Patents Examined by Melissa J Koval
  • Patent number: 10775413
    Abstract: A method of increasing uniformity in light from a light source at a plurality of targets of the light includes locating a plurality of movable aperture elements between the light source and the targets. Each aperture element defines an aperture through which the light passes from the light source to an associated one of the plurality of targets associated with the aperture element along a longitudinal axis of the aperture element. The method also includes moving at least one of the aperture elements along its longitudinal axis to change a feature of light incident on the target associated with the aperture element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Pin Jen, Ming-Chang Yang, Sheng-Kuai Yang
  • Patent number: 10772536
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide methods, apparatus and computer systems comprising an input unit for inputting one or more data sets to be processed comprising a capacitance measuring device configured to measure one or more conductive elements on a sensor plane and provide a corresponding data set of measurements obtained from the conductive elements. A computing unit is coupled to the input unit and for processing the data sets; the computing unit comprises at least one processor with non-transient memory. An output unit is connected to the computing unit for outputting data received from the computing unit. A computer program stored in memory comprising instructions that cause the computer to isolate and discharge conductive and reference impedance elements, perform a charge transfer to the one or more conductive elements on the sensor plane, measure the relative difference between the conductive elements and reference impedance element, and store measurements in non-transient memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Inventors: Michael L. Mathiasmeier, Dwayne Leroy Mason
  • Patent number: 10779411
    Abstract: A sensor sheet-containing exterior component includes an exterior member; a sensor sheet having a sensor electrode and disposed on a back surface of the exterior member; and a mounting plate that holds the sensor sheet in close contact with the exterior member, wherein the mounting plate has a front surface shape that substantially corresponds to a back surface shape of the exterior member and is configured to engage with the exterior member, and a sensor sheet-fixing unit is provided between the mounting plate and the sensor sheet so as to fix the sensor sheet to the mounting plate along the front surface shape of the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SEKISUI POLYMATECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuta Ohsawa, Kota Yamazaki, Yoshifumi Honmatsu
  • Patent number: 10768093
    Abstract: A measurement system permits environmental, corrosion damage, and mechanical property measurements to assess protection properties of coatings. The system includes one or more multi-sensor panels, each multi-sensor panel having sensors for assessing coating barrier properties, free corrosion, and galvanic corrosion. Each multi-sensor panel is installed on a test rack that contains electronics for sensor excitation and sensor data acquisition throughout a corrosion test. Sensor data is collected, stored, and communicated to a base station. A network of multiple test racks can be supported by a base station to compare the performance of different coatings and material combinations simultaneously. The test racks can be used in accelerated atmospheric corrosion tests, outdoor test sites, or application service environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Luna Innovations Incorporated
    Inventors: Fritz John Friedersdorf, Conrad Koenig Andrews, Paul Gordon Muskopf, Kathryn Beryl Ridder
  • Patent number: 10761234
    Abstract: An electrode. The electrode includes a compressible form having an outer surface. A plurality of electrically conducting wire strands is disposed in a wire layer on the outer surface. The wire layer substantially covers the outer surface of the compressible form, and each wire strand comprises a first end and a second end configured to couple to a source of electromagnetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: PGS GEOPHYSICAL AS
    Inventor: Mattias Oscarsson
  • Patent number: 10761144
    Abstract: The number of ports of a microcomputer is increased to detect an abnormality of the power supply line in a case where a power supply line to a load circuit is increased in number by two or more systems. A first resistor R1 and a second resistor R2 are commonly connected to one end of a third resistor R3. The other end of the third resistor R3 is connected to a monitor port of the microcomputer 15 and is grounded through a fourth resistor R4. The microcomputer 15 determines a value of a monitor voltage input to the monitor port to determine an abnormality of a first power supply line L1 and a second power supply line L2. Specifically, it is determined whether the first power supply line L1 and the second power supply line L2 are short-circuited to a ground side, or a voltage is not supplied to the first power supply line L1 and the second power supply line L2 due to an open circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Shinichirou Hida
  • Patent number: 10761133
    Abstract: A crack detection system and an apparatus equipped with a crack detection circuit, including a main body, and a detection control circuit and a detection coil disposed on the main body. The main body includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface coupled between the top surface and the bottom surface. The detection coil is distributed on an edge of the main body and disposed surrounding the side surface. Two ends of the detection coil are electrically coupled to the detection control circuit to form a closed-loop detection circuit. The detection circuit is configured to detect a crack in an edge region of the main body. The detection coil includes a plurality of detection sections sequentially coupled from head-to-tail, and adjacent detection sections are not collinear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hui Si, Haohui Long, Jianping Fang, Runqing Ye, Weiqiang Hong, Yunfei Wang, Taixiang Liu
  • Patent number: 10761111
    Abstract: A system includes a controller for automated test equipment (ATE) contactor to interface with a device under test (DUT) including a power converter having a primary and secondary side, each side has an input/output (I/O) pin. The controller causes the ATE contactor to apply a load current on the secondary side of the power converter at a first value and vary the load current to a second value. The contactor receives first and second indications, at the first and second load currents, of a voltage on the primary side I/O pin, a voltage on the primary side of the power converter, an input current on the primary side of the power converter, a voltage on the secondary side I/O pin, and a voltage on the secondary side of the power converter. The controller determines a primary and secondary side ATE contactor resistances based on the first and second indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Arun Adoni, Suvadip Banerjee, Sreeram Subramanyam Nasum, Prajkta Vyavahare
  • Patent number: 10761119
    Abstract: Implementations of voltage sensing systems may include: a high side current mirror coupled to a reference current source coupled to at least one diode. The at least one diode may be coupled to a resistor and to a comparator. The resistor may be coupled to the ground. The comparator may be coupled with a reference voltage. The comparator may be configured to receive a comparison voltage from the diode and output whether the comparison voltage is higher or lower than the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Catalin Ionut Petroianu, Alexandra-Oana Petroianu, Pavel Londak
  • Patent number: 10760931
    Abstract: A technique for dynamically controlling performance parameters in a six degrees-of-freedom non-line-of-sight sensor subsystem is described. In certain embodiments, a magnetic field sensor is mounted on or proximate to an object to measure a parameter that varies with a position or orientation of the object, where the magnetic field sensor is part of a sensor calibration subsystem. The position or an orientation of the object is determined based on the parameter as indicated in an output of the magnetic field sensor. A receiver bandwidth and/or other operation parameter of the subsystem is dynamically adjusted during operation of the subsystem based on, for example, a transmitter-receiver distance or an operational state of the subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Lev Cherkashin
  • Patent number: 10753771
    Abstract: A brushless resolver includes a rotor having a one-phase excitation coil and a stator having two-phase detection coils. The rotor is mounted to a shaft of a motor to detect a rotation angle of the motor. An induction coil is located around the shaft. The induction coil is connected to the excitation coil. Electromotive force induced in the induction coil by a change of magnetic flux of the motor, which passes through the shaft, is used as an excitation signal supplied to the excitation coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoya Ando, Kenichi Nakazato, Manabu Yazaki
  • Patent number: 10753978
    Abstract: A method for testing an all solid state battery with which the presence of short circuit or the presence of defect causing short circuit can be detected with high accuracy by a comparatively simple method in which a voltage is applied to a battery and the current value thereof is measured. The method comprising steps of: a resistance increasing step of increasing resistance of an all solid state battery to 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Nagaya, Masato Kamiya, Shinobu Okayama
  • Patent number: 10747967
    Abstract: Enhanced surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors and SAW sensor-tag wireless interface devices, including low loss devices, devices that enable enhanced use of time diversity for device identification, and devices suitable for use in band-limited environments (such as ISM band) and for use in ultra-wideband applications are disclosed. Antennas for use with both SAW sensors and/or tags, and wireless transceiver systems also are disclosed, including antennas suitable for operation in conductive media and in highly metallic environments, said antennas being used to activate and read said SAW sensors and/or tags. SAW sensors and sensor-tags and related methods for measuring scaled voltage and current in electrical conductors via measurements of the electric and magnetic fields thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: SENSANNA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jacqueline H. Hines, Andrew T. Hines, Leland P. Solie, Doug Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 10746720
    Abstract: Soil moisture monitoring systems and methods for measuring mutual inductance of area of influence using radio frequency stimulus are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving a first inductance frequency sample from a first oscillator circuit, the first oscillator circuit being coupled with one or more reference inductors; receiving a second inductance frequency sample from a second oscillator circuit, the second oscillator circuit being coupled with one or more mutual inductors that sense soil moisture inductance in an area of soil; receiving a temperature reading from a thermometer, the temperature reading being obtained when the first inductance frequency sample and the second inductance frequency sample were obtained. The example method further includes transmitting the first inductance frequency sample, the second inductance frequency sample, and the temperature reading to a receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FarmX Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 10746823
    Abstract: A transport device for transporting an NMR sample to a probe head (16), having a shuttle (15) and a locking apparatus (3) for the rotor (5), which, when attaching the shuttle to the probe head, releases the rotor, and having a detecting apparatus for detecting the rotor in the shuttle. The probe head has a positioning apparatus (2), which holds the probe head in a defined measuring position relative to the shuttle. The detecting apparatus includes a sensor line, which transmits a signal dependent on the position of the probe head to the shuttle's end. A first portion (1a) of the sensor line is mounted inside the shuttle and extends from the rotor in a transport state to the end of the shuttle. A second portion (1b) of the sensor line is mounted inside the probe head and, in the measuring position, is directly adjacent to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: BRUKER SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Jonathan De Vries, Sven Sieber, Roger Meister
  • Patent number: 10746611
    Abstract: A strain gauge sensor includes a substrate, at least one resistor comprising a magnetoresistive material on the substrate. The magnetoresistive material exhibits a magnetostriction coefficient ? that is greater than or equal to () |2| parts per million (ppm) and an anisotropic magnetoresistance effect with an anisotropic magnetoresistance of greater than or equal to () 2% ? R/R. The strain gauge sensor consists of a single layer of the magnetoresistive material. At least a first contact to the resistor provides a sensor input and a second contact to the resistor provides a sensor output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Dok Won Lee
  • Patent number: 10746807
    Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to systems and methods for single wire precision measurement of a ground termination circuit. In some embodiments, a ground check monitoring apparatus includes a voltage source connected to a single insulated ground check wire, a pilot conductor, and a ground conductor, wherein the pilot conductor has a first resistance, and the ground conductor has a second resistance. The apparatus further includes a termination device connected between the pilot conductor and the ground conductor, and a ground conductor terminal connectable to a cable pilot wire. The apparatus may further include a ground terminal connectable with a cable ground wire, wherein voltage and current measured at the ground check terminal and the ground terminal are used to determine a ground check resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl Warkentin, George Fenty, Kim Haluik
  • Patent number: 10746527
    Abstract: Provided are a method and a system for detecting bend in the rotating shaft of magnetic bearing. The system comprises a first displacement sensor, a second displacement sensor, and a processor electrically connected with the first displacement sensor and the second displacement sensor; the processor comprises a calculating unit, a first judging unit and a second judging unit; the calculating unit is configured to calculate center positions of the rotating shaft stopping at different positions during rotating a circle; the first judging unit judges whether the rotating shaft is bent or not according to a curve of the changed center positions, and outputs a test result of qualification if the rotating shaft is not bent. Users are able to determine whether the rotating shaft needs to be processed or not, to avoid causing destructive effects on the magnetic bearing system due to excessive bend degree of the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, INC. OF ZHUHAI
    Inventors: Yusheng Hu, Weilin Guo, Daofu Hu, Yongling He, Bin Yang
  • Patent number: 10739490
    Abstract: A subterranean characterization and fluid sampling device includes a tool body, a probing module, and a permanent magnet. The tool body includes a fluid testing module configured to retain a fluid sample and an internal radio frequency coil disposed within the tool body and drivable to generate RF magnetic field B2. The probing module is coupled to the tool body and configured to withdraw the fluid sample from a formation and deliver the fluid sample to the fluid testing module. The probing module comprises an external antenna drivable to generate RF magnetic field B1. The permanent magnet induces static magnetic field B0. The permanent magnet is coupled to the tool body and external to the probing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lilong Li, Songhua Chen, Arcady Reiderman
  • Patent number: 10742213
    Abstract: A low-power non-contact proximity sensor with improved sensitivity. In particular, the non-contact proximity sensor includes a capacitive sensor decoupled from a surrounding environment by a guard ring. Both the capacitive sensor and the guard ring are driven by a direct current (DC) power source, with the guard ring driven based on feedback from the voltage applied to the capacitive sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Lumitex, Inc.
    Inventor: Emeric S. Bennett