Bret A Howe

US Patent:

61191388, Sep 12, 2000

Filed:

Feb 27, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/807283

Inventors:

Christopher T. Pinckney - Irvine CA
Bret R. Howe - Mira Loma CA
Robert E. DeCaro - San Juan Capistrano CA

Assignee:

Novalog, Inc. - Costa Mesa CA

International Classification:

G06F 116

US Classification:

708109

Abstract:

An improved apparatus and method are provided for wireless communication with computers. The communication apparatus is integral with a removable by cover of a computer case and operatively connected to memory means associated with the case. By mounting or affixing the wireless communication device to a bay or slot cover in the computer case, conventional existing computers can be readily retrofitted to include integral and upgradable wireless communication. In certain embodiments, a jack or other connection is provided in the bay or slot cover, and a removable wireless communication member is selectively connected to the jack. Cable means preferably connect a motherboard within the computer housing to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device or connection may be combined on a single bay cover with a conventional device such as a diskette drive, tape drive, or the like.

US Patent:

20190261476, Aug 22, 2019

Filed:

Jan 4, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/239725

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Bret Ross Howe - Irvine CA, US

Assignee:

Littelfuse, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H05B 33/08
H02J 7/00
H05B 37/02

Abstract:

A current driver integrated circuit (IC) is coupled to control current flow through a diode. In one example, the diode is a Light Emitting Diode (LED) having an anode coupled to a supply node supplied by a battery and a cathode coupled to a drive terminal of the current driver IC. During operation the current driver IC is enabled and sinks an output current from the supply node, through the LED, through the drive terminal, and onto a ground node. As current flows through the LED, the battery is discharged. Changes in battery voltage cause an output voltage between the cathode of the LED and the ground node to change. Despite variations in output voltage, the current driver IC maintains a current level of the output current to be within five percent of a desired output current level across an output voltage range of at least 2V.