Patents Examined by David Frederiksen
  • Patent number: 9231476
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for tracking energy consumption. An energy tracking system comprises at least one switching element, at least one inductor and a control block to keep the output voltage at a pre-selected level. The switching elements are configured to apply the source of energy to the inductors. The control block compares the output voltage of the energy tracking system to a reference value and controls the switching of the switched elements in order to transfer energy for the primary voltage into a secondary voltage at the output of the energy tracking system. The electronic device further comprises an ON-time and OFF-time generator and an accumulator wherein the control block is coupled to receive a signal from the ON-time and OFF-time generator and generates switching signals for the at least one switching element in the form of ON-time pulses with a constant width ON-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Horst Diewald, Johann Zipperer, Peter Weber, Anton Brauchle
  • Patent number: 9229069
    Abstract: With a metal foreign object detecting method, a metal detection circuit arranged in a contactless power supply device transmits an oscillation signal to a modulation circuit of an electric appliance. The modulation circuit generates a square wave pulse signal from the oscillation signal. The cycle of the oscillation signal received by the modulation circuit changes in accordance with whether or not a metal piece is present. The modulation circuit modulates the square wave pulse signal to generate a modulated wave signal and transmits the modulated wave signal to the metal detection circuit of the power supply device. The metal detection circuit demodulates the modulated wave signal and determines whether or not a metal piece is present based on the cycle of the demodulated signal corresponding to the square wave pulse signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Hyodo
  • Patent number: 9214718
    Abstract: A wireless electronic device may contain at least one antenna tuning element for use in tuning the operating frequency range of the device. The antenna tuning element may include radio-frequency switches, continuously/semi-continuously adjustable components such as tunable resistors, inductors, and capacitors, and other load circuits that provide desired impedance characteristics. A test station may be used to measure the radio-frequency characteristics associated with the tuning element. The test station may provide adjustable temperature, power, and impedance control to help emulate a true application environment for the tuning element without having to place the tuning element within an actual device during testing. The test system may include at least one signal generator and a tester for measuring harmonic distortion values and may include at least two signal generators and a tester for measuring intermodulation distortion values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Mow, Thomas E. Biedka, Liang Han, Rocco V. Dragone, Jr., Hongfei Hu, Dean F. Darnell, Joshua G. Nickel, Robert W. Schlub, Mattia Pascolini, Ruben Caballero
  • Patent number: 9209802
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of frequency selection algorithms and frequency set selection are described. One method monitors a signal on the electrodes of a sense network, determine a first group of noise metrics of noise in the signal, determine a second group of noise metrics. The method switches from a first operating frequency in a first set to a second operating frequency in the first frequency set based on the first group of noise metrics and switches from the first operating frequency in the first set to a third operating frequency in a second frequency set based on the second group of noise metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: PARADE TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Andriy Maharyta, Ihor Musijchuk
  • Patent number: 9207258
    Abstract: An electrical probe of an aspect includes a high yield strength wire core. The high yield strength wire core includes predominantly one or more materials selected from tungsten, tungsten-copper alloy, tungsten-nickel alloy, beryllium-copper alloy, molybdenum, stainless steel, and combinations thereof. The high mechanical strength wire core has a yield strength of at least 1 gigapascal (GPa) at temperature of 250° C. The electrical probe also includes a low electrical resistivity layer concentrically around the high yield strength wire core. The concentric layer includes predominantly one or more materials selected from silver, gold, copper, and combinations thereof. The low electrical resistivity layer has an electrical resistivity of no more than 2×10?8 Ohm-meters. The electrical probe has an outer cross-sectional dimension of the electrical probe that is no more than 50 micrometers. Between 60 to 85% of the outer cross-sectional dimension is provided by the high mechanical strength wire core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: David Shia, Todd P. Albertson, Kip P. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 9188637
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes a control chip including a first selection unit configured to output one of signals which are inputted through a first normal port and a shared test port, in response to a test mode signal; and a second selection unit configured to output one of signals which are inputted through a second normal port and the shared test port, in response to the test mode signal, wherein the control chip is configured to transmit an output of the first selection unit to a first chip and transmit an output of the second selection unit to a second chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jeong Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 9188646
    Abstract: A testing system to test safety interlock switches to ensure that they are operating normally comprising a test loop circuit 16 which connects in series a plurality of safety switches 2, the test loop circuit 16 is adapted to open the switches 2 outputs if broken, the testing system further comprising a diagnostic means 18 which checks each switch to ensure it is operating normally when the test loop circuit 16 is broken. The test loop circuit 16 may be broken when a single switch 2 is activated to open its safety output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Idem Safety Switches Limited
    Inventors: Medi Mohtasham, Hamed Faridfar, Vincent Crolla, Timothy Jennings
  • Patent number: 9163955
    Abstract: An electronic sensing system has a transceiver with input and output pads, an excitation circuit connected to the output pad, and a detection circuit connected to the input pad. An electrically-conductive sensor patch has an electrical state that changes with exposure to a corresponding environmental factor. The detection circuit detects an electrical state of the input electrical-connection pad in response to the excitation signal and the electrical state of the input pad. Several electrically-conductive sensor patches are distributed over the substrate so that they are exposed to an external environmental factor substantially contemporaneously, each having a conductance susceptible to a respective environmental factor. The output pad is electrically connected to the input pad through the sensor patches in series, so that the detection circuit detects an electrical state of the input pad in response to the excitation signal and the respective conductances of the sensor patches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald Steven Cok, Christopher J. White
  • Patent number: 9151638
    Abstract: A rotating electric machine according to the embodiments includes a rotating-electric-machine unit, a rotation detector, an Oldham coupling, and a washer. The rotating-electric-machine unit includes a shaft. The rotation detector includes a body and a rotation input pin that is rotatably provided on the body. The Oldham coupling couples the rotation input pin of the rotation detector and the shaft to each other while allowing any relative displacement in a direction intersecting an axial direction. The washer is provided on the rotating-electric-machine unit while being positioned with respect to the shaft. The washer includes an attaching portion at which the body of the rotation detector is attached to the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Ryuta Kagawa, Kenji Matsuura, Koji Uemura
  • Patent number: 9137855
    Abstract: When a partial pressure exceeding a Zener voltage of a Zener diode is applied to a first limiting circuit by a positive voltage applied to input terminals by an AC power supply, the first limiting circuit allows a current such that a photo transistor of the first detection circuit is turned on. When a partial pressure exceeding a total value of Zener voltages of Zener diodes is applied to a second limiting circuit by a negative voltage applied to the input terminals, the second limiting circuit allows a current such that a photo transistor of a second detection circuit is turned on. Therefore, it is possible to detect a voltage input from the AC power supply by turning on and off the photo transistors and to detect a voltage input from the AC power supply using a simpler circuit configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Umeda
  • Patent number: 9128119
    Abstract: An electronics system module includes a primary electrical circuit including input connectors and output connectors and a filter circuit connected between the primary electrical circuit and ground. The module also includes a switch element connected between the primary electrical circuit and ground. The switch element is configured to be engaged by a test connector to open the switch to disconnect the primary electrical circuit from ground. The test connector includes electrical connectors configured to connect to the input connectors and the output connectors of the primary electrical circuit. The switch element is configured to automatically close based on the test connector being disengaged from the switch element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Waleed M. Said
  • Patent number: 9121876
    Abstract: A generated power output measuring apparatus includes a load unit connected to a connecting wire between a power generator using natural energy and a power conditioner configured to supply electric power of the power generator to an external load, the load unit being configured to draw a current from the power generator, a measuring unit configured to measure a voltage and current of the power generator via the load unit, and a control unit configured to increase the current flowing through the load unit and cause the measuring unit to make a measurement when the voltage measured by the measuring unit is in a range of operating voltage of the power conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Togami Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kawasoe, Takeshi Katafuchi, Masayuki Koba
  • Patent number: 9075097
    Abstract: There is provided a transmission device. The transmission device includes: an adapter device (11) including: a first surface having a plurality of first terminals (21) thereon; and a second surface opposite to the first surface and having a plurality of second terminals (22) thereon, wherein a pitch between the adjacent second terminals is different from a pitch between the adjacent first terminals, a plurality of signal lines each electrically connecting a corresponding one of the first terminals and a corresponding one of the second terminals; and a signal compensation device (12) connected to the adapter device through the signal lines and configured to compensate for a transmission loss of a signal path between the corresponding first terminal and the corresponding second terminal such that the transmission loss is set to a given value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: SHINKO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9048778
    Abstract: A rotor phase/speed estimating device includes a high-frequency voltage injection unit, a high-frequency current amplitude detection unit of a fundamental wave component, a correlation signal generation unit, and a rotor phase generation unit. The high-frequency voltage injection unit applies a high-frequency voltage to an AC motor. The high-frequency current amplitude detection unit of a fundamental wave component detects a primary Fourier coefficient equivalent value. The correlation signal generation unit is arranged to generate a correlation signal using the Fourier coefficient equivalent value. The rotor phase generation unit is arranged to generate an estimated value of the rotor phase and an estimated value of a rotor speed using the correlation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Shinnaka
  • Patent number: 9041388
    Abstract: A non-contact current censor includes a spin valve structure (2), an electrical unit (4) that applies a varying current to the spin valve structure (2), and a resistance reading unit that electrically reads out a resistance value of the spin valve structure (2). When a current-induced magnetic field is detected, a coercive force of a free layer (14) is configured to be larger than the current-induced magnetic field as a detection target, and the electrical unit (4) allows the magnetization directions of a pinned layer (12) and the free layer (14) to transition between a mutually parallel state and a mutually anti-parallel state by applying the current to the spin valve structure (2). The resistance reading unit (5) detects a threshold value corresponding to the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: III HOLDINGS 3, LLC
    Inventor: Yasushi Ogimoto
  • Patent number: 9024641
    Abstract: A method of detecting a wire break in a high voltage generating device that is configured to detect a wire breakage in a low-voltage cable is disclosed. The method of a wire break includes: detecting whether a wire break has occurred in each of the lines in accordance with a combination pattern of whether the time differential value of an IM signal value of a CW circuit obtained when an operating voltage is boosted is positive, negative, or 0, and whether the time differential value of a VM signal value obtained after the operating voltage is boosted by the CW circuit is positive, negative, or 0; and identifying which of the lines is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Yamasaki, Kimiyoshi Nagai
  • Patent number: 8994367
    Abstract: A differential transformer type magnetic sensor is disclosed. The drive coil includes a planar coil arranged on a substrate. The first differential coil includes a planar coil arranged on the substrate. The second differential coil includes a planar coil arranged on the substrate and connected to the first differential coil. The first selector unit is used for a zero adjustment of a differential transformer. The first differential coil includes a plurality of first branch lines formed by branching a wire material forming the outermost turn of the first differential coil. The plurality of first branch lines are so arranged that the amount of magnetic fluxes passing along the plurality of respective first branch lines differ when the drive coil is driven. The first selector unit is capable of selecting any one of the plurality of first branch lines and arranged on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions
    Inventor: Yukihiro Aikawa
  • Patent number: 8970205
    Abstract: A adjustable Hall effect sensor system having a sensor positioning component is described. In one embodiment, the Hall effect sensor system is an independently adjustable sensor system, having a plurality of Hall effect sensor, wherein one Hall effect sensor may be displaced and adjusted without effecting the location of another Hall effect sensor. A sensor positioning component comprising a paddle coupled to a main body portion by a more narrow neck is described. A cam may be configured on a paddle and provide for fine tuning the position of a Hall effect sensor. In one embodiment the main body and extensions are comprised essentially of a circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Electric Torque Machines Inc
    Inventors: Thomas F Janecek, Daniel S Cole
  • Patent number: 8941396
    Abstract: An electronic sensing system has a transceiver with input and output pads, an excitation circuit connected to the output pad, and a detection circuit connected to the input pad. An electrically-conductive sensor patch has an electrical state that changes with exposure to a corresponding environmental factor. The detection circuit detects an electrical state of the input electrical-connection pad in response to the excitation signal and the electrical state of the sensor patch. A stack of one or more layers in order is disposed over the sensor patch in the detection region. Each layer is susceptible to a respective environmental factor, so that the sensor patch changes electrical state in response to exposure of the layer stack to the respective environmental factors of the one or more layer(s) in the selected order and subsequent exposure of the sensor patch to the corresponding environmental factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ronald Steven Cok, Christopher J. White
  • Patent number: 8941374
    Abstract: A rotation detector component detects a rotational state of a rotor and sends a rotational detection signal. A signal transmission component is electrically connected with a lead frame of the rotation detector component to transmit the rotational detection signal to an external device. A body portion holds the rotation detector component and a part of the signal transmission component. The body portion is integrally molded of a first resin to cover a joint portion between the lead frame and the signal transmission component, the rotation detector component, and a part of the signal transmission component. A part of the rotation detector component forms an exposed portion exposed from the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Takasaki, Hiroyuki Tsuge