Patents by Inventor Mark C. Leifer

Mark C. Leifer 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: 8068053
    Abstract: A low-profile lens element for steering a beam is provided. Specifically, the low-profile lens element is mechanically rotatable such that a beam can be steered in any direction within three-dimensional space. The lens element may include a number of discrete portions for differentially delaying adjacent discrete portions of a beam in order to effect beam steering. These discrete portions may vary in width. In addition, multiple lens elements may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Nathan A. Stutzke, Mark C. Leifer, Bradley J. Tame, Dean A. Paschen, Kiersten Kerby
  • Patent number: 8018371
    Abstract: A passive proximity detection system and method are provided. A transmitted signal, such as a communication signal, is sampled and placed in memory. A version of the transmitted signal, reflected by a target in the vicinity of the transmitting antenna, is sampled and compared to the stored reference sample. Correlation between the reference and reflected samples indicates the presence of a target in the vicinity of the transmitting antenna. Processing of the signals can include frequency shifts to account for Doppler shifts in the reflected energy as a result of a non-zero relative radial velocity of the target. Multiple antennas for receiving reflected energy can be provided to enhance the coverage area of the system, and/or to provide information regarding the relative location of a target. In addition, signals from multiple transmitting antennas can be used as sources of energy for probing the vicinity of those antennas for targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Dean A. Paschen, William G. Newhall, Mark C. Leifer
  • Patent number: 7751854
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for modifying a smart antenna processing strategy determined from a set of signals received at an array of antenna elements of a wireless station, such as a set of weights for processing received antenna signals or forming a set of antenna signals for transmission. The method and apparatus uses the signatures of one or more interferers to produce a modified processing strategy that improves the nulling to the one or more interferers in that, when the modified strategy is applied on the downlink, the transmit signal strength in the direction of the one or more interferers is decreased, and, when the modified strategy is applied on the uplink, the sensitivity to signals from the direction of the one or more interferers is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark C. Leifer, Tibor Boros, Mitchell D. Trott, Louis C. Yun
  • Patent number: 7139592
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for modifying a smart antenna processing strategy determined from a set of signals received at an array of antenna elements of a wireless station, such as a set of weights for processing received antenna signals or forming a set of antenna signals for transmission. The method and apparatus uses the signatures of one or more interferers to produce a modified processing strategy that improves the nulling to the one or more interferers in that, when the modified strategy is applied on the downlink, the transmit signal strength in the direction of the one or more interferers is decreased, and, when the modified strategy is applied on the uplink, the sensitivity to signals from the direction of the one or more interferers is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: ArrayComm LLC
    Inventors: Mark C. Leifer, Tibor Boros, Mitchell D. Trott, Louis C. Yun
  • Patent number: 6459171
    Abstract: A power sharing apparatus and method. In one embodiment, a method of sharing power includes switchably coupling and decoupling each of a plurality of power sources to deliver at least a portion of power to a shared power supply. Each of the power sources corresponds to one of a plurality of applications. The method also includes adjusting the portion of power delivered by each one of the power sources to the shared power supply responsive to an amount of usage by the application corresponding to the respective power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Arraycomm, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark C Leifer
  • Publication number: 20020013164
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for modifying a smart antenna processing strategy determined from a set of signals received at an array of antenna elements of a wireless station, such as a set of weights for processing received antenna signals or forming a set of antenna signals for transmission. The method and apparatus uses the signatures of one or more interferers to produce a modified processing strategy that improves the nulling to the one or more interferers in that, when the modified strategy is applied on the downlink, the transmit signal strength in the direction of the one or more interferers is decreased, and, when the modified strategy is applied on the uplink, the sensitivity to signals from the direction of the one or more interferers is decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: MARK C. LEIFER, TIBOR BOROS, MITCHELL D. TROTT, LOUIS C. YUN
  • Patent number: 6011395
    Abstract: A birdcage coil is operated in a balanced mode through connection of signal ground to a shield surrounding the coil. The driven leg of the coil includes tune capacitors, through which balance is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Varian, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Leifer, Spencer C. Hartman