Most of the major LED players are present in the list of the top patent assignees

Phosphor related intellectual property has been and remains a major driving force with strong impact on the shape of the led tube light manufacturer industry.

The first commercial GaN-based blue LED Garden Lamp were produced in Japan in the mid 90’s after researchers Shuji Nakamura at Nichia and Professor Akasaki at Nagoya University (IP assigned to Toyoda Gosei) succeeded in removing some of the major remaining roadblocks associated with this technology (p-doping, epitaxy quality…).

Quickly leveraging on this success, some fundamental patents describing the use of a blue LED combined with a phosphor to produce white par58 led lamp were filed by Nichia, Osram, ATMI and others.

Those fundamental patents were rapidly followed by a fast growing number of applications through 2005 as an increasing number of companies started to compete in the LED market and new applications in cell phone, laptop and LCD TV display, and general lighting were being addressed.

Phosphor IP is a major force in the LED industry. With more than 40 litigation cases, it is also used as leverage by companies which have negotiated close to 70 licensing and supply agreements to date.

It can also be argued that in the first half of the 2000 decade, the strict enforcement and lack of license grants for some fundamental IP related to the design and manufacturing of white LEDs might also have slowed down the progress of the industry by preventing more efficient competition that would allow prices to decrease.

Hundreds of companies are involved in LED phosphor IP. Most of the major LED players are present in the list of the top patent assignees. But independent phosphor manufacturers like Intematix or Mitsubishi that are offering their phosphors on the open market are also emerging as major forces in the IP landscape.

Leading Taiwan based packagers are notably absent from Yole's ranking. This weak position explains the large number of litigations and one way, royalty or supply based license agreements involving those companies.

Based on this portfolio analysis as well as on their litigation and licensing history, Yole identified 15 major players that are profiled in this report.

http://en.ofweek.com/

Off-road versions are available with speeds of 30+ mph as a special upgrade

Falco eMotors, a leading North American manufacturer and a pioneer of electric bike hub motors and propulsion systems, announces the First 3 component Universal e-Bike kit in the industry at Interbike.

According to Bonita Dhawan, V.P. of Sales and Marketing; “This is revolutionary and in line with our philosophy to keep a bicycle, abicycle. Three components are all you need to electrify a bicycle – a Falco motor with built in controller, a Falco battery and a Falco throttle. Anybody can electrify a bicycle in minutes. The basic system consists of our 750W, 5-Phase motor with 6.5kg weight and 60Nm torque, 36V, 11.6Ah battery weighing 2.5kg and a thumb or a twist throttle. A number of accessories are available such as the ANT+™ wireless console, a heart rate sensor manufacturer, a pedal assist sensor etc. The road legal system is limited to a speed of 20mph. Off-road versions are available with speeds of 30+ mph as a special upgrade.”

Falco’s electric bike hub motors range from 250W to 1500W inpower, 3.5kg to 7.5kg in weight, and 40 to 80Nm in toque, with batteryvoltage compatibility from 24V to 55V. All motors include integratedelectronics, controls and sensors thereby simplifying installation into a conventional bicycle. Cassette and freehub™ compatibility are available on several motor models. Motors can be configured to run with a variety of sensors such as crank sensors, pedal assist sensors, analog throttles, brake sensors, thun® and BEAMts® torque sensors directly or wirelessly. Motors can also be configured for different communication protocols such as ANT+™, 1-Wire, CANbus, RS-485, and Bluetooth LE.

Customers often describe Falco’s motors as “indestructible,” “ultra fast,” “feather light,” “astonishing torque,” “highly efficient,” and “precise power.”

http://en.ofweek.com/

As Metrigraphics proceeds at a peak rate of 100,000-plus units per week

Completing the production and delivery of 15 million micro flex circuits over the course of a six-year relationship underscores the many advantages offered by Metrigraphics LLC, according to company President and CEO Randolph J. Sablich.

"Achieving this milestone is proof positive in our ability to support high-volume production of sensor manufacturer components and other micro flex circuits," Sablich said. "Metrigraphics prides itself on its world-class R&D capabilities, but we go well beyond that. We're not just a development house."

"Our success manufacturing this sensor component clearly illustrates Metrigraphics' production capabilities," he said. "While these are single metal layer circuits, they embody the processes we utilize to make our Micro Flex Multilayer circuits: photolithography, thin film sputtering (metal traces) and the use of very thin layers of spun polyimide dielectric layers."

Metrigraphics continued progress toward ISO 13485 Certification strengthens its capabilities to build to their customer's designs, manufacture high volume components and deliver high quality micro flex circuits to major medical device manufacturers.

"Our participation in the MassMEDIC/Mass MEP ISO 13485 Collaborative allowed us to prepare for the FDA's eventual requirement for ISO13485 compliance at the supplier level, and to stay ahead of the curve," Sablich said. "Our customers appreciate the edge that our dedication to quality provides."

As Metrigraphics proceeds at a peak rate of 100,000-plus units per week, the next milestone of 16 million - and more - sensor components is closer than we think. Sablich is confident in his company's ability to meet customer demand.

"Our perfect track record of meeting customer-required deliveries with virtually zero returns is a testament to dedication and perseverance of our staff," he said.

http://en.ofweek.com/

The new Cree lighting system includes Cree 304 Series™ recessed soffit luminaires

Cree LED Lighting Delivers Savings and Rapid Payback at New South Lake Tahoe Location

DURHAM, NC -- As part of its commitment to sustainable operations, Raley's® Family of Fine Stores selected energy-efficient sensor manufacturer by Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE) to illuminate its new petroleum station, car wash and convenience store in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Featuring advanced LED technology paired with an integrated dimming system, Cree® lighting delivers improved light quality combined with reduced energy consumption and maintenance costs for the store, with payback in less than one year.*

Sixty Cree led bulb manufacturer illuminate the South Lake Tahoe store, generating significant energy savings compared to the fluorescent, metal halide and halogen fixtures used at Raley's existing Fair Oaks, Calif. location. Cree's interior and exterior fixtures deliver exceptional color rendering, light quality and distribution and allow the use of fewer fixtures than required with traditional lighting.

The new Cree lighting system includes Cree 304 Series™ recessed soffit luminaires and Cree CR24™ troffers in the convenience store along withCree 304 Series recessed canopy luminaires installed over the fuel canopy deck and Cree 227 Series™ recessed soffit luminaires in the car wash bay. Cree Edge™ wall-mount security luminaires, as well as post-top and arm-mounted luminaires provide further exterior lighting in the parking lot.

"Implementing energy-efficient led display manufacturer supports our goal of reducing overall energy consumption at new stores and in upgrades to our 128 locations," said Randy Walthers, energy and utility manager, Raley's. "We found a valued partner in Hi-Def Lighting & Electrical, Inc. [formerly Fillner Construction, Inc., dba Filner Electric] who met our needs with high-quality Cree LED lighting equipped with a sophisticated control system for remarkable savings and light quality."

Featuring an optional integrated sensor, Cree luminaires help Raley's conserve energy and meet California's daylight control requirement at the South Lake Tahoe store. Cree luminaries in the car wash, for example, operate at 20 percent power until the occupancy sensor brings them to full power and then dims them when not in use.

An additional benefit of the Cree lighting installation is the universal drivers that provide continuous illumination during periodic brownouts that are common to the area. "In South Lake Tahoe, the voltage will drop as much as 30 percent during hot afternoons creating multiple problems with electrical systems," said Walthers. "Cree luminaires are unaffected by these erratic voltage drops and continue performing at peak efficiency due to dependable drivers that include AC input protection."

"Raley's is fast becoming a model of energy efficiency in the petroleum and convenience store industry," said Mike Bauer, vice president sales, lighting at Cree. "Cree offers a full suite of energy-efficient lighting for 24/7 operations, helping Raley's continue its mission toward environmental stewardship, while supporting their bottom line."

http://en.ofweek.com/

Virtually every product utilized in our neighbourhood

Lately, China as well as men and women, goods and food are usually described and noticed in Nigeria, which invites different comments. As a pupil on the University of Lagos, I'd want to share my awareness and knowing of china manufacturers, based on my direct and indirect relationships using the country, her culture, folks, foods, folklore and myth.



My awareness and appreciation of China started out in Kwara State, while I was expanding up as a kid. Virtually every product utilized in our neighbourhood, ranging from batteries (tiger head in particular), Chinese ointment (balm), toothpastes, razor, clothing supplies, household appliances (televisions, radios, clocks, and in many cases kitchen cutleries) all had the bold inscription china suppliers IN CHINA. To my youthful thoughts, Produced in China was possibly the thing that was written in any manufactured commodity. But on obtaining to senior secondary school the place I used to be exposed to Economics, Historical past and Government, I commenced to inquire some probing inquiries about Made in China products.



Why need to Nigerian import so much products from China that will easily be made locally understanding full well the idea of stability of payment and trade and how our regards to trade with China favours chinese people? How has china product grown tremendously coming from a country of peasant padi cultivators for the beacon of Asian growth and development? The fact that was behind their meteoric rise from penury to prosperity, through the Chinese misery to your Chinese mystery along with the countless battles in between her teeming parts, thoughts, ideology and involving herself and also the west? Is it probable to develop a country that's not democratic? Can communism as explained by a lot of textbooks definitely benefit the common Chinese as well as possibilities of extending this kind of practice to Nigeria?



These questions grew to become in-planted in my consciousness. I, thus, decided to undergo a trip of self-discovery disregarding my prejudiced Americanised and Eurocentric mode of logic and reasoning. I felt I had been indoctrinated from the west as a result of communication imbalance which formed the basis of my contemplating, sense of ethics and reality. I felt like Nigeria, my nation, have been programmed and colonised to be a net exporter of raw supplies and net importer of completed items through the west (America and Britain particularly).



This was favourable to the colonialists as it surely gives them the benefits of worldwide trade whereby they pay peanut for these raw materials but promote the completed solutions as gold dust. Just about every mechanism to overpower and subjugate economic development and growth had been place in spot to guarantee my nation is dependent on them regardless of the outcomes within the deveopment of my country. The corrupt practice they begun ate in to the fabric of your neighborhood people today themselves with each and every successive government borrowing a type of westernised government (particularly democracy) and modifying it within a method to suit themselves as well as their paymasters. With neo colonialism, they proceed to dominate my independent nation whose economic system is usually a kitchen adjunct with the colonialists.



For me, the Chinese in knowing the intricacies of Nigeria, which coincidentally is the most populous country in Africa, decided to wake Nigerians up using their slumber of economic dependence. Since the Nigerian market was opened to foreign items and providers, the Chinese with their effective manufacturing procedures and cheap labour, which in the end effects in low-priced top quality finished goods corresponding to that with the west, immediately overtook the spot of the west in offering products the common man could not hitherto imagine of getting. In advance of one particular could say Jet Li, apologies to Jack Robinson, the Europeans and their exploitative counterpart turned out to say that Chinese items had been substandard. When that can not operate, coupled with all the reduction inside their former strengths, they immediately ran to China to setup plants that will generate European and American brands, which ended up being bearing the inscription, Produced IN CHINA.
http://cpbay.com

There are actually huge options for startups attempting to rebuild in a lot more open parts

Switches would be the final bastion of your vertically integrated box within the data center. Numerous organizations would like to transform might Cumulus Networks hopes to assist by supplying a Cisco Asa5550-K8 Cisco Firewall Pix.



Super-stealthy startup Cumulus Networks has launched in doing what can be a hot residence from the burgeoning planet of open networking gear. The startup, founded in 2010 by two former Cisco engineers, has developed a Linux-based working procedure for Ws-C3750G-12S-S Cisco Network Switches.



As the networking globe alterations, and providers that assortment from Broadcom to Intel attempt to eat away with the proprietary switch small business that Glc-SX-Mm Cisco SFP Tranceiver Modules, Juniper and in some cases Arista have constructed, there are actually huge options for startups attempting to rebuild in a lot more open parts the computer software stack that resides in individuals proprietary boxes. Cumulus, founded by JR Rivers and Nolan Leake is one of people startups. Rivers and Leake helped create what on earth is now Cisco Unified Computing Procedure that mixes servers and networking on 1 box.



Cumulus has created a Linux-based operating method to control the commodity switches which are staying created by Quanta, Accton and Foxconn. It has raised funding from investors that include Andreessen Horowitz, Battery Ventures and VMware founders Diane Greene and Mendel Rosenblum.
http://cpbay.com

The complete conversion from older streetlights could save towns

The introduction of brighter led suppliers to Provincetown has had its ups and downs, according to a Cape Light Compact official, but the group is hoping that the board of selectmen will give its nod of final approval tonight.

The Compact is a regional organization formed in 1997 by towns and counties on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard to increase energy conservation and to provide competitive energy supply rates.

Over the winter, the Compact installed light-emitting diode (led bulbs) demonstration streetlights in 17 towns as part of a goal to retrofit all municipally owned streetlights by 2014. There are approximately 14,000 town-owned streetlights on the Cape and Vineyard, according to the Compact. In total, the complete conversion from older streetlights could save towns and counties $500,000 annually, according to the Compact.

In Provincetown there are about 420 streetlights, and the town could save about $21,000 on its electricity bill each year by converting to the 12 volt led bulbs.

The town’s walking and biking traditions have required a bit of fine-tuning to the demonstration streetlights, more so than in the region’s larger towns where streetlights are more geared toward drivers, Compact program manager Kevin Galligan said.

The pilot streetlights in Province-town are in the vicinity of Commercial and Tremont streets, as a residential district pilot, and also at Commercial and Court streets, as a business district pilot.

Across all 17 towns, the Compact received about 100 responses. But Provincetown, by far, drew the most comments. “It’s much more of a pedestrian-oriented village,” Galligan said. “People were observing them more as pedestrians.”

On Wednesday, Compact officials adjusted the lights more in the Tremont Street area, trying to soften and warm the lights to something resembling moonlight and installing shields that narrow the scope of the lights.

“People didn’t want to have a massive amount of illumination,” Galligan said about homes, businesses and even park benches along Commercial Street.

The board of selectmen will discuss the conversion to LED streetlights at its meeting tonight and likely take a vote to allow the town to be part of the Compact’s bulk purchase, board of selectmen Chairman Austin Knight said Tuesday.

In the deal with towns, the Compact would cover the cost of conversion but the towns are responsible for police detail during installation, maintenance and for special orders.

http://led.cpbay.com