James Timothy Conner

US Patent:

56149212, Mar 25, 1997

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/482538

Inventors:

James L. Conner - Rowlett TX
Michael J. Overlaur - Plano TX
Kevin Kornher - Dallas TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G09G 320
G09G 334

US Classification:

345 85

Abstract:

A method and device for controlling the bias voltages for a split-reset spatial light modulator. Each block of the spatial light modulator can be individually controlled lowering the throughput needed to load each frame of data. Blocks are selected individually or in groups with the potential of providing one voltage condition on the selected blocks and a different voltage condition on the deselected blocks. One embodiment of the disclosed method comprises input latches and buffers 44, address decode logic 46 to determine the selected blocks, mode select logic 48 to determine the requested operation, delay circuitry 50 to minimize current loading, and level shifters 52 to convert logic signals to voltage levels appropriate to control the output drive circuitry 54.

US Patent:

56710836, Sep 23, 1997

Filed:

Feb 2, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/382566

Inventors:

James L. Conner - Rowlett TX
Mike Overlaur - Plano TX
Rohit L. Bhuva - Plano TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G02B 2600

US Classification:

359291

Abstract:

A monolithic DMD spatial light modulator (20) including a storage cell array (24) of charge storage elements (30). Each charge storage cell (30) is formed using robust MOS processes, and comprises a pair of capacitors (32) having a polysilicon electrode fabricated over a substrate, and separated by a thin oxide dielectric. Each capacitor (32) is shielded by several light impermeable metal shields (37, 64, 66, 68, 72, 74, 80, 82, 88) to prevent discharging due to light incident to SLM (20). The substrate electrode (38) is encompassed by an n+ doped region (42) providing a source of minority carriers to an inversion region under the polysilicon electrode (50).

US Patent:

59531533, Sep 14, 1999

Filed:

Oct 27, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/958018

Inventors:

James L. Conner - Rowlett TX
Michael J. Overlaur - Plano TX
Jeffrey W. Clark - Garland TX
Herman A. Groller - Mesquite TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G02B 2608

US Classification:

359298

Abstract:

A spatial light modulator (10) having a micromechanical active portion (12) encompassed by a light shield (14). The light shield (14) is fabricated upon a substrate (36) and has a plurality of openings (72, and 80) to permit underlying layers of photoresist (90, 92) to be undercut from beneath the light shield. Removal of the photoresist layers provides a sufficiently flat light shield, and eliminates the possibility that particles from the photoresist layer could migrate to beneath active micromirrors (30) of the spatial light modulator (12).

US Patent:

56254245, Apr 29, 1997

Filed:

Nov 14, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/339373

Inventors:

James L. Conner - Rowlett TX
Joseph G. Egan - Garland TX
William R. Breithaupt - Dallas TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H04H 912

US Classification:

348743

Abstract:

A digital motor controller (17) for controlling both the phase and speed of a brushless DC motor (16). An error detection unit (21) detects a speed error or a phase error. An error logic unit (22) uses the error to determine a speed control value, that is proportional to represent an average motor input voltage that varies from the current input voltage by an amount determined by the error. A pulse width modulation unit (23) receives the speed control value and uses it to determine the duty cycle for the motor drive signals. A commutation unit (24) modulates the appropriate drive signal, and a drive stage (27) delivers the drive signals to the motor (16).

US Patent:

56871309, Nov 11, 1997

Filed:

Nov 30, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/346707

Inventors:

James L. Conner - Rowlett TX
Rohit L. Bhuva - Plano TX
Michael J. Overlaur - Plano TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G11C 1300

US Classification:

36523001

Abstract:

The spatial light modulator (30) of the DMD type having associated memory cells (10) with a single bit line memory read back architecture (54). The memory cells (10) include a charge equalization switch (50) comprising a transistor connected across the bit lines (16,18) of the memory cell (10). This charge equalization transistor (50) is momentarily turned on (T. sub. 3) to balance residual charge on the memory cell bit lines (16,18), after a write cycle (T. sub. 2) but before the read cycle (T. sub. 4). When the memory cell contents are subsequently read (T. sub. 4), the memory cell contents will not change state. A single amplifier (54) is connected to one bit line for reading the memory cell contents. The single bit line (18) memory read back architecture provides a more efficient circuit layout to the spacing constraints required with DMDs, consumes less power than designs with a differential amplifier, and additionally, provides yield improvements.

US Patent:

55812724, Dec 3, 1996

Filed:

Aug 25, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/111696

Inventors:

James L. Conner - Rowlett TX
Michael J. Overlaur - Plano TX
Kevin Kornher - Dallas TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G09G 334

US Classification:

345 85

Abstract:

A method and device for controlling the bias voltages for a split-reset spatial light modulator. Each block of the spatial light modulator can be individually controlled lowering the throughput needed to load each frame of data. Blocks are selected individually or in groups with the potential of providing one voltage condition on the selected blocks and a different voltage condition on the deselected blocks. One embodiment of the disclosed method comprises input latches and buffers 44, address decode logic 46 to determine the selected blocks, mode select logic 48 to determine the requested operation, delay circuitry 50 to minimize current loading, and level shifters 52 to convert logic signals to voltage levels appropriate to control the output drive circuitry 54.

US Patent:

20210126329, Apr 29, 2021

Filed:

Dec 7, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/113981

Inventors:

- Wylie TX, US
James Conner - Rockwall TX, US

Assignee:

Bayco Products, Inc. - Wylie TX

International Classification:

H01M 50/579
H02H 7/18
H02H 9/00

Abstract:

A simple, low-cost circuit is disclosed that provides the requisite triple redundancy for a spark protection circuit for a battery-operated device having an on-board battery charger that is intended for use in hazardous atmospheres. The circuit complies with the IEC standard for intrinsically safe products.

US Patent:

20200194769, Jun 18, 2020

Filed:

Dec 17, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/222094

Inventors:

- Wylie TX, US
James Conner - Rockwall TX, US

Assignee:

Bayco Products, Inc. - Wylie TX

International Classification:

H01M 2/34
H02H 9/00
H02H 7/18

Abstract:

A simple, low-cost circuit is disclosed that provides the requisite triple redundancy for a spark protection circuit for a battery-operated device having an on-board battery charger that is intended for use in hazardous atmospheres. The circuit complies with the IEC standard for intrinsically safe products.