LED Sequencing Circuit With Capacitive Time Counting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED light strings face complexity in sequencing LEDs, requiring additional components like external resistors and constant current circuits, leading to unstable voltage signals and inaccurate control due to low-voltage DC carrier parallel light strings.

Innovation Solution

An LED circuit with a load component, capacitive component, and voltage processor that generates an inner voltage, compares it with a threshold, and uses time counting for sequencing, eliminating the need for external resistors and ICs, and implementing sequencing with digital circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional components like external resistors and constant current circuits are used for sequencing LEDs, then the sequencing function can be achieved, but the circuit complexity increases and voltage signal stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage signal stabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for external resistors, constant current circuits, and other additional sequencing components from the traditional LED circuit. By integrating the sequencing function directly into the LED driver circuit using capacitive components and digital time counting, the design removes harmful additional components that caused voltage instability and circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The LED circuit performs self-sequencing through internal capacitive charging/discharging cycles and digital time counting mechanisms. Each LED module autonomously generates timing signals based on its own capacitive components, eliminating the need for external control components and achieving self-organized sequential activation without increasing circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If low-voltage DC carrier parallel light strings are used, then power consumption is reduced, but control accuracy deteriorates due to current instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcontrol accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional current-based control mechanisms with voltage-based control and digital time counting. By using capacitive voltage division and digital timing circuits instead of analog current control, the system achieves precise sequencing control in low-voltage DC environments where current signals are prone to distortion and instability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control parameter from current-based to voltage-based and time-based control. By measuring the charging time of capacitive components and using digital time counting, the system achieves accurate sequencing control without being affected by current instability in low-voltage DC carrier parallel light strings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If address sequence data is burned into each LED before assembly, then diversified light emission can be achieved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediversified light emissionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sequencing function from the LED individual characteristics. Instead of encoding address data in each LED, the system divides the light string into modular sections where each module's position is determined by its physical connection point. This allows LEDs to be assembled without individual address programming, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining diversified light emission capabilities through modular control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary configuration at the circuit level rather than at the component level. By designing the circuit topology and capacitive values during manufacturing, the sequencing order is predetermined by the physical arrangement of modules rather than requiring individual LED programming, greatly simplifying the assembly process while maintaining addressability and diversified lighting effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Simplifies circuit design, stabilizes control, and ensures accurate sequencing without additional components, making the LED light string more reliable and efficient.

Implementation Method 1

The capacitive component provides a capacitance value and generates an inner voltage at the node

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP4615164A1Light-emitting diode circuit with sequence function, light-emitting diode circuit package, and light-emitting diode light string
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 SEMISILICON TECH
  • EP4615164A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4615164A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4615164A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4A

AI summary

A LED circuit (10, 10-1 to 10-N) with a sequence function includes a load component (101), a capacitive component (102), a current load (103), and a voltage processor (200). The load component (101) provides a resistance value. The capacitive component (102) is connected to the load component (101) in series at a node (Nc). The capacitive component (102) provides a capacitance value, and generates an inner voltage (VC) at the node (Nc). The current load (103) is connected in parallel to the load component (101) and the capacitive component (102) to provide a current path. The voltage processor (200) receives the inner voltage (VC) and a threshold voltage (Vth), and compares the inner voltage (VC) with the threshold voltage (Vth) to generate a comparison signal (Sc). The LED circuit (10, 10-1 to 10-N) counts time to acquire a time value from a starting time when the voltage processor (200) starts to generate the comparison signal (Sc) to a time when a level of the comparison signal (Sc) changes, and uses the time value for sequencing.