Stephen C Soos

7579786, Aug 25, 2009

Jun 4, 2007

11/809944

Stephen C. Soos - Tully NY, US

Applied Concepts, Inc. - Tully NY

G05F 1/00

315291, 315307, 315360, 315312, 327108, 345 46

A method and apparatus for driving LED's is disclosed, comprising the steps of receiving a desired intensity value, wherein the desired intensity value represents the desired intensity for the LED's; generating a first switching control signal, wherein the first switching control signal is a pulse width modulated signal whose duty cycle is based on the desired intensity value; switching the LED's on and off based on the first switching control signal, wherein the switching takes place when the desired intensity value is less than a first desired intensity value threshold; generating a desired constant current value based on the desired intensity value, wherein the desired constant current value represents the value of the desired constant current to drive the LED's; determining an actual constant current value, wherein the actual constant current value represents the value of the actual constant current driving the LED's; comparing the actual constant current value with the desired constant current value; and adjusting the output of the primary drive of the LED's so that the actual constant current value is equal to the desired constant current value. A system for providing LED backlighting of a display is also disclosed, comprising a first constant current source driver, wherein the constant current source driver comprises a primary drive and a step-up circuit; a first series connection of LED's, wherein the LED's are driven by the first constant current driver; and wherein the first constant current source provides a forward voltage of 42 volts or greater to drive the first series connection of LED's.