Apparatus for the virtual expansion of power supply capacity
US5200708A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 1991 |
| Grant date | Apr 6, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03F3/68
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus is provided for the virtual expansion of the power providing capacity of a power supply, e.g., for a stereophonic audio system with a given number of channels which may be selectively increased to provide a surround audio system. A plurality of amplifiers, each having an adjustable gain, are powered from the power supply. The current drawn from the power supply is sensed. When additional amplifiers are activated, the total amount of power drawn by all of the amplifiers can exceed a predetermined level which corresponds to the original plurality of amplifiers. However, when it is sensed that the total amount of power drawn exceeds the predetermined level, the gain of all of the amplifiers is reduced so that the power drawn from the power supply does not exceed the predetermined level. Thus, the virtual power providing capacity of the power supply is expanded to power the additional amplifiers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.