Patent ID: 6847231
Filing Date: 2005-01-25
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
1. An output circuit comprising: an output node through which power is supplied to an external load circuit; a first power supply unit; an output MIS transistor, provided between the first power supply unit and the output node, for allowing or stopping the supply of the power to the output node; a current supply unit; a reference node connected to the current supply unit; a reference MIS transistor that is provided between the first power supply unit and the reference node, and that has a gate electrode to which a constant voltage is applied to allow the reference MIS transistor to function as a resistor; a comparator having one input section thereof connected to the reference node and the other input section thereof connected to the output node; and a control circuit, connected to the output section of the comparator, for carrying out the ON/OFF control of the output MIS transistor so as to turn the output MIS transistor OFF for a given period of time at least when the potential of the output node is lower than that of the reference node.