Abstract: A barrier operator system, such as a garage door operator system, includes one or more remote control units, such as an inside remote control unit, an external wall mounted remote control unit and portable vehicle disposed remote control units which include speech recognition modules for recognizing spoken command signals to open or close a garage door or energize or de-energize lighting associated with the garage. The speech recognition modules are operably connected to interface or microcontroller circuits for operating a radio frequency transmitter for sending signals to operate lighting, and/or the barrier operator to move a barrier between open and closed positions, and possibly perform other functions.

Abstract: In the present invention, only an abnormality of detection of a rotating direction of a motor is detected and therefore, with simple processing and by using a table for judging the abnormality of the detection of a rotating direction of a motor and the rotating direction of the motor, the abnormality of the detection of a rotating direction and the rotating direction of the motor are judged at one time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for generating zero-sequence voltages based on voltage commands and a motor output signal. At least one of the methods includes, but is not limited to, receiving a torque command and generating three-phase voltage commands based on the torque command. The method also includes, but is not limited to, generating a motor output responsive to the three-phase voltage commands and generating three-phase zero-sequence voltage samples based on the three-phase voltage commands and the motor output.

Abstract: In an electric airless sprayer (16), as the motor (14) temperature approaches allowable limits, several performance cutbacks can be used to prevent overheating. The preferred method is to gradually reduce the controlled pressure. If the temperature continues to rise, the control (20) switches to on/off or deadband control. If the temperature continues to rise in spite of these measures, the control (20) shuts the unit down.

Abstract: A wiper control method and a wiper control device are provided which can smoothly respond to rapid change of a rainfall situation at passage of a rainfall shutoff environment such as a tunnel. A wiping state control part 42 determines entry of a vehicle into the rainfall shutoff environment, sets a wiping level low for the low level of rainfall less than a predetermined rainfall level in response to this determination or sets the wiping level high for the high level rainfall at the predetermined rainfall level or more. A rainfall level generation part 32 detects adhesion of raindrops and determines the rainfall level. A wiper driving signal generation part 48 determines wiper operation based on the rainfall level determined by the rainfall level generation part 32 and the wiping level set by the wiping state control part 42.

Abstract: A brushless motor controller for use in a fuel pump detects a rotor phase based on an induced voltage in each phase coil of a brushless motor, and controls energization of the each phase coil based on the detected rotor phase. A control circuit of the controller is arranged to check the induced voltage by using three reference voltages as judgment values, convert a result of the check into a logic signal, and detect the rotor phase based on a prescribed change of the logic signal.

Abstract: A wheeled moving robot including a main body; wheels provided at least at opposite sides of the main body and configured to move the main body; an actuator configured to generate torque which rotates the wheels; a detector configured to detect whether the main body moves when the wheels rotates by the actuator; and a compensation unit configured to perform an auxiliary movement which pushes an auxiliary wheel in front or rear of the main body toward a floor based as a detection result of the detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving the center of gravity of a robot, and a system and method using the apparatus are provided. The apparatus includes a weight conveyor with a conveyed weight weighing a predetermined amount and disposed within the main body of the robot. The conveyed weight is conveyed in a predetermined direction to move the center of gravity of the robot, thus allowing a non-driven caster of the robot to surmount obstacles in its path and not become stuck while the robot is moving.

Abstract: A time constant automatic estimation apparatus for automatically estimating a time constant at a time of acceleration of a servo motor including: an electric current value detection section for detecting a peak electric current value when the servo motor is operated in acceleration using a provisional time constant provided in advance for a test operation; and a time constant estimation section for estimating a actual time constant when the servo motor is actually driven at a desired target electric current value at a time of an actual operation, from a relation between the peak electric current value and the provisional time constant.

Abstract: A stop-detection method intended for a multi-phase synchronous geared motor that is controlled in a stepping mode, which measures the sum of the currents circulating in each of the N phases of the geared motor. In the method the stop detection threshold is calculated in relation to the change in the sum of the currents.

Abstract: A position detecting device which can increase accuracy in detecting the pole position of a motor used to perform quick acceleration and deceleration over the range from a zero speed to a high rotation speed, and a synchronous motor driving device using the position detecting device. A position detector detects basic-wave component signals in sensor signals and executes position calculation. A correcting unit calculates signal information representing at least one of a gain, an offset and a phase by a phase detector from the basic-wave component signals detected by an error calculator, and makes correction based on the calculated signal information such that a position detection error is zero.

Abstract: In a motor driving control device, a high-frequency alternating voltage or rotation voltage (having a frequency of ?h) is applied to a motor so that magnetic saturation occurs in the motor, thereby extracting, from a ?-axis current, a high-frequency second-harmonic component (a frequency component of 2×?h) that is obtained by attenuating at least a direct-current component of the ?-axis current. The polarity checker detects the polarity of the magnetic pole of the rotor based on the difference, caused by magnetic saturation, between the positive and negative amplitudes of the high-frequency second-harmonic component.

Abstract: A self-contained regenerative power system includes a fuel cell operative to generate electric energy from hydrogen and oxygen, generating water as a byproduct, and an electrolyzer operative to generate hydrogen and oxygen from water by consumption of electric energy. A bi-directional DC-to-DC converter interfaces between the fuel cell and the electrolyzer on one side and the system to be powered on the other. A switch selectively connects either the fuel cell or the electrolyzer with the bi-directional DC-to-DC converter. The products of the fuel cell process can be supplied to the electrolyzer process, and vice versa. Alternately, the self-contained regenerative power system comprises a unitary fuel cell and electrolyzer.

Abstract: Provided is a power source device for sensor nodes of a ubiquitous sensor network (USN), including a solar cell having a self-powering function, a secondary battery storing electricity generated by the solar cell and supplying the electricity to the sensor nodes of the USN, and an interface circuit interfacing the solar cell with the secondary battery. The solar cell, the secondary battery, and the interface circuit are mounted on the sensor nodes.

Abstract: Charging and power supply for mobile devices is disclosed. A USB-compliant charging and power supply circuit includes switch-mode battery charging circuitry for receiving power from an external power source and for supplying output power through an output node to an electronic system of an electronic communication device and a battery. Battery isolation circuitry includes a semiconductor switch connecting the output node to the battery. The battery isolation circuitry senses voltage at the output node and variably restricts current to the battery when the voltage is below a minimum voltage value by operationally controlling the semiconductor switch as current passes through it. During variable current restriction the electronic system is supplied required power with said battery being supplied any additional available power.

Abstract: The invention comprises a cordless power tool that has a power umbilical in the form of a coiled cord that connects the power tool to a power source, which in the preferred embodiment is a battery pack. In contrast to prior art approaches, the invention integrates the power tool with the power source in a holstered arrangement. Provision is also made for operating the power tool from an AC source while the batteries are being charged, in the event the battery charge is depleted during use. In this way, the tool is operable at all times because the tool is logically and readily integrated with the power source. Further, the removal from the power source from the tool itself by means of the coiled cord umbilical means that the power tool is lighter and easier to handle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembled battery with reduced weight and high reliability that can achieve improvement of assembling easiness at low cost. An assembled battery is provided with a frame holding a plurality of unit cells 14 having positive polarity at one end and negative polarity at the other end. The frame is composed of two outer frames 2 having the same shape and an inner frame 3. The unit cells 14 constituting an assembled battery 1 are disposed on both sides of the inner frame 3, and one outer frame 2 and the other outer frame 2 are disposed such that the unit cells are sandwiched between the former outer frame 2 and the inner frame 3 and between the latter outer frame 2 and the inner frame 3. The two outer frames 2 are joined to the inner frame 3 through side face coupling portions 23 and vertical coupling portions 24.

Abstract: For operating each smart battery included in a smart battery system, the smart battery is initialized prior to the smart battery being electrically coupled to the smart battery system. The smart battery system or an external power source is selected to provide power to an information handling system device. The smart battery includes an electronics device, a charge switch and a discharge switch. The electronics device operates the charge and discharge switches to jointly control an operating condition of the smart battery in response to receiving a control input from a controller of the device. The charge and discharge switches are closed in response to the electronics device and the controller being in agreement to charge the first smart battery. The charge or the discharge switch is opened in response to either the electronics device or the controller directing either of the switches to be opened.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and battery including a state-of-charge indicator (SOCI) to monitor and display the amount of charge within the battery. The SOCI is capable of operating in a hibernate mode, an active mode, and/or a sleep mode. The battery may be manufactured, shipped and/or stored with the SOCI operating in a power-saving hibernate mode. The SOCI may exit the hibernate mode and begin operating in active mode if a physical key connected to the battery is removed. In addition, the SOCI may operate in a sleep mode while the battery is not being used to conserve power. Furthermore, the invention provides a method of making a battery including a SOCI to monitor and display the state of charge of the battery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for accumulating energy from an oscillating water column by transducing the water column oscillations to compress a fluid and accumulating the compressed fluid.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus in the form of a compact system is provided in order to eliminate the disadvantages associated with known photovoltaic power supply apparatus for locations that are remote from power mains. To this end, an additional combustion generator (11) is used selectively which, together with the prismatic switchgear cabinet (12) and at least one consumer (7), is housed inside a cylindrical housing (15).

Abstract: A system for voltage regulation may include a first switch comprising a first switch output, a second switch comprising a second switch output and a third switch comprising a third switch output coupled to the first switch output. The system may also include a first inductor coupled to the first switch output and the third switch output. The system may also have a second inductor coupled to the second switch output and a capacitor. The first inductor and second inductor may be coupled to each other at a node, and the capacitor may be coupled to the node.

Abstract: The invention provides a DC-DC converter capable of being started up in a state in which an input voltage is low and capable of being structured without increasing a circuit size. A back-gate voltage (Vsb) is outputted from a back-gate voltage generating circuit (VBGN), and is inputted to a back gate of a transistor (FET1). During a period during which an output voltage (Vout) is lower than a reference voltage (e0), an oscillation signal (OS1) is inputted to a gate of the transistor (FET1), and the back-gate voltage (Vsb) is set at a grounded voltage. Therefore, the transistor (FET1) has a reference threshold voltage (Vto). On the other hand, during a period during which the output voltage (Vout) is higher than the reference voltage (e0), a pulse signal (PS) is inputted to the gate of the transistor (FET1), and the back-gate voltage (Vsb) is set at an output voltage of a charge pump portion (5). Therefore, the transistor (FET1) has a threshold voltage higher than the reference threshold voltage (Vto).

Abstract: An integrated system on a chip includes processing circuitry that performs predefined digital processing functions on the chip. The processing circuitry operates responsive to a regulated voltage. An on-chip boost converter generates the regulated voltage responsive to an off-chip voltage provided by an off chip voltage source. The regulated voltage source has a voltage level greater than the off-chip voltage.

Abstract: A method and system controls the power factor associated with a power supply line. The system includes a control circuit having a power factor control cell connected to the power supply line. The power factor control is performed by modulating the conduction time of a bipolar transistor in the control cell using the storage time of the bipolar transistor, and by regulating the modulation of the conduction time by feedback-driving a control terminal of the bipolar transistor.

Abstract: A current controlled switching mode power supply is provided. A turn on/off time of a switching device is adjusted by controlling a leading edge blanking (LEB) time and an external drive current of the switching device by means of a switching controller, thus capable of preventing a switching current from being excessive due to a delay of a turn-off time of the switching device, which is caused by a circuit delay during a soft start of the switching mode power supply. Also, it is possible to prevent a switching current from being excessive due to a failure of accurately controlling a turn-off time of the switching device because of a delay caused when an output voltage (a voltage at a secondary winding of a transformer) of the switching mode power supply is designed to have a high voltage.

Abstract: Provided is a switching regulator having an improved power supply voltage variation response characteristic while maintaining the stability of an output voltage to oscillation. An output resistance of an error amplifier is adjusted by a power supply voltage variation response improving circuit to allow a gain of the error amplifier to change.

Abstract: A control circuit having frequency hopping capability is used for reducing the EMI of a power supply. A switching circuit is coupled to a feedback circuit to generate a switching signal for regulating an output of the power supply. A first oscillator determines the switching frequency of the switching signal. A second oscillator is coupled to the first oscillator to modulate the switching frequency of the switching signal for reducing the EMI of the power supply. An output of the second oscillator controls the attenuation rate of the feedback signal of the feedback circuit. Therefore, even if the switching frequency is hopped, the output power and the output voltage can still be kept constant.

Abstract: A constant voltage source is disclosed having an output current control element, which adjusts an output voltage of the constant voltage source by varying its output current, a control circuit, which acquires a measure for an actual value of the output voltage and processes it to a control signal for the control of the output current control element, and a limiting circuit, which limits the output current to a predefined maximum value by action on the control signal, whereby the limitation is independent of an actual value of the output current.

Abstract: Calibrating a filter includes configuring a connection network coupled to input and output ports of first and second processing components into a first state in which the first and second processing components are connected to form at least part of an oscillator, and reconfiguring the connection network into a second state in which the first and second processing components are connected to form at least part of a polyphase filter.

Abstract: An integrated circuit load board includes a substrate on which a plurality of integrated circuit sockets and an integrated test circuit are mounted. The integrated test circuit includes circuitry for testing the timing margins of memory devices by determining the relative timing between read data and data strobe signals applied to a memory device. The relative timing between the read data and data strobe signals is determined by using a delay line to delay the data strobe signal over a range of delays, and determining a final delay that causes the transitions of the delayed data strobe signal to coincide with the transitions of the read data signals. The time corresponding to the final delay is then determined by using a phase interpolator to generate a range of phase offset signals having known delay times until a phase offset signal has the same delay as the final delay.

Abstract: A fixture for clamping and fixing a circuit board is provided. The fixture includes a base and a moving element. The base includes a first supporting board and a second supporting board disposed on the first supporting board. At least one positioning bump is disposed on the second supporting board, and at least one hole is formed on a side of the first supporting board. The moving element includes at least one guide rod which passes through the hole of the base, such that a clamping space is formed between the moving element and the base. Circuit boards with different dimensions can be fixed in place by adjusting the width of the clamping space. Furthermore, a plate element is disposed on the second supporting board and thereby fixed to the circuit board. The clamping space is adjusted by the moving element and thereby made larger and more flexible, thus the clamping space is suitable for circuit boards of different styles and dimensions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining processing image induced defects in the manufacture of semiconductor products such as wafers by analyzing the circuit design of the product mask and modifying a conventional test defect structure to mimic the product mask to incorporate one or more isolated or other features including product mask circuit features likely to cause processing image induced defects into the test defect structure.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a parameter of an electric machine, including a controller and a switching device, the controller responsive to at least one of: a current sensor, and a temperature sensor. Where the controller executes a parameter estimation process, which is responsive to at least one of: a current value and a temperature estimate and the resultant of the parameter estimation process representing an estimate parameter of the electric machine. The parameter estimation includes a method for estimating a temperature of the electric machine comprising: the temperature sensor operatively connected to and transmitting a temperature signal corresponding to a measured temperature to a controller, which executes the temperature estimation process responsive to a temperature signal from the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A sensor having a first array of N magnetic pole pairs, where N is a positive number, and a second array of M magnetic pole pairs, arranged substantially in parallel to the first array, where M is a positive number different from N, such as N?1 or N+1. A first magnetic pole in the second array is aligned with a first magnetic pole in the first array. The remaining magnetic poles in the second array are arranged such that each one of them is positioned with respect to at least one pole in the first array to form a magnetic field with an angular orientation with respect to the two poles. This arrangement of magnetic pole pairs can be used to measure absolute position. A third array of M magnetic pole pairs may be arranged substantially in parallel with the second array. The second and third arrays of magnetic pole pairs may be used to measure relative position between the two arrays.

Abstract: A brushless resolver (10) comprises exciting signal transmitting means for transmitting a resolver exciting signal from the stator (3) side to the rotor (4) side in a noncontact way and a resolver part (7) for modulating the resolver exciting signal according to the angle of rotation to be detected. The resolver part (7) also serves as exciting signal transmitting means. The resolver part (7) is constituted of a pair of a rotor (4) composed of a rotor iron core (43) having slots and wrapped with a rotor winding (44) and a stator (3) composed of a stator iron core (33) having slots and wrapped with a stator winding (34). The manufacturing cost can be lowered, and an arbitrary shaft multiple angle such as a shift multiple angle 1 can be set up.

Abstract: A multi-turn angular position sensor for generating a pulse width modulated (PWM) output corresponding to greater than a 360 degree turn of a shaft. The angular position sensor includes main, first and second gears and first and second angular position sensor assemblies. The main gear can be mounted on the shaft and has a plurality of teeth formed around its periphery. The first and second gears respectively have first and second teeth that are engaged with the main gear teeth. The first and second angular position sensor assemblies respectively include first and second coupler disks coupled to rotate together respectively with the first and second gears. The first and second angular position sensor assemblies generate first and second output signals corresponding to a single 360 degree turn of the first and second coupler disks, respectively. A PWM generator generates the PWM output according to the first and second output signals.

Abstract: A proximity detector includes a fine DAC and a coarse DAC, outputs of which are summed to provide a tracking signal for tracking a magnetic field signal. The proximity detector provides two mode of operation. In a first mode of operation the coarse and fine DACs operate in combination as one higher order DAC. In a second mode of operation, the coarse DAC is provided with one or more extra counts, allowing the tracking signal to move more rapidly to track a rapidly changing magnetic field signal. In another embodiment, the proximity detector also includes an offset circuit for bringing at least one of the magnetic field signal and the tracking signal towards the other one of the magnetic field signal and the tracking signal.

Abstract: Permeability determinations are made from NMR measurements of a logging tool. The NMR measurements are used to find an observed critical spin-spin relaxation time which is used in conjunction with an in situ determination of surface relaxivity of a rock in order to generate permeability determinations.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for imaging fluid flow and/or perfusion using spin labeling is provided. The method comprises applying a first magnetic gradient sequence at least to a labeling region, applying a first pulsed radio frequency (RF) sequence to the labeling region to label the fluid, the first pulsed RF sequence comprising a first plurality of pulses wherein an amplitude envelope is non-zero, the first plurality of pulses each separated by a respective first plurality of intervals wherein the amplitude envelope is substantially zero, and acquiring at least one first signal emitted from an imaging region a predetermined delay after applying the first pulsed RF sequence.

Abstract: In order to reduce the cost for isolation between a surface coil and a body coil installed on a magnet assembly side, an RF shield for a surface coil is disposed between a body coil installed on a magnet assembly side of an MRI apparatus and a surface coil body not installed on the magnet assembly side. The reception by the body coil of RF pulses transmitted from the surface coil body is suppressed by the RF shield for the surface coil. Since an induced voltage in the body coil drops to a great extent, a switch provided on the body coil side no longer requires a component resistant to high voltage and high current. Thus, the apparatus can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. As a result, the reliability of the apparatus is improved.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus in embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: (a) a coil having at least two sections, (b) the at least two sections having a resonant circuit, (c) the at least two sections being wirelessly coupled or decoupled, (d) the at least two sections being separable, (e) several openings allowing a subject to see and be accessed through the coil, (f) at least one cushioned head restraint, and (g) a subject input/output device providing visual data from in front and behind of the coil respectively; wherein the input/output device is selected from the group consisting of mirrors, prisms, video monitors, LCD devices, and optical motion trackers.

Abstract: A method of correcting active shimming element of a magnetic resonance device, including providing a set of correction values for each shimming element for a given N sub volumes, wherein N is an integer number greater than or equal to 1, detecting irregularities in the magnetic field of the sample regions, optimizing all the shimming elements according to the set of correction values, assessing the regularity of the corrected magnetic field, and reiterating the process until field uniformity is achieved, such that an accurate magnetic resonance measurement of the sample is achieved after a minimum number of iterations.

Abstract: There is provided a method and article of manufacture for monitoring an electrical energy storage device for a system. The method comprises stabilizing the electrical energy storage device. Once the device is stabilized, a discrete electrical load is cyclically applied to the electrical energy storage device and state variables of the electrical energy storage device are monitored. A resistance of the electrical energy storage device is determined, and a remaining useful life parameter of the electrical energy storage device is determined based upon the determined resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a voltage detector having a common communication line for reducing a manufacturing cost. A low voltage line CPU transmits a detection instruction including an assignment of one address among a plurality of blocks. The detection instruction is branched by a transmitting bus line for concurrently transmitting to a plurality of voltage detector units. When one of the voltage detector units receives the detection instruction with the address being same as a self-address thereof, the voltage detector unit detects output voltages of unit cells and transmits the detected result to the low voltage line CPU. When the received address is not the self-address, the voltage detector unit does not transmit the detected result.

Abstract: An electrical safety monitor includes line inputs for an L1, an L2, an L3, and a GND three-phase connections, a line monitoring circuit having a plurality of light indicators and configured to produce light if voltage exists between any two of the line inputs to thereby indicate presence of voltage to a user, and a current generating circuit electrically connected to the line monitoring circuit and adapted to generate a test current to the line inputs to transition the device from dead to live thereby allowing the user to discern between a failure state of the line monitoring circuit and an off state of the line monitoring circuit. The current inducing circuit can include a magnet which induces the test current, stored energy, a photocell, an electroactive material or other means for generating the test current.

Abstract: A control circuit 52 makes the pulse oscillation circuit 51 output pulse signals of frequency 2.5 Hz and 4.5 Hz. The control circuit 52 calculates a difference between outputs of a low pass filter 53 at 2.5 Hz and at 4.5 Hz. The control circuit 52 detects a state of the insulation resistance detector 50 based on the difference.

Abstract: A microwave spectroscopy probe has a center conductor between a first ground plane and a second ground plane. A dielectric member has fluid channel between the center conductor and the first ground plane.

Abstract: A rotor blade measurement system includes a microwave source and a probe. A directional coupler is attached to the source and the probe. A detector is attached to the directional coupler. The probe directs a microwave signal toward a rotor such that during rotation the rotor blade will pass through the path of the microwave signal. As the rotor blade passes the microwave signal is reflected back to the probe. The directional coupler separates the original microwave signal and the reflected signal. The detector then determines the energy level of the reflected signal. As each rotor blade passes the microwave signal it generates a reflected signal that can be analyzed over time. From the length and shape of the waveform of the reflected signal the amount of twisting and flutter in a rotor blade can be determined.

Abstract: Methods and systems using Pade' Approximant expansion ratios provide mappings between nonlinear sensors and a more linearized output domain. In one embodiment (a) a variable gain amplifier receives a supplied input signal, the amplifier has at least a first input terminal, an output terminal, and a gain control terminal; (b) a first summer coupled to the output terminal of the variable gain amplifier adds in a first offset signal; (c) a first multiplier coupled to an output of the first summer receives a proportional feedback factor signal and correspondingly generates a multiplied feedback; (d) a second summer coupled to an output terminal of the first multiplier adds in a corresponding second offset signal; and (e) a second multiplier coupled to an output of the second summer receives a gain factor signal and generates a multiplied gain signal; where the gain control terminal of the variable gain amplifier is operatively coupled to an output terminal of the second multiplier.