Abstract: A light barrier arrangement for detecting objects in a monitored area includes first and second casings adapted for being arranged at opposite ends, respectively, of the monitored area. Each casing comprises a basic body having longitudinal ends. End caps close off the longitudinal ends of the basic body for the casing. Optical elements are integrated into the end caps and generate a predetermined number of beam axes formed, respectively, by emitted light rays.

Abstract: A wireless network system using the same radio-frequency (RF) signals both for communication and for intrusion detection is provided. The network system generally comprises a plurality of wireless nodes adapted to communicate with each other, directly or through other nodes, via radio-frequency signals. Each node is also generally capable of measuring the received signal strength (RSS) of the radio-frequency signals sent by its neighbouring nodes. By detecting a significant change or variation in the received signal strength, which is generally due to a change in the generally immediate physical environment of the receiving node, the node can determine if the variation in the received signal strength value is due to an intrusion in the RF channel or not and acts appropriately.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of RFID tags and its use in activating a program related to an object. The invention uses the RFID tags and electronic readers to obtain the identification information about the object and use this information to trigger a program on a data processing device that is operatively connected to the electronic reader. The object is equipped with RFID tags that are encoded with the identification information of the object. The tags are read by an electronic reader, which in turn, decodes, verifies, validates and transmits decoded information about the object to the data processing device. The data processing device uses this information to search a database and activates the appropriate program about the object that includes audio and video portions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided, which comprises a first circuit including a variable resistance element, a second circuit electrically connected to the first circuit, and an antenna circuit configured to supply power to the first circuit. A resistance value of the variable resistance element is changed in accordance with the power supplied from the antenna circuit, and the variable resistance element is electrically connected in series between the second circuit and the antenna circuit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for tracking an item having an associated radio frequency identification (RFID) tag are described. A change in a physical attribute of the item is detected. Information stored in the tag is updated based on the detected change. Information stored in a database may also be updated based on the detected change. In another aspect, a second tag associated with a person is determined to be located within a predetermined range of a first tag associated with an item. As a result, information is stored in the first tag regarding the person.

Abstract: It concerns an activatable/deactivatable magnetomechanical marker, based on magnetic microwires, in which participates a non-bistable, magnetoelastic, soft magnetic microwire (1) with induced transversal magnetic anisotropy and with magnetoelastic resonance frequency of 58 kHz, and a second hard magnetic microwire (2), thereby achieving a substantial reduction in the size of the marker. The procedure for obtaining the same consists firstly in obtaining a soft magnetic microwire with non-bistable magnetic behaviour, which undergoes a heat treatment in the presence of transversal magnetic field sufficient to saturate the sample at a temperature below that of crystallization of the amorphous alloy, cutting said magnetic wire to the appropriate length so that its magnetoelastic resonance coincides with that of the detecting unit, and finally obtaining a hard magnetic microwire (2) which together with the soft microwire are mounted on the mechanical support (3) of the marker.

Abstract: An apparatus for making an antenna for wire transponders of electrically conductive material, comprising at least one depositing device for depositing said wire on a substrate placed on a support element, said at least one depositing device and said substrate being movable with respect to each other; said support element being movable along directions parallel to at least two axis of a Cartesian reference system.

Abstract: An antenna for a backscatter-based RFID transponder is provided that has an integrated receive circuit having a capacitive input impedance for receiving a radio signal spectrally located in an operating frequency range. The antenna includes two antenna branches that extend outward from a connecting region in which the antenna branches can be connected to the integrated receive circuit, and a yoke-shaped first trace segment that is designed to connect the two antenna branches together. Each antenna branch can have a U-shaped second trace segment connected to the connecting region, and a U-shaped third trace segment connected to the second trace segment and extending parallel to the second trace segment. The invention further relates to a backscatter-based RFID transponder with such an antenna.

Abstract: An antenna for a backscatter-based RFID transponder is provided with an integrated receiving circuit, having a capacitive input impedance, for receiving a radio signal lying spectrally in an operating frequency range, whereby the antenna has two antenna arms, which extend outward in a spiral from a central region in which the antenna arms can be connected to the integrated receiving circuit. According to the invention, a ring-shaped trace is provided, which extends completely around the central region and is formed to connect the antenna arms conductively to one another. The invention relates further to a backscatter-based RFID transponder with an antenna of this type.

Abstract: A hard cover product with a pair of cover boards attached to an outer liner in spaced-relation to define a spine, with a thin-film security device positioned on a laydown area of one of the cover boards, and on inner liner. In one aspect, the one cover board is a laminate of a pair of opposing sheets for sandwiching the thin-film security device without a surface indication of the presence of the thin-film security device therein.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a remote homecare monitoring system that includes a behavior detector, an image capture device, and a gateway. The behavior detector detects an abnormal activity behavior, and the image capture device captures image data of a user's condition, and the gateway transmits the images to a computer of a related unit or a telephone of a related contact person, so that the related unit or contact person can know about the user's activity behavior within a time before or after the occurrence of the abnormal behavior quickly from the image data, and medical professional can timely provide appropriate medical treatments.

Abstract: Emergency equipment stations (e.g., fire extinguisher stations, fire alarm pull stations, defibrillator stations, etc.) distributed throughout a facility monitor one or more internal or external conditions (e.g., ambient air temperature near the station, presence of an obstruction restricting access to the station, etc.) and relay information about the monitored conditions to a central station. The central station transmits information about the monitored conditions to emergency response personnel (e.g., the fire department) in the event of an actual or apparent emergency.

Abstract: A leak detection and prevention system includes a gear motor linkage assembly. The gear motor linkage assembly includes a gear motor and a gear motor controller/driver module that controls operation of the gear motor. The gear motor linkage assembly also includes a push lever attached to a shaft of the gear motor, the push lever in a home position, wherein when a signal indicating that a leak has been detected is received the gear motor controller/driver module controls the gear motor to rotate the push lever so that the push level non-captively engages a handle of a valve and pushes the handle to a closed position, then the gear motor controller/driver module controls the gear motor to rotate the push lever to the home position.

Abstract: A circuit for a power indicator, comprises an indicator (10), a power source (V1), a first MOSFET (20), a first controlling circuit (40), a second MOSFET (50), and a second controlling circuit (60). The indicator includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The power source is connected to the positive terminal of the indicator via a resistor (30). A drain of the first MOSFET is connected to the negative terminal of the indicator. The first controlling circuit transmits a controlling signal to a gate of the first MOSFET according to working statuses of a computer. A drain of the second MOSFET is connected to a source of the first MOSFET and a source of the second MOSFET is connected to ground. The second controlling circuit transmits a controlling signal to a gate of the second MOSFET.

Abstract: A flash memory module includes an integral indicator light. The module alternatively includes a plurality electrical contacts which electrically interface to a host digital device. The module includes a plurality of flash memory cells. The cells are controlled by an integral controller. The indicator light is controlled by the controller. The indicator light indicates whether the flash memory module is being accessed. Alternatively, the indicator light indicates that the flash memory module should be replaced. A housing for the module is preferably light transmissive material, and preferably a transparent plastic. A proximal end of the module includes the electrical contacts and is inserted into the host. The indicator light is preferably a surface mount LED and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the flash memory module to be seen through the transparent plastic. Alternatively, the controller generates an electronic signal which is coupled to the host.

Abstract: The invention relates to a signaling system for use in a system for monitoring and/or controlling a stack of power cells. The stack of power cells is series connected, i.e. the negative terminal of one power cell is connected to the positive electrode of the adjacent power cell. A monitoring device is associated with each power cell to monitor characteristics of the power cell (temperature, voltage). Every monitoring device is powered by the power cell it is associated. The monitoring device monitors the status of the cell (e.g. it measures the difference of potential between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of that cell but it may also measure the temperature of the power cell, the pH of the electrolyte if the power cell Ci is a battery, etc. and communicates information on the status of the cell to other monitoring devices. The monitoring devices are daisy chained.

Abstract: An infant weight-responsive safety seat for using within a motor vehicle is provided. The said infant seat may be integrated as part of an infant detection system that is able of warning the exiting driver the presence of an infant or child left behind within the infant safety seat. The said safety detection system may use different types energy sources or alarm units; depending on the vehicle's electrical system and the consumer's convenience. Alternatively, the said safety detection systems may be used as portable, easy removable units, no internally integrated to an infant safety seat, providing a safety detection system able to be adapted to fit any infant safety seat.

Abstract: The invention includes apparatus and methods using a means for wirelessly communicating, preferably a radio location-tag unit, for reporting a sensed state of a container handler. The status reporting device may include: a micro-controller module, a means for wirelessly communicating, which may include means for wirelessly determining container handler location, and a means for sensing the state of the container handler.

Abstract: A hospital location system is disclosed herein. The hospital location system includes a lighting system adapted for the illumination of the hospital, and a controller operatively connected to the lighting system. The controller is adapted to modulate the illumination from the lighting system in a predetermined manner. The hospital location system also includes a sensor configured to sense the illumination from the lighting system. The hospital location system is adapted to identify the location of the sensor based on the manner in which the illumination is modulated. A corresponding method for locating individuals and objects that are within or in close proximity to a hospital is also provided.

Abstract: A portable apparatus (10) providing both substantially automated performance monitoring and audio entertainment features. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus (10) broadly comprises a portable housing (12); an attachment mechanism (14); a GPS component (16); a heart rate monitor component (17); an audio component (18); a user interface (20); a processor (26); and a power supply (30). The housing (12) may include a headset (1112a) wherein the GPS component (16) is located, and a second housing component (1112b) wherein the processor (26) is located, wherein the GPS component (16) communicates with the processor (26) in a wireless manner. The apparatus (10) is adapted to determine a number of laps or a distance, to provide an elapsed time, and to determine a speed.

Abstract: A method of enabling one or more senders to simultaneously alert one or more contacts located anywhere around the world over one or more communication networks, each contact having at least one communication device for receiving alert data. The method including the steps of generating and maintaining one or more scenarios each including a set of destination contacts selected from the one or more contacts, a composition of alert data, and delivery rules; initiating execution of at least one of the scenarios to send the alert data to each contact in the set of destination contacts; and managing sending of the alert data by applying the delivery rules.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an electrically excited poster 100 is presented. In a preferred embodiment, the poster 100 comprises a plurality of embedded illumination circuits 104; and a hard-wired Display Code Storage Unit (DCSU) 106, wherein the hard-wired DCSU 106 outputs a display code that controls an illumination pattern that has been pre-determined for the embedded illumination circuits 104.

Abstract: A recipe wand reads meal plans and recipes for a recipe book, and with data about the appliance and one or more cycles of operation, sends data about a consumable to the appliance to automatically create and selectively commence a cycle of operation oh the consumable according to the recipe book.

Abstract: A RF communication system includes a RF communication module capable of controlling either an IR communication system-controlled device or a controlled device not equipped with a reception circuit for receiving IR signals remotely with RF signals. The RF communication module is equipped with an antenna for receiving RF signals, a RF communication circuit for demodulating the remote control data from the RF signal received by the antenna, a UART interface for outputting bit stream remote data to a device-side microcomputer of the controlled device, and a communication control unit having two types of communication interfaces in a pulse signal interface that outputs a pulse modulated signal, having been pulse modulated with remote control data, to a pulse modulated signal input port of the device-side microcomputer, so that remote control data transmitted by RF signals is output freely, as either bit stream or pulse modulated signals, to a device-side microcomputer of the controlled device.

Abstract: A sensor array includes an array of nodes coupled to an optical transmission line. The nodes include a transducer, and encoder, and a transmitter. The transducer senses an environmental condition such as temperature and pressure. The encoder encodes readings from the transducer by means of a characteristic frequency to indicate which node generated the reading. The transmitter transmits the encoded reading to a decoder located near the opening of the oil well, or other blind hole. Power is transmitted to the nodes through the transmission line. A photo-electric converter at the node converts the optical power to electrical energy that is stored to power the node.

Abstract: A telemetry base receives signals from at least one telemeter implanted in at least one animal. The base includes the following: a. a plurality of antennae to receive radiofrequency (RF) signals from the telemeter(s); b. a plurality of multiplexers connected to the antennae to increase the RF signal strength; c. at least one receiver circuit capable of processing RF signals from the antennae into electrical impulses; d. a central processing unit (CPU) to receive and process the electrical impulses into at least one parameter such as temperature; e. at least one digital address bus connected to the CPU and the multiplexer to select the antenna based on the best signal integrity of the antenna; f. a display to show the current parameters from the telemeters for analysis by the operator; and g. at least one analog-to-digital interface for receiving data from other external sensors.

Abstract: A remote energy meter system and method is provided having a meter server and a client module located remotely from the meter server. The meter server communicates with the client via a wireless communications link to recover energy production parameter values. The remote energy meter system preferably provides real-time and automated monitoring of, at least, energy production and system failure parameters.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronization of detection loops in a multilane environment. A plurality of loop sensors are arranged in a plurality of lanes such that loop sensors in adjacent lanes are mutually contiguous. A simultaneous synchronization signal is sent to each of the plurality of loop detector controllers, where each loop detector controller is in communication with a loop sensor. The signal causes a scheduling of sampling periods for each loop sensor, such that the sampling period of each loop sensor does not overlap with that of a contiguous loop in an adjacent lane.

Abstract: A method for influencing the traffic flow of vehicles within a route section (10) in which the actual speed of a first vehicle travelling within the route section (10) is measured, at an actual speed which is the same as or higher than a predefined limiting value, signal-generating means (26, 28) which are assigned to the vehicle transmit at least one signal which can be received, in particular by another vehicle which is travelling in the route section (10) or the driver of the other vehicle, and which represents the fact that the limiting value has been reached or exceeded, and the signal which represents the fact that the limiting value has been reached or exceeded is received by a suitable receiver, in particular a receiver of the other vehicle, and triggers the recording and/or storage of a corresponding item of information, which represents the fact that the limiting value has been reached or exceeded, in a suitable storage medium, in particular in a storage medium of the other vehicle, and a system for

Abstract: A system for conveying a gate assignment at an airfield to an air crew in an aircraft includes: (a) a ground station; (b) a mobile station carried with the aircraft and configured for communicative coupling with the ground station; and (c) a display unit carried with the aircraft and coupled with the mobile station. The ground station transmits the gate assignment to the mobile station. The display unit receives the gate assignment from the mobile station and presents a graphic representation of the gate assignment to the air crew.

Abstract: A method for providing on-demand audio information to a pilot of a first aircraft during aerial combat engagement with a hostile aircraft. The method includes receiving a pilot-initiated request for information, identifying the pilot-initiated request as either a first request-type or a second request-type. If the pilot-initiated request is identified as the first request-type, retrieving output information relating to current flight parameters of the first aircraft; if the pilot-initiated request is identified as the second request-type, retrieving output information relating to current flight parameters of the hostile aircraft; and generating a verbal message audible to the pilot containing the output information.

Abstract: An appliance control panel detects on ON gesture by a user approximately near a set of electrodes in a surface of the appliance, in which the electrodes sense a capacitive coupling to the user. The appliance is turned on in ON in response to the detecting of the ON gesture by the user. A capacitive coupling substantially near a particular one of the set of electrodes by the user is detected to perform a control action.

Abstract: A light guide is provided for illuminating innumerable constructions, but which is ideally suited for illuminating the keys of a keyboard. The light guide includes a translucent planar plate having a top, a bottom and sides. Further, the light guide includes one or more cavities which project upwardly into the translucent plate from its bottom surface. The cavities are hollow or filled with a translucent material so that the translucent plate and the one or more cavities form translucent interfaces where the cavities interface with the plate. The light guide also includes a reflector which covers the plate bottom and cavity openings. Light produced by a light source, preferably in the form of one or more LEDs, is transmitted to and through the translucent plate until striking the plate-cavity interfaces where the light is refracted into the cavities' interior or reflected upwardly to the plate's upper surface.

Abstract: An operation processing apparatus adapted to perform a data conversion on input bits has a logic circuit adapted to perform a data conversion on input bits. The logic circuit includes selectors configured in a hierarchical layer structure and controlled by select signals corresponding to the input bits. Constant values input to selectors located in a bottom layer of the hierarchical structure are selected and transferred toward a top layer from one layer to another. A constant value is finally selected and output from the top layer. The data conversion process is controlled by a control unit such that a pre-charge phase and an evaluation phase are performed alternately. In the pre-charge phase, all input values to the selectors are set to be equal. In the evaluation phase, an output bit for given input bits is produced. The select signals are switched in the pre-charge phase.

Abstract: The invention provides a type-based method to compensate for distortions in circuits operating on a plurality of input modulated signals to form one or more output modulated signals. Steps of the method include low-rate sampling of the output signal to obtain a statistical characteristics thereof, and adjusting parameters of the circuit to introduce a controlled degree of cross-coupling between the signals until the statistical characteristics of the output signal approximates a reference characteristics defined by the used modulation formats. Another aspect of the invention provides a self-calibrating multi-port circuit implementing said method.

Abstract: An analog-digital conversion apparatus has a jitter detecting circuit for detecting the amount of jitter included in a sampling clock generated, and a jitter applying circuit for providing an analog signal to be subjected to the analog-digital conversion with a delay based on the amount of jitter detected to prevent phase shift of the sampling due to jitter of the sampling clock in the analog-digital converter.

Abstract: A fast, high resolution digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is described herein. The DAC comprises a pulse generator, decay circuit, controller, and sample circuit. The pulse generator serially outputs pulses representing digits of a digital word least significant digit first. Each pulse generates a response in the decay circuit that decays over time according to a known decay response. One exemplary decay circuit comprises an RC circuit having an exponential decay response. The controller controls the timing of the pulses output by the pulse generator such that the period of each pulse relates to a predetermined decay amount. The sample circuit samples an output of the decay circuit at a sample time after the decay circuit receives the pulse for the most significant digit. The sampled output represents the analog value corresponding to the input digital word. The digital word may have any length, radix, or format.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for minimizing data-dependent power variations. The system and method can include summing an input with a dither signal, processing the summed signal, and substantially removing the effects of the dither signal from the output. The output is an approximation of processing to the input alone, while certain aspects of processing activity, such as temperature changes and current draw, are less dependent on input values. Variations in data-dependent activities are thus reduced. The effects of the dither signal may be removed by equivalently processing the dither signal alone, and using that result as a compensating signal to cancel components of the processed signal that result from the presence of the dither signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the existence of an external clock over a digital input port on a computer, and, if the external clock is valid, locking to it. A loss of the lock can also be detected, and, if a re-lock is likely, the computer system is muted so that audio artifacts that would otherwise be heard are minimized. The computer system of the present invention automatically re-locks to the external clock if the clock has changed, as in the case of a change in sampling rate.

Abstract: A sigma delta (??) analog to digital converter (ADC) that compensates for the adverse effects associated with the time delay introduced by delay circuitry of the feedback loop. This ?? ADC includes a first summing stage, first integrator, second summing stage, second integrator, quantizer, and feedback loop. The second integrator has associated with it a feed forward pass operable to reduce negative effects of delay circuitry within the feed back loop. Feedback loop includes delay circuitry and a number of digital to analog converters. The feed forward path that reduces the effects of the delay includes a resistance within the second or additional integrator. This allows the adverse effects of the time delays associated, which may lead to circuit instability or meta-stability, to be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A multi-mode analog-to-digital converter includes a delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter circuit configured to receive the analog input and produce a digital bit-stream associated therewith, the delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter including at least one integrator configured to reset to an initial state in response to a reset signal A digital filter circuit is configured to receive the digital bit-stream and produce two filtered outputs derived from the digital bit-stream. During one mode (e.g., a DC mode) the delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter circuit is configured to receive the reset signal and produce the digital bit-stream for a predetermined number of clock cycles, and the digital output corresponds to the first filtered output. In another mode (e.g., an AC mode), the delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter is configured to continuously produce the bit-stream, and the digital output corresponds to the second filtered output.

Abstract: An integrated multi-mode sensor system is described that integrates into a single housing a sensor, signal conditioning circuitry, calibration memory, and interface circuitry that is compatible with both analog and digital end-use circuits. The sensor includes a housing, a sensor circuit, memory, and an interface circuit. The sensor circuit is disposed within the sensor housing, is operable, upon being energized, to supply an output signal that varies with at least one physical parameter to which the sensor circuit is exposed. The interface circuitry disposed within the sensor housing is adapted to receive a mode select signal and the sensor signal. The output circuit is selectively configurable, in response to the mode select signal, to implement one of a plurality of signal processing modes, including analog voltage output, asynchronous pulse density modulation (APDM) and synchronous pulse density modulation (SPDM) of various moduli, and an APDM or SPDM mode using a selectable I2C or SPI interface protocol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus taught herein provide a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for use in a conversion feedback path of a sigma-delta type analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The DAC uses current pulse shaping to generate a conversion feedback signal in each feedback cycle of the ADC that provides a consistent charge transfer for accurate digital conversion and has a controlled current pulse shape. In one or more embodiments, the DAC includes a capacitor circuit for charge storage and transfer and a (series) resistive circuit having variable resistance for current pulse shape control. In at least one embodiment, current pulse control limits a peak current of the conversion feedback signal, thereby reducing DC power consumption and gain-bandwidth (GBW) and slew rate requirements of the ADC's integration amplifier, and limiting residual (ending) current in each feedback cycle, which yields commensurate gains in (feedback cycle) clock jitter insensitivity.

Abstract: A method for scaling and converting sounding data into physical properties of a scanned medium is disclosed. In one embodiment, sounding data is received and transformed into phase space, where the phase space transformation linearizes the sounding data. The slope and intercept of the phase space data is determined and then converted into physical parameters. The physical parameters are then returned. In a more specific embodiment, the critical frequency is returned for an ionogram.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter having an input for receiving a digital input signal during each time period. A plurality of elements are each adapted to produce an analog output in response to an input, and an encoder selects a number of the elements and applies inputs to the selected elements. An analog output signal is then formed by summing outputs of the plurality of elements. The encoder selects the number of elements based on a value of the digital input signal, and selects the elements in a predetermined order from the plurality of elements, starting from an element determined by the elements selected in an immediately preceding time period, and excluding a temporarily omitted one of the plurality of elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a signal in a frequency band using non-uniform sampling includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) (110) for sampling an analog input signal (105) to create discrete signal samples (115), an ADC exciter (120) for exciting the ADC to sample at non-uniform time periods, a digital filter (130) for converting the discrete signal samples into an energy versus frequency spectrum (300), and an energy comparator (140) coupled to an output of the digital filter. The energy comparator (140) detects the presence of any frequency bands exceeding an energy setpoint.

Abstract: There is provided an A-D converter that outputs a digital output signal obtained by digitalizing an analog input signal. The converter includes a plurality of comparators that each compares the analog input signal and an analog threshold value according to designated digital threshold data, a high-order field determining section that narrows down a data value corresponding to a high-order field of a predetermined bit number in the digital output signal based on a plurality of comparison results obtained by supplying threshold data different from one another to the plurality of comparators, a low-order field computing section that computes a plurality of candidate values for a data value corresponding to a low-order field of a predetermined bit number located at a side lower than the high-order field by means of the plurality of comparators, and a low-order field determining section that determines a data value corresponding to the low-order field based on the plurality of candidate values.

Abstract: An up-converter 124 frequency-up-converts an analog signal Sm. A down-converter 121 frequency-down-converts analog signal Sm. A signal selection block 125 selects one of the frequency-up-converted signal Sfu and frequency-down-converted signal Sfd. The signal Se selected by the signal selection block 125 is provided to the primary winding of a transformer 127. A signal induced in the secondary winding of the transformer 127 is provided to an A/D converter 128 to produce a digital signal Dm. For example, if the analog signal Sm has DC or a low frequency close to DC, the signal Sfu is selected as the signal Se. If the analog signal Sm does no have DC nor a low frequency close to DC, the signal Sfd is selected as the signal Se.

Abstract: A novel analog-to-digital converter (ADC) architecture using subranging successive approximation approach is disclosed. The ADC architecture is capable of achieving high sampling rate, low power consumption and low complexity. It is also able to advance the chip production yield and area utilization ratio. The new proposed ADC is formed by combining a flash converter having high sampling rate and low resolution with a successive approximation converter having low power consumption and low sampling rate.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a differential amplifier circuit receiving first and second input voltages, a latch circuit comparing a voltage received from a first output terminal of the differential amplifier circuit through a first capacitor and a voltage received from the second output terminal of the differential amplifier circuit through a second capacitor and providing a digital signal representing a result of a comparison between the first and second input voltages, and a third capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a second terminal of the first capacitor and a second terminal coupled to a second terminal of the second capacitor.