Programmable light emitting diode (LED) driver technique based upon an input voltage signal

• US 9,131,578 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2013
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Current Lighting Solutions, LLC (f/k/a GE Lighting Solutions, LLC) (American Industrial Partners)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Yao, Gang, Scheidegger, Nina
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens, Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kaiser, Syed M
• Application Number:
  US13/942,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20150022118A1
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 315/291, 315/207, 315/297, 315/246, 315/360
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/14 using electrical feedback from LEDs or from LED modules
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/395 Linear regulators

Abstract

Provided is an LED driver including an amplifier configured to receive a negative voltage input signal and produce a positive voltage output signal in response thereto. Also included is a microcontroller configured for sensing a value of the positive voltage output signal. The microcontroller (i) enters a programming mode when the value exceeds a threshold and (ii) produces an output current responsive to the value.

Claims

1. A light emitting diode (LED) driver, comprising:

an amplifier configured to receive a negative voltage input signal and produce a positive voltage output signal in response thereto, wherein the negative voltage input signal is representative of programming data;

a microcontroller configured to sense a value of the positive voltage output signal;

wherein the microcontroller (i) enters a programming mode when the value exceeds a threshold and (ii) produces an output current responsive to the value.

2. The LED driver of claim 1, wherein the amplifier is further configured to receive a positive voltage input signal during normal operation;

and

wherein the amplifier receives the negative voltage input signal only when the output current is to be programmed.

3. The LED driver of claim 1, when the negative input voltage signal is an analog signal.

4. The LED driver of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller continuously monitors an output port of the amplifier.

5. The LED driver of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller monitors an output port of the amplifier only when a signal output from the output port exceeds a threshold.

6. The LED driver of claim 1, wherein the producing includes providing an output instruction signal and setting the output current in response to the instruction signal.

7. A method of programming a light emitting diode (LED) driver including an amplifier and a microcontroller configured for sensing an output of amplifier, the method comprising:

receiving a negative voltage signal as an input to the amplifier, the amplifier producing a positive voltage output signal in response thereto, wherein the negative input voltage signal is representative of programming data; and

sensing, in the microcontroller, a value of positive voltage output signal;

wherein the microcontroller (i) enters a programming mode when the value exceeds a threshold and (ii) produces an output current responsive to the value.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving, by the amplifier, a positive voltage input during normal operation; and

receiving, by the amplifier, the negative voltage input signal only when the output current is to be programmed.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the microcontroller continuously monitors an output port of the amplifier.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the microcontroller monitors an output port of the amplifier only when a signal output from the output port exceeds a threshold.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the producing includes providing an output instruction signal and setting the output current in response to the instruction signal.

12. A tangible computer readable media storing instructions wherein said instructions when executed are configured to execute processes within a computer system, with a method comprising:

receiving a negative voltage signal as an input to the amplifier, the amplifier producing a positive voltage output signal in response thereto, wherein the negative voltage input signal is representative of programming data; and

sensing, in the microcontroller, a value of positive voltage output signal;

wherein the microcontroller (i) enters a programming mode when the value exceeds a threshold and (ii) produces an output current responsive to the value.

13. The tangible computer readable media of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving, by the amplifier, a positive voltage input during normal operation; and

receiving, by the amplifier, the negative voltage input signal only when the output current is to be programmed.

14. The tangible computer readable media of claim 12, wherein the microcontroller continuously monitors an output port of the amplifier.

15. The tangible computer readable media of claim 12, wherein the producing includes providing an output instruction signal and setting the output current in response to the instruction signal.

16. The tangible computer readable media of claim 12, wherein the negative voltage signal is within a specified negative voltage range.

17. The tangible computer readable media of claim 16, wherein the positive voltage output signal is within a specified positive voltage range.