Patents by Inventor Robert LeChevalier

Robert LeChevalier 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: 7126568
    Abstract: An organic light emitting diode (OLED)/polymer OLED (PLED) displays and operation with a precharge latency. Particularly, precharging operation of such a display device with a precharge switch latency. According to the operation, a capacitive aspect of a display element is precharged, and the display element is activated so as to conducting a current therethrough. The precharging is terminated after the activation of the display element. Then a current is supplied and conducted through the display element for exposure of the display element. In this operation, a precharge droop that may occur during the transition between precharge and exposure can be avoided or minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Clare Micronix Integrated Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Patent number: 7079131
    Abstract: An apparatus to determine and apply a voltage to precharge current-driven elements in a matrix. During ordinary scan cycles, a conduction voltage is sensed while the elements conduct a selected current. While not conducting the selected current, the sensed conduction voltage is averaged with other conduction voltages, and based on the averaged voltage a precharge voltage is provided during a precharge period of the scan cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Clare Micronix Integrated Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Patent number: 7079130
    Abstract: A method to determine and apply a voltage to precharge current-driven elements in a matrix. During ordinary scan cycles, a conduction voltage is sensed while the elements conduct a selected current. While not conducting the selected current, the sensed conduction voltage is averaged with other conduction voltages, and based on the averaged voltage a precharge voltage is provided during a precharge period of the scan cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Clare Micronix Integrated Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Patent number: 7050024
    Abstract: A method of predicting current boost levels and applying them to precharge current-driven elements in a matrix, and a method of manufacturing devices for this purpose. Elements are driven during successive scan cycles, each having a precharge period and an exposure period. One or more conduction voltages are sensed while an element conducts a selected current, either during a calibration cycle or during an exposure. A correct boost current is predicted from the conduction voltage(s) based upon other parameters including column capacitance, which may be determined upon manufacture, and the predicted boost current is then applied to matrix elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Clare Micronix Integrated Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Patent number: 7019719
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating and providing a stable reference voltage to a boost regulator. The apparatus comprises a clamping circuit that is configured to receive a constant voltage and a variable voltage. The clamping circuit is further configured to generate the reference voltage based on the constant voltage and variable voltage. The clamping circuit provides the reference voltage to the boost regulator at a level that is at least sufficient to cause the boost regulator to output a non-zero voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Clare Micronix Integrated Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Patent number: 7019720
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting and applying current boost levels to precharge current-driven elements in a matrix, and a method to make devices for this purpose. Elements are driven during successive scan cycles, each having a precharge period and an exposure period. One or more conduction voltages are sensed while an element conducts a selected exposure current, with early samples taken nearer the beginning of exposures and late samples taken nearer the end. Charge delivered during the precharge period is adjusted to reduce differences between early and late voltage samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Clare Micronix Integrated Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Patent number: 6995737
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a voltage used for precharging current-driven elements in a matrix, and a method of manufacturing a device to perform this function. Elements are driven during successive scan cycles, each having a precharge period and an exposure period. The elements conduct current during conduction periods, which typically have variable length within exposure periods. Conduction voltages are sensed at earlier times (e.g., near the beginning) and later times (e.g., near the end) within conduction periods. A precharge voltage is adapted based on a comparison of the earlier and later sensed conduction voltages, typically so as to reduce any average difference and thereby cause the voltage during exposure to be consistent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Clare Micronix Integrated Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Publication number: 20050285541
    Abstract: RF field is sensed to produce an incoming voltage that drives a microarray of electron guns in a sweep pattern towards a detector array. The electron guns emit a beam current that may amplify the incoming voltage signal, and the detector material may be selected to amplify the beam current at the detector, for example, by avalanche and/or cascade in a Schottky material, to provide a low current, high gain amplification. The microarrays may be arranged in various combinations to produce successive amplifications, frequency multipliers, transmit-receive amplifiers, crossbar switches, mixers, beamformers, and selective polarization devices, among other such devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Patent number: 6943500
    Abstract: An apparatus for establishing and applying a voltage to precharge current-driven elements in a matrix. During ordinary scan cycles, a conduction voltage is sensed while the elements conduct a selected current. One or more such sensed conduction voltages are combined to provide a basis for a precharge voltage. Conduction and transient errors are determined, and are compensated for by offsetting the final precharge voltage from the conduction voltage basis. The final precharge voltage is provided to one or more columns during a precharge period of the scan cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Clare Micronix Integrated Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Patent number: 6828850
    Abstract: A circuit for increasing the voltage/current level of a signal to drive a power transistor from a low voltage input. The gate drive circuit comprises a voltage multiplier for increasing the voltage level of a low voltage input signal, a level shifter for shifting the voltage level of a logic signal to a level relative to a voltage signal produced by the voltage multiplier, and a source follower, connected to the level shifter, for increasing the current of the increased voltage, level shifted output signal of the level shifter. The resulting multiplied, shifted, and increased current signal can be used to drive a power transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Clare Micronix Integrated Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Publication number: 20040085086
    Abstract: A method of predicting current boost levels and applying them to precharge current-driven elements in a matrix, and a method of manufacturing devices for this purpose. Elements are driven during successive scan cycles, each having a precharge period and an exposure period. One or more conduction voltages are sensed while an element conducts a selected current, either during a calibration cycle or during an exposure. A correct boost current is predicted from the conduction voltage(s) based upon other parameters including column capacitance, which may be determined upon manufacture, and the predicted boost current is then applied to matrix elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Publication number: 20040004590
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a voltage used for precharging current-driven elements in a matrix, and a method of manufacturing a device to perform this function. Elements are driven during successive scan cycles, each having a precharge period and an exposure period. The elements conduct current during conduction periods, which typically have variable length within exposure periods. Conduction voltages are sensed at earlier times (e.g., near the beginning) and later times (e.g., near the end) within conduction periods. A precharge voltage is adapted based on a comparison of the earlier and later sensed conduction voltages, typically so as to reduce any average difference and thereby cause the voltage during exposure to be consistent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Publication number: 20030173904
    Abstract: An apparatus for establishing and applying a voltage to precharge current-driven elements in a matrix. During ordinary scan cycles, a conduction voltage is sensed while the elements conduct a selected current. One or more such sensed conduction voltages are combined to provide a basis for a precharge voltage. Conduction and transient errors are determined, and are compensated for by offsetting the final precharge voltage from the conduction voltage basis. The final precharge voltage is provided to one or more columns during a precharge period of the scan cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Publication number: 20030169219
    Abstract: A current driving circuit for use with a display of light emitting elements arranged in rows and columns. The current driving circuit is configured to control the exposure time of column current sources based on the row voltage seen by the pixel in that column. The current driving circuit allows for more closely matching the currents across the array of light emitting elements in the display by compensating for variations in voltage caused by resistance in the row lines. The invention also provides a method of balancing currents in a display device comprising controlling the exposure time of column current sources based on the row voltage seen by the light emitting elements in the column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Publication number: 20030169107
    Abstract: A proportional plus integral compensation network employs a combination of linear components and switched capacitor components so as to reduce the physical size of the components required to implement the network. The compensation network comprises a linear, proportional amplifier, an integrator, in parallel with the amplifier, having a switched capacitor as a resistive element, and a summing element to combine the output signals of the amplifier and the integrator to provide a stable, amplified feedback signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Publication number: 20030156101
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting and applying current boost levels to precharge current-driven elements in a matrix, and a method to make devices for this purpose. Elements are driven during successive scan cycles, each having a precharge period and an exposure period. One or more conduction voltages are sensed while an element conducts a selected exposure current, with early samples taken nearer the beginning of exposures and late samples taken nearer the end. Charge delivered during the precharge period is adjusted to reduce differences between early and late voltage samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Publication number: 20030146784
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating and providing a stable reference voltage to a boost regulator. The apparatus comprises a clamping circuit that is configured to receive a constant voltage and a variable voltage. The clamping circuit is further configured to generate the reference voltage based on the constant voltage and variable voltage. The clamping circuit provides the reference voltage to the boost regulator at a level that is at least sufficient to cause the boost regulator to output a non-zero voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Publication number: 20030142088
    Abstract: An organic light emitting diode (OLED)/polymer OLED (PLED) displays and operation with a precharge latency. Particularly, precharging operation of such a display device with a precharge switch latency. According to the operation, a capacitive aspect of a display element is precharged, and the display element is activated so as to conducting a current therethrough. The precharging is terminated after the activation of the display element. Then a current is supplied and conducted through the display element for exposure of the display element. In this operation, a precharge droop that may occur during the transition between precharge and exposure can be avoided or minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Publication number: 20030137341
    Abstract: A circuit for increasing the voltage/current level of a signal to drive a power transistor from a low voltage input. The gate drive circuit comprises a voltage multiplier for increasing the voltage level of a low voltage input signal, a level shifter for shifting the voltage level of a logic signal to a level relative to a voltage signal produced by the voltage multiplier, and a source follower, connected to the level shifter, for increasing the current of the increased voltage, level shifted output signal of the level shifter. The resulting multiplied, shifted, and increased current signal can be used to drive a power transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier
  • Publication number: 20020167505
    Abstract: A method to determine and apply a voltage to precharge current-driven elements in a matrix. During ordinary scan cycles, a conduction voltage is sensed while the elements conduct a selected current. While not conducting the selected current, the sensed conduction voltage is averaged with other conduction voltages, and based on the averaged voltage a precharge voltage is provided during a precharge period of the scan cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Robert LeChevalier