Patents by Inventor Constantin Bucur

Constantin Bucur 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: 6861823
    Abstract: A voltage mode battery charging system is provided that includes a battery current control section, a battery voltage control section, and a power control section. The battery current control section and battery voltage control section each generate signals indicative of the battery charging current and battery voltage, respectively. The power control section generates a signal indicative of the power available from an adapter source. Each of these signals is combined at common node, and if any of these sections exceeds a threshold, battery charging current is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: O2Micro International Limited
    Inventor: Constantin Bucur
  • Publication number: 20040227215
    Abstract: A trimming locking circuit is provided for IC using a programmable fuse array for after-assembly trimming procedures. In one embodiment, a trimming locking circuit is provided for a single power supply input into the programmable fuse array. In another embodiment, a trimming locking circuit is provided to operate with two or more power supply inputs. The trimming locking circuit electrically isolates the programmable fuse array from over voltage conditions on the power supplies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Marian Udrea Spenea, Constantin Bucur, Marian Niculae, George Simion, Viorel Marinescu
  • Publication number: 20040207378
    Abstract: An enabling circuit including a comparison circuit, a switching circuit, and an output decision circuit. The comparison circuit compares a first comparison signal representative of a charge on a capacitor of a DC to DC converter with a second comparison signal representative of a reference charge and provides a comparison output signal in response to the comparison. In response to the comparison output signal, the switching circuit provides a first switching signal in a first state if the charge on the capacitor is less than said reference charge. Finally, the output decision circuit accepts at least the first switching signal and provides an enabling signal to enable the DC to DC converter to be controlled by a control signal in response to the first switching signal in the first state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Constantin Bucur, Marian Niculae
  • Publication number: 20040178766
    Abstract: A wake up circuit according to one embodiment includes a comparison circuit and an output decision circuit. The comparison circuit may be adapted to receive a first signal representative of a charging current level provided to a battery via a path and a second signal representative of a predetermined wake up current level and to provide a comparison output signal in response to the first and second signal. The output decision circuit may be adapted to receive at least the comparison output signal and a selector signal from a selector circuit, the output decision circuit providing one of the comparison output signal and the selector signal to a switch to control a state of the switch, the switch coupled to the path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Constantin Bucur, Vlad Popescu-Stanesti, Marian Niculae, Daryl Nees
  • Publication number: 20040160213
    Abstract: A selector circuit configured to select among a DC power source and a plurality of batteries for an electronic device. The selector circuit is responsive to an output signal from an associated power management unit. The selector circuit is further configured to permit parallel operation of two or more of the batteries. The selector circuit may further act to independently verify power conditions and override any instructions from the PMU in certain instances to enhance power supply safety and battery life. A power supply block including the selector circuit and an electronic device including the power supply block is also provided. The selector circuit may be integrated with a charging circuit on one integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Vlad Popescu Stanesti, Marian Niculae, Constantin Bucur
  • Publication number: 20040155627
    Abstract: A selector circuit configured to select among a DC power source and a plurality of batteries for an electronic device. The selector circuit is responsive to an output signal from an associated power management unit. The selector circuit is further configured to permit parallel operation of two or more of the batteries. The selector circuit may further act to independently verify power conditions and override instructions from the PMU in certain instances to enhance power supply safety and battery life such as by preventing inter battery current flow from a higher potential battery to a lower potential battery coupled in parallel. A power supply block including the selector circuit and an electronic device including the power supply block is also provided. The selector circuit may be integrated with a charging circuit on one integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Vlad Popescu Stanesti, Marian Niculae, Constantin Bucur
  • Publication number: 20040145348
    Abstract: A power supply topology having a first path configured to be coupled to a controllable DC power source, a second path configured to be coupled to a battery, and a third path configured to be coupled to a system load, wherein the first, second, and third paths are coupled to a common node. A first switch is coupled to the first path to allow selective coupling of the controllable DC power source to the system load via the common node, and a second switch is coupled to the second path to allow selective coupling of the battery to the common node. The power supply topology may be used with existing adapters or with a controllable adapter to provide for a one step power conversion. The power topology may be utilized to enable the controllable DC power source and a battery to provide power in parallel to a system load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Constantin Bucur, Vlad Popescu-Stanesti, Marian Niculae, Daryl Nees
  • Publication number: 20040130309
    Abstract: An enabling circuit includes a comparison circuit configured to compare a feedback signal representative of a charge of an energy storage element of a regulating circuit with a reference charge and provide an output in response to the comparison to enable the regulating circuit to switch from a first state to a second state if the charge of the energy storage element is less than the reference charge. The enabling circuit may also be used to enable a synchronous rectifier converter to provide a charging current to a battery in a battery charging system of an electronic device thereby avoiding negative voltage transients that may otherwise occur at the output of the synchronous rectifier converter. Various methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Constantin Bucur, Marian Niculae
  • Patent number: 6756769
    Abstract: An enabling circuit includes a comparison circuit configured to compare a feedback signal representative of a charge of an energy storage element of a regulating circuit with a reference charge and provide an output in response to the comparison to enable the regulating circuit to switch from a first state to a second state if the charge of the energy storage element is less than the reference charge. The enabling circuit may also be used to enable a synchronous rectifier converter to provide a charging current to a battery in a battery charging system of an electronic device thereby avoiding negative voltage transients that may otherwise occur at the output of the synchronous rectifier converter. Various methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: O2Micro International Limited
    Inventors: Constantin Bucur, Marian Niculae
  • Publication number: 20040113585
    Abstract: A charging circuit for controlling a system charging parameter provided to a host of rechargeable batteries, wherein the host of batteries includes at least a first battery and second battery that may be coupled in parallel. The charging circuit provides for fast charging of rechargeable batteries in parallel. Independent current and voltage sensing for each battery enables parallel charging of batteries at different charging currents. The charging circuit may be configured to accept either analog or digital signals from an associated power management unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Vlad Popescu Stanesti, Marian Niculae, Constantin Bucur
  • Publication number: 20040080891
    Abstract: A DC to DC controller for controlling an inrush current from a DC to DC converter to a battery system having an internal isolating switch. The DC to DC controller is configured to control the DC to DC converter based on a state of the internal isolating switch. If the switch is open, the DC to DC controller adjusts the output voltage of the DC to DC converter to a predetermined voltage level. Based on the value of such voltage level, in rush current from the DC to DC converter to the battery system can be reduced or eliminated when the isolating switch changes from an open state to a closed state. An electronic device including such a DC to DC controller is provided. Related methods for controlling inrush current are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: You-Yuh Shyr, Constantin Bucur, Vlad Popescu-Stanesti
  • Publication number: 20040012375
    Abstract: A voltage mode battery charging system is provided that includes a battery current control section, a battery voltage control section, and a power control section. The battery current control section and battery voltage control section each generate signals indicative of the battery charging current and battery voltage, respectively. The power control section generates a signal indicative of the power available from an adapter source. Each of these signals is combined at common node, and if any of these sections exceeds a threshold, battery charging current is decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: Constantin Bucur
  • Publication number: 20030234633
    Abstract: An enabling circuit includes a comparison circuit configured to compare a feedback signal representative of a charge of an energy storage element of a regulating circuit with a reference charge and provide an output in response to the comparison to enable the regulating circuit to switch from a first state to a second state if the charge of the energy storage element is less than the reference charge. The enabling circuit may also be used to enable a synchronous rectifier converter to provide a charging current to a battery in a battery charging system of an electronic device thereby avoiding negative voltage transients that may otherwise occur at the output of the synchronous rectifier converter. Various methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Constantin Bucur, Marian Niculae
  • Patent number: 6611129
    Abstract: A voltage mode battery charging system is provided that includes a battery current control section, a battery voltage control section, and a power control section. The battery current control section and battery voltage control section each generate signals indicative of the battery charging current and battery voltage, respectively. The power control section generates a signal indicative of the power available from an adapter source. Each of these signals is combined at common node, and if any of these sections exceeds a threshold, battery charging current is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: O2Micro International Limited
    Inventor: Constantin Bucur
  • Patent number: 6597153
    Abstract: A charging circuit includes a fast transient input path to improve the transient response of the charging circuit and to avoid related problems such as inadvertent tripping of a power source. A charging circuit system and laptop computer including a charging circuit consistent with the invention is also provided. A method of allocating power from a power source configured to charge a battery includes sensing at least one predetermined supply parameter from a power source, providing a first control signal after a first time interval based on the sensing, providing a second control signal after a second time interval based on the sensing, wherein the second time interval is less than the first time interval, and regulating power to the battery based on at least one of the first and second control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: O2Micro International Limited
    Inventor: Constantin Bucur
  • Publication number: 20030094925
    Abstract: A voltage mode battery charging system is provided that includes a battery current control section, a battery voltage control section, and a power control section. The battery current control section and battery voltage control section each generate signals indicative of the battery charging current and battery voltage, respectively. The power control section generates a signal indicative of the power available from an adapter source. Each of these signals is combined at common node, and if any of these sections exceeds a threshold, battery charging current is decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventor: Constantin Bucur
  • Publication number: 20030025401
    Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides an AC/DC or DC/DC adapter, comprising circuitry to generate a signal proportional to the maximum adapter current. In another aspect, the present invention provides a portable electronic device, comprising circuitry to receive a signal proportional to the maximum current supplied to the portable electronic device and a charger controller. Still another aspect of the present invention provides an adapter topology system, comprising an AC/DC or DC/DC adapter comprising circuitry to generate a signal proportional to the maximum adapter current; and a portable electronic device adapted to receive power from said adapter and to receive said signal proportional to the maximum adapter current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Vlad Popescu-Stanesti, Constantin Bucur
  • Patent number: 6498461
    Abstract: A voltage mode battery charging system is provided that includes a battery current control section, a battery voltage control section, and a power control section. The battery current control section and battery voltage control section each generate signals indicative of the battery charging current and battery voltage, respectively. The power control section generates a signal indicative of the power available from an adapter source. Each of these signals is combined at common node, and if any of these sections exceeds a threshold, battery charging current is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: O2 Micro International Limited
    Inventor: Constantin Bucur