Patent ID: 6870351
Filing Date: 2005-03-22
Classification: G05F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A voltage regulator circuit comprising: an output stage circuit connected to a power line and including a regulator output terminal, said output stage circuit operating either in a normal operation state in which a regulator output voltage stabilized in accordance with an input control voltage is supplied from said regulator output terminal to an external load circuit connected thereto or in an overcurrent protection state in which a regulator output current which is limited up to a predetermined level is supplied from said regulator output terminal to the external load circuit; a first control circuit which generates the control voltage in accordance with the regulator output voltage and outputs the control voltage to said output stage circuit; and a second control circuit which monitors a state of said output stage circuit, wherein when said second control circuit is in the normal operation state, said second control circuit switches said output stage circuit from the normal operation state to the overcurrent protection state in accordance with a monitored state of said output stage circuit, and when said second control circuit is in the overcurrent protection state, said second control circuit switches from the overcurrent protection state to the normal operation state in accordance with a monitored state of said output stage circuit.