Patents Examined by Jay M. Patidar
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Patent number: 7830149Abstract: A transmitter for use with an underground utilities locator including a portable elongate housing; an electronic circuit mounted in the housing and configured to generate an electrical output signal at a frequency suitable for tracing an underground utility; a pair of springy helical coil type electrical cords each having an inner end connected to the circuit; means electrically connected to an outer end of each of the electrical cords for coupling the predetermined electrical output signal across the underground utility; and the housing having a pair of upwardly opening pockets formed on opposite ends of the elongate housing and each sized to permit the electrical cords to be wrapped into loops and stowed into corresponding ones of the pockets.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2009Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Seektech, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Dawn E. Shaffer
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Patent number: 7825647Abstract: A method of locating a buried conductor such as a pipe uses an electronic transmitter to generate a signal having a predetermined frequency with is applied to the pipe via an alligator clip or other appropriate connector. A ground connection to the transmitter is established by connecting another alligator clip or other appropriate connector to a grounding sheet made of chain mail or metal cloth. A electrolyte solution is poured on the grounding sheet and/or around a portion of the surface region adjacent the grounding sheet. The signal that is re-radiated by the buried pipe is detected with a man portable locator which determines the location of the buried pipe and displays the same to a user.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2009Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Seektech, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Priscilla S. McLaughlin, Jan Soukup
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Patent number: 7825653Abstract: To provide a rotation detecting system of a type having a high detecting resolution, in which the rotational position can be detected accurately, in which a sufficient gap can be secured between the sensor and the rotating body and which is effective to simplify assemblage and processing to thereby reduce the manufacturing cost, the rotation detecting system is provided with a multiplying section 4 for multiplying the pulses, generated by the sensor 3, by a multiplication factor to form multiplied pulses Pb and a speed detecting section 5 for detecting an period average speed of the encoder 71 during the interval, in which the latest N pieces of the multiplied pulses Pb have been generated where N represents the multiplication factors by which the multiplied pulses Pb have been multiplied.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Shintarou Ueno, Toru Takahashi
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Patent number: 7825656Abstract: A device includes a pair of individual sensors spaced apart from each other. A current source provides current to both of the individual sensors. A differential temperature sensor is coupled thermally proximate the individual sensors and provides a temperature difference signal that is combined with current from the current source to provide a correction factor for a temperature gradient across the individual sensors. Alternatively, temperature responsive excitation sources may be positioned thermally proximate the sensors to provide temperature compensation.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Udo Ausserlechner
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Patent number: 7815380Abstract: A method and an apparatus for creating a new folder in an image forming apparatus having a built-in storage unit and a method and an apparatus for storing data using the same. The method of creating a folder in an image forming apparatus having a built-in storage unit includes determining whether to create the new folder in the built-in storage unit; and creating the new folder. The method of storing data includes: determining whether to store data from an external source; designating a folder for storing the data through a manipulation unit; and storing the data in the designated folder. When the data from an external storage is stored in a mass storage medium, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a user is allowed to create, retrieve, and designate a folder for storing the data through a manipulation unit, such as a number key.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Young-ok Choo
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Patent number: 7812596Abstract: A position sensing system includes a plurality of two-axis anisotropic magneto-resistive (AMR) sensors to determine the position of a user interface. A magnetic member is coupled to the user interface, which is movable to a position along a random path. The plurality of two-axis AMR sensors is arranged in a two-dimensional sensor array that is spaced apart from the magnetic member. A signal processor circuit is operable to sense the electrical resistance values of each two-axis AMR sensor, to determine the position of the user interface from the resistance values, and to supply position feedback data representative of the determined position.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Calvin C. Potter, Casey Hanlon, Paul T. Wingett, James I. Kern
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Patent number: 7808234Abstract: A rotational angle detection device enables rotational angle detection for rotational angles ranging from 0° to 360° with an extremely simple configuration. The rotational angle detection device includes: a rotating magnet 12, which is mounted on one end of a rotating shaft 11; a four-pole auxiliary magnet 14, which is mounted on a substrate 13 opposed to the rotating magnet 12 without contact; and a magnetic sensor 15, which is mounted on the opposite side of the substrate 13. The four-pole auxiliary magnet 14 converts one rotating magnetic field of 0° to 360° provided by the rotating magnet 12 in a region where the magnetic sensor 15 is positioned into another rotating magnetic field of 0° to 180°.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Tomen Electronics CorporationInventor: Takeo Kurihara
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Patent number: 7808235Abstract: An inductive proximity sensor is disclosed. The proximity sensor includes a resonator with a bifurcated inductance coupled to a plurality of transimpedance amplifiers. A portion of the resonator is configured to generate eddy currents in a target containing metal. In various embodiments, the transimpedance amplifiers provide signals associated with eddy currents to a synchronous detector. Apparatus and methods for operating the inductive proximity sensor are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: George E. Rollins, Prachi S. Kulkarni
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Patent number: 7800365Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided with two output terminals and a mode switch circuit which includes a pair of switch terminals. The mode switch circuit is allowed to switch the output mode between the 1-output mode for outputting the (+) magnetic field detection signal and the (?) magnetic field detection signal from the output terminal, and the 2-output mode for outputting the (+) magnetic field signal from the output terminal as one of the output terminals, and the (?) magnetic field detection signal from the output terminal as the other output terminal in accordance with the shortcircuit state or the non-shortcircuit state between the switch terminals. The switch terminals are exposed on the surface of the device, and the shortcircuit state and the non-shortcircuit state may be externally adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2009Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kiyoshi Sato, Hideto Ando, Hideki Gochou
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Patent number: 7795861Abstract: At least two coils located at different positions with regard to a positioning area are controlled to indicate a position of an object located within the range of magnetic fields generated by the coils. An embodiment of the invention comprises a generator that uses a multiplexing technique to generate coil enable signals for the at least two coils. The coil enable signals are generated for the at least two coils with any of different polarities and different intensities.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Cairos Technologies AGInventors: Walter Englert, Tilman Bucher
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Patent number: 7791336Abstract: The purpose is to achieve size reduction, weight reduction and thickness reduction of a magnetic material detecting device (1). The device comprises a linearly displaceable magnet (12) and a Hall IC (14) for detecting the displacement of the magnet (12). When an iron piece (28) is positioned within a predetermined distance from the main body of the magnetic material detecting device (1), the iron piece (28) is strongly magnetized to attract the magnet (12) so that the latter is displaced toward the iron piece (28). Therefore, when the displacement of a magnet (14) is detected by the Hall IC (14), it is possible to detect the fact that the iron piece (28) has been positioned within the predetermined distance from the main body of the magnetic material detecting device (1).Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: ASA Electronic Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yukihiro Asa
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Patent number: 7791345Abstract: A metal detector including transmit electronics having a plurality of switches for generating a repeating transmit signal cycle for transmission by a transmit coil. The repeating transmit signal cycle includes at least a high voltage period, and at least a low voltage period, the low voltage period followed by a substantially zero voltage period. The output impedance of the transmit electronics is less than three times the equivalent series resistance of the transmit coil during the low voltage period and the substantially zero voltage period.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2009Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Minelab Electronics Pty LimitedInventor: Bruce Halcro Candy
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Patent number: 7786725Abstract: A magnetic field detection apparatus capable of changing the detection range and detection sensitivity as desired for a specific application is disclosed. A magnetoresistance effect element is applied a bias magnetic field and an external magnetic field. The bias magnetic field and the external magnetic field are generated on the same straight line, and therefore the bias magnetic field functions to hamper the external magnetic field applied to the magnetoresistance effect element. Thus, the magnetization of the free layer of the magnetoresistance effect element is suppressed, and the rotational angle of the magnetized vector is reduced. As a result, the characteristic of the resistance value of the magnetoresistance effect element to the external magnetic field is shifted by an amount equivalent to the bias magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Taisuke Furukawa, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Takashi Takenaga, Takeharu Kuroiwa, Sadeh Beysen, Masakazu Taki
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Patent number: 7786732Abstract: In a system having a boring tool and an above-ground portable locator for locating the boring tool as moved by a drill string in a region which includes an in-ground line, an apparatus is described for monitoring the positional relationship between the boring tool and the line. The apparatus includes a transmitter for generating a magnetic locating field from one of the boring tool or an underground length of the line. A receiver is carried by the boring tool if the field is generated from the line, or connected to the line if the field is generated from the boring tool, for detecting an intensity of the magnetic locating field to produce a magnetic field intensity indicative signal that is indicative of the positional relationship between the boring tool and the line. A remote display indicates the detected intensity of the magnetic locating field.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Merlin Technology Inc.Inventors: John E. Mercer, Albert W. Chau
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Patent number: 7786727Abstract: A small rotary encoder capable of easily fitting a substrate into a proper position without using an adhesive or the like is provided. Slits are formed in an encoder case so that the encoder case is partially plate-spring shaped, a step portion and a claw portion are formed on the inner circumference of the encoder case, convex portions and concave portions that are combined with each other are formed on the inner circumference of the encoder case and a substrate, respectively. When the substrate is inserted into the encoder case, the encoder case is bent by the slits so that the substrate can be inserted into the encoder case. The substrate is inserted between the step portion and the claw portion, so that the substrate can be fitted into the encoder case, and the substrate is prevented from being incorrectly fitted in a circumferential direction, so that a position can be easily determined.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Namiki Seimitsu Houseki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomonori Sumi, Kouji Oki
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Patent number: 7782012Abstract: In this present invention, MP3 playing and charging system having an adapter for installing MP3 and dynamic speakers which includes a docking station and two speakers that can be used in attached or separated manner; two speakers that allow variation of speaker direction generating dynamic sound when attached; and a docking station that can be attached and connected to MP3 player with the use of MP3 installing adapter when connecting MP3 to the docking station is provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Diasonic Technology Co., LtdInventor: Su Hwan Jo
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Patent number: 7782018Abstract: Adaptive current limiting for any power source to limit power drain of one load on the power source to maintain a minimum power source voltage for proper operation of other loads on the power source. For battery applications, such as for flash systems, the invention allows the maximum output current of a boost converter to be utilized without having to calculate the system equivalent series resistance first. The invention also adjusts the current load up or down during a high load event to compensate for changes in other loads. The changes in current load are made in increments, with a hysteresis region avoiding constant up and down incrementing. Various embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2008Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventor: Martin Palle Voigt
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Patent number: 7782047Abstract: A dual axis magnetic field detector is able to detect the presence of a magnetic field in two axes, such as a rotary axis and a linear axis. The detector includes a magnet for generating a magnetic field and two magnetic field sensors for detecting the strength and angle of the magnetic field as the magnet moves. The sensors may detect the axial and rotary displacement of an object, such as a shaft, to which the magnet is affixed.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Daniel J. Mattson
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Patent number: 7782060Abstract: An integrated electrode resistivity and EM telemetry tool and obtaining both formation resistivity and telemetry data from the integrated tool. An integrated electrode resistivity and EM telemetry tool having a drill collar including a first portion and a second portion separated by an insulated gap and telemetry cartridge carrying telemetry circuitry including a voltage source generating a voltage drop across the insulated gap and an axial current on a drill string that returns through an earthen formation includes an insulated measure electrode connected to the first portion, and resistivity measurement circuitry functionally connected to the measure electrode and the telemetry circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Brian Clark, Jan W. Smits
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Patent number: RE41829Abstract: A method for seismic exploration using nonlinear conversions between electromagnetic and seismic energy, with particular attention to the electromagnetic source waveform used. According to the invention, seismic returns from a source waveform are correlated with a reference waveform, with both waveforms custom designed to minimize both correlation side lobes and interference from linear electroseismic effects. A waveform element is selected which may be sequenced by a binary or similar digital code embodying the desired custom design to generate an input sweep with the needed depth penetration and noise suppression. Correlation of the seismic response with the reference waveform in a data processing step mathematically aggregates the seismic response from the input sweep into a single wavelet. Preferred binary digital codes include prescribed variations of maximal length shift-register sequences. Also, an apparatus for generating the desired waveforms.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2004Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co.Inventors: Scott C. Hornbostel, Arthur H. Thompson, Thomas C. Halsey, Robert A. Raschke, Clint A. Davis