Patents by Inventor Richard C. Looke

Richard C. Looke 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: 9444673
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting a modulate carrier signal to a demodulated baseband signal by sampling the energy of the carrier signal are described herein. Briefly stated, such methods systems, and apparatuses operate by receiving a modulated carrier signal and using pulses with apertures to control a switch so as to (a) transfer energy from the modulated carrier signal and accumulate the transferred energy in a capacitor when the switch is closed during the apertures of the pulses and (b) discharge some of the previously accumulated energy from the capacitor into load circuitry at least when the switch is open. The demodulated baseband signal is generated from (i) accumulating energy transferred to the capacitor each time the switch is closed during the apertures of the pulses, and (ii) discharging some of the previously accumulated energy into the load circuitry each time the switch is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9350591
    Abstract: Methods for down converting a modulated carrier signal to a demodulated baseband signal are described herein. The method requires that a first portion of energy is transferred from the modulated carrier signal, and stored at a first storage device when a first switch is on. At least some of the energy stored in the first storage device is discharged when the first switch is off. The method further comprises transferring a second portion of energy from the modulated carrier signal, storing at a second storage device the second portion of transferred energy when a second switch is on, and discharging at least some of the energy stored in the second storage device when the second switch is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 9325556
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting a modulate earner signal to a demodulated baseband signal by sampling the energy of the carrier signal are described herein. Briefly stated, such methods systems, and apparatuses operate by receiving a modulated carrier signal and using pulses with apertures to control a switch so as to (a) transfer energy from the modulated carrier signal and accumulate the transferred energy in a capacitor when the switch is closed during the apertures of the pukes and (b) discharge some of the previously accumulated energy from the capacitor into load circuitry at least when the switch is open. The demodulated baseband signal is generated from (i) accumulating energy transferred to the capacitor each time the switch is closed during the apertures of the pulses, and (ii) discharging some of the previously accumulated energy into the load circuitry each time the switch is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9319262
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting a modulated carrier signal to a demodulated baseband signal by sampling a portion of the energy of the carrier signal are described herein. Briefly stated, such methods systems, and apparatuses operate by receiving a modulated carrier signal and using a control signal to control a switch or switches so as to transfer a portion of the energy from the modulated carrier signal in the form of charge to a storage capacitor during a plurality of aperture periods and to discharge the charge in the storage capacitor into a load during the time between the plurality of aperture periods. The demodulated baseband signal is generated—during both the charging and the discharging of the storage capacitor based on the energy accumulated at the storage capacitor as a net result of previous charging and discharging of the storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9306792
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting a modulated carrier signal to a demodulated baseband signal by sampling a portion of the energy of the carrier signal are described herein. Briefly stated, such methods systems, and apparatuses operate by receiving a modulated carrier signal and using a control signal to control a switch or switches so as to transfer a portion of the energy from the modulated carrier signal in the form of charge to a storage capacitor during a plurality of aperture periods and to discharge the charge in the storage capacitor into a load during the time between the plurality of aperture periods. The demodulated baseband signal is generated during both the charging and the discharging of the storage capacitor based on the energy accumulated at the storage capacitor as a net result of previous charging and discharging of the storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9288100
    Abstract: Methods for down converting a modulated carrier signal to a demodulated baseband signal are described herein. The method requires that a first portion of energy is transferred from the modulated carrier signal, and stored at a first storage device when a first switch is on. At least some of the energy stored in the first storage device is discharged when the first switch is off. The method further comprises transferring a second portion of energy from the modulated carrier signal, storing at a second storage device the second portion of transferred energy when a second switch is on, and discharging at least some of the energy stored in the second storage device when the second switch is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 9246736
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down converting a modulated carrier signal to a demodulated baseband signal are described herein. A first switch is controlled with a first control signal Which comprises a first sampling aperture with a specified frequency, wherein the first switch is on during the first sampling aperture and wherein the first switch is off outside the first sampling aperture. A second switch is controlled with a second control signal which comprises a second sampling aperture and wherein the second switch is off outside the second sampling aperture. The first and second control signals each control a charging and discharging cycle of a respective energy storage element so that for each switch a portion of energy is transferred to the respective energy storage element when the respective switch is on during the charging cycle, and a portion of previously transferred energy is discharged during the discharging cycle for each respective switch when the switch is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 9246737
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for down converting a modulated carrier signal to a demodulated baseband signal are described herein. A first switch is controlled with a first control signal which comprises a first sampling aperture with a specified frequency, wherein the first switch is on during the first sampling aperture and wherein the first switch is off outside the first sampling aperture. A second switch is controlled with a second control signal which comprises a second sampling aperture with a specified frequency, wherein the second switch is on during the second sampling aperture and wherein the second switch is off outside the second sampling aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Publication number: 20160020938
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal by aliasing the EM signal is described herein. Briefly stated, such methods, systems, and apparatuses operate by receiving an EM signal and an aliasing signal having an aliasing rate. The EM signal is aliased according to the aliasing signal to down-convert the EM signal. The term aliasing, as used herein, refers to both down-converting an EM signal by under-sampling the EM signal at an aliasing rate, and down-converting an EM signal by transferring energy from the EM signal at the aliasing rate. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a demodulated baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: PARKERVISION, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses
  • Publication number: 20160020937
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal by aliasing the EM signal is described herein. Briefly stated, such methods, systems, and apparatuses operate by receiving an EM signal and an aliasing signal having an aliasing rate. The EM signal is aliased according to the aliasing signal to down-convert the EM signal. The term aliasing, as used herein, refers to both down-converting an EM signal by under-sampling the EM signal at an aliasing rate, and down-converting an EM signal by transferring energy from the EM signal at the aliasing rate. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a demodulated baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: PARKERVISION, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses
  • Publication number: 20160013755
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal by aliasing the EM signal is described herein. Briefly stated, such methods, systems, and apparatuses operate by receiving an EM signal and an aliasing signal having an aliasing rate. The EM signal is aliased according to the aliasing signal to down-convert the EM signal. The term aliasing, as used herein, refers to both down-converting an EM signal by under-sampling the EM signal at an aliasing rate, and down-converting an EM signal by transferring energy from the EM signal at the aliasing rate. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a demodulated baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: PARKERVISION, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150341196
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, and combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal are described herein. Briefly stated, in embodiments the invention operates by receiving an EM signal and recursively operating on approximate half cycles (½, 1½, 2½, etc.) of the carrier signal. The recursive operations can be performed at a sub-harmonic rate of the carrier signal. The invention accumulates the results of the recursive operations and uses the accumulated results to form a down-converted signal. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: PARKERVISION, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Publication number: 20150312084
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, and combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal are described herein. Briefly stated, in embodiments the invention operates by receiving an EM signal and recursively operating on approximate half cycles (½, 1½, 2½, etc.) of the carrier signal. The recursive operations can be performed at a sub-harmonic rate of the carrier signal. The invention accumulates the results of the recursive operations and uses the accumulated results to form a down-converted signal. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: PARKERVISION, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Publication number: 20150312085
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, and combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal are described herein. Briefly stated, in embodiments the invention operates by receiving an EM signal and recursively operating on approximate half cycles (½, 1½, 2½, etc.) of the carrier signal. The recursive operations can be performed at a sub-harmonic rate of the carrier signal. The invention accumulates the results of the recursive operations and uses the accumulated results to form a down-converted signal. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: PARKERVISION, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Publication number: 20150295536
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal by aliasing the EM signal is described herein. Briefly stated, such methods, systems, and apparatuses operate by receiving an EM signal and an aliasing signal having an aliasing rate. The EM signal is aliased according to the aliasing signal to down-convert the EM signal. The term aliasing, as used herein, refers to both down-converting an EM signal by under-sampling the EM signal at an aliasing rate, and down-converting an EM signal by transferring energy from the EM signal at the aliasing rate. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a demodulated baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: PARKERVISION, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150244551
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, and combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal are described herein. Briefly stated, in embodiments the invention operates by receiving an EM signal and recursively operating on approximate half cycles (½, 1½, 2½, etc.) of the carrier signal. The recursive operations can be performed at a sub-harmonic rate of the carrier signal. The invention accumulates the results of the recursive operations and uses the accumulated results to form a down-converted signal. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: PARKERVISION, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 9118528
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, and combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal are described herein. Briefly stated, in embodiments the invention operates by receiving an EM signal and recursively operating on approximate half cycles (½, 1½, 2½, etc) of the carrier signal. The recursive operations can be performed at a sub-harmonic rate of the carrier signal. The invention accumulates the results of the recursive operations and uses the accumulated results to form a down-converted signal. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Publication number: 20150215151
    Abstract: Frequency translation and applications of same are described herein. Such applications include, but are not limited to, frequency down-conversion, frequency up-conversion, enhanced signal reception, unified down-conversion and filtering, and combinations and applications of same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140308911
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting and up-converting an electromagnetic signal. In embodiments, the invention operates by receiving an electromagnetic signal and recursively operating on approximate half cycles of a carrier signal. The recursive operations can be performed at a sub-harmonic rate of the carrier signal. The invention accumulates the results of the recursive operations and uses the accumulated results to form a down-converted signal. In embodiments, up-conversion is accomplished by controlling a switch with an oscillating signal, the frequency of the oscillating signal being selected as a sub-harmonic of the desired output frequency. When the invention is being used in the frequency modulation or phase modulation implementations, the oscillating signal is modulated by an information signal before it causes the switch to gate a bias signal. The output of the switch is filtered, and the desired harmonic is output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: PARKERVISION, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Publication number: 20140307760
    Abstract: A communication system comprising a multi-protocol, multi-bearer sub-system is described herein. The sub-system is a universal platform module that can transmit and receive one or more information signals in one or more protocols using one or more bearer services. In one embodiment, the sub-system may form a portion of a transceiver that is composed of a transmitter and a receiver, and which is a gateway server between a personal area network (PAN) and the global wireless network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: PARKERVISION, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, JR.