Patents Issued in November 15, 2001
  • Publication number: 20010040461
    Abstract: A wafer probe station is equipped with an integrated environment control enclosure substantially surrounding a supporting surface for holding a test device, such enclosure limiting fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the enclosure and preferably also providing EMI shielding and a dark environment. The limited communication between the interior and exterior of the enclosure is kept substantially constant despite positioning movement of either the supporting surface or probes. The positioning mechanisms for the supporting surface and probes each are located at least partially outside of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Warren K. Harwood, Paul A. Tervo, Martin J. Koxxy
  • Publication number: 20010040462
    Abstract: A semiconductor element testing carrier prevents a semiconductor element from being displaced relative to a membrane contactor during a testing operation and an attaching operation of the semiconductor element to a semiconductor element testing carrier. The semiconductor element testing carrier holds a semiconductor element to be tested so as to obtain an electrical contact with electrodes of the semiconductor element, the semiconductor element having a first surface on which the electrodes are formed and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A membrane contactor has a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface. The membrane contactor contacts the electrodes of the semiconductor element being placed on the front surface of the membrane contactor. A pressing unit presses the membrane contactor toward the semiconductor element from a side of the back surface of membrane contactor. A pressing and holding member holds the second surface of the semiconductor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: MAKOTO HASEYAMA
  • Publication number: 20010040463
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward conductive bump array contactors having an ejector and methods for testing bumped devices using such apparatus. In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus includes a base having a plurality of contact elements projecting therefrom, an ejector coupled to the base and moveable with respect to the base between a first position proximate the base and a second position spaced apart from the base, and an actuating device coupled to the base and to the ejector that asserts a force on the ejector. The biasing force is sufficient to overcome a sticking or attractive force that may develop between the conductive bumps and the contact elements. In one embodiment, the contact elements project into a single opening defined by the ejector. Alternately, the ejector includes a plurality of apertures, each contact element at least partially projecting into one of the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Steven L. Hamren
  • Publication number: 20010040464
    Abstract: An electric contact device for testing a semiconductor device including pads or bumps including: a contacting sheet having bumps or pads at positions corresponding to the pads or the bumps of the semiconductor device overlying the testing substrate; and an elastic conductive sheet for generating contact between the semiconductor device and the contact sheet. Damage of external terminals of the semiconductor device can be minimized to delete a harmful influence on the next step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: MICHINOBU TANIOKA, HIROSHI MATSUOKA
  • Publication number: 20010040465
    Abstract: Input terminals “an”, “aw”, “as”, and “ae” having an identical function and output terminals “bn”, “bw”, “bs”, “be” having an identical function are arranged at the respective sides of a macro cell 1. The input terminals “an”, “aw”, “as”, and “ae” are connected to the input terminals of a NOR circuit 12 and an output from the NOR circuit 12 is supplied to the input terminal “a” of an internal kernel circuit 11. The input terminal to be used is connected by a wire. The other input terminals not to be used are connected to a potential of logical 0 (ground potential). Output buffers 14, 15, 16, and 17 are arranged for the output terminals “bn”, “bw”, “bs”, and “be”. A connection wire is provided only for the output terminal to be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kou Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20010040466
    Abstract: A driver circuit for transmitting a signal by switching the direction of a signal current which flows on a pair of transmission lines. The drains of field effect transistors having the opposite polarities are connected to each other so as to constitute first and second switching means as well as first switching means. One of differential driving signals is input to the gate terminal of each of the field effect transistors constituting the first switching means, while the drain terminal is connected to one of the transmission line pair. The other of the differential driving signals is input to the gate terminal of each of the field effect transistors constituting the second switching means, while the drain terminal is connected to the other of the transmission line pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: SATOSHI IDE
  • Publication number: 20010040467
    Abstract: A technique for reducing soft errors in a dynamic circuit. For one embodiment, a dynamic circuit includes a dynamic logic gate having an output node at which a logical output value of the logic gate is detected. A keeper circuit coupled to the output node is configured to harden the dynamic circuit by increasing the critical charge at the output node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Sudarshan Kumar, Wenjie Jiang
  • Publication number: 20010040469
    Abstract: A logic circuit performs a predetermined logic operation by supplying charge to an external load or putting out charge therefrom according to a combination of the states of a plurality of externally inputted binary signals. The logic circuit includes a first transistor for supplying charge through an output terminal to the external load and a second transistor for pulling out the charge from the load through the output terminal. One of the first and second transistors is constituted by a MOS field-effect transistor having a drain connected to the output terminal. The MOS field-effect transistor has a source receiving an inverse signal inverse to a signal combined for logic operation with an input signal inputted to a gate of the MOS field-effect transistor. The number of the series transistors is reduced, resulting in an increase of the current capacity and in a reduction of the layout area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: HIROYUKI TAKAHASHI, MITSURU SATO
  • Publication number: 20010040470
    Abstract: In order to drive it with compatible electromagnetic interference, a circuit breaker is charged with a high charging current until the drain current exceeds a current threshold. The circuit breaker is then charged further with a smaller charging current associated with the desired rate of rise, until the drain voltage falls below a predefined voltage threshold. The circuit breaker is then charged further with the high charging current for a predefined period. In order to close the circuit breaker, a nearly reverse sequence is followed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Cyrille Brando, Mark Elliott, Johann Falter
  • Publication number: 20010040471
    Abstract: A push-pull output buffer contained in an I/O interface circuit of the present invention comprises a P channel MOSFET and a N channel MOSFET. The P channel MOSFET is connected between an I/O node connected to an external circuit through a transmission path and a first potential node to which a first potential is applied. The N channel MOSFET is connected between a second potential node to which a second potential is applied and the I/O node. On/off status of the P channel MOSFET and N channel MOSFET are controlled depending on an input mode for inputting a signal from an external circuit and an output mode for outputting a signal to the external circuit through a transmission path. In this I/O interface circuit, the first and second potentials are terminating potentials, and when input mode is selected, out of the P channel MOSFET and N channel MOSFET, the MOSFET connected to a potential node to which a terminating potential is applied is controlled to be always on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Yukihiro Urakawa
  • Publication number: 20010040472
    Abstract: Clock supply circuitry comprises a phase-locked loop or PLL frequency multiplier for generating a frequency-multiplied clock signal having a frequency that is an integral multiple of the frequency of an input clock signal. The clock supply circuitry further includes a PLL output stability detecting circuit. When the clock supply circuitry is made to return from a clock supply stopping state in which the PLL frequency multiplier is stopping the generation of the frequency-multiplied clock signal to a clock supply state in which the PLL frequency multiplier is generating and supplying the frequency-multiplied clock signal to an internal circuit, the PLL output stability detecting circuit determines whether the frequency-multiplied clock signal from the PLL frequency multiplier becomes stable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Kenichi Suga, Katsunobu Hongo
  • Publication number: 20010040473
    Abstract: A variable delay circuit includes a ramp voltage generating unit having a storage capacitor, a charging transistor for charging the capacitor and a constant-current source for discharging the capacitor, and a comparator for comparing the output of the ramp voltage generating circuit against a voltage setting to output a delayed signal. The electric charge flowing out from the output node of the ramp voltage generating unit through the charging transistor during generating the ramp voltage is compensated by a compensating capacitor to output a linear ramp voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20010040474
    Abstract: A clock control circuit for reducing jitter has at least one averaging circuit for generating, and outputting from an output terminal, a signal having a time difference obtained by internally dividing a time difference between first and second signals input respectively from first and second input terminals. First and second clock signals are supplied respectively to the first and second input terminals of the timing averaging circuit, and a clock in which a time difference between pulses of the first and second clock signals is averaged is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takanori Saeki
  • Publication number: 20010040475
    Abstract: An IC (Integrated Circuit) including internal circuitry to which a multiphase clock is distributed includes 1/n clock, main wiring drivers each including a frequency divider for dividing the frequency of an input clock by n and a drive circuit for delivering the resulting 1/n clock to a corresponding 1/n clock main wiring. Normal clock, main wiring drivers each include a delay for delaying an input clock to thereby output a normal clock and a drive circuit for delivering the normal clock to a corresponding normal clock main wiring. A clock distributing circuit includes clock wirings for distributing a clock input via a clock input circuit and a plurality of repeat buffers for distributing the distributed clock to each of the 1/n clock and normal clock, main wiring drivers. The IC additionally includes a wiring wiring the outputs of the repeat buffers, a wiring wiring the outputs of 1/n clock, main wiring drivers, and wiring wiring the outputs of the normal clock, main wiring drivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Hiroki Inohara
  • Publication number: 20010040476
    Abstract: The circuit configuration, in particular a DRAM element, has a protection device for suppressing the formation and/or emission of a reflection signal caused by a received supply input signal. An active signal matching device is provided, with which it is possible to prevent the formation of a reflection signal by using the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Andre Schafer
  • Publication number: 20010040477
    Abstract: The circuit configuration mixes an input signal with an oscillator signal. A phase splitter with one input and two voltage outputs receives the oscillator signal and carries at its outputs orthogonal oscillator signals, which are phase-shifted through 90° with respect to one another. A first differential amplifier has a voltage input connected to one of the two voltage outputs of the phase splitter. A second differential amplifier has a voltage input connected to the other of the two voltage outputs of the phase splitter and one current output. A first current source controlled by the input signal supplies the first differential amplifier. A second current source that is controlled by the input signal supplies the second differential amplifier. A first phase shifter is connected downstream of the first differential amplifier, and a second phase shifter is connected downstream of the second differential amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Stephane Catala
  • Publication number: 20010040478
    Abstract: A high frequency bipolar switching transistor circuit. A first bipolar transistor is provided, having an emitter adapted to receive a voltage, having a base adapted to receive a drive current, and having a collector. A second bipolar transistor is provided, having a base connected to the collector of the first bipolar transistor, having a collector connected to the base of the first bipolar transistor, and having an emitter. An inductor having a first port connected to the common connection node of the collector of the first bipolar transistor and the base of the second transistor, and having a second port connected to the emitter of the second transistor. The common connection node of the emitter of the second transistor and the second port of the inductor form the output of the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Mark C. Fischer
  • Publication number: 20010040479
    Abstract: An electronic switch structure is disclosed. Capacitors are employed to bias gate-source and gate-drain connections in multi-gate or multi-FET structures achieving linear switch operation over a wide range of signal input power values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Shuyun Zhang
  • Publication number: 20010040480
    Abstract: An input-separated switching device driving circuit in an equivalent power source for supplying a sourc3e current, the input-separated switching device driving circuit including: an input-separated switching device which includes a main switching device for switching a load current portion of the source current based on a first driving signal applied to a first driving signal input, and a sense switching device for switching another portion of the source current based on a second driving signal applied to a second driving signla input in order to check the intensity of the load current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Cheol Lee
  • Publication number: 20010040481
    Abstract: To reduce power consumption by increasing amplifying efficiency in a low power mode, there is provided a radio communication apparatus in which each of field effect transistors of a radio frequency power module in a multi-stage configuration is controlled by an APC circuit based on a power level instruction signal, and in which a correction circuit is incorporated between the gate of a final stage transistor and the APC circuit to apply a linear gate voltage to the final stage transistor when a High level signal based on the power level instruction signal is applied and to provide a maximum gate voltage of the final stage transistor which is equal to or lower than the gate voltages of other transistors and whose rate of increase relative to the output voltage of the APC circuit gradually reduces when a Low level signal based on the power instruction signal is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Ueno, Yasuhiro Nunogawa, Tetsuaki Adachi
  • Publication number: 20010040482
    Abstract: A bias network uses resistive biasing, active biasing and current mirror biasing in combination to enhance RF power amplifier linearity and efficiency by forming a bias network that provides temperature compensation, minimizes current drain requirements for the Vbias source and reduces the level of RF linear amplifier quiescent current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: David C. Dening, Jon D. Jorgenson
  • Publication number: 20010040483
    Abstract: A bias network uses resistive biasing, active biasing and current mirror biasing in combination to enhance RF power amplifier linearity and efficiency by forming a bias network that provides temperature compensation, minimizes current drain requirements for the Vbias source and reduces the level of RF linear amplifier quiescent current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: David C. Dening, Jon D. Jorgenson
  • Publication number: 20010040484
    Abstract: An isolator is disclosed, in which a ferromagnetic sheet is placed into a shielding resin case together with garnet ferrite and an internal terminal sheet (with strip lines extending therefrom). Thus the leakage magnetic flux shielding effect is reinforced, and the bulk of the isolator is made compact. The constitution is as follows. That is, the internal terminal sheet (with the strip lines extending therefrom), a garnet ferrite, a plurality of insulating films and a ferromagnetic sheet are inserted into a shielding resin case in the cited order. Further, this structure is inserted into between upper and lower cases, and three dielectric devices and a chip resistor are disposed on a PCB and around the lower case, while a connecting terminal part with input/output terminals connected to the PCB electrodes is formed on the PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD
    Inventor: Chang Sik Kim
  • Publication number: 20010040485
    Abstract: A switch assembly has a housing and a plurality of controllable switches. The housing has a plurality of input ports and an output port and the plurality of individually controllable switches is arranged within the housing. Each switch has an open position and a closed position and is coupled to one of a plurality of input ports of the housing and a common summing junction within the housing. Each input port receives a coherent radio frequency (RF) signal. The output port is coupled to the common summing junction and outputs a sum signal that includes at least one of the RF signals received at the common summing junction when a switch is in the closed position. The switch assembly may further include impedance matching lines that transform a reference impedance value to a higher value prior to switching and an impedance transformation line that provides for the reference impedance value at a distal end of the impedance transformation line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Thinh Dat Do, Thuan Nam Tran, Charles R. Gentzler
  • Publication number: 20010040486
    Abstract: A high power combiner arrangement with improved isolation between input ports for high power applications. In particular, in accordance with high power combiner arrangement, power combining logic is combined with a series of isolators such that at least one isolator is inserted between each power source, i.e., a signal source, and a corresponding input port to the power combining logic. The number of isolators inserted is determined as a function of the isolation requirements of the overall application. Advantageously, the degree of isolation achieved by the high power combiner is directly proportional to the number of inserted isolators placed between each power source. Furthermore, the insertion of a number of high power circulators between each power source and the power combing logic facilitates the achievement of higher isolation between the power sources with minimal degradation in signal characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: ELIAS BONAVENTURE KPODZO, GREG ALAN NEASE
  • Publication number: 20010040487
    Abstract: A duplexer device of this invention includes two surface acoustic wave filters having different band center frequencies and a phase matching circuit for matching phases of the two surface acoustic wave filters. The phase matching circuit is composed of one or more line patterns, and at least one of the line patterns is formed as divided among a plurality of internal layers of a multi-layer package, and at least the line patterns formed on the internal layers adjacent to each other have pattern shapes different from each other. According to the invention, a duplexer device having a small size and stable filter characteristics can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Osamu Ikata, Yoshio Satoh, Nobuo Hirasawa, Hidenori Fukushima
  • Publication number: 20010040488
    Abstract: An electronic filter assembly of the type that includes a female terminal cap having a fitting portion and containing a terminal passage through the fitting portion, and a collet assembly secured in and substantially closing the terminal passage of the female terminal cap. The collet assembly comprises an insulator, a collet terminal, and a seal. The insulator is made from a single piece of insulator material, containing a bore therethrough. The collet terminal extends through the bore of the insulator. The seal is located inside the terminal passage of the female terminal cap, between the collet terminal and the female terminal cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Jerry M. Gould, Andrew F. Tresness
  • Publication number: 20010040489
    Abstract: A surface acoustic wave filter includes a piezoelectric substrate, an exciting electrode formed on the piezoelectric substrate and exciting a surface acoustic wave, and a receiving electrode receiving the surface acoustic wave. Both the exciting and receiving electrodes are provided with interdigital electrode fingers having a period p. Either one of the exciting and receiving electrodes is constructed of a plurality of interdigital electrode sub-units having substantially the same electrode surface areas occupied by interdigital electrode fingers. The interdigital electrode sub-units are disposed in a direction perpendicular to a propagation direction of the excited surface acoustic wave and have a positional relation such that the interdigital electrode sub-units are offset to each other by (n±¼)p, wherein n is an integer, in a direction parallel to the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Matsuda, Jun Tsutsumi, Osamu Ikata, Yoshio Satoh
  • Publication number: 20010040490
    Abstract: A transmission line of the present invention produces a small loss and offers good production efficiency at low cost. In the structure of the transmission line, two strip line electrodes are stacked via a dielectric layer, while being mutually connected by via holes disposed at distances not exceeding ¼ of the wavelength of the highest frequency used in the longitudinal direction of the line electrodes. In addition, first ground electrodes are disposed separated by other dielectric layers with respect to the line electrodes. With this arrangement, current concentration at the side edges of the line electrodes is reduced and losses in the transmission line can thereby be reduced. Moreover, since the transmission line can be produced in the same process, production efficiency can be enhanced to achieve cost reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: HIROAKI TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20010040492
    Abstract: A lock may be constructed with a locking mechanism that uses either a cam assembly with a cylinder plug perforated by a centrally positioned keyway or a cylinder plug. The locking mechanism may be equipped with a dual armature solenoid. With the dual action solenoid constructed with a single wire coil, the distal ends of coaxially aligned armatures engage opposite axially aligned detents to maintain the lock in its locked state, while application of a potential difference across the coil draws both armatures away from their corresponding detents and toward the bore of the coil, thereby placing the lock into its unlocked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Richard G. Hyatt, Douglas E. Trent
  • Publication number: 20010040493
    Abstract: A printable and flexible sheet material is coated with a magnet material of uniform thickness and flatness and which can be made in any practical width and length. In one embodiment, the magnet material is coated onto a release sheet and laminated to a web having a printable surface. Alternatively the magnet coating is applied directly to a printable web. Printed sheets produced in accordance with the invention can be employed in standard printing machines including inkjet, laser, offset, sublimation, flexographic or other printing machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Stuart J. Bloom
  • Publication number: 20010040494
    Abstract: A ceramic multilayer substrate (13) having a built-in inductance includes a conductor (15) which is arranged in a substrate consisting of a sintered body (14), and ferromagnetic metal films (6A, 6B) consisting of Ni which are arranged on both sides of the conductor (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kubodera, Yoshiaki Kohno
  • Publication number: 20010040495
    Abstract: A laminated balun transformer includes a dielectric sheet for which a lead electrode is provided at its surface, dielectric sheets for which &lgr;/4 striplines are provided at their surfaces respectively, and dielectric sheets for which ground electrodes are provided at their surfaces respectively. One pair of opposing striplines is provided with a dielectric sheet disposed therebetween so as to be electromagnetically coupled. The other pair of opposing striplines is provided with a dielectric sheet disposed therebetween so as to be electromagnetically coupled. An end of a stripline of one pair of striplines is electrically connected to an end of a stripline of the other pair of striplines through an external electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Takehiko Morikawa
  • Publication number: 20010040496
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to control systems and provides a run time configurable control system for selecting and operating one of a plurality of operating room devices from a single input source, the system comprising a master controller having a voice control interface and means for routing control signals. The system additionally may include a plurality of slave controllers to provide expandability of the system. Also, the system includes output means for generating messages to the user relating to the status of the control system in general and to the status of devices connected thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: YULUN WANG, CHARLES S. JORDAN, DARRIN R. UECKER, CHARLES C. WOOTERS
  • Publication number: 20010040497
    Abstract: A remote-control vehicle lock-and-alarm system provides improved security against “code-grabber” devices used to detect and counterfeit the codes used by a vehicle lock-and-alarm system. Two sets of control codes are provided. One set of control codes that does not affect the security status of the lock-and-alarm system is transmitted over a maximum range, for the sake of convenience. The other set of control codes is used for critical security features which change the security status of the lock-and-alarm system and is transmitted over a much shorter range to prevent detection and counterfeiting of the control codes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Scott Christie
  • Publication number: 20010040498
    Abstract: In a receiver, either an FM/AM signal to be used for a keyless entry system or a high frequency signal to be used for an automobile audio system for FM broadcast is applied to a first converter. An IF limiter amplifier amplifies the output signal of the converter and subsequently limits the amplitude of the output signal to a predetermined level. An FM detector circuit FM-detects the output signal of the IF limiter amplifier. A stereophonic demodulation circuit demodulates the output signal of the detector circuit. A high frequency signal for AM broadcast is fed to an IF amplifier by way of a second converter. Either the output signal of the IF limiter amplifier or that of the IF amplifier is applied to an AM detector circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: YUTAKA MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20010040499
    Abstract: A communication apparatus of the present invention displays, in its stand-by state, particular callers' name belonging to a preset group and the latest messages respectively corresponding to particular callers' names continuously on a display 6. On the receipt of a radio signal, a message conversion section 12 converts it to a received message. A comparison and controller 5 determines whether or not the converted message includes any one of the particular callers' names registered previously at a RAM (Random Access Memory) 8. If the answer of this decision is positive, the latest message corresponding to the particular caller's name and also stored in the RAM 8 is updated. Thereafter, a group name to which the particular caller's name belongs, all of the particular callers' names belonging to the group and the latest messages respectively corresponding to all of the particular callers' names are displayed on the display 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: SADAYUKI AMMA
  • Publication number: 20010040500
    Abstract: A medication reminder device having a cap unit with a timer dial for selecting a period between alarm signals and a start and reset button with a light, the cap unit having internal electronics with a power supply to generate an alarm signal that is preferably visible, using the button light; audio, using a sound generating circuit; and physical, using a vibrator mechanism; the cap unit being connected to a compact container with a compartment for storage of pills, the compact container having an adaptor cap for connecting the assembled device to a standard prescription container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Steven L. Weiner
  • Publication number: 20010040501
    Abstract: A life safety system with a micro-controller that is programmed to operate both a visual signal and an audible signal. One feature of the system is that a user is permitted to enter a temporal signaling mode for not only the audible signal, but also the visual signal. The program includes an energy saving routine that operates the visual signal in the temporal mode with an energy consumption that is substantially smaller than required for operation in a continuous mode. The temporal pattern has four cycles with one flash pulse per cycle for the first three cycles and no flash pulse for the fourth cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: ROBERT RIGHT, HILARIO S. COSTA, DENNIS T. ROCK
  • Publication number: 20010040503
    Abstract: An apparatus and method designed for use with a vehicle that remotely activates an audio warning device prior to disabling the ability for the driver to start the vehicle. The apparatus is installed in the vehicle and includes a special pager receiver that decodes paging messages sent from a paging transmitter site. The pager receiver is electrically connected to a controller which interprets the coded message. An in-vehicle digital radio transmitter then sends a wireless transmission to digital radio receivers installed in the vehicle. Each digital radio receiver is incorporated in a package that includes an electrical connection to an electromagnetic relay. The relay is plugged into the electrical circuits of the vehicle which activate certain devices or functions, such as the starter motor, ignition system, power door locks, headlamps, horn, and other system that may use electrical relays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: RONALD D. BISHOP
  • Publication number: 20010040504
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for receiving, processing, and storing real-time data from various types of input, including but not limited to information from a vehicle's micro-processing systems, a driver information card, a vehicle information card, and physical attributes of the driver/owner. The system generally includes a processor mounted or otherwise installed in a vehicle which is capable of receiving data from the vehicle's various mechanical and electrical/electronic system, micro-processing systems, information cards, and physical inputs. The data can be used to grant a driver authorization to operate the vehicle and can be transmitted to third parties having an interest in the data such a system can accumulate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: NARAYAN L. GEHLOT
  • Publication number: 20010040505
    Abstract: In a navigation device assisting a driver of a vehicle to drive safely by presenting accurate information at the right time what is going on around his/her vehicle, an obstacle detection part detects any obstacle with the help of external information monitored by an external monitor part. By utilizing the vehicle's current position detected by an input part and a position detection part, and map data stored in a map data storage part, a route selection part searches for a route to a destination. Based on thus found route, current position, map data, and the external information from the obstacle detection part, a guiding part performs route guidance to the destination. A map data arranging part refers to the map data, information from the obstacle detection part and the input part, and object model display information from the object model display information storage part, and arranges any applicable object model onto a map data space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Akira Ishida, Yoshiki Ueyama, Kiyomi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20010040506
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a system for tracking an object, person or animal, the object, person or animal being provided with a tracking wireless transceiver. The system includes a receiver for receiving an indication that the object, person or animal needs to be tracked; a wireless radio link for wirelessly communicating with the tracking wireless transceiver; a device for estimating coordinates of the object, person or animal based on a location of one or more sites communicating with the tracking wireless transceiver; and at least one wireless device provided with the object, person or animal, for wirelessly communicating with the tracking wireless transceiver. The present invention can be useful for communicating with the object, person or animal to be tracked, and is a more flexible system over the prior art systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Andre Eric Boulay, Robert Nelson
  • Publication number: 20010040507
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting the presence of an article. The system includes a transmitter for radiating a first electromagnetic signal at a predetermined primary frequency and a resonant tag secured to the article. The resonant tag generates a second electromagnetic signal in response to receiving the first electromagnetic signal. The second electromagnetic signal has components at the primary frequency and at a predetermined secondary frequency different from the primary frequency. The system also includes a receiver for receiving the second electromagnetic signal and a computer connected to an output of the receiver. The computer processes the received second electromagnetic signal and generates an output signal when the secondary frequency is detected in the second electromagnetic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Eckstein, John D. Paranzino, Nimesh Shah
  • Publication number: 20010040508
    Abstract: A system apparatus for controlling the whereabouts of an animal includes a receiver/stimulator unit affixed to the animal to selectively administer appropriate aversive stimuli effective to deter the animal from encroachment of boundaries in accordance with predetermined conditions based on radio signals received from at least one battery powered transmitter. The system may receive radio signals intermittently transmitted from the transmitter, the radio signals defining at least one boundary for the animal. The system then selectively administers the appropriate aversive stimuli in response to determining that at least one of the received radio signals satisfies one or more of the predetermined conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Joseph J. Janning, Eugene A. Janning
  • Publication number: 20010040509
    Abstract: The current invention discloses a wireless monitoring system. The system has one or more monitoring devices. Each device can transmit data and receive messages from an output center or alarm system. The output center can also transmit and receive messages. Both the output center and each device preferably have a transceiver that enables both the transmission and receipt of messages. No remote terminal units or hardwiring is required for the system to function. The system is truly a wireless gas monitoring system. The system may use low earth orbit satellite technology, or licensed radio frequencies or any other means to wirelessly transmit and receive messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Bud Dungan
  • Publication number: 20010040511
    Abstract: An interlink system for conveying security quotations and other related data to remote locations by means of satellite down link and preferably providing a satellite up link for remote users to place authenticated orders for securities. The satellite uplink/downlink is preferably by synchronous satellite. The hand held portable receiver/transmitter for receiving a plurality of said quotations and broadcasting data representing each of said orders with appropriate encrypting has storage capacity individually storing the received data representing each of said quotations. A display on the handheld unit coupled to the storage allows the user to display individually selecting data representing any one of the received quotations. The device can also store and transmit an encrypted, authenticated order to transact securities by means of the handheld unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: BRENDYL TRENT BUSHNER, FREDRICK WILLIAM BUSHNER II
  • Publication number: 20010040512
    Abstract: A personal alarm monitor system provides a means for recording the location of a person as the person travels through a designated premises comprising a series of designated areas interconnected by portals or gateways, such as doorways. The person carries a receiver capable of receiving broadcasts from a plurality of preferably low-power transmitters specifically located throughout the premises. Pairs of transmitters are located at each gateway, one transmitter being placed in each of the adjacent designated areas to broadcast a signal primarily into the designated area about the gateway. Additional unpaired transmitters may be located at additional locations in the designated areas. Each transmitter is assigned and broadcasts a unique code corresponding to its location and status as either a gateway or non-gateway tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: RICHARD HINES, EDWARD STARLING, FRED PULVER, ROBERT JAMES PANG
  • Publication number: 20010040513
    Abstract: Tracking of an article through geographic areas using electromagnetic signals, specifically radio frequency (RF) signals. The article contains a tag operating as a transmitter and receiver. Tag-readers in the defined geographic areas transmit RF signals and in response, the tag transmits RF signals received by the tag-reader. By knowing the areas in which the tag-readers are located, a system tracks the article by monitoring the tag-readers communicating with the tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Glenn McDonald
  • Publication number: 20010040514
    Abstract: When detecting an object in a given area, especially vehicles for the purposes of traffic control, there appear to be inaccuracies in the system based on measuring pulse propagation times. In order to avoid such inaccuracies, a sample of observed (measured) real values is compared with a gauging table having a sample of values stored therein, so that pulse propagation time measurements are no longer necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: ERNST HORBER