Patent ID: 8638047

Claim:
A two-terminal current controller for controlling a first current passing through a load, wherein: during a rising period of a rectified alternative-current (AC) voltage when a voltage established across the load does not exceed a first voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a first mode; during the rising period when the voltage established across the load exceeds the first voltage but does not exceed a second voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a second mode; and during the rising period when the voltage established across the load exceeds the second voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a third mode; during the rising period when the voltage established across the load drops to a third voltage smaller than the second voltage after exceeding the second voltage, the two-terminal current controller is configured to: operate in the second mode when a difference between the second and third voltages exceeds a first hysteresis band; and operate in the third mode when a difference between the second and third voltages does not exceed the first hysteresis band; and the two-terminal current controller includes: a current limiting unit configured to: conduct a second current associated with the rectified AC voltage, regulate the second current according to the voltage established across the load and maintain the first current at zero when the two-terminal current controller operates in the first mode; conduct the second current, maintain the second current at a predetermined value larger than zero and maintain the first current at zero when the two-terminal current controller operates in the second mode; and switch off when the two-terminal current controller operates in the third mode; and an adjusting unit configured to adjust the predetermined value and the second voltage.