US6313697B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for amplifying signals
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1999-12-07
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Granted: 2001-11-06
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Expires: 2019-12-07
Abstract
Abstract The device for amplifying input signals ( 10 ) comprises a control stage ( 12 ) and a switching bridge amplifier ( 14 ), which is coupled to said control stage via at least first and second control signals ( 16, 18 ). The bridge amplifier ( 14 ) can be switched in at least two states, in dependence upon the control signals ( 16, 18 ). The control stage ( 12 ) is embodied so as to control only a single substantially passive state of the bridge amplifier ( 14 ), as a result of which relatively small switching losses occur.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry Neuteboom
- 👤 Eise C. Dijkmans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:25
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/20; H03F3/21; H03F3/217; H03F3/2173
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A device for amplifying analog input signals, comprising a substantially fixed voltage source, a bridge amplifier supplied directly by said fixed voltage source, and a control stage receiving said input signals, and coupled to said bridge amplifier by first and second control signals for switching said bridge amplifier between at least two states, characterized in that said control stage switches said bridge amplifier between only a single substantially passive state and at least one active state.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A device for amplifying analog input signals, comprising a substantially fixed voltage source, a bridge amplifier supplied directly by said fixed voltage source, and a control stage receiving said input signals, and coupled to said bridge amplifier by first and second control signals for switching said bridge amplifier between at least two states, characterized in that said control stage switches said bridge amplifier between only a single substantially passive state and at least one active state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the control stage comprises: a conversion unit for converting the input signals into sign-coded signals and magnitude-coded signals, a pulse width modulator for converting the magnitude of the magnitude-coded signals into pulse width modulated signals, and a generator for generating the control signals from the pulse width modulated signals and the sign-coded signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device as claimed in claim 2 , characterized in that the pulse width modulated signals comprise at least bivalent signals, and the generator is arranged to control the bridge amplifier to be in said only a single substantially passive state when the pulse width modulated signals have a substantially low value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as claimed in claim 2 , characterized in that the generator consists of logic gates and an inverter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
A device as claimed in claim 4 , characterized in that said logic gates are first and second NAND gates, the first NAND gate receiving the sign-coded signal at one input and the pulse width modulated signals at another input, and the second NAND gate receiving the sign-coded signal, inverted, at a first input and the pulse width modulated signals at a second input.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
An audio system including a loudspeaker and a device for amplifying input signals, said device comprising a substantially fixed voltage source, a bridge amplifier supplied directly by said fixed voltage source and having an output connected to said loudspeaker, and a control stage receiving said input signals, and coupled to said bridge amplifier by first and second control signals for switching said bridge amplifier between at least two states, characterized in that said control stage switches said bridge amplifier between only a single substantially passive state and at least one active state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
An audio system including a loudspeaker and a device for amplifying input signals, said device comprising a substantially fixed voltage source, a bridge amplifier supplied directly by said fixed voltage source and having an output connected to said loudspeaker, and a control stage receiving said input signals, and coupled to said bridge amplifier by first and second control signals for switching said bridge amplifier between at least two states, characterized in that said control stage switches said bridge amplifier between only a single substantially passive state and at least one active state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
An audio system as claimed in claim 6 , characterized in that the control stage comprises: a conversion unit for converting the input signals into sign-coded signals and magnitude-coded signals, a pulse width modulator for converting the magnitude of the magnitude-coded signals into pulse width modulated signals, and a generator for generating the control signals from the pulse width modulated signals and the sign-coded signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
An audio system as claimed in claim 7 , characterized in that the pulse width modulated signals comprise at least bivalent signals, and the generator is arranged to control the bridge amplifier to be in said only a single substantially passive state when the pulse width modulated signals have a substantially low value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An audio system as claimed in claim 7 , characterized in that the generator consists of logic gates and an inverter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
An audio system as claimed in claim 9 , characterized in that said logic gates are first and second NAND gates, the first NAND gate receiving the sign-coded signal at one input and the pulse width modulated signals at another input, and the second NAND gate receiving the sign-coded signal, inverted, at a first input and the pulse width modulated signals at a second input.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
A hearing aid including a device for amplifying input signals, said device comprising a substantially fixed voltage source, a bridge amplifier supplied directly by said fixed voltage source, and a control stage receiving said input signals, and coupled to said bridge amplifier by first and second control signals for switching said bridge amplifier between at least two states, characterized in that said control stage switches said bridge amplifier between only a single substantially passive state and at least one active state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
A hearing aid including a device for amplifying input signals, said device comprising a substantially fixed voltage source, a bridge amplifier supplied directly by said fixed voltage source, and a control stage receiving said input signals, and coupled to said bridge amplifier by first and second control signals for switching said bridge amplifier between at least two states, characterized in that said control stage switches said bridge amplifier between only a single substantially passive state and at least one active state.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
A hearing aid as claimed in claim 11 , characterized in that the control stage comprises: a conversion unit for converting the input signals into sign-coded signals and magnitude-coded signals, a pulse width modulator for converting the magnitude of the magnitude-coded signals into pulse width modulated signals, and a generator for generating the control signals from the pulse width modulated signals and the sign-coded signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
A hearing aid as claimed in claim 12 , characterized in that the pulse width modulated signals comprise at least bivalent signals, and the generator is arranged to control the bridge amplifier to be in said only a single substantially passive state when the pulse width modulated signals have a substantially low value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A hearing aid as claimed in claim 12 , characterized in that the generator consists of logic gates and an inverter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
A hearing aid as claimed in claim 14 , characterized in that said logic gates are first and second NAND gates, the first NAND gate receiving the sign-coded signal at one input and the pulse width modulated signals at another input, and the second NAND gate receiving the sign-coded signal, inverted, at a first input and the pulse width modulated signals at a second input.
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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) | 2004-11-05 | 2005-05-07 | 2005-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-05 | 2009-05-07 | 2009-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-05 | 2013-05-07 | 2013-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |