Patents Examined by Brent J Andrews
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Patent number: 9523733Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to automatic test equipment for testing a circuit having an oscillating crystal and to a method for operating such automatic test equipment. A generator generates a first signal comprising an oscillating part having at least one predetermined frequency. A first terminal couples the first signal to the oscillating crystal. At least one predetermined frequency is located inside a predetermined window around one of the resonance frequencies of the oscillating crystal. An analyzer has a second terminal coupled to the oscillating crystal for detecting a second signal and a rectifier connected in series with a low-pass filter for rectifying and filtering the second signal. A detector for detects a DC-signal at the output of the low-pass filter and for signals a valid test result for the oscillating crystal if the DC-signal exceeds a certain threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Ralf Sonnhueter, Anton Ecker
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Patent number: 9519008Abstract: An electronic device includes a support that is coupled to a coupled subject and includes a support portion, a substrate supported by the support portion, a current sensor including a signal terminal, wherein the current sensor is connected to the substrate in a manner allowing for a signal to be sent to the substrate through the signal terminal, and a fastener fastening the current sensor to the support portion and the substrate. The current sensor is suspended from the substrate. The support portion is arranged between the substrate and the current sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2013Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKIInventors: Naoki Higashikawa, Kazuyoshi Kontani
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Patent number: 9500675Abstract: A probe module, which supports loopback test and is provided between a PCB and a DUT, includes a substrate, a probe base, two probes, two signal path switchers, and a capacitor. The substrate has two first connecting circuits and two second connecting circuits, wherein an end of each first connecting circuit is connected to the PCB. The probe base is provided between the substrate and the DUT with the probes provided thereon, wherein an end of each probe is exposed and electrically connected to one second connecting circuit, while another end thereof is also exposed to contact the DUT. Each signal path switcher is provided on the probe base, and respectively electrically connected to another end of one first and one second connecting circuits. The capacitor is provided on the probe base with two ends electrically connected to the two signal path switchers.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: MPI CORPORATIONInventors: Wei-Cheng Ku, Jun-Liang Lai, Wei Chen, Hsin Hsiang Liu, Kuang Chung Chou, Chan Hung Huang
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Patent number: 9490804Abstract: A capacitance sense device can include a plurality of sense electrodes; a nonconductive structure comprising first regions formed over the sense electrodes and second regions formed between first regions that are less compressible than the first regions; a conductive touch surface formed over the nonconductive structure; and a capacitance sense circuit coupled to at least the sense electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Shruti Hanumanthaiah, Kannan Srinivasagam
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Patent number: 9488681Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a synchronized phasor in power system based on voltage and current measurements, sampling of the voltage and current measurements and convolving the samples with a function.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2012Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Oleksandr Korovin, Ilia Voloh, Zhiying Zhang, Sridevi Mutnuri, Ihab Hamour
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Patent number: 9484944Abstract: In one embodiment, a circuit comprises first and second capacitors configured to receive a sense current in first and second modes, respectively. A comparator is coupled to the first capacitor to compare a voltage of the first capacitor to a reference voltage and generate a count signal in response to the voltage of the first capacitor reaching the reference voltage in the first mode. The comparator is coupled to the second capacitor to compare a voltage of the second capacitor to the reference voltage and generate the count signal in response to the voltage of the second capacitor reaching the reference voltage in the second mode. A reset circuit discharges the first capacitor in the second mode and the second capacitor in the first mode in response to the count signal. A counter increments a count of a number of occurrences of the count signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATEDInventor: Vincenzo F Peluso
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Patent number: 9459295Abstract: An improved receiver system may include an input to receive an input signal, and a signal generating circuit to generate a desired oscillator signal that is a single sideband radio frequency signal of time varying frequency. The receiver may also include a downconversion stage to generate an intermediate frequency (IF) signal based on the input signal and the desired oscillator signal. A signal processing block in the receiver may be used to produce an output signal based on the IF signal by frequency shifting the IF signal by an amount that compensates for the time varying frequency of the desired oscillator signal. The desired oscillator signal may be generated using a vector signal generator that receives a control value from the signal processing block, converts the control value to a pair of analog input signals, and generates the desired oscillator signal by quadrature modulating the pair of analog input signals.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventor: Daniel S. Wertz
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Patent number: 9459302Abstract: Disclosed is a device under test (DUT) tester using a redriver. The DUT tester more effectively tests the DUT, which is a predetermined semiconductor device, by applying an electrical signal to the DUT and measuring the electrical signal. The DUT tester includes a DUT test unit, a printed circuit board (PCB) provided therein with connectors for the connection with the DUT test unit, one DUT or more horizontally arranged on the PCB, and redrivers horizontally provided under the PCB and one-to-one matched with one DUT or more to compensate for the distortion of the signal integrity of test signals caused according to the variation of the transmission distance.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: UNITEST INCInventor: Jin An Oh
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Patent number: 9448275Abstract: Apparatus and methods of detecting failures in systems having a four-wire variable differential transformer sensor. In one embodiment, a method of detecting failures includes monitoring a source frequency of an Alternating Current (AC) voltage applied to an input of a four-wire variable differential transformer sensor, and monitoring an output frequency for an output of the sensor. The method further includes comparing the output frequency with the source frequency, and detecting a failure if the output frequency is different than the source frequency.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard J. Wingerter
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Patent number: 9442093Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for detecting anomalies in cables within a tire structure. A plurality of magnetic field sensitive sensors are aligned within a magnetic field provided by a magnet. The alignment of sensors and magnet is such that flux lines from the magnet are generally parallel to the plane occupied by the magnetic sensors. A tire cable anomaly present between the magnetic field sensitive sensors produces a detectable difference in signals produced by the magnetic field sensitive sensors as a result of the formation of perpendicular flux patterns produced by the anomaly. A signal processing circuit receiving input signals from the sensors evaluates differences between the signals from each of the plurality of sensors by pairing the output signal from each sensor with the output signal from each of the others of the plurality of sensors and produces an output signal upon the differences meeting selected criteria.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignees: MICHELIN RECHERCHE et TECHNIQUES S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Lee Brandon, Gene Edward DeAmicis, Frank E. Gramling, David Andrew Judd
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Patent number: 9441942Abstract: A stator includes: a core formed by laminating magnetic steel sheets; and an excitation coil and a detection coil which are wound around teeth provided at the core. The core includes a peripheral section which is disposed to surround the rotor and a detection section which is disposed at the interior of the peripheral section and has the teeth. When the magnetic steel sheets are laminated, each of the magnetic steel sheets forming the core includes a portion which constitutes the peripheral section and a portion which constitutes the detection section. The detection section is substantially U-shaped, and both sides of the U-shape become a pair of teeth which form one phase. A base portion of the substantially U-shape of the detection section connects with the peripheral section, and gaps are provided between the peripheral section and a part of the base portion which is the root of the teeth.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: OKUMA CorporationInventors: Soichi Kawamura, Motozumi Yura, Shinji Shibata
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Patent number: 9442594Abstract: A sensor is configured to experience resistance changes in response to an external interaction. The sensor comprises a first layer of a conductive material having a first electrode connected thereto; a second intermediate layer of a material having a resistance sensitive to said external interaction; and a third layer including a first set of fingers interdigitated with a second set of fingers. A second electrode is attached to the first set of fingers and a third electrode is attached to the second set of fingers. The second layer includes a quantum tunnelling composite and provides electrical conduction between the first layer and the third layer. In a preferred embodiment, the first electrode is connected to either one of said second electrode or said third electrode to complete a parallel connection. A method is described for constructing such a sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Peratech Holdco LimitedInventors: Mark Andrew Graham, David Lussey
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Patent number: 9423474Abstract: A magnetic-field sensor includes: a chip including a substrate having a first surface and an insulating layer covering the first surface; first and second magnetoresistors each extending into the insulating layer and having a main axis of magnetization and a secondary axis of magnetization; a first magnetic-field generator configured to generate a first magnetic field having field lines along the main axis of magnetization of the first magnetoresistor; a second magnetic-field generator configured to generate a second magnetic field having field lines along the main axis of magnetization of the second magnetoresistor. The main axes of magnetization extending transversely to each other and the secondary axes of magnetization extending transversely to each other. The first and second magnetoresistors extend into the insulating layer at a first distance and a second distance, respectively, that differ from one another, from the first surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2013Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Dario Paci, Sarah Zerbini, Benedetto Vigna
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Patent number: 9423470Abstract: A control system for controlling a synchronous motor having a magnet in a rotor includes an inverter configured to output an AC current for driving the motor, a gate command generating unit configured to generate a gate command for controlling the inverter, a current detecting unit configured to detect the AC current output by the inverter, a magnetic pole position estimating unit configured to estimate a magnetic pole position based on the AC current detected by the current detecting unit and generate an estimation signal, a current command generating unit configured to generate a current command and an estimation command for controlling the inverter to output an AC current with a predetermined level, and a magnetic polarity determination unit configured to determine the polarity of the magnet based on the estimation signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2013Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Shun Taniguchi, Kazuya Yasui, Kazuaki Yuuki, Yosuke Nakazawa
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Patent number: 9425716Abstract: A method for checking an electric energy storage device for a blade angle adjustment drive of a wind turbine. The method includes blocking an electric motor, loading an electric energy storage device from the blocked electric motor by means of a converter; and observing the discharging of the electric energy storage device.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2010Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: SSB Wind Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Hermann Kestermann
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Patent number: 9393663Abstract: Measuring device, in particular for in-process measurement of test pieces during a machining operation on a machine tool, in particular a grinding machine, has a measuring head which is movable relative to a base body of the measuring device between a neutral position and a measuring position in which the measuring head is in measuring contact with the test piece. At least one angle sensor is associated with the measuring head for detecting the angular position of the measuring head, in particular changes in the angular position of the measuring head relative to the test piece, during a measuring operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2011Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: HOMMEL-ETAMIC GmbHInventor: Raimund Volk
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Patent number: 9389247Abstract: Embodiments relate to magnetic field current sensors having sensor elements for sensing at least two magnetic field components, for example Bx and By. The current in a conductor is estimated by Bx and Bx/By, wherein Bx is the primary measurement and Bx/By is a corrective term used to account for position tolerances between the sensor and the conductor. In other embodiments, the corrective term can be dBx/By, where dBx is a difference in between components sensed at different sensor elements. The particular field components can vary in embodiments; for example, the current can be estimated by By and By/Bx, or dBy/Bx or some other arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2011Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Udo Ausserlechner
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Patent number: 9391604Abstract: A gate driver unit includes an input stage, an output stage, a read/write interface, and a monitoring stage. The input stage is configured to receive control signals and forward the control signals to the output stage and the monitoring stage. The read/write interface is configured to receive configuration data and forward the configuration data to the monitoring stage. The monitoring stage is configured to capture and evaluate signals of a power switch connected to the gate driver unit and synchronize the evaluation of the signals of the power switch to the control signals. The evaluation of the signals and the synchronization of the evaluation are based on the configuration data.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2012Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventors: Jens Barrenscheen, Laurent Beaurenaut
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Patent number: 9381515Abstract: A cellular electric potential measuring container includes a container body and an electrode substrate, the electrode substrate being attached to a lower end of the container body so as to form a plurality of wells. The container body is made from resin and comprises a plurality of tubular portions whose upper and lower ends are open, each of the tubular portions comprises in an inner cavity a measurement portion tapered toward the lower end and having a measurement hole at the lower end, and further on an inner wall at least two retaining means retaining the measurement portion. The electrode substrate comprises a substrate body, with a plurality of measurement electrodes and a plurality of reference electrodes being disposed on one surface of the substrate body. The container body is attached to the surface of the substrate body on which the measurement electrodes and the reference electrodes are disposed, such that the measurement electrodes are exposed through the measurement holes.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignees: Nipro Corporation, ReproCELL IncorporatedInventors: Shinji Morimoto, Yui Hagiwara
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Patent number: 9383881Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that facilitate improved input device performance. Specifically, the devices and methods facilitate input using a pressure-sensitive layer whose electrical admittivity changes in response to pressure applied to a touch surface. An input device is provided that comprises a plurality of sensor electrodes including a set of primary sensor electrodes and a set of secondary sensor electrodes. Each primary sensor electrode is electrically coupled to at least one secondary sensor electrode to form a set of electrical admittances. In one embodiment, the pressure-sensitive layer is located between the sensor electrodes and the touch surface, such that changes in the admittivity of the pressure-sensitive layer in response to pressure on the touch surface cause corresponding changes in the admittances between the primary and secondary sensor electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2010Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Shawn P. Day, Richard R. Schediwy