Method of forming a sequencing system and structure therefor

• US 9,913,355 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2015
• Issued: 03/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries LLC (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries LLC (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Inventors: Kolanko, Frank J., Vermeir, Sam J. B. W., Blackburn, Brian, Van de Maele, Wim, Rice, Benjamin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hollington, Jermele M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nasir, Taqi
• Application Number:
  US14/804,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20160033584A1
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 324500, 324537, 32475601, 32475602, 32475607, 32476301
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/54 Testing for continuity
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/50 responsive to malfunctions or undesirable behaviour of LEDs; responsive to LED life; Protective circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/23 of two or more light sources connected in series

Abstract

In one embodiment, a sequencing system includes a plurality of integrated circuits connected in a daisy chain arrangement, where each integrated circuit has an LED load connection. The system includes a diagnostic circuit which signals to the control unit that an open circuit condition has been detected, thereby turning off all LED loads.

Claims

1. A sequencing lighting system comprising:

at least two integrated circuits, wherein each integrated circuit comprises a control input and a sequence output;

a control unit coupled to a first integrated circuit of the at least two integrated circuits;

an intermediate communication signal coupling the sequence output of the first integrated circuit to the control input of a second integrated circuit of the at least two integrated circuits;

a diagnostic circuit contained within each integrated circuit, wherein the diagnostic circuit detects an open circuit condition and produces an open circuit signal.

2. The sequencing lighting system of claim 1, wherein each integrated circuit comprises a diagnostic output.

3. The sequencing lighting system of claim 2, wherein the diagnostic output is electrically coupled to the control unit.

4. The sequencing lighting system of claim 3, wherein the open circuit signal is sent to the control unit through the diagnostic output when the diagnostic circuit detects an open circuit condition.

5. The sequencing lighting system of claim 1, wherein the open circuit signal is propagated to the control unit through the diagnostic circuits and intermediate communication signals when an open circuit condition is detected.

6. The sequencing lighting system of claim 1, comprising an LED load electrically connected to each of the integrated circuits, wherein the LED load is turned off when the open circuit condition is detected.

11. The open circuit detection system of claim 1, wherein the open circuit signal is propagated to the control unit through the diagnostic circuits and intermediate communication signals when an open circuit condition is detected.

7. An open circuit detection system comprising:

at least two integrated circuits, wherein each integrated circuit comprises a control input and a sequence output;

a control unit coupled to a first integrated circuit of the at least two integrated circuits;

an intermediate communication signal coupling the sequence output of the first integrated circuit to the control input of a second integrated circuit of the at least two integrated circuits;

a diagnostic circuit contained within each integrated circuit, wherein the diagnostic circuit detects an open circuit condition and produces an open circuit signal.

8. The open circuit detection system of claim 7, wherein each integrated circuit comprises a diagnostic output.

9. The open circuit detection system of claim 8, wherein the diagnostic output is electrically coupled to the control unit.

10. The open circuit detection system of claim 9, wherein the open circuit signal is sent to the control unit through the diagnostic output when the diagnostic circuit detects an open circuit condition.

12. A method for forming an open circuit detection system comprising:

providing at least two integrated circuits, wherein each integrated circuit comprises a control input and a sequence output;

providing a control unit coupled to a first integrated circuit of the at least two integrated circuits;

providing an intermediate communication signal coupling the sequence output of the first integrated circuit to the control input of a second integrated circuit of the at least two integrated circuits;

providing a diagnostic circuit contained within each integrated circuit, wherein the diagnostic circuit detects an open circuit condition and produces an open circuit signal.

13. The method for forming an open circuit detection system of claim 12, wherein each integrated circuit comprises a diagnostic output.

14. The method for forming an open circuit detection system of claim 13, wherein the diagnostic output is electrically coupled to the control unit.

15. The method for forming an open circuit detection system of claim 14, wherein the open circuit signal is sent to the control unit through the diagnostic output when the diagnostic circuit detects an open circuit condition.

16. The method for forming an open circuit detection system of claim 12, wherein the open circuit signal is propagated to the control unit through the diagnostic circuits and intermediate communication signals when an open circuit condition is detected.

17. The method for forming an open circuit detection system of claim 12, providing an LED load electrically connected to each of the integrated circuits, wherein the LED load is turned off when the open circuit condition is detected.