Patents Examined by Khristopher Yodichkas
  • Patent number: 10241156
    Abstract: A method and system for re-using the electrical energy of an electronic component under test. The method and system includes combining a first direct current voltage output of an electronic component under test with a second direct current voltage of a device. The combined first direct current voltage and second direct current voltage are regulated to create a power. The power functions a system application. At least one metric of the electronic component under test is monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Coq, Randhir S. Malik
  • Patent number: 10222195
    Abstract: The present technique relates to an information processing apparatus, a method, a program, and a recording medium that can prevent malfunctions. An information processing apparatus includes at least two surfaces, in which the relative position between one surface and the other surface of the two surfaces is changed. The information processing apparatus includes a detecting unit that detects that a relative position between the two surfaces is changed, from a change in a plurality of values of the sensors included in a predetermined region of at least one surface of the two surfaces. When it is detected that the relative position between the two surfaces is changed, an event is not notified to an operating system, for example, and an application is prevented from malfunctioning. The present technique is applicable to an information processing apparatus including two touch panels, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuya Igari
  • Patent number: 10197603
    Abstract: There is provided a system for use with a fiber-optic current transducer. The system includes a processing unit configured to transduce a first light signal into a first electrical signal. The processing unit is further configured to transduce a second light signal into a second electrical signal. The processing unit is configured to remove offsets from the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal by forcing the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal to be on the same per unit basis. Furthermore, the processing unit is configured to combine the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal to produce a composite signal, the composite signal being free of the offsets. And the processing unit is further configured to linearize the composite signal to produce an output current indicative of a current flowing in a conductor disposed proximate the FOCT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Wallace, Daniel Korot, Charles Max Serradimigni
  • Patent number: 10197615
    Abstract: A partial discharge acquisition system includes: a synchronization signal sensor device including a sensor module structured to remotely detect a first synchronization electromagnetic signal generated by an alternate current electrical voltage associated with the operation of an electrical object and provide a corresponding first detected electrical signal; a transmitting device structured to irradiate a second synchronization electromagnetic signal related with the first detected electrical signal; a partial discharge detection apparatus including: a receiving device structured to receive the second synchronization electromagnetic signal and generate a corresponding received electrical signal representing at least a timing parameter of the alternate current electrical voltage, the receiving device and the transmitting device being configured to establish a wireless communication link defining a deterministic transmission delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: PRYSMIAN S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Di Stefano, Roberto Candela, Giuseppe Fiscelli, Giuseppe Costantino Giaconia
  • Patent number: 10162017
    Abstract: The systems and methods described can reduce high order temperature coefficients on the Hall plate sensitivity. A temperature coefficient circuit may include a first amplifier to receive a first reference voltage generated in conjunction with a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) device and a second amplifier to receive a second reference voltage generated in conjunction with a complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) device, the second amplifier having a second output node. A plurality of resistors may be disposed in a signal path between output node of the first amplifier and an output node of the second amplifier. The plurality of resistors may be coupled to at least one voltage-to-current converter through one or more resistors taps. The voltage-to-current converter may generate at least one current signal that can be operable to apply a multiplication factor or a division divisor to an amplifier coupled to the voltage-to-current converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventor: Juan Manuel Cesaretti
  • Patent number: 10156461
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for detecting motion of an object includes error detection circuiting and processing. Magnetic field sensing elements are configured to generate at least two magnetic field signals in response to a magnetic field associated with the object which signals are used by detectors to generate right and left channel signals with edges indicative of motion of the object. A direction calculation processor responsive to right and left channel signals generates a direction signal having a state indicative of a direction of motion of the object and an output signal generator generates an output signal having a pulse indicative of the direction of motion of the object in response to the direction signal. An error detection processor responsive to the output signal and to the direction signal is configured to detect an error in at least one of the direction signal and the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Steven E. Snyder, Craig McConnell, Peter G. Wells
  • Patent number: 10151728
    Abstract: A method for operating a resonant measurement system has at least one: adjustment device, electric actuation device, electromagnetic vibration generator, vibrating element, and vibration recorder. The adjustment device generates an output signal to trigger the electric actuation device, the electric actuation device provides an electric excitation signal to the electromagnetic drive, the electromagnetic drive excites the vibrating element to the same vibration in at least one normal mode, and the excited vibration is sensed by the vibration recorder and is output as an output signal. To approach, maintain and readjust a resonant point as an operating point of the resonant measurement system, the phase difference between the output signal of the vibration recorder and the adjustment device output signal is acquired, an adjustment deviation is calculated from a predefined phase difference and the acquired phase difference, and the adjustment deviation provided to the adjustment device as an input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: KROHNE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Kourosh Kolahi, Ralf Storm, Andreas Poremba
  • Patent number: 10151789
    Abstract: For testing the connections (13) of batteries (8) that are connected in a battery module (5) to several bus bars (6, 7) that are electrically in parallel with their battery electrodes (10, 11) by a resistance measurer (16) comprising a pair of contact pins (17, 18), during a measurement a first batten’ electrode (10) is contacted by a first contact pin (17) and a point on the conductor arrangement (13, 6, 13, 10) connected to the first battery electrode (10) is contacted by the second contact pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: ACCULOGIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karim Dehkordi, Paul Bennett, Greg Leblonc, Farokh Eshragi Azar, Farhad Fahimi
  • Patent number: 10126149
    Abstract: A capacitive occupancy or proximity detector includes a heating circuit, an impedance measurement circuit connected to the heating element, and a diagnostic circuit configured for determining integrity of the heater element. The heating circuit includes a heating element, a heating current source and a common mode choke having a first and a second winding, the heating element being connectable to the heating current source via the first and second windings. The diagnostic circuit includes at least one controllable switching element coupled across the second winding, circuitry for injecting a DC current into a series connection formed by the first winding the heating element and a parallel connection of the second winding and the at least one controllable switching element, and at least one detection circuit for detecting a voltage variation across the second winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.
    Inventors: Michael Virnich, Michael Pütz, Laurent Lamesch, Jochen Landwehr
  • Patent number: 10119992
    Abstract: A test probe tip can include a compliance member or force deflecting assembly and a tip component. The compliance member or force deflecting assembly can include a plunger component and a barrel component to receive the plunger component, wherein the plunger component is configured to slide axially inside the barrel component. The test probe tip can also include a spring mechanism within the barrel component to act on the plunger component, and a resistive/impedance element coupled with the plunger component at one end and with the tip component at the opposite end, the resistive/impedance element including at least one rod having a semi-cylindrical form and a resistive material situated thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Hagerup, Julie A. Campbell, Ira G. Pollock, James E. Spinar, Kathleen F. M. Ullom, Charles M. Hartmann, Daniel J. Ayres, Christina D. Enns
  • Patent number: 10094866
    Abstract: The methods and apparatus described herein are designed and configured to allow one user to test cable continuity using a wire-configurable directional connector. The methods and apparatus may transmit a first and second voltage pulse through a first and second wire of a cable under test, respectively, having a wire-configurable directional connector attached. Both voltage pulses travel through the wire-configurable directional connector. The first voltage pulse selectively leaves at least one of the second wire and a third wire of the cable under test and the second voltage pulse selectively leaves the third wire. The methods and apparatus may store a pre-determined pattern of a returning voltage pulse specific to the cable under test, and determine a state of the first, second, and third wires in response to receiving the first and second voltage pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Brent E. Davis
  • Patent number: 10073135
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques or systems for evaluating a tiered semiconductor structure, such as a stacked CMOS structure, for misalignment are provided. In an embodiment, a connectivity test is performed on vias between a first layer and a second layer to determine a via diameter and a via offset that are used to evaluate misalignment. In an embodiment, a connectivity test for vias within a first layer is performed to determine an alignment rotation based upon which vias are connected through a conductive arc within a second layer or which vias are connected to a conductive pattern out of a set of conductive patterns. In this way, the via diameter, the via offset, or the alignment rotation are used to evaluate the tiered semiconductor structure, such as during a stacked CMOS process, for misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Mill-Jer Wang, Ching-Nen Peng, Hung-Chih Lin, Hao Chen, Mincent Lee
  • Patent number: 10069065
    Abstract: Graphene Hall sensors, magnetic sensor systems and methods for sensing a magnetic field using an adjustable gate voltage to adapt the Hall sensor magnetic field sensitivity according to a control input for environmental or process compensation and/or real-time adaptation for balancing power consumption and minimum detectable field performance. The graphene Hall sensor gate voltage can be modulated and the sensor output signal can be demodulated to combat flicker or other low frequency noise. Also, graphene Hall sensors can be provided with capacitive coupled contacts for reliable low impedance AC coupling to instrumentation amplifiers or other circuits using integral capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Arup Polley, Archana Venugopal, Robert Reid Doering, Luigi Colombo
  • Patent number: 10064680
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for counting sharps returned to a container. An example method of counting sharps returned to a container having at least two layers of penetrable conductive material includes periodically checking a plurality of circuits formed by the first and second layers of material to determine if each circuit is open or closed, and keeping a count of the number of closed circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Stryker Combo L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael T. McElhinny, Steven J. Fleck, Joshua J. Hill
  • Patent number: 10060969
    Abstract: A test board unit may include a test board, a thermal tank and a heat-dissipating plate. The test board may be configured to provide a semiconductor chip with a test current. The thermal tank may be configured to dissipate heat generated in the semiconductor chip. The heat-dissipating plate may be coupled between the test board and the thermal tank and may be configured to transfer the heat from the semiconductor chip to the thermal tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignees: SK hynix Inc., UNITEST INC.
    Inventors: Woo Sik Jung, Byoung Seon Koh, Hyo Jin Oh, Young Bae Choi, Jin Young Jung
  • Patent number: 10036784
    Abstract: A magnetometer configured to measure low field strength magnetic fields is provided. Certain embodiments of the magnetometer include a cylindrical coil assembly having a variable permeability core and terminals disposed at both ends. A current source circuit may be operably connected to the terminals and configured to apply a voltage controlled current across the terminals. A voltage readout circuit may be operably connected to the terminals and configured to measure a voltage across the terminals due to the applied current from the current source. An inductance of the coil assembly directly varies as an ambient magnetic field strength varies a permeability of the variable permeability core, and a voltage across the terminals varies directly with the inductance such that the measured voltage across the terminals is a direct measure of the ambient magnetic field strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: Qamar A. Shams, John F. Sutton
  • Patent number: 10031174
    Abstract: An apparatus embodiment comprises a voltage source, a measuring device, a controller, and at least two connecting elements. The connecting elements connect to an electrical supply network comprising at least a phase conductor and a neutral conductor. The voltage source applies at least a first voltage and a second voltage to a pair of the conductors of the electrical supply network. The measuring device measures the resistance between the pair of conductors. The controller compares a first resistance measured by the measuring device between the pair of conductors to a predetermined first threshold resistance value and detects that an electric device is connected to the electrical supply network when the first resistance is lower than or equal to the first threshold. When an electric device is not detected, the controller is further configured to perform a higher voltage insulation test of the electrical supply network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Fluke Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Laepple
  • Patent number: 10027281
    Abstract: A system includes a circular oscillator suspended by a flexible support structure to a support frame, a drive mechanism configured to induce the circular oscillator into a two-dimensional drive oscillation, where the drive oscillation is modified responsive to a sense oscillation of the circular oscillator caused by an angular rotation of the support frame and the circular oscillator, and a plurality of digital proximity switches disposed around a perimeter of the circular oscillator. During the modified drive oscillation a plurality of the digital proximity switches are configured to switch between an open state and a closed state and generate a time and position output to allow for a determination of each of a plurality of variable oscillation parameters for each oscillation of the modified drive oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
    Inventors: Paul D. Swanson, Andrew Wang
  • Patent number: 9983223
    Abstract: An electromagnetic boat speedometer includes a boundary layer velocity compensating arrangement comprising a primary coil for producing a primary electromagnetic field within a relatively large first volume of water, a secondary coil for producing a secondary electromagnetic field within a relatively small portion of the first volume of water immediately adjacent the hull of the boat, and a set of first electrodes removably mounted in one or more openings in the hull of the boat, such that the tips of the first electrodes extending into the relatively small water portion. In one embodiment, the coils are simultaneously energized in opposition, so that the primary and secondary electromagnetic fields are in opposition. In a second embodiment, the coils are energized alternately, and the signals produced by the electrodes are modified to achieve the desired boundary layer compensation. A second set of second electrodes may be included in the second embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Brickhouse Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence B. Marsh
  • Patent number: 9983265
    Abstract: Provided is a device capable of generating a new test pattern after the design stage with the area of a circuit that is not in use during normal operation reduced. The device includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The second circuit includes a plurality of third circuits, a plurality of fourth circuits, and a fifth circuit and has a function of generating a signal for testing operation of the first circuit and operating as part of the first circuit. The fourth circuits have a function of storing first data and second data. The fifth circuit has a function of writing the first data to the fourth circuits, writing the second data to the fourth circuits, and reading the second data from the fourth circuits. The first data is used to control the conduction between the third circuits. The second data is used for processing in the first circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Kurokawa