Patent ID: 8760075

Claim:
A method for controlling, via application of first and second voltages, a circuit incorporating a load (i) having a non-linear current-voltage relationship and (ii) comprising one or more light-emitting elements, the method comprising: (A) applying the first voltage to the load; (B) measuring a first current resulting from the first voltage applied to the load; (C) applying the second voltage to the load; (D) measuring a second current resulting from the second voltage applied to the load, a current difference between the second current and the first current having a magnitude and a polarity; (E) if the magnitude of the current difference is greater than a pre-determined value and the polarity of the current difference is positive, (i) setting the first voltage equal to the second voltage and (ii) increasing the second voltage by a voltage increment; (F) if the magnitude of the current difference is smaller than the pre-determined value and the polarity of the current difference is negative, (i) setting the first voltage equal to the second voltage and (ii) decreasing the second voltage by the voltage increment; (G) if the magnitude of the current difference is greater than the pre-determined value and the polarity of the current difference is negative, (i) setting the first voltage equal to the second voltage and (ii) increasing the second voltage by the voltage increment; (H) if the magnitude of the current difference is smaller than the pre-determined value and the polarity of the current difference is negative, (i) setting the first voltage equal to the second voltage and (ii) decreasing the second voltage by the voltage increment; and (I) repeating steps (A)-(H) during operation of the circuit to regulate operation of the load notwithstanding any changes in the non-linear current-voltage relationship of the one or more light-emitting elements of the load during operation.