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:
May. 09, 2006
Filed:
Mar. 15, 2002
Zabih Toosky, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
Zabih Toosky, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
An audio amplifier system includes two amplifiers that are configured to drive loads through either DC or AC coupling. A third amplifier provides an AC ground return when the system is configured in the DC coupled mode, and is disabled when the system is configured in the AC coupled mode. A bypass circuit charges a bypass capacitor to provide a reference voltage level for the amplifiers. A mode detection circuit monitors the reference voltage level and the output of the third amplifier to determine the current operating mode. The third amplifier is disabled when the reference voltage exceeds the output of the third amplifier or when a shutdown condition is activated, such that the third amplifier is protected from short circuit conditions. The charge and discharge times of the bypass capacitor relate to the detected operating mode minimize click and pop in the amplified signals.