Abstract: Early power failure (EPF) detection circuit applies a rectified, unfiltered periodic waveform, at the frequency of the mains supply voltage to a threshold detector. During each cycle of the periodic waveform, the threshold detector produces a pulse voltage having a leading edge when the periodic waveform begins to exceed a threshold level associated with the threshold detector and a trailing edge when the periodic waveform ceases to exceed the threshold voltage. A microprocessor measures the length of the interval between the leading and trailing edges for indirectly measuring the magnitude (for example, RMS or peak) of the mains supply voltage. When the indirectly measured magnitude decreases below a minimum permissible, second threshold magnitude, a controlled power shutdown of the apparatus is initiated, such as by, for example, programs interrupt routine in the microprocessor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a printed circuit board assembly including a printed circuit board, a first shielding structure located on a first surface of the printed circuit board and having a first extension element extending from the first shielding structure and through a first hole in the printed circuit board, a second shielding structure located on a second surface of the printed circuit board. According to at least one embodiment on the present disclosure, a first contacting element of the first extension element makes a mechanical and electrical contact between the first shielding structure and the second shielding structure in a contact region entirely located outside the first hole from which the first extension element is extending through.

Abstract: An RF interference suppressor for satellite receivers and more specifically those that employ the MOCA standard is provided. The RF interference suppressor shields the connection point of the center conductor of the F-connector to the PC board from spurious signals emanating from the high speed digital portions of the receiver. In addition, the RF interference suppressor shield includes a tab portion that encompasses the threaded portion of the F-connector and operates to shield the path for RF interference resulting from the gap between the F-connector body and the inner shield wall of the receiver.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a vertical chassis wall having an aperture; a horizontal circuit board that extends toward the vertical chassis wall; an F-connector connected to the horizontal circuit board on a first side and extending out of the vertical chassis wall through the aperture; and an inner shield that shields a radiofrequency circuit components mounted on the first side of the circuit board. The inner shield includes tabs that extend partially into solder plated clearance holes in the horizontal circuit board and are reflow-soldered into the clearance holes. The tabs have distal ends that terminate between a plane of the first side and a plane of a second side of the circuit board.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided that has a vertical chassis wall with an aperture, a horizontal circuit board that extends toward the vertical chassis wall, F-connector connected to the horizontal circuit board and extending out of the a vertical chassis wall through the aperture and dual height inner RF shield that covers part of the F-connector and other electronic components. The height of the RF is greater over the F-connector than over some of the other electronic components.

Abstract: Early power failure (EPF) detection circuit applies a rectified, unfiltered periodic waveform, at the frequency of the mains supply voltage to a threshold detector. During each cycle of the periodic waveform, the threshold detector produces a pulse voltage having a leading edge when the periodic waveform begins to exceed a threshold level associated with the threshold detector and a trailing edge when the periodic waveform ceases to exceed the threshold voltage. A microprocessor measures the length of the interval between the leading and trailing edges for indirectly measuring the magnitude (for example, RMS or peak) of the mains supply voltage. When the indirectly measured magnitude decreases below a minimum permissible, second threshold magnitude, a controlled power shutdown of the apparatus is initiated, such as by, for example, programs interrupt routine in the microprocessor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus configures a power level for a device able to receive audio, video, and data signals. An input signal is received by a receiver capable of receiving broadcast data signals and digital home networking signals. The system determines if the receiver is operating in a first mode having a first power level or a second mode having a second power level based on a type of input signal received by the receiver. A control signal is generated for modifying at least one setting on a first circuit for configuring the first circuit to operate according to the first power level if the input signal is a first type of input signal. The control signal is provided to the first circuit and the first circuit is configured to operate according to the first power level based on the control signal.

Abstract: An interconnection via a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable between a television receiver and a set-top box, embodying an invention feature, is obtained via an HDMI cable. In HDMI specifications 1.0 through 1.3a, pin 14 of the HDMI connector was defined to be a so-called no-connect pin which would prohibit it from being connected to ground or to a power supply. An ESD protection device is coupled to unused pin 14 that, advantageously, prevented soft failure.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for powering down particular circuits in an electronic device based on the usage habits of the user. An exemplary method comprises collecting usage data for a plurality of device functions of the electronic device, and reducing power consumption by circuitry associated with at least one of the plurality of device functions when the electronic device is in use if the usage data for the at least one of the plurality of device functions indicates that the at least one of the plurality of device functions is used less than at least another of the plurality of device functions.

Abstract: A power supply receives an alternating current input that is rectified by a rectifier. The rectified output voltage is coupled to a load and a microprocessor during both a run mode operation and a standby mode operation. The rectifier provides synchronous rectification by an included MOSFET, during the run mode operation and non-synchronous rectification during the standby mode operation by an included Schottky diode. The Schottky diode in rectifier is in parallel with the MOSFET and provides rectification during the standby mode operation. A source of an on/off control signal from the microprocessor is applied to the load for changing the operation mode and applied, in parallel, to the rectifier for disabling the synchronous rectification in the rectifier, during the standby mode operation. The efficiency of the power supply is improved in the standby mode operation by elimination of the power consumed to energize a synchronous rectifier controller.

Abstract: An RF interference suppressor for satellite receivers and more specifically those that employ the MOCA standard is provided. The RF interference suppressor shields the connection point of the center conductor of the F-connector to the PC board from spurious signals emanating from the high speed digital portions of the receiver. In addition, the RF interference suppressor shield includes a tab portion that encompasses the threaded portion of the F-connector and operates to shield the path for RF interference resulting from the gap between the F-connector body and the inner shield wall of the receiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus configures a power level for a device able to receive audio, video, and data signals. An input signal is received by a receiver capable of receiving broadcast data signals and digital home networking signals. The system determines if the receiver is operating in a first mode having a first power level or a second mode having a second power level based on a type of input signal received by the receiver. A control signal is generated for modifying at least one setting on a first circuit for configuring the first circuit to operate according to the first power level if the input signal is a first type of input signal. The control signal is provided to the first circuit and the first circuit is configured to operate according to the first power level based on the control signal.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for powering down particular circuits in an electronic device based on the usage habits of the user. An exemplary method comprises collecting usage data for a plurality of device functions of the electronic device, and reducing power consumption by circuitry associated with at least one of the plurality of device functions when the electronic device is in use if the usage data for the at least one of the plurality of device functions indicates that the at least one of the plurality of device functions is used less than at least another of the plurality of device functions.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to an electronic device comprising a logic circuit comprising a plurality of logic banks. In accordance with embodiments of the present technique, at least one of the plurality of banks is configured to provide standby functionality to the electronic device. The electronic device further comprises a power supply coupled to the logic circuit, configured to power the at least one bank without powering all of the plurality of banks.

Abstract: A television apparatus includes a front panel keyboard having first and second keys, and a controller for detecting a type of operational logic of the front panel keyboard. The controller applies a keyboard operational voltage to the front panel keyboard according to the detected type of operational logic. If the controller determines that the type of operational logic is negative, the controller applies the keyboard operational voltage to the front panel keyboard. Otherwise, if the controller determines that the type of operational logic is positive, the controller applies no keyboard operational voltage to the front panel keyboard.

Abstract: An apparatus and method therefor wherein instead of applying a high bias voltage 100 per cent of the time to leads susceptible to dendrite formation, the bias voltage is switched from a low bias voltage to a high voltage bias mode when the leads (19) are to be read or scanned by a microprocessor (14), and the bias voltage is then switched back to a low bias voltage mode when the lines are not being read, e.g., at other times, thereby greatly reducing the high bias “on” time and dramatically reducing the probability of dendrite formation. The reduction of high bias voltage “on” time is accomplished by programming the microprocessor (14) to switch the applicable input ports (16) to be output ports when the leads (19) are not to be read. As output ports, the output impedance and output voltage of the microprocessor are low as opposed to a high input impedance when the terminals are input terminals.

Abstract: A variable intensity light device is provided to illuminate front panel user buttons in a television apparatus. The television apparatus allows user control of the level of light intensity preferably via an on-screen menu. Automatic detection circuitry/logic is also provided that detects whether a light such as an LED is present upon initial user set-up. This allows the inclusion of the light device in televisions whose controllers are already designed. Moreover, the light device preferably utilizes a single wire for light presence detection and intensity control. Detection of the light causes the television apparatus to include a light control on-screen menu in the main television on-screen menu. Preferably, the light control menu allows the user selection of at least six different brightness or intensity levels for the light. In one form, the light is a diode that provides blue light though a light pipe.

Abstract: A combination heat sink and electromagnetic interference shield device is provided for a point of distribution card of a television receiver. The combination POD card heat sink and EMI shield device includes a combined thermal transfer and electromagnetic conduction portion that provides thermal and EM coupling or contact between an enclosure of the POD card and the metal control module enclosure of a television. Configured metalwork of the combination heat sink and EMI shield device provides conduction of heat from the POD card to provide the heat sink and short circuiting of developed currents to provide EMI shielding. The combined thermal transfer and EM conduction portion provides a low impedance connection between the POD card and the surrounding module metalwork of the television. This low impedance path provides a short for circulating current in the exposed metalwork that diminishes or essentially eliminates EMI.

Abstract: A temperature control apparatus is suitable for use in devices such as consumer electronics devices having different thermal characteristics. According to an exemplary embodiment, the temperature control apparatus includes a fan having a field winding (F3) and a speed controller for providing a speed control signal to the field winding (F3) responsive to a first control signal to control a rotating speed of the fan. First and second terminals of the fan enable operating power to be provided to the field winding (F3) and the speed controller. At least one of the first and second terminals is operatively coupled to a first voltage source. A third terminal of the fan provides the first control signal to the speed controller, and is operatively coupled to a second voltage source.

Abstract: An active pull up configuration for data bus lines unaffected by integral pull up resistors within subsystems. The present application generally relates to digital systems comprising a plurality of power supply levels and data buses. More particularly, this invention relates to digital system comprising subsystems connected by common buses that require automatic charging of certain buses or lines.