Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Patrick T. King
  • Patent number: 5878084
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering in a receiver of a wireless communications system independent bit streams from each of two co-channel frequency modulated carriers. In the transmitter, timing for the two independent bit streams is derived from a common clock. One bit stream is placed directly on the carrier of greater power. An XOR circuit maps the two bit streams into one bit stream which is placed on the carrier of lesser power. In the receiver, an ordinary frequency demodulator provides an output consisting of the bit stream of the dominant carrier having superimposed voltage spikes. A limiter removes the spikes and provides as output the bit stream on the carrier of greater power. The peak value and the rate of occurrence of the spikes each contain information about the bit stream on the carrier of lesser power. A peak voltage detector provides an output signal which indicates the differences in the peak value of the spikes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventor: Glen A. Myers
  • Patent number: 5863812
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a chip size package is provided. The method includes the step of forming a laminated substrate which consists of a dielectric layer and a highly conductive layer disposed thereon. Holes are drilled into the dielectric layer. A desired pattern is applied to the conductive layer. A chip structure is formed which consists of a silicon die and an insulating layer disposed thereon. Gold bumps are applied to the top surface of the bonding pads. The laminated substrate is bonded to the chip structure via the holes and gold bumps. A solder mask is applied over the top surface of the conductive layer of the laminated substrate so as to form selective solder areas. Finally, solder balls are attached to the selective solder areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kamran Manteghi
  • Patent number: 5857727
    Abstract: A retractable windshield and flare panel assembly for a motorcycle includes a vertically moveable windshield and a pair of oppositely-moving, horizontally-retractable flare panels. A motor-driven drive screw drives a vertically moving threaded drive block. The drive block engages the windshield to move the windshield vertically. A pair of flare panel sliders are also mounted to the drive block and engage elongated slots in the flare panels. The elongated slots extend in both horizontal and vertical directions so that the flare panel sliders function as cams to move the flare panels horizontally. The drive screw is turned by a reversible motor to move the threaded drive block up and down. This vertically positions the windshield and by cam action horizontally positions the flare panel slides on each side of the windshield module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Craig W. Vetter
  • Patent number: 5854512
    Abstract: A high density leaded ball-grid array package for packaging an integrated-circuit die includes a laminated substrate formed of a non-conductive layer sandwiched between first and second conductive trace patterns. A leadframe is directly attached onto the first conductive trace pattern of the laminated substrate by a non-conductive adhesive so that the open portion thereof overlies a central region of the laminated substrate. An integrated-circuit die is mounted in the central region of the laminated substrate. Bonding wires are interconnected between bonding pads formed on the integrated-circuit die and bonding fingers formed on the leadframe. A plastic material is molded over the top surface of the die, bonding fingers and bonding wires. A solder mask is applied on the second conductive trace pattern so as to form selective solderable areas. Finally, solder balls are attached to the selective solderable areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kamran Manteghi
  • Patent number: 5850891
    Abstract: A motorized rack system for loading and unloading long items such as ladders includes a static rack for holding one end of a ladder and a pivoting and extendible rack. The extendible ladder rack assembly includes a base member mounted to the roof of a vehicle, an elongated pivoting member, and a slideable ladder carriage member. The system also includes a mechanism for positioning the pivotable and extendible ladder rack assembly in a first locked down position of the ladder rack, a second tilted position, and a third tilted/extended position for loading and unloading a ladder. A cable is coupled to the one end of the pivoting member and a cable-spooling mechanism pays out and reels in the cable for positioning the motorized ladder rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Jeffery Olms, Gerald Thomas Crance, Marko Konstantin Lubic
  • Patent number: 5847455
    Abstract: A ball grid array (BGA) package configuration for packaging an integrated-circuit die includes a lead frame having a plurality of inwardly-extending bonding fingers and a centrally-located die-attach pad. The bonding fingers are disposed peripherally surrounding the die-attach pad. An integrated-circuit die is mounted on the die-attach pad. Bonding fingers are interconnected between the bonding pads on the integrated-circuit die and the plurality of bonding fingers. A plastic material is molded over the top of the lead frame and the die while still providing an exposed bottom surface of the bonding fingers on the lead frame. A solder mask is disposed over the bottom of the lead frame so as to form selective solder areas. Solder balls are attached to the selective solder areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kamran Manteghi
  • Patent number: 5838277
    Abstract: A GPS-based integrated controller module combines in a single integrated package or module a GPS receiver, a map, and a logic or decision module which provides an output control signal or control code. The map of the integrated module provides various representations. Continuous functions are provided with various types of coordinate systems, which can use interpolation between reference points in a grid system, or Taylor series representations. The integrated module performs discrete output functions such as providing a control code or a user's location either within or out of a particular closed area or polygonal zone, where each location shares a common characteristics with the other locations in the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Peter Van Wyck Loomis, Kevin McKenzie Reeds
  • Patent number: 5826578
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring and visually displaying a user's body movement while performing a motion. Sensing means such as, for example, potentiometers are coupled to the joints of a user in order quantitatively detect movement of the user's body while performing a motion. The sensors generate signals indicative of the movement of the user's body while the user performed the motion. The apparatus also includes processing means for receiving and processing the signals which generated by the sensing means. Display means are coupled to the processing means for receiving the processed signals from the processing means and for graphically displaying at least one image representing the movement of the user's body which occurred while the user performed said motion. In so doing, the present invention allows for real time or delayed observation by a user of the user's body movements while performing a motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Donald B. Curchod
  • Patent number: 5825179
    Abstract: A technique for suppression of stray pickup interference signal during testing of a magneto-resistive head assembly with an external exciting magnetic field. An interruptable phase lock loop and an interruptable amplitude lock loop temporarily hold a replica of the stray-pickup interference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Dylan Sherman, Shiuh-Shyan Wang
  • Patent number: 5804977
    Abstract: An RF matching network provides matching between a charged first transmission line and a relay circuit which is switched to connect the charged transmission line to one end of a second transmission line to generate a high-voltage, high-current test pulse for a DUT connected to the other end of the second transmission line. A low pass filter section of the RF matching network suppresses transient and ringing signals which might pass through the parasitic capacitance of the relay circuit and which trigger the prematurely trigger the DUT. To remove residual charge after discharging the first transmission line, the transmission line is grounded with a GND relay before leakage tests are conducted to prevent electrically stress of destruction of leakage testing circuitry if the residual charge is not dissipated before testing for leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Rosario J. Consiglio
  • Patent number: 5802073
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a built-in self-test functional system block (BIST FSB) for self-testing a network interface integrated circuit having a Universal Test & Operations PHYInterface for ATM (UTOPIA) interface. The BIST FSB includes a random number generator, a signature analyzer, two cell counters, and a state machine for controlling the BIST FSB. Means are provided for looping the transmitter of the network interface integrated circuit back to the receiver of the network interface integrated circuit. When the BIST test is started, the state machine waits until the receiver is synchronized. Then user cells are generated and fed to the transmitter for the network interface integrated circuit. At the same time, cells on the receive side are collected and compressed into a signature. When all of the cells have been received, the signature is compared with a precalculated signature. If the signatures match, the test is passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred Platt
  • Patent number: 5800958
    Abstract: A quad flat pack arrangement which provides for an electrically enhanced integrated-circuit package structure is disclosed. An integrated-circuit die is centrally attached to the top surface of a thermally-conductive, and electrically conductive or insulated substrate. A lead frame having a plurality of inwardly-extending bonding fingers has the bottom sides thereof attached to the top surface of the substrate by a non-conductive adhesive so that an open portion thereof overlies the integrated-circuit die. The plurality of bonding fingers are disposed so as to peripherally surround the integrated-circuit die. A double-sided printed circuit board having first and second conductive layers disposed on its opposite sides is disposed over and bonded to the lead frame. Bonding wires are used to interconnect bonding pads on the integrated-circuit die to the first and second conductive layers. A plastic material is molded around the substrate, die, lead frame, printed circuit board and conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kamran Manteghi
  • Patent number: 5796038
    Abstract: A high density ball-grid array package for packaging an integrated-circuit die includes a laminated structure formed of a dielectric layer and a high conductive layer disposed thereon. The dielectric layer has a plurality of first drilled holes, and the conductive layer is formed with a desired pattern. An insulated layer is provided with a plurality of second drilled holes. The laminated substrate is bonded to the insulated substrate so that the plurality of first drilled holes are aligned with corresponding ones of the plurality of second drilled holes in order to form selective solderable areas on the bottom side of the package. The laminated structure has an open portion overlying a central region of the insulated substrate on the top side of the package. An integrated-circuit die is mounted in the central region of the insulated substrate. Bonding wires are interconnected between bonding pads formed on the integrated-circuit die and bonding fingers formed on the conductive layer of laminated structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kamran Manteghi
  • Patent number: 5791609
    Abstract: A bracket assembly provides dual-axis rotatable mounting of a GPS data collection unit to a range pole. A neck fits around a range pole and has a threaded flange at one end. A compression ring slips around the range pole and abuts the neck. A collar fits over the compression ring and threads onto the flange. A boom extends from the neck and supports a bracket assembly adapted to hold the data collector. The boom has a stop flange near the proximal end and external threading at the distal end. Two compression rings fit around the boom. A base member has a supporting sleeve which slips around the boom in between the compression rings. The sleeve supports a base plate. An internally threaded knob fits over the boom and the distally placed compression ring and mates with the external threading at the distal end of the boom. The knob compresses the sleeve in between the compression rings and secures the base member at a desired position to prevent it from rotating about the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Hankins
  • Patent number: 5793640
    Abstract: A computer-aided method and system are provided for obtaining a measurement of the capacitance value of a device under test (DUT). The complex impedance of a device under test (DUT) is measured at two nearby frequencies using an RLC meter. The two complex impedance values are then stored in a computer readable medium. The DUT is modeled by a programmed computer as a four element RLC model circuit including a resistor and inductor in series with a parallel RC circuit having a single capacitor which represents the capacitance of the DUT. Four equations which describe the electrical characteristics of the four element RLC model circuit are stored in a computer readable medium. The four measured values of complex impedance are substituted by the computer into the four stored equations. Values are obtained for the four individual RLC circuit elements by solving the four equations. The four unknown values are obtained by use of an optimization routine and then stored to a computer readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Koucheng Wu, Yu-Pin Han, Ying-Tsong Loh
  • Patent number: 5786789
    Abstract: A GPS unit and a cellular telephone unit each have add-on modules for providing additional functionality. A battery powered hand-held GPS unit has a battery power module with a built-in cellular telephone. The controls on the GPS unit are used to control cellular telephone operations. The GPS controlled cellular telephone transmits position location information obtained by the GPS unit. Alternatively, a battery powered hand-held cellular telephone unit has a battery power module with a built-in GPS device. The controls on the cellular telephone portion are used to control GPS device operations. The cellular telephone portion is able to transmit position location information obtained by the GPS device. The GPS and a cellular telephone device can function with either a standard battery module, or with a battery module having a cellular telephone or a GPS device built into the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: James M. Janky
  • Patent number: 5770122
    Abstract: Roll-forming apparatus and method for more precisely shaping an extruded-plastic Fresnel lens. A drive/support roller is rotatably mounted to the support frame and the surface of which engages and rotates to support the smooth outer surface of an extruded arcuate, elongated linear Fresnel lens. A tooth-forming roller is rotatably mounted to the support frame and has an external profile with tooth-forming projections formed thereon for engagement with the grooves on the inner surface of the extruded sheet, said tooth-forming roller being positioned on the inner surface of the Fresnel lens opposite the drive/support roller and being loosely mounted on the support frame to track the grooves formed in the Fresnel lens to improve the profile of the lens section by sharpening the root radius and flattening the optical face of each lens section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventor: Donald B. Curchod
  • Patent number: 5767804
    Abstract: An integrated radio direction finding and GPS receiver tracking system. In one embodiment, a transceiver device is attached to an object to be located. The transceiver device transmits a signal. The transmitted signal is received by a tracking unit. The tracking unit uses the received signal to determine the range and bearing of the object from the tracking unit. A position generating system is attached to the tracking unit to generate the position information of the tracking unit. The range and bearing of the object from the tracking unit and the position information of the tracking unit are transmitted from the tracking unit to a base station. The base station processes the range and bearing of the transceiver device from the tracking unit and the position information of the tracking unit to calculate the position of the object to be located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Michael D. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5760742
    Abstract: An integrated geographic information and automatic position locating system. In one embodiment, a communication link is provided between a vehicle and at least one base station. A vehicle position tracking system, coupled to a vehicle to be monitored, is connected to the communication link. Likewise, a geographic mapping system also disposed within the vehicle is connected to the communication link. In the present embodiment, the vehicle position tracking system and the geographic mapping system are housed in a portable data terminal. The portable data terminal is removably placed into a docking station located within the vehicle. The integrated vehicle position tracking system and geographic mapping system function both when placed in the docking station, and when removed from the docking station. Thus, the present invention provides a mobile integrated vehicle position tracking system and the geographic mapping system integrated into a portable data terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Charles N. Branch, Mark E. Nichols, James M. Janky
  • Patent number: D399808
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Craig W. Vetter