Patents by Inventor Charles D. Thompson

Charles D. Thompson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20160116499
    Abstract: A sensor includes a coil suspended in a magnetic field, an optical detector to detect displacement of the coil in response to a stimulus, and a feedback circuit coupled to the optical detector and to the coil. The sensor further includes a serial communication port used to configure at least one characteristic of the sensor, wherein the at least one characteristic of the sensor comprises an overload point of the sensor, a gain of the sensor, a full-scale range of the sensor, a power consumption of sensor, sleep mode parameters of the sensor, a coil configuration of the sensor, and/or coil damping of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventor: Charles D. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150042981
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a coil suspended in a magnetic field and an optical detector to detect displacement of the coil in response to a stimulus. The apparatus further includes a feedback circuit to program a gain of the sensor, wherein the feedback circuit is coupled to the optical detector and to the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Abidin Guclu Onaran, Charles D. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150042359
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a coil suspended in a magnetic field, and an optical detector to detect displacement of the coil in response to a stimulus. The apparatus further includes a feedback circuit coupled to the optical detector and to the coil. A coil constant of the apparatus may be configured to a desired value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Abidin Guclu Onaran, Charles D. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150036123
    Abstract: A sensor includes a coil suspended in a magnetic field, and a light source to produce a light output in response to a current, wherein a duty cycle and/or pulse-repetition frequency of the current is configurable. The sensor further includes an optical detector to use the light output of the light source to detect displacement of the coil in response to a stimulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Abidin Guclu Onaran, Charles D. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150036124
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a network of switchable coils suspended in a magnetic field, wherein a topology of the network of switchable coils may be configured to change at least one characteristic of a sensor, and an optical detector to detect displacement of the coil in response to a stimulus. The apparatus further includes a feedback circuit coupled to the optical detector and to the network of switchable coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Abidin Guclu Onaran, Charles D. Thompson, Bradley Avenson
  • Publication number: 20150035544
    Abstract: A sensor includes a coil suspended in a magnetic field, an optical detector to detect displacement of the coil in response to a stimulus, and a feedback circuit coupled to the optical detector and to the coil to drive the coil. The sensor also includes a damping circuit coupled in parallel with the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Abidin Guclu Onaran, Bradley Avenson, Charles D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8222721
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (500) includes a semiconductor substrate (400) and an integrated circuit package (530). The semiconductor substrate (400) has a first pair of bonding pads (442, 444) conducting a differential output signal thereon and adapted to be coupled to an input of a first external filter, and a second pair of bonding pads (452, 454) conducting a differential input signal thereon and adapted to be coupled to an output of said first external filter. The integrated circuit package (530) encapsulates the semiconductor substrate (400) and has first (452, 454) and second (552, 554) terminal pairs corresponding and coupled to the first (442, 444) and second (452, 454) pairs of bonding pads, respectively. The first (452, 454) and second (552, 554) terminal pairs are separated by a first predetermined distance is sufficient to maintain an input-to-output isolation therebetween of at least a first predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Dornbusch, Charles D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7773968
    Abstract: A receiver (1300) includes a mixing digital-to-analog converter (DAC) (1306), a direct digital frequency synthesizer (DDFS) (132A) and an interface (134D). The mixing DAC (1306) includes a radio frequency (RF) transconductance section (1308) and a switching section (1310). The RE transconductance section (1308) includes an input for receiving an RF signal and an output for providing an RE current signal. The switching section (1310) is coupled to the RF transconductance section (1308) and includes inputs for receiving bits associated with a digital local oscillator (LO) signal and an output that is configured to provide an analog output signal. The DDFS (132A) includes outputs configured to provide the bits associated with the digital LO signal to the inputs of the switching section (1310). The interface (134D) is coupled to the DDFS (132A) and is configured to align the bits provided by the DDFS (132A) with a first clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Maxim, Charles D. Thompson, Mitchell Reid
  • Patent number: 7643600
    Abstract: A receiver (300) includes a first mixing digital-to-analog converter (DAC) (336, 332), a second mixing DAC (338, 334), a direct digital frequency synthesizer (DDFS) (302), a phase correction circuit (340), a selectable load (306) and a magnitude correction circuit (350). The first mixing DAC (336, 332) includes a first input for receiving an input signal, a second input for receiving a digital first local oscillator (LO) signal and an output. The second mixing DAC (338, 334) includes a first input for receiving the input signal, a second input for receiving a digital second local oscillator (LO) signal and an output. The DDFS (302) is configured to provide the first and second LO signals, which are quadrature signals. The phase correction circuit (340) is configured to provide a phase correction signal to a control input of the DDFS (302). The first selectable load (306) includes an input coupled to the output of the first mixing DAC (336, 332) and a control input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Maxim, Charles D. Thompson, Mitchell Reid
  • Patent number: 7457605
    Abstract: A receiver (200) includes a transconductance mixer (310), a polyphase filter (320), and a transimpedance amplifier (330). The transconductance mixer (310) mixes a radio frequency (RF) voltage signal into a current signal having a plurality of phases using a local oscillator signal. The polyphase filter (320) filters the current signal to provide a filtered current signal. The transimpedance amplifier (330) converts the filtered current signal into an output voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Thompson, Edward Kim Fung Lee
  • Patent number: 7386284
    Abstract: A receiver includes a tuner and a circuit. The tuner receives an indication of a radio frequency signal from an antenna feedline in response to the radio frequency signal being provided to the antenna feedline by an amplifier. The circuit transmits a control signal to the antenna feedline to control a gain of the amplifier in response to a strength of the radio frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Charles D. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20080130800
    Abstract: A receiver (300) includes a first mixing digital-to-analog converter (DAC) (336, 332), a second mixing DAC (338, 334), a direct digital frequency synthesizer (DDFS) (302), a phase correction circuit (340), a selectable load (306) and a magnitude correction circuit (350). The first mixing DAC (336, 332) includes a first input for receiving an input signal, a second input for receiving a digital first local oscillator (LO) signal and an output. The second mixing DAC (338, 334) includes a first input for receiving the input signal, a second input for receiving a digital second local oscillator (LO) signal and an output The DDFS (302) is configured to provide the first and second LO signals, which are quadrature signals. The phase correction circuit (340) is configured to provide a phase correction signal to a control input of the DDFS (302). The first selectable load (306) includes an input coupled to the output of the first mixing DAC (336, 332) and a control input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Adrian Maxim, Charles D. Thompson, Mitchell Reid
  • Publication number: 20080132195
    Abstract: A receiver (1300) includes a mixing digital-to-analog converter (DAC) (1306), a direct digital frequency synthesizer (DDFS) (132A) and an interface (134D). The mixing DAC (1306) includes a radio frequency (RF) transconductance section (1308) and a switching section (1310). The RE transconductance section (1308) includes an input for receiving an RF signal and an output for providing an RE current signal The switching section (1310) is coupled to the RF transconductance section (1308) and includes inputs for receiving bits associated with a digital local oscillator (LO) signal and an output that is configured to provide an analog output signal. The DDFS (132A) includes outputs configured to provide the bits associated with the digital LO signal to the inputs of the switching section (1310).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Adrian Maxim, Charles D. Thompson, Mitchell Reid
  • Patent number: 7266195
    Abstract: A surge clamp circuit that may be implemented with DAA circuitry to limit the total voltage developed across one or more line side capacitors due to charge pumping phenomenon during a multi-transient events such as lightning strikes. The surge clamp circuit is capable of electronically sensing a transient event (e.g., lightning strike) and of momentarily turning on one or more components of a DAA hookswitch circuit during on hook mode to discharge the voltage developed across one or more line side capacitors before it reaches critical breakdown levels. The surge clamp circuit may be configured with a clamping sensitivity selected so that the DAA hookswitch circuitry is only activated or turned on upon occurrence of relatively large and potentially damaging transient events, and not upon occurrence of non-damaging transient events, such as operational signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Dupuis, Charles D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7221319
    Abstract: A system includes a first antenna that is located on one side of a motor vehicle and a second antenna that is located on another side of the motor vehicle. The system includes a controller, a switch and a receiver. In response to a heading of the motor vehicle, the controller selectively couples the receiver to one of the first antenna and the second antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Charles D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6759402
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel felbamate derivatives and their use to treat neurological diseases such as epilepsy and to treat tissue damage resulting form ischemic events. The felbamate derivatives are modified to prevent the formation of metabolites that are believed responsible for the toxicity associated with felbamate therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Timothy L. Macdonald, Thomas A. Miller, Charles D. Thompson, Christine M. Dieckhaus
  • Publication number: 20030229086
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel felbamate derivatives and their use to treat neurological diseases such as epilepsy and to treat tissue damage resulting form ischemic events. The felbamate derivatives are modified to prevent the formation of metabolites that are believed responsible for the toxicity associated with felbamate therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy L. MacDonald, Thomas A. Miller, Charles D. Thompson, Christine M. Dieckhaus
  • Patent number: 6538024
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel felbamate derivatives and their use to treat neurological diseases such as epilepsy and to treat tissue damage resulting form ischemic events. The felbamate derivatives are modified to prevent the formation of metabolites that are believed responsible for the toxicity associated with felbamate therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Timothy L. MacDonald, Thomas A. Miller, Charles D. Thompson, Christine M. Dieckhaus
  • Patent number: 6271715
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for boosting an input signal to an output signal with a variable gain according to a supply voltage. The circuit comprises a detector and a voltage booster. The detector detects the supply voltage and generates a control signal having a value dependent on a difference between the detected supply voltage and a critical supply voltage. The critical supply voltage is temperature insensitive. The voltage booster is coupled to the detector for generating an output signal having a gain relative to the input signal. The gain is dependent on the value of the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Pinchback, Charles D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6197575
    Abstract: Systems including (1) a micromatrix and perfusion assembly suitable for seeding and attachment of cells within the matrix and for morphogenesis of seeded cells into complex, hierarchical tissue or organ structures, wherein the matrix includes channels or vessels through which culture medium, oxygen, or other nutrient or body fluids can be perfused while controlling gradients of nutrients and exogenous metabolites throughout the perfusion path independently of perfusion rate, and (2) sensor means for detecting changes in either cells within the matrix or in materials exposed to the cells, have been developed. Methods for making the micromatrices include micromachining, micromolding, embossing, laser drilling, and electro deposition machining. Cells can be of one or more types, either differentiated or undifferentiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Linda G. Griffith, Steven Tannenbaum, Mark J. Powers, Karel Domansky, Charles D. Thompson