Patents by Inventor Robert H. Nixon
Robert H. Nixon 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: 10375165Abstract: A system comprising a first host bus adapter coupled to a first Fiber Channel port and a remote manager associated with a second host bus adapter coupled to a second Fiber Channel port. The remote manager is operable to form a command to be sent by the second host bus adapter to the first host bus adapter via a Common Transport layer of a Fiber Channel.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2014Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. LimitedInventors: Bill Bostick, Bill Daugherty, Minh Bryant, Alan Perelman, Robert H. Nixon, William Lasor
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Publication number: 20140222958Abstract: A system comprising a first host bus adapter coupled to a first Fibre Channel port and a remote manager associated with a second host bus adapter coupled to a second Fibre Channel port. The remote manager is operable to form a command to be sent by the second host bus adapter to the first host bus adapter via a Common Transport layer of a Fibre Channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: Emulex CorporationInventors: Bill Bostick, Bill Daugherty, Minh Bryant, Alan Perelman, Robert H. Nixon, William Lasor
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Patent number: 7550703Abstract: An automatically dimming mirror includes a dimming element having variable reflectivity, the degree of reflectivity based on a control signal. An ambient light sensor is positioned to receive light from a region generally in front of the vehicle. The ambient light sensor outputs a discrete ambient light signal based on the amount of light incident on the ambient light sensor over an integration period. A glare sensor is positioned to view the scene generally behind the vehicle operator. The glare sensor outputs a discrete glare signal based on the amount of light incident on the glare sensor over an integration period. A dimming logic determines an ambient light level based on the ambient light signal. The glare integration period is determined based on the ambient light level. The glare signal resulting from the glare integration period determines a mirror glare level used to set the dimming element control signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2005Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Jon H. Bechtel, Joseph S. Stam, Robert R. Turnbull, Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum
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Patent number: 7378633Abstract: Light sensors having a wide dynamic range are used in a variety of applications. A wide dynamic range light sensor includes an exposed photodiode light transducer accumulating charge in proportion to light incident over an integration period. Sensor logic determines a light integration period prior to the beginning of integration and the charge is reset. Charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer over the light integration period is measured and a pulse having a width based on the accumulated charge is determined.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum, Jon H. Bechtel
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Patent number: 7361875Abstract: Equipment on automotive vehicle is controlled by a system including at least one semiconductor light sensor having variable sensitivity to light. Each light sensor generates a light signal indicative of the intensity of light incident on the light sensor. Control logic varies the sensitivity of the light sensor and generates equipment control signals based on received light signals. Sensitivity of light sensors may be varied by changing the integration time for producing charge from light incident on light transducers, by selecting between light transducers of different sensitivity within the light sensor, by using a light transducer with a sensitivity that is a function of the amount of incident light, and the like. Controlled equipment includes devices such as automatically dimming rearview mirrors, headlamps, and moisture removal means.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Jon H. Bechtel, Frederick T. Bauer, Joseph S. Stam, Robert C. Knapp, Robert R. Turnbull, David J. Schmidt, G. Bruce Poe, David L. Plangger, Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum, Timothy E. Steenwyk
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Patent number: 7087878Abstract: Light sensors having a wide dynamic range are used in a variety of applications. A wide dynamic range light sensor includes an exposed photodiode light transducer accumulating charge in proportion to light incident over an integration period. Sensor logic determines a light integration period prior to the beginning of integration and the charge is reset. Charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer over the light integration period is measured and a pulse having a width based on the accumulated charge is determined.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum, Jon H. Bechtel
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Patent number: 6863405Abstract: An automatically dimming mirror includes a dimming element having variable reflectivity, the degree of reflectivity based on a control signal. An ambient light sensor is positioned to receive light from a region generally in front of the vehicle. The ambient light sensor outputs a discrete ambient light signal based on the amount of light incident on the ambient light sensor over an integration period. A glare sensor is positioned to view the scene generally behind the vehicle operator. The glare sensor outputs a discrete glare signal based on the amount of light incident on the glare sensor over an integration period. A dimming logic determines an ambient light level based on the ambient light signal. The glare integration period is determined based on the ambient light level. The glare signal resulting from the glare integration period determines a mirror glare level used to set the dimming element control signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Jon H. Bechtel, Joseph S. Stam, Robert R. Turnbull, Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum
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Publication number: 20040222359Abstract: Light sensors having a wide dynamic range are used in a variety of applications. A wide dynamic range light sensor includes an exposed photodiode light transducer accumulating charge in proportion to light incident over an integration period. Sensor logic determines a light integration period prior to the beginning of integration and the charge is reset. Charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer over the light integration period is measured and a pulse having a width based on the accumulated charge is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2004Publication date: November 11, 2004Inventors: Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum, Jon H. Bechtel
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Publication number: 20040218277Abstract: An automatically dimming mirror includes a dimming element having variable reflectivity, the degree of reflectivity based on a control signal. An ambient light sensor is positioned to receive light from a region generally in front of the vehicle. The ambient light sensor outputs a discrete ambient light signal based on the amount of light incident on the ambient light sensor over an integration period. A glare sensor is positioned to view the scene generally behind the vehicle operator. The glare sensor outputs a discrete glare signal based on the amount of light incident on the glare sensor over an integration period. A dimming logic determines an ambient light level based on the ambient light signal. The glare integration period is determined based on the ambient light level. The glare signal resulting from the glare integration period determines a mirror glare level used to set the dimming element control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2004Publication date: November 4, 2004Inventors: Jon H. Bechtel, Joseph S. Stam, Robert R. Turnbull, Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum
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Patent number: 6755542Abstract: An automatically dimming mirror includes a dimming element having variable reflectivity, the degree of reflectivity based on a control signal. An ambient light sensor is positioned to receive light from a region generally in front of the vehicle. The ambient light sensor outputs a discrete ambient light signal based on the amount of light incident on the ambient light sensor over an integration period. A glare sensor is positioned to view the scene generally behind the vehicle operator. The glare sensor outputs a discrete glare signal based on the amount of light incident on the glare sensor over an integration period. A dimming logic determines an ambient light level based on the ambient light signal. The glare integration period is determined based on the ambient light level. The glare signal resulting from the glare integration period determines a mirror glare level used to set the dimming element control signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Jon H. Bechtel, Joseph S. Stam, Robert R. Turnbull, Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum
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Patent number: 6742904Abstract: Equipment on automotive vehicle is controlled by a system including at least one semiconductor light sensor having variable sensitivity to light. Each light sensor generates a light signal indicative of the intensity of light incident on the light sensor. Control logic varies the sensitivity of the light sensor and generates equipment control signals based on received light signals. Sensitivity of light sensors may be varied by changing the integration time for producing charge from light incident on light transducers, by selecting between light transducers of different sensitivity within the light sensor, by using a light transducer with a sensitivity that is a function of the amount of incident light, and the like. Controlled equipment includes devices such as automatically dimming rearview mirrors, headlamps, and moisture removal means.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Jon H. Bechtel, Frederick T. Bauer, Joseph S. Stam, Robert C. Knapp, Robert R. Turnbull, David J. Schmidt, G. Bruce Poe, David L. Plangger, Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum, Timothy E. Steenwyk
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Publication number: 20040103220Abstract: A system comprising a first host bus adapter coupled to a first Fibre Channel port and a remote manager associated with a second host bus adapter coupled to a second Fibre Channel port. The remote manager is operable to form a command to be sent by the second host bus adapter to the first host bus adapter via a Common Transport layer of a Fibre Channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2002Publication date: May 27, 2004Inventors: Bill Bostick, Bill Daugherty, Minh Bryant, Alan Perelman, Robert H. Nixon, William Lasor
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Patent number: 6737629Abstract: Light sensors having a wide dynamic range are used in a variety of applications. A wide dynamic range light sensor includes an exposed photodiode light transducer accumulating charge in proportion to light incident over an integration period. Sensor logic determines a light integration period prior to the beginning of integration and the charge is reset. Charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer over the light integration period is measured and a pulse having a width based on the accumulated charge is determined.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum, Jon H. Bechtel
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Patent number: 6665013Abstract: An imaging device formed as a monolithic complementary metal oxide semiconductor integrated circuit in an industry standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor process, the integrated circuit including a focal plane array of pixel cells, each one of the cells including a photogate overlying the substrate for accumulating photo-generated charge in an underlying portion of the substrate, a readout circuit including at least an output field effect transistor formed in the substrate, and a charge coupled device section formed on the substrate adjacent the photogate having a sensing node connected to the output transistor and at least one charge coupled device stage for transferring charge from the underlying portion of the substrate to the sensing node and an analog-to-digital converter formed in the substrate connected to the output of the readout circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1999Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Eric R. Fossum, Sunetra K. Mendis, Bedabrata Pain, Robert H. Nixon, Zhimin Zhou
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Patent number: 6606122Abstract: A totally digital single chip camera includes communications to operate most of its structure in serial communication mode. The digital single chip camera include a D/A converter for converting an input digital word into an analog reference signal. The chip includes all of the necessary circuitry for operating the chip using a single pin.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1998Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Timothy Shaw, Bedabrata Pain, Brita Olson, Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum, Roger A. Panicacci, Barmak Mansoorian
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Publication number: 20030122060Abstract: Light sensors having a wide dynamic range are used in a variety of applications. A wide dynamic range light sensor includes an exposed photodiode light transducer accumulating charge in proportion to light incident over an integration period. Sensor logic determines a light integration period prior to the beginning of integration and the charge is reset. Charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer over the light integration period is measured and a pulse having a width based on the accumulated charge is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventors: Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum, Jon H. Bechtel
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Patent number: 6504142Abstract: Light sensors having a wide dynamic range are used in a variety of applications. A wide dynamic range light sensor includes an exposed photodiode light transducer accumulating charge in proportion to light incident over an integration period. Sensor logic determines a light integration period prior to the beginning of integration and the charge is reset. Charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer over the light integration period is measured and a pulse having a width based on the accumulated charge is determined.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2002Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum, Jon H. Bechtel
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Publication number: 20020181112Abstract: An automatically dimming mirror includes a dimming element having variable reflectivity, the degree of reflectivity based on a control signal. An ambient light sensor is positioned to receive light from a region generally in front of the vehicle. The ambient light sensor outputs a discrete ambient light signal based on the amount of light incident on the ambient light sensor over an integration period. A glare sensor is positioned to view the scene generally behind the vehicle operator. The glare sensor outputs a discrete glare signal based on the amount of light incident on the glare sensor over an integration period. A dimming logic determines an ambient light level based on the ambient light signal. The glare integration period is determined based on the ambient light level. The glare signal resulting from the glare integration period determines a mirror glare level used to set the dimming element control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventors: Jon H. Bechtel, Joseph S. Stam, Robert R. Turnbull, Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum
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Patent number: 6469291Abstract: Moisture detection permits moisture removal equipment, such as automotive windshield wipers and defogger systems, to be operated automatically. A system for detecting moisture on a surface includes a light emitter directed at the surface. The presence of moisture is based on the intensity of light from the emitter reflected by the surface and received by a light sensor. The light sensor accumulates charge in response to incident light over a variable integration period.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2001Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Fred T. Bauer, Jon H. Bechtel, Robert R. Turnbull, Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum
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Publication number: 20020100865Abstract: Light sensors having a wide dynamic range are used in a variety of applications. A wide dynamic range light sensor includes an exposed photodiode light transducer accumulating charge in proportion to light incident over an integration period. Sensor logic determines a light integration period prior to the beginning of integration and the charge is reset. Charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer over the light integration period is measured and a pulse having a width based on the accumulated charge is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2002Publication date: August 1, 2002Inventors: Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum, Jon H. Bechtel