Patents Examined by Neel Shah
  • Patent number: 9897715
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for implementing and using a multi-axial induction borehole imaging tool that includes emitters that induce, at azimuthally-spaced positions on a borehole wall, a plurality of fields having components in three non-coplanar directions within a formation. The tool also includes directionally sensitive inductive sensors that sense the components caused by each of the one or more inductive emitters, and a downhole controller that processes signals received from the directionally sensitive inductive sensors to provide a set of measurements representative of an impedance tensor at each position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Ferhat T. Celepcikay, Luis E. San Martin
  • Patent number: 9897633
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuits for determining one or more switch statuses are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, such a system for determining a status of a switch having first and second terminals includes a first port configured to be coupled to the first terminal, a second port configured to be coupled to the second terminal, and a capacitor coupled between the first port and ground. Additionally, the system includes a comparator device having first and second input ports and an output port, the first input port being coupled at least indirectly to the first port, a current source coupled to the first input port, and a voltage source coupled between the second port and the second input port. The comparator device is configured to provide an output signal at the output port that is at least sometimes indicative of the status of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Edwards, Anthony F. Andresen
  • Patent number: 9897638
    Abstract: A passive intermodulation (PIM) measurement device for measuring a PIM in at least one of installation equipments and a distribution network within a distributed antenna system (DAS), the PIM measurement device included in a relay unit of the DAS, the PIM measurement device includes a pulse generation unit, a PIM detection unit and a controller. The pulse generation unit generates a two-tone pulse signal having frequencies different from each other. The PIM detection unit detects intermodulation (IM) signals fed back from the installation equipments or the distribution network in the DAS, corresponding to the propagation of the two-tone pulse signal. The controller detects PIM generation information in the DAS, based on the fed-back IM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: SOLiD, INC.
    Inventors: Yeong Shin Yeo, Kyung Eun Han
  • Patent number: 9891262
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for insulation monitoring between a low-voltage supply system and a high-voltage supply system, wherein the apparatus can be connected both to a high-voltage positive connection and also to a high-voltage negative connection and also to the low-voltage supply system, wherein the apparatus has a plurality of electrical contacts for coupling monitoring connections to the high-voltage circuit by means of a respective high-voltage positive connection and by means of a respective high-voltage negative connection, it being possible for said contacts to be connected in different sections of the high-voltage supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: HELLA GMBH & CO. KGAA, BENDER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Sven Kullick, Mario Lehr, Hans-Jürgen Jäger, Carsten Weiβ
  • Patent number: 9874585
    Abstract: Resilient electrical interposers that may be utilized to form a plurality of electrical connections between a first device and a second device, as well as systems that may utilize the resilient electrical interposers and methods of use and/or fabrication thereof. The resilient electrical interposers may include a resilient dielectric body with a plurality of electrical conduits contained therein. The plurality of electrical conduits may be configured to provide a plurality of electrical connections between a first surface of the electrical interposer and/or the resilient dielectric body and a second, opposed, surface of the electrical interposer and/or the resilient dielectric body. The systems and methods disclosed herein may provide for improved vertical compliance, improved contact force control, and/or improved dimensional stability of the resilient electrical interposers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Smith, Mike Jolley, Eric Strid, Peter Hanaway, K. Reed Gleason, Koby L. Duckworth
  • Patent number: 9857400
    Abstract: Motherboard voltage testing device includes a power supply module for supplying a DC voltage, an illuminating module, and a switching module for detecting a DC voltage of a motherboard. A first terminal of the switching module is coupled to the power supply module, and a second opposite terminal of the switching module is coupled to the illuminating module. When the switching module detects the DC voltage of the motherboard is in the motherboard, the illuminating module is configured to receive the DC voltage of the power supply module to emit light, and when the switching module detects there is no remaining DC voltage on the motherboard, the illuminating module cannot receive the DC voltage from the motherboard and the illuminating module is power off and does not emit light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (WuHan) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jie Min, Chun-Sheng Chen
  • Patent number: 9857392
    Abstract: A single-ended test probe includes a probe body such as a coaxial cable, a signal tip integral with the core (signal conductor), to ground arm having a ground tip and mounted to the coaxial cable, and an electrically conductive ground member projecting outside the coaxial cable and electrically conductively connecting the ground arm to the shield (ground conductor) of the coaxial cable. The ground member may be located closer to the end of the cable than the location at which the ground arm is mounted to the cable to minimize inductance in the connection between the probe and a device under test. The ground member may also be a cam by which the span between the ground and signal tips can be adjusted. Also, the test probe may include a second ground arm that is detachable connectable to the probe body independently of the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Keysight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. McTigue, Jason Swaim
  • Patent number: 9857413
    Abstract: Systems and methods provided for testing remote frequency identification (RFID) straps on a web. Testing system includes a test head having a pair of contact pins configured to be moved toward the web (or configured to make contact with web moved towards them) and into contact with the web or RFID strap. Conveyor continuously moves the web to move individual RFID straps into and out of alignment with the test head. Controller causes the contact pins to move toward the web at a frequency that's greater than the frequency at which the conveyor moves consecutive RFID straps into alignment with the test head. Alternatively or additionally, the test head may have a mount formed of a compliant material that allows at least a portion of the test head to deflect while the contact pins are in contact with a continuously moving RFID strap, thereby maintaining contact between contact pins and strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Adrian N. Farr, Ian James Forster
  • Patent number: 9851418
    Abstract: A magnetometer comprising: a sensor formed of diamond material and comprising a plurality of spin centers; a microwave source configured to subject the plurality of spin centers to microwave pulses; a light source configured to subject the plurality of spin centers to light pulses; and a detector configured to detect a fluorescent output signal emitted from the plurality of spin centers, wherein the magnetometer is configured to integrate the fluorescent output signal over a signal averaging time and process the fluorescent output signal such that a standard deviation of the fluorescent output signal decreases with the square root of the signal averaging time over a time period which spans at least two orders of magnitude in the signal averaging time to achieve a standard deviation of less than 100 picotesla.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Element Six Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Philipp Neumann, Jörg Wrachtrup
  • Patent number: 9851405
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a state of a relay includes a voltage outputter configured to output a voltage having a different voltage value for each state of each of a plurality of relays configured to switch a connection between a battery and a load, and a controller configured to determine whether each of the plurality of relays is welded based on the voltage output from the voltage outputter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jinyong Jeon
  • Patent number: 9835647
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for interfacing with a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) sensor are provided. In an example, an apparatus can interface circuit including an integrator circuit, a sample switch circuit, a saturation detector and a controller. The saturation detector can be configured to receive a signal indicative of an integration of charge of the sensor, to compare the signal indicative of the integration of charge to an integrator saturation threshold and to modulate a divide parameter using the comparison of the signal indicative of the integration of charge and the integrator saturation threshold. The controller can be configured to receive a clock signal and to control the sample switch circuit based on a phase of the clock signal and the divide parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Ion Opris, Justin Seng, Shanthi Pavan, Marwan Ashkar, Michelle Lee
  • Patent number: 9835687
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuits for determining one or more switch statuses are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, such a system includes a first port configured to be coupled to a switch, a capacitor, a comparator having first and second input ports and an output port, a current source coupled to the first input port, and a control component. The first input port is coupled to the first port and a threshold voltage if applied to the second input port. The control component is configured so that, in at least one circumstance, it causes the current source to cease driving the current in response to receiving an indication from the output port indicating that an additional voltage applied to the first input port has changed from being less than the threshold voltage to being greater than that voltage, the indication being indicative of the switch status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Edwards, Anthony F. Andresen
  • Patent number: 9835476
    Abstract: A scanning element for an inductive angle-measuring device includes a printed circuit board which has exciter lines and receiver lines, and an electronic circuit. The printed circuit board is arranged in a housing, the housing having a guideway into which the printed circuit board is inserted. The guideway is formed such that the printed circuit board is positioned with form locking in a direction parallel to an axis, and by being inserted into the guideway, the printed circuit board is deformed along a circle line which is curved about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventor: Gregor Rosenegger
  • Patent number: 9823272
    Abstract: A wafer testing probe card includes a printed circuit board, a flexible circuit board, an elastic piece, and a probe unit. The flexible circuit board is electrically connected to the printed circuit board. The elastic piece is disposed between the printed circuit board and the flexible circuit board. The probe unit includes a probe head and a plurality of probes. The probe head is fixed on the printed circuit board and has a plurality of through holes. The probes respectively pass through the through holes and move up and down relative to the probe head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: MPI Corporation
    Inventors: Ming-Chi Chen, Tien-Chia Li, Dai-Jin Yeh, Tsung-Yi Chen, Chien-Kuei Wang
  • Patent number: 9826637
    Abstract: A film (2) which has at least one electric or electronic functional layer (22), wherein at least one electric and/or electronic component is provided in a functional area of the functional layer (22), and wherein at least one electrical connection is provided in a contact area of the at least one functional layer (22), which electrical contact is galvanically coupled to at least one component, wherein the film (2) has a contact flap which provides at least one part of the contact area (20b, 20b?), has a further layer (23a, 23b, 24?), in a thickness of at least 300 nm and preferably at least 1 ?m, particularly preferably of at least 7 ?m, on the functional layer (22) at least in a transition area (20c) between the functional area (20a) and the contact area (20b), which comprises at least a partial area of the contact flap. Alternatively, in a transition area the flap can taper away from the functional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Poly IC GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Ullmann, Walter Fix, Manfred Walter, Thomas Herbst
  • Patent number: 9817084
    Abstract: A single-chip magnetic field sensor bridge, comprising a substrate, a reference arm, a sensing arm, shielding structures, and wire bond pads is disclosed. The reference arm and the sense arm respectively comprise at least two rows/columns of reference element strings and sense element strings formed by electrically connecting one or more identical magnetoresistive sensing elements. The reference element strings and the sense element strings are alternately arranged. The magnetoresistive sensing elements are AMR, GMR or TMR sensing elements. The reference element strings are provided with shielding structures thereon, and the sensing element strings are located in gaps between two adjacent shielding structures. The shielding structures are arrays of elongated strips composed of permalloy or another soft ferromagnetic material. The sensors can be implemented as one of three different bridge structures, called a quasi-bridge, a half-bridge, or a full-bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: MultiDimension Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: James Geza Deak
  • Patent number: 9810749
    Abstract: A magnetic field measuring device with a holding body and a plurality of magnetoelectric cantilever sensors, each of which is designed to output one electrical voltage signal while it bends in the presence of a magnetic field, the cantilever sensors being non-positively connected or bonded to the holding body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Christian-Albrechts-Universitaet zu Kiel
    Inventors: Robert Jahns, Holger Runkowske, Reinhard Knoechel
  • Patent number: 9795829
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a concept for determining a transit of a movable object through a detection area within a detection plane. At least one exciter antenna provides an exciting electromagnetic field. The exciting electromagnetic field or at least one spatial component thereof has a field strength above a field strength threshold in the detection area. The exciting electromagnetic field is capable of exciting the movable object to emit an electromagnetic response signal comprising information on a position of the movable object. At least one sensor antenna comprising a magnetic core receives the electromagnetic response signal. The at least one magnetic core is positioned in a region of the exciting electromagnetic field where the field strength of the exciting electromagnetic field or the at least one spatial component thereof is below the field strength threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Frauenhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung
    Inventors: Markus Hartmann, Tobias Draeger
  • Patent number: 9797935
    Abstract: An electronic electricity meter (102) for monitoring electrical power consumption due to a plurality of loads, comprising electric power sensor (506A, 506, 502, 504, 508) configured to register, optionally in a substantially real-time fashion, data indicative of aggregate power demand (202) of a number of loads coupled to a common electrical power source, such as one or more phases of a polyphase system, load tracker (506B, 506, 502, 504) configured to detect the effect of individual loads on the basis of distinctive load patterns in said data, wherein the tracker is configured to utilize a distinctive load pattern detected in said data as at least a basis for a reference pattern (304, 306, 308) for subsequent detections (304a, 306a, 308a) of the effect of the same load in the data, accuracy analyzer (506C, 506, 502, 504) configured to, on the basis of comparisons of subsequent detections with the corresponding references, determine (312, 314, 316) whether the comparisons relating to at least two, preferably
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignees: LANDIS+GYR OY, LANDIS+GYR AG
    Inventors: Risto Airaksinen, Ari Koskinen
  • Patent number: 9797927
    Abstract: A browser probe has a probe body including a signal line, a nose of electrical insulating material integral with and projecting from the probe body, a pin supported by the probe body and electrically conductively connected to the signal line, a spring exerting a biasing force on the pin, an electrically conductive probe tip supported by the nose at a distal end of the nose remote from the probe body, and a plurality of discrete resistors interposed between the pin and the probe tip within the nose. The resistors are supported independently of another so as to be slidable within the nose. The probe tip is electrically conductively connected to the signal line via the resistors and the pin under the biasing force exerted by the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Keysight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. McTigue