Patents by Inventor Gerard Kato

Gerard Kato 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: 10847964
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a universal serial bus (USB) Type-C controller comprises a current detector circuit configured to provide over-current protection on a voltage bus (VBUS) line. The current detector circuit comprises a current sense amplifier, a reference voltage generator, and a comparator coupled to the current sense amplifier and to the reference voltage generator. The current sense amplifier is configured to receive a pair of input voltages from the VBUS line and to output an indicator signal responsive to an input voltage difference between the pair of input voltages. The reference voltage generator is configured to generate a reference voltage in response to a voltage selector signal. The comparator is configured to output an interrupt signal responsive to the indicator signal exceeding the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Derwin W. Mattos, Arnab Chakraborty, Ramakrishna Venigalla, Gerard Kato, Vaidyanathan Varsha
  • Publication number: 20200153228
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a universal serial bus (USB) Type-C controller comprises a current detector circuit configured to provide over-current protection on a voltage bus (VBUS) line. The current detector circuit comprises a current sense amplifier, a reference voltage generator, and a comparator coupled to the current sense amplifier and to the reference voltage generator. The current sense amplifier is configured to receive a pair of input voltages from the VBUS line and to output an indicator signal responsive to an input voltage difference between the pair of input voltages. The reference voltage generator is configured to generate a reference voltage in response to a voltage selector signal. The comparator is configured to output an interrupt signal responsive to the indicator signal exceeding the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Derwin W. Mattos, Arnab Chakraborty, Ramakrishna Venigalla, Gerard Kato, Vaidyanathan Varsha
  • Patent number: 10374411
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a device comprises a gate driver and a current detector circuit. The gate driver is configured to be coupled to a power switch on the VBUS line of a USB connector. The current detector circuit is configured to be coupled to the VBUS line and comprises a current sense amplifier, a reference voltage generator circuit, and a comparator. The current sense amplifier is configured to receive a pair of input voltages and to output an indicator signal responsive to the input voltage difference. The reference voltage generator circuit comprises a digital-to-analog converter configured to generate a reference voltage signal based on a received voltage selector signal that is a binary input signal comprising multiple bit values. The comparator is configured to receive the indicator signal and the reference voltage signal and to output an interrupt signal responsive to the indicator signal exceeding the reference voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Derwin W. Mattos, Arnab Chakraborty, Ramakrishna Venigalla, Gerard Kato, Vaidyanathan Varsha
  • Publication number: 20180191148
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a device comprises a gate driver and a current detector circuit. The gate driver is configured to be coupled to a power switch on the VBUS line of a USB connector. The current detector circuit is configured to be coupled to the VBUS line and comprises a current sense amplifier, a reference voltage generator circuit, and a comparator. The current sense amplifier is configured to receive a pair of input voltages and to output an indicator signal responsive to the input voltage difference. The reference voltage generator circuit comprises a digital-to-analog converter configured to generate a reference voltage signal based on a received voltage selector signal that is a binary input signal comprising multiple bit values. The comparator is configured to receive the indicator signal and the reference voltage signal and to output an interrupt signal responsive to the indicator signal exceeding the reference voltage signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Derwin W. Mattos, Arnab Chakraborty, Ramakrishna Venigalla, Gerard Kato, Vaidyanathan Varsha
  • Patent number: 9899825
    Abstract: A current detector circuit includes a current sense amplifier, coupled to a sense resistor, to receive a pair of input voltages and to output a first indicator signal responsive to a sensed input voltage difference produced by a sensed current passing through the sense resistor. The current detector circuit includes a comparator coupled to the current sense amplifier, the comparator to compare the first indicator signal to a reference voltage signal and output an interrupt signal responsive to the first indicator signal exceeding the reference voltage signal; and a reference voltage generator circuit coupled to the comparator, the reference voltage generator circuit to select the reference voltage signal from a plurality of reference voltages according to a first selector signal received from a configuration channel of a serial bus connector device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Derwin W. Mattos, Arnab Chakraborty, Ramakrishna Venigalla, Gerard Kato, Vaidyanathan Varsha
  • Publication number: 20170331270
    Abstract: A current detector circuit includes a current sense amplifier, coupled to a sense resistor, to receive a pair of input voltages and to output a first indicator signal responsive to a sensed input voltage difference produced by a sensed current passing through the sense resistor. The current detector circuit includes a comparator coupled to the current sense amplifier, the comparator to compare the first indicator signal to a reference voltage signal and output an interrupt signal responsive to the first indicator signal exceeding the reference voltage signal; and a reference voltage generator circuit coupled to the comparator, the reference voltage generator circuit to select the reference voltage signal from a plurality of reference voltages according to a first selector signal received from a configuration channel of a serial bus connector device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Derwin W. Mattos, Arnab Chakraborty, Ramakrishna Venigalla, Gerard Kato, Vaidyanathan Varsha