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. 20, 2004
Filed:
Jan. 03, 2003
Katsuyoshi Mitsui, Hyogo, JP;
Renesas Technology Corp., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
In a semiconductor device, a time-counting circuit counting a prescribed time in transition to a low-power operation mode includes a CR-type time constant circuit and a complementary NOR gate. The time-counting circuit causes electric charges to be released from a capacitive element through a resistance element when a prescribed signal attains L level. As release of the electric charges continues, the NOR gate operates, a power control signal is output at L level, and the semiconductor device makes a transition to the low-power operation mode. Thus, since the time-counting circuit does not include a multi-stage delay circuit and a latch circuit for time-count, power consumption is low, and circuit area is small. Consequently, the semiconductor device capable of transition to the low-power operation mode can simultaneously implement lower power consumption and smaller circuit area.