Patents Examined by Jeff Natalini
  • Patent number: 9269488
    Abstract: A position pointer is disclosed, in which an electronic ink cartridge of an electromagnetic induction type is accommodated. The electronic ink cartridge includes a resonance circuit having a coil and a capacitor circuit, and is configured to detect pressure applied to a core member accommodated in the position pointer based on a variation of a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit. The cartridge includes a tubular member, in which the core member and the coil are accommodated such that the coil is positioned between the core member, which extends outwardly from one end of the tubular member, and the capacitor circuit along a direction of a center axis of the tubular member. The cartridge also includes a connection member in the tubular member, which electrically connects a first end and a second end of the coil to a first terminal and a second terminal of the capacitor circuit, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Obata
  • Patent number: 9261549
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus for detecting leakage current in a suspension-type insulator of an electrical power system is disclosed. The sensor apparatus includes a housing having a leakage current sensor contained therein, a door pivotally connected to the housing and adapted to move between an open position where a grounded end fitting of the insulator is received by the sensor apparatus and a closed position, and a clamping mechanism connected to the housing. The leakage current sensor is adapted to detect a leakage current along the insulator. The clamping mechanism is adapted to clamp the sensor apparatus to the grounded end fitting of the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew John Phillips, Chris Engelbecht, J. Mark Major, Bob Lynch
  • Patent number: 9257068
    Abstract: An organic light emitting display device according to example embodiments includes a display unit, a test data line to which a test data voltage is applied during a sheet unit test, a test gate line to which a first voltage is applied during the sheet unit test and to which a second voltage is applied during a normal operation of the organic light emitting display device, a plurality of test transistors configured to selectively couple the test data line to a plurality of data lines in the display unit in accordance with a voltage provided by the test gate line, and at least one redundant element configured to maintain the test gate line at the second voltage during the normal operation even if the test gate line is damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young-Kwang Kim, Hyun-Uk Oh
  • Patent number: 9255954
    Abstract: A remote phase identification system identifies the unknown phase attribute of any energized conductor within a three-phase power distribution network. A base station at a reference location obtains a reference phase each GPS second and stores it on one or more servers. A field probe at a remote location obtains an instantaneous phase measurement at a GPS second and communicates this phase to a field client. The field client communicates with the server either by wireless Internet or satellite modem to compare its field location phase measurement with the reference location phase measurement taken at the same GPS second. Field client tagging reference phase configuration files are automatically created for any circuit. Configuration files can be named, saved, and loaded and are used by the field client to identify and display the unknown field location phase attribute. A field client can be any personal computer, smartphone, or personal digital assistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Gregory Hubert Piesinger
  • Patent number: 9256327
    Abstract: A projected capacitive touch sensor system includes a substrate that defines a plurality of non-overlapping areas. Each non-overlapping area includes a plurality of detection electrodes arranged in non-overlapping columns. The columns include a horizontal detection electrode that extends along substantially an entire height of a first column, and at least a second column of at least two vertical detection electrodes that are electrically isolated from one another. The system further includes a measuring circuit configured to measure a mutual capacitance between the horizontal detection electrode and each of the at least two vertical detection electrodes in a given area. A processing logic circuit of the system is configured to determine horizontal detection electrode and vertical detection electrode combinations that have a changed mutual capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricardo R. Salaverry, James G. Quaderer, Francis Lau, Joel C. Kent
  • Patent number: 9255839
    Abstract: The present invention introduces a detector that is able to detect single microwave photons propagating in a waveguide. The waveguide of the invention is lowered to a temperature where it becomes superconductive. Disposed between a middle wire and a ground plane of the waveguide is a very small piece of a desired normal metal, whereby so-called SN contacts are formed between these materials. A separate reflection measurement circuit is coupled to the normal metal piece. When the impedance of the waveguide is matched to the impedance of the normal metal piece as well as possible, a photon propagating in the waveguide is most likely absorbed in the normal metal. The absorption slightly raises the temperature of the piece, which further changes the impedance observed in a so-called SIN junction between the reflection measurement circuit and the piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: AALTO-KORKEAKOULUSAATIO
    Inventors: Mikko Möttönen, Jukka Pekola
  • Patent number: 9239368
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for continuous ground fault self-test are disclosed. An example ground fault detection device includes a sense coil to detect current in a line conductor and a neutral conductor, the sense coil comprising a winding influenced by a current difference between the line conductor and the neutral conductor. The example ground fault detection device also includes a current bypass to facilitate a continuous current imbalance detected by the sense coil, and a ground fault detector circuit to detect at least one of the continuous current imbalance in the sense coil or a ground fault current imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Artur J. Lewinski, Ross Teggatz, Thomas E. Cosby
  • Patent number: 9227697
    Abstract: A bicycle electrical system diagnostic device is provided for a bicycle electrical system in which several electric devices are connected. The diagnostic device includes a connecting section and an electric device recognizing section. The connecting section is configured to be connected to and disconnected from the electrical system. The electric device recognizing section is configured to communicate with the electrical system and recognize any of the electric devices while the connecting section is electrically connected to anyone of the electric devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Matsumoto, Akinori Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9222906
    Abstract: A wood monitoring system and method is disclosed for monitoring lumber characteristics (e.g., lumber moisture) in environments of extremely high and prolonged temperature and moisture, e.g., a kiln. The monitoring system and method includes: (a) Sensors (provided within lumber stacks), wherein such sensors are battery powered and wirelessly communicate measurements indicative of moisture content of the wood adjacent to and/or between metal plates provided in an electrical circuit with the sensors and the wood between the plates; (b) Computer implemented methods and systems for wireless communication that conserve sensor battery power such that the sensors can operate for, e.g., six months within extremely adverse temperature and moisture environmental variations; and (c) Computer implemented methods and systems for estimating moisture content with a wood/lumber stack, and for predicting such moisture content (e.g., as a substantially steady state within the wood) after drying completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick Youssi, Scott Schneider
  • Patent number: 9214936
    Abstract: A non-contact sensing module includes a coil printed circuit board in which a reference pattern coil may be formed at an upper surface and in which a sensing pattern coil may be formed at a lower surface and that has a mounting hole at the center, and a main printed circuit board that may be coupled to the mounting hole and that may be vertically disposed at an upper surface of the coil printed circuit board and that may be electrically connected to the reference pattern coil and the sensing pattern coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, DH HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Myung-Sub Kum, Jong-Sang Noh, Jung-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 9201108
    Abstract: Second signal lines are selected among neighboring signal lines near a first signal line, such that the second signal lines have valid coupling capacitances with respect to the first signal line. Test signal patterns of the first signal line and the second signal lines are selected among real signal patterns according to a function of the integrated circuit. At least one of a coupling noise and a coupling transition delay of the first signal line is calculated based on the test signal patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yeo-Il Yun, Seong-Uk Min, Sang-Ho Park
  • Patent number: 9201096
    Abstract: A pulsed-laser LADA system is provided, which utilizes temporal resolution to enhance spatial resolution. The system is capable of resolving CMOS pairs within the illumination spot using synchronization of laser pulses with the DUT clock. The system can be implemented using laser wavelength having photon energy above the silicon bandgap so as to perform single-photon LADA or wavelength having photon energy below the silicon bandgap so as to generate two-photon LADA. The timing of the laser pulses can be adjusted using two feedback loops tied to the clock signal of an ATE, or by adjusting the ATE's clock signal with reference to a fixed-pulse laser source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: DCG SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Praveen Vedagarbha, Derryck Reid, Keith Serrels, James S. Vickers
  • Patent number: 9203510
    Abstract: A method for locating a fault of a submarine cable, a device, and a communication system are provided. A light pulse output by a Repeater (RPT) is incident to a location of a fault as a probe light pulse. The RPT obtains a time difference between the probe light pulse and the reflected probe light pulse, and sends the time difference to a terrestrial Submarine Line Terminal Equipment (SLTE) so that the SLTE may easily locate the fault according to principles of an Optical Time Domain Reflector (OTDR). Compared with the prior art, the method may locate the fault of the submarine cable more quickly and accurately, so that maintainers may maintain the submarine cable in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sen Zhang, Zhiyong Feng
  • Patent number: 9188622
    Abstract: A device sample is screened for defects using its power spectrum in response to a dynamic stimulus. The device sample receives a time-varying electrical signal. The power spectrum of the device sample is measured at one of the pins of the device sample. A defect in the device sample can be identified based on results of comparing the power spectrum with one or more power spectra of the device that have a known defect status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Paiboon Tangyunyong, Edward I. Cole, Jr., David J. Stein
  • Patent number: 9182360
    Abstract: Microwave techniques for measuring moisture and other properties of paper and related products without requiring an independent measurement of temperature are provided. A sensor directly measures the reflection or transmission of microwaves at a number of well-chosen frequencies so as to characterize the absorption spectrum of the product. The technique of measuring the parameters of a composition includes: (a) directing incident microwave radiation over a spectrum of wavelengths from an antenna upon the composition; (b) measuring the microwave radiation over the spectrum of wavelengths that emerges from the composition; (c) determining the reflected and/or transmitted transfer function; and (d) relating the transfer function of the composition to the parameters of the composition by applying a theoretic, calibrated, or hybrid model. The product moisture and temperature are extracted from the transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell ASCA Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastien Tixier, Michael Kon Yew Hughes
  • Patent number: 9170294
    Abstract: A testing apparatus compatible with an electrical outlet is presented here. The outlet has a line socket designated for a line voltage conductor, a neutral socket designated for a neutral voltage conductor, and a ground socket designated for a ground voltage conductor. The testing apparatus includes a housing, a plug interface having an electrically conductive ground prong configured to mate with the ground socket, a first indicator lamp having a first terminal electrically coupled to the ground prong, and an electrically conductive lead extending from the housing. The conductive lead has a proximal end electrically coupled to the second terminal of the indicator lamp, and a distal end terminated with an electrically conductive connector. The indicator lamp is activated in response to a voltage differential between the ground prong and the electrically conductive connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kirk Lenzie
  • Patent number: 9167985
    Abstract: Methods and/or systems are disclosed herein for use in imaging an object with microwave tomography using a plurality of different boundary conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
    Inventors: Joe Lovetri, Puyan Mojabi
  • Patent number: 9157725
    Abstract: A method of producing a sensor unit for sensing the angular position of a rotatable element with respect to a fixed element, providing an encoder element fastened to the rotatable element, adapted to generate magnetic field variations as a function of its angular position, and a sensing element fastened to the fixed element, adapted to sense the magnetic field variations. The sensing element is mounted on and connected to a printed circuit board mounted in a shielding casing fastened with the fixed element. The method further comprises a step consisting in earthing the shielding casing by electrically connecting it to a load discharging device of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Francois Niarfeix, Gertjan van Amerongen
  • Patent number: 9134276
    Abstract: A bulk acoustic wave resonator (BAWR) sensor is provided. The BAWR sensor includes a signal BAWR that measures a resonance frequency that is modified due to a reaction with a target material, a reference BAWR that measures a reference resonance frequency without reaction with an external environment, and a sensing unit that senses the target material, based on the modified resonance frequency and the reference resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: In Sang Song, Sang Uk Son, Jea Shik Shin, Hyung Rak Kim
  • Patent number: 9128155
    Abstract: A switch detection system (100) includes a first switch (102) having a pole node (153), a normally closed contact (160), and a normally open contact (161), the pole node (153) of the first switch (102) connected to a voltage source node (104), a second switch (102) having a pole node (153), a normally closed contact (160) and a normally open contact (161), the pole node (153) of the second switch (102) connected to the normally closed contact (160) of the first switch (102), a voltage detector (106) connected to the normally closed contact (160) of the second switch (102), a first resistor (108) connected to the normally open contact (161) of the first switch (102), and a second resistor (108) connected to the normally open contact (161) of the first switch (102) and the normally open contact (161) of the second switch (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gang Xing