Patents by Inventor Constantin Spiridon

Constantin Spiridon 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: 8289731
    Abstract: A converter controller is disclosed. In one embodiment, a controller for a flyback converter includes a converter and a flyback controller. The converter is coupled to the flyback converter for receiving an auxiliary voltage and for generating a constant power voltage. The flyback controller is powered by the constant power voltage for controlling an output voltage of the flyback converter. Furthermore, the flyback converter comprises a transformer with a primary side and a secondary side. The output voltage and the auxiliary voltage are produced at the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: O2Micro Inc.
    Inventors: Constantin Spiridon, Dan Simion, Eftimie Caraghiorghiopol
  • Patent number: 7969043
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a plurality of primary power sources operable for powering a load and charging a secondary power source, and a power management unit coupled to the plurality of primary power sources and the secondary power source. The power management unit is operable for selectively directing power of each of the primary power sources to the load according to a power requirement of the load. The power management unit is further operable for directing power of the secondary power source to the load if the power requirement of the load exceeds a total power capacity of the plurality of primary power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: O2 Micro, Inc.
    Inventors: Eftimie Caraghiorghiopol, Constantin Spiridon, Tzu-Ching Yang
  • Publication number: 20110121653
    Abstract: A system may include an electronic device configured to consume a supply current; an AC to DC adapter configured to be coupled to the electronic device, wherein the AC to DC adapter has a maximum rated output current; a battery configured to be coupled to the electronic device; DC to DC converter configured to be coupled to the battery and the electronic device; and a controller configured to couple the AC to DC adapter to the electronic device, the controller further configured to couple the DC to DC converter to the battery and the electronic device when the supply current exceeds the maximum rated output current of the AC to DC adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: O2MICRO INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Alexandru Hartular, Laszlo Lipcsei, Marian Niculae, Constantin Spiridon
  • Patent number: 7573240
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: 02Micro International Limited
    Inventor: Constantin Spiridon
  • Publication number: 20090115252
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a plurality of primary power sources operable for powering a load and charging a secondary power source, and a power management unit coupled to the plurality of primary power sources and the secondary power source. The power management unit is operable for selectively directing power of each of the primary power sources to the load according to a power requirement of the load. The power management unit is further operable for directing power of the secondary power source to the load if the power requirement of the load exceeds a total power capacity of the plurality of primary power sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Eftimie Caraghiorghiopol, Constantin Spiridon, Tzu-Ching Yang
  • Publication number: 20080304293
    Abstract: A converter controller is disclosed. In one embodiment, a controller for a flyback converter includes a converter and a flyback controller. The converter is coupled to the flyback converter for receiving an auxiliary voltage and for generating a constant power voltage. The flyback controller is powered by the constant power voltage for controlling an output voltage of the flyback converter. Furthermore, the flyback converter comprises a transformer with a primary side and a secondary side. The output voltage and the auxiliary voltage are produced at the transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Constantin Spiridon, Dan Simion, Eftimie Caraghiorghiopol
  • Publication number: 20060291259
    Abstract: A power management topology for portable electronic devices that includes a feed-enabled AC/DC adapter that receives feedback data from a charge controller associated with the portable device. The feedback data can include battery charging current, battery voltage, or power requirements of the portable device. Using the feedback data, the external AC/DC adapter can adjust the DC output to meet the charging requirement of the battery and/or the power requirements of the portable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Applicant: O2MICRO INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: William Densham, Vlad Popescu-Stanesti, Constantin Spiridon
  • Patent number: 7088076
    Abstract: A power management topology for portable electronic devices that includes a feed-enabled AC/DC adapter that receives feedback data from a charge controller associated with the portable device. The feedback data can include battery charging current, battery voltage, or power requirements of the portable device. Using the feedback data, the external AC/DC adapter can adjust the DC output to meet the charging requirement of the battery and/or the power requirements of the portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: O2Micro International Limited
    Inventors: William L. Densham, Vlad Mihail Popescu-Stanesti, Constantin Spiridon
  • Publication number: 20060113962
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventor: Constantin Spiridon
  • Patent number: 6741066
    Abstract: A power management topology for portable electronic devices that includes a feed-enabled AC/DC adapter that receives feedback data from a charge controller associated with the portable device. The feedback data can include battery charging current, battery voltage, or power requirements of the portable device. Using the feedback data, the external AC/DC adapter can adjust the DC output to meet the charging requirement of the battery and/or the power requirements of the portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: O2Micro International Limited
    Inventors: William L. Densham, Vlad Mihail Popescu-Stanesti, Constantin Spiridon
  • Publication number: 20040075418
    Abstract: A power management topology for portable electronic devices that includes a feed-enabled AC/DC adapter that receives feedback data from a charge controller associated with the portable device. The feedback data can include battery charging current, battery voltage, or power requirements of the portable device. Using the feedback data, the external AC/DC adapter can adjust the DC output to meet the charging requirement of the battery and/or the power requirements of the portable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: William L. Densham, Vlad Mihail Popescu-Stanesti, Constantin Spiridon
  • Patent number: 6507173
    Abstract: A power management unit (PMU) apparatus and method may include: a bi-directional pin configured to serve as an input pin during a first condition and as an output pin during a second condition; or a battery charge controller for providing a first conditioning charge and a second full charge to a voltage source of the PMU; or an adapter detector configured to detect the presence of a continuous output adapter and a pulse output adapter; an under voltage lockout protection circuit to prevent start up of the PMU until a power source reaches a predetermined threshold lockout level and to shut down the PMU once the power source reaches a lower threshold lockout disabling level; or a plurality of internal switches for allowing an external switch to have multiple functions; or a power on reset circuit; or multi-output charge status pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: 02 Micro International Limited
    Inventors: Constantin Spiridon, Vlad Mihail Popescu-Stanesti, You-Yuh Shyr, Alexandru Hartular, William L. Densham, III