Abstract: A battery management system can include a battery having a plurality of cells, a plurality of devices coupled to the battery, and a control unit coupled to a first device of the devices. The devices can assess the statuses of the cells. The control unit can communicate with a destination device of the devices via a default path and can communicate with the destination device via a backup path if an undesirable condition occurs in the default path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a firewall device that is divided into several virtual firewalls. The users in the Intranet are divided into several user groups based on different security policy demands. Each virtual firewall is equipped with the security policy of the corresponding user group. Each firewall manages one user group in the Intranet. Thus, the present invention reduces the complexity of the firewall management, reduces the extra cost of adding more firewalls and makes the management easier.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for driving a display device comprises processing a plurality of sequent frame data by a graphics controller. The graphics controller is capable of optimizing a frame rate and outputting a first plurality of display signals at the frame rate. And then, a timing controller is used to convert the first plurality of display signals into a second plurality of signals at a predetermined refresh rate.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for battery charging are disclosed. In one embodiment, the battery charging circuit comprises an AC to DC converter, a charging control switch, and a charger controller. The AC to DC converter provides a charging power to a battery pack. The charging control switch is coupled between the AC to DC converter and the battery pack. The charging control switch transfers the charging power to the battery pack. The charger controller detects a battery status of the battery pack and controls the charging control switch to charge the battery pack in a continuous charging mode or a pulse charging mode according to the battery status. The charger controller also controls the AC to DC converter to regulate the charging power according to the battery status.

Abstract: 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 adjusts its output voltage in response to the magnitude of an error signal representing an amount by which instantaneous power consumption exceeds adapter maximum power. 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.

Abstract: A power supply topology with pulse width modulation frequency control allows the use of an inductor with higher inductance in a converter. By controlling the switching frequency of the pulse width modulation signal, the inductor can achieve high efficiency during a light load condition and is also suitable for a heavy load condition.

Abstract: An amplifier that receives an input signal and outputs an amplified output signal includes an integration stage, a comparison stage, and a full bridge circuit. The integration stage is be used for receiving a constant common mode voltage, for receiving a first signal representing the input signal of the amplifier, and for generating a ramp signal. The comparison stage coupled to the integration stage is used for generating a pulse width modulation signal according to the ramp signal and according to a hysteretic signal. The full bridge circuit coupled to the comparison stage is used for receiving a power supply and the pulse width modulation signal, and for generating the output of the amplifier.

Abstract: A network interface system with packet filtering function is disclosed herein. The network interface system includes interfaces, a packet buffer and a controller. The packet buffer stores data packets received by the network interface system. The controller provides security defense for the host system and the network by filtering the data packets stored in the packet buffer. The controller controls the packet buffer abandoning a data packet if the data packet is identified as an unsafe packet. The controller also includes a regulator for controlling a transferring order of the data packets. Thus, the network interface system can drop unsafe data packet and transfer data packets considered as safe information. The data packets can be processed in a sequence according to preset priority rules.

Abstract: A system and method for cell balancing with smart low-voltage control circuit. The cell balancing system comprises a plurality of battery cells, an external bypass path for each cell, an internal bypass path for each cell, an input terminal receiving an enable signal for each cell, an input terminal receiving a selection signal, and a cell balancing unit for generating a configuration signal to conduct the external bypass path or internal bypass path. The enable signal is configured to enable a bypass current of each cell, and the selection signal is configured to select the external bypass path or internal bypass path. The cell balancing unit is employed to receive signals from input terminals, and generate a configuration signal to control the conductance of external bypass paths or internal bypass paths.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for controlling a converter are disclosed. A first switch within the converter can be turned off, and a second switch within the converter alternately can be turned on and off in response to a switch control signal while the first switch is turned off. By turning the second switch alternately on and off, energy stored in the converter can be recovered to a power source of the converter.

Abstract: An analog to digital converter (ADC) converts an analog signal to a digital signal. The ADC includes an input channel, a sampling circuit coupled to the input channel, an integrator coupled to the sampling circuit, and a feedback circuit coupled to the integrator. The input channel receives the analog signal. The sampling circuit samples the analog signal. The integrator receives the sampled analog signal and a feedback signal and integrates a superposition of the sampled analog signal and the feedback signal. The feedback circuit generates the digital signal according to an output of the integrator and sends the feedback signal indicative of the digital signal to the integrator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a phase-locked loop circuit are disclosed. The phase locked loop circuit includes a plurality of resistive elements and a plurality of capacitive elements that are distributed in a charge pump, a loop filter and a voltage controlled oscillator. The plurality of resistive elements have a plurality of resistances that vary in proportion to each other. The plurality of capacitive elements have a plurality of capacitive elements that vary in proportion to each other. A damping factor of the phase-locked loop circuit is maintained substantially constant by the plurality of resistive elements and the plurality of capacitive elements.

Abstract: A method is used for charging a battery. According to the method of the present invention, the battery is first charged to a predetermined voltage at a substantially constant current. Then, the charging current is disabled. A pulsing current is applied to the battery for charging the battery.

Abstract: A CCFL power converter circuit is provided using a high-efficiency zero-voltage-switching technique that eliminates switching losses associated with the power MOSFETs. An optimal sweeping-frequency technique is used in the CCFL ignition by accounting for the parasitic capacitance in the resonant tank circuit. Additionally, the circuit is self-learning and is adapted to determine the optimum operating frequency for the circuit with a given load. An over-voltage protection circuit can also be provided to ensure that the circuit components are protected in the case of open-lamp condition.

Abstract: A differential driving circuit is provided that reduces ripple current. The differential driving circuit is operable to supply a linear current in a low current mode and a PWM current in a high current mode. Depending on the direction of current flow through the load, heating and cooling is provided for loads such as a thermal electric cooler.

Abstract: A driver package includes an integrated circuit (IC) comprising pull up circuitry capable of turning ON an associated switch and pull down circuitry capable of turning OFF the associated switch. The pull up circuitry may be coupled to a first bonding pad of the IC, and the pull down circuitry may be coupled to a second bonding pad of the IC. The driver package may further comprise a first conductive path coupled between the first bonding pad and a package pin of the driver package, where the package pin is coupled to the associated switch, and a second conductive path coupled between the second bonding pad and the package pin. The first conductive path may further provide a sensed signal representative of state of the associated switch to break before make control circuitry to assist in minimizing a break before make delay time interval.

Abstract: An audio controller for use with laptop and notebook digital computers for reproducing compressed digital audio recordings. The controller includes a drive interface for traversing and accessing audio data files stored on a drive of a computer system. Function keys coupled to the controller permit users to access drives containing desired audio data. The selected audio data is read from the drive into the controller. Decoding circuitry decodes the audio data and generates a decoded audio data stream. The data stream can be converted to an analog signal by the controller, or sent to the audio subsystem of the computer system. Advantageously, the controller operates when the computer system is in an inactive state, for example in power saving mode or OFF, and operates in passthrough mode when the computer system is ON or active.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display system and CCFL power converter circuit is provided using a high-efficiency zero-voltage-switching technique that eliminates switching losses associated with the power MOSFETs. An optimal sweeping-frequency technique is used in the CCFL ignition by accounting for the parasitic capacitance in the resonant tank circuit. Additionally, the circuit is self-learning and is adapted to determine the optimum operating frequency for the circuit with a given load. An over-voltage protection circuit can also be provided to ensure that the circuit components are protected in the case of open-lamp condition.

Abstract: A PC Card subsystem is used for coupling a PC card to a computer system and comprises a PC Card controller and a PC Card power switch. The PC Card controller is coupled to and operates the PC card. The PC Card power switch is used for supplying power to the PC Card and provides at least one control signal for operating the PC card.