Method and clamping apparatus for securing a minimum reference voltage in a video display boost regulator
AssigneeClare Micronix Integrated Systems, Inc.
InventorRobert LeChevalier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for generating and providing a stable reference voltage to a boost regulator. The apparatus comprises a clamping circuit that is configured to receive a constant voltage and a variable voltage. The clamping circuit is further configured to generate the reference voltage based on the constant voltage and variable voltage. The clamping circuit provides the reference voltage to the boost regulator at a level that is at least sufficient to cause the boost regulator to output a non-zero voltage.
Claims72
An apparatus for providing a reference voltage to a boost regulator that generates a drive voltage for a current source based on the reference voltage, the apparatus comprising:
- a first voltage source configured to generate a constant voltage;
- a second voltage source configured to generate a variable voltage;
- and
- a clamping circuit connected to each of the first and second voltage sources, and configured to generate the reference voltage based on the constant and variable voltages, said reference voltage being provided to the boost regulator at a level that is at least sufficient to cause the boost regulator to output a non-zero voltage.
An apparatus for providing a reference voltage to a boost regulator that generates a drive voltage for a current source based on the reference voltage, the apparatus comprising:
- a first voltage source configured to generate a constant voltage;
- a second voltage source configured to generate a variable voltage;
- a first modifying circuit connected to the first voltage source and configured to modify the constant voltage;
- a second modifying circuit connected to the second voltage source and configured to modify the variable voltage;
- and
- a clamping circuit connected to outputs of each modifying circuit, and configured to generate the reference voltage based on the modified constant voltage and the modified variable voltage, said reference voltage being provided to the boost regulator at a level that is at least sufficient to cause the boost regulator to output a non-zero voltage.
A display apparatus having at least one display element, comprising:
- a boost regulator configured to generate a drive voltage that is used for providing a current to the display element based on a reference voltage;
- a sampling circuit configured to generate a representative display element voltage created when a known current conducts through the display element;
- a precharge circuit connected to the output of the sampling circuit and configured to generate a precharge voltage based on the representative display element voltage;
- a voltage source configured to generate a constant voltage;
- and
- a clamping circuit connected to the input of the boost regulator and configured to receive the precharge voltage and the constant voltage and to generate the reference voltage for communication to the boost regulator, said reference voltage being at a level that is at least sufficient to cause the boost regulator to output a non-zero voltage.
An apparatus for driving a display device having at least one display element, the apparatus comprising:
- a boost regulator configured to generate a drive voltage that is used for providing a current to the display element based on a reference voltage;
- a first voltage source configured to generate a constant voltage;
- a second voltage source configured to generate a variable voltage;
- and
- a clamping circuit connected to each of the first and second voltage sources, and to an input of the boost regulator, the clamping circuit being configured to receive the constant voltage from the first voltage source and the variable voltage from the second voltage source, the clamping circuit being further configured to generate the reference voltage based on the constant and variable voltages, wherein said reference voltage is provided to the boost regulator at a level that is at least sufficient to cause the boost regulator to output a non-zero voltage.
An apparatus for driving a display device having at least one display element that includes first and second terminal regions, the apparatus comprising:
- a boost regulator configured to generate a drive voltage based on a reference voltage;
- a first current driver circuit connected to an output of the boost regulator, and configured to generate a first current based on the drive voltage and to provide the first current to the first terminal;
- a second current driver circuit connected to the second terminal region, and configured to cause the first current to flow through the display element;
- a sampling circuit connected to the display element and configured to sample a representative display element voltage when the first current conducts through the display element;
- a precharge circuit connected to the sampling circuit and configured to generate a precharge voltage based on the representative display element voltage;
- a voltage source configured to generate a constant voltage;
- and
- a clamping circuit connected to the precharge circuit and the voltage source, and configured to generate the reference voltage based on the precharge and constant voltages, said reference voltage being provided to the boost regulator at a level that is at least sufficient to cause the boost regulator to output a non-zero voltage.
An apparatus for providing a reference voltage to a boost regulator having an input terminal, the boost regulator being configured to generate a drive voltage for a current source based on the reference voltage, the apparatus comprising:
- a first voltage source configured to generate a constant voltage;
- a second voltage source configured to generate a variable voltage;
- and
- a voltage generator having first and second input terminals connected to the first voltage source and the second voltage source, respectively, and further having an output terminal connected to the input terminal of the boost regulator, wherein the voltage generator is configured to generate the reference voltage based on the constant and variable voltages, said reference voltage being provided to the boost regulator at a level that is at least sufficient to cause the boost regulator to output a non-zero voltage.
An apparatus for providing a reference voltage to a boost regulator that generates a drive voltage for a current source based on the reference voltage, the apparatus comprising:
- means for generating a constant voltage;
- means for generating a variable voltage;
- means for generating the reference voltage based on the constant and variable voltages, said reference voltage being at a level that is at least sufficient to cause the boost regulator to output a non-zero voltage;
- and
- means for providing the reference voltage to the boost regulator.
An apparatus for driving a display device having at least one display element and a boost regulator which generates a drive voltage for a current to the display element based on a reference voltage, the apparatus comprising:
- means for conducting a known current through the display element to generate at least a display element voltage;
- means for sampling a representative voltage from the display element voltage;
- means for providing a precharge voltage based on the representative voltage;
- means for generating a constant voltage;
- means for generating the reference voltage based on the precharge voltage and the constant voltage, said reference voltage being at a level that is at least sufficient to cause the boost regulator to output a non-zero voltage;
- and
- means for providing the reference voltage to the boost regulator.
An apparatus for providing a reference voltage to a boost regulator that generates a drive voltage for a current source based on the reference voltage, the apparatus comprising:
- a first voltage source configured to generate a constant voltage;
- a second voltage source configured to generate a variable voltage;
- and
- a clamping circuit connected to each of the first and second voltage sources, and configured to generate the reference voltage based on the constant and variable voltages, said reference voltage being provided to the boost regulator at a level that is sufficient to enable the operation of the boost regulator.
An apparatus for providing a reference voltage to a boost regulator that generates a drive voltage for a current source based on the reference voltage, the apparatus comprising:
- a first voltage source configured to generate a constant voltage;
- a second voltage source configured to generate a variable voltage;
- a first modifying circuit connected to the first voltage source and configured to modify the constant voltage;
- a second modifying circuit connected to the second voltage source and configured to modify the variable voltage;
- and
- a clamping circuit connected to outputs of the first and second modifying circuits, and configured to generate the reference voltage based on the modified constant voltage and the modified variable voltage, said reference voltage being provided to the boost regulator at a level that is sufficient to enable the operation of the boost regulator.
A method for providing a reference voltage for a boost regulator that generates a drive voltage for a current source based on the reference voltage, the method comprising:
- generating a constant voltage;
- generating a variable voltage;
- generating the reference voltage based on the constant and variable voltages, said reference voltage being at a level that is at least sufficient to cause the boost regulator to output a non-zero voltage;
- and
- providing the reference voltage to the boost regulator.
A method of driving a display device having at least one display element and a boost regulator which generates a drive voltage for a current to the display element based on a reference voltage, the method comprising:
- conducting a known current through the display element to generate at least a display element voltage;
- sampling a representative voltage from the display element voltage;
- providing a precharge voltage based on the representative voltage;
- generating a constant voltage;
- generating the reference voltage based on the precharge voltage and the constant voltage, said reference voltage being at a level that is at least sufficient to cause the boost regulator to output a non-zero voltage;
- and
- providing the reference voltage to the boost regulator.
A method for providing a reference voltage for a boost regulator that generates a drive voltage for a current source based on the reference voltage, the method comprising:
- generating a constant voltage;
- generating a variable voltage;
- modifying the constant voltage to a first predetermined voltage;
- modifying the variable voltage to a second predetermined voltage;
- generating the reference voltage based on the first and second predetermined voltages, said reference voltage being at a level that is at least sufficient to cause the boost regulator to output a non-zero voltage;
- and
- providing the reference voltage to the boost regulator.
A method for providing a reference voltage for a boost regulator that generates a drive voltage for a current source based on the reference voltage, the method comprising:
- generating a constant voltage;
- generating a variable voltage;
- generating the reference voltage based on the constant and variable voltages, said reference voltage being at a level that is suitable to enable the operation of the boost regulator.
A method for providing a reference voltage for a boost regulator that generates a drive voltage for a current source based on the reference voltage, the method comprising:
- generating a constant voltage;
- generating a variable voltage;
- modifying the constant voltage to a first predetermined voltage;
- modifying the variable voltage to a second predetermined voltage;
- generating the reference voltage based on the first and second predetermined voltages, said reference voltage being at a level that is suitable to enable the operation of the boost regulator;
- and
- providing the reference voltage to the boost regulator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.