Patents by Inventor Takashi Kunimatsu

Takashi Kunimatsu 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: 9131568
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode driving apparatus including a rectifying circuit, a switching element, a choke coil, an output current sensing circuit, an LED light source, a rectifier diode, a control circuit, and a feedback sensing circuit which is connected to the output current sensing circuit for receiving an output feedback signal output from the output current sensing circuit, wherein the feedback sensing circuit outputs a feedback dummy signal, and outputs to the control circuit a control signal that controls switching of the switching element in response to a signal based on an error between the output feedback signal and the feedback dummy signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kunimatsu
  • Patent number: 9131563
    Abstract: Provided is a light-emitting diode driving apparatus including: a rectifying circuit; a switching element; a choke coil; an output current sensing circuit; an LED light source; a rectifier diode; a control circuit; a feedback sensing circuit; an input voltage sensing circuit; and a conduction time counting circuit, wherein the feedback sensing circuit outputs a feedback dummy current to the output current sensing circuit, the conduction time counting circuit adjusts the feedback dummy current, the feedback sensing circuit outputs to the control circuit a control signal which controls switching of the switching element in response to a signal based on an error between an output feedback signal and a feedback dummy signal generated by the feedback dummy current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kunimatsu
  • Publication number: 20150077009
    Abstract: Provided is a light-emitting diode driving apparatus including: a rectifying circuit; a switching element; a choke coil; an output current sensing circuit; an LED light source; a rectifier diode; a control circuit; a feedback sensing circuit; an input voltage sensing circuit; and a conduction time counting circuit, wherein the feedback sensing circuit outputs a feedback dummy current to the output current sensing circuit, the conduction time counting circuit adjusts the feedback dummy current, the feedback sensing circuit outputs to the control circuit a control signal which controls switching of the switching element in response to a signal based on an error between an output feedback signal and a feedback dummy signal generated by the feedback dummy current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Takashi KUNIMATSU
  • Publication number: 20150061524
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode driving apparatus including a rectifying circuit, a switching element, a choke coil, an output current sensing circuit, an LED light source, a rectifier diode, a control circuit, and a feedback sensing circuit which is connected to the output current sensing circuit for receiving an output feedback signal output from the output current sensing circuit, wherein the feedback sensing circuit outputs a feedback dummy signal, and outputs to the control circuit a control signal that controls switching of the switching element in response to a signal based on an error between the output feedback signal and the feedback dummy signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Takashi KUNIMATSU
  • Patent number: 8242765
    Abstract: In a switching power supply device in which an operation reference voltage of a control circuit has an electric potential identical to that of a connection point between a switching element and a coil that is an energy conversion circuit, an output voltage detection circuit includes: a rectification circuit which converts an output voltage into a voltage signal rectified relative to the operation reference voltage terminal of the control circuit; and a voltage-to-current converter which is connected between an input terminal of a current detection circuit and the rectification circuit, and which converts the rectified voltage signal into a current signal. The current detection circuit is a sampling type which detects a current by sampling the current signal applied to the input terminal of the current detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kunimatsu
  • Patent number: 8120343
    Abstract: According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an overcurrent from passing through a switching element 1 during overcurrent protection and reduce power consumption during standby while detecting an output voltage immediately after power-on and achieving soft start control without being restricted by time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kunimatsu
  • Patent number: 7919818
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a principal IGBT controllable in accordance with a gate voltage applied to a gate electrode thereof, a current detecting IGBT connected to the principal IGBT in parallel and a current detecting part including a detecting resistor capable of detecting a current passing through the current detecting IGBT. The base region of the current detecting IGBT and the emitter region of the principal IGBT are electrically connected to each other, and the emitter region of the current detecting IGBT and the emitter region of the principal IGBT are electrically connected to each other through the detecting resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Saichiro Kaneko, Takashi Kunimatsu
  • Publication number: 20110057634
    Abstract: In a switching power supply device in which an operation reference voltage of a control circuit has an electric potential identical to that of a connection point between a switching element and a coil that is an energy conversion circuit, an output voltage detection circuit includes: a rectification circuit which converts an output voltage into a voltage signal rectified relative to the operation reference voltage terminal of the control circuit; and a voltage-to-current converter which is connected between an input terminal of a current detection circuit and the rectification circuit, and which converts the rectified voltage signal into a current signal. The current detection circuit is a sampling type which detects a current by sampling the current signal applied to the input terminal of the current detection circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi KUNIMATSU
  • Patent number: 7834828
    Abstract: The LED driving semiconductor apparatus for driving at least one LED includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a switching element block and a controller. The input terminal is connected to a high voltage side of a rectifying circuit for rectifying an alternating current voltage, and inputs the voltage from the rectifying circuit. The output terminal is provided for supplying a current to the LED. The switching element block is connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, and has a first switching element. The controller includes a regulator for generating a power source voltage for driving and controlling the switching element block, and a drain current detector for detecting a drain current of the switching element block, and performs on/off control of the first switching element to block the drain current of the switching element block when the drain current reaches a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Ryutaro Arakawa, Yoshiaki Hachiya, Takashi Kunimatsu, Minoru Fukui
  • Patent number: 7830097
    Abstract: A light emitting diode drives a semiconductor circuit in order to drive a light emitting diode that emits light by applying the output voltage of the rectifier circuit. The light emitting diode includes a switching element connected between the light emitting diode and the ground potential. An input voltage detection circuit detects the output voltage of the rectifier circuit to output a light emitting signal or a extinction signal. A current detection circuit detects the current flowing into the switching element. A control circuit intermittently controls on/off of the switching element at a predetermined oscillating frequency based on the output signal of the current detection circuit while the input voltage detection circuit is outputting the light emitting signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kunimatsu
  • Patent number: 7638954
    Abstract: There is provided a light emitting diode drive apparatus which decreases a conducted emission. The light emitting diode drive apparatus includes a light emitting diode to which a voltage is applied from a voltage source, a choke coil connected in series to the light emitting diode, a rectifier diode connected in parallel to the light emitting diode and the choke coil to supply a back electromotive force generated in the choke coil to the light emitting diode, and a switching drive circuit including a switching element and a control circuit block. The switching element determines whether a current is applied or not applied to the light emitting diode. The control circuit block controls on/off timing of the switching element to control the current flowing into the light emitting diode. The choke coil is connected between the light emitting diode and the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kunimatsu, Ryutaro Arakawa, Yoshiaki Hachiya, Minoru Fukui
  • Publication number: 20090302816
    Abstract: According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an overcurrent from passing through a switching element 1 during overcurrent protection and reduce power consumption during standby while detecting an output voltage immediately after power-on and achieving soft start control without being restricted by time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi KUNIMATSU
  • Publication number: 20090224686
    Abstract: A light emitting diode drives a semiconductor circuit in order to drive a light emitting diode that emits light by applying the output voltage of the rectifier circuit. The light emitting diode includes a switching element connected between the light emitting diode and the ground potential. An input voltage detection circuit that detects the output voltage of the rectifier circuit to output a light emitting signal or a extinction signal. A current detection circuit detects the current flowing into the switching element. A control circuit intermittently controls on/off of the switching element at a predetermined oscillating frequency based on the output signal of the current detection circuit while the input voltage detection circuit is outputting the light emitting signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Kunimatsu
  • Patent number: 7508254
    Abstract: A reference supply voltage circuit includes a detecting device for detecting a first reference voltage, a comparator, and a preventing circuit for preventing any false operation during pre-operation indefinite time interval. The comparator outputs a signal which controls an operation circuit whose supply voltage is a second reference voltage equal to or lower than the first reference voltage. The preventing circuit maintains the second reference voltage to a circuit reference potential when the first reference voltage is lower than a first predetermined voltage, sets the second reference voltage to a voltage equal to the first reference voltage when the first reference voltage is equal to or higher than the first predetermined voltage and lower than a second predetermined voltage, and sets the second reference voltage to a voltage proportional to the first reference voltage when the first reference voltage is equal to or higher than the second predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hachiya, Ryutaro Arakawa, Takashi Kunimatsu, Minoru Fukui
  • Patent number: 7439719
    Abstract: A switching control circuit is provided which can increase the off period of a switching element when the on period of the switching element is equal to the sum of the minimum pulse period (blanking period (a fixed period during which drain current is not detected after the switching element is turned on)) and a detection delay period (a period from when the drain current is equal to or higher than a detection criterion to when the switching element is actually turned off) and PWM control is disabled. An off period adjusting circuit generates, when the on period of the switching element is equal to the minimum pulse period, an adjusting signal OFF_C for increasing the off period of the switching element and supplies the signal to an on/off circuit for controlling the periodic on/off operation of the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hachiya, Ryutarou Arakawa, Takashi Kunimatsu, Minoru Fukui
  • Publication number: 20080203533
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a principal IGBT controllable in accordance with a gate voltage applied to a gate electrode thereof, a current detecting IGBT connected to the principal IGBT in parallel and a current detecting part including a detecting resistor capable of detecting a current passing through the current detecting IGBT. The base region of the current detecting IGBT and the emitter region of the principal IGBT are electrically connected to each other, and the emitter region of the current detecting IGBT and the emitter region of the principal IGBT are electrically connected to each other through the detecting resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Saichiro KANEKO, Takashi KUNIMATSU
  • Patent number: 7348766
    Abstract: The peak current flowing to the switching device drops in a no-load state with PWM control, but because the number of switching operations is constant regardless of the load, further reducing power consumption is difficult. The switching power supply device has a PWM signal generator for generating a PWM signal, a switching device Q1 for switching the first supply voltage VIN based on the PWM signal, converters for outputting the difference between a second supply voltage and a reference voltage as a difference signal, and an intermittent oscillation control circuit for stopping the switching operation of the first switching device when the difference signal is less than a predetermined first threshold value (Vp1). The PWM signal generator changes the pulse width based on the difference signal to generate the PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hachiya, Ryutaro Arakawa, Minoru Fukui, Takashi Kunimatsu
  • Publication number: 20080018267
    Abstract: An LED driving semiconductor apparatus having a larger electric power conversion efficiency and is suitable for miniaturization, and an LED driving apparatus using the same are provided. The LED driving semiconductor apparatus for driving at least one LED includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a switching element block and a controller. The input terminal is connected to a high voltage side of a rectifying circuit for rectifying an alternating current voltage, and inputs the voltage from the rectifying circuit. The output terminal is provided for supplying a current to the LED. The switching element block is connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, and has a first switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Ryutaro Arakawa, Yoshiaki Hachiya, Takashi Kunimatsu
  • Publication number: 20070229148
    Abstract: A reference supply voltage circuit includes a detecting device for detecting a first reference voltage, a comparator, and a preventing circuit for preventing any false operation during pre-operation indefinite time interval. The comparator outputs a signal which controls an operation circuit whose supply voltage is a second reference voltage equal to or lower than the first reference voltage. The preventing circuit maintains the second reference voltage to a circuit reference potential when the first reference voltage is lower than a first predetermined voltage, sets the second reference voltage to a voltage equal to the first reference voltage when the first reference voltage is equal to or higher than the first predetermined voltage and lower than a second predetermined voltage, and sets the second reference voltage to a voltage proportional to the first reference voltage when the first reference voltage is equal to or higher than the second predetermined voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hachiya, Ryutaro Arakawa, Takashi Kunimatsu, Minoru Fukui
  • Publication number: 20070176583
    Abstract: A switching control circuit is provided which can increase the off period of a switching element when the on period of the switching element is equal to the sum of the minimum pulse period (blanking period (a fixed period during which drain current is not detected after the switching element is turned on)) and a detection delay period (a period from when the drain current is equal to or higher than a detection criterion to when the switching element is actually turned off) and PWM control is disabled. An off period adjusting circuit generates, when the on period of the switching element is equal to the minimum pulse period, an adjusting signal OFF_C for increasing the off period of the switching element and supplies the signal to an on/off circuit for controlling the periodic on/off operation of the switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hachiya, Ryutarou Arakawa, Takashi Kunimatsu, Minoru Fukui