LED driver with adaptive algorithm for storage capacitor pre-charge

An apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of light emitters;
• a driver coupled to a plurality of outputs paths, wherein each output path includes at least one of the light emitters;
• a storage capacitor that is coupled to each output path;
• a current regulator coupled to each output path, wherein the current regulator is adapted to determine a current through each output path;
• a controller that is coupled to the driver, the current regulator, and the output paths, wherein the controller includes:
• a sensor that senses a current level for each output path and that compares each sensed current level to a reference level;
• adjusters that provide control signals to the current regulator;
• and
• control logic that transmits control signals to the driver to increase a supply voltage level if at least one of the sensed current levels is lower than the reference level, and wherein the control logic determines a lowest supply voltage level for a worst case output path, and wherein the control logic uses the lower supply voltage level as a common supply voltage level for all output paths, and wherein the control logic determines a desired pre-charge voltage for the storage capacitor based at least in part on the lowest supply voltage level.

An apparatus comprising:

• a first pin that is configured to be coupled to a storage capacitor and a plurality of light emitters;
• a plurality of second pins, wherein each pin is configured to be coupled to at least one of the light emitters so as to form a plurality of output paths;
• a current regulator that is coupled to each of the second pins;
• a driver that is coupled to first pin;
• a controller that is coupled to the current regulator and driver, wherein the controller is configure to determine a supply voltage level for the plurality of output paths, and wherein the controller is configured to determine a desired pre-charge voltage for the storage capacitor based at least in part on the supply voltage level.