Abstract: A digital error feedback system, method and device adjusts the output voltage of a power converter. The digital error feedback system uses a digital comparator and one or more digital signal generators to generate and compare a digital signal corresponding to the output voltage to a reference digital signal in order to determine the current amount of error in the output voltage. The error is then able to be compensated for using a control signal generated based on the determined error.

Abstract: A method of and a device for dissipating/transferring heat through one or more solid vias and embedded coins are disclosed. The method and device disclosed herein can be used to transfer heat for a High Density Interconnect (HDI) board.

Abstract: A power converter includes a self-driven circuit for appropriately turning ON and OFF a synchronous rectifier during the operating cycle of the power converter. Without the use of a smart controller coupled to the synchronous rectifier, the self-driven circuit turns ON the synchronous rectifier during the positive cycle of the power converter when the main switch is turned OFF, and the self-driven circuit turns OFF the synchronous rectifier during the negative cycle of the power converter when the main switch is turned ON. Unlike conventional self-driven circuits that include an auxiliary secondary winding for driving a synchronous rectifier, the self-driving circuitry of the present application does not include an auxiliary secondary winding.

Abstract: Methods of and Devices for quality control that can be used with automated optical inspection (AOI), solder paste inspection (SPI), and automated x-ray inspection (AXI) are disclosed. Plurality of threshold settings are entered in a testing process. Multiple testing results are obtained from the testing process. A graphic presentation is generated showing the numerical relationship among the data points, such that a quality control person is able to fine-tune the testing process to have a predetermined ratio of Defect Escaped % to False Call ppm.

Abstract: A cylindrical array of tightly spaced optical discs is arranged such that all optical discs in the array share the same axis of symmetry. An optical system is aligned with the optical disc array. The optical system includes a light source, such as a diffuse reflector, and a photo detector, such as a photo detector. The photo detector is aligned to receive either light transmitted through the optical disc array or light reflected off the optical disc array. Illumination directed at the optical disc array results in a pattern of alternating light and dark illuminations, or bands. The photo detector focusing on the cylinder surfaces of the optical discs detects the light/dark transitions and thus enables counting of discrete optical discs.

Abstract: Electrohydraulic solenoids with improved filtering of venting fluid are provided herein. In some embodiments, an electrohydraulic solenoid comprises a hollow cylindrical bobbin having a flange at a first end with a core having a cavity open at one end disposed in the hollow of the bobbin. An armature is disposed within the cavity and supported for axial movement within the cavity. A portion of a pole piece is disposed in the hollow of the bobbin at the first end with an axial face of the portion abutting the open end of the cavity and a shoulder axially spaced from the flange forming a gap. A vent path is formed between the cavity and an outer environment, the vent path comprising at least a portion of the gap, with a magnet disposed in a portion of the vent path.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for accepting inputs into a treadmill or other exercise equipment to control functions of the treadmill or exercise equipment. An exercise control system can receive gestures and other inputs. The exercise control system can also obtain information about the user of the exercise control system and information about the environment in which the exercise equipment is operating. Based on the input and the other information, the exercise control system can modify or improve the performance or execution of user interface and functions of the exercise equipment. The changes make the user interfaces and/or functions user-friendly and intuitive.

Abstract: A power transmission pad is configured to provide wireless power transmission to multiple portable electronic devices where each device is orientation-free relative to the pad. The power transmission pad is also configured to be power adaptive by changing the power transmission level depending on the number of devices being concurrently charged. Each device, is placed within the magnetic field for the purpose of charging the device battery. The power transmission pad includes a sweep frequency generator for generating power transmissions across a frequency spectrum. The number of devices to be charged is determined as well as an optimal frequency for maximum energy transfer to each device. A single combined optimal frequency is determined using the optimal frequencies determined for each individual device. The sweep frequency generator is locked to the single combined optimal frequency and a power transmission level is set according to the number of devices.

Abstract: A power converter includes a primary side controller configured to operate the power converter in the discontinuous conduction mode during low to mid-power requirements and to operate the power converter in the continuous conduction mode during high or peak power requirements. The power converter includes a primary side auxiliary winding that provides a feedback signal to the primary side controller, and an adjusted resistor and diode circuit which is coupled to a multi-function feedback (FB) pin of the primary side controller. The primary side controller monitors for a peak power demand, upon detection of which a negative supply rail is enabled, which is used to compensate for voltage losses due to non-zero current while operating in the CCM, thereby enabling output voltage regulation while operating in the CCM during peak power demand.

Abstract: An LED lighting assembly is provided as a drop-in replacement for standard flourescent tubes. An LED lighting assembly and corresponding method for its assembly comprises a substrate having an LED array mounted thereon. The LED array can be mounted in traditional wirebonded or flip chip arrangements. The assembly further includes a heat sink layer, a light diffusion layer, a UV filter layer, and a structural frame for supporting the assembly. The structural frame can be adjusted to replace any length flourescent tube. A voltage controller is provided to filter out voltage spikes from a power source. A microcontroller is provided for receiving any control instructions.

Abstract: Described herein are a robotic distribution apparatus, system and method. The robotic distribution system may include a Package Delivery Kiosk (PDK), associated front end and back end package delivery management systems, portals for the consumer and the retailer, portals for the common carrier, sender, and recipient, a package inventory management system, integrated retailer access, a real and automated retailer bidding system and a kiosk for distribution. The PDK includes a distribution kiosk and shelving system. The kiosk and shelving system includes configurable shelves and dividers to enable access to the packages. The shelving system handles packages from a robotic placement mechanism and includes shelves that have receiving apertures. The shelving system further includes dividers that fit into the receiving apertures. Each of the dividers has a receiving slot that allows a robotic gripper arm to grab or handle a package with respect to a slot between a pair of dividers.

Abstract: Described herein is a rear zone module and rear zone controller that minimizes wire gauge and current draw. The rear zone module shares outputs amongst several functions including rear windshield wiper, heated back window, power liftgate controller and the like. These outputs can be shared because not all functions are required to be active at the same time. For example, a vehicle includes a rear zone module (RZM) that includes at least a power liftgate (PLG) module, heated back window module, and a rear window wiper module. The vehicle also includes a controller configured to selectively control current with respect to at least the PLG module, heated back window module, and a rear window wiper module. The interconnections between the RZM and controller are minimized by sharing the interconnections as the PLG module operates mutually exclusively from the heated back window and rear window wiper module.

Abstract: A formed graphite sheet is shaped and sized as a protective shield positioned over an electronic component coupled to a PCB. The formed graphite sheet is used to protect a body of the electronic component from heat applied during the assembly of the electronic component to the PCB, such as the heating steps used in SMT and through-hole technology. The formed graphite sheet is shaped to selective direct impinging heat. The heat can be directly away from the entire electronic component. Alternatively, the heat can be selectively directed away from some portions of the electronic component and toward other portions of the electronic component.

Abstract: An energy-efficient ventilation system comprises a ventilation fan, ductwork, system controller, and a plurality of ventilation points, each comprising a damper, a differential pressure sensor, a ventilation point controller, and a fume detector. When a ventilation point does not require ventilation, a signal is sent to the system controller to reduce the ventilation fan speed thereby using only as much energy as is needed to provide service to the ventilation points that need ventilation. The fume detector, damper, and differential pressure sensor for each ventilation point are used to determine whether ventilation is needed at a ventilation point and to control the ventilation point accordingly.

Abstract: A method of and device for reducing power loss in a voltage conversion circuit. The voltage conversion circuit comprises a main power circuit and a switchable auxiliary circuit, which comprises a first and a second winding circuits. A switch controls the use of the first winding circuit, the second winding circuit, or both to reduce power lose during the voltage conversion.

Abstract: A glue thickness inspection system automates a thickness measurement functionality for determining the thickness of both non-transparent and transparent materials including, but not limited to, glue, gel, solder and epoxy. The glue thickness inspection system includes a laser detector, a movable platform for positioning a unit under test, and a controller for controlling movement of the platform, angle of the laser detector, and calculation of the transparent material thickness. The laser detector includes a laser for emitting a laser light onto the unit under test and a sensor for receiving corresponding reflected light. The sensed data is used by the controller to determine the transparent material thickness.

Abstract: An observation is made that the peak voltage value for a rectified AC voltage signal is substantially the same from cycle to cycle. Using this observation, a method of measuring an AC voltage is used to determine a more accurate RMS voltage value under light load conditions. The method includes rectifying the AC voltage signal to form a rectified signal, sampling the rectified signal to obtain a set of sampled values for each half-cycle of the AC voltage signal, searching the sampled values for each half-cycle to determine a local minimum value for each half-cycle, searching the sampled values following the local minimum value to determine a local maximum value for each half-cycle, and calculating a root mean square value from the local maximum value for each half-cycle thereby determining the root mean square value for each half-cycle of the AC voltage signal.