Load driver circuit
First Claim
1. Load driver circuit comprising:
- first comparator means for receiving a load current signal indicative of current flowing through a load and for providing as an output signal a set on signal in response to said load current signal being less than a first threshold;
second comparator means for receiving said load current signal and providing as an output rignal a set off signal in response to said load current exceeding a second threshold more than said first threshold;
driver means coupled to said first and second comparator means for receiving said set on signal and said set off signal and providing a load current control signal for controlling current flow through said load in response thereto;
wherein the improvement comprises means for disabling at least one of said first and second comparator means in response to and after said one of said first and second comparator means provides its output signal, whereby the generation of undesired set on/set off signals due to noise signals is minimized.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Load driver circuit (10) has first and second comparators (Cphd 1, C2) which receive a load current signal (Vs) indicative of current flowing through a load (11). The comparators provide, as output signals, set on and set off signals (at 21, 23) in response to comparing the load current signal (Vs) with first and second thresholds (T1, T2). Driver circuitry (27, 43, 12) receives the set on and set off signals and provides a current control signal (at 18) for controlling load current. Preferably, disabling circuitry (30-34) disables the comparators (C1, C2) after and in response to the comparators providing their respective output signals (at 21, 23). Also, preferably enabling circuitry (40-42) enables the comparators (C1, C2) in response to comparing a sensed voltage (at 17), indicative of voltage at an output terminal of a switching device (12) that controls load current, with respect to a predetermined voltage (2.5 volts). The selective enabling/disabling of the Comparators (C1 , C2) results in minimizing the possible effect of noise with respect to controlling load current since undesired false or repetitive outputs of the comparators are minimized.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Load driver circuit comprising:
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first comparator means for receiving a load current signal indicative of current flowing through a load and for providing as an output signal a set on signal in response to said load current signal being less than a first threshold; second comparator means for receiving said load current signal and providing as an output rignal a set off signal in response to said load current exceeding a second threshold more than said first threshold; driver means coupled to said first and second comparator means for receiving said set on signal and said set off signal and providing a load current control signal for controlling current flow through said load in response thereto; wherein the improvement comprises means for disabling at least one of said first and second comparator means in response to and after said one of said first and second comparator means provides its output signal, whereby the generation of undesired set on/set off signals due to noise signals is minimized. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. Load driver circuit comprising:
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first comparator means for receiving a load current signal indicative of current flowing through a load and for providing as an output signal a set on signal in response to said load current signal being less than a first threshold; second comparator means for receiving said load current signal and providing as an output signal a set off signal in response to said load current exceeding a second threshold more than said first threshold; driver means coupled to said first and second comparator means for receiving said set on signal and said set off signal and providing a load current control signal for controlling current flow through said load in response thereto, said driver means including an output switching device having a control terminal, which control terminal receives said control signal, and said output switching device having a pair of output terminals, at least one of said output terminals to be coupled to said load; wherein the improvement comprises means for enabling at least one of said first and second comparator means in response to comparing a sensed voltage, indicative of the voltage at said one output terminal of said device, with respect to a predetermined voltage. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. Load driver circuit comprising:
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a load having a varying load current therein; an output switching device having a control input terminal and a pair of output terminals, at least one of said output terminals coupled to said load and said control input terminal receiving a current control signal for controlling said load current in said load; first comparator means for receiving a load current signal indicative of said load current flowing through said load and for providing as an output signal a set on signal in response to said load current signal being less than a first threshold; second comparator means for receiving said load current signal and providing as an output signal a set off signal in response to said load current exceeding a second threshold more than said first threshold; driver means, which includes said output switching device, coupled to said first and second comparator means for receiving said set on signal and said set off signal and providing said load current control signal in response thereto; means for disabling one of said first and second comparator means in response to and after said one of said said first and second comparator means provides its output signal; and means for enabling said one of said first and second comparator means in response to comparing a sensed voltage, indicative of the voltage at said one output terminal of said switching device, with respect to a predetermined voltage. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification