Semiconductor Mode Setting via Internal Power Supply Terminal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing semiconductor devices face challenges in manufacturing and inventory management due to the need for multiple types of devices with different operation or setting contents, and the use of dedicated external terminals increases component size and cost, which is difficult to implement in miniaturized designs.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor device with an internal power supply circuit, function circuit, specific terminal, and mode setting circuit that sets operation modes based on a terminal current, eliminating the need for dedicated external terminals and reducing manufacturing and inventory burdens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of semiconductor devices are manufactured with different operation contents or setting contents, then the operation content or setting content can be differentiated, but the burden of manufacturing and inventory management increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation content differentiationVSAvoidmanufacturing and inventory management burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single semiconductor device that can perform multiple operation modes (first operation mode and second operation mode) through internal configuration changes rather than requiring separate dedicated devices. The mode setting circuit enables one device to replace multiple specialized devices, reducing manufacturing complexity and inventory management burden while maintaining operational versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated external terminals are provided to specify operation content or setting content, then the operation content or setting content can be specified according to voltage level, but the component size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation mode specificationVSAvoidcomponent size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the mode setting function with the existing internal power supply terminal. Instead of adding dedicated external terminals for mode specification, the invention combines the power supply terminal with mode setting functionality by detecting the voltage level applied to this shared terminal. This integration eliminates the need for additional dedicated terminals, thereby reducing component size while maintaining the ability to specify different operation modes through voltage level detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation mode specificationVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by making the internal power supply terminal serve dual purposes: both power supply and mode setting. By detecting the voltage level at this shared terminal, the device can determine the desired operation mode without requiring additional dedicated terminals. This multi-functional approach reduces the total component count and device complexity, leading to lower manufacturing costs while preserving operational versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated external terminals are provided, then operation mode can be specified, but it becomes difficult to provide dedicated external terminals due to demand for miniaturization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation mode specificationVSAvoidterminal count

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250337309A1Semiconductor device

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 ROHM CO LTD

AI summary

A semiconductor device includes: an internal power supply circuit configured to generate an internal power supply voltage based on an input power supply voltage; a function circuit configured to operate based on the internal power supply voltage; a chassis accommodating the internal power supply circuit and the function circuit; a specific terminal that is a terminal exposed from the chassis and is configured to be applied with the internal power supply voltage; and a mode setting circuit configured to set an operation mode of the function circuit according to a terminal current flowing through the specific terminal.