Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Mario J. Donato, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6085722
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of restricting flow of exhaust gas in an exhaust gas duct of a machine having an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The apparatus includes a closure member pivotably mounted relative to the exhaust gas duct within the exhaust gas duct interior. The closure member is pivotable between a first position wherein the exhaust gas duct is substantially unblocked by the closure member and a second position wherein the exhaust gas duct is substantially blocked by the closure member. An actuator is operatively connected to the closure member, moving the closure member between the first and second positions. A machine speed sensor and a throttle position sensor are provided, as is a manually operable switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel E. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6084890
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of combining carrier signals (110, 111) includes in a coupler (125) phase shifting signals (110, 111) by substantially 90 degrees to produce phase shifted signals (120, 121), coupling signals (110, 121) to produce a coupled signal (130) and the signals (111, 120) to produce a coupled signal (140). In phase shifters (450, 460), the coupled signals (130, 140) are independently phase shifted according to two independent frequency selective phase shifting functions (150, 160) to produce phase shifted coupled signals (170, 180) which are combined at combiner (190) to produce a combined carrier signal (199). A phase shifting attribute of functions (150, 160) is divided over predetermined frequency bands (210, 220, 230). Over the frequency bands (210) phase shift (260) leads phase shift (250) and lags over the frequency band (230) by substantially 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale Robert Anderson
  • Patent number: 6081706
    Abstract: The system includes a first data channel established between the mobile communication unit and a wireless communication system. The first data channel is configured to receive the data communication. A second data channel is established between the wireless communication system and another communication system. The second data channel is configured to receive the data communication. An interworking unit is responsive to the first data channel and the second data channel. The interworking unit receives the data communication from the second data channel and queues the data communication when the first data channel cannot receive the data communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Muths, Steven T. Barrett
  • Patent number: 6078571
    Abstract: A single transmitter (109) controlled to transmit at appropriate beacon signal frequencies (F1-F3) is scanned through each of the frequencies (F1-F3) so that a mobile station (101) can determine when a hard handoff to different frequencies (F4-F6) is required. The beacon signal transmitter (109) is controlled by a controller (112) to transmit beacon signals which include a pilot channel only, pilot/sync channels, pilot/page/sync channels common to each of the frequencies (F1-F3), or pilot/page/sync channels different for each of the frequencies (F1-F3). Additional control is provided by the controller (112) such that each of frequencies (F1-F3) is further transmitted to different sectors (A1-A3) when the coverage area supported by a target base-station (106) is sectorized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6075989
    Abstract: In a wireless communication system, which includes a first base site (101) having an associated controller (130) and a second base site (108), a mobile station (103) responsive to the first and second base site, a method for determining a need to hard handoff a mobile communication signal (107) associated with the mobile station from the first base site to the second base site is disclosed. The method includes receiving a plurality of hard handoff candidate parameters associated with the mobile communication signal, and then measuring a plurality of scan result parameters associated with the mobile communication signal by a handoff scan receiver (304). The method further includes forwarding the plurality of scan result parameters to the controller, and then determining whether or not a hard handoff of the mobile communication signal is required based on the scan result parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay B. Moore, Jon Quin St. Clair
  • Patent number: 6069530
    Abstract: The method includes receiving a radio frequency (RF) input signal having an amplitude and a phase, adjusting the amplitude and the phase of the RF input signal to produce an adjusted RF input signal, amplifying the RF input signal to produce an RF output signal, and combining the adjusted RF input signal and the RF output signal to produce an error signal. Next, a power level of the error signal is detected, and based on the power level, automatically adjusting a gain and a phase of the RF output signal and automatically adjusting a bias of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Lynn Clark
  • Patent number: 6064266
    Abstract: A load limiting circuit (56) and method for limiting the output impedance seen by an amplifier (12), wherein a load limiting impedance (64), preferably a resister (94), is selectively coupled in parallel with the output impedance by a switch circuit (62), when a threshold detect circuit (60) detects the value of the output impedance (48) rising above a predetermined value. The output impedance is preferably measured by monitoring the output current through a resistor (70) connected in series with the output impedance (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Robert Anderson, James Orah Ashabraner
  • Patent number: 6064269
    Abstract: A power amplifier circuit (10) utilizes a step-wise variable voltage source (22) to improve amplifier (14) operating efficiency. In one preferred embodiment, an input signal to the step-wise variable voltage source is obtained by observing an operating characteristic of the amplifier. In an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention, a characteristic of the input signal driving the amplifier stage is used to form an input signal to the step-wise variable input voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: John Stephen Ruppel, Dale Robert Anderson
  • Patent number: 6058107
    Abstract: A method for updating power control at a base transceiver station in a communication system is provided. A base transceiver station transmits a signal frame. A mobile station receives the signal frame. The mobile station determines whether the signal frame was accurately received and sets a metric bit in a quality metric. The metric bit indicates whether the signal frame was received correctly by the mobile station. The mobile station transmits the quality metric, which is received by the base transceiver station. It is then determined whether to update power control, the determination based at least in part upon the quality metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Love, Chad Bohlmann, Michael J. Bach, William R. Bayer
  • Patent number: 6038263
    Abstract: Different orthogonal codes (W.sub.x, W.sub.y) are used to spread common pilot channels (Pilot.sub.A) intended for transmission to a particular mobile station (106) within a coverage area (sector A) to implement forward link transmit diversity. By implementing separate, different orthogonal codes (W.sub.x, W.sub.y) for each pilot channel (Pilot.sub.A), the pilot signals transmitted via antennas (218, 222) to a common coverage area (sector A) are orthogonal to one another and thus do not degrade system performance. Additionally, the use of different orthogonal codes (W.sub.x, W.sub.y) for each pilot channel (Pilot.sub.A) allows the mobile station (106) to discern which pilot channel spread with a different orthogonal code includes corresponding traffic channel (TCH) information. This allows forward link transmit diversity to be enable/disabled based on conditions associated with the environment, the communications channel, etc. without a complete loss of information as seen by the mobile station (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Kotzin, Walter J. Rozanski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5999522
    Abstract: A communication system provides wireless communication in a coverage area and includes a base station (100) and a mobile station (290). The base station (100) has a plurality of sectors (210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260) where a corresponding plurality of pilot signals (212, 222, 232, 242, 252, 262) are transmitted. A sector (210) transmits a forward link signal (211) for communicating to the mobile station (290). The mobile station (290) transmits a reverse link signal (215) and a message signal including a list of a plurality of candidate sectors for a soft hand-off routine. A method and apparatus of determining the candidate list includes measuring reverse link signal (215) which are received at said plurality of sectors. Then, comparing reverse link signal level received at sector (210) to the reverse link signal levels received at all other sectors of said plurality of sectors (210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Kamyar Rohani
  • Patent number: 5991262
    Abstract: A peak-reducing waveform is estimated and summed with a composite signal to reduce the peak-to-average power ratio of the composite signal. The estimate of the peak-reducing waveform is modified to have Walsh code components orthogonal to the assigned Walsh codes. An iterative process of estimating subsequent peak-reducing waveform is implemented to produce a peak-reducing waveform which, when summed with the composite signal, results in a composite signal having a peak-to-average ratio at a desired level and thus does not have the effects of remodulating the assigned Walsh codes. Constraints on the magnitude of the unassigned Walsh code components can be included for controlling the power level under the unassigned Walsh codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Laird, Jack Anthony Smith
  • Patent number: 5974057
    Abstract: Correction of a round-trip delay within a communication system (100) takes place by receiving an uplink communication signal (119) over uplink communication signal paths (130-132) and determining what ray was utilized by a remote unit (113) in time aligning the uplink communication signal (119). In particular, a base station (101) analyzes the uplink communication signal (119) and predicts the ray that the remote unit (113) utilized for time alignment. Once the base station (101) has determined the ray that the remote unit (113) utilized in time alignment, the base station (101) corrects any calculation of round-trip delay accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter J. Rozanski, Jr., Eric R. Schorman
  • Patent number: 5963157
    Abstract: The addition and removal of a dither signal takes place by generation of a first signal (102) and a second signal (104) by a first signal source (151) and a second signal source (152). A dither generator (103) is provided that generates a dither signal (106) that is added to the first signal (102) and subtracted from the second signal (104). The first signal (102) with dither added, and the second signal (104) with dither subtracted enter respective Digital to Analog Converters (DACs) (109, 111) and are converted to analog signal equivalents. Finally, the respective analog signal equivalents are summed together to form a composite signal with the dither signal (106) substantially eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul F. Smith
  • Patent number: 5963860
    Abstract: The method includes establishing a first data channel (16) between the calling communication unit (44) and the wireless communication system (40), the first data channel configured to receive and transmit the data communication (21); after establishing the first data channel and before a second data channel (22) has been established between the wireless communication system and the called communication unit (84), receiving by the calling communication unit a message (19), the message indicating that the second data channel has been established; and based on the message, the calling unit transmitting the data communication via the first data channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Muths, Steven T. Barrett
  • Patent number: 5953436
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a audible tone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a ferromagnetic container 105, a ferromagnetic pole 110, a coil 115, a first stationary lead wire 175, a second stationary lead wire 180, and a flexible ferromagnetic diaphragm 120. The ferromagnetic pole 110 is disposed within the ferromagnetic container 105. The coil 115 is encircling a portion of the ferromagnetic pole 110. The coil 115 has an input end 165 connected to a first stationary lead wire 175, configured to receive an electrical signal, and an output end 170 connected to a second stationary lead wire 180. The flexible ferromagnetic diaphragm 120 is disposed along the top edge 135 of the ferromagnetic container 105. The flexible ferromagnetic diaphragm 120 is configured to flex when magnetically attracted toward the ferromagnetic pole 110. As the flexible ferromagnetic diaphragm 120 flexes the first stationary lead wire 175 and the second stationary lead wire 180 will remain stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel E. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 5945948
    Abstract: A method for determining a subscriber unit location in a communication system is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving a signal from the subscriber unit at a first base station, determining a first receive time of the signal based on a sequence of spreading symbols at the first base station, determining a first angle of arrival of the signal at the first base station, and determining the location of the subscriber unit from the first receive time, the first angle of arrival, and further predetermined information about the first base station. The signal is formed via modulation by the sequence of spreading symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, inc.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Buford, John D. Reed, Walter J. Rozanski, Jr., Amitava Ghosh
  • Patent number: 5929735
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating mounting of an inductor assembly to a printed circuit board that is easy to assemble into any mounting scheme and which assures that an adequate clamping force to overcome vibration forces is provided. The apparatus includes an inductor assembly, a spacer assembly adapted to receive the inductor assembly, a wedge member for engaging one side of the inductor assembly and for distributing a clamping force substantially evenly about the inductor assembly, and a bushing disposed through each of the inductor assembly, the spacer assembly, and the wedge member, such that when a clamping force is applied to the wedge member, the inductor assembly is clamped to the spacer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Andrew L. Heinrich
  • Patent number: 5926082
    Abstract: The present solenoid stator assembly is adapted to be mounted upon a mounting seat of a fuel injector valve. The assembly includes a housing having an upper end, a lower end, and a base adapted to fit on the mounting seat of the fuel injector valve. A substantially E-shaped stator core is disposed within the housing. The stator core includes a top portion having a first end and a second end. A first outer pole piece depends substantially perpendicularly from the first end, and a second outer pole piece depends substantially perpendicularly from the second end. The central pole piece is located substantially central to the first and second outer pole pieces, and depends substantially perpendicularly from the top portion in a direction substantially parallel to that of the first and second outer pole pieces. The first and second outer pole pieces and the central pole piece each have a distal end forming a face, each face being substantially flush with the base of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven B. Coleman, Kirk S. Shively
  • Patent number: 5903173
    Abstract: A low side driver circuit includes a command voltage source, a first switching transistor having a base connected to the command voltage source, an emitter connected to ground, and a collector connected to a second switching transistor base. The second switching transistor includes an emitter connected to a first reference voltage. A power transistor includes a gate connected to the second switching transistor collector through a first resistor, a drain connected to an electrical energy source through a load, and a source connected to ground through a sense resistor. A second resistor is connected between the power transistor gate and ground. A diagnostic circuit portion including a first comparator and a second comparator establishes a diagnostic output voltage based upon the voltages at the power transistor drain, gate and source for indicating fault conditions of the driver circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul C. Gottshall, Long T. Le