Lighting control apparatus for vehicle lighting device
US7528553B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 23, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 5, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B45/3725
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A lighting control apparatus and a method of lighting control for a vehicle lighting device includes a semiconductor light source including a semiconductor light emitting element; and a current supply controller coupled between a power supply and the semiconductor light source. Supply of a current from the power supply to the semiconductor light source is restricted by the current supply controller during a current restriction period to a value smaller than a prescribed current. A microcomputer compares a forward voltage generated from the semiconductor light source during the current restriction period with an abnormality determination value to determine whether or not an abnormality occurs due to a change of the forward voltage of the semiconductor light source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.