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:
Jun. 10, 2014
Filed:
Jul. 29, 2011
John L. Melanson, Austin, TX (US);
Eric J. King, Dripping Springs, TX (US);
Robert T. Grisamore, Austin, TX (US);
Firas S. Azrai, Austin, TX (US);
John L. Melanson, Austin, TX (US);
Eric J. King, Dripping Springs, TX (US);
Robert T. Grisamore, Austin, TX (US);
Firas S. Azrai, Austin, TX (US);
Cirrus Logic, Inc., Austin, TX (US);
Abstract
A system and method includes a controller that alternately enables at least two different current paths for a current flowing through a dimmer when the dimmer is in an OFF mode. In at least one embodiment, enabling and disabling the current paths allows a power supply of the dimmer to continue functioning and provides the controller sufficient voltage to continue functioning. One of the current paths is a low impedance path and another current path is a path to a voltage supply node of a switching power converter controller. In at least one embodiment, the controller generates an impedance control signal to enable a low impedance current path for a current in the dimmer and alternately provide a current path to the voltage supply node for the controller.