Patents Assigned to Fox Enterprises, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11005446
    Abstract: A family of resonators and other devices which employ virtual electrodes using pixel based projection across a gap onto a material. In many embodiments, the pixel is projected onto a piezoelectric material, such as quartz crystal, by an integrated circuit die placed opposite a face of the crystal. The die projects a single pixel of electromagnetic energy onto the crystal, which vibrates and produces its own electromagnetic energy which is received by the pixel. Pixel projection onto other materials, including non-resonant materials, is also disclosed. The pixel based projected electrodes may be used in combination with, or in lieu of, conventional metal electrodes. The single pixel may be controlled in gain and phase in order to achieve specific desired resonator response characteristics. Many types of devices using pixel based electrode projection are disclosed—including resonators having one or more single-pixel virtual electrodes, and other types of devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: FOX ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: James Bryan Northcutt, Eugene S. Trefethen
  • Patent number: 10931284
    Abstract: A family of resonators and other devices which employ virtual electrodes using pixel based projection across a gap onto a material. In many embodiments, the pixels are projected onto a piezoelectric material, such as quartz crystal, by an integrated circuit die placed opposite a face of the crystal. The die projects individual pixels of electromagnetic energy onto the crystal, which vibrates and produces its own electromagnetic energy which is received by the pixels. Pixel projection onto other materials, including non-resonant materials, is also disclosed. The pixel based projected electrodes may be used in combination with, or in lieu of, conventional metal electrodes. Individual pixels may be turned on and off, and gain- and phase-controlled, in order to achieve specific desired resonator response characteristics. Many types of devices using pixel based electrode projection are disclosed—including resonators having one or more electrodes, oscillators, filters, delay lines, antennas and others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: FOX ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: James Bryan Northcutt, Eugene S. Trefethen
  • Patent number: 6965272
    Abstract: A worldwide logistics network includes a processing center for receiving customer orders for crystal oscillators over communications links, processing the orders, and generating work orders that are selectively disseminated over communications links to programming centers at strategic locations around the world. Each of the programming centers carries an inventory of generic programmable crystal oscillators. Upon receipt of a work order, a programming center withdraws quantity of programmable crystal oscillators from inventory sufficient to fill the customer order, and, using automated parts handling equipment, the oscillators are successively directed to an interface position with a computer. There, the unique crystal frequency of each oscillator is read and each oscillator is uniquely programmed on the basis of its crystal frequency to generate an output frequency meeting customer specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Fox Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene S. Trefethen, John W. Fallisgaard
  • Publication number: 20040239433
    Abstract: A worldwide logistics network includes a processing center for receiving customer orders for crystal oscillators over communications links, processing the orders, and generating work orders that are selectively disseminated over communications links to programming centers at strategic locations around the world. Each of the programming centers carries an inventory of generic programmable crystal oscillators. Upon receipt of a work order, a programming center withdraws quantity of programmable crystal oscillators from inventory sufficient to fill the customer order, and, using automated parts handling equipment, the oscillators are successively directed to an interface position with a computer. There, the unique crystal frequency of each oscillator is read and each oscillator is uniquely programmed on the basis of its crystal frequency to generate an output frequency meeting customer specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Fox Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene S. Trefethan, John W. Fallisgaard
  • Patent number: 6664860
    Abstract: A programmable crystal oscillator is provided having a memory for storing frequency-defining parameters. Typically, one of these parameters is used to program an adjustable capacitive load circuit coupled to a crystal to thereby adjust the crystal source frequency. Additional parameters are used to program the output frequency of a phase locked loop circuit coupled to receive the adjusted source frequency. A further parameter can also be used to divide the output frequency of the phase locked loop circuit to supply a specified output frequency. The oscillators can be manufactured as generic programmable crystal oscillators without regard for output frequency and then quickly programmed to produce customer-specified output frequencies with a high degree of accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignees: Fox Enterprises, Inc., Jet City Electronics
    Inventors: John W. Fallisgaard, Eugene S. Trefethan
  • Publication number: 20030122630
    Abstract: A programmable crystal oscillator is provided having a memory for storing frequency-defining parameters. Typically, one of these parameters is used to program an adjustable capacitive load circuit coupled to a crystal to thereby adjust the crystal source frequency. Additional parameters are used to program the output frequency of a phase locked loop circuit coupled to receive the adjusted source frequency. A further parameter can also be used to divide the output frequency of the phase locked loop circuit to supply a specified output frequency. The oscillators can be manufactured as generic programmable crystal oscillators without regard for output frequency and then quickly programmed to produce customer-specified output frequencies with a high degree of accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: Fox Enterprises, Inc., a Florida corporation
    Inventors: John W. Fallisgaard, Eugene S. Trefethan
  • Publication number: 20010017573
    Abstract: A programmable crystal oscillator is provided having a memory for storing frequency-defining parameters. Typically, one of these parameters is used to program an adjustable capacitive load circuit coupled to a crystal to thereby adjust the crystal source frequency. Additional parameters are used to program the output frequency of a phase locked loop circuit coupled to receive the adjusted source frequency. A further parameter can also be used to divide the output frequency of the phase locked loop circuit to supply a specified output frequency. The oscillators can be manufactured as generic programmable crystal oscillators without regard for output frequency and then quickly programmed to produce customer-specified output frequencies with a high degree of accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: Fox Enterprises, Inc., a Florida Corporation and Jet City Electronic, a Washington Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Fallisgaard, Eugene S. Trefethan
  • Patent number: 6188290
    Abstract: A programmable crystal oscillator is provided having a memory for storing frequency-defining parameters. Typically, one of these parameters is used to program an adjustable capacitive load circuit coupled to a crystal to thereby adjust the crystal source frequency. Additional parameters are used to program the output frequency of a phase locked loop circuit coupled to receive the adjusted source frequency. A further parameter can also be used to divide the output frequency of the phase locked loop circuit to supply a specified output frequency. The oscillators can be manufactured as generic programmable crystal oscillators without regard for output frequency and then quickly programmed to produce customer-specified output frequencies with a high degree of accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignees: Fox Enterprises, Inc., Jet City Electronics
    Inventors: John W. Fallisgaard, Eugene S. Trefethen
  • Patent number: 5960405
    Abstract: A worldwide logistics network includes a processing center for receiving customer orders for crystal oscillators over communications links, processing the orders, and generating work orders that are selectively disseminated over communications links to programming centers at strategic locations around the world. Each of the programming centers carries an inventory of generic programmable crystal oscillators. Upon receipt of a work order, a programming center withdraws quantity of programmable crystal oscillators from inventory sufficient to fill the customer order, and, using automated parts handling equipment, the oscillators are successively directed to an interface position with a computer. There, the unique crystal frequency of each oscillator is read and each oscillator is uniquely programmed on the basis of its crystal frequency to generate an output frequency meeting customer specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Fox Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene S. Trefethan, John W. Fallisgaard
  • Patent number: 5952890
    Abstract: A programmable crystal oscillator is provided having a memory for storing frequency-defining parameters. Typically, one of these parameters is used to program an adjustable capacitive load circuit coupled to a crystal to thereby adjust the crystal source frequency. Additional parameters are used to program the output frequency of a phase locked loop circuit coupled to receive the adjusted source frequency. A further parameter can also be used to divide the output frequency of the phase locked loop circuit to supply a specified output frequency. The oscillators can be manufactured as generic programmable crystal oscillators without regard for output frequency and then quickly programmed to produce customer-specified output frequencies with a high degree of accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignees: Fox Enterprises, Inc., Jet City Electronics
    Inventors: John W. Fallisgaard, Eugene S. Trefethan