Patents Issued in April 20, 2004
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Patent number: 6724581Abstract: A method employs an RF magnetron sputtering system under specific process conditions for making shield and pole piece ferromagnetic layers of a read write magnetic head wherein the magnetic anisotropy HK of the ferromagnetic layers is substantially maintained without easy axes switching when annealed along their hard axes in the presence of a magnetic field (hard axis annealing).Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: John David Westwood
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Patent number: 6724582Abstract: A current perpendicular to plane type magnetoresistive device has a magnetoresistive film, a pair of electrodes which allow a sense current to flow through the magnetoresistive film in a perpendicular direction to the plane thereof, and a biasing film which imparts a biasing magnetic field to the magnetoresistive film in a parallel direction to film plane. The direction of the magnetic field generated by the sense current flowing through the magnetoresistive film in the perpendicular direction to film plane is made substantially anti-parallel to the direction of the biasing magnetic field in a vicinity of a portion of the magnetoresistive film where a signal magnetic flux is introduced.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Tomomi Funayama, Masayuki Takagishi, Masatoshi Yoshikawa, Kohichi Tateyama
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Patent number: 6724583Abstract: A read head, particularly suitable for a magnetic disc storage system, includes a read sensor having an air-bearing surface and an opposing top surface. The read head also includes a permanent magnet positioned adjacent the top surface of the read sensor for generating a magnetic bias field in the read sensor. The permanent magnet has a magnetization in a direction other than normal to the air-bearing surface of the read sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Michael Allen Seigler, Gregory John Parker, Petrus Antonius Van der Heijden
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Patent number: 6724584Abstract: Methods of fabricating spin valve sensors in accordance with the invention include forming a pinning layer from an antiferromagnetic material and forming a synthetic antiferromagnet adjacent the pinning layer. A free ferromagnetic layer is formed, and exchange tabs are formed adjacent outer portions of the free ferromagnetic layer for biasing the free layer. The exchange tabs are formed from the same antiferromagnetic material as the first pinning layer. Then, the magnetic moments of the synthetic antiferromagnet are set, and the magnetic moment of the free ferromagnetic layer is biased, during a single anneal in the presence of a single magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Anthony M. Mack, Zheng Gao, Nurul Amin, Sining Mao, Richard Michel
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Patent number: 6724585Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetoresistive device including a multi-layered structure of a free magnetic layer, a non-magnetic non-conductive layer in contact with the free magnetic layer, a pinned layer in contact with the non-magnetic non-conductive layer, and a pinning layer in contact with the pinned layer for pinning a magnetization direction of the pinned layer, wherein at least any one of the free magnetic layer and the pinned layer has an interface region abutting the non-magnetic non-conductive layer, and at least a part of the interface region includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of CoFeB, CoZrMo, CoZrNb, CoZr, CoZrTa, CoHf, CoTa, CoTaHf, CoFeTi, CoNbHf, CoHfPd, CoTaZrNb, and CoZrMoNi.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Kazuhiko Hayashi
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Patent number: 6724586Abstract: An antiparallel (AP)-pinned magnetoresistive tunnel junction (MTJ) sensor is provided with a single antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer sandwiched between an AP-pinned layer and a bias layer for pinning the magnetization directions of the AP-pinned layer and the bias layer. The bias layer may be a simple ferromagnetic bias layer or, alternatively, may be an AP-pinned bias layer including first and second ferromagnetic bias layers with an antiferromagnetic coupling layer sandwiched between. The bias layer provides a demagnetization field HdmB at the free layer having the same direction as the demagnetization field HdmP from the AP-pinned layer. The sum of HdmP and HdmB counterbalance a ferromagnetic coupling field HFC from the AP-pinned layer to obtain zero or near zero asymmetry of the bias point on the transfer curve of the MTJ sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventor: Hardayal Singh Gill
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Patent number: 6724587Abstract: A read head includes electrically conductive ferromagnetic first and second yoke layers and a tunnel valve sensor which is recessed from the ABS and is located between the first and second yoke layers. The first and second yoke layers extend to an air bearing surface (ABS) for conducting flux to the sensor and extend into the head beyond the sensor. A bottom copper structure interfaces a bottom surface of the tunnel valve sensor and a top copper structure interfaces a top surface of the tunnel valve sensor. In a first embodiment of the invention, the first and second copper structures conduct heat from the sensor to the first and second yoke layers respectively, and in a second embodiment of the invention the bottom copper structure conducts heat to a substrate while the top copper structure conducts from the sensor to the second yoke layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Hardayal Singh Gill
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Patent number: 6724588Abstract: A data processing system power supply selection device. The system power supply selector circuit can include a first make-without-break power supply selector module having a power supply input, at least one controlling power supply input, and a system power rail output substantially continuously coupled to said at least a first power supply input.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1999Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Dell USA L.P.Inventors: John A. Cummings, John J. Breen, III
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Patent number: 6724589Abstract: A method and apparatus including indicators and a Ground Fault Current Interrupter (GFCI) are provided to test the marina's power and the boats electrical system load to make sure that both are proper and safe to be inter-connected. A low voltage high impedance ground current path including an oppositely connected pair of typically four silicon diodes in series in each of the pairs, sufficient to raise the voltage to a safe level encompassing the typical combined AC ground fault and DC galvanic currents in a Marina is incorporated. This protects against low level AC ground faults present in the marina, as well as DC current due to the harbor safety ground interconnect between boats in the harbor.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1999Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Donald G. Funderburk
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Ground fault circuit interrupter with indicator lamp and protective circuit powered from hot bus bar
Patent number: 6724590Abstract: An AC power line protection device which includes miswiring protection has an indicator lamp which lights when the device is in the tripped condition and turns off when the device is reset. The protection device also includes a protective circuit which protects the AC power line from downstream faults. The indicator lamp and/or the protective circuit are powered via the hot line bus bar by connecting a breaker spring to the hot line bus bar. A contact post is then connected between the breaker spring and an underside of a printed circuit board where power is provided to the indicator lamp and/or the protective circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.Inventors: Dejan Radosavljevic, Richard Weeks -
Patent number: 6724591Abstract: A GFCI/AFCI circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. A first trip mechanism includes a GFCI/AFCI trip circuit having a resistor. The resistor is energized in response to a trip condition. The first trip mechanism cooperates with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts in response to the trip condition. The resistor has a body which burns open in response to a failure of the separable contacts to trip open. A second trip mechanism engages the body of the resistor and cooperates with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts in response to the body of the resistor burning open.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Robert J. Clarey, Robert Tracy Elms, Richard Paul Sabol
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Patent number: 6724592Abstract: Pin-to-pin electro-static-discharge (ESD) protection is provided for a bus-switch transistor that is connected to I/O pins at its source and drain. A p-type substrate is normally pumped below ground by a substrate bias generator when power is applied. However, during a pin-to-pin ESD test, power and ground are floating. A gate node is pulled high through a coupling capacitor by the ESD pulse. The gate node turns on a shunting transistor to couple the ESD pulse to the floating ground bus. The gate node also turns on a shorting transistor that connects the floating ground bus to the floating substrate. A resistor drains the coupling capacitor to the substrate, rather than to ground. Current is injected into the substrate by the resistor. The snapback voltage is lowered by substrate-triggering.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Pericom Semiconductor Corp.Inventors: Paul C. F. Tong, Ming-Dou Ker, Ping Ping Xu, Kwong Shing Lin, Anna Tam
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Patent number: 6724593Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for protecting voltage regulation circuits and battery cells (“cell”) when a cell is reverse-coupled to a charger. When a charger is reverse-coupled to the cell, parasitic devices in voltage regulation circuits become forward-biased. When the parasitic devices become forward-biased, the parasitic devices may carry a current that is sufficiently large to damage the voltage regulation circuits. A shunt regulator is used to detect the presence of a reverse-coupled charger (“reverse charger”) and to shunt current to a ground potential such that potentially damaging currents are prevented from flowing through the parasitic devices.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventor: Gregory J. Smith
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Patent number: 6724594Abstract: There is disclosed a test multiplexer having over voltage protection for use in integrated circuitry, along with methods of operating the same. An exemplary test multiplexer according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of MOSFET devices and over voltage protection circuitry. The plurality of MOSFET devices, including both p-type and n-type MOSFET devices, cooperate to pass an input signal to an output signal line of the test multiplexer while the test multiplexer is enabled. The over voltage protection circuitry is biased so that a difference between the input signal voltage and a bias voltage does not exceed breakdown when the test multiplexer is disabled. An important aspect hereof is that the test multiplexer is compliant to input voltages that exceed the positive supply rail, and is capable of sustaining a high or otherwise out of threshold single ended voltage at the input without latching up.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2000Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Laurence D. Lewicki, Manoj N. Rana, Arlo Aude
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Patent number: 6724595Abstract: An output driver obtains over voltage protection by utilizing a first transistor to pass signals from an internal node to an external node when the driver is transmitting data, and to isolate the internal node from the external node when the driver has stopped transmitting data. When the driver has stopped transmitting data, the voltage on the external node is subject to rising. The output driver also utilizes a second transistor and a resistance to ground to control the first transistor.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventor: Khusrow Kiani
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Patent number: 6724596Abstract: Presented is a control system and method for minimizing the adverse affects resulting from conventional hysteretic current control of power inverters, and an uninterruptible power supply using same. The system of the present invention uses control circuitry for monitoring and classifying the PWM switching events commanded by conventional hysteretic current control and adjusting the dead time delay injected based on these PWM events. Preferably, the control circuitry uses a minimum delay dead time component to preclude the possibility of a shoot through condition from occurring, and also includes a frequency control component of the total dead time delay. In one embodiment this frequency control component may vary in proportion to the switching frequency commanded by the hysteretic current control loop. In an alternate embodiment, the PWM switching events are classified into differing modes of operation, during which a particular fixed frequency control dead time delay is selected.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Powerware CorporationInventor: Joseph R. Wade
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Patent number: 6724597Abstract: A protection device includes a measurement device that is a current transformer which is based on a printed circuit, and an evaluation device that is a unit for early short-circuit identification. The current transformer, which is based on a as printed circuit board, is preferably a multiwinding transformer. The unit for early short-circuit identification operates on the basis of a so-called locus curve method, which uses instantaneous values of the current and current rate of change to identify a short circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Werner Elischer, Gerd Griepentrog, Reinhard Maier, Erich Zerbian
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Patent number: 6724598Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit and method of providing a voltage having a temperature independent current compliance to a load. The circuit includes a first resistive element having a temperature dependent resistivity, a second resistive element, an amplifier, a current module generating a temperature dependent current, and a load current controller. Temperature dependent voltages developed across the resistive elements track each other to enable a constant current limit over a wide temperature range.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Daniel Segarra
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Patent number: 6724599Abstract: A power semiconductor device comprises a power switching element having two main electrodes and one control electrode, a metal electrode connected to one of main electrodes of the power switching element, and a protection circuit for controlling an operation of the power switching element so that a main current flowing between the main electrodes of the power switching element is detected and the main current is limited when the detected main current is determined to be an overcurrent. The protection circuit detects the main current flowing through the power switching element by detecting a voltage between predetermined two points of the metal electrode.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kouichi Mochizuki
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Patent number: 6724600Abstract: A protection device for monitoring current in a power cable to an electrical device and for controlling a remotely located starter for the electrical device in response to a system controller. The device includes a transformer magnetically linked with the power cable to produce a voltage signal in response to the presence of a changing current within the power cable. An input circuit located in a single housing together with the transformer is electrically connected to the transformer so as to receive the voltage signal. The input circuit produces, in response to the voltage signal, either a first signal or a first circuit condition at the output terminal of the input circuit, representative of the changing current in the power cable. A switch circuit also in the same container with the transformer has a terminal for sensing either a second signal or a second circuit condition of the remotely located system controller.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Veris Industries, LLCInventors: Kent J. Holce, Roger S. Cota
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Patent number: 6724601Abstract: An integrated circuit having an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit, a core protection circuit, a sensitive core circuit and peripheral circuitry is provided. The ESD protection circuit is coupled between the VDD voltage supply terminal and the VSS voltage supply terminal, and is capable of providing protection to the peripheral circuitry. The ESD protection circuitry requires help from core protection circuit to protect the sensitive core circuit. The core protection circuit and the sensitive core circuit are coupled in series between the VDD and VSS voltage supply terminals, with the core protection circuit coupled to the VDD voltage supply terminal. The sensitive core circuit has a VCC voltage supply terminal coupled to receive a VCC supply voltage from the core protection circuit. The core protection circuit is configured to cause the VCC supply voltage to rise slowly with respect to a rising voltage on the VDD voltage supply terminal during power-on of the integrated circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.Inventors: Chuen-Der Lien, Chau-Chin Wu, Ta-Ke Tien
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Patent number: 6724602Abstract: A method and apparatus for fault condition protection for a lighting control circuit is presented. The method consists of a hybrid software and hardware solution to take advantage of the useful attributes of both. In the event of a fault condition being detected the software set driving signals to the light are rapidly blocked via hardware. In the event the fault condition persists, software modifies the driving signals to the light.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Demetri Giannopoulos
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Patent number: 6724603Abstract: An Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection circuit (9) includes a plurality of I/O and power supply pad cells (22, 40) that comprise external pads (31, 41) and circuitry requiring ESD protection. The protection circuit includes an array of shunting devices (36, 46) coupled in parallel between an ESD bus (14) and a VSS bus (18) and distributed among the plurality of pad cells. One or more trigger circuits (50) control the shunting devices. ESD events are coupled from any stressed pad onto two separate buses: the ESD bus which routes the high ESD currents to the positive current electrodes of the multiple shunting devices, and a Boost bus (12) which controls the trigger circuits. During an ESD event, the trigger circuits drive the control electrodes of the shunting devices to a voltage level greater than possible with prior art circuits, thereby reducing the on-resistance of the shunting devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: James W. Miller, Geoffrey B. Hall, Alexander Krasin, Michael Stockinger, Matthew D Akers, Vishnu G. Kamat
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Patent number: 6724604Abstract: A shorting switch eliminates arcing faults in power distribution equipment. The shorting switch includes a magnetic core having a pin member and an opening. A conductor is electrically connected between the first and second terminals and passes through the opening of the magnetic core. A switch member is pivotally mounted to the pin member of the magnetic core and is adapted to pivot toward and engage the conductor in response to arcing fault current flowing through the conductor. A third terminal is electrically interconnected with the switch member. A latch member has a first position, which holds the switch member apart from the conductor, and a second position, which releases the switch member to permit the switch member to pivot toward the magnetic core and engage the conductor in response to the arcing fault current. A solenoid unlatches the latch member in response to an activation signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: John J. Shea
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Patent number: 6724605Abstract: In order to simplify the mountability of electrode terminals in the form of band-like clips on either two-electrode or three-electrode arresters, the clips are resiliently fashioned in a circumferential direction. When such a clip axially projects beyond a foot part of the respective end electrode, the projecting region in a three-electrode arrester can be part of a short-circuit device which electrically connects to the middle electrode, potentially in combination with an auxiliary discharge path.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Epcos AGInventors: Jürgen Boy, Peter Bobert
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Patent number: 6724606Abstract: A solenoid with two magnetically separate yoke regions, providing two distinct armature latching positions, is driven by a single effective winding. In one embodiment, the yoke regions consist of U-cores on either side of the armature and a single winding consisting of multiple turns, each turn looping through both U-cores and looping around the ends of the armature. In a second embodiment, distinct winding regions associated with the separate yoke regions are interconnected in series to make a single effective winding. Passage of the armature across a defined central position of minimum inductance is detected electrically, permitting a determination of absolute flux at a position of known inductance and thereby initializing a flux integration over time.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventors: Joseph B. Seale, Gary E. Bergstrom
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Patent number: 6724607Abstract: A driving apparatus of a vibration type actuator includes an apparatus for forming a vibration wave by applying four-phase AC signals having temporal phase differences to four-phase driving phases arranged at intervals of ¼ wavelength, which includes first and second transformers and two-phase driving phases connected to the secondary terminals of the respective transformers, thereby simplifying the arrangement of a driving circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tadashi Hayashi, Shinji Yamamoto
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Patent number: 6724608Abstract: A method for electrically charging a probe by plasma technology for use in pipetting compounds in small volumes includes the steps of placing the probe to be charged in a plasma chamber; creating a vacuum within the plasma chamber and then introducing a stable gas into the plasma chamber; applying electromagnetic energy to the plasma chamber, thereby molecularly disassociating the gas, thus creating charged ions, free electrons, and free radicals, charging the probe by the free radicals attaching to the probe; venting the plasma chamber to back to atmospheric pressure; and removing the charged probe from the plasma chamber, whereby the charged probe can pipette compounds in small volumes. The method is applicable to pipetting both liquid and solid compounds. In another embodiment, the plasma generation is at atmospheric pressure without a containment chamber and the surface charging effect is used for surfaces of both the fluid dispensing device and the fluid containing device.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventors: Paul Hensley, Charles Carney
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Patent number: 6724609Abstract: Provided is an electrostatic sensing chuck for attracting particles to a portion of a particle contact surface near a deposition electrode, the electrostatic sensing chuck comprising a pixel comprising: a deposition electrode (DE) for selectively establishing an attraction field (Ea) at the particle contact surface; a shield electrode (SE) oppositely biased with respect to the deposition electrode; a charge sensing circuit to measure charge accumulated on each of the deposition electrode and the shield electrode, wherein the charge sensing circuit subtracts a second charge it senses at the shield electrode from a first charge it senses at the deposition electrode, thereby determining accumulated charge at the deposition electrode balanced by accumulated charge at the shield electrode.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Delsys Pharmaceutical CorporationInventors: Hoi Cheong Sun, Nitin V. Desai, William R. Roach, David Norman Ludington, Timothy Allen Pletcher, David Keller, Frank B. Lang, Peter D. Southgate, Joseph T. McGinn
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Patent number: 6724610Abstract: A capacitor element for a power capacitor having a two foils (3, 5) of metal forming a pair of electrodes, and also films (2a, 2b, 4a, 4b) of dielectric material forming the dielectric medium of the capacitor element. The capacitor element is produced by the foils and films being arranged one on top of the other and wound to a roll, so that the capacitor element displays a first end surface where one of the foils (5) has a long edge (10) indented between two of the films (2a, 4b), and also a second end surface where the other foil (3) has a long edge (9) indented between two of the films (2b, 4a), each of which indented long edges has an edge portion (15; 16) surrounded by an elongate field equalizer (18; 19) of dielectric material surrounding the edge portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: ABB ABInventors: Esbjörn Eriksson, Bo Stenerhag
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Patent number: 6724611Abstract: An integrated circuit thin film capacitor includes multiple layers of conductors separated by dielectric material. The conductive layers are connected to interconnect lands using conductive vias. The interconnect lands can be controlled collapse chip connection (C4) lands that allow the capacitor to be connected to a circuit board. In one embodiment, the capacitor is mounted on a circuit board in close proximity to a processor circuit. The multi layer capacitor of the present invention provides the ability to increase a capacitance value while lowering interconnect resistance and inductance.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2000Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Larry Eugene Mosley
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Patent number: 6724612Abstract: Methods of and systems providing high reliability relative humidity sensors having integrated signal conditioning are described, providing a series capacitive circuit including a humidity-sensitive dielectric, a common top plate and first and second bottom plates associated with a first and second capacitor, respectively. Changes in humidity affect the humidity-sensitive dielectric thereby causing changes in the capacitive value of said series capacitive circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Davis, Steve R. Foote, Ron Foster, Richard A. Kirkpatrick, II
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Patent number: 6724613Abstract: A door-use feed protector and a circuit assembly arranging structure using the same is provided. The door-use feed protector includes a protector body to accommodate a circuit assembly in a curved state in a door and a circuit assembly holding portion provided on an outer wall of the protector body so as to hold a portion of the circuit assembly outside the protector body. The circuit assembly holding portion may be an auxiliary protector. The auxiliary protector has at least a pair of holding walls facing each other. The holding wall is provided with a resilient holding piece or an engagable cover for preventing the circuit assembly from protruding. The circuit assembly is introduced in the protector body of the door-use feed protector, and a portion of the circuit assembly led out of the protector body is held by the circuit assembly holding portion and is arranged toward an auxiliary in the door.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Kenichi Doshita, Tohru Aoki
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Patent number: 6724614Abstract: An information apparatus support structure is constructed to include a base carrying an input device, a first support frame pivoted with one side to the base, a foldaway stand provided at the inner side of the first support, and a second support frame pivoted to one side of the first support frame remote from the base and adapted to support the first support frame in a tilted position. The base has two pivoted clamping plates adapted to hold down the first support frame and the second support frame on the base in a stack.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: First International Computer Inc.Inventors: Chia Kuang Chiang, Hsin Chang Chen
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Patent number: 6724615Abstract: A notebook type personal computer has a common connector detachably connected to a mating connector of a connection unit, or replicator, which further has plural connectors affording detachable connections to plural peripheral units. One or more fastener units, carried by the connector unit, provide for detachably but rigidly affixing the connector unit to the notebook type personal computer. An alternative connector box accommodates one or more batteries while affording connections through the common connector and the plural first connectors to peripheral units and yet another alternative connector box houses only batteries and is connectable through a mating connector to the common connector of the personal computer to afford extended operating time.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Ko Kambayashi, Shigeru Hidesawa
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Patent number: 6724616Abstract: The invention is to provide an electronic device battery pack removal and emplacement lock structure consisting of a compartment recessed in the case of an electronic device for the installing a battery pack, a minimum of one hook block proximal to its end at one side between the said battery pack and the said compartment, a minimum of one tapered polyhedron proximal to its other end, and a release structure internally disposed in the said compartment. As such, when the said battery pack is placed into the said compartment, the said tapered polyhedron pushes the said release structure until the said battery pack is completely ensconced within the said compartment, following which the said release structure automatically returns to its original position to restrain the said tapered polyhedron and render it immovable.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Inventec CorporationInventors: Andy Kuo, Cheng-Hsiung Yen
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Patent number: 6724617Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a server unit, which is so structured as to enable efficient cooling and which can be installed in great numbers in a server unit cabinet, and which comprises a cartridge type server unit 3 comprising (a) a printed circuit board 31 for a server unit, which is equipped with a central processing unit (CPU) and main memory and which serves as a computer with the supply of external electric power at constant voltage, (b) a heat sink 33 supported by the printed circuit board 31 for the server unit, and (c) a front panel 35 which supports the printed circuit board 31 for the server unit; wherein the front panel 35 supports the printed circuit board 31 so that a flat surface of the printed circuit board 31 is positioned vertically when the server unit 3 is accommodated, wherein a part of a heat sink 33 makes contact with highly heat-generating components mounted on the printed circuit board 31 via heat conduction means, and wherein a heat pipe 331 is provided to transmit heatType: GrantFiled: June 11, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignees: Internet Research Institute, Inc., Trustguard Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Amaike, Seon Meyong Heo, Makoto Watanabe, Takayuki Yasaku, Shinya Izumi, Naoya Shikamura
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Patent number: 6724618Abstract: An improved housing configuration for a portable electronic device is provided. The housing includes a flash card slot configured within a battery compartment of the portable electronic device to protect a flash card from outside contaminants. The housing also includes a SIM module, the SIM module having a well to provide for proper alignment with a SIM card, a freely detachable SIM card cover, and a sealing gasket to provide a seal between the well and the SIM card cover. The housing also includes a pen slot, which enables a user to more easily remove the pen with a pushing action. The housing further includes a hand strap mount, which can be easily converted into a hip-clip.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ian Jenkins, Mike Horan, Carl Thelemann, Roland W. F. Lee, Israel Aran
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Patent number: 6724619Abstract: A console drive that enables different sizes of storage devices to be conveniently added or removed from a computer or equipment without disassembling and reassembling the computer or equipment, having a console bay that is secured to a drive bay of the computer or equipment on the side by screws; a console tray that slides in and out of the console bay; and a console enclosure that slides in and out of the console tray for containing the storage devices and providing connection of the electrical signals of the storage devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventors: Bill Kwong, Victor Chuan-Chen Wu
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Patent number: 6724620Abstract: A mounting adapter a peripheral device. A strip is adapted to fit across the top or bottom of the device transversely. First and second device engagement tabs engage holes on left and right sides of the device, and first and second chassis engagement tabs engage holes on left and right sides of a chassis opening. The chassis engagement tabs and one of the device engagement tabs are disposed on arms that can be moved elastically in the transverse direction to engage and disengage the tabs with their corresponding holes. The adapter can be fashioned from a unitary piece of metal, and adds only the thickness of the strip to the vertical dimension of the peripheral device.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Porter Rodgers Arbogast, Arlen L. Roesner, David W. Mayer
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Patent number: 6724621Abstract: A portable hard disk drive cartridge comprises a housing defining a receiving space for positioning a hard disk drive therein. The housing further includes a rear bracket detachable attached to the housing. A first substrate having connectors thereon for electrically connecting with connectors of the hard disk drive is attached to the rear bracket. A second substrate electrically is electrically connected to the first substrate and mounted on the other side of the rear bracket. Wherein at least one of the first and second substrates is adjustably attached to the rear bracket so as to make an adjustment along a horizontal direction to mate hard disk drive from different manufacturers.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: T-Win Sheet Metal Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shun Ying Liang
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Patent number: 6724622Abstract: The computer includes a chassis, a motherboard, and an add-on card fixing mechanism. The motherboard is fastened to the chassis. The add-on card fixing mechanism is attached, yet removable from, the motherboard by first and second couplers located on the motherboard and add-on card fixing mechanism respectively. Add-on cards can be installed into the add-on card fixing mechanism. The add-on card fixing mechanism can then be attached to the motherboard. The add-on card fixing mechanism can then be actuated in such a way as to electrically and mechanically connect the add-on cards to the motherboard. Finally, the add-on card fixing mechanism can be actuated to remove the add-on cards and allow removal of the add-on card fixing mechanism from the motherboard.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Wistron CorporationInventor: Yuan-Kun Liao
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Patent number: 6724623Abstract: A docking unit for a portable computer has a wedge-shaped. As a result, a portable computer, which has been installed on the docking unit, is inclined toward the user. This places the keyboard of the portable computer at a more comfortable angle for typing. Thus, the portable computer's keyboard remains usable even when it is installed on the docking unit. Moreover, the wedge-shape need not substantially raise the height of the keyboards since the leading edge is relatively thin, keeping the computer's keyboard as a comfortable height.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Michele Bovio, Allan Scott Baucom
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Patent number: 6724624Abstract: Housing with directed-flow cooling (10) for computer (110) provides auxiliary airflow for cooling a heat-sensitive component, such as CPU (120). Housing (10) includes partition (60) that separates housing (10) into a lower compartment (40) for enclosing computer (110) and an upper compartment (20) for receiving ambient air through slots (24). Partition (60) includes vent opening (61) above CPU (120) that allows air to flow from upper compartment onto CPU (120), directed by impingement fan (50).Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Douglas A. Dodson
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Patent number: 6724625Abstract: It is an exemplified object of the present invention to provide a radiator mechanism and electronic apparatus having the radiator mechanism that can prevent destruction, deterioration, and malfunction due to heat of exoergic components or other electronic components, thermal deformation of a housing thereof, and low-temperature burn, without preventing the electronic apparatus including a printed board from miniaturization. The radiator mechanism is comprised of a cooling fan and a through hole provided in a motherboard, thereby thermally protecting a variety of circuit components mounted on the motherboard to provide a stable operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Koichi Inoue
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Patent number: 6724626Abstract: A heat-dissipating device is disclosed for use in an electronic device. This heat dissipating device includes a reservoir for holding a substance in a liquid state (e.g., water) and at least one heat transfer point for transferring heat from a heat source, such as a component in the electronic device, to the liquid substance. Heat causes the substance to transform into a gaseous state due to the transfer of thermal energy from the heat source to the substance. A gas permeable membrane is used to permit the substance to escape the reservoir when it is in a gaseous state while, at the same time, preventing the substance from escaping when it is in a liquid state.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: Marc Scott Hodes, Alan Michael Lyons
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Patent number: 6724627Abstract: In the power distributor using a semiconductor switching element, input terminals 10I and 10L, output terminals 12A-12J, connected to the element, and more preferably, the board terminals 30 and 32, are structured by a metallic plate, and arranged on the same plane perpendicular to the plate thickness. The metallic plate can be integrated by the resin mold, thereby the structure can be greatly simplified. The metallic plate can be produced by a greatly simple method by which, after the punching out of the metallic plate and the molding of the resin mold, a predetermined portion of the metallic plate is cut and the semiconductor switching element is mounted, and it can contribute to also the reduction of the cost.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Takahiro Onizuka, Isao Isshiki, Shigeki Yamane
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Patent number: 6724628Abstract: A heat sink and processor assembly that can be easily installed and uninstalled from a circuit board without tools. One preferred embodiment of the heat sink assembly comprises a heat sink component, an alignment cage attached to the base of the heat sink and having an attachment point for releasably attaching a processor. The heat sink assembly further comprises a plurality of alignment pins and alignment tabs that are affixed to the base of the heat sink and interface with a specially designed socket and circuit board so as to align the mating components. The processor chip is installed onto the heat sink and then the combined assembly is installed onto a circuit board mounted socket. The alignment mechanisms provide a method for installing a processor without using tools or having to manually align the processor pins to the socket receptacles.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: John P. Franz, Wade David Vinson
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Patent number: 6724629Abstract: An integrated circuit attachment implementation includes a mechanism for inserting and securely holding a replaceable component to an integrated circuit. The mechanism includes a top plate, leaf springs in contact with the top plate, a leaf spring cradle that carries the leaf springs, with the cradle including upper projections that project through corresponding slots in the top plate, a pin inserted through openings in the upper projections, and a linear slide cam located on an upper surface of the top plate between the upper projections and further located below the pin. The cam operates in a first position to transfer a load the replaceable component to securely hold the replaceable component to the integrated circuit and a second position to allow placement of the replaceable component on the integrated circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Thomas J. Augustin, Stephen D. Cromwell
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Patent number: 6724630Abstract: In order to progress a mounting consistency of electric devices on a substrate, an electronic device assembly, comprising a lower electronic device having electrodes in a surface opposed to the substrate and an upper electronic device having a plurality of the leads each extending from the side surface of own package toward the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.Inventors: Nobuhiro Kato, Masataka Kawai