Abstract: A switching circuitry and a switching method which reduces the influence of parasitic capacitance and provides improved signal performance at high frequencies. The circuitry may comprise a transistor having a source connected to an input node having an output resistance R2, and a drain is connected to the output node having an input resistance R3. The gate of the transistor is connected to a control node with output resistance R12 generating a control signal which opens or closes the transistor. By arranging that R1>>R2 (and assuming that R1≧R3), high frequency circuitry characteristics are dramatically improved, and the circuit provides high frequency voltage gain approaching unity and phase shift between the output and input voltages approaching zero to reduce signal degradation. Alternative arrangements may employ bipolar, FET, or MOS transistors or transistor pairs. The switching circuitry has numerous applications, e.g.

Abstract: A safety device for a number of electrical loads that are connected to a supply line between a high-side path and a low-side path. The loads are activatable individually by way of drivers provided in the low-side path. A fuse is provided in the high-side path (2a) and causes, in the event of a defect in at least one driver, a permanent interruption in the high-side path.

Abstract: A position switch of a select lever can switch in the ranges including “P”, “R”, “N”, “D”, “3”, “2”, “1” and the like. Code signals having combinations of “1” and “0” signals (on and off signals) to be respectively applied to a plurality of signal lines are arranged in such predetermined patterns as to correspond to the respective range positions and range-to-range intermediate positions “Z1”-“Z6”. Patterns of code signals corresponding to the respective operating positions of a select lever are set in the whole operating position of the select lever in such a manner that even when a signal in any one of the signal lines L1-L5 remains to be “0”, the combination of on and off signals is prevented from coinciding with the pattern of the signal corresponding to any operating position other than operating positions adjacent to each of the operation positions.

Abstract: A portable transmitter of vehicle key system comprising a fingerprint detecting portion for detecting the user's fingerprint, a sending component for sending the fingerprint data from this fingerprint detecting portion, and a sender switch for triggering the transmission of fingerprint data from this sending component, this sender switch and the fingerprint detecting portion being disposed integrally, whereby the sender switch is activated in accordance with the user operating the fingerprint detecting portion.

Abstract: A non-automatic power circuit breaker includes separable contacts for movement between a closed position and an open position, and an operating mechanism for moving the separable contacts between the open and closed positions. A time-delayed making current release switch is closed for the open position of the separable contacts and is opened a predetermined time after the separable contacts move to the closed position. A low permeability air core current transformer senses an electrical current flowing in a current conductor for the separable contacts and provides a signal corresponding to the electrical current. An analog trip unit employs the signal corresponding to the electrical current and the making current release switch signal corresponding to the open and closed positions of the separable contacts and provides a trip signal. The analog trip unit includes a comparator for disabling the trip signal when the making current release switch is opened.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable computer having a power supply in the form of a battery pack, the battery pack being both electrically and physically separable from the portable computer. The portable computer has a power management system capable of decreasing power consumption by differentially supplying power according to power management mode, including a base having internally a storage member and provided with at least one opening at one side of the base, a battery pack coupled to the base to supply a power and having at least one lug inserted into the at least one opening, at least one lever coupled to the base and combined or separated with the at least one lug, a switch provided in the base, wherein the switch generates a signal of operating the power management system when the at least one lever is separated from the at least one lug.

Abstract: An interface circuit permits a customer who receives two-phase service from an electrical utility company to use power from an on-site source instead of or in addition to the utility company's power. Several embodiments are disclosed, in some of which the interface circuit automatically disconnects the utility company's power lines if the utility's power is lost and connects the on-site power source. The interface circuit may be installed in whole or in part in a meter collar which fits between an electric meter and the meter socket box that the meter would otherwise plug into.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus and a safety apparatus which can ensure significantly enhanced safety by monitoring constantly whether the sensor apparatus is operating normally. An auxiliary electrode plate of a small area is disposed in parallel and in opposition to an electrode plate with a short distance therefrom. A switching element is turned on every second for a period of milliseconds repetitively. When the switching element is turned on under the control of a central processing unit, the auxiliary electrode plate is connected to the ground potential, as a result of which a capacitance &Dgr;C effective between the auxiliary electrode plate and the electrode plate is electrically connected in parallel with a capacitor C0 effective between the electrode plate and a machine component, resulting in that the capacitance C0 is increased by a proportion corresponding to the capacitance &Dgr;C.

Abstract: Signal isolator circuits using one or more magneto-resistive sensors are disclosed. In a first embodiment, a magneto-resistive sensor is used to sense an input magnetic field. A feedback circuit senses the output signal from the sensor, and applies a current to an output coil that substantially null out the input magnetic field at the magneto-resistive sensor. In another embodiment, the input signal is provided to a first magneto-resistive bridge sensor and an offset input signal is provided to a second magneto-resistive bridge sensor. Changes in sensitivity of the bridge sensors can be detected by comparing the output signal signals from the sensors. The excitation voltage that is applied to the sensors is then adjusted to compensate for any changes in sensitivity. It is contemplated that a single magneto-resistive bridge sensor may be used to effectively perform both measurements of the first and second magneto-resistive bridge sensors.

Abstract: A control apparatus of an occupant protection device has at least one front acceleration sensor provided in a front part of a vehicle, in addition to a room acceleration sensor provided in a room of the vehicle. Whether the vehicle is in a collision requiring a drive of the occupant protection device is decided based on each of sensor outputs of the room and front acceleration sensors, respectively, and the occupant protection device is driven when the collision is detected based on at least one of the sensor outputs. Since the front acceleration sensor is provided in the front part of the vehicle, the front acceleration sensor detects a collision acceleration early and gives it to the control unit, even in case of a collision, such as the offset or an oblique collision, in which a collision acceleration transmitted to the room acceleration sensor may be weakened. Therefore, the control unit can exactly drive the occupant protection device without causing delay in collision detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a matrix of two-position switches for transferring a number of input signals to the same number of outputs. The matrix is controlled so that all permutations of the incoming signals are possible at the outputs. The matrix includes both a main matrix and a troubleshooting matrix. The troubleshooting matrix has the same number of inputs and outputs, neither of which number less than the smaller of the number of inputs of the main matrix or the number of outputs of the main matrix. The switches of the troubleshooting matrix are adapted and controlled so that they operate as a simple switch whose inputs consist of any pair of inputs of the troubleshooting matrix and whose two outputs consist of the two outputs of the troubleshooting matrix which have the same rank as the pair of inputs. The other inputs of the troubleshooting matrix are connected to the outputs of the same rank in the troubleshooting matrix.

Abstract: An electricity storage device and a portable electric-powered tool. The device comprises at least a battery; at least a super capacitor, which has lower internal impedance, when fully charged, than that of the battery and connects the battery in parallel; and an output end for supplying the electricity. The super capacitor is the major power supply for the pulse current output; the battery is used for generating electricity to the super capacitor and is the secondary power supply for the pulse current output. The connection of the battery and the super capacitor does not need any converters or current-limiting resistors.

Abstract: An electrostatic or mechanical chuck assembly includes gas inlets only in an annulus-shaped peripheral portion and not in the central region of the chuck. The gas inlets are in fluid communication with one or more gas conduits and supply of the backside of a workpiece, such as a semiconductor wafer, with inert coolant gas or gases. The gas or gases supplied only to the peripheral region of the chuck effectively cool the central region of the chuck by at least two physical mechanisms, including the thermal conduction through the workpiece and diffusion of the gas or gases in the interstitial space(s) between the somewhat irregular facing surfaces of the chuck and of the backside of the workpiece.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a usage authorization checking device that detects biometric data of a person with a biometric sensor configuration. If the usage authorization check, performed with biometrically detected data, is positive, the vehicle can be put into operation by performing a predetermined actuation without actuating a separate ignition or starter switch. A separate ignition or starter switch is eliminated. The driving motor can be an electric motor or an internal combustion engine. The predetermined actuation can include movement of an accelerator pedal, a transmission shift lever, a clutch pedal and a brake pedal. The biometric sensor configuration can also include connections to a driving motor start-up device and a shut-off device.

Abstract: A method of high efficiency generation of ions of desired polarity, which includes the steps of positioning a first electrode at a predetermined spacing from a second electrode having a closed shape configuration, applying to both electrodes a direct voltage of the same polarity, at the same time as applying the direct voltage, applying high voltage pulses to the first electrode only, thereby to cause ion generation in the vicinity of the first electrode and to set up a rapidly moving ion stream from the first to the second electrode along an electrical field therebetween, wherein the duration of the pulses is shorter than the time taken for the ion stream to reach the second electrode, and wherein ions in the ion stream have the same polarity as the second electrode, thereby to be repelled and concentrated as they flow through the second electrode.

Abstract: A weight sensing anti-theft vehicle system for preventing theft and carjacking of vehicles. The weight sensing anti-theft vehicle system includes weight sensors comprising a mat, a microprocessor unit connected to the weight sensors for controlling the starting and stopping of a vehicle, a keypad data entry device for entering the weight of the driver into the microprocessor unit, a power source such as a battery connected to the microprocessor unit, and an ignition coil also connected to the microprocessor unit which turns on and off the engine if no weight is detected by the weight sensors and if the correct weight is not keyed into the microprocessor unit.

Abstract: A power supply monitoring apparatus, for which a plurality of different preset reference current values and corresponding permitted times are provided, includes: a cutoff device; current detection circuits; overcurrent detection circuits; an idle-up command circuit; and a low voltage detection circuit. When an overcurrent detection circuit detects a current value equaling or exceeding at least one of the preset reference current values, and when that condition continues for a time equaling or exceeding a permitted time corresponding to the pertinent reference current value, the circuit transmits a command to the cutoff device to interrupt the current supplied to a power feeding path. Further, when the idle-up command circuit detects an increase in a supplied current, an idle-up command is issued.

Abstract: A system (10) for detecting the state of a switch device (60) includes a driver circuit (40) having an output (42) operative to provide a driver output signal. An indicator (44) is electrically connected between the driver circuit (40) and the switch device (60). The indicator (44) is activated in response to the driver output signal and upon the switch device (60) being in a first state. A monitoring circuit (70), which is responsive to the switch device (60) through the indicator (44), is electrically connected to a node (64) between the indicator (44) and the driver circuit (40). The monitoring circuit (70) is operative to provide a first signal in response to the switch device (60) being in the first state and a second signal in response to the switch device (60) being in a second state. The monitoring circuit (70) controls energization of a controller (28) so as to power the controller (28) when the switch device (60) is in the first state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing and treating tissue transmit an electrical energy pulse that temporarily stuns a zone of tissue, temporarily rendering it electrically unresponsive. The systems and methods sense an electrophysiological effect due to the transmitted pulse. The systems and methods alter an electrophysiological property of tissue in or near the zone based, at least in part, upon the sensed electrophysiological effect. The alteration of the electrophysiological property can be accomplished, for example, by tissue ablation or by the administration of medication. In a preferred implementation, radio frequency energy is used to both temporarily stun tissue and to ablate tissue through a common electrode.

Abstract: In an electromagnetic operating system having a coil for electromagnetically controlling a mechanical operating member for operating the processing of objects in response to an alteration in an electrical voltage condition, the control system is arranged for generating test command pulses of different magnitude, for registering a command code in accordance with a smallest magnitude test command pulse causing the operating member to move, and for subsequently correcting alterations in the voltage condition for controlling the operating member in accordance with the registered command code. The control system is responsive for effecting the corrections in the alterations of the voltage condition in accordance with the registered command code. This enables simple correction for differences in the response delay among different electromagnetic operating systems.