Patents by Inventor Dane Snow
Dane Snow 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).
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Patent number: 10205931Abstract: A voltage mode laser diode driver selectively turns on and off a laser diode. An output stage has an output node configured to be connected to one of the terminals of the laser diode. Depending upon implementation, an active swing controller drives the output stage in a manner that substantially prevents inductive kickback from causing the output node voltage to swinging above the voltage level at the voltage output of the power supply, or swing below ground. The output stage provides a discharge path around the laser diode to shunt current associated with the inductive kickback, and substantially eliminates ringing on the output node of the output stage while the laser diode is off. A power supply controller adjusts the voltage level of the voltage output of the power supply so that current through the laser diode when on and emitting light is substantially equal to a predetermined desired current.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2017Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Barry Thompson, Stefan Wurster, Lawrence A. Prather, Dane Snow, Richard McCauley
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Patent number: 9769459Abstract: A voltage mode laser diode driver selectively turns on and off a laser diode. An output stage has an output node configured to be connected to one of the terminals of the laser diode. Depending upon implementation, an active swing controller drives the output stage in a manner that substantially prevents inductive kickback from causing the output node voltage to swinging above the voltage level at the voltage output of the power supply, or swing below ground. The output stage provides a discharge path around the laser diode to shunt current associated with the inductive kickback, and substantially eliminates ringing on the output node of the output stage while the laser diode is off. A power supply controller adjusts the voltage level of the voltage output of the power supply so that current through the laser diode when on and emitting light is substantially equal to a predetermined desired current.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Barry Thompson, Stefan Wurster, Lawrence A. Prather, Dane Snow, Richard McCauley
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Patent number: 9753138Abstract: A transducer such as a translinear proportional-to-absolute-temperature sensor uses two amplifiers, where each amplifier is used in a variety of modes. The first amplifier generates a measurement voltage though feedback in an analog circuit. The second amplifier samples and integrates the measurement in a switched-capacitor mode, and the output is stored on a capacitor. Then the first amplifier is set to measure its offset. The offset is sampled and integrated by the second amplifier, and the output is stored on a second capacitor. Then the first and second amplifiers are set to buffer the voltages stored on the capacitors. The measurement can then be offset-adjusted by digital or analog means. The adjusted measurement is then available to be used for calibration of, e.g., an image sensor. Other transducers, such as pressure sensors, strain sensors, gyroscopes, magnetometers, accelerometers, and xyz positioning sensors may employ the same dual amplifier approach.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2016Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Dane Snow, Barry Thompson, Mustansir Mukadam, Stefan Wurster, Shaun McCarthy
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Publication number: 20170187164Abstract: A voltage mode laser diode driver selectively turns on and off a laser diode. An output stage has an output node configured to be connected to one of the terminals of the laser diode. Depending upon implementation, an active swing controller drives the output stage in a manner that substantially prevents inductive kickback from causing the output node voltage to swinging above the voltage level at the voltage output of the power supply, or swing below ground. The output stage provides a discharge path around the laser diode to shunt current associated with the inductive kickback, and substantially eliminates ringing on the output node of the output stage while the laser diode is off. A power supply controller adjusts the voltage level of the voltage output of the power supply so that current through the laser diode when on and emitting light is substantially equal to a predetermined desired current.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2017Publication date: June 29, 2017Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Barry Thompson, Stefan Wurster, Lawrence A. Prather, Dane Snow, Richard McCauley
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Publication number: 20150130903Abstract: A voltage mode laser diode driver selectively turns on and off a laser diode. An output stage has an output node configured to be connected to one of the terminals of the laser diode. Depending upon implementation, an active swing controller drives the output stage in a manner that substantially prevents inductive kickback from causing the output node voltage to swinging above the voltage level at the voltage output of the power supply, or swing below ground. The output stage provides a discharge path around the laser diode to shunt current associated with the inductive kickback, and substantially eliminates ringing on the output node of the output stage while the laser diode is off. A power supply controller adjusts the voltage level of the voltage output of the power supply so that current through the laser diode when on and emitting light is substantially equal to a predetermined desired current.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Barry Thompson, Stefan Wurster, Lawrence A. Prather, Dane Snow, Richard McCauley
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Patent number: 8638424Abstract: A clock driver outputs first and second preferably complementary clock signals coupled to substantially equal capacitive loads. Before each clock state change, the clock driver briefly shorts-together the first and second clock signals, to equalize change on capacitive loads, which each assume a potential midway between high and low power supply levels. Charge from the logic high clock signal can thus be used to raise logic low level clock line, and vice versa, rather than draw power supply current. Substantial energy savings on the order of C·V2·f is achieved, where C is effective capacitive load, V is power supply magnitude, and f is clock frequency. The clock driver includes first and second enhanced inverters (inverters that cannot enter short-circuit current mode) whose outputs are the first and second clock signals, and a transistor switch coupled between the inverter outputs. Turning on the transistor switch forces charge equalization.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2011Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Dane Snow, Barry Thompson
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Publication number: 20110205522Abstract: A clock driver outputs first and second preferably complementary clock signals coupled to substantially equal capacitive loads. Before each clock state change, the clock driver briefly shorts-together the first and second clock signals, to equalize change on capacitive loads, which each assume a potential midway between high and low power supply levels. Charge from the logic high clock signal can thus be used to raise logic low level clock line, and vice versa, rather than draw power supply current. Substantial energy savings on the order of C·V2·f is achieved, where C is effective capacitive load, V is power supply magnitude, and f is clock frequency. The clock driver includes first and second enhanced inverters (inverters that cannot enter short-circuit current mode) whose outputs are the first and second clock signals, and a transistor switch coupled between the inverter outputs. Turning on the transistor switch forces charge equalization.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Dane Snow, Barry Thompson
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Publication number: 20090046769Abstract: A modem and method for operating same. A receiver circuit of the modem is coupled to receive a continuous analog signal from a communication channel. This analog signal includes both packet and idle information. The receiver circuit monitors the analog signal to detect the presence of idle information. Upon detecting idle information, the receiver circuit enters a standby mode in which the processing requirements of the receiver circuit are reduced. A burst mode protocol is also provided, in which packets of digital information are modulated by a transmitter circuit the modem, thereby converting the packets of digital information into analog signal bursts of discrete duration. These analog signal bursts are transmitted from the transmitter circuit to a telephone line. However, the transmitter circuit does not generate any signals between the analog signal bursts. A receiver circuit monitors the telephone line to detect the analog signal bursts.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Larry C. Yamano, John T. Holloway, Edward H. Frank, Tracy D. Mallory, Alan G. Corry, Craig S. Forrest, Kevin H. Peterson, Timothy B. Robinson, Dane Snow
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Patent number: 7406119Abstract: A receiver circuit of the modem is coupled to receive a continuous analog signal from a communication channel. This analog signal includes both packet and idle information. A burst mode protocol is also provided, in which packets of digital information are modulated by a transmitter circuit of the modem, thereby converting the packets of digital information into analog signal bursts of discrete duration. These analog signal bursts are transmitted from the transmitter circuit to a telephone line. A receiver circuit monitors the telephone line to detect the analog signal bursts. Upon detecting the presence of the analog signal bursts on the telephone line, the receiver circuit demodulates the analog signal bursts using full processing capabilities of the receiver circuit. However, upon detecting the absence of the analog signal bursts on the telephone line, the demodulating function of the receiver circuit is disabled.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2002Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Larry C. Yamano, John T. Holloway, Edward H. Frank, Tracy D. Mallory, Alan G. Corry, Craig S. Forrest, Kevin H. Peterson, Timothy B. Robinson, Dane Snow
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Publication number: 20020181571Abstract: A modem and method for operating same. A receiver circuit of the modem is coupled to receive a continuous analog signal from a communication channel. This analog signal includes both packet and idle information. The receiver circuit monitors the analog signal to detect the presence of idle information. Upon detecting idle information, the receiver circuit enters a standby mode in which the processing requirements of the receiver circuit are reduced. A burst mode protocol is also provided, in which packets of digital information are modulated by a transmitter circuit 6f the modem, thereby converting the packets of digital information into analog signal bursts of discrete duration. These analog signal bursts are transmitted from the transmitter circuit to a telephone line. However, the transmitter circuit does not generate any signals between the analog signal bursts. A receiver circuit monitors the telephone line to detect the analog signal bursts.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Applicant: Broadcom HomeNetworking, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Yamano, John T. Holloway, Edward H. Frank, Tracy D. Mallory, Alan G. Corry, Craig S. Forrest, Kevin H. Peterson, Timothy B. Robinson, Dane Snow
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Patent number: 6445731Abstract: A modem and method for operating same. A receiver circuit of the modem is coupled to receive a continuous analog signal from a communication channel. This analog signal includes both packet and idle information. The receiver circuit monitors the analog signal to detect the presence of idle information. Upon detecting idle information, the receiver circuit enters a standby mode in which the processing requirements of the receiver circuit are reduced. A burst mode protocol is also provided, in which packets of digital information are modulated by a transmitter circuit of the modem, thereby converting the packets of digital information into analog signal bursts of discrete duration. These analog signal bursts are transmitted from the transmitter circuit to a telephone line. However, the transmitter circuit does not generate any signals between the analog signal bursts. A receiver circuit monitors the telephone line to detect the analog signal bursts.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1999Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Broadcom Homenetworking, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Yamano, John T. Holloway, Edward H. Frank, Tracy D. Mallory, Alan G. Corry, Craig S. Forrest, Kevin H. Peterson, Timothy B. Robinson, Dane Snow
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Patent number: 6304596Abstract: A modem and method for operating same. A receiver circuit of the modem is coupled to receive a continuous analog signal from a communication channel. This analog signal includes both packet and idle information. The receiver circuit monitors the analog signal to detect the presence of idle information. Upon detecting idle information, the receiver circuit enters a standby mode in which the processing requirements of the receiver circuit are reduced. A burst mode protocol is also provided, in which packets of digital information are modulated by a transmitter circuit of the modem, thereby converting the packets of digital information into analog signal bursts of discrete duration. These analog signal bursts are transmitted from the transmitter circuit to a telephone line. However, the transmitter circuit does not generate any signals between the analog signal bursts. A receiver circuit monitors the telephone line to detect the analog signal bursts.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1999Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Broadcom Homenetworking, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Yamano, John T. Holloway, Edward H. Frank, Tracy D. Mallory, Alan G. Corry, Craig S. Forrest, Kevin H. Peterson, Timothy B. Robinson, Dane Snow
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Patent number: 6075814Abstract: A modem and method for operating same. A receiver circuit of the modem is coupled to receive a continuous analog signal from a communication channel. This analog signal includes both packet and idle information. The receiver circuit monitors the analog signal to detect the presence of idle information. Upon detecting idle information, the receiver circuit enters a standby mode in which the processing requirements of the receiver circuit are reduced. A burst mode protocol is also provided, in which packets of digital information are modulated by a transmitter circuit of the modem, thereby converting the packets of digital information into analog signal bursts of discrete duration. These analog signal bursts are transmitted from the transmitter circuit to a telephone line. However, the transmitter circuit does not generate any signals between the analog signal bursts. A receiver circuit monitors the telephone line to detect the analog signal bursts.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1997Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Broadcom HomeNetworking, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Yamano, John T. Holloway, Edward H. Frank, Tracy D. Mallory, Alan G. Corry, Craig S. Forrest, Kevin H. Peterson, Timothy B. Robinson, Dane Snow