Electrical Patents (Class 307/125)
  • Patent number: 9791882
    Abstract: A voltage source wherein at least one first switch couples a first node of the voltage source to a node of application of at least one potential of a power supply voltage, and at least one first capacitive element couples the first node or a second node of the voltage source to a control node of the first switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventor: Kuno Lenz
  • Patent number: 9785447
    Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for assuming control over a processor in response to an operating system (OS) request to transition the processor into a sleeping state and transitioning the processor into an intermediate state that has a shorter wake latency than the sleeping state. Additionally, the processor may be maintained in the intermediate state until a wake event is detected. In one example, one or more power lowering operations may be reversed in response to the wake event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Antonio S. Cheng, Siddharth Shah
  • Patent number: 9772367
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an output port to be connected to a load; a first input port to receive a first input signal; and a second input port coupled between the first input port and the output port, to receive a second input signal. The apparatus further comprises a coupling circuit to couple the second input signal to the output port and a frequency isolation circuit that has a frequency response to propagate the first input signal to the output port but prevent the second input signal from propagating to the first input port. The apparatus also comprises a detection circuit to determine a voltage of an output signal at the output port, the output signal having a first amplitude range with a load absent at the output port and having a second amplitude range lower than the first amplitude range with the load present at the output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: John William Kesterson, Yong Li, Fuqiang Shi
  • Patent number: 9767889
    Abstract: A die is provided having an unterminated endpoint that capacitively loads its input impedance with a capacitance from capacitor while acting as a receiving endpoint and that isolates its output impedance from the capacitance while acting as a transmitting endpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott Powers, Thomas Bryan, Andrew Tohmc, Subrahmanya Pradeep Morusupalli, Tin Tin Wee, Kenneth Dubowski
  • Patent number: 9739836
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a battery management system, a battery module, a battery system and a motor vehicle. In order to be able to reliably exchange battery modules, the battery module is provided with a data memory, and the battery management system is provided with a control apparatus, which can be connected to the data memory so as to transmit data, and with a bridging switch, wherein the control apparatus closes the bridging switch on the basis of the data in the data memory and therefore bridges the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hans-Joerg Wolff
  • Patent number: 9739499
    Abstract: A controller for use in a climate control system. The controller, which may be a wireless-enabled thermostat, includes a power stealing circuit configured to steal power from a first load that is in an “on” mode and from a second load that is in an “off” mode. The stealing is performed from the first and second loads at the same time. Sufficient power can be stolen to support substantially constant operation of a transceiver of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Lihui Tu, Cuikun Chu, Zhongliang Xu, Long Huang
  • Patent number: 9733659
    Abstract: A method and system restores power in a power distribution network. The network includes a plurality of power sources, a plurality of loading zones, a plurality of switching devices interconnected between the plurality of power sources and the plurality of loading zones, and an intelligent electronic device associated with each of the plurality of switching devices to control the switching devices. A base network state is defined and a power restoration logic is created for the base network state. A simulation is run for the power restoration logic and then the power restoration logic is transmitted to a power restoration controller which thereafter monitors and controls the intelligent electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Research
    Inventors: Fang Yang, Vaibhav Donde, Zhenyuan Wang, James Stoupis, David Lubkeman
  • Patent number: 9736328
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a normal mode and an energy-saving mode. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of components, a power supply which stops supplying electric power to supply-stop parts in energy-saving mode, a monitor which makes the power supply restart supply of electric power to the supply-stop parts when a recovery factor to normal mode occurs (an interrupt signal occurs), an automatic recovery signal generator which inputs an automatic recovery signal, which is a kind of interrupt signal, to the monitor after completion of transition to energy-saving mode, and an arithmetic processor which, when an error occurs during the transition period, performs recovery preparation processing to have the automatic recovery signal input to the monitor after completion of transition to energy-saving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9728977
    Abstract: A method of controlling a plurality of outlets and a first and a second non-transitory medium for use in connection with in a power distribution. The power distribution system includes a handheld device, a power distribution device, and the plurality of outlets. The handheld device includes a first controller. The power distribution device includes a second controller and is coupled to the plurality of outlets to provide electrical power thereto. The power distribution device is physically separated from the plurality of outlets and is located not in close proximity to an outlet of the plurality of outlets. Each outlet of the plurality of outlets includes a socket and indicia located proximate to the socket. The first non-transitory medium includes instructions that when executed by the first controller cause the first controller to scan indicia of a first outlet and receive a set of input data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lichter, Tom Steer, David North, Jake Dunnum
  • Patent number: 9705270
    Abstract: A universal power outlet, a universal junction box associated with a cover, and a universal extension cord. Sensors within openings in electrical sockets detect different characteristics of plug contacts. In response to the detected characteristics, power requirements for an energy consuming device associated with the plug are correlated. Logic dynamically selects and delivers a level of required power, from multiple available levels of power, to the device based on the detected characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singagapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian Fuchs, Russell S. Padgett, Daniel Ranck, Suresh K. Thapa
  • Patent number: 9694769
    Abstract: Apparatus for voltage stabilization in a vehicle includes a battery distribution module having a load module managing electrical power to one or more auxiliary loads, a first switch coupling a starter motor and an ESD to the load module only when closed, a second switch coupling an auxiliary ESD to the load module only when closed, and a controller integrated with a PC board attached to the first and second switch devices. The controller is configured to control opening and closing of the first and second switches based on at least one of a plurality of signals received by the controller. The primary ESD is electrically coupled a primary fuse terminal of the battery distribution module which electrically couples the primary ESD to a second terminal of the first switch and the starter motor. The auxiliary ESD is electrically coupled to an auxiliary fuse terminal of the battery distribution module which electrically couples a first terminal of the second switch to the auxiliary ESD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Shawn L. Boozer, Kenneth J. Shoemaker, Michael G. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9698684
    Abstract: A control apparatus for use in controlling a power converter adapted to carry out power conversion between a high-voltage end and a low-voltage end includes an input configured for receiving at least one input signal conveying a sensed voltage across the high-voltage end, a sensed voltage across the low-voltage end and a sensed current through the low-voltage end; circuitry configured for determining a target switching frequency, a target dead time and a target duty cycle for the converter based at least in part on the sensed voltages, the sensed current and at least one circuit characteristic of the converter; and an output configured for releasing at least one output signal to cause the converter to carry out soft switching in accordance with the target switching frequency, the target dead time and the target duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Di Wu, Konrad Woronowicz
  • Patent number: 9687748
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for powering and/or controlling a plurality of model devices, including at least one model vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes an adjustable transformer in communication with at least a model train. The adjustable transformer is configured to convert an AC voltage into first and second AC output voltages based, respectively, on positions of first and second input devices. The adjustable transformer includes a processor configured to receive input signals from the input devices, and to generate corresponding control signals, which are used by drive circuits to convert an AC voltage into first and second outputs. The processor is further configured to display data concerning the first output on a display, and to replace the data concerning the first output with data concerning the second output if a signal is received from a sensor, indicating that the user has interacted with the second input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Lionel LLC
    Inventors: Jon Zahornacky, Neil Young
  • Patent number: 9685806
    Abstract: A power connector for use in charging a battery of a device is provided. The power connector has an electromagnetic switch having terminals used to supply power from an external power source to a power adapter which is connected to the battery of the device. A power sensing circuit is coupled between the terminals of the electromagnetic switch and the power adapter, wherein the electromagnetic switch is configured to shut off power supplied to the power adapter when the power sensing circuit detects that the battery is fully charged. A reset mechanism is configured to mechanically activate the electromagnetic switch to start supplying power to the power adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Inventor: Izak Bencuya
  • Patent number: 9678560
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe apparatuses, systems and methods to detect, during a host platform sleep state, a peripheral device audio jack plug being coupled to (e.g., inserted into) an audio jack connection socket. A specific sleep state of the host platform may be determined, and a system wake event may be generated so that the host platform wakes from the sleep state in response to the peripheral device being coupled to the audio jack connection socket. Thus, embodiments of the invention incorporated in handheld mobile computing devices such as smartphones and tablet computers with limited input/output (I/O) provide a user with alternative means for waking the device from a sleep state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Sagar C. Pawar
  • Patent number: 9647713
    Abstract: A smart ultra box adapting to a protective case is disclosed. The protective case can be assembled with a power bank to form a mobile phone protective case. The power bank provides an identification unit. The ultra box includes a main body, a conversion unit, a flexible printed circuit board, a processing unit and a memory unit. The processing unit connects to the conversion unit. The memory unit, connected to the processing unit, stores at least one PIN information. When the protective case assemble with the power bank, the ultra box according to the PIN information determines whether the identification unit is a real identification code of the processing unit; if not, the power bank stops power supply by the processing unit controlled; on the contrary, if yes, the power bank starts power supply by the processing unit controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: MOBILECONN TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Kai Yang, Chin-Tien Lin
  • Patent number: 9627924
    Abstract: A transfer system may be provided. The transfer system may comprise a first transfer switch comprising first normally closed contacts and first normally open contacts. In addition, the transfer system may comprise a second transfer switch comprising second normally closed contacts and second normally open contacts. Furthermore, the transfer system may comprise third normally closed contacts with a solid state switch in parallel. A source monitor may be configured to monitor the quality of a primary source and a backup source. And a source control may be configured to operate the first transfer switch, the second transfer switch, the third normally closed contacts, and the solid state switch to transfer a load from the primary source to the backup source in response to the monitored quality of the primary source and the backup source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: Kip McArthur Larson
  • Patent number: 9620939
    Abstract: Hybrid gas circuit breakers comprising a main breaker tank having an interrupter assembly positioned therein, bushing support nozzles laterally extending from the breaker tank, disconnect switches coupled to and extending generally upwardly or vertically from the bushing support nozzles, and bushings assembled to the disconnect switches. In addition, bushing current transformers (BCTs) are assembled on the bushing support nozzles adjacent the breaker tank instead. The lateral positioning of components results in a low assembled height permitting shipping of a fully assembled and tested unit for voltage ratings up to and including 362 kV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Russell N. Yeckley, Dennis J. Matuszak
  • Patent number: 9614364
    Abstract: A detection system of distributed generation islanding based on power frequency carrier, the detection system comprising: a power frequency carrier signal generating device; a power frequency carrier signal detection device; a signal coupling transformer; a substation bus; a distribution power generator (DG); and a safety isolation breaker, wherein the power frequency carrier signal generating device comprises a voltage and current monitor circuit, the power frequency carrier signal generating device is connected with the signal coupling transformer through four three phase four line power cables, and the signal coupling transformer is connected with substation bus through 3 power cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignees: STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA, China Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventors: Biyao Huang, Jianqi Li, Guojun Liu, Zhihui Wang, Nan Quan, Xiaofeng Qu, Tao Zhao, Licheng Wang
  • Patent number: 9608507
    Abstract: There is provided a device and a method for controlling a supply of power from an AC power source to a load. A switch is arranged in series electrical connection between the power source and the load, the switch having a first state in which the switch connects the load to the power source for supplying an electrical current from the power source to the load and a second state in which the switch disconnects the load from the power source. A power stealing circuit is arranged in parallel electrical connection to the switch and adapted to divert the electrical current away from the power source with the switch in the second state, the power stealing circuit comprising a linear semiconductor device adapted to control a rate of change of a first voltage across terminals of the switch upon the switch being brought to the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SINOPE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Francois Houde, Sylvain Mayer, Samuel Marcoux-Houde
  • Patent number: 9602910
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device connects to an earphone. The electronic device includes a connector into which an ear jack of the earphone is inserted, an audio controller configured to process an acoustic signal, a processor configured to control the audio controller, and a memory configured to functionally connect with the processor. The audio controller outputs a first acoustic signal through an ear speaker of the earphone, if an insertion interruption occurs according to insertion of the ear jack. The processor determines a type of the ear jack according to a second acoustic signal collected through an ear microphone included in the earphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Seok Weon Kim, Dong Hyeob Oh, Sung Chul Park
  • Patent number: 9590227
    Abstract: A protection apparatus that is disposed adjacent a first side of a bare cell of a battery having at least one electrode. The protection apparatus comprises a first and a second lead plates that are adapted to be connected to the at least one electrode of the bare cell and a pad unit comprising a plurality of conductive pads that are adapted so that external devices are coupled to the battery via the conductive pads of the pad unit. The protection apparatus also comprises a device unit that includes electrical components that provide protection to the bare cell of the battery; wiring that interconnects the first and second lead plates, the pad unit and the device unit; and an insulator that encapsulates at least a portion of the first and second lead plates, the pad unit, the device unit and the wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Seung Kim, Seok Koh
  • Patent number: 9559580
    Abstract: An electric motor drive apparatus includes: an AC/DC converter converting AC into DC by the switching of multiple power devices; a control circuit performing PWM switching control of the multiple power devices; a current detecting circuit that detects input current from the AC power supply to the AC/DC converter; an electromagnetic contactor connecting or cutting off power from the AC power supply to the AC converter; and a DC link unit including a smoothing capacitor for smoothing DC voltage, and is constructed such that the control circuit determines that the electromagnetic contactor has been welded when input current is detected in a condition where with the DC link unit having been charged, the electromagnetic contactor is turned off to cut off the power from the AC power supply to the AC/DC converter and the multiple power devices are controlled by PWM switching in accordance with the switching commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Wataru Kuroki
  • Patent number: 9520739
    Abstract: To satisfy the NFC communication standard in wireless charging with a shared antenna, used for NFC communication. A power supply unit includes a voltage step-down circuit 331, a charge control circuit 332, and a communication controller power supply circuit 333. The voltage step-down circuit includes a switching regulator 200, and a selection circuit 206 and 208 which can select an output path PT1 of the switching regulator and a bypass path PT2 of the switching regulator. The voltage step-down circuit includes a selection control circuit 207. The selection control circuit supplies voltage to the communication controller power supply circuit via the bypass path at the time of activating the communication controller. Since the output voltage of the series regulator stabilizes in a shorter time than the switching regulator, it becomes possible to keep the time from when RF power rises to when initial communication becomes possible, within standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Takefumi Endo, Masanori Kayama
  • Patent number: 9509222
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a power conversion system comprising a transformer comprising first, second, and third inductive coupling elements, a first power supply arranged to provide a voltage across the first coupling element, a second power supply arranged to provide a voltage across the second coupling element, an output arranged to receive a voltage from the third coupling element. In use, the voltage across the first coupling element and the voltage across the second coupling element are arranged to induce a voltage in the third coupling element. The system also comprises a control arrangement arranged to independently control the operation of the first and second power supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: CONTROL TECHNIQUES LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon David Hart, Stephen Berry, Richard Mark Wain, Dhananjay Dattatray Kapatkar, Dilesh Arvind Raut
  • Patent number: 9484761
    Abstract: A dark current cutoff device (1) includes: a battery (10) configure to perform electrical power supply to a load (20); a cutoff switch (32), which is provided between the battery (10) and the load (20), cuts off the electrical power supply to the load (20) at a time of being opened, and supplies electrical power to the load (20) at a time of being closed; a failure recording unit (21) that determines and records a case where the load (20) does not operate as a failure of the load (20); and an open/close determining unit (41) that determines that the cutoff switch (32) is opened; and a recording prohibiting unit (22) configure to prohibit, in a case where the cutoff switch (32) is determined to be opened by the open/close determining unit (41), the failure recording unit (21) from determining and recording the failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisashi Nobusawa, Ayumu Kubota, Hiromasa Akaho
  • Patent number: 9466443
    Abstract: A photocontrol includes a switch that consumes very low power when the switch is turned ON and when it is turned OFF. The photocontrol can provide low-power digital control signals to high-impedance inputs of control devices that control the delivery of power to load devices, such as LED drivers that control the delivery of power to arrays of LEDs. The photocontrol also can provide power signals to control devices that control the delivery of power to light sources, such as electronic transformers that control the delivery of power to fluorescent lamps. The photocontrol may include a comparator that causes the photocontrol to have switching hysteresis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 9419533
    Abstract: Voltage adapter systems for use in an appliance are provided. An exemplary voltage adapter system can include a TRIAC. The exemplary voltage adapter system can include a voltage detection circuit configured to detect an input voltage of an alternating current power signal and connect the TRIAC in series with a load of the appliance when the input voltage is greater than a threshold voltage. The exemplary voltage adapter system can include a firing angle control circuit configured to provide a gate signal to a gate of the TRIAC when the alternating current power signal reaches a phase angle. An exemplary firing angle control circuit can include a resistor, a capacitor, and a DIAC. The exemplary firing angle control circuit can be configured to trigger the TRIAC when the voltage across the capacitor exceeds a breakover voltage associated with the DIAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Xingde Kang, Brice Alan Bowley, Lauren Kolegraff
  • Patent number: 9401626
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus including an RT/CMOS DATA logic unit which stores Real-Time Clock information and CMOS information, and a battery having a power terminal to supply main power used in the electronic apparatus and a signal terminal for data communication with the electronic apparatus, and when the main power is turned off, supplies power to the RT/CMOS DATA logic unit through the signal terminal to maintain operations of the RT/CMOS DATA logic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ja-goun Koo
  • Patent number: 9390877
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a crosspoint switch used in an optical fiber data network. The crosspoint switch can switch optical signals received from any of a plurality of input optical fibers to any one of a plurality of output optical fibers. The crosspoint switch converts the optical signals received from the input optical fibers into electrical signals, switches the electrical signals, and converts the switched electrical signals back into optical signals before transmitting them over the output optical fibers. A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) electrical switch array is utilized to switch the electrical signals. The MEMS electrical switch array includes MEMS switching elements that allow for high frequency and high bandwidth operation of the crosspoint switch. The crosspoint switch can utilize circuit switching methodology for switching decisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Michael Bannon, Leesa Marie Noujeim
  • Patent number: 9369034
    Abstract: A switching power supply circuit includes a transformer, a switching unit which includes at least one switch and is connected to an output of the transformer, and a switching controller which is connected to an output of the switching unit, is configured to control the switching unit, and includes a comparing unit and an output waveform generating unit. Furthermore, the comparing unit is configured to output a value used to control the output waveform generating unit, and the output waveform generating unit is configured to generate a control signal based on the output value of the comparing unit and output the control signal to the at least one switch of the switching unit. Accordingly, the power consumption is reduced by performing rectification using a switch, and the switching power supply circuit is prepared in a simple configuration since the switching unit is controlled without any controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ui Jong Kim
  • Patent number: 9318908
    Abstract: An anti-theft charging system for charging a chargeable battery of an electric vehicle is disclosed and includes a power supplying device, an output terminal assembly, and a burglarproof detecting device. The power supplying device is used for outputting a charging energy. The output terminal assembly is electrically connected with the power supplying device and detachably coupled to the electric vehicle for receiving and transmitting the charging energy to the chargeable battery. The burglarproof detecting device includes a responding unit disposed within the output terminal assembly for issuing a response signal and a detecting unit disposed within the power supplying device and in signal connection with the responding unit for detecting the response signal. If the output terminal assembly is stolen, the detecting unit realizes that the output terminal assembly is stolen according to a change of the response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Yu-Ming Chang, Tsung-Yuan Wu
  • Patent number: 9299524
    Abstract: Novel circuits for providing ride-through during unpredictable power line disturbances are disclosed in connection with low-power electronic devices. Such low-power electronics devices are typically subjected to undesirable lock-ups and reboots under momentary power line disturbances such as voltage sags, voltage swells, and other momentary line power disturbances. Diagnostics and visual indication are also integrated in the circuits to allow consumers to correlate equipment lock-up and malfunction with power disturbances, and to provide service providers with various analytics and historical data on the recorded disturbances. To reduce cost, the disclosed circuits utilize a simple DC capacitor without any additional power conditioning switches or converters. In one exemplary embodiment, the disclosed circuits are embedded inside a power line cord to provide a ride-through during the brief interval of time such power line disturbances occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: INNOVOLT, INC.
    Inventor: Deepakraj Malhar Divan
  • Patent number: 9285856
    Abstract: A method and system for managing sleep states of a portable computing device are described. They include maintaining a sleep set of resource states and an active set of resource states in memory. A request may be issued for a processor to enter into a sleep state. This causes a controller to review a trigger set to determine if a shut down condition for the processor matches one or more conditions listed in the trigger set. Each trigger set may comprise a “trigger event” that may allow a controller to select a specific resource set which is desired by a particular processor based on a trigger event detected by a system power manager. If a trigger set matches a shut down condition, then switching states of one or more resources in accordance with the sleep set may be made by the controller without using a software handshake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Andrew J. Frantz, Dianne D. Horn, Joshua H. Stubbs
  • Patent number: 9287721
    Abstract: The charger includes: a connector to be connected to a battery; an identification unit configured to perform an identification process of judging whether the battery being connected to the connector is a compliant battery allowed to be directly connected to the connector or a non-compliant battery allowed to be indirectly connected to the connector, and output a result of the identification process; a main charging unit configured to charge the compliant battery according to a main charging condition appropriate to the compliant battery; an auxiliary charging unit configured to charge the non-compliant battery according to an auxiliary charging condition which does not cause a harmful effect on the non-compliant battery; and a control unit configured to receive the result from the identification unit, and, when the result indicates the compliant battery, activate the main charging unit, and, when the result indicates the non-compliant battery, activate the auxiliary charging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Miwa, Masaki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9281751
    Abstract: A voltage control method for a power converter includes: acquiring a current of a first primary side winding of a transformer circuit of the power converter; integrating the acquired current to obtain an average voltage; comparing the average voltage with a reflected voltage associated with a current of a secondary side winding of the transformer circuit; and adjusting a duty cycle of a switch of the power converter based on an obtained comparison result for adjustment of an output voltage of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chien-Yu Lin, Wei-Lieh Lai, Ya-Jhe Liu, Yu-Kang Lo, Huang-Jen Chiu, Cheng-Ting Lin
  • Patent number: 9276476
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for force commutating a current from a cathode terminal of a diode to an anode terminal of the diode. In one aspect, a method for eliminating diode reverse recovery time is presented herein. The method includes force commutating a current from a cathode terminal of a diode to an anode terminal of the diode. According to embodiments, the diode may be an intrinsic part of a component, such as a field effect transistor (FET). In such embodiments, the FET is switched from being on to off while force commutating a current through the body diode of the FET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert Matthew Martinelli
  • Patent number: 9274578
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for enabling a power path between a power source and a host device via an accessory. A host device may send, to an accessory arranged within the power path, via a first data pin arranged in the host device, a request for an accessory identifier. The accessory identifier identifies the accessory. The host device may then determine whether the accessory identifier is received from the accessory within a specified period of time or whether a received accessory identifier is valid. If the accessory identifier is not received from the accessory within the specified period of time, or a received accessory identifier is not valid, the host device sends a new request for the accessory identifier to the accessory via a second data pin different than the first data pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
  • Patent number: 9270164
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, computer program products, and devices for renewable energy site power limit control that address conditions of plant saturation and loop delay. In an exemplary embodiment, power limit control of the present invention is broken into two levels of control: a site-wide real power limit control that produces a single site-wide command, SitePlimCom, for all inverters, and inverter-level power limit control that outputs a command, Inv[x].PlimCom[k], for individual inverters. In some embodiments, the invention has one or more of the following features: an integrator with nonlinear gains, limit based anti-windup, a power limit control term based on the sum of both integrator and feed-forward terms, and an inverter-level controller designed to meet slew rate and site power overshoot constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: TMEIC Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Bixel, Benjamin D. Rudolph
  • Patent number: 9252752
    Abstract: A microcomputer includes a register that stores division ratio setting information, a frequency divider that determines first and second division ratios based on the division ratio setting information, frequency-divides a first clock having a first frequency at the first division ratio, and frequency-divides a second clock having a second frequency at the second division ratio, and a CPU. The first and second division ratios are determined in such a manner that a frequency of the first clock that is frequency-divided at the first division ratio and a frequency of the second clock that is frequency-divided at the second division ratio are made equal to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rumi Matsushita
  • Patent number: 9231580
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes a back bias control block, a first back bias switching block and second back bias switching block. The back bias control block is configured to generate a first P channel control signal and a second N channel control signal. The first back bias switching block is configured to provide one of first and second high voltages as a first P channel back bias of a first circuit in response to the first P channel control signal, and to provide one of first and second low voltages as a first N channel back bias of the first circuit in response to the first N channel control signal. The second back bias switching block is configured to provide one of the first and second high voltages as a second P channel back bias of a second circuit in response to the second P channel control signal, and to provide one of the first and second low voltages as a second N channel back bias of the second circuit in response to the second N channel control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Kie Bong Ku
  • Patent number: 9208981
    Abstract: A compact information device in which a shortened unlatch time is enabled so such device can transition from a power cutoff mode to a power supply mode to resume supplying power to internal circuits as a result of a latch circuit unlatching a control signal. Embodiments of such a device, which may be a printer, includes a CPU, a power switch, a capacitor, a switch circuit, an unlatch signal generating unit, and a switch control signal generator, which may include a latch circuit, and a potential difference detection circuit. The latch circuit and potential difference detection circuit operate with voltage Vin2. The CPU outputs a start latch signal VLT when the operating mode changes from the power supply mode to the power cutoff mode. When the power switch is turned off, the potential difference detection circuit outputs an unlatch signal VRST. When the unlatch signal VRST is input, the latch circuit unlatches the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Yoshie
  • Patent number: 9190910
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the power circuit includes a first feedback loop which feedbacks information on an output voltage and a second feedback loop which feedbacks information on a load current. When the load current is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the second feedback loop is blocked and a PWM signal is generated using data of a feedback current signal which is stored before blocking the second feedback loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Chen Kong Teh
  • Patent number: 9152111
    Abstract: An electric power control unit alternately repeats a first electric power control period and a second electric power control period when a low electric power mode is set by a mode setting unit. When a sleep mode is set by the mode setting unit, a second electric power control is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kunio Imaoka
  • Patent number: 9148070
    Abstract: A high power control system includes: a single energy source; an energy source management unit configured to manage the energy source; a controller configured to output a PWM control signal under control of the energy source management unit; a plurality of inverters configured to convert a direct current into an alternating current under control of the PWM control signal of the controller; a plurality of filters coupled to output terminals of the inverters; and a plurality of switches configured to regulate connections between the filters and a load under control of a regulation control signal of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: DESTIN POWER INC.
    Inventors: Young Sang Bae, Seong Jin Oh
  • Patent number: 9118250
    Abstract: A power supply circuit for an electrical appliance, including a turning-on stage configured for determining a transition from a turned-off state, in which the power supply circuit is off and does not supply electric power, to a turned-on state of the power supply circuit. The turning-on stage includes a transducer of the remote-control type configured for triggering the transition in response to the reception of a wireless signal. In some embodiments, operating power is transmitted from a remote controller to a control circuit of the electronic equipment, such that the electronic equipment can be turned on remotely but draws zero standby power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Natale Aiello, Giuseppe Palmisano, Roberto La Rosa, Alessandro Finocchiaro
  • Patent number: 9116692
    Abstract: A system includes a circuit having a plurality of electronic function blocks interconnected in series, a power source unit coupled to the circuit, for supplying power to the plurality of electronic function blocks, and a control unit coupled to each of the plurality of the electronic function blocks and to the power source unit. The control unit is configured to monitor activity levels of each of the electronic function blocks, and adjusts the activity level of each of the plurality of electronic function blocks. The control unit determines a voltage level suitable for the corresponding adjusted activity level, and adjusts the power supplied to each of the plurality of electronic function blocks in order to achieve the corresponding determined voltage level at each of the plurality of electronic function blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
    Inventors: Philip T. Krein, Roy H. Campbell, Naresh R. Shanbhag
  • Patent number: 9099268
    Abstract: A mechanical switch in the form of a bypass switch assembly is arranged between two electrical conductors (busbars) and stays open during normal operation. When a cell fault happens, the fault and bypass information is transmitted to an actuator (acting as a trigger circuit) which activates inter alia a gas generator producing huge volume of gas in a very short time. The gas pressure pushes a movable member to bridge the two electrical conductors with ultrafast speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Åke Öberg, Filippo Chimento, Jian Qin, Liwei Wang, Ola Jeppsson
  • Patent number: 9086707
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices, and systems to digitally control a duty cycle of a switching mode power supply. In one embodiment, a method comprises calculating a base duty cycle using a power management unit of a high-speed processing unit, calculating a dynamic offset duty cycle using the power management unit to apply a transfer function to a sampled feedback voltage signal, and adding the base duty cycle to the dynamic offset duty cycle to obtain a duty cycle of the switching mode power supply. A system comprises a switching mode power supply, a power management unit, a voltage sensor, and an analog to digital converter all embedded within a high-speed processing unit, and a pulse-width modulator coupled between the switching mode power supply and the high-speed processing unit to modulate the duty cycle of the switching mode power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventor: Yu Zhao
  • Patent number: 9071717
    Abstract: Provided is Electronic apparatus having a function of first power mode and a function of second power mode where power consumption is smaller than first power mode. A plurality of detecting units detects a plurality of trigger operations in second power mode, each of the trigger operations serving as a trigger that causes Electronic apparatus to return from second power mode to first power mode. Mode switching unit causes Electronic apparatus to return from second power mode to first power mode when any one of the plurality of trigger operations is detected by the plurality of detecting units. Power control unit supplies power to the plurality of detecting units in second power mode while performing control of repeating a supply period where power is supplied to the detecting unit and a non-supply period where power is not supplied to it in respect to each of the plurality of detecting units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kunio Imaoka