Patents by Inventor Zheren Lai

Zheren Lai 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: 11641126
    Abstract: A system for charging a battery includes an adapter, and a charger coupled to receive power from the adapter, and to provide a charging current to the battery. The charger includes a power stage with a charge pump to provide the charging current, and a feedback circuit to provide a feedback signal to the adapter. The power stage can be one of: an adjustable current source with voltage clamp, and an adjustable voltage source with current clamp. The charge pump can be implemented as a voltage divider, so that an input adapter current is multiplied by a pre-defined divider ratio to provide the charging current. The charge pump can be one of: single-phase; and multi-phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Jinrong Qian, Sai Bun Wong, Ryan Erik Lind, Alexander Lee McHale
  • Patent number: 11476698
    Abstract: A system for charging a small-capacity battery from a large-capacity battery. The large-capacity battery subsystem and the small-capacity battery subsystem cooperate with each other in different stages of a charging cycle of the small-capacity battery. The large-capacity battery subsystem includes a large-capacity battery, a large-capacity battery charging circuit and a constant-voltage and constant-current circuit which generates either a constant voltage or a constant current. The small-capacity battery subsystem includes a small-capacity battery and a linear charging circuit which uses the constant voltage or the constant current to charge the small-capacity battery. The charging cycle of the small-capacity battery includes a CC stage and a CV stage. In the CC stage, the linear charging circuit meets the ideal diode characteristics and outputs a constant current. In the CV stage, the linear charging circuit meets the linear charging characteristics and outputs a constant voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: SHENZHEN LOWPOWER SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Xingke Dai
  • Publication number: 20200266634
    Abstract: A system for charging a battery includes an adapter, and a charger coupled to receive power from the adapter, and to provide a charging current to the battery. The charger includes a power stage with a charge pump to provide the charging current, and a feedback circuit to provide a feedback signal to the adapter. The power stage can be one of: an adjustable current source with voltage clamp, and an adjustable voltage source with current clamp. The charge pump can be implemented as a voltage divider, so that an input adapter current is multiplied by a pre-defined divider ratio to provide the charging current. The charge pump can be one of: single-phase; and multi-phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Jinrong Qian, Sai Bun Wong, Ryan Erik Lind, Alexander Lee McHale
  • Patent number: 10621942
    Abstract: A display power circuit is provided. The display power circuit includes a power supply circuit that receives an input voltage and generates an output voltage to power a display. A power switching device couples the output voltage from the power supply circuit to provide a display voltage for the display. A monitor circuit generates a shut down signal based on a change of the output voltage relative to the input voltage exceeding a predetermined threshold indicating a short circuit condition of the display voltage. A control circuit disables the power switching device based on the shut down signal if the short circuit of the display voltage is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Chenjie Ruan, Zheren Lai, Sang Kwon Kim, Yonghua Zhou
  • Publication number: 20190115765
    Abstract: A system for charging a battery includes an adapter, and a charger coupled to receive power from the adapter, and to provide a charging current to the battery. The charger includes a power stage with a charge pump to provide the charging current, and a feedback circuit to provide a feedback signal to the adapter. The power stage can be one of: an adjustable current source with voltage clamp, and an adjustable voltage source with current clamp. The charge pump can be implemented as a voltage divider, so that an input adapter current is multiplied by a pre-defined divider ratio to provide the charging current. The charge pump can be one of: single-phase; and multi-phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Jinrong Qian, Sai Bun Wong, Ryan Erik Lind, Alexander Lee McHale
  • Publication number: 20130328854
    Abstract: A display power circuit is provided. The display power circuit includes a power supply circuit that receives an input voltage and generates an output voltage to power a display. A power switching device couples the output voltage from the power supply circuit to provide a display voltage for the display. A monitor circuit that generates a shut down signal based on a change of the output voltage relative to the input voltage exceeding a predetermined threshold indicating a short circuit condition of the display voltage. A control circuit disables the power switching device based on the shut down signal if the short circuit of the display voltage is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: CHENJIE RUAN, ZHEREN LAI, SANG KWON KIM, YONGHUA ZHOU
  • Patent number: 8232772
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed including a primary input for receiving an input voltage, a battery voltage input for receiving a battery voltage signal and an output for providing an output voltage higher than the battery voltage. First circuitry responsive to the input voltage is provided for turning off the output voltage responsive to an input over voltage condition. Second circuitry responsive to the battery voltage signal is provided for turning off the output voltage responsive to a battery over voltage condition. Third circuitry provides for over current protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Hsien Yi Chou, Zengjing Wu
  • Publication number: 20080258691
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed including a primary input for receiving an input voltage, a battery voltage input for receiving a battery voltage signal and an output for providing an output voltage higher than the battery voltage. First circuitry responsive to the input voltage is provided for turning off the output voltage responsive to an input over voltage condition. Second circuitry responsive to the battery voltage signal is provided for turning off the output voltage responsive to a battery over voltage condition. Third circuitry provides for over current protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: INTERSIL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Hsien Yi Chou, Zengjing Wu
  • Patent number: 7394223
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed including a primary input for receiving an input voltage, a battery voltage input for receiving a battery voltage signal and an output for providing an output voltage higher than the battery voltage. First circuitry responsive to the input voltage is provided for turning off the output voltage responsive to an input over voltage condition. Second circuitry responsive to the battery voltage signal is provided for turning off the output voltage responsive to a battery over voltage condition. Third circuitry provides for over current protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Hsien Yi Chou, Zengjing Wu
  • Patent number: 7141954
    Abstract: A battery charger controller is coupled to DC output terminals of an AC-DC (or DC-DC) adapter containing an AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter. A controlled current flow path between input and output terminals of the battery charger controller circuit is controlled to provide a substantially constant current to charge the battery to a nominal battery voltage. When a constant voltage output of the said adapter transitions to a value that limits available charging current to a value less than programmed constant charging current, current flow drive for the controlled current flow path is increased for a limited time interval. Thereafter, the controlled current flow path gradually reduces charging current as the battery voltage remains at its nominal battery voltage until the charge is complete or otherwise terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Edward Bordeaux, Zen Wu
  • Publication number: 20060082344
    Abstract: A battery charger controller is coupled to DC output terminals of an AC-DC (or DC-DC) adapter containing an AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter. A controlled current flow path between input and output terminals of the battery charger controller circuit is controlled to provide a substantially constant current to charge the battery to a nominal battery voltage. When a constant voltage output of the said adapter transitions to a value that limits available charging current to a value less than programmed constant charging current, current flow drive for the controlled current flow path is increased for a limited time interval. Thereafter, the controlled current flow path gradually reduces charging current as the battery voltage remains at its nominal battery voltage until the charge is complete or otherwise terminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Edward Bordeaux, Zen Wu
  • Patent number: 6998820
    Abstract: A battery charger controller is coupled DC output terminals of an AC-DC (or DC-DC) adapter containing an AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter. A controlled current flow path between input and output terminals of the battery charger controller circuit is controlled to provide a substantially constant current to charge the battery to a nominal battery voltage. When a constant voltage output of the said adapter transitions to a value that limits available charging current to a value less than programmed constant charging current, current flow drive for the controlled current flow path is increased for a limited time interval. Thereafter, the controlled current flow path gradually reduces charging current as the battery voltage remains at its nominal battery voltage until the charge is complete or otherwise terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Edward Bordeaux, Zen Wu
  • Publication number: 20050269992
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed including a primary input for receiving an input voltage, a battery voltage input for receiving a battery voltage signal and an output for providing an output voltage higher than the battery voltage. First circuitry responsive to the input voltage is provided for turning off the output voltage responsive to an input over voltage condition. Second circuitry responsive to the battery voltage signal is provided for turning off the output voltage responsive to a battery over voltage condition. Third circuitry provides for over current protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Hsien Chou, Zengjing Wu
  • Publication number: 20050162793
    Abstract: A battery charger controller is coupled DC output terminals of an AC-DC (or DC-DC) adapter containing an AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter. A controlled current flow path between input and output terminals of the battery charger controller circuit is controlled to provide a substantially constant current to charge the battery to a nominal battery voltage. When a constant voltage output of the said adapter transitions to a value that limits available charging current to a value less than programmed constant charging current, current flow drive for the controlled current flow path is increased for a limited time interval. Thereafter, the controlled current flow path gradually reduces charging current as the battery voltage remains at its nominal battery voltage until the charge is complete or otherwise terminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Edward Bordeaux, Zen Wu
  • Patent number: 6917184
    Abstract: A battery charger controller is coupled to DC output terminals of an AC-DC (or DC-DC) adapter containing an AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter. A controlled current flow path between input and output terminals of the battery charger controller circuit is controlled to provide a substantially constant current to charge the battery to a nominal battery voltage. When a constant voltage output of the said adapter transitions to a value that limits available charging current to a value less than programmed constant charging current, current flow drive for the controlled current flow path is increased for a limited time interval. Thereafter, the controlled current flow path gradually reduces charging current as the battery voltage remains at its nominal battery voltage until the charge is complete or otherwise terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Edward Bordeaux, Zen Wu
  • Patent number: 6844705
    Abstract: A battery charger controller is coupled to DC output terminals of an AC-DC (or DC-DC) adapter containing an AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter. A controlled current flow path between input and output terminals of the battery charger controller circuit is controlled to provide a substantially constant current to charge the battery to a nominal battery voltage. When a constant voltage output of the said adapter transitions to a value that limits available charging current to a value less than programmed constant charging current, current flow drive for the controlled current flow path is increased for a limited time interval. Thereafter, the controlled current flow path gradually reduces charging current as the battery voltage remains at its nominal battery voltage until the charge is complete or otherwise terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Edward Bordeaux, Zen Wu
  • Publication number: 20040212348
    Abstract: A battery charger controller is coupled to DC output terminals of an AC-DC (or DC-DC) adapter containing an AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter. A controlled current flow path between input and output terminals of the battery charger controller circuit is controlled to provide a substantially constant current to charge the battery to a nominal battery voltage. When a constant voltage output of the said adapter transitions to a value that limits available charging current to a value less than programmed constant charging current, current flow drive for the controlled current flow path is increased for a limited time interval. Thereafter, the controlled current flow path gradually reduces charging current as the battery voltage remains at its nominal battery voltage until the charge is complete or otherwise terminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Edward Bordeaux, Zen Wu
  • Publication number: 20040108837
    Abstract: A battery charger controller is coupled to DC output terminals of an AC-DC (or DC-DC) adapter containing an AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter. A controlled current flow path between input and output terminals of the battery charger controller circuit is controlled to provide a substantially constant current to charge the battery to a nominal battery voltage. When a constant voltage output of the said adapter transitions to a value that limits available charging current to a value less than programmed constant charging current, current flow drive for the controlled current flow path is increased for a limited time interval. Thereafter, the controlled current flow path gradually reduces charging current as the battery voltage remains at its nominal battery voltage until the charge is complete or otherwise terminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Edward Bordeaux, Zen Wu
  • Patent number: 6084450
    Abstract: A new nonlinear control technique that has one cycle response, does not need a resettable integrator in the control path, and has nearly constant switching frequency. It obtains one cycle response by forcing the error between the switched-variable and the control reference to zero each cycle, while the on-pulse of the controller is adjusted each cycle to ensure near constant switching frequency. The small switching frequency variation due to variations in the reference signal and supply voltage and delays in the circuit are quantified. Using double-edge modulation, the switching frequency variation is further reduced, thus the associated signal distortion is minimized. An experimental 0-20 kHz bandwidth, 95 Watt RMS power audio amplifier using the control method demonstrates the applicability of this control technique for high fidelity audio applications. The amplifier has a power supply ripple rejection (PSRR) of 63 dB at 120 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: K. Mark Smith, Zheren Lai, Keyue M. Smedley
  • Patent number: RE46673
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed including a primary input for receiving an input voltage, a battery voltage input for receiving a battery voltage signal and an output for providing an output voltage higher than the battery voltage. First circuitry responsive to the input voltage is provided for turning off the output voltage responsive to an input over voltage condition. Second circuitry responsive to the battery voltage signal is provided for turning off the output voltage responsive to a battery over voltage condition. Third circuitry provides for over current protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: INTERSIL AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Zheren Lai, Hsien Yi Chou, Zengjing Wu