Patents by Inventor James F. Lazar

James F. Lazar 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).

  • Patent number: 11444577
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a system comprising a single DC voltage source and a Class-D amplifier comprising at least one DC/DC converter operated by the single DC voltage source. The amplifier is configured to receive an input signal for power amplification, and generate, via the at least one DC/DC converter, a DC output voltage that approaches or exceeds a DC supply voltage from the single DC voltage source. A gain of the amplifier is a ratio of the output voltage level to the input signal. A steady-state operating point of the at least one DC/DC converter is zero output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: James F. Lazar
  • Publication number: 20200389129
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a system comprising a single DC voltage source and a Class-D amplifier comprising at least one DC/DC converter operated by the single DC voltage source. The amplifier is configured to receive an input signal for power amplification, and generate, via the at least one DC/DC converter, a DC output voltage that approaches or exceeds a DC supply voltage from the single DC voltage source. A gain of the amplifier is a ratio of the output voltage level to the input signal. A steady-state operating point of the at least one DC/DC converter is zero output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventor: James F. Lazar
  • Publication number: 20200053493
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a system for nonlinear control of a loudspeaker. The system comprises a current source amplifier connected to the loudspeaker, and a controller connected to the current source amplifier. The controller is configured to determine a target displacement of a diaphragm of the speaker driver based on a source signal for reproduction via the loudspeaker, determine a control current based on the target displacement of the diaphragm and a first physical model of the loudspeaker, and transmit a control current signal specifying the control current to the current source amplifier. The current source amplifier outputs the control current to drive the speaker driver based on the control current signal. An actual displacement of the diaphragm during the reproduction of the source signal is controlled based on the control current, via the control current signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: James F. Lazar, Pascal M. Brunet
  • Patent number: 10542361
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a system for nonlinear control of a loudspeaker. The system comprises a current source amplifier connected to the loudspeaker, and a controller connected to the current source amplifier. The controller is configured to determine a target displacement of a diaphragm of the speaker driver based on a source signal for reproduction via the loudspeaker, determine a control current based on the target displacement of the diaphragm and a first physical model of the loudspeaker, and transmit a control current signal specifying the control current to the current source amplifier. The current source amplifier outputs the control current to drive the speaker driver based on the control current signal. An actual displacement of the diaphragm during the reproduction of the source signal is controlled based on the control current, via the control current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James F. Lazar, Pascal M. Brunet
  • Patent number: 9941846
    Abstract: Techniques for providing multiple power supplies in electronic devices are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an appropriate power supply is provided only to accommodate a volume setting. In other words, there are at least two power supplies, one with a low voltage and the other with a high voltage. The high voltage power supply is only applied when there is a need to accommodate a volume setting. Thus the power consumption of the amplifiers is well controlled. As a result, the designs of the device and heat dissipation therein can be simplified and lowered in cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventors: James F. Lazar, Mark Polomski
  • Publication number: 20170077880
    Abstract: Techniques for providing multiple power supplies in electronic devices are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an appropriate power supply is provided only to accommodate a volume setting. In other words, there are at least two power supplies, one with a low voltage and the other with a high voltage. The high voltage power supply is only applied when there is a need to accommodate a volume setting. Thus the power consumption of the amplifiers is well controlled. As a result, the designs of the device and heat dissipation therein can be simplified and lowered in cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: James F. Lazar, Mark Polomski
  • Patent number: 9520850
    Abstract: Techniques for providing multiple power supplies in electronic devices are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an appropriate power supply is provided only to accommodate a volume setting. In other words, there are at least two power supplies, one with a low voltage and the other with a high voltage. The high voltage power supply is only applied when there is a need to accommodate a volume setting. Thus the power consumption of the amplifiers is well controlled. As a result, the designs of the device and heat dissipation therein can be simplified and lowered in cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Lazar, Mark Polomski
  • Publication number: 20150003617
    Abstract: Techniques for providing multiple power supplies in electronic devices are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an appropriate power supply is provided only to accommodate a volume setting. In other words, there are at least two power supplies, one with a low voltage and the other with a high voltage. The high voltage power supply is only applied when there is a need to accommodate a volume setting. Thus the power consumption of the amplifiers is well controlled. As a result, the designs of the device and heat dissipation therein can be simplified and lowered in cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: James F. Lazar, Mark Polomski
  • Patent number: 8867761
    Abstract: Techniques for providing multiple power supplies in electronic devices are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an appropriate power supply is provided only to accommodate a volume setting. In other words, there are at least two power supplies, one with a low voltage and the other with a high voltage. The high voltage power supply is only applied when there is a need to accommodate a volume setting. Thus the power consumption of the amplifiers is well controlled. As a result, the designs of the device and heat dissipation therein can be simplified and lowered in cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Lazar, Mark Polomski
  • Publication number: 20120299649
    Abstract: Techniques for providing multiple power supplies in electronic devices are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an appropriate power supply is provided only to accommodate a volume setting. In other words, there are at least two power supplies, one with a low voltage and the other with a high voltage. The high voltage power supply is only applied when there is a need to accommodate a volume setting. Thus the power consumption of the amplifiers is well controlled. As a result, the designs of the device and heat dissipation therein can be simplified and lowered in cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Lazar, Mark Polomski
  • Patent number: 8258872
    Abstract: Techniques for providing multiple power supplies in electronic devices are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an appropriate power supply is provided only to accommodate a volume setting. In other words, there are at least two power supplies, one with a low voltage and the other with a high voltage. The high voltage power supply is only applied when there is a need to accommodate a volume setting. Thus the power consumption of the amplifiers is well controlled. As a result, the designs of the device and heat dissipation therein can be simplified and lowered in cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Lazar, Mark Polomski
  • Patent number: 7116012
    Abstract: A power conversion circuit includes a current section, a transformer, and a voltage section. The current section includes inductors configured to produce a boosted output voltage from a voltage sourse when then current section is operating in a forward direction. The transformer includes a primary winding electrically coupled to the secondary winding and configured to drive a load. The voltage section includes a pluralaty of balancing switchtes configured to actively driven to provide a DC voltage to the load. The balancing switches balance energy between the current section and the voltage section when the power conversion circuit is the load and operating in the forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Lateef A. Kajouke, Keming A. Chen, James F. Lazar
  • Patent number: 7106605
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter comprises an input circuit that stores inductive energy that includes a first switch that releases the stored inductive energy. A transformer includes a primary winding that communicates with the input circuit and a secondary winding. An output circuit communicates with the secondary winding and that includes first and second output conductors and a first diode that communicates with one end of the secondary winding and the first output conductor. A second diode communicates with one end of the secondary winding and the second output conductor. A third diode communicates with an opposite end of the secondary winding and the first output conductor. A fourth diode communicates with an opposite end of the secondary winding and the second output conductor. A first capacitor is connected in parallel to the third diode. A second capacitor is connected in parallel to the fourth diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Keming Chen, Lateef A. Kajouke, James F. Lazar
  • Patent number: 6856521
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes a first leg and a second leg. A controller employs hard switching in the first leg to reduce the conduction loss. The controller employs zero voltage in the second leg to reduce the switching loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Keming A. Chen, James F. Lazar, Lateef A. Kajouke
  • Patent number: 6608396
    Abstract: A power control system for an electric traction motor in a vehicle comprising at least one inverter for providing conditioned electrical power to the electric traction motor, a plurality of power stages for providing DC power to the at least one inverter, each stage including a battery and boost/buck DC—DC converter, the power stages wired in parallel, and where the power stages are controlled to maintain an output voltage to the at least one inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Scott D. Downer, James F. Lazar, James M. Nagashima
  • Publication number: 20030107352
    Abstract: A power control system for an electric traction motor in a vehicle comprising at least one inverter for providing conditioned electrical power to the electric traction motor, a plurality of power stages for providing DC power to the at least one inverter, each stage including a battery and boost/buck DC-DC converter, the power stages wired in parallel, and where the power stages are controlled to maintain an output voltage to the at least one inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Scott D. Downer, James F. Lazar, James M. Nagashima
  • Patent number: 5162981
    Abstract: A circuit for converting on d.c. voltage to another d.c. voltage including a transformer having a center tap and first and second end leads. A d.c. source voltage is connected to the center tap of the transformer. The end leads are connected to ground through first and second MOSFETs and to the gate of the MOSFET through which the other end lead is connected to ground such that the circuit is nominally self-oscillating due to transformer saturation. Current spikes may be minimized with a control circuit, consisting of an oscillator, a flip-flop, and first and second transistors, connected to the gates of the first and second MOSFETs. The control circuit turns the MOSFETS off prior to their natural oscillation turn off caused by transformer saturation. The circuit is particularly suited to operation with a low voltage d.c. source and low voltage MOSFETS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: James F. Lazar, Stephen J. Hulsey