Patents Examined by Patricia Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8432301
    Abstract: A keyboard is provided that includes an arrangement of keys, circuitry and a first processor configured to generate a signal in response to a keystroke in which a respective key of the arrangement of keys is depressed, and determine how to interpret the keystroke. The keyboard also includes a plurality of proximity sensors and a second processor configured to measure the proximity of an object to the respective proximity sensors, determine a position and/or movement of the object relative to the proximity sensors based on the respective signal, and produce a gesture signal representative of the determined position and/or movement. This gesture signal is interpretable into one or more commands or instructions for directing performance of one or more operations of an apparatus or software operating on the apparatus. A related apparatus and computer-readable storage medium are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: McKesson Financial Holdings
    Inventor: Cliff Edwards
  • Patent number: 8432225
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for receiving an input signal and power supply information, and amplifying the input signal by a gain value determined as a function of the power supply information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Hubert Young, Jeffrey Lee Lo
  • Patent number: 8427236
    Abstract: An operational amplifier includes an input differential stage having one external input receiving an external input voltage and two outputs; and two output stages. A switch section is provided between inputs of the two output stages and the two outputs of the input differential stage, and is configured to alternately connect the two outputs of the input differential stage and inputs of a positive-only output stage of the two output stages; and the two outputs of the input differential stage and inputs of a negative-only output stage of the two output stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kouichi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8427234
    Abstract: A circuit herein compensates an input signal for distortion introduced to that signal by a non-linear device. A predistorter predistorts the input signal based on a predistortion model to compensate for distortion introduced by the non-linear device. When this predistorted input signal is input into the non-linear device, the device produces an output signal as a function of the predistorted input signal. From this output signal, a feedback generation circuit generates a feedback signal that includes one or more input signal components and one or more distortion components. A selective attenuation circuit selectively attenuates the input signal components in this feedback signal to generate a modified version of the feedback signal with a reduced magnitude difference between the input signal components and the distortion components. Finally, a model adaptation circuit dynamically adapts model parameters of the predistortion model based on the modified version of the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Jadran Lokas
  • Patent number: 8427240
    Abstract: A low-noise amplifier (“LNA”) includes a first cascode gain stage including a first complementary metal oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”) transistor configured to receive a radio frequency (“RF”) input signal and a second CMOS transistor coupled to an output node. The first inductive gate network is coupled to a gate of the second CMOS transistor for increasing a gain of the first cascode gain stage. The first inductive gate network has a non-zero inductive input impedance and includes at least one passive circuit element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsieh-Hung Hsieh, Po-Yi Wu, Ho-Hsiang Chen, Chewn-Pu Jou, Fu-Lung Hsueh
  • Patent number: 8427231
    Abstract: An amplifying device includes a signal separating unit that separates a first signal and a second signal from an input signal; a first signal-generating unit that generates, based on the first signal, a first cancelling signal that suppresses ringing caused during processing of the first signal; a first combining unit that combines the first signal and the first cancelling signal; a first amplifying unit that amplifies a signal output from the first combining unit; a second signal-generating unit that generates, based on the second signal, a second cancelling signal that suppresses ringing caused during processing of the second signal; a second combining unit that combines the second signal and the second cancelling signal; a second amplifying unit that amplifies a signal output from the second combining unit; and a third combining unit that combines a signal output from the first amplifying unit and one output from the second amplifying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Toshio Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 8421534
    Abstract: The predistorter may include: a predistortion filter predistorting an input signal to provide an output signal; a predistortion output estimation unit estimating the characteristics of a nonlinear device based on a signal processed by the nonlinear device and the output signal, and calculating a desired output signal of the predistortion filter by using the estimated characteristics of the nonlinear device; and an adaptive algorithm driving unit comparing the output signal with the desired output signal to output an error as a comparison result, calculating a filter coefficient according to which the calculated error is minimized, and providing the calculated filter coefficient to the predistortion filter in order to update a filter coefficient of the predistortion filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunication Research Institute
    Inventors: Young Hoon Kim, Gweon Do Jo, Kwang Chun Lee
  • Patent number: 8416018
    Abstract: A variable frequency amplifier includes a main amplifier system 4 for amplifying one of signals into which an input signal is split by a directional coupler 3 to output the amplified signal, and an injection amplifier system 9 for adjusting at least one of the amplitude and phase of the other one of the signals into which the input signal is split by the directional coupler 3 according to a setting provided thereto from outside the variable frequency amplifier, and for amplifying the other signal and injecting this amplified signal into an output side of the main amplifier system 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Yamauchi, Hidenori Yukawa, Akira Inoue, Atsushi Yamamoto, Koichi Fujisaki, Hiroomi Ueda
  • Patent number: 8410847
    Abstract: A voltage level shifter for a direct coupling of an external voltage source to a common mode of a circuit may include an amplifier, a voltage-controlled current source, a first and second resistors. A first input of the amplifier may be connected to the common mode. A second input of the amplifier may, via the first and second resistors, receive a voltage indicative of the external voltage source. The output of the amplifier may indicate a voltage difference between the first and second inputs. The voltage-controlled current source may be controlled by the voltage difference to supply a current to a common node of the first and second resistors so that the voltage difference between the first and second inputs may be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Libert, Khiem Quang Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8410856
    Abstract: The noise figure of a low noise amplifier (LNA) is reduced without sacrificing performance such as gain, IIP3, and wideband impedance matching. Embodiments include configuring a control module of the LNA to sum and scale an output from a current-sensing branch of the LNA and an output from a voltage sensing branch of the LNA into one or more summed and scaled outputs. The control module also feeds the one or more summed and scaled outputs back to at least one of the outputs of the branches of the LNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ming-Ching Kuo, Yi-Shing Shih, Shih-Hao Tarng
  • Patent number: 8410849
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention enable a blended control approach to generate a desired output waveform in an outphasing-based system. Embodiments of blended control according to the present invention combine outphasing with bias and/or amplitude control to yield an accurate, practical, and producible system with substantially comparable performance to that of a theoretical ideal outphasing system, but without the isolation and accuracy requirements of outphasing alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Gregory S. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 8400216
    Abstract: Disclosed is a 3-way Doherty power amplifier using a driving amplifier in which driving amplifiers are connected to the front stages of a carrier amplifier and a peaking amplifier, respectively, so as to obtain a high gain and a high efficiency. To this end, the Doherty power amplifier includes: a hybrid power distributor for distributing an input signal into first and second path units; and a driving amplifier for receiving a signal outputted from the hybrid power distributor and controlling the driving of a carrier amplifier, a first peaking amplifier, and a second peaking amplifier, wherein: the carrier amplifier, the first peaking amplifier, and the second peaking amplifier are connected to a rear stage of the driving amplifier, respectively; the first path unit generates a high efficiency at a low input power; and the second path unit maintains a high efficiency and gain in a high output range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Postech Academy-Industry Foundation
    Inventors: Yoon Ha Jeong, Sang Ho Kam, Yong Sub Lee, Mun Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 8395443
    Abstract: A Doherty amplifier includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier, a transmission line, a synthesizer, and an output load. The first amplifier amplifies an RF input signal according to a voltage applied to a supply terminal thereof. The second amplifier amplifies a peak component of the RF input signal according to a voltage applied to a supply terminal thereof. The transmission line is coupled to an output terminal of the first amplifier. The synthesizer is coupled to an output terminal of the transmission line and an output terminal of the second amplifier. It is set such that the voltage applied to the supply terminal of the first amplifier is lower than the voltage applied to the supply terminal of the second amplifier, and that an impedance value of the transmission line is smaller than a value twice an impedance value of the output load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Nobuhisa Aoki
  • Patent number: 8395451
    Abstract: A N-Channel HJ-FET cascode amplifier, with a High Frequency NPN Transistor differential error amplifier, having low 1/f noise, a DC to 12 GHz bandwidth, flat frequency response, excellent transient response, high linearity, and low input and output VSWR over a wide frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Scott Logue
  • Patent number: 8390374
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods reduce the likelihood of amplifier saturation due to propagated DC offsets, and reduce the recover from saturated stated when such saturation occurs. Advantageously, these attributes are beneficial for monitoring of bioelectric signals. A circuit uses an instrumentation amplifier connected as a high pass filter to attenuate large DC offsets and amplify small signals. The circuit can include an instrumentation amplifier electrically coupled with a first feedback circuit including at least one resistor and a second feedback circuit including an op-amp. The feedback circuit can also include a low-pass filter. The op-amp in the second feedback circuit can be configured as a non-inverting amplifier, an inverting amplifier, and/or an integrator circuit. Alternatively, the circuit can include an instrumentation amplifier with one feedback circuit including at least one resistor, and a coupling capacitor electrically coupled with a reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Alasdair Gordon Alexander, David James Plourde, Matthew Nathan Duff
  • Patent number: 8384473
    Abstract: A voltage output device capable of preventing an increase in circuit scale includes an offset compensation function and is suitably applicable to a drive circuit for display devices. The voltage output device includes an operational amplifier having an inverting input terminal and a non-inverting input terminal. Resistance values of a load resistor on the inverting input side and a load resistor on the non-inverting input side are maintained when the output voltage of the amplifier has changed while sequentially varying either one or both of the resistance values of the load resistor on the inverting input side and the load resistor on the non-inverting input side in a state that the inverting input terminal and the non-inverting input terminal are connected. The voltage output device is configured to output the output voltage of the amplifier with the inverting input terminal not connected to the non-inverting input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Lapis Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Ichikura
  • Patent number: 8384474
    Abstract: A Bi-Directional and Adjustable Current Source (“BACS”) for providing an input voltage to a mute/standby control pin of a power stage integrated circuit (“IC”) of an amplifier input with a voltage signal that is linear, where an output of the BACS and the input to the control pin are shunted with a capacitor, is described. The BACS may include a first switch in signal communication with a high voltage reference and a first current source in signal communication with the first switch. The BACS may also include a second switch in signal communication with a low voltage reference and a second current source in signal communication with the second switch. The BACS may further include a directional current element in signal communication with both the first current source, the second current source, the output of the BACS, the input to the control pin, and the capacitor, where the directional current element is configured to prevent current flow from the output BACS to the first current source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Harmon International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Mirza Kolakovic, Greg Hamel, Matthew Day
  • Patent number: 8384483
    Abstract: A distributed power converter is for use with an RF power amplifier and includes a primary converter connected to an input voltage and configured to provide an unregulated DC intermediate voltage that is galvanically isolated from the input voltage. Additionally, the distributed power converter also includes a secondary regulator connected galvanically to the unregulated DC intermediate voltage and configured to generate a regulated DC supply voltage for at least a portion of the RF power amplifier. In another aspect, a method of operating a distributed power converter is for use with an RF power amplifier and includes providing an unregulated DC intermediate voltage that is galvanically isolated from an input voltage and generating a regulated DC supply voltage for at least a portion of the RF power amplifier that is galvanically connected to the unregulated DC intermediate voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Model
  • Patent number: 8378857
    Abstract: Input devices having backlighting for associated input mechanisms. The backlighting may be supplied by a light source coupled to a light guide. Both the light guide and light source may be located completely beneath the input mechanism and above a mechanical support for the mechanism. Each input mechanism generally has its own dedicated light guide and light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Aleksandar Pance
  • Patent number: 8378744
    Abstract: There is provided a multi-mode power amplifier operable in a low power mode having a preset power range and in a high power mode having a power range higher than the power range of the low power mode. The multi-mode power amplifier includes: a high power amplifying unit including at least one cascode amplifier to amplify an input signal to a high power level having a preset power range; a low power amplifying unit sharing a common source node of the at least one cascode amplifier to amplify the input signal to a low power level having a power range lower than the high power level; and a coupling unit coupling a transfer path of a signal output from the high power amplifying unit and a transfer path of a signal output from the low power amplifying unit to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Bon Hoon Koo, Byeong Hak Jo, Ki Yong Son, Yoo Sam Na, Song Cheol Hong