Patents Examined by Christine Oda
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Patent number: 6597186Abstract: A method is provided for creating a spectral EM frequency to calculate the thickness of a material with unknown permeability and conductivity using metallic transparencies. The method comprises the steps of testing empirically to approximate the conductivity, testing empirically to approximate the permeability, creating a first set of electromagnetic waves adjacent to the material to be measured of a relatively low frequency, impinging the first set of electromagnetic waves on the material for saturating the material, creating a second set of electromagnetic waves having specific constant amplitude of a higher frequency than the first set of electromagnetic waves, the second set of electromagnetic waves for engaging the material and generating a sensing signal having modified characteristics, and receiving the sensing signal through the saturated material such that the modified characteristics of the sensing signal are processed to determine the thickness of the material.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2000Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: EM-Tech Sensors LLCInventor: Bijan K. Amini
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Patent number: 6593755Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for shielding a capacitive sensor. The system and method drive the shield to the same potential as the sensor electrode being shielded to eliminate sensor interference due to mutual capacitance. An independently created signal is applied to the shield which matches the signal applied to the sensor electrode. Use of the independent driving signal allows the shield to maintain the same potential as the sensor electrode, especially during rapid transition of the sensor electrode's potential.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2000Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Banner Engineering CorporationInventor: Brian P. Rosengren
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Patent number: 6591692Abstract: A bend-test device for wire harnesses capable of handling a plurality of samples at the same time. The bend-test device includes a fixed frame unit, a hinge unit with a fulcrum axis, and a mobile frame unit connected to the fixed frame unit via the hinge unit in a freely pivotable manner around the fulcrum axis. The fixed frame unit includes fixed-side panels respectively including holder holes, each of which holds a grommet carrying a wire harness. The fixed-side panels are arranged in a parallel relation to each other, and aligned perpendicular to the direction of the fulcrum axis, in a freely mountable and removable manner. Likewise, the mobile frame unit includes mobile-side panels respectively including holder holes, each of which holds another grommet carrying the wire harness. The mobile-side panels are arranged as mentioned above, so that each of the mobile-side panels can be opposed to a corresponding one among the fixed-side panels.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Yuki Kawakita, Takuya Inoue
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Patent number: 6593749Abstract: Pressurized fluid from a nozzle is applied against the movable member of a micromechanical device, in order to measure the mechanical properties of the device. The technique is non-destructive, non-invasive, can be applied at the wafer, row or die level, and at early or intermediate stages of fabrication.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Innovative Micro TechnologyInventors: John Stuart Foster, Patrick Edward Feierabend, Michael James Shillinger
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Patent number: 6590401Abstract: Invention relates to a capacitive proximity switch with an electrical bridge circuit for detecting of an electrically conducting face (15) approaching or moving away, wherein the electrically conducting face (15) is part of a capacitor (for example C1) of the bridge circuit, wherein at least one capacitor (C1, C2, C3, C4) and possibly at least one resistor (R9, R10) are disposed in the bridge branches of the bridge circuit as further reactances, and wherein the bridge is subjected to an alternating voltage as a bridge feed voltage (ubr). The proximity switch includes a flat multilayer printed circuit board (10) having at least two electrically insulating layers (13, 14), wherein an electrically conducting intermediate layer (11) as a first face of a capacitor is disposed between the two electrically insulating layers (13, 14).Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Pepperl & FuchsInventor: Andreas Hildebrandt
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Patent number: 6590402Abstract: An engine oil contamination sensor includes a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode. A sensing area is established between the electrodes. The sensor is oriented in an oil pan such that the sensing are is completely submerged in engine oil. A microprocessor is connected to the sensing electrodes and includes a program for determining whether antifreeze is dispersed in the engine oil.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Su-Chee Simon Wang, Yingjie Lin
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Patent number: 6590376Abstract: A method derives a frequency of a pulse signal from a line frequency. The method includes measuring a period of a line frequency pulse signal having the line frequency using a measured frequency derived from an oscillator frequency. The method further includes determining if the period of the line frequency pulse signal is within a predetermined tolerance limit. The line frequency is used to derive the frequency of the pulse signal when the period is determined to be within the predetermined tolerance limit, and the oscillator frequency is used to derive the frequency of the pulse signal when the period is determined to be outside the predetermined tolerance limit.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Landis+Gyr AGInventors: Kurt Bammert, Mirko Bulinsky, Michel Schaller
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Patent number: 6590397Abstract: In a three terminal power line current differential protection system, all three phase current values (IA, IB and IC) are obtained from all three terminals. The current values for each phase are processed in three successive processing operations, using in turn the current values from each terminal as local current values and the combination of the other two terminal current values in each case as the remote current values. The resulting local and remote current values are then processed against preselected values which establish a restrain region in the current ratio (alpha) plane. Current values for each set of local and combined remote currents which result in the ratio being within the restrain region result in a blocking signal while current values which result in a ratio outside of the region result in a tripping signal. If the outputs of the three processing operations agree, then that signal is the system output.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey B. Roberts
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Patent number: 6586945Abstract: Apparatus (1) for testing the integrity of a toner cartridge (3), the apparatus (1) including a drive means (8,11) adapted to rotate gear (12) for rotating the drum (4) in the cartridge (3), an electrical means powered and adapted to provide electrical static charges via the electrodes (14) in the contact arm (13) to enable the cartridge (3) to imitate the normal electrical operation of the cartridge (3), and to an operator to control testing conditions of the cartridge (3) being tested. The invention further includes methods of testing the integrity the cartridge (3) using the apparatus (1).Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Printer Ribbon Inkers LimitedInventor: David Stanley Hendrick Geurts
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Patent number: 6586947Abstract: A current value of each second harmonic content is measured while changing a frequency of an AC drive voltage applied to comb capacitors within a specified range. A frequency-current value characteristic is obtained for the second harmonic content, and the obtained characteristic is substituted with the vibration frequency-velocity characteristic of a microactuator.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Yoshikzu Takahashi
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Patent number: 6586951Abstract: A displacement detecting device includes a power supply line made of a conductor on a substrate, an earth line made of a conductor on the substrate, a plurality of output lines made of a conductor on the substrate, a resistance formed between the power supply line and the earth line on the substrate, and a brush sliding on the resistance and at least one of the output lines electrically connecting between the resistance and at least one of the output lines, the displacement detecting device generating the output signal from the output lines based on the position of the brush, wherein one of the power supply line and the earth line is disposed between the output lines.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuji Hiraiwa, Keiji Yasuda, Kouji Akashi
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Patent number: 6583633Abstract: A temperature-measuring device for a heating/air-conditioning installation, having sensors biased by at least one electrical power-supply source including at least one series branch exhibiting a first and a second terminal coupled to terminals of a power-supply source, the first branch featuring a first (D1) and a second (D2) diode head to tail, connected between the first (2) and the second (3) terminal of the series branch, and also a first (CT1) and a second (CT2) detector connected in series between the first (2) and the second (3) terminal of the series branch, the common point between the first (D1) and the second (D2) diode being connected to the common point between the first (CT1) and the second (CT2) detector, and where a changeover-switching device is included for reversing the direction of the bias so that the first (CT1) or the second (CT2) sensor is traversed by a current.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Valeo ClimatisationInventor: Tan Duc Huynh
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Patent number: 6581102Abstract: A flexible and efficient mechanism for integrating arbitrary isochronous processing algorithms in general purpose media servers is provided. The disclosed system supports generic graphs of processing modules with for buffer management, distributed stream control, and quality of service management. A data pump component is provided for dynamically creating at least one data path for data retrieved in response to a request, the data path having a plurality of filters for processing the data with one or more processing algorithms. A graph of component then creates a graph for processing data and instructs the data pump to retrieve filters and create the data path in accordance with the graph. By distributing stream control and decoupling resource management from components responsible for processing the media stream, the disclosed system allows these generic graphs to be constructed over multiple, networked systems.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1999Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Lisa D. Amini, Martin G. Kienzle, Jorge O. Lepre
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Patent number: 6580263Abstract: Disclosed is a bit rate discrimination device that accurately discriminates a bit rate regardless of variations in the operating temperature. A photoelectric converter converts an input optical signal into an electric signal, and a bit rate detector detects a bit rate of the optical signal from the electric signal and outputs a discrimination signal indicating the bit rate. A DC amplifier outputs a bit rate detection signal by amplifying the discrimination signal, and a temperature detector detects the operating temperature of the DC amplifier and outputs a temperature signal indicating the detected operating temperature. A variation amplifier outputs a temperature compensation signal by amplifying the voltage level difference between the temperature signal and a predetermined reference signal, so as to cancel variations in an output voltage of the DC amplifier according to the operating temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LTDInventors: Jeong-Seok Choi, Tae-Sung Park, Hee-Chan Doh, Gil-Yong Park, Yun-Je Oh
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Patent number: 6580276Abstract: A system and method for conducting diagnostic services on live electrical equipment, such as electrical power transformers using a tap switch installed into each phase of the transformer. The tap switch is used along with the appropriate test and measurement equipment connected to a test and measurement system to perform the diagnostic service when the transformer is live and in-service. The tap switch allows the diagnostic service to be performed without the hazard of disconnecting the bushing tap in order to connect the bushing tap back to the test and measurement equipment. The tap switch provides for live diagnostic tests and measurements for the early identification of potential failures using diagnostic services, such as partial discharge (PD) and frequency response. Thus, live diagnostics can be performed on electrical power transformers while the transformers are in-service using a tap switch resulting in a reduction in down time and thus costs.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: ABB Technology AGInventor: Nagi Hilal
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Patent number: 6580280Abstract: An exhaust gas side electrode is provided on one surface of a solid electrolytic substrate. A reference gas side electrode is provided on an opposite surface of the solid electrolytic substrate so as to be exposed to a reference gas stored in a reference gas chamber. Each lead of the electrode is connected to a signal output terminal. This sensor satisfies a relationship B/A<0.5, wherein ‘A’ represents an overall resistance value of an electric path including the solid electrolytic substrate, the electrodes, and their leads in a sensor activated condition, while ‘B’ represents a resistance value of the leads at a room temperature. Some embodiments may be arranged such that at least one of the leads has a low resistance portion located in the vicinity of the electrodes and a high resistance portion located in the vicinity of signal output terminals.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Makato Nakae, Syuichi Nakano, Toshitaka Saito
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Patent number: 6580275Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the characteristic(s) of a discharge lamp (for example a fluorescent lamp or a high-intensity discharge lamp) operated by a high-frequency electronic ballast including a resonant tank that includes an inductor and a capacitor, wherein the characteristic(s) are selected from the group consisting of lamp input voltage, lamp resistance and lamp power, and including capability for measuring the inductor voltage and/or current, and capability for determining the characteristic(s) from the measured inductor voltage and/or current. More generally, the apparatus and method provide techniques for determining a number of parameters of a power converter circuit simply from measuring an inductor voltage or inductor current.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: City University of Hong KongInventors: Shu-Yuen Ron Hui, Shu-Hung Henry Chung
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Patent number: 6578075Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for distributing a user interface for communications and/or services available in a communications network, wherein the user interface is independent from the terminal and/or applications. The method includes requesting an access to a least one desired service by a terminal, identifying the type of the requesting terminal, identifying and selecting the desired services, establishing a customized connection between the requested services and the requesting terminal on a basis of the identifying, and delivering at least one service program, dependent on the type of terminal and the requested service to the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1999Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: More Magic Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Mika P. Nieminen, Karri Kalpio, Jorma Rinkinen
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Patent number: 6577083Abstract: A method and apparatus for vertical S linearity correction with no external components. A periodic waveform may be cubed to produce a second waveform. This second waveform may be sampled to obtain a peak value of the periodic waveform. The peak value may be multiplied by a constant to produce an offset value. The offset value may be subtracted from the second waveform to produce a third waveform. This third waveform may be added to the periodic ramp voltage. Consequently, the periodic waveform is modified by a cubic waveform.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventor: Charles Yong Yi Guan
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Patent number: 6577133Abstract: A test apparatus which having a window comparitor circuit which includes a coil. The coil is placed over a solenoid valve cartridge and switched on and off. The on time of the window comparitor circuit is measured to verify correct assembly of the solenoid valve cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes CompanyInventor: Richard J. Barron