Patent ID: 7885048
Filing Date: 2011-02-08
Classification: H01L,H03K

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor device, comprising: a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of a vicinity of a target circuit; and a current detector for detecting a current that flows through the target circuit; wherein a warning signal is output from an external terminal of the semiconductor device when the detected temperature reaches a first predetermined temperature, and the detected current is greater than a first predetermined load current, and wherein the current that flows through the target circuit is cut off when the detected temperature reaches a second predetermined temperature that is defined as being higher than the first predetermined temperature, an output voltage of the target circuit is decreased when the detected load current exceeds a second predetermined load current that is defined as being greater than the first predetermined load current, and the external terminal is arranged to output the warning signal directly to an external controller of a control system having different loads, and the warning signal is different than a signal cutting off current that flows through the target circuit.