Patents by Inventor Mark Crowther

Mark Crowther 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: 20220326074
    Abstract: Ultraviolet systems and methods are described for capturing images depicting absorption or remittance of ultraviolet radiation (UVR). An example system includes a camera comprising a monochrome camera sensor that is configured to capture images, a radiation source that is configured to output a UVR waveband, a filter component that is configured to differentiate at least one of a UVA waveband and a UVB waveband of the UVR waveband, and a polarizer component that is configured to cross polarize each of the UVA waveband and the UVB waveband. Further, the camera is configured to capture an image depicting an UVA amount of UVA absorption or remittance as projected on a surface area and an UVB amount of UVB absorption or remittance as projected on the surface area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Jonathan MATTS, Jonathan Mark CROWTHER
  • Patent number: 11075577
    Abstract: A power supply includes a reference voltage generator circuit, a ramp generator circuit, and control circuitry. During operation, the reference voltage generator circuit compares a magnitude of a received output voltage feedback signal to a received reference voltage. Based on the comparison, the reference voltage generator circuit produces a varying reference voltage and outputs it to the ramp generator circuit. As its name suggests, a magnitude of the varying reference voltage varies over time. The ramp generator circuit produces a ramp voltage signal, a magnitude of which is offset by the varying reference voltage. To maintain an output voltage of the power supply within regulation, the control circuitry receives the varying reference voltage and controls activation of a power converter circuit to power a load based on a comparison of the ramp voltage signal and the output voltage feedback signal of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Americas Corp.
    Inventors: Danny Clavette, Kang Peng, Keng Chen, Mark A. Crowther
  • Patent number: 10298123
    Abstract: A power supply includes a reference voltage generator circuit, a ramp generator circuit, and control circuitry. During operation, the reference voltage generator circuit compares a magnitude of a received output voltage feedback signal to a received reference voltage. Based on the comparison, the reference voltage generator circuit produces a varying reference voltage and outputs it to the ramp generator circuit. As its name suggests, a magnitude of the varying reference voltage varies over time. The ramp generator circuit produces a ramp voltage signal, a magnitude of which is offset by the varying reference voltage. To maintain an output voltage of the power supply within regulation, the control circuitry receives the varying reference voltage and controls activation of a power converter circuit to power a load based on a comparison of the ramp voltage signal and the output voltage feedback signal of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Danny Clavette, Kang Peng, Keng Chen, Mark A. Crowther
  • Publication number: 20190103811
    Abstract: A power supply includes a reference voltage generator circuit, a ramp generator circuit, and control circuitry. During operation, the reference voltage generator circuit compares a magnitude of a received output voltage feedback signal to a received reference voltage. Based on the comparison, the reference voltage generator circuit produces a varying reference voltage and outputs it to the ramp generator circuit. As its name suggests, a magnitude of the varying reference voltage varies over time. The ramp generator circuit produces a ramp voltage signal, a magnitude of which is offset by the varying reference voltage. To maintain an output voltage of the power supply within regulation, the control circuitry receives the varying reference voltage and controls activation of a power converter circuit to power a load based on a comparison of the ramp voltage signal and the output voltage feedback signal of the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Danny Clavette, Kang Peng, Keng Chen, Mark A. Crowther
  • Publication number: 20180351452
    Abstract: A power supply includes a reference voltage generator circuit, a ramp generator circuit, and control circuitry. During operation, the reference voltage generator circuit compares a magnitude of a received output voltage feedback signal to a received reference voltage. Based on the comparison, the reference voltage generator circuit produces a varying reference voltage and outputs it to the ramp generator circuit. As its name suggests, a magnitude of the varying reference voltage varies over time. The ramp generator circuit produces a ramp voltage signal, a magnitude of which is offset by the varying reference voltage. To maintain an output voltage of the power supply within regulation, the control circuitry receives the varying reference voltage and controls activation of a power converter circuit to power a load based on a comparison of the ramp voltage signal and the output voltage feedback signal of the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Danny Clavette, Kang Peng, Keng Chen, Mark A. Crowther
  • Patent number: 8114022
    Abstract: Business method for generating advertising claims by utilizing Confocal Raman Spectroscopy (CRS) for dermatological studies. The methods of the invention can be carried in vitro (either artificial skin or a sample of skin) or in vivo (directly on the human skin of a person).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Mark Crowther, Anke Sieg, Paul Jonathan Matts, Peter Blenkiron
  • Patent number: 7982441
    Abstract: A multiphase converter comprising a plurality of converter circuits, each converter circuit having series connected high and low side switches connected across a voltage bus with a common node provided therebetween, each of the common nodes connected through a respective inductor to an output node of the converter coupled to a load, the high and low side switches each being controlled by a control circuit to provide a desired output voltage at the output node, the control circuit including a first circuit for disabling and enabling at least one phase in response to a condition of the load, the circuit causing the high side switch to be turned on prior to the lower side switch when a disabled phase is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Crowther, Wenkai Wu, George Schuellein
  • Patent number: 7960957
    Abstract: A headroom compensation circuit for a voltage converter for ensuring that there is adequate headroom voltage to enable accurate operation of the current sense amplifier sensing the output current of the converter, the headroom compensation circuit comprising an error amplifier for comparing an output voltage of the converter to a reference voltage to set the converter output voltage; and a circuit for providing a bias current to an input of the error amplifier when a supply voltage to the current sense amplifier within a predefined threshold of the converter output voltage to cause the error amplifier to reduce the converter output voltage thereby to increase the headroom voltage for the current sense amplifier, said headroom voltage being defined as a voltage between the supply voltage to the current sense amplifier and said converter output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Danny Richard Clavette, Mark Crowther, George Schuellein
  • Publication number: 20110082352
    Abstract: Use of Confocal Raman Spectroscopy (CRS) for dermatological studies, including a method for determining the thickness of the Stratum Corneum (SC) on a test area of the skin, and to a method for quantifying the effectiveness of a skin care composition. The methods can be carried in vitro (either artificial skin or a sample of skin) or in vivo (directly on the human skin of a person).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Jonathan Mark Crowther, Peter Blenkiron, Paul Jonathan Matts, Anke Sieg
  • Patent number: 7862507
    Abstract: Use of Confocal Raman Spectroscopy (CRS) for dermatological studies, including a method for determining the thickness of the Stratum Corneum (SC) on a test area of the skin, and to a method for quantifying the effectiveness of a skin care composition. The methods of the invention can be carried in vitro (either artificial skin or a sample of skin) or in vivo (directly on the human skin of a person).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Mark Crowther, Peter Blenkiron, Paul Jonathan Matts, Anke Sieg
  • Patent number: 7565519
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically upgrading/reverting of the software configurations in a storage system environment among a plurality of product release lines. A configuration upgrade/revert module of a storage system management module identifies a shortest path between an initial configuration and a desired end configuration using a transition table comprising of a plurality of transition functions. The upgrade/revert configuration module invokes the appropriate series of transition functions to modify the software configuration from the initial state to the desired end state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: NetApp, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravindra Kumar, Jonathan Mark Crowther
  • Patent number: 7477045
    Abstract: A buck converter for providing an output voltage to a load, including a plurality of output switch arrangements having respective output inductors coupled to an output capacitor, the switch arrangements being controllable to provide phase output currents to the output capacitor; a plurality of phase output arrangements respectively coupled to the output switch arrangements, the phase output arrangements being controllable to set the respective phase output currents supplied by the output switch arrangements; a phase control bus communicatively coupled to each of the phase output arrangements; and a phase control arrangement communicatively coupled to the phase control bus, the phase control arrangement being configured to control the phase output arrangements to set the respective phase output currents so that the output voltage approximates the desired voltage; wherein the phase control arrangement and the phase output arrangements are provided as respective integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: George Schuellein, Dan Clavette, Mark Crowther
  • Publication number: 20080197823
    Abstract: A multiphase converter comprising a plurality of converter circuits, each converter circuit having series connected high and low side switches connected across a voltage bus with a common node provided therebetween, each of the common nodes connected through a respective inductor to an output node of the converter coupled to a load, the high and low side switches each being controlled by a control circuit to provide a desired output voltage at the output node, the control circuit including a first circuit for disabling and enabling at least one phase in response to a condition of the load, the circuit causing the high side switch to be turned on prior to the lower side switch when a disabled phase is enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Crowther, Wenkai Wu, George Schuellein
  • Publication number: 20080018321
    Abstract: A headroom compensation circuit for a voltage converter for ensuring that there is adequate headroom voltage to enable accurate operation of the current sense amplifier sensing the output current of the converter, the headroom compensation circuit comprising an error amplifier for comparing an output voltage of the converter to a reference voltage to set the converter output voltage; and a circuit for providing a bias current to an input of the error amplifier when a supply voltage to the current sense amplifier within a predefined threshold of the converter output voltage to cause the error amplifier to reduce the converter output voltage thereby to increase the headroom voltage for the current sense amplifier, said headroom voltage being defined as a voltage between the supply voltage to the current sense amplifier and said converter output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny Clavette, Mark Crowther, George Schuellein
  • Patent number: 7301314
    Abstract: A multi-phase buck converter comprising a plurality of output switch arrangements each comprising a high side switch and a low side switch connected in series across a DC voltage and having a common connection coupled through a respective output inductor to a converter output node at which a converter output voltage is provided; a plurality of circuit arrangements providing pulse width modulated control signals to the high side and low side switches of each output switch arrangement for regulating the converter output voltage; a control arrangement providing a timing signal for controlling the start of conduction times of the high side and low side switches of each output switch arrangement and for providing an error signal related to a difference between the converter output voltage and a reference signal; a current sense arrangement coupled to each output inductor for providing a phase current signal related to the phase current provided by the respective output switch arrangement through the respective out
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: George Schuellein, Danny Richard Clavette, Mark Crowther
  • Publication number: 20070024253
    Abstract: A multi-phase buck converter comprising a plurality of output switch arrangements each comprising a high side switch and a low side switch connected in series across a DC voltage and having a common connection coupled through a respective output inductor to a converter output node at which a converter output voltage is provided; a plurality of circuit arrangements providing pulse width modulated control signals to the high side and low side switches of each output switch arrangement for regulating the converter output voltage; a control arrangement providing a timing signal for controlling the start of conduction times of the high side and low side switches of each output switch arrangement and for providing an error signal related to a difference between the converter output voltage and a reference signal; a current sense arrangement coupled to each output inductor for providing a phase current signal related to the phase current provided by the respective output switch arrangement through the respective out
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: George Schuellein, Dan Clavette, Mark Crowther
  • Publication number: 20060139016
    Abstract: A buck converter for providing an output voltage to a load, including a plurality of output switch arrangements having respective output inductors coupled to an output capacitor, the switch arrangements being controllable to provide phase output currents to the output capacitor; a plurality of phase output arrangements respectively coupled to the output switch arrangements, the phase output arrangements being controllable to set the respective phase output currents supplied by the output switch arrangements; a phase control bus communicatively coupled to each of the phase output arrangements; and a phase control arrangement communicatively coupled to the phase control bus, the phase control arrangement being configured to control the phase output arrangements to set the respective phase output currents so that the output voltage approximates the desired voltage; wherein the phase control arrangement and the phase output arrangements are provided as respective integrated circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: George Schuellein, Dan Clavette, Mark Crowther
  • Patent number: 7034511
    Abstract: A buck converter for providing an output voltage to a load, including a plurality of output switch arrangements having respective output inductors coupled to an output capacitor, the switch arrangements being controllable to provide phase output currents to the output capacitor; a plurality of phase output arrangements respectively coupled to the output switch arrangements, the phase output arrangements being controllable to set the respective phase output currents supplied by the output switch arrangements; a phase control bus communicatively coupled to each of the phase output arrangements; and a phase control arrangement communicatively coupled to the phase control bus, the phase control arrangement being configured to control the phase output arrangements to set the respective phase output currents so that the output voltage approximates the desired voltage; wherein the phase control arrangement and the phase output arrangements are provided as respective integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: George Schuellein, Dan Clavette, Mark Crowther
  • Publication number: 20050007081
    Abstract: A buck converter for providing an output voltage to a load, including a plurality of output switch arrangements having respective output inductors coupled to an output capacitor, the switch arrangements being controllable to provide phase output currents to the output capacitor; a plurality of phase output arrangements respectively coupled to the output switch arrangements, the phase output arrangements being controllable to set the respective phase output currents supplied by the output switch arrangements; a phase control bus communicatively coupled to each of the phase output arrangements; and a phase control arrangement communicatively coupled to the phase control bus, the phase control arrangement being configured to control the phase output arrangements to set the respective phase output currents so that the output voltage approximates the desired voltage; wherein the phase control arrangement and the phase output arrangements are provided as respective integrated circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: George Schuellein, Dan Clavette, Mark Crowther
  • Patent number: 6806689
    Abstract: A buck converter for providing an output voltage to a load, including a plurality of output switch arrangements having respective output inductors coupled to an output capacitor, the switch arrangements being controllable to provide phase output currents to the output capacitor; a plurality of phase output arrangements respectively coupled to the output switch arrangements, the phase output arrangements being controllable to set the respective phase output currents supplied by the output switch arrangements; a phase control bus communicatively coupled to each of the phase output arrangements; and a phase control arrangement communicatively coupled to the phase control bus, the phase control arrangement being configured to control the phase output arrangements to set the respective phase output currents so that the output voltage approximates the desired voltage; wherein the phase control arrangement and the phase output arrangements are provided as respective integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: George Schuellein, Dan Clavette, Mark Crowther