Patent US6150798A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6150798A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voltage regulator
Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
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Filing: 1998-09-02
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Granted: 2000-11-21
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Expires: 2018-09-02
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a voltage regulator of a voltage meant to supply a load from a battery, including a first switched-mode power supply type voltage regulation component, a second linear regulator type voltage regulation component, and a control circuit that selects one of the two regulation components according to the voltage difference between the battery voltage and the output voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude Ferry
- 👤 Carlos Serra
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:58
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05F; G05F1/00; G05F1/10; G05F1/46; G05F1/56; H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02M3/158; H02J; H02J2207/00; H02J2207/20; H02M1/00; H02M1/0045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A voltage regulator meant to supply a load from a battery, including: a first switched-mode power supply type voltage regulation component; a second linear regulator type voltage regulation component; a control means for selecting one of the two regulation components according to the voltage difference between the battery voltage and the output voltage; wherein the linear regulation component is selected when the voltage difference is lower than a first predetermined threshold value; wherein the switched-mode power supply component is selected when the current consumed by the load is higher than a second predetermined threshold value; and wherein the switched-mode power supply component is selected when both the voltage difference is higher than the first threshold value and the current consumed by the load is higher than the second threshold value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A voltage regulator meant to supply a load from a battery, including: a first switched-mode power supply type voltage regulation component; a second linear regulator type voltage regulation component; a control means for selecting one of the two regulation components according to the voltage difference between the battery voltage and the output voltage; wherein the linear regulation component is selected when the voltage difference is lower than a first predetermined threshold value; wherein the switched-mode power supply component is selected when the current consumed by the load is higher than a second predetermined threshold value; and wherein the switched-mode power supply component is selected when both the voltage difference is higher than the first threshold value and the current consumed by the load is higher than the second threshold value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The voltage regulator of claim 1, wherein the switched-mode power supply component is selected when the current consumed by the load is higher than a second predetermined threshold value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The voltage regulator of claim 1, including: two MOS transistors connected in series between two terminals that receive the battery voltage; a pulsewidth modulation control circuit that controls the transistors; a linear control circuit that controls the first transistor; and a selection circuit that selects the control circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The voltage regulator of claim 3, wherein respective output signals of the control circuits, sent onto the gate of the first MOS transistor, are provided by tri-state amplifiers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The voltage regulator of claim 3, wherein the voltage regulator includes an unregulated operating mode, in which the first transistor is saturated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The voltage regulator of claim 1, meant to supply a mobile phone, and including a terminal that can receive a signal indicative of the stand-by state of the mobile phone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
A voltage regulator adapted to supply a load from a battery, comprising: a first switched-mode power supply type voltage regulation component; a second linear regulator type voltage regulation component; and a control circuit that selects one of the two regulation components according to the voltage difference between the battery voltage and the output voltage; wherein the linear regulation component is selected when the voltage difference is lower than a first predetermined threshold value; wherein the switched-mode power supply component is selected when the current consumed by the load is higher than a second predetermined threshold value; and wherein the switched-mode power supply component is selected when both the voltage difference is higher than the first threshold value and the current consumed by the load is higher than the second threshold value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
A voltage regulator adapted to supply a load from a battery, comprising: a first switched-mode power supply type voltage regulation component; a second linear regulator type voltage regulation component; and a control circuit that selects one of the two regulation components according to the voltage difference between the battery voltage and the output voltage; wherein the linear regulation component is selected when the voltage difference is lower than a first predetermined threshold value; wherein the switched-mode power supply component is selected when the current consumed by the load is higher than a second predetermined threshold value; and wherein the switched-mode power supply component is selected when both the voltage difference is higher than the first threshold value and the current consumed by the load is higher than the second threshold value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The voltage regulator of claim 7, wherein the control circuit selects one of the regulation components according to the current consumed by the load.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The voltage regulator of claim 7, including: two MOS transistors connected in series between two terminals that receive the battery voltage; a pulsewidth modulation control circuit that controls the transistors; a linear control circuit that controls the first transistor; and a selection circuit that selects the control circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The voltage regulator of claim 9, wherein respective output signals of the control circuits, sent onto the gate of the first MOS transistor, are provided by tri-state amplifiers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The voltage regulator of claim 9, wherein the voltage regulator includes an unregulated operating mode, in which the first transistor is saturated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The voltage regulator of claim 1, adapted to supply a mobile phone, and including a terminal that can receive a signal indicative of the stand-by state of the mobile phone.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of supplying a load from a battery, comprising the steps of: selecting a linear regulator type voltage regulation when a voltage difference between a battery voltage and an output voltage is lower than a first predetermined threshold value; selecting switched-mode type voltage regulation when a current consumed by the load is higher than a second predetermined threshold value; and selecting switched-mode type voltage regulation when both the voltage difference is higher than the first threshold value and the current consumed by the load is higher than the second threshold value.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of supplying a load from a battery, comprising the steps of: selecting a linear regulator type voltage regulation when a voltage difference between a battery voltage and an output voltage is lower than a first predetermined threshold value; selecting switched-mode type voltage regulation when a current consumed by the load is higher than a second predetermined threshold value; and selecting switched-mode type voltage regulation when both the voltage difference is higher than the first threshold value and the current consumed by the load is higher than the second threshold value.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-05-22 | 2004-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | 2008-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-21 | 2012-05-22 | 2012-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |