External Or Operator Controlled Patents (Class 323/318)
  • Publication number: 20110169420
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for driving an electrical load comprises a connection node (LED) for connecting the electrical load and a control device (Ctrl) that is coupled to the connection node (LED) to drive the electrical load. A detection circuit (Det) is coupled to the connection node (LED) for detecting a trigger signal (trig) at the connection node (LED) and coupled to the control device (Ctrl) via a measurement channel (Mes).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: austriamicrosystems AG
    Inventor: Karl Georg Waser
  • Publication number: 20110148390
    Abstract: An energy consuming device comprises a power consuming feature/function and a controller operatively connected to the power consuming feature/function. The controller is configured to operate the device including the power consuming feature/function in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode during an associated off-peak demand period of an associated energy supplying utility and an energy savings mode during an associated peak demand period of the associated energy supplying utility. The controller is configured to provide a user a grace period during the associated peak demand period to allow the user to change the operating mode of the power consuming feature/function from the energy savings mode to another operating mode including the normal operating mode thereby allowing additional use of the power consuming feature/function during the associated peak demand period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Ashley Wayne Burt, Michael F. Finch, Gregory F. Gawron, Mark Davis Johnson, Jeffrey S. Weber
  • Publication number: 20110133720
    Abstract: The operating voltage of an integrated circuit (e.g., a processor) is changed in response to one or more conditions (e.g., a laptop computer is connected to an AC power source). Both the operating frequency and the operating voltage of the integrated circuit are changed. The voltage regulator providing the operating voltage to the integrated circuit is caused to transition between voltage levels using one or more intermediate steps. The integrated circuit continues to operate in the normal manner both at the new voltage and throughout the voltage transition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen H. Gunther, Robert Greiner, Matthew M. Ma, Kevin Dai
  • Patent number: 7958379
    Abstract: The feature of the present invention consists in: a processor main circuit for executing program instruction strings on a processor chip; a substrate bias switching unit for switching voltages of substrate biases applied to a substrate of the processor main circuit; and an operation mode control unit for controlling, in response to the execution of an instruction to proceed to a stand-by mode in the processor main circuit, the substrate bias switching unit in such a way that the biases are switched over to voltages for the stand-by mode, and for controlling, in response to an interruption of the stand-by release from the outside, the substrate bias switching unit in such a way that the biases are switched over to voltages for a normal mode, and also for releasing, after the bias voltages switched thereto have been stabilized, the stand-by of the processor main circuit to restart the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yonetaro Totsuka, Koichiro Ishibashi, Hiroyuki Mizuno, Osamu Nishii, Kunio Uchiyama, Takanori Shimura, Asako Sekine, Yoichi Katsuki, Susumu Narita
  • Publication number: 20110121813
    Abstract: A circuit device includes: a power supply circuit; and a logic circuit, the power supply circuit supplying a first power supply voltage and a second power supply voltage to the logic circuit, the first power supply voltage supplied by the power supply circuit periodically changing with a first reference voltage as a reference voltage, the second power supply voltage supplied by the power supply circuit periodically changing with a second reference voltage as a reference voltage, the power supply circuit supplying, due to resonance, the first power supply voltage and the second power supply voltage that repeat a first period during which a voltage difference between the first power supply voltage and the second power supply voltage is decreasing and a second period during which the voltage difference is increasing, and the logic circuit performing adiabatic circuit operation with the supply of the first and the second power supply voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisao SATO, Atsushi YAMADA, Norikazu TSUKAHARA, Toshikazu KUWANO, Yasuhiro TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20110121811
    Abstract: A heterogeneous three-dimensional (3-D) stacked apparatus is provided that includes multiple layers arranged in a stacked configuration with a lower layer configured to receive a board-level voltage and one or more upper layers stacked above the lower layer. The heterogeneous 3-D stacked apparatus also includes multiple tiles per layer, where each tile is designed to receive a separately regulated voltage. The heterogeneous 3-D stacked apparatus additionally includes at least one layer in the one or more upper layers with voltage converters providing the separately regulated voltage converted from the board-level voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
  • Publication number: 20110121795
    Abstract: A controller and methodology for a power supply are disclosed. The controller includes output channels for providing a pulse width modulation (PWM) voltage signal for driving a load, for example, a microprocessor. Each channel provides a portion of the PWM signal. The controller receives user input information and uses that information to automatically determine window sizes. A window size defines the maximum output current level for a given window. The controller uses feedback signals to determine the current being drawn by the load, and selects the number of windows and channels that are needed to adequately provide that current. The controller selectively activates and deactivates the output channels accordingly. In response a change in the user input information the controller automatically adjusts the window sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: INTERSIL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Salomon Vulih, Timothy Maher, Douglas M. Mattingly
  • Publication number: 20110121810
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for voltage controlling used in a portable electronic device are provided to save electric power, thereby avoiding the problem of prior arts. The portable electronic device is capable of establishing a connection with an external device. The apparatus comprises a detector and a voltage selector. The detector is for detecting whether the connection is established, so as to generate a control signal accordingly. The voltage selector is for selecting a voltage from a first voltage and a second voltage based on the control signal, wherein the first voltage is lower than the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Meng-Che TSAI
  • Publication number: 20110089928
    Abstract: Methods and systems for power conversion are disclosed, including receiving at least one interrupt indicative of a transient power condition of the power converter and switching the processor to operate in a second mode from a first mode responsive to the interrupt. The switching enables the processor to allocate greater resources to process a power output parameter of the power converter operating in the transient power condition compared to resources allocated by the processor operating in the first mode to process the power output parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Temic Automotive of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
  • Patent number: 7928962
    Abstract: An optical pointing device and a power supply semiconductor device therefore are provided. The optical pointing device includes at least one power supply voltage drop portion, wherein each of the power supply voltage drop portion comprises: a voltage-drop regulator for outputting a dropped power supply voltage; a first reference voltage generator for generating a first reference voltage; a first voltage division controller for outputting first and second drop voltage division control signals according to the moving velocity; a first voltage divider for outputting a first varied division voltage in response to the first and second drop voltage division control signals; a first comparator for comparing the level of the first varied division voltage with the level of the first reference voltage to output a first comparison output signal; and a first switch controller for dropping the output voltage of the voltage-drop regulator in response to the first comparison output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Atlab Inc.
    Inventors: Bang-Won Lee, Sung-Hyuk Hong
  • Publication number: 20110080155
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of switching power modes on a portable electronic device and a portable electronic device configured to perform the same. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a portable electronic device, having a housing; a processor received within the housing; a display screen connected to the processor and exposed by the housing; a piezoelectric switch connected to the processor disposed in the housing, the piezoelectric switch having a piezoelectric element which generates an electric charge in response to forces applied to the piezoelectric element; and an actuator for engaging the piezoelectric element, the actuator being exposed by the housing and movable within the housing to transfer externally applied forces to the piezoelectric element; wherein the processor is configured for switching between at least two power modes in response to the generation of the electric charge by the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: Dustin ALDRIDGE
  • Publication number: 20110080143
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a buck-boost circuit is contemplated which is bi-directional. That is, the buck-boost circuit be configured to produce a load voltage for a load responsive to a source voltage from a voltage source, and the buck-boost circuit may also be configured to produce a charging voltage for the voltage source responsive to a second voltage source connected to the load. In an embodiment, the buck-boost circuit may be operating in boost mode when providing the load voltage and may be operating in buck mode when providing the charging voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Gopalakrishnan R. Parakulam, Binod Kumar Agrawal, Saroj Kumar Sahu
  • Publication number: 20110080104
    Abstract: A controlling method for an electrical apparatus and a device thereof are provided in the present invention. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing an electrical apparatus and an AC power; (b) generating a control signal synchronized to the AC power; and (c) controlling the electrical apparatus by the control signal. The device includes a threshold detector, a phase-locked loop coupled to the threshold crossing detector and an output circuit coupled to the phase-locked loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Richard Landry Gray, Po Ming Tsai
  • Publication number: 20110074380
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electric conduction pads and a method for manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to an electric conduction pad having elastic properties while enabling heat emission, passage of electric current and transmission of electrical signals, using an electrically conductive wire material, as well as a method for manufacturing the same. The electric conduction pad of the present invention comprises: a stretchable planar pad; and at least one conductive wire aligned in a zig-zag pattern on the pad to pass electric current supplied from a power source or emit heat by the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: SILVERAY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Byung-Ok Jeon
  • Publication number: 20110062939
    Abstract: In a method for controlling power usage by at least one electronic apparatus, a power regulating device having a plurality of integrated power and data connectors is provided. In addition, the at least one electronic apparatus is connected to an integrated power and data connector of the power regulating device with an integrated power and data cord having operational power lines and a data line. Data from the power regulating device is communicated to the at least one electronic apparatus and/or data is received in the power regulating device from the at least one electronic apparatus through the data line, in which the data contains information pertaining to an impending change in power supplied to the at least one electronic apparatus through the operational power lines from the power regulating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: CHRISTOPHER EDWARD HOOVER
  • Publication number: 20110065399
    Abstract: A system includes a voltage regulator connected to a voltage source for providing a regulated voltage at a first level in a first mode of operation and at least one second level in a second mode of operation. The second voltage level is higher than the first voltage level. A control processor provides control signals to select between the first and the second modes of operation. A component associated with the voltage regulator. The component is disabled in the first mode of operation and enabled in the second mode of operation. The control processor generates control signals to configure the voltage regulator to generate the voltage at the first level in the first mode of operation when the component is disabled and to configure the voltage regulator to generate the voltage at the at least one second level in the second mode of operation when the component is enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES INC.
    Inventors: Michael Keith Odland, Brent Wilson
  • Publication number: 20110025292
    Abstract: An approach is provided for generating a plurality of output signals by a plurality of power modules in response to the respective temperature signals of said modules. Each of the power modules is arranged in parallel, each being configured to provide power conversion. Temperature signals representing temperatures of the plurality of power modules are shared among the plurality of power modules to attain a temperature balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Delta Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Guisong Huang, Kun Lang, Yahong Xiong
  • Patent number: 7882376
    Abstract: The present invention provides an LSI which comprises first circuit areas (e.g., an I/O area and a VBAT area) in which power is always held ON, a second circuit area (e.g., a CORE area) capable of ON/OFF-switching of the power, a power control circuit which is provided within the corresponding first circuit area and outputs a control signal for performing power control on the second circuit area, and a reset signal detection circuit which is provided within the corresponding first circuit area and detects an internal standby reset signal or an external standby reset signal to control the operation of the power control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Oki Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ozawa
  • Publication number: 20110018522
    Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus is connected to a power supply device via a transmission line, and it includes a designated connector, a charge control circuit, and a judgment circuit. The designated connector includes five terminals respectively corresponding to five pins of a USB connector of the power supply device. When the power supply device is connected to the portable electronic apparatus, the first terminal of the designated connector is logic high, the fourth terminal of the designated connector is logic high, and the third terminal of the designated connector is logic high after pulling up the voltage level of the second terminal, the judgment circuit pulls down the voltage level of the third terminal and detects the voltage level of the third terminal so as to generate a determining result for determining a type of the power supply device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Chih-Hung Li, Yung-Hsien Kuo
  • Publication number: 20110013432
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can provide systems, methods, and apparatus for operating a power converter. According to one embodiment, a system for operating a power converter can be provided. The system can include a direct current (DC) power source with an output electrically coupled to an input of the power converter. The system can also include a controller operable to modify the performance of the DC power source through the power converter. As part of this modification, the controller can determine whether a low voltage ride (LVRT) event exists in a load and can adjust the DC power source when a LVRT event occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Gregory Wagoner
  • Publication number: 20100329725
    Abstract: This disclosure provides power supply control methods and apparatus. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a power supply operatively connected to a developer unit associated with a printing apparatus is disclosed. The method includes generating a modified output control signal as a function of stored gain and offset values associated with the power supply to generate a desired output voltage to drive the developer unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hendrikus Adrianus Anthonius Verheijen, Henricus Johannes Maria Reijnders
  • Publication number: 20100295530
    Abstract: A power supply voltage control circuit controls power supply voltage supplied to a target circuit that performs certain signal processing. The power supply voltage control circuit includes a control signal generation circuit that selectively generates first and second control signals when the power supply voltage supplied to the target circuit is increased from a first power supply voltage to a second power supply voltage, the second power supply voltage being higher than the first power supply voltage, and a power supply circuit that increases the power supply voltage toward a voltage level of the second power supply voltage based on the first control signal, or increases the power supply voltage to a voltage level higher than the second power supply voltage first and subsequently decreases the power supply voltage to the second power supply voltage based on the second control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Ikenaga, Masahiro Nomura
  • Patent number: 7840142
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for reducing standby power consumption in an electronic device. There is provided an electronic device (10) comprising receiver circuitry (16), and power supply control circuitry (18) coupled in series with the receiver circuitry (16), wherein a ground connection of the receiver circuitry (16) is coupled to a voltage supply connection of the power supply control circuitry (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Anton Werner Keller
  • Publication number: 20100289553
    Abstract: A semi-adaptive voltage scaling method and device for determining minimal supply voltages for digital electronic semiconductor circuitry, e.g., microprocessors, of electronic devices under production testing and “real” operating conditions. The SAVS operates in a closed-loop during a production test phase of the circuitry and in an open-loop mode in an application (operation) phase of the semiconductor circuitry. During production testing, a lowermost level of the supply voltage for the semiconductor circuitry is determined at one single defined temperature at which operating specifications of the circuit are met. The lowermost level is stored in a dedicated electronic memory of the circuitry together with temperature dependent parameters. Afterwards, when the digital electronic circuitry is operated in a “real” application, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: ST-ERICSSON SA
    Inventor: Zhenhua Wang
  • Patent number: 7834612
    Abstract: A system and the method are provided for supplying power to a remote device. In one embodiment, the method involves regulating voltage for at least one device remote from a power source. The regulating includes monitoring a current response of the remote device and adjusting a voltage of the power source until the current response reaches an operating range of the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Altronix Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Sohnis, Victor Pesok
  • Publication number: 20100277156
    Abstract: Exemplary implementations of electrical circuits and systems are disclosed, and methods for providing a configurable negative voltage supply. Electrical circuits and systems are configured to operate in one of at least two modes, based on an electrical component that is received by a portion of the circuit or system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Andreas Schlaffer-Zannoth
  • Publication number: 20100280674
    Abstract: A system for regulating the distribution of power, such as electricity, through the use of a power control mechanism (PCM). More particularly, the PCM interacts with a plug identifier that identifies a plug as an object appropriate for power usage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Reza Jalili
  • Publication number: 20100264899
    Abstract: An input transistor unit includes a first transistor having a control electrode to which a reference voltage is supplied. An output transistor unit includes a diode-connected second transistor. At least one of the input transistor unit and the output transistor unit further includes a third transistor that is diode-connected and connected in series with the corresponding first transistor or the second transistor and outputs a current in the same direction as the corresponding transistor does. The number of transistors included in the input transistor unit and the number of transistors included in output transistor unit are different from each other. The size of transistors included in the input transistor unit differs from that of transistors included in the output transistor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Takashi Ito, Naruaki Kiriki, Tadaaki Yamauchi, Minekazu Ono, Tsutomu Nagasawa, Hidehiko Kuge
  • Publication number: 20100259242
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a temperature change of a power distribution circuit having a power line and return line includes measuring an output current and output voltage of the power distribution circuit at an input to a load electrically connected to the power distribution circuit, and determining a change in temperature of at least one of the power line and return line based on a change in at least one of the output current and output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Allan Roy Gale, Michael W. Degner, Larry Dean Elie
  • Publication number: 20100246101
    Abstract: A system and method for altering a user interface of a power device is provided. The user interface includes an interface structure. The method includes acts of receiving user preference information, determining additional configuration information of the power device, adapting the interface structure based at least in part on the user preference information and the additional configuration information and providing at least a portion of the adapted interface structure to a user via the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vishwas Mohaniraj Deokar, James S. Spitaels, Himanshu Trivedi, Fred W. Rodenhiser, Kyle Brookshire
  • Patent number: 7802115
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a power supply and an ignition. A computer includes a mother board with a converting circuit for converting electricity. A switching circuit controls the transfer of electricity to the converting circuit from the power supply. A detecting circuit detects the state of the ignition, sends an ON signal and instructs the switching circuit to conduct the transfer if the ignition is turned on, and sends an OFF signal and instructs the switching circuit to interrupt the transfer if the ignition is turned off. A central processing unit receives electricity from the converting circuit and turns on or off the computer. A south bridge controller receives electricity from the converting circuit and instructs the central process to turn on the computer on receiving the ON signal or turn off the computer on receiving the OFF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Giga-Byte Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shen Fa Tsai
  • Publication number: 20100225297
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power saving method and apparatus for powering a lower voltage device from a higher voltage power source. The apparatus includes a switch having an input coupled to an output of the higher voltage power source. The apparatus further includes a high-to-low voltage converter having an input coupled to an output of the switch. The apparatus also includes a power plug having an input coupled to an output of the high-to-low voltage power converter, and an output configured to receive a power socket of the low voltage device. Finally, the apparatus includes a switch actuator coupled to the power plug and the switch. When the power plug is operatively engaged within the power socket of the lower voltage device, the switch actuator closes the switch. When the power plug is operatively disengaged from the power plug, the switch actuator opens the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard S. Brink, Michael R. Curry, Donald R. Fearn, Raymond A. Richetta, Timothy J. Schmerbeck, Dereje G. Yilma
  • Publication number: 20100213919
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an integrated circuit comprises a plurality of temperature sensors and a power manager coupled thereto. The temperature sensors are physically distributed over an area of the integrated circuit that is occupied by logic circuitry implementing the operations for which the integrated circuit is designed. The power manager is configured to transmit a power supply voltage request to an external power supply module, the power supply voltage request indicating a requested magnitude of the power supply voltage for the integrated circuit. The power manager is configured to modify the requested magnitude responsive to indications from each of the plurality of temperatures sensors that represent a temperature of the integrated circuit sensed by each of the plurality of temperature sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Toshinari Takayanagi, Conrad H. Ziesler, Zongjian Chen, Vincent R. Von Kaenel
  • Publication number: 20100213920
    Abstract: A power control circuit includes a check unit that receives a reference clock and generates a check signal for cyclically activating a feedback loop of a DLL circuit, a phase detecting unit that detects a phase difference between the reference clock and a feedback clock, and generates a phase difference detection signal, and a signal combining unit that generates a power cutoff signal in response to a locking completion signal, the check signal, and the phase difference detection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventors: Won Joo Yun, Hyun Woo Lee, Dong Suk Shin
  • Patent number: 7779277
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit including on a single chip a plurality of circuit blocks and a plurality of internal power supply circuits for delivering a common supply voltage to the plurality of circuit blocks includes: a shared power supply interconnection for connecting the plurality of circuit blocks and the plurality of internal power supply circuits; and an external pad connected to the shared power supply interconnection. Whether or not each of the internal power supply circuits delivers the supply voltage is controlled by a certain power supply control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Kuroda
  • Patent number: 7778738
    Abstract: A system and method that analyzes at least one aspect of the power grid for demand response in order to reduce feeder circuit losses is provided. The system and method may use a demand response model to select one or more factors for the demand response, such as selecting a subset of customers for demand response from a larger pool of available demand response customers. The demand response model may include a grid structure component, such as an indication of the particular customer's position in the grid and a dynamic operation component, such as a real-time measurement of current in the feeder circuit. By using the demand response model, feeder circuit losses may thereby reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services GmbH
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Taft
  • Publication number: 20100201342
    Abstract: A method for operating a field device of industrial process and/or automation technology, wherein the field device, at least at times, is supplied with electrical energy from an energy source. The minimum voltage requirement of the field device is ascertained, and, from the ascertained minimum voltage, a supply voltage value is ascertained, and the field device is supplied, at least at times, with electrical energy, whose voltage is below, or essentially equal to, the ascertained supply voltage value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: ENDRESS + HAUSER PROCESS SOLUTIONS AG
    Inventors: Werner Thoren, Jorg Reinkensmeier, Ulrich Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20100196043
    Abstract: A power supply circuit identification device for identifying a type of a power supply circuit, the power supply circuit having an input terminal to which a control signal for controlling electrical power supplied to an electrical load is input and an output terminal from which a detection signal that indicates whether the electrical power corresponding to the control signal is supplied to the electrical load is output, at least one of the input terminal and output terminal being plurally provided and having a type-dependent correlation between the input and output terminals. The identification device includes: a control section configured to input the control signal to the power supply circuit via the input terminal; a reading section configured to read the detection signal from the output terminal; and an identification section configured to identify a type of the power supply circuit based on a reading result from the reading section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahito HAMAYA
  • Patent number: 7769497
    Abstract: A method of performing loadflow calculations for controlling voltages and power flow in a power network by reading on-line data of given/specified/scheduled/set network variables/parameters and using control means, so that no component of the power network is overloaded as well as there is no over/under voltage at any nodes in the network following a small or large disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Sureshchandra B. Patel
  • Publication number: 20100181988
    Abstract: A method for reducing power consumption based on a motion sensor and a portable terminal adapted to the method are disclosed. The method includes terminating driving of a motion recognition program according to whether an input is detected by at least one sensor unit disposed in the portable terminal, and switching a mode of a controller included in the portable terminal into a motion recognition deactivation mode. The motion sensor-based portable terminal can reduce the power consumption, thereby lengthening the life span of the battery. The user can use the motion sensor-based portable terminal for a long period of time without frequently recharging its battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Su HONG, Byung Duck CHO, Young Hee HA, Jae Myeon LEE, Kyung Hwa KIM
  • Publication number: 20100172201
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first level detecting circuit for detecting a voltage level at a control terminal after a prescribed time period from when a power supply voltage is supplied to a power supply terminal, a control unit for selecting in which operation mode among a plurality of operation modes the semiconductor device operates, based on a result of detection by the first level detecting circuit; and a regulator for generating an internal power supply voltage based on the power supply voltage supplied to the power supply terminal. The first level detecting circuit and the control unit receive the internal power supply voltage as an operating power supply voltage. In an operation mode, among the plurality of operation modes, where a power supply voltage having a level different from that of a power supply voltage in other operation modes is supplied to the power supply terminal, the control unit performs data processing by using the power supply voltage supplied to the power supply terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji Suetsugu, Wataru Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20100164407
    Abstract: A sensing type control circuit for an electronic apparatus is provided. An output unit is coupled between an external power source and the electronic apparatus and provides varied power supply to the electronic apparatus according to a control signal. A switch is coupled between the external power source and the output unit and disconnects or connects the external power source. A control unit receives a sensing signal and generates the control signal to the output unit according to the received signal. A sensing unit includes a sensing device and senses an external variation, wherein the sensing unit generates the sensing signal to the control unit when the sensing device senses an excitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Fu-Rung KUO
  • Publication number: 20100164469
    Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a power management device for providing one or more voltages and prohibiting the operation until the IC is initialized and voltage stability is achieved. The power management device includes a power regulator block and a masking block. The power regulator block includes one or more of the following elements: -a regulator, a bandgap reference generator, a low voltage detector LVDD, a low voltage detector LVDM, and a plurality of logic gates. In one embodiment, the masking block includes one or more level shifters, a plurality of logic gates, a D flip-flop, and a power on reset circuit (PoR).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics Pvt. Ltd.
    Inventor: Nitin Bansal
  • Publication number: 20100148700
    Abstract: A constant current output sink or source eliminates a current limiting series resistor for a light emitting diode (LED) and maintains a constant light intensity from the LED for all operating and manufacturing variables of a digital device since the current through the LED is maintained at a constant value. The constant current output sink or source may be programmable for selection of a constant current value from a plurality of constant current values available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Ward R. Brown, Randy Yach
  • Publication number: 20100148745
    Abstract: In a wireless communication apparatus of the present invention for transmitting a modulated signal using multi-carriers, a bias voltage of a power amplifier (101) for amplifying the modulated signal is controlled by control units (10, 102) according to the number of carriers in the modulated signal so as to reduce power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideto Kanou
  • Publication number: 20100127690
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes, a first switching device; a rectifying device; a control circuit controlling the first switching device; a first driving terminal; a first interconnection connecting the first switching device to the first driving terminal; and a second interconnection. The second interconnection is disposed to connect the rectifying device to the first driving terminal, and the second interconnection has a mutual inductance with the first interconnection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Koichi Endo
  • Publication number: 20100117621
    Abstract: A method of determining a setpoint of a load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load located in a space, the method comprising the steps of initially setting the value of the setpoint equal to a desired level; limiting the value of the setpoint to an occupied high-end trim if the space is occupied; limiting the value of the setpoint to a daylighting high-end trim determined by a daylighting procedure; and subsequently reducing the value of the setpoint in response to a load shed parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Dragan Veskovic, Audwin Cash, Christopher J. Rigatti
  • Publication number: 20100117620
    Abstract: A method of determining a setpoint of a load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load located in a space, the method comprising the steps of initially setting the value of the setpoint equal to a desired level; limiting the value of the setpoint to an occupied high-end trim if the space is occupied; limiting the value of the setpoint to a daylighting high-end trim determined by a daylighting procedure; and subsequently reducing the value of the setpoint in response to a load shed parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Dragan Veskovic, Audwin Cash, Christopher J. Rigatti
  • Patent number: 7715951
    Abstract: A system for managing consumption of power supplied by an electric utility to power consuming devices includes at least one client device and a server. Each client device operates at least partially responsive to control messages received from the server and controls operation of one or more controllable devices. Each controllable device selectively enables and disables a flow of power to one or more of the consuming devices. The server stores information, on a per client device basis, relating to power consumed by the consuming devices. When a power reduction is requested by the utility, the server selects, based on client device information stored in the database, at least one client device to which to issue a power reduction message that indicates at least one of an amount of power to be reduced and an identification of a controllable device to be instructed to disable a flow of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Consert, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Forbes, Jr., Joel L. Webb
  • Patent number: RE41599
    Abstract: A user-programmable bi-directional, constant current generator circuit allows external programming of either a positive (+) or a negative (?) polarity output current, for injection into one of two locations of the PWM controller circuit of a DC-DC voltage converter. The parameters of the DC-DC converter's offset voltage will depend upon the connection of a single programming pin to one of two programming resistors. The programming resistors are respectively referenced to different supply rail voltages (VCC and VSS). The polarity of the offset additionally depends upon where, within the PWM-controlled DC-DC converter, the programmed constant current is injected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Isham