Patents Examined by Christian Hannon
  • Patent number: 8983409
    Abstract: An automatically configurable 2-wire/3-wire serial communications interface (AC23SCI), which includes start-of-sequence (SOS) detection circuitry and sequence processing circuitry, is disclosed. When the SOS detection circuitry is coupled to a 2-wire serial communications bus, the SOS detection circuitry detects an SOS of a received sequence based on a serial data signal and a serial clock signal. When the SOS detection circuitry is coupled to a 3-wire serial communications bus, the SOS detection circuitry detects the SOS of the received sequence based on a chip select (CS) signal. The SOS detection circuitry provides an indication of detection of the SOS to the sequence processing circuitry, which initiates processing of the received sequence using the serial data signal and the serial clock signal upon the detection of the SOS. As such, the AC23SCI automatically configures itself for operation with some 2-wire and some 3-wire serial communications buses without external intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Truong Ngo, Roman Zbigniew Arkiszewski, Brad Hunkele
  • Patent number: 8983410
    Abstract: A configurable 2-wire/3-wire serial communications interface (C23SCI), which includes start-of-sequence (SOS) detection circuitry and sequence processing circuitry, is disclosed. When the SOS detection circuitry is coupled to a 2-wire serial communications bus, the SOS detection circuitry detects an SOS of a received sequence based on a serial data signal and a serial clock signal. When the SOS detection circuitry is coupled to a 3-wire serial communications bus, the SOS detection circuitry detects the SOS of the received sequence based on a chip select (CS) signal. In response to detecting the SOS, the SOS detection circuitry provides an SOS detection signal to the sequence processing circuitry, which initiates processing of the received sequence using the serial data signal and the serial clock signal. The received sequence is associated with one of multiple serial communications protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: William David Southcombe, Christopher Truong Ngo, David E. Jones, Chris Levesque, Scott Yoder, Terry J. Stockert
  • Patent number: 8977220
    Abstract: A preference related to the broadcast of a work, for example a song or advertisement, is obtained from a subscriber. The work is associated with one of a plurality of unique identifiers, and the particular identifier with which the work is associated can be identified in some instances by using information included with the subscriber preference. In response to determining which unique identifier is associated with the work, content associated with that identifier can be delivered to the subscriber according to his preference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Littlejohn, Bobbi Denise Schuster, Keyin Hsu, Jennifer Perez
  • Patent number: 8971830
    Abstract: A multi-mode multi-band power amplifier (PA) module is described. In an exemplary design, the PA module includes multiple power amplifiers, multiple matching circuits, and a set of switches. Each power amplifier provides power amplification for its input signal when selected. Each matching circuit provides impedance matching and filtering for its power amplifier and provides a respective output signal. The switches configure the power amplifiers to support multiple modes, with each mode being for a particular radio technology. Each power amplifier supports at least two modes. The PA module may further include a driver amplifier and an additional matching circuit. The driver amplifier amplifies an input signal and provides an amplified signal to the power amplifiers. The additional matching circuit combines the outputs of other matching circuits and provides an output signal with higher output power. The driver amplifier and the power amplifiers can support multiple output power levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Aristotle Hadjichristos, Puay Hoe See, Babak Nejati, Guy Klemens, Norman L Frederick, Jr., Gurkanwal S Sahota, Marco Cassia, Nathan M Pletcher, Yu Zhao, Thomas A Myers
  • Patent number: 8965282
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for quantizing an analog received signal in a low-power body area network (LP-BAN) by using a limited number of quantization bits, while information of the received signal is preserved for accurate signal reconstruction. The quantized signal can be equalized in such a way to generate an output equalized signal based on the periodic-sinc function, which is suitable for a subsequent Finite Rate of Innovation (FRI) processing. The noisy equalized signal can be further processed by applying improved (i.e., faster) Cadzow denoising algorithm as a part of the FRI processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Yann Barbotin, Petru Cristian Budianu
  • Patent number: 8958763
    Abstract: A charge pump of a power amplifier (PA) bias power supply and a process to prevent undershoot disruption of a bias power supply signal of the PA bias power supply are disclosed. The charge pump operates in one of multiple bias supply pump operating modes, which include at least a bias supply pump-up operating mode and a bias supply bypass operating mode. The process prevents selection of the bias supply pump-up operating mode from the bias supply bypass operating mode before charge pump circuitry in the charge pump is capable of providing adequate voltage to prevent undershoot disruption of the bias power supply signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Williams, Brian Baxter, Brad Hunkele, Hirofumi Honjo, Roman Zbigniew Arkiszewski, David E. Jones, Chris Levesque, William David Southcombe, Scott Yoder, Terry J. Stockert
  • Patent number: 8948716
    Abstract: Various embodiments implement apparatuses and methods for conversion of radio frequency (RF) signals to intermediate frequency (IF) signals. More particularly, some embodiments are directed toward down conversion of RF signals to IF signals in a multi-band radio receiver, such as a satellite receiver, using a single oscillator for different frequency bands. For example, some of the apparatuses and methods presented are suitable for integration into monolithic RF integrated circuits in low-cost satellite receivers for home entertainment use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Entropic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Goldblatt, Branislav Petrovic, Martin Alderton, Wing Fat Lau
  • Patent number: 8942653
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for beamforming with less heat in a wireless communication system including multiple antennas are provided. The apparatus includes a digital signal processor for processing at least one baseband digital signal, and at least one Radio Frequency (RF) signal processor for converting a respective baseband digital signal of the at least one baseband digital signal into an RF analog signal and for amplifying a power of the RF analog signal for one or more antenna elements constituting a respective antenna of the at least one antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheol-Woo Ahn, Kweon Na, Kae-Oh Sun
  • Patent number: 8942652
    Abstract: An envelope tracking power supply and transmitter control circuitry are disclosed. The transmitter control circuitry receives a first envelope power supply control signal and a second envelope power supply control signal. The envelope tracking power supply operates in one of a group of operating modes, which includes a first operating mode and a second operating mode. During both the first operating mode and the second operating mode, a first envelope power supply signal is provided to a driver stage based on the first envelope power supply control signal. During the first operating mode, a second envelope power supply signal is provided to a final stage based on the first envelope power supply control signal. However, during the second operating mode, the second envelope power supply signal is provided to the final stage based on the second envelope power supply control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay, Philippe Gorisse
  • Patent number: 8929958
    Abstract: Provided are a mobile terminal and a method of transmitting and receiving signals in the mobile terminal. The method selects a modulation method and an antenna mode for optimizing energy consumption when signals are transmitted and received in consideration of a network operation mode, a channel environment, Quality of Service (QoS), and the like, and transmits and receives signals using the modulation method and antenna mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-kyoung Park, Ho Yang
  • Patent number: 8897726
    Abstract: A multipath circuit is described that has multiple signal paths and various common components used for normal operation. Each of the multiple signal paths also has multiple circuit blocks defining the functionality of the signal path. A shared access path is provided through the third winding of a three-way transformer for each signal path. Multiple switches are provided in the multipath circuit that couple to the third winding in each of the multiple signal paths. The switches are also coupled to the various common components. Selected ones of these switches may be closed to provide a shared access path between a common component and one of the signal paths or between a common components and one of the circuit blocks in one of the signal paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Kwan-Woo Kim, Thinh Nguyen, Arvind Keerti, Sudhakar Kalakota, Rainer Gaethke
  • Patent number: 8897835
    Abstract: A portable performance monitoring module comprising a signal receiver, a processor for generating and outputting performance data, and a communication interface for facilitating data communication with a portable telecommunications device. The performance monitoring module is arranged to communicate with the portable telecommunications device via the communication interface upon receipt of requests from the portable telecommunications device. This module is adapted for cooperative operation with a general power telecommunications device to expand its processing and display power while maintaining a low cost simple design and compactness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Dayton Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Paul Anthony Yuen
  • Patent number: 8892063
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to multi-mode multi-band radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) circuitry, which includes a multi-mode multi-band quadrature RF PA coupled to multi-mode multi-band switching circuitry via a single output. The switching circuitry provides at least one non-linear mode output and multiple linear mode outputs. The non-linear mode output may be associated with at least one non-linear mode RF communications band and each linear mode output may be associated with a corresponding linear mode RF communications band. The outputs from the switching circuitry may be coupled to an antenna port via front-end aggregation circuitry. The quadrature nature of the quadrature PA path may provide tolerance for changes in antenna loading conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Jones, William David Southcombe, Chris Levesque, Scott Yoder, Terry J. Stockert
  • Patent number: 8892173
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a mobile electronic device includes: a sound production unit for producing a sound based on a sound signal; an input unit for receiving input; a processing unit configured to cause the sound production unit to produce a sound, and set, when a response to the produced sound is received by the input unit, a compensation parameter for adjusting sound volume for each audio frequency based on the response; and a compensation unit configured to compensate a sound signal based on the compensation parameter, and supply the compensated sound signal to the sound production unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiro Inagaki
  • Patent number: 8874064
    Abstract: A receiver using a harmonic mixer includes a signal receiver for receiving a first signal, a frequency generator for synchronizing a phase of the received first signal, down-converting a frequency size of the synchronized first signal as much as a first size, and outputting the down-converted signal as a second signal; a first harmonic mixer unit for receiving the first signal and the second signal, generating a third signal having a frequency size down-converted as much as a second size, and outputting the third signal. The receiver further includes a second harmonic mixer unit for receiving the third signal and outputting an In-phase signal having a frequency size down-converted as much as a third size, and a third harmonic mixer unit for receiving the third signal and outputting a Quadrature-phase signal having a frequency size down-converted as much as a third size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Electronics Technology Institute
    Inventors: Ki Jin Kim, Kwang Ho Ahn, Sanghoon Park
  • Patent number: 8874049
    Abstract: A configurable transceiver may include a configurable receiver, a configurable transmitter, and a digital signal processor (DSP). One or more components of the configurable receiver and/or the configurable transmitter may be a block that includes an array of components, such as an array of amplifiers, an array of filters, etc. The DSP may determine a configuration of the configurable receiver that satisfies a bit error rate threshold and minimizes power consumption. The DSP may configure the blocks of the configurable receiver in accordance with the determined configuration of the configurable receiver. The DSP may receive an indication of a modulation scheme being used for transmitted data and may determine a configuration of the configurable transmitter for the modulation scheme that satisfies an error vector magnitude threshold and minimizes power consumption. The DSP may configure the blocks of the configurable transmitter in accordance with the determined configuration of the configurable transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8874065
    Abstract: The described apparatus and methods may include a receiver configured to receive a control signal, and a controller configured to regulate power consumption of the receiver during intervals of less than one radio frame based on the control signals. The controller may also be configured to regulate power consumption of a transmitter during intervals of less than one radio frame based on the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Chengzhi Pan, Joseph Patrick Burke, Christian Holenstein
  • Patent number: 8831554
    Abstract: Efficient utilization and management of integrated mobile base station carrier trees is provided herein. Such trees provide an organizational structure for allocating calls in a code division, tone division, time division and/or like mobile infrastructure. Calls can be allocated to portions of the carrier tree as a function of characteristic(s) associated with the call. Accordingly, like calls are grouped within the carrier tree with like calls. In addition, portions of the carrier tree can be re-allocated to different types of traffic to meet fluctuations in traffic demand. Further, calls can be re-packed from existing segments of the carrier tree to other segments to maintain calls having common characteristics in contiguous groups, and to maintain idle segments another contiguous group(s). Accordingly, the wireless carrier tree can be packed and managed more efficiently, providing greater throughput and reduced contention for resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Yung Shirley Choi-Grogan, Arthur Brisebois, Kurt Huber
  • Patent number: 8831538
    Abstract: A performance monitoring apparatus comprising an assembly of a performance monitoring module and a general purpose portable telecommunications device such as a mobile telephone or mobile smart phone connected for data communication mounted on a common casing. The performance monitoring module is adapted for receiving performance signals from at least one performance sensor and for converting the performance signals into performance data. The general purpose portable telecommunications device is configured to be activate-able to cause the performance monitoring module to transfer performance data to the general purpose portable telecommunications device. The common casing comprises mounting means for mounting onto a support surface. This module is adapted for cooperative operation with a general purpose portable telecommunications device to expand its processing and display power while maintaining a low cost simple design and compactness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Dayton Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Paul Anthony Yuen
  • Patent number: 8831539
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing and circuit board in the housing and having radio frequency (RF) circuitry and a power amplifier and microphone mounted thereon. An antenna is carried within the housing and operative with the RF circuitry. An RF shield surrounds and isolates the microphone from the RF circuitry, power amplifier and antenna and shields the microphone from radiated energy generated from the RF circuitry, antenna or power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Corrigan, George Soliman Mankaruse, Lizhong Zhu