Patent ID: 10278244

Abstract:
A multifunctional universal driver (210) for an electric load (228) is disclosed. The driver (210) comprises a switching driver circuit (220) operatively connected to said load (228), a programmable integrated circuit (298) operatively connected to said switching driver circuit (220) to generate a control signal for control of said load (228), a user control means (234) operatively connected to said programmable integrated circuit (298) for user control of said control signal, said user control means (234) comprising a wireless receiver (200); a wireless remote controller platform (204) comprising a remote user control (434) for wirelessly transmitting control instructions to said wireless receiver (200) wherein said wireless receiver (200) is a transceiver and said driver (210) comprises means for transmitting the power consumption of said load (228), its status, or other information to said remote controller platform (204) in response to a query received from said remote controller platform (204).In an embodiment of the present invention, said driver (210) further comprises configuration control means (222) to preset the driver (210) output to adapt to the requirements of the load (228), said remote control platform (204) further comprising remote configuration control means (422) communicable with said configuration control means (222).In a further embodiment, the load (228) is an LED load and said programmable integrated circuit (228) comprises means for generating a PWM signal and said remote controller platform (204) comprises control means (434) for controlling the brightness of said LED load (228) using said PWM signal.In another embodiment, the load (228) is an LED load and said programmable integrated circuit (228) comprises means for generating a control signal, wherein said control signal is an analog signal used for linear dimming of said LED load (228), and said remote controller platform (204) comprises control means (434) for controlling the brightness of said LED load (228).The driver remote user control means (434) can be readily accessible to the end user of the driver, and the remote configuration control means (422) can be less accessible to the end user of the driver. In an embodiment, the remote configuration control means (422) is password protected.In a further embodiment, the remote controller platform (204) is Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi enabled and the remote user control (434) and the remote configuration control (422) are implemented in the GUI of said platform (204). The platform can be one selected from the group consisting of smartphones, smart pads, notebook computers, and laptops. The wireless LED driver (210) can become part of the Internet of Things (IoT) controlled remotely using the Internet.