LED compensation circuit

• US 6,590,343 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2001
• Issued: 07/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 911EP Incorporated (Safariland LLC)
• Original Assignee: 911EP Incorporated (Safariland LLC)
• Inventors: Pederson, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong; Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu; Jimmy T.
• Application Number:
  US09/875,711
• Publication Number:
  US 20020047631A1
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 315/291,292,228,316,362,77,307,312 363/39,40 323/207
• US Class Current: 315/76
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light

Abstract

A compensating circuit initially adjusts the electrical parameters for a plurality of light emitting diodes for inclusion within standardized specifications for the electrical system of a light fixture. The compensating circuit includes a compensator which may be a zener diode positioned downstream from a series of light emitting diodes. The compensating software monitors the current drop across a series of light emitting diodes and initially assigns a current analysis value based upon the frequency and/or type of light emitting diode utilized. The compensating software then compares a signal representative of the current drop to the current analysis value to increase and/or decrease current exposed to the light emitting diodes to maximize illumination from the light sources.

Claims

1. A Light emitting diode compensating circuit comprising:

A. a current input electrically coupled to a substantially constant power source;

B. a plurality of light emitting diodes connected in series, said light emitting diodes being connected to said power source;

C. a signal input electrically downstream from said light emitting diodes, said signal input being constructed and arranged to transmit a current drop occurring across said light emitting diodes upon exposure to said power source; and

D. at least one controller comprising processing software and a look-up table having stored data representative of electrical specifications for combinations of light emitting diodes, said controller being constructed and arranged to access said look-up table for identification of at least one current analysis value, said controller in communication with said signal input, said controller being electrically coupled to said current input, said processing software being constructed and arranged to analyze and process said current drop compared to said at least one current analysis value and to adjust power provided to said light emitting diodes.

2. The compensating circuit according to claim 1, wherein said look-up table comprising data representative of electrical specifications of light emitting diodes of different colors.

3. The compensating circuit according to claim 2, wherein said controller is constructed and arranged to illuminate said light emitting diodes for the provision of different types of light signals.

4. The compensating circuit according to claim 3, wherein said controller is constructed and arranged to illuminate said light emitting diodes for the provision of a plurality of combinations of light signals.

5. The compensating circuit according to claim 4, wherein said light emitting diodes are of the same color.

6. The compensating circuit according to claim 5, wherein said light emitting diodes are from the same manufacturing lot.

7. A Light emitting diode compensating circuit comprising:

A. a current input electrically coupled to a substantially constant power source;

B. a plurality of light emitting diodes connected in series, said light emitting diodes being connected to said power source;

C. a signal input electrically downstream from said light emitting diodes, said signal input being constructed and arranged to transmit a current drop occurring across said light emitting diodes upon exposure to said power source;

D. at least one controller in communication with said signal input, said controller being electrically coupled to said current input, said controller being constructed and arranged to process said current drop and to adjust said power provided to said light emitting diodes; and

E. a compensator electrically connected to said light emitting diodes downstream from said light emitting diodes and electrically upstream from said signal input said compensator being constructed and arranged to initially alter the current drop across said light emitting diodes wherein said compensating circuit conforms to the electrical specifications for an electrical fixture.

8. The compensating circuit according to claim 7, wherein said alteration of said current drop across said light emitting diodes occurs prior to the provision of power to said light emitting diodes.

9. The compensating circuit according to claim 8, wherein said compensator comprising a zener diode.