Patents Issued in March 8, 2007
  • Publication number: 20070053177
    Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a receiving container, a lamp, a fixing member and a lamp holder. The lamp is disposed in the receiving container. The fixing member is disposed over the receiving container. The lamp holder has a hole into which the lamp is inserted, and a protruding portion supporting the fixing member. The protruding portion has a structure capable of making line contact or reduced surface contact with the fixing member. As a result, heat transfer from the lamp holder to the fixing member may be decreased to enhance display quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Seong-Sik Choi, Du-Hwan Chung
  • Publication number: 20070053178
    Abstract: A LCD display backlight system with improved color mixing and efficiency comprises a reflective surface, a plurality of light sources mounted on the reflective surface, a plurality of fractional wave plates and a reflective polarizer. The plurality of fractional wave plates is mounted on spaces between the plurality of light sources on the reflective surface. The reflective polarizer transmits light having a useable polarization and reflects back unused polarization of light onto the reflective surface. A portion of the unused polarization of light reflected from the reflective polarizer passes through a fractional wave plate. The reflective surface reflects the portion of the unused polarization of light through the fractional wave plate such that the polarization of the unused polarization of light is changed to useable polarization, thereby recycling the unused polarization of light into useful light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Kenneth Li, Seiji Inatsugu
  • Publication number: 20070053179
    Abstract: A light source having a flexible light-generating module that includes a flexible circuit carrier, a plurality of light emitting dies, and a cover layer is disclosed. The flexible circuit carrier includes a sheet of flexible material having electrically conducting traces. The light emitting dies are electrically connected to the electrically conducting traces. The cover layer is constructed from a transparent, flexible material and covers the light emitting dies. The light-generating module can be attached to various surfaces to provide a light source that is non-planar as well as to surfaces that are piecewise planar. These more complex light sources can include garments that generate complex light patterns to call attention to the wearer and three-dimensional light sources. The light sources also provide improved heat-conduction and can be used to create non-rectangular back lights for displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Slew Pang, Fook Ng, Bee Chua, Alzar Norfldathul, Chee Lum
  • Publication number: 20070053180
    Abstract: A writing instrument for writing in low light or dark conditions. The writing instrument is moved from a retracted non-writing position to an extended writing position. The writing instrument comprises a light bulb, a battery and a pressure mechanism. When the writing instrument is placed in a writing position and pressure is applied to the tip the light bulb is illuminated. The pressure mechanism causes the battery to illuminate the light bulb. Because the light bulb is built into head of the outer casing of the writing instrument, the light bulb shines directly onto the writing surface making it easy for the user to see what is being written.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Lorine Jones, Sonovia Jones
  • Publication number: 20070053181
    Abstract: A disposable and biodegradable candle lamp made with candle wax, translucent wax, palm oil wax, soy bean wax or a vegetable oil wax, scented or unscented for decorative purposes where a low level of light intensity is desirable comprising a candle like body positioned on its bottom sealed surface. A light source of LED (Light Emitting Diode) powered with an embedded low power battery. A mold of fire flame used as a cap over the LED light source. A switch on the bottom surface controlling the function and on/off operation of the candle lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Nishan Urkumyan
  • Publication number: 20070053182
    Abstract: LEDs can be added to a conventional fluorescent lighting fixture by providing an LED circuit to the fluorescent lighting fixture pan, by adding LEDs to the fluorescent light tube with an indentation in the light tube rear to receive an LED to influence the apparent color of the the fluorescent light, or by adding an LED to either end cap of the fluorescent light tube to shine down the tube from the interior, added as an add-on band which could clip onto the tube, and could also include a circuit board based LED attached to the rear of the tube and alternatively have LED lighting within a charged fluorescent tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Jonas Robertson
  • Publication number: 20070053183
    Abstract: A decorative illuminant includes a decorative body and an illuminant base located at its bottom. The decorative body is made of transparent resin and its interior forms a plurality of refractive spaces that may be irregular cracks or gas bubbles, and the illuminant base is provided with at least one LED. Thus, when light emitted from the LED projects to and pass through the plurality of internal distributed refractive spaces, the light is refracted to spread over random directions to create a bright, colorful, brilliant and beautiful visual effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Win Lai
  • Publication number: 20070053184
    Abstract: An illuminator with blue and red LEDs, a reflector upstream of the LEDs for capturing upstream light emitted out of the back surfaces of the LEDs and redirecting downstream as useful illumination, a band pass filter for conditioning the downstream light, a phosphor layer for changing the spectral properties of light from the LEDs, and a non-imaging concentrator for creating a beam of illumination over a predetermined solid angle, uniformity, and spectral content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Brukilacchio
  • Publication number: 20070053185
    Abstract: A light source module is provided. The light source module comprises a substrate, a reflective device and a plurality of light emitting diodes. The substrate comprises an opening, the reflective device a comprising light reflecting surface is disposed on one side of the substrate. In addition, the light emitting diode is disposed over the substrate locating between the reflective device and the substrate, and the LEDs are arranged in a plurality of concentric circles around the opening of the substrate. Lights emitted by the light emitting diodes are reflected the light reflecting surface pass through the opening converge on the other side of the substrate. The light source module is constructed using simple optical components and is capable of outputting uniform light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Tony Whitehead, Da-Shuang Kuan, Chia-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20070053186
    Abstract: System and method for fluorescent light excitation and detection from samples to enhance the numerical aperture and/or reduce the cross-talk of the fluorescent light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicants: Applera Corporation, Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation Nanotechnology Products Business Group
    Inventors: Richard Reel, Eric Nordman, Tomoyuki Sakai, Satoshi Takahashi, Ryoji Inaba
  • Publication number: 20070053187
    Abstract: A cold cathode fluorescent lamp lighting device includes a lens cover, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp and a control box. The lens cover is a semicircular-shaped tube and includes a post having a threaded hole for insertion of a bolt. The cold cathode fluorescent lamp is circular and secured in the lens cover. The control box includes a control circuit to control the lighting of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp. The control box further comprises electric wires and a connector to be connected with a connector of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Yu-Chu Lin
  • Publication number: 20070053188
    Abstract: A lighting fixture and lighting system for a transportation vehicle is disclosed that provides color variations for lighting the passenger cabin of an airplane, train, bus or other type of transportation vehicle. The lighting fixture and system further provide ultraviolet light that helps to disinfect the circulating air in the passenger cabin. A fixture in an exemplary lighting system provides visible light for lighting up the passenger cabin and germicidal ultraviolet light directed toward or into an output vent(s) of the air circulation system of the passenger vehicle. The ultraviolet light is segregated from the visible light such that ultraviolet light is only directed toward or into the circulation vents of the vehicle's air circulation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Richard New, Todd Schoel
  • Publication number: 20070053189
    Abstract: A backlight module includes at least a light source generator, a housing, at least a thermal detector, and an inverter. The thermal detector is disposed in the housing for measuring the temperature within the housing when the light source generator is operating, and the inverter is electrically connected to the thermal detector and the light source generator for adjusting the electrical current of the light source generator according to the temperature measured by the thermal detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Mao-Jung Wang, Chuan-Pei Yu
  • Publication number: 20070053190
    Abstract: A light source for a scrolling color illumination system includes a lamp (212) producing light, first and second independent reflectors (220, 230) each receiving a portion of the light from the lamp (212), and a light guide (260) receiving two independent images of the light source created by the portions of the light received by the first and second independent reflectors (220, 230). Through such an arrangement, the light guide (260) provides a light beam at an output thereof having an aspect ratio that is twice an aspect ratio of the light beam produced by the lamp (212) while preserving its original etendue. Beneficially, a polarizing element (266) polarizes the unpolarized light beam from the light guide (260) and, in the process, the aspect ratio is further doubled, again without an increase in the etendue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Peter Janssen
  • Publication number: 20070053191
    Abstract: A light source module includes a light source, a paraboloid reflector and an aspheric lens. The light source is used for generating a first light. The paraboloid reflector is used for reflecting the first light beam to form a second light. The aspheric lens is used for converging the second light. The aspheric lens includes an aspheric incident surface and an emergent surface. The aspheric incident surface is used for converging the second light beam into a third light, and the emergent surface is used for converging the third light. The emergent surface includes two aspheric curved surfaces configured symmetric to an optical axis of the aspheric lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: Young Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Fu-Ming Chuang, Cheng Wang, Ting-Heng Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20070053192
    Abstract: A modular pole system for a luminaire includes an elongated pole section formed from a continuous filament winding process with a tenon wound into a tip end of the pole section. A method for making a modular pole system includes placing a tenon over a trunion end of a mandrel and winding a pre-selected thickness of a filament along the length of the mandrel up to and including a pre-selected length of the tenon to produce a tenon wound into a pole section of the modular pole system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: Genlyte Thomas Group LLC
    Inventor: S. Copeland
  • Publication number: 20070053193
    Abstract: A lighting fixture based on the delivery of indirect lighting. A light source is embedded within a helmet which directs the light waves of the light source over light wave manipulation elements so that the light waves are deflected and/or refracted to disperse indirect lighting in proximity to the light source without having the harshness of the direct lighting, or the distraction of the light bulb's visibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Lyonel JOFFRE
  • Publication number: 20070053194
    Abstract: A LED swivel reading lamp having an easily user adjustable sized light beam for use in vehicles such as automobiles, aircraft, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Tiesler, Shu-Hsiung Chou
  • Publication number: 20070053195
    Abstract: A visual warning device is disclosed and which includes an emitter of visibly discernible light positioned in spaced relation relative to an underlying supporting surface, and which, when energized, emits visibly discernible light which is projected onto the underlying supporting surface to identify a restricted region which is positioned in spaced relation relative to the emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Alberti
  • Publication number: 20070053196
    Abstract: A lamp adjuster for adjusting the aim of a headlamp is disclosed. The lamp adjuster includes an input shaft, a ball stud bracket in threaded engagement with the input shaft and an o-ring mounted on the ball stud bracket. Rotation of the input shaft causes linear translation of the ball stud bracket, thereby adjusting the aim of the lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Scott Fladhammer
  • Publication number: 20070053197
    Abstract: A backplate assembly for a vehicle tail lamp is disclosed. The backplate assembly includes a back housing, a front housing secured to the back housing, a one-piece circuit disposed between the front housing and the back housing, a plurality of bulb clips disposed at least partially between the front housing and the back housing, and at least one fastening screw that passes through the front housing and the back housing to fasten the backplate assembly to the vehicle tail lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: John Burton
  • Publication number: 20070053198
    Abstract: Break light is centered and mounted on rear edge of vehicle trunk, tailgate, or rear outer edge of vehicle hood depending on model of vehicle. Break light is mounted using common tools and adhesives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2004
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Zachary Hooey
  • Publication number: 20070053199
    Abstract: An illuminator for irradiating targets to change their properties comprises at least one LED having spectral properties that are capable of interacting with a target to effect changes in its properties, a non-imaging concentrator for collecting radiation from the LED and emitting it as a spatially and spectrally uniform beam over a predetermined solid angle, and a light guide coupled to the exit aperture of the non-imaging concentrator to direct radiation to the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Brukilacchio
  • Publication number: 20070053200
    Abstract: A high intensity mutli-wavelength illumination apparatus comprising an array of LEDs each of which has a predetermined spectral output that is emitted over a predetermined solid angle, an array of non-imaging concentrators the individual non-imaging concentrators of which are optically coupled in one-to-one correspondence with the LEDs, each non-imaging concentrator in the array of non-imaging concentrators operating to collect radiation emitted by each of the LEDs and to re-emit substantially all the collected radiation as a beam having a diverging solid angle smaller than said predetermined solid angle over which radiation is emitted by each of the LEDs, the non-imaging concentrators each having an entrance aperture for receiving radiation emitted by a corresponding one of the LEDs and an exit aperture from which the LEDs output emerges spatially and spectrally uniform in the near field of the exit aperture, and a light integrator having an entrance facet optically coupled to each of the exit apertures of t
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Brukilacchio
  • Publication number: 20070053201
    Abstract: A display system includes display elements embedded in a playing surface. The display elements are configured to display images or video in the playing surface. The playing surface can be a soccer field, a football field, a rugby field, a baseball field, a track field, a horse racing track, a tennis court, a basketball court, a performance stage, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Paul Dietz, William Yerazunis, Ramesh Raskar
  • Publication number: 20070053202
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a light-emitting device, in which a light-emitting body is sealed between a substrate and a sealing body, includes forming a light-emitting layer, made of a light emitting material, on the surface of the substrate; forming the sealing body which partially covers the light-emitting layer; and removing portions of the light-emitting layer, which are not covered by the sealing body, using the sealing body as a mask, thereby forming the light-emitting body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sera, Hideto Ishiguro
  • Publication number: 20070053203
    Abstract: An illumination device comprising an elongate rod (10) of a transparent acrylic material mounted on a base (11) in which is housed an array of LED's (15) which illuminate directly a lower end face of the rod (10) so that light is passed along the rod, and a conical or otherwise shaped reflecting surface (12) at the opposite end of the rod (10) and disposed obliquely thus to reflect light outwardly in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rod. A translucent or opaque tube (22) may be disposed around the rod other than in the upper end region thereof. The device may serve as a road hazard light, a garden path light or a table, standard or wall light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Morton Graham
  • Publication number: 20070053204
    Abstract: The invention relates to a confocal microendoscope, in which the diameter of optical fibres at the proximal end (8) of an optical fibre bundle (9) is greater than at the distal end (15). This permits the efficiency of coupling the light of a light source to be increased, without reducing the resolution of the microendoscope. In addition, the proximal ends (8) of the optical fibres (10) are arranged in a grid, for example, by means of a fibre receiving unit (11) that holds the individual optical fibres. A microlens unit (13) can also be provided, said unit allocating a microlens (14) to each optical fibre end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicants: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWAND, KARL STORZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ingo Krohne, Andre Ehrhardt, Klaus Irion, Herbert Stepp
  • Publication number: 20070053205
    Abstract: A reflective plate includes a high heat conductivity material having a first heat conductivity and a reflective material having a second heat conductivity on the high heat conductivity material, wherein the first heat conductivity of the high heat conductivity material is greater than the second heat conductivity of the reflective material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: LG.PHILIPS LCD CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Myong Jang, Gi Kim, Tae Kim
  • Publication number: 20070053206
    Abstract: [The present invention provides] a light source device comprising: a light conductor which has a first light incident end surface, a second light incident end surface and a light emitting surface; a first primary light source and a second primary light source which are disposed respectively adjacent to the first light incident end surface and second light incident end surface; and a light deflecting element which has a light incident surface disposed facing the light emitting surface and a light emitting surface, wherein a directional light emitting functional part with an average inclination angle of 0.5 to 15° is formed on at least one surface of the light conductor, i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Tomoyshi Yamashita, Masae Ono
  • Publication number: 20070053207
    Abstract: A surface light source apparatus includes: a fluorescent discharge tube having a bent portion; a light guide plate which has a corner portion facing the bent portion; a rear frame which receives the light guide plate and is formed of a resin material; and a middle frame which is provided parallel with the rear frame and is formed of a resin material. The rear frame or the middle frame has a protrusion which is in contact with the corner portion. The bent portion of the fluorescent discharge tube is disposed in a gap between the protrusion and the side surface of the rear frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toru Kokogawa
  • Publication number: 20070053208
    Abstract: A luminescent body is described that comprises a optical waveguide plate, a UV light source, and means for coupling the UV light into the optical waveguide plate and in which the optical waveguide plate is provided with a covering layer that contains one or more phosphors that are either applied directly or may be embedded in spherical particles of synthetic resin material. These phosphors convert UV light of a wavelength from 300 to 400 nm into visible light of a wavelength from 420 to 480 nm. The covering layer has a thickness from 10 to 5000 nm and exhibits a light reflection of <20%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Justel, Augustinus Gregorius Meijers, Dietrich Bertram, Hans-Helmut Bechtel, Herbert Boerner
  • Publication number: 20070053209
    Abstract: Various embodiments of lighting assemblies, lighting apparatus, and lighting systems are provided. The lighting assemblies, apparatus, and systems can have first and second contacts disposed to retain a bulb and to pierce an insulation layer on a conductor. The lighting assemblies, lighting apparatus, and lighting systems can be low voltage lighting assemblies and lighting systems. Methods of installing lighting systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: George Uhler, Thomas Trojan
  • Publication number: 20070053210
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter comprises a switching circuit having first and second switching elements to which a direct current voltage is supplied, the first and second switching elements making a periodic operation so that one of the switching elements is turned on while the other one is turned OFF during a period other than a dead time period, a serial circuit in which a first capacitor, and primary windings of first and second inductance elements are connected in series, and a connection is made between an output point of the switching circuit and a reference potential point (or input voltage point), and output circuits including rectifier elements, each of which rectifies a voltage induced by secondary windings of the first and second inductance elements, the output circuits obtaining a direct current output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Fujio Nomura, Yoshirou Aoki, Masayasu Doi
  • Publication number: 20070053211
    Abstract: A programmable AC/DC power converter receives a plurality of input voltages and outputs a single voltage from an input voltage system. A transformer receives the single voltage. One of the plurality of input voltages is provided at a center tap of a secondary winding of the transformer. A transformed voltage is output. A rectifier receives the transformed voltage and outputs a DC voltage. A buck regulator receives a DC voltage, creates a regulated voltage, and outputs the regulated voltage and a regulated current to a portable appliance. A error correction system receives a programming signal and regulated signals and verifies that the regulated signal to programming signal ratio is within an acceptable range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: Camarco Wireless Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Lanni
  • Publication number: 20070053212
    Abstract: A feedback loop in a variable power supply has an adjustable response speed based on operating conditions of the power supply. The response speed can be increased upon encountering a transient to improve response performance to the transient. A response speed control for the control loop modifies or bypasses a major low frequency pole in a compensation network in the control loop to increase response speed. The control limits fast response duration or impact with respect to the low frequency pole to avoid instability issues. The control may include counters or timers to selectively disable or enable the fast response function. The control can operate based on an error feedback signal and a reference to determine when a fast response should be applied. The resulting power supply system provides robust, well-regulated power, with fast responses to system transients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Jose Vieira Formenti
  • Publication number: 20070053213
    Abstract: A wide-voltage-range converter with a power-supply-side converter unit and a load-side converter unit includes a step-up converter electrically connecting the DC voltage sides of the power-supply-side converter unit and the load-side converter unit, respectively. The wide-voltage-range converter further includes a bidirectional switch and a turn-off semiconductor switch as converter unit valves in each phase (R, S, T) of the power-supply-side converter unit. The power-supply-side converter unit also includes a filter on the AC voltage side, whereas the load-side converter unit includes a DC voltage capacitor on the DC voltage side. The wide-voltage-range converter operates at a specified output voltage without derating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Richard Brune, Kurt Gopfrich, Hubert Schierling, Gunter Schwesig
  • Publication number: 20070053214
    Abstract: In a start-up mode (MS), at a start instant (t3, t13), a power converter (11) starts operating. After a predetermined period of time (T2, T12) from the start instant (t3, t13) it is checked whether the output voltage (Vo) of the power converter (11) has a desired value or not. If not, a protection mode (M3) is entered, otherwise the normal operating mode (M2) is entered. During the normal operating mode (M2), it is checked whether a drop in the output voltage (Vo) occurs. If yes, firstly, the power converter (11) is brought into the offmode (M1). Secondly, the power converter (11) is brought into the start-up mode (MS). If, after the restart, the output voltage (Vo) has the desired value, the earlier detected drop of the output voltage (Vo) was most likely due to a drop of the mains voltage (Vm) at the input of the power converter (11) and the normal operating mode (M2) can be resumed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: KONKNKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Alain Fernand Coorens
  • Publication number: 20070053215
    Abstract: An AC/DC converter includes a rectifier circuit, at least one restraining unit, and a power interruption detection circuit. The rectifier circuit is used for converting an AC (alternating current) to a DC (direct current) power source. The restraining unit is connected to an output terminal of the AC power supply. The restraining unit includes a resistor and a switch connected in parallel. The power interruption detection circuit detects whether an input power cycle is regular. When the input power cycle is interruptive, a signal is generated to change a state of the switch in the restraining unit to make the resistor of the interfere in the circuit to restrain an inrush current in any operational circumstance, such as warm startup or quick startup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Jin-Biau Wang, Jacob Teng, Hung-Tao Lee, Kuen-Lung Tsai, Han-Wei Chen, Shih-Hao Tsai, Ming-Yung Peng
  • Publication number: 20070053216
    Abstract: A low noise charge pump circuit includes a first terminal of a first flying capacitor selectively coupled to a first voltage during a first recharging phase and a second terminal of the first flying capacitor selectively coupled to a second voltage during the first recharging phase. The second terminal of the first flying capacitor is coupled to a precharge control circuit during a first parasitic capacitance precharging phase that occurs after the first recharging phase to cause the voltage of the first terminal of the first flying capacitor to equal an output voltage. The first terminal of the first flying capacitor is coupled to an output conductor conducting the output voltage during a first discharging phase that occurs after the first parasitic capacitance precharging phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Sergey Alenin
  • Publication number: 20070053217
    Abstract: A step down voltage converter for automotive electrical power supply networks reduces voltage down at least one order, for example, 42V down to 3V or lower, for the supply of microcontrollers and semiconductors. A preferred embodiment employs a tapped-inductor and three discrete components. The use of tapped-inductor is well-known and the design gives an extra-degree of freedom by the insertion of the winding ratio of the tapped-inductor into the transfer function of the Watkins-Johnson converter. It also permits the duty cycle to be adjusted to a value at which the efficiency of the converter is improved. The converter can be slightly modified and used as a multiple output converter while employing few components, diminishing the weight, size, cost and complexity of a system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yann Darroman
  • Publication number: 20070053218
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprises a cell array including a plurality of memory cells. The semiconductor memory device further comprises a plurality of bitlines formed in a bit layer and connected to the plurality of memory cells, wherein the bitlines extend from the cell array along a single direction. A common source line is formed in a common source layer and adapted to provide a predetermined source voltage to the plurality of memory cells. A voltage control block comprising a plurality of voltage control circuits adapted to control the voltage levels of the plurality of bitlines through voltage supply lines formed in a voltage-line metal layer is formed on one side of the cell array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Wook Hahn, Dae Seok Byeon
  • Publication number: 20070053219
    Abstract: A micro-motor memory device includes at least one rotor having at least one indicator for rotating about an axis; and at least one stator placed adjacent to the rotor for electromagnetically or physically engaging the rotor to rotate the indicator to at least one predetermined angular position for representing stored data. The rotor and the stator are constructed on a semiconductor substrate by using micro-electro-mechanic-system technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Shine Chung
  • Publication number: 20070053220
    Abstract: An operation switch circuit receives a command specifying operational specifications from a host. An operation control circuit controls the time of voltage application to a plate line based on an output signal from the operation switch circuit, to attain volatile-mode operation in a first memory region and nonvolatile-mode operation in a second memory region, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Yasushi Gohou
  • Publication number: 20070053221
    Abstract: A memory includes memory cells, a first line coupled to the memory cells, and a second line coupled to the memory cells. A series resistance due of the first line plus the second line at each one of the memory cells is substantially equal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Happ
  • Publication number: 20070053222
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory (NVM) that can be optimized for data retention or endurance is divided into portions that are optimized for one or the other or potentially some other storage characteristic. For the portion allotted for data retention, the memory cells are erased to a relatively greater extent. For the portion allotted for high endurance, the memory cells are erased to a relatively lesser extent. This is conveniently achieved by simply raising the level of the current reference that is used to determine if a cell has been sufficiently erased for the high data retention cells. The higher endurance cells thus will typically receive fewer erase pulses than the memory cells for high data retention. The reduced erasing requirement for the high endurance cells results in overall faster erasing and less stress on the high endurance cells as well as on the circuitry that generates the high erase voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Martin Niset, Andrew Hardell
  • Publication number: 20070053223
    Abstract: A flash EEPROM array includes a first row of EEPROM cells having a first floating gate electrode therein and a second row of EEPROM cells having a second floating gate electrode therein. The first floating gate electrode includes at least one horizontal segment and at least one vertical segment, which collectively define a first L-shaped portion of the first floating gate electrode that faces a first direction. The second floating gate electrode includes at least one horizontal segment and at least one vertical segment that collectively define a second L-shaped portion of the second floating gate electrode that faces a second direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Jeong Choi
  • Publication number: 20070053224
    Abstract: Methods and devices for programming conductive bridging RAM (CBRAM) memory cells improve the cycle stability by ensuring that the memory cells are erased before being written to anew. Optionally, in the event of overwriting the memory cells, memory cells may be written to only when the writing operation would alter the cell content (i.e., the state of bit stored in the memory cell is being changed from a logical 0 to a logical 1 or vice versa).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Happ, Michael Kund
  • Publication number: 20070053225
    Abstract: A virtual ground NROM array has a matrix of NROM cells in which during an erase operation the non-erasing side of NROM cells are connected to a common node for enhancing the erase uniformity of the NROM array. If an operation requests erasing on the left side of NROM cells, a positive voltage is supplied from an internal power supply to the left side for each of the NROM cells, and the right side for each of the NROM cells is discharged to a common node. If an operation requests erasing the right side of NROM cells, a positive voltage is supplied from the internal power supply to the right side for each of the NROM cells, and the right side for each of the NROM cells is connected to the common node. The voltage level of the common mode is selected to be sufficiently high in order to prevent from punch through while at the same time sufficiently low to maintain the lateral electric field for erase operation to function optimally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching Lin, Ken Chen, Nai Kuo, Han Chen, Chun Hung, Wen Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20070053226
    Abstract: Provided is a peripheral voltage generator for reducing an operating current by generating a peripheral voltage within a mobile SDRAM, and a current used in a deep-power down mode and a self refresh mode to thereby enhance operational characteristics. The peripheral voltage generator includes a reference voltage generating unit for generating a peripheral reference voltage having a different level in response to an enable signal and a self-refresh signal; a comparing unit for comparing the peripheral reference voltage with a peripheral driving voltage to thereby output a peripheral voltage control signal based on the comparison result; and a peripheral voltage control unit for generating the peripheral driving voltage having a first peripheral level in response to the peripheral voltage control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Jong-Won Lee, Ho-Uk Song