Patents Issued in August 7, 2007
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Patent number: 7253612Abstract: A scale that includes a first base body having a first non-magnetizable support and a first set of magnetic elements that are arranged laterally next to the first non-magnetizable support, are magnetized in a single identical direction and are arranged in a measuring direction. A second base body having a second non-magnetizable support and a second set of magnetic elements that are arranged laterally next to the second non-magnetizable support, are magnetized in the single identical direction and area arranged in the measuring direction. The first base body and the second base body are put together such that in the measuring direction alternating ones of the first and second sets of magnetic elements are arranged and the first and second sets of magnetic elements have different magnetic orientations with respect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbHInventors: Andreas Schroter, Michael Schwabe
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Patent number: 7253613Abstract: A rotation detecting device for detecting a rotating object includes a housing having a bearing and an mounting surface, a rotor member having magnetic peripheral portion and a rotary shaft that is supported by the bearing, a biasing permanent magnet for providing magnetic field around the mounting surface and the magnetic peripheral portion, an IC sensor chip including plural magnetic sensor elements disposed on the mounting surface to provide a sensing signal related to change in magnetic field around the sensor elements, and an IC signal processing chip that provides a rotation signal according to the sensing signal. In this device, the bearing and the mounting surface are integrally formed into the housing at a prescribed distance to secure an unchanged air gap distance.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Minoru Tokuhara
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Patent number: 7253614Abstract: A proximity detector has a sequential flow state machine to identify states associated with a magnetic field signal provided by a magnetic field sensing element. The proximity detector can include a vibration processor to identify a vibration in response to the states.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Glenn A. Forrest, James M. Bailey, Washington Lamar
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Patent number: 7253615Abstract: According to some embodiments, an apparatus includes a movable portion through which a sensing current is to be conducted. The movable portion might comprise, for example, a beam or plate suspended above a well in a Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) substrate. The apparatus may also include a sensing portion coupled to the movable portion, and the movable portion and/or sensing portion may move in a direction normal to the substrate in response to a magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ertugrul Berkcan, Wei-Cheng Tian
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Patent number: 7253616Abstract: An apparatus comprising a substrate and a MEM device. The MEM includes a comb capacitor and a magnetic element physically connected to one electrode of the comb capacitor. The magnetic element is capable of moving the one electrode in a manner that alters a capacitance of the comb capacitor. The apparatus also includes at least one spring physically connecting the magnetic element to the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: Christian A. Bolle, Maria E. Simon
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Patent number: 7253617Abstract: A method for obtaining a parameter of interest relating to a region investigated by a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool and a non-NMR tool is disclosed. Data arising from the NMR tool is acquired, and data arising from the non-NMR tool is acquired. A solution equation is utilized for NMR signal intensity, the solution equation being functionally related to the NMR data, and a solution constraint is utilized based at least partially on the non-NMR data. The solution equation is solved for the signal intensity subject to the solution constraint, wherein the solving provides information relating to the parameter of interest.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Songhua Chen, Sheng Fang, Mike Gillen, Mette Stengaard Munkholm, Wei Shao
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Patent number: 7253618Abstract: A method for determining a property of a substance in a downhole measurement region includes the following steps: providing a static magnetic field having a static magnetic field gradient in the measurement region; applying, in the measurement region, a pulse sequence that includes a tipping pulse, a re-focusing pulse, and a pulsed field gradient pulse train; wherein the pulsed field gradient pulse train includes a first portion and a second portion; the first portion comprising a first pulse or set of pulses having a first polarity and a second pulse or set of pulses having a second polarity, the second polarity being opposite to the first polarity, and wherein the first portion occurs before the re-focusing pulse; the second portion comprising a third pulse or set of pulses having the first polarity and a fourth pulse or set of pulses having the second polarity, and wherein the second portion occurs after the re-focusing pulse; and receiving one or more spin echoes from the measurement region.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Robert Freedman, Krishnamurthy Ganesan
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Patent number: 7253619Abstract: In a method for evaluating data of a magnetic resonance signal, a baseline is modeled and at least one metabolite signal is modeled. The modeling of the baseline ensues based on magnetic resonance data in the time domain, and using only data that begins with the magnetic resonance signal and having a length that is shorter than the duration of the overall magnetic resonance signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Elisabeth Weiland
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Patent number: 7253620Abstract: A method that exploits the intrinsic selectivity of steady-state free precession (SSFP) to perform spectral suppression is disclosed. Such a method avoids the need to incorporate additional spectrally selective pulse sequence elements. The scheme is based on breaking the FISP imaging sequence into short trains having, for example, 8–64 RF pulses. At the moment of echo formation (i.e., TE=TR/2) after the last full RF pulse of the train, water signal is z-stored. Residual transverse magnetization, which include isochromats phase-opposed to the on-resonance water, is gradient crushed and RF spoiled. The stored magnetization is subsequently re-excited with little disturbance to the on-resonance steady-state water signal. The additional time required to perform the steady-state interruption is typically as little as a single TR, minimally affecting the efficiency of the imaging process.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: John Andrew Derbyshire, Daniel Alfredo Herzka, Elliot R. McVeigh
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Patent number: 7253621Abstract: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems including a coil system and methods for controlling the coil system are described. A described system includes a coil system for MRI. The coil system includes a local volume coil configured to transmit and receive MRI signals and an array of surface coils configured to receive MRI signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Phillip Edward Steen, Ceylan Celil Guclu, Tsinghua Zheng
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Patent number: 7253622Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention can utilize a single coil structure for dual-mode operation. In a specific embodiment, a single coil structure can be used as a volume coil in the transmitting phase and as a phase array in the receiving phase. In an embodiment, a transmit coil array in accordance with the subject invention can be utilized for one or more of the following: 1) parallel RF excitation on an MRI scanner equipped with a multiple-channel transmitter; 2) serial RF excitation with the use of a switch system with a single channel transmitter; and 3) generation of a homogeneous B1 field for regular MRI with the use of a power splitter on a standard scanner. In a specific embodiment, the use of a concentric double loop coil with different tunings of inner and outer loops can be implemented. In an embodiment, the coil elements can be decoupled using the CRC mode of a concentric double loop coil. In an embodiment, a surface coil transmit array can provide better compatibility with a receive array.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Invivo CorporationInventors: Charles A. Saylor, Yu Li
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Patent number: 7253623Abstract: Occurrence of noise is to be prevented, and image quality improved. Dynamic dampers which damp vibration attributable to the gradient coil unit are arranged in positions which are extending areas of a gradient coil unit extending to protrude out of an accommodating space, and are different in positions from the accommodating space.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLCInventor: Seiichi Kitagawa
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Patent number: 7253624Abstract: In a magnet system utilizing a pair of magnet bodies each having a cylindrical hollow, by effectively utilizing the hollow spaces of the magnet bodies, the ability of adjusting through magnetic shims the magnetic-field homogeneity of a homogeneous static-magnetic-field space region is enhanced. Two magnet bodies each incorporating a group of superconductive coils and each having a cylindrical hollow are arranged opposing each other; the first ring-shaped magnetic shim is arranged in the cylindrical hollow of the one magnet body, concentrically with the first group of superconductive coils; and the second ring-shaped magnetic shim is arranged inside the first ring-shaped magnetic shim, concentrically with the first group of superconductive coils.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akihiko Ariyoshi
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Patent number: 7253625Abstract: A controlled power supply (201, 222) drives a magnetic field gradient coil (161) of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (10). A gradient amplifier (201) includes a plurality of switching power regulators (50, 52, 54, 56) which are electrically connected in series. A bipolar circuit (70) receives power from the series connected switching power regulators (50, 52, 54, 56) and delivers the power at a selected polarity to the gradient coil (161). A control circuit (221) delivers phase staggered pulse width modulated control signals (A, B, C, D) to the switching power regulators (50, 52, 54, 56).Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Daniel T. Trabbic, Thomas R. McBride
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Patent number: 7253626Abstract: A receiver coil loop for a magnetic resonance imaging system has a tuning loop for adjusting a tuning capacitor to make the tuning loop resonate at a center frequency a detuning loop for maintaining the receiver coil loop in a non-working state when the transmitter coil is emitting signals, and a matching loop for matching the tuning loop at the center frequency. The tuning loop and the detuning loop share a capacitor, and the tuning capacitor and the shared capacitor are connected in parallel. In such a receiver coil loop, the value of the tuning capacitor is reduced, the frequency tuning range of the tuning capacitor is broadened; the capacitive reactance generated by the entire circuit is reduced, and the tuning capacitor Ctuning is protected against breakdown under high voltage without increasing the loss of the circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Jian Min Wang, Bei Zhang
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Patent number: 7253627Abstract: The method for removing noise from nuclear magnetic resonance signals and images involves removing noise from NMR signals through the application of stable linear time-frequency (SLTF) transforms. According to the method, a noise variance for a particular NMR signal is calculated and the NMR signal is sampled and digitized. A set of analysis samples that vary in the number of samples in frequency is selected so that each member of the set has a compact signal/image representation for at least one component according to the differing component relaxation times of the signal/image. Each member of the set is then processed by the SLTF to determine the transform coefficients, the coefficients are subjected to threshold value criteria to denoise the coefficients, and the inverse SLTF transform is computed for each member of the set to obtain the denoised signal. The member signals are then averaged to obtain the denoised NMR signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Inventor: Osama Abdel-Wahhab Ahmed
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Patent number: 7253628Abstract: A boring tool is moved through the ground in a region which includes at least one electrically conductive in-ground line and which is subject to static magnetic fields including the magnetic field of the earth.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.Inventors: John E. Mercer, Albert W. Chau
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Patent number: 7253629Abstract: The present invention is directed to a circuit and method for self-testing a protection device for use in an AC power distribution system. The device is configured to be coupled between an AC power distribution system and at least one load. The method includes the step of introducing a simulated ground neutral fault during a first predetermined half cycle half cycle of the AC power. An attempt is made to detect the introduced simulated grounded neutral fault during the first predetermined half cycle half cycle. A fault condition is signaled if the introduced simulated grounded neutral fault is not detected within a predetermined period of time.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Richards, David A. Finlay, Sr., Bruce F. Macbeth
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Patent number: 7253630Abstract: A vacuum circuit breaker includes a line terminal, a load terminal and a vacuum interrupter having a vacuum envelope containing a fixed contact assembly and a moveable contact assembly moveable between closed and open circuit positions. The fixed contact assembly is electrically interconnected with the line terminal and the moveable contact assembly is electrically connected to the load terminal. An operating mechanism moves the moveable contact assembly between the closed and open circuit positions. An auxiliary contact indicates one of the open or closed circuit positions. An electro-optical voltage sensor determines a voltage difference between the line and load terminals, or the shield and one of the line and load terminals. A circuit determines no leakage or loss of vacuum of the vacuum envelope when the vacuum switch is intended to be in the open circuit position and when the voltage difference is greater than a predetermined amount.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Gaton CorporationInventors: Xin Zhou, James J. Benke, Daniel E. Palmieri
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Patent number: 7253631Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the complex impedance Z(fm) of a non-steady electrochemical system, comprising the following steps consisting in: bringing the system to a selected voltage condition and applying a sinusoidal signal with frequency fm thereto; immediately thereafter, measuring successive values for voltage and current at regular time intervals ?T; calculating the discrete Fourier transforms for voltage (E(f)) and current (I(f)), the voltage transform being calculated for the single frequency fm of the sinusoidal signal and the current transform being calculated for frequency fm and for two adjacent frequencies fm?1 and fm+1 on either side of frequency fm; and calculating the impedance using the following formula: Z(fm)=E(fm)/I*(fm), wherein I* denotes a corrected current such that Re[I*(fm)]=Re[I*(fm)]?(Re[I(fm+1)]+Re[I(fm?1)]2, Im[I*(fm)]=Im[I(fm)]?Im[I(fm+1)]+Im[I(fm?1)])/2.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Institut National Polytechnique de GrenobleInventors: Bogdan Petrescu, Jean-Pierre Petit, Jean-Claude Poignet
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Patent number: 7253632Abstract: In a method for qualifying an electric circuit having at least one contact, a reference function of thermoelectric voltage versus time of a faultless electric circuit is provided. The circuit is heated by at least one measuring electric impulse. Thermoelectric-voltage-versus-time data of the electric circuit is acquired. The circuit is qualified based on the differences between the acquired data and the reference function. Additionally, in a method for localizing a weak or bad contact of an electric circuit, the circuit is heated by at least one measuring electric impulse, and thermoelectric-voltage-versus-time data of the circuit is acquired. The acquired data is then compared to reference functions of thermoelectric voltage versus time data of known circuits with weak or bad contacts. The weak or bad contact of the circuit is localized in accordance with the similarities between the acquired data and the reference functions.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: István Magai, Ferenc Fazekas
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Patent number: 7253633Abstract: A polyphase power system with a system safety ground supplies a plurality of power phases over a respective plurality of power lines to power a load. A plurality of phase fault detectors of a fault detection component monitor the plurality of power lines, respectively. A phase fault detector, of the plurality of phase fault detectors, monitors a power line of the plurality of power lines. The phase fault detector outputs a threshold voltage with a voltage divider coupled with the power line. The threshold voltage is a line-to-ground voltage relative to a localized ground. A capacitor coupled between the localized ground and the system safety ground provides a direct current offset to the localized ground upon a ground fault condition. The phase fault detector compares the threshold voltage with a reference voltage to make a determination of an existence of the ground fault condition in the power line.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventor: Ronald C. Harvey
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Patent number: 7253634Abstract: A method for detecting stator ground faults in a generator is described. The method includes receiving a neutral voltage signal from a neutral point of a stator, receiving a plurality of terminal voltage and current signals from the stator, deriving a magnitude of a harmonic component from the neutral voltage signal, deriving a total complex power from the terminal voltage and current signals, calculating an expected value of a harmonic based on the complex power at a first time and a plurality of values of the complex power, where the values of the complex power are measured at times before the first time, and comparing the expected value and a measured value of the harmonic.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bogdan Zdzislaw Kasztenny, Dale Stephen Finney, Michael Graham McClure
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Patent number: 7253635Abstract: A nominal setpoint value of the admissible power consumption of a household appliance is respectively set for each electrical component. The actual value of the current consumption of the household appliance is measured according to the electrical components used and is compared with the corresponding setpoint value. A safety measure is triggered if the nominal value is exceeded. The novel household appliance is provided with a control device that includes a device for respectively regulating a nominal value of the admissible current consumption for the electrical components of the household appliance, a device for measuring the actual value of the current consumption of the household appliance according to the electrical components used, and a comparator for comparing the actual value with the corresponding nominal value. The unit triggers a safety measure if the setpoint value is exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Reinhard Hering, Michael Rosenbauer, Christian Rothauszky
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Patent number: 7253636Abstract: A method and apparatus includes a signal generator, a power supply, a micro-controller, a transmitter and a receiver for determining the condition of a line. The signal is passed through the line and any reflection is used to determine varying characteristics of the line.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Charles Raymond Shambaugh, Jr., John Wesley Hyacinthe
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Patent number: 7253637Abstract: In order to determine whether arcing is present in an electrical circuit, a sensor signal corresponding to current in said electrical circuit is processed. The sensor signal is filtered to determine the presence of noise in a predetermined frequency range and produce a corresponding filtered signal. The corresponding filtered signal is compared to a reference threshold voltage to generate an output signal potentially indicative of arcing. A selection is made of one from a plurality of available threshold voltages as the reference threshold voltage for use in the comparing operation. The detection operation supports either or both branch feeder arc fault detection and/or series arc fault detection.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Square D CompanyInventors: Robert F. Dvorak, Kon B. Wong
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Patent number: 7253638Abstract: A female connector (F) has a housing (10) with a front end and cavities (11) extend to the front end. Terminal fittings (40) are mounted in the cavities (11). A front wall (50) is mounted on the front end of the housing (10) and is formed with tab insertion holes (51) that can communicate with cavities (11). An operable surface (59A) is exposed at an end surface of the front wall (50). The front wall (50) can be moved from a full locking position to a partial locking position along the front end of the housing (10) by pushing this operable surface (59A). Portions of the end surface of the front wall (50) other than the operable surface (59A) are covered at least partly by an wall (26) of the housing (10) to limit movement of the front wall (50).Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Keiichi Nakamura, Ryotaro Ishikawa, Yutaka Noro, Yutaka Kobayashi, Hajime Kawase, Nobuhiro Suzuki
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Patent number: 7253639Abstract: The drive of the motor is stopped, the electromagnetic switch contacts are switched OFF, and thereafter the first and second contact points are closed to form a closed circuit of the smoothing capacitor, second contact point, first and second resistors, motor coil, ground 1, ground 2, first contact point, and smoothing capacitor. Charging voltage of the smoothing capacitor is applied to the closed circuit. If an insulation resistance of the motor deteriorates, a current flowing through the closed circuit is increased. The increase of the current is detected by means of the potential difference across the first resistor R1 in the closed circuit, to detect insulation resistance deterioration of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Fanuc LtdInventors: Shinichi Horikoshi, Mamoru Yaeshima, Hiroyasu Sato
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Patent number: 7253640Abstract: A circuit breaker for locating an arc fault for a protected circuit includes separable contacts interrupting the protected circuit and an arc fault detector determining an arc fault in the protected circuit. An analog to digital converter circuit measures a value of peak arc current at the arc fault detector. Another analog to digital converter circuit provides a peak line-to-neutral voltage. A memory provides an arc voltage operatively associated with the value of peak current. A microprocessor determines a distance from the arc fault detector to the arc fault from the value of peak arc current, a wire resistance per unit length or a wire conductance per unit length, the peak line-to-neutral voltage and the arc voltage.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Joseph C. Engel, Engelbert Hetzmannseder, Kevin L. Parker, Peter J. Theisen, Joseph C. Zuercher
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Patent number: 7253641Abstract: A particulate sensing system for a particulate trap including a radio frequency transmit circuit and a radio frequency receive circuit is disclosed. The transmit circuit may include a wideband signal generator configured to produce a wideband radio frequency signal and a wideband radio frequency amplifier, coupled to the wideband signal generator. The transmit circuit may include a transmit antenna coupled to the wideband radio frequency amplifier and configured to propagate the wideband radio frequency signal through a filter medium. The receive circuit may include a receive antenna configured to receive the wideband radio frequency signal that has been propagated through the filter medium, and a bandpass filter coupled to the receive antenna and configured to limit a frequency range of the received wideband radio frequency signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Andrew A. Knitt, Mark T. DeCou
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Patent number: 7253642Abstract: A method for sensing an electric field includes processing digitized electric field signals, e.g., from an electric field sensing probe. The processing may include performing a Fast Fourier Transform of the digitized electric field signals to provide an indication of the magnitude of the electric field, and may include processing the digitized electric field signals at a rate that is related to the speed at which a movable sensing probe is moving. The method may include performing unweighted and/or weighted averaging in relation to processing electric field data, setting a comparison threshold, providing a human perceivable indication, or a combination of the foregoing.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Power Survey CompanyInventors: David Kalokitis, Peter Zalud, David Christopher Berends, Christos Alkiviadis Polyzois
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Patent number: 7253643Abstract: A technique for implementing a center key in a capacitive sense radial slider interface without use of center mechanical button. A user interaction with an array of capacitive sensors within the radial slider interface is sensed. It is determined whether at least a threshold number greater than one of the capacitive sensors within the array are concurrently actuated by the user interaction. A center key actuation is registered if at least the threshold number of the capacitive sensors are concurrently actuated.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor CorporationInventor: Ryan D. Seguine
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Patent number: 7253644Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrochemical and viscoelastic properties of a liquid includes two sensing components, an electrochemical impediance spectroscopy component and a quartz crystal microbalance component positioned within a housing for receiving a liquid for monitoring and arranged so that each component shares a common electrode. Means are provided to simultaneously apply a sinusoidal waveform across the electrodes whereby information on the electrochemical and viscoelastic properties of a liquid being monitored is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventor: Limin Song
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Patent number: 7253645Abstract: A method of detecting defects in a patterned substrate includes positioning a charged-particle-beam optical column relative to a patterned substrate, the charged-particle-beam optical column having a field of view (FOV) with a substantially uniform resolution over the FOV; operating the charged-particle-beam optical column to acquire images of a region of the patterned substrate lying within the FOV by scanning the charged-particle beam over the patterned substrate; and comparing the acquired images to a reference to identify defects in the patterned substrate.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Christopher G. Talbot, Chiwoei Wayne Lo
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Patent number: 7253646Abstract: The present probe card comprises a circuit board, a platform fixed on the circuit board, a tunable stage positioned on the platform, a probe carrier positioned on the tunable stage and at least one probe positioned on the probe carrier. The tunable stage comprises a stationary part positioned on the platform, a movable part for loading the probe carrier and a driving mechanism connecting the stationary part and the movable part. The probe carrier is positioned on the movable part and the relative position between the probe on the probe carrier and a DUT can be adjusted by the driving mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Star Technologies Inc.Inventors: Choon-Leong Lou, Mei-Shu Hsu
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Patent number: 7253647Abstract: A probe used for a high electric current. The prove comprises an outer pipe having a cylindrical configuration which is opened at upper and lower ends thereof; a plunger installed in an upper part of the outer pipe to be elastically extended out of and retracted into the outer pipe, and brought into contact with a contact terminal of a test object; a contact member installed in a lower part of the outer pipe and electrically connected with a contact terminal of a circuit board; and a plurality of contact wires installed at a region where the plunger and the contact member are engaged with each other, to electrically connect the plunger to the contact member, and each having one end which is bent outward.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Inventor: Chae Yoon Lee
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Patent number: 7253648Abstract: A measurement probe has a spring loaded probe assembly and a pressure sensor disposed in a housing. The pressure sensor forms an electrical switch for passing an activation signal to a EOS/ESD protection module in response to axial movement of the housing relative to the probe assembly. A first compressive element produces a first pre-loaded compressive force and an increasing compressive force on the probe assembly and a second compressive element produces a second pre-loaded compressive force and an increasing compressive force on the probe assembly subsequent to the first increasing compressive force.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.Inventor: Kei-Wean C. Yang
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Patent number: 7253649Abstract: An upward facing probing mechanism using mercury probe contacts for accurate automatic multi-site measurements of a semiconductor wafer, especially of ultra-shallow ion implanted layers on a semiconductor wafer held top surface facing downward. A fixed force is applied to the wafer regardless of the thickness of the wafer through the of use of a regulated pressure piston. Incorporated are a plurality of spring-loaded rod assemblies to support the floating probe head to position the probe head face into full contact with the wafer surface accurately placing all mercury contacts on the surface of the wafer regardless of the inclination of the wafer as a result of the even support of the probe head by the spring-loaded rod assemblies. Included is a mechanism to refresh the mercury contacts for each probing with full containment and recovery of the mercury used in each probing.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Four Dimensions, Inc,Inventor: James T. Chen
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Patent number: 7253650Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for testing integrated circuit devices after manufacture wherein, an initial group of devices is tested to produce an initial failing group of devices that failed the testing. The devices in the initial failing group are identified by type of failure. Then, the devices in the initial failing group are retested to identify a retested passing group of devices that passed the retesting. Next, the devices in the retested passing group are analyzed to produce statistics regarding the likelihood that a failing device that failed the initial testing will pass the retesting according to the type of failure. Then, these statistics are evaluated to determine which types of failures have retest passing rates above a predetermined threshold. From this, a database is produced that includes an optimized retest table listing the types of defects that are approved for retesting.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Akiko F. Balchiunas
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Patent number: 7253651Abstract: A central test facility transmits wirelessly test data to a local test facility, which tests electronic devices using the test data. The local test facility transmits wirelessly response data generated by the electronic devices back to the central test facility, which analyzes the response data to determine which electronic devices passed the testing. The central test facility may provide the results of the testing to other entities, such as a design facility where the electronic devices were designed or a manufacturing facility where the electronic devices where manufactured. The central test facility may accept requests for test resources from any of a number of local test facilities, schedule test times corresponding to each test request, and at a scheduled test time, wirelessly transmits test data to a corresponding local test facility.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.Inventors: Igor Y. Khandros, Benjamin N. Eldridge
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Patent number: 7253652Abstract: A system on chip (SOC), comprises an external interface that receives test configuration data, transmits test result data, and that transmits and receives application data. A plurality of SOC components, each including an integrated system test (IST) module, wherein at least one of the SOC components includes a controller that communicates with the external interface. At least one of the plurality of SOC components communicates with the controller. At least one of the IST modules is a master IST module that receives the test configuration data and configures the IST modules for testing the plurality of SOC components.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.Inventors: Saeed Azimi, Son Ho
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Patent number: 7253653Abstract: A test tray for a handler for testing semiconductor devices is disclosed which is capable of reducing the costs and time taken for replacement of carrier modules, and achieving an enhancement in workability.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Mirae CorporationInventors: Chul Ho Ham, Ho Keun Song, Young Geun Park, Jae Bong Seo
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Patent number: 7253654Abstract: A first qubit having a superconducting loop interrupted by a plurality of Josephson junctions is provided. Each junction interrupts a different portion of the superconducting loop and each different adjacent pair of junctions in the plurality of Josephson junctions defines a different island. An ancillary device is coupled to the first qubit. In a first example, the ancillary device is a readout mechanism respectively capacitively coupled to a first and second island in the plurality of islands of the first qubit by a first and second capacitance. Quantum nondemolition measurement of the first qubit's state may be performed. In a second example, the ancillary device is a second qubit. The second qubit's first and second islands are respectively capacitively coupled to the first and second islands of the first qubit by a capacitance. In this second example, the coupling is diagonal in the physical basis of the qubits.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: D-Wave Systems Inc.Inventor: Mohammad H. S. Amin
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Patent number: 7253655Abstract: Techniques for controlling a driver to reduce data dependent noise, such as simultaneous switching effects and cross-talk effects. A plurality of drivers may each receive a data segment to transmit and a plurality of data segments that other drivers will transmit. A driver controller may adjust the time at which the data segment is transmitted in response to the plurality of data segments that the other drivers will transmit. The adjustment may compensate for simultaneous switching noise and cross-talk by, for example, delaying the transmission of a data segment or changing the slew rate of the signal carrying the data segment.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Chang Ki Kwon, Greg Blodgett
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Patent number: 7253656Abstract: A calibration circuit of a driver control circuit which controls a plurality of input/output drivers of an integrated circuit comprises first and second voltage/current converters, first, second and third comparators and a voltage/current converter circuit. The first voltage/current converter with an external resistor provides a reference voltage to half the value of a supply voltage of the calibration circuit. The second voltage/current converter is connected to a first pull-down driver whose pull-down driver voltage is set to half the supply voltage. The second comparator compares the reference voltage with the pull-down driver voltage to provide a first calibration signal. The voltage/current converter circuit is connected to a pull-up driver whose pull-up voltage is set to half the value of the supply voltage. The third comparator compares the reference voltage with the pull-up driver voltage in order to provide a second calibration signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Infineon TechnologiesInventors: Vincenzo Costa, Christian Müller
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Patent number: 7253657Abstract: A programmable logic device (PLD) includes configuration circuitry. The configuration circuitry is adapted to receive serial configuration data from a configuration device. The configuration circuitry is further adapted to program a function of the PLD without using an input buffer to store the configuration data.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Altera CorporationInventors: Mukunda Krishnappa, Keith Duwel, Renxin Xia
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Patent number: 7253658Abstract: A programmable integrated circuit (IC) provides high routing flexibility without the use of an output multiplexer structure. According to one embodiment, an IC includes programmable tiles arrayed in rows and columns. Output multiplexer structures are not included in the programmable tiles. Routing flexibility is provided in each tile by input multiplexers coupled between a general interconnect structure and the input terminals of a logic block, and by providing direct access from the logic block output terminals (e.g., lookup table outputs and memory element outputs) to both horizontal and vertical interconnect lines. In some embodiments, the logic block output signals can also drive “diagonal” interconnect lines in the general interconnect structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.Inventor: Steven P. Young
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Patent number: 7253659Abstract: A programmable semiconductor device wherein a programmable switch and a configuration element to program the switch are both positioned above a first metal layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Viciciv TechnologyInventor: Raminda Udaya Madurawe
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Patent number: 7253660Abstract: A multiplexing device is described. In one embodiment, the multiplexing device includes: a hardwired multiplexer including a plurality of input terminals; a plurality of select terminals; and at least one output terminal, where the plurality of input terminals are coupled to a plurality of block input lines or a plurality of functional element input terminals. In one embodiment, the plurality of input terminals are hardwired to the plurality of block input lines or the plurality of functional element input terminals. In one embodiment, the plurality of select terminals are coupled to a second plurality of functional element input terminals or a plurality of functional element output terminals. In one embodiment, the plurality of block input lines include a plurality of logic array block (LAB) lines, the plurality of functional element input terminals include a plurality of logic element (LE) input terminals, and the plurality of functional element output terminals include LE output terminals.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Altera CorporationInventors: Paul Leventis, Bruce Pedersen, Chris Lane, Srinivas Reddy, David Lewis
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Patent number: 7253661Abstract: A configurable latch is implemented using a configurable pulse generator and a level sensitive (LS) latch. The configurable pulse generator produces either a pulse signal that is aligned with the input clock edge, or simply provides the input clock signal to its output in response to a pulse generator control signal. If a pulse signal is provided to the latch, then edge triggered (ET) latch operation is effected within the latch. If, on the other hand, a clock signal is provided to the latch, then LS latch operation is effected within the latch. Thus, configuration of latch operation is established in response to the type of clock signal that is provided to the latch.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.Inventors: Tim Tuan, Sean W. Kao