive light, and a light output end connected to the housing to output light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: XIANG CAO, ZHEN-XING YE
  • Publication number: 20110215086
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stretch-resistant light-emitting or heat-emitting structure. The wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant light-emitting structure includes a woven member, conductive twisted cables, a light-emitting element, and a receiver circuit. The woven member is mounted to the article. Each conductive twisted cable includes a stretch-resistant wire and a conductive wire twisted together. The conductive twisted cables are woven in the woven member. The light-emitting element, which is arranged inside the woven member, includes a light emission section and two conductive pins. The conductive pins are respectively and electrically connected to the conductive wires of the conductive twisted cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Winharbor Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Hsiang Yeh
  • Publication number: 20110215740
    Abstract: Portable lighting systems and devices including a first power source that is magnetically attractable and that has a first terminal with a first electrical polarity and a second terminal with a second electrical polarity, a second power source having a third terminal with the first electrical polarity and a fourth terminal with the second electrical polarity, a light source electrically connected to the first terminal and to the fourth terminal, and a biasing mechanism biasing the first power source toward an activated position where the second terminal is in contact with the fourth terminal to define an electrical circuit, wherein in the presence of a magnetic field the first power source moves into a deactivated position where the second terminal is spaced from the fourth terminal to open the electrical circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Jeff Ellis