Patents Issued in December 3, 1996
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Patent number: 5581213Abstract: A non-attenuating automatic variable gain amplifier (VGA) circuit includes an operational amplifier (op amp) with a feedback resistor connected between its output and inverting input terminals. A variable gain setting resistance circuit having a variable resistance is the gain setting resistor positioned between the op amp's inverting input and a low voltage supply. By varying the resistance of the variable resistance circuit, the gain of the VGA circuit can be manipulated without requiring attenuation of the input signal. A resistance setting control for the variable resistance circuit can operate open loop, fed back from the amplifier output, or fed forward from the amplifier input.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Hughes Aircraft CompanyInventors: Lloyd F. Linder, Don C. Devendorf, Bruno W. Garlepp
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Patent number: 5581214Abstract: A timing generating circuit (9) receives a reference signal (f.sub.REF) and an operation control signal (S.sub.0) as inputs and outputs a generation control signal (S.sub.1). The generation control signal (S.sub.1) is inputted to the prescaler (31), the programmable divider (41) and a phase comparator (51). The generation control signal (S.sub.1) goes "H" when the operation control signal (S.sub.0) goes "H" and then the reference signal (f.sub.REF) is counted predetermined times, and a raw signal (f.sub.RAW) is divided to start generating a signal to be measured (f.sub.0) after the generation control signal (S.sub.1) goes "H", so that a phase difference .delta. between the reference signal (f.sub.REF) and the signal to be measured (f.sub.0) at the start is constant irrespective of the timing of the operation control signal (S.sub.0) attaining "H". Accordingly, it is not necessary to set the timing of the operation control signal (S.sub.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tetsuya Iga
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Patent number: 5581215Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator that completely eliminates the need for any externally mounted coil and capacitor includes a first loop and a second loop. The first loop provides band-limiting of an output signal of an amplifier through a bandpass filter to provide oscillation at a frequency of a resonant point of the bandpass filter, and the second loop controls the oscillation amplitude, so that a lowpass filter output with a 90.degree. phase is extracted from the first loop, while a bandpass filter output with a 0.degree. phase is extracted from the second loop. The voltage controlled oscillator may be used in an automatic fine tuning circuit for television.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventor: Hiroshi Ogasawara
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Patent number: 5581216Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator circuit includes a predetermined number of interconnected differential comparator cells having source connected p-channel and n-channel transistors, a biasing transistor connected to the sources of the p-channel or n-channel transistors, and clamping circuits connected to said first and second n-channel transistors. The voltage controlled oscillator circuit further includes filter circuitry for filtering the input currents to the biasing transistor.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: IC Works, Inc.Inventor: John E. Ruetz
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Patent number: 5581217Abstract: Shielding structures are provided for microwave circuits with substrate members and shield members which are formed from conventional substrates. The shield members are shaped and joined to the substrate members to form conductive compartments that substantially surround the microwave circuits and the compartments are closed with a conductive cover. The substrate members and shield members form parallel-plate waveguides which communicate between the compartments. The loss of these waveguides is increased with air-dielectric posts to obtain greater isolation between compartments.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Hughes Aircraft CompanyInventor: Perry A. Macdonald
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Patent number: 5581218Abstract: A circuit breaker 10 includes a housing and an operating mechanism 12 contained within the housing. An indicating arrangement is carried by the operating mechanism 12 and is displaceable relative to the housing under the action of the operating mechanism 12 for indicating the status of the operating mechanism 12.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Circuit Breaker Industries Ltd.Inventors: Dante Bagalini, Alan G. Sugden, Danny Hadary
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Patent number: 5581219Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a container made of electrically insulating material, the container being constituted by a casing and a cover; a switching mechanism contained in the container; partition walls defining a recess in the casing, the recess being separated from an interior of the container by the partition walls; and a base made of electrically insulating material, on which an accessory which is in the form of a cassette is detachably mounted, the base being detachably mounted in the recess formed in the cover.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1992Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eiji Nozawa, Naoshi Uchida, Masao Miura, Tsuneo Ebisawa
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Patent number: 5581220Abstract: Double pancake coils include a pair of pancake coils of different dimensions, and are wound from the same continuous length of superconducting wire. The double pancake coils are coaxially positioned and electrically interconnected along a longitudinal axis to provide a multi-coil superconducting magnetic coil assembly. Each of the double pancakes has at least one of its pancake coils electrically connected to at least another pancake coil of an adjacent double pancake coil having substantially the same outer dimension. The electrical connections between adjacent pancake coils are provided with relatively straight or "unbent" segments of superconducting wire even though the inner and/or outer dimension profile of the superconducting magnetic coil assembly along its longitudinal axis varies.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Anthony J. Rodenbush, Alexis P. Malozemoff, Bruce B. Gamble
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Patent number: 5581221Abstract: A copying machine wherein a developing device is provided with a first sensor for detecting the toner density in a developer and a second sensor which is provided around a photosensitive drum for detecting the amount of deposited toner on a test pattern. The toner supply is controlled according to a result detected by the second sensor. When the toner density is judged high from a result detected by the first sensor, a developing bias voltage is set high by a computer, and when the toner density is judged low, the developing bias voltage is set low.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Minolta Co. Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Kawai, Hiroshi Sakakibara, Toshifumi Watanabe, Tetsuya Sakai, Hiroshi Nishikawa
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Patent number: 5581222Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly having a rapid assembly clip. The clip is a spring clip which is pivotally secured to a housing for the solenoid valve assembly. The clip engages an annular groove in an extending portion of a solenoid element, with the clip being appropriately shaped to engage the groove to retain the solenoid element in place in the housing. In the described form of the invention, the spring clip is a wire element which engages the annular groove on opposite sides. Where there is engagement, the wire element is curved to conform to and firmly seat in the annular groove.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Danfoss Inc.Inventor: Donald E. Pinaud
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Patent number: 5581223Abstract: A superconducting magnet for producing a uniform magnetic field, including a main coil comprising first superconducting coils, and active shield comprising second superconducting coils and arranged in such a manner as to coaxially surround the main coil, and a self-shield comprising magnetic material and arranged in such a manner as to coaxially surround the active shield. The magnetic moment of the active shield is smaller in absolute value than and opposite in direction to the magnetic moment of the main coil.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1989Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Haruo Ono, Michiru Fujita
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Patent number: 5581224Abstract: A choke coil which functions not only to eliminate common mode noise but also to eliminate differential mode noise. A couple of coils are wound around a circular first core and a second core which is disposed inside the circular first core. The second core has a circular frame and a bridge which is laid in the frame. The first core may be easy to become magnetic saturation but is made of a material with a large magnetic permeability, and preferably a material with a relative magnetic permeability of several thousand, such as ferrite and amorphous. The second core is made of a material which is hard to become magnetic saturation, and preferably a material with a relative magnetic permeability of some scores to several hundred, such as dust core.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kouichi Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 5581225Abstract: A female fuse assembly includes a female fuse and a housing. The female fuse includes a first and a second female terminal portion each having a face portion which includes a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side, includes a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm, includes a first bracing arm and a second bracing arm, and includes a fuse link having a first terminal extension and a second terminal extension, and having a skived region for controlling the resistance between the first and second female terminal portions. The fuse link further includes a first terminal bend and a second terminal bend. The first terminal bend is positioned substantially toward the second end of the first face portion, or vice versa, and the second terminal bend is positioned substantially toward the first end of the second face portion, or vice versa, for increasing the length of the fuse link.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventors: Seibang Oh, James J. Beckert, Theodore W. Humphrey, William P. Hendrickson
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Patent number: 5581226Abstract: A high pressure sensor structure (11, 111, 211) includes a housing (12, 112, 212) having an upper cavity portion (13, 113, 213) and a lower cavity portion (16, 116, 216). A diaphragm (18, 118, 218) separates the upper cavity portion (13, 113, 213) from the lower cavity portion (16, 116, 216). A semiconductor chip (26, 126, 226) is attached to the upper surface of the diaphragm (18, 118, 218) within the upper cavity portion (13, 113, 213). The diaphragm (18, 118, 218) has a thickness (21, 121, 221) and an exposed width (23, 123, 223) such that the semiconductor chip (26, 126, 226) generates a measurable output signal when the lower surface of the diaphragm (18, 118, 218) is exposed to a high pressure environment.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventor: Mahesh Shah
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Patent number: 5581227Abstract: A hybrid circuit unit having a film resistor on a circuit carrier and a ceramic stripe having an area of at least approximately the same size as the film resistor is secured in a highly thermally conductive way to at least one side of the plate-shaped circuit carrier.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Karl-Gerd Drekmeier
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Patent number: 5581228Abstract: A DS3 level access, monitor and test system including a digital comparator for a telephone network. A high speed bit-for-bit compare is interfaced to a protect path to provide 1:1 fault protection in the system of the present invention. Full time performance monitoring on DS1 and DS3 signals is performed by a shared resource. The system of the present invention provides an integrated approach to synchronization measurement and relative synchronization.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Applied Digital Access, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Cadieux, Paul R. Hartmann, Kevin Pope
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Patent number: 5581229Abstract: The invention provides a layered modulation data communication systems characterized by numerous, asynchronous data transmitters operating on a power line. Data is modulated onto relatively low frequency subcarriers. Subcarriers are used to modulate carriers centered on a common frequency. The subcarriers are frequency division multiplexed. Data is recovered by demodulating the subcarriers from the carriers and subsequently demodulating the data from the subcarriers.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1993Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Hunt Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Paul C. Hunt
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Patent number: 5581230Abstract: An illuminated door handle assembly includes a door handle seamed to a door at a defined location and moveable between latching and unlatching positions, a signal generator for transforming energy into a signal and an energy receiver in communication with the signal generator for receiving the signal therefrom and conducting the signal to the door handle such that the signal is emitted from the door handle to indicate the location thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Amerisafe CorporationInventor: Robert R. Barrett
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Patent number: 5581231Abstract: An anti-theft protection system comprises a battery having a series of cells and at least one terminal. The series of cells and the at least one terminal have an electrical connection therebetween, which connection is subject to activation and deactivation. A mechanical contact device is positioned in the battery for physically connecting and disconnecting the series of cells and the at least one terminal for activating and deactivating the electrical connection. At least one of a control unit, an intruder alert system, and a battery load sensor is provided with the system. A control circuit is also provided for controlling the mechanical contact device to cause activation and deactivation of the electrical connection. The control circuit is adapted to receive at least one command signal from at least one of the control unit, the intruder alert system, and the battery load sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Inventor: Gersio G. Cardoso
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Patent number: 5581232Abstract: An obstacle detection apparatus includes a rubber-like elastic body interspersed with electroconductive particles, and means for applying a voltage to the rubber-like elastic body to obtain an ultrasonic wave reception signal from a change in electrical resistance of the elastic body. An ultrasonic wave transmission apparatus is mounted on a support member for transmitting an ultrasonic wave outward. The rubber-like elastic body interspersed with electroconductive particles is provided along an outer periphery of the support member, and a voltage is applied to the rubber-like elastic body to obtain an ultrasonic wave reception signal from a change in electrical resistance of the elastic body as a result of receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected from an obstacle.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1993Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takashi Tanaka, Masashi Tanaka, Yoichi Taniguchi, Shigeru Ito
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Patent number: 5581233Abstract: A put-in-park alarm which is energized whenever an automatic shift vehicle is stopped but the shift lever is not in park. The put-in-park alarm is energized when the driver moves his door handle in a door opening direction. Not only is the alarm energized but the door cannot be opened until the shift lever is moved to park whereupon the signal is deenergized, but the door is unlocked upon a second movement of the handle in a door opening direction. The invention includes a broken/maladjusted alarm which is different from the put-in-park alarm but produces substantially similar results.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Inventor: William A. Barr
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Patent number: 5581234Abstract: An infant seat/carrier alarm system designed to produce an audible or visual warning when the seat/carrier component is initially aligned on the base component, not locked onto the base component, or when the harness is in an unused state. The alarm system has a main circuit which includes a power source, an audible or visual alarm, a main switch, and two double pole switches all connected together in a series. The double pole switches are used to close the main circuit or connect it with a branching circuit thereto. The main circuit is designed to detecting the presence of the seat/carrier component aligned on the base component. Two double pole switches are disposed between the seat/carrier component and the base component which are moved between the two contact positions by the carrying handle when rotated between unlocked and locked positions. The branching circuit includes a normally closed, single pole switch located in the buckle of the harness.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Inventors: Anna L. Emery, David P. Emery
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Patent number: 5581235Abstract: A control system controls the vehicle having turn signal lights mounted on both sides of the vehicle in response to deflection of a manually operated turn signal. The control system includes a control unit which senses vehicle speed and automatically interrupts a flashing mode after a flashing duration which is dependent upon the sensed vehicle speed. The turn signal control unit shuts off the flashing mode in response to deflection of the turn signal lever only for a brief time period and enables the flashing mode in response to deflection of the turn signal lever for a period of time which is longer than a pre-set time period. The control unit prevents cancellation of the flashing mode in response to a repeat deflection of the turn signal lever only for the brief time period.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Jurgen Hollstein
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Patent number: 5581236Abstract: A multisensor intrusion detection system having greatly improved immunity to false alarms is disclosed. This system employs a first sensor for sensing an intrusion in a volume of space by a first physical phenomenon and a second sensor for detecting an intrusion in the volume of space by a second physical phenomenon different from the first physical phenomenon. The first sensor generates a first signal in response to the detection of an intrusion into the volume of space, and the second sensor generates a second signal in response to a detection of an intrusion. A microcontroller generates an alarm signal upon the occurrence of one first signal and one second signal within a first interval, the occurrence of another first signal within a subsequent second interval and the occurrence of another second signal within a third subsequent interval.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: C & K Systems, Inc.Inventors: Paul M. Hoseit, Gordon S. Whiting
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Patent number: 5581237Abstract: A microwave intrusion detector is provided with a periodic signal detector that identifies periodic signals not typical of an intrusion and adjusts the alarm threshold in response such identification. The intrusion detector includes an adjustable threshold and a noise compensating circuit that actively adjusts the threshold at a first predetermined rate to mask background noise levels. The periodic signal detector modifies the adjustment, increasing the predetermined rate, when it detects a periodic signal typical of a motor, fan, florescent light or the like. The periodic signal detector also cancels or disables any pending or ongoing alarm to provide sufficient time for the threshold adjustments at the increased rate.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Detection Systems, Inc.Inventor: William S. DiPoala
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Patent number: 5581238Abstract: An improved pacifier for a baby which is equipped with a chip-style thermo-sensitive resistor at the tip of the nipple thereof for detecting the oral temperature of a baby; and a liquid crystal display is disposed on the side of the rear portion of the pacifier for display of a detected temperature; and an antenna and a transmitter for delivery of alarm signals which can be received by an amplifying circuit of a receiver housed in a TV set or a stereo set to produce alarm or music or preset words so that parents or adults can be alarmed of the condition of a baby.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Inventors: Mei-Hui Chang, Wang-Jung Chih, Shih-Yi Chang
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Patent number: 5581239Abstract: A wake-up device including a first flexible headband formed with a battery chamber, a second flexible headband, first oscillating means connected with an end of the first flexible headband, second oscillating means connected with an end of the second flexible headband, a first connector connected with the first oscillating means, a second connector connected with the second oscillating means, wakening means mounted between the first and second connectors, the wakening means including a balance switch, an electronic circuit connected with the balance switch, and a loudspeaker connected with the electronic circuit, whereby when the user feels tired and nods his head, the wakening means will actuate the oscillating means to oscillate and the loudspeaker to produce warning signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Inventor: Lun F. Lin
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Patent number: 5581240Abstract: A process and a system for controlling a windshield wiper, in particular on a motor vehicle, in which a rain sensor is located on the glass to be wiped and within the region of the windshield wiper. The sensor outputs a sensor signal as a function of the amount of moisture. The signal is detected periodically and, when a reference degree of moisture is reached during a measurement cycle, the system produces a triggering signal and the windshield wiper is activated. The wiping process takes place even when the windshield wiper is wetted with moisture only to a slight but nevertheless disturbing extent. In the process, when a degree of moisture below a reference degree of moisture is present at the end of the measurement cycle, this degree of moisture is included additively to the degree of moisture of a further measurement cycle. Thereupon, the degree of moisture of the further measurement cycle is compared with the reference degree of moisture.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AGInventor: Armin Egger
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Patent number: 5581241Abstract: A smoke detector that operates on the principle of scattered light is disclosed that has the capability of an operating sensitivity that is tens of times greater than that of smoke detectors presently available. Plural light sources are used, their light rays directed radially toward the center of a cylindrical detector chamber having a mirrored wall that reflects light back toward the chamber's center, thereby to brightly illuminate a central detection zone. Scattered light from smoke in this zone is detectable by a photocell at right angles to the converging multiple light rays. To obtain highly improved stability of the light output that enables ultra-high sensitivity, the light sources are light-emitting diodes in series connection and they are driven by a very stable constant voltage source that also powers the photocell detector. This system gains impressive sensitivity while reducing nuisance alarms that have been a common problem regarding efforts to increase smoke detector sensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Voice Products Inc.Inventors: Michael Kaufman, Richard W. Thomas
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Patent number: 5581242Abstract: An alarm system in a plant for outputting a plurality of alarms with respect to devices constituting the plant and monitor information with respect to the devices. In the system, there is provided a unit for storing a table for correspondingly relating a plurality of alarm items to suppression reason items indicating that the display of the alarms can be suppressed. A generated alarm item and a generated event are specified by receiving the plurality of alarms and monitor information. A decision is made by reference to the table as to whether the generated alarm suppression reason item exists in the monitor information, the kind of generated alarm, and the generated event for each generated alarm item. An instruction is given to a display unit to suppress the display of alarms in which a decision is made that the suppression reason item exists.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Setsuo Arita, Yukiharu Ohga, Takaharu Fukuzaki, Koichi Kawaguchi, Hiroyuki Yuchi, Tetsuo Ito, deceased
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Patent number: 5581243Abstract: A phantom keyboard is formed on a touch sensitive display as an input tool for a computer. The keyboard is superimposed on, though does not occlude from view, an image of an output of an application being run on the computer. In a another aspect of the invention, the simulated keyboard is displayed in a different fashion, in a window occupying, e.g., the bottom of the display rastor, while the application's output appears in a window occupying, e.g., the top of the display rastor. Since this arrangement provides only a fraction of the full rastor for displaying the output from the application program, a special scroll feature is provided. This feature permits the user to scroll through the full screen page of text, but without the text of any other screen pages appearing on the display. In yet another aspect of the invention, the key "auto-repeat delay" and "auto repeat rate" of the simulated keyboard are user adjustable, again preferably by an adjust appearing on the touch-sensitive display.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1990Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Microslate Inc.Inventors: Daniel Ouellette, Sylvain D'Auteuil
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Patent number: 5581244Abstract: A mobile station, i.e., mobile phone included in a cellular telephone system processes paging messages using a dual-port RAM memory connected between a signal processor (DSP) and a microprocessor (MCU). The paging message received and coded by the signal processor is transferred to the RAM memory, the identity number contained by the paging message is compared with the identity number of the microprocessor at the same time in the signal processor and only when they are congruent, the microprocessor is activated through a separate interrupt line. Because most paging messages are either empty messages or intended for other mobile stations, the microprocessor (MCU) can remain on as low a power level as possible during the paging of messages while the mobile station is in the stand-by state.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.Inventors: Matti Jokimies, Ilkka Heikkila
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Patent number: 5581245Abstract: In a paging system control apparatus that employs a POCSAG signal consisting of a plurality of batches each consisting of a plurality of groups, it is intended to improve the efficiency of using the batches by reallocating existing call signals in storing call signals of randomly input calls in a queue buffer for the POCSAG signal. The apparatus has first and second queue buffers that alternately serve as a current-use queue buffer and a waiting queue buffer. When it is found that the current-use queue buffer has no empty area for accommodating a call signal of a new call, all of the call signals stored in the current-use queue buffer are transferred to the waiting queue buffer so as to be reallocated in sequence from the head of the waiting queue buffer and so that empty areas are minimized. The reallocation-completed waiting queue buffer is changed to a new current-use queue buffer, and the new call signal is stored therein.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Reiko Nozaki
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Patent number: 5581246Abstract: A train communication and control system is described having the cars of the train connected by a two-wire train line running continuously from car to car. Each car has a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit connected across the line. Any car may be selected to be a master unit. The selection of one car as a master unit disconnects the power sources of all other cars from the train line, leaving the master unit power source as the sole power source for the line. The master unit or any other car unit communicates with each other car by causing a high voltage ("mark" state or logic one) or a low voltage ("space" state or logic zero) to be on the train line. Each non-master car can receive a communication from a transmitting circuit, or can transmit to another car by applying a low impedance across the train line to change from a "mark" state to a "space" state. The power source consists of a voltage regulator with precision constant current limit.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1992Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Gulton Industries, Inc.Inventors: Scott H. Yarberry, Robert E. Rector, Larry T. Taylor, James K. Alexanderson, David M. Albert
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Patent number: 5581247Abstract: An engineering unit converter system for converting an analog measurement into an engineering value. An analog measurement of a physical quantity is transformed into a digital value. The digital value is then split into a high order digit and a lower order digit. The high order digit is used as an address to a memory device for fetching a line segment coefficient and a line segment offset coefficient. The lower order digit is multiplied with the line segment coefficient in a multiplier resulting in a product. The product is added to the line segment coefficient offset resulting in a sum whose value is an engineering unit. One embodiment is directed to converting temperature measurements into engineering units via thermocouples. This embodiment includes: thermocouple devices, resistance thermal devices or positive temperature coefficient thermistors, adders, multipliers, and memory devices (readable and writable memory devices).Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventor: Christopher P. J. Kelly
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Patent number: 5581248Abstract: Sensing device for a sensor embeddable in a structure comprising: an insulative substrate, a circuit pattern disposed on the substrate for interconnecting a plurality of electronic components, the circuit pattern comprising an inductive coil, the circuit pattern including pads for disposing components on the substrate and coupling the device to the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1993Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.Inventors: William B. Spillman, Jr., Scott R. Durkee
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Patent number: 5581249Abstract: A mobile communication system for highway toll charging and the like includes road-side units which periodically poll vehicle-mounted units. When traffic near a road-side unit is slow, repeated polling of a given vehicle-mounted unit that has not moved out of the road-side unit's communicable area may result in erroneous double charging of a toll. It is possible to set a fixed delay in the vehicle-mounted unit to avoid this; in this case, however, a toll may erroneously not be charged if the vehicle passes through the same or another road-side unit within the delay period. To solve this problem, the road-side unit calculates a response delay having a length appropriate to avoid the above-described effects based on the speed of vehicles passing it and transmits the response delay to the vehicle-mounted units.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1996Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Nippondenso Co., LtdInventor: Ichiro Yoshida
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Patent number: 5581250Abstract: A collision avoidance ability for UAV (42) during its non-VFR pre-programmed autonomous flight is achieved by using a forward-looking TV camera (20) which senses visual obstacles in direction of flight. The UAV is equipped with an autopilot which is able of maneuvering and incorporated in a form of flight/mission computer's (10) program. Image processor (18) locks and tracks obstacles in the camera's field of view in real time. It provides the autopilot with information about level of threat and generates appropriate commands. Being warned by the TV camera (20), flight/mission computer (10) initiates appropriate maneuver, in order to avoid possible collision. After that, it returns to interrupted pre-programmed flight. Two forward-looking TV cameras are used to measure a distance between the UAV (42) and the obstacle considering that the level of threat is higher if this distance is less.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Inventor: Alexander Khvilivitzky
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Patent number: 5581251Abstract: A lighted keyboard system which transmits light to the viewer via a clear rectangular column that uses the function key's guiding mechanism for support. The lightpipe emits light in a uniformly brilliant rectangle of light from a height above the surface of the keyboard. The lightpipe gathers light from an external light source which emits light at a wide viewing angle, and directs the emitted light along the center of the lightpipe to the emitting section. The beam of light is then diffused by the emitting section located at the top of the lightpipe, becoming a uniformly brilliant rectangle. The function key has a wide base which is used to guide the function key as it travels. This wide base never extends above the surface of the keyboard thereby maintaining all contacting surfaces between the guiding features and the function key below the surface of the keyboard. The function key has a key push center which is offset from the base of the function key.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Rolm SystemsInventors: William McRight, David Bryant, Wayne McKinnon
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Patent number: 5581252Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter circuit (ADC) is described which comprises capacitor based digital-to-analog converter circuits (CDACs) coupled to the inputs of a voltage comparator wherein a reference voltage of one CDAC section has been scaled with respect to a reference voltage of another CDAC section such that one CDAC section adds additional resolution to the other CDAC section. The invention may be applied to single input ADCs as well as to differential ADCs with either type operating in either unipolar or bipolar mode. Also described are various known approaches to both single input and differential CDAC-based successive approximation ADCs, as well as a novel technique of capacitive input voltage attenuation for differential ADCs.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Linear Technology CorporationInventor: David M. Thomas
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Patent number: 5581253Abstract: Described herein is a digital sigma-delta modulator and method for converting a multi-bit digital input signal to a 1-bit digital output signal. The digital sigma-delta modulator performs a noise shaping filter function for a digital-to-analog circuit. A series of cascaded integration stages are implemented with a plurality of multiplexed adders which perform the integration functions.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Advanced Micro DevicesInventor: Glen W. Brown
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Patent number: 5581254Abstract: A conversion circuit digitizes first and second differential analog signals conducted by first and second conductors for digital processing in a motor control system. The conversion circuit includes an analog-to-digital conversion circuit. The analog-to-digital conversion circuit includes a CDAC having a charge summing conductor connected to an input of a bit decision comparator and first and second simultaneously sampled differential sample and hold MSB circuits connected to the charge summing conductor. The first and second differential analog signals are simultaneously sampled and held in the first and second differential sample and hold MSB circuits, respectively, and then are sequentially converted to digital numbers by the analog-to-digital conversion circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Burr-Brown CorporationInventor: Bernd M. Rundel
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Patent number: 5581255Abstract: An analog to digital converter for the conversion of an analog input voltage to a digital output voltage signal of n bits has a plurality of voltage sources (Voltage Reference Generator) that divide the total range of voltage of the conversion input into increments of voltage equal to the smallest increment of resolution. The n bits of digital output are divided into an upper segment or Most Significant Bits (MSB) and a lower segment or Least Significant Bits (LSB). The Most Significant bits are encoded from a set of digital signals from a plurality of comparators (Coarse Subrange Comparators) that compare the voltage input with a subset of Voltage Reference Generator representing the coarse range. The Coarse Subrange Comparator outputs are used to determine the placement of a plurality of Embedded Subrange Comparators that are used to detect any error in the codes of the Coarse Subrange Comparators.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventor: Po-Chin Hsu
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Patent number: 5581256Abstract: A range gated strip proximity sensor uses one set of sensor electronics and a distributed antenna or strip which extends along the perimeter to be sensed. A micro-power RF transmitter is coupled to the first end of the strip and transmits a sequence of RF pulses on the strip to produce a sensor field along the strip. A receiver is coupled to the second end of the strip, and generates a field reference signal in response to the sequence of pulse on the line combined with received electromagnetic energy from reflections in the field. The sensor signals comprise pulses of radio frequency signals having a duration of less than 10 nanoseconds, and a pulse repetition rate on the order of 1 to 10 MegaHertz or less. The duration of the radio frequency pulses is adjusted to control the range of the sensor. An RF detector feeds a filter capacitor in response to received pulses on the strip line to produce a field reference signal representing the average amplitude of the received pulses.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventor: Thomas E. McEwan
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Patent number: 5581257Abstract: A radio frequency automatic identification system detects targets which include a plurality of radio frequency resonators. Information is attributed to the target in accordance with the radio frequency response characteristics of the target, such as the resonant frequencies of resonators present, and/or the spatial locations within the target of the resonators. Preferred resonators include thin dipoles, which may be metallizations on a plastic film substrate. Information may be attributed to a target by fabricating the target with resonators disposed at locations to encode information in accordance with a predetermined encoding system; alternatively, resonators may be randomly disposed, and a translation code applied to convert the radio frequency information to particular information in a particular format. Readers for use in the system read the radio frequency response characteristics of a target in the near field of a radiating aperture which is illuminated by a radio frequency source.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Gordian Holding CorporationInventors: Morton Greene, G. William Hurley
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Patent number: 5581258Abstract: A portable antenna control unit that operates a radar antenna and simulates arious control signals that are generated by a fire control radar. The antenna control unit can be interfaced to a standard commercial, portable computer, or it can be portable, stand-alone unit, manually controlled and easily transported to a test range. Both embodiments diagnose problems in an antenna radar system antenna without installing an entire radar system.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Joseph A. Arico
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Patent number: 5581259Abstract: Methods for determining the present location coordinates of a user moving in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space, with reference to an old map that may be inaccurate. Location coordinates (xi',yi') of two or three non-collinear landmarks in two dimensions), or coordinates (xi',yi',zi') of three or four non-coplanar landmarks (in three-dimensions), are indicated on the old map. Corresponding location coordinates (xi,yi) or (xi,yi,zi) are also determined or made available using a location determination system (LDS), such as GPS, GLONASS, Loran, Tacan, Decca, Omega, VOR, DME, JTIDS, PLRS or an FM subcarder system. Location coordinates (xi,yi) (or (xi,yi,zi)) for two or more physical landmarks can be combined into coordinates for a landmark representative. The user's location coordinates (xu,yu) (or (xu,yu,zu)) are also determined or provided using the LDS.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventor: John F. Schipper
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Patent number: 5581260Abstract: In a communication system, two multi-beam antennas laterally spaced from each other each provide coverage of an azimuth sector for receiving signals from a system user. Each antenna provides lower gain performance at regions of crossover between its beams, as compared to peak gain along the center line of each beam. By aligning the two multi-beam antennas at different azimuths within the sector of interest, angular diversity is achieved. With the peak gain beam center lines of one multi-beam antenna aligned with regions of beam crossover of a similar antenna, a minimum gain improvement of 5 dB may typically be obtained with two four-beam antennas, as compared to coverage of the same sector by one or more antennas each having a single sector-wide beam. Systems and methods for achieving angular diversity/spaced diversity operation are described.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Hazeltine CorporationInventor: Edward M. Newman
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Patent number: 5581261Abstract: A method and apparatus for communication configuring in digital equipment based on the location of the equipment includes a mechanism determining the location of the digital equipment and a mechanism configuring a communication channel of the equipment based on the location. The location may be determined using a Global Positioning System, Global Paging System, or similar wireless communication system, or by connection to a wired network. User input may also be used in determining, in part or in whole, the location of the digital equipment. Once the location of the digital equipment has been determined, the communication channel for the digital equipment is configured based upon the location using configuration data stored with the digital equipment.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Inventors: Paul L. Hickman, Lawrence K. Stephens
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Patent number: 5581262Abstract: A surface-mount-type antenna that is capable of being surface-mounted on a printed circuit board includes a dielectric substrate, a through-hole formed within the dielectric substrate and having its openings in opposed side surfaces of the dielectric substrate, a radiation electrode formed in the inner periphery of the through-hole, a feeding electrode, and side electrodes formed on the side surfaces in which the through-hole has its openings. The antenna can be placed on a printed circuit board having an electrode pattern, and the feeding electrode and the electrode pattern can be soldered together to thereby surface-mount the antenna on the printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazunari Kawahata, Kazuhisa Yamaki