Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna system including a Luneberg Lens having a spherically shaped outer surface and a spherically shaped focal surface spaced from its outer surface with a plurality of patch antenna elements disposed along the focal surface of the Luneberg Lens; and a power combiner for combining signals received by said plurality of patch antenna elements. The disclosed antenna system may be used a part of a robust GPS system having a plurality of GPS satellites each transmitting a GPS signal; a plurality of airborne GPS platforms, each GPS platform including a GPS transmitter for transmitting its own GPS signal, the GPS signals being transmitted from the plurality of airborne GPS platforms being differentiated from the GPS signals transmitted by visible GPS satellites; and at least one terrestrially located GPS receiver for receiving the GPS signals transmitted by visible ones of the GPS satellites and by visible ones of said airborne GPS platforms.

Abstract: A column antenna apparatus and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. This invention forms a spiral metal layer on a column body. The column antenna apparatus can simplify the manufacturing process and enhance the yield rate. The column antenna apparatus includes a column body, a metal layer and a spiral structure. The metal layer is formed on the surface of the column body, and the spiral structure is formed on the metal layer. The spiral structure is implemented by removing part of the metal layer to form a pitch structure. The column body is exposed between the pitches. The column antenna apparatus can be applied to a single, dual, three or multi frequencies wireless communication device. Furthermore, the column antenna apparatus can be installed at outside of the wireless communication device to be an external antenna or at inside of the wireless communication device to be a built-in antenna.

Abstract: A circuit is used for driving a plurality of LEDs by an external voltage source. The LEDs are coupled in series. The circuit comprises a plurality of switches coupled to the LEDs in parallel, respectively, for individually controlling the brightness of the LEDs. The circuit further includes a plurality of Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) signals coupled to the switches, respectively, for individually controlling the switches.

Abstract: A string set of series-connected incandescent bulbs in which substantially all of the bulb filaments in the set are individually provided with a shunt circuit which includes a voltage responsive switch which is inoperative during normal operation of the string set when connected to a source of operating potential and which becomes operative only in response to an increase in the voltage thereacross which exceeds its rating, and in which the remaining bulbs of the circuit continue to receive substantially rated current therethrough and substantially rated voltage thereacross and further continue to be illuminated at substantially constant illumination even though other or substantially all of the other bulbs in the string are either inoperative or are missing from their respective sockets. The voltage responsive switches may be in series with a resistor.

Abstract: An antenna (11) includes a patch antenna element (22) capacitively coupled to a load patch (27). A switch (33) connects the load patch (27) to one of one or more strip lines (35, 37, 40), each of which has a different length. Each strip lines causes the load patch (27) to have a different impedance, with one causing a short circuit, one causing an open circuit, and one causing an impedance in between these extremes. Different impedances of the load patch (27) cause different frequencies of operation of the antenna patch (22) by virtue of the capacitive coupling therebetween. The antenna (11) is thereby tuneable to three separate frequencies. Other frequency bands are unaffected by virtue of the location of the load patch (27) relative to the antenna patch (22). By allowing tuning by way of controlling the impedance of the load patch (27), the antenna arrangement can be made smaller than a corresponding passive antenna operable at the same frequencies.

Abstract: A portable fluorescent task lamp comprising at least two fluorescent bulbs of any wattage up to forty Watts and of either a non-starting type or a self-starting type; and an electronic ballast circuit for use therewith including an SPST function switch disposed in series with each fluorescent bulb, wherein the fluorescent bulbs may be ignited and sustained in illumination in parallel, simultaneously or individually, as determined by the respective SPST switches.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are wireless products adapted to be positioned in a normal or resting position, that also include an antenna composed of a set of elements arranged in a plane in a radially symmetrical configuration providing a reduction in the susceptibility of reflected waves having the potential to cancel or weaken a main wave or signal, the plane positioned with respect to the normal position to direct a main communication line with a second wireless device into the plane and provide reception of a main and/or secondary signal at a plurality of phases. One exemplary product is a wireless conferencing device configured to rest on a tabletop, the antenna array oriented in a horizontal plane. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.

Abstract: The present discharge lamp lighting device is capable of rapid modulation in which a lamp current is rapidly reduced and rapidly restored. The current control circuit is provided to perform specific current control such that the brightness of a lamp is reduced by a predetermined percentage without being affected by a variation or change in lamp voltage over time, thereby reducing a lamp current.

Abstract: An external electrode surface emission fluorescent lamp for LCD backlighting includes (a) a serpentine-shaped upper sheet having a section for maximizing brightness uniformity within a predetermined distance from its surface; (b) a plate-shaped lower sheet combined with the upper sheet to form mutually connected channels; (c) external electrodes installed on surfaces of both ends of the upper sheet; and (d) auxiliary electrodes installed along the surface of channels.

Abstract: A step down switching regulator circuit that is particularly well-suited to drive high power LEDs includes a crossover conduction mode (XCM) control circuit that maintains operation at the crossover point between continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). This XCM operation provides an inductor current waveform that ramps up and down between zero and a desired maximum current. One or more comparators in the XCM control circuit can be used to control switching between the inductor current ramp up and ramp down phases. In this manner, complex feedback loop logic and PID controlled PWM signal generation logic can be avoided, and the need for external sense resistors and associated interface pins can be eliminated.

Abstract: An electronic device an antenna, an information processing apparatus for the purpose of processing information captured by the antenna, and a metal exterior parts capable of housing therewithin the antenna and the information processing apparatus, wherein the metal exterior parts is configured so that the antenna can receive magnetic flux from outside the metal exterior parts that has passed through the metal exterior parts and can resonate, and wherein at least a part of the metal exterior parts has an electrical resistance value that is different from another part of the metal exterior parts.

Abstract: A dual-band circularly polarized antenna is disclosed, more particularly a dual-band circularly polarized antenna being able to transmit and receive circularly polarized signals at two different frequency bands, simultaneously. The dual-band circularly polarized antenna of the present invention comprises a first polarized radiating element with at least one corner being chamfered, a plurality of second polarized radiating elements with each of the second polarized radiating elements having at least one corner being chamfered, a signal distributor for distributing an electrical signal, a signal coupling unit electrically connecting with the first polarized radiating unit and the signal distributor, and a ground plate. The dual-band circularly polarized antenna of the present invention not only can be manufactured with a low cost, but also has a simpler structure. As a result, the dual-band circularly polarized antenna of the present invention can be easily integrated into the antenna module of an RFID system.

Abstract: Provided is a load driving device controlling a drive of a load including a driver for periodically turning on/off a current according to a switching clock signal and supplying a average driving current to the load. Further provided is a dimming controller for controlling the driver to turn on/off the drive of the load based on a dimming step. Also provided is a controller for controlling at least one of the driver and the dimming controller so as to make a step interval of the dimming step and a switching clock period of the switching clock signal the same. A load driving device is provided that is capable of stably controlling the dimming of a drive of a load, by improving a linear response characteristic of a driving current according to a dimming control.

Abstract: A charge pump circuit boosts a voltage of a battery so as to generate a drive voltage for an LED. A constant current circuit generates a constant current to feed through the LED. A monitoring circuit monitors a cathode potential of the LED, i.e., a voltage across the constant current circuit. A control circuit receives a result of monitoring from the monitoring circuit 110 and increases a step-up ratio of the charge pump circuit when the voltage across the constant current circuit drops below a minimum voltage that guarantees a constant current. The control circuit sets an externally requested constant current value in the constant current circuit. When a change from a large current to a small current is requested, the control circuit returns the step-up ratio of the charge pump circuit to 1.0.

Abstract: A planar antenna, which is operable within the ultra wide bandwidth, includes a dielectric substrate, an elliptical radiating element, a feeding element, and a grounding element. The dielectric substrate has opposite first and second surfaces. The elliptical radiating element is formed on the first surface of the dielectric substrate, and has major and minor axes. The ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is between 1.25 and 1.7. The feeding element is formed on the first surface of the dielectric substrate, and is coupled to the radiating element. The grounding element is formed on the second surface of the dielectric substrate, and is coupled to the feeding element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile communication terminal having an ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection function that includes a multi-band intenna including: a main signal pattern line that transmits/receives a main frequency band signal and is formed in a meander-line shape; at least one sub signal pattern line that is formed unitarily with the main signal pattern line and transmits/receives a frequency band signal different from that of the main signal pattern line; a discharge pattern line that is provided between the main and sub signal pattern lines to form a spark gap and performs an ESD protection function; a feed point that is formed on the main signal pattern line for power feeding; and a shorting point that is formed on the discharge pattern line to discharge static electricity to a ground terminal.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for preparing signs and displays. The methods and systems include using a light engine for generating light of a plurality of colors to illuminate the body of a flexible conduit that receives light from the light engine. The conduit can be used as a sign, display, or similar lighting facility in many applications that traditionally used neon signs and displays.

Abstract: Described is a dipole which may includes a feed line electrically coupled to a first antenna element; a balun electrically coupled to a second antenna element; and a short assembly slidably coupled to the feed line and the balun to create a short circuit at variable distances along the feed line and the balun.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) driver drives a plurality of LEDs, and includes a plurality of LED drivers with inherent addresses thereof respectively driving the plurality of LEDs; a serial bus connected to the plurality of LED drivers; and a sequence controller serially transmitting a control signal for driving the plurality of LEDs and the inherent addresses, allowing the plurality of LED drivers to be sequentially driven, in the form of digital data through the serial bus. Thus, the LED driver accomplishes appropriate response speed corresponding to a human eye's recognition limit. Further, the LED driver provides easy fabrication, small size and lower production cost. The LED driver generates less noise while large current and high voltage fluctuate. Also, the LED driver automatically detects malfunction and automates initial current setting for production.

Abstract: A ring balancer comprising a plurality of balancing transformers facilitates current sharing in a multi-lamp backlight system. The balancing transformers have respective primary windings separately coupled in series with designated lamps and have respective secondary windings coupled together in a closed loop. The secondary windings conduct a common current and the respective primary windings conduct proportional currents to balance currents among the lamps. The ring balancer facilitates automatic lamp striking and the lamps can be advantageously driven by a common voltage source.