Patents by Inventor Gelu Voicu
Gelu Voicu 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).
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Patent number: 7646028Abstract: A LED driver IC includes a control module(s) for controlling one or more LED drive parameters and non-volatile memory for storing settings data for that control module(s). The control module(s) is fully integrated into the LED driver IC and does not require any control input from off-chip components or signals. Therefore, the space requirements for LED circuits that make use of the LED driver IC can be minimized. Also, the non-volatile memory storage of settings data eliminates the need for an initialization or configuration input each time the LED driver IC is powered on. The non-volatile memory can be a one-time programmable memory or can be a reprogrammable memory.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2003Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.Inventors: Anthony G. Russell, Gelu Voicu
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Patent number: 7606679Abstract: According to some embodiments, a light emitting diode (LED) power management and diagnostics history recording integrated circuit includes a power management circuit controlling a supply of power to the LED, a diagnostics detection circuit recording a diagnostics history for the LED, a non-volatile diagnostics history memory storing the diagnostics history; and an external interface for transferring externally the diagnostics history stored in the non-volatile diagnostics history memory. The diagnostics history includes diagnostics data for at least two sequential occurrences of a reoccurring fault condition. The diagnostics data may include temperature, under-voltage, over-voltage, open-circuit load, and short-circuit load indicators, among others. A diagnostics analysis system downloads the diagnostics data after a given operation period and performs maintenance decisions according to the diagnostics data.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2006Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.Inventors: Gelu Voicu, Leonard Gagea, Anthony Russell
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Patent number: 7535395Abstract: Embodiments of a digital potentiometer are disclosed that require lesser numbers of components than conventional digital potentiometers. A first string of elemental impedance devices, and at least one bulk impedance device, are provided between first and second reference terminals. The first string of elemental impedance devices is tapped by wiper switches. The at least one bulk impedance device has an impedance greater than an impedance of the first string. If desired, second and third bypassable impedance device strings also may be provided between the first and second reference terminals, with the impedance of the respective second and third strings being between the impedance of the first string and the impedance of one bulk impedance device. One or more dummy structures each including an impedance device in parallel with a permanently-on switch also may be between the first and second reference terminals to improve linearity.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Gelu Voicu, Radu H. Iacob, Otilia Neagoe
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Patent number: 7345611Abstract: Embodiments of a digital potentiometer are disclosed that require lesser numbers of components than conventional digital potentiometers. A first string of elemental impedance devices, and at least one bulk impedance device, are provided between first and second reference terminals. The first string of elemental impedance devices is tapped by wiper switches. The at least one bulk impedance device has an impedance greater than an impedance of the first string. If desired, second and third bypassable impedance device strings also may be provided between the first and second reference terminals, with the impedance of the respective second and third strings being between the impedance of the first string and the impedance of one bulk impedance device. One or more dummy structures each including an impedance device in parallel with a permanently-on switch also may be between the first and second reference terminals to improve linearity.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2003Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Gelu Voicu, Radu H. Iacob, Otilia Neagoe
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Publication number: 20080048900Abstract: Embodiments of a digital potentiometer are disclosed that require lesser numbers of components than conventional digital potentiometers. A first string of elemental impedance devices, and at least one bulk impedance device, are provided between first and second reference terminals. The first string of elemental impedance devices is tapped by wiper switches. The at least one bulk impedance device has an impedance greater than an impedance of the first string. If desired, second and third bypassable impedance device strings also may be provided between the first and second reference terminals, with the impedance of the respective second and third strings being between the impedance of the first string and the impedance of one bulk impedance device. One or more dummy structures each including an impedance device in parallel with a permanently-on switch also may be between the first and second reference terminals to improve linearity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: February 28, 2008Applicant: Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Gelu Voicu, Radu Iacob, Otilia Neagoe
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Patent number: 7324130Abstract: A LED driver IC includes a control module(s) for controlling one or more LED drive parameters and non-volatile memory for storing settings data for that control module(s). The control module(s) is fully integrated into the LED driver IC and does not require any control input from off-chip components or signals. Therefore, the space requirements for LED circuits that make use of the LED driver IC can be minimized. Also, the non-volatile memory storage of settings data eliminates the need for an initialization or configuration input each time the LED driver IC is powered on. The non-volatile memory can be a one-time programmable memory or can be a reprogrammable memory.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Anthony G. Russell, Gelu Voicu
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Patent number: 7012555Abstract: Embodiments of a digital potentiometer are disclosed that require lesser numbers of components than conventional digital potentiometers. A first string of elemental impedance devices, and at least one bulk impedance device, are provided between first and second reference terminals. The first string of elemental impedance devices is tapped by wiper switches. The at least one bulk impedance device has an impedance greater than an impedance of the first string. If desired, second and third bypassable impedance device strings also may be provided between the first and second reference terminals, with the impedance of the respective second and third strings being between the impedance of the first string and the impedance of one bulk impedance device. One or more dummy structures each including an impedance device in parallel with a permanently-on switch also may be between the first and second reference terminals to improve linearity.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2003Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Gelu Voicu, Radu H. Iacob, Otilia Neagoe
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Publication number: 20050112801Abstract: A LED driver IC includes a control module(s) for controlling one or more LED drive parameters and non-volatile memory for storing settings data for that control module(s). The control module(s) is fully integrated into the LED driver IC and does not require any control input from off-chip components or signals. Therefore, the space requirements for LED circuits that make use of the LED driver IC can be minimized. Also, the non-volatile memory storage of settings data eliminates the need for an initialization or configuration input each time the LED driver IC is powered on. The non-volatile memory can be a one-time programmable memory or can be a reprogrammable memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2004Publication date: May 26, 2005Applicant: Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Russell, Gelu Voicu
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Publication number: 20050052305Abstract: Embodiments of a digital potentiometer are disclosed that require lesser numbers of components than conventional digital potentiometers. A first string of elemental impedance devices, and at least one bulk impedance device, are provided between first and second reference terminals. The first string of elemental impedance devices is tapped by wiper switches. The at least one bulk impedance device has an impedance greater than an impedance of the first string. If desired, second and third bypassable impedance device strings also may be provided between the first and second reference terminals, with the impedance of the respective second and third strings being between the impedance of the first string and the impedance of one bulk impedance device. One or more dummy structures each including an impedance device in parallel with a permanently-on switch also may be between the first and second reference terminals to improve linearity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2003Publication date: March 10, 2005Inventors: Gelu Voicu, Radu Iacob, Otilia Neagoe
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Publication number: 20050052306Abstract: Embodiments of a digital potentiometer are disclosed that require lesser numbers of components than conventional digital potentiometers. A first string of elemental impedance devices, and at least one bulk impedance device, are provided between first and second reference terminals. The first string of elemental impedance devices is tapped by wiper switches. The at least one bulk impedance device has an impedance greater than an impedance of the first string. If desired, second and third bypassable impedance device strings also may be provided between the first and second reference terminals, with the impedance of the respective second and third strings being between the impedance of the first string and the impedance of one bulk impedance device. One or more dummy structures each including an impedance device in parallel with a permanently-on switch also may be between the first and second reference terminals to improve linearity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2003Publication date: March 10, 2005Inventors: Gelu Voicu, Radu Iacob, Otilia Neagoe
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Patent number: 6865113Abstract: Circuitry for programming a non-volatile memory of an integrated circuit is disclosed. The circuitry requires only three pins: a power pin, a ground pin, and a data pin. Programming mode is initiated by coincidentally applying high voltages at the power pin and the data pin. The memory cells may be programmed individually in sequence, or all at once. A clock signal for selecting the memory cells is obtained through serial high voltage pulses applied to the power pin. The clock signal increments a state machine, which in turn causes one or more of the memory cells to be selected. Binary data is provided to the data pin, is stored, and is then provided to the memory cells. A high voltage pulse subsequently received at the data pin is passed to the memory cells, and causes the stored data to be programmed into the selected memory cell(s).Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Gelu Voicu, Carmen M. Stangu, Adam Peter Cosmin
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Publication number: 20050018487Abstract: Circuitry for programming a non-volatile memory of an integrated circuit is disclosed. The circuitry requires only three pins: a power pin, a ground pin, and a data pin. Programming mode is initiated by coincidentally applying high voltages at the power pin and the data pin. The memory cells may be programmed individually in sequence, or all at once. A clock signal for selecting the memory cells is obtained through serial high voltage pulses applied to the power pin. The clock signal increments a state machine, which in turn causes one or more of the memory cells to be selected. Binary data is provided to the data pin, is stored, and is then provided to the memory cells. A high voltage pulse subsequently received at the data pin is passed to the memory cells, and causes the stored data to be programmed into the selected memory cell(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2003Publication date: January 27, 2005Inventors: Gelu Voicu, Carmen Stangu, Adam Cosmin
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Publication number: 20040256625Abstract: A LED driver IC includes a control module(s) for controlling one or more LED drive parameters and non-volatile memory for storing settings data for that control module(s). The control module(s) is fully integrated into the LED driver IC and does not require any control input from off-chip components or signals. Therefore, the space requirements for LED circuits that make use of the LED driver IC can be minimized. Also, the non-volatile memory storage of settings data eliminates the need for an initialization or configuration input each time the LED driver IC is powered on. The non-volatile memory can be a one-time programmable memory or can be a reprogrammable memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2003Publication date: December 23, 2004Applicant: Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Anthony G. Russell, Gelu Voicu
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Patent number: 5764586Abstract: A semiconductor memory device that operates as a normal memory device as long as existing memory is being addressed, but appears to external hardware and software to have a larger size (or standard size) memory array than is actually present in the semiconductor memory device is disclosed. To external hardware and software, the semiconductor memory device operates as if it has more addressable memory cells than in fact actually exist in the memory array. When addressing missing memory cells, the semiconductor memory device emulates or mimics their presence for the benefit of the external hardware or software. Preferably, the semiconductor memory device is a non-volatile electrically alterable semiconductor memory device. A method for emulating missing memory cells is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1996Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Radu Vanco, Gelu Voicu, Dumitru Cioaca, Fred Leung