Patents by Inventor Robert J. Furlow

Robert J. Furlow has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7737895
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are generally related to an antenna device that includes a pass-through interface such as for a USB device. The antenna device is enclosed in a housing. The pass-through interface includes two ports. The housing is coupled to the pass-through interface body such that one of the ports is blocked by a blocking member when the housing is in a first position. The blocking member prevents impact damage to the blocked port, while also preventing dirt and dust from collecting. The blocking member is cleared from the opening of the blocked port when the housing is biased into a second position by inserting a connector. The blocking member automatically returns to the first position when the connector is removed from the port. Antenna performance is improved by automatically aligning the antenna away from the connector, which may otherwise degrade performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Russell Irvin Sanchez, Ferdinand Johannes van Engelen, Robert J. Furlow
  • Patent number: 6975274
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are generally related to an antenna device that includes a pass-through interface such as for a USB device. The antenna device is enclosed in a housing. The pass-through interface includes two ports. The housing is coupled to the pass-through interface body such that one of the ports is blocked by a blocking member when the housing is in a first position. The blocking member prevents impact damage to the blocked port, while also preventing dirt and dust from collecting. The blocking member is cleared from the opening of the blocked port when the housing is biased into a second position by inserting a connector. The blocking member automatically returns to the first position when the connector is removed from the port. Antenna performance is improved by automatically aligning the antenna away from the connector, which may otherwise degrade performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Russell Irvin Sanchez, Ferdinand Johannes van Engelen, Robert J. Furlow
  • Publication number: 20040263417
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are generally related to an antenna device that includes a pass-through interface such as for a USB device. The antenna device is enclosed in a housing. The pass-through interface includes two ports. The housing is coupled to the pass-through interface body such that one of the ports is blocked by a blocking member when the housing is in a first position. The blocking member prevents impact damage to the blocked port, while also preventing dirt and dust from collecting. The blocking member is cleared from the opening of the blocked port when the housing is biased into a second position by inserting a connector. The blocking member automatically returns to the first position when the connector is removed from the port. Antenna performance is improved by automatically aligning the antenna away from the connector, which may otherwise degrade performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Russell Irvin Sanchez, Ferdinand Johannes van Engelen, Robert J. Furlow
  • Patent number: 6271728
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new architecture for MMIC circuitry that allows reception of electronically selectable single polarity for simultaneous dual polarity/dual beam signals by phased-array modules. Additionally, an improved phase shifter design that is smaller and requiring fewer electronic components than prior art phase shifters is disclosed. In particular, the phase shifter requires only a single control line for each stage of the phase shifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventors: Jack E. Wallace, Harold J. Redd, Robert J. Furlow, John Haworth
  • Patent number: 6137377
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new architecture for MMIC circuitry that allows reception of electronically selectable single polarity or simultaneous dual polarity/dual beam signals by placed-array modules. Additionally, an improved phase shifter design that is smaller said requiring fewer electronic components than prior art phase shifters is disclosed. In particular, the phase shifter requires only a single control line for each stage of the phase shifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jack E. Wallace, Harold J. Redd, Robert J. Furlow, John Haworth
  • Patent number: 6020848
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new architecture for MMIC circuitry that allows reception of electronically selectable single polarity or simultaneous dual polarity/dual beam signals by phased-array modules. Additionally, an improved phase shifter design that is smaller and requiring fewer electronic components than prior art phase shifters is disclosed. In particular, the phase shifter requires only a single control line for each stage of the phase shifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jack E. Wallace, Harold J. Redd, Robert J. Furlow, John Haworth
  • Patent number: 5072199
    Abstract: A power splitter (10), including a feedback amplifier (16) and matching network (18), is disclosed for splitting the output of a signal source (12) to be applied to a processing system (14). The feedback amplifier includes a gain stage (20) and active load (22). The gain stage includes a field-effect transistor (FET) (Q1) and feedback components (LF and RF) that provide the amplification required to give the power splitter unity gain. An inductive element (LD) gives the amplifier the desired bandwidth and a dual-gate FET (Q2) is employed as the active load to reduce loading of the gain stage. The matching network includes a plurality of stages (e.g., 24), each of which includes a source follower FET (e.g., Q3 ) and a single-gate active load FET (e.g., Q4). The resultant power splitter provides the desired equal power, matched phase outputs with suitable isolation and minimal insertion losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Furlow