High intensity discharge lamp ballast with anti-theft operating mode
First Claim
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1. A ballast circuit for energizing an HID lamp having an anti-theft operating mode comprising:
- means for testing a signal from a vehicle to verify a vehicle code matches an HID lamp code, and when there is no match, said testing means initiates said anti-theft operating mode; and
means for regulating an operating current of said HID lamp in accordance with a signal from said testing means, wherein said HID lamp output power fluctuates between a normal output power level and a predetermined lower output power level.
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Abstract
A high intensity discharge (HID) assembly comprises ballast circuits which includes a micro-controller, and an HID headlamp. In order to deter theft of the HID assembly from a vehicle, the micro-controller communicates with a vehicle computer, checks the VIN of the vehicle, and if the micro-controller does not recognize the VIN, causes the HID headlamp to operate in a flickering power output mode. The ballast circuits include a power control circuit, a lamp current regulator, a 400v regulator, a current sense circuit, a turn-on synchronization circuit, a shut down circuit, and a pulse width modulator.
13 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A ballast circuit for energizing an HID lamp having an anti-theft operating mode comprising:
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means for testing a signal from a vehicle to verify a vehicle code matches an HID lamp code, and when there is no match, said testing means initiates said anti-theft operating mode; and means for regulating an operating current of said HID lamp in accordance with a signal from said testing means, wherein said HID lamp output power fluctuates between a normal output power level and a predetermined lower output power level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for operating a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp in a normal mode and an anti-theft mode comprising the steps of:
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testing a signal from a vehicle with means to verify a vehicle code matches an HID lamp code, and when there is no match initiating said anti-theft operating mode; and regulating an operating current of said HID lamp in accordance with a signal from said testing means, wherein said HID lamp output power fluctuates between a normal output power level and a predetermined lower power level. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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Specification