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US 12,193,516 B2Granted
Puff detection circuits and devices therefor
AssigneeSmart Chip Microelectronic Co. Limited
InventorLoi Ying Liu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A puff detection device (10) comprising a capacitive puff sensor (C2), a detection signal generator (140) for connection with the puff sensor (C2) and having an ESD diode (D2) at an input node (IN2), and a reference signal generator (120) which is configured to generate a train of reference pulses (CKI) having a reference frequency and comprises a reference capacitor (C1). The reference signal generator (120) includes a compensation device (D1) which is configured to provide a leakage current path at a charging node (IN1) of the reference capacitor (C1).
Claims17
An electronic device comprising a first signal generator and a second signal generator,
- wherein the first signal generator is a reference signal generator comprising:
- a first capacitor which is a reference capacitor connected between an intermediate node and a circuit ground, and
- a compensation device which is connected in parallel with the first capacitor;
- a first charging-and-discharging circuit which is configured to repeatedly charge and discharge the first capacitor whereby a first train of pulses having a first frequency is generated, the first frequency being a reference frequency corresponding to a first pulse count which is a reference pulse count;
- and
- wherein the first charging-and-discharging circuit comprises a first charging circuit portion which is configured to supply a first current to the intermediate node whereby the first capacitor is charged;
- wherein the second signal generator is a detection signal generator comprising:
- an input node which is configured for making electrical connection with a capacitive sensor which is a second capacitor,
- a diode which is connected at the input node to function as an ESD diode to provide electrostatic discharge protection,
- a second charging-and-discharging circuit which is configured to repeatedly charge and discharge the second capacitor whereby a second train of pulses having a second frequency is generated when the capacitive sensor is connected to the second signal generator, the second frequency being a detection frequency corresponding to a second pulse count which is a detection pulse count;
- and
- wherein the compensation device is configured to provide a leaking current path so that a minor portion of the first current is to flow into the compensation device as a compensational leakage current during charging cycles of the first charging circuit portion to mitigate errors arising from a change in leakage current of the ESD diode due to a change in operational temperature of the second signal generator.
9 more elements
A puff detection apparatus comprising an electronic device and a capacitive puff sensor, wherein the puff sensor is connected to the device as the second capacitor;
- wherein the electronic device comprises a first signal generator and a second signal generator,
- wherein the first signal generator is a reference signal generator comprising:
- a first capacitor which is a reference capacitor connected between an intermediate node and a circuit ground, and
- a compensation device which is connected in parallel with the first capacitor;
- a first charging-and-discharging circuit which is configured to repeatedly charge and discharge the first capacitor whereby a first train of pulses having a first frequency is generated, the first frequency being a reference frequency corresponding to a first pulse count which is a reference pulse count;
- and
- wherein the first charging-and-discharging circuit comprises a first charging circuit portion which is configured to supply a first current to the intermediate node whereby the first capacitor is charged;
- wherein the second signal generator is a detection signal generator comprising:
- an input node which is configured for making electrical connection with a capacitive sensor which is a second capacitor,
- a diode which is connected at the input node to function as an ESD diode to provide electrostatic discharge protection,
- a second charging-and-discharging circuit which is configured to repeatedly charge and discharge the second capacitor whereby a second train of pulses having a second frequency is generated when the capacitive sensor is connected to the second signal generator, the second frequency being a detection frequency corresponding to a second pulse count which is a detection pulse count;
- and
- wherein the compensation device is configured to provide a leaking current path so that a minor portion of the first current is to flow into the compensation device as a compensational leakage current during charging cycles of the first charging circuit portion to mitigate errors arising from a change in leakage current of the ESD diode due to a change in operational temperature of the second signal generator.
10 more elements
A vaping apparatus comprising a housing defining an air-passageway and a mouth piece on an end of the air-passageway, and a puff detection apparatus comprising an electronic device and a capacitive puff sensor, wherein the puff sensor is connected to the device as the second capacitor;
- wherein the electronic device comprises a first signal generator and a second signal generator,
- wherein the first signal generator is a reference signal generator comprising:
- a first capacitor which is a reference capacitor connected between an intermediate node and a circuit ground, and
- a compensation device which is connected in parallel with the first capacitor;
- a first charging-and-discharging circuit which is configured to repeatedly charge and discharge the first capacitor whereby a first train of pulses having a first frequency is generated, the first frequency being a reference frequency corresponding to a first pulse count which is a reference pulse count;
- and
- wherein the first charging-and-discharging circuit comprises a first charging circuit portion which is configured to supply a first current to the intermediate node whereby the first capacitor is charged;
- wherein the second signal generator is a detection signal generator comprising:
- an input node which is configured for making electrical connection with a capacitive sensor which is a second capacitor,
- a diode which is connected at the input node to function as an ESD diode to provide electrostatic discharge protection,
- a second charging-and-discharging circuit which is configured to repeatedly charge and discharge the second capacitor whereby a second train of pulses having a second frequency is generated when the capacitive sensor is connected to the second signal generator, the second frequency being a detection frequency corresponding to a second pulse count which is a detection pulse count;
- and
- wherein the compensation device is configured to provide a leaking current path so that a minor portion of the first current is to flow into the compensation device as a compensational leakage current during charging cycles of the first charging circuit portion to mitigate errors arising from a change in leakage current of the ESD diode due to a change in operational temperature of the second signal generator.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.