Patents by Inventor Constantin Bucur
Constantin Bucur has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20080231117Abstract: A power supply topology according to one embodiment includes a first path coupled to a controllable DC power source, a second path coupled to a rechargeable battery, and a third path coupled to a system load, the three paths coupled to a common node. The topology may further include a unidirectional switch coupled to the first path and a selectively unidirectional switch coupled to the second path. The topology may further include a power management control circuit including a wake up circuit having a comparison circuit and an output decision circuit. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2008Publication date: September 25, 2008Applicant: O2MICRO INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDInventors: Constantin Bucur, Vlad Popescu-Stanesti, Marian Niculae, Daryl Nees
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Patent number: 7414381Abstract: A charging circuit for controlling a system charging parameter provided to a host of rechargeable batteries, wherein the host of batteries includes at least a first battery and second battery that may be coupled in parallel. The charging circuit provides for fast charging of rechargeable batteries in parallel. Independent current and voltage sensing for each battery enables parallel charging of batteries at different charging currents. The charging circuit may be configured to accept either analog or digital signals from an associated power management unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: O2Micro International LimitedInventors: Vlad Popescu-Stanesti, Marian Niculae, Constantin Bucur
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Publication number: 20080150439Abstract: A circuit for driving multiple light emitting diodes coupled in series includes multiple switches for receiving multiple burst mode modulation signals respectively. Each switch is coupled in parallel with a corresponding light emitting diode and for individually controlling brightness of the corresponding light emitting diode. The circuit further includes a control switch coupled in series with multiple light emitting diodes and for controlling brightness of multiple light emitting diodes. The control switch is either on or off. One of the burst mode modulation signals has a duty cycle ratio for modulating a current through the corresponding light emitting diode from 0 to a predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2008Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventor: Constantin Bucur
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Patent number: 7348760Abstract: A wake up circuit according to one embodiment includes a comparison circuit and an output decision circuit. The comparison circuit may be adapted to receive a first signal representative of a charging current level provided to a battery via a path and a second signal representative of a predetermined wake up current level and to provide a comparison output signal in response to the first and second signal. The output decision circuit may be adapted to receive at least the comparison output signal and a selector signal from a selector circuit, the output decision circuit providing one of the comparison output signal and the selector signal to a switch to control a state of the switch, the switch coupled to the path.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: O2Micro International LimitedInventors: Constantin Bucur, Vlad Popescu-Stanesti, Marian Niculae, Daryl Nees
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Patent number: 7339323Abstract: A circuit is used for driving a plurality of LEDs by an external voltage source. The LEDs are coupled in series. The circuit comprises a plurality of switches coupled to the LEDs in parallel, respectively, for individually controlling the brightness of the LEDs. The circuit further includes a plurality of Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) signals coupled to the switches, respectively, for individually controlling the switches.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2005Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: 02Micro International LimitedInventor: Constantin Bucur
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Publication number: 20080012570Abstract: A battery monitoring circuitry is provided. The battery monitoring circuitry includes a plurality of voltage detection paths and a logic device. Each voltage detection path is coupled to a battery cell and is operable for comparing a cell voltage of the battery cell with a switch threshold of a switch. Each voltage detection path is ON if the cell voltage is greater than the switch threshold. The logic device is coupled to the plurality of voltage detection paths and is operable for generating an alert signal according to a conductance status of each voltage detection path.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2007Publication date: January 17, 2008Inventor: Constantin Bucur
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Publication number: 20080012534Abstract: An apparatus includes battery gauge circuitry implemented on an integrated circuit. The battery gauge circuitry includes a plurality of switches that individually open in response to a voltage reduction on a battery cell associated with a respective one of the switches. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a logic device that determines if at least one of the switches is open. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a register that stores data that indicates if at least one switch is open. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a controller that initiates halting power delivery to a load if at least one of the switches is open. The controller also identifies the open switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2006Publication date: January 17, 2008Applicant: O2MICRO, INC.Inventor: Constantin Bucur
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Publication number: 20070241734Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for filtering in a cordless electrical device. The method may include coupling a filter network, a microcontroller and a plurality of battery cells having a cell voltage and a current. The method may further include operatively connecting at least one switched capacitor low-pass filter to the plurality of battery cells, the at least one switched capacitor low-pass filter configured to receive a signal from the filter network. The method may also include filtering the signal from the filter network, delivering a filtered signal input to an ADC and generating an output from the ADC.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2006Publication date: October 18, 2007Applicant: O2MICRO, INC.Inventors: Emanuel Stoicescu, Constantin Bucur
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Patent number: 7203048Abstract: A DC to DC controller for controlling an inrush current from a DC to DC converter to a battery system having an internal isolating switch. The DC to DC controller is configured to control the DC to DC converter based on a state of the internal isolating switch. If the switch is open, the DC to DC controller adjusts the output voltage of the DC to DC converter to a predetermined voltage level. Based on the value of such voltage level, in rush current from the DC to DC converter to the battery system can be reduced or eliminated when the isolating switch changes from an open state to a closed state. An electronic device including such a DC to DC controller is provided. Related methods for controlling inrush current are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2003Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: 02Micro International LimitedInventors: You-Yuh Shyr, Constantin Bucur, Vlad Popescu-Stanesti
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Patent number: 7202634Abstract: A circuit for controlling a charging parameter provided to a rechargeable battery. The circuit includes a power control circuit configured to provide a power control signal representative of a power output level of a DC source, and a control signal generating circuit configured to reduce the charging parameter provided to the battery if the power output level exceeds a predetermined power threshold level. An electronic device having such a circuit and a method is also provided. The circuit may be used with a DC source that supplies power to recharge a rechargeable battery. The DC source may have a non-fixed output voltage level such as from a controllable DC source or a variable DC source.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2004Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: O2Micro International LimitedInventor: Constantin Bucur
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Publication number: 20070030714Abstract: An enabling circuit for enabling a DC-DC converter having a capacitor coupled to an output terminal of the DC-DC converter to be controlled by a control signal. The enabling circuit may include a comparison circuit configured to compare a feedback signal representative of a charge on the capacitor with a signal representative of a reference charge and to provide an output to in response to the comparison to enable the DC-DC converter to be controlled by the control signal if the charge on the capacitor is less than the reference charge. The enabling circuit may also include a discharge path configured to discharge the charge on the capacitor if the charge is greater than the reference charge. A related system and method are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2006Publication date: February 8, 2007Applicant: O2MICRO INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDInventors: Constantin Bucur, Marian Niculae
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Publication number: 20070007822Abstract: A supply topology comprising an AC to DC or DC to DC adapter and an electronic device with an active system, a battery, and an adapter controller implements closed-loop control of adapter output voltage to limit power consumption by the electronic device to a value related to maximum adapter power. The adapter couples a signal representing maximum adapter power to a control line connected to the electronic device and the electronic device couples an error signal representing the difference between instantaneous power consumption and adapter maximum power onto the same control line. The adapter adjusts its output voltage in response to the magnitude of the error signal. An adapter controller in the electronic device sets a limit for allocating current to battery charging from the signal representing maximum adapter power, with battery charging current approaching zero as instantaneous power consumption approaches maximum adapter power.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2006Publication date: January 11, 2007Inventors: Doru Cioaca, Constantin Bucur, Alexandru Hartular, Marian Niculae
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Publication number: 20060279264Abstract: Power control circuitry and method for controlling a variable output DC power source. The power control circuitry may comprise a first comparator to compare a signal representative of an output current level of the variable output DC power source with a threshold level and provide a first output signal in response to the comparison. The power control circuitry may further comprise threshold input circuitry to provide the threshold level to the first comparator, the threshold level being a fixed threshold level if an output voltage of the variable output DC power source is less than or equal to a first fixed voltage level, the threshold level being a variable threshold level if the output voltage is greater than the first fixed voltage level.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2006Publication date: December 14, 2006Applicant: O2Micro International LimitedInventors: Marian Niculae, Constantin Bucur
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Publication number: 20060244396Abstract: A circuit is used for driving a plurality of LEDs by an external voltage source. The LEDs are coupled in series. The circuit comprises a plurality of switches coupled to the LEDs in parallel, respectively, for individually controlling the brightness of the LEDs. The circuit further includes a plurality of Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) signals coupled to the switches, respectively, for individually controlling the switches.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2005Publication date: November 2, 2006Inventor: Constantin Bucur
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Publication number: 20060244420Abstract: A charging circuit for controlling a system charging parameter provided to a host of rechargeable batteries, wherein the host of batteries includes at least a first battery and second battery that may be coupled in parallel. The charging circuit provides for fast charging of rechargeable batteries in parallel. Independent current and voltage sensing for each battery enables parallel charging of batteries at different charging currents. The charging circuit may be configured to accept either analog or digital signals from an associated power management unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2006Publication date: November 2, 2006Applicant: O2MICRO INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDInventors: Vlad Stanesti, Marian Niculae, Constantin Bucur
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Patent number: 7126241Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides an AC/DC or DC/DC adapter, comprising circuitry to generate a signal proportional to the maximum adapter current. In another aspect, the present invention provides a portable electronic device, comprising circuitry to receive a signal proportional to the maximum current supplied to the portable electronic device and a charger controller. Still another aspect of the present invention provides an adapter topology system, comprising an AC/DC or DC/DC adapter comprising circuitry to generate a signal proportional to the maximum adapter current; and a portable electronic device adapted to receive power from said adapter and to receive said signal proportional to the maximum adapter current.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: O2Micro International LimitedInventors: Vlad Popescu-Stanesti, Constantin Bucur
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Publication number: 20060232241Abstract: A current mode charger controller for controlling a DC to DC converter. The current mode charger may include a first error amplifier having an output coupled to a common node. The first error amplifier may be configured to compare a first signal representative of a charging current provided to a rechargeable battery with a maximum charging current and provide a current control signal in response to the comparison. The current mode charger controller may further include an internal compensation network coupled to the common node, and a comparator configured to compare an inductor current signal representative of an inductor current through an inductor of the DC to DC converter with a compensation signal. The need for any external compensation for the current mode charger controller may be eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2005Publication date: October 19, 2006Inventors: Chun Lu, You-Yuh Shyr, Alexandru Hartular, Constantin Bucur
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Patent number: 7112943Abstract: An enabling circuit for enabling a DC—DC converter having a capacitor coupled to an output terminal of the DC—DC converter to be controlled by a control signal. The enabling circuit may include a comparison circuit configured to compare a feedback signal representative of a charge on the capacitor with a signal representative of a reference charge and to provide an output to in response to the comparison to enable the DC—DC converter to be controlled by the control signal if the charge on the capacitor is less than the reference charge. The enabling circuit may also include a discharge path configured to discharge the charge on the capacitor if the charge is greater than the reference charge. A related system and method are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2005Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: O2Micro International LimitedInventors: Constantin Bucur, Marian Niculae
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Publication number: 20060197499Abstract: A battery pack may include at least one battery cell, a switch having an ON resistance dependent on a temperature of the switch, a thermistor having a resistance varying with changes in the temperature, and battery state monitoring circuitry. The battery state monitoring circuitry may be configured to monitor a voltage drop across the switch caused by a current flowing through the switch and the resistance of the thermistor to correlate the voltage drop to the current level. A cordless electrical device including the battery pack, and an associated method are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2005Publication date: September 7, 2006Inventors: Constantin Bucur, Marian Niculae
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Publication number: 20060197501Abstract: Voltage translator circuitry may include a path including a first resistor, a current controlling device, and a second resistor coupled in series. The voltage translator circuitry may further include an operational amplifier having a positive supply terminal to accept a positive supply voltage and a negative supply terminal to accept a negative supply voltage, neither the positive or negative supply voltage at ground voltage. The first resistor may further be coupled to a positive terminal of the battery cell to be monitored. The operational amplifier may have an input coupled to a negative terminal of the battery cell to be monitored. The voltage translator circuitry may further include an output terminal coupled to a node of the path between the current controlling device and the second resistor. The output terminal may be configured to provide the ground referenced cell voltage for the battery cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2005Publication date: September 7, 2006Inventors: Constantin Bucur, Marian Niculae