Patents Issued in January 6, 2015
  • Patent number: 8929007
    Abstract: A color filter and a manufacturing method thereof are provided, in which a stacked structure composed of several color film layers having different colors is formed in a non-transmitting partitioning region of the color filter in such a way that the stacked structure can prevent light from passing through the color filter via the partitioning region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignees: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd., Beijing BOE Display Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hongjiang Wu, Chongxi Wei, Yiming Chen, Seungmoo Rim, Xibin Shao
  • Patent number: 8929008
    Abstract: Systems and methods for testing magnetic media disks during manufacturing using sliders with temperature sensors are provided. One such method involves scanning a surface of a selected disk of a plurality of magnetic media disks using a slider including a magnetic transducer and a temperature sensor, counting a number of the surfaces scanned, determining, during the scanning, whether a threshold crossing event has occurred by determining whether a signal from the temperature sensor signal is not within a preselected range, counting, during the scanning, a number of threshold crossing events, storing, if the number of threshold crossing events is greater than a preselected events limit, the number of surfaces scanned, stopping, if the number of surfaces scanned is greater than a surfaces scanned threshold, the scanning, and returning, if the number of surfaces scanned is less than or equal to the surfaces scanned threshold, to scan a next selected disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: WD Media, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. O'Dell, Balvinder Singh
  • Patent number: 8929009
    Abstract: A data processing system is disclosed including a data decoder circuit, an error handling circuit and a syndrome checker circuit. The data decoder circuit is operable to apply a data decode algorithm to a decoder input to yield a decoded output, and to calculate a syndrome indicating an error level for the decoded output. The error handling circuit is operable to determine whether any errors in the decoded output involve user data bits. The syndrome checker circuit is operable to trigger the error handling circuit based at least in part on the syndrome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Shaohua Yang, Anatoli A. Bolotov, Chung-Li Wang, Zongwang Li, Shu Li, Mikhail I Grinchuk
  • Patent number: 8929010
    Abstract: A data processing system includes a digital data input operable to receive digital data, a digital data values input operable to receive values of the digital data, a loop pulse response estimation circuit operable to calculate a loop pulse response based on the digital data and the values of the digital data and based at least in part on past values of the loop pulse response, and a scaling circuit operable to scale the loop pulse response based at least in part on an absolute sum of the loop pulse response to yield a scaled loop pulse response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Rui Cao, Yu Kou, Xuebin Wu, Yang Han
  • Patent number: 8929011
    Abstract: A data processing system includes an analog to digital converter operable to sample an analog signal obtained from a magnetic storage medium to yield digital samples, and a sync mark detector operable to search for a particular one of a number of sync marks in the digital samples. Each of the data tracks on the magnetic storage medium is associated with one of the sync marks. The sync mark on each of the data tracks has a different pattern than the sync marks on neighboring tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Xiufeng Song, Eui Seok Hwang, George Mathew
  • Patent number: 8929012
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a low noise amplifier (LNA) configuration that compensates for DC offsets of incoming signals from a magnetoresistive head. According to various embodiments, the LNA includes a shunt-feedback differential pair of amplifiers adaptively biased according to a detected input DC voltage offset of the incoming signals from the magnetoresistive head. The LNA is thus enabled to amplify the AC signal component substantially unaffected by the DC offset. The DC component in the LNA output signal is then removable via offset compensating circuitry located between the LNA and subsequent stages without significant signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) penalty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Ross S. Wilson, Edwin X. Li
  • Patent number: 8929013
    Abstract: A storage system with pattern dependent write includes a magnetic write head, a magnetic storage medium, a read channel operable to process write data to be recorded on the magnetic storage medium by the magnetic write head, and a preamplifier operable to receive the write data and an associated clock from the read channel, to generate a pattern dependent write control signal based on a pattern in the write data and on the clock, and to set a write current level through the magnetic write head to a number of different current levels based on the pattern dependent write control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Angelo R. Mastrocola, David W. Kelly, Ross S. Wilson, Jason P. Brenden
  • Patent number: 8929014
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for integrating data and header protection in tape recording includes a processor and logic adapted to: provide a data array organized in rows and columns, each row of the data array including four interleaved C1 codewords (CWI-4), add a header to each row of the data array, each header including a CWI-4 Designation (CWID) which indicates a location of the CWI-4 within the data array, calculate ECC parity for at least one C1 codeword in each of the headerized rows, and modify the headerized rows to include the ECC parity, wherein each modified row includes four interleaved codewords, at least one codeword being a C1? codeword which includes ECC parity for a data portion of a C1 codeword and a portion of a header, wherein none of the CWIDs are split across multiple C1? codewords in a single modified row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roy D. Cideciyan, Robert A. Hutchins, Thomas Mittelholzer, Keisuke Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8929015
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a method for writing data to a tape in a tape drive while data successively accumulated in the buffer of a file system is transferred to the tape drive. The method includes detecting a wrap turn when data is being written to the tape; allocating buffer space including a storage capacity exceeding the amount of data to be stored in the buffer during the wrap turn; successively accumulating write data in the buffer space instead of the buffer during the wrap turn; resuming the accumulation of write data in the buffer after the wrap turn has been completed; and releasing the buffer space after the write data accumulated in the buffer space has been transferred to the tape drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Abe, Takashi Ashida, Setsuko Masuda, Yutaka Oishi
  • Patent number: 8929016
    Abstract: A magnetic recording head includes a magnetic writer comprising a main write pole and a return write pole. The magnetic recording head includes a write heater assembly comprising at least one first heater subassembly and at least one second heater subassembly. At least part of the magnetic write head is disposed between the first heater subassembly and the second heater subassembly. When the first heater subassembly, the second heater subassembly, and the magnetic writer are energized, a variation in the thermal protrusion of the head media interface of the magnetic recording head may be less than about 20 nm along the down track and/or cross track directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Kaizhong Gao, Raul Horacio Andruet, Xiaobin Wang
  • Patent number: 8929017
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, a data processing system is discussed that includes: an equalizer circuit, a signal to noise ratio calculation circuit, and a parameter adjustment circuit. The equalizer circuit is operable to equalize a data input to yield an equalized output. The signal to noise ratio calculation circuit is operable to calculate a signal to noise ratio of the equalized output based at least in part on a noise power derived from the equalized output. The parameter adjustment circuit is operable to adjust a parameter based at least in part on the signal to noise ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Haitao Xia, Ming Jin, Dahua Qin, Shaohua Yang
  • Patent number: 8929018
    Abstract: A disk array unit connected to a host unit to give information thereto and receive information therefrom. The disk unit includes a plurality of disk units for storing information transmitted from the host unit and a management information recording device, formed by utilizing information storage areas in the disk units, for causing information relating to a logical unit for storing information from the host unit to correspond to information relating to the units. The invention further includes a control unit, when there is no access from the host unit to the logical unit for a predetermined time, for determining the disk units corresponding to the logical unit based on information recorded in the management information recording device and performing power saving of power supply for the disk units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Hakamata, Kenichi Takamoto, Masaaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8929019
    Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, a read/write apparatus includes a read module and a positioning module. The read module reads data of a predetermined data track using a read head. The positioning module positions the read head in accordance with an index indicating how much the read head reads data of a neighboring data track of the predetermined data track when the read head reads data of the predetermined data track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Naoki Tagami, Masahide Kanegae
  • Patent number: 8929020
    Abstract: A tape drive is provided, which executes an optimum writing method even when overwrite is intervened between mixed read and write operations. When an overwrite command is received while executing the mixed operations, which writes to a predetermined tape position, when a tape position to overwrite on is encountered before the append-written data ending position of the tape (tape EOD), the overwritten tape position is regarded as the append-written data ending position of the tape (tape EOD) to update the tape EOD by the overwritten tape position. When a tape position to overwrite is encountered after the append-written data ending position of the tape (tape EOD), the overwritten tape position is updated by the append-written data ending position of a non-volatile memory (non-volatile EOD). The updating the EODs enhances the performance of the mixed read and write operations even when an overwrite command is intervening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Shiratori, Kohei Taguchi
  • Patent number: 8929021
    Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of spiral tracks, wherein each spiral track comprising a high frequency signal interrupted at a predetermined interval by a sync mark. An offset r0 representing a difference between an axial rotation of the disk and an axial rotation of the spiral tracks is estimated. Radial dependent timing compensation values are generated in response to the estimated r0. A phase error is generated in response to the sync marks in the spiral track crossings. A control signal is generated in response to the phase error and the radial dependent timing compensation values, and a frequency of an oscillator is adjusted in response to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiangang Liang, Wei Guo
  • Patent number: 8929022
    Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising, a head, a disk surface, and a dual stage actuator (DSA) servo loop comprising a voice coil motor (VCM) servo loop comprising a VCM and a microactuator servo loop comprising a microactuator operable to actuate the head over the disk surface. A frequency component of a servo signal in the DSA servo loop is evaluated, wherein the frequency component is based on a peak frequency of an error rejection curve of the DSA servo loop. A degradation of the microactuator is detected based on the frequency component of the servo signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yanan Huang, Shan Tang, Duc T. Phan, Chuanwen Ji, Alain Chahwan
  • Patent number: 8929023
    Abstract: In one embodiment, of inventory management for automated data storage libraries, a first subset of data storage cartridges is scanned and extracted from a multi-cartridge deep slot cell and transported to and filled into another multi-cartridge deep slot cell while maintaining tier order of the first subset. A second subset of data storage cartridges is scanned and extracted from the multi-cartridge deep slot cell and returned to its original multi-cartridge deep slot cell while maintaining tier order of the second subset. Other aspects are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard G. Jesionowski, Shawn M. Nave, Anh T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8929024
    Abstract: A system for storing data includes a rack, one or more data storage drive assemblies coupled to the rack, and a data control module coupled to the rack. The data storage drive assemblies include one or more drive mechanical modules configured to store data and one or more drive control modules coupled to the drive mechanical modules. The drive control modules control mechanical operations in the drive mechanical modules. The drive mechanical modules and the associated drive control modules are separable from one another without removing the other module from the at least one data storage drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Christopher Sorenson, III, Colin L. Lazier, Kestutis Patiejunas
  • Patent number: 8929025
    Abstract: A clamping device for coupling a rotatable component of a machine with a shaft, including a balance hole configured to confine a counterweight. The clamping device includes a circular plate. The circular plate includes at least one fastener hole configured to accept a fastener, and at least one balance hole. The fastener is configured to fasten the clamping device to couple the component with the shaft. The balance hole includes a cavity configured to accept a counterweight. The counterweight is configured to balance the rotational motion of at least the circular plate when the shaft is rotated. Moreover, the cavity is configured to confine the counterweight to an end of the cavity by effects of rotation of the shaft on the counterweight when the shaft is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Chisin Chiang, Antony Nguyen, Jr-Yi Shen
  • Patent number: 8929026
    Abstract: A base for a disk driving device includes a first bottom part including a region for movement of a recording head; a second bottom part including a mounting region of a component of a voice coil motor; a third bottom part which becomes a mounting region of a pivot bearing unit; and a fourth bottom part forming a peripheral portion of the third bottom part. The second and third bottom parts are partitioned by a rigidity reinforcing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae Young Choi, Il Geun Jeon
  • Patent number: 8929027
    Abstract: A magnetic write head for magnetic data recording that has a magnetic write pole and a magnetic side shield structure, wherein the flare angle and bevel angle of the write pole are different from the flare angle and bevel angle of the magnetic side shield structure. The magnetic side shield has a flare angle that is greater than that of the write pole, and has a bevel angle that is smaller than that of the write pole. This advantageously provides a strong write field, while also preventing adjacent track and far track interference. The write head can include a bi-layer non-magnetic side gap structure, wherein one layer of the bi-layer side gap structure has a uniform thickness and the other layer has a non-uniform thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Mikito Sugiyama, Hiromi Shiina, Kazue Kudo, Yasuhiro Wakabayashi, Shouji Tokutake
  • Patent number: 8929028
    Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic write head having a laminated trailing return pole structure that reduces magnetic eddy currents in the return pole for improved write head efficiency. The trailing magnetic return pole includes multiple magnetic layers. Each magnetic layer is separated from an adjacent magnetic layer of the return pole by a non-magnetic layer. The non-magnetic layer terminates at a region that is removed from the air bearing surface in order to allow contact between the magnetic layers at the ABS, thereby preventing stray magnetic fields from emitting from the magnetic layers of the write pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Wen-Chien D. Hsiao, Yimin Hsu, Jennifer Leung
  • Patent number: 8929029
    Abstract: A magnetic write head is fabricated with its main pole attached to and magnetically coupled to a tapered yoke. The tapered yoke can be a top yoke (on the trailing side of the pole), a bottom yoke (on the leading side of the pole) or a combination of top and bottom configurations. The tapered portion of the yoke is at the distal end of the yoke and it is an extension of an otherwise uniformly thick yoke. It is found that the taper enables the yoke to be close to the ABS for better response times and a high data rate, while simultaneously being distant, producing less field disturbance by the shields and corresponding improvement of BER, and ATE/WATE. A taper of 45° is optimal for its production of uniform magnetization of the pole and optimal response times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tai Min, Suping Song, Yuhui Tang, Lijie Guan
  • Patent number: 8929030
    Abstract: A writer includes a write element having a tip portion to generate a write field during a write operation and a conductive assembly that delivers a write assist current through the tip portion in a cross-track direction to generate a write assist field during the write operation that extends beyond a medium confronting surface located at the tip portion to lower a coercivity of a magnetic medium proximate to the write element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Chunhong Hou, Shaoping Li, John M. Wolf, Sining Mao
  • Patent number: 8929031
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a spin torque oscillator including an oscillation layer formed of a magnetic material, a spin injection layer formed of a magnetic material and configured to inject a spin into the oscillation layer, and a current confinement layer including an insulating portion formed of an oxide or a nitride and a conductive portion formed of a nonmagnetic metal and penetrating the insulating portion in a direction of stacking. The conductive portion of the current confinement layer is positioned near a central portion of a plane of a device region including the oscillation layer and the spin injection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akihiko Takeo, Satoshi Shirotori, Kenichiro Yamada, Katsuhiko Koui
  • Patent number: 8929032
    Abstract: In one implementation, the presently disclosed technology teaches an apparatus with a head attached to an end of a baseplate. The baseplate includes a tilted section that causes a torsion axis of the baseplate to pass near the head. In another implementation, the presently disclosed technology teaches an apparatus with a load beam attached to a baseplate. The apparatus also includes a head attached to an opposite end of the load beam from the baseplate. The baseplate includes a mass-shifted section that causes a torsion axis of the apparatus to pass through the head. In yet another implementation, the presently disclosed technology teaches a method for reducing baseplate resonance amplitude. The method includes shifting a baseplate mass on a suspension toward an adjacent disc surface to move a baseplate torsion axis to pass near a head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Michael Allen Greminger, Bradley Jay Ver Meer, Markus Erwin Mangold
  • Patent number: 8929033
    Abstract: A flexure resistant to windage effects present during operation of a hard disk drive is described. The flexure includes an end portion proximal to a slider. The flexure further includes an opposite end portion proximal to a tail of an actuator arm having swaged therewith a suspension. The flexure is interposed between the slider and the tail. The flexure also includes a flexure direction re-router. The flexure direction re-router has an inner radius and an outer radius. The outer radius of the flexure has greater rigidity than the inner radius. This greater rigidity provides resistance against the windage effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Wing Chun Shum
  • Patent number: 8929034
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a top shield, bottom shield, polarizer, nonmagnetic conductor layer, and a sensor stack having a first sensor layer. The sensor stack is positioned at a distance recessed from a first plane. The nonmagnetic conductor layer is positioned between the polarizer and the first sensor layer. A magnetization of the first sensor layer is arranged and configured to move in the same direction as a magnetization of the polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Scott Stokes
  • Patent number: 8929035
    Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element having a magnetoresistance effect film and a pair of electrode, the magnetoresistance effect film having a first magnetic layer whose direction of magnetization is substantially pinned in one direction, a second magnetization layer whose direction of magnetization changes in response to an external magnetic field, a nonmagnetic intermediate layer located between the first and second magnetic layers, and a film provided in the first magnetic layer, in the second magnetic layer, at an interface between the first magnetic layer and the nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and/or at an interface between the second magnetic layer and the nonmagnetic intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki Fukuzawa, Hiromi Yuasa, Hiromi Fuke, Hitoshi Iwasaki, Masashi Sahashi
  • Patent number: 8929036
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of electrical arc fault detection when high frequency (e.g., RF noise) is present is disclosed. The method includes determining if first arcing criterion is met, determining if delay criterion is met, implementing a delay for a delay period if the delay criterion is met, and determining if second arcing criterion is met. If the second arcing criterion is met, then a trip signal may be sent to trip the circuit breaker. In another aspect, the method includes determining if first arcing criterion is met, starting delay period if the first arcing criterion is met, determining if delay criterion is met, and if the delay criterion is met, determining if second arcing criterion is met. An arc fault detection apparatus adapted to carry out the methods, and systems including the arc fault detection apparatus are disclosed, as are various other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Amit Nayak, Hugh T. Kinsel
  • Patent number: 8929037
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor, separable contacts, an operating mechanism configured to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip circuit including a trip actuator configured to cooperate with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The circuit interrupter also includes a ground fault detection circuit configured to sense a difference between currents through the first and second electrical conductors and to output an output signal based on the sensed difference, a power supply configured to convert alternating current power from the first and second electrical conductors to a direct current power, and a processor configured to receive the direct current power and the output signal. The processor is also configured to determine whether a characteristic of the power supply is present in the output signal and to control the trip circuit based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Theodore Miller
  • Patent number: 8929038
    Abstract: A method and a device for safely switching a direct-voltage system, in particular a photovoltaic system, in the event of an arc occurring on a direct-current side. Wherein the generated direct current and the produced direct voltage are set with regard to power guidance. In the event of a sensor-detected arc, the power guidance is adjusted and a power change of the arc is detected. In the event of a power drop of the arc, a serial or parallel arc is detected according to the adjustment direction of the power guidance. In the event of a serial arc a direct-current interruption is produced, and in the event of a parallel arc a short-circuit current is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ellenberger & Poensgen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Strobl, Markus Miklis
  • Patent number: 8929039
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide for an electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamp. In one embodiment, the ESD clamp includes: a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR); and a trigger circuit for providing a tunable trigger voltage to turn on the SCR, the trigger circuit including a metal-insulator transition (MIT) material. The trigger circuit includes an MIT resistor that includes a width and a length that tunes the trigger voltage to a desired voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mohit Bajaj, Rahul Nayak, Edward J. Nowak, Rajan K. Pandey
  • Patent number: 8929040
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide for an ESD protection device for an SST transmitter. In one embodiment, the ESD protection device includes: a primary ESD protection structure at an output of the SST transmitter; and an additional protection ESD structure in parallel with a slice of the SST transmitter, the additional ESD protection structure including: a first device in parallel with a pull-up transistor network within the slice; and a second device in parallel with a pull-down transistor network within the slice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carrie E. Cox, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Junjun Li, Xingle Wang
  • Patent number: 8929041
    Abstract: An integrated circuit for an implantable medical device can include a substrate, a first capacitor, and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit. The first capacitor can include an electrically conductive lower polysilicon terminal and an electrically conductive upper polysilicon terminal that can be separated from the lower polysilicon terminal by a first capacitor dielectric material. The ESD protection circuit can include an ESD shunt transistor and a second capacitor. The ESD shunt transistor can be configured to be normally off, but can be configured to turn on and conduct between first and second power supply rails in response to an ESD event exceeding a specified ESD event threshold value. The second capacitor can includes a first substrate terminal and an electrically conductive second polysilicon terminal that can be separated from the first substrate terminal by a second capacitor dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, William J. Linder, Lance E. Juffer, Nicholas J. Stessman, Ron A. Balczewski
  • Patent number: 8929042
    Abstract: A surge protective device is disclosed that may include a comparator to determine when a line voltage of a line is above a threshold. The device may include a switch to couple a clamping device to the line voltage when the comparator determines the line voltage is above a threshold, wherein the clamping device shunts current from the line. The switch may include a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) or a thyristor and the clamping device may include a selenium surge suppression device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Erik Pfitzer, Martin William Guy
  • Patent number: 8929043
    Abstract: Provided is an over-voltage protection device for a resonant wireless power reception device. The over-voltage protection device includes a resonance signal receiver for receiving a wireless resonance signal transmitted from a wireless power transmission device, an over-voltage protector which is driven by a driver in an over-voltage protection operation to detune a resonance frequency of the reception device, thereby reducing reception power, the driver for driving the over-voltage protector according to a control signal in the over-voltage protection operation, and a controller for outputting the control signal for driving the over-voltage protector to the driver when it is determined that over-voltage occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yu-Su Kim, Joon-Il Kim, Se-Ho Park, Sung-Kweon Park
  • Patent number: 8929044
    Abstract: An overvoltage detection system includes a sensed voltage; an active reference module that generates an active reference signal having a magnitude that varies inversely with a magnitude of the sensed voltage; and a timed trip module that includes a resistor and capacitor, and detects an overvoltage condition as a function of the sensed voltage, the active reference signal, and time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Adrian E. Vandergrift
  • Patent number: 8929045
    Abstract: A delay protection circuit is installed between a power supply unit and a load of an electronic device, and includes a first capacitor and second capacitors. The delay protection circuit allows the supply of electric power to the load by the PSU, and detects power being output by the PSU. If the power output by the PSU exceeds a rated power of the load, the first capacitor becomes chargeable by the PSU, and the load is electrically disconnected from the PSU once a voltage on the first capacitor achieves a predetermined voltage level. The second capacitors are also available for charging by the PSU according to a difference between the power being output by the PSU and the rated power of the load to provide automatic adjustability of a delay time for the voltage on the first capacitor to achieve the predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-Lung Chiang
  • Patent number: 8929046
    Abstract: A DC distribution board comprises, therein as internal devices, a circuit breaker 5 provided along each of branch lines branched from main wires of a direct-current power supply, and a controller 6 for controlling switching of the breaker 5. The circuit breaker 5 comprises: power connecting terminals t1, t2 connected to the main wires; load connecting terminals t3, t4 connected with wires from a load; a semiconductor switch device 57 provided along an electrical circuit between the terminals t1, t2 and the terminals t3, t4; a current sensing resistor 56 for detecting an electric current through the electrical circuit; and a arithmetic circuit 60 for turning the device 57 on or off according to an on/off control signal from the controller 6, and coercively turning the device 57 off when a current value obtained from a voltage across the resistor 56 exceeds a set current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Cyuzawa, Hiroaki Koshin
  • Patent number: 8929047
    Abstract: A protection circuit provides transient protection to a solid state circuit of a line interface for wired telecommunications media at a voltage level below the power supply of the solid state circuit and prevents transient currents from entering the power supply distribution where they might cause damage to the protected interface and other circuits. The protection circuit uses a MOSFET, the gate of which is provided with a bias derived from a power supply of the solid state circuit being protected. The bias causes the MOSFET to be always on such that the MOSFET provides an immediate and high transconductance path to ground for transient currents from the line interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Guy Michael Porter
  • Patent number: 8929048
    Abstract: A device for suppressing very fast transients, applicable in protecting electric and/or electric power equipment, and especially transformers operating in electric power substations and in wind power plants, connected in a supply network circuit downstream of a circuit breaker and upstream of the protected equipment is disclosed. The device is a component of an induction character, comprising a high-frequency magnetic core arranged around the current-conducting lead. On the magnetic core is wound at least one winding with at least one pair of terminals used for connecting at least one damping resistor. The inventive device contains an insulating body in which there is a magnetic core, a damping resistor and a winding, or an insulating body in which there is a magnetic core together with a damping resistor, a winding and a section of a current-conducting lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Dariusz Smugala, Wojciech Piasecki, Grzegorz Bywalec, Magdalena Ostrogorska, Ole Granhaug, Pal Skryten
  • Patent number: 8929049
    Abstract: Provided is an ion wind generator capable of diversifying either or both of the amount of wind or wind direction. An ion wind generator is provided with a first electrode, a second electrode having a downstream area which is arranged at a position in a plan view shifted from first electrode towards the positive side in the x direction, and a dielectric between the first electrode and the second electrode. In a plane view, the distance (d) in the x-direction from a downstream side edge of the first electrode to the downstream side edge of the downstream area differs in the y-direction which is perpendicular to the x-direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Takashige Yagi, Tetsuya Tojyo, Hiroshi Makino
  • Patent number: 8929051
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for holding a wafer are provided in this disclosure. The wafer holding apparatus includes: an electrostatic chuck which has a plurality of zones arranged in a matrix; a plurality of power supply units, each of which is adapted to apply a voltage to the plurality of zones of the electrostatic chuck independently; and a control unit which is adapted to control each of the power supply units independently to start or stop applying the voltage to a corresponding zone of the electrostatic chuck. Surface flatness is improved when the wafer is chucked on the wafer holding apparatus according to the disclosure, and the risk of particles contamination can be reduced when the wafer is flattened and gets back into warpage from flatness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.
    Inventor: Emily Shu
  • Patent number: 8929052
    Abstract: A method of processing a substrate includes physically contacting an exposed conductive electrode of an electrostatic carrier with a conductor to electrostatically bond a substrate to the electrostatic carrier. The conductor is removed from physically contacting the exposed conductive electrode. Dielectric material is applied over the conductive electrode. The substrate is treated while it is electrostatically bonded to the electrostatic carrier. In one embodiment, a conductor is forced through dielectric material that is received over a conductive electrode of an electrostatic carrier to physically contact the conductor with the conductive electrode to electrostatically bond a substrate to the electrostatic carrier. After removing the conductor from the dielectric material, the substrate is treated while it is electrostatically bonded to the electrostatic carrier. Electrostatic carriers for retaining substrates for processing, and such assemblies, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dewali Ray, Warren M. Farnworth, Kyle K. Kirby
  • Patent number: 8929053
    Abstract: The present invention provides a direct-current current transformer, or DCCT, yielding bandwidth from DC to several MHz. The DCCT according to this invention is a simple, open-loop, device in which flux densities occur at very low levels, avoiding difficulties occasioned by core saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: William Henry Morong
  • Patent number: 8929054
    Abstract: A dielectric material is provided. The dielectric material includes at least one layer of a substantially continuous phase material. The material is selected from the group consisting of an organic, organometallic, or combination thereof in which the substantially continuous phase material has delocalized electrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Cleanvolt Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: John James Felten, Zakaryae Fathi, James Elliott Clayton, Joseph H. Simmons
  • Patent number: 8929055
    Abstract: A plug-on load center featuring snap-in or snap-on neutral rails that are retained securely in the load center on or between a dielectric barrier without requiring any fasteners and assembled by installing the dielectric components and neutral rail along the same direction orthogonal to a rear wall of an enclosure that houses the load center. The snap-in configurations feature dielectric barriers with fingers that create a snap-fit connection between the neutral rail and a shield member. The neutral rail is forced between the fingers, which separate and then snap back to their original position once the neutral rail is fully seated in the dielectric barrier. The snap-on configurations feature a neutral rail that is snapped onto the dielectric barrier and retained in the load without any fasteners. The barrier can include retention members that snap-fit into corresponding features of the neutral rail when it is installed onto the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason D. Potratz, David R. Pearson, William J. Broghammer
  • Patent number: 8929056
    Abstract: An electronic device of the present invention includes: a first case and a second case that are oppositely provided in a slidable manner; and a flexible flat cable that is provided in a state of having a U-shaped bend portion in a gap between the cases, and connects circuit substrates respectively housed in the cases, on a facing surface of at least one case among facing surfaces of the cases, a step that pushes up the flexible flat cable from the facing surface of the one case to the gap side is provided, and the step is provided in a region of non-contact with the U-shaped bend portion which is displaced in a sliding direction of the cases during sliding operation of the cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kensuke Mikami
  • Patent number: 8929057
    Abstract: It is disclosed an apparatus comprising a casing for a portable electronic device. The casing comprises: an opening configured to accommodate a signal connector; at least one magnet configured to provide magnetic interaction; a cap configured to cover the opening in a closed position and to expose the opening in an open position; and a seal arranged to seal the opening when the cap is in a closed position. The cap is fixed to the closed position through the magnetic interaction between the casing and the cap as provided by said at least one magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
    Inventors: Visa Rauta, Hannu Onnela