John R Hansen

US Patent:

6476753, Nov 5, 2002

Filed:

Sep 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/675183

Inventors:

John P. Hansen - Austin TX
Eric J. Salter - Scottsdale AZ

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

H03M 112

US Classification:

341155

Abstract:

An analog to digital converter using a memory array of multi-state magnetoresistive memory elements in which a received analog signal is proportionally distributed among the memory elements to program the memory array. The memory array may be organized into column and row memory lines and may include analog splitter circuitry that proportionally distributes the analog signal among the column and row memory lines. The analog splitter circuitry may divide the analog signal into increasingly discrete signal levels along the column and row memory lines. The analog splitter circuitry may include multiple current devices, each configured to carry a proportionally increasing current level between consecutive column and row memory lines. Alternatively, the analog splitter circuitry includes substantially equivalent current devices that are grouped and proportionally distributed among the column and row memory lines to proportionally distribute the received analog signal. Read logic digitally combines programmed logic states of the memory elements of the memory array to achieve an output digital value.

US Patent:

6646948, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Aug 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/230785

Inventors:

Ronald W. Stence - Austin TX
John P. Hansen - Austin TX

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

G11C 800

US Classification:

36523003, 365106, 365 64

Abstract:

A data storage system utilizing a non-volatile IC based storage media to reduce data retrieval time. The data storage system includes a non-volatile, non IC based storage system such as e. g. a hard disk. In one example, the non-volatile IC based storage media is implemented with MRAM. In one example, the processor of the storage system determines a seek time between sectors of the hard disk drive allocated to store a file of user data. Based upon the determined seek time, the processor non-volatilely stores a portion (e. g. the leading portion or the trailing portion) of a block of the user data in the MRAM. When the data is being accessed from the hard disk, the processor can provide the data stored in the MRAM while a read/write head moves between the sectors in order to decrease the access time for a file.

US Patent:

6834216, Dec 21, 2004

Filed:

Dec 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/022013

Inventors:

John P. Hansen - Austin TX
Ronald W. Stence - Austin TX
Stan B. Ostrum - Austin TX
Alan Michael Rooke - Northville MI
Pascal Louis Renard - Vetraz-Monthoux, FR

Assignee:

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G05B 1918

US Classification:

700275, 701102, 701105, 700 8, 12340618

Abstract:

A hardware system is provided for performing angle-to-time and time-to-angle conversions in a dynamic angular measurement and control system. The system has the capability of updating scheduled event times of other hardware timers in the system that are being used to generate output events at some specific angular position in the future. One application of the system is in automotive powertrain control systems in which the position of the engine is determined from a pulsed signal generated by a rotating crankshaft that accelerates and decelerates over time. The system performs critical calculations in hardware which consumes less CPU bandwidth than existing systems, resulting in potential cost savings for the overall system.

US Patent:

7006318, Feb 28, 2006

Filed:

Aug 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/231868

Inventors:

Ronald W. Stence - Austin TX, US
John P. Hansen - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G11B 15/18

US Classification:

360 69

Abstract:

A removable media data storage system with a memory for storing operational data regarding a removable media. In some examples, the operational data stored includes utilization data and/or system data. In some embodiments, the operational data is stored in a non-volatile IC based memory such as e. g. MRAM. In some examples, the memory can store multiple sets of operational data with one set for each removable media that has been inserted into the data storage system. The data system may include a processor operably coupled to the memory, wherein the memory and processor are located on a circuit board in the data system housing.

US Patent:

7096378, Aug 22, 2006

Filed:

Aug 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/230788

Inventors:

Ronald W. Stence - Austin TX, US
John P. Hansen - Austin TX, US
David A. Hayner - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G06F 11/00
G06F 12/00

US Classification:

714 6, 711103, 711112, 711113, 711114, 711161

Abstract:

A data storage system having a non IC based memory and an IC based non-volatile memory for storing user data. In one example, the IC based non-volatile memory is implemented with MRAM. Examples of non IC based memory include e. g. hard disks, tape, and compact disks. In some examples, the IC based memory is utilized to store user data from an information device in order to increase the speed and/or the effective storage capacity of the data storage system. In some examples, a portion of a standard size block of user data can be stored on spaces of the non IC based memory that are deficient for storing a standard size block with the remaining portion being stored in IC based memory. Portions of a file of user data may be non-volatilely stored in the IC based memory in order to more quickly provide the file to an information device. For example, data of a file, that if stored in a location on the non IC based media would significantly increase the retrieval time of the file, can be stored in the IC based media.

US Patent:

7170706, Jan 30, 2007

Filed:

Aug 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/230690

Inventors:

Ronald W. Stence - Austin TX, US
John P. Hansen - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G11B 15/18

US Classification:

360 69

Abstract:

A hard disk system for storing user data for an information device. The hard disk system includes a non-volatile, IC based memory such as e. g. , a memory utilizing MRAM, to non volatilely store system data for the hard disk. Examples of system data include a master list, a list of unused sectors, and a list of defective sectors. In some examples, the master list includes the physical location on a hard disk where data of a file is stored. The non-volatile memory is operably coupled to a data storage system processor and may be implemented on a circuit board with the data storage system processor.

US Patent:

8166081, Apr 24, 2012

Filed:

Feb 5, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/366535

Inventors:

Kelly M. Christensen - Marina Del Rey CA, US
John Phillip Hansen - Austin TX, US
Thomas Daniel Mock - Sheffield PA, US

Assignee:

StratosAudio, Inc. - Century City CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

707812, 707737, 455 306

Abstract:

The disclosure herein provides systems and methods for a media enhancement system configured to associate a secondary media signal (for example, the secondary media signal can comprise an advertisement) to a primary media signal (for example, a radio broadcast). The disclosure herein additionally provides systems and methods for a media enhancement system that enables the generating, transmitting, displaying, and/or responding to a plurality of associated and/or unassociated secondary media signals, based on a primary media content from a primary media signal, user characteristics (for example, demographic and/or geographic information), and/or third-party preferences (for example, the goals of advertisers). The secondary media signals can be used to enhance the primary media content already being provided to the user on a user device. The secondary media signals can also be used to create psychological associations or relationships with the primary media content already being provided to the user.

US Patent:

8516017, Aug 20, 2013

Filed:

Apr 20, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/452783

Inventors:

Kelly M. Christensen - Mill Creek WA, US
John Phillip Hansen - Austin TX, US
Thomas Daniel Mock - Sheffield PA, US

Assignee:

StratosAudio, Inc. - Kirkland WA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

707812, 707737

Abstract:

The disclosure herein provides systems and methods for a media enhancement system configured to associate a secondary media signal (for example, the secondary media signal can comprise an advertisement) to a primary media signal (for example, a radio broadcast). The disclosure herein additionally provides systems and methods for a media enhancement system that enables the generating, transmitting, displaying, and/or responding to a plurality of associated and/or unassociated secondary media signals, based on a primary media content from a primary media signal, user characteristics (for example, demographic and/or geographic information), and/or third-party preferences (for example, the goals of advertisers). The secondary media signals can be used to enhance the primary media content already being provided to the user on a user device. The secondary media signals can also be used to create psychological associations or relationships with the primary media content already being provided to the user.