Abstract: A system for performing the method of this invention includes a leader having a robot arm able to articulate about first axes and supporting an end effector. A follower includes a robot arm able to articulate about respective second axes. Servo motors articulate the leader arm about the first axes and the follower arm about the second axes. A user interface allows a user to jog the arm of the leader and to program movement of the arms for automatic execution such that the end effector reaches predetermined positions. A controller, operatively connected to the servo motors and the user interface, controls operation of the servo motors, moves the arm of the leader in accordance with the programmed movement, and moves the arm of the follower such that it tracks or mirrors movement of the leader.

Abstract: Torque control capability is provided to a position controlled robot by calculating joint position inputs from transformation of the desired joint torques. This is based on calculating the transfer function 1/E(s), which relates the desired joint torque to joint position. Here E(s) is a servo transfer function D(s) or an effective servo transfer function D*(s). The use of an effective servo transfer function D*s) is helpful in cases where joint nonlinearities are significant. The effective servo transfer function D*(s) is defined with respect to an ideal joint transfer function G*(s)=1/(Ieffs2+beffs), where Ieff is an effective moment of inertia and beff is an effective damping coefficient.

Abstract: Robot platforms, methods, and computer media are disclosed. The robot platform includes perceptors, locomotors, and a system controller, which executes instructions for a robot to follow a target in its environment. The method includes receiving a target bearing and sensing whether the robot is blocked front. If the robot is blocked in front, then the robot's motion is adjusted to avoid the nearest obstacle in front. If the robot is not blocked in front, then the method senses whether the robot is blocked toward the target bearing and if so, sets the rotational direction opposite from the target bearing, and adjusts the rotational velocity and translational velocity. If the robot is not blocked toward the target bearing, then the rotational velocity is adjusted proportional to an angle of the target bearing and the translational velocity is adjusted proportional to a distance to the nearest obstacle in front.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electric motor movement controlling method, where the electric motor is fed by a total voltage proportional to the network voltage. The method comprises steps of making a first measurement of level of the network voltage at a first moment of measurement and making a second measurement of level of the network voltage; at a second moment of measurement, calculating the value of the derivative of the values of voltage measured in function of the first and second moments of measurement, to obtain a value of a proportional network voltage, and altering the value of the total voltage fed to the motor, proportionally to the value of the proportional network. A system that will implement the steps of the method of the present invention, as well as a compressor comprising the system of the present invention are foreseen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diagnostics methodology and embedded electronic system that allows optimized low-frequency data sampling for EMA motoring subsystems in an operating vehicle. Each of the EMA motoring subsystems includes: an EMA; at least one motor for driving the EMA; and power controls for operating the motor, wherein the power controls includes a DSP controller for sampling and processing data at low-frequency sampling rates. The diagnostic methodology includes a method that has the steps of: determining an operational mode of the EMA motoring subsystem; selecting a sampling rate optimized for the determined operational mode; acquiring and processing data at the selected sampling rate; and analyzing the processed data to identify and classify a fault of the EMA motoring subsystem.

Abstract: The invention concerns an off-road vehicle, in particular of the amphibious type, having a left wheel-train (6, 7, 8) and a right wheel-train, arranged to propel the vehicle on both land and water, propulsion resources (10) to drive the said wheel trains, and mobile control resources (15) capable of supplying at least one control signal as a function of their position. The said propulsion resources include a first electric motor capable of driving the left wheel-train, a second electric motor capable of driving the right wheel-train, and synchronisation resources (16) to synchronise the two electric motors as a function of the control signal.

Abstract: A method of starting a permanent magnet machine. A machine stator voltage in a stationary reference frame is sensed. An initial speed of a rotor of the machine is estimated based on the sensed voltage, and state variables of control algorithms are initialized based on the estimated initial speed. This method can provide smooth startup and/or restart at any speed.

Abstract: On a training device, in particular for developing human muscles, having a torque-generating unit which comprises an electric motor and a reduction gearing, and whose output interacts with at least one training element offered to the exercising person, an electric motor is designed as a three phase AC motor. Associated with the latter is a frequency converter for adjusting the frequency and amperage of the three phase current supplied to the electric motor. A control unit is provided upstream of the frequency converter. An angle-of-rotation sensor is associated with the motor whose measured signal is supplied to both the frequency converter and the control unit. The frequency converter is fed by the control unit with a setpoint value of the torque to be generated by the motor which setpoint value receives the measured signal from the angle-of-rotation sensor. The frequency converter adjusts the frequency and the amperage of the motor current using the principle of field-oriented control.

Abstract: An apparatus for inductive charging a battery. The apparatus includes a housing with a lower surface and a charging surface. A rechargeable device with a rechargeable battery may be placed on the charging surface. The apparatus further includes a controller for driving an oscillator, wherein the controller receives power from a power source. A first charger coil and second charger coil are disposed within the housing and are coupled to the oscillator. The first charger coil and second charger coil create a substantially horizontal magnetic field in the volume of space above the charging surface.

Abstract: A computer provided with an intelligent battery 52 for charging/discharging, the intelligent battery 52 supplying power to a main system unit, wherein the intelligent battery 52 includes: a voltage measuring circuit 70 for measuring a battery voltage of the intelligent battery 52; a current measuring circuit 63 for measuring a charging/discharging current of the intelligent battery 52; a temperature measuring circuit 90 for measuring a temperature of the intelligent battery 52; and a CPU 62 for periodically reading the battery voltage measured by the voltage measuring circuit 70, the charging/discharging current measured by the current measuring circuit 63, and the temperature measured by the temperature measuring circuit 90 so as to manage a capacity deterioration of the battery due to a storage deterioration and a cycle deterioration, and wherein the main system unit includes an embedded controller 41 for receiving information about the capacity deterioration from the CPU 62 of the battery.

Abstract: A method for constant-current generation by means of a rotational energy source, a generator and a control circuit connected to the generator. Mechanical rotational energy is generated by the energy source and the mechanical rotational energy is transmitted to the generator rotor. The magnetic field distribution produced in the generator is controlled by the control circuit that controls the current distribution in the generator between load current and generator current by feedback control by generating an opposing magnetic field. The power uptake and the current output are adapted without losses and the alternating current generated by the generator is transferred to an averaging direct-current circuit. A suitable device for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for acceleration of a shaft run that a turbine, in particular a gas turbine, a generator and an excitation machine connected to one another by a common shaft, includes accelerating the turbine is accelerated using acceleration apparatus during a starting process, wherein the excitation machine is used as the acceleration apparatus. In addition, an apparatus for performing the method.

Abstract: A 4–20 mA interface circuit is disclosed having a resistor in series with a DC/DC converter, and further having a current bypass circuit in parallel to the series combination of the resistor and DC/DC converter. In this way, a 4–20 mA analog current at a low frequency may be bypassed around the series combination, whereas a high-frequency current carrying a digital communications signal may be presented with the resistor as its only effective input impedance. In this way, the 4–20 mA current sees an input impedance which allows the 4–20 mA current to be used in supplying power to an external device, whereas the high-frequency current sees an impedance which allows a reliable, low-distortion reading of the digital communications signal therefrom. The high-frequency current may be superimposed on the 4–20 mA, low-frequency current.

Abstract: A switching regulator utilizing on/off control that reduces audio noise at light loads by adjusting the current limit of the switching regulator. In one embodiment, a switching regulator includes a state machine that adjusts the current limit of the switching regulator based on a pattern of feedback signal values from the output of the power supply for a preceding N cycles of the drive signal. The state machine adjusts the current limit lower at light loads such that cycles are not skipped to reduce the operating frequency of the switching regulator into the audio frequency range until the flux density through the transformer is sufficiently low to reduce the generation of audio noise.

Abstract: A digitally-controlled, DC/DC converter includes a switched-mode power stage for the purpose of converting an input voltage (Vin) into an output voltage (Vout); the power stage including a controllable switching device, which is turned ON and OFF by a control device with temporal resolution ?t. The converter further includes a duty cycle control mechanism for controlling the duty cycle of the controllable switching device; the duty cycle control mechanism including a mechanism for estimating the output voltage error, and a selector mechanism for determining the turn OFF and turn ON times of the controllable switching device by choosing, cycle by cycle, an ON time/OFF time pair from a working set of two quantized ON time/OFF time pairs, choosing in such a manner that the amplitude of the output voltage error is continually minimized. At each switching cycle, the current output voltage error estimate is generated, and an ON time/OFF time pair is chosen.

Abstract: The invention provides a bandgap voltage reference circuit that is adapted to provide a ?Vbe of sufficiently large value that no amplification is required, and therefore any offset contribution is not gained. Using a stacked arrangement of three pairs of transistors, the invention reduces the requirement for multiple resistors within a circuit and can therefore minimise errors due to resistor matching and value. Internally provided circuitry for reducing voltage curvature is provided with the result that a circuit having low offset sensitivity and curvature correction is provided.

Abstract: The identification of the path and termination points of copper landlines is performed through the use of natural events without the aid of network provisioning information. At least one sferics detector detects at least one sferics event. A listening device, which may be separate from, or integrated with, the sferics detector, is attached to at least one wire that is capable of detecting a noise related to the at least one sferics event. A computing device, possibly attached to the listening device, is capable of matching the noise to the at least one sferics event. The computing device is further capable of determining the location of at least part of the wire based on the location of the listening device and locations of at least two sferics events.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for analysing connection conditions between an integrated circuit package and a circuit board, wherein said integrated circuit package is electrically coupled to said circuit board by coupling elements, and therein said integrated circuit package is mechanically connected with said circuit board by support elements. To allow easy failure analysis, it is proposed that physical values are picked-off from said support elements, and said physical values are evaluated to determine the condition of said connection between said integrated circuit package and said circuit board.

Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device that can inspect the connection states of power source terminals and grounding terminals of a test LSI at a low cost and in a short time, and an inspection method for the same. Switches SW1 to SW3 are provided between a plurality of power source terminals PD1 to PD3 and a power source line 10 inside the test LSI 4. A switch SWT is provided between the power source line and a grounding line 11 inside the test LSI. When inspecting the connection state of a certain power source terminal, the switch connected between the power source terminal and the power source line is closed, the switch SWT between the power source line and the grounding line is closed, and remaining switches are opened. A voltage is supplied between the power source terminal and a grounding terminal, and whether or not the power source terminal is in the connected state is determined by whether or not a current flows.

Abstract: Methods of verifying planarity of a microelectronic component support of a microelectronic component test system with respect to a head of the test system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes juxtaposing a probe card with a contact surface that is carried by the microelectronic, component support. The probe card has probes extending toward the contact surface. The method further includes changing a distance along a Z axis between the probe card and the contact surface and recording in a first data set a Z coordinate of the contact surface at which each probe changes a contact condition with respect to a first location on the contact surface. The method also includes spacing the probes from the contact surface, and translating at least one of the probe card and the contact surface with respect to an X-Y plane.

Abstract: A collision sensing apparatus includes an acceleration sensor, first and second connector terminals, reference connector terminals and leads. The acceleration sensor is shaped into a square form. First and second contacts are provided in two diagonally opposed corner portions of the sensor. Reference contacts are arranged in the other two diagonally opposed corner portions of the sensor. The first and second connector terminals are opposed to the first and second contacts, respectively. The reference connector terminals are opposed to the reference contacts, respectively. The leads connect the first and second connector terminals and the reference connector terminals to the first and second contacts and the reference contacts.

Abstract: A rotation angle detector has a rotary member which is rotated in association with a steering shaft, detecting members each of which is rotated in association with the rotary member, magnets which are arranged in correspondence to these detecting members and rotated integrally with these corresponding detecting members, magnetic sensing devices which are arranged opposed to the respective corresponding magnets, and a controlling circuit for calculating a rotation angle of the steering shaft based on detection signals from the magnetic sensing devices, wherein at least one of the magnets has a first section on a side of the magnetic sensing device, and a second section on a side opposite to the magnetic sensing device, and the north pole and the south pole of the first section are arranged in a reversed manner to those of the second section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a defective disk for a hard disk drive. The method includes placing a disk into a tester so that a first side of the disk is adjacent to a first head of the tester and a second side of the disk is adjacent to a second head. First data is read from the first side of the disk, and second data is read from the second side of the disk. The disk is then flipped so that the second side is adjacent to the first head and the first side is adjacent to the second head. Third data is read from the first side. Fourth data is read from the second side. A first area between a curve generated from the first data and a curve generated from the third data is calculated. Likewise, a second area is calculated between a curve generated from the second data and a curve generated from the fourth data. An average of the first and second areas is then calculated and used to detect a defective disk.

Abstract: A fluxgate sensor is integrated in a printed circuit board. The fluxgate sensor has two bar-type(or rectangular-ring shaped) soft magnetic cores to form a closed magnetic path on a printed circuit board and an excitation coil in the form of a metal film is wound around the two bar-type soft magnetic cores either in a united structure that winds the two bar-type soft magnetic cores altogether, or in a separated structure that winds the two bar-type soft magnetic cores respectively, both in a pattern of number ‘8’. A pick-up coil is mounted on the excitation coil, either winding the two bars altogether, or respectively, in a solenoid pattern. The fluxgate sensor integrated in the printed circuit board can be mass-produced at a cheap manufacturing cost. The fluxgate sensor also can be made compact-sized, and at the same time, is capable of forming a closed-magnetic path.

Abstract: A local coil unit for acquisition of a magnetic resonance signal of an examination subject, and that can be placed directly on this examination subject, has a deformable section that can be adapted to a contour of the examination subject by a bending mechanism. During acquisition of the magnetic resonance signal, a high signal-to-noise ratio thus can be achieved, which leads to a good image quality. Due to its deformability, the local coil unit is suited for use for sensitive magnetic resonance data acquisition from different examination subjects.

Abstract: A first room-temperature space is formed penetrating through a cryostat along a center axis of a split-type multi-layer cylindrical superconducting coil system which has a ratio of the maximum empirical magnetic field to the central magnetic field of not larger than 1.3 and is horizontally arranged such that the center axis of the coil is in the horizontal direction, a room-temperature shim coil system is arranged in said first room-temperature space to improve the homogeneity of the magnetic field, a second room-temperature space is formed penetrating through the cryostat and passing through the center of said split gap in the vertical direction, and a sample to be measured and an NMR probe having a solenoid-type probe coil are inserted in said second room-temperature space. Further, the NMR analyzer has a new function constituted by a system for irradiating and detecting the electromagnetic waves having wavelengths of shorter than 0.1 mm.

Abstract: A shielded superconducting MRI magnet system uses a multi-layer shielded coil design. By splitting the magnet coils into a plurality of coil layers, an increased number of degrees of freedom is achieved which, in turn, permits minimization of the overall length of the magnet while nevertheless avoiding excessive magnet field and stress values in the coils. A compact coil system is thereby designed which also satisfies the plurality of MRI requirements with regard to sufficiently large investigational volume, magnet field strength, acceptable homogeneity, and magnet stray field limitation while achieving sufficiently low maximum coil B field strengths and stress values to avoid quenches and maintain the structural integrity of the magnet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ignition coil tester having a control module and an output electronics for testing the functioning of rod-type ignition coils, which is connectible to a diagnostic tester, the rod-type ignition coil having a primary winding and a secondary winding for generating the ignition voltage as well as a field guide plate, a plug connector and a secondary output. To be able to perform a component test on a rod-type ignition coil uninstalled from an internal combustion engine, the present invention provides for the ignition coil tester to have a housing and a spark plug dome for receiving the rod-type ignition coil, the dimensions and shape of which essentially correspond to those of a spark plug dome in an internal combustion engine and/or are adjustable to the dimensions of the latter.

Abstract: The method comprises coupling an external load having a predetermined resistance directly in series with the battery, conducting a power transistor to supply a transient large current to the battery for sampling voltage of the battery in a set very short period of time, and determining the internal resistance of the battery. The internal resistance of the battery can then be compared with a predetermined warning value of internal resistance of the battery so as to determine whether the former is equal to or larger than the warning value, and displaying a warning on a display if the determination is affirmative. The invention enables a driver to correctly know the condition of the battery in substantially real time while consuming a minimum amount of current.

Abstract: Disclosed in a non-contacting electric potential sensor capable of being readily reduced in its size, which includes a detecting electrode, an electrically-conductive movable shutter, and a driving unit for driving the electrically-conductive movable shutter. The detecting electrode is to be placed facing a measurement object whose electric potential is to be measured. The electrically-conductive movable shutter is disposed so as to be movably located in a spacing formed between the detecting electrode and the measurement object when the detecting electrode is placed facing the measurement object, so that an exposure degree of the detecting electrode against the measurement object can be controlled. The driving unit includes a current injecting unit for selectively injecting current into the electrically-conductive movable shutter in a direction approximately perpendicular to a moving direction of the electrically-conductive movable shutter.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting concealed surveillance devices coupled to a transmission line uses either a time domain or frequency domain reflectometry operation to locate any impedance anomalies on the transmission line and a non-linear junction detection operation to classify the located impedance anomalies as semiconductor or non-semiconductor based anomalies. The reflectometry operation utilizes the reflection of a test signal to determine the distance to any reflecting impedance anomalies on the transmission line that may be indicative of an electronic device being coupled to the transmission line. The non-linear junction detection operation then compares the amplitudes of re-radiated second and third harmonics of a transmitted fundamental frequency signal to determine if the reflecting impedance anomalies are the result of a semiconductor based non-linear junction. A DC bias voltage and a balanced load may be added to the transmission line to enhance the line's response to the test signals.

Abstract: A fluid detection cable is described for use in detecting the presence of leaks in areas where a particular fluid is not desired. Sensing leads in the fluid detection cable have a center conductor that may be surrounded with a non-porous conductive polymer coating that protects the conductors from corrosive fluids. A non-conductive polymer at least partially surrounds the sensing leads so that a fluid transmission path allows fluid to contact the conductive polymer. The non-conductive polymer may be porous to provide a fluid transmission path. Fluid transmission paths may also be structurally formed in the non-conductive polymer. The non-conductive polymer protects the sensing leads from false alarms that would occur if the conductive polymer were to be in contact with non-fluid conductive surfaces. The cable may also include monitor leads that are conductors coated with, or embedded in, non-conductive non-porous polymers.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting a touching point (i.e. contact point) on a machine having a rotating shaft, in which the touching point (i.e. contact point) on the shaft is determined during operation. This is performed by measuring the grounding state of the shaft by measuring a characteristic (such as a current) of electricity flowing to ground via one or more ground connections provided on the shaft.

Abstract: A method for determining the deterioration of a capacitor that increases the measurement accuracy to have an improved reliability is disclosed. In this method for determining the deterioration of a capacitor, the deterioration of a capacitor including a pair of electrode bodies and electrolytic solution provided between the electrode bodies is determined by applying an AC voltage to the capacitor to measure an impedance characteristic at a frequency of the AC voltage. An inflection point appearing in the impedance characteristic due to the deterioration of the electrolytic solution is previously calculated to make comparison with an impedance value in the frequency region lower than the inflection point, thereby determining the deterioration.

Abstract: A method of and system for regulating voltage supplied by a local power supply to a remote load includes sensing a low frequency portion of the output voltage at the remote load, locally sensing a high frequency portion of the output voltage produced by the local power supply, and in response, controlling the output of the supply.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for measuring the potential for mutual coupling in an integrated circuit package of any type or configuration using a network analyzer in conjunction with a coaxial test probe. Simple, low-cost test fixturing and methods of testing may be used to measure the parasitic capacitance and inductance of one or more I/O leads of an integrated circuit package, the measured parasitic capacitances and inductances providing an indication of the susceptibility of the integrated circuit package to mutual coupling between electrical leads of the package or between an electrical lead and other components of the integrated circuit package.

Abstract: A sensor such as a stud sensor having a capacitor plate coupled with a spring to a head to provide a floating head. In other versions, the sensor has an on-switch coupled between a head and a body of a sensor; a head detachable from a body of the sensor; a marking instrument coupled with a lever to a body of a sensor; and a body having one or more low compression and/or low resistance slider pads.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus having a probe that faces a surface of a target and is configured to supply AC current to the surface, measuring a voltage drop through a space between the probe and the surface, and obtaining a distance between the probe and the surface in accordance with the measured voltage drop. The apparatus includes a ground member facing, and apart from, the surface and configured to ground the surface by capacitive coupling, and a stage configured to hold either of the target and the probe and to move to define a measurement area on the surface. The ground member is configured so that the ground member faces all areas of the surface, with respect to each of a plurality of measurement areas on the surface defined by a position of the stage.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring the electrical resistance of conductive materials are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing, and first, second, third, and fourth conductive members projecting outwardly from the housing. The conductive members are engageable with an electrically-conductive material at a plurality of points distributed along a measurement axis. In an alternate embodiment, at least some of the conductive members include a spring-loaded portion such that a contact portion of the conductive member projects outwardly from the housing by a variable distance. In operation, the electrical resistance of the electrically-conductive material is determinable from a known current applied between the first and fourth conductive members, and a voltage measured between the second and third conductive members.

Abstract: Provided is a sample observing method allowing for a detailed observation of a sample by using one and the same electron beam apparatus. The method uses an electron beam apparatus 1 comprising a primary optical system 10 serving for irradiating the electron beam onto the sample surface and a secondary optical system 30 serving for detecting secondary electrons emanating from said sample surface to form an image of the sample surface. The inspection is carried out on the sample surface, S, by irradiating the electron beam to the sample surface, and after the extraction of a defective region in the sample based on the inspection, the extracted defective region is once again applied with the irradiation of the electron beam so as to provide a magnification or a detailed observation of the defective region.

Abstract: A locking mechanism and method for selectively fixing and allowing movement of a tip portion of a probe relative to a rigid portion of the probe are provided. The mechanism comprises a locking ball joint for selectively locking and allowing relative movement between the tip portion and the rigid portion and a sleeve about the ball joint. The locking ball joint is locked by the placement of the sleeve in a first position, thereby fixing the position of the tip portion relative to the rigid portion, and released by the placement of the sleeve in a second position, thereby allowing movement of the tip portion relative to the rigid portion.

Abstract: A probe needle for testing semiconductor chips includes one end that is fixed in a holding element and a free end that includes a contact tip. The probe needle is provided—at least on the surface of the contact tip—with a layer consisting of a chemically inert, electroconductive material which is hard in relation to the material of contact surfaces of the semiconductor chips. For example, the layer can be titanium nitride.

Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.

Abstract: A method for designing and testing on-die power supply, power distribution, and noise suppression techniques for integrated circuits such as microprocessors is described. A network of time varying loads is distributed along the power supply grid to facilitate testing of new power supplies and grids and noise suppression techniques before design of the chip is completed. Several programmable current sinks are described for presenting loads according to a preferred test-waveform current. Transient, including droop detection, and static testing is easily performed using the described methods and circuitry.

Abstract: An integrated circuit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, includes a first device under test (DUT) module coupled to a first ring oscillator module and a second DUT module coupled to a second ring oscillator module. A dielectric layer of the first DUT is stressed during a first mode, thereby causing time dependent dielectric breakdown in the first dielectric layer. A dielectric layer of the second DUT is maintained as a reference. The operating frequency of the first ring oscillator module, during a second mode, is a function of a gate leakage current of the stressed dielectric layer. The operating frequency of the second ring oscillator module, during the second mode, is a function of a gate leakage current the reference dielectric layer. The integrated circuit may also include a comparator module for generating an output signal as a function of a difference between the operating frequency of the first and second ring oscillator modules.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for characterizing the negative temperature bias instability of a transistor. A bias voltage is maintained at a drain terminal of the transistor during a test period. A stress voltage is maintained at a gate terminal of the transistor during the test period, such that the stress voltage is applied concurrently with the bias voltage. At least one characteristic of the transistor is measured at periodic intervals during the stress period to determine a degradation of the at least one characteristic caused by the stress voltage until a termination event occurs.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an inspection apparatus for liquid crystal drive substrates that improves the inspection accuracy of liquid crystal drive substrates, judges defect type more accurately, and does not cause a decrease in throughput.

Abstract: A testing method for an array substrate is disclosed which includes a first measuring step of operating a line electrode driver circuit 15 and a row electrode driver circuit 16 like in a normal display mode while implementing writing in/reading out of a test video signal to and from supplemental capacitors 13, and a second measuring step of implementing writing in/reading out of the test video signals to and from a video bus 163 while rendering TFTs 11 of a pixel section 18 and analog switches 162 of the row electrode driver circuit 16 to be held turned off. Obtaining a difference between a measured result of the first measuring step and a measured result of the second measuring step allows only a pixel component and a row electrode component with no driver component to be derived, whereupon discrimination is implemented for the presence of or the absence of electric defects in the pixel section.

Abstract: Spin-orbital quantum cellular automata logic devices and integrated circuits in the form of a substrate having a thin film of material on the substrate having strongly coupled spin-orbital states, the thin film being patterned to define at least one input and at least one output, and to perform at least one logic operation by associated arrangement of the spin-orbital states between the input and the output. The logic devices and integrated circuits further include an input device at each input to define the spin-orbital states at each input, and an output sensor at each output for sensing the spin-orbital states of the thin film at the output. In an integrated circuit, the output of one gate or circuit, in the form of the ferromagnetically aligned spins, can be directly coupled to the next gate or circuit, so that entire circuits can be fabricated and effectively interconnected, only requiring interfacing for overall.

Abstract: Provided is a disconnection and short detecting circuit capable of detecting disconnection and short of a signal line transmitting a differential clock signal. A differential buffer part DB1 has a first comparator to compare a non-inverting clock signal inputted from a PADI and an inverting clock signal inputted from a PADR; a second comparator to compare a non-inverting clock signal and a reference potential Vref; and a third comparator to compare an inverting clock signal and the reference potential Vref. Their respective outputs are defined as Y, YI and YR, respectively. If the signal line of either a non-inverting clock signal or an inverting clock signal is disconnected, or short-circuited to a grounding potential VSS of a logical value Low, the logical values outputted from the second and the third comparators are equal for a long period of time in one cycle of the non-inverting clock signal or the inverting clock signal.