The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 24, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 29, 1999
Justin Chiang, Piedmont, CA (US);
Adrian I. Cogan, San Carlos, CA (US);
Paul Wiener, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing a more reliable protection device and an improved PIC power integrated switch. Accordingly, the over-temperature status of the switch as well as the overcurrent status of each of a plurality of ports of the switch are detected. If there is over-temperature, ports with the overcurrent status are identified as a potential cause. These ports are then switched off. After a predetermined waiting time period during which the switch temperature is expected to decrease, the over-temperature status of the switch is again checked. If the over-temperature disappears, then the ports with non-overcurrent status remain on. However, if the over-temperature persists, then all of the ports are turned off. The improved PIC switch thus increases the dynamic operation range of the conventional PIC switch, while ensuring normal operations.