Patents Examined by Kenneth J Whittington
  • Patent number: 7710112
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a strength of a magnetic field, including a switch including contacts configured to change position when a switching threshold is reached, wherein the switching threshold is reached by modifying an external magnetic field around the switch, and a coil wound around the switch, wherein the coil is used to modify the external magnetic field, wherein a first current is driven through the coil wound around the switch until a first switching threshold is obtained, wherein a second current is driven through the coil wound around the switch until a second switching threshold is obtained, and wherein a value of the first current when the first switching threshold is reached and a value of the second current when the second switching threshold is reached are used to determine the strength of the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolay Baturin, Alexander J. Esin, Alex Kulik, Michael Masterov
  • Patent number: 7710109
    Abstract: A relative position of two articles is determined by generating a magnetic field using a magnetic element of a first article and determining a first measurement value and a second measurement value using a sensor arrangement of a second article, with the first and the second measurement values correlated to the size of the magnetic field in two different spatial directions and correspond to two different magnetic field components. The sensor arrangement is selected such that the first magnetic field component is essentially parallel to the direction of relative movement of the articles and the second magnetic field component is essentially perpendicular to the relative direction of movement of the articles. A difference signal of the absolute magnitudes of the first and second measured values is used to determine the relative position of the first and second articles. A position detector is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventor: Josef Baak
  • Patent number: 7705584
    Abstract: The magnetic sensor in the invention is arranged to detect a change of magnetic field caused by a movement of the magnetic movable by a magnetic sensor element arranged with a gap to the magnetic movable, to convert the detected change of magnetic field by first and second bridge circuits into electric signals, to generate first and second rectangular-wave signals by first and second comparator circuits depending upon the electric signals, and to form a signal having at least four levels by a signal forming circuit, thereby detecting a moving direction of the magnetic movable depending upon a level-change order in the signal. This makes it possible to detect a rotating direction of the magnetic movable rapidly and correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Yokotani, Naoki Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 7701208
    Abstract: A Hall element outputs a Hall voltage generated at a first terminal pair or a second terminal pair to first and second output terminals by switching the voltage in a first status and a second status. Based on the voltages of the first and the second output terminals and a reference voltage, first and second capacitors are charged. Then, the voltages of the first and the second capacitors are compared, and a detection signal is obtained. Thus, a magnetic sensor circuit which reduces influence of an element offset voltage of the Hall element and also reduces influence of an input offset voltage generated at an amplifier, and a portable terminal provided with such magnetic sensor circuit are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 7683625
    Abstract: A submersible electromagnetic (EM) field generator for seafloor electromagnetic surveying comprising an AC to DC converter operable to generate a DC output from an AC input and a switching module operable to generate a waveform driving signal by selectively switching the DC output. The EM field generator also comprises an antenna that is operable to generate an EM field in response to the waveform driving signal. This design approach of using a switched DC source allows square or rectangular wave EM signals to be generated which have sharp transition characteristics and which are substantially independent of the AC input characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: OHM Limited
    Inventors: James Milne, Jennifer Rust, Chris Sykes, Mark Bennett
  • Patent number: 7679366
    Abstract: An electromagnetic logging tool includes a support configured for disposal in a well; at least one antenna mounted on the support; and a plurality of coils mounted on the support proximate the at least one antenna, wherein the plurality of the coils are configured for selective connection with the at least one antenna. A methods for balancing an induction array on an electromagnetic logging tool includes measuring a mutual coupling between a transmitter and a receiver on the electromagnetic logging tool; and selectively connecting a subset of a plurality of coils on the electromagnetic logging tool to the transmitter or the receiver based on the measured mutual coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Scott S. Chesser, Richard D. Ward, Bulent Finci, Andrei I. Davydychev, William B. Vandermeer, John F. Hunka
  • Patent number: 7680402
    Abstract: An image shooting device with a camera shake correction function is provided. The image shooting device is capable of avoiding the deterioration of image quality due to performing camera shake correction. An image shooting control unit of the image shooting device can be configured to select to take in either one piece of image data for ordinary image shooting or a plurality of pieces of image data for camera shake correction, on the basis of the determination result of a determination unit. It also can be configured to take in both one piece of image data for ordinary image shooting and a plurality of pieces of image data for camera shake correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kaoru Chujo, Takashi Wakamatsu, Takehiro Nakai, Akifumi Izumisawa, Yasuhiro Kawakatsu, Masayuki Hirose
  • Patent number: 7671581
    Abstract: A magnetic pulse generator for measuring wheel revolutions of bicycles includes a magnet and an attachment device for attaching the magnet to a component (or spoke) of a wheel. Damage to the component to which attachment is to take place is to be prevented, and the installation expenditure during attachment is to be reduced. Furthermore, the magnetic pulse generator known from practical application is to be improved in that it is applicable to components of various geometric shapes, in particular to round components of various diameters and to flat components spokes of various widths. This object is met with an attachment device that includes a housing that encompasses the component, and that is formed as a longitudinally slit tubular piece. Ends of the housing forming the longitudinal slit can be connected to each other in a positive-locking and/or non-positive manner, and a spacing (A) therebetween is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Cycle Parts GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Noenen
  • Patent number: 7667456
    Abstract: A magnetic head testing apparatus having the function of evaluating pin holes in a tunnel barrier layer of a TMR element by a non destructive inspection is disclosed. The testing apparatus comprises a temperature control unit which sets a circumferential temperature of a TMR element, a bias electric current control unit which applies an electric current for measuring a resistance value, an element resistance measuring unit and a CPU which calculates a temperature coefficient. The CPU determines a pin hole state in the tunnel barrier layer based on the temperature coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Naka
  • Patent number: 7664384
    Abstract: A device allows a user to select an arbitrary portion of a scene being previewed for picture taking. In one implementation, the device includes a camera; a display to preview a scene associated with the camera; an interface configured to allow a user of the device to select a portion of the scene; and autofocus logic to adjust the focus of the camera based on the selected portion of the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Julian Charles Hope
  • Patent number: 7663361
    Abstract: A metal detection device is capable of effectively detecting a metal mixed in food or the like by generating AC magnetic field simultaneously tuned to respective frequencies by a single transmission coil in response to frequency components of different frequencies without switching an element by a switch or the like. Constituent elements constituting magnetic field generation portion are connected so that a transmission coil L1 and a capacitor C1 resonate in the first frequency F1. Moreover, constituent elements are connected so that the transmission coil L1 and a capacitor C2 resonate in the second frequency F2. Furthermore, constituent elements function so as to effectively separate the capacitor C1 and capacitor C2 so that they do not interfere at least in the same frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Anritsu Industrial Solutions Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nishio, Toshihiko Nagaoka, Shigeru Kubotera
  • Patent number: 7659717
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring the magnetic flux of a sample material includes a first pick-up coil for generating a pick-up signal and a second pick-up coil for generating another pick-up signal. The first and second pick-up coils are arranged such that they have a substantially equal sensitivity with respect to a background field and a substantially equal sensitivity with respect to deviations from a central position within the coils. The coils have a different sensitivity with respect to a field generated by the sample. The sensor can be used to measure the magnetic response of magnetic material in a varying background field, e.g. for full hysteresis measurement equipment using pulsed magnetic fields. The invention also has applications in a meter for magnetic moment and in measuring induced currents in metallic samples, where it is necessary to make a measurement in the presence of an unwanted background field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Metis Instruments & Equipment N.V.
    Inventor: Luc Van Bockstal
  • Patent number: 7659722
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing bed boundary detection and azimuthal resistivity logging with a single tool are disclosed. Some method embodiments include logging a borehole with an azimuthally-sensitive resistivity logging tool; deriving both a resistivity log and a boundary detection signal from measurements provided by said tool; and displaying at least one of the boundary detection signal and the resistivity log. The resistivity log measurements may be compensated logs, i.e., logs derived from measurements by one or more symmetric transmitter-receiver arrangements. Though symmetric arrangements can also serve as the basis for the boundary detection signal, a greater depth of investigation can be obtained with an asymmetric arrangement. Hence the boundary detection signal may be uncompensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. Bittar
  • Patent number: 7659724
    Abstract: The survey technique for use in a marine environment to survey a subterranean structure includes providing an arrangement of plural signal sources in a body of water to produce corresponding signals. The signals of the signal sources in the arrangement are set to cause reduction of at least one predetermined signal component in data received by a receiver in response to the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: David L. Alumbaugh, Jiuping Chen, Kevin Eyl, Stephen A. Horne, Edward Nichols
  • Patent number: 7652477
    Abstract: An electronic metal detector having a transmit coil (1) adapted to transmit an alternating magnetic field associated with a reactive transmit voltage, wherein the transmit voltage signal is selected such that the reactive transmit voltage is approximately constant for at least a time period during which a magnetic field signal to be processed is received by the detector for processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Minelab Electronics Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Bruce Halcro Candy
  • Patent number: 7652469
    Abstract: An inductive position sensor has a spatially periodic scale with a series of conducting or permeable features of pitch T and a reading head with drive windings and sense windings, facing the scale with a spatial period 2T along the scale. The windings are each divided in two identical winding elements,having the same relative location within two identical winding element patterns having a center-to-center distance along the scale of NT+T/2, N being an integer, and connected so that the winding element polarities in each winding are either opposed for drive windings and the same for sense windings or the same for drive windings and opposed for sense windings. Thereby, direct couplings in both patterns cancel each other, while the spatially periodic signals coupled via the scale reinforce each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Sensor Technology Limited
    Inventor: Hans Ulrich Meyer
  • Patent number: 7649357
    Abstract: A connector for a downhole tool includes a body with one or more conductors positioned at least partially axially adjacent to an axial bore that extends at least partially through the body. In embodiments, one or more seals surrounding the body prevent fluid from flowing from a lateral opening into the interior of the downhole tool. Additionally, the body of the connector can include a circumferential or annular recess that acts as a reservoir to contain or capture fluid that might otherwise enter the sub. Leak protection can also be protected by applying a pressure compensating material around the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James C. Hunziker, Borislav J. Tchakarov
  • Patent number: 7649349
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a switching device with a sensor unit located at a measurement end of a casing sleeve and connected to an electronic circuit located on a support received in the casing sleeve, and with a connection part located at a rear end of the casing sleeve. The method is characterized in that the sensor unit, support and connection part together with a shielding sleeve surrounding the support are assembled to form a dimensionally stable module and the latter is subsequently inserted in the casing sleeve, where it is received in fixing manner. According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a module for a switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Dierk Schoen, Dionysios Divaris
  • Patent number: 7646971
    Abstract: A system receives an input with a light sensor of a device, determines a luminance of a subject based on the received input, and adjusts an output of an assist light of the device based on the determined luminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Henrik Eliasson
  • Patent number: 7643745
    Abstract: An electronic device includes circuitry for carrying out an operation unrelated to camera operation, and camera circuitry for carrying out a camera related operation, the camera circuitry including circuitry for providing autofocus control. The electronic device further includes a camera lens operatively coupled to the camera circuitry, a focus state of the camera lens being controlled by the camera circuitry. In addition, the electronic device includes an operator input operatively coupled to at least the camera circuitry for enabling an operator to provide an input unrelated to focus control of the camera lens in a first operating condition, and to provide a manual focus control input to the camera lens in a second operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Edward Craig Hyatt