829results about How to "Reduce current consumption" patented technology

An apparatus and method for reducing current consumption in a portable terminal with a flexible display are provided. The apparatus includes at least one camera mounted on a first region of the portable terminal, a flexible display including a first area defined in the first region including the mounted camera and a second area defined in a second region not including the mounted camera, when the portable terminal is bent, and a controller for controlling the flexible display. If the image photographed through the camera includes a face image when the portable terminal is bent, information data is displayed on the first area and null data is displayed on the second area. If the image photographed through the camera does not include a face image when the portable terminal is bent, the null data is displayed on the first area and the information data is displayed on the second area.

A controller for a switched mode power supply (SMPS) is provided. The SMPS is equipped with a transformer having a primary side winding, a secondary winding, and an auxiliary winding. The controller includes a detection circuit for detecting a transition from a first output load condition to a second output load condition of the SMPS and a control circuit coupled to the detection circuit and being configured to output one or more control signals in response to the detected output load transition. Depending on the embodiment, the one or more control signals include a first control signal for turning on a power switch to cause a current flow in a primary winding of the SMPS and / or one or more second control signals for turning off one or more functional circuit blocks in the controller.

A semiconductor device in which a current consumption when a word line being selected is suppressed and accurate data reading is carried out. The semiconductor device of a semiconductor device of the invention comprises a data storage means and a power source control means. The data storage means has a plurality of memory cells. The power source control means has at least one power source line and a plurality of switches. In addition, the invention further comprises an address selection means having a selector circuit including a plurality of switches and an output bus, a first decoder circuit for selecting the switch in the selector circuit, and a second decoder circuit.

A system and method for efficient power transfer on a die. A semiconductor chip comprises on a die two or more computation units (CUs) utilizing at least two different voltage regulators and a power manager. The power manager reallocates power credits across the die when it detects an activity level of a given CU is below a given threshold. In response to receiving a corresponding number of donated power credits, each of the one or more selected CUs maintains a high activity level with a high performance P-state. When a corresponding workload increases, each CU maintains operation and an average power consumption corresponding to the high performance P-state by alternating between at least two different operational voltages. When the operational voltage drops during the alternation, the current drawn by the particular CU may exceed a given current limit. The power manager detects this current limit is exceeded and accordingly reallocates the power credits across the die.

A light-load power transistor and a heavy-load power transistor are connected in parallel between an input voltage and an output voltage. The light-load power transistor has a smaller current driving capability, i.e. a smaller dimension of a current path. During a light-load mode, only is the light-load power transistor activated to reduce the current consumption caused by an error amplifier, thereby enhancing the efficiency. When a detection current signal is higher than a threshold current signal, the heavy-load power transistor is additionally activated through a gate control circuit by a mode selection circuit, thereby achieving a sufficient current driving capability.

A wireless network device having active and inactive modes comprises a clock generating module that generates a first clock signal having a first clock rate. A voltage supply module generates a first voltage level and a second voltage level that is less than the first voltage level. A first digital module receives the first clock rate and the first voltage level during the active mode, receives the second voltage level during the inactive mode and does not receive the first clock signal during the inactive mode. A first analog module communicates with the voltage supply module and has reduced current consumption during the inactive mode.

A semiconductor memory device comprises: a memory cell array in which memory cells are divided into banks; cache memories each for storing data of a word line selected by a row address; a setting register for setting a data holding capacity so that a holding area where data is held during a self refresh period and a non-holding area where data is not held during the self refresh period are commonly included in each bank; a refresh controller for outputting a row address to be refreshed at predetermined intervals during the self refresh period and for performing a refresh operation for a selected word line corresponding to the row address in an activated bank; and a bank controller for activating all banks when the selected word line is included in the holding area and inactivating all banks when the selected word Line is included in the non-holding area.

A variable resistive element comprising a configuration that an area of an electrically contributing region of a variable resistor body is finer than that constrained by an upper electrode or a lower electrode and its manufacturing method are provided. A bump electrode material is formed on a lower electrode arranged on a base substrate. The bump electrode material is contacted to a variable resistor body at a surface different from a contact surface to the lower electrode. The variable resistor body is contacted to an upper electrode at a surface different from a contact surface to the bump electrode material. Thus, a cross point region between the bump electrode material (the variable resistor body) and the upper electrode becomes an electrically contributing region of the variable resistor body, and then an area thereof can be reduced compared with that of the region regarding the conventional variable resistive element.

The present invention discloses novel thin film photovoltaic devices with monolithic integration and backside metal contacts and methods of making the devices.The innovative approach described in the present invention allows for devices and methods of construction completely through thin-film processes. Solar cells in accordance with the present invention provide an increased output for large devices due to decreased current loss in the transparent conducting electrode.

An entry including multiple bits of unit cells each storing data bit is coupled to a match line. The match line is supplied with a charging current having a restricted current value smaller than a match line current flowing in a one-bit miss state in one entry, but larger than a match line current flowing in an all-bit match state in one entry. A precharge voltage level of a match line is restricted to a voltage level of half a power supply voltage or smaller. Power consumption in a search cycle of a content addressable memory can be reduced, and a search operation speed can be increased.

Data indicating whether a short-circuit defect exists in a memory block is programmed a fuse program circuit. In accordance with the fuse program data and a mode instruction signal, the correspondence relationship between a block select signal and a corresponding bit line isolation instruction signal is switched by a circuit that generates the bit line isolation instruction signal in a specific mode. It becomes possible to isolate the memory block in which a leakage current path exists from a corresponding sense amplifier band in a specific operation mode. Current consumption at least at a standby state is reduced.

A register controlled delay locked loop (DLL) usable in a semiconductor device is provided. The register controlled delay locked loop includes an internal clock generating unit generating a delayed clock signal and a reference clock signal, a first delay unit compensating for an amount of delay caused by a signal transmission path of the delayed clock signal, a phase comparator detecting a difference between the reference clock signal and the delayed clock signal and thereby generating a detection signal, a controller having a plurality of second delay units for controlling an amount of delay of the delayed clock signal in response to the detection signal, a driver driving a DLL clock signal, and an enable signal generator enabling the driver in response to an activation or non-activation signal of the semiconductor device.

The invention provides a radio communication device for carrying out a time division communication, thereby communicating with a base station for transmitting control data, wherein when an intermittent receiving operation is to be performed in order to capture the control data transmitted from the base station during a standby, the receiving operation of the radio portion is started to periodically receive the control data of the base station, the receiving operation is stopped if the control data cannot be received for a predetermined receipt period, the receiving operation is then restarted repetitively after a predetermined halt period passes, and a receiving period in the intermittent receiving operation is switched to be short if the control data cannot be captured for a predetermined period. Consequently, the consumed current of a retrieving operation can be reduced in an environment in which a signal sent from the base station cannot be received, and the control data can be received early when a receivable state is brought, and thus, a return to a standby state can be carried out immediately and quickly.

A light-load power transistor and a heavy-load power transistor are connected in parallel between an input voltage and an output voltage. The light-load power transistor has a smaller current driving capability, i.e. a smaller dimension of a current path. During a light-load mode, only is the light-load power transistor activated to reduce the current consumption caused by an error amplifier, thereby enhancing the efficiency. When a detection current signal is higher than a threshold current signal, the heavy-load power transistor is additionally activated through a gate control circuit by a mode selection circuit, thereby achieving a sufficient current driving capability.

A domain crossing circuit for reducing current consumption includes an internal counter to count an internal clock in response to the release of a reset signal, outputting an internal code, a replica delay unit to delay the reset signal as much as a timing difference between the internal clock and an external clock, outputting a delayed reset signal, an external counter to count the external clock in response to the release of the delayed reset signal outputted from the replica delay unit, outputting an external code, and an internal signal generation unit to convert an external signal to an internal signal using the internal code and the external code.

A sensor circuit has: a sensor portion that obtains, as an electrical signal, information on an object to be measured or detected; and a control circuit that controls the operation of the sensor portion. The control circuit receives a start input signal inputted thereto from outside for making the sensor portion operate only for a given duration after the start input signal is inputted thereto. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the current consumption by arbitrarily controlling a period of an intermittent operation of the sensor circuit.

A high-pressure fuel pump control device capable of reducing current consumption, increasing pump durability, and promoting a rise of fuel pressure from startup. The high-pressure fuel pump control device comprises a fuel injector valve for directly injecting fuel in a common rail into a combustion chamber and a high-pressure fuel pump for feeding the fuel under pressure to the common rail. The high-pressure fuel pump comprises a pressurization chamber, a plunger for pressurizing the fuel in the pressurization chamber, a fuel passage valve disposed in the pressurization chamber, and an actuator for actuating the fuel passage valve. The control device includes a control unit for executing output control of a drive signal for the actuator to vary a discharge rate of the high-pressure fuel pump. The control unit starts outputting of the actuator drive signal during a period from operation start to a point in time at which the actuator drive signal becomes able to issue in a predetermined crank angle phase, and sets timing of stopping the outputting of the actuator drive signal to a point in time at which the fuel pressure in the common rail has boosted over a predetermined value per unit time.

A pulse signal generating circuit generates a pulse signal having a duty ratio controlled such that the output voltage approaches a reference voltage. A driver circuit generates first and second gate voltages, which are to be respectively applied to the gates of a switching transistor and a synchronous rectifier transistor, based upon the pulse signal. A threshold voltage generating unit generates a threshold voltage which is synchronous with the second gate voltage, and which is in the high-level state during a period when the synchronous rectifier transistor is to be turned off and in the low-level state during a period when the synchronous rectifier transistor is to be turned on. A light-load detection comparator compares a switching voltage with the threshold voltage, and outputs a light-load detection signal.

The present invention is a system of emergency vehicle lighting that uses a low profile hood / trunk mounted LED plate unit and a door mounted LED strip unit. It is designed for both stand alone operation or for integration into an emergency vehicle's electronic alarm notification sequencing unit. The hood / trunk LED plate unit has a thin, enhanced geometrical configuration and an LED lens design that allows the light emitted from the superbright LEDs to be seen to a much higher degree to vehicles approaching from direction normal to the longitudinal centerline of the emergency vehicle. Mounting of the LED plate unit and LED strip unit can be permanent or temporary and because of the light weight, numerous chemical, magnetic and mechanical methods of affixation may be utilized.

A voltage for reference at a voltage level higher than a target value is produced from a constant current provided from a constant current generating circuit, and is subjected to resistance division by a resistance division circuit to produce a reference voltage at the target level, and then a final reference voltage is produced by a voltage follower. An internal voltage generating circuit thus provided can generate the reference voltage having the desired voltage level with high accuracy as well as an internal voltage based on the reference voltage by controlling temperature characteristic even with a low power supply voltage.

A switching mode power supply (SMPS) includes a power transistor coupled to the primary winding of transformer and a resistor coupled between the input power source and a control terminal of the power transistor for triggering a primary current flow through the power transistor for providing startup power. A primary side control circuit is configured to regulate the output of the SMPS. A secondary side control circuit is coupled to the secondary winding and being configured to provide a first electrical signal to the secondary winding when an output voltage of the SMPS is less than a first reference voltage, whereupon an awakening signal is induced in the auxiliary winding and causes the primary side control circuit to provide a turn-on signal to the power transistor. The primary side control circuit is configured to enter a standby mode or a normal operating mode in response to the awakening signal.

A temperature detector sets the level of a temperature detecting signal to a level indicating a high temperature state, detecting that the chip temperature is higher than a first boundary temperature. The temperature detector sets the level of thereof to a level indicating a low temperature state, detecting that the chip temperature is lower than a second boundary temperature. A control circuit changes its operating state according to the level of the temperature detecting signal. This prevents the operating state of the control circuit from frequently switched even when the chip temperature fluctuates around the boundary temperatures, and accordingly reduces current consumption of the control circuit due to the switching operation. Further, the first and second boundary temperatures set a buffer zone, so that the temperature detector does not detect power supply noises as temperature variation. This can prevent malfunction of the temperature detector and the semiconductor integrated circuit.

A drive circuit includes a first level shift circuit outputting a potential higher than an input potential by a prescribed voltage; a pull-up circuit outputting to an output node a potential lower than an output potential of the first level shift circuit by the prescribed voltage; a second level shift circuit outputting a potential lower than the input potential by the prescribed voltage; a pull-down circuit outputting to the output node a potential higher than an output potential of the second level shift circuit by the prescribed voltage; and a capacitor connected between output nodes of the first and second level shift circuits. Accordingly, through-current is reduced.

A system and method of reducing current consumption in a low voltage booster circuit is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) enabling an input signal to activate plural out of phase clocks; and (b) disabling the input signal after a pre-determined time and after an output voltage has reached a certain level.

The invention relates to an intelligent home appliance control system based on speech identification technology and a wireless sensing network. The intelligent home appliance control system is characterized in that the system comprises a speech identification module and a wireless transmission module based on a Zigbee network; the speech identification module is provided with wireless audio input equipment connected with a PC computer and a speech identification unit; audio input data of a user is received through the audio input equipment, is processed through the speech identification unit and is converted into a corresponding control instruction; the wireless transmission module adopts a Zigbee communication protocol and comprises a serial port communication circuit, a network coordinator, each sub-node and a working state conversion circuit; the control instruction from the user is subjected to data processing through the serial port communication circuit and is used for controlling the corresponding working state of each sub-node; and data information of each sub-node in the network is displayed in the PC computer. The intelligent home appliance control system has safe and reliable operation, convenient installation, simple and convenient use and low power consumption of the system and realizes the controlling intelligence of home appliances.

A control for a field device comprises a monitoring unit that is separate from a control unit for controlling the field device which monitoring unit, when the control unit is in a sleep mode, waits for an activation signal in order to switch the control unit to the operating mode.

A differential amplifier has a first input terminal to which a voltage of a noise signal of the solid-state imaging device is supplied and a second input terminal to which a voltage of a temporary data signal having the noise signal of the solid-state imaging device superposed thereon is supplied. The differential amplifier inverts an output signal when a magnitude relationship in voltage between the first and second input terminals becomes reverse. A measurement circuit measures a variation amount of a voltage of the second input terminal from when the voltage of the second input terminal begins to vary in a direction to reverse the magnitude relationship to when the output signal of the differential amplifier is inverted, and outputs a measurement result as a digital value indicating a voltage of a real data signal obtained by removing the noise signal from the temporary data signal.

The invention discloses an intelligent charging detection circuit and a movable power supply. The intelligent charging detection circuit comprises a power supply circuit, a controller, a charging interface and an insertion detection circuit; the insertion detection circuit is used for detecting the variation of electrical parameters of the charging interface, a switch element is controlled by the variation of the electrical parameters of the charging interface to be on and off, a corresponding command signal is generated by utilizing the variation of the on-off state of the switch element and is transmitted to a controller, and the command signal is used for recognizing the insertion state of a charging device. A charging device insertion detection circuit is additionally arranged in a movable power supply, so that the movable power supply is enabled to stay at a dormant state during the non-charging period, the current loss of the movable power supply can be reduced, and the use time of the movable power supply is prolonged. A current monitoring circuit is additionally arranged in the movable power supply, the size of the charging size can be monitored in real time, and the battery application efficiency of the movable power supply can be improved by reducing the constant-voltage charging time while the safety of the movable power supply and the charging device is guaranteed.

A rail-to-rail amplifier suitable for use in a line-inversion LCD grayscale reference generator comprises a p-type differential pair and a first switchable current source which supplies tail current to the p-type pair in response to a first control signal, and an n-type pair and a second switchable current source which supplies tail current to the n-type pair in response to a second control signal; when its tail current is present, each pair provides a differential output current which varies with a differential input signal. A control circuit provides the control signals such that the first switchable current source is enabled when a voltage applied to the amplifier's input is closer to the amplifier's negative supply rail, and the second switchable current source is enabled when the applied voltage is closer to the amplifier's positive supply rail, such that only one input pair is active at any given time.

A drive method for a brushless motor and a drive control apparatus therefor, in which control parameters are calculated by motor current control means (74 in FIG. 2) in accordance with the deviation between a target motor current value and an actual motor current value, a manipulated variable is computed by phase control means (76) on the basis of the calculated control parameters, an advance angle magnitude is computed from the relationship between a manipulated variable and an advance angle magnitude as designed and created beforehand, on the basis of the computed manipulated variable, and the value of the conduction phase angle of a drive circuit (72) as set on the basis of a motor current signal is corrected with the information of the computed advance angle magnitude.