Abstract: A switching regulator may include; an inductor connected to a switch node, a power switch connected to the switch node and configured to apply a first voltage to the switch node in response to a first control signal and to apply a second voltage to the switch node in response to a second control signal, and a controller configured to generate the first control signal and the second control signal. The second control signal transitions from low to high following a first dead time after the first control signal transitions from low to high, the first control signal transitions from high to low following a second dead time after the second control signal transitions from high to low level, and an inductor current flowing through the inductor flows in a first direction during the first dead time and in a second direction, different from the first direction, during the second dead time.

Abstract: A method of operating a buck-boost converter including an inductor and a capacitor includes; operating the buck-boost converter in boost mode until a level of an input voltage applied at an input node of the buck-boost converter reaches a desired level of an output voltage apparent at an output node of the buck-boost converter, and after the level of an input voltage reaches the desired level of the output voltage, operating the buck-boost converter in buck mode, wherein operating the buck-boost converter in buck mode and operating the buck-boost converter in boost mode overlap at least in part temporally proximate a point at which the level of the input voltage exceeds the level of the output voltage.

Abstract: A switching regulator includes a power converting unit and a switch driving unit. The power converting unit is configured to generate a direct current (DC) output voltage based on a switch driving signal and a DC input voltage. The switch driving unit is configured to generate a ripple voltage having information of an inductor current flowing through the power converting unit, add the ripple voltage to a reference voltage to generate a first voltage having a ripple, generate a feedback voltage based on the DC output voltage, compare the first voltage with the feedback voltage in a hysteresis mode to generate a comparison output, and generate the switch driving signal based on the comparison output.

Abstract: A method of operating a buck-boost converter including an inductor and a capacitor includes; operating the buck-boost converter in boost mode until a level of an input voltage applied at an input node of the buck-boost converter reaches a desired level of an output voltage apparent at an output node of the buck-boost converter, and after the level of an input voltage reaches the desired level of the output voltage, operating the buck-boost converter in buck mode, wherein operating the buck-boost converter in buck mode and operating the buck-boost converter in boost mode overlap at least in part temporally proximate a point at which the level of the input voltage exceeds the level of the output voltage.

Abstract: A signal generation circuit includes: a clock signal generator configured to generate a clock signal and to change a frequency of the clock signal in response to a select signal; a transmission control circuit configured to control transmission of the clock signal based on the select signal; and a counter configured to perform an operation among a count operation and a count stop operation based on an output signal of the transmission control circuit and to output the select signal based on a result of performing the operation. When the counter performs the count operation in response to the clock signal output from the transmission control circuit, the counter outputs a most significant bit (MSB) among its count bits as the select signal.

Abstract: A switching regulator includes a power converting unit and a switch driving unit. The power converting unit is configured to generate a direct current (DC) output voltage based on a switch driving signal and a DC input voltage. The switch driving unit is configured to generate a ripple voltage having information of an inductor current flowing through the power converting unit, add the ripple voltage to a reference voltage to generate a first voltage having a ripple, generate a feedback voltage based on the DC output voltage, compare the first voltage with the feedback voltage in a hysteresis mode to generate a comparison output, and generate the switch driving signal based on the comparison output.

Abstract: A voltage regulator and a memory device including same are provided. The voltage provider includes a resistive circuit configured to output at least one divided voltage; at least one driver circuit configured to be connected to the resistive circuit and to set the at least one divided voltage; and a compensation circuit configured to be connected to the at least one driver circuit, to receive a predetermined voltage, and to apply a power supply voltage to the at least one driver circuit. The at least one driver circuit may set the at least one divided voltage based on the power supply voltage received from the compensation circuit.

Abstract: A signal generation circuit includes: a clock signal generator configured to generate a clock signal and to change a frequency of the clock signal in response to a select signal; a transmission control circuit configured to control transmission of the clock signal based on the select signal; and a counter configured to perform an operation among a count operation and a count stop operation based on an output signal of the transmission control circuit and to output the select signal based on a result of performing the operation. When the counter performs the count operation in response to the clock signal output from the transmission control circuit, the counter outputs a most significant bit (MSB) among its count bits as the select signal.

Abstract: A method of removing abnormal data in a blood component analysis system using spectroscopy to estimate a concentration of a blood component by analyzing a photo-plethysmographic (PPG) signal obtained by radiating light of first and second wavelengths reacting to the blood component on a subject and detecting light corresponding to the first and second wavelengths output from the subject, includes collecting the PPG signal corresponding to the first and second wavelengths for a predetermined unit period of time, calculating “n” parameters, with respect to “n” pulse data included in the collected PPG signal, where n is a positive integer, calculating an average of the “n” parameters, and comparing a ratio of a number of parameters whose deviation from the average is greater than a predetermined standard deviation to the “n” parameters with a predetermined removal reference value to determine whether the “n” pulse data is valid.

Abstract: A voltage regulator and a memory device including same are provided. The voltage provider includes a resistive circuit configured to output at least one divided voltage; at least one driver circuit configured to be connected to the resistive circuit and to set the at least one divided voltage; and a compensation circuit configured to be connected to the at least one driver circuit, to receive a predetermined voltage, and to apply a power supply voltage to the at least one driver circuit. The at least one driver circuit may set the at least one divided voltage based on the power supply voltage received from the compensation circuit.

Abstract: A health monitoring method using a tongue image including constructing a database in which a tongue image obtained from a person, a template image set for the person, and a result of determining a health condition of the person with respect to at least one characteristic factor are linked together; isolating a region of interest within the tongue image, which is acquired from a person whose health condition is to be determined, using template matching; detecting at least one characteristic factor from the isolated region of interest; and determining a health condition of the person based on a change in an appearance of the tongue, which is detected by a comparison between the detected characteristic factor and a characteristic factor searched from the database with respect to the region of interest in different health conditions.

Abstract: A method of evaluating human stress using photoplethysmography (PPG) includes defining at least one PPG parameter, radiating light having at least one wavelength, which reacts to a blood component to be measured, at a measuring target and measuring a PPG signal from the measuring target during a predetermined period of time, and evaluating a level of human stress using a plurality of stress indexes obtained from the PPG parameter.

Abstract: A probe for use in photoplethysmographic (PPG) measurement includes a light source unit including a light source that contacts a predetermined site of an object and emits light onto the predetermined site, a photodetector unit positioned facing the light source unit to receive the light emitted from the light source unit and transmitted through the object, a body having a space for receiving the object and in which the light source unit and the photodetector unit are positioned in a same optical axis, and a pressure application unit coupled to the body for applying a pressure to the object via the light source unit. A biological signal measuring system includes the above probe, a controller for controlling operations of the probe and for recording and analyzing signals output from the probe, a detected light intensity display unit for displaying an intensity of detected light, and a biological signal display unit.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method of noninvasively measuring a concentration of a blood component, the method includes (a) varying a thickness of a body part of a subject, measuring absorption spectrums at different thicknesses of the body part, obtaining a first differential absorption spectrum between the absorption spectrums measured at different thicknesses, actually measuring concentrations of the blood component, and establishing a statistical model using the first differential absorption spectrum and the actually measured concentrations; and (b) estimating the concentration of the blood component using a second differential absorption spectrum obtained with respect to the body part based on the statistical model.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a bio signal including a bio signal measurement unit, which is insertable into an ear to be in close contact with an internal surface of the ear, the bio signal measurement unit having a photo plethysmography (PPG) measurement module for radiating light of different wavelengths onto the internal surface of the ear, detecting light transmitted through the ear, and outputting a PPG signal including bio information, a control unit having a PPG signal processor for generating the bio information using the PPG signal measured by the PPG measurement module, and an output unit for displaying the bio information generated from the control unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for diagnosing sleep apnea, which detects a temporary cessation of breathing during sleep by applying light to a part of a subject's body and processing light output therefrom, includes a light source unit for sequentially generating light of at least two different wavelengths according to a control signal, a photodetecting unit for detecting the light, which are generated by the light source unit and applied to the body part, and for converting the detected light signals into electric signals, a diagnosis unit for substantially removing a time delay between the electric signals output from the photodetecting unit, for calculating a ratio between the electric signals, and for comparing the ratio with a predetermined reference value to diagnose sleep apnea, and a controller for outputting the control signal to the light source unit to generate the light signals, and for providing the predetermined reference value to the diagnosis unit.

Abstract: A method of measuring a concentration of a component in a subject includes setting an intensity relationship equation between a positive-order beam and a negative-order beam with respect to a reference matter at a particular wavelength, applying a light having a first wavelength band absorbed by the component and detecting an intensity of a positive-order beam output from the subject and an intensity of a negative-order beam output from the reference matter, the positive-order beam and the negative-order beam having a second wavelength band, calculating an intensity of a positive-order beam input to the subject by applying the intensity of the negative-order beam output from the reference matter to the intensity relationship equation, and calculating absorbance using the intensity of the positive-order beam output from the subject and the intensity of the positive-order beam input to the subject and measuring a concentration of the component using the absorbance.

Abstract: A temperature controlled optoelectronic device includes an optoelectronic transducer having an active area, an electronic cooling device, on which the optoelectronic transducer is mounted, and a temperature sensor installed in the electronic cooling device. The temperature sensor and the electronic cooling device control a temperature of the optoelectronic transducer. A surface of an electronic cooling device directly contacts a base of the optoelectronic transducer for efficient thermal coupling. When the temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the optoelectronic transducer is directly attached to a substrate of the electronic cooling device, e.g., to an inside surface of a plate on which the optoelectronic transducer is mounted, the temperature of the optoelectronic transducer can be accurately sensed and adjusted to a precise target temperature.

Abstract: A diagnosis method and apparatus for measuring blood hemoglobin concentration, oxygen saturation, pulse rate, respiration rate, or degree of aging of blood vessels using light includes an input/output unit for receiving a command for measurement from a user and for providing information on the result of a measurement to the user; a control unit for receiving the command for measurement from the input/output unit and for generating a control signal; a light generating unit for generating at least two light beams for measurement according to the control signal; a light receiving unit for receiving the light beams transmitted through an object that is subject to measurement and for converting the received light beams into electrical signals; and a data processing unit for processing the electrical signals received from the light receiving unit and for outputting information on the result of a predetermined measurement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-invasively measuring bio-fluid concentrations using photoacoustic spectroscopy includes a light source for irradiating an incident light having a predetermined wavelength band to be absorbed into a targeted component of a living body, an acoustic signal generator for generating a first acoustic signal having a similar frequency band as a photoacoustic signal that is generated when the incident light is absorbed into the targeted component, a ultrasonic translator for detecting the photoacoustic signal and a second acoustic signal that is a modulated signal of the first acoustic signal, a controller for generating the first acoustic signal in a predetermined frequency band, a light detector for detecting an intensity of the incident light, and a calculator capable of calculating a signal compensation value based on the incident light, the photoacoustic signal, and the coefficient of sound wave transmission, and capable of computing a concentration of the targeted component.