Appeal No. 2000-2188 Page 2
Application No. 09/063,050
drive current. According to Appellants, conventional boosted-
voltage generators operate based on an internal oscillator that
generates the clock signal. Since the internal oscillator has a
fixed frequency, its band width is limited, which results in a
higher level of load drive current and increased power
consumption (specification, page 4). To resolve the limitations
of internal oscillator, an externally applied clock signal is
received by a pump controller in the voltage generator
(specification, page 7). Thus, according to Appellants, as the
period of the clock signal decreases (increases), the current
consumed by the load becomes larger (smaller) (specification,
page 7).
Representative independent claim 1 is reproduced as follows:
1. A synchronized boosted voltage generator,
comprising:
a first means for receiving an externally applied clock
signal and an externally applied control signal, and
outputting first, second and third signals;
a charging means for receiving the first signal and
charging a node;
a second means for receiving the second signal and
clamping a potential on the node so as not to fall below a
predetermined voltage;
a third means for receiving the third signal and
outputting a fourth signal which is to control a pumping
operation;
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007