The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 21, 2008
Filed:
Mar. 16, 2006
Chris J. Grivas, Crystal Lake, IL (US);
Erik A. Cholewin, Libertyville, IL (US);
Andrew S. Lundholm, Hoffman Estates, IL (US);
Chris J. Grivas, Crystal Lake, IL (US);
Erik A. Cholewin, Libertyville, IL (US);
Andrew S. Lundholm, Hoffman Estates, IL (US);
Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, IL (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling a plurality of light sources () in an electronic device () is provided. In one embodiment, the plurality of light sources () is used to backlight an illuminated display (). As switching multiple light sources on simultaneously can cause output voltages of power sources () to drop, thereby potentially affecting the overall operation of the electronic device (), an illumination controller () distributes actuation times associated with illumination control signals () such that each actuation time is unique. A control signal generator () produces a control signal () having light source actuation information stored therein. The illumination controller () then generates a plurality of illumination control signals () that are capable of actuating the plurality of light sources (). Each illumination control signal () has a duty cycle and actuation time associated therewith. The illumination controller () distributes the actuation times across the control signal () so as to reduce the instantaneous current drawn by the plurality of light sources ().