Patents Issued in December 6, 2001
  • Publication number: 20010048380
    Abstract: A configurable code generator system (CGS) for spread spectrum applications is disclosed herein. The CGS includes a composite code generator unit (CGU), a global code generator, and an interface that is coupled to the composite code generator and the global code generator. The CGU has multiple independent code generators, each capable of generating an independent code sequence. The global code generator provides a global code sequence for synchronization. The interface has memory that stores at least one bit of the global sequence and at least one bit from at least one of the independent code sequences of the CGU from which an output conditioning circuit can selectively choose based on a desired communication protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Joel D. Medlock, Paul L. Chou
  • Publication number: 20010048381
    Abstract: A continuous-time modulator comprises a modulator bridge having a bridge input terminal, an inverted bridge input terminal, a clock terminal and an inverted clock terminal. The modulator further comprises an input amplifier for amplifying an input signal and the input signal inverted and a bridge amplifier coupled to the input amplifier. The bridge is coupled to the bridge amplifier. The modulator further comprises a feedback amplifier coupled to the bridge, with the bridge amplifier coupled to the feedback amplifier. A clock amplifier for amplifying a clock signal and the clock signal inverted is also coupled to the bridge. An output signal is provided at an output terminal coupled to the bridge input terminal. An inverted output signal is provided at an output terminal coupled to the inverted bridge input terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Tom P. E. Broekaert
  • Publication number: 20010048382
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting ultra wide-band signals using circuitry having nonlinear dynamics characteristics are disclosed. The receiver circuit can be implemented using a simple tunnel diode or using an op-amp to provide dynamic characteristics. The detector can be used in a variety of modulation schemes, including but not limited to an ON-OFF keying scheme, an M-ary pulse position modulation scheme, and a pulse width modulation scheme. The approach requires only a single frame to detect the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Kay Soon Low, Jurianto Joe
  • Publication number: 20010048383
    Abstract: A folding circuit is provided for outputting a periodic function representative of an analog input signal. The circuit includes at least two preamplifiers and a third differential amplifier circuit coupled to the preamplifier circuits for providing a bias current such that the flow of current is regulated through one of the preamplifier circuits at any given time, thereby providing a periodic function representative of an analog input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Krishnaswamy Nagaraj
  • Publication number: 20010048384
    Abstract: A highly efficient analog-to-digital (A/D) converter circuit that converts an external analog signal sequentially generated from an external analog signal source into an n-bit digital data signal (n is an integer equal to or more than two) includes a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter circuit that converts an n-bit digital data signal into an analog signal and outputting the analog signal from a first output terminal, a comparator that compares a signal level of an external analog signal supplied from an external device with a signal level of the analog signal outputted from the first output terminal, and a digital integrator circuit that digitally integrates a 1-bit digital data signal outputted from the comparator and thereby producing an n-bit digital data signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Masao Noro
  • Publication number: 20010048385
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for altering the coordinates obtained by satellite navigation in a receiving system which fixes an incorrect position, instead of a true position, within a given three-dimensional zone. In connection with altered coordinates, additional navigational information such as course and speed can also be influenced. Specifically, signals are received from a site and re-emitted in a suitable way so that a navigation receiver determines the position of the receiving site within the three-dimensional zone covered by the emission. This approach is superior to noise-blanketing countermeasures (such as carrier or noise interference) in that precise but untrue coordinates are determined in the navigation receiver, without this incorrectness being immediately recognized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: KARL-RAGMAR RIEMSCHNEIDER, FRANZ WOLF
  • Publication number: 20010048386
    Abstract: SAW devices such as interdigital transducers (IDTs) have been widely used in RADAR applications and as filters. An IDT produces a SAW when excited by a single electrical pulse and can be fabricated to embody a code, which code provides for a passive autocorrelation of a SAW input to the IDT and thereby lends itself to further application as a signal generator in a communication device. However, internal dimensions of IDTs are inversely proportional to operating frequency, such that high frequency IDTs present significant manufacturing difficulties. Fabrication of IDTs for high frequency applications is simplified by exploiting a harmonic frequency SAW generated by IDTs. An IDT may therefore be designed according to fundamental frequency internal dimension criteria but can operate at a multiple of the fundamental frequency, thereby providing much higher frequency operation than conventional SAW systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Peter J. Edmonson, Colin K. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20010048387
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to obtain an ordered set of satellite positioning system (SPS) satellites, in view of a mobile SPS receiver, via one or two-way communication with the mobile SPS receiver. The mobile SPS receiver receives, in one embodiment, an ordered set of SPS satellites from a cellular transmission site. The ordered set of satellites are those in view of the mobile SPS receiver at a given time; such that the mobile SPS receiver may search for the SPS satellites according to an order of the ordered set of SPS satellites. The order of the ordered set may be obtained by various methods one of which is by minimizing the geometric dilution of precision (GDOP) Satellite; health data may be included in the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Leonid Sheynblat
  • Publication number: 20010048388
    Abstract: An autonomous Hardwired Tracking Loop (HWTL) ASIC comprising a HWTL coprocessor provided for implementing most of the receiver processing function for data acquisition and tracking functions of a radio receiver system in dedicated hardware. With the expanded functionality provided by an HWTL coprocessor in the autonomous HWTL ASIC, the interruption of CPU performing the navigation processing is significantly reduced to thereby maximize throughput and minimize power burden on the microprocessor. In the preferred embodiment, the HWTL ASIC also comprises the CPU and a correlator, wherein the correlator provides the high rate greater than approximately 1 KHz signal processing operations, the HWTL coprocessor providing the data acquisition and tracking (medium frequency signal processing) operations, and the CPU thereby freed to provide more bandwidth for lower frequency processing, i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: SiRF Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry D. Falk, Leon Kuo-Liang Peng, Wesley F. Marumo
  • Publication number: 20010048389
    Abstract: In a multi-beam receiving apparatus, radio receiving sections receive radio signals through antenna elements. Correlators calculate code correlation values of desired wave signals contained in reception signals output from the radio receiving sections. Each first beam formation device forms a beam on the basis of all outputs from the correlators. Delay profile estimation sections individually generate delay profiles on the basis of the outputs from the first beam formation devices. A detector detects, on the basis of the outputs from the delay profile estimation sections, a reception timing of a multipath formed from the beams. Demodulators demodulate all the reception signals output from the radio receiving sections at the detected reception timing. Each second beam formation device forms a beam on the basis of all demodulation outputs from the demodulator. A synthesizer synthesizes the outputs from the second beam formation devices after weighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20010048390
    Abstract: In a feeding radiation electrode of a surface mount antenna, a series inductance component such as a meander pattern is formed locally in a maximum resonance current part in a high-order mode (second-order mode) so as to locally form a series inductance component therein thereby making the maximum resonance current part have a greater electrical length per unit physical length than the other parts. This makes it possible to control the difference between the resonance frequency in a fundamental mode and the resonance frequency in the high-order mode over a large range. Furthermore, it is possible to vary the resonance frequency in the second-order mode independently of the resonance frequency in the fundamental mode by varying the number of lines or the line-to-line distance of the meander pattern thereby varying the value of the series inductance component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Nagumo, Kazunari Kawahata, Nobuhito Tsubaki, Takashi Ishihara, Kengo Onaka
  • Publication number: 20010048391
    Abstract: The invention relates to planar antennas the structural components of which include a parasitic element. The antenna structure comprises a PIFA-type structure (230, 210, 202) to be placed inside the covers of a mobile station. The PIFA is fed parasitically e.g. through a conductive strip (240) placed on the same insulating board. The feed conductor (203) of the whole antenna structure is in galvanic contact with this feed element; a short-circuit point the feed element doesn't have. The feed element (240) also serves as an auxiliary radiator. The resonance frequencies of the antenna elements or their parts are arranged according to need so as to overlap, to be close to each other or to be relatively wide apart. The structure may also comrise a whip element in connection with the feed element. According to the invention, a relatively simple structure provides a reliable dual resonance and, hence, a relatively wideband antenna when the resonances are close to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: FILTRONICS LK OY
    Inventors: Petteri Annamaa, Jyrki Mikkola
  • Publication number: 20010048392
    Abstract: A radiation electrode is formed on the upper face of the substantially columnar dielectric substrate. Feed electrodes for a fundamental mode and for a higher mode are formed on the side peripheral face of the dielectric substrate. Power is supplied through the respective feed electrodes to the radiation electrode via capacitive coupling. The radiation electrode has both of the functions in the fundamental and higher modes. Thus, the circular polarized wave antenna can be reduced in size. Furthermore, since a capacitive feeding system is employed as described above, the respective resonance frequencies in the fundamental and higher modes can be easily adjusted and set at predetermined frequencies. Also, the circularly polarized wave characteristics in the fundamental and higher modes can be easily enhanced, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunari Kawahata, Shigekazu Ito, Atsuyuki Yuasa, Hisahi Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20010048393
    Abstract: A polarizing antenna for a magnetic resonance apparatus for irradiating an imaging volume surrounded by the antenna, has two or a multiple of two longitudinal conductors that are arranged with the same lateral spacing parallel to an axis and which are terminated with electrically coupled end rings. The size of the imaging volume is dependent on the distance of two end rings terminating the longitudinal conductors from one another. The longitudinal conductors have a number of end rings allocated to them, by which the longitudinal conductors can be terminated and that can be optionally switched into coupling connection with the longitudinal conductors for varying the illuminatable imaging volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Stefan Domalski
  • Publication number: 20010048394
    Abstract: A meander line loaded antenna (MLA) that utilizes more two or more layers of meander lines to greatly extend the operating frequency range. The antenna of the present invention can achieve an operating frequency range of 100:1, unlike antennas of the prior art, which were limited to frequency ranges of approximately 10:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: John T. Apostolos
  • Publication number: 20010048395
    Abstract: The present invention features an improved cross-element meander line loaded antenna. Two pairs of triangle-shaped elements are each connected at their vertices to form bow-tie elements. The bow-tie elements are arranged orthogonally adjacent a ground plane, reducing shadowing and cross-coupling, and providing an efficient and compact meander lines antenna. When fed in quadrature, the antenna radiates a circularly polarized RF field having an excellent axial ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: John T. Apostolos
  • Publication number: 20010048396
    Abstract: The present invention features a cross-element, steerable, scanning meander line loaded (MLA) antenna with circular polarization. The transmission lines comprise a plurality of alternating or stepped impedance sections with the high impedance elements acting as active antenna elements. The impedance varies depending upon the spacing from the moveable ground plane. The orthogonal MLA elements allow the application of an in-phase and a 90° shifted signal, thus each linear array radiates a circularly polarized RF signal. Controlling the spacing between the ground plane and transmission line provides relative phase control between the active elements and thereby phased-array directional control of the antenna. Forming a two-dimensional array of these linear arrays, produces a compact, low-cost, scanning, phased-array antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: John T. Apostolos
  • Publication number: 20010048397
    Abstract: A net-shape molded composite heat exchanger is provided which includes a plurality of thermally conductive fins overmolded onto one end of a metallic heat pipe for use both as an antenna in a cellular telephone and a heat exchanger to dissipate the heat generated within the device. The heat exchanger is formed by net-shape molding the fins over one end of the heat pipe, from a thermally conductive composition, such as a polymer composition. The molded heat exchanger is freely convecting through the part, which makes it more efficient and has an optimal thermal configuration. In addition, the metallic heat pipe serves the additional function of conducting radio frequency waves to and from the cellular telephone device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Lyle James Smith
  • Publication number: 20010048398
    Abstract: A dual polarization antenna for receiving and transmitting high frequency signals in conjunction with a substantially horizontal conducting vehicle panel defining a ground plane comprises three electrically conductive radiative elements, each radiative element being generally linear and extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and an electrically conducting mount (insulated from the vehicle panel) for securing the proximal ends together at a common point and in electrical circuit relation with one another for connection to a transceiver in the vehicle. The radiative elements extend vertically upwardly and outwardly from the common point whereby to form an imaginary cone with the proximal ends forming the apex of the cone. The radiative elements are of different lengths and disposed at an angle relative to the ground plane to provide horizontal and vertical polarization in a first, second and third frequency band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Jack Nilsson
  • Publication number: 20010048399
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an antenna comprising a planar dielectric substrate (1) comprising a front (5) and a back dielectric face (6), at least one subantenna means comprising a first (2) and second (3) element for radiating and receiving circular polarized electromagnetic signals, at least one transmission line means (4) for transmitting signals from and to said at least one subantenna means, characterized in that the first (2) and second (3) elements of the subantenna means are slots (2, 3) of a spiral shape and are connected to each other to form a double spiral (9) slot with both spirals (2, 3) having the same sense of rotation, the subantenna means being arranged on the front dielectric face (5) of the substrate and the transmission line (4) means being arranged on the back dielectric faces (6) of the substrate (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Gerald Oberschmidt, Veselin Brankovic, Dragan Krupezevic
  • Publication number: 20010048400
    Abstract: A low profile, broadband includes an active conductive edge having a shape which approximates a quadratic curve. Two identical elements may be used in an opposed manner to form signals across their respective active edges, and two pairs of opposed identical elements may be used in quadrature for handling circularly polarized signals with a high degree of polarization purity. The quadratic curvature of the elements can provide sufficient space to co-locate a second, smaller antenna within the same volume and aperture as the larger antenna. Applications include combinations of a wide variety of current communications systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Donald G. LaRochelle, Micheal J. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20010048401
    Abstract: An antenna diversity receiver is disclosed. The diversity receiver has a multipath detector for controlling an antenna selective switching circuit. The switching circuit couples one of a plurality of antennas to a RF receiver input. The receiver allows suppression of adjacent channel interferences without unwanted side effects by employing a switching disabling circuit to automatically disabling the switching circuit when the signal delay between the occurrence of multipath distortions in the RF reception signal and the switching between antennas exceeds a predetermined critical signal delay value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Pieter Meijer, Franco Toffolo, Christiaan Marie Hubertus Banziger
  • Publication number: 20010048402
    Abstract: An improved instrument display for a saddle type vehicle wherein the display is mounted in a recess in the handlebar cover in an adjustable manner to be effectively viewed by riders of widely varying stature. Two embodiments of adjustment mechanisms are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Mitsuru Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20010048403
    Abstract: A combined storage box and vehicle condition display for a small vehicle such as a scooter. The display is mounted in the handlebar cover and the mounting is done in a way so that the display can be mounted from above and still provides a neat appearance for the finished product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Mitsuru Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20010048404
    Abstract: A ceiling-mounted monitor system is provide, the monitor system including a housing mounted on a ceiling of a vehicle, a video display monitor mounted on the housing, and a video source mounted in side-by-side relation with the video display monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Rosen Products LLC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Cook, Terrence S. Melvin, Charles A. Paul
  • Publication number: 20010048405
    Abstract: A viewing assembly, viewing system, and method of use are provided. The viewing assembly and system and method of use provide images that may be viewed from any position orthogonal to, and from a plurality of positions oblique to, the axis on which a substantially planar viewing assembly may be rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Neil B. Salley
  • Publication number: 20010048406
    Abstract: An image display apparatus is provided for enlarging and projecting a light emitted from a plurality of self-emitting elements on a screen by beam scanning means, which is an image display apparatus having little or no luminance unevenness by solving the conventional problem of causing luminance unevenness in images projected on the screen due to a variance in luminance characteristics of each self-emitting element. It is configured such that a part of the light scanned on the screen from the beam scanning means is provided to a photodetector element that converts the intensity of the light into an electric signal so as to correct a driving signal to be supplied to the self-emitting element by the intensity of the light detected by this photodetector element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Masumoto, Shigekazu Yamagishi, Hitoshi Noda, Atsushi Hatakeyama, Hiroshi Miyai
  • Publication number: 20010048407
    Abstract: A method for driving a liquid crystal display device including a plurality of row electrodes and a plurality of column electrodes, a scanning voltage being applied to each of the plurality of row electrodes, a signal voltage being applied to each of the plurality of column electrodes, and the plurality of row electrodes intersecting the plurality of column electrodes, the method comprising the steps of: a) determining, for each of the plurality of column electrodes, correction data for correcting the signal voltage based on an increment or decrement of an effective voltage value between each of the plurality of row electrodes and the plurality of column electrodes; and b) applying a correction voltage for correcting the signal voltage to each of the plurality of column electrodes in accordance with the correction data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Norio Yasunishi, Futoshi Satoh
  • Publication number: 20010048408
    Abstract: There is provided an image display device operating in response to the input of digital picture signals, in which the occupied area of a signal line driver circuit thereof is reduced, and the parasitic capacitance and resistance of input transmission lines of the digital picture signals are reduced. The device includes both a unit for directly inputting the digital picture signals to shift registers and for performing series parallel conversion, and a unit for causing n (n is a natural number not less than 2) signal lines to jointly own storage circuits and D/A converter circuits in the signal line driver circuit. One horizontal scan period is divided into n periods, and the storage circuits and the D/A converter circuits perform a processing to signal lines different in each of the divided periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Jun Koyama, Munehiro Azami
  • Publication number: 20010048409
    Abstract: A computer light for illuminating the computer keyboard or other items in low light environments includes a super bright white LED and a USB plug that enables it to be powered from USB connection ports. The computer light has an elongated neck that is flexible enough to allow the light head to be positioned with ease but stiff enough to allow the light head to assume a fixed position relative to the computer keyboard or other items when it is not being manipulated. The computer light is especially useful for users of portable computers because it is lightweight and energy-efficient, and may be stored in a compact manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Darren C. Kim
  • Publication number: 20010048410
    Abstract: A pulse generator 1 creates a pulse in synchronization with a driving pulse 26. A charging circuit 2 charges EL elements 20 only for a period which is determined by an output from the pulse generator 1. The charging time is determined by resistance of a switching element 3 in its on condition and a junction capacity of the EL elements 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Eitaro Nishigaki, Shingo Kawashima
  • Publication number: 20010048411
    Abstract: Disclosed is a key customizing method for customizing a plurality of input keys displayed on a liquid crystal display. The method has the steps of: monitoring the turn-on of a key-customize key displayed on the liquid crystal display and, upon the turn-on of the key-customize key, monitoring the selection of at least one input key among the plurality of input keys; when the at least one input key has been selected, displaying, on the liquid crystal display, a key customize pattern for displaying display sites and display sizes of the plurality of input keys; and when a display site and a display size have been input based on the key customize pattern, displaying the at least one input key on the liquid crystal display based on the input display site and display size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Motoyasu Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20010048412
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of driving a liquid crystal display, where said liquid crystal display includes steps of: setting said central electric potential of said source signals and said central electric potential of said common signals, in such a manner as to compensate a reduction of said electric potential of a pixel electrode induced by said gate signals in a case of the gradation where said amplitude of said source signals is large, and setting said central electric potential of said source signals, in such a manner that said central electric potential of said source signals is higher than said central electric potential of said source signals compensating said reduction of the electric potential induced by said gate signals in case of the gradation where said amplitude of said source signals is small.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: ADVANCED DISPLAY INC.
    Inventors: Kunifumi Nakanishi, Tomoya Teragaki
  • Publication number: 20010048413
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a display device including left and right projection units which are configured as combining a plurality of LCD, a plurality of back lights for illuminating the plurality of LCD, respectively, a plurality of lens arrays for projecting the images on each LCDs illuminated by the back lights, and a screen on which images from the left and right projection units are projected onto each separate areas. The screen is capable of folding at a folding line corresponding between the projection units themselves, and each projection units are configured to move in an approximately integral with each areas of the screen which are partitioned by the folding line, and as being capable of taking a close position and an open position as a whole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiichirou Tabata
  • Publication number: 20010048414
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device which carries out matrix driving of a liquid crystal layer by applying AC pulses to the liquid crystal layer through a plurality of scan electrodes and a plurality of data electrodes which face and cross each other. A method of driving such a liquid crystal display comprises a reset step of applying a reset pulse to liquid crystal to reset the liquid crystal to an initial state, a selection step of applying a selection pulse to the liquid crystal to select a final state of the liquid crystal, an evolution step of applying an evolution pulse to the liquid crystal to cause the liquid crystal to evolve to the selected final state. The reset pulse and the evolution pulse have alternating cycles which are longer than that of the selection pulse, and the adjustment of the alternating cycles of the reset pulse and of the evolution pulse are made by changing the pulse waveform applied to each of the scan electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: MINOLTA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Yamakawa, Tsukasa Yagi, Naoki Masazumi
  • Publication number: 20010048415
    Abstract: A plurality of signal input-output sections are connected with each other in a cascade manner. In each signal input-output section, an input latch circuit divides a data signal into 2 channels in accordance with the first clock signal, and an output latch circuit returns the data signal that has been divided into 2 channels to 1 channel in accordance with the second clock signal so as to be outputted to the signal input-output section of the next stage. The inputted first basic clock is outputted to the signal input-output section of the next stage as the second basic clock, and the inputted second basic clock is outputted to the signal input-output section of the next stage as the first basic clock. This allows to ensure the data sampling margin even when the data signal should be transferred at a faster speed, and also allows to suppress the problem of the EMI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Morii
  • Publication number: 20010048416
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a first image forming portion for forming an image on a normal image display medium, and a second image forming portion for forming an image on a reversible image display medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Miyamoto, Keyaki Yogome, Masahiko Matsuura, Hiroshi Mizuno, Takaji Kurita
  • Publication number: 20010048417
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprising a start pulse generation circuit which gives the timing for displaying a received image in a fixed position on a liquid crystal display panel, another start pulse generating circuit which gives the timing for displaying the received image in a specified position on the liquid crystal display panel in response to enable signal indicating an effective display data period concerning the received image from the outside, and selectors which select one of these circuits in response to a select signal. The liquid crystal display device according to this present invention has a data enable signal detection circuit which detects the data enable signal and outputs the result to the selectors as the select signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Hisashi Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20010048418
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display system which can accept input display data having a resolution which is larger (e.g. 1120×780 dots) or smaller (e.g. 640×480 dots) than a resolution of a liquid crystal panel (e.g. 1024×768 dots), and convert the input display data to reduced or enlarged display data for display on the liquid crystal panel. The system generates, for example, one new vertical or horizontal line based on two contiguous vertical or horizontal lines in the input display data. If the resolution of the input display data is larger than the resolution of the liquid crystal panel, the system replaces the two contiguous lines with the one new line. If the resolution of the input display data is smaller than the resolution of the liquid crystal panel, the system inserts the one new line between the two contiguous lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Naruhiko Kasai, Toshio Tanaka, Hiroyuki Mano, Shigeyuki Nishitani, Mitsutoshi Uchida, Kazuko Hasegawa, Tetsuya Suzuki, Shinji Wakisaka, Hiroko Sato, Tatsuzo Hamada
  • Publication number: 20010048419
    Abstract: A programmable pulse width modulation generator circuit and method for generating a pulse width modulated signal with a variable duty cycle. The generator circuit includes a data loading circuit for receiving a data word representing the desired duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal to be generated. The data word comprises a plurality of data bits, each bit having at least one of a selected or unselected state. The generator circuit also includes a generating circuit coupled to data loading circuit for receiving a plurality of periodic pulse width modulated signals, and for generating a pulse width modulated signal by combining each constituent pulse width modulated signals that correspond to a data bit in the data word that indicates the selected state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Jessica L. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20010048420
    Abstract: A display apparatus is capable of adapting to sufficiently increase display frequency even with an optical modulation element which has fairly low response speed and can rewrite image at high speed. The display apparatus of a system separately performs mapping of display data for optical modulation element of each pixel and application of gradation information. The display apparatus divides a display period of one frame into a plurality of sub-frames, controls input value for the optical modulation element independently per each sub-frame in the plurality of sub-frames, and displays image with gradation display by the optical modulation element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Tsunenori Yamamoto, Ikuo Hiyama, Shinichi Komura, Tetsuya Aoyama, Hajime Akimoto, Katsuyuki Funahata, Kazuhiro Kuwabara
  • Publication number: 20010048421
    Abstract: In a temperature detecting circuit of the present invention, a bias voltage Vin with relatively steep temperature characteristics is supplied to an inverting input terminal of an inverting amplifier via a resistance R1, a resistance R2 is disposed between the inverting input terminal and an output terminal of the inverting amplifier, and an output of the inverting amplifier is supplied to a non-inverting input terminal of a non-inverting amplifier, and an inverting input terminal of the non-inverting amplifier is connected with a source of a reference potential via a resistance R3 and further connected with an output terminal via a resistance R4. Desired temperature characteristics can be obtained by properly setting resistivities of the resistances R1 and R2, while a desired output voltage value can be obtained for the temperature characteristics given by the inverting amplifier by properly setting resistivities of the resistances R3 and R4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Toshihiro Nakamura, Masahiko Monomohshi
  • Publication number: 20010048422
    Abstract: An operation unit is provided with an operation body operated by hand, a first detection unit for detecting the inclination operation of the operation body, and a second detection unit for detecting the pushing-down operation of the operation body. Any of 26 alphabetical characters “A, B, C, . . . , X, Y, and Z” is selected corresponding to the inclination direction of the operation body. The displayed character is changed successively by rotating the operation body in X-Y coordinate plane. The selected character is finalized by pushing down the operation unit in Z-direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuji Hagiwara, Masahiro Soma, Youtaro Sakakura, Hiroshi Nakahama
  • Publication number: 20010048423
    Abstract: In an information processing device, when an operation button is pushed, a menu is displayed on the screen of an LCD. When the whole portable type information processing device (PDA) is rotated around the X-axis, the Y-axis or the Z-axis with the operation button being pushed, the rotation is detected by a triaxial gyro sensor, and on the basis of the detection result a cursor displayed on the screen is moved on the menu. By releasing the operation button when the cursor is located on a desired menu item, the selection of the menu item at which the cursor is located is settled, and the processing corresponding to the selected menu item is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: JUNICHI REKIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20010048424
    Abstract: A pointing stick device has a substrate, a rectangular-shaped hollow structure installed on the substrate having a central axis substantially vertical to the substrate, at least one strain gauge installed on the rectangular-shaped hollow structure, and a claw structure. The claw structure has at least one claw, and is used to impart a pressure onto the rectangular-shaped hollow structure and curve the rectangular-shaped hollow structure. When the claw of the claw structure imparts pressure on the rectangular-shaped hollow structure, the strain gauge distorts, following the curve of the rectangular-shaped hollow structure, to produce corresponding pointing signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Hsin-Yung Lu
  • Publication number: 20010048425
    Abstract: A device or component for alphanumeric and direction input has a twelve-directional pad or twelve-zone directional joystick where the twelve directions (or zones) are allocated respective numerical values or letter groups, with further directional movement being allocated to respective characters within the group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Gary R. Partridge
  • Publication number: 20010048426
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a keyboard apparatus which comprises a plurality of keys each including a key holder, a scan board operative to input a key holder signal of each of the key-pushed actions of the keys, a memory for memorizing a key code relevant to the key holder, a plurality of numerical keys each having a key code inputted therein and outputting a key code signal indicative of the key-pushed actions of the numerical keys, a CPU having the key holder signal and the key code signal inputted therein, and state setting means for selectively setting two operation states respectively having the key holder signal and the key code signal outputted from the CPU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Kazuya Suzuki, Yohei Tanaka, Toshikazu Saito
  • Publication number: 20010048427
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a keyboard apparatus which comprises a joystick, a switch mounted on the joystick, a scan board operative to input a switch signal of the switch-on action of the switch, a memory for memorizing a key code relevant to the switch, a plurality of numerical keys each having a key code inputted therein and outputting a key code signal indicative of the key-pushed actions of the numerical keys, a CPU having the switch signal and the key code signal inputted therein, and state setting means for selectively setting two operation states respectively having the switch signal and the key code signal outputted from the CPU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Kazuya Suzuki, Toshikazu Saito, Takuya Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20010048428
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a portrait-oriented handheld housing, and keys which are arranged in such a manner that keys mounted on a landscape-oriented keyboard of a personal computer are divided into a plurality of groups, each group of keys being shifted in a longitudinal direction of the housing with respect to one another. Therefore, the mobile device with a confined width can accommodate a key layout similar to the key layout of computer keyboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Ukita, Masao Ozawa
  • Publication number: 20010048429
    Abstract: A computer touchpad includes a first portion usable for button functions to select items on a computer display panel. A second portion of the touchpad is usable for cursor movement and placement functions. An overlay member is detachably mounted on the touchpad. The overlay member includes a first part and a second part. The first part of the overlay member includes several defined sections and the second part of the overlay member includes a single defined section. The first part of the overlay member mounts on the first portion of the touchpad and the second part of the overlay member mounts on the second portion of the touchpad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: REYNOLD LIAO, SEAN O'NEAL