Dimmer detection
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving an input signal representing a supply voltage signal;
detecting a dimmer affecting the supply voltage signal;
generating a dimmer detection signal representing detection of the dimmer;
determining a type of the dimmer affecting the supply voltage; and
generating a dimmer type detection signal;
wherein determining a type of the dimmer affecting the supply voltage comprises at least one of (A) and (B);
(A) comparing the input signal with a first threshold value;
comparing the input signal with a second threshold value;
determining a time between when the input signal reaches the first threshold value and the input signal reaches the second threshold value;
comparing the determined time with a time threshold value; and
indicating that the dimmer is a first type of dimmer if the determined time is above the time threshold value and indicating the dimmer is a second type of dimmer if the determined time is below the time threshold value;
(B) determining a voltage difference in the input signal that occurs during a fixed amount of time;
comparing the voltage difference in the input signal to a voltage difference threshold value; and
indicating that the dimmer is a first type of dimmer if the voltage difference is greater than the voltage difference threshold value and indicating the dimmer is a second type of dimmer if the voltage difference is greater than the voltage difference threshold value.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In at least one embodiment, a lighting system receives an input signal, such as a supply voltage, that can be affected by a dimmer. The supply voltage can be affected by a dimmer when, for example, a dimmer phase cut (i.e. chopped) the supply voltage. A dimmer detection system of the lighting system determines if a dimmer is affecting the supply voltage. In at least one embodiment, the dimmer detection system also determines a type of the dimmer, such as detecting if the dimmer is a leading edge or trailing edge dimmer. In at least one embodiment, the dimmer detection system provides dimmer type data to one or more other circuits such as a switching power converter controller. The one or more other circuits utilize the dimmer type data to affect their operation.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving an input signal representing a supply voltage signal; detecting a dimmer affecting the supply voltage signal; generating a dimmer detection signal representing detection of the dimmer; determining a type of the dimmer affecting the supply voltage; and generating a dimmer type detection signal; wherein determining a type of the dimmer affecting the supply voltage comprises at least one of (A) and (B); (A) comparing the input signal with a first threshold value; comparing the input signal with a second threshold value; determining a time between when the input signal reaches the first threshold value and the input signal reaches the second threshold value; comparing the determined time with a time threshold value; and indicating that the dimmer is a first type of dimmer if the determined time is above the time threshold value and indicating the dimmer is a second type of dimmer if the determined time is below the time threshold value; (B) determining a voltage difference in the input signal that occurs during a fixed amount of time; comparing the voltage difference in the input signal to a voltage difference threshold value; and indicating that the dimmer is a first type of dimmer if the voltage difference is greater than the voltage difference threshold value and indicating the dimmer is a second type of dimmer if the voltage difference is greater than the voltage difference threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus comprising:
a dimmer detection system to; receive an input signal representing a supply voltage signal; detect a dimmer affecting the supply voltage signal; generate a dimmer detection signal representing detection of the dimmer; determine a type of the dimmer affecting the supply voltage; and generate a dimmer type detection signal; wherein to determine a type of the dimmer affecting the supply voltage, the dimmer detection system is capable to perform at least one of (A) and (B); (A) compare the input signal with a first threshold value; compare the input signal with a second threshold value; determine a time between when the input signal reaches the first threshold value and the input signal reaches the second threshold value; compare the determined time with a time threshold value; and indicate that the dimmer is a first type of dimmer if the determined time is above the time threshold value and indicating the dimmer is a second type of dimmer if the determined time is below the time threshold value; (B) compare the input signal with a first threshold value; determine a voltage difference in the input signal that occurs during a fixed amount of time; compare the voltage difference in the input signal to a voltage difference threshold value; and indicate that the dimmer is a first type of dimmer if the voltage difference is greater than the voltage difference threshold value and indicating the dimmer is a second type of dimmer if the voltage difference is greater than the voltage difference threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus comprising:
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a power converter system to convert a supply voltage signal into an output voltage; and a controller, coupled to the power converter system to control the power converter system, wherein the controller includes a dimmer detection system, wherein the dimmer detection system includes; one or more input terminals to receive an input signal representing a supply voltage signal; a dimmer detector to detect if a dimmer is affecting the supply voltage signal and generate a dimmer detection signal representing detection of the dimmer; and a dimmer type detector to determine a type of the dimmer affecting the supply voltage and generate a dimmer type detection signal, wherein to determine a type of the dimmer affecting the supply voltage, the dimmer type detector is capable to perform at least one of (A) and (B); (A) compare the input signal with a first threshold value; compare the input signal with a second threshold value; determine a time between when the input signal reaches the first threshold value and the input signal reaches the second threshold value; compare the determined time with a time threshold value; and indicate that the dimmer is a first type of dimmer if the determined time is above the time threshold value and indicating the dimmer is a second type of dimmer if the determined time is below the time threshold value; (B) compare the input signal with a first threshold value; determine a voltage difference in the input signal that occurs during a fixed amount of time; compare the voltage difference in the input signal to a voltage difference threshold value; and indicate that the dimmer is a first type of dimmer if the voltage difference is greater than the voltage difference threshold value and indicating the dimmer is a second type of dimmer if the voltage difference is greater than the voltage difference threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification