Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
An output circuit comprising: input signal supply means for simultaneously outputting first and second signals from two output nodes, said first and second signals having different levels which change in a complementary manner; first and second switching means which are turned on and off in a complementary manner upon receipt of the first and second signals, respectively, supplied from said input signal supply means; first level shift means connected between said first switching means, and a high potential level, for outputting a first drive signal when said first switching means is turned on upon receipt of the first signal; first MOS transistor having a drain coupled to said high potential level, and a gate coupled to receive the first drive signal supplied from said first level shift means; an output terminal coupled to a source of said first MOS transistor; first drain-current control means connected between said gate-source path of said first MOS transistor, for maintaining a drain current of said first MOS transistor at a predetermined value; second level shift means connected between said second switching means and said high potential level, for outputting a second drive signal when said second switching means is turned on upon receipt of the second signal; second MOS transistor having a gate coupled to receive the second drive signal supplied from said second level shift means, and having a drain and source respectively connected to said output terminal and a ground level; and second drain current control means connected between said gate-source of said second MOS transistor, for maintaining a drain current of said second MOS transistor at a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
An output circuit comprising: input signal supply means for simultaneously outputting first and second signals from two output nodes, said first and second signals having different levels which change in a complementary manner; first and second switching means which are turned on and off in a complementary manner upon receipt of the first and second signals, respectively, supplied from said input signal supply means; first level shift means connected between said first switching means, and a high potential level, for outputting a first drive signal when said first switching means is turned on upon receipt of the first signal; first MOS transistor having a drain coupled to said high potential level, and a gate coupled to receive the first drive signal supplied from said first level shift means; an output terminal coupled to a source of said first MOS transistor; first drain-current control means connected between said gate-source path of said first MOS transistor, for maintaining a drain current of said first MOS transistor at a predetermined value; second level shift means connected between said second switching means and said high potential level, for outputting a second drive signal when said second switching means is turned on upon receipt of the second signal; second MOS transistor having a gate coupled to receive the second drive signal supplied from said second level shift means, and having a drain and source respectively connected to said output terminal and a ground level; and second drain current control means connected between said gate-source of said second MOS transistor, for maintaining a drain current of said second MOS transistor at a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A circuit according to claim 1, wherein said first and second level shift means are high breakdown voltage bipolar transistors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A circuit according to claim 1, wherein said first and second level shift means are high breakdown voltage MOS field effect transistors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The circuit according to claim 1, wherein said input signal supply means comprises an input terminal and an inverter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The circuit according to claim 1, wherein said first and second switching means are MOS transistors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The circuit according to claim 1, wherein said first drain current control means comprises third MOS transistor, a drain and gate of which are connected to the gate of said first MOS transistor and said first level shift means, and a plurality of diodes arranged between a source of said third MOS transistor and the source of said first MOS transistor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The circuit according to claim 1, wherein said second drain-current control means comprises fourth MOS transistor, a drain and gate of which are connected to the gate of said second MOS transistor and said second level shift means, and a plurality of diodes arranged between a source of said fourth MOS transistor and said ground potential.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
The circuit according to claim 1, further comprising fifth MOS transistor, a gate of which is connected to said input signal supply means, a source of which is connected to said ground potential, and a drain of which is connected to the gate of said second MOS transistor and is turned on upon receipt of the first signal, thereby to discharge a parasitic capacitance of the gate-source path of said second MOS transistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The circuit according to claim 1, which further comprises a Zener diode connected between the gate and source of said first MOS transistor.