Patents by Inventor Tim Forrester
Tim Forrester 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: 8391820Abstract: GPS functionality is added to a wireless communication device in an efficient and cost effective manner. Disclosed is a wireless communications device that has a common mixer constructed to be used for a GPS signal and another signal, a common IF filter constructed to be used for a GPS signal and another signal, in addition to other cost effective embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: KYOCERA CorporationInventor: Tim Forrester
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Patent number: 7574218Abstract: A wireless communication system includes a location assist system that is configured to interface with a network, such as the Internet, or a server, such as an HTTP server, to obtain GPS information. The GPS information can then be used to provide wireless devices within the wireless communication system with GPS assistance information that allows the wireless devices to quickly and efficiently acquire GPS satellites signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2004Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.Inventors: Tim Forrester, Doug Dunn, Henry Chang
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Publication number: 20090073899Abstract: GPS functionality is added to a wireless communication device in an efficient and cost effective manner. Disclosed is a wireless communications device that has a common mixer constructed to be used for a GPS signal and another signal, a common IF filter constructed to be used for a GPS signal and another signal, in addition to other cost effective embodiments.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventor: Tim Forrester
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Patent number: 7471936Abstract: GPS functionality is added to a wireless communication device in an efficient and cost effective manner. Disclosed is a wireless communications device that has a common mixer constructed to be used for a GPS signal and another signal, a common IF filter constructed to be used for a GPS signal and another signal, in addition to other cost effective embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2006Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.Inventor: Tim Forrester
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Patent number: 7447286Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for improving performance of a communication receiver. An exemplary method comprises calculating a rate of error associated with a received signal at a first time; comparing the rate of error at the first time to a first threshold rate of error; if the rate of error at the first time exceeds the first threshold rate of error, increasing current provided to a mixer in the receiver; calculating a rate of error associated with a received signal at a second time; comparing the rate of error at the second time to a second threshold rate of error; and if the rate of error at the second time is less than the second threshold rate of error, resetting the mixer current.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.Inventor: Tim Forrester
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Patent number: 7398094Abstract: A base station comprises a GPS receiver configured to periodically locate and receive information from GPS satellites, and a transmitter configured to periodically transmit the received GPS satellite information to at least one of a plurality of GPS enabled devices. The GPS enabled device receives the information, stores it, and then uses the stored information to automatically acquire GPS satellites when it receives a position request.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.Inventor: Tim Forrester
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Patent number: 7376440Abstract: A wireless communication device comprises an N-plexer, that is, a multi-band device, connected to a single antenna for receiving multiple communication bands on the single antenna. The N-plexer includes a receive band pass filter of a receive signal path to receive a signal in a certain frequency bandwidth for each of the multiple of communication bands. The N-plexer also includes a GPS receiver filter for receiving GPS signals. The communication device also comprises an amplifier coupled with each of the plurality of receive signal paths. The amplifier is configured to amplify the receive signals associated with each of the plurality of receive signal paths.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2003Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.Inventors: Tim Forrester, Allen Tran
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Patent number: 7356314Abstract: A wireless communication device comprises a plurality of receive signal paths, each of the receive signal paths is configured to receive signals in a certain frequency bandwidth. The communication device also comprises an amplifier coupled with each of the plurality of receive signal paths. The amplifier is configured to amplify the receive signals associated with each of the plurality of receive signal paths.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2003Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.Inventors: Tim Forrester, Allen Tran
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Publication number: 20060239382Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for improving performance of a communication receiver. An exemplary method comprises calculating a rate of error associated with a received signal at a first time; comparing the rate of error at the first time to a first threshold rate of error; if the rate of error at the first time exceeds the first threshold rate of error, increasing current provided to a mixer in the receiver; calculating a rate of error associated with a received signal at a second time; comparing the rate of error at the second time to a second threshold rate of error; and if the rate of error at the second time is less than the second threshold rate of error, resetting the mixer current.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2006Publication date: October 26, 2006Inventor: Tim FORRESTER
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Patent number: 7098749Abstract: A receiver uses an adaptive algorithm to tune a low-cost crystal oscillator according to a temperature compensation profile so as to produce a precision master reference frequency despite temperature, initial tolerance, and aging effects. An automatic frequency control system also tunes the crystal oscillator. The adaptive algorithm adjusts the temperature compensation profile for the crystal oscillator according to the adjustments made by the automatic frequency control should a received signal's quality factor exceed that associated with the temperature compensation profile.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.Inventor: Tim Forrester
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Publication number: 20060160507Abstract: GPS functionality is added to a wireless communication device in an efficient and cost effective manner. Disclosed is a wireless communications device that has a common mixer constructed to be used for a GPS signal and another signal, a common IF filter constructed to be used for a GPS signal and another signal, in addition to other cost effective embodiments.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2006Publication date: July 20, 2006Inventor: Tim Forrester
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Patent number: 7072424Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for improving performance of a communication receiver. In one embodiment a method and apparatus is configured to process a communication signal by adjusting the amplification level of the signal and monitoring for a corresponding change in the error rate which indicates the increased error rate is caused by an interference or jammer signal. A method and apparatus is disclosed which reduces the error rate if the error rate can be reduced by activating error reducing operations. In one embodiment current flow to a mixer is increased to reduce the error rate. The apparatus may be further configured to periodically monitor the error rate during periods when error reducing operations are active. If the monitoring determines the error rate has sufficiently decreased then the receiver operation is restored to normal operation. Phase offset adjustment may also occur to further reduce the error rate.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.Inventor: Tim Forrester
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Patent number: 7071776Abstract: A mismatch detector including a directional device adapted to couple signals across the device and a detector coupled to a port on the directional device and configured to measure a reflected power a second detector coupled to a port on the directional device and configured to measure a transmit power. The mismatch detector may be used in wireless communication devices, including, but not limited to mobile wireless devices, base stations, and communication systems.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2004Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.Inventors: Tim Forrester, Jorge Fabrega-Sanchez, Gregory Poilasne
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Patent number: 7035654Abstract: Systems and methods are described that provide global positioning system (GPS) enabled wireless communications. The wireless communications system provides a switching module that is adapted to couple communications circuitry to a first antenna or a second antenna as a function of communications characteristics of the first antenna or the second antenna. The switching module is also adapted to couple GPS circuitry to a first antenna or a second antenna as a function of GPS reception characteristics of the first antenna or the second antenna. The switching module may also provide the communications circuitry and the GPS circuitry with simultaneous access to different antennas.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.Inventor: Tim Forrester
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Patent number: 7024220Abstract: GPS functionality is added to a wireless communication device in an efficient and cost effective manner. Briefly, the present invention has a common mixer constructed to be used for a GPS signal and another signal or a common IF filter constructed to be used for a GPS signal and another signal. In one embodiment, a common mixer and IF filter are used for both PCS and GPS signals. In another embodiment, a band select switch may be used to select either the PCS signal or the GPS signal. Alternatively, a duplexer or diplexer may couple the GPS signal and the PCS signal to the common mixer. In this way, a common mixer is enabled to be used for both GPS and PCS. A dual band local oscillator may be configured to output a local oscillator signal facilitating selection of a GPS IF signal, a PCS IF signal or a cellular CDMA IF signal, using a common IF filter.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.Inventor: Tim Forrester
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Patent number: 7009455Abstract: A power amplifier matching circuit is provided. The matching circuit includes a ferro-electric tunable component. A control signal is applied to the tunable component, changing the component's impedance. This changes the impedance of the matching circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2004Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.Inventors: Stanley S. Toncich, Tim Forrester
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Patent number: 6980067Abstract: A wireless communication device is configured for tri-band communication. One of the bands can be for GPS operation. The wireless communication device can comprise an antenna configured to transmit and receive communication signals over two communication bands and to receive GPS signals over a GPS communication band, and a triplexer electrically coupled with the antenna. The triplexer comprises a filter or filters configured to operate at a low frequency band, a filter or filters configured to operate at a mid frequency band, and a filter or filters configured to operate at a high frequency band.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2003Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.Inventors: Tim Forrester, Allen Tran
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Publication number: 20050264370Abstract: A receiver uses an adaptive algorithm to tune a low-cost crystal oscillator according to a temperature compensation profile so as to produce a precision master reference frequency despite temperature, initial tolerance, and aging effects. An automatic frequency control system also tunes the crystal oscillator. The adaptive algorithm adjusts the temperature compensation profile for the crystal oscillator according to the adjustments made by the automatic frequency control should a received signal's quality factor exceed that associated with the temperature compensation profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2005Publication date: December 1, 2005Inventor: Tim Forrester
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Patent number: 6933788Abstract: A receiver uses an adaptive algorithm to tune a low-cost crystal oscillator according to a temperature compensation profile so as to produce a precision master reference frequency despite temperature, initial tolerance, and aging effects. An automatic frequency control system also tunes the crystal oscillator. The adaptive algorithm adjusts the temperature compensation profile for the crystal oscillator according to the adjustments made by the automatic frequency control should a received signal's quality factor exceed that associated with the temperature compensation profile.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2001Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.Inventor: Tim Forrester
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Patent number: 6903612Abstract: A tunable low noise amplifier matching circuit is provided. The matching circuit includes a ferroelectric tunable component. A control signal is applied to the tunable component, changing the component's impedance. This changes the impedance or the noise figure response, or both, of the matching circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2002Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.Inventors: Stanley S. Toncich, Tim Forrester
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Patent number: 4951506Abstract: The position sensor of the present invention includes a pair of elongated conducting members disposed in a parallel arrangement and a conducting metallic ball or mercury drop freely movable following the pair of elongated conducting members while maintaining a simultaneous contact with the pair of elongated conducting members, which combination provides two electric circuits respectively including a first circuit including a first poriton of the two elongated conducting members and the contact provided by the metallic ball or mercury drop, and a second electric circuit including the second portion of the two elongated conducting members and the same contact, wherein the metallic ball or mercury drop divides the combination of the two elongated conducting members into the first and second portions.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1988Date of Patent: August 28, 1990Inventor: Hyok S. Lew