Patents by Inventor James Charles Schmoock

James Charles Schmoock 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: 6624994
    Abstract: A multiple over current protection circuit for regulating current through an analog switch coupled between a power supply and a load. In a first circuit, a comparator monitors a voltage drop across the analog switch. When the voltage drop exceeds a reference voltage, the comparator momentarily activates a first transistor and causes an amplifier to enter a current limiting mode. The activated first transistor causes the analog switch to momentarily turn off. In a second circuit, the comparator activates a second transistor. During the current limiting mode of the amplifier, a constant voltage is maintained at the source of the second transistor and the load side of the analog switch. A current source draws a current through the second transistor. Also, the current flowing through the analog switch tracks the current flowing through the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: James Charles Schmoock, Jeffrey P. Kotowski
  • Patent number: 6522112
    Abstract: A linear regulator includes an amplifier that provides a control signal in response to a comparison between a feedback signal and an output signal. A pass element in the regulator selectively couples power from an unregulated power signal to an output node in response to the control signal. A compensation circuit that includes negative gain is arranged to provide the feedback signal in response to an output signal at the output node. In one example, the compensation circuit includes an inverting amplifier that provides an intermediary signal in response to the output signal, and the intermediary signal is coupled to a feedback network that provides the feedback signal. In another example, the compensation circuit includes an inverting amplifier that cooperates with a feedback network to provide the feedback signal. The closed-loop transfer functions of the compensation circuits provide a feed-forward zero that enables stable operation of the LDO regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: James Charles Schmoock, Jeffrey P. Kotowski