Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Steven R. Biren
  • Patent number: 6650169
    Abstract: A novel gate driver apparatus in which an energy recovery circuitry is incorporated in a square-wave gate driver. The energy recovery circuitry has a first loop circuit for discharging the energy from the gate capacitor to an inductor when the gate driver is turned off, and a second loop circuit for discharging the energy from the inductor to the power supply. Thus, the energy of the gate capacitor is transferred to the power source when the gate driver is turned off, and the gate driver apparatus still maintains its operating flexibility as the square-wave driver and is independent of switching frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Li Faye, Qian Jinrong
  • Patent number: 6646321
    Abstract: RF power transistor provided with an internal shunt inductor, characterized in that the shunt is produced in two separated, capacitors (Cb, Cp), each internally bonded to the transistor internal active die (AD) through internal leads (Li, Ld1), one of which capacitors (Cp) being connected to the transistor lead (L) by a further bond wire (Ld).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Anton Willem Roodnat
  • Patent number: 6646704
    Abstract: A liquid crystal light modulator projection apparatus and method of manufacturing the liquid crystal light modulator comprising a semiconducting substrate (1) with transistors (2) and control circuits, a light-reflecting layer (4), and a liquid crystal unit (7) which is embedded between a front plate (9) with a transparent covering electrode (8) and at least two pixel electrode (6), wherein each electrode (6) is connected to a transistor (2) via a contact hole (10) that traverses the light-reflecting layer (4), which itself comprises a thin insulating wall coating that facilitates the electrical insulation of the electrically conducting material inside the contact hole (10) from the light-reflecting layer (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Gerhard Liebscher
  • Patent number: 6646603
    Abstract: A method of providing an estimate of the location of first and second devices (MS1, MS2) comprising the steps of obtaining at least one range measurement from the first device (MS1) to a known reference point (BS1, GPS SVs); obtaining at least one range measurement from the second device (MS2) to a known reference point (BS1, GPS SVs), the second device (MS2) being located near to the first device (MS1); and calculating an estimate of the location of the devices (MS1, MS2) using range measurements obtained in respect of both the first and second devices (MS1, MS2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Saul R. Dooley, Martin S. Wilcox, Andrew T. Yule
  • Patent number: 6646469
    Abstract: A driver circuit is disclosed for driving a half bridge driver or similar circuit. The driving circuit induced transient currents in two passive devices, and utilizes the transient currents to set or reset a latch at appropriate times required to properly drive a half bridge driver or similar type of circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Li Yushan
  • Patent number: 6647439
    Abstract: A data processing arrangement comprises a plurality of processors. These processors share a collective memory. The arrangement comprises private buses. A private bus enables data communication exclusively between a processor and the collective memory. A memory interface provides access to the collective memory in data bursts while it produces substantially steady data streams on the private buses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Thierry Nouvet, Hugues De Perthuis, Stéphane Mutz
  • Patent number: 6643142
    Abstract: A module (1) for contactless communication includes a plurality of electrical components (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) which each have at least two contact faces (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) for the electrical connection. The electrical components (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) of the module are mounted both on a component side (MB) and an on adhesive side (MK) of a lead frame (M) formed by metal strips (MS). During the manufacture of the module (1) the metal strips (MS) of the lead frame (M) are held in one plane (E) and in position by means of an adhesive tape (K). The adhesive tape (K) has openings (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6) at given positions of the lead frame (M) so as to enable electrical components to be mounted on the adhesive side (MK) of the lead frame (M).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Gunter Aflenzer, Joachim Heinz Schober, Marcus Toth
  • Patent number: 6639368
    Abstract: A programmable Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) generator is disclosed wherein a single module provides four different signals utilized to control a ballast for a light device. By changing the value in a single register, various waveforms are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Wang Sheoghong
  • Patent number: 6636022
    Abstract: A multi-output DC/DC converter (1;10;30;40;50;60), comprising inductive electrical energy storage means (L), switching means (S0-S7) and control means (6;9;31;41;51;61). The control means (6;9;31;41;51;61) are arranged for selectively operating the switching means (S0-S7) for transferring an amount of electrical energy from the energy storage means (L) to an output (A;B;C;D) of the DC/DC converter (1;10;30;40;50;60) providing an output voltage in accordance with a switching sequence based on comparing, by the control means (6;9;31;41;51;61) of the output voltage of each output (A;B;C;D) with an associated reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Ferdinand Jacob Sluijs
  • Patent number: 6636125
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a modulation device MD, which is designed to produce an output signal Vout comprising a succession of pulses. According to the invention, a device of this type includes: two transistors T1 and T2, which are arranged as a differential pair; a capacitive element C, which is connected between the two transistors T1 and T2; adjusting means LC1, LC2, UC1, UC2, in order to adjust the potential of at least one of the terminals of the capacitive element C; and comparing means CMP, which supply the output signal Vout, which is representative of the sign of the voltage Vc, which is present at the terminals of the capacitive element C. By means of a simple and substantially analog structure, the invention permits rapid, flexible control of the width of the pulses of the output signal Vout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Stephane Bouvier
  • Patent number: 6633477
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a conductive member capable of attenuating the noise having frequency components, for example, of the order of several GHz efficiently. Signal line 21 is formed by using the first conductive paste containing a silver powder, a ferrite powder, an organic binder, a dispersant, and a solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N. V.
    Inventors: Kenichi Horie, Hiroyuki Ishida
  • Patent number: 6633462
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive angular sensor (1) is provided which determines a magnetic field direction. A high angular accuracy over a wide range of magnetic field strengths is obtained. The magnetoresistive angular sensor comprises a main sensing element (2) which is electrically connected to a first correction sensing element (6) with a first reference magnetization axis (9) and a second correction sensing element (8) with a second reference magnetization axis (10), the first (9) and the second (10) reference magnetization axes making correction angles &THgr; between 5° and 85° of opposite sign with the main reference axis (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Derk Jan Adelerhof
  • Patent number: 6633827
    Abstract: Angle measurement is accomplished through an angle sensor (1) supplying two sensor signals which are phase-shifted by 90 degrees relative to each other and whose amplitudes are dependent on the temperature, determined by a temperature sensor (7) and fed to a microprocessor (6). The microprocessor (6) computes amplitude values of the sensor signals expected in dependence upon the temperature value supplied by the temperature sensor (7), compares these values with the actual amplitude values of the sensor signals, and generates an error signal when the deviation between the expected and actual amplitude values exceeds a predetermined limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Klaus Dietmayer
  • Patent number: 6631070
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ceramic capacitor having at least two electrodes and a ceramic dielectric of a dielectric, ceramic preparation which is essentially composed of an oxide-ceramic dielectric substance and a sintering agent including zinc borate Zn4B6O13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Schmidt, Detlev Hennings
  • Patent number: 6630822
    Abstract: Magnetoresistive sensors for angle measurements utilizing the effect that a sufficiently strong, external magnetic field H rotates the internal magnetization M in a parallel direction. The magnetic field strength required for full alignment of the internal magnetization is 70 to 100 kA/m. A reduction of this high field strength is desirable and may be achieved by increasing the tendency of the internal magnetization to change its direction. An increase of the tendency of the internal magnetization to change its alignment is achieved in accordance with the invention by strip-shaped sensor elements of NiFe material having elliptical contours. A reduction of the magnetic field strength required for a saturation, from 20 to 30 kA/m is thereby possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Michael Doescher
  • Patent number: 6630921
    Abstract: A column driving circuit and method for driving pixels in a column row matrix. Specifically, the present invention provides a circuit and method that generally includes an input for receiving a signal, a multiplexing circuit for receiving the signal from the input, and a first and a second column line, wherein each column line alternates in receiving the signal from the multiplexing circuit. By splitting the signal between two column lines, overall line capacitance is reduced, as are problems associated with delays in ramp retrace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Peter J. Janssen, Lucian Remus Albu
  • Patent number: 6627958
    Abstract: A lateral high voltage semiconductor device having a sense terminal and a method for sensing a drain voltage of the same are provided. Specifically, the present invention relates to a thin layer, high voltage, lateral silicon-on-insulator (SOI) device having a field plate terminal that is disconnected from a source terminal. By measuring voltage or current on the separate field plate terminal, the drain voltage of the device can be sensed. This sensing capability is a protection scheme against overstress voltage conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Letavic, John Petruzzello
  • Patent number: 6629241
    Abstract: A programmable non-volatile memory supplies of instructions and data to a processing unit. A program stored in the non-volatile memory contains an instruction for jumping to a subprogram in an auxiliary memory. The subprogram changes data in the non-volatile memory for use by the program and returns control to the program in non-volatile memory when completion of the change is detected. Control can be transferred back from the subprogram to one or more instructions in the non-volatile memory after suspension of data changing before said changing is complete. Changing is resumed upon return of control from the one or more instructions to the subprogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Dirk Jan Riezebos
  • Patent number: 6624472
    Abstract: A semiconductor body has first and second opposed major surfaces. A first region meets the first major surface and at least one second region meets the second major surface. The semiconductor body provides a voltage-sustaining zone between the first and second regions. The voltage sustaining zone has third regions of one conductivity type interposed with fourth regions of the opposite conductivity type with the second and third regions providing a rectifying junction such that, in use, when the rectifying junction is forward biased in one mode of operation by a voltage applied between the first and second regions, a main current path is provided between the first and second major surfaces through the first region, the voltage-sustaining zone and the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Godefridus A. M. Hurkx, Rob Van Dalen
  • Patent number: 6624778
    Abstract: A plurality of amplifying circuits having generally uniform amplifying and impedance characteristics, a reference voltage network applying reference voltages of a generally uniformly spacing to each reference voltage terminal of said amplifying circuits, wherein a relative functional position of each amplifying circuit is determined by the magnitude of a received reference voltage; an averaging network, comprising of generally identical averaging impedances coupling output voltage terminals of adjacent amplifying circuits; wherein the amplifying and/or impedance characteristics of said termination circuit and/or the termination reference voltage, and/or the termination averaging impedance are deviant to generate a current in said output voltage terminal of said outer amplifying circuit of said array, that is corrected for the finite size of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Peter Cornelis Simeon Scholtens