Patents by Inventor Ricardo T. Goncalves

Ricardo T. Goncalves 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: 9601936
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are related to detecting a reverse-boosting operation of a battery charger. A device may include a plurality of switches for receiving an input voltage at an input port and conveying an output voltage. The device may also include a first sensing device coupled to the input port configured to detect if an input current is less than a threshold current. Further, the device may include a second sensing device selectively coupled to the input port to detect if the input voltage is less than a threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ricardo T Goncalves, Jennifer A Hagstrom
  • Patent number: 9287779
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and methods for 100% duty cycle in switching regulators. A switching regulator circuit includes a ramp generator to produce a ramp signal having a period and a comparator to receive the ramp signal and an error signal, and in accordance therewith, produce a modulation signal. In a first mode of operation, the ramp signal increases to intersect the error signal, and in accordance therewith, changes a state of a switching transistor during each period of the ramp signal. In a second mode of operation, the error signal increase above a maximum value of the ramp signal, and in accordance therewith, the switching transistor is turned on for one or more full periods of the ramp signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Ricardo T Goncalves, Troy Stockstad, Joseph D Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 9081555
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for derating current and for derating current for a camera flash. The method comprises monitoring a local junction temperature of a module. The local junction temperature is converted into a local junction current. The local junction current is then compared with a reference current, which is independent of temperature. After the current comparison and subtraction is made, a derate control current is obtained to generate the LED reference current. After the temperature crosses the temperature threshold, the derate control current is derated. Both the temperature threshold and current derate slope are programmable and precisely controlled. The LED output current is regulated and proportional to the LED reference current. If the local junction temperature is greater than the temperature threshold, the LED output current is derated at the moment of the camera flash to avoid thermal overload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Xinli Peng, Troy Stockstad, Ricardo T. Goncalves
  • Publication number: 20140266117
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and methods for 100% duty cycle in switching regulators. A switching regulator circuit includes a ramp generator to produce a ramp signal having a period and a comparator to receive the ramp signal and an error signal, and in accordance therewith, produce a modulation signal. In a first mode of operation, the ramp signal increases to intersect the error signal, and in accordance therewith, changes a state of a switching transistor during each period of the ramp signal. In a second mode of operation, the error signal increase above a maximum value of the ramp signal, and in accordance therewith, the switching transistor is turned on for one or more full periods of the ramp signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ricardo T Goncalves, Troy Stockstad, Joseph D Rutkowski
  • Publication number: 20140210400
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are related to detecting a reverse-boosting operation of a battery charger. A device may include a plurality of switches for receiving an input voltage at an input port and conveying an output voltage. The device may also include a first sensing device coupled to the input port configured to detect if an input current is less than a threshold current. Further, the device may include a second sensing device selectively coupled to the input port to detect if the input voltage is less than a threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Ricardo T. Goncalves, Jennifer A. Hagstrom
  • Publication number: 20140015446
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for derating current and for derating current for a camera flash. The method comprises monitoring a local junction temperature of a module. The local junction temperature is converted into a local junction current. The local junction current is then compared with a reference current, which is independent of temperature. After the current comparison and subtraction is made, a derate control current is obtained to generate the LED reference current. After the temperature crosses the temperature threshold, the derate control current is derated. Both the temperature threshold and current derate slope are programmable and precisely controlled. The LED output current is regulated and proportional to the LED reference current. If the local junction temperature is greater than the temperature threshold, the LED output current is derated at the moment of the camera flash to avoid thermal overload.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Xinli Peng, Troy Stockstad, Ricardo T. Goncalves