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:
Mar. 19, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 13, 1999
Mihai C. Manolescu, San Jose, CA (US);
Zilog, Inc., Campbell, CA (US);
Abstract
A circuit for regulating a current provided by a power supply to drive a load in response to an input signal, is provided. The circuit contains a current source that has a specified current value and is coupled to the power supply. In addition, the circuit also comprises a controller that generates a reference voltage and is coupled to the current source. Furthermore, the circuit also includes a comparator that compares the reference voltage and a voltage at a node. To this node, controller is coupled. In addition, the load is coupled between the node and the power supply. In response to the input signal, the controller regulates the current to drive the load. This current has a first current-value that is proportional to the specified current value of the current source when the voltage at the node is greater than the reference voltage and a second current value that is based on the power supply when the voltage at the node is less than the reference voltage. Alternatively, this circuit may be modified so as to detect when [1] the power supply is low, [2] the load has been dislodged or [3] both.