Circuit and method for the input of a start signal for a controller

• US 7,114,088 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2002
• Issued: 09/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Horbelt, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Hari
• Application Number:
  US10/469,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20040135609A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,674 Days
• Field of Search: 713/322, 713/601, 713/327
• US Class Current: 713/322
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/005 using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0032 Control circuits allowing low power mode operation, e.g. in standby mode
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/36 Means for starting or stopping converters
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/18 Modifications for indicating state of switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/10 Technologies improving the efficiency by using switched-mode power supplies [SMPS], i.e. efficient power electronics conversion e.g. power factor correction or reduction of losses in power supplies or efficient standby modes

Abstract

A circuit and method for the input of a start signal, a controller being transferred from a first state into a second state as a function of the start signal, the energy consumption of the controller in the second state being greater than in the first state, the circuit having a clocked energy source which emits a timed energy signal, and the start signal is formed as a function of the energy signal.

Claims

1. A circuit for generating a start signal, comprising:

a clocked energy source configured to emit a time energy signal, the start signal being formed as a function of the energy signal, a controller being transferred from a first state into a second state as a function of the start signal, an energy consumption of the controller in the second state being greater than an energy consumption of the controller in the first state;

a threshold value circuit element connected to the clocked energy source; and

a first storage arrangement including at least one register storage cell, the first storage arrangement connected to the threshold value circuit, wherein an output of the threshold value circuit is stored in the first storage arrangement, and wherein the start signal is formed as a function of the stored output of the threshold value circuit.

2. The circuit as recited in claim 1, wherein the first storage arrangement includes a shift register, a content of the shift register being shifted in time with the clocked energy source.

3. The circuit as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one additional storage arrangement having at least one storage cell, the start signal being formed as a function of a comparison of a content of the first storage arrangement and a content of the at least one additional storage arrangement.

4. The circuit as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

an evaluation arrangement, the first storage arrangement being connected to the evaluation arrangement, the evaluation arrangement configured to form the start signal.

5. The circuit according to claim 3, wherein the controller is connected to the at least one additional storage arrangement, the controller configured to specify the content of the at least one additional storage arrangement when the controller is in the second state.

6. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein the clocked energy source is adjustable and a level of the energy signal emitted is changeable.

7. The circuit according to claim 6, wherein the clocked energy source one of:

i) includes a control arrangement, or ii) is connected to a control arrangement, the control arrangement configured to control changing of the level of the energy signal.

8. The circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:

a reference arrangement, a threshold value of the threshold value circuit element configured to be changed by the reference arrangement.

9. A method for generating a start signal, a controller being transferred from a first state into a second state as a function of the start signal, an energy consumption of the controller in the second state being greater than an energy consumption of the controller in the first state, the method comprising:

generating a clocked energy signal;

supplying a second signal dependent on the energy signal to a threshold value circuit element;

supplying a reference signal to the threshold value circuit element;

comparing, using the threshold value circuit element, the second signal with the reference signal, wherein a result of the comparison is stored in at least one register storage cell; and

providing the start signal as a function of the stored result of the comparison.