Patents Issued in October 12, 2010
  • Patent number: 7812538
    Abstract: A dielectric sheet having two layers made of different materials for forming a differential dielectric sheet on a plasma display panel, a plasma display panel using the same, and a manufacturing method therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Seok Moon, Byung Hwa Seo, Bo Hyun Kim, Won Seok Jeon, Je Seok Kim, Byung Gil Ryu
  • Patent number: 7812539
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter and a plasma display device including the filter. The filter is formed on a front surface of a plasma display panel of the plasma display device and includes a first base layer; a second base layer having refractive index smaller than that of the first base layer; and a sheet for protecting external light including a plurality of pattern units formed to be spaced from each other between the first and second base layers, wherein an interval between two pattern units adjacent each other of the plurality of pattern units being larger than a height of the pattern unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Rae Cha, Ji Hoon Sohn, Joon Kwon Moon, Woon Seo Shin, Eun Seong Seo, Ki Hoon Song, Jeong Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 7812540
    Abstract: The invention relates to vacuum tubes and especially to electron tubes. To produce the tube, and especially an electron collector comprising several electrodes, the electrodes are produced in the form of blocks of ceramic having a high thermal conductivity. The blocks are electrically conducting (at least on the surface). They are preferably made of an insulating ceramic such as aluminium nitride, and are made conductive over part of their surface. The conductive surface part is preferably formed by a conductive ceramic, preferably based on titanium nitride, or on similar conductive ceramic materials. Thus, increased strength, better heat dissipation and weight reduction are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Pascal Ponard, Marc Ferrato
  • Patent number: 7812541
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel, a lamp disposed behind the liquid crystal display panel, a cover accommodating the lamp, and an inverter disposed behind the cover. The inverter includes a substrate and a transformer mounted on the substrate and driving the lamp. The transformer includes a core and a coil that is wound around at least a part of the core. The liquid crystal display panel further includes a transformer cover which covers the coil, an inverter cover which covers the inverter and the transformer cover, and a metal member in the transformer cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-gun Lee, Moon-shik Kang, Min-soo Choi
  • Patent number: 7812542
    Abstract: The object of an arrangement and a method for generating extreme ultraviolet radiation by an electrically operated gas discharge is to improve the adjustment of the layer thickness and, in particular, to prevent an uncontrolled accumulation of the metal layer to be applied to the rotary electrodes during pauses in the pulse operation for generating radiation when, e.g., liquid flows through these rotary electrodes for efficient cooling. In this connection, the rotating speed of the rotary electrodes can be increased in particular until there is always a freshly coated surface region of the electrodes in the discharge area at repetition frequencies of several kilohertz. An edge area to be coated on at least one electrode has at least one receiving area which extends in a closed circumference along the electrode edge on the electrode surface and which is formed so as to be wetting for the molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: XTREME technologies Gmbh
    Inventors: Guido Hergenhan, Christian Ziener, Mike Moeritz
  • Patent number: 7812543
    Abstract: Disclosed is a modular lighting system that incorporates wireless technology and a standard interface. The lighting system may be installed in new buildings or retrofitted into existing buildings in such a way that provides many lighting configurations and programmability options while minimizing the amount of new wiring. The system includes a transceiver that controls one or more lamps using a dimming ballast or a relay and a low cost ballast. The dimming ballast, and the relay (if used) provide low voltage power to the transceiver over a cable having a standard interface, such as an RJ11 telephone jack. The transceiver provides on/off switching control and dimmer control, through the same cable, to the relay or dimming ballast. The transceiver can be located in the same room as the lamps it controls, or remotely located. A central computer or controller can control multiple transceivers over a wireless link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Lothar E. S. Budike, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7812544
    Abstract: Circuitry, which is compatible with incandescent light dimmers, is disposed within the screwbase of a compact fluorescent light, and sets driving frequencies for a mercury plasma, based, at least in part, on sensing the duty cycle of the incoming AC supply waveform. In this way, existing lighting infrastructure, including phase-cut dimmer circuits for incandescent light bulbs, may be preserved, and incandescent bulbs can be replaced with compact fluorescent lights equipped with circuitry in accordance with the present invention. In a further aspect, the circuitry synchronizes the bulb drive signals with the AC power line frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: iSine, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Morales, Gary W. Stevens, John B. Unger
  • Patent number: 7812545
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for controlling the operation of an electronic transformer (1) whose power supply can be lowered. The electronic transformer (1) is electrically connected to an output of a switch (7), and the switch (7) can be controlled by a control unit (5). A radio interference suppression circuit (8) is coupled to the switch (7) and, according to a control state, which exists on the switch (7), for controlling the starting behavior of the electronic transformer (1), the radio interference suppression circuit (8) can be disconnected from the switch (7) and/or an output (A) of the switch (7) can be short-circuited. A method for controlling the operation of an electronic transformer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: OSRAM Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Helmut Häuβer-Böhm, Jörg Lott
  • Patent number: 7812546
    Abstract: A DC/AC converter circuit structure for driving a plurality of cold cathode fluorescent lamps is described. A common-mode choke is used between the cold cathode fluorescent lamps. The common-mode choke balances the currents respectively flowing through the cold cathode fluorescent lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: O2Micro International Limited
    Inventor: Sheng Tai Lee
  • Patent number: 7812547
    Abstract: A device and method for illuminating an electrically powered decorative lighting system with a plurality of individual light elements that can be positioned in or on surrounding plants, windows, or other display areas to simulate fireflies. The plurality of light emitting elements, such as LEDs or fiber optic cables, are arrangable with mounting devices or can be suspended or attached to any surrounding structure to provide an ornamental lighting effects. Electrical power is provided with rechargeable batteries charged with a solar panel. One preferred embodiment uses insulation-displacement connectors and an insulation-displacement connector ribbon cable to attach the light emitters to a microprocessor control which creates unique and varied timing patterns for the various light emitters to simulate fireflies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Albert Jaan
  • Patent number: 7812548
    Abstract: System and method for driving a cold-cathode fluorescent lamp. The system includes a control subsystem configured to generate one or more control signals, and a power supply subsystem configured to receive the one or more control signals and a DC input voltage, convert the DC input voltage to an AC output voltage, and send the AC output voltage to a cold-cathode fluorescent lamp. If the DC input voltage is lower than a predetermined threshold, the system for driving the cold-cathode fluorescent lamp is turned off in response to the one or more control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Changshan Zhang, Jun Ye, Lieyi Fang
  • Patent number: 7812549
    Abstract: A remote dimmable energy-saving device (fluorescent lamp) (20) comprises a remote control transmitter and a dimmable electronic ballast (30) with a built-in remote control receiver (38), wherein said receiver and the dimmable electronic ballast are integrated together and arranged in the T4/T5 tube adapter for T8/T10 tube batten or a fluorescent tube batten. A signal processing circuit of the remote control receiver (37) and a ballasting control circuit (35) of the dimmable electronic ballast are integrated into a single dimming control integrated circuit to control the lamp brightness to any level in the full brightness range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Erg Shenzhen Ltd.
    Inventor: Edmond Yuen
  • Patent number: 7812550
    Abstract: The LED replacement for low voltage lamps has a plurality of LED lights disposed in a housing capped by a multifaceted reflector to provide lighting having comparable lighting characteristics to non-LED sourced low voltage lamps. Power conditioning solid state circuitry is disposed in the housing and provides the LED lights with a regulated excitation voltage source. The power conditioning circuitry has at least one ceramic capacitor in parallel with output leads of a power supply for the lamp. A zener diode pair having anodes connected together is disposed in parallel with the ceramic capacitor. The power conditioning circuitry is disposed in advance of a voltage rectifier and filter bank, whose output is provided to a voltage regulator that provides regulated DC voltage to the LED light sources. Output of the voltage regulator is modulated by thermal protection circuitry that throttles the LEDs off responsive to lamp overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Revlite Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Hans L. G. Harmgardt, Jonathan Wylde
  • Patent number: 7812551
    Abstract: A lighting control method for maintaining substantially uniform light output from an LED light source during a warm-up period. A ramp duty cycle function gradually increases the duty cycle of an LED drive output signal during the warm-up period of the LED light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: David A. Hite, Sheari A. Rice
  • Patent number: 7812552
    Abstract: Controller of LED lighting to control the maximum voltage of LEDs and the maximum voltage across current sources is provided. A voltage-feedback circuit is coupled to the LEDs to sense a voltage-feedback signal for generating a voltage loop signal. Current sources are coupled to the LEDs to control the LED currents. A detection circuit senses the voltages of the current sources for generating a clamp signal in response to a maximum voltage of the current sources. Furthermore, a buffer circuit generates a feedback signal in accordance with the voltage loop signal and the clamp signal. The feedback signal controls the maximum voltage of the LEDs and the maximum voltage across the current sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventor: Ta-Yung Yang
  • Patent number: 7812553
    Abstract: A Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting device capable of correcting changes in a wavelength of light output from an LED element caused by changes in temperature, and a method for controlling the same are provided. The lighting device includes a temperature-current converter which generates a current command value to correct change in a wavelength of output light based on temperature information indicating temperature of the light source, and a light source driver which receives the current command value, adjusts amplitude of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal, and controls a driving electric current of the light source according to the adjusted PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-il Kang, Sang-hoon Lee, Kyoung-geun Lee, Jun-ho Sung
  • Patent number: 7812554
    Abstract: A control device for an opening/closing member includes a speed detecting unit, a variation calculating unit, a judgment unit, a control unit, and a state detecting unit. The speed detecting unit detects a rotation speed of a motor for opening/closing the opening/closing member. The variation calculating unit calculates the variation in the rotation speed based on a present value and a past value of the rotation speed. The judgment unit compares the variation to a predetermined threshold value and judges whether or not a foreign object is trapped in the opening/closing member based on the comparison. The control unit controls the motor to open or stop the opening/closing member when the judgment unit judges that there is a foreign object trapped. The state detecting unit detects a state of the opening/closing member or a state of the surroundings of the opening/closing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7812555
    Abstract: An electric powertrain for use with an engine and a traction device is disclosed. The electric powertrain has a DC motor/generator operable to receive at least a portion of a first mechanical output from the engine and produce a DC power output. The DC motor/generator is also operable to receive DC power and produce a second mechanical output. The electric powertrain further has a drivetrain operable to receive the DC power output and use the DC power output to drive the traction device. The drivetrain is also operable to generate DC power when the traction device is operated in a dynamic braking mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Rodwan Tarek Adra
  • Patent number: 7812556
    Abstract: Circuitry for controlling motors, such as a brushless motor (BLM), is disclosed. The circuitry may comprise one or more inputs for receiving rotor position signals from one or more Hall effect sensors that detect the position of, for example, a BLM rotor. The circuitry may also comprise an input for receiving a pulse width modulated speed control signal. The circuitry generates one or more drive signals, each of which may comprise a logical combination (e.g., a logical AND combination) of the speed control signal and a rotor position signal, for controlling power switches that are coupled to electromagnets of the BLM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Young-Chun Jeung
  • Patent number: 7812557
    Abstract: A motor controller includes an output voltage modulator that outputs sinusoidally-modulated voltage for driving a motor; a modulation factor specifier allowing specification of a modulation factor greater than 1.0 for the output voltage; a current detector that detects current flowing in the motor; and a field-oriented controller that divides the current detected by the current detector into a d-axis current component and a q-axis current component and that conforms each of the components to a command current produced based on a command rotational speed; a rotational position estimator that estimates motor rotational speed and rotor rotational position for use by the field-oriented controller; wherein the position estimator includes a filter that smoothes a d-axis induced voltage obtained during the estimation, and the motor rotational speed and the rotor rotational position are estimated based on the d-axis induced voltage smoothed by the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Sari Maekawa
  • Patent number: 7812558
    Abstract: There is provided a driving apparatus of an electric motor for a reduction roll that can improve maximization of rolling performance and a speed decrease amount by making maximal use of torque that various electric motors can generate during material entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systgems Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuzo Mori, Wataru Fukushima, Katsuhiko Fukuma, Takashi Ishida
  • Patent number: 7812559
    Abstract: A windshield controller for a motorcycle includes a receiver which receives a signal transmitted from a portable communication device; a start permission device which judges whether or not to permit start of an engine based on the signal received by the receiver; and a control device which controllably drives a movable windscreen disposed on a cowling at a front portion of a vehicle body, wherein the control device judges whether or not the portable communication device is away from the vehicle body based on the signal received by the receiver, and when it is judged that the portable communication device is away from the vehicle body, the control device controls to move the movable windscreen to a standby position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruka Tsuda
  • Patent number: 7812560
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rehabilitation robot and a tutorial learning method for the rehabilitation robot. The rehabilitation robot comprises a robotic device, a rehabilitation mode control unit, and a driving unit. The robotic device comprises at least a motor capable of controlling the joints of the robotic device. The rehabilitation mode control unit further comprises a tutorial learning module capable of enabling the rehabilitation robot to learn a rehabilitation operation of a physiotherapist in a tutorial manner as he/she is operating the rehabilitation robot while registering the rehabilitation operation as an operation mode of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Wan-Kun Chang, Yung-Ming Kao, Shih-Chang Liang, Chin-Chu Sun, Hsin-Chuan Su
  • Patent number: 7812561
    Abstract: A device for controlling the movement of furniture parts which can be moved with respect to one another, using a drive unit by means of which a first furniture part can be moved in a driven manner relative to a second furniture part via a monitoring unit for monitoring the movement of the first furniture part, in which case the monitoring unit is designed such that, after starting up, the monitoring unit operates in accordance with a monitoring program for monitoring the movement of the first furniture part, with selection means being provided by means of which an alternative selection program can be activated, instead of the monitoring program, in order to monitor the movement of the first furniture part. The invention also relates to a piece of furniture including the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Grass GmbH, Kuester Automotive Door Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Hagen, Thomas Nussbaumer, Holger Wenzel, Carmelo Gutierrez, Steffen Medebach, Jürgen Zipp
  • Patent number: 7812562
    Abstract: A detector device and a method for detecting a stall condition in a stepper motor, wherein the accumulated value of the back EMF is compared to a stall threshold when the stepper motor has exceeded a pre-determined rotational velocity threshold, the accumulated value of the back EMF representing a condition of the stepper motor, specifically a failure of the accumulated back EMF value to exceed the stall threshold indicating a stall condition of the stepper motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Paul Russ
  • Patent number: 7812563
    Abstract: A method of starting and apparatus for starting a multiphase electrical machine is disclosed. The aim is to reduce oscillatory pulsation in torque generated by the motor and inrush current that occurs shortly after start-up. The starting method comprises the steps of first connecting at least one, but less than all, of a plurality of windings to a respective phase-shifted supply voltage at a controlled point in the supply phase. Then, after a controlled delay following the first connection, connecting the or each remaining winding of the machine a respective phase-shifted supply voltage. The invention has particular application to multiphase (most usually, 3-phase) motors. However, it can also be applied to other electrical machines, such as generators and transformers. The method can be performed at initial start-up or, in the case of application to a motor, at Y-delta switchover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventors: Peter Unsworth, James Joseph Kinsella
  • Patent number: 7812564
    Abstract: A supply current control circuit controls the voltage of a low-voltage direct-current power source so that the average current of an inverter circuit detected by a current detecting circuit becomes constant at a specified current value. Accordingly, characteristics that are little in the amount of change of air volume are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Takada
  • Patent number: 7812565
    Abstract: Systems and methods of providing power through a Universal Serial Bus connector are provided. A charging system comprises an interface configured to receive power, a power converter coupled to the power source interface, the power converter configured to use the received power to generate power output, and a charging controller configured to control an amount of power provided at the USB connector on the power lines derived from the power output, and configured to generate an identification signal on the USB connector's two data lines, the identification signal usable to indicate the charger is not subject to standard USB power limitations, the identification signal provided through the use of a resistance between the D+ and D? data lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Ryan M. Bayne, Skarine Alexei, Steve Green
  • Patent number: 7812566
    Abstract: A battery charging device (100) includes an adapter (10), at least one regulating circuit (30) and an attaching mechanism (40). The adapter is configured for connecting power supplies. The regulating circuit is electronically connected to the adapter, and regulates charging electric potential and charging current. The attaching mechanism is electronically connected to the regulating circuit, fixes different types of batteries thereon and electronically connects charged batteries to the battery charging device to charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Chien-Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 7812567
    Abstract: A battery charger stand set includes a battery charger stand, which has a top receiving open chamber and an electric charging circuit module disposed at one end of the top receiving open chamber and electrically connectable to the electric power circuit of a motor vehicle, a cell phone adapter insertable into the top receiving open chamber of the battery charger stand for electrically connecting a cell phone (PDA) to the electric charging circuit module of the battery charger stand, and a bluetooth transmitter receiver device insertable into the top receiving open chamber of the battery charger stand and electrically connectable to the electric charging circuit module for communication with an external cell phone (PDA) by means of bluetooth wireless communication technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Wen Hong Shen
  • Patent number: 7812568
    Abstract: A voltage detecting circuit comprises: an operational amplifier whose one input terminal is applied with a first reference voltage; a first capacitor whose one end is connected to the other input terminal of the operational amplifier; a second capacitor whose one end is connected to an output terminal of the operational amplifier, and whose other end is connected to the other input terminal of the operational amplifier; a switch circuit for applying a first voltage and a second voltage sequentially to the other end of the first capacitor; and a discharging circuit for discharging the second capacitor before the second voltage is applied to the other end of the first capacitor, a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage being detected based on a voltage at the output terminal of the operational amplifier after the second voltage is applied to the other end of the first capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 7812569
    Abstract: A system for measuring a battery voltage is provided. The system includes a battery, a time encoding circuit, and a controller. The time encoding circuit is in electrical communication with the battery to receive the battery voltage. The time encoded circuit is configured to generate a time encoded signal corresponding to the battery voltage. The controller is in electrical communication with the time encoding circuit to receive the time encoded signal and configured to determine the battery voltage based on the time encoded signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles F. Weber
  • Patent number: 7812570
    Abstract: A current detection apparatus includes a current detection section that detects charging current and discharging current of the car driving battery, a level-shift circuit connected to the output-side of the current detection section that shifts the output of the current detection section, and an A/D converter connected to the output-side of the level-shift circuit. The level-shift circuit shifts the current detection section output signal to unbalance the maximum discharging current and maximum charging current that can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Matsumoto, Masaki Yugou
  • Patent number: 7812571
    Abstract: There is provided a charging device capable of improving charging efficiency and reducing power consumption, thereby increasing a battery service life. The charging device charges a main capacitor (2) by rectifying output voltage boosted via a self-excitation DC-DC converter, by using a diode (D). The self-excitation DC-DC converter is configured as follows. When a current value (I1) flowing in a primary side (P) of an oscillation transformer (T) reaches a first predetermined value (IPK1) the excitation period is terminated and energy is transmitted from the primary side (P) to the secondary side (S) of the oscillation transformer (T) so as to execute a charging period for charging the main capacitor (2). The excitation period is resumed with a delay time (t1) after detecting that the current value (I2) flowing into the secondary side (S) of the oscillation transformer (T) is lowered than a second predetermined value (Ith2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Panasonic Photo & Lighting Co., Ltd., Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisanori Hoshikawa, Youichi Tamegai, Isao Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7812572
    Abstract: A device and a method equalize a charge of series-connected individual cells of an energy accumulator with a DC/DC converter. The DC/DC converter draws energy from the energy accumulator or from another power source for charging an intermediate circuit capacitor whose voltage is inverted in a DC/AC converter and the alternating voltage is converted into an intermittent direct current by a rectifier via an AC bus and a coupling element. A switch is placed between the AC bus and each cell thereby enabling the cell to be coupled to the AC bus or disconnected therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Martin Götzenberger, Rainer Knorr
  • Patent number: 7812573
    Abstract: The electronic apparatus includes a portable electronic device and a charger for capacitively charging the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is temporarily placed adjacent the charger. The portable electronic device includes a device data communication unit and an associated battery, and a pair of device capacitive electrodes, defining a device conductive footprint, to receive a charging signal to charge the battery. The charger includes a base having an area larger than the device conductive footprint and able to receive the portable electronic device thereon in a plurality of different positions, and an array of charger capacitive electrodes carried by the base. A charger controller selectively drives only the charger capacitive electrodes within the device conductive footprint with a charging signal to capacitively charge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Alexander Bersenev
  • Patent number: 7812574
    Abstract: This invention discloses a power control system comprising a prime mover and a generator driven by the prime mover. A control device is coupled with the generator to ascertain a change in speed of the generator and vary an output power of the generator according to the change. The control device applies a signal to reduce the generator output power and another signal to restore the generator output power. The power control system may include a transmission, a speed converter, and/or an accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: C. E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: James Becker
  • Patent number: 7812575
    Abstract: A bidirectional DC-DC converter 10 has smoothing capacitors Cs1 and Cs2, a smoothing reactor Ls, resonant reactors Lr1 and Lr2, and a resonant capacitor Cr, as well as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) Q1, Q2, and Q3 to which buffer capacitors C1, C2, and C3 are connected in parallel and diodes D1, D2, and D3 are connected in a back-to-back configuration. After part of the energy stored in the smoothing reactor Ls and/or resonant reactors Lr1 and Lr2 draws charges in the buffer capacitor C3 and is stored in the resonant capacitor Cr, the energy is stored in the resonant reactors Lr1 and Lr2. The energy is used to draw charges in the buffer capacitors C1 and C2, achieving soft switching of IGBTs Q1, Q2, and Q3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Computer Peripherals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takae Shimada, Hiroyuki Shoji, Masahiro Hamaogi, Kimiaki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7812576
    Abstract: A boost converter comprises an inductance that receives an input signal. A switch controls current supplied via the inductance to a load. A power factor control module comprises a mode control module that selects an operating mode of the boost converter and a switch control module that switches the switch at a frequency. The frequency is equal to a first frequency when the mode control module selects a continuous mode and equal to a second frequency when the mode control module selects a discontinuous mode. The first frequency is greater than the second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Sehat Sutardja, Jianqing Lin
  • Patent number: 7812577
    Abstract: A Single Ended Primary Inductance Converter (SEPIC) fed BUCK converter includes: a first switch configured to open or close according to a first signal; a SEPIC portion coupled to the first switch and coupled to an energy source, the SEPIC portion comprising a first set of one or more passive components; a BUCK converter portion coupled to the first switch, the BUCK converter portion comprising a second set of one or more passive components. While the first switch is closed, the SEPIC portion is configured to store energy from an energy source in at least some of the first set of passive components and deliver energy to the BUCK portion, and the BUCK converter portion is configured to deliver energy to a load and to store energy in at least some of the second set of passive components. While the first switch is open, the SEPIC portion is configured to deliver at least some of its stored energy to the load, and the BUCK converter portion is configured to deliver at least some of its stored energy to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Fred O. Barthold
  • Patent number: 7812578
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a series circuit of a main switch and a choke coil and an output capacitor connected to one end of the series circuit and outputs a DC voltage from the one end of the series circuit. A first MOS transistor is connected in parallel to the series circuit and a second MOS transistor is connected in parallel to the output capacitor. A control circuit controls the gate voltages of the first MOS transistor and/or the second MOS transistor so that the first MOS transistor and/or the second MOS transistor outputs a changed target output voltage, whereby the output voltage is made equal to the target voltage at high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Sugahara, Kouhei Yamada, Tetsuya Kawashima, Akira Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7812579
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes a pre-converter stage, which may include a charge pump, and a post-regulator stage, which may include a boost converter. The duty factor of the post-regulator stage is controlled by a feedback path that extends from the output terminal of the DC/DC converter to an input terminal in the post-regulator stage. The pre-converter steps the input DC voltage up or down by a positive or negative integral or fractional value, and the post-regulator steps the voltage up by a variable amount depending on the duty factor at which the post-regulator is driven. The converter overcomes the problems of noise glitches, poor regulation, and instability, even near unity input-to-output voltage conversion ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Williams
  • Patent number: 7812580
    Abstract: A control circuit is provided in which two power sources can be efficiently switched, for a power supply apparatus provided with a step down switching regulator and a linear regulator. A PWM controller generates a pulse width modulation signal with which a duty ratio is controlled so that output voltage of the switching regulator approaches a predetermined reference voltage. A compulsory OFF circuit monitors a switching voltage, and when a first threshold voltage is exceeded, switches a synchronous rectifier transistor OFF. A minimum ON time setting circuit limits the duty ratio of the pulse width modulation signal, so that ON time of the switching transistor is longer than a predetermined minimum value. A selector circuit monitors an error voltage, and when a predetermined state continues for a predetermined first period, puts the linear regulator in an operating state, and the step down switching regulator in a halt state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Watanabe, Isao Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7812581
    Abstract: A multiphase regulator which includes an output node developing an output voltage, a feedback circuit determining error of the output voltage and providing a compensation signal indicative thereof, at least three phase circuits coupled in parallel to the output node, and an adaptive controller. Each phase circuit includes a modulation circuit and a switch circuit. Each modulation circuit receives the compensation signal and generates pulses on a corresponding one of the pulse modulation signals. Each switch circuit is coupled to the output node and is controlled by a corresponding pulse modulation signal. The adaptive controller is responsive to a load indication signal, such as indicating a low load condition, and drops operation of at least one of the phase circuits and adds at least one pulse to a pulse modulation signal of each remaining phase circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Weihong Qiu, Robert H. Isham, Chun Cheung
  • Patent number: 7812582
    Abstract: A device is disclosed that includes a first pin to supply power to a first power domain of an integrated circuit, a second pin to supply power to a second power domain of the integrated circuit, a switching regulator and a controller. The switching regulator is coupled to the first pin to provide a first regulated power supply to the first power domain and is coupled to the second pin to provide a second regulated power supply to the second power domain. The controller is coupled to the first pin and to the second pin to selectively reduce current flow to at least the second pin during a low power event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Lew G. Chua-Eoan, Boris Andreev, Christopher C. Riddle, Chunlei Shi, Justin Joseph Rosen Gagne, Seong-Ook Jung, Thomas R. Toms
  • Patent number: 7812583
    Abstract: A system includes a sampler to sample an input voltage and a switching regulator. The switching regulator is adapted to regulate a switching operation of the regulator in response to the sampling by the sampler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: ST-Ericsson SA
    Inventors: Xiaoyu Xi, Shyam S. Somayajula
  • Patent number: 7812584
    Abstract: A regulator circuit and a method for regulating an output voltage. The regulator circuit includes an undervoltage protection stage capable of operating in a plurality of operating modes. In one mode, the undervoltage protection stage compensates for a low undervoltage appearing in the output voltage and in another mode it compensates for a large undervoltage appearing in the output voltage. When the output voltage has a low undervoltage, a portion of the current from a current source is routed to a feedback network to balance the input voltages of the undervoltage protection stage and to place the voltage regulator in a steady state operating mode. When the output voltage has a large undervoltage, the undervoltage protection stage turns on a current sourcing transistor that cooperates with the current from the current source to quickly charge a compensation capacitor and increase the power appearing at the output of the voltage regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Turchi, Christophe Basso
  • Patent number: 7812585
    Abstract: A voltage regulator includes an input connectable to a voltage source and an output connectable to a load. The voltage regulator includes an inductor coupled to the output, a switch between the input and the inductor, and a current control loop configured to control the duty cycle of the switch to regulate voltage at the output, wherein the duty cycle being based on both a peak and valley threshold level of current flowing through the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Xunwei Zhou, Randy G. Flatness
  • Patent number: 7812586
    Abstract: A one cycle control power factor correction control circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a first input operable to receive a signal indicative of an input voltage to the voltage converter, a second input operable to receive a signal indicative of an inductor current in an inductor of the voltage converter and an amplifier operable to amplify the signal indicative of the inductor current, wherein a gain of the amplifier is based on the signal indicative of the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Marco Soldano, Ramanan Natarajan
  • Patent number: 7812587
    Abstract: An LED driving circuit can improve characteristics. A first current increasing circuit 10i4 is constituted of a first slow regulating unit 10i41 and a post-stage first supplying circuit 10i43 and, from a point in time of output switching of a first comparator 10i2, that is, when a set temperature exceeding a reference potential Va is attained, gradually increases a temperature compensated current IT1 (?I1) and thereby suppresses the lowering of emission output. Here, by gradually increasing the temperature compensated current IT1 by making use of charging/discharging functions of a capacitor, etc., that is, by increasing the temperature compensated current IT1 over a longer time than a pulse width that a photodetecting element, onto which light from an LED 11 is made incident, can respond within, pulse width distortion and jitter can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Takayuki Suzuki, Shintaro Meguri, Takashi Asahara