Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate of a first conductivity type with relatively low impurity concentration; a first region of a second conductivity type with relatively low impurity concentration, =located in the substrate; a second region of the first conductivity type with relatively high impurity concentration, located in the substrate; first and second conductors, located on the first region and separated from each other by an isolator layer; and a third conductor, separated from the first and second conductors by the isolator layer, and located on the second region. The first conductor provides a drain terminal. The second conductor provides a source terminal. The third conductor provides a gate terminal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate of a first conductivity type with relatively low impurity concentration; a first region of a second conductivity type with relatively low impurity concentration, =located in the substrate; a second region of the first conductivity type with relatively high impurity concentration, located in the substrate; first and second conductors, located on the first region and separated from each other by an isolator layer; and a third conductor, separated from the first and second conductors by the isolator layer, and located on the second region. The first conductor provides a drain terminal. The second conductor provides a source terminal. The third conductor provides a gate terminal.

Abstract: A direct drive LED lighting circuit includes a LED current control circuit with a power switching device; a current sensing device, an averaging circuit, and an error amplifier. A LED chain circuit is formed by connecting several LEDs in series with a capacitor connecting in parallel with the series of LEDs, with a current flowing in side as a positive terminal, and a current leaving terminal as a negative terminal. The LED chain circuit and the LED current control circuit are connecting in series and the whole circuit is connected between the positive and negative terminals of a rectified AC power source.

Abstract: An integrated power module comprising a power board including at least one power switching device, a driver board including at least one driver for driving a gate of the at least one power switching device, and an interconnection extending across the power board and the driver board mechanically connecting the power board and the driver board together. Included are a lead frame to which the power board and the driver board are mounted, and a package encapsulating the power board and the driver board mounted on the lead frame. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the integrated power module.

Abstract: A supply circuit includes a rectifying bridge arranged in series between two high voltage capacitors. An AC line provides an intermediate voltage to a low voltage capacitor through the two high voltage capacitors. A plurality of resistors mounted in series with the two high voltage capacitors. A voltage clamping device limits the intermediate voltage at the low voltage capacitor and a linear series regulator provides an output DC voltage.

Abstract: A supply circuit includes a rectifying bridge arranged in series between two high voltage capacitors. An AC line provides an intermediate voltage to a low voltage capacitor through the two high voltage capacitors. A plurality of resistors mounted in series with the two high voltage capacitors. A voltage clamping device limits the intermediate voltage at the low voltage capacitor and a linear series regulator provides an output DC voltage.

Abstract: A three terminal high voltage Darlington bipolar transistor power switching device includes two high voltage bipolar transistors, with collectors connected together serving as the collector terminal. The base of the first high voltage bipolar transistor serves as the base terminal. The emitter of the first high voltage bipolar transistor connects to the base of the second high voltage bipolar transistor (inner base), and the emitter of the second high voltage bipolar transistor serves as the emitter terminal. A diode has its anode connected to the inner base (emitter of the first high voltage bipolar transistor, or base of the second high voltage bipolar transistor), and its cathode connected to the base terminal. Similarly, a three terminal hybrid MOSFET/bipolar high voltage switching device can be formed by replacing the first high voltage bipolar transistor of the previous switching device by a high voltage MOSFET.

Abstract: An integrated power module comprising a power board including at least one power switching device, a driver board including at least one driver for driving a gate of the at least one power switching device, and an interconnection extending across the power board and the driver board mechanically connecting the power board and the driver board together. Included are a lead frame to which the power board and the driver board are mounted, and a package encapsulating the power board and the driver board mounted on the lead frame. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the integrated power module.

Abstract: A direct drive LED lighting circuit includes a LED current control circuit with a power switching device; a current sensing device, an averaging circuit, and an error amplifier. A LED chain circuit is formed by connecting several LEDs in series with a capacitor connecting in parallel with the series of LEDs, with a current flowing in side as a positive terminal, and a current leaving terminal as a negative terminal. The LED chain circuit and the LED current control circuit are connecting in series and the whole circuit is connected between the positive and negative terminals of a rectified AC power source.

Abstract: A three terminal high voltage Darlington bipolar transistor power switching device includes two high voltage bipolar transistors, with collectors connected together serving as the collector terminal. The base of the first high voltage bipolar transistor serves as the base terminal. The emitter of the first high voltage bipolar transistor connects to the base of the second high voltage bipolar transistor (inner base), and the emitter of the second high voltage bipolar transistor serves as the emitter terminal. A diode has its anode connected to the inner base (emitter of the first high voltage bipolar transistor, or base of the second high voltage bipolar transistor), and its cathode connected to the base terminal. Similarly, a three terminal hybrid MOSFET/bipolar high voltage switching device can be formed by replacing the first high voltage bipolar transistor of the previous switching device by a high voltage MOSFET.

Abstract: A three terminal high voltage Darlington bipolar transistor power switching device includes two high voltage bipolar transistors, with collectors connected together serving as the collector terminal. The base of the first high voltage bipolar transistor serves as the base terminal. The emitter of the first high voltage bipolar transistor connects to the base of the second high voltage bipolar transistor (inner base), and the emitter of the second high voltage bipolar transistor serves as the emitter terminal. A diode has its anode connected to the inner base (emitter of the first high voltage bipolar transistor, or base of the second high voltage bipolar transistor), and its cathode connected to the base terminal. Similarly, a three terminal hybrid MOSFET/bipolar high voltage switching device can be formed by replacing the first high voltage bipolar transistor of the previous switching device by a high voltage MOSFET.

Abstract: A three terminal high voltage Darlington bipolar transistor power switching device includes two high voltage bipolar transistors, with collectors connected together serving as the collector terminal. The base of the first high voltage bipolar transistor serves as the base terminal. The emitter of the first high voltage bipolar transistor connects to the base of the second high voltage bipolar transistor (inner base), and the emitter of the second high voltage bipolar transistor serves as the emitter terminal. A diode has its anode connected to the inner base (emitter of the first high voltage bipolar transistor, or base of the second high voltage bipolar transistor), and its cathode connected to the base terminal. Similarly, a three terminal hybrid MOSFET/bipolar high voltage switching device can be formed by replacing the first high voltage bipolar transistor of the previous switching device by a high voltage MOSFET.

Abstract: A method includes receiving one or more learning configurations, each learning configuration related to an acceptable arrangement of items within an environment. The method further includes extracting from the learning configurations representative item information and relationship information, synthesizing a configuration of items for a defined environment based at least in part on the extracted representative item information and relationship information, determining a cost of the synthesized configuration, and, based on the cost of the synthesized configuration, identifying the synthesized configuration as acceptable.

Abstract: A switching converter IC without a built-in power switching device includes a first terminal serving as a power supply positive connection, a second terminal serving as a power supply return connection, a third terminal serving as the switch-driving connection for controlling the switching duty of an external bipolar or MOSFET power switching device and also serving as a conduit for detection of current drawn by the power switching device to thereby provide overcurrent protection. Feedback information is derived from voltage between the first and the second terminals.

Abstract: Processes and techniques for imparting three-dimensional visual characteristics to images in a two-dimensional space are described. In one implementation, a graphical image is received in a two-dimensional space (e.g., a user interface on a computing device). A shape palette is presented to a user, the shape palette comprising a visual representation of three-dimensional visual information. Based on user markup of the shape palette, three-dimensional visual information is extracted from the shape palette and correlated with the graphical image. The three-dimensional visual information is processed to render the graphical image with three-dimensional visual characteristics.

Abstract: A switching converter IC without a built-in power switching device includes a first terminal serving as a power supply positive connection, a second terminal serving as a power supply return connection, a third terminal serving as the switch-driving connection for controlling the switching duty of an external bipolar or MOSFET power switching device and also serving as a conduit for detection of current drawn by the power switching device to thereby provide overcurrent protection. Feedback information is derived from voltage between the first and the second terminals.

Abstract: A position sensor includes a first part having several electrically conductive elements, a second part having an electrical conductor, and holding device holding the first part and the second part together with the conductive elements and the conductor being spaced apart and permitting relative movement between the conductive elements and the conductor. Included is a signal generator for generating and supplying different electrical signals to one of the first part and the second part for reception in a contactless manner by the other of the first part and the second part with a magnitude that is dependent upon the relative position between the conductive elements and the conductor. There is also a signal detector connected to the other of the first part and the second part for differentiating the electrical signals received thereby to determine the relative position between the conductive elements and the conductor.

Abstract: Processes and techniques for imparting three-dimensional visual characteristics to images in a two-dimensional space are described. In one implementation, a graphical image is received in a two-dimensional space (e.g., a user interface on a computing device). A shape palette is presented to a user, the shape palette comprising a visual representation of three-dimensional visual information. Based on user markup of the shape palette, three-dimensional visual information is extracted from the shape palette and correlated with the graphical image. The three-dimensional visual information is processed to render the graphical image with three-dimensional visual characteristics.

Abstract: A method of controlling a two-phase stepping motor to operate in one of a plurality of operating modes in which output of the motor behaves differently upon encountering obstacle, comprises the steps of: generating an electrical driving current comprising a repeating series of a positive active driving region, a first inactive driving region, a negative active driving region and a second inactive driving region; determining one of the duration of the active driving regions and the duration of the inactive driving regions relative to the other of the durations to thereby cause the motor to operate in a corresponding mode of the operating modes; and applying the driving current to the motor.

Abstract: A position sensor comprises a first part having several electrically conductive elements, a second part having an electrical conductor, and holding means holding the first part and the second part together with the conductive elements and the conductor being spaced apart and permitting relative movement between the conductive elements and the conductor. Included is a signal generator for generating and supplying different electrical signals to one of the first part and the second part for reception in a contactless manner by the other of the first part and the second part with a magnitude that is dependent upon the relative position between the conductive elements and the conductor. There is also a signal detector connected to the other of the first part and the second part for differentiating the electrical signals received thereby to determine the relative position between the conductive elements and the conductor.