Patents Issued in March 31, 2009
  • Patent number: 7511661
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for a combined use of a local positioning system, a local RTK system and a regional, wide-area, or global differential carrier-phase positioning system (WADGPS) in which disadvantages associated with the local positioning system, the RTK and the WADGPS navigation techniques when used separately are avoided. The method includes using a known position of a user receiver that has been stationary or using an RTK system to initialize the floating ambiguity values in the WADGPS system when the user receiver is moving. Thereafter, the refraction-corrected carrier-phase measurements obtained at the user GPS receiver are adjusted by including the corresponding initial floating ambiguity values and the floating ambiguity values are treated as well known (small variance) in subsequent processes to position the user receiver in the WADGPS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Navcom Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Hatch, Scott Adam Stephens
  • Patent number: 7511662
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing location determination in a configured environment in which Global Navigation Satellite System Signals may not be available. In this regard, local beacon systems generate spread spectrum CDMA signals that are received by spectral compression units that derive physically meaningful observations without a requirement for correlation of the intercepted energy by means of the known spreading codes. The invention can coexist with communication assets already in place, and the design allows for self calibration, which simplifies installation and usage. The invention has utility in applications in which GNSS signals are unavailable or limited, for example, in warehouse inventory management, in search and rescue operations and in asset tracking in indoor environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Loctronix Corporation
    Inventors: Michael B. Mathews, Kenn L. Gold, Peter F. MacDoran
  • Patent number: 7511663
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transmitting signals in a wireless communication system, in which signals are transmitted from a first communication device to a second communication device, said signals being transmitted in consecutive frames, each frame having a preamble section comprising preamble information, at least one of said first and said second communication devices having a narrow beam antenna which is adapted to be steered to different positions, each of said different positions corresponding to one of a number of different transmission paths from said first to said second communication device, comprising the steps of transmitting and receiving a first preamble section comprising preamble information enabling the estimation of a channel quality of a current transmission path, while said narrow beam antenna is in a current position corresponding to said current transmission path, steering said narrow beam antenna from said current position to a different position corresponding to a ca
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Zhaocheng Wang, Masahiro Uno, Volker Wullich
  • Patent number: 7511664
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a subassembly for a phased array radar includes a substrate generally lying in a first plane, the substrate including a plurality of transmit/receive modules coupled to a mounting surface and a plurality of radiating elements formed adjacent the mounting surface, and a multi-function board generally lying in a second plane parallel to the first plane. The multi-function board is in spaced apart relation to the substrate and may include RF manifolding and logic/power distribution functions for the transmit/receive modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: James S. Mason, Timothy C. Fletcher, Matthew D. Brown, Thomas Taylor
  • Patent number: 7511665
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for a frequency diverse array. Radio frequency signals are generated by a plurality of independent waveform generators and simultaneously applied to a transmit/receive module. A progressive frequency shift is applied to all radio frequency signals across all spatial channels. Amplitude weighting signals are applied for sidelobe control. Phase control is included for channel compensation and to provide nominal beam steering. The progressive frequency offsets generate a new term which cause the antenna beam to focus in different directions as a function of range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Michael C. Wicks, Paul Antonik
  • Patent number: 7511666
    Abstract: A shared beamformer flexibly allocates beams among clusters of beams produced by phased array antenna apertures that are deployed on a satellite (or other type of platform). By sharing the beamformer among the beam clusters, if one beam cluster is not providing useful coverage, the beams may be reallocated to one or more other beam clusters that are providing useful coverage. To share the beamformer among the beam clusters, a selector network is used to select which particular beam cluster (or clusters) is used for producing one or more narrow beams that are constrained to the coverage area of the beam cluster (or clusters).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony W. Jacomb-Hood, Lawrence K. Lam
  • Patent number: 7511667
    Abstract: A precise positioning method and system is disclosed wherein at least one ground transmitter is used for transmitting a ranging signal with code modulation. The at least one ground transmitter is configured to receive a signal from at least one satellite and a second ground transmitter. The at least one ground transmitter measures a code phase of the received signals. The measured code phase information is communicated to a rover that is associated with a user. The rover can determine the user's precise position based on the measured code and/or carrier phase information and a clock correction model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Novariant, Inc.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Matsuoka, Kurt R. Zimmerman, Paul Y. Montgomery, David G. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 7511668
    Abstract: An antenna apparatus 1 has an antenna substrate 21 composed of a separator 23 and electrolyte layers 24a and 24b disposed on both surfaces of the separator 23; an antenna pattern 22a disposed on the solid electrolyte layer 24a; and an antenna pattern 22b disposed on the solid electrolyte layer 24b. The antenna patterns 22a and 22b are made of an electroconductive plastic. When a DC voltage is applied between the antenna patterns 22a and 22b, ions can be doped to one of the antenna patterns 22a and 22b, whereas ions can be undoped form the other of the antenna patterns 22a and 22b. In other words, one of the antenna patterns 22a and 22b can become a conductor, whereas the other thereof can become an insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 7511669
    Abstract: An antenna device has a plane ground conductor plate, and two radiating conductors disposed on the upper side of the plane ground conductor plate in parallel to and adjacently to each other so as to be symmetrical with each other with reference to the center of the plane ground plate. The radiating plates are individually provided with respective feeder ports, and are operated independently from each other. End portions of the radiating conductors may be bent to be substantially perpendicular to the plane ground plate in a direction of achieving a maximum gain, whereby isolation between the feeder ports can be enhanced. With this antenna device, antenna directivity can be secured, a high antenna gain can be obtained, and the going-round of a current from a transmitting unit to a receiving unit can be suppressed favorably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Maeda
  • Patent number: 7511670
    Abstract: A dual-polarized antenna, and an associated methodology, is provided for a radio device, such as a mobile station. The antenna is formed of a plurality of loop strips disposed upon a substrate. The loop strips are configured into a pair of L-cornered loops, with the loops sharing a shared set of loop strips. A loop strip of the shared set provides a single feed connection, positioned to permit symmetrical excitation of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Qinjiang Rao, Geyi Wen, Mark Pecen
  • Patent number: 7511671
    Abstract: There is provided with a portable wireless apparatus including a first casing including a first conductor plate; a second casing including a second conductor plate, wherein the first casing and the second casing being capable to rotate around a feed point, a coupler which couples the first casing and the second casing and a feed point which feeds power to the first and second conductor, disposed in close vicinity to the coupler, wherein, when the first and second conductor plates are rotated in same direction by 90 degrees around the feed point taken as a fulcrum in a state in which the two casings are opened to each other, the first and second conductor plates substantially coincide with shapes of spaces sandwiched between the first and second conductor plates before the rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Noriaki Oodachi
  • Patent number: 7511672
    Abstract: A frequency modulating equipment (20) for being used in an antenna (10) for modulating frequency of the antenna (10) to achieve a desired operating frequency, comprises a slide block (30) attached to a radiating element (11) of the antenna (10) and being capable of moving freely and a plastic element (21). The slide block (30) comprises a contact portion (300) contacting a free end of the radiating element (11) of the antenna (10). The plastic element (21) is fixed onto the antenna (10). The slide block (30) is installed on the plastic element (21). The antenna (10) can achieve a desired operating frequency by moving the modulating befittingly the slide block (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Fong Su, Lung-Sheng Tai, Po-Kang Ku, Yao-Shien Huang
  • Patent number: 7511673
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing and circuit board carried by the housing. Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry is mounted on the circuit board. A first antenna is supported by the circuit board within the housing and operatively connected to the RF circuitry and configured for cellular phone communications. A second antenna is supported by the circuit board within the housing and operatively connected to the RF circuitry and configured for WiFi communications. The second antenna comprises an inverted-F or monopole antenna having an opening gap that is pointed away from the first antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Ying Tong Man, Yihong Qi
  • Patent number: 7511674
    Abstract: A shunt antenna mountable on an aircraft comprises a lower plate, an antenna element formed above the lower plate and integrated within a dorsal fin of the aircraft where the antenna element is substantially slant relative to the lower plate; one or more couplers formed on the lower plate and operatively connected to a lower forward end of the antenna element. The couplers transmit radio frequency signals to the antenna element, and the antenna element and the lower plate are separated by air to produce a capacitor effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: ASB Avionics, LLC.
    Inventor: Duane K. McNutt
  • Patent number: 7511675
    Abstract: An integrated multi-service antenna system for a motor vehicle includes a plurality of antenna structures integrated within a physical component of the motor vehicle. The plurality of antenna structures includes a radio antenna and at least one of a cellular telephony antenna and a satellite-signal antenna. The radio antenna has a radiating arm, with at least a portion of the radiating arm defining a space-filling curve, the radio antenna further has a feeding point for coupling the radio antenna to a radio receiver in the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Automotive Antennas, S.L.
    Inventors: Carles Puente-Baliarda, Edouard Rozan, Jaume Anguera-Pros, Enrique Martinez-Ortigosa
  • Patent number: 7511676
    Abstract: A rear window glass sheet 10 includes a plurality of heating wires 2 and a plurality of bus bars 5a and 5b for feeding the heating wires 2, the heating wires 2 and the bus bars form a defogger, the heating wires 2 extend in a horizontal direction of the rear window glass sheet 10, and an antenna conductor 6 is disposed in an upper blank region of the rear window glass sheet 10 except for a defogger region. When it is assumed that there is a line, which passes through the center of the antenna conductor 6 in a left-to-right direction of the antenna conductor or the center of gravity thereof, and which extends parallel to the heating wire at the highest position, is called an imaginary parallel line 11, an island-like conductor 1a is disposed in an region of the rear window glass sheet 10 between the imaginary parallel line 11 and the heating wire 2a at the highest position as viewed three-dimensionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Noda
  • Patent number: 7511677
    Abstract: The present invention is applicable to satellite ground station antennas having a wide field of view in comparison to the satellites with which the antenna connects. One embodiment includes a parabolic reflector having a size that corresponds to a beam with an angular half-width larger than the spacing between neighboring interfering satellites. It also has a feed coupled to the parabolic reflector configured to have a high sensitivity for a target satellite within the angular half-width of the reflector beam and a low sensitivity for neighboring interfering satellites within the angular half-width of the reflector beam. Another embodiment includes projecting a first radiation pattern, such as a digital communications link, between a ground station antenna and a target satellite and projecting a second radiation pattern to a target interferer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Mediaur Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven B. Waltman
  • Patent number: 7511678
    Abstract: Systems are disclosed for providing substantially equal E-plane and H-plane radiation patterns in a high power and dual band coaxial feedhorn antenna for a satellite communication system. One embodiment may include a coaxial feedhorn antenna comprising an outer coaxial horn portion for propagation of first signals and an inner horn portion for propagation of second signals. The coaxial feedhorn antenna may also comprise a conductive choke-ring coupled to the outer conductive wall, the conductive choke-ring being coaxial with the outer coaxial horn portion and the inner horn portion. The conductive choke-ring provides substantially equal E-plane and H-plane radiation patterns of the first signals and substantially reduced back-lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Te-Kao Wu
  • Patent number: 7511679
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor-type antenna comprising a magnetic core and a coil wound around the magnetic core for receiving electromagnetic waves, which is disposed in a housing such that the end portion of the magnetic core is bent away from the housing or a metal portion of the housing, and a timepiece, a keyless entry system and an RFID system each comprising such an antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Araki, Masahiro Mita, Chiharu Mitsumata
  • Patent number: 7511680
    Abstract: A system and method for a wireless link to a remote receiver includes a communication device for generating RF and an antenna apparatus for transmitting the RF. The antenna apparatus comprises a plurality of substantially coplanar modified dipoles. Each modified dipole provides gain with respect to isotropic and a horizontally polarized directional radiation pattern. Further, each modified dipole has one or more loading structures configured to decrease the footprint (i.e., the physical dimension) of the modified dipole and minimize the size of the antenna apparatus. The modified dipoles may be electrically switched to result in various radiation patterns. With multiple of the plurality of modified dipoles active, the antenna apparatus may form an omnidirectional horizontally polarized radiation pattern. One or more directors may be included to concentrate the radiation pattern. The antenna apparatus may be conformally mounted to a housing containing the communication device and the antenna apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Ruckus Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Shtrom, William S. Kish
  • Patent number: 7511681
    Abstract: An antenna arrangement for a portable communication apparatus includes a main antenna connectable to an antenna input, a receive antenna connectable to an antenna output, an external antenna connector for receiving a terminal of an auxiliary antenna, an antenna detector arranged to detect the terminal when it is connected to the external antenna connector, a switch adapted to connect either the receive antenna or the external antenna connector to the antenna output, and a DC voltage network. The DC voltage network is connected to the switch and is arranged to automatically control the switch to connect the external antenna connector to the antenna output and disconnect the receive antenna from the antenna output, when the terminal is connected to the external antenna connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Thomas Bolin
  • Patent number: 7511682
    Abstract: Described is a mechanism by which application programs (or plug-ins) and an auxiliary service adjust the output and/or data available for output on an auxiliary device based on changes detected in the current context of the auxiliary display. Context sensors detect and report changes in context, whereby some action is taken with respect to what information is displayed or can be displayed on the auxiliary display device. Examples of context data that can change include the physical location of the display, detected movement or motion data, presence of a particular user or others, power state, network connectivity status, privacy status and so forth. The auxiliary device can have context as to its position relative to the main display. Information sensitivity levels may be used to specify whether an application program's data can be displayed, based on the perceived sensitivity of the information and the user's current context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Fuller, Matthew P. Rhoten, Juan Perez, Christopher A. Schoppa, Curt A. Steeb, Niels van Dongen
  • Patent number: 7511683
    Abstract: The present invention is an information displaying apparatus for a vehicle, which includes a cluster disposed to be faced to an occupant; and a display device disposed in the cluster; the display device includes a displaying surface on which information on the vehicle is displayed, and a plurality of reflecting mirror members which have a distance from each other and disposed forward of the occupant, for allowing the occupant to see the vehicle information by reflecting the vehicle information displayed on the displaying surface, wherein the vehicle information reflected by a reflecting mirror member provided far from the occupant is configured to be visible by the occupant by transmitting a reflecting mirror member provided near to the occupant, and an area where does not overlap with the vehicle information reflected by the reflecting mirror member provided far from the occupant is provided at a proximity of periphery of the reflecting mirror member provided near to the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Kenjiro Sumiyoshi
  • Patent number: 7511684
    Abstract: A method is provided for aligning, without user interaction, the two images of a binocular eyewear display (100) with respect to their vertical, horizontal, and rotational orientation, and with respect to magnification. The method for aligning images comprise generating a signal from a display modification system (108) based on stored values indicative of misalignment of the binocular eyewear display (100); and adjusting, in accordance with the signal, an image or images to be displayed by an optics system (106). The stored values may include values for a plurality of temperatures and humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Oliver, Joseph W. Bostaph
  • Patent number: 7511685
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for driving a PDP for widening a driving margin and improving contrast. The method for driving a PDP includes a first step of forming wall charges in cells with a set-up discharge using a set-up signal in a first sub-field and erasing the wall charges with a set-down discharge using a first set-down signal to initialize the cells, and a second step of erasing the wall charges with a set-down discharge generated using a second set-down signal different from the first set-down signal in a second sub-field, to initialize the cells. The method and apparatus for driving a PDP uniformly initialize sub-fields to widen the driving margin of PDP and remove a set-up discharge in at least one sub-field to improve the contrast of PDP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hee Jae Kim, Chang Young Kwon, Jeong Pil Choi, Seong Ho Kang
  • Patent number: 7511686
    Abstract: A PDP energy recovery apparatus and method controls the time point of charging and discharging energy to a plasma display panel (PDP) optimally and performs a high speed addressing. The PDP energy recovery apparatus includes a PDP, a driving integrated circuit unit for driving the PDP; and a PDP energy recovery circuit units for supplying energy to the PDP, charging an electric charge in the PDP at the time point when the electric charge discharged from the PDP is outputted the smallest, discharging the electric charge charged in the PDP, to thereby quicken the operating speed of the PDP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Jeong Pil Choi
  • Patent number: 7511687
    Abstract: A plurality of pairs of switch parts and current source circuits are disposed in each pixel. Switching of each of a plurality of the switch parts is controlled by a digital video signal. When the switch part is turned on, by a current supplied from the current source circuit making a pair with the switch part, the light emitting element emits light. A current which is supplied from one current source circuit to the light emitting element is constant. A value of a current flowing through the light emitting element is comparable to a value of added currents which are supplied to the light emitting element from respective all current source circuits making pairs with the switch parts which are in the conductive states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Kimura
  • Patent number: 7511688
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electro-luminescence display that is adaptive for reducing its manufacturing cost as well as reducing its process time. An electro-luminescence display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a gamma generator to output a reference gamma voltage corresponding to a control data supplied from the outside; and at least one data integrated circuit to receive a data from the outside and to generate a data signal corresponding to the bit number of the data in use of the reference gamma voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Min Seo, Hyun Joung Kim, Won Kyu Ha, Hak Su Kim, Guen Bae Park, Eun Myung Park, Kee Mog Shin
  • Patent number: 7511689
    Abstract: A display device includes a pixel array unit and a peripheral circuit unit. The pixel array unit includes first scanning lines arranged in rows; second scanning lines arranged in rows; signal lines arranged in columns; and pixels arranged in a matrix pattern at intersections of the scanning lines and the signal lines. The peripheral circuit unit includes a first scanner to supply first control pulses to the first scanning lines; a second scanner to supply second control pulses to the second scanning lines; and a signal driver to supply video signals to the signal lines. Each of the pixels includes at least a sampling transistor; a driving transistor; an emission time controlling transistor; a holding capacitance; and a light-emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhide Uchino, Junichi Yamashita, Takao Tanikame
  • Patent number: 7511690
    Abstract: A display device and a driving method thereof includes categorizing red-color, green-color, and blue-color image signals as belonging to one of first and second signal regions, detecting if the image signals have more signals belonging to the first signal region than the second signal region or if the image signals have more signals belonging to the second signal region than the first signal region, driving an image display portion in a first manner if the image signals are detected to have more signals belonging to the first signal region than the second signal region, and driving the image display portion in a second manner if the image signals are detected to have more signals belonging to the second signal region than the first signal region, the image display portion including a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels having red-color, green-color, blue-color, and white-color sub-pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heum-Il Baek
  • Patent number: 7511691
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus to which the present invention is applied has a first data conversion circuit and a second data conversion circuit. The first data conversion circuit converts each predetermined number of display data included in prepared display data into pixel data in which the respective display data are arranged in a predetermined arranging order and in time-series. The second data conversion circuit is provided for each the predetermined number of signal lines included in the display apparatus and sequentially applies display signal voltages corresponding to the pixel data to the predetermined number of signal lines respectively. The liquid crystal display apparatus equalizes the amounts of charges to be written in respective display pixels by reversing the arranging order of the display data in the pixel data and the order of applying the display signal voltages to the signal lines per field period or per horizontal scanning period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Hirayama, Shunji Kashiyama, Naoki Inagaki
  • Patent number: 7511692
    Abstract: A gradation voltage selecting circuit includes a plurality of gradation selecting MOS Tr groups, M-pieces half gradation voltage MOS Tr groups, a switching portion and a control portion. Each of the plurality of gradation selecting MOS Tr groups corresponds to one gradation voltage. The M-pieces half gradation voltage MOS Tr groups are connected to each other in series. The control portion supplies a second signal in response to a second display data. The first gradation selecting MOS Tr group selects a first gradation voltage in response to the second signals. The second gradation selecting MOS Tr group selects a second gradation voltage in response to the second signals. The first and second gradation selecting MOS Tr groups and the M-pieces half gradation voltage MOS Tr groups voltage-divide a gradation voltage between the first gradation voltage and the second gradation voltage into (M+2) equal parts in response to the second signal, and generate (M+1)-pieces half gradation voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Toshikazu Murata
  • Patent number: 7511693
    Abstract: A display driver adjustable for a gamma specification of a liquid display panel, including: a system interface receiving display data from an external; a memory storing the display data; a grayscale voltage generator generating a plurality of grayscale voltages; a gamma adjusting circuit adjusting the gamma specification; and an output circuit outputting the grayscale voltage in response to the display data from the memory to the liquid display panel, wherein the gamma adjusting circuit includes: a gradient adjustment register controlling variable resistors of a ladder resistor; an amplitude/reference adjustment register; and a micro adjustment register, wherein the gradient adjustment register, the amplitude/reference adjustment register and micro adjustment register, are independently set in accordance with red, green and blue, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kudo, Akihito Akai, Kazuo Ookado, Kazunari Kurokawa, Hiroki Aizawa
  • Patent number: 7511694
    Abstract: A source driver that responds to image data by generating an output signal which can be used to drive a flat panel display. The source driver includes a gamma decoder and an amplifier. The gamma decoder selects a first voltage among first analog gray voltages based on some upper bits of the image data, selects a second voltage among second analog gray voltages based on other upper bits of the image data, and selectively outputs at least one of the first and second voltages as a plurality of distributed analog signals in response to lower bits of the image data. The amplifier interpolates between the distributed analog signals from the gamma decoder to generate the output signal of the source driver. The amplifier includes bias circuits that are each configured to generate a bias current, and a plurality of MOSFETs. Each of the MOSFETs includes a source, a drain, and a gate terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung-tae Kim, Woo-nyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 7511695
    Abstract: The screen is exempt from variation in brightness due to uneven temperature distribution. The color liquid crystal display unit has a color display panel of transmissive type and a backlight unit placed behind the color display panel. The backlight unit has a plurality of LEDs connected in series, the drive unit to drive the LEDs in correspondence with the LEDs, and the temperature sensor to detect the temperature of LEDs. The groups of LEDs are arranged in regions where the display unit has the same temperature. The drive unit controls current to be supplied to LEDs in response to temperature detected by the temperature sensor so that the LEDs retain the constant brightness even when the LEDs fluctuate in temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Norimasa Furukawa, Kenichi Kikuchi, Hiroaki Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7511696
    Abstract: A display includes a backlight comprising light sources. The light sources are divided into sections. The display also includes a transmissive display panel positioned adjacent to the backlight, a diffuser positioned between the backlight and the transmissive display panel, and a control circuit coupled to the backlight and the transmissive display panel. The control circuit synchronizes light output by the backlight with a transmittance of the transmissive display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Andrei Cernasov, Fernando R. De La Vega
  • Patent number: 7511697
    Abstract: A facility reference system and method are disclosed by which data and information can be organized, accessed, viewed, and monitored. The information can be installed and accessed from a local computer, system, or network and can include data and documents of a variety of formats. The information is presented so as to provide access for persons both from technical and non-technical backgrounds. One principal of the invention is to provide consistent, centralized access to facilities management information. Further, a mechanism can be implemented to allow the user to easily email information residing in the system to an email recipient. Further still, printing capabilities can be implemented that will allow consistent, standard output of the data. Editing capabilities are provided to allow editing of spreadsheet data. A search mechanism is also provided to efficiently locate and view required data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: OMEGAVUE, Inc.
    Inventor: Judd Peterson
  • Patent number: 7511698
    Abstract: An RFID wireless computer mouse system, comprising: a mouse having a single passive RFID circuit in signal communication with a computer having an RFID reader. The single passive RFID circuit operates the mouse such that the mouse provides signals indicative of X-Y coordinates to move a cursor on a display screen of the computer without the use of an internal or an external power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul D. Kangas, Jeff David Thomas
  • Patent number: 7511699
    Abstract: Disclosed are an optical pointing system and method for controlling power and/or clock signal thereof. The optical pointing system includes a movement speed sensing unit for calculating a movement speed using a movement value, a variable power unit for varying a magnitude of power supply voltage according to the calculated movement speed, and a variable clock signal generating unit for adaptively varying an operating speed of a circuit by varying a frequency of a supplied clock signal according to the calculated movement speed. Thus, it is possible to reduce power consumption by adaptively varying the operating speed of the circuit based on the magnitude of the supplied power and/or the frequency of the clock signal according to the movement speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: ATLab Inc.
    Inventor: Young-Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 7511700
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an effective keypad assembly and keypad layout for mobile computing devices. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide keyboard layouts and designs. Additionally, embodiments described herein provide for stack components to make keyboards operable on small-form factor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Skillman
  • Patent number: 7511701
    Abstract: The invention relates to portable communication devices and in particular to the key arrays and associated legends of such devices. The user input element legends are printed on respective surfaces of a transparent face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Vertu Limited
    Inventor: Frank Nuovo
  • Patent number: 7511702
    Abstract: A unit to provide both force and location detection includes a first transparent substrate (having first and second sets of conductive traces oriented in a first direction), a second transparent substrate (having a third set of conductive traces oriented in a second direction) and a plurality of deformable members (e.g., rubber beads) arranged between the first and second transparent substrates. The first set of conductive traces, in combination with the conductive traces of the second transparent element, provide a capacitance signal representing where a user touches the display element. The second set of conductive traces, in combination with the conductive traces of the second transparent element, provide a capacitance signal representing the amount of force applied to the display element. When used with a display element (e.g., a LCD or CRT), an input-output unit capable of both location sensing and force sensing operations is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Porter Hotelling
  • Patent number: 7511703
    Abstract: Output of a computer system is manipulated using a physical object disposed adjacent to an interactive display surface. A painting application produces an image in response to an object disposed adjacent to the interactive display surface. During each of a plurality of capture intervals, a set of points corresponding to the object is detected when the object is disposed adjacent to the interactive display surface. An image is projected onto the interactive display surface representing the set of points and is filled with a color or pattern. As successive sets of points are accumulated during each of a plurality of capture intervals, a composite image is displayed. An object can thus be used, for example, to “draw,” “paint,” or “stamp” images on the display surface. These images manifest characteristics of the object and its interaction and movement relative to the interactive display surface in a realistic manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew D. Wilson, Joel P. Dehlin
  • Patent number: 7511704
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an acoustic wave touch bar system and method of use. Certain embodiments include a bar having two portions of reduced cross-section forming an acoustic cavity in the portion of the bar between the reduced cross-sections. The system includes an acoustic wave transducer positioned on the acoustic wave cavity, wherein the transducer generates an acoustic standing wave that is substantially trapped in the acoustic cavity. The system also includes a circuit coupled to the transducer and responsive to a change in an output of the transducer to detect a touch on a touch surface of the bar. The circuit may be a programmable and/or adaptive circuit, for example. The circuit may detect a change in an exponentially decaying response of the transducer indicating that the touch surface of the bar has been touched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Terence J. Knowles, Wayne J. Wehrer, Charles F. Bremigan, III
  • Patent number: 7511705
    Abstract: A low cost x-y digitizing system is described for use in consumer electronic devices, such as portable digital assistants, mobile telephones, web browsers and the like. The digitizer includes a resonant stylus, an excitation winding for energizing the resonant stylus and a set of sensor windings for sensing the signal generated by the stylus, from which the x-y position of the stylus is determined. A novel stylus design is described together with novel digitizer windings and novel excitation and processing circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Synaptics (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Christopher J. Silk, David T. E. Ely, Andrew Errington, Ian Collins, Geoffrey Foote, Julian Haines, Robert J. Bolender, Gareth J. McCaughan
  • Patent number: 7511706
    Abstract: Haptic feedback interface devices using electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators to provide haptic sensations. A haptic feedback interface device is in communication with a host computer and includes a sensor device that detects the manipulation of the interface device by the user and an electroactive polymer actuator responsive to input signals and operative to output a force to the user caused by motion of the actuator. The output force provides a haptic sensation to the user. In an embodiment, a stylus including a body having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, a moveable member coupled to the body and capable of being in contact with a user's hand; and an electro active polymer actuator coupled to the moveable member, wherein the electroactive polymer moves the moveable member from a first position to a second position with respect to the body upon being activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce M. Schena
  • Patent number: 7511707
    Abstract: According to an exemplary driving method of a plasma display panel of the present invention, waveforms having a reset function, an address function, and a sustain discharge function are applied to a scan electrode while sustain electrodes are biased at a ground voltage. A board for driving the sustain electrodes and a switch for supplying a ground voltage is eliminated and accordingly manufacturing cost of driving boards is reduced. Various circuits for generating the desirable waveforms and simplifications that do not compromise the effectiveness of the circuits are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ito, Jun-Hyung Kim, Byung-Gwon Cho
  • Patent number: 7511708
    Abstract: A display device in accordance with the present invention changes to Vc the voltage of a terminal of a capacitor C2 the other terminal of which is connected to the gate of a driver TFT Q1. Thus, a desired voltage Vda is fed from a source line Sj to the drain of the driver TFT Q1 so as to adjust the threshold voltage Vth of the driver TFT Q1. The device then changes the voltage of the terminal of the capacitor C2 to Va to render the gate voltage of the driver TFT Q1 Vda-Vth-Vc+Va. A power supply voltage Vp is fed from the source of the driver TFT Q1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takaji Numao
  • Patent number: 7511709
    Abstract: When semi-amorphous TFTs are used for forming a signal line driver circuit and a pixel, a large amplitude is required for driving the pixel, and a large power supply voltage is thus needed. On the other hand, when a shift register is made up of transistors having a single conductivity, a bootstrap circuit is required, and a voltage over a power supply is applied to a specific element. Therefore, not both the driving amplitude and the reliability can be achieved with a single power supply. According to the invention, a level shifter having a single conductivity is provided to solve such a problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Koyama, Keitaro Imai, Shinji Maekawa, Makoto Furuno, Osamu Nakamura, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7511710
    Abstract: A three-dimensional electronic program guide (EPG) is displayed as multiple two-dimensional areas within a three-dimensional television viewing environment. Each two-dimensional area contains a particular category of EPG data. A viewer navigates the three-dimensional EPG using an input device, such as a joystick or other game controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Peter T. Barrett