Abstract: A method is used in a utility meter having an arm bit and a seal bit. The method includes changing a state of the arm bit to a first state in response to a first set of conditions. The method also includes removing electrical power from the meter. Upon subsequently applying electrical power to the meter, a first signal in a meter processing circuit indicates whether a meter cover is installed or the meter cover is removed. The processing circuit changes the seal bit to a first state responsive to a condition in which the arm bit is in the first state and the first signal indicates that the meter cover is installed. The processing circuit changes the seal bit to a second state responsive to a condition in which the seal bit is in the first state and the first signal indicates that the meter cover is removed.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a magnetic field sensing element configured to generate a magnetic field signal; a measured threshold module configured to generate a measured threshold signal in accordance with positive peaks and negative peaks of the magnetic field signal; a memory device coupled to receive and configured to store, at each one of a plurality of storage times, a respective value of the measured threshold signal; a threshold module coupled to receive from the memory device, at a calculation time, a stored value of the measured threshold signal and configured to generate a calculated threshold value; and a comparison circuit coupled to receive the calculated threshold value and to receive the magnetic field signal. The comparison circuit is configured to compare the calculated threshold value with the magnetic field signal to generate an output signal. A corresponding method is associated with the magnetic field sensor.

Abstract: Provided are a single-chip differential free layer push-pull magnetic field sensor bridge and preparation method, the magnetic field sensor bridge comprising: a substrate, a staggered soft magnetic flux concentrator array, and a GMR spin valve or a TMR magnetoresistance sensing unit array having a magnetic sensing axis in an X-direction on the substrate. A soft magnetic flux concentrator comprises sides parallel to an X-axis and a Y-axis, and four corners sequentially labeled as A, B, C and D clockwise from an upper left position. Magnetoresistive sensing units are located at gaps between the soft magnetic flux concentrators. Additionally, the magnetoresistive sensing units corresponding to the A and C corner positions and B and D corner positions of the soft flux concentrators are defined as push magnetoresistive sensing units and pull magnetoresistive sensing units, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating a semiconductor device includes: a chuck stage for fixing a semiconductor device; an insulating substrate; a plurality of probes fixed to the insulating substrate; a temperature adjustment unit adjusting temperatures of the plurality of probes; an evaluation/control unit causing a current to flow into the semiconductor device through the plurality of probes to evaluate an electric characteristic of the semiconductor device; an inspection plate having a front surface and a rear surface opposite to each other; a thermal image measurement unit acquiring a thermal image of the inspection plate when distal end portions of the plurality of probes are pressed against the front surface; and a thermal image processing unit performing image processing to the thermal image to obtain in-plane positions and temperatures of the distal end portions of the plurality of probes.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for estimating phase measurements obtained using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system such that phase ambiguities in the measurements are significantly mitigated. Echo time spacings are determined by optimizing phase ambiguity functions associated with the echo time spacings. Data is then acquired using a multi-echo pulse sequence that utilizes the determined echo spacings. Phase measurements are then estimated and images are reconstructed using a reconstruction technique that disambiguates the phase ambiguities in the phase measurements.

Abstract: The invention provides a touch display panel, including: a lower substrate where a common electrode layer, a first test pad, and a second test pad are formed, an upper substrate disposed above the common electrode layer, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the upper substrate and lower substrate, wherein the common electrode layer is divided into a plurality of common electrode blocks arranged in a matrix, and any two adjacent common electrode blocks of the plurality of common electrode blocks are coupled to the first test pad and the second test pad, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electromagnetic induction sensor that is used with a position indicator and includes coils for electromagnetic coupling with the position indicator. The electromagnetic induction sensor includes: a sensor board main body that includes an insulating substrate and a surface sheet attached to a side of a first surface of the insulating substrate, on which side a position is indicated by the position indicator; at least part of conductors forming the coils being formed on a second surface of the insulating substrate opposite from the first surface; and an overlay member that includes a magnetic powder material layer and is adhered to the side of the second surface of the sensor board main body.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for destructive testing of a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The PCBA contains embedded components on a printed circuit board within a non-functional area. At least one of these embedded components is susceptible to defects and exposed to conditions that facilitate destructive testing which leads to accelerated measurements. The accelerated measurements on the non-functional area are more representative of variability than measurements on a functional module while providing insights into potential future defects.

Abstract: A partial discharge detection system including a partial discharge acquisition and processing device includes: a partial discharge detection device configured to provide a detected partial discharge electrical signal from partial discharge pulse generated by a first electrical object; and a first communication module configured to receive a detected synchronization signal carrying detected synchronization phase values and corresponding reference time values associated with an electrical supplying voltage of a second electrical object. The partial discharge detection system further includes: a phase value generator configured to produce synthetized phase values representing a synthetized synchronization signal, the phase value generator being adjustable according to phase errors; and an error computing module configured to compute said phase errors from the synthetized phase values, the detected synchronization phase values and the corresponding reference time values.

Abstract: A rotary encoder and rotary encoder system that provides rotation detection and generates tactile feedback using a single magnetic mechanism and without relying on mechanical detects. The rotary encoder utilizes a ring magnet attached to a knob, two Hall Effect sensors that detect movement information for the processor, and magnets that are mounted to the surface of the platform. As the knob and multipole ring magnet get rotated, the ring magnet is subjected to opposing forces due to the magnets mounted to the platform surface, causing an unstable position that is experienced as tactile feedback by the user rotating the knob. Releasing the knob snaps the magnetic ring into one of many fixed positions, thus providing further tactile feedback.

Abstract: A device, an arrangement, and a method for measuring a current intensity in a primary conductor through which current flows are disclosed. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic field-generating element configured to generate a reference magnetic field; and a magnetic field angle-sensitive element configured to measure an orientation of a total magnetic field, the total magnetic field is produced by overlapping of the primary magnetic field and the reference magnetic field in space, wherein the primary magnetic field and the reference magnetic field are not parallel to one another at a location of the magnetic field angle-sensitive element, and wherein the current intensity of the current flowing through the primary conductor is determinable from the orientation of the total magnetic field in space.

Abstract: For each k-space line, a time period is defined that starts with the application of the RF pulse directly prior to the acquisition of the respective k-space line, and ends at the time point of the echo during the acquisition of the MR data of the respective k-space line. This time period is set shorter for those k-space lines that lie in a central region of k-space than for k-space lines that lie outside of the central region.

Abstract: A contactor device includes: a first body substrate; a second body substrate; a flexible membrane connected to the first body substrate and second body substrate, wherein the second substrate body is movable relative to the first substrate body by flexure of the flexible membrane; an electrical contact member carried by the second substrate body; a microfluidic-channeled substrate coupled to the first body substrate, the microfluidic-channeled substrate having a chamber and a microfluidic channel in fluid communication with the chamber; and a 3-dimensional flexible membrane enclosing the chamber, wherein the 3-dimensional flexible membrane flexes toward the second body substrate when a fluid pressure is applied to the chamber through the microfluidic channel whereby a force or a movement is transferred to the second body substrate by the 3-dimensional flexible membrane.

Abstract: An engine generator includes a generator body connected to an engine, a converter including rectifiers that convert an output from the generator body to DC current, an inverter that converts an output from the converter to AC current, an input voltage detector that detects an input voltage from the generator body to the converter, and an AC current detector that detects an AC current output from the inverter. An abnormality in the engine generator is determined if a state that a current detected by the AC current detector is not higher than a first threshold value and a duty ratio of a voltage detected by the input voltage detector is not higher than the second threshold value continues for a first predetermined time; or if the current detected by the AC current detector is not higher than a third threshold value and the duty ratio change rate is not higher than a fourth threshold value.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for acquiring a magnetic resonance (MR) data set from a target area of a patient containing at least one metal object that distorts the basic magnetic field due to susceptibility differences, a slice selection gradient that rises in one direction is used to select a slice from which MR data are to be acquired. At least for at least one outermost edge slice on one side of the slice stack from which the MR data are to be acquired, the polarity of the slice selection gradient is selected as a function of a primary direction of distortion in the edge slice.

Abstract: A system for analyzing electronic devices is described. An input station receives a plurality of electronic devices. A pick-and-place transport apparatus having a pick up tip for engaging and transporting one of the electronic devices at a time from the input station to the electric machine interface station, disengaging from the electronic device, and moving away from the electronic device The pick up tip is movable for engaging the electronic device while at the electric machine interface station and transporting the electronic device away from the electric machine interface station to disengage the electronic devices from the electric machine interface. First and second thermal devices secured to the support structure on opposing sides of the electronic device when the electronic device is at the electric machine interface station to simultaneously transfer heat to or form the electronic device.

Abstract: An energy intake apparatus for a motor vehicle can be operated electrically, with an induction coil, which is configured to charge an energy storage unit of the motor vehicle. The energy intake apparatus contains a shield apparatus, by which the induction coil can be shielded from the motor vehicle. The shield apparatus has at least one first shield component separating the induction coil from the motor vehicle in the transverse vehicle direction and/or in the longitudinal vehicle direction and at least one second shield component separating the induction coil from the motor vehicle upward in the vertical vehicle direction. The second shield component being connected to the first shield component.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting a defect of a display panel, the method comprises steps of: connecting at least one electrical test pad on the display panel to a first detecting terminal, and connecting another at least one electrical test pad on the display panel to a second detecting terminal; providing a preset voltage between the first detecting terminal and the second detecting terminal; and, detecting whether magnitudes of currents passing through the first detecting terminal and the second detecting terminal within a predetermined time are less than a preset current threshold, and if not, then determining there is a defect on the display panel. The present disclosure can implement effective detection and interception of a progressive defect or badness in the display panel.

Abstract: Provided is an isolation interface for isolating, from a Class 1 power circuit, an electricity meter powered by a Class 2 power supply or battery that monitors the Class 1 power circuit. Also provided are, an electrical metering system utilizing the interface. The interface includes an enclosure containing at least one isolation interface circuit including an input for electrical connection to a sensor inductively coupled to the Class 1 power circuit, and an output for electrical connection to the electricity meter. A potential transformer having a primary electrically connected to the input and a secondary electrically connected to the output transforms a signal received from the sensor to an output signal for the electricity meter. The output is electrically isolated from the input, allowing manufacture of the electricity meter as a low voltage appliance with lower manufacturing costs, and protecting the electricity meter against a fault voltage transmitted by the sensor to the interface.

Abstract: A disk drive thermal performance testing device includes a drive housing, an electrical connector and an adjustable power loading device. The drive housing is at least partially made of a thermally conductive material. The electrical connector is in the drive housing and provides an external connection. The adjustable power loading device is located in the drive housing, is coupled to the electrical connector, and is thermally coupled to the drive housing.