Patents Examined by John W Poos
  • Patent number: 11469746
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a sensing circuit configured to determine a delay code from a plurality of delay codes using a phase interpolation (PI) code and a plurality of input clock phases, a variable delay circuit coupled to the sensing circuit and configured to generate a variable delay based on the delay code and generate a delayed PI code using the PI code and the delay code, the delayed PI code corresponding to a code obtained from adding the variable delay to the PI code, and a phase interpolator coupled to the variable delay circuit and configured to generate an output clock phase from the plurality of input clock phases using the delayed PI code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Vishnu Kalyanamahadevi Gopalan Jawarlal, Gunjan Mandal, Avneesh Singh Verma, Sanjeeb Kumar Ghosh
  • Patent number: 11449438
    Abstract: A field device comprising: a device electronic; a bus interface embodied to connect the field device to a field bus and a surface acoustic wave connecting the device electronic to the bus interface is disclosed. The bus interface includes a bus driver transmitting communication signals corresponding to digital transmission signal provided by the device electronic onto the field bus and a bus receiver receiving communication signals from the bus and providing corresponding digital reception signals to the device electronic. The surface acoustic wave transceiver transmits the digital transmission signals provided by the device electronic to the bus driver and transmits the digital reception signals provided by the bus receiver to the device electronic. Thereby, the surface acoustic wave transceiver galvanically isolates the device electronic from the bus driver and the bus receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO. KG
    Inventor: Gautham Karnik
  • Patent number: 11444629
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing on-system phase-locked loop (PLL) management in a memory device are provided. The method may include: utilizing a processing circuit within the memory controller to set multiple control parameters among multiple parameters stored in a register circuit of a transmission interface circuit within the memory controller, for controlling parameter adjustment of a PLL of the transmission interface circuit; utilizing a trimming control circuit to perform the parameter adjustment of the PLL according to the multiple control parameters, to adjust a set of voltage parameters among the multiple parameters, for optimizing a control voltage of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO); and during the parameter adjustment of the PLL, utilizing the trimming control circuit to generate and store multiple processing results in the register circuit, for being sent back to the processing circuit, to complete the parameter adjustment of the PLL, thereby achieving the on-system PLL management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Silicon Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Fu-Jen Shih
  • Patent number: 11444604
    Abstract: Disclosed are a phase-tracked pulse generation circuit and a power supply device. The present application uses a driving pulse rising edge of a power supply as a reference, and uses a constant current circuit to charge a charging and discharging circuit at a constant current. When the reference driving pulse rising edge comes, the charging and discharging circuit is discharged; the peak voltage on the charging and discharging circuit is taken out and then divided for comparison with the voltage on the charging and discharging circuit; when the voltage on the charging and discharging circuit is equal to a divided voltage value of the peak voltage, the output of a comparison circuit turns high, and the output of a comparator is the phase-tracked pulse; the rising edge of the phase-tracked pulse can be used for synchronizing another power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Shenzhen TCL New Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dexiang Zuo, Guoliang Tang
  • Patent number: 11443073
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a comparator circuit that generates a control signal based on a comparison between a threshold voltage and a supply voltage. The integrated circuit also includes a clock signal generation circuit that generates a clock signal and that receives the control signal. The clock signal generation circuit decreases a frequency of the clock signal to a reduced frequency in response to the control signal indicating that the supply voltage has decreased below the threshold voltage. The integrated circuit also includes a secure device manager circuit that has a timing circuit. The clock signal is provided to a clock input of the timing circuit. The timing circuit receives supply current from the supply voltage. The secure device manager circuit performs a security function for the integrated circuit using the timing circuit in response to the clock signal with the reduced frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Yee Koay, Ting Lu, Ching Kooi Hor, Chin Ghee Ch'ng
  • Patent number: 11429134
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing an output clock signal with a target frequency using an oscillator circuit portion configured to receive a control value and produce an output clock signal with a frequency dependent on the control value. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a first control value to the oscillator circuit portion corresponding to the target frequency, so as to cause the oscillator circuit portion to produce the output clock signal with a first frequency, comparing the output clock signal with a reference clock signal having a reference frequency to determine an offset between the first frequency and the target frequency, and providing a second control value to the oscillator circuit portion that differs from the first control value by a magnitude calculated with reference to the determined offset, to cause the oscillator circuit portion to produce the output clock signal with a second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Nordic Semiconductor ASA
    Inventors: Bartosz Gajda, Frode Pedersen
  • Patent number: 11431328
    Abstract: A system is provided for dynamically reconfiguring clock output signals, without clock loss and glitches. The system includes an oscillator generating a clock input signal, first and second dynamic reconfigurable clock dividers, an AND logic gate and an interface. The first and second dynamic reconfigurable clock dividers include counters that output first and second clock output signals having multiple periodic cycles, respectively, and cycle complete signals in response to completion of each periodic cycle. The AND logic gate outputs an aggregated cycle complete signal in response to the cycle complete signals from the first and second dynamic reconfigurable clock dividers. The interface provides reconfiguration commands to the first dynamic reconfigurable clock divider changing frequency and/or phase of the first clock output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Keysight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hun Wey Wong
  • Patent number: 11424736
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure related to a method of phase extension using a delay circuit including delay devices coupled in series. The method includes receiving a clock signal, generating multiple delayed versions of the clock signal, wherein each of the delayed versions of the clock signal is delayed by a different number of the delay devices, and combining high phases or low phases of the delayed versions of the clock signal to obtain a combined clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Keith Alan Bowman, Daniel Yingling, Dipti Ranjan Pal
  • Patent number: 11416021
    Abstract: A first logic gate has a first input coupled to a first circuit input or a second circuit input, a second input selectively coupled to a third circuit input or a fourth circuit input, and a first output. The first output has a signal with a duty cycle that is a function of a phase difference between a first signal on the first input and a second signal on the second input. A second logic gate has a third input coupled to the third circuit input or the fourth circuit input, a fourth input coupled to the second circuit input or the fourth circuit input, and a second output. The second output has a signal with a duty cycle that is a function of a phase difference between a third signal on the third input and a fourth signal on the fourth input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ani Xavier, Jagannathan Venkataraman, Raviteja Velisetti
  • Patent number: 11411398
    Abstract: An arrangement includes: a direct current power network with a plus pole and a minus pole; two series capacitors, a first outer tap being connected to the plus pole via a first power line, a second outer tap being connected to the minus pole via a second power line and a middle tap is connected to ground; a circuit switch arranged in at least one of the first and the second power line; a circuit switch control unit for opening the circuit switch upon overcurrent and/or upon manual intervention; a switchable high ohmic path in at least one of the first and the second power line, which bypasses a) a switchable low ohmic path in the least one of the first and the second power line or b) the circuit switch; and a load control unit for measuring a total voltage of the two series capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hauer
  • Patent number: 11405026
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods of reducing the EMI effect generated by such analog blocks. By varying the clock frequency in time of oscillators used by such analog blocks, the EMI energy may be spread over a wide spectrum range thereby reducing the peak energy for the main frequency. To achieve this, the oscillator frequency is directly varied using analog mechanisms. The mechanisms may be based on a synchronized method for increasing/decreasing the current that is charging/discharging the oscillator capacitor. The frequency variation may be achieved by analog control of the extra charge/discharge current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Oleg Dadashev, Yoram Betser
  • Patent number: 11394384
    Abstract: Radio-frequency switches and related circuits are disclosed. In some embodiments, a switching device can include a series arm having transistors implemented in a stack configuration between first and second nodes. The switching device can further include a shunt arm having transistors implemented in a stack configuration between the first node and a ground node. The switching device can further include a bias architecture having a series arm bias circuit and a shunt arm bias circuit. The series arm bias circuit can be configured to bias the transistors of the series arm and include a gate-gate resistor that couples each pair of neighboring transistors. The shunt arm bias circuit can be configured to bias the transistors of the shunt arm and include a gate-gate resistor that couples each pair of neighboring transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Guillaume Alexandre Blin
  • Patent number: 11383177
    Abstract: Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads are disclosed. An activation signal is propagated in the system from a module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to external power source such as AC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: May Patents Ltd.
    Inventor: Yehuda Binder
  • Patent number: 11387813
    Abstract: A frequency multiplier and a delay-reused duty cycle calibration method thereof are provided. The frequency multiplier includes a first calibration circuit, a second calibration circuit and a controller. In a calibration mode of the frequency multiplier, an output terminal of a delay cell is coupled to an input terminal of the delay cell. The first calibration circuit repeatedly uses the delay cell M times for generating a first delayed signal. The controller controls the delay cell according to the first delayed signal, to find a delay of the delay cell which makes M times the delay be equal to one cycle period of an input clock signal. After the delay is found, the delay cell is repeatedly used M/2 times for generating a second delayed signal. The controller controls the second calibration circuit according to the second delayed signal to make an input calibration signal have a target duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Hsiu-Hsien Ting, Po-Chun Huang, Yu-Li Hsueh
  • Patent number: 11381229
    Abstract: A clock spread spectrum circuit, an electronic equipment, and a clock spread spectrum method are disclosed. The clock spread spectrum circuit includes a control circuit and a signal generation circuit. The control circuit is configured to generate a frequency control word according to a modulation parameter, and the frequency control word changes discretely with time; and the signal generation circuit is configured to receive the frequency control word and generate and output a spread spectrum output signal that is spectrum-spread according to the frequency control word, and the spread spectrum output signal corresponds to the frequency control word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignees: BEIJING BOE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiangye Wei, Liming Xiu, Yuhai Ma
  • Patent number: 11380412
    Abstract: A semiconductor device or the like with a novel structure that can change the orientation of the display is provided. A semiconductor device or the like with a novel structure, in which a degradation in transistor characteristics can be suppressed, is provided. A semiconductor device or the like with a novel structure, in which operation speed can be increased, is provided. A semiconductor device or the like with a novel structure, in which a dielectric breakdown of a transistor can be suppressed, is provided. The semiconductor device or the like has a circuit configuration capable of switching between a first operation and a second operation by changing the potentials of wirings. By switching between these two operations, the scan direction is easily changed. The semiconductor device is configured to change the scan direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Umezaki
  • Patent number: 11368142
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for correcting a duty-cycle of a clock signal are disclosed. An apparatus includes an integrator circuit, an amplifier circuit, and an electrically controllable switch. The integrator circuit is configured to provide an integrator signal indicating substantially an integral of a corrected clock signal. The amplifier circuit is configured to be disabled responsive to a detection that an input clock signal is disabled. The amplifier circuit includes a first amplifier input terminal and a second amplifier input terminal. The electrically controllable switch is configured to selectively electrically connect the first amplifier input terminal to the second amplifier input terminal responsive to the detection that the input clock signal is disabled. A method of correcting a duty-cycle of an input clock signal includes adjusting a corrected duty-cycle of the corrected clock signal responsive to a first error signal and a second error signal from the amplifier circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Maksim Kuzmenka, Elena Cabrera Bernal
  • Patent number: 11355948
    Abstract: Embodiments describe a wireless charging system including an accessory device and a host device. The host device can include a housing having a charging surface and power transmitting circuitry coupled to a power source. The power transmitting circuitry can include an inductive transmitter coil configured to receive a first power and generate magnetic field, an amplifier coupled to the inductive transmitter coil and configured to output the first power to the inductive transmitter coil, an output sensor coupled to the inductive transmitter coil and configured to measure the first power to the inductive transmitter coil, and a power tracking controller coupled to the sensor probe. The power tracking controller can be configured to receive measurement of the first power, and generate a control signal based on the measured first power to modify an output impedance of the amplifier to output a second power different from the first power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Maxim Vlasov, Laurent Plancherel
  • Patent number: 11342927
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a ring oscillator (RO) frequency divider configured to frequency divide an input clock by a programmable divider ratio to generate an output clock. In this regard, the RO frequency divider receives the input clock, enables each of a ring of N cascaded inverter stages substantially one at a time in response to the input clock; and outputs a second clock from an output of one of the ring of N cascaded inverter stages. In one aspect, each stage includes a p-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (PMOS FET) coupled in series with an n-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (NMOS FET). In another, each stage includes two PMOS FETs and an NMOS FET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Younghyun Lim, Yiwu Tang, Dongmin Park, Yunliang Zhu, Mustafa Keskin, Yue Chao
  • Patent number: 11340279
    Abstract: A device for detecting stray electrical currents in fluid mediums comprises at least two probes for partially disposing in a fluid medium and a control unit. The control unit comprises at least one analog-to-digital signal converter in electrical communication with at least one of the probes, at least one audio-visual alarm, and a processor operably coupled to the at least one converter and to the at least one audio-visual alarm. The processor is operable to measure an electrical potential difference between the two probes, to calculate at least one frequency-dependent characteristic associated with a plurality of said measurements, and to transmit an alert signal if the at least one frequency-dependent characteristic satisfied a threshold. Advantageously, by monitoring for the frequency, the device more consistently and more reliably detects the presence of stray alternating currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Marine Co. Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Bruce Fitzgerald, Amar Thors, Roger Alan Miller, John David Cook, Daniel James Myers