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:
Jul. 22, 2003
Filed:
Feb. 25, 2002
Tsukasa Ooishi, Hyogo, JP;
Yuichiro Komiya, Hyogo, JP;
Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A potential detecting circuit is provided for detecting prescribed potential and determining whether the detected prescribed potential has reached a prescribed level. The circuit includes an output node; a reference current supply for supplying a prescribed reference current to the output node; a detection node for receiving the prescribed potential; a comparing current supply circuit responsive to the prescribed potential applied to the detection node for supplying a comparing current to the output node; and a transistor having a control electrode receiving a reference potential which is independent of a power supply voltage and is at a level different from a power supply potential. The transistor has one conduction electrode connected to the detection node and the other conduction electrode connected to the comparing current supply circuit. Current change in the transistor, corresponding to a change in the prescribed potential applied to the detection node, changes the comparing current. Accordingly, current consumption may be reduced, and a stable detection level may be maintained, which is not dependent on fluctuations in temperature or fluctuations in a power supply potential applied to the circuit.