Including Plural Loads Commonly Controlled Patents (Class 323/267)
  • Patent number: 10238418
    Abstract: An integrated catheter placement system and method for placing a catheter in a patient body. The system may include a system console having a display, a tip location sensor operably connected to the system console and placed onto a body of a patient. The tip location sensor may be designed to sense a magnetic field of a first medical device. The system may also include an ECG tip confirmation component operably connected to the system console via the tip location sensor, and an ultrasound probe operably connected to the system console, the ultrasound probe including one or more magnetic sensors designed to sense a magnetic field of a second medical device different from the first medical device. The system may further include a processor associated with the console designed to utilize data relating to the magnetic field of the second medical device to determine a position and/or orientation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Cox, Jiaye Z. Jho, Robert N. Golden
  • Patent number: 10224711
    Abstract: Device for protecting against leakage currents, the device being intended to be wired up between a first electrical connection (2) and a second electrical connection (3). The device comprises a switch (5) configured so as to at least partially divert the current flowing in the first electrical connection and controlled by the voltage of the first electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Zodiac Aero Electric
    Inventors: Stéphane Guenot, Loic Aoustin, Jean-Clair Pradier
  • Patent number: 10199936
    Abstract: Pre-conditioners (or line-conditioners) are used to convert electrical power having first characteristics into electrical power having second characteristics. For example, a pre-conditioner may connect electrical equipment forming a load, which requiring only a conventional mains supply level to a utility three-phase supply. This means that the power components of the load may be de-rated, making the load electrical equipment cheaper. Such circuits may be further improved. Components in the down-converter itself still need to be rated to interface with the higher voltage. An approach is proposed in which two interleaved down-converters (36, 38) can be used to supply voltages. An energy recovery element (50) connects snubbers of the interleaved down-converters, thus enabling some de-rating of the pre-conditioner circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Luerkens, Albert Garcia Tormo, Bernd Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10164533
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a converter circuit (1) for reducing a nominal capacitor voltage, the converter circuit (1) comprising: an input node (TI1), which is configured to receive an input voltage (VG); an output node (TO1; TO2), which is configured to supply an output voltage (VO) to a load (RL1; RL2); and a capacitor (C1; C2), which is coupled to the load so that the input voltage is divided between the capacitor (C1; C2) and the load (RL1; RL2) and which is configured to be charged up to a voltage corresponding to a differential voltage between the input voltage (VG) and the output voltage (VO).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Albert Garcia Tormo, Peter Lürkens
  • Patent number: 10101759
    Abstract: Provided are an electronic circuit, a linear regulating circuit, and a DC-DC converting circuit. An embodiment of the inventive concept includes a linear regulating circuit unit for generating, by comparing output voltages and corresponding reference voltages, a transient signal indicating that at least one of the output voltages is in a transient state, or a steady signal indicating that each of the output voltages is in a steady state, and for controlling the output voltages on the basis of the steady signal and the transient signal, an energy storing unit for storing energy used to generate the output voltages, a ground switch unit for controlling connection between the energy storing unit and a ground terminal, an input switch unit for controlling connection between at least one input terminal and the energy storing unit, and an output switch unit for controlling connection between output loads and the energy storing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jong Pil Im, Jung Hee Suk, Yil Suk Yang, Jimin Oh
  • Patent number: 10009030
    Abstract: An integrated circuit embedded in a plug of a universal serial bus (USB) 3.1 type-C cable assembly is disclosed. The integrated circuit includes a first pin connected to an operation transmission line through which an operation voltage is transmitted, a second pin connected to a configuration channel (CC) line, a first resistor connected to the first pin, a ground line, and a switching circuit configured to connect the first resistor and the ground line using a channel voltage supplied to the second pin when the operation voltage is not applied, and disconnect the first resistor from the ground line based on the operation voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Je Kook Kim, Jin Hyuck Yu, You So Cheon
  • Patent number: 10001794
    Abstract: A voltage regulator is provided comprising: a pass transistor that includes a first node coupled to receive an input voltage and a second node coupled to provide a regulated voltage and a control node; an amplifier circuit coupled to produce a control voltage on a control line that is coupled to control a voltage at the control node of the pass transistor, based at least in part upon a reference voltage and the regulated voltage; a switch configured to transition between a first switch state in which the switch couples the control line to a turn-off voltage having a value to turn off the pass transistor and a second switch state in which the switch decouples the control line from the turn-off voltage; and a switch control circuit configured to maintain the switch in the first switch state during a first time interval while the input voltage ramps up and to transition the switch to the second switch state after the first time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Piotr Olejarz
  • Patent number: 9996146
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus including a power supply part and a voltage compensating circuit. The power supply part is configured to supply electric power to a first electronic device and a second electronic device. The voltage compensating circuit is configured, when the first electronic device is connected to the information processing apparatus, to increase a voltage output from the power supply part and to switch a power supply path for supplying the output voltage to the second electronic device from a first power supply path to a second power supply path including a step-down element so as to decrease the increased output voltage and to supply the decreased output voltage to the second electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuichi Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 9935544
    Abstract: A method for transferring power between two DC circuits, each circuit being bipolar or connected at the midpoint thereof, involves: coupling the high voltage bus across a pair of inductors, arranged in parallel; coupling the low voltage bus across the pair of inductors; coupling the high voltage bus, the low voltage bus and the inductors by active switches and diodes, to provide for: (i) a storage configuration, wherein energy is transferred from one of the buses and stored in the inductors; and (ii) a release configuration, wherein energy is released from the inductors and transferred to the other of the buses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Arda Power Inc.
    Inventors: Luis Zubieta, Damien Frost
  • Patent number: 9933744
    Abstract: A power supply includes a first switching unit, a power restriction unit connected between the first switching unit and a load, a second switching unit connected between the power restriction unit and the load, a controller configured to output a control signal to the first switching unit and the second switching unit, and an adjusting unit configured to adjust input of the control signal to the second switching unit, and the second switching unit is operated selectively in accordance with the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryo Matsumura, Hiroshi Yadoiwa
  • Patent number: 9907021
    Abstract: A method includes identifying, by a wireless communications module included in a communications device and when a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) mode of the communications device is already enabled, whether service data to be sent exists currently. The method further includes acquiring, by the wireless communications module, received attribute information in response to the service data existing currently. The method further includes determining, by the wireless communications module by using the received attribute information, a sending rate for sending the service data; and determining, by the wireless communications module according to the sending rate, a supply voltage value of a power amplifier connected to the wireless communications module, so that the power amplifier amplifies, according to the supply voltage value, a service request signal carrying the service data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Huawei Device (Dongguan) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tongbo Wang, Zhihua Pang, Yingming Tang
  • Patent number: 9841777
    Abstract: A voltage regulator for digital loads combines a closed loop regulation circuit with an open loop topology. A transistor and a bank of transistors share the same voltage source VDD and gate control current. Each of the bank of transistors is sized to match different current load requirements and one or more may be switched in or out as appropriate when the digital load transitions from one operating mode to another. The regulator has good DC load regulation and unconditional stability regardless of output capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Enjalbert, Joachim Kruecken, Jalal Ouaddah
  • Patent number: 9820229
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described in which dynamic voltage and frequency scaling may be used to save power when processing packets in a wireless communications device. In some cases, inframe detection may allow the device to determine whether to transition from a first (e.g., lower) voltage level to a second (e.g., higher) voltage level to process one or more packets of a received frame. For some packet types the first voltage level may be maintained. In other cases, the device may determine a bandwidth to use from among multiple bandwidths supported by the device. The bandwidth may be determined based on channel conditions. A voltage level may be identified that corresponds to the determined bandwidth and a processing voltage may be scaled to the identified voltage level. The device may be configured to operate in wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or in a cellular network (e.g., LTE).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Sandip Homchaudhuri, Joseph Duncan, Xiaoru Zhang, MeeLan Lee, Arunkumar Jayaraman, Derrick Chu Lin, Srenik Mehta
  • Patent number: 9787136
    Abstract: Examples disclose a system comprising a power supply, coupled to an output power and an auxiliary power. The system is further comprising a controller to interrupt the output power through a switch coupled to the output. The controller is to interrupt the output power based a determination the output power is below an output threshold. The controller is further to interrupt the auxiliary power coupled to the output. The controller is to interrupt the auxiliary power based on a determination the auxiliary power is below an auxiliary threshold. Additionally, the system discloses the switch is to disconnect the output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Daniel Humphrey, Mohamed Amin Bemat, Samantha Jean Castillo
  • Patent number: 9755631
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus which comprises: a power gate transistor coupled to an ungated power supply node and a gated power supply node, the power gate transistor having a gate terminal; a resistive device; a first transistor coupled in series with the resistive device together forming a pair, the first transistor also coupled to the gate terminal of the power gate transistor; a capacitive device coupled in parallel to the series coupled pair of the first transistor and resistive device; and a second transistor coupled to the gate terminal of the power gate transistor and the ungated power supply node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Yong Shim, Jaydeep P. Kulkarni, Pascal A. Meinerzhagen, Muhammad M. Khellah
  • Patent number: 9673710
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter including digital circuitry for determining load current supplied to a load. In some embodiments the digital circuitry determines the load current differently based on whether the DC-DC converter is operating in pulse frequency modulation mode or pulse width modulation mode. In some embodiments the DC-DC converter includes circuitry for determining if a short circuit or over current condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventors: Hassan Ihs, Jason Rau
  • Patent number: 9653989
    Abstract: A system that may include a first direct current to direct current (DC) converter that is arranged to determine at a first determination rate whether to alter a parameter of operation of the first DC to DC converter and to selectively alter the parameter of operation of operation of the first DC to DC converter in response to the determination; and a second switched-mode DC to DC converter that is arranged to determine at a second determination rate whether to alter the parameter of operation of the second DC to DC converter and to selectively alter the parameter of operation of operation of the second DC to DC converter in response to the determination. The second determination rate is higher by at least a factor of two than the first determination rate. The first and second DC to DC converters are mutually unsynchronized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: DSP GROUP Ltd.
    Inventor: Assaf Ganor
  • Patent number: 9647554
    Abstract: Provided is a DC-DC converter including an inductor configured to store input energy, a ground switch configured to provide a ground path of the inductor in response to a first signal, an inductor switch connected in parallel to the inductor so as to maintain the energy stored in the inductor in response to a second signal, output switches configured to output the energy stored in the inductor as multi-output voltages in response to third signals, and a switch controller including a switch controller configured to determine cross regulation between the multi-outputs and generate the first to third signals for decreasing the cross regulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jimin Oh, Jung Hee Suk, Yil Suk Yang, Sang Kyun Lee
  • Patent number: 9634567
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor with an integrated power management system that performs analog to digital conversion of weak signals is provided. The MEMs sensor can include a switching regulator that steps a supply voltage down to a voltage appropriate for an analog to digital converter (A/D converter). A timing circuit is provided to generate a clock frequency for the switching regulator and the A/D converter such that the clock frequencies are harmonically related. The frequency of the voltage ripples formed by the switching regulator will match the clock frequency provided to the switching regulator. When the sampling frequency of the A/D converter is harmonically related to the voltage ripple frequencies, the aliasing frequency will fall outside a range of frequencies associated with the analog signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventor: Omid Oliaei
  • Patent number: 9627975
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a modulated power supply system having a switching converter with an output terminal for supplying modulated power to a load. The modulated power supply system also includes a controller adapted to transition the switching converter between a buck mode and a boost mode in response to a detection of at least one predetermined condition associated with the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
  • Patent number: 9621146
    Abstract: A digital current equalization method includes: acquiring a current value from a counter preset value loading module in each synchronization period; generating a continuous variable frequency pulse according to the current value, and receiving a synchronization signal transmitted by a phase inverter connected to the PFM generator; transmitting, according to the synchronization signal, the continuous variable frequency pulse to the digital current equalization bus through an OC gate of a triode connected to the PFM generator; counting a frequency of the continuous variable frequency pulse on the digital current equalization bus, where an acquired frequency count value is used to represent a current magnitude of a power supply module, which currently outputs a greatest current, of the foregoing power supply module and a power supply module connected in parallel with the foregoing power supply module to accordingly adjust the output current of the foregoing power supply module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiaodong Fan
  • Patent number: 9584021
    Abstract: Provided is a power supply for use in a solar electric production system, including: a first stage having an input connected to a voltage from a photovoltaic panel and an output providing a first voltage different from the voltage from the photovoltaic panel; and a second stage connected to the output of the first stage, the second stage supplying power at a second voltage to a micro-controller, where the output of the first stage is turned on and stable for a period of time before the second stage is turned on to supply the power at the second voltage to the micro-controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: TIGO ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Mordechay Avrutsky
  • Patent number: 9570992
    Abstract: Disclosed examples include multiple output DC to DC converters with a buck converter including a half bridge switching circuit and transformer primary winding to provide a first output voltage signal, as well as a boost converter to provide an isolated second output voltage signal. The boost converter includes a transformer secondary winding magnetically coupled with the primary winding to provide a boost converter inductor, a switching circuit, an output diode providing the second output voltage signal, and a PWM controller that synchronizes the boost converter switching with the low side switch of the buck converter based on a sensed voltage of the transformer secondary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Roberto Giampiero Massolini, Maurizio Granato, Giovanni Frattini
  • Patent number: 9564812
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying power to an electronic device are provided. The apparatus includes a power converter, a main converter, and a sub converter. The power converts includes a rectifier configured to convert alternating current (AC) power into direct current (DC) power, and a smoothing condenser connected to an output terminal of the rectifier. The main converter is connected with an output terminal of the power converter and configured to supply power to a first component of the electronic device. The sub converter is connected with the output terminal of the power converter, and configured to supply power to components other than the first component, and to stop supplying the power in response to a momentary power interruption or a voltage dip occurring in the AC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-yong Joo, Jin-hyung Lee
  • Patent number: 9548652
    Abstract: System and method for protecting a power converter. The system includes a duty-cycle detection component configured to receive a modulation signal, determine a first duty cycle corresponding to a first period of the modulation signal, compare the first duty cycle with a threshold duty cycle, and generate a duty-cycle comparison signal. Additionally, the system includes a threshold generator configured to receive the duty-cycle comparison signal and generate a threshold signal corresponding to a second period of the modulation signal, the second period being after the first period, and a comparator configured to receive the threshold signal and a first signal and to generate a first comparison signal. The first signal is associated with an input current for a power converter. Moreover, the system includes a pulse-width-modulation component configured to receive the first comparison signal and generate the modulation signal for adjusting the input current for the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaming Cao, Jinya Dong, Yunchao Zhang, Lieyi Fang
  • Patent number: 9548794
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for power factor correction on a constant current system and also provides power line communications on the same power factor correction circuit. In one example embodiment, through controlled charging and draining of an input capacitor, the power factor correction circuit generates an input voltage which is in phase with the input current. Communication data is also embedded in the input voltage and/or input current by further charging and draining of the input capacitor according to a controlled switching scheme which includes both input current phase data and corresponding communication signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Traver Gumaer
  • Patent number: 9531258
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to improved regulators for charge pumps. Such regulators selectively activate a charge pump based not only on the voltage output of the charge pump, but also on an series of wake-up pulses that are delivered at predetermined time intervals and which are delivered independently of the voltage output of the charge pump. Hence, these wake-up pulses prevent extended periods of time in which the charge pump is inactive, thereby helping to prevent latch-up in some situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thomas Kern, Ulrich Loibl
  • Patent number: 9531485
    Abstract: In an RF device, an RF circuit includes an RF circuit connector optionally coupling thereto an RF element for transmitting or receiving an RF signal; and a power supply module selectively outputting power to the RF circuit connector according to a control signal. In addition, a testing circuit includes a first filter unit having a first external terminal electrically coupled to a testing signal and a second external terminal electrically coupled to the RF circuit, wherein the first filter unit is configured to allow the testing signal to enter the RF circuit while blocking an RF signal transmitted in the RF circuit from entering the testing circuit; and a testing-result informing unit having an external input electrically coupled to the first external terminal, and determining contents of the control signal according to an electric level at the external input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: ALPHA NETWORKS INC.
    Inventor: Rong-Fa Kuo
  • Patent number: 9519300
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiment of a device is disclosed comprising a processor to provide instructions, a first voltage regulator in communication with the processor to receive provided instructions received from the processor and to dynamically modulate an output voltage based on the received instructions, and a plurality of second voltage regulators to receive the output voltage from the first regulator; the output voltage to reduce a cross-regulation interference between the second regulators due to a change in a load of at least one of the second voltage regulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventors: Ken Tsz Kin Mok, Juhi Saha, Ching Chang Shen, John Eaton, Liang Yew Lin
  • Patent number: 9494963
    Abstract: A multi-stage voltage division circuit is provided and includes a main-stage voltage division element and a sub-stage voltage division element. The main-stage voltage division element is connected between a high-voltage end and a low-voltage end to average a high voltage and a low voltage and accordingly generates a main output voltage. The sub-stage voltage division element is connected between the high-voltage end and the low-voltage end and connected in parallel with the main-stage voltage division element. The sub-stage voltage division element averages the main output voltage and the low voltage to generate a lower output voltage. The sub-stage voltage division element averages the high voltage and the main output voltage to generate an upper output voltage. Therefore, in the situation of generating the same amount of divided voltages, the multi-stage voltage division circuit has higher driving efficiency and generates stable divided voltages to loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Jie Li
  • Patent number: 9479271
    Abstract: In an RF device, an RF circuit includes an RF circuit connector optionally coupling thereto an RF element for transmitting or receiving an RF signal; and a power supply module selectively outputting power to the RF circuit connector according to a control signal. In addition, a testing circuit includes a first filter unit having a first external terminal electrically coupled to a testing signal and a second external terminal electrically coupled to the RF circuit, wherein the first filter unit is configured to allow the testing signal to enter the RF circuit while blocking an RF signal transmitted in the RF circuit from entering the testing circuit; and a testing-result informing unit having an external input electrically coupled to the first external terminal, and determining contents of the control signal according to an electric level at the external input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ALPHA NETWORKS INC.
    Inventor: Rong- Fa Kuo
  • Patent number: 9454169
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for controlling a power supply are provided. First power supply selecting circuit selects a higher voltage from USBIN and ACIN to be first output voltage; first LDO decreases the first output voltage to second output voltage, and closes self-start circuit after receiving reference voltage; second power supply selecting circuit selects a higher voltage from second output voltage and VBAT to be third output voltage; second LDO supplies the third output voltage as the first input voltage to reference circuit; reference circuit outputs the reference voltage according to first input voltage; second LDO closes self-start circuit after receiving the reference voltage; voltage detecting circuit supplies an enable signal to second LDO when determining that USBIN or ACIN reaches a threshold voltage according to the reference voltage; and second LDO provides the first input voltage to reference circuit after receiving the enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ZHONGXING MICROELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD
    Inventor: Binbin Li
  • Patent number: 9444331
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a switch coupled between a first reference terminal and a first output terminal, an inductive element coupled between an input terminal and a second output terminal, and a diode coupled between the first output terminal and the input terminal. The circuit further includes a controller coupled to a control terminal of the switch. The controller is configured to determine a switching signal based on an output signal at the second output terminal and provide the switching signal to the control terminal of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andrea Carletti, Mathias Kiele-Dunsche
  • Patent number: 9433052
    Abstract: An LED control system, comprising: a power source; an LED connected to the power source; a first switch connected in series with the LED; a second switch connected in parallel with the LED; a first regulation module including the first path to regulate a power applied to the LED; a second regulation module sharing the first path with the first regulation module to regulate the power applied to the LED; a check module to detect an energy value on a node of the LED control system; and a control module connected to the power source check module, the first regulation module, and the second regulation module; wherein when the check module detects that the energy value on the node is greater than a predefined value, the control module disables the regulation module in operation and enables the other regulation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: ALFASEMI INC.
    Inventors: Yu-Cheng Chang, Te-Lung Shih
  • Patent number: 9431845
    Abstract: A switching charger having a control circuit configured to provide a control signal; a power stage turned ON and OFF by the control signal; an inductor coupled between the power stage and a load; and an output capacitor coupled in parallel with the load; a current sense circuit integrated to the control circuit to sense a current flowing through the power stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: CHENGDU MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min Xu, Zhengui Bai, Xiaoqing Li, Yuancheng Ren
  • Patent number: 9391516
    Abstract: A switching charger having a control circuit configured to provide a control signal; a power stage turned ON and OFF by the control signal; an inductor coupled between the power stage and a load; and an output capacitor coupled in parallel with the load; wherein the control circuit limits a current flowing through the inductor in a hysteretic window, and wherein the hysteretic window is adjusted according to an ON time of the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhengui Bai, Min Xu, Xiaoqing Li
  • Patent number: 9385583
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a circuit comprises a first voltage source configured to provide a supply voltage at an output of the first voltage source for a subcircuit. The circuit further comprises at least one second voltage source configured to provide output voltage to supply the subcircuit when the first voltage source is deactivated. The circuit further comprises an evaluation circuit connectable to an output of the at least one second voltage source, to a control input of the at least one second voltage source, and to the output of the first voltage source. The evaluation circuit is configured to adjust, based on the supply voltage at the output of the first voltage source, an output voltage of the at least one second voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Sven Jochmann, Lutz Dathe
  • Patent number: 9369007
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method that may stably perform wireless transmission. According to one general aspect, a power supply for a wireless power transmitter may include: a detecting unit configured to detect voltage, current, or both supplied to a power amplifier (PA); a controller configured to determine power supplied to the PA based on the detected voltage, the detected current, or both, and to determine a reference current based on the determined power supplied to the PA; and a breaker configured to cut off the power supplied to the PA based on a comparison of current supplied to the PA and the reference current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nam Yun Kim, Sang Wook Kwon, Yun Kwon Park, Jin Sung Choi
  • Patent number: 9350246
    Abstract: A buck-boost converter comprising: a voltage source; an inductor, wherein a first terminal of the inductor is switchably connected to the voltage source; and a plurality of capacitors switchably connected to a second terminal of the inductor, wherein a respective plurality of output voltages are formed across the plurality of capacitors, further comprising: an error determination means, for determining an error in each of the plurality of voltages, an inner control loop adapted to switchably connect one of the plurality of capacitors to the second terminal of the inductor in dependence on the determined errors; and an outer control loop adapted to control switching between buck mode and boost mode in dependence upon the determined errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: SnapTrack, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Paul Wilson
  • Patent number: 9312771
    Abstract: A single inductor multiple output buck converter includes an inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal, a first switch coupled between an input voltage and the first terminal of the inductor, a second switch coupled between the first terminal of the inductor and a reference ground, a third switch coupled between the second terminal of the inductor and a first output voltage, and a fourth switch coupled between the second terminal of the inductor and a second output voltage. A first feedback signal indicative of the first output voltage is compared with a first reference signal to generate a first comparison signal. A second feedback signal indicative of the second output voltage is compared with a second reference signal to generate a second comparison signal. Then which one of the first comparison signal and the second comparison signal is asserted first is detected, and the first to fourth switches are controlled based on the detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Qian Ouyang
  • Patent number: 9299458
    Abstract: A method for testing a circuit comprising a memory element, a voltage comparator and a supply selector, the circuit is configured to be connected to two power supplies, the voltage comparator is configured to provide an output indicative of a voltage difference between the two power supplies above a predetermined threshold, the supply selector is configured to select a power supply to feed power to the memory element in response to the output from the voltage comparator. The method comprises connecting the two power supplies to the circuit, wherein said connecting comprises causing the two power supplies to drive power to the memory element and to another element of the circuit, wherein the voltage different between the two power supplies is above the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lior Binyamini, Lidar Herooti, Noam Jungmann, Elazar Kachir, Donald W. Plass, Hezi Shalom, Israel Wagner
  • Patent number: 9270176
    Abstract: A switching converter includes a main transistor, an inductor coupled to the main transistor, a feedback circuit configured to generate a feedback signal indicative of the output voltage and a controller configured to generate a control signal to control the main transistor. The controller has an on timer, a ramp generator, a comparing circuit and a logic circuit. The on timer is configured to generate an on-time control signal. The ramp generator is configured to generate a ramp signal, wherein the level of the ramp signal is regulated to be equal to the level of a common mode voltage when the status of the main transistor is changed from OFF to ON. The comparing circuit generates a comparison signal based on the ramp signal, the common mode voltage, a reference signal and the feedback signal. The logic circuit generates the control signal based on the on-time control signal and the comparison signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Nguyen, Jinghai Zhou
  • Patent number: 9263096
    Abstract: A circuit comprising a first power supply having a first voltage and a second power supplying having a second voltage, wherein said first and second voltages are different at least in some cycles of said circuit, a memory element, wherein said first and second power supplies are driven into said memory element, a voltage comparator having connected thereto said first and second power supplies, wherein said voltage comparator is an analog to digital converter configured to provide digital output indicting of a voltage difference over a predetermined threshold between said first and second power supplies, and a supply selector element, wherein said supply selector element is configured to disconnect said second power supply from said memory element in response to the digital output of said voltage comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lior Binyamini, Lidar Herooti, Noam Jungmann, Elazar Kachir, Donald W. Plass, Hezi Shalom, Israel Wagner
  • Patent number: 9203310
    Abstract: A single-inductor multi-output (SIMO) conversion device for enlarging load range is disclosed. The SIMO conversion device comprises a power stage comprising a first switch and a second switch and receiving a direct-current (DC) current. A DC voltage source inputs the DC current to an inductor by timing of the first and second switches. Each control output circuit has a third switch connected with the inductor in series to receive an immediate current. The control output circuit sends out an output voltage selectively by the third switch. A control stage circuit receives a plurality of feedback voltage signals and selectively controls the order of adjusting energy of the output voltages by order control signals. The present invention uses a current sensing circuit to obtain the immediate current and switches control signals to establish the best order thereof according to different loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHUNG CHENG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chung-Hsun Huang, Chao-Chun Chen, Zhen-Yu Sun
  • Patent number: 9166482
    Abstract: A power supply device includes a transformer; a series circuit of two bidirectional switching elements connected between terminals of the commercial power supply and having a rectification function and a switching function; an LC resonant circuit connected between a primary coil of the transformer and both ends of one of the bidirectional switching elements; a rectifying element connected to a secondary coil of the transformer; and a control circuit for inputting a gate driving signal to the bidirectional switching elements. The power supply device performs synchronous rectification from the bidirectional switching elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nishino, Hiroaki Koshin
  • Patent number: 9099921
    Abstract: A system includes a single-inductor-multiple-out (SIMO) converter that includes a plurality of output channels, each channel comprising a load, and integrating circuitry in communication with the output channels. The integrated circuitry may be configured to output a signal indicative of a time-accumulated average amount of current drawn through the loads over a sample period. The signal may be used to compare the average current drawn through the output channel with a desired current draw, and to determine whether to change one or more timing parameters used to control the current flow through the SIMO converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Gilliom
  • Patent number: 9092217
    Abstract: A power management integrated circuit incorporates (a) a microprocessor; (b) a non-volatile memory accessible by the microprocessor for storing programs executable by the microprocessor; (c) a random access memory accessible by the microprocessor; (d) an external interface which allows an external device to communicate with the power management integrated circuit; and (e) power regulators providing regulated output voltages from the power management integrated circuit, each power regulator being controllable by the microprocessor and the external interface over the register-controlled bus. A second external interface may be provided, which is used to provide a configuration file descriptive of power requirements of a system in which the power management integrated circuit is deployed. Such a system may include a system-on-a-chip (SOC) integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, inc.
    Inventors: Shubing Zhai, Hanbing Jiang, Fei Ma
  • Patent number: 9088174
    Abstract: Within an electronic device, a voltage regulator powers a load. The voltage regulator has adjustable operating parameters that can be set during operation of the electronic device. The adjustable operating parameters are set or reset in accordance with a state of the electronic device, or a portion thereof having the load, in order to optimize power usage. The state is selectable from at least three predetermined states. Values for the operating parameters are selectable from a plurality of sets of values. Each set of values corresponds to at least one of the predetermined states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Steven M. Mercer, Ronil D. Patel
  • Patent number: 9065334
    Abstract: A voltage converter has an input terminal and only N output terminals, and includes a DC-DC power supply block having an input node and an output node, (N+1) switches including N main output switches and an auxiliary switch each having a first end and a second end, and a switch control circuit. The DC-DC power supply block includes an inductor, and a switch module configured for alternating between a first interconnection configuration and a second interconnection configuration during a predetermined time period. First ends of the (N+1) switches are coupled to the output node, and second ends of the N main output switches are coupled to the N output terminals, respectively. The switch control circuit is configured for controlling the switch module and the (N+1) switches, wherein the (N+1) switches are switched on alternately during the predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Chien-Wei Kuan, Yen-Hsun Hsu
  • Patent number: 9007039
    Abstract: Provided is a single inductor multiple output (SIMO) direct current-to-direct current (DC/DC) converter that may perform DC/DC conversion by transferring, to output nodes, input current that is input and thereby stored in a single inductor. An output selection unit of the SIMO DC/DC converter may select, from output nodes, a first output node to be supplied with current from a driving unit, and provide output voltage of the first output node and reference voltage of the first output node to a hysteresis comparison unit. The hysteresis comparison unit may control on-time and/or inductor peak current by determining whether the output voltage of the first output node is higher than the reference voltage of the first output node by at least a first threshold, and whether the output voltage of the first output voltage is lower than the reference voltage of the first output voltage by at least a second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Korea University Research and Business Foundation
    Inventors: Chul Woo Kim, Jung Moon Kim