Patents Assigned to Electronics, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5202763
    Abstract: A composite video input signal is separated into luminance and chrominance components by a signal separation filter and the components are applied to a display processor having a video display device coupled thereto for providing displayed images. For enhancement of detail in dark and light areas of the displayed images, the luminance signal is coupled to the display processor via a non-linear luminance signal processor which provides additional amplification in the dark and light areas but tends also to degrade the signal to noise ratio in those areas. To avoid a loss of signal to noise ratio in the enhanced areas the receiver includes a by-pass circuit for by-passing high frequency components of the luminance signal around the non-linear luminance signal processor and a filter in the non-linear luminance signal processor for attenuating the high frequency components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene K. Sendelweck, Roger L. Lineberry
  • Patent number: 5202918
    Abstract: A preferred duplex communications device includes a speaker for transmitting a signal received from a remote source, first and second microphones for transducing received acoustical signals wherein the first microphone is positioned significantly closer to the speaker than the second microphone so that the first microphone receives significantly more acoustical signal strength from the speaker than the second microphone. A first amplifier is connected to the first microphone and a second amplifier is connected to the second microphone wherein the second amplifier has a gain relative to a gain of the first amplifier such that the output signals of the first and second amplifiers are generally equal with respect to signals received by way of the speaker. A filter is then connected to the outputs of the first and second amplifiers to filter the signals transduced from the speaker thereby preventing transmission to the remote source of essentially all of the signals from the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Maxcom Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. White
  • Patent number: 5202765
    Abstract: A video switch combines a first video signal with a compressed second video signal for application to a display unit to provide "picture-in-picture" images in which the first video is displayed in a main picture area of the display and the compressed second video signal is displayed as an inset picture within the main picture area. A non-linear processor, connected between an output of the video switch and an input of the display unit, enhances selected features of the combined video signal displayed by the display unit. Circuit means are provided for controlling the non-linear processor so that non-linear processing is applied to displayed images only in the main picture area and not in the inset picture area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger L. Lineberry
  • Patent number: 5199437
    Abstract: The invention provides an intracavitary ultrasonic scanner with a helical scan. Mechanical and electronic steerable array implementations of the helical scan are described. A plastic cover sheath, filled with coupling fluid, covers the probe of the scanner. Portions of probe are porous allowing the coupling fluid to penetrate to the outside of the sheath. An improved polar coordinate decoding system provides an accurate control of the scan and allows storage of scan information in voxel memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Sensor Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin Langberg
  • Patent number: 5200708
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the virtual expansion of the power providing capacity of a power supply, e.g., for a stereophonic audio system with a given number of channels which may be selectively increased to provide a surround audio system. A plurality of amplifiers, each having an adjustable gain, are powered from the power supply. The current drawn from the power supply is sensed. When additional amplifiers are activated, the total amount of power drawn by all of the amplifiers can exceed a predetermined level which corresponds to the original plurality of amplifiers. However, when it is sensed that the total amount of power drawn exceeds the predetermined level, the gain of all of the amplifiers is reduced so that the power drawn from the power supply does not exceed the predetermined level. Thus, the virtual power providing capacity of the power supply is expanded to power the additional amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Morris, Jr., Mark R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5200829
    Abstract: A television system includes a picture tube beam current limiting arrangement which operates to reduce image contrast without affecting image brightness when the beam current exceeds a first threshold. However, if the user brightness control setting exceed the nominal (midrange) brightness control level, the image brightness is reduced when the beam current exceeds a second threshold which may be equal to or greater than the first. The image brightness is reduced only until the image brightness is within a small margin of the nominal image brightness level. Any further beam current limiting, for example to account for abnormal operating conditions of the television system are accomplished by further brightness reductions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Lagoni
  • Patent number: 5198756
    Abstract: A wiring test system in which test probes are to be oriented to engage contact points on a production circuit board, a wiring integrity verification plate comprising, in combination: a thin insulative base plate, multiple contact pads and leads attached to the plate; each of the leads extending between and interconnecting two of the contact pads, whereby multiple circuit sections are formed on the board, each circuit section including two pads interconnected by a lead; the two pads of each circuit section respectively located to be contacted by the probes of the wiring test system for providing an electrical continuity test via that circuit section, when those two probes are correctly located relative to contact points on production circuit board for testing the production circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignees: ATG-Electronics Inc., William Maillet
    Inventors: Jack E. Jenkins, William R. Maillet
  • Patent number: 5197858
    Abstract: A thermal control variable speed DC brushless fan, especially a DC brushless fan which may change speed in accordance with the temperature sensed, includes a fan speed control circuit and a DC brushless fan. The fan speed control circuit is composed of drive ICs, operation amplifiers, transistors, diodes, capacitors resistors, and a thermal sensor. Under normal conditions, the change in the fan's rotation speed relation to the temperature is almost linear, but when the thermal sensor is open or shorted the speed control circuit of the fan causes the fan to operate at full speed to maintain a cooling effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Rex Cheng
  • Patent number: 5198616
    Abstract: The projectile, adapted to be fired from an automatic cannon, comprises a frangible porous brittle generally cylindrical casing made of a molded sintered powder material preferably consisting predominantly of 60 to 100% type 316 stainless steel powder mixed with pure iron powder ranging from 40% by weight to zero. The powder material initially includes graphite powder ranging from about 0.2% to 2% by weight. The powder material is compressed into a casing mold to a molded density ranging from about 0.21 to about 0.24, perferably 0.23 of a pound per cubic inch. The molded powder is sintered in an inert atmosphere at a temperature ranging from about 1500 to about 1700, preferably 1600.degree. F. for a time sufficient to unite the molded powder into a brittle porous frangible casing. During sintering, the graphite powder vaporizes and escapes whereby porosity and frangibility are imparted to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: BEI Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard V. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5199079
    Abstract: An audio signal processing channel includes a bias network for deriving a bias voltage which is coupled to a point within the channel from the supply voltage. In order to inhibit audible transients or "pops" due to the rapid reduction of the bias voltage when the voltage supply is deenergized, a diode is coupled between the bias network and the voltage supply so as to selectively decouple a filter capacitor of the bias network from the voltage supply and associated loads when the voltage supply is deenergized. As a result, the bias voltage is gradually reduced at a controlled rate of change which is independent of the impedances of voltage supply and associated loads. Such a "pop" suppression arrangement is particularly desirable when it is not possible or practical to "mute" the output amplifier of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Anderson, John A. Andrews
  • Patent number: 5195941
    Abstract: A PEMF contoured triangular transducer system (FIGS. 1a-1b) used for PEMF therapy (such as after spinal fusion) uses a two-transducer configuration for generating fluxaided electromagnetic fields. The semi-rigid transducers (12, 14) are conformable to a selected anatomical contour, and incorporated with an adjustable belt (16) to provide bracing. The belt includes compartments for a drive electronics module (22), and a rechargeable battery pack (24), making the system portable. The drive electronics (FIG. 3) includes a PEMF processor (41) that executes a PEMF program for providing pulsing current to the front and back transducers at predetermined intervals, thereby activating the electromagnetic field according to a prescribed PEMF regimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: American Medical Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Erickson, John C. Tepper
  • Patent number: 5194951
    Abstract: It is desirable that a television receiver provide a prominent visual indication that it is about to automatically turn off. On-screen display (OSD) circuitry automatically reduces the viewable picture area to a small area before turning off the receiver. Reduction of the viewable area may be performed by displaying and gradually enlarging at least one graphically-generated margin of the OSD display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Hailey, John W. Chaney
  • Patent number: 5194954
    Abstract: An automatic channel sampler system, including a television signal tuner, displays an array of inset pictures on a display screen each time the receiver is turned on. Each inset picture is a still video picture (i.e., freeze-frame) selected by tuning each of the channels in a scan list of channels. Automatic channel sampling is initiated in response to the development of operating power, and is performed while the picture tube is dark during the time in which the picture tube is warming up. A separate user-enterable scan list may be provided for either the automatic channel sampling function, a manually initiated channel sampling function, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Duffield
  • Patent number: 5193735
    Abstract: The present invention is a unique solder reflow oven useful for annealing electronic parts through convective heating. It has an enclosed chamber with an entrance and an exit. A conveyor is located in the lower part of the chamber for transporting electronic parts from the entrance to the exit, and a diffuser plate is suspended in the upper part of the chamber. The diffuser plate has a central duct and a periphery edge. An entrance heater plate and an exit heater plate are mounted on the periphery edge of the diffuser plate and located proximal to the entrance and the exit of the chamber respectively. An impellar is mounted above the central duct of the diffuser plate for forming in the chamber a multiplicity of circulatory airstreams which are orginated from the impeller and circulating from above the diffuser plate, around the periphery edge of the diffuser plate, then between the diffuser plate and the conveyor and toward a lower central region below the central duct of the diffuser plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Knight Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Isaac M. Knight
  • Patent number: 5193116
    Abstract: An integrated hearing aid receiver is disclosed. The receiver comprises a housing having first and second outlet ports. Disposed within the housing is a diaphragm defining an output chamber and a motor chamber. An armature is disposed within the motor chamber, and has an operative element comprising a fixed end and a movable end. The armature operative element is coupled by a link to drive the diaphragm. A permanent magnet structure having a central passage therein surrounds the movable end of the armature and provides a magnetic field within the passage. A drive oil is disposed about the armature and is located proximate to the permanent magnetic structure. An amplifier is disposed within the motor chamber and between the armature and the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: August F. Mostardo
  • Patent number: 5193133
    Abstract: An injection molded plastic fiber alignment ferrule is provided with a polishing pedestal. The ferrule has an opening therethrough for receiving the end of a fiber, which extends beyond the pedestal. The fiber is cleaved and the end is severed. The ferrule is polished to remove the pedestal, resulting in a smoothly polished end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Paul R. Stonikas, James W. McGinley
  • Patent number: 5191885
    Abstract: A single use disposable esophageal electrode structure is formed with a planar sheet body member. The body member carries a plurality of spaced-apart conductive electrode members. A temperature sensor can also be carried on the body member. A layer of adhesive on the body member can be used to affix it to an esophageal probe. A plurality of conducting members is coupled to the body member. Each of the conducting members is in turn coupled to a respective one of the electrodes. A free end of the conducting members carries an electrial connector for connection to other electrical units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Arczo Medical Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Bilof, Stuart E. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 5191420
    Abstract: A non-linear (e.g., "white stretch") processor and a brightness control processor are coupled in cascade between an input for receiving a video input signal to be processed and an output for providing a processed video output signal. A control signal for controlling the transfer characteristics of the non-linear processor is provided by an amplifier having a first input coupled to receive an average picture level (APL) indicating signal derived from the processed video output signal and having a second input coupled to receive a reference level signal supplied thereto. A brightness control signal is applied to a control input of the brightness control processor for controlling the brightness level of the processed video output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Lagoni, Robert L. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 5191300
    Abstract: An amplifier for use with a twisted pair LAN. Each stage of the amplifier provides amplification including higher frequency emphasis for a predetermined length of line. The correct number of stages are automatically activated within the amplifier. Thus a singly configured amplifier may be used for different line lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Tutankhamon Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin H. Graham, Anthony J. Ireland, Mark Miller, Matthew Taylor
  • Patent number: D333990
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Garrett Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald L. Johnson, Robert J. Podhrasky