Patents by Inventor Thomas Schwanenberger

Thomas Schwanenberger 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: 9454931
    Abstract: A luminous display includes pixels arranged in rows and columns. Control signals that are used for controlling first switches for measuring parameters of pixel cells in a first row are also used to control second switches for programming pixel cells in a second row. In this way it is possible to use a single control signal for selecting one pixel cell for programming and simultaneously selecting another pixel cell for measuring. Programming and measuring are thus performed in a time staggered manner, while the addressing is moved to the respective next row. The programming is preferably voltage programming. In one embodiment the current through the pixel cell that is currently programmed is interrupted. In another embodiment the measuring is performed only after the transient current into signal holding means coupled to current control means has set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Thomas Schwanenberger, Heinrich Schemmann, Thilo Marx
  • Publication number: 20140361963
    Abstract: A luminous display includes pixels arranged in rows and columns Control signals that are used for controlling first switches for measuring parameters of pixel cells in a first row are also used to control second switches for programming pixel cells in a second row. In this way it is possible to use a single control signal for selecting one pixel cell for programming and simultaneously selecting another pixel cell for measuring. Programming and measuring are thus performed in a time staggered manner, while the addressing is moved to the respective next row. The programming is preferably voltage programming In one embodiment the current through the pixel cell that is currently programmed is interrupted. In another embodiment the measuring is performed only after the transient current into signal holding means coupled to current control means has set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Thomas Schwanenberger, Heinrich Schemmann, Thilo Marx
  • Patent number: 8816942
    Abstract: A luminous display includes pixels arranged in rows and columns. Control signals that are used for controlling first switches for measuring parameters of pixel cells in a first row are also used to control second switches for programming pixel cells in a second row. In this way it is possible to use a single control signal for selecting one pixel cell for programming and simultaneously selecting another pixel cell for measuring. Programming and measuring are thus performed in a time staggered manner, while the addressing is moved to the respective next row. The programming is preferably voltage programming. In one embodiment the current through the pixel cell that is currently programmed is interrupted. In another embodiment the measuring is performed only after the transient current into signal holding means coupled to current control means has set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Thomas Schwanenberger, Heinrich Schemmann, Thilo Marx
  • Patent number: 8368671
    Abstract: A driving circuit for a display with display elements in rows and/or columns has a shift register, through which tokens are shifted. The shift register's parallel outputs are latched and enable switch cells depending on the tokens. Control signals are supplied to the switch cells which control the output signal in terms of pulse width and/or signal shape. Buffers output the signals to a connected display. Individual or groups of buffers are connected to different supply voltages. The shift register may have more than one input in order to allow for shifting tokens in parallel, e.g. to every second output, using only one clock cycle. Further, inputs are provided for inverting the travelling direction of the tokens, inverting the shape of the signal that is output or switching all outputs to a predetermined state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Thomas Schwanenberger, Heinrich Schemmann, Thilo Marx
  • Patent number: 8199075
    Abstract: In illuminated displays with lighting elements which are driven by means of a control voltage, the voltage drop on a supply line, which supplies two or more lighting elements, is compensated for. The currents for all of the light elements, which are connected to a supply line, and the known resistances are used to calculate the potential profile of the supply line for this purpose. The control voltages for the light elements are changed such that the actual potential on the supply line for each element is taken into account. Fluctuations in the brightness of the illuminated display resulting from potential differences are avoided. One element of an illuminated display has a current control means, a signal retaining means, a light emitting means and means for interrupting the current flow through the light emitting means. The control voltage is adjusted with the current flow interrupted, so that no potential differences exist on the supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Thilo Marx, Heinrich Schemmann, Thomas Schwanenberger
  • Patent number: 8073982
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting an operating parameter in a peripheral IC. In this method, the operating parameter is transmitted from a central IC via a bus connection to the peripheral IC. The method is characterized in that the operating parameter is initially buffered in a preregister in the peripheral IC, and in that the buffered operating parameter is transferred into a working register only if a transfer signal is sent from the central IC via the bus connection. This method has the advantage that, for example in the case of rapidly changing receive conditions in a send/receive unit, adjustment of the send or receive gain setting is very flexible, and it is easy to avoid an incorrect setting due to a detected signal fluctuation. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Friedrich Heizmann, Thomas Schwanenberger, Patrick Lopez
  • Publication number: 20090278837
    Abstract: A luminous display includes pixels arranged in rows and columns. Control signals that are used for controlling first switches for measuring parameters of pixel cells in a first row are also used to control second switches for programming pixel cells in a second row. In this way it is possible to use a single control signal for selecting one pixel cell for programming and simultaneously selecting another pixel cell for measuring. Programming and measuring are thus performed in a time staggered manner, while the addressing is moved to the respective next row. The programming is preferably voltage programming. In one embodiment the current through the pixel cell that is currently programmed is interrupted. In another embodiment the measuring is performed only after the transient current into signal holding means coupled to current control means has set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Schwanenberger, Heinrich Schemmann, Thilo Marx
  • Publication number: 20080284688
    Abstract: In illuminated displays with lighting elements which are driven by means of a control voltage, the voltage drop on a supply line, which supplies two or more lighting elements, is compensated for. The currents for all of the light elements which are connected to a supply line, and the known resistances are used to calculate the potential profile of the supply line for this purpose. The control voltages for the light elements are changed such that the actual potential on the supply line for each element is taken into account. Fluctuations in the brightness of the illuminated display resulting from potential differences are avoided. One element of an illuminated display has a current control means, a signal retaining means, a light emitting means and means for interrupting the current flow through the light emitting means. The control voltage is adjusted with the current flow interrupted, so that no potential differences exist on the supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Thilo Marx, Heinrich Schemmann, Thomas Schwanenberger
  • Patent number: 7356110
    Abstract: The method is applicable to a receiver (1) of signals corresponding to packets of digital data transmitted in bursts, which comprises an analogue pickup subassembly (3) connected to a digital processing subassembly (8) by means for converting analogue signals into digital signals (7). Gain adjustment means (5) act on the amplification means (5) in order to alter the power of signals supplied to the conversion means. The method provides a preadjustment of the gain, in the absence of a burst, for detecting the arrival of signals even if they are weak, and an adjustment of the gain as a function of a power value of the signal determined from burst start symbols, as obtained after conversion. This adjustment is dependent on the recognition of symbols scheduled at the start of a burst, it is carried out during a time scheduled for a symbol otherwise left unexploited by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Patrick Lopez, Thomas Schwanenberger, Samuel Guillouard
  • Publication number: 20060022908
    Abstract: A driving circuit for a display with display elements in rows and/or columns has a shift register, through which tokens are shifted. The shift register's parallel outputs are latched and enable switch cells depending on the tokens. Control signals are supplied to the switch cells which control the output signal in terms of pulse width and/or signal shape. Buffers output the signals to a connected display. Individual or groups of buffers are connected to different supply voltages. The shift register may have more than one input in order to allow for shifting tokens in parallel, e.g. to every second output, using only one clock cycle. Further, inputs are provided for inverting the travelling direction of the tokens, inverting the shape of the signal that is output or switching all outputs to a predetermined state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Schwanenberger, Heinrich Schemmann, Thilo Marx
  • Publication number: 20050096755
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting an operating parameter in a peripheral IC. In this method, the operating parameter is transmitted from a central IC via a bus connection to the peripheral IC. The method is characterized in that the operating parameter is initially buffered in a preregister in the peripheral IC, and in that the buffered operating parameter is transferred into a working register only if a transfer signal is sent from the central IC via the bus connection. This method has the advantage that, for example in the case of rapidly changing receive conditions in a send/receive unit, adjustment of the send or receive gain setting is very flexible, and it is easy to avoid an incorrect setting due to a detected signal fluctuation. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2002
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Friedrich Heizmann, Thomas Schwanenberger, Patrick Lopez
  • Publication number: 20030108131
    Abstract: The method is applicable to a receiver (1) of signals corresponding to packets of digital data transmitted in bursts, which comprises an analogue pickup subassembly (3) connected to a digital processing subassembly (8) by means for converting analogue signals into digital signals (7). Gain adjustment means (5) act on the amplification means (5) in order to alter the power of signals supplied to the conversion means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Patrick Lopez, Thomas Schwanenberger, Samuel Guillouard
  • Patent number: 6370370
    Abstract: It is known for a signal-strength detection unit to be used to detect the ratio of the input signal to the wanted signal obtained after it. A disadvantage in this case is that interference elements, which are also amplified, not only corrupt the output signal of the signal-strength detection unit, but can also adversely affect the quality of the wanted signal. The invention is based on the object of providing a method for improving the wanted signal in the receiving unit of a communications system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventors: Sabine Roth, Heinrich Schemmann, Thomas Schwanenberger