Patents Examined by Cassandra Cox
  • Patent number: 9800062
    Abstract: Primary and secondary resonance circuits and include primary and secondary resonance coils and primary and secondary capacitors, respectively. Non-contact power supply is conducted by electromagnetic resonance of the primary and secondary resonance circuits and. A changeover circuit changes over connection of the secondary resonance coil and the secondary capacitor to a series connection or a parallel connection. A detection circuit detects impedance on a power receipt side. A changeover control circuit controls changeover conducted by the changeover circuit, depending upon the impedance detected by the detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Tanaka, Kazuyoshi Kagami, Hajime Terayama, Kiyoshi Katou
  • Patent number: 9791482
    Abstract: A power loss protection integrated circuit includes a current switch circuit portion (eFuse) and an autonomous limit checking circuit. The limit checking circuit includes an input analog multiplexer, an ADC, a plurality of capture registers, a state machine, and a flag output terminal. For each capture register, the limit checking circuit further includes an associated lower limit register and an associated upper limit register. The state machine controls the multiplexer and the capture registers so the ADC digitizes voltages on various nodes to the monitored, and stores the results into corresponding capture registers. In integrated circuit has circuitry that allows both a high voltage as well as a high current to be monitored. The value in a capture register is compared to upper and lower limit values. If any capture value is determined to be outside the limits, then a digital flag signal is asserted onto the flag output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Active-Semi, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Carpenter, Jr., Brett E. Smith, Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9793754
    Abstract: A power supply system module that includes a first and second AC terminals, positive and negative DC terminals and a housing. An AC-DC converter is connected to the first and second AC terminals, and a DC-DC converter is connected between the AC-DC converter and an internal DC bus. A protection circuit is connected between the internal DC bus and the positive or negative DC terminal. A control device controls the AC-DC converter and/or the DC-DC converter. The AC-DC converter, the DC-DC converter and the control device are provided inside the housing. The power supply system module also includes a backup battery device that has a backup battery connected to the internal DC bus via a battery management system. The backup battery device is provided inside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Eltek AS
    Inventors: Erik Myhre, Thomas Olsen, Jan Tore Brastad, Odd Roar Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9774154
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a wall socket plate for replacing existing wall sockets in one simple installation step. The wall socket plate obtains electric current from socket terminal screws to power at least a third receptacle by connecting metal tabs on the back side of the wall socket plate to socket terminals, and transferring electric current from the socket terminals to additional receptacles through conductive material, in accordance with the invention described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: SnapRays, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel St. Laurent, Daniel Diotte, William Olszta
  • Patent number: 9766640
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit, supplied with a power source voltage generated by a power supplier and having a level determined in accordance with an analog signal, includes: an output unit outputting, as the analog signal, an output voltage signal indicating the power source voltage; an input unit including an input interface identical in specifications to an output interface of the output unit, and receiving an input signal indicating a voltage and input from an outside of the semiconductor integrated circuit; and a voltage control circuit generating the output voltage signal, based on the input signal and operating voltage information indicating a voltage required for an operation of the semiconductor integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: SOCIONEXT INC.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Okajima, Takahiro Ichinomiya, Kazuhisa Tanaka, Masayuki Taniyama, Hidemi Harayama, Takeshi Yado
  • Patent number: 9762237
    Abstract: A transmitter is provided with a plurality of pull-up legs and a plurality of pull-down legs. A controller controls the pull-up legs and the pull-down legs so that a constant output impedance is provided while supporting a range of logic-high output voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Patrick Isakanian
  • Patent number: 9762219
    Abstract: A switched driver for a power supply includes a high-side switch and a low-side switch coupled to the high-side switch. An output is coupled between the high-side switch and the low-side switch. A switch controller is coupled to either the high-side switch or the low-side switch and has a switch controller input for receiving a switch control signal and an output for controlling a switch. The switch controller initially reduces the resistance of the switch, increases the resistance of the switch, and then reduces the resistance of the switch in response to a signal received at the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Nathan Schemm, Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 9762213
    Abstract: Aspects include a computer-implemented method for initializing scannable and non-scannable latches from a clock buffer. The method includes receiving a clock signal; receiving control signals including a hold signal, a scan enable signal, and a non-scannable latch force signal; responsive to receiving a low input from the hold signal and the scan enable signal, outputting a high signal from a functional clock port on a next cycle; responsive to receiving a high input from the scan enable signal and a low input from the hold signal, outputting a high slave latch scan clock signal on the next cycle; responsive to receiving a high input from the hold signal and the scan enable signal, outputting a high master latch clock signal on the next clock cycle; and responsive to receiving a high input from the non-scannable latch force signal, outputting a low master latch clock signal on a current cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William V. Huott, Ricardo H. Nigaglioni, Hagen Schmidt, James D. Warnock
  • Patent number: 9762212
    Abstract: Aspects include a computer-implemented method for initializing scannable and non-scannable latches from a clock buffer. The method includes receiving a clock signal; receiving control signals including a hold signal, a scan enable signal, and a non-scannable latch force signal; responsive to receiving a low input from the hold signal and the scan enable signal, outputting a high signal from a functional clock port on a next cycle; responsive to receiving a high input from the scan enable signal and a low input from the hold signal, outputting a high slave latch scan clock signal on the next cycle; responsive to receiving a high input from the hold signal and the scan enable signal, outputting a high master latch clock signal on the next clock cycle; and responsive to receiving a high input from the non-scannable latch force signal, outputting a low master latch clock signal on a current cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William V. Huott, Ricardo H. Nigaglioni, Hagen Schmidt, James D. Warnock
  • Patent number: 9762119
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a switch driving circuit and power factor correction circuit having the same, and more particularly, to a technology to provide a negative offset using Zener diodes to prevent malfunctions in driving a switch. The switch driving circuit to operate a switch implemented with a Field Effect Transistor (FET) includes a first Zener diode connected to a control input end of the switch; a capacitor connected in parallel with the first Zener diode; and second and third Zener diodes for providing a negative offset to fix a voltage applied between the gate and source of the switch to a negative value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., SNU R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jin Han Kim, Han Sol Seo, Bo-Hyung Cho, Sang-Woo Kang, Paul Jang
  • Patent number: 9753086
    Abstract: A scan flip-flop includes an input unit and a flip-flop. The input unit is configured to select one signal from among a data input signal and a scan input signal to supply the selected one signal as an internal signal according to an operation mode. The flip-flop os configured to latch the internal signal according to a clock signal. The flip-flop includes a cross coupled structure that includes first and second tri-state inverters which share a first output node and face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ha-Young Kim, Sung-Wee Cho, Dal-Hee Lee, Jae-Ha Lee
  • Patent number: 9755374
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a wall socket plate for replacing existing wall sockets in one simple installation step. The wall socket plate obtains electric current from socket terminal screws to power a signal booster fluidly coupled to a wall socket plate. The signal booster is powered by transferring electric current from the socket terminal screws through conductive material to the signal booster, in accordance with the invention described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SnapRays, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel St. Laurent, Daniel Diotte, William Olszta
  • Patent number: 9748950
    Abstract: Embodiment of the inventive subject matter include an apparatus comprising a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a transistor. The first switch is coupled to a first voltage device and the transistor to selectively electrically connect the first voltage device to the transistor to provide a first charge to the transistor. The second switch is coupled to a second voltage device and the transistor to selectively electrically connect the second voltage device to the transistor to remove charge from the transistor. The third switch is coupled to the third voltage device and the transistor to selectively couple the third voltage device to the transistor to provide a second charge to the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Yogesh Kumar Ramadass
  • Patent number: 9743481
    Abstract: The present invention extends to independently programmable lights for use in gloves and to gloves that incorporate such lights. Each independently programmable light of the present invention can include a programmable controller that stores logic for controlling the light such as by changing the color emitted by the light or the on/off pattern of the light. The user of the glove can modify the logic within the programmable controller to customize the functionality of the light. These modifications can be made by connecting the programmable light or a dedicated control unit that connects to each programmable light to another computer system to transfer new or updated logic to a programmable controller for controlling the lights in a custom manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: EMAZING LIGHTS, LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Valenti
  • Patent number: 9742386
    Abstract: Clock generation circuits including a single and multi-phase clock circuits are disclosed. A clock generation circuit is coupled to receive a first pulse on a first input and a second pulse on a second input. The first pulse may be generated responsive to a rising edge of an input clock signal, while the second pulse may be generated responsive to a falling edge of the input clock signal. Responsive to the first pulse, an output node of the clock generation circuit may be pulled high. Responsive to the second pulse, the output node may be pulled low. During those points in which neither pulse is asserted, a state element in the clock generation circuit may hold the output node to its most recent value. Using delay elements and multiple instances of the clock generation circuit and pulse generation circuits, a multi-phase clock generation circuit may be constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Haiming Jin
  • Patent number: 9734917
    Abstract: A current balance circuit for a power management device having a first current channel and a second current channel, having: a first current sense circuit configured to detect a current flowing through the first current channel, and to provide a first current sense signal indicative of the current flowing through the first current channel; wherein the current balance circuit draws current from the second current channel to the first current channel based on the first current sense signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Xingwei Wang, Junyong Gong, Brent Hughes
  • Patent number: 9735789
    Abstract: A device includes a lock detect circuit that is structured and arranged to: convert a reference clock to a reference triangle wave; convert a feedback clock to a feedback triangle wave; determine whether the feedback triangle wave is within a tolerance margin that is defined relative to the reference triangle wave; and generate a determiner output that is a first value when the feedback triangle wave is not within the tolerance margin, and a second value when the feedback triangle wave is within the tolerance margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John W. Stanton, Pradeep Thiagarajan
  • Patent number: 9729157
    Abstract: A variable phase generator is disclosed that includes a delay line with an input, and output, and a delay lone control signal input. A signal on the delay line output has a phase offset relative to the delay line input signal such that the phase offset is controlled by a digital offset signal. A phase detector process the input signal and the output signal to generate a phase detector output signal. A charge pump, responsive to the phase detector output signal, generates a charge pump output. A digital to analog converter receives and converts the digital offset signal to an analog offset signal. A control node is connected to the delay line control input, the charge pump, and the digital to analog converter, and is configured to receive and combine the charge pump output and the analog offset signal to create the delay line control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Wim F. Cops
  • Patent number: 9729139
    Abstract: A cooperative control method for a plurality of power semiconductor elements connected in parallel. The cooperative control method includes (1) connecting, in a daisy chain configuration, a plurality of current balance control circuits each for driving a corresponding power semiconductor element, and (2) responsive to an input to cause the power semiconductor elements to simultaneously perform switching operations, comparing current information of each power semiconductor element with that of an adjacent power semiconductor element, and delaying, using the current balance control circuits, turn-on time or turn-off time of each power semiconductor element, upon determining that the turn-on time or the turn-off time is earlier than turn-on time or turn-off time obtained from the current information of the adjacent power semiconductor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9722591
    Abstract: A phase adjustment device includes: a detection signal generator configured to generate a pair of first and second detection signals for detecting a phase difference between two signals whose phases have been adjusted by two phase adjusters, respectively, a maximum sensitivity phase difference of one of the first and second detection signals being not overlap with that of the other, and detection sensitivity of the phase difference becoming maximum at the maximum sensitivity phase difference; a detection signal selector configured to select one of the first and second detection signals whose predetermined range around the maximum sensitivity phase difference covers a preset phase difference; and a phase controller configured to control an amount of phase-adjusting by at least one of the two phase adjusters based on a difference between the phase difference detected within the predetermined range using the selected detection signal and the preset phase difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Toshihiro Shimura