IP Library Granted Patent US 9,167,671
Granted Patent B2
US 9,167,671 · App. 13/874,089 · Granted Oct 20, 2015

Flickering illumination control techniques

Inventor: Bernard Fournier (Delsen, CA)
Assignee: NII Northern International Inc.
H05B37/0281Y02B20/42
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,167,671
App. No.
13/874,089
Granted
Oct 20, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

According to certain inventive techniques, a method for operating a flickering illumination control device including an electrical input and an electrical output includes receiving an input voltage at the electrical input. A non-flickering output voltage may be provided at the electrical output. While receiving the input voltage and while providing the non-flickering output voltage, a first interruption in current flowing through the electrical output may be detected. In response to the first interruption, a flickering output voltage is provided at the electrical output.

Claims (56)

1. A method for operating a flickering illumination control device including an electrical input and an electrical output, wherein the method comprises:

receiving an input voltage at the electrical input;

providing a non-flickering output voltage at the electrical output;

while receiving the input voltage and while providing the non-flickering output voltage, detecting a first interruption in current flowing through the electrical output; and

in response to the first interruption, providing flickering output voltage at the electrical output.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

while receiving the input voltage and while providing the flickering output voltage, detecting a second interruption in current flowing through the electrical output; and

in response to the second interruption, providing the non-flickering output voltage at the electrical output.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-flickering output voltage is the same as the input voltage.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting whether an override switch on the flickering illumination control device is in an override state; and

if the override switch is in the override state, providing the non-flickering output voltage instead of the flickering output voltage at the electrical output.

5. A method for operating a flickering illumination control device including an electrical input and an electrical output, wherein the method comprises:

receiving an input voltage at the electrical input;

while receiving the input voltage, detecting an interruption in current flowing through the electrical output;

measuring a length of a duration of the interruption; and

according to the length of the duration of the interruption, alternatively providing either a flickering output voltage or a non-flickering output voltage to the electrical output.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

determining whether the length of the duration of the interruption is greater than a reference length of time or lesser than the reference length of time;

if the length of the duration of the interruption is greater than the reference length of time, providing the non-flickering output voltage to the electrical output; and

if the length of the duration of the interruption is lesser than the reference length of time, providing the flickering output voltage to the electrical output.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the non-flickering output voltage is the same as the input voltage.

8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

detecting whether an override switch on the flickering illumination control device is in an override state; and

if the override switch is in the override state, providing the non-flickering output voltage instead of the flickering output voltage at the electrical output.

9. A method for operating a flickering illumination control device including an electrical input and an electrical output, wherein the method comprises:

receiving, at a first time, an input voltage at an electrical input and responsively providing a non-flickering voltage to the electrical output;

receiving, at a time between subsequent to the first time, a first interruption of the input voltage at the electrical input; and

receiving, at a second time subsequent to the first interruption, the input voltage at the electrical input and responsively providing a flickering voltage to the electrical output.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

receiving, at a time subsequent to the second time, a second interruption of the input voltage at the electrical input; and

receiving, at a third time subsequent to the second interruption, the input voltage at the electrical input and responsively providing a non-flickering voltage to the electrical output.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the non-flickering output voltage is the same as the input voltage.

12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

detecting whether an override switch on the flickering illumination control device is in an override state; and

if the override switch is in the override state, providing the non-flickering output voltage instead of the flickering output voltage at the electrical output.

13. A method for operating a flickering illumination control device including an electrical input and an electrical output, wherein the method comprises:

receiving an input voltage at the electrical input;

detecting an interruption in the input voltage;

measuring a length of a duration of the interruption; and

according to the length of the duration of the interruption, alternatively providing either a flickering output voltage or a non-flickering output voltage to the electrical output.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

determining whether the length of the duration of the interruption is greater than a reference length of time or lesser than the reference length of time;

if the length of the duration of the interruption is greater than the reference length of time, providing the non-flickering output voltage to the electrical output; and

if the length of the duration of the interruption is lesser than the reference length of time, providing the flickering output voltage to the electrical output.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the non-flickering output voltage is the same as the input voltage.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

detecting whether an override switch on the flickering illumination control device is in an override state; and

if the override switch is in the override state, providing the non-flickering output voltage instead of the flickering output voltage at the electrical output.

17. A device comprising:

an electrical input configured to receive an input voltage;

an electrical output;

output conditioning circuitry electrically connected to the electrical input and the electrical output; and

wherein the output conditioning circuitry is configured to:

receive the input voltage from the electrical input, and

while receiving the input voltage, alternately provide a flickering alternating current output voltage or a non-flickering alternating current output voltage to the electrical output in response to interruptions in the current flowing through the electrical output.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 29, 2017
From: NII NORTHERN INTERNATIONAL INC.
To: STERNO HOME INC.
Reel/Frame 044762/0390 →
MERGER Recorded Oct 20, 2016
From: 1058825 B.C. LTD.; NII NORTHERN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC.; WINVIC SALES INC.; NII NORTHERN INTERNATIONAL INC.
To: 1058825 B.C. LTD.
Reel/Frame 040425/0267 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 20, 2016
From: 1058825 B.C. LTD.
To: NII NORTHERN INTERNATIONAL INC.
Reel/Frame 040426/0833 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 10, 2013
From: FOURNIER, BERNARD
To: NII NORTHERN INTERNATIONAL INC.
Reel/Frame 030390/0763 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61640488 · Apr 30, 2012
Related Publication 20130285554A1 · Oct 31, 2013