Abstract: A scan IC includes a switch circuit and a logic circuit. The switch circuit includes first and second transistors and a level shift circuit. First and second control signals that change between a logical “1” and a logical “0” are applied to an input terminal of the logic circuit. The logic circuit applies a third control signal to the first transistor and applies a fourth control signal to the second transistor based on the applied first and second control signals. A detection circuit is connected to the input terminal of the logic circuit. An abnormality of the scan IC is detected by the detection circuit.

Abstract: A plasma display device includes a scan electrode drive circuit including a sustain pulse generating circuit, which includes an electric power recovery capacitor, a first recovery switch and a first recovery inductor connected in series so as to form an electric current passage in which an electric current is allowed to flow from the electric power recovery capacitor to a scan electrode, a second recovery switch and a second recovery inductor connected in series so as to form an electric current passage in which an electric current is allowed to flow from the scan electrode to the electric power recovery capacitor, a first damper capacitor connected to a node between a diode of the first recovery switch and the first recovery inductor, and a second damper capacitor connected to a node between a diode of the second recovery switch and the second recovery inductor.

Abstract: Electricity generated by a vibration power generator 200 can be extracted efficiently by providing the vibration power generator 200, a rectifier circuit bridge 205, an output controlling circuit 201, a load detecting circuit 202 and a frequency detecting circuit 204 and detecting a frequency of the vibration power generator 200 and then controlling an impedance of an output controlling circuit 101 depending on the frequency.

Abstract: A scan IC includes a switch circuit and a logic circuit. The switch circuit includes first and second transistors and a level shift circuit. First and second control signals that change between a logical “1” and a logical “0” are applied to an input terminal of the logic circuit. The logic circuit applies a third control signal to the first transistor and applies a fourth control signal to the second transistor based on the applied first and second control signals. A detection circuit is connected to the input terminal of the logic circuit. An abnormality of the scan IC is detected by the detection circuit.

Abstract: A plasma display device includes a scan electrode drive circuit including a sustain pulse generating circuit, which includes an electric power recovery capacitor, a first recovery switch and a first recovery inductor connected in series so as to form an electric current passage in which an electric current is allowed to flow from the electric power recovery capacitor to a scan electrode, a second recovery switch and a second recovery inductor connected in series so as to form an electric current passage in which an electric current is allowed to flow from the scan electrode to the electric power recovery capacitor, a first damper capacitor connected to a node between a diode of the first recovery switch and the first recovery inductor, and a second damper capacitor connected to a node between a diode of the second recovery switch and the second recovery inductor.

Abstract: A power system including an electrochemical device, a load device, a power generator, and a charge/discharge controller of the electrochemical device. The electrochemical device includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a liquid electrolyte or a solid electrolyte. The charge/discharge curve of the electrochemical device has at least one step, and a given step of the at least one step has an inflection point. A voltage corresponding to the inflection point or a point adjacent to the inflection point is set as a threshold value, and the charge/discharge controller is configured to control charge/discharge of the electrochemical device such that the voltage of the electrochemical device approaches the threshold value.

Abstract: In a driving device of a plasma display panel including switch circuits (Q1, Q2) that selectively connect either a first node (N1) or a second node (N2) to a scan electrode (SC1), a voltage hold circuit (200) that is provided between the first node (N1) and a third node (N3) for holding a voltage between the first node (N1) and the second node (N2) to a first voltage (Vscn), a protection circuit (300) that is provided between the second node (N2) and the third node (N3), and a potential of the first node (N1) being changed, the protection circuit (300) includes a protective resistance (R1), a rectification circuit composed of a capacitor (C1), a charge restriction resistance (R2), and a diode (Da) connected in parallel to the protective resistance (R1), two discharge resistances (R3, R4) connected in parallel to the capacitor (C1), and a transistor (Q10) that generates an abnormality detection signal (SOS) based on a potential of a connection point (N7) of the two discharge resistances (R3, R4).

Abstract: The plasma display device has the following structure: a panel having a plurality of discharge cells; an electrode-dedicated power supply for generating voltage to be applied to any one of the electrodes disposed on the panel; a driving-waveform generator that has a switching element for outputting voltage of the electrode-dedicated power supply so as to generate a waveform of driving voltage for driving the electrodes; a switch controller for controlling the switching element; a controller-dedicated power supply for supplying the switch controller with electric power; and an auxiliary power supply that generates a voltage lower than that of the controller-dedicated power supply by reducing voltage of the electrode-dedicated power supply so as to supply the switch controller with electric power.

Abstract: A secondary battery is equipped with a reaction container and a current collector that is built in at least one of a positive electrode side and a negative electrode side. The positive electrode side and the negative electrode side are separated from each other by an ion conductive separator. In the reaction container, an organic matter excluding a metal complex and a radical and capable of reversibly being electrochemically oxidized and reduced is used as an active material together with a supporting salt. The active material and the supporting salt form a liquid. On the surface of the current collector, the active material contained in the liquid is charged and discharged.

Abstract: A bypass control section (6) maintains a bypass switch (5) in the ON state during the period when a battery voltage (Vi) is higher than the output voltage (Vo) to an external load (L). Upon falling of the output voltage (Vo) at a desired voltage (ET), a converter control section (4) starts switching control at once, and a step-up chopper (3) promptly starts boost operation. The bypass control section (6) maintains the bypass switch (5) in the ON state from the start of the boost operation of the step-up chopper (3) until the match between the battery voltage (Vi) and the output voltage (Vo).

Abstract: A power system including an electrochemical device, a load device, a power generator, and a charge/discharge controller of the electrochemical device. The electrochemical device includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a liquid electrolyte or a solid electrolyte. The charge/discharge curve of the electrochemical device has at least one step, and a given step of the at least one step has an inflection point. A voltage corresponding to the inflection point or a point adjacent to the inflection point is set as a threshold value, and the charge/discharge controller is configured to control charge/discharge of the electrochemical device such that the voltage of the electrochemical device approaches the threshold value.

Abstract: A charger for a secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode including lithium-containing silicon represented by the composition formula LixSi, and an electrolyte. This charger includes: (1) a voltage detector that detects voltage of the secondary battery that is being charged; and (2) a charge controller that calculates the value x in LixSi included in the secondary battery from an output of the voltage detector and stops the charging of the secondary battery when the calculated value x reaches a predetermined threshold value. The charge controller has at least one settable threshold value including a first threshold value, and the first threshold value is 2.33 or less. The use of this charger makes it possible to charge the secondary battery such that it has a high capacity, or a higher capacity if necessary, without accelerating the deterioration of cycle life.

Abstract: A processor capable of reducing power consumption of an electronic information device sends a frequency control signal to a clock oscillator, operates at a frequency in accordance with the frequency control signal. Further, the processor sends a voltage request signal to a power supply circuit, and operates at a voltage in accordance with the voltage request signal. The processor controls the supplied clock frequency and power supply voltage so that the processor itself operates in an operation area in which energy consumption becomes minimum for a predetermined amount of data. Such an operation area is defined by a clock frequency, a power supply voltage, and power supply efficiency (?) of the power supply circuit.

Abstract: A bypass control section (6) maintains a bypass switch (5) in the ON state during the period when a battery voltage (Vi) is higher than the output voltage (Vo) to an external load (L). Upon falling of the output voltage (Vo) at a desired voltage (ET), a converter control section (4) starts switching control at once, and a step-up chopper (3) promptly starts boost operation. The bypass control section (6) maintains the bypass switch (5) in the ON state from the start of the boost operation of the step-up chopper (3) until the match between the battery voltage (Vi) and the output voltage (Vo).

Abstract: A charger for a secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode including lithium-containing silicon represented by the composition formula LixSi, and an electrolyte. This charger includes: (1) a voltage detector that detects voltage of the secondary battery that is being charged; and (2) a charge controller that calculates the value x in LixSi included in the secondary battery from an output of the voltage detector and stops the charging of the secondary battery when the calculated value x reaches a predetermined threshold value. The charge controller has at least one settable threshold value including a first threshold value, and the first threshold value is 2.33 or less. The use of this charger makes it possible to charge the secondary battery such that it has a high capacity, or a higher capacity if necessary, without accelerating the deterioration of cycle life.

Abstract: A capacitor is provided so as to include: a capacitor element including a dielectric layer, and an anode and a cathode that are arranged to support the dielectric layer therebetween; a planar anode terminal; and a planar cathode terminal. The anode terminal and the cathode terminal are led out from the capacitor element in a same direction so as to be in parallel with each other, and at least a part of the anode terminal and at least a part of the cathode terminal overlap each other without contact in a direction perpendicular to a terminal plane of at least one terminal selected from the anode terminal and the cathode terminal. A capacitor built-in board using the capacitor also is provided.

Abstract: A processor capable of reducing power consumption of an electronic information device sends a frequency control signal to a clock oscillator, operates at a frequency in accordance with the frequency control signal. Further, the processor sends a voltage request signal to a power supply circuit, and operates at a voltage in accordance with the voltage request signal. The processor controls the supplied clock frequency and power supply voltage so that the processor itself operates in an operation area in which energy consumption becomes minimum for a predetermined amount of data. Such an operation area is defined by a clock frequency, a power supply voltage, and power supply efficiency (&eegr;) of the power supply circuit.

Abstract: A capacitor is provided so as to include: a capacitor element including a dielectric layer, and an anode and a cathode that are arranged to support the dielectric layer therebetween; a planar anode terminal; and a planar cathode terminal. The anode terminal and the cathode terminal are led out from the capacitor element in a same direction so as to be in parallel with each other, and at least a part of the anode terminal and at least a part of the cathode terminal overlap each other without contact in a direction perpendicular to a terminal plane of at least one terminal selected from the anode terminal and the cathode terminal. A capacitor built-in board using the capacitor also is provided.

Abstract: Battery-driven electronic equipment includes a battery, a first load that is driven by the battery and subjected to time division, a second load that is driven by the battery, capable of being operated during an interval between periods in which the first load is subjected to the time division, and a control portion for controlling the first load and the second load so that a first driving period in which the first load is driven by the battery and a second driving period in which the second load is driven by the battery do not overlap each other.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection circuit of a switching power supply apparatus, wherein a rectangular wave voltage is formed from an input voltage by the ON/OFF operation switching means, and an output voltage is formed by smoothing the rectangular wave voltage by using an inductance device and a capacitor, restricts overcurrent by detecting the peak current of a current flowing through the switching means and by using an input voltage Vin, an output voltage Vout and a voltage proportional to the ON/OFF ratio D of the switching means.