Patents Issued in April 9, 2013
  • Patent number: 8416013
    Abstract: Circuits, and methods for reducing standby leakage power in Integrated Circuit (ICs) are disclosed. In an embodiment, an IC includes a core circuit, a first switch and a second switch, where the first switch is coupled between a power terminal of the core circuit and a power supply and the second switch is coupled between a ground terminal of the core circuit and a ground supply. The first switch and the second switch are configured to power ON and OFF the core circuit. The IC includes a first feedback circuit configured to control ON and OFF states of the first switch based on voltage at the power terminal, and a second feedback circuit configured to control ON and OFF states of the second switch based on voltage at the ground terminal of the core circuit during the standby mode for maintaining the logic state of the core circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Dharmesh Kumar Sonkar, Shahid Ali
  • Patent number: 8416014
    Abstract: A switched capacitor notch filter for sampling an input signal using multiple sampling capacitors during multiple non-overlapping time periods. The charge from one set of sampling capacitors is averaged and transferred to the filter output during one non-overlapping time and the charge from another set of sampling capacitors is averaged and transferred to the filter output during a second non-overlapping time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Hernan D. Romero
  • Patent number: 8416015
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes: a first transistor; a second transistor having a higher withstand voltage than the first transistor, a source of the second transistor coupled to a drain of the first transistor, a gate of the second transistor coupled to a source of the first transistor; a third transistor having a higher withstand voltage than the first transistor and a drain of the third transistor coupled to a drain of the second transistor; and a comparator that compares a source voltage of the first transistor with a source voltage of the third transistor, and controls a gate voltage of the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Chikara Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8416016
    Abstract: A system includes a modulator for receiving an input signal, modulating the received input signal, and generating a digital signal, an H-bridge controller for receiving the digital signal and generating control signals, an H-bridge circuit for receiving the control signals and operating based on the received control signals so as to output an analog signal to a load, and a common-mode error determination circuit for generating an error signal indicating at least one of an error of a common-mode voltage and an error of a common-mode current of the H-bridge circuit. The H-bridge controller receives the error signal and generates the control signals based on the received digital signal and the received error signal so as to reduce variations in at least one of an average of the common-mode voltage or an average of the common-mode current of the H-bridge circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Matamura Atsushi
  • Patent number: 8416017
    Abstract: A circuit for reducing noise in Class D amplifiers has a power stage voltage control means (17, 21, 22) responsive to defined signal conditions of the audio signal input (1). The power stage voltage control means is operative to lower the voltage at the supply voltage input (31) of the amplifier's switching power output stage (30) upon the detection of a defined condition in the audio signal input such that the Class-D amplifier operates at reduced voltage (“idles”) during the defined audio input signal condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Meyer Sound Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Kohut, Peter L. Winship, Peter Kowalcyzk, Steven Metz, Kurt Keown
  • Patent number: 8416018
    Abstract: A variable frequency amplifier includes a main amplifier system 4 for amplifying one of signals into which an input signal is split by a directional coupler 3 to output the amplified signal, and an injection amplifier system 9 for adjusting at least one of the amplitude and phase of the other one of the signals into which the input signal is split by the directional coupler 3 according to a setting provided thereto from outside the variable frequency amplifier, and for amplifying the other signal and injecting this amplified signal into an output side of the main amplifier system 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Yamauchi, Hidenori Yukawa, Akira Inoue, Atsushi Yamamoto, Koichi Fujisaki, Hiroomi Ueda
  • Patent number: 8416019
    Abstract: A digitally-controlled analog gain circuit supports a plurality of gain settings in which gain changes are made from a first setting to a new setting in response to a clocking signal. Large changes in gain are interpolated in small gain steps or increments. The clocking signal can be generated by an oscillator, or as a sequence of pulses output by a zero crossing detector. The gain circuit can apply positive gain to the signal. Alternatively, the gain circuit can apply a negative gain (attenuation) to the signal. The clocking signal can be provided in a pseudo-randomized manner to minimize unwanted signal effects such as discernable sound transients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: THAT Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Moses, Leslie B. Tyler, Christopher Hanna
  • Patent number: 8416020
    Abstract: A switching amplifying method or a switching amplifier for obtaining one or more than one linearly amplified replicas of an input signal, is highly efficient, and does not have the disadvantage of “dead time” problem related to the class D amplifiers. Said switching amplifying method comprises the steps of: receiving and pulse modulating the input signal for getting a pulse modulated signal; switching at least one switch to get a pulsed voltage from a direct current voltage according to the pulse modulated signal; keeping the energy transmission to the output signal during the switching off period of said switching via using at least one free-wheeling diode means; conducting said pulsed voltage positively or negatively to a filter according to the polarity of the input signal via a switching power transmitting unit; filtering said pulsed voltage conducted from the switching power transmitting unit for outputting the output signal by the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Wen-Hsiung Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8416021
    Abstract: An amplifier circuit may include an input differential pair that includes a first transistor and a second transistor, a positive input voltage being supplied to a gate terminal of the first transistor, a negative input voltage being supplied to a gate terminal of the second transistor, a first resistor that generates a differential current corresponding to a differential voltage between the positive input voltage and the negative input voltage, an output differential pair that includes a third transistor and a fourth transistor, a negative output voltage being supplied from a drain terminal of the third terminal, a positive output voltage being supplied from a drain terminal of the fourth terminal, a second resistor that is connected to a reference voltage, the differential current generated by the first resistor being supplied to the second resistor, and a bias circuit that supplies a constant bias current to the first, second, third, and fourth transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Takei
  • Patent number: 8416022
    Abstract: A power amplifier device that satisfies both delivering a high output and reducing the chip area occupied by the power amplifier device. Over a substrate, are primary inductors arranged in a generally circular geometry, a ground pattern, transistor pairs, and a secondary inductor. The ground pattern extends from a portion of a region inside the circular primary inductor into regions outside the primary inductor, and grounded at a plurality of points in the regions outside the primary inductor. The primary inductors are coupled to the ground pattern through transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kawakami, Kazuyasu Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8416023
    Abstract: System and method for compensating for changes in an output impedance of a power amplifier uses an impedance compensating circuit with an impedance inverter coupled to the power amplifier. The impedance inverter of the impedance compensating circuit is configured such that an output impedance of the impedance inverter is proportional to the inverse of the output impedance of the power amplifier to compensate for changes in the output impedance of the power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Freerk van Rijs, Alexander Otto Harm
  • Patent number: 8416024
    Abstract: An amplifier having an operating frequency includes: an input port and an output port; three gain elements, each having an input terminal and an output terminal; an input matching network; and an output matching network. The input matching network includes: a first microstrip line which is connected to the input port and is an inductor at the operating frequency; a second microstrip line extending between the input terminals of the three gain elements; and a first split shunt capacitor connecting the first microstrip line to the second microstrip line. The output matching network includes: a third microstrip line which is connected to the output port and is an inductor at the operating frequency; a fourth microstrip line extending between the output terminals of the three gain elements; and a second split shunt capacitor connecting the third microstrip line to the fourth microstrip line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Wireless IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kohei Fujii
  • Patent number: 8416025
    Abstract: A reference assisted control system and method thereof are disclosed. The method comprises: receiving a first input signal and a second control signal; generating a first intermediate signal in accordance with a difference between the first input signal and the first output signal; filtering the second control signal to generate a second intermediate signal; performing a weighted sum of the first intermediate signal and the second intermediate signal to generate the control signal; and outputting the first output signal in accordance with the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Chia-Liang Lin, Chao-Cheng Lee
  • Patent number: 8416026
    Abstract: A nanoscale serpentine ribbon is used to produce electromagnetic radiation by accelerating charge carriers as constrained along a serpentine path defined by the ribbon so that curve portions of the ribbon promote acceleration-induced emission of electromagnetic radiation by the charge carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert H. Blick, Max G. Lagally
  • Patent number: 8416027
    Abstract: A vibrator element includes: a base having a mounting surface; a vibrating arm which is extended from the base and has a first surface and a second surface that faces the first surface and is positioned on the mounting surface side, and which performs flexural vibration in a direction normal to the first and second surfaces; and a laminated structure which is provided on at least one of the first and second surfaces of the vibrating arm, and which includes at least a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, in which the vibrating arm is warped toward the mounting surface side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teruo Takizawa
  • Patent number: 8416028
    Abstract: To provide a voltage controlled oscillator having small size and capable of obtaining a low phase noise characteristic over a large span of adjustable range of frequency. A quartz crystal having a characteristic (dielectric loss tangent: tan ?) better than that of fluorocarbon resin, LTCC or the like conventionally used as a substrate of a resonance part, and on which a fine pattern of metal film can be formed through a photolithography method, is used as a quartz-crystal substrate, and a conductive line is formed on the quartz-crystal substrate to form an inductance element in the resonance part. Accordingly, since the resonance part having a high Q value can be formed, it is possible to obtain a voltage controlled oscillator having small size and low loss over a wide frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichiro Yamakawa, Kazuo Akaike, Tatsunori Onzuka, Toshimasa Tsuda, Mikio Takano, Yasushi Yamamoto, Susumu Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 8416029
    Abstract: The invention provides a transmission noise suppressing structure and a wiring board capable of suppressing a transmission noise transferred through a power supply line, stabilizing a power supply voltage, and reducing signal transmission line cross talk transmitted through the power supply line or a ground layer without being affected by a resistive layer. A transmission noise suppressing structure includes a power supply line and a signal transmission line arranged apart from each other on the same surface; a ground layer arranged apart from the power supply line and the signal transmission line; and a resistive layer arranged apart from the power supply line and the ground layer. The resistive layer has an area (I) which faces the power supply line and an area (II) which does not face the power supply line. The resistive layer and the signal transmission line are apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kawaguchi, Kazutoki Tahara, Tsutomu Saga
  • Patent number: 8416030
    Abstract: An impedance tuner may include a shunt stub located at a fixed location along the transmission media, and a phase shifter to control the reflection phase. Another embodiment includes an adjustable length shunt stub connected on the transmission media, a variable phase shifter connected between the DUT port and the adjustable length shunt stub, a probe arranged for movement in a direction transverse to the direction of signal propagation. Another embodiment includes a reflection magnitude control system mounted in a fixed position relative to a direction of signal propagation along the transmission media, and a phase shifter to control a reflection phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Maury Microwave, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Simpson
  • Patent number: 8416031
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for a multiple pole multiple throw (MPMT) RF switch device based on composite left and right handed (CRLH) metamaterial structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hollinworth Fund, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alexandre Dupuy, Vladimir Penev, Vaneet Pathak, Ajay Gummalla
  • Patent number: 8416032
    Abstract: A semiconductor switch includes a main line, branch lines branching from the main line at the same branch point, switching devices shunt-connected between one of the branch lines and ground and operated so that the one of the branch lines is connected to and disconnected from ground, a main terminal connected to an end of the main line, and branch terminals connected to an end of one of the branch lines. The impedance of one of the branch lines, as seen from the branch point, is conjugately matched to the combined impedance of the main line and the rest of the branch lines, as seen from the branch point, the one of the branch lines transmitting an RF signal, and the rest of the branch lines blocking the RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Tsukahara
  • Patent number: 8416033
    Abstract: A compact multi-band hybrid ring (rat-race) coupler utilizing a ring of composite right-handed and left-handed (CRLH) transmission lines (TLs) and multiple ports, provides miniaturization and the ability to operate at arbitrary frequency bands unlike conventional couplers. The hybrid ring is made compact, such as by constraining phase delay contributions |?1|, |?2|?270°. The coupler can be used in many applications, for example as a mode decoupling network in a dual-band front-end MIMO system. The inclusion of a CRLH delay line is also described which alters the phase relationship of the signals and is particularly well suited for extending pattern diversity in response to frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Tatsuo Itoh, Pei-Ling Chi, Cheng-Jung Lee
  • Patent number: 8416034
    Abstract: A signal splitting apparatus comprises a micro-strip line, a first inductor and a second inductor. A first end and a second end of the micro-strip line are grounded via a first capacitor and a second capacitor, respectively. The first end and the second end of the micro-strip line are electrically coupled to a receiving part of a transceiver and a transmitting part of the transceiver, respectively. One end of the first inductor is coupled to the first end of the micro-strip, and the other end of the first inductor is electrically coupled to an antenna module and grounded via a third capacitor. One end of the second inductor is coupled to the second end of the micro-strip, and the other end of the second inductor is electrically coupled to the antenna module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ralink Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Shen Yi Liao, Shao Chin Lo
  • Patent number: 8416035
    Abstract: A multiband matching circuit of the present invention includes an inductive element having one end connected to an input terminal, a first switch having one end connected to the other end of the inductive element and the other end grounded, a capacitive element having one end connected to the input terminal, a second switch having one end connected to the other end of the capacitive element and the other end grounded, a first-band matching circuit that is connected between the other end of the inductive element and a first output terminal and performs impedance matching in a first frequency band, and a second-band matching circuit that is connected between the other end of the capacitive element and a second output terminal and performs impedance matching in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Fukuda, Hiroshi Okazaki, Shoichi Narahashi
  • Patent number: 8416036
    Abstract: A branching filter includes a longitudinally-coupled-resonator-type elastic wave filter having a balanced-unbalanced transformation function and the branching filter has excellent balance characteristics and a small size. The branching filter includes a ladder elastic wave filter chip and a longitudinally-coupled-resonator-type elastic wave filter chip. An antenna back-surface electrode and an antenna electrode pad are connected to each other via a first wiring provided in a wiring substrate. The antenna electrode pad and a longitudinally-coupled-resonator-type elastic wave filter are connected to each other via a second wiring provided on a piezoelectric substrate. The second wiring extends in a first direction and a first functional electrode and a second functional electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate are axisymmetrically arranged with respect to each other about a central axis that extends in the first direction of the second wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Takata, Yasuhiro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8416037
    Abstract: A phase shifter using a Bulk Acoustic Wave Resonators (BAWR) is provided. The phase shifter using a BAWR may use a property of a phase shift with respect to a frequency of the BAWR, and also use at least one capacitor, at least one inductor, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jea Shik Shin, Dal Ahn, Duck Hwan Kim, In Sang Song, Chul Soo Kim, Yun Kwon Park, Hyung Rak Kim
  • Patent number: 8416038
    Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device comprises a piezoelectric substrate (1), at least one inter-digital transducers (IDT) (2) provided on the piezoelectric substrate, at least one elongated electrode pad (4) electrically connected to the IDT, and at least one stud bump (5) disposed on the electrode pad such that an LC component of the surface acoustic wave device has a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 77 LLC
    Inventor: Kenichi Anasako
  • Patent number: 8416039
    Abstract: A solenoid arrangement for a starter motor includes a plunger configured to move in an axial direction and a coil positioned radially outward from the plunger. The coil is wound on a spool that includes a first end and a second end with a hub extending between the first end and the second end. A projection is positioned on the hub of the spool. The coil engages the projection in such a manner that a winding direction of the coil is reversed at the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Remy Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Michael D. Bradfield
  • Patent number: 8416040
    Abstract: In a joystick device, a rotation position detector for detecting a rotation position of a rotatable cylinder having one end coupled with a dial knob is provided between the cylinder and a case. The detector includes a drive gear provided around the cylinder, a rotary body which has a driven gear provided around its outer periphery and is in mesh with the drive gear, multiple magnets provided on the rotary body, and a magnetic sensor provided in the case to face one end portion of the rotary body to detect the rotation position of the cylinder based on positional change relative to the magnets along with rotation of the rotary body. Such arrangement enhances the degree of design freedom for arranging a magnetic sensor in the axial direction of the cylinder in detecting a rotation position of the cylinder by the sensor and reduces a necessary number of magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Toyo Denso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori Terao, Satoru Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8416041
    Abstract: A solenoid may include a core having a junction surface; a plunger having a junction surface and located adjacent to the core; a shading ring located proximate to an interface between the core junction surface and the plunger junction surface, the shading ring having an outside diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the core, and operable to produce a concentration of magnetic attraction within an annular range of the interface between a center of the interface and a location of the shading ring; wherein a contact region between the core junction surface and the plunger junction surface is substantially smaller than the respective junction surfaces and located proximate to the annular range of the concentration of magnetic attraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Anthony Freakes
  • Patent number: 8416042
    Abstract: To improve the cooling efficiency of a transformer operated in a wind power station, there is provided a cooling system comprising a transformer guard housing having a first opening for supply of a transformer cooling medium and having a second opening for discharge of the transformer cooling medium. Further, a first channel system supplies the transformer cooling medium to the transformer guard housing. A second channel system discharges the transformer cooling medium from the transformer guard housing. Through the provision of the cooling system, a controlled flow of cooling medium to the transformer accommodated in the transformer guard housing increases operative efficiency of the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Starkstrom-Geratebau GmbH
    Inventor: Arnold Schwaiger
  • Patent number: 8416043
    Abstract: A multi-phase coupled inductor includes a powder core material magnetic core and first, second, third, and fourth terminals. The coupled inductor further includes a first winding at least partially embedded in the core and a second winding at least partially embedded in the core. The first winding is electrically coupled between the first and second terminals, and the second winding electrically is coupled between the third and fourth terminals. The second winding is at least partially physically separated from the first winding within the magnetic core. The multi-phase coupled inductor is, for example, used in a power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Alexandr Ikriannikov
  • Patent number: 8416044
    Abstract: A reactor is composed of a coil and a core placed in the inside area and outer peripheral area of the coil in a container. The core is composed of magnetic powder, non-magnetic powder, and resin. The non-magnetic powder is composed of main component powder and low elastic modulus powder. The main component powder as a main component of the non-magnetic powder is made of one or more kinds of powder of a heat conductivity which is larger than that of the resin. The low elastic modulus powder is made of one or more kinds of powder of an elastic modulus which is smaller than that of the powder forming the main component powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, NEC Tokin Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Saka, Takashi Yanbe
  • Patent number: 8416045
    Abstract: A rare earth magnet is observed to function as a constant flux generator until coerced. To exploit this law, a Magnetic Power Converter is configured as a figure eight shaped balanced reluctance bridge where a rare earth magnet provides a source of constant flux employed as a working fluid. One side of the bridge drives an output coil and the other side is moderated by a toroid shaped control core acting as a variable reluctance shunt with respect to the magnet. Current in the control coil determines the rate and degree of flux variation across the bridge and therefore the resultant output voltage. Due to a mitigation of Lenz effect, full output loading is not reflected in the input; this property supports real power conversion efficiencies that may have wide applications in alternative energy and green energy generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: OnyxIP, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey S. Henning, III, David L. Priputen
  • Patent number: 8416046
    Abstract: To provide a reactor with which resin can fully be packed between a core and a coil with ease, and in which the core can easily be handled when the reactor is manufactured. The reactor includes: a coil 10 formed with paired coil elements 10A and 10B that are made of a spirally wound wire, the coil elements being coupled to each other in a paralleled state; internal core portions 22 that are fitted into the coil elements 10A and 10B to structure a part of an annular core 20; and exposed core portions 24 that are exposed outside the coil elements 10A and 10B to couple the internal core portions 22 to each other, to thereby form the rest of the annular core 20. The reactor includes an external resin portion that covers at least a part of an assembled product 1A made up of the coil 10 and the core 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouhei Yoshikawa, Shinichiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8416047
    Abstract: An inductive component for a DC/DC converter is made by transferring a copper track (2) from a copper substrate (1) to a first ferrite plate (3). A second ferrite plate (5) is attached by glue to the first ferrite plate so that the track (2) forms an inductor coil sandwiched between the two ferrite plates (3,5). One of the plates has holes (4) in registration with the terminals of the coil, and these holes are filled with solder (5) to provide externally accessible contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Wilhelmus Weekamp, Eric Cornelis Egertus van Grunsven, Hendrik Johannes Bergveld, Franciscus Adrianus Cornelis Maria Schoofs
  • Patent number: 8416048
    Abstract: An electronic component includes overlapping coils in a rectangular laminate to form a substantially annular orbit. The orbit passes about an intersection of diagonal lines of an insulator layer of the laminate and is divided into a first orbit portion and a second orbit portion by a straight line parallel to a short side of the insulator layer. When an orbit obtained by the axisymmetric movement of the first orbit portion relative to the straight line is defined as a third orbit portion, a part of the second orbit portion overlaps with a part of the third orbit portion, and the non overlapped portion of the second orbit portion is positioned closer to the intersection than the non overlapped portion of the third orbit portion. A via hole conductor is provided in a region outboard an outer side of the non overlapping portion of the second orbit portion and inboard an outer side of the non overlapping portion of the third orbit portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunori Tawa
  • Patent number: 8416049
    Abstract: A laminated ceramic component includes a ferrite magnetic layer and a glass ceramic layer made chiefly of borosilicate glass. The glass ceramic layer is laminated with the ferrite magnetic layer, and has an Ag inner conductor embedded inside. A microscopic region where aluminum and silver coexist is dispersed in the glass ceramic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Inuduka, Hironori Motomitsu
  • Patent number: 8416050
    Abstract: Two conducting wires are used in one embodiment of an inductor. Opposite ends of each of the conducting wires are connected to leader lines (terminals) shared by the conducting wires. Each of the conducting wires is wound to make half a round of an annular or ring-like magnetic substance. One of the conducting wires is wound around a lower half area of the magnetic substance to form one winding while the other conducting wire is wound around an upper half area of the magnetic substance to form another winding. In this manner, the distance between the leader lines can be increased to eliminate parasitic capacitance between the leader lines. The magnetic fluxes generated by current flowing in the two windings are in the same direction. Thus, it is possible to provide an inductor whose total parasitic capacitance is reduced. In other embodiments, additional conducting wires are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuaki Mino
  • Patent number: 8416051
    Abstract: A magnetic material constituted by a grain-compacted body comprising a plurality of metal grains made of a Fe—Si—M soft magnetic alloy (where M is a metal element more easily oxidized than Fe) and an oxide film formed on the surface of the metal grains; wherein there are bonding portions via the oxide film formed on the surfaces of adjacent metal grains and direct bonding portions of metal grains in locations where the oxide film is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Matsuura, Kenji Otake
  • Patent number: 8416052
    Abstract: The invention comprises an inductor configured for filtering medium and/or high voltage power. The inductor includes an inductor core formed of a plurality of coated magnetic particles, each of a majority of the coated magnetic particles including: a magnetic particle core and a non-magnetic coating about a corresponding magnetic particle core. The inductor optionally includes: (1) a main inductor spacer separating a first turn of a winding from a terminal turn of the winding and (2) a segmenting spacer separating two consecutive turns of the winding about said core. The inductor is configured to convert power into an output current, such as power of at least one thousand five hundred volts with an input current of at least fifty amperes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan
  • Patent number: 8416053
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a signal deviation module, a variation determination module, and a sensor diagnostic module. The signal deviation module receives a signal from a sensor monitoring an operating condition of an engine and determines a plurality of signal deviations. Each of the plurality of signal deviations is based on a magnitude of a difference between the signal at a first time and the signal at a second time. The second time is different than the first time. The variation determination module generates a variation value based on the plurality of signal deviations during a period. The sensor diagnostic module determines a state of the sensor based on the variation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Kurt D. McLain, Layne K. Wiggins, Wenbo Wang
  • Patent number: 8416054
    Abstract: A system and method for training a learning transceiver to a movable barrier system includes a learning transceiver that is configured for being trained to the movable barrier system. To provide ease of use to consumers, a user is able to train the learning transceiver to the movable barrier system without needing to push a button on a movable barrier operator or use a pretrained transmitter. To this end, a movable barrier operator is configured to transmit a transmission signal to the learning transceiver including a rolling access code, which is used to train the learning transceiver. To maintain the security of the movable barrier system and to restrict unauthorized users from accessing the movable barrier system, the movable barrier operator waits to transmit the transmission signal, including the rolling access code, to the learning transceiver until it has received an indication that a predetermined event occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: James Joseph Fitzgibbon
  • Patent number: 8416055
    Abstract: At a moveable barrier operator, parameters are adjusted. At a first time, the moveable barrier operator is configured with at least one parameter and adjustment of the at least one parameter is disabled until a predetermined identification signal is received. At a second time, the predetermined identification signal is received and the at least one parameter is responsively adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward T. Laird
  • Patent number: 8416056
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an entrance barrier comprising a barrier element movable between an open and a closed position, driving means, by which the barrier element can driven from one position to the other position respectively, a control unit, by which the driving means are controllable, and a sensor unit connected to the control unit. The invention also relates to a barrier element for the entrance barrier and to method for operating the entrance barrier. To provide a possibility of further improving the safety of persons in the area of entrance barriers beyond the mere passive safety of the entrance barrier, the invention proposes for the sensor unit to include a capacitive sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Scheidt & Bachmann GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Miller, Peter Höffges
  • Patent number: 8416057
    Abstract: A method and system for identifying an authentication status of a first item. An RFID reader transmits zero and a random number to a first RFID tag associated with the first item. The first RFID tag uses a hashing function to compute a hash (H1) of a concatenation of an identifier (Id1) of the first RFID tag, the random number, and a first secret key and sends the hash H1 to the RFID reader which then transmits the identifier Id1 and the random number to a second RFID tag. The second RFID tag uses the hashing function to compute a hash (H2) of a concatenation of the identifier Id1, the random number, and a second secret key and sends the hash H2 to the RFID reader. The authentication status of authentic or counterfeit is determined for the first item based on whether or not H1 is equal to H2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frederic Bauchot, Jean-Yves Clement, Gerard Marmigere, Pierre Secondo
  • Patent number: 8416058
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a method for biometric verification of a person is provided. The method may include detecting a biometric sample of a biometric characteristic of the person, and reading out a stored biometric feature from a data carrier and carrying out a comparison of the stored biometric feature with the detected biometric sample by means of a control unit; wherein at least one data area of the stored biometric feature is altered by means of disturbances, the control unit determines the altered disturbed data area of the stored biometric feature and omits the determined disturbed data areas during the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Marcus Janke, Peter Laackmann
  • Patent number: 8416059
    Abstract: A housing for a RFID system is provided including one or more radio frequency antennas, one or more RFID readers, and a central frame. The central frame supports the antenna(s) and reader(s) therein. The central frame includes a bollard, a frame portion, and a tile exterior composed of an impact-resistant plastic. The frame and tile exterior are protected by the bollard from forceful impacts to the central frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: R&R Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: John Rambadt, Barry Musteen, Russell Xanders, Tim Mills
  • Patent number: 8416060
    Abstract: A method and device enables reading radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in a localized area. The method according to one embodiment includes commencing transmission of an interference signal from a reader device (step 505). A command signal is then transmitted from the device while the interference signal is still being transmitted (step 510). The command signal instructs non-target RFID tags to not respond to an interrogation signal, and the target RFID tags do not process the command signal because the command signal is blocked by the interference signal. Transmission of the interference signal from the device is then stopped (step 515). The interrogation signal is then transmitted from the device after the interference signal is no longer being transmitted (step 520). Finally, a response signal is received at the device from the target RFID tags that enables the device to read only the target RFID tags (step 525).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Strzelczyk, Sean Connolly, Mark Duron
  • Patent number: 8416061
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for controlling a range of a radio frequency identification tag signal. The process identifies an operative range for the radio frequency identification tag signal of a radio identification tag. The process then selects a set of conductive paths in the radio frequency identification tag corresponding to the desired operative range. The set of conductive paths controls the range of the radio frequency identification tag signal in the radio identification frequency tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Selcuk S. Eren, Brian J. Jaeger, Douglas A. Law, Thomas S. Mazzeo, Paul A. Roberts, Shawn K. Sremaniak
  • Patent number: 8416062
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving RFID tag reading. The apparatus includes a substrate element having a predetermined active area, and a plurality of resonant elements each having a resonant frequency, a quality factor, and a response band. The resonant elements are distributed within the predetermined active area of the substrate element for scattering interrogation electromagnetic waves radiated thereupon from the RFID reader. At least one resonant element has a null-direction thereof orientated in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to a line extending from a center of the resonant element to a center of an antenna of the RFID reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy B. Austin