Patents by Inventor Toshihisa Nagata

Toshihisa Nagata 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: 8957646
    Abstract: A constant voltage circuit includes an output control transistor to control an output current from an output terminal to keep an output voltage constant at a set voltage; and an excess-current protection circuit to control the output control transistor. The excess-current protection circuit includes a current increase restriction element to restrict increase in the output current to decrease the output voltage; a first current limitation circuit to limit a gate voltage of the output control transistor to decrease the output current, when the output voltage is decreased to a first limited voltage; a second current limitation circuit to limit a gate voltage of the output control transistor to decrease the output current, when the output voltage is decreased to a second limited voltage smaller than the first limited voltage; and a selector to select whether the first current limitation circuit is operated or stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Nagata, Takahiro Hino, Akihito Nagahama
  • Patent number: 8575904
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a switching signal generating circuit formed of a PMOS transistor, a resistor, and inverters which outputs an internal switching signal for switching an operating mode between a first operating mode and a second operating mode when an operating state satisfies a predetermined condition, a mode selection pad to which an external switching signal capable of selecting the first operating mode is input in priority to the internal switching signal, and a switching circuit formed of an OR circuit which switches the operating mode between the first operating mode and the second operating mode based on the external switching signal or the internal switching signal. An output from the switching signal generating circuit is input to the mode selection pad via a trimming fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihisa Nagata
  • Publication number: 20130154605
    Abstract: A constant voltage circuit includes an output control transistor to control an output current from an output terminal to keep an output voltage constant at a set voltage; and an excess-current protection circuit to control the output control transistor. The excess-current protection circuit includes a current increase restriction element to restrict increase in the output current to decrease the output voltage; a first current limitation circuit to limit a gate voltage of the output control transistor to decrease the output current, when the output voltage is decreased to a first limited voltage; a second current limitation circuit to limit a gate voltage of the output control transistor to decrease the output current, when the output voltage is decreased to a second limited voltage smaller than the first limited voltage; and a selector to select whether the first current limitation circuit is operated or stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Nagata, Takahiro Hino, Akihito Nagahama
  • Patent number: 8446215
    Abstract: A constant voltage circuit is disclosed that includes an output control transistor and an overcurrent protection circuit. The overcurrent protection circuit includes a proportional current generation circuit part, a current division circuit part, a division ratio control circuit part, a current-voltage conversion circuit part, and an output current control circuit part. When the output voltage of the current-voltage conversion circuit part reaches a predetermined voltage, the output current control circuit part prevents an increase in the output current of the output control transistor so as to reduce a voltage output from an output terminal. When the voltage output from the output terminal is reduced to a predetermined limit voltage, the division ratio control circuit part changes the division ratio of the current division circuit part so that a current supplied to the current-voltage conversion circuit part increases so as to reduce the output current of the output control transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Nagata, Hideki Agari, Kohji Yoshii
  • Patent number: 7948223
    Abstract: A constant voltage circuit that is capable of realizing high speed response with respect to an abrupt change in an input voltage or a load current is disclosed. The constant voltage circuit includes a first error amplifier with a high direct current gain and a second error amplifier with high speed responsiveness with respect to a change in an output voltage. The constant voltage circuit uses the first and second error amplifiers to conduct operation control of an output voltage control transistor in response to a change in the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Nagata, Kohji Yoshii, Yusuke Minakuchi
  • Publication number: 20100277150
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a switching signal generating circuit formed of a PMOS transistor, a resistor, and inverters which outputs an internal switching signal for switching an operating mode between a first operating mode and a second operating mode when an operating state satisfies a predetermined condition, a mode selection pad to which an external switching signal capable of selecting the first operating mode is input in priority to the internal switching signal, and a switching circuit formed of an OR circuit which switches the operating mode between the first operating mode and the second operating mode based on the external switching signal or the internal switching signal. An output from the switching signal generating circuit is input to the mode selection pad via a trimming fuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Toshihisa Nagata
  • Patent number: 7545610
    Abstract: A constant-voltage power supply circuit for converting an input voltage applied to an input terminal into a predetermined constant voltage for output from an output terminal includes an output transistor to supply from the input terminal to the output terminal an output current responsive to an applied control signal, an error amplifying circuit unit to receive a predetermined bias current to control an operation of the output transistor, and a bias current adjusting circuit unit to supply the error amplifying circuit unit with the bias current responsive to the output current output from the output transistor, wherein the bias current adjusting circuit unit is configured to suspend the supply of the bias current to the error amplifying circuit unit in response to lowering of the output voltage to a predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihisa Nagata
  • Publication number: 20080278127
    Abstract: A constant-voltage power supply circuit for converting an input voltage applied to an input terminal into a predetermined constant voltage for output from an output terminal includes an output transistor to supply from the input terminal to the output terminal an output current responsive to an applied control signal, an error amplifying circuit unit to receive a predetermined bias current to control an operation of the output transistor, and a bias current adjusting circuit unit to supply the error amplifying circuit unit with the bias current responsive to the output current output from the output transistor, wherein the bias current adjusting circuit unit is configured to suspend the supply of the bias current to the error amplifying circuit unit in response to lowering of the output voltage to a predetermined voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Toshihisa Nagata
  • Publication number: 20080238385
    Abstract: A constant voltage circuit that is capable of realizing high speed response with respect to an abrupt change in an input voltage or a load current is disclosed. The constant voltage circuit includes a first error amplifier with a high direct current gain and a second error amplifier with high speed responsiveness with respect to a change in an output voltage. The constant voltage circuit uses the first and second error amplifiers to conduct operation control of an output voltage control transistor in response to a change in the output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Toshihisa Nagata, Kohji Yoshii, Yusuke Minakuchi
  • Publication number: 20080197829
    Abstract: A semiconductor device provided with a monitor transistor for detecting electric current flowing in a driver transistor mounted on a semiconductor chip is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes plural transistors provided in the monitor transistor and connected in parallel. The plural transistors are disposed at a periphery of an area of the semiconductor chip on which the driver transistor is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Toshihisa Nagata, kohji Yoshii
  • Patent number: 7368896
    Abstract: A constant voltage circuit that is capable of realizing high speed response with respect to an abrupt change in an input voltage or a load current is disclosed. The constant voltage circuit includes a first error amplifier with a high direct current gain and a second error amplifier with high speed responsiveness with respect to a change in an output voltage. The constant voltage circuit uses the first and second error amplifiers to conduct operation control of an output voltage control transistor in response to a change in the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Nagata, Kohji Yoshii, Yusuke Minakuchi
  • Publication number: 20070115045
    Abstract: A constant voltage circuit is disclosed that includes an output control transistor and an overcurrent protection circuit. The overcurrent protection circuit includes a proportional current generation circuit part, a current division circuit part, a division ratio control circuit part, a current-voltage conversion circuit part, and an output current control circuit part. When the output voltage of the current-voltage conversion circuit part reaches a predetermined voltage, the output current control circuit part prevents an increase in the output current of the output control transistor so as to reduce a voltage output from an output terminal. When the voltage output from the output terminal is reduced to a predetermined limit voltage, the division ratio control circuit part changes the division ratio of the current division circuit part so that a current supplied to the current-voltage conversion circuit part increases so as to reduce the output current of the output control transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Toshihisa Nagata, Hideki Agari, Kohji Yoshii
  • Patent number: 7215180
    Abstract: A constant voltage circuit is disclosed that includes an output control transistor and an overcurrent protection circuit. The overcurrent protection circuit includes a proportional current generation circuit part, a current division circuit part, a division ratio control circuit part, a current-voltage conversion circuit part, and an output current control circuit part. When the output voltage of the current-voltage conversion circuit part reaches a predetermined voltage, the output current control circuit part prevents an increase in the output current of the output control transistor so as to reduce a voltage output from an output terminal. When the voltage output from the output terminal is reduced to a predetermined limit voltage, the division ratio control circuit part changes the division ratio of the current division circuit part so that a current supplied to the current-voltage conversion circuit part increases so as to reduce the output current of the output control transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Nagata, Hideki Agari, Kohji Yoshii
  • Publication number: 20050231180
    Abstract: A constant voltage circuit that is capable of realizing high speed response with respect to an abrupt change in an input voltage or a load current is disclosed. The constant voltage circuit includes a first error amplifier with a high direct current gain and a second error amplifier with high speed responsiveness with respect to a change in an output voltage. The constant voltage circuit uses the first and second error amplifiers to conduct operation control of an output voltage control transistor in response to a change in the output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Toshihisa Nagata, Kohji Yoshii, Yusuke Minakuchi
  • Publication number: 20050036246
    Abstract: A constant voltage circuit is disclosed that includes an output control transistor and an overcurrent protection circuit. The overcurrent protection circuit includes a proportional current generation circuit part, a current division circuit part, a division ratio control circuit part, a current-voltage conversion circuit part, and an output current control circuit part. When the output voltage of the current-voltage conversion circuit part reaches a predetermined voltage, the output current control circuit part prevents an increase in the output current of the output control transistor so as to reduce a voltage output from an output terminal. When the voltage output from the output terminal is reduced to a predetermined limit voltage, the division ratio control circuit part changes the division ratio of the current division circuit part so that a current supplied to the current-voltage conversion circuit part increases so as to reduce the output current of the output control transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Toshihisa Nagata, Hideki Agari, Kohji Yoshii
  • Patent number: 5737273
    Abstract: A state control portion causes a sense amplifier portion to be at an active state and for causing the sense amplifier to be at an inactive state. A feedback portion causes the control device to causing the sense amplifier portion to be in the inactive state when a path is formed between a power source and a ground in the sense amplifier. A latch portion holds an output of the sense amplifier output when the path is formed. The state control portion comprises a first transistor acting as a switching device. The feedback portion produces a control signal using an output of the sense amplifier portion and a clock signal obtained from a detection circuit, and supplies the control signal to the first transistor. A second transistor for precharging is connected between the first transistor and the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Fujiwara, Seiji Yamanaka, Toshihisa Nagata, Hiizu Okubo
  • Patent number: 5729499
    Abstract: A state control portion causes a sense amplifier portion to be at an active state and for causing the sense amplifier to be at an inactive state. A feedback portion causes the control device to causing the sense amplifier portion to be in the inactive state when a path is formed between a power source and a ground in the sense amplifier. A latch portion holds an output of the sense amplifier output when the path is formed. The state control portion comprises a first transistor acting as a switching device. The feedback portion produces a control signal using an output of the sense amplifier portion and a clock signal obtained from a detection circuit, and supplies the control signal to the first transistor. A second transistor for precharging is connected between the first transistor and the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Fujiwara, Seiji Yamanaka, Toshihisa Nagata, Hiizu Okubo