Patents Examined by Trinh Vo Dinh
  • Patent number: 7042164
    Abstract: In order to realize, at a low cost, the function of an indicator which is brought to a light emitting state during a wait state, a panel 1 as a display section is constituted by self light emitting elements E11–Enm for example by organic EL elements, and organic EL elements which function as the indicator Ei which is brought to the light emitting state during the wait state are also formed on the same panel. Meanwhile, an indicator drive circuit 13 which drives and allows the organic EL elements that function as the indicator Ei to emit light is constructed by one chip IC together with the data driver 2. By forming the indicator drive circuit 13 as one chip IC in a data driver 2, the manufacturing cost can be reduced compared to the case where the indicator drive circuit is prepared separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Yazawa
  • Patent number: 7042916
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the relative output power of individual output wavelengths of a multi-output-wavelength Raman laser (10) is disclosed. The method is characterized by the steps of suppressing the relative output power of a potentially most powerful output wavelength (98) in a first step (108), adjusting the relative output power of the shortest output wavelength (94) in a second step (110), adjusting the relative output power of further output wavelengths (96, 100, 102, 104) in a third step (112), and adjusting the relative output power of the potentially most powerful output wavelength (98) in a fourth step (114). Further, a device (68) that performs such a method is disclosed, i.e. a device for adjusting the relative output power of individual output wavelengths (94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104) of such a laser (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Sophie Borne, Florence Leplingard
  • Patent number: 7038626
    Abstract: An active antenna element to transmit and/or receive RF (Radio Frequency) signals is positioned in relation to a backplane that reflects RF signals. One or more passive antenna elements can be disposed on a similar side of the backplane as the active antenna element. Settings of the one or more passive antenna elements are adjusted to produce an input/output beam pattern that varies depending on whether the at least one passive antenna element is reflective or transmissive. Based on this technique, an RF input output beam pattern of an antenna assembly including the backplane, active antenna element and passive antenna elements can be controlled for better reception and transmission of RF signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Griffin K. Gothard, Kenneth M. Gainey, Bing Chiang
  • Patent number: 7038402
    Abstract: Methods and systems to achieve linear and exponential control over a current to drive color LEDs have been achieved. Current digital-to-analog converters (IDAC) comprising each an exponential current digital-to analog converter and a linear IDAC, being cascaded to each other are used for a linear and an exponential control of a current driving a set of color LEDs, preferably RGB LEDs. The linear part of the IDAC, which is converting the mantissa of a floating-point number is used to control the color composition of the color LEDs. The exponential part of the IDAC, which is converting the exponent of the floating-point number is used to control the brightness of the color LEDs. While fading from one color to a next color a linear color change is required. The exponential part of the IDAC is used to dim the LEDs from bright to dark and vice versa. In order to get the visual perception of a linear dimming an exponential current change is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Adler, Carlo Peschke
  • Patent number: 7034763
    Abstract: A slot antenna includes a substrate with a metal ground plate on one side thereof and a plurality of rectangular slots are etched in an inner periphery of the ground plate. An opening is defined in one side of the ground plate and a metal feedline is located on the substrate and located close to the opening. The feedline includes a plurality of sub-sections extending within the slot and at least two matching stubs are formed on the feedline and a sub-ground plate is connected to the ground plate and located in the slot. A plurality of metal floating stubs are attached to the rear side of the substrate. When viewing from the front side of the substrate, the floating stubs are connected across the ground plate and at least one of the matching stubs. The antenna is miniaturized and includes dual-frequency operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventors: Chien-Jen Wang, Jin-Jei Li
  • Patent number: 7034467
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a controller for suppressing the temperature of a screen in order to maintain the ambient temperature of the screen to the level of a predetermined standard temperature as to avoid the screen from being operated at abnormal temperature and lowering its service life. The present invention utilizes a temperature detector unit connected to a control unit for detecting the ambient temperature and outputting a temperature signal to the control unit. The temperature signal is compared with the predetermined standard temperature to determine the magnitude of a cold cathode fluorescent lamp for suppressing the operation of the screen to the best ambient temperature and maintaining the normal service temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Wen Chou, Ying-Nan Cheng, Chin-Biau Chung
  • Patent number: 7034771
    Abstract: An antenna system includes a reflector having a modified-paraboloid shape; and a multi-beam, multi-band feed array located at a focal point of the reflector so that the antenna system forms a multiple congruent beams that are contiguous. The system has a single reflector with non-frequency selective surface. The reflector is sized to produce a required beam size at K-band frequencies and is oversized at EHF-band frequencies. The synthesized reflector surface is moderately shaped and disproportionately broadens EHF-band and Ka-band beams compared to K-band beams. The synthesized reflector surface forms multiple beams each having a 0.5-degree diameter at K-band, Ka-band, and EHF band. The multi-beam, multi-band feed array includes a number of high-efficiency, multi-mode circular horns that operate in focused mode at K-band and defocused mode at Ka-band and EHF-band by employing “frequency-dependent” design for the horns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Sudhakar K. Rao, David Bressler
  • Patent number: 7034769
    Abstract: A dipole antenna for a wireless communication device, which includes a first conductive element superimposed on a portion of and separated from a second conductive element by a first dielectric layer. A first conductive via connects the first and second conductive elements through the first dielectric layer. The second conductive element is generally U-shaped. The second conductive element includes a plurality of spaced conductive strips extending transverse from adjacent ends of the legs of the U-shape. Each strip is dimensioned for a different center frequency ?0. The first conductive element may be L-shaped, and one of the legs of the L-shape being superimposed on one of the legs of the U-shape. The first conductive via connects the other leg of the L-shape to the other leg of the U-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Sandbridge Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Emanoil Surducan, Daniel Iancu, John Glossner
  • Patent number: 7030569
    Abstract: A CCFL can exhibit different strike characteristics depending on age and temperature. A CCFL in a direct driven CCFL circuit that is difficult to strike can appear to be malfunctioning using a standard start up operation. A controlled start up allows additional opportunities for a slow striking CCFL to strike. In one embodiment, the CCFL of the direct drive CCFL circuit can be initially driven at a switching frequency substantially different than a resonant frequency. Based on certain conditions, the switching frequency can subsequently be allowed to approach resonant frequency in a controlled manner. If the driving frequency reaches the resonant frequency of the CCFL during a set time period, then the CCFL can enter into steady state operation. At this point, the same conditions can be monitored to identify fault conditions in the direct drive CCFL circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Analog Microelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Gray
  • Patent number: 7030573
    Abstract: A high intensity discharge (HID) strobe lamp assembly including an HID lamp and circuitry arranged to maintain a current flow to the arc gap of the lamp throughout the powered operation of the lamp during strobing emissions as well as non-strobing operation. The lamp assembly thereby avoids problems incident to turn-on of the lamp for strobing emissions in prior lamps, in which long delay times between successive strobe emissions are necessary or high turn-on voltages are needed to flash the lamp. The lamp assembly of the invention avoids the requirement of long relaxation periods between successive strobe events and the need for high voltage conditions for strobing of the lamp, so that the lamp is able to operate in an efficient manner without generating EMI in the MegaHertz-GigaHertz range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Luminescent Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Eddie Powell
  • Patent number: 7026766
    Abstract: An organic EL element drive circuit includes a current mirror circuit, a first current output circuit for generating a current having a first value in response to an output current of one of output side transistors of the current mirror circuit and a current generator circuit. An input terminal of the organic EL element drive circuit is supplied with a current having a second value from a second current output circuit of another organic EL element drive circuit preceding to the organic EL element drive circuit, which has substantially the same construction as that of the first current output circuit, to generate a predetermined drive current and the input transistor of the current mirror circuit is driven by the predetermined drive current to generate the first current value corresponding to the second current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Maede, Masanori Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 7026764
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for producing stable plasma. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus having a long-lasting cathode electrode which is superior in field emission characteristic since the plasma density has to be raised in order to increase the throughput. The structure of the plasma producing apparatus of the present invention relates to a plasma producing apparatus with a plasma chamber surrounded by walls to make material gas into plasma, characterized in the plasma chamber has a cathode electrode, an anode electrode, means for introducing the material gas, and exhaust means, and that a carbon nano tube is formed on a surface of the cathode electrode and the anode electrode is formed on the surface of the cathode electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7026763
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for containing plasma and forming a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology are described in which plasma ions are contained magnetically in stable, non-adiabatic orbits in the FRC. Further, the electrons are contained electrostatically in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. The simultaneous electrostatic confinement of electrons and magnetic confinement of ions avoids anomalous transport and facilitates classical containment of both electrons and ions. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by nuclear force, thus releasing fusion energy. Moreover, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement system and method are not limited to neutronic fuels only, but also advantageously include advanced fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Norman Rostoker, Michl Binderbauer
  • Patent number: 7023400
    Abstract: An antenna system that includes a directional antenna designed to reduce the occurrence of side lobes, thus reducing the possibility of interference with other radio frequencies is disclosed. The directional antenna includes an antenna member and a reflecting tube. The reflective tube is sleeved over the antenna member. The reflective serves to block unwanted radial side lobes. The directional antenna can also include provisions that assist in suspending the antenna member within the reflective tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corp.
    Inventor: David A. Hill
  • Patent number: 7023399
    Abstract: A radio-frequency device holder can include a base support member for the radio-frequency device holder to be positioned on a window sash and panels forming a box-like structure above the support member. The panels can be designed to replicate a window air conditioner. The side accordion members can be designed to replicate air conditioner side accordion members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventors: Abraham Max Zaretsky, Carl Bernard Apfel
  • Patent number: 7023401
    Abstract: An antenna reflector and an associated latch system are provided. The antenna reflector includes a plurality of reflector portions that are connected in a predetermined configuration to define a continuous surface, such as a parabolic surface. The latches connect the reflector portions. Each latch includes first and second latch members, which define reference surfaces that are structured to contact when the latch is closed. In particular, the reference surfaces are disposed at predetermined and dissimilar distances from connection features of the respective latch members. For example, the first and second reference surfaces of the respective latch members can be disposed at first and second distances from apertures through the respective latch members. The first distance can be greater than the second distance so that, when a fastener is disposed through both apertures, the reference surfaces are urged together and the reflector portions are connected in a predetermined configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Vertexrsi
    Inventors: Keith Edward Thrash, Michael Dyer, Jeremy Bartell
  • Patent number: 7015646
    Abstract: A system and method for containing plasma and forming a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology are described in which plasma ions are contained magnetically in stable, non-adiabatic orbits in the FRC. Further, the electrons are contained electrostatically in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. The simultaneous electrostatic confinement of electrons and magnetic confinement of ions avoids anomalous transport and facilitates classical containment of both electrons and ions. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by nuclear force, thus releasing fusion energy. Moreover, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement system and method are not limited to neutronic fuels only, but also advantageously include advanced fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Norman Rostoker, Michl Binderbauer, Artan Qerushi, Hooshang Tahsiri
  • Patent number: 7015658
    Abstract: In a three-phase inverter configured driving circuit and method, three switch assemblies are connected in parallel between an input voltage and a reference voltage and switched to generate a three-phase AC voltage on the primary side of a three-phase transformer, so as to be transformed to a three-phase current from the secondary side of the transformer to provide for three loadings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chean-Lung Tsay, Chin-Chiang Yeh
  • Patent number: 7015862
    Abstract: The invention provides a small multimode antenna capable of commonly using a single feeding point at a plurality of frequencies. The antenna includes a radiating conductor 1 disposed above a ground conductor 6 and distributed-constant circuits 2 and 3 coupled to the radiating conductor. Each of the distributed-constant circuits is constructed by a transmission line and has a branch. One end of the radiating conductor and one end of the distributed-constant circuit 2 are connected to each other to be a connection point and, further, the other end of the radiating conductor and one end of the distributed-constant circuit 3 are connected to each other. The connection point is a single feeding point 9 using the ground conductor as an earth. The distributed-constant circuits 2 and 3 are designed as an equivalent circuit in which different stubs are connected in parallel with a transmission line, and impedance matching at a plurality of frequencies is realized at the feeding point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Takei, Hiroyuki Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7009565
    Abstract: An antenna comprises a resonator and a waveguide. The resonator comprises at least one body having a negative effective electrical permittivity or a negative magnetic permeability when a resonance is excited therein by electromagnetic radiation lying in some portion of the microwave spectrum. A termination of the waveguide is situated adjacent the resonator. The resonator is conformed such that at the resonance, there is efficient coupling between the resonator and the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Pidwerbetsky, Howard Roy Stuart