Patents Issued in February 8, 2007
  • Publication number: 20070029939
    Abstract: An electroluminescent sign and a method for selectively illuminating such an electroluminescent sign is disclosed. The method can include steps of creating an electroluminescent sign having an electroluminescent region and a coded information region, the coded information region providing instructions to illuminate the electroluminescent region. The method can further include steps of reading the coded information region to obtain the instructions, and selectively illuminating the electroluminescent region according to the instructions provided by the coded information region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Philip Burkum, Darrel Pozzesi, Luis Aldarondo, Terry Lambright, Sterling Chaffins, Daniel Youngberg
  • Publication number: 20070029940
    Abstract: In the present invention, only in screen display with a low lighting ratio in which low gradation display, which tends to cause writing insufficiency, is often performed, a writing current is multiplied by N to increase a characteristic fluctuation compensation ability of driving and transistors and reduce display unevenness. In addition, the number of frames to which an N-fold electric current is fed is reduced. Consequently, display with influences of an increase in electric power and a decline in a life controlled to a minimum limit is realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hitoshi Tsuge
  • Publication number: 20070029941
    Abstract: There is provided a high-definition and small-parallax active-driving organic EL display apparatus capable of avoiding complication of manufacturing processes and skyrocketing in component and material expenses. A plurality of organic EL elements BU, GU, and RU are multi-layered in a single subpixel area. All of active elements (i.e., thin-film transistors TFTs) to be connected to the multi-layered organic EL elements are formed between an insulating substrate SUB and the layer of the organic EL element BU which is the most proximate to this insulating substrate. This configuration makes it possible to avoid the second-layer or upper organic EL elements GU and RU from being damaged by the high-heat processing in the manufacturing processes. Accordingly, it becomes possible to implement long life-expectancy of the organic EL display apparatus. Also, inter-layer spacing between the organic EL elements can be made narrower. Consequently, it becomes possible to make the parallax exceedingly smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Naoyuki Ito, Kanae Yamanaka
  • Publication number: 20070029942
    Abstract: A plasma display includes a plurality of scan electrodes. A scan voltage is sequentially supplied to the plurality of scan electrodes, and a non-scan voltage that is higher than the scan voltage is supplied to scan electrodes to which the scan voltage is supplied. The non-scan voltage is generated by dividing a voltage that is higher than the non-scan voltage and the scan voltage. Thus, a voltage source for supplying the non-scan voltage can be eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Seong-Joon Jeong, Jin-Ho Yang, Woo-Joon Chung, Tae-Seong Kim, Suk-Jae Park, Seung-Min Kim
  • Publication number: 20070029943
    Abstract: The invention provides an electronic ballast for a fluorescent-lamp (20), including a fluorescent-lamp ballast circuit (30), an arc detection circuit (40) electrically connected to the fluorescent-lamp ballast circuit (30), and a lamp cutoff device (50) in series with the fluorescent (20) and electrically coupled to the arc detection circuit (40). The fluorescent-lamp ballast circuit (30) provides power to the fluorescent lamp (20). The lamp cutoff device (50) is opened when arcing is detected by the arc detection circuit (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Erhardt, Ernesto Mendoza
  • Publication number: 20070029944
    Abstract: A cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) assembly includes a pair of CCFLs, and an inverter-type drive circuit. The drive circuit includes a first transformer having a primary winding adapted to be coupled to a power supply module, and a secondary winding with a pair of terminals. The CCFLs are coupled respectively to the terminals of the secondary winding. The drive circuit further includes a push-pull drive circuit coupled to the primary winding of the first transformer, and adapted to be coupled to the power supply module. The push-pull drive circuit excites the primary winding of the first transformer upon receiving power from the power supply module such that power is transferred from the primary winding to the secondary winding, thus activating the CCFLs coupled thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventor: Chao-Hua Wu
  • Publication number: 20070029945
    Abstract: A DC/AC inverter provided for transforming a DC voltage source into an AC power source, wherein the AC signal is used for driving a fluorescent lamp. The inverter comprises a half-bridge switch circuitry electrically connected to the DC voltage source, for outputting an AC signal, a resonant tank electrically connected between the half-bridge switch circuitry and the fluorescent lamp, for stepping up and filtering the AC signal into a high-voltage AC power source which is supplied to a load, and a controller feeding back an output of the fluorescent lamp, providing a pulse width modulation signal for turning on and off the half-bridge switch circuitry, such that the fluorescent lamp can operate consistently and provide a consistent brightness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Chung-che Yu, Shih-chung Huang, Chien-pang Hung, Chih-shun Lee
  • Publication number: 20070029946
    Abstract: A control circuit for LEDs is adapted for controlling brightness of a plurality of LEDs as light source in an LCD. The control circuit comprises a control pulse generator and a plurality of LED direct current supplies. The control pulse generator is used for receiving a brightness adjusting signal and generating a plurality of brightness control pulse signals having the same frequency but different phases according to the brightness control signals. The work cycle of the brightness control pulse signal varies in a predetermined range according to the brightness control signal. The LED direct current provider is coupled to the control pulse generator to drive the corresponding LED according to the brightness pulse signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Chung-Che Yu, Li Lee
  • Publication number: 20070029947
    Abstract: An inverter driving circuit includes a micro-controller and a PWM control unit to replace the double PWM control units adopted in conventional techniques. A voltage feedback signal may be captured from a connection line which links an inverter and a load. The voltage feedback signal is sent to the micro-controller to output a protection signal which activates the PWM control unit to output an electricity conduction cycle signal thereby to provide protection while the inverter driving voltage is abnormal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Chin-Wen Chou, Ying-Nan Cheng, Kuang-Ming Wu, Chin-Biau Chung
  • Publication number: 20070029948
    Abstract: A method for controlling a discharge lamp by a power controlling device on an automobile vehicle includes a starting step and a switching step. The device supplies electricity to the lamp. In the starting step, the discharge lamp starts to emit a light such that the device supplies a first electricity. In the switching step, the device switches from the first electricity to a second electricity so that the lamp maintains to emit the light with the second electricity, which is smaller than the first electricity. In the switching step, a temperature of the lamp is decreased with a temperature gradient, which is equal to or smaller than a predetermined gradient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Kunieda
  • Publication number: 20070029949
    Abstract: A lighting control system is disclosed. The lighting control system is electrically coupled to a load circuit for controlling indoor and/or outdoor lighting. The lighting control system includes a control module with a night light for providing low-level night light illumination and one or more sensors for operatively controlling the indoor and/or outdoor lighting and the night light in response to measured light levels and/or detected motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Jonathan Null, Melissa Smith, TJ Beyer
  • Publication number: 20070029950
    Abstract: An LCD shuts down an inverter when a supply time of a high current from the inverter to a lamp exceeds an allowable time, and also controls the allowable time according to an ambient temperature, thereby minimizing damage to a lamp due to overheating in a high-brightness driving operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Hyeon-Yong Jang, Jong-Cheol Lee
  • Publication number: 20070029951
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electroluminescent (EL) lamp driver for controlling the luminescent brightness of at least two EL lamps (28, 38), wherein the driver I is adapted to receive at least two setpoint values corresponding to luminescent brightness of the EL lamps and to create charge waveforms (128, 138) in accordance with the received setpoint values for charging or discharging the EL lamps (28, 38).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventor: Laurent Lamesch
  • Publication number: 20070029952
    Abstract: Particles are sorted for emitting coherent radiation, specifically high-energy particles capable of coherent emission. Particles move toward a coherent emission chamber using molecular flow, so coherently emitting particles are collimated and minimize their distribution of output frequencies. Particles exit a coherent emission chamber in molecular flow, so coherent emission emits large amounts of energy per photon. Particles for coherent emission are energized in one or more energy modes: rotational, translational, or vibrational. Particles add translational energy using an accelerator. Energized particles reach tri-energy equilibrium after a relatively small number of collisions. Energized equilibrated particles are selected responsive to those modes, providing particles with substantially known energy distribution in each mode. Sorting particles by velocity restricts selected particles to those also having high rotational and vibrational energies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventor: Scott Davis
  • Publication number: 20070029953
    Abstract: A relay switch for selectively connecting a power supply line of an inverter to a ground line is inserted between the inverter and a power source, and a power consumption unit such as a resistor element is inserted between the relay switch and ground line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Kuramochi, Toshio Manaka
  • Publication number: 20070029954
    Abstract: By using a target voltage Vc* of a capacitor connected to the output side of a DC/DC converter and a voltage Vb of a battery connected to the input side of the DC/DC converter, a duty ratio D as a drive instruction of the DC/DC converter is calculated. By using the voltage Vb, the electromotive force Vbo of the battery, and the charge/discharge current Ib of the battery, an internal resistance Rb is calculated. According to the internal resistance Rb and the electromotive force Vbo, the current value when the battery output becomes maximum is set as the upper limit value of the optimal current range IR, the DC/DC converter is driven/controlled by limiting the duty ratio D so that the current Ib is within the range of the optimal current range IR. Thus, it is possible to appropriately convert the battery input voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kubushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Okamura, Eiji Sato
  • Publication number: 20070029955
    Abstract: A small-sized and low-cost phase detection circuit which has improved noise immunity. The phase detection circuit comprises a multiplier for multiplying an input signal by a reference signal and outputting a first signal, an integration circuit for integrating the first signal and outputting a second signal, a phase estimation circuit for estimating phase information based on the second signal, and a reference signal generation circuit for generating the reference signal based on the estimated phase information. Since the phase is detected based on information representing an entire waveform, the influence of local noise can be diluted and noise immunity can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyasu Kanekawa, Shoji Sasaki, Katsuya Oyama, Tomonobu Koseki
  • Publication number: 20070029956
    Abstract: Control of rotational speed of a direct current multi-phase brushless motor is provided using an apparatus and method that works at low speed but does not depend upon Hall effect sensors. An apparatus for accelerating rotation of the motor shaft has a power stage circuit coupled to a back Electromotive Force (EMF) sensor circuit and a microprocessor. The power stage pulses at a duty cycle less than 100% under control of the microprocessor. The back EMF sensor circuit measures an order with respect to voltage of at least one phase relative to one or more other phases during off-time. The microprocessor determines one or more phases to be pulsed, and the polarity of the pulses based on the measured order. A method for sustaining rotation pulses the phases, measures order with respect to voltage of at least one phase relative to one or more other phases, and updates commutation state based on the measured order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: CASTLE CREATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Hofer
  • Publication number: 20070029957
    Abstract: In a device for controlling an electric motor, especially in motor vehicles, for setting a setting element, moved by the electric motor, as a function of the deviation of an actual setting from a nominal setting of the setting element, by means of a controller, which contains a microprocessor that carries out a hardware initialization routine at least in one step and a software initialization routine optionally in a second step, once the controller has been switched on, before the actual setting of the setting element can be determined in the controller, the microprocessor is constructed in such a manner that it short-circuits the electric motor independently of the actual setting of the setting element, directly after the hardware initialization routine, by generating a defined switching state of its outputs, associated with the control of the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Krimmer
  • Publication number: 20070029958
    Abstract: Speed regulator for a brushless DC motor, wherein the DC motor comprises a stator, a rotor and an electromagnet wherein the electromagnet is in the vicinity of the stator, the rotor produces a permanent magnetic field and the electromagnet is activated to generate an alternating magnetic field; furthermore comprising a power supply and a regulating element, the regulating element being connected to the power supply to regulate the power feed to the electromagnet, so that, during use, a torque generated by the DC motor is regulated, characterised in that the speed regulator is able to generate a voltage V(?) as a function of rotor speed of revolution, rotor position (?), rotor load and motor activation, wherein the speed regulator sets the change in the voltage V(?) of the motor as a function of the rotor position ? in such a way that the instantaneous torque T(?), at least in the vicinity of the reversal in polarity of the driving magnetic field, complies with the conditions that the derivative (?)/?? is esse
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Innosousrce B.V.
    Inventor: Franciscus Clermonts
  • Publication number: 20070029959
    Abstract: Distortions of motor voltage and current and a torque ripple of the motor are generated by dead band compensation for preventing an arm short circuit of an inverter, and a feeling of physical disorder is given in a handle operation. Therefore, the distortions of the motor voltage and current and the torque ripple of the motor are improved by using the dead band compensation for estimating the voltage distortion on the basis of a model current generated from a current command value such that no feeling of physical disorder is given in the handle operation of an electric power steering apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: CaoMinh Ta, Hiroaki Takase, Hideyuki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20070029960
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the control of an electric machine (5), wherein a control unit (1) comprises a parameterisable speed control (26) and a parameterisable additional control (28). The electric machine (5) is provided in order to modify the position of a displaceable machine part (7,8). The position (29) of the displaceable machine part (7,8) is detected and at least one parameter (31) of the speed control (26) and/or at least one parameter (33) of the additional control (28) is modified according to the position (29) of the displaceable machine part (7,8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Hoppe, Tibor Seres
  • Publication number: 20070029961
    Abstract: A washer controller controls a washer motor in accordance with a manipulation of a washer switch. A washer switch detector determines whether a manipulation of the washer switch is performed within a predetermined time period of a last manipulation of the washer switch. A spray time controller sets a spray time to a first set time when the manipulation of the washer switch is performed within the predetermined time period of the last manipulation, and to a second set time when the manipulation of the washer switch is performed after the predetermined time period, the second set time being greater than the first set time. A washer motor controller operates the washer motor for a time period corresponding to the spray time set by the spray time controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: ASMO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Harita, Yoshito Hirota
  • Publication number: 20070029962
    Abstract: Disclosed is a monitoring device and a self-propelled cleaner including the monitoring device, that track a moving body securely and stably. Within the monitoring device 9, presence of the moving body is detected by a moving body detecting section according to image data imaged by an imaging device 52 as an imaging section. When it is detected, its position is identified by a moving body position identification section, and an area in which the moving body is positioned is determined by an area determining section, within dividing an imaging region concerning the obtained image data into three areas of area A, area B, area C. The imaging device 52 is rotated so that a center line (one among Ca, Cb, Cc) overlaps with position of the moving body. Here, the center line is orthogonal to horizontal direction of the area, where moving body is positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryo Saeki
  • Publication number: 20070029963
    Abstract: It is possible to control a direct current intermediate voltage to be constant, without using a regenerative resistor and an apparatus for feeding back regenerative energy to a power supply, and thus to stably and continuously drive an alternating current motor even at the time of a power failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Hideaki Iura, Tohru Kai
  • Publication number: 20070029964
    Abstract: A battery charger casing for providing increased protection from impact, corrosion and moisture intrusion. The present invention includes a shell that is secured to the casing forming a protective void to house the electrical circuitry. An epoxy material encapsulates the electrical circuitry within the protective void providing increased impact protection, heat dissipation and weather proofing characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Prelec
  • Publication number: 20070029965
    Abstract: A battery pack for an electronic device comprises battery cells, a battery charging circuit, and an energy receiving element adapted to receive power from a planar inductive charging system. The energy receiving element has an inductance and a capacitor is connected to the energy receiving element and forms a resonant tank therewith. A diode rectifier and a DC capacitor are connected to the energy receiving element to provide a rectified DC voltage that can be fed from the energy receiving element to said battery charging circuit. The energy receiving element may comprise a soft magnetic sheet with a coil wound around its edges, or a coil formed on a printed circuit board, or a combination of the two. The energy receiving element may be formed integrally with the battery pack, or may be provided as a separate component that can be added to an existing battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
    Inventor: Ron Hui
  • Publication number: 20070029966
    Abstract: A battery module includes unit cells and a housing for accommodating the unit cells therein, the housing having paths for circulating a cooling medium. The housing includes: a unit cell receptor for receiving the unit cells, the unit cell receptor having an inner space with an inner spatial section area perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the housing; and a cooling medium circulator having an inner space for circulating a cooling medium, the inner space being in communication with the inner space of the unit cell receptor and having an inner spatial section area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing. The inner spatial section area of the unit cell receptor is larger than the inner spatial section area of the circulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Gun-Goo Lee, Tae-Yong Kim, Yoon-Cheol Jeon
  • Publication number: 20070029967
    Abstract: A voltage measurement apparatus is provided in which: among battery cells which make up a battery-cell group, a sampling switch electrically connects any one or more battery cells targeted for measurement to a capacitor so that the capacitor is charged by these battery cells; a measurement section acquires the voltage of the charged capacitor as a measurement voltage and corrects the measurement voltage so that the voltage error in the measurement voltage caused by the inter-terminal capacitance of the sampling switch can be narrowed; and an over-voltage prevention switch turns on immediately before the sampling switch is turned on and grounds the input terminal of the measurement section so that the measurement section can be protected from an over-voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventor: Naohisa Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20070029968
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a battery energy management system includes discharging a detector circuit to a minimum battery voltage, measuring an elapsed time that the minimum battery voltage is detected, resetting a timer circuit, and sampling the minimum battery voltage and the elapsed time of the minimum battery voltage in response to a predefined prompt. The discharge of the detector circuit, the measurement of the minimum battery voltage, the elapsed time of the minimum battery voltage, and the reset of the timer circuit are performed in response to an input voltage being less than the voltage stored within the detector circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: John Costello, Scott Lucy, Thomas Schaffer
  • Publication number: 20070029969
    Abstract: An energy saving system used in an electronic device is provided. The energy saving system includes a battery for supplying the electronic device with energy; a energy detector for measuring a energy level of the battery, and transmitting a battery energy saving control signal when the measured energy level is equal to or less than a predetermined energy level; and a control unit for controlling the electronic device to enter a energy saving mode according to the battery energy saving control signal. An energy saving method for an electronic device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Han-Che Wang, Shin-Hong Chung, Kuan-Hong Hsieh, Wen-Chuan Lian
  • Publication number: 20070029970
    Abstract: A method for terminating battery discharge to avoid battery damage and maximize battery usage includes the steps of: (a) determining battery capacity; (b) storing a capacity result of the capacity determining; (c) determining battery voltage; (d) during a monitored battery operation, integrating battery current flow over a time interval to determine an integrated charge value at an end-of-interval-time; (e) determining an extant depth of discharge at the end-of-interval-time; (f) if the extant depth of discharge is neither within a first range of a maximum depth of discharge nor the battery voltage is within a second range of a minimum battery voltage, carrying out steps (d) through (f); (h) if the extant depth of discharge is within the first range of the maximum depth of discharge or if the battery voltage is within the second range of the minimum battery voltage, terminating the monitored battery operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Yevgen Barsukov, Dan Poole, Jinrong Qian
  • Publication number: 20070029971
    Abstract: A method for operating a battery having a plurality of battery cells includes determining when certain end of life criteria for the battery are met. A counter is incremented when the certain end of life criteria are met. The battery is rebalanced when it is determined that the end of life criteria are met, and the counter is not greater than a predetermined value. An end of life of the battery is indicated when it is determined that the end of life criteria are met, and the counter is greater than the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Anderson, Bruce Blakemore, Ted Miller, Bob Taenaka
  • Publication number: 20070029972
    Abstract: A storage voltage of a battery pack is controlled with control electronics. The storage voltage of a battery pack is sensed, and a discharge mechanism is triggered if the storage voltage is within a predetermined range of voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined range of voltage, or if the storage voltage is at or above a predetermined voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined voltage. Control electronics sense a storage voltage of a battery pack and trigger a discharge mechanism if the storage voltage is within a predetermined range of voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined range of voltage, or if the storage voltage is at or above a predetermined voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined voltage. The control electronics are coupled to an electronic device and a battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Christina Lampe-Onnerud, Yanning Song, Richard Chamberlain, Per Onnerud
  • Publication number: 20070029973
    Abstract: A state-of-charge (SOC) estimating device and method for a secondary battery that estimates the SOC of the battery with high precision when variation takes place in the parameters of the battery model, even if the input current is constant. A first SOC estimating part estimates the open-circuit voltage by estimating the battery parameters en bloc using an adaptive digital filter computing treatment from the measurement values of the current and the terminal voltage and computes a first estimated SOC of the secondary battery from the open-circuit voltage and a predetermined relationship between the open-circuit voltage and the SOC. A second SOC estimating part computes a second estimated SOC by means of current-integration. State-of-charge estimated value-selecting part selects the second SOC value as when the current is constant and otherwise selects the first SOC value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ashizawa, Hideo Nakamura, Hisafumi Asai
  • Publication number: 20070029974
    Abstract: A battery life predicting apparatus comprises a data processing unit for obtaining and processing data on a vehicle having a battery used as a power source of the vehicle, the data including battery environment data, power consumption data concerning electrical components, and vehicle running data, a recording unit for recording vehicle characteristic data and histories of the data obtained and processed, a storage for storing data concerning battery deterioration obtained in a vehicle running test, and a controller for estimating a degree of battery deterioration relative to durable years of the battery from the data recorded in the recording unit and calculating remaining life of the battery, and presents the remaining life of the battery to a driver in the display. Further, a battery life warning apparatus estimates a timing of replacing the battery and presents a level of warning to the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masatoshi Uchida
  • Publication number: 20070029975
    Abstract: A power manager is configured to manage power for a battery-powered application. A power source, a load and a battery are interconnected through a circuit path. Power from the power source is provided to the load and battery by a switching regulator. Various implementations are presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Steven Martin, Trevor Barcelo, Samuel Nork, Roger Zemke, David Simmons
  • Publication number: 20070029976
    Abstract: A battery pack (110) having a plurality of cells (103, 105) utilizes a pull up resistor (116) multiplexed between separate voltage supply sources (120, 122) and a single battery contact (106) to monitor individual cell temperatures. A plurality of thermistors (102, 104) are coupled in series between ground potential (108) and the single battery pack contact (106), each thermistor being coupled to one cell of the pack. Individual voltage divider circuits are formed for each thermistor (102, 104) as the pull up resistor (116) is multiplexed between the voltage supply sources (120, 122).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Jorge Garcia, Joseph Patino, Russell Simpson
  • Publication number: 20070029977
    Abstract: An electric generation control apparatus for a vehicle alternator receives an electric generation control signal transferred from an ECU placed apart from the control apparatus through a data transfer line. The control apparatus has a voltage comparator, a communication state judgment circuit, a serial data communication receiver, a PWM communication receiver, and an electric generation control circuit. The voltage comparator acts as a receiver of receiving the electric generation control signal transferred through the data transfer line. The communication state judgment circuit judges whether the received signal is a PWM signal or a serial data signal. The serial data communication receiver and the PWM communication receiver demodulate an electric generation control parameter from the received control signal based on the judgment result. The electric generation control circuit controls the operation of the vehicle alternator based on the electric generation control parameter demodulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tadatoshi Asada
  • Publication number: 20070029978
    Abstract: An integrated circuit for controlling an alternator circuit in an alternator regulator charging system. The integrated circuit includes a first circuit for performing core regulation functions; a second circuit having a mask selectable operation circuit that allows the integrated circuit to select an operational mode thereof, the mode being selectable from one of a stand-alone mode, a remote controlled mode wherein the first circuit is controlled by an external circuit, and a combination of the stand-alone mode and the remote controlled mode; and a third circuit having an output driver circuit for controlling a field winding of the alternator circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: John Renehan, Peter Sommerfeld, Franz Grabowski, Andreas Mersmann
  • Publication number: 20070029979
    Abstract: Circuits and methods of providing power to an electric load are disclosed. The method includes the steps of, for example, generating power via at least first and second parallel power supplies, in response to the first power supply exhibiting an over-voltage, disabling a reverse current threshold on the second power supply, turning off the first power supply when the over-voltage exceeds a threshold value, and continuing to generate power via the second power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Gary Williams, Paul Wirtzberger, Rico Brooks
  • Publication number: 20070029980
    Abstract: An external signal detection circuit includes an input port, to which a first end of a circuit including a pull-up resistor connected in series with a first switch portion is connected, the input port receiving an input of an external signal; an input detection portion connected to the input port for receiving an input of the external signal and an input of an input detection signal that sets a timing for intermittently detecting the input of the external signal; and a connection control portion turning on the first switch portion in time with the timing at which the external signal is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toru SHIROTORI
  • Publication number: 20070029981
    Abstract: An information handling system (“IHS”) includes a system board and a power supply unit coupled to the system board. The power supply unit includes a switching power regulator. The switching power regulator includes an inductor coupled to an output, a capacitor coupled to the inductor, a switch, coupled to the inductor, for regulating power supplied by the power supply unit in response to a duty cycle, and a control circuit, coupled to the switch, for supplying current to the inductor while the switch is closed and charging the capacitor while the switch is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Brian Johnson, Brent McDonald
  • Publication number: 20070029982
    Abstract: A boost control module operates semiconductor switches of a boost converter circuit in an avalanche mode to precharge a boost output capacitor. The boost control module comprises a switching module that complementarily transitions a first semiconductor switch and a second semiconductor switch between ON and OFF states when a current does not exceed a maximum current threshold. The switching module transitions the first semiconductor switch and the second semiconductor switch to the OFF state when the current exceeds the maximum current threshold. The switching module maintains the first semiconductor switch and the second semiconductor switch in the OFF state until at least one of the inductor current is less than or equal to a minimum current threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventor: Keming Chen
  • Publication number: 20070029983
    Abstract: A linear voltage regulator provides a selectable output voltage to a load. The linear voltage regulator includes: a regulating circuit including an input terminal for receiving an input voltage, an output terminal for providing an output voltage to a load, and an adjusting terminal; a first resistor and a second resistor connected between the output terminal and ground for receiving the output voltage; and a voltage sampling control circuit electrically connected to a node between the first resistor and the second resistor for receiving logic signals from a controlling chip, and generating a reference current to the adjusting terminal of the regulating circuit to provide the selectable output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wu Jiang, Yong-Zhao Huang, Yong-Xing You
  • Publication number: 20070029984
    Abstract: In an up-converter the switching element (S1) is controlled both by means of an integrated control circuit (16) and by means of a secondary winding (L2) on the inductor. High power factor and low THD are achieved while the design of the integrated control circuit is comparatively simple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Henri Melai, Johan Hendrikx
  • Publication number: 20070029985
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device provided with terminals for external connection, input terminals, power supply terminals and ground terminals are disposed close together on part of one edge portion of two opposing edge portions. Output terminals are disposed in the vicinity of both ends of the one edge portion and on another edge portion of the two edge portions. A ground wiring is routed from the other edge portion and connected to the ground terminals. In so doing, elemental devices connected to the input terminals are disposed close together, whereby needless gaps do not arise between the elemental devices. A ground potential is also supplied by the ground wiring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventor: Takahiro Nomiyama
  • Publication number: 20070029986
    Abstract: A power supply device for a vehicle includes a battery serving as a first electric storage device, a battery serving as a second electric storage device, a motor generator driving a wheel, a selection switch selecting one of the first and second electric storage devices and connecting the selected electric storage device to the motor generator, and a control device controlling switching of the selection switch in accordance with a state of charge of each of the first and second electric storage devices. In the case where the selection switch selects the first electric storage device, when charging is performed and the state of charge of the first electric storage device becomes higher than a first prescribed level, the control device instructs the selection switch to select the second electric storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Nakamura, Hichirosai Oyobe, Tsuyoshi Yano
  • Publication number: 20070029987
    Abstract: A power factor correction circuit comprises first and second ac inputs (I1), (I2) for receiving an ac voltage. A rectifier (104) has first and second rectifier inputs (I3), (I4) each connected to a respective ac input (I1), (I2), and first and second rectifier outputs (05), (06) for outputting a dc voltage. Two capacitor banks (C1), (C2) are connected in series between the rectifier outputs (05), (06). A choke (L1) is connected between ac input (I1) and rectifier input (I3). A bi-directional switch (106) is connected to the rectifier inputs (I3), (I4) and receives a control signal for controlling the switching of the bi-directional switch (106) so as to control the charging and discharging of the choke (L1) through the rectifier (104). A mid-point between the capacitor banks (C1), (C2) is selectively connectable, or connected, to the ac input (I2) according to the magnitude of the ac voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventor: Jian Li
  • Publication number: 20070029988
    Abstract: A coplanar waveguide (CPW) probe includes at least one center probe element, each having a respective center probe contact point and at least one peripheral probe element, each having a respective peripheral contact point. The pitch between the at least one center contact point and the at least one peripheral contact point is adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Young Kwark