Patents Issued in March 18, 2008
  • Patent number: 7345541
    Abstract: Novel uses of current-dividing multi-transistors (composite transistors) are described. The composite transistors can replace transistors in otherwise traditional circuits by making suitable design changes. Arrangements of these composite transistors in amplifiers and mixers allow easy selection of current and hence gain in circuits driven by them. In appropriate configurations, they allow the designer to dynamically select the current provided to successive stages. The invention may be used in any integrated circuit technology and assists designers in achieving effective and efficient designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventor: Adrian Bergsma
  • Patent number: 7345542
    Abstract: A signal processing circuit includes a circuit stage for operating on signals in a signal path of an input signal, including main circuitry for operating on relatively small-value signals and alternative circuitry for amplifying/processing signals during a condition which otherwise would cause thermal imbalance in the main circuitry. The circuit stage includes switching circuitry for coupling signals in the signal path of the input signal to the main input circuitry during normal small-signal operating conditions and for coupling signals in the signal path of the input signal to the alternative circuitry during the condition which otherwise would cause thermal imbalance in the main circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Ahmad Dashtestani, Joel M. Halbert
  • Patent number: 7345543
    Abstract: An amplifier including an input stage having two inputs, each input being connected to the control terminals of first and second transistors, a current output of the first transistor being connected to a first terminal of a resistor and to a reference supply rail via a variable current source having a value capable of automatically varying according to the voltage applied between said amplifier inputs up to a limiting value, and a current output of the second transistor being connected to the reference supply rail via a fixed current source and to the second terminal of the resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Barou, Ashraf Kessaissia
  • Patent number: 7345544
    Abstract: A common mode feedback circuit is provided that can set a direct voltage operating point of the outputs of an associated amplifier. The common mode feedback circuit can remain powered on during power down of the associated amplifier and maintain a large feedback loop capacitance (in the common mode feedback circuit) at an approximately normal operating voltage to advantageously reduce settling time of an associated amplifier that has been powered off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Thart Fah Voo
  • Patent number: 7345545
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for RF switches (504, 612) integrated in a monolithic RF transceiver IC (500) and switched gain amplifier (600). Multi-gate n-channel enhancement mode FETs (50, 112, 114, Q1-3, Q4-6) are used with single gate FETs (150), resistors (Rb, Rg, Re, R1-R17) and capacitors (C1-C3) formed by the same manufacturing process. The multiple gates (68) of the FETs (50, 112, 114, Q1-3, Q4-6) are parallel coupled, spaced-apart and serially arranged between source (72) and drain (76). When used in pairs (112, 114) to form a switch (504) for a transceiver (500) each FET has its source (74) coupled to an antenna RF I/O port (116, 501) and drains coupled respectively to second and third RF I/O ports (118, 120; 507, 521) leading to the receiver side (530) or transmitter side (532) of the transceiver (500). The gates (136, 138) are coupled to control ports (122, 124; 503, 505; 606, 608).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth C. Glass, Olin L. Hartin, Ngai Ming Lau, Neil T. Tracht
  • Patent number: 7345546
    Abstract: A disclosed amplifier circuit is capable of changing a gain to amplify an input signal according to a control signal. The amplifier circuit comprises a differential amplifier circuit adapted to receive and amplify the input signal to output the amplified input signal as an output signal, a first resistance and one or more second resistances connected to the differential amplifier circuit and adapted to set the gain, and one or more gain control circuits adapted to change the gain by controlling one or more electrical couplings of the one or more second resistances according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Terada, Nagayoshi Dobashi
  • Patent number: 7345547
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention include a bias circuit for a power-amplifying device, which receives and amplifies an input RF signal having a series of RF cycles within a modulation envelop. The bias circuit compensates odd-order distortion processes by detecting the power in the input signal and providing a dynamic adjustment to a bias stimulus for the power-amplifying device within a time scale of the modulation envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: WJ Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Nanlei Larry Wang, Walter A. Strifler
  • Patent number: 7345548
    Abstract: A radiofrequency amplifier device includes a transconductor stage having an input for receiving a radiofrequency signal, and a cascode stage connected to the output of the transconductor stage. The device also includes an auxiliary radiofrequency amplifier compensation stage connected as a negative-feedback loop between the output of the transconductor stage and the base or the gate of the cascode stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Frédéric Rivoirard, Jean-Charles Grasset
  • Patent number: 7345549
    Abstract: A phase-locked loop (200) includes a sampler (202), a phase detector (210), a loop filter (212), and a VCO (214). The loop achieves frequency multiplication without the need for a divider in the loop's feedback path. The VCO (214) is operated above the Nyquist rate of the sampler, causing the loop to lock on an aliased signal. Any variations in the VCO output frequency (i.e., jitter or phase noise) are fed back to the phase detector (210) 1-for-1, without attenuation normally associated with frequency dividers. Loop gain can therefore be kept high, even in loops that provide high closed loop frequency multiplication. According to one variation, a harmonic generator (540) is placed between the VCO and the sampler, thus causing the loop to lock on harmonics of the VCO frequency. Open loop gain and precision are thus further improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventor: Fang Xu
  • Patent number: 7345550
    Abstract: A phase locked loop (PLL) with reduced loop filter components having dual charge pumps and corresponding dual signal paths that reduce on-chip component size within the filters. The dual paths are combined advantageously via dual varactors within a voltage controlled oscillator to further reduce loop filter components. The PLL removes the drawbacks of noise introduced by circuitry normally used for summing dual path configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sirific Wireless Corporation
    Inventors: Abdellatif Bellaouar, Ahmed R. Fridi, Arul M. Balasubramaniyan
  • Patent number: 7345551
    Abstract: A frequency synthesizer for mixing reference frequencies using at least one control signal has a local oscillator, frequency dividers for dividing a frequency generated from the local oscillator and generating at least one control signal, and a single side band (SSB) mixer for mixing the reference frequencies, using the frequency generated from the local oscillator and the control signal. The frequency synthesizer has a simplified structure, and can easily mix reference frequency signals without a need for additional power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Choong-yul Cha, Hoon-tae Kim, Chun-deok Suh
  • Patent number: 7345552
    Abstract: A lead wire led-out type crystal oscillator of constant temperature type for high stability is disclosed, which includes a heat supply body that supplies heat to a crystal resonator from which a plurality of lead wires are led out, to maintain the temperature constant. The heat supply body includes a heat conducting plate which has through-holes for the lead wires and is mounted on the circuit board, and which faces, and is directly thermally joined to, the crystal resonator and a chip resistor for heating which is mounted on the circuit board adjacent to the heat conducting plate, and is thermally joined to the heat conducting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Ito, Minoru Fukuda, Tetuo Kudo, Takeshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 7345553
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring CPT is disclosed. The apparatus includes a quantum absorber that is irradiated by radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source. The quantum absorber includes a material that exhibits CPT. The electromagnetic radiation source generates electromagnetic radiation having first and second CPT-generating frequency components. The first CPT-generating frequency component has a frequency ?L??, and a first CPT component amplitude. The second CPT generating frequency component has a frequency ?L+? and a second CPT component amplitude. The apparatus also includes a detector for generating a detector signal related to the power of electromagnetic radiation that leaves the quantum absorber. The detector signal exhibits an asymmetry as a function of frequency ? in a frequency range about a frequency ?0. The apparatus includes an asymmetry servo loop that alters one of ?L, the first CPT component amplitude, and the second CPT component amplitude to reduce the asymmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Edwin Berberian, Leonard S. Cutler, Miao Zhu
  • Patent number: 7345554
    Abstract: A phase-locked loop that can be integrated into a semiconductor product comprises: a phase comparator having a first input, a second input and an output, said first input receiving a reference frequency; a low-pass filter having an input connected to said output of said phase comparator and having an output generating an electric control signal (Vtune); an oscillating circuit generating a predefined frequency signal to be controlled; a dividing block having an input receiving the oscillating signal and an output connected to said second input of said phase comparator. The oscillating circuit comprises a BAW-type acoustic resonator having first and second resonant frequencies and associated with a first inductive partner element to cancel out said second resonant frequency and with a second capacitive partner element for regulating said first resonant frequency, said at least first resonator component being adjusted via said electric signal (Vtune).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Andreia Cathelin, Didier Belot
  • Patent number: 7345555
    Abstract: A wiring pattern structure having differential transmission paths electrically connects an integrated circuit element and a connector, which are arranged on a printed wiring board. Each of the differential transmission paths includes a pair of first and second signal lines. The first and second signal lines are substantially hook-shaped and a substantially rectangular area is formed between the first and second signal lines. First and second electrostatic protection elements are disposed in the substantially rectangular area. A bent portion of each of the first and second signal lines may be rounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ko Yamanaga, Hiroshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7345556
    Abstract: A variable attenuation circuit includes an attenuation circuit which has a first semiconductor variable impedance element, and an attenuation control circuit of which the impedance is changed by a control voltage to be applied from the outside and which has a second semiconductor variable impedance element for controlling the impedance of the first semiconductor variable impedance element. The attenuation circuit and the attenuation control circuit are connected in cascade. Therefore, signals can be attenuated by the attenuation control circuit, in addition to the attenuation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Endo, Masaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7345557
    Abstract: A coupler assembly may include first and second electromagnetic couplers connected together. In some examples, the couplers may be connected in cascade configuration, with at least the second coupler including at least third and fourth couplers connected in tandem configuration. In some examples, a first asymmetric coupler may include a plurality of coupler sections connected in cascade configuration, and a second coupler connected to the first coupler in tandem configuration. In some examples, a direct port of a first coupler section may be conductively connected through a second coupler section to an isolated port of the first coupler section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Werlatone, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen F. Podell
  • Patent number: 7345558
    Abstract: Coil(s) 11 and coil(s) 12 of LC resonant circuit(s) are oriented such that their centers are mutually perpendicular. For example, coil 11 might be mounted so as to stand upright on printed wiring board, and coil 12 might be mounted so as to lie flush against printed wiring board. Such configuration permitting lines of magnetic force from coil 11 and coil 12 to be oriented so as to be mutually perpendicular, lines of magnetic force from coil 11 and coil 12 do not merge, and coil 11 and coil 12 are not electromagnetically coupled. Accordingly, inductances of respective coils 11, 12 are unchanged; impedance frequency characteristics of respective LC resonant circuits are maintained at what they should be; and resonant impedance(s) is/are not lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuhide Okahashi
  • Patent number: 7345559
    Abstract: A vertically-aligned open MRI magnet system includes first and second (i.e., top and bottom) assemblies each having a longitudinally-extending and vertically-aligned axis, a superconductive main coil, and a vacuum enclosure enclosing the main coil. At least one support beam has a first end attached to the first assembly and has a second end attached to the second assembly. A vibration isolation system supports the magnet system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Richard Andrew Ranze
  • Patent number: 7345560
    Abstract: A method of making a permanent magnet body is provided. The method includes providing a first precursor body comprising a plurality of blocks and magnetizing the first precursor body to form a first permanent magnet body. A recoil magnetization pulse may be applied to the permanent magnet body after the magnetization. The precursor body may be heated during magnetization. A power supply containing a battery may be used to energize a pulsed magnet used to magnetize the precursor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Liang Li, Kathleen Melanie Amm, Juliana Chiang Shei, Bulent Aksel, Mark Gilbert Benz, Gerald Burt Kliman, Paul Shadworth Thompson, Israel Samson Jacobs, Harold Jay Patchen
  • Patent number: 7345561
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air-cooled frequency converter, especially for construction site equipment, such as internal and external vibrators which are operated at a higher frequency than the existing electricity supply, said frequency converter comprising a housing and preferably being connected to a separation transformer for producing a protective extra-low voltage. Said housing is divided into two sections, that is into a converter receiving element surrounding a plate chamber, and a housing section connected to said receiving element and used as a cooling region, inside which cooling air channels and a fan for conveying the cooling air through the cooling air channels are arranged. The configuration of the housing in the cooling region and optionally the embodiment of a transformer chamber are created by annular profiled elements which are cross-cut as desired, surround each other in an interspaced manner, and are coaxially arranged in relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Wacker Construction Equipment AG
    Inventors: Matthias Meyer, Christian Glanz
  • Patent number: 7345562
    Abstract: A high current, low profile inductor includes a conductor coil surrounded by magnetic material to form an inductor body. An inductor body is formed around the inductor coil and includes a resin and a magnetic material compressed while it is dry and surrounding the inside and the outside of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Vishay Dale Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Shafer, Brett W. Jelkin
  • Patent number: 7345563
    Abstract: An embedded inductor which includes a spiral conductive inductor embedded in a magnetically permeable body composed of particles of pre-sintered magnetically permeable (e.g. ferromagnetic) material and an epoxy binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Pavier
  • Patent number: 7345564
    Abstract: A transformer structure is disclosed. The transformer structure comprises a main body, a primary winding coil, a secondary winding coil, a first winding portion, a second winding portion and a magnetic core assembly. The main body has a first side, a second side, at least a through hole, a first receiving chamber communicating with the first side, a second receiving chamber communicating with the second side, and a separating wall disposed between the first receiving chamber and the second receiving chamber. The first winding portion for winding the primary winding coil thereon is disposed in the first receiving chamber and has a first channel communicating with the through hole. The second winding portion for winding the secondary winding coil thereon is disposed in the second receiving chamber and has a second channel communicating with the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Shih-Hsien Chang
  • Patent number: 7345565
    Abstract: A transformer is disclosed to include two bobbin, each bobbin having a primary side and a secondary side respectively holding a primary winding and a secondary winding, two first ferrite cores respectively inserted through the bobbins, two second ferrite cores arranged at two sides relative to the bobbins and abutted against each other, each second ferrite core having a middle protruding portion respectively inserted into the bobbins and to form with the first ferrite cores two independent magnetic loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Taipei Multipower Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Sheng Yang, Su-Hua Wu, Shu-Chen Wang
  • Patent number: 7345566
    Abstract: A magnetic element capable of obtaining a desired characteristic and at the same time having high productivity that enables cost reduction is provided. The magnetic element includes a first coil (50) to which a signal is inputted, a second coil (60) to which the signal inputted to the first coil (50) is transmitted, and includes a first core (20) having a first columnar leg portion (26) on which the first coil (50) is wound and a first peripheral wall portion (22, 23, 24) arranged on the periphery of the first columnar leg portion (26), and a second core (30) having a second columnar leg portion (36) on which the second coil (60) is wound and a second peripheral wall portion (32, 33 34) arranged on the periphery of the second columnar leg portion (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sumida Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichiro Urano
  • Patent number: 7345567
    Abstract: Variation in inductance and leakage inductance between the secondary windings is reduced thereby making lamp currents uniform and thus preventing the occurrence of uneven brightness. A two-output inverter transformer comprises a bobbin having a primary winding wound around the middle and secondary windings wound on both sides thereof and having a pole-like core inserted into its winding shaft. A rectangle frame-like core is placed to surround the primary and secondary windings such that the pole-like core is opposite the rectangle frame-like core with a gap sheet interposed at either end. Their sizes are set such that L2?L1>2 t, where L1 is the length of the rectangle frame-like core, L2 is the length of the pole-like core, and t is the thickness of the gap sheet, and they are so combined that the pole-like core protrudes evenly from the opposite ends of the rectangle frame-like core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: FDK Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Fujii, Toru Hirohashi, Nobuaki Ito, Kiyoshi Hironaka, Katsuo Yamada, Akihiro Sudo, Kenichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7345568
    Abstract: A protection device includes a bi-metallic plate having a first end fixed to a first terminal and a second of the bi-metallic plate has a first contact point so as to contact a second contact point on a first end of a carrier. A contact plate has a first end in contact with a second terminal and a second end of the contact plate is forced to connect to a second end of the carrier by a low melting point metal. When the protection device is overloaded, the bi-metallic plate is bent to separate the first contact point and the second contact point. Besides, if the bi-metallic plate does not bend as expected, the low melting point metal melts to separate the second end of the contact plate and the carrier when a pre-set temperature is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 7345569
    Abstract: A protection device includes a bi-metallic plate electrically connected between the first and second terminals, and the bi-metallic plate is bent upward to separate two contact points when the protection device is overloaded to cut off the circuit. A contact plate has a first end in contact with the second terminal and a second end of the contact plate is forced to be connected to a second end of the carrier by a breakable piece that is made by low melting point metal. When the protection device is overloaded and the bi-metallic plate does not bend as expected, the breakable piece collapses or melts at a pre-set temperature to separate the second end of the contact plate and the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 7345570
    Abstract: In the thermoprotector of the invention, an elastic movable conductor 3 is placed between stationary electrodes 21, 22 opposed in an insulation housing 1. One end of the elastic movable conductor 3 is fixed to one stationary electrode 21. The elastic movable conductor 3 is compressed in a longitudinal direction and elastically curved to cause a middle of the elastic movable conductor 3 to be contacted with the other stationary electrode 22. Another end portion of the elastic movable conductor 3 is face joined by a fusible material 4 to the one stationary electrode 21 against a reaction force of the longitudinal direction compression. An insulation spacer 5 is disposed in the insulation housing 1. The insulation spacer forms a space for housing the other end portion of the elastic movable conductor 3 when the elastic movable conductor 3 is elastically released by melting of the fusible material 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Uchihashi Estec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiro Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 7345571
    Abstract: A thermally-actuated switch mounted on an end of a motor coil of a hermetic motor-driven compressor includes a switch body including a metallic pressure-tight hermetic container, a contact mechanism disposed in the container, and an electrically conductive terminal which hermetically extends through the hermetic container and to which a lead wire is connected, and a holder including a base having a mounting face for the coil end and a holding portion located on a face of the base opposed to the mounting face for holding the switch body. The base is sized so as to prevent radiant heat from transferring from the coil end directly to the switch body. The holder has a through hole through which the terminal is inserted. The lead wire is connected to the terminal having been inserted through the hole so that the holder is held between the hermetic container and the lead wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Ubukata Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuo Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7345572
    Abstract: A temperature sensor for a radiant heating element includes a first expansion element, e.g., a tube, connected to a housing of a switch, which is permanently connected to a second expansion element, e.g., a rod in the region of its free end. The two expansion elements have different thermal expansion coefficients, and the switch has at least one contact spring, which is pre-tensioned against a point and carries a contact. The contact spring is implemented as a snap spring. The first expansion element has a spring acting in its axial direction applied to it. To avoid rapid fatigue of the contact spring, the second expansion element acts on the contact spring on one side and the spring acting in the axial direction of the second expansion element acts on the contact spring on the other side, with the spring acting against the second expansion element via a support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Electrovac, Fabrikation elektrotechnischer Spezialartikel Ges.m.b.H.
    Inventors: Paul Losbichler, Christian Auradnik
  • Patent number: 7345573
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure including multiple thin film resistors having different sheet resistances and TCRs includes a first oxide layer (2) formed on a semiconductor substrate (1), a first thin film resistor (3) disposed on the first oxide layer (2), and a second oxide layer (14) disposed over the first oxide layer (2) and first thin film resistor (3). A second thin film resistor (15) is formed on the second oxide layer (14) and a third oxide layer (16) is formed over the second thin film resistor (15) and the second oxide layer (14). Interconnect metallization elements (12A,B & 22A,B) disposed on at least one of the second (14) and third (16) oxide layers electrically contact the circuit element (4), terminals of the first thin film resistor (3), and terminals of the second thin film resistor (15), respectively, through corresponding contact openings through at least one of the second (14) and third (16) oxide layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Eric W. Beach
  • Patent number: 7345574
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator system (10) having a movable barrier operator (11) and a wireless remote control (13) also has an automatic image recognizer (14) operably coupled to at least one of the preceding elements. In a preferred embodiment this automatic image recognizer comprises one or more image capture device (15). So configured, automated operational control decisions can be predicated, at least in part, on image-based information regarding a likely relative position of the wireless remote control with respect to the movable barrier operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Fitzgibbon
  • Patent number: 7345575
    Abstract: A device has a monolithic semiconductor integrated circuit with integrated circuitry, interrogation receiving circuitry provided on the monolithic integrated circuit forming at least part of the integrated circuitry and configured to receive an interrogation signal from the interrogator unit, an antenna electrically coupled to the interrogation receiving circuitry and configured to communicate with the remote interrogator unit, a power source electrically coupled to the integrated circuitry and configured to generate operating power for the communications device, and at least one of the antenna and the interrogation receiving circuitry having reconfigurable electrical characteristics, the electrical characteristics being reconfigurable to selectively tune the at least one of the antenna and the interrogation receiving circuitry within a range of tuned and detuned states to realize a desired receiver sensitivity of the communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Tuttle, John R. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 7345576
    Abstract: A method for resolving RFID-based object traffic transactions to a single container in the presence of a plurality of containers, where the method includes the steps of: monitoring RFID object traffic transactions to a single container amongst a plurality of containers wherein the traffic transactions are between at least one RFID reader and a plurality of detected RFID tags detected by the at least one RFID reader; calculating a cumulative and weighted data set for each detected RFID tag of the RFID tags; and, comparing the data set for each detected RFID tag with the data set for other of the detected RFID tags and identifying one RFID tag of the detected RFID tags having a greatest cumulative weight calculated for its corresponding data set so as to resolve multiple detections and identifications of the detected RFID tags in the object traffic transactions to the single container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Identec Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Allen, Sharon Barnes, Christopher Adamson
  • Patent number: 7345577
    Abstract: Displays for exhibiting guard tour data are disclosed. The displays are arranged in a manner such that the data can be easily analyzed and readily acted upon. The displays use a combination of colors, graphics, and text, arranged in the cells of a table or spreadsheet, to present large volumes of guard tour data in a compact and easily analyzed manner. Each row of the table or spreadsheet represents one location within the guard tour. Each cell within that row represents one visit by a guard to the location. Cell background color or pattern, graphic symbol shape and color, and/or text color within each cell indicate whether the guard's visit to a specific location fell within predetermined parameters for that location. Additional graphics appear within the cell if the system has additional information regarding the visit to the tour location that cannot fit within the area of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: TimeKeeping Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. O'Flaherty, Barry J. Markwitz
  • Patent number: 7345578
    Abstract: An electronic baggage tag, attachable to the handle of a piece of baggage, for creating and reviewing a checklist of items to be packed in the bag. The tag includes a display screen, manually operable controls for selecting commands and items displayed on the display screen, a software program, a processor, a memory, and circuitry suitable for operating the software. Stored in the memory is a master list of potential contents, from which a packing checklist is created and stored in memory for later use, and a data access routine executable by the processor which is operable to display the items on the checklist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Nagtags LLC
    Inventors: H. Tate Holt, Lindsay Beth Kamm
  • Patent number: 7345579
    Abstract: A trailer illumination system test device and method of use are disclosed. In one form, a device for testing the functionality of a trailer lighting system is disclosed. The device includes an in-series connection port operable to receive a trailer lighting system plug and a series of trailer light switches operable to simulate an operating condition of a trailer in tow. The device further includes an external power source connection operable to couple an external power source to provide power to simulate the operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventors: Carl A. Nelson, Douglas B. Morphew
  • Patent number: 7345580
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an alarm management system for acquiring message data for alarms issued from a process and analyzing alarm behaviors. The alarm management system of the present invention selects unnecessary alarms from the message data for alarms and prevents alarms from being issued according to the results of alarm selection. Consequently, the system eliminates the need for engineers who have professional skills and experience, thereby making it possible to precisely select unnecessary alarms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuo Akamatsu, Taisuke Ishida, Nobuhiro Niina, Yasunori Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7345581
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a measurement transmitter of a field device determining and/or monitoring a physical and/or chemical process parameter, wherein at least one sensor is provided inside the a housing, in which the transmitter is arranged. The sensor determines the temperature and relative humidity in the housing over a period of time in predetermined intervals, and a control-/evaluation-unit is provided, which, on the basis of the measured temperature and relative humidity, determines the absolute humidity and/or the dewpoint in the housing of the transmitter, and issues and alarm when the absolute humidity and/or the dewpoint in the housing of the transmitter reaches a critical value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Christian Matt
  • Patent number: 7345582
    Abstract: The present invention relates systems and methods to determine the location information of a signal made from a radioactive device or hazardous material. The system employs multiple radiation sensor devices, which his capable of determining the signal strength and the angle of arrival of a radioactive signal. The mobile switching center sends a request along with radiation information to a location processor, which controls devices. The location processor sets up each sensor device to track the radiation signal. If at least two devices are successful in tracking the radioactive signals and returning information about the radiation signal, then the location processor can determine the location of the radioactive device or hazardous material by using a triangulation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Harley Nicole Gould
  • Patent number: 7345583
    Abstract: A dual security label comprising a cover stock body comprising a first side and a second side, with an adhesive on the second side of the cover stock body. A first antitheft device adhered to the adhesive and a second antitheft device adhered to the adhesive. The exposed adhesive used for adhering the dual security label to products being sold by retailers or used for adhering to an enclosing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: KMA Global Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Reid, Laura Wilkes
  • Patent number: 7345584
    Abstract: The present invention provides a portable device, comprising first identification means for wireless transmission and/or reception of electromagnetic radiation for the purpose of identification thereof, in addition to a system, comprising: a transmitter for wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation with at least a first frequency, a portable device and a receiving circuit for wireless reception of electromagnetic radiation, wherein a change occurs in the electromagnetic radiation received by the receiving circuit when the device is located in the vicinity of the receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Wiebe van der Meer Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Wiebe Hilles van der Meer
  • Patent number: 7345585
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide middleware functionality integrated into a module of a network device, such as a router or switch, that is configured to provide application-oriented network (“AON”) services. Some preferred implementations of the invention provide policy-based application services for RFID data, such as conditional routing, security (encryption, identification, authentication and authorization), data translation and/or transformation, data compression, data caching, etc. Some preferred implementations can interpret an application request and route to an appropriate network address of an RFID reader. Preferably, ALE (application-level event) aggregation and filtering can also be performed on behalf of the application. Some methods of the invention allow event data to be sent to applications (including but not limited to business applications) as request-response messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Singhal, Christopher Wiborg
  • Patent number: 7345586
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RF ID) tag (202) and a method for communicating data from an RF ID card to an electronic device (102) are disclosed. The RF ID tag comprises one or more removable materials that conceal the data (106). The presence of the one or more removable materials disables the RF ID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Motorola Inc
    Inventors: Greg R. Black, John Boos, Rafael Colorado
  • Patent number: 7345587
    Abstract: A fixture for use in a retail store is provided including a loop formed from a conductive material and adapted to support hanging articles, the loop having a first and second end, the first and second ends each connected to an insulator member, the first end being electrically insulated from the second end by the insulator member, and an RFID reader connected to each of the first end and the second end of the loop. A circuit is formed by the loop and the RFID reader, wherein the loop provides an antenna function for the RFID reader. A method of retrofitting a fixture for use in a retail store is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Bremer
  • Patent number: 7345588
    Abstract: An animal collar system including an animal collar, a housing mounted to the animal collar and an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit is enclosed in the housing and a built-in-test circuit is electrically connected to the electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Innotek, Inc.
    Inventor: Duane A. Gerig
  • Patent number: 7345589
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of the inventive technology claimed herein seeks to reduce the risk of the excessive admixing of water during a concrete wetting operation by providing a system that alerts, with at least one water flow indicator, at least one individual having the ability to readily terminate the water admixing operation either that water is currently being added and/or perhaps that a certain time of water addition has elapsed. At least one embodiment of the inventive technology includes a proximity switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Dusty Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 7345590
    Abstract: In a hydrogen gas station where a great number of sensors are installed, in case hydrogen leakage occurs, sensors in the vicinity of the leakage location start to transmit a warning to an access point all at once. This causes channel capacity saturation and failure to transmit a warning to the access point. Nodes and the access point are connected to each other by an uplink channel and a downlink channel. The access point detects congested/uncongested status of the uplink channel by using a wireless transmitter module and notifies the nodes of the congested/uncongested status of the channel by means for transmitting onto the downlink channel. Meanwhile, each node controls its transmission operation, according to the hydrogen concentration level detected by its hydrogen sensor and the uplink channel congested/uncongested status notified from the access point. In this way, channel overflow due to access congestion in case of hydrogen leakage can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadaki Nakano, Koichi Yokosawa, Yasushi Goto