Abstract: A direct-current to direct-current conversion (DC/DC) apparatus includes a control circuit having an error amplifier for voltage control and controlling a direct-current to direct-current conversion based on a pulse width modulation control using an output of the error amplifier. The error amplifier inputs a voltage signal corresponding to an output voltage of a DC/DC result and a plurality of reference voltage signals. The DC/DC apparatus also includes a soft start capacitor to provide one of the plurality of reference voltage signals. The error amplifier amplifies a difference between the voltage signal corresponding to the output voltage of a DC/DC result and a voltage signal of a lower potential among the plurality of reference voltage signals and, based on the amplified output, carries out the pulse width modulation control.

Abstract: A power supply control method is adapted to a current-to-voltage conversion circuit which has a transformer for converting and outputting an input power. The power supply control method stops a power supply to the transformer when an output side of the current-to-voltage conversion circuit is in a no-load state, and starts a power supply to the transformer when an external voltage is applied to the output side of the current-to-voltage conversion circuit.

Abstract: A power supply control circuit connectable with an input power monitor that monitors an input power value to the power supply, an output power monitor that monitors an output power value from the power supply, and an output power controller that varies the output power value from the power supply, the power supply control circuit having an output power determiner that determines a determined output power value depending on the input power value and a power adjuster that adjusts the output power value to the determined output power value by controlling the output power controller.

Abstract: A method for controlling a DC-DC converter that achieves high conversion efficiency without using a linear regulator circuit. The DC-DC converter includes a main switching transistor, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a diode that is series-connected to the first capacitor. The series-connected diode and the first capacitor are connected between the source and drain of the main switching transistor. The second capacitor is connected in parallel to the first capacitor or disconnected from the first capacitor in synchronism with activation and inactivation of the main switching transistor to generate gate voltage for driving the main switching transistor.

Abstract: A power supply control device, a power supply control circuit, a power supply control method, and an electronic apparatus wherein a determination is made of whether or not a switching element therein is in an ON state. When the switching element is in the ON state, a voltage generated across the switching element is detected in accordance with a current flowing through the switching element. In accordance with the detected voltage, the switching element is controlled and thereby an output voltage is controlled.

Abstract: A power supply circuit, a charger, a charging control circuit, an information processing device and a battery pack are provided which is capable of decreasing electric current detection resistors at a charger side thereby to achieve improvements in the charging efficiency of a power supply circuit or the like as well as reduction in cost and size. A charging current flows in a current sensing resistor RS arranged in a battery pack 4A upon charging thereof. A charging control circuit 8A detects the charging current by detecting a voltage across opposite ends of the current sensing resistor RS, and controls the charging current by using the detection value thereof in such a manner that the charging current is in a prescribed range. As a result, the number of current detection resistors, which are employed in one closed circuit formed in a power supply circuit 1A upon charging, can be made one.

Abstract: A direct-current to direct-current conversion (DC/DC) apparatus includes a control circuit having an error amplifier for voltage control and controlling a direct-current to direct-current conversion based on a pulse width modulation control using an output of the error amplifier. The error amplifier inputs a voltage signal corresponding to an output voltage of a DC/DC result and a plurality of reference voltage signals. The DC/DC apparatus also includes a soft start capacitor to provide one of the plurality of reference voltage signals. The error amplifier amplifies a difference between the voltage signal corresponding to the output voltage of a DC/DC result and a voltage signal of a lower potential among the plurality of reference voltage signals and, based on-the amplified output, carries out the pulse width modulation control.

Abstract: When starting charging of an internal battery as a result of connection of an external power source by an AC adapter, a charging control unit sets a first charging voltage at which the charging capacity of the internal battery is maximized. When starting the charging from recognition of reduced capacity of the internal battery due to its self-discharge in desk-top use where the AC adapter is in connection at all times, the charging control unit sets a second charging voltage lower than the first charging voltage to prevent the battery from degrading.

Abstract: A power supply control circuit connectable with an input power monitor that monitors an input power value to the power supply, an output power monitor that monitors an output power value from the power supply, and an output power controller that varies the output power value from the power supply, the power supply control circuit having an output power determiner that determines a determined output power value depending on the input power value and a power adjuster that adjusts the output power value to the determined output power value by controlling the output power controller.

Abstract: A remaining charge predicting method which improves the precision of predicting the remaining charge of a rechargeable battery. A battery pack has a measuring circuit which monitors a charge current, discharge current, the voltage of the rechargeable battery and the temperature of the battery. The measuring circuit notifies a power management microcomputer, provided in a portable device, of the measured current, voltage and temperature. The power management microcomputer predicts the remaining charge of the battery based on the received measured values. The battery pack does not perform data processing for predicting the remaining charge.

Abstract: In a DC-DC converter circuit having a plurality of input terminals connected to a plurality of DC power supplies, and an output terminal, the DC-DC converter circuit includes a power supply selection section for selecting a DC power supply of lowest voltage on the condition that the voltage is not less than a predetermined voltage, and a step-down type of regulator section for converting the voltage of the DC power supply selected by the power supply selection section into a predetermined voltage lower than the voltage of the DC power supply selected by the power supply selection section, and outputting the converted voltage through the output terminal.

Abstract: A direct-current to direct-current conversion (DC/DC) apparatus includes a control circuit having an error amplifier for voltage control and controlling a direct-current to direct-current conversion based on a pulse width modulation control using an output of the error amplifier. The error amplifier inputs a voltage signal corresponding to an output voltage of a DC/DC result and a plurality of reference voltage signals. The DC/DC apparatus also includes a soft start capacitor to provide one of the plurality of reference voltage signals. The error amplifier amplifies a difference between the voltage signal corresponding to the output voltage of a DC/DC result and a voltage signal of a lower potential among the plurality of reference voltage signals and, based on the amplified output, carries out the pulse width modulation control.

Abstract: In a DC—DC converter circuit having a plurality of input terminals connected to a plurality of DC power supplies, and an output terminal, the DC—DC converter circuit includes a power supply selection section for selecting a DC power supply of lowest voltage on the condition that the voltage is not less than a predetermined voltage, and a step-down type of regulator section for converting the voltage of the DC power supply selected by the power supply selection section into a predetermined voltage lower than the voltage of the DC power supply selected by the power supply selection section, and outputting the converted voltage through the output terminal.

Abstract: A protection method for preventing battery cells from over-discharging and being overcharged, a control circuit, and a battery unit are provided. In the protection method, when a set signal “1” is supplied to a set terminal, a flip-flop outputs “1”. The gate of a discharge control FET then becomes “1”, so that the discharge control FET is OFF regardless of a discharge control signal supplied from a voltage monitor circuit. When a reset signal “1” is supplied to a reset terminal, the flip-flop outputs “0”. The discharge control FET is then switched on and off in accordance with the output of a discharge control circuit of the voltage monitor circuit. In this manner, battery cells connected to an electronic device do not over-discharge, even when they are left unused for a long period of time. Thus, the battery unit can be prevented from deteriorating and shortening the life thereof.

Abstract: An electronic equipment is connectable to a battery unit which includes an electronic circuit and a battery, and is provided with a power supply circuit to supply a power supply voltage directly to the electronic circuit.

Abstract: A protection method for preventing battery cells from over-discharging and being overcharged, a control circuit, and a battery unit are provided. In the protection method, when a set signal “1” is supplied to a set terminal, a flip-flop outputs “1”. The gate of a discharge control FET then becomes “1”, so that the discharge control FET is OFF regardless of a discharge control signal supplied from a voltage monitor circuit. When a reset signal “1” is supplied to a reset terminal, the flip-flop outputs “0”. The discharge control FET is then switched on and off in accordance with the output of a discharge control circuit of the voltage monitor circuit. In this manner, battery cells connected to an electronic device do not over-discharge, even when they are left unused for a long period of time. Thus, the battery unit can be prevented from deteriorating and shortening the life thereof.

Abstract: A protection method for preventing battery cells from over-discharging and being overcharged, a control circuit, and a battery unit are provided. In the protection method, when a set signal “1” is supplied to a set terminal, a flip-flop outputs “1”. The gate of a discharge control FET then becomes “1”, so that the discharge control FET is OFF regardless of a discharge control signal supplied from a voltage monitor circuit. When a reset signal “1” is supplied to a reset terminal, the flip-flop outputs +0”. The discharge control FET is then switched on and off in accordance with the output of a discharge control circuit of the voltage monitor circuit. In this manner, battery cells connected to an electronic device do not over-discharge, even when they are left unused for a long period of time. Thus, the battery unit can be prevented from deteriorating and shortening the life thereof.

Abstract: Individual voltages of la plurality of batteries or voltage sources which are connected in series and voltages on both ends of the plurality of batteries or voltage sources are detected. An offset value of a differential amplifier is determined through an arithmetic operation for the detected voltages. The offset value thus determined is used to correct the measured values of the battery voltages.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus system includes a battery pack housing batteries and a battery pack connection section connecting the battery pack to the electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus operable with one of electric power from an external power supply and electric power from the battery pack. A pseudo battery pack includes a power holding unit holding electric power to be supplied to the electronic apparatus, wherein if the external power supply is used and the external power supply fails to supply the electric power, the pseudo battery pack is mounted on the battery pack connection section.

Abstract: A battery charge control circuit, a battery charging device, and a battery charge control method for controlling the charging of a battery are provided. A power source supplies a current to a load, and a battery also supplies a current to the load. If the current supply capacity of the power source is restricted when the power source charges the battery, the charging of the battery is not stopped. Thus, a wrong operation can be avoided, and more reliable battery charging can be performed.