Patents by Inventor Hardik D. Patel

Hardik D. Patel 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: 7880404
    Abstract: Various circuits are described herein where a series transistor used to control current through a string of LEDs, driven by a high voltage, is not subjected to the high voltage when the transistor is turned off pursuant to a PWM signal. To avoid the transistor experiencing the high voltage, the HV regulator is disabled shortly before the transistor is turned off and is enabled shortly after the transistor has turned back on. Control circuits for controlling the regulator and transistor include delay circuits and/or voltage sensing circuits to ensure that the transistor is always on prior to the voltage regulator being enabled pursuant to the incoming PWM signal, and the voltage regulator is always disabled when the first transistor is off pursuant to the incoming PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Micrel, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Deng, Hardik D. Patel
  • Patent number: 7675278
    Abstract: A method for operating a current limit power switch for supplying power to a load include activating the power switch to start supplying power to the load; limiting the current drawn by the power switch to a first current limit for a first, fixed duration; after the first, fixed duration, limiting the current drawn by the power switch to a second current limit for a second duration where the second current limit is less than the first current limit; and after the second duration, limiting the current drawn by the power switch to a third current limit where the third current limit is less than the second current limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Micrel, Inc.
    Inventor: Hardik D. Patel
  • Publication number: 20090189539
    Abstract: Various circuits are described herein where a series transistor used to control current through a string of LEDs, driven by a high voltage, is not subjected to the high voltage when the transistor is turned off pursuant to a PWM signal. To avoid the transistor experiencing the high voltage, the HV regulator is disabled shortly before the transistor is turned off and is enabled shortly after the transistor has turned back on. Control circuits for controlling the regulator and transistor include delay circuits and/or voltage sensing circuits to ensure that the transistor is always on prior to the voltage regulator being enabled pursuant to the incoming PWM signal, and the voltage regulator is always disabled when the first transistor is off pursuant to the incoming PWM signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: MICREL, INC.
    Inventors: Qi Deng, Hardik D. Patel