Patents by Inventor Louis Botha

Louis Botha 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).

  • Patent number: 9441396
    Abstract: A key safe (10) includes a main container (14) defining an access port (20), an antechamber (16) and a primary hook (22) located within the antechamber (16). The antechamber (16) is movable between a first position in which a user is permitted access thereto and to the primary hook (22) from outside the main container (14) via the access port (20), and a second position in which the user is not permitted access to either the antechamber (16) or the primary hook (22) from outside the main container (14). The key safe (10) further includes a plurality of secondary hooks (26) located within the main container (14), which secondary hooks (26) are not directly accessible to a user. In use, transport means (18) transport keys between the primary hook (22) and a secondary hook (26) when the antechamber (16) is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventors: Gideon Gerhardus Buchner, Louis Botha
  • Patent number: 9379766
    Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for achieving space and time diversity gain are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include modifying a generalization code of at least one pilot channel, to measure signal strengths for each of a plurality of received multipath signals. A portion of the plurality of received multipath signals may be combined based on the measured signal strengths. The signal strengths of the plurality of received multipath signals may be measured on a primary pilot channel by assigning its generalization code to zero. The signal strengths of the plurality of received multipath signals on a secondary pilot channel may measured by assigning its generalization code to a non-zero value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Botha, Philip Koekemoer, Sang Hun Sung, Ning Kong
  • Publication number: 20160002951
    Abstract: A key safe (10) includes a main container (14) defining an access port (20), an antechamber (16) and a primary hook (22) located within the antechamber (16). The antechamber (16) is movable between a first position in which a user is permitted access thereto and to the primary hook (22) from outside the main container (14) via the access port (20), and a second position in which the user is not permitted access to either the antechamber (16) or the primary hook (22) from outside the main container (14). The key safe (10) further includes a plurality of secondary hooks (26) located within the main container (14), which secondary hooks (26) are not directly accessible to a user. In use, transport means (18) transport keys between the primary hook (22) and a secondary hook (26) when the antechamber (16) is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Gideon Gerhardus BUCHNER, Louis BOTHA
  • Publication number: 20150195004
    Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for achieving space and time diversity gain are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include modifying a generalization code of at least one pilot channel, to measure signal strengths for each of a plurality of received multipath signals. A portion of the plurality of received multipath signals may be combined based on the measured signal strengths. The signal strengths of the plurality of received multipath signals may be measured on a primary pilot channel by assigning its generalization code to zero. The signal strengths of the plurality of received multipath signals on a secondary pilot channel may measured by assigning its generalization code to a non-zero value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Louis BOTHA, Philip KOEKEMOER, Sang Hun SUNG, Ning KONG
  • Patent number: 9077399
    Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for achieving space and time diversity gain are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include modifying a generalization code of at least one pilot channel, to measure signal strengths for each of a plurality of received multipath signals. A portion of the plurality of received multipath signals may be combined based on the measured signal strengths. The signal strengths of the plurality of received multipath signals may be measured on a primary pilot channel by assigning its generalization code to zero. The signal strengths of the plurality of received multipath signals on a secondary pilot channel may measured by assigning its generalization code to a non-zero value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Botha, Philip Koekemoer, Sang Hun Sung, Ning Kong
  • Patent number: 8416878
    Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for achieving space and time diversity gain are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include modifying a generalization code of at least one pilot channel, to measure signal strengths for each of a plurality of received multipath signals. A portion of the plurality of received multipath signals may be combined based on the measured signal strengths. The signal strengths of the plurality of received multipath signals may be measured on a primary pilot channel by assigning its generalization code to zero. The signal strengths of the plurality of received multipath signals on a secondary pilot channel may measured by assigning its generalization code to a non-zero value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Botha, Philip Koekemoer, Sang Hun Sung, Ning Kong
  • Patent number: 8351366
    Abstract: Techniques and systems for mediating traffic between a network transceiver and a user transceiver in a wireless communication system are disclosed. A network link with the network transceiver is maintained using a network unit, and a user link with the user transceiver is maintained using a user unit. One or more replicas of a signal received from the network transceiver on a downlink path or from the user transceiver on an uplink path, respectively, are generated. The one or more replicas of the signal wirelessly are then transmitted on a hop between the network unit and the user unit along with a bi-directional control channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Nextivity, Inc.
    Inventors: Behzad B. Mohebbi, Louis Botha
  • Patent number: 8161217
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a RFIC master are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include configuring an on-chip programmable device that may function as a master on a bus that has at least one device interface, for example, RFIC interface, coupled to the bus. The on-chip programmable device may generate at least one signal to control at least one device coupled to at least one device interface. The on-chip programmable device may communicate the generated signal via the bus upon receiving an input timer signal and may be configured by writing at least one event data and an index-sample data to the on-chip programmable device. The index-sample data may comprise at least a count value and an event data index. When the count value equals a value of the timer signal, event data may be fetched and executed starting with the one specified by the event data index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Frederic Hayem, Andrew du Preez, Louis Botha, Johan (Hendrik) Conroy
  • Publication number: 20120027052
    Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for achieving space and time diversity gain are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include modifying a generalization code of at least one pilot channel, to measure signal strengths for each of a plurality of received multipath signals. A portion of the plurality of received multipath signals may be combined based on the measured signal strengths. The signal strengths of the plurality of received multipath signals may be measured on a primary pilot channel by assigning its generalization code to zero. The signal strengths of the plurality of received multipath signals on a secondary pilot channel may measured by assigning its generalization code to a non-zero value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Louis Botha, Philip Koekemoer, Sang Hun Sung, Ning Kong
  • Patent number: 8068869
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing transmit power control (TPC) commands in a wideband CDMA (WCDMA) network based on a sign metric are disclosed and may include calculating a sign metric of a downlink dedicated physical channel (DPCH) based on a plurality of TPC bits received via the downlink DPCH. A value of at least one of the plurality of TPC bits may not be known when the at least one of the plurality of TPC bits is received. The sign metric may specify an error associated with the plurality of TPC bits. Transmit power may be adjusted for a signal transmitted via at least one uplink communication channel based on the calculated sign metric. At least one reliability weight value may be calculated for at least a portion of the received TCP bits, based on the calculated sign metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventors: Severine Catreux-Erceg, Mark Kent, Louis Botha
  • Publication number: 20110276736
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a RFIC master are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include configuring an on-chip programmable device that may function as a master on a bus that has at least one device interface, for example, RFIC interface, coupled to the bus. The on-chip programmable device may generate at least one signal to control at least one device coupled to at least one device interface. The on-chip programmable device may communicate the generated signal via the bus upon receiving an input timer signal and may be configured by writing at least one event data and an index-sample data to the on-chip programmable device. The index-sample data may comprise at least a count value and an event data index. When the count value equals a value of the timer signal, event data may be fetched and executed starting with the one specified by the event data index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederic Hayem, Andrew du Preez, Louis Botha, Johan (Hendrik) Conroy
  • Patent number: 8036296
    Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for achieving space and time diversity gain are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include modifying a generalization code of at least one pilot channel, to measure signal strengths for each of a plurality of received multipath signals. A portion of the plurality of received multipath signals may be combined based on the measured signal strengths. The signal strengths of the plurality of received multipath signals may be measured on a primary pilot channel by assigning its generalization code to zero. The signal strengths of the plurality of received multipath signals on a secondary pilot channel may measured by assigning its generalization code to a non-zero value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Botha, Philip Koekemoer, Sang Hun Sung, Ning Kong
  • Patent number: 7984216
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a RFIC master are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include configuring an on-chip programmable device that may function as a master on a bus that has at least one device interface, for example, RFIC interface, coupled to the bus. The on-chip programmable device may generate at least one signal to control at least one device coupled to at least one device interface. The on-chip programmable device may communicate the generated signal via the bus upon receiving an input timer signal and may be configured by writing at least one event data and an index-sample data to the on-chip programmable device. The index-sample data may comprise at least a count value and an event data index. When the count value equals a value of the timer signal, event data may be fetched and executed starting with the one specified by the event data index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Frederic Hayem, Andrew du Preez, Louis Botha, Johan (Hendrik) Conroy
  • Publication number: 20100202399
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing transmit power control (TPC) commands in a wideband CDMA (WCDMA) network based on a sign metric are disclosed and may include calculating a sign metric of a downlink dedicated physical channel (DPCH) based on a plurality of TPC bits received via the downlink DPCH. A value of at least one of the plurality of TPC bits may not be known when the at least one of the plurality of TPC bits is received. The sign metric may specify an error associated with the plurality of TPC bits. Transmit power may be adjusted for a signal transmitted via at least one uplink communication channel based on the calculated sign metric. At least one reliability weight value may be calculated for at least a portion of the received TCP bits, based on the calculated sign metric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Severine Catreux-Erceg, Mark Kent, Louis Botha
  • Patent number: 7706827
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing transmit power control (TPC) commands in a wideband CDMA (WCDMA) network based on a sign metric are disclosed and may include calculating a sign metric of a downlink dedicated physical channel (DPCH) based on a plurality of TPC bits received via the downlink DPCH. A value of at least one of the plurality of TPC bits may not be known when the at least one of the plurality of TPC bits is received. The sign metric may specify an error associated with the plurality of TPC bits. Transmit power may be adjusted for a signal transmitted via at least one uplink communication channel based on the calculated sign metric. At least one reliability weight value may be calculated for at least a portion of the received TCP bits, based on the calculated sign metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventors: Severine Catreux-Erceg, Mark Kent, Louis Botha
  • Publication number: 20090307402
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a RFIC master are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include configuring an on-chip programmable device that may function as a master on a bus that has at least one device interface, for example, RFIC interface, coupled to the bus. The on-chip programmable device may generate at least one signal to control at least one device coupled to at least one device interface. The on-chip programmable device may communicate the generated signal via the bus upon receiving an input timer signal and may be configured by writing at least one event data and an index-sample data to the on-chip programmable device. The index-sample data may comprise at least a count value and an event data index. When the count value equals a value of the timer signal, event data may be fetched and executed starting with the one specified by the event data index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederic Hayem, Andrew du Preez, Louis Botha, Johan (Hendrik) Conroy
  • Patent number: 7577779
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a RFIC master are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include configuring an on-chip programmable device that may function as a master on a bus that has at least one device interface, for example, RFIC interface, coupled to the bus. The on-chip programmable device may generate at least one signal to control at least one device coupled to at least one device interface. The on-chip programmable device may communicate the generated signal via the bus upon receiving an input timer signal and may be configured by writing at least one event data and an index-sample data to the on-chip programmable device. The index-sample data may comprise at least a count value and an event data index. When the count value equals a value of the timer signal, event data may be fetched and executed starting with the one specified by the event data index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Frederic Hayem, Andrew du Preez, Louis Botha, Johan (Hendrik) Conroy
  • Publication number: 20090129442
    Abstract: Techniques and systems for mediating traffic between a network transceiver and a user transceiver in a wireless communication system are disclosed. A network link with the network transceiver is maintained using a network unit, and a user link with the user transceiver is maintained using a user unit. One or more replicas of a signal received from the network transceiver on a downlink path or from the user transceiver on an uplink path, respectively, are generated. The one or more replicas of the signal wirelessly are then transmitted on a hop between the network unit and the user unit along with a bi-directional control channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Behzad B. Mohebbi, Louis Botha
  • Publication number: 20080080633
    Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for achieving space and time diversity gain are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include modifying a generalization code of at least one pilot channel, to measure signal strengths for each of a plurality of received multipath signals. A portion of the plurality of received multipath signals may be combined based on the measured signal strengths. The signal strengths of the plurality of received multipath signals may be measured on a primary pilot channel by assigning its generalization code to zero. The signal strengths of the plurality of received multipath signals on a secondary pilot channel may measured by assigning its generalization code to a non-zero value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Louis Botha, Philip Koekemoer, Sang Hun Sung, Ning Kong
  • Publication number: 20080065943
    Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for using data from a failed cyclic redundancy check (CRC) block to determine whether retransmission of data packets should occur are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include determining a sequence number of a received packet with a failed cyclic redundancy check (CRC). A request may be communicated to a sending station to resend the received packet based on the determined sequence number. The received packet with a failed CRC may be detected, if an error flag is set in the received packet. A negative acknowledgement (NACK) packet may be communicated to request the sending station to resend the received packet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Louis Botha