Patents Assigned to Neofocal Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10305380
    Abstract: Serial arranged circuits allow multiple different circuit nodes to receive power with a single conductor line carrying current. Data can be transmitted to the serially arranged circuit nodes by modulating the current on the single conductor line. However, switching transistors to modulate current can consume energy. To reduce the switching losses, a double ended driver circuit is disclosed. The doubled ended driver circuit includes switching capacitors and inductors at both ends of a serial string of circuit nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: NEOFOCAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Peting
  • Patent number: 9934191
    Abstract: In order to control individual circuit nodes coupled to a common serial line, each of the different circuit nodes must be assigned a locally unique address. However, mass manufactured electronics are manufactured as identical electronic devices. Thus, several techniques are presented for assigning unique addresses to identical electronic devices coupled to a common serial line. One set of techniques uses a local sensor that is stimulated in order to specify a single device on the serial line. Another set of techniques measures a pulse presented onto the common serial by a circuit node to determine its relative position on the serial line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: NEOFOCAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Peting, Dale Beyer, Tsutomu Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20160034414
    Abstract: In order to control individual circuit nodes coupled to a common serial line, each of the different circuit nodes must be assigned a locally unique address. However, mass manufactured electronics are manufactured as identical electronic devices. Thus, several techniques are presented for assigning unique addresses to identical electronic devices coupled to a common serial line. One set of techniques uses a local sensor that is stimulated in order to specify a single device on the serial line. Another set of techniques measures a pulse presented onto the common serial by a circuit node to determine its relative position on the serial line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: NEOFOCAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Peting, Dale Beyer, Tsutomu Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20150364983
    Abstract: Serial arranged circuits allow multiple different circuit nodes to receive power with a single conductor line carrying current. Data can be transmitted to the serially arranged circuit nodes by modulating the current on the single conductor line. However, switching transistors to modulate current can consume energy. To reduce the switching losses, a double ended driver circuit is disclosed. The doubled ended driver circuit includes switching capacitors and inductors at both ends of a serial string of circuit nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: NEOFOCAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Peting
  • Patent number: 8890434
    Abstract: To control multiple electronic circuits organized in a series configuration, this document introduces a single-wire power, control, and feedback system. Specifically, individually controlled electronic circuits are arranged in a series configuration that is driven by a control unit located at the head of the series. The head-end control unit provides both electrical power and control signals down a single wire to drive all of the electronic circuits in the series in a manner that allows each electronic circuit to periodically draw power from the single wire and receive control information. Each electronic circuit in the series may communicate back to the head-end control unit by drawing power or not during a specified time slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Neofocal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Shimomura, Mark Peting, Dale Beyer
  • Publication number: 20140333269
    Abstract: Data may be encoded onto a direct current power line by modulating the current on that direct current power line. One method of modulating the current is by placing an inductor on the power line and then using a controlled transistor that turns on and turns off. The inductor will ensure that current keeps flowing but the transistor will induce changes in the current pattern. The excess current from when transistor is turned off must be diverted. Furthermore, to create symmetrical current changes, the inductor should be reverse biased. Thus, a circuit is created that sinks the excess current from when the transistor is turned off and used to reverse bias the inductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: NEOFOCAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Peting, Dale Beyer, Tsutomu Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20140265607
    Abstract: Electrical power is traditionally transmitted with high-voltage alternating current transmission lines. For some limited applications, high-voltage direct current is used to transmit electrical power since direct current transmission is much more efficient. However, due to the high costs of high-voltage alternating to high-voltage direct current conversion equipment, direct current transmission is rarely use. To provide direct current electrical transmission at a reduced cost, a loop-based direct current transmission system is disclosed. The loop-based direct current system operates by carrying direct current in a loop that coupled individual power consumer and power generating nodes. Each node can add voltage to or subtract voltage from the current loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Neofocal Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Peting
  • Patent number: 8823281
    Abstract: To power and control multiple different electronic circuit nodes, this document introduces a single-wire multiple-circuit power and control system. Specifically, individually controlled circuit node units are arranged in a series configuration that is driven by a power and control unit located at the head of the series. Each of the individually controlled circuit node units may comprise more than one output circuit that is also individually controllable. The head-end power and control unit provides both electrical power and control signals down a single wire to drive all of the individual circuit node units in the series in a manner that allows each individual circuit node unit to be controlled individually or in assigned groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Neofocal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Peting, Dale Beyer, Tsutomu Shimomura
  • Patent number: 8716950
    Abstract: Data may be encoded onto a direct current power line by modulating the current on that direct current power line. One method of modulating the current is by placing an inductor on the power line and then using a controlled transistor that turns on and turns off. The inductor will ensure that current keeps flowing but the transistor will induce changes in the current pattern. The excess current from when transistor is turned off must be diverted. Furthermore, to create symmetrical current changes, the inductor should be reverse biased. Thus, a circuit is created that sinks the excess current from when the transistor is turned off and used to reverse bias the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Neofocal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Peting, Dale Beyer, Tsutomu Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20140035481
    Abstract: To power and control multiple different electronic circuit nodes, this document introduces a single-wire multiple-circuit power and control system. Specifically, individually controlled circuit node units are arranged in a series configuration that is driven by a power and control unit located at the head of the series. Each of the individually controlled circuit node units may comprise more than one output circuit that is also individually controllable. The head-end power and control unit provides both electrical power and control signals down a single wire to drive all of the individual circuit node units in the series in a manner that allows each individual circuit node unit to be controlled individually or in assigned groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Neofocal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Peting, Dale Beyer, Tsutomu Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20130285553
    Abstract: To control multiple electronic circuits organized in a series configuration, this document introduces a single-wire power, control, and feedback system. Specifically, individually controlled electronic circuits are arranged in a series configuration that is driven by a control unit located at the head of the series. The head-end control unit provides both electrical power and control signals down a single wire to drive all of the electronic circuits in the series in a manner that allows each electronic circuit to periodically draw power from the single wire and receive control information. Each electronic circuit in the series may communicate back to the head-end control unit by drawing power or not during a specified time slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Neofocal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Shimomura, Mark Peting, Dale Beyer
  • Publication number: 20130278176
    Abstract: To control multiple electronic circuits organized in a series configuration, this document introduces a single-wire power and control system. Specifically, individually controlled electronic circuits are arranged in a series configuration that is driven by a control unit located at the head of the series. The head-end control unit provides both electrical power and control signals down a single wire to drive all of the electronic circuits in the series in a manner that allows each electronic circuit to periodically draw power from the single wire. Each electronic circuit in the series has been designed such that the electronic circuits coordinate power draws to reduce peak power demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Neofocal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Shimomura, Mark Peting, Dale Beyer
  • Publication number: 20130095650
    Abstract: Waffle transistors are used within an integrated circuit when a transistor must carry an amount of current greater than the amount of current carried by a typical transistor in the integrated circuit. In a waffle transistor a set of source areas and drain areas are arranged in a checkerboard pattern. The source areas must all be connected together and the drain areas must all be connected together. To efficiently connect the source (or drain) areas together, a serpentine metal interconnect pattern is used. The serpentine pattern reduces the amount of metal required outside of the array. The serpentine pattern may be improved with offset contacts in the source and drain areas that cause the serpentine metal interconnects to be straighter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: NEOFOCAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Shimomura
  • Patent number: 8350496
    Abstract: Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are increasingly used in illumination applications. To control multiple Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), or any other controllable light source, this document introduces a single-wire multiple-LED power and control system. Specifically, individually controlled LED units are arranged in a series configuration that is driven by a control unit located at the head of the series. Each of the individually controlled LED units may comprise more than one LED that is also individually controllable. The head-end control unit provides both electrical power and control signals down a single wire to drive all of the LED units in the series in a manner that allows each LED unit to be controlled individually or in assigned groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Neofocal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Peting, Dale Beyer, Tsutomu Shimomura
  • Patent number: 8350497
    Abstract: An controlled LED lighting system that operates using a single conductor to power and control LED nodes is disclosed. The controlled LED lighting system modulates control data onto a nominally constant DC signal transmitted down a single conductor serial line. Nodes coupled the serial line draw power into a local capacitor and demodulate the data signal. Each node shunts the serial line when additional power is not required such that the data signal is received by every node on the serial line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Neofocal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Peting, Dale Beyer, Tsutomu Shimomura
  • Patent number: 8344659
    Abstract: Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are increasingly used in illumination applications. To control multiple Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), or any other controllable light source, this document introduces a single-wire multiple-LED power and control system. Specifically, individually controlled LED units are arranged in a series configuration that is driven by a control unit located at the head of the series. Each of the individually controlled LED units may comprise more than one LED that is also individually controllable. The head-end control unit provides both electrical power and control signals down a single wire to drive all of the LED units in the series in a manner that allows each LED unit to be controlled individually or in assigned groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Neofocal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Shimomura, Mark Peting, Dale Beyer
  • Publication number: 20120313544
    Abstract: Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are increasingly used in illumination applications. To control multiple Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), or any other controllable light source, this document introduces a single-wire multiple-LED power and control system. Specifically, individually controlled LED units are arranged in a series configuration that is driven by a control unit located at the head of the series. Each of the individually controlled LED units may comprise more than one LED that is also individually controllable. The head-end control unit provides both electrical power and control signals down a single wire to drive all of the LED units in the series in a manner that allows each LED unit to be controlled individually or in assigned groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: NEOFOCAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Shimomura, Mark Peting, Dale Beyer
  • Publication number: 20120299480
    Abstract: Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are increasingly used in illumination applications. To control multiple Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), or any other controllable light source, this document introduces a single-wire multiple-LED power and control system. Specifically, individually controlled LED units are arranged in a series configuration that is driven by a control unit located at the head of the series. Each of the individually controlled LED units may comprise more than one LED that is also individually controllable. The head-end control unit provides both electrical power and control signals down a single wire to drive all of the LED units in the series in a manner that allows each LED unit to be controlled individually or in assigned groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: NEOFOCAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Peting, Dale Beyer, Tsutomu Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20120217950
    Abstract: Data may be encoded onto a direct current power line by modulating the current on that direct current power line. One method of modulating the current is by placing an inductor on the power line and then using a controlled transistor that turns on and turns off. The inductor will ensure that current keeps flowing but the transistor will induce changes in the current pattern. The excess current from when transistor is turned off must be diverted. Furthermore, to create symmetrical current changes, the inductor should be reverse biased. Thus, a circuit is created that sinks the excess current from when the transistor is turned off and used to reverse bias the inductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: NEOFOCAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Peting, Dale Beyer, Tsutomu Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20120098328
    Abstract: Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are increasingly used in illumination applications. To control multiple Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), or any other controllable light source, this document introduces a single-wire multiple-LED power and control system. Specifically, individually controlled LED units are arranged in a series configuration that is driven by a control unit located at the head of the series. Each of the individually controlled LED units may comprise more than one LED that is also individually controllable. The head-end control unit provides both electrical power and control signals down a single wire to drive all of the LED units in the series in a manner that allows each LED unit to be controlled individually or in assigned groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: NEOFOCAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Shimomura, Mark Peting, Dale Beyer