Including Plural Loads Commonly Controlled Patents (Class 323/267)
  • Patent number: 8044652
    Abstract: A constant current control circuit is disclosed. Pads are connected with a common power supply terminal. Shunt resistors are located outward of a region containing Pch type MOS transistors. A temperature increase of the shunt resistors due to a temperature increase of the MOS transistors can be suppressed by the above structure. In particular, when the MOS transistor of one circuit system is driven, the shunt resistor of another circuit system is distant from the driving MOS transistor, and thus, it is possible to further suppress the temperature increase of the distant shunt resistor. Moreover, a power supply terminal can be provided as a single common terminal, and the number of terminals can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shouichi Okuda
  • Patent number: 8026702
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes circuits, systems and methods for regulating voltage. One voltage regulator system embodiment includes a voltage regulator having an output and a number of stages coupled in parallel to the output of the voltage regulator. Each stage includes a source follower circuit, and a sample and hold circuit coupled in series between the output of the voltage regulator and an input of the source follower circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Publication number: 20110215778
    Abstract: A solar power converter with multiple outputs and conversion circuit thereof is disclosed. One embodiment of the solar power converter includes a power input terminal, a solar power unit and a solar power conversion circuit with multiple outputs including a primary circuit, a first output circuit, a second output circuit, and a transformer with a first auxiliary winding, a second auxiliary winding and a primary winding. An output terminal of the second output circuit is connected to the power input terminal in series for providing a third output voltage to a load unit. The third output voltage is a sum of an input voltage generated by the solar power unit and a second output voltage generated by the second output circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: NATIONAL FORMOSA UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: YU-KAI CHEN
  • Patent number: 7999522
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to control a power converter with multiple output voltages. One example regulated power converter includes a an energy transfer element coupled between a power converter input and first and second power converter outputs. A switch is coupled between the power converter input and the energy transfer element such that switching of the switch causes a first output voltage to be generated at the first power converter output and a second output voltage to be generated at the second power converter output. A current in the energy transfer element is coupled to increase when a voltage across the energy transfer element is a difference between an input voltage at the power converter input and the first output voltage. The current in the energy transfer element is coupled to decrease when the voltage across the energy transfer element is a sum of the first and second output voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur B. Odell
  • Patent number: 7999520
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide static phase shedding techniques to improve the efficiency of multi-phase voltage regulators within information handling systems by selecting the number of active phases for the multi-phase voltage regulators using circuit identifiers (IDs) for circuitry configured to be powered by the multi-phase voltage regulators, such as central processing units (CPUs). In one embodiment, processor identifier information related to installed CPUs is used to control the voltage regulator (VR) phase number to provide static phase shedding. This VR control can be implemented in a variety of ways, including the use of conventional analog multi-phase VR controllers and/or digital VR controllers. Dynamic phase shedding can also be used in conjunction with this static phase shedding to further reduce the number of active phases when a processor operates in a low power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Shiguo Luo, John J. Breen, Hongtao Zhao
  • Patent number: 7999521
    Abstract: A converter has a single inductor with a first terminal connectable to a first terminal of the supply input through a first power transistor and a second terminal connectable to a second terminal of the supply input through a second power transistor. A first rectifier element connects the first terminal of the inductor with a first output terminal, and a second rectifier element connects the second terminal of the inductor with a second output terminal. A resistive voltage divider is connected between the first and second output terminals. A control circuit uses an input from the voltage divider as a reference input voltage and provides an output current to the second terminal of the supply input in response to any voltage difference between the reference input voltage and the second terminal of the supply input. This provides a virtual common reference potential at the second terminal of the supply input, which is thus a common ground (GND) terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Bayer, Juergen Neuhaeusler, Stefan Reithmaier
  • Patent number: 7994759
    Abstract: The present application describes a system and method for driving a power supply device in an initial activation stage. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing in the power supply device at least one voltage regulator that is coupled with a voltage output adapted to supply a power voltage to a client device, receiving a signal indicative of an activation of the power supply device, and converting the at least one voltage regulator to an equivalent shunting circuit coupled between the voltage output and a reference voltage. Before power voltages are applied at the outputs of the power supply device, shunting paths are thus provided for releasing undesired currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Himax Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Hsien-Ting Huang, Yaw-Guang Chang
  • Patent number: 7995359
    Abstract: A control circuit for use in a power converter with an unregulated dormant mode of operation includes a drive signal generator coupled to generate a drive signal to control switching of a power switch in response to an energy requirement of one or more loads to be coupled to the power converter output. An unregulated dormant mode control circuit is included and is coupled to render dormant the drive signal generator when the energy requirement of the one or more loads falls below a threshold for more than a first period of time. The unregulated dormant mode control circuit is coupled to power up the drive signal generator after a second period of time has elapsed. The drive signal generator is coupled to again be responsive to changes in the energy requirement of the one or more loads after the second period of time has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Leif Lund
  • Patent number: 7994760
    Abstract: A boost regulator system for regulating one or more output voltages includes, a first pump element coupled to receive a first input voltage, a first switching device coupled to the first pump element, the first switching device causing a finite amount of energy to be stored in the first pump element in response to a first control signal. The system further includes, a first capacitor coupled to the first pump element and the first switching device, the first capacitor storing the finite amount of energy and generating a first output voltage in response to the finite amount of energy. A boost controller (BC) coupled to receive the first output voltage, the boost controller further configured to regulate the first output voltage by generating the first control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dimitry Goder
  • Patent number: 7979168
    Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving a powered device (PD) detection signal at a PD from a powered network and applying the PD detection signal to an external resistor to provide a detection signature to the powered network. Further, the method includes receiving a PD classification mark signal at the PD, applying the received PD classification mark signal to the external resistor, and selectively activating a classification mark current path in parallel with the external resistor to produce a classification mark signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Alejandro Velez, D. Matthew Landry
  • Patent number: 7956587
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus that supplies an operating voltage to a microcomputer reliably resets the microcomputer before operation becomes unstable when an external power supply voltage decreases due to interruption. A switching regulator and series regulators are included. An externally supplied power supply voltage is stepped down to generate an intermediate voltage. The intermediate voltage is stepped down to generate an operating voltage for a microcomputer core. The intermediate voltage is stepped down to generate an operating voltage for an I/O port. When the intermediate voltage becomes lower than a reset determining voltage, the power supply apparatus outputs a reset signal to the microcomputer. When the power supply voltage decreases, the microcomputer can be reliably reset and the core can be prevented from operating erratically before the voltage becomes lower than a minimum core operating voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kawase, Toru Itabashi
  • Patent number: 7952892
    Abstract: A DC converter comprises a half bridge supply circuit and one or more flyback or forward converter output circuits, and optionally also an LLC converter whose control can determine a common variable switching frequency. The half bridge supply circuit produces a 50% duty output alternating between two input voltages, such as zero and a voltage Vin. In each flyback or forward converter output circuit, a switch connects a transformer primary to the half bridge supply circuit output in a PWM controlled manner to regulate a respective flyback or forward converter DC output which is produced by the converter output circuit, with a duty ratio less than 50% whereby switching losses are reduced. Soft switching is further facilitated by the half bridge supply circuit having two transistors controlled in a complementary manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond K. Orr
  • Patent number: 7948777
    Abstract: A switching mode power supply and a method of operating the power supply in a power save mode. The switching mode power supply includes a first PWM controller and a second PWM controller that are driven by different driving voltages and control first and the second voltages to be output, respectively, a first transformer that is controlled by the first PWM controller to output the first voltage and having a primary coil, a secondary coil to induce the first voltage, and an auxiliary winding, and a rectifier that rectifies and smoothes a current flowing through the auxiliary winding of the first transformer, generates a power save mode voltage based on the respective driving voltages of the first and the second PWM controllers, and supplies the power save mode voltage to the first and the second PWM controllers. Accordingly, the power save mode is operated using a voltage difference without requiring an extra controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-moon Choi
  • Patent number: 7944085
    Abstract: A multiple output switching power source apparatus includes first and second switching elements Q1 and Q2, a first series resonant circuit connected in parallel with Q1 or Q2 and having a first current resonant capacitor and a primary winding of a transformer that are connected in series, a first rectifying-smoothing circuit to rectify and smooth a voltage generated by a secondary winding of the transformer, a second series resonant circuit connected in parallel with the secondary winding and having a second current resonant capacitor and a second resonant reactor that are connected in series, a second rectifying-smoothing circuit to rectify and smooth a voltage of the second series resonant circuit, and a control circuit to determine an ON period of Q1 according to a voltage obtained from one of the first and second rectifying-smoothing circuits, determine an ON period of Q2 according to a voltage obtained from the other of the first and second rectifying-smoothing circuits, and alternately turn on/off Q1 an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoichi Kyono
  • Patent number: 7932639
    Abstract: Methods and mechanisms to simultaneously regulate two or more supply voltages provided to an integrated circuit by a voltage regulator. In an embodiment of the invention, a voltage regulation message exchanged between the integrated circuit and the voltage regulator includes an identifier indicating two or more supply voltages selected from a plurality of supply voltages provided to the integrated circuit by the voltage regulator, where the voltage regulation message relates to the indicated two or more supply voltages. In another embodiment, the voltage regulation message indicates a desired supply voltage level to which the indicated two or more supply voltages are to transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Hung-Piao Ma, Alon Naveh, Gil Schwarzband, Annabelle Pratt, Jorge Pedro Rodriguez, Joseph T. Dibene, II, Sean M. Welch, Kosta Luria, Edward R. Stanford
  • Patent number: 7933131
    Abstract: A power supply, which outputs a plurality of voltages in order to improve the cross regulation between output voltages and at the same time reduce the amount of electric power consumed, and an image forming device having the same are disclosed. The power supply includes a power converter, which generates a first output power source and a second output power source in response to an external power supply and a power control signal, respectively; a power output part, which includes output parts to rectify and smooth each of the first and second output power sources; a first output controller, which receives the first output power source feedback from the power output part to generate the power control signal; and a second output controller, which receives the second output power source feedback from the power output part to control to operate the power output part in stable mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-seok Cho, Sang-yong Han
  • Patent number: 7915877
    Abstract: A power supply circuit (1), particularly for a microcontroller of a transmission control unit, comprises a first output (3) supplying a first output voltage (UOUT1) and a second output (4) supplying a second output voltage (UOUT2), the first output voltage (UOUT1) being different from the second output voltage (UOUT2). The power supply circuit (1) also comprises a unit (OP1, T2, OP2, T3) adjusting the first (UOUT1) and second output voltage (UOUT2) and a controller (OP3-OP5, T2, T3) limiting the voltage difference between the first (UOUT1) and second output voltage (UOUT2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Meier, Peter Völkl
  • Patent number: 7880451
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to control a power converter with multiple output voltages. One example regulated power converter includes a an energy transfer element coupled between a power converter input and first and second power converter outputs. A switch is coupled between the power converter input and the energy transfer element such that switching of the switch causes a first output voltage to be generated at the first power converter output and a second output voltage to be generated at the second power converter output. A current in the energy transfer element is coupled to increase when a voltage across the energy transfer element is a difference between an input voltage at the power converter input and the first output voltage. The current in the energy transfer element is coupled to decrease when the voltage across the energy transfer element is a sum of the first and second output voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur B. Odell
  • Publication number: 20100320975
    Abstract: A controller includes a hysteretic circuit that provides a first ON level pulse when a corresponding first negative regulated voltage rises above a respective first voltage threshold. Similarly, a second ON level pulse is provided when a corresponding second positive regulated voltage falls below a respective second voltage threshold. The hysteretic circuit provides an OFF level pulse when one of first and second switch currents increases above a current threshold. A switch control circuit receives the first and second ON level pulses and the OFF level pulse, and provides first and second switch control outputs to separately regulate the first and second regulated voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Brian Dean Boling, Tuan Van Tran, Michael Ernest Dickeson, David Michael Freson
  • Patent number: 7855536
    Abstract: Source voltage and substrate voltage are supplied to a semiconductor integrated circuit 1E from the regulator circuits 11C and 21C of a power supply circuit 1C via a power detection compensating circuit 1D. The power efficiency value of a regulator is stored in the resistor file 13D, various detection information and power values are input to an operator 14D, the power values and the power efficiency values of the regulator circuits 11C and 21C are accumulated, and the power sum of a semiconductor integrated circuit 1E and a power supply circuit 1C are output. Minimum power implementation information corresponding to the various detection information of the semiconductor integrated circuit 1E is stored in an LUT 15D. Variable resistances R1a and R2a are controlled for determining the reference voltage values of the regulator circuits 11C and 21C so that the power sum is the minimum power value by comparing the minimum power implementation information with the output 14D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Masaya Sumita
  • Patent number: 7851940
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes independent first and second outputs to drive respective first and second loads from a common boost module. In one embodiment, a first linear regulator controls a first controlling device for the first output and a second linear regulator controls a second controlling device for the second output. The load requiring the higher voltage controls the boost module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mir Mahin, John Humenick, Shashank Wekhande
  • Patent number: 7852641
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus having multiple outputs, a transformer, a first output circuit generating a first output voltage with respect to power transferred to a secondary side of the transformer, and a first output controller generating a first control signal to control a power supply provided to a primary side of the transformer, the apparatus including: a second output circuit to generate a second output voltage with respect to the power transferred to the secondary side of the transformer; and a second output controller to control an output of the second output voltage, wherein the second output circuit includes a second switch performing a switching operation on current flows of the second output circuit, and the second output controller controls the switching operation of the second switch by turning off the second switch or feeding the second output voltage back to the second switch according to the first control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-ha Kim, Joong-gi Kwon
  • Patent number: 7847528
    Abstract: A single-board power supply structure and a method for providing a power supply are provided. An operational processor sends control signals capable of controlling the output of the power supply to a DC/DC converter. The DC/DC converter converts a received bus voltage into a required power supply voltage according to the received control signals. The operational processor may further monitor the output of the power supply and report the monitored result to a connected upper-layer machine, and may also control the sequence of a plurality of the outputs of the power supply converted by the DC/DC converter by controlling the time for sending the control signals. The structure and the method provided by the present invention can both uniformly, timely, and effectively monitor the output of the single-board power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chengyong Li, Liyuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 7821239
    Abstract: A switching power-supply unit uses a time when a transformer voltage Vt inverts due to a rectifier diode (Ds1) entering a non-conducting state as a trigger, and a first switching control circuit (CNT1) turns on a first switching element (Q1) after a predetermined delay time passes. A second switching control circuit (CNT2) turns on a second switching element (Q2) using a time when the transformer voltage Vt inverts due to turning off of the first switching element (Q1) as a trigger. A third switching control circuit (CNT3) turns on a third switching element (Q3) using turning off of the second switching element (Q2) as a trigger. The first switching control circuit (CNT1) determines a period ton1 of the first switching element (Q1) such that a first output voltage Vo1 is set to a predetermined value. The second switching control circuit (CNT2) determines an ON-period ton2 of the second switching element (Q2) such that a second output voltage Vo2 is set to a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hosotani, Hiroshi Takemura
  • Patent number: 7816895
    Abstract: A power supplying device includes: an output transformer including first and second output coils for generating first intermediate voltages from an input voltage; a voltage adjusting transformer including primary and secondary coils; a first rectifying-and-filtering circuit connected to the first output coil for generating a first output voltage from the first intermediate voltage obtained from the first output coil; the primary coil being connected in parallel to the first output coil, the secondary coil being connected in series to the second output coil and being coupled to the primary coil for generating a second intermediate voltage from the first intermediate voltage obtained from the first output coil; and a second rectifying-and-filtering circuit connected to the secondary coil for generating a second output voltage from a combined voltage combining the second intermediate voltage obtained from the secondary coil with the first intermediate voltage obtained from the second output coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Yi-Chou Hsiao, Wen-Sheng Chen
  • Patent number: 7813089
    Abstract: In a motor controller, if a failed electric current flow in any one of phases of a motor is detected, a motor control signal is generated, based on a phase other than the phase with the failed electric current flow, in such a manner that a motor electric current matches a required torque except for at a specific rotation angle corresponding to the phase with the failed electric current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7808127
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus and systems are adapted to implement dynamic power control in order to condition and store, and/or immediately utilize, energy from one or more available power inputs, whether the inputs are constantly, regularly, or intermittently available, singly or in various combinations. Power control circuits according to the invention provide means for dynamically responding to input availability and output requirements in order to prioritize input energy selection, input signal conditioning, and output power delivery adapted to the application and operating environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Triune IP LLC
    Inventors: Ross E. Teggatz, Wayne T. Chen, Brett E. Smith
  • Patent number: 7800922
    Abstract: A switching power supply unit is provided, which can output a DC voltage and an AC voltage with a minimized installation space. A switching circuit is provided between a winding of a transformer and a main battery. A rectifier circuit is provided between other windings of the transformer and an accessory battery. Output terminals for outputting an AC output voltage are provided at the other side of the transformer, the AC output voltage being generated based on a DC input voltage inputted from the main battery. A DC output voltage and the AC output voltage are generated based on the DC input voltage, and then outputted. The transformer is shared by a generation path of the DC output voltage and a generation path of the AC output voltage. An AC voltage input section to be inputted with the AC input voltage from external equipment may be provided at the other side of the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Takayanagi, Kunihiro Sato
  • Patent number: 7782029
    Abstract: A power control system comprises a plurality of POL regulators, at least one serial data bus operatively connecting the plurality of POL regulators, and a system controller connected to the serial data bus and adapted to send and receive digital data to and from the plurality of POL regulators. The serial data bus further comprises a first data bus carrying programming and control information between the system controller and the plurality of POL regulators. The serial data bus may also include a second data bus carrying fault management information between the system controller and the plurality of POL regulators. The power control may also include a front-end regulator providing an intermediate voltage to the plurality of POL regulators on an intermediate voltage bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Power-One, Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Chapuis, Mikhail Guz, Dennis R. Roark
  • Patent number: 7782028
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes: an inductance element and a rectifier element connected in series between a voltage input terminal to accept input direct current voltage and a first output terminal; a switching element connected between a connection node of the inductance element and the rectifier element and a reference potential point; and a controlling circuit to form a signal to control on/off of the switching element. The controlling circuit controls on/off of the switching element to control current through the inductance element, and a voltage applied to the voltage input terminal to accept the input direct current voltage is output via a second output terminal as a reference potential of a circuit at a latter stage, so that an output voltage is controllable from a lower to higher voltage than the input direct current voltage without switching step-up and step-down operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Takeshita, Yukihiro Terada
  • Patent number: 7783251
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention described and shown in the specification and drawings is a transceiver with a receiver, a transmitter, a local oscillator (LO) generator, a controller, and a self-testing unit. All of these components can be packaged for integration into a single IC including components such as filters and inductors. The controller for adaptive programming and calibration of the receiver, transmitter and LO generator. The self-testing unit generates is used to determine the gain, frequency characteristics, selectivity, noise floor, and distortion behavior of the receiver, transmitter and LO generator. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran, Meng-An Pan, Hung-Ming Chien, Shahla Khorram, William T. Colleran, Jacob Rael, Masood Syed, Brima Ibrahim, Stephen Wu, Shervin Moloudi
  • Publication number: 20100195359
    Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a rectifying unit for outputting a rectified input voltage, a transformer for receiving the voltage and outputting an induced voltage based on the input voltage, a first smoothing unit for smoothing the induced voltage to output a first output voltage, a detecting unit for outputting an error signal corresponding to the difference between the first output voltage and a reference voltage, and an insulating unit for receiving the error signal and outputting a signal corresponding to the error signal. The input and output terminals of the insulating unit are insulated. The circuit also includes a controlling unit for outputting a control signal for selectively inputting the input voltage into the transformer on basis of the signal from the insulating unit, and also includes a switching unit connected to the transformer for selectively inputting the input voltage into the transformer, based on the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Motoi YAMAKI
  • Publication number: 20100194359
    Abstract: A DC-to-DC converter for using a single input supply to generate a plurality of power outputs at different voltages (Vout1, Vout2) using a single inductor (33) has an arrangement of switches (A-F) enabling the input voltage (Vin) to be connected across the inductor (33) in both the forward and reverse directions. This allows the inductor current to be increased or reduced rapidly if desired, enabling the converter to supply a high current to an output even if its voltage is close to the input voltage (Vin).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Andrew Notman
  • Patent number: 7764527
    Abstract: A switching power supply unit is provided, in which input terminals of an AC voltage can be made common to output terminals of an AC voltage. A first switching circuit is provided between a winding of a transformer and a main battery. A second switching circuit is provided between another winding of the transformer and input/output terminals. A third switching circuit is provided between the second switching circuit and the input/output terminals. Each of the first to third switching circuits includes a bidirectional switch (configured of a pair of one switching element and one diode connected in parallel to each other). A circuit for outputting an AC output voltage can be common to a circuit for inputting an AC input voltage to charge the main battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 7759914
    Abstract: A power supply converter is disclosed. An apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes a power supply converter having an energy transfer element coupled between a power converter input and first and second power converter outputs. A switch is coupled between the power converter input and the energy transfer element. A control circuit is coupled to the switch to control switching of the switch to generate a first output voltage at the first power converter output and a second output voltage at the second power converter output. A sum of the first and the second output voltages is regulated in response to a first voltage reference. The second output voltage is regulated in response to a second voltage reference. A current in the energy transfer element is coupled to be increased when a voltage across the energy transfer element is a difference between an input voltage at the power converter input and the first output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur B. Odell, Tiziano Pastore, Matteo Uccelli
  • Patent number: 7756472
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention described and shown in the specification and drawings is a transceiver with a receiver, a transmitter, a local oscillator (LO) generator, a controller, and a self-testing unit. All of these components can be packaged for integration into a single IC including components such as filters and inductors. The controller for adaptive programming and calibration of the receiver, transmitter and LO generator. The self-testing unit generates is used to determine the gain, frequency characteristics, selectivity, noise floor, and distortion behavior of the receiver, transmitter and LO generator. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Hooman Darabi, Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Shahla Khorram, Brima Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 7756486
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide isolation between receive and transmit circuits in a wireless transceiver. One example provides switches that can be included on an integrated circuit with at least portions of a wireless transceiver. These switches vary the impedance of transmitter and receiver circuits between a termination impedance and a high impedance by inserting or removing components in parallel with matching networks. Signal losses are minimized since these switches are shunt connected to input and output paths on the wireless circuit and are not connected directly in either signal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Geik Tan, Randy Tsang, Wayne A. Loeb
  • Patent number: 7750611
    Abstract: A voltage controller may include a pulse generator and an internal voltage control circuit coupled to the pulse generator. The pulse generator may be configured to generate a control signal in response to at least one of a mode signal and/or an external voltage. The internal voltage control circuit may be configured to generate an internal voltage at an internal voltage node, and the internal voltage control circuit may include a voltage divider, first and second comparators, and a driver. The voltage divider may be coupled between the internal voltage node and a first reference voltage, and the voltage divider may generate a feedback voltage that is between the internal voltage and the first reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-Won Lee
  • Patent number: 7746164
    Abstract: Disclosed is a voltage generating circuit which steps down a voltage to output a stepped down voltage. The voltage generating circuit includes first and second transistors. The drains of the first and second transistors are connected to a higher voltage power supply. The gate of the first transistor is connected to the gate of the second transistor. The voltage of the gate of the first transistor is controlled by a control circuit such that a voltage of the source of the first transistor can reach a predetermined voltage. A stepped down voltage is outputted from the source of the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ryu Ogiwara, Daisaburo Takashima
  • Patent number: 7738272
    Abstract: A circuit having a first input and a second input configured to apply an alternating voltage, a first output and a second output configured to supply a rectified and regulated voltage, a rectifier bridge circuit having a current return circuit, a third transistor and a fourth transistor, and a controller configured to regulate the voltage between the first and the second output to a constant value. The current return circuit is connected to the first input, the second input and to the second output. The third transistor is configured as a series voltage regulator and is connected to the first input and the first output. The fourth transistor is configured as a series voltage regulator and is connected to the second input and the first output. The controller is coupled to a control input of the third transistor and to a control input of the fourth transistor. Further, a method for rectifying and regulating voltages of a circuit is provided. The circuit and the method can be used in a contactless chip card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christian Klapf, Guenter Hofer, Markus Auer
  • Patent number: 7733070
    Abstract: A multi-output type DC/DC converter including: a reactor connected to a direct-current power supply; a first switching circuit to apply a current to the reactor; a second switching to switch an output from the reactor to any one of output terminals; output voltage detection units to detect voltages of the output terminals; comparison circuits to compare outputs of the output voltage detection units with a waveform signal of a predetermined frequency; and an output selection unit to receive outputs of the comparison circuits as inputs, the output selection unit selecting an output of a comparison circuit, the output having an earlier rise or an earlier fall, to generate a plurality of control signals pertaining to on and off of the first switching circuit and/or the second switching circuit, the output selection unit treating the plurality of control signals in accordance with a predetermined priority order when the outputs of the plurality of comparison circuits change almost at the same time, wherein a curre
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keizo Kumagai
  • Patent number: 7714637
    Abstract: A negative potential discharge circuit may include an internal voltage generating circuit and/or a discharge unit. The internal voltage generating circuit may be configured to generate a regulated output voltage based on a power supply voltage. The discharge unit may be configured to discharge a negative potential using the regulated output voltage. A method of discharging a negative potential may include generating a regulated output voltage based on a power supply voltage, and/or discharging a negative potential using the regulated output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 7705911
    Abstract: An image pick-up apparatus comprising an area sensor in which detecting elements are two-dimensionally arranged on a substrate, and a reference supply circuit, for supplying a reference voltage to the detecting elements, which comprises a regulator for regulating the reference voltage. A low-pass filter is arranged between the regulator and the detecting elements. The reference voltage is supplied through the low-pass filter from the reference supply circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Kameshima
  • Patent number: 7701180
    Abstract: In one embodiment a switched capacitor dc-dc converter uses the load current to assist in determining a supply configuration to use to form the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bairanzade, Remi Gerber
  • Patent number: 7696733
    Abstract: A resonant switching power source device is provided which comprises first and second MOS-FETs 1 and 2 connected in series to a DC power source 3, a first transformer 5 which has a first primary winding 5a connected in parallel to first or second MOS-FET 1 or 2 and in series to a first capacitor 4, a first rectifying smoother 10 connected between a secondary winding 5b of first transformer 5 and first output terminals 11, 12, a second transformer 6 which has a primary winding 6a connected in parallel to primary winding 5a of first transformer 5, and a second rectifying smoother 20 and an output-regulatory MOS-FET 41 connected between a secondary winding 6b in second transformer 6 and second DC output terminals 21 and 22 to control peak current flowing through primary windings of transformers 5 and 6 and rectifying smoothers 10 and 20 in secondary sides for improvement in power conversion efficiency and to produce stable DC outputs of desired level from a plurality of output terminals 11, 12, 21 and 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shohei Osaka
  • Patent number: 7684219
    Abstract: An exemplary multiplexed DC voltage regulation output circuit (2) comprises a first output circuit, a second output circuit, a transformer (21), a power control chip (22), a feedback circuit (20), and a control circuit (26). The first output circuit is configured for outputting low voltage. The second output circuit is configured for outputting high voltage. The transformer is configured for outputting voltages to the first output circuit and the second output circuit. The feedback circuit feeds composite signals from the first output circuit and the second output circuit back to the power control chip. The power control chip adjusts the output voltages of the transformer by changing impulse width of voltages transmitted into the transformer in accordance with the composite signals. The control circuit controls the output voltage of the second output circuit back to a normal high voltage when the output voltage is higher than normal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Innolux Display Corp.
    Inventors: Tong Zhou, Kun Le
  • Patent number: 7649280
    Abstract: A power equalization circuit in a transformer-based device having a plurality of isolated voltage outputs is provided. The circuit comprises: a threshold detection circuit configured to receive an error signal derived from a selected voltage at one of the isolated voltage outputs, and to determine whether the selected voltage is above a voltage threshold based on the error signal; a timer circuit configured to activate a wait signal after a maximum voltage drift time has expired since the selected voltage rose above the voltage threshold, and to activate a wink signal coincident with the wait signal; an overdrive current source configured to drive an error current to an overdriven value in response to the wait signal; and a commutator circuit connected to a transistor winding associated with the selected isolated voltage output, the commutator being configured to connect a transformer secondary winding to ground in response to the wink signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael Thomas Madigan
  • Patent number: 7646108
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a die having an output control circuit to interact with an output circuit to convert a source voltage into at least one output voltage. The die may also have a converter circuit to convert the output voltage into at least one additional output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Fabrice Paillet, Nick Triantafillou, Azam Barkatullah, Daniel Elmhurst, Peter Harrington, Raymond W. Zeng
  • Patent number: 7629781
    Abstract: A multi-output switching power supply of the present invention includes: a series resonant circuit which is connected in parallel with a first switching element or a second switching element, and includes a current resonance capacitor, a resonant reactor and a primary winding of a transformer, which are connected in series; a first rectifying and smoothing circuit which rectifies and smoothes a voltage generated in a first secondary winding of the transformer, and outputs a first output; a second rectifying and smoothing circuit which has a first diode for rectifying a voltage generated in a second secondary winding of the transformer, a reactor having energy stored therein by the voltage rectified by the first diode and a second diode for regenerating the energy into an output, and which rectifies a current flowing through the reactor and outputs a second output; and a control circuit which alternately turns on and off the first and second switching elements based on the first output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoichi Kyono
  • Patent number: 7629779
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a three-switch dual output buck converter includes a converter circuit having N+1 switch circuits, the converter circuit being configured to receive an input voltage and to provide N output voltages, where N is two or more, and a control circuit to selectively provide control signals to the N+1 switch circuits at time intervals in accordance with the N output voltages, wherein the N output voltages include at least two different types of outputs. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Pavan Kumar, Annabelle Pratt