Patents Examined by Demetrius Pretlow
  • Probe card partition scheme
    Patent number: 9513332
    Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit die comprises partitioning a first probe card partition layout of the integrated circuit die having one or more sections comprising a first quantity of section types into a second probe card partition layout having a greater quantity of sections comprising a second quantity of section types, the second quantity of section types being less than the first quantity of section types. The method also comprises using one or more probe cards to test the sections in the second probe card partition layout, each of the one or more probe cards having a test contact pattern that corresponds with a test contact pattern of one of each section type included in the second probe card partition layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Sandeep Kumar Goel, Mill-Jer Wang
  • Test head for electrical testing of a test specimen
    Patent number: 9513331
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a test head for electrical testing of a test specimen, in particular a wafer, having at least two guide plates, which are spaced apart by means of at least one spacer and have guide holes distributed over the surfaces thereof, in which test contact pins for physical contact with the test specimen are guided in a sliding manner. Provision is made for the spacer to be formed by a multiplicity of point supports arranged in a manner distributed over the surfaces of the guide plates and secured on the guide plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: FEINMETALL GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Trenz, Gunther Böhm, Achim Weiland
  • Measuring setup and hold times using a virtual delay
    Patent number: 9479179
    Abstract: Methodologies and an apparatus for measuring setup and hold times of fabricated semiconductor devices are provided. Embodiments include: providing a first digital frequency divider having an input and an output, the input of the first digital frequency divider receiving a first signal indicating an oscillating signal with a first delay; providing a second digital frequency divider having an input and output, the input of the second digital frequency divider receiving a second signal indicating the oscillating signal with a second delay; and providing a flip-flop having an input and an output, wherein the input of the flip-flop is coupled to the output of the second digital frequency divider and a data signal and clock signal for measuring a set-up time or hold time of a device under test are generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Andy T. Nguyen, Navneet Jain
  • Integrated magnetoresistive sensor, in particular three-axis magnetoresistive sensor and manufacturing method thereof
    Patent number: 9442168
    Abstract: An integrated magnetoresistive device, where a substrate of semiconductor material is covered, on a first surface, by an insulating layer. A magnetoresistor of ferromagnetic material extends in the insulating layer and defines a sensitivity plane of the sensor. A concentrator of ferromagnetic material including at least one arm, extending in a transversal direction to the sensitivity plane and vertically offset to the magnetoresistor. In this way, magnetic flux lines directed perpendicularly to the sensitivity plane are concentrated and deflected so as to generate magnetic-field components directed in a parallel direction to the sensitivity plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Marco Morelli, Caterina Riva
  • Liquid crystal alignment test apparatus and method
    Patent number: 9443456
    Abstract: A liquid crystal alignment test method includes: connecting a liquid crystal array substrate to be tested with a liquid crystal alignment test apparatus; applying corresponding voltages to signal input ports of the liquid crystal array substrate via a voltage providing device and then to execute an image check for the liquid crystal array substrate; and detecting resistance values of each two signal input ports of the liquid crystal array substrate via s resistance detection device to judge whether each two of the signal input ports are short-circuited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventors: Shengpeng Mo, Wen-Pin Chiang, Zhengxing Xu
  • Sensor devices and methods for use in sensing current through a conductor
    Patent number: 9429595
    Abstract: Sensor devices and related methods disclosed. One example sensor device includes a substrate comprising a plurality of bobbins, the plurality of bobbins define an aperture structured to receive a conductor therein, a coil comprising a plurality of coil turns wound about each of the plurality of bobbins, a first shield extending between each of the plurality of bobbins and the plurality of coil turns; and a second shield positioned proximate to the plurality of coil turns, opposite the first shield such that the plurality of coil turns is between the first shield and the second shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Aclara Meters LLC
    Inventors: Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti, Steven Lee Bietz, Loc Van Nguyen
  • Locator
    Patent number: 9429672
    Abstract: A locator for capacitively sensing an object includes a transmission electrode to which an excitation signal can be applied, a reception electrode, a sensing region in the region of the transmission electrode and the reception electrode, and a measuring device for sensing a capacitance between the transmission electrode and the reception electrode. The locator further includes a processing device for determining the presence of the object in the sensing region if the sensed capacitance differs from a reference capacitance, and a screening electrode that is arranged in the region of the transmission electrode and the reception electrode. The screening electrode is connected to a potential so as to reduce the base capacitance between the transmission electrode and the reception electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Zibold, Andrej Albrecht
  • Solar cell measurement system and solar simulator
    Patent number: 9431954
    Abstract: A measurement system having a light source, a holding device, and a measurement device. The light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to generate light beams with different wavelengths, and the emission spectrum of the light source complies with a predetermined standard. The holding device is configured to hold an object under test. The measurement device is configured to measure the electrical properties of the object under test after the object under test is illuminated by the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ren Chin Shr, Si Xian Li, Hung Sen Wu, Teng Chun Wu, Wei Yun Liang, Chen Wei Chen, Syh Homg Chen
  • Solution testing equipment
    Patent number: 9431960
    Abstract: There is provided solution testing equipment which can detect an output variation of a THz oscillation device using a THz wave (h?) by contacting a liquid or cells on an RTD oscillation device, and can reduce the size and weight thereof. The solution testing equipment includes: a THz oscillation device configured to radiate the THz wave Is; a THz detection device configured to receive the THz wave Is; and a solution as a test object disposed on the THz oscillation device, in which the solution is tested on the basis of output characteristics of the terahertz wave varying in response to a relative permittivity of the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignees: ROHM CO., LTD., KYOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Toshikazu Mukai, Yuichi Ogawa
  • Oil-based mud imager with a line source
    Patent number: 9423524
    Abstract: A resistivity imaging device uses a line source in conjunction with an array of measure electrodes to reduce sensitivity to tool standoff when use in a borehole with oil-based mud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Sheng Fang
  • Method, system and apparatus for capacitive sensing
    Patent number: 9410998
    Abstract: A system for obtaining incremental and absolute displacement measurements using systems of electrodes that interact to form variable capacitors and systems that facilitate implementation of the method along with exemplary embodiments of these systems. The capacitors created by the disclosed method have known physical properties and corresponding known mathematical relationships. These laws are exploited in such a way by our method as to overcome inadequacies in existing systems and create superior systems. These superior systems improve upon the existing art by including economically and reliably made sensors based on the area varying principle which eliminate dead zone issues and increase accuracy through a reduction of the influence of gap variations on capacitive systems through the use of compensatory geometrical arrangements of multiple capacitive systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventor: Li Lin
  • Testing of a transient voltage protection device
    Patent number: 9411016
    Abstract: A method of testing a voltage protection device in a circuit is provided. The circuit comprises a source and load and a detector is provided in parallel with the protection device. The method comprises opening a switching device provided in the circuit. The method further comprises detecting a property of a voltage spike caused by the rate of change of current in the circuit inductance produced by the opening of the switching device to determine the condition of the protection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Peter Michael Tyler
  • Electrical current sensor with grounded magnetic core
    Patent number: 9400292
    Abstract: An electrical current transducer comprising a housing, at least one magnetic core comprising an air gap and defining a central passage configured to receive a primary conductor carrying a primary current to be measured through the central passage, a magnetic field detector positioned at least partially in the air gap, and a grounding element. A lateral surface of the magnetic core is positioned against the grounding element without direct fixed attachment between the magnetic core and the grounding element, and the grounding element overlaps the magnetic core to an extent configured to ensure that a capacitive coupling (C3) between the magnetic core and the grounding element is greater than a capacitive coupling (C2) between the magnetic core and the magnetic field detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: LEM Intellectual Property SA
    Inventors: Gérard Lepine, Vinh Tho Vo, Arnaud Labbe
  • System and method for a power meter to communicate through a power line
    Patent number: 9395208
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a meter for monitoring usage of power provided by a power transmission system to a site and a related method. The meter comprises: a meter module connected to a power feed associated with the transmission system to provide readings relating to the power; a connection to a household AC power supply providing power to the meter; a rectifier circuit connected to the AC power to generate a DC power signal; a voltage detection circuit to detect a low voltage condition where an output from the rectifier circuit drops below an operational threshold for the meter and to generate a low voltage signal upon detection of same; and a message generation module for receiving the low voltage signal and for generating a power loss message for transmission carried on a message carrier having on a carrier having frequency between approximately 2 MHz and 30 MHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Corinex Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Peter Sobotka, Xiao Ming Shi, Yan Long
  • Test and measurement device with a pistol-grip handle
    Patent number: 9385352
    Abstract: A clamp meter configured to receive a removable and rechargeable battery pack. The clamp meter includes a main body having a first axis, a handle, a clamp, a trigger, and a display. The handle has a second axis and includes a first recess configured to receive the battery pack. The first recess includes at least first and second electrical terminals which are exposed when the battery pack is not inserted into the first recess. The second axis forms an oblique angle with the first axis, and the battery pack is inserted into the first recess along the second axis. The clamp is coupled to the main body, aligned with the first axis, and operable to measure an electrical characteristic of a conductor based on an induced current. The trigger is operable to selectively open and close the clamp, and the display configured to display an indication of the electrical characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Evans H. Nguyen, Scott D. Bublitz, Jason R. Crowe, Mike N. Jones
  • Double piston rod
    Patent number: 9377289
    Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus for detecting the position of a reflection body in a line structure is provided that includes a sensor device, which has at least one antenna for feeding a transmission signal as an electromagnetic wave into the line structure and for receiving the electromagnetic wave reflected on the reflection body. The sensor device also includes evaluation electronics which are configured to determine the position of the reflection body from the phase difference between the transmitted and the received wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: ASTYX GmbH
    Inventors: Guenther Trummer, Ralf Gehring
  • Current sensor
    Patent number: 9372240
    Abstract: A current sensor according to the present invention includes a bus bar, a magnetic sensor element disposed so as to face the bus bar, a wiring board on which the magnetic sensor element is provided, and a signal line electrically connected to the magnetic sensor element. The wiring board includes a base portion facing the bus bar and an extending portion extending from the base portion, and the signal line is connected to the extending portion and provided in a direction intersecting the wiring board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ALPS GREEN DEVICES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Manabu Tamura
  • Devices, systems, and methods for sychronizing a remote receiver to a master signal for measuring scattering parameters
    Patent number: 9366707
    Abstract: A reflectometer for use in measuring scattering (S-) parameters for a device under test (DUT) includes a test port, a radio frequency (RF) output signal source, and a local oscillator (LO) signal. The LO signal is used to downconvert the RF output signal to an incident IF signal. The reflectometer is useable as a master reflectometer with a slave reflectometer such that the master reflectometer provides the slave reflectometer with a synchronization signal to synchronize signals generated by the second reflectometer to the incident IF signal. Phase and magnitude of transmission S-parameters of the DUT are measurable when the reflectometer is used as the master reflectometer in combination with the slave reflectometer. The master reflectometer and the slave reflectometer can be reconfigurable to reverse the master/server roles of the reflectometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: ANRITSU COMPANY
    Inventor: Donald Anthony Bradley
  • Current sensor, table tap with current sensor, and magnetic substance cover for current sensor
    Patent number: 9354280
    Abstract: A current sensor including: a current bar through which a current flows; a magnetic substance core configured to cover at least a part of the current bar; a magnetic field measurement element that measures a magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the current bar; a substrate to which the magnetic substance core and the magnetic field measurement element are fixed; and a magnetic substance cover that covers the magnetic substance core, and aligns the magnetic substance core by being fixed to the substrate; wherein slits corresponding to a width of the current bar are formed on side surfaces of the magnetic substance cover, and the current bar is aligned with the magnetic substance cover by protruding from the slits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED
    Inventors: Koji Iizuka, Naoyuki Nagao
  • Passive intermodulation measurement apparatus
    Patent number: 9354262
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for generally passive intermodulation measurement to specify a location and strength of an intermodulation source of a passive component in a transmission line. Beneficially, the apparatus and method are comparatively simple and inexpensive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Kaysight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Yagi