Abstract: To reduce noise by limiting a current peak value to a predetermined value or less and by smoothing the waveforms of drive currents during the current limitation, switching control means (30) according to the present invention turns ON all of one-side drive transistors selected from the high-side drive transistors (21, 22 and 23) and the low-side drive transistors (25, 26 and 27) of power supply means (20) for a predetermined period, and turns OFF all of the other-side drive transistors for a predetermined period in response to a current control signal for the current peak value to a predetermined value or less.

Abstract: When a printing instruction is provided, a CPU causes a stepping motor M to drive a developer and calculates the value of a load of the stepping motor M before printing operations are performed. Then, CPU determines whether the value of the load is within a predetermined range stored in advance. If the value is not within the predetermined range, CPU causes a display to display an error message.

Abstract: A mobile robot contains a movable robot body, arms provided on the movable robot body, each of the arms having a multiple joint structure including plural joints, an actuator for actuating each of the joints and shaft torque sensors incorporated in each of the joints to detect a torque from the actuator at an output shaft of each of the joints, and a controller provided in the robot body to determine whether each of the arms is in contact with or in collision with a peripheral obstacle or obstacles based on change of an output from the shaft torque sensors and control an operation of each of actuators of each arm.

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: A device of a motor with a rotation control means that decreases the fluctuation of its rotation period. The control is carried out based on the amplitude and the phase generated by amplitude-and-phase generating devices, detecting passage time of detected portions (13) in different zones. And a color image forming apparatus of tandem type with such motors.

Abstract: A timer circuit includes a storage unit to store a series of first data content relating to a time into a specified address area, a target value generation unit to read the first data content from a read address of the storage unit and to generate, as a target value, third data content in which second data content is added to the first data content, a counter to perform counting and to output a count-up signal when the counting is performed up to the target value, and a control unit to sequentially designate a next read address of the storage unit at each count-up and to cause the series of operations of the target value generation unit and the counter to be executed.

Abstract: A clothing assembly includes a solar power collecting unit mounted on a garment for converting solar power into electrical energy, and a power supplying unit having a rechargeable battery set disposed in a housing, connected electrically and wiredly to the solar power collecting unit so as to be charged by the electrical energy therefrom, and a power switch mounted on the housing for controlling electrical connection between a power output port on the housing and the rechargeable battery set so as to permit supply of electrical power from the rechargeable battery set to a load connected electrically to the power output port when in an ON state.

Abstract: A battery powered apparatus (100) includes an electrically powered device (124), a rechargeable energy storage device (112), and a battery receiving region (104) that receives at least a first battery (106). The electrically powered device (124) includes at least first and second operating modes. The operating mode of the device (124) is selected as a function of the state of charge of one or both the battery (106) and the rechargeable energy storage device (112).

Abstract: Disparate robotic devices can be automatically recharged and reprogrammed by self-scheduling individual time slots for the available recharging area(s) of a charging station. These charging stations provide a nest to which each robot must return periodically for power. These nests can also provide new tasking or patches for the robotic devices. The charging station and the robotic devices are both provided with communications capabilities and a protocol by which they can negotiate to find a time slot in which the device can be recharged, as well as determining a correct connector and a battery type.

Abstract: A media enhanced shopping cart system comprises a shopping cart comprising a frame, a basket, a handle, a base tray, a plurality of wheels, a read component for performing a proximity scan of the shopping cart, a locationing component for determining a location of the shopping cart within a store based on the scan, and a display component for displaying at least one advertisement for a product based on the location of the shopping cart within the store, wherein the locationing component is further operable to determine a location of the product within the store relative to the shopping cart based on the scan, and wherein the display component is further operable to display an indication of the location of the advertised product relative to the location of the shopping cart.

Abstract: A charging device includes a charging unit, a detecting unit, a determining unit, a current generating unit, an adjusting unit, and a display unit. The charging unit charges a battery. The detecting unit detects a voltage developed across the battery. The determining unit determines a charging state of the battery based on the voltage. The current generating unit generates a current. The adjusting unit adjusts the current based on the charging state. The display unit emits a first light having a first color and a first intensity in response to the current supplied thereto. The first intensity changes in accordance with changing of the current.

Abstract: A method for charging an electric storage battery in a plug-in electric vehicle through a power supply circuit includes coupling a charger to the circuit, providing the charger with a signal representing a current capacity of the circuit, using the signal to determine a maximum charge rate corresponds to the current capacity of the circuit represented by the signal, and charging the battery through the circuit and charger at the maximum charge rate.

Abstract: A system and method for charging an undercharged cell of a bank of series connected cells utilizes a charging circuit. The charging circuit includes an inductor that receives current from the entire bank of cells and then provides current to the undercharged cell. Pulse width modulation is utilized to turn the switches on and off to regulate the current that flows to the inductor and thus is provided to the undercharged cell.

Abstract: A battery pack is constructed with a plurality of secondary batteries or a plurality of battery assemblies, each having a plurality of unit batteries, and at least one safety switch, which can facilitate precise measurement of the voltages of the plurality of secondary batteries or battery assemblies. The battery pack is constructed with a plurality of secondary batteries, at least one safety switch electrically connected between two adjacent batteries among the plurality of secondary batteries, and a plurality of sensing lines for measuring voltages of the plurality of secondary batteries. The quantity of the sensing lines is equals to a sum of the number of the secondary batteries, and the number of the safety switches, and plus one.

Abstract: A power charging system including a power converter unit and a selectively detachable battery charger module configured to receive power from the remote power converter unit and also receive and charge a rechargeable battery or batteries. The battery charger module is a stand alone accessory for use with the power converter unit, which power converter unit is also adapted to power and/or charge a portable electronic device such as a PDA, smart phone, MP3 player, camera, and so forth.

Abstract: A manually generatable lighting device utilizes a pull cord, which is mechanically linked to a motor, to charge a power pack for on-demand illumination of at least one light-emitting diode. The lighting device employs circuitry which enables its use as continuous light source, a night light which illuminates automatically in low-light conditions, or an emergency light which illuminates automatically during power failure. The lighting device includes a power plug and may be stored or illuminated portably or as plugged into a power outlet. Built-in charging circuitry allows electrical recharging of the power pack to a maximum of 4 hours of usage, although the pull cord mechanism extends the possible usage time because it allows the power pack to be manually recharged at any time regardless of the level of stored charge available in the power pack. The lighting device requires only minimal effort to achieve maximum brightness, and two complete actuations of the pull cord can achieve maximum charge.

Abstract: A device may include a first connector configured to connect to a portable device and a second connector configured to connect to a power source. The device may also include circuitry configured to provide a first charging current to the portable device via the first connector when the second connector is connected to a power adapter coupled to a power outlet and provide a second charging current to the portable device via the first connector when the second connector is connected to a universal serial bus port of a host device.

Abstract: A battery charger is configured to use selective one of two or more power supplies including a commercial AC power supply and a DC power supply. An AC cable is fixedly secured to the body of the battery charger and a DC cable is detachably connected to the body of the battery charger. A single transformer is employed that has a first primary winding to which the AC power supply is connected a first switching element, a second primary winding to which the DC power supply is connected via a second switching element, and a secondary winding to which a battery pack to be charged is coupled.

Abstract: It is made possible to keep a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery in a charged state for a long period of time and minimize the degradation of the battery. A method for charging a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a cathode, an anode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte, includes: a first charging step of charging the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery at a first current value which increases the voltage of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery; and a second charging step of charging the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery at a second current value which decreases the voltage of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery. These two charging steps are repeated alternately.

Abstract: A method of determining the state of charge (SOC) of a rechargeable battery, the method comprising charging the battery using a substantially constant charge current; measuring the battery temperature; and conducting a first measurement of the battery voltage at a time interval, t1, from the start of the charging, and a second measurement of the battery voltage at a time interval, t2, from the first measurement.

Abstract: A generator set is provided with both a pin-on mount mechanism and a clamp-on mount mechanism for mounting the generator set to a container. Both the pin-on mount mechanism and the clamp-on mount mechanism are selectively positionable in either a deployed for use position or a stowed position. When the clamp-on mount mechanism is in the deployed for use position, the pin-on mount mechanism is positioned in a stowed position. When the pin-on mount mechanism is in the deployed for use position, the clamp-on mount mechanism is positioned in the stowed position.

Abstract: A circuit includes a voltage regulator (208) for outputting a voltage at a regulated level, a protection circuit (260), and a load circuit (210) coupled to the voltage regulator. The protection circuit includes means for preventing the voltage regulator from outputting a voltage at a level higher than the regulated level during a start-up period of the voltage regulator.

Abstract: A multi-transformer unit is operative for converting an input AC voltage at a first voltage level to a net output AC voltage at a second voltage level. The multi-transformer unit can be used in place of a conventional transformer or an AC machine and is designed to suppress the transfer of harmonics between the input and output AC voltages. The unit comprises at least two phase-shifting transformers, each transformer being operative to provide a phase shift relative to the first voltage level. On the primary side of the unit the transformers are arranged for independent connection to the first voltage level, whereas on the secondary side of the unit the transformers are linked such that voltage vectors on the secondary side of the unit are added together to at least partially cancel the harmonic pollution and give the net output AC voltage.

Abstract: A supply voltage is provided in an integrated circuit by retrieving an indicator from a storage device and generating a supply voltage for use by the integrated circuit, the supply voltage being regulated responsive to the indicator being in a first state and unregulated responsive to the indicator being in a second state. Alternatively or additionally, an external voltage provided to the integrated circuit is compared with a threshold. The supply voltage is regulated responsive to the external voltage exceeding the threshold level and unregulated responsive to the external voltage falling below the threshold level.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package (202) includes a voltage regulator (208) and a power-out pin (236) for coupling to a load circuit (210) via a connection (234) external to the integrated circuit package and for coupling to an output (230) of the voltage regulator via a connection (224, 228, 226 and 231) internal to the integrated circuit package. The internal connection has a series resistance that causes a voltage drop due to a load current. The voltage regulator compensates for the voltage drop in the internal connection using a current feedback circuit, in which the current fed back is proportional to the voltage drop caused by the series resistance of the internal connection.

Abstract: An overcurrent detection circuit (50 in FIG. 1) in a DC-DC converter is connected to a switching control circuit (1), and detects an inductor current flowing through an inductor (L) during the ON control of a switching element (Mn), so as to decide whether the inductor current has decreased down to a prescribed value. The switching control circuit (1) alters the switching timing of a control signal to extend the OFF state of a switching element (Mp) until the decrease of the inductor current to a predetermined magnitude is decided by the overcurrent detection circuit (50). Even when a delay is involved in an overcurrent detection operation, the DC-DC converter is still capable of overcurrent limitation.

Abstract: A current source contains a first switching element which is provided with a control input and is embodied and arranged in such a way that an output flow on an output side of a current source can be adjusted according to a control signal at the control input. The current source also contains a reference resistance that is electrically coupled to a first switching element in such a way that a potential difference above the reference resistance represents the output flow. The adjustment signal of a regulator unit depends on the voltage difference above the reference resistance, is the control signal of the first switching element, and contains a time function element which limits a first value of the output flow to a maximum duration and then reduces the value of the output flow.

Abstract: A stable high-precision current detection circuit capable of continuously detecting load current through a load with extremely reduced power loss. The current detection circuit has a power transistor and a current detection transistor that are fed with a common power supply voltage and a common switching signal. A buffer circuit is provided for supplying an idling current to the output node of the current detection transistor while realizing the same virtual potential at the output terminals of these transistors. Thus, the buffer circuit always functions as a class-A amplifier.

Abstract: To obtain a switching regulator which, when a load suddenly decreases, suppresses overshoot of output voltage without oscillating the output voltage is provided, even if being a current mode switching regulator, the present invention provides a semiconductor device for a switching regulator for converting input direct current voltage input from a direct current power supply to set direct current output voltage and outputting the output voltage from an output terminal, including: an overvoltage protection circuit for: comparing a target voltage with the output voltage at the output terminal; and making the output terminal in a discharge state when the output voltage exceeds the target voltage.

Abstract: A bandgap voltage reference circuit includes a bandgap voltage generation circuit that can produce a bandgap reference voltage in response to an activation voltage signal, a start-up circuit that can produce the activation voltage signal in response to one-shot voltage pulse and an one-shot pulse generator circuit configured to produce the one-shot voltage pulse. The start-up circuit can be automatically shut off after the one-shot voltage pulse.

Abstract: An IC current reference includes a reference voltage Vref, a current mirror, and a transistor connected between the mirror input and a first I/O pin and which is driven by Vref. A resistor external to the IC and having a resistance R1 is coupled to the first I/O pin such that it conducts a current Iref which is proportional to Vref/R1; use of a low TC/VC resistor enables Iref to be an accurate and stable reference current. The current mirror provides currents which are proportional to Iref, at least one of which is provided at a second I/O pin for use external to the IC. One primary application of the reference current is as part of a regulation circuit for a negative supply voltage channel, which can be implemented with the same number of external components and I/O pins as previous designs, while providing superior performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supplying power to an independent active component and to assembly comprising a rolling bearing and an independent electronic system (8) comprising at least one active component, wherein said assembly comprises at least one area displaying the variations of at least one state during the bearing rotation. Said assembly is characterised in that said area is provided with a substrate (9) comprising means (10) for converting said variations into electric signal, the electronic system is mounted on the substrate (9) together with the active component electrically communicating with the conversion means (10) by means of a signal operating device which is integrated into the system and is used for converting the electric signal into current required for electrically feeding said active component.

Abstract: A multi-channel current regulator includes two or more channels, each channel acting as a current source or sink for a respective load. Each channel regulates its load current so that the load current is proportional to an input voltage supplied to the channel. An operational amplifier is shared between the channels. Each channel is selected in a rotating sequence for connection to the amplifier. As each channel is selected, a two-phase refresh cycle is initiated. During the first phase, the output of the amplifier is charged until it substantially matches the drive voltage of the selected channel. This is followed by the second phase where the output of the amplifier is adjusted until the load current of the selected channel is proportional to a set voltage Vset.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sag-swell generator for generating power signal with sag, swell and outage for use in testing custom power devices. The sag-swell generator comprises: a supply voltage unit for providing a supply voltage; a variable voltage adjusting unit for controlling the supply voltage according to a voltage ratio; a variable voltage-side switch unit selectively connected to the variable voltage adjusting unit; a transformer-side switch unit composed of dual switches connected anti-parallel to each other; and a transformer, a primary side of which being connected to the transformer-side switch unit and a secondary side of which being serially connected to a load and a (?) terminal of the supply voltage.

Abstract: A sensitivity of a cumulative chemical/physical phenomenon detecting apparatus is improved. Prior to transferring charges at a sensing section to a floating diffusion section, the charges remaining at the sensing section are removed from the sensing section by a potential barrier formed between the sensing section and a charge injection adjusting section.

Abstract: A spectrum analyzer that measures a signal component for every frequency of an input signal includes a local signal generating section generating a local signal having a designated frequency, a multiplying section outputting a synthesized signal obtained by multiplying the local signal with the input signal, a band-pass filter through which a signal component having a prescribed frequency band of the synthesized signal is passed, an A-D conversion section outputting a digital output signal obtained by sampling and digitalizing the passed signal component, a spectrum generation section that passes a signal component within a measured frequency range of the input signal through the band-pass filter and generates a first frequency spectrum based on the digital output signal acquired from the signal component passed through the band-pass filter, and an elimination section generating a frequency spectrum free of noise based on the first frequency spectrum generated by the spectrum generation section.

Abstract: A three-phase current sensor for measuring currents (IPH1, IPH2, IPH3) running in three conductors of a three-phase conductor system comprises a first magnetic measuring device (D1) and a second magnetic measuring device (D3). Each magnetic measuring device comprises a magnetic circuit provided with at least two interleaf gaps and a magnetic field sensor arranged in each interleaf gap. The magnetic measuring devices (D1, D3) are positioned on both sides of a central conductor or cavity, thereby enabling a central conductor to be inserted in such a way that one of three phases of the conductor system is formed.

Abstract: A test and measurement apparatus is provided including a control panel. The control panel is removable and user-replaceable with an alternate control panel. The control panel can be connected to the test and measurement apparatus or to a generic local computing device to control and interact with the test and measurement apparatus.

Abstract: Various concepts and techniques are disclosed for measuring the voltage of a power source. An apparatus includes a voltage metering circuit and a transformer having a first winding coupled to the voltage metering circuit and a second winding for coupling to a power source.

Abstract: A stiffening connector assembly and methods of use are provided herein. In some embodiments a stiffening connector assembly includes a connector configured to be coupled to a substrate; and a mechanism coupled to the connector and configured to restrict rotational movement of the connector with respect to the substrate when coupled thereto. The mechanism may further provide a lateral degree of freedom of movement in a direction substantially parallel to the substrate.

Abstract: A pair of interlocking electrical test probes, each probe having an interlocking end which mates or can be easily joined together with the other's end such that the pair of test probes can be operable with one hand when their respective interlocking ends are joined together. The pair of interlocking electrical test probes also capable of being operated separately or independently, one in each hand when in the unjoined state. When joined together, the pair of interlocking electrical test probes are free to pivot about their interlocked or mated ends, thus allowing the distance between their contact points to be varied while being held in one hand, therefore freeing up an electrician's or technician's other hand to hold a meter, flashlight, schematic or for some other purpose.

Abstract: A pusher for a match plate of a test handler is disclosed which assists a tester to test the produced semiconductor devices. The pusher includes: a body part installed to an installation plate; and a pushing part that extends forward from a front side of the body part, for pushing a semiconductor device placed on an insert of a test tray. The pusher forms: an air through hole that extends through from a rear side of the body part to the front side of the pushing part, for guiding air of a certain temperature, supplied to the rear side of the body part from a duct, to be supplied to the semiconductor device; and at least one or more air outflow holes that extend through from at least one side of the pushing part and communicate with the air through hole, for allowing part of the air supplied from the duct through the air through hole to flow out to a test site. The pusher can reduce the temperature deviation of semiconductor devices at the test site.

Abstract: A Hall-effect sensor assembly (1) for measuring linear movements and a Hall-effect sensor (3) as well as at least one magnet (4) that moves relative to the Hall-effect sensor (3) or vice versa, where according to the invention two magnets (4 and 5) are provided at a predetermined spacing and between the magnets (4 and 5) there is a spacer (6) of magnetically conductive material.

Abstract: An indicator element for a magnetic rotation angle sensor having a field probe for generating a sensor signal in response to a geometric position of the indicator element relative to the field probe is disclosed. The indicator element has a permanent magnet with an annular cross-section having a plurality of segments, magnetization of the segments being in different directions so that a homogeneous magnetic field is formed in an inner region of the indicator element into which the field probe is arranged. At least two segments exhibit radial or diametrical magnetization and at least two segments exhibit lateral magnetization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of orientation measurement by a magnetic field generating apparatus and a magnetic field receiver apparatus by using one or more coils, respectively. Said coils transmit or receive at least one magnetic field being modulated by a frequency, respectively; thereby said apparatus provides a specific arrangement to said coils like e.g. a planar one to determine the relative orientation of said apparatus to each other.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the location of a remote object using a magnetic tracking sensor. The system and method include locating a magnetic core (132) asymmetrically disposed within an induction coil (130) and operably connecting a single DC electrical circuit (136) to ends defining the induction coil (130). The DC electrical circuit (136) provides a DC current to the induction coil (130) while the induction coil (130) is disposed in an external AC magnetic field (108). The DC current adjusts the level of saturation of the magnetic core (132), and hence varies a response signal of the induction coil (130) disposed in the external AC magnetic field (108) to provide 6DOF magnetic tracking of the induction coil (130).

Abstract: A scale section is made of a magnetic material. A repeated pattern is recorded at a uniform pitch on the surface of the scale section. A sensor section is provided independently from the scale section. The sensor section is provided with a magnetic position sensor that reads the pattern, on a surface close to the surface of the scale section. Further, the sensor section is provided with a magnetic tilt sensor that detects a tilt between the surface of the scale section and the surface of the sensor section on which the position sensor is located. The magnetic position detector in which the scale section and the sensor section are separated from each other can be efficiently fixed to a detection target using the tilt sensor.

Abstract: A printed circuit board on which are laid out detection windings and an excitation magnetic flux detection winding formed of conductor patterns is disposed so as to be spaced a predetermined gap quantity from a binary cyclic random number sequence code plate which is rotatably disposed. A U-shaped exciting core on which an excitation winding is wound is disposed on the back surface side of the printed circuit board. The detection windings detect and output, as voltage values, reluctance changes as which excitation magnetic fluxes generated from the excitation winding fluctuate between this excitation winding and the concave/convex portion of the binary cyclic random number sequence code plate. Reduction of precision due to interferences between the excitation magnetic fluxes for detecting an absolute code and other excitation magnetic flux is thereby prevented.

Abstract: A liquid level detecting device includes a rotative member having a bearing portion and a stationary member having an axis portion. The axis portion is fitted to a hole of the bearing portion, thereby rotatably holding the rotative member. The rotative member is integrated with a displacement member. The stationary member is fixed with a detection unit to detect a displacement of the displacement member. The rotative member is connected with a float via an arm. The axis portion has an inserted portion inserted in the bearing portion and in contact with the bearing portion via a contact portion. The contact portion has a total area that is less than an area of an outer circumferential periphery of the inserted portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging method and device for nuclear magnetic resonance. On the one hand, the method provides an image coding by means of an additional field which has, for each point of a two-dimensional grating surface within the sample, a different field strength value that occurs only once, as is the case, e.g., in fields based on fractal, surface-filling and space-filling curves. On the other hand, the read-out of the resonance behavior of a sample along a space-filling and/or surface-filling curve can be provided. In the first variant, a magnetic resonance (MR) image with a single high-frequency excitation without a time-varying gradient can be recorded, which in turn advantageously prevents the sound generation associated therewith. In the second variant, the sounds generated during read-out are advantageously shifted to another frequency range in which the human hearing is less sensitive.