Patents Issued in September 25, 2007
  • Patent number: 7274271
    Abstract: A signal transmission structure is provided. The signal transmission structure includes a circuit board, a coaxial cable connector, and a conductive layer; the aforementioned circuit board includes at least one alignment through hole, a signal pad, and a signal trace connected to the signal pad. Additionally, the signal pad and the signal trace are disposed on a surface of the circuit board. In addition, the alignment through hole passes through the circuit board. The coaxial cable connector is located on a surface of the circuit board. The coaxial cable connector has a signal pin and at least an alignment pin, and the alignment pin is inserted into the alignment through hole. The conductive layer is located between one end of the signal pin and the signal pad, and the signal pin is electrically connected to the signal pad via the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheng-Yuan Lee
  • Patent number: 7274272
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a microwave variable attenuator variably attenuating while maintaining a matching state. The microwave variable attenuator includes: an input terminal for inputting a microwave signal; an output terminal for outputting a microwave signal; a control voltage supplying unit for supplying a control voltage; an input terminal matching unit for matching an impedance of the input terminal in response to the control voltage; an output terminal matching unit for matching an impedance of the output terminal in response to the control voltage; and an attenuating unit for attenuating the microwave signal inputted to the input terminal based on an attenuation controlled according to the control voltage and outputting the attenuated microwave signal, wherein the attenuating unit includes a pin diode and a resonant inductor connected each others in parallel for resonating an effect of a parallel capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: In-Kwon Ju, In-Bok Yom, Jong-Heung Park
  • Patent number: 7274273
    Abstract: Electrodes (2) and (3) are formed on the front face (1A) and the rear face (1B) of a dielectric substrate (1). Fan-shaped apertures (4A) and (4B) forming a resonator (4) are formed in the electrodes (2) and (3) such that the fan-shaped aperture (4A) opposes the fan-shaped aperture (4B). Accordingly, two parameters, that is, the radius and the central angle, of the fan-shaped apertures (4A) and (4B) can be used to set the resonant frequency of the resonator (4), thus improving the flexibility in design of the resonator (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Hirose, Shigeyuki Mikami, Yutaka Sasaki, Toshiro Hiratsuka
  • Patent number: 7274274
    Abstract: An acoustic resonator circuit to be integrated into a semiconductor product including: a resonator comprising first and second resonant frequencies; an inductive resistor tuned to said second resonant frequency so as to cancel the latter and to allow tuning of the resonator to said first resonant frequency; an tunable capacitive tuning element allowing to tune the resonator to said first frequency. A method is also provided for manufacturing an integrated circuit comprising an acoustic component allowing sufficient control of resonator characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-François Carpentier, Cyrille Tilhac, Didier Belot
  • Patent number: 7274275
    Abstract: A bandpass filter network and method for bandpass filtering signals uses multiple acoustic resonators. The acoustic resonators may be Film Bulk Acoustic Resonators (FBARs) or Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) resonators. The acoustic resonators are separated by one or more electrical components, for example, transistors of an amplifier, to provide isolation between the acoustic resonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Wireless IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael L. Frank
  • Patent number: 7274276
    Abstract: An amplifier circuit comprising a transconductor device connected to a phase shifter section. The phase shifter section has an adjustable phase shift and an impedance at least partially dependent of the frequency of an input signal. In use, the adjustable phase shift is adjusted to have substantially the opposite value of a phase shift of the transconductor device. In an embodiment, the phase shifter section comprises a capacitor device and an adjustable resistor device which comprises an amplifier device with an input contact for receiving a resistance control signal; a first output contact connected to the capacitor devices and a second output contact connected to the transconductor device. The amplifier circuit further comprises a control device for providing said resistance control signal to the input contact of the amplifier device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Telefonktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Johannes Wilhelmus Theodorus Eikenbroek
  • Patent number: 7274277
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically controllable/tunable microwave device comprising a ferroelectric substrate with a variable dielectric permitivity and conducting electrodes, arranged on said substrate, and the capacitance of which depends on applied voltage C/V), the microwave device comprises at least two sections or parts of the substrate/electrodes for each of which different electrical field strengths are generated upon voltage application. Said generated electrical field strengths are controlled by means of the design of the device and/or the voltage application such that the slope (dC(dV) of the voltage dependence of the capacitance (C(V) of the microwave device can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Spartak Gevorgian, Erland Wikborg
  • Patent number: 7274278
    Abstract: The present invention provides a monolithic inductor developed using radio frequency micro electromechanical (RF MEMS) techniques. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, a tunable radio frequency microelectromechanical inductor includes a coplanar waveguide and at least one direct current actuatable contact switch positioned to vary the effective width of a narrow inductive section of the center conductor of the CPW line upon actuation the DC contact switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Thomas Weller, Balaji Lakshminarayanan, Srinath Balachandran
  • Patent number: 7274279
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay system is constituted by containing an electromagnetic relay arranged in a case and including a coil, a movable contact and a plurality of fixed contacts, a positive terminal and a negative terminal formed to project from the case, and load terminals formed to project from the case and connectable to a motor. An electric current flowing in the motor is controlled by controlling an electric current flowing in the coil. A ground line extended from the coil is connected to the negative terminal via a coil spring in the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Asahi Denso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kohei Iima
  • Patent number: 7274280
    Abstract: An irregular polygon connection of a three-phase autotransformer using only five windings per phase provides a source of nine-phase power suitable for an 18-pulse AC to DC power converter. The windings are connected in a manner to limit the amount of third harmonic current circulating in them. When the autotransformer is used to power a nine-phase AC to DC converter its kVA rating is typically less than 50% of the DC load kW. An additional tap on one of the five windings allows a wide range of AC output voltages to be obtained. Voltages greater than, less than, or equal to the AC input voltage can be obtained. Other multi-phase outputs are feasible. Additional isolated windings can provide means for the invention to operate as an efficient double-wound transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Inventor: Derek Albert Paice
  • Patent number: 7274281
    Abstract: A discharge lamp lighting apparatus for supplying high frequency high voltage to an excimer discharge lamp comprises a boasting transformer having a core, a secondary side coil and a pair of primary side coils; a DC power source; and switching elements, wherein a duty ratio of an electrically conductive period to an operational cycle of each of the switching elements is 30% or less, a turn ratio of the secondary side coil to each of the primary side coils is 25 or less, a difference between a first length of a first axial direction area where each of the primary side coils are wound, and a second length of a second axial direction area where the secondary side coil is wound, is 18% or less of the first length or the second length, and a leakage inductance associated with magnetic coupling between the primary side coils and the secondary coil is 0.2% to 0.7% of a primary side coil inductance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Sugioka
  • Patent number: 7274282
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transformer. In the transformer, secondary winding sections are placed in both sides of a primary winding section, all terminals of the secondary winding sections are used as output terminals, and an input terminal is placed in the opposite side to the output terminals. Therefore, a return wire in the high-voltage output side does not need to be provided, and a sufficient insulation separation distance is secured in the relation with a printed circuit board, which makes it easy to implement a circuit. Further, improved efficiency is obtained over a conventional transformer, there is a significant reduction in cost, and products using the transformer can be small in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Heyn Park, Jong Rak Kim, Kyoung Ho Yoon, Suh Woo Choi, Young Gun Hong
  • Patent number: 7274283
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus that allow restricted access to internal registers of an integrated circuit (IC) device via an interface are provided. Unrestricted access to internal registers via the interface may be allowed during a manufacturing process to allow device testing. After such testing is complete, the device may be placed in a restricted access mode, for example, by blowing a master “lock” fuse, to prevent unrestricted access to one or more of the internal registers via the interface. However, full or partial access to the internal registers may still be provided via an access code or “combination lock” allowing the master fuse lock, in effect, to be bypassed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Stewart Yosim, Irfan Rashid
  • Patent number: 7274284
    Abstract: A method and processor-readable storage medium for performing the method of identifying RF cards in a card reader's field. Polling requests are sent to cards in a card reader's field. Where a clear response from the sent command is received from a responding card, the response is saved, the responding card moved to an Active state, and the timeslot number incremented if possible and the above steps repeated until no clear response is received. Where no clear response is received, a determination of whether a collision has occurred is made. If no collision occurred, the timeslot number is incremented; if a collision did occur, another polling request is sent. Discovered cards are returned when no cards or collisions are detected after every timeslot is polled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Phillip D. Dressen
  • Patent number: 7274285
    Abstract: A method for identifying objects within a set of objects includes the steps of transmitting a signal toward a region of interest, receiving energy reflected from the region of interest, establishing a baseline field strength for the received reflected energy, determining at least one frequency at which the field strength substantially differs from the baseline field strength for the received reflected energy, and identifying at least one object within the region of interest based upon the determined at least one frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael J. Chaloner, Richard Lynn Gardner, Jr., Paul C. Coffin
  • Patent number: 7274286
    Abstract: An ID issue management system capable of uniquely assigning and issuing an ID depending upon an article classification to a tag having an blank ID, and an article information management system and an ID issue management method capable of managing article information by issuing new IDs are provided. An ID reading and writing control server is connected to an ID issue management server via a network. An operator inputs an article classification by using an input device in the ID reading and writing control server, and places an article which becomes a subject of ID issue on an RF tag reader/writer. If it is detected that an ID is not yet issued, a new ID is received from the ID issue management server and is written. The article classification may also be specified by reading a bar code or on the basis of appearance of the article. Verification is conducted on the written ID to determine whether there is a mistake in writing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Tagato
  • Patent number: 7274287
    Abstract: A warning and information system for a motor vehicle which outputs information that is below a conscious threshold of perception of a use, and above his or her unconscious threshold. At least one signal source located in the peripheral field of vision of the user is provided, and its output signals are variable by adjusting their color, intensity, frequency, timber, and/or loudness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Guenter Dobler, Wilhelm Kincses, Siegfried Rothe, Michael Schrauf, Sven Willmann
  • Patent number: 7274288
    Abstract: In a vehicle alarm sound output device and a program, position data of an obstacle(s) and sound data of an alarm sound are output from an obstacle detector to DSP of a virtual sound source generator. Position data of a tire having air pressure abnormality and sound data of an alarm sound are output from an abnormality detector to DSP. Position data of a target object of a route guidance and sound data of a voice are output from a position detector to DSP. In DSP, an audio signal with which a virtual sound source can be implemented is created by using a detection signal/localization position converting table and head related transfer functions, and the audio signal thus created is output to a sound output unit. In the sound output unit, the signal corresponding to the audio signal is output to speakers so that a passenger(s) can hear an alarm sound such as a warning sound, a voice guidance or the like from the localization position of a virtual sound source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Nagata
  • Patent number: 7274289
    Abstract: Systems and devices are provided for detecting access to an object. A pattern of conductors extending in spaced, isolated configuration is provided on the object defining a tamper detection area. At least one sensor device is connected to the pattern of conductors and is capable of detecting a change in the continuity of the pattern of conductors. A communication circuit provides at least one signal indicative of the change in continuity of the pattern of conductors. The tamper detection area of conductors confronts each surface of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Roger S. Kerr, Timothy J. Tredwell
  • Patent number: 7274290
    Abstract: A system for hygienic input of data into a medical information system is provided. In one embodiment of the system, a computer terminal, a mobile wireless input tray, a mobile wireless interactive visual display system, and a wireless headset are used. During a medical procedure, the mobile input tray, the mobile display system, and the wireless headset may be positioned in an operating room near a surgeon or other medical practitioner. The mobile input tray, the mobile display system, and the wireless headset may be used to access patient medical information through the computer terminal. The mobile input tray, the mobile display system, and the wireless headset communicate amongst and between each other through wireless communication links. The mobile input tray, the mobile display system, and the wireless headset communicate with the computer terminal through wireless communication links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Mark M. Morita, Steven L Fors, Khal A. Rai
  • Patent number: 7274291
    Abstract: Disclosed is an active or dynamic RFID tag that actively provides current status information regarding a particular item, as well as mechanisms for recognizing dynamic RFID information read from such RFID tag. Static identifying information regarding the particular item is provided either by the same active/dynamic RFID tag or by a different passive RFID tag. While the RFID tag may passively or actively provide general identification, the RFID actively provides status information that corresponds to changes in the corresponding item's status. In a first implementation, active RFID tags are positioned next to one or more components within a system so that each active RFID tag is powered and transmitting its RFID information when its corresponding component is operational. In contrast, each active RFID tag is positioned so that it is not powered and not transmitting its RFID information when its component is failing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shmuel Shaffer, Gebran Chahrouri, Shantanu Sarkar, Labhesh Patel, Joseph Khouri
  • Patent number: 7274292
    Abstract: A master controller for managing items tagged with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags includes a transceiver to transmit interrogation signals to the RFID tags and to receive response signals from the RFID tags. The master controller may also include a processor to determine the proximity of tagged items based on signal levels of the response signals, and to notify a user when certain ones of the tagged items are in a predetermined relation to a proximity threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ravindra V. Velhal, Jeetendra G. Deshmukh, Nikhil M. Deshpande, R. Harold Crawford, John D. Fowler
  • Patent number: 7274293
    Abstract: A cable lock device includes a housing, a tampering subsystem, and a cable having a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the housing and is electrically connected to the tampering subsystem and the second end is selectively attached to the housing. In addition, a switch is disposed within the housing and is electrically connected to the tampering subsystem. The switch is movable between an open state and a closed state to indicate when the second end is attached to the housing. The tampering subsystem includes control circuitry that monitors the position of the switch and the status of the cable to detect removal of the second end from the housing and/or severance of the cable. The control circuitry relays status information of the cable lock device to a control unit via a transmitter to alert a property owner of a security breach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bradus, Lawrence E Milburn, James B Watson, Peter W Bressler, John D Coleman, David Schiff
  • Patent number: 7274294
    Abstract: A locator system includes a handheld unit for providing an interrogation signal. The handheld unit can be a handheld computer or PDA including an RF module. The interrogation signal is received by an RF tag. The RF tag can include a power source and a memory. The memory can store an indication of the date of installation of the battery. The tag unit can provide the indication to the handheld unit in response to the interrogation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: RF Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric T. Heinze, Gregg J. Haensgen, Christopher M. Hofmeister
  • Patent number: 7274295
    Abstract: A plurality of monitors are linked with a communication network and other communications devices (e.g., cellular phones, satellite phones, Voice-Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and any communications device having a digital signal processor (DSP)). The communications network provides access to one or more databases that contain information related to an identification tag attached to an object, information about the object, and/or policies for tracking and communicating information about the object. When combined with a network tracking system, the policies can also set parameters for permissible areas in which the objects can be disposed and for tracking of the objects across the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T BLS Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Koch, Barrett Kreiner
  • Patent number: 7274296
    Abstract: The present invention provides an RFID tag that is very effective in preventing fraudulent uses. The RFID tag includes a base, an antenna pattern provided on the base, a breakdown pattern provided on the base, a circuit chip connected to both the antenna pattern and the breakdown pattern, and a cover that is bonded to the base in a strippable condition so as to cover the antenna pattern, the breakdown pattern and the circuit chip and is caused to come off together with all or a part of the breakdown pattern during stripping from the base. The breakdown pattern is transparent, or the cover conceals a remaining part of the breakdown pattern, or the breakdown pattern has a specific part that produces predetermined electrical properties and the cover conceals the specific part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Frontech Limited
    Inventors: Shunji Baba, Naoki Ishikawa, Hidehiko Kira, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Shigeru Hashimoto, Yoshiyasu Sugimura
  • Patent number: 7274297
    Abstract: An RFID tag may include an antenna substrate comprising a conductive layer etched or deposited to form an antenna, and a circuit substrate comprising a conductive layer etched or deposited to form a circuit, the antenna electro-magnetically coupled to the circuit. An RFID tag may be formed from an insert substrate comprising an insulative layer between two conductive layers, one of the conductive layers etched to form an antenna and the other conductive layer etched to form a circuit. The insert substrate may be received in an envelope formed by a label substrate, which may carry a pressure sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.
    Inventors: Venkata S. R. Kodukula, For S. Lam, Rene D. Martinez
  • Patent number: 7274298
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for a wireless device to monitor a local vicinity of the wireless device is provided. The wireless device may monitor for an environmental parameter in the local vicinity of the wireless device. In response to an indication that the monitored for environmental parameter is detected, the wireless s device may provide notification of the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Wolfgang Frank
  • Patent number: 7274299
    Abstract: A method of reminding a user subscribed to a communication network, and a corresponding location reminder service architecture is provided. According to one embodiment, the method includes the steps of defining a reminder profile for a specific terminal and of acquiring location information for the specific terminal attached to the communication network. Furthermore, the method involves the steps of comparing the acquired location information with the defined reminder profile, and if the acquired location information matches the defined reminder profile, a step of issuing issues a trigger signaling to at least one user, and an outputting step outputs a reminder notification to at least one user at a respective user terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Rich Osman
  • Patent number: 7274300
    Abstract: A loading dock apparatus remote control is provided. Some embodiments of the invention include a zone specific remote control for loading dock apparatus. Some optional embodiments include a selector switch to select which apparatus the single set of controls will control. Other optional embodiments automatically select the apparatus to be controlled by the single set of controls. A method of operating loading dock apparatus using a remote control is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: 4Front Engineering Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim Duvernell, Terence Reynard, James C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 7274301
    Abstract: An access control device including electronic identification device, the access control device characterized in that the access control device also includes an audio communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Cardax Int'l Limited
    Inventors: Anthony David Smith, Nicholas Bernard Body, Felix Anton Harold Collins
  • Patent number: 7274302
    Abstract: A convection cooled traffic control device for selectively indicating traffic control guidance to vehicles. An enhanced brightness traffic control device for selectively displaying patterns of light emitting diodes (LEDs). A convection cooled traffic control device for selectively directing traffic by selectively actuating patterns of LEDs. A tapering system of a LED traffic control device. A brightness regulated LED traffic signal lamp. A conflict monitor interface system for a LED signal lamp. A failure logging method for compiling LED failures within an LED traffic signal light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: USA Signal Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Bob Stevenson, Paul Calixto, Henry Lee, Edson Calixto, Jorge Santana, Ralph Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7274303
    Abstract: A power strip adapted to support power status reporting as well as the issuing of commands to control functional operations of the appliances. The power strip may receive a command from a remote control (for example transmitted via radio frequency or wired connection) and, in turn, issue a corresponding command (for example transmitted via infrared) to one or more appliances to cause the one or more appliances to perform a functional operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Mauro Dresti, Sandro D. Klein, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 7274304
    Abstract: A system for loading an executable code into volatile memory in a downhole tool string component comprises a surface control unit comprising executable code. An integrated downhole network comprises data transmission elements in communication with the surface control unit and the volatile memory. The executable code, stored in the surface control unit, is not permanently stored in the downhole tool string component. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the downhole tool string component comprises boot memory. In another embodiment, the executable code is an operating system executable code. Preferably, the volatile memory comprises random access memory (RAM). A method for loading executable code to volatile memory in a downhole tool string component comprises sending the code from the surface control unit to a processor in the downhole tool string component over the network. A central processing unit writes the executable code in the volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: IntelliServ, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hall, David B. Bartholomew, Monte L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7274305
    Abstract: A system for managing collection of data and remote operation of fielded remote units is disclosed. The remote units may be incorporated in automatic meter reading systems, capacitor bank switching systems, power line fault detection units, power recloser units, surveillance systems, railroad switch heaters, or any of a multitude of systems wherein widely scattered devices require monitoring and/or operational commands. Each remote unit is provided with a CELLEMETRY™ transceiver, allowing the unit to receive commands from and pass data to a data center via the cellular control channel network and the Internet. The data center is organized to provide data related to a particular service to an associated customer user via the Internet, the customer users being utility companies, railroad companies, surveillance companies, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Carina Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Clyde K. Luttrell
  • Patent number: 7274306
    Abstract: A smart traffic control device transmits information to approaching vehicles regarding its current and future state enabling vehicles to control their speed to avoid arriving at the traffic control device until it permits the passage of traffic, thus avoiding stopping, idling and reaccelerating when reaching the traffic control device. In other embodiments the traffic control device or systems receives information from vehicles, transmitting it to other vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Inventor: Mark W. Publicover
  • Patent number: 7274307
    Abstract: Provided is a signal violation indicator for signaling the phasing of a vehicular control signal. The vehicular control signal may have a control circuit including at least a first traffic lamp and a second traffic lamp. The signal violation indicator comprises a light assembly and a base assembly. The light assembly included a first light source in data communication with the control circuit and a second light source concentrically mounted about the first light source and in data communication with the control circuit. The base assembly is connected to the light assembly and may be mounted adjacent to the vehicular control signal. The base assembly is configured to allow for selective directional control or aiming of the light assembly. The signal violation indicator is configured such that the first and second light sources are alternately activated in coordination with phasing of respective ones of the first and second traffic lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: PDK Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Philip F. Povey, Kevin Karamanos, Denny Jenner
  • Patent number: 7274308
    Abstract: A processor, software code, and a method for generating warning indicating that flaps are not suitably in a take-off position. A first component is configured to receive a first signal indicative of one of a group of flaps positions, the group including a take-off position. A second component is configured to receive a second signal indicative of an aircraft position. A third component is configured to compare the aircraft position to the contents of a database and to, by the comparison, determine whether the aircraft position is within a runway perimeter. A fourth component is configured to generate an alarm when the aircraft is within the runway perimeter and the flaps position is not the take-off position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Donald Bateman, David Bryan Alexander Fleming
  • Patent number: 7274309
    Abstract: A system for use in monitoring, measuring, computing and displaying the initial touch-down descent velocity experienced while aircraft are executing either normal, overweight or hard landing events. Pressure sensors and motion sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts to monitor, measure and record the impact loads and aircraft touch-down vertical velocities experienced by landing gear struts, as the aircraft landing gear initially comes into contact with the ground. Velocity adjustments are made to correct for errors caused by landing gear per-charge pressure and landing gear strut seal friction. The system also measures the landing loads experienced by each landing gear strut during the landing event and determines if aircraft limitations have been exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Inventor: C. Kirk Nance
  • Patent number: 7274310
    Abstract: A system for use in monitoring, measuring, computing and displaying the Kinetic Energy generated and experienced while aircraft are executing either normal, overweight or hard landing events. Pressure sensors and motion sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts to monitor, measure and record the impact loads and aircraft touch-down vertical velocities experienced by landing gear struts, as the aircraft landing gear initially comes into contact with the ground. Velocity adjustments are made to correct for errors caused by landing gear per-charge pressure and landing gear strut seal friction. The system also measures the landing loads experienced by each landing gear strut during the landing event and determines if aircraft limitations have been exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Inventor: C. Kirk Nance
  • Patent number: 7274311
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for displaying traffic information on a display. Information that indicates traffic conditions on a portion of a road network is used to form an animation. The portion of the road network is shown on the display and the animation is shown on the portion of the road network being displayed. The animation simulates movement in a direction corresponding to the direction of vehicle travel along the portion of the road network being displayed. The speed of the simulated movement of the animation is related to the traffic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Navteq North America, LLC
    Inventor: John MacLeod
  • Patent number: 7274312
    Abstract: An apparatus has a conversion circuit, a precoder circuit, and a selection circuit. The conversion circuit converts user data b1, b2, b. . . bk to a coded sequence c0, c1, c2 . . . cq. The selection circuit selects c0 in the coded sequence c0, c1, c2 . . . cq such that the output of the precoder circuit has less than a maximum number q of transitions. The conversion circuit may include an encoder circuit to convert user data b1, b2, b3 . . . bk to a sequence c1, c2 . . . cq, and a transition minimization circuit to add c0 to the sequence c1, c2 . . . cq. The apparatus may have a circuit to add at least one additional bit, which may be a parity bit, to the coded sequence c0, c1, c2 . . . cq.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: William G. Bliss, Andrei Vityaev, Razmik Karabed
  • Patent number: 7274313
    Abstract: Data from both a positive edge sample and negative edge sample are used to determine a data bit. The primary and secondary clocks capture two copies of the data. A sample is taken with a positive edge of one clock and the negative edge of the other clock each bit period. These two captured data values are combined along with the data value captured by the previous negative edge to determine the data bit value. The captured data may be dynamically de-skewed previous to being clocked into a buffer based on the clock edges sampling the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Gary L. Swoboda
  • Patent number: 7274314
    Abstract: A character-information conversion apparatus is configured to process character information including attribute information indicating a coding system and character codes conforming to the coding system and for converting the character codes into characters. The apparatus includes a key operation unit, an EEPROM, and a controlling unit. The key operation unit specifies a coding system to be applied to decode character codes conforming to a coding system other than a normally applied coding system. The EEPROM stores information indicating the coding system corresponding to the received input. The controlling unit refers to the attribute information and determines which coding system the character codes conforms to, converts the character codes into characters based on the information stored in the EEPROM when it is incapable of determining the coding system or when it is determined that the coding system differs from the normally applied coding system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Maeda, Koichiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7274315
    Abstract: A block encoder flexibly encodes K codes to produce an encoded data block. The block encoder receives an unformatted block of 10 Gigabit Media Independent Interface (XGMII) data. The unformatted block of data includes data and/or K characters, both of which can be located in any position of the unformatted block. The block encoder inserts data characters into a first set of slots of the encoded data block. The block encoder encodes K characters to produce corresponding encoded K characters. Each encoded K character includes a link field, a position field and a recoded value field. The encoded K characters are inserted into a second set of slots of the encoded data block. A synchronization header is attached to the encoded data block to distinguish control blocks from pure data blocks. The header and encoded data block are subsequently scrambled in preparation for transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Howard A. Baumer
  • Patent number: 7274316
    Abstract: A system and method for processing sample data employing hardware, such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), to process the sample data in small pipelined steps. The processing includes a circular buffer where the read and write of data is synchronous, preventing buffer overrun or data loss. This pipeline processing approach allows increasing data acquisition channels or additional processing steps without limiting processing speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Luminex Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas E. Moore
  • Patent number: 7274317
    Abstract: A transmitter having a vertical BJT, capable of reducing power consumption, carrier leakage of a local oscillator and an error vector magnitude (EVM), is disclosed. In the transmitter, vertical BJTs implemented by a standard triplex well CMOS process are used in a frequency up-mixer and a baseband analog circuit including a DAC, an LPF, a VGA and a PGA, thereby improving the overall performance of the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-seong Eo, Il-ku Nam, Sung-jae Jung, Kwy-ro Lee, Heung-bae Lee, Kyu-don Choi, Joon-hee Lee
  • Patent number: 7274318
    Abstract: A control module includes a plurality of switching elements, a control chip, and an identification unit. The switching elements are connected to a power terminal through a corresponding resistor each, wherein the resistances of corresponding resistors or equivalent resistance of combination thereof are different. The switching elements generate an input current according to operating conditions thereof. The input current is sent to the control chip through an input/output terminal and is transformed to a digital value. The identification unit identifies the operating conditions of the switching elements according to a lookup table and the digital value, such that the control chip executes a corresponding logic operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: I-Ming Sing, Yi-Lin Lai
  • Patent number: 7274319
    Abstract: An imager with an analog-to-digital converter having at least one ramp generator that precisely and efficiently produces the desired ramp voltages required by the analog-to-digital converter. The analog-to-digital converter can use differential or two ramp generators. The analog-to-digital converter can also use ramp generators operated in linear or compressed ramp modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yan Lee
  • Patent number: 7274320
    Abstract: The present invention provides a widely general-purpose A/D converting device. The A/D converting device comprises multiple signal conversion units each of which include: an A/D converter for converting an input analog signal into a digital signal with a predetermined number of bits; a D/A converter for converting the output from the A/D converter into an analog signal; a subtracter for subtracting the output signal from the D/A converter, from the input analog signal; and an amplifier for amplifying the output signal from the subtracter. The A/D converting device has a configuration wherein the signal conversion units are arrayed in multiple rows and columns. This allows the user to realize an A/D converting device having various types and levels of performance by making various combinations of the signal conversion units without change of the layout of the signal conversion units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Wada, Kuniyuki Tani, Shigeto Kobayashi