Automatic method to detect short and open conditions on the outputs of a LED driver device
AssigneeSTMicroelectronics S.r.l.
InventorsSergio Castiglia, Roberto La Rosa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Driving a light-emitting element by a driver capable of testing at least an open or short condition of the light-emitting element. In particular, a driving signal is generated to drive the light-emitting element. It is evaluated based on the value of the driving signal whether a predetermined condition is reached. If so, a latch signal is output indicating that the testing has finished.
Claims35
A driving apparatus for driving a light emitting element, the driving apparatus comprising:
- a driving means for outputting a driving signal for driving a light emitting element,
- a testing means for testing the light emitting element by measuring the driving signal, and
- an evaluating means for determining that the value of the driving signal reaches a predetermined condition, and for outputting a latch signal, indicating that testing is completed, at a time when the value of the driving signal reaches the predetermined condition.
A driving method for driving a light emitting element, the driving method comprising:
- driving, with a driving means, a light emitting element by outputting a driving signal,
- testing, with a testing means, the light emitting element by measuring the driving signal,
- determining, with an evaluating means, that the value of the driving signal reaches a predetermined condition, and
- outputting, with the evaluating means, a latch signal, indicating that testing is completed, at a time when the value of the driving signal reaches the predetermined condition.
A driver for a light-emitting element, comprising:
- a driver circuit configured to output a driving signal for driving a light-emitting element;
- a test circuit configured to test the light-emitting element by measuring the driving signal;
- and
- an evaluation circuit configured to determine that a value of the driving signal meets a predetermined condition, and to provide a latch signal at a time when the value of the driving signal meets the predetermined condition.
A method for driving a light-emitting element, comprising:
- supplying, by a driver circuit, a driving signal for driving a light-emitting element;
- testing, by a test circuit, the light-emitting element by measuring the driving signal;
- and
- determining, by an evaluation circuit, that a value of the driving signal meets a predetermined condition and providing a latch signal at a time when the value of the driving signal meets the predetermined condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.