Patent US5170077A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5170077A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Voltage level detecting circuit
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1990-09-14
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Granted: 1992-12-08
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Expires: 2010-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A voltage level detecting circuit is presented having simplistic construction, stable circuit operation and few components. The circuit includes: a p-channel transistor; a resistor; a ground terminal; a first voltage supply terminal for receiving a fixed voltage level; a second voltage supply terminal for receiving a variable voltage level; and an output terminal.
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Schreck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R19/00; G01R19/165; G01R19/16504; G01R19/16519; H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/30; H03K17/302
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A voltage level detecting circuit, comprising: a p-channel transistor; a ground terminal; a resistor connected between one of a source/drain of said p-channel transistor and said ground terminal; a first voltage supply terminal for receiving a fixed voltage level, said first voltage supply terminal being coupled to the gate of said p-channel transistor; a second voltage supply terminal for receiving a variable voltage level, said second voltage supply terminal being coupled to the other of the source/drain of said p-channel transistor; said variable voltage level having a first voltage level higher than a combination of said fixed voltage level and the threshold voltage of said p-channel transistor and a second voltage level lower than the combination of said fixed voltage level and the threshold voltage of said p-channel transistor; and an output terminal operatively connected between said p-channel and said resistor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A voltage level detecting circuit, comprising: a p-channel transistor; a ground terminal; a resistor connected between one of a source/drain of said p-channel transistor and said ground terminal; a first voltage supply terminal for receiving a fixed voltage level, said first voltage supply terminal being coupled to the gate of said p-channel transistor; a second voltage supply terminal for receiving a variable voltage level, said second voltage supply terminal being coupled to the other of the source/drain of said p-channel transistor; said variable voltage level having a first voltage level higher than a combination of said fixed voltage level and the threshold voltage of said p-channel transistor and a second voltage level lower than the combination of said fixed voltage level and the threshold voltage of said p-channel transistor; and an output terminal operatively connected between said p-channel and said resistor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 1 further including a load coupled between said second voltage supply terminal and said other of the source/drain of said p-channel transistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein said load is a combination of elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein said load is a diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said fixed voltage level is 5 volts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said transistor is a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
149 words
A voltage level detecting circuit, comprising: a p-channel transistor; a ground terminal; a resistor connected between one of a source/drain of said p-channel transistor and said ground terminal; a first voltage supply terminal for receiving a fixed voltage level, said first voltage supply terminal being coupled to the gate of said p-channel transistor; a second voltage supply terminal for receiving a variable voltage level, said second voltage supply terminal being coupled to a load; said load being coupled to the other of the source/drain of said p-channel transistor; said variable voltage level having a first voltage level higher than a combination of said fixed voltage level and the threshold voltage of said p-channel transistor and a second voltage level lower than a combination of said fixed voltage level and the threshold voltage of said p-channel transistor; and an output terminal operatively connected between said p-channel transistor and said resistor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
149 words
A voltage level detecting circuit, comprising: a p-channel transistor; a ground terminal; a resistor connected between one of a source/drain of said p-channel transistor and said ground terminal; a first voltage supply terminal for receiving a fixed voltage level, said first voltage supply terminal being coupled to the gate of said p-channel transistor; a second voltage supply terminal for receiving a variable voltage level, said second voltage supply terminal being coupled to a load; said load being coupled to the other of the source/drain of said p-channel transistor; said variable voltage level having a first voltage level higher than a combination of said fixed voltage level and the threshold voltage of said p-channel transistor and a second voltage level lower than a combination of said fixed voltage level and the threshold voltage of said p-channel transistor; and an output terminal operatively connected between said p-channel transistor and said resistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said resistor is a fixed resistor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said resistor is a fixed resistor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-12-08 | 1996-06-08 | 1996-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-08 | 2000-06-08 | 2000-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-08 | 2004-06-08 | 2004-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |