Abstract: A state cycling apparatus uses a capacitor instead of complicated and expensive microcontroller to fulfill a state cycling function of a system. The state cycling apparatus includes an internal circuit in the system connected to the capacitor. In a first embodiment, the internal circuit reads the voltage level on the capacitor at power on to determine a current state for the system, and writes the voltage level corresponding to a next state of the system to the capacitor. In a second embodiment, the system reads the state data stored in the internal circuit to determine a current state for the system at power on, the capacitor is charged during the system is under power on, and the capacitor provides power for the internal circuit to store a state data after the system is powered off.

Abstract: A state cycling apparatus uses a capacitor instead of complicated and expensive microcontroller to fulfill a state cycling function of a system. The state cycling apparatus includes an internal circuit in the system connected to the capacitor. In a first embodiment, the internal circuit reads the voltage level on the capacitor at power on to determine a current state for the system, and writes the voltage level corresponding to a next state of the system to the capacitor. In a second embodiment, the system reads the state data stored in the internal circuit to determine a current state for the system at power on, the capacitor is charged during the system is under power on, and the capacitor provides power for the internal circuit to store a state data after the system is powered off.

Abstract: A dimming circuit and method for a LED provide a first driving voltage or a second driving voltage according to a dimming signal provided by a functional IC to enable or disable the LED. The values of the first and second driving voltages are controlled so that overstressing of the LED is avoided while the functional IC is capable of working even when the LED is off. The LED's life time is thus prolonged.

Abstract: A state cycling apparatus uses a capacitor instead of complicated and expensive microcontroller to fulfill a state cycling function of a system. The state cycling apparatus includes an internal circuit in the system connected to the capacitor. In a first embodiment, the internal circuit reads the voltage level on the capacitor at power on to determine a current state for the system, and writes the voltage level corresponding to a next state of the system to the capacitor. In a second embodiment, the system reads the state data stored in the internal circuit to determine a current state for the system at power on, the capacitor is charged during the system is under power on, and the capacitor provides power for the internal circuit to store a state data after the system is powered off.

Abstract: A dimming circuit and method for a LED provide a first driving voltage or a second driving voltage according to a dimming signal provided by a functional IC to enable or disable the LED. The values of the first and second driving voltages are controlled so that overstressing of the LED is avoided while the functional IC is capable of working even when the LED is off. The LED's life time is thus prolonged.

Abstract: A state cycling apparatus uses a capacitor instead of complicated and expensive microcontroller to fulfill a state cycling function of a system. The state cycling apparatus includes an internal circuit in the system connected to the capacitor. In a first embodiment, the internal circuit reads the voltage level on the capacitor at power on to determine a current state for the system, and writes the voltage level corresponding to a next state of the system to the capacitor. In a second embodiment, the system reads the state data stored in the internal circuit to determine a current state for the system at power on, the capacitor is charged during the system is under power on, and the capacitor provides power for the internal circuit to store a state data after the system is powered off.

Abstract: A state cycling apparatus uses a capacitor instead of complicated and expensive microcontroller to fulfill a state cycling function of a system. The state cycling apparatus includes an internal circuit in the system connected to the capacitor. In a first embodiment, the internal circuit reads the voltage level on the capacitor at power on to determine a current state for the system, and writes the voltage level corresponding to a next state of the system to the capacitor. In a second embodiment, the system reads the state data stored in the internal circuit to determine a current state for the system at power on, the capacitor is charged during the system is under power on, and the capacitor provides power for the internal circuit to store a state data after the system is powered off.

Abstract: A circuit and method are disclosed for providing smart protection to a battery pack against abnormal operation with an electrical switch. The battery cell of the battery pack is monitored to control the electrical switch. If abnormal operation occurs, the electrical switch will turn off to disconnect the battery cell. Once the abnormal condition disappears, the electrical switch will turn on and the battery cell will return to normal state.

Abstract: A dimming circuit and method for a LED provide a first driving voltage or a second driving voltage according to a dimming signal provided by a functional IC to enable or disable the LED. The values of the first and second driving voltages are controlled so that overstressing of the LED is avoided while the functional IC is capable of working even when the LED is off. The LED's life time is thus prolonged.

Abstract: A state cycling apparatus uses a capacitor instead of complicated and expensive microcontroller to fulfill a state cycling function of a system. The state cycling apparatus includes an internal circuit in the system connected to the capacitor. In a first embodiment, the internal circuit reads the voltage level on the capacitor at power on to determine a current state for the system, and writes the voltage level corresponding to a next state of the system to the capacitor. In a second embodiment, the system reads the state data stored in the internal circuit to determine a current state for the system at power on, the capacitor is charged during the system is under power on, and the capacitor provides power for the internal circuit to store a state data after the system is powered off.

Abstract: An overshoot suppression circuit comprises a switch for coupling to an output of a voltage regulation module and a voltage detector for detecting an output voltage at the output. When the load to the voltage regulation module changes from heavy to light to result in the output voltage higher than a threshold, the voltage detector turns on the switch to release energy from the output, and thereby the output voltage is suppressed to produce overshoot to damage the load coupled to the output.

Abstract: In a voltage converter with a high-side short-circuit protection before an input voltage provided by a high-voltage power supply reaches a first threshold, a driver detects the input voltage and the output voltage of the converter to turn on the low-side transistor of the converter and turn off the high-voltage power supply when the input voltage ranges between the first threshold and a second threshold and the output voltage reaches a third threshold, to thereby avoid damages to the circuit connected to the output node of the converter. The driver comprises a front-end drive circuit to switch the high-side and low-side transistors and a low-voltage logic control circuit for the turning-on of the low-side transistor.

Abstract: An overshoot suppression circuit comprises a switch for coupling to an output of a voltage regulation module and a voltage detector for detecting an output voltage at the output. When the load to the voltage regulation module changes from heavy to light to result in the output voltage higher than a threshold, the voltage detector turns on the switch to release energy from the output, and thereby the output voltage is suppressed to produce overshoot to damage the load coupled to the output.

Abstract: In a voltage converter with a high-side short-circuit protection before an input voltage provided by a high-voltage power supply reaches a first threshold, a driver detects the input voltage and the output voltage of the converter to turn on the low-side transistor of the converter and turn off the high-voltage power supply when the input voltage ranges between the first threshold and a second threshold and the output voltage reaches a third threshold, to thereby avoid damages to the circuit connected to the output node of the converter. The driver comprises a front-end drive circuit to switch the high-side and low-side transistors and a low-voltage logic control circuit for the turning-on of the low-side transistor.