Method and apparatus for switching a motor between bipolar and unipolar mode

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein said step of detecting a point in time comprises detecting a commutation of current between said plurality of coils.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2 wherein said commutation of current occurs at a first time and a second time, and wherein step of switching between the bipolar mode and the unipolar mode comprises switching between the bipolar mode and the unipolar mode at substantially a midpoint in time between said first time and said second time.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of coils is coupled at a respective first node to said center tap and at a respective second node to a respective power circuit for selectively coupling a respective coil to a high voltage potential and a low voltage potential, and wherein said step of switching between the bipolar mode and the unipolar mode comprises switching between the bipolar mode and the unipolar mode in response to a first of said power circuits disconnecting said high voltage potential from said second node of a respective first coil simultaneously with a second of said power circuits connecting said high voltage potential to said second node of a respective second coil.

Claim 6

The method of claim 4 wherein said center tap is coupled to a center tap power circuit for selectively coupling said center tap to a high voltage potential and a low voltage potential, and further comprising the steps of, responsive to said fourth step of switching between the bipolar mode and the unipolar mode: coupling said center tap to said high voltage potential; and coupling said low voltage potential to said second node of a respective one of said plurality of coils such that only said one of said plurality of coils conducts current.

Claim 9

The method of claim 6 wherein said commutation cycle comprises a first commutation cycle occurring at a first point in time and is followed by a second commutation cycle occurring at a second point in time, and wherein said third step comprises switching between the bipolar mode and the unipolar mode at substantially a midpoint in time between said first time and said second time.

Claim 10

A circuit for switching a motor between a bipolar mode and a unipolar mode, wherein said motor comprises a plurality of coils and wherein, during each phase of said bipolar mode, one of said coils comprises a floating coil having a back emf, said circuit for switching a motor comprising: an input for receiving a mode change signal requesting a change between the bipolar mode and the unipolar mode; circuitry for detecting a commutation cycle comprising slope circuitry for determining a slope of said back emf for said floating coil; and circuitry for switching between the bipolar mode and the unipolar mode in response to said mode change signal and said circuitry for detecting a commutation cycle.

Claim 11

A circuit for switching a motor between a bipolar mode and a unipolar mode, wherein said motor comprises a plurality of coils and wherein, during each phase of said bipolar mode, one of said coils comprises a floating coil having a back emf, said circuit for switching a motor comprising: an input for receiving a mode change signal requesting a change between the bipolar mode and the unipolar mode; circuitry for detecting a commutation cycle comprising slope circuitry for determining a slope of said back emf for said floating coil; and circuitry for switching between the bipolar mode and the unipolar mode in response to said mode change signal and said circuitry for detecting a commutation cycle.

Claim 12

The circuit of claim 8 and further comprising storage circuitry for storing said mode change signal, wherein said circuitry for detecting a commutation cycle controls said storage circuitry to output said mode change signal to said circuitry for switching at a selected time.

Claim 13

The circuit of claim 8 wherein said circuitry for detecting a commutation cycle comprises circuitry for detecting a midpoint between successive commutation cycles.

Claim 14

The circuit of claim 8 wherein said circuitry for detecting a commutation cycle further comprises circuitry, responsive to said slope circuitry, for outputting a control signal indicating a change in transition from a positive slope to a negative slope.

Claim 15

The circuit of claim 8 and further comprising: storage circuitry for storing said mode change signal, said storage circuitry comprising a clock input, a data output, and an input coupled to said input for receiving a mode change signal; wherein said motor comprises a plurality of coils and wherein, during each phase of said bipolar mode, one of said coils comprises a floating coil having a back emf, and wherein said circuitry for detecting a commutation cycle comprises: slope circuitry for determining a slope of said back emf of said floating coil; and transition circuitry, responsive to said slope circuitry, for outputting a control signal indicating a change in transition from a positive slope to a negative slope, wherein said control signal is coupled to said clock input of said storage circuitry; and wherein said data output of said storage circuitry is coupled to said circuitry for switching between the bipolar mode and the unipolar mode such that said storage circuitry outputs said mode change signal to said circuitry for switching in response to receiving said control signal at said clock input.

Claim 16

A motor controller circuit comprising: a power circuit operable to output a plurality of voltage potentials to a respective plurality of coils of a motor; a sequence circuit coupled to said power circuit for controlling the sequence of operation of said power circuit; an input for receiving a mode change signal requesting a change between the bipolar mode and the unipolar mode; circuitry for detecting a high to high commutation cycle; and circuitry for switching between the bipolar mode and the unipolar mode in response to said mode change signal and said circuitry for detecting a high to high commutation cycle.

Claim 17

A motor controller circuit comprising: a power circuit operable to output a plurality of voltage potentials to a respective plurality of coils of a motor; a sequence circuit coupled to said power circuit for controlling the sequence of operation of said power circuit; an input for receiving a mode change signal requesting a change between the bipolar mode and the unipolar mode; circuitry for detecting a high to high commutation cycle; and circuitry for switching between the bipolar mode and the unipolar mode in response to said mode change signal and said circuitry for detecting a high to high commutation cycle.