Patents Issued in March 22, 2016
-
Patent number: 9291656Abstract: A calibration device for sensing probes includes a housing; a test resistor within the housing; and probe holder by means of which the sensing probe's electrodes can be brought into electrical contact with the test resistor. The test resistor provides a known or a knowable test resistance between the sensing probe's electrodes. In an embodiment having a variable-resistance test resistor, the device includes an access point at which resistance across the test resistor can be measured using an ohm meter. Furthermore, the device includes one or more access points at which resistance, as measured by the sensing probe, can be measured using an ohm meter; using a monitoring device to which the sensing probe ordinarily is connected when in use; or, in some cases, using either.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.Inventor: Ralph Green
-
Patent number: 9291657Abstract: A hand-carriable measurement module of a virtual vector network analyzer including a housing; a test port mounted to the housing; a power and communication interface mounted to the housing; and a circuit disposed within the housing and coupled to the test port and the power and communication interface. The circuit is configured to transmit and receive test signals through the test port for measurement of a device under test; and transmit digitized signals representing the test signals through the power and communication interface to a user interface separate from the housing for presentation to a user.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Copper Mountain Technologies, LLCInventors: Sergey Aleksandrovich Zaostrovnykh, Vladimir Igorevich Ryzhov, Aleksandr Vladimirovich Bakurov, Igor Anatolyevich Ivashchenko, Alexander Isaac Goloschokin
-
Patent number: 9291658Abstract: A device can include a radio frequency (RF) signal input, a local oscillator (LO) signal input, a mixer to receive the RF signal and LO signal and translate a frequency of the RF signal based on the LO signal, a strobe pulsing component to provide a timed strobe pulse, and a second mixer to receive a leakage signal, LO signal, and timed strobe pulse, and also to translate a frequency of the leakage signal to baseband. The device can also include a coupling component configured to allow the leakage signal to pass between the mixers. An output signal output can provide a measured value of the leakage signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: TEKTRONIX, INC.Inventors: Donald J. Delzer, Gordon Alan Olsen
-
Patent number: 9291659Abstract: A system includes an antenna having a substrate and a plurality of antenna elements disposed on the substrate. A processing device is configured to measure an aperture function across an aperture of the antenna and determine whether at least one of the antenna elements is blocked based at least in part on the measured aperture function.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: James Paul Ebling
-
Patent number: 9291660Abstract: An apparatus includes a probe card, an alpha particle source and a shutter. The probe card includes a plurality of contact elements. The contact elements define a measuring position. The shutter is arranged between the alpha particle source and the measuring position. The shutter is movable between a closed position and an open position. When the shutter is in the open position, alpha particles from the alpha particle source reach the measuring position. When the shutter is in the closed position, the alpha particles are blocked from reaching the measuring position.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.Inventors: Elief Paffrath, Frank Schreiter
-
Patent number: 9291661Abstract: A monitoring circuit and a monitoring system for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protective device are disclosed herein. The monitoring circuit includes an oscillating unit, a signal processing unit and a comparator. The oscillating unit includes a first monitoring end and a second monitoring end. The first monitoring end is configured to be electrically connected to an ESD protective device. The second monitoring end is configured to be electrically connected to ground. When the first monitoring end is not electrically contacted to a user's body or the second monitoring end is not connected to ground, the oscillating unit is configured to output an oscillating signal. The signal processing unit is electrically connected to the oscillating unit, and is configured to output a first voltage according to the oscillating signal. The comparator is configured to compare the first voltage and a reference voltage, and correspondingly output an alarm signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: WISTRON CORP.Inventor: Chris Liu
-
Patent number: 9291662Abstract: Disclosed are a device and a method for detecting a reversed insertion of the SIM card into a SIM card socket unit in the terminal. The device includes a SIM card socket unit including a detection terminal that is disposed at a position to be contacted with a GND terminal of the SIM card, and when the SIM card is inserted, and outputs a voltage received from a contacted terminal of the SIM card. The SIM card socket unit having received the voltage from the detection terminal is transmitted to a controller as a SIM card insertion direction detection signal. When the SIM card insertion direction detection signal received from the SIM card socket unit is a reversed insertion detection signal, the controller is configured to inform the user that the SIM card is inserted in a reversed direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LtdInventors: Kyung-Up Kim, Je-Hyun Son
-
Patent number: 9291663Abstract: A system is provided to determine whether an insulating layer of an implanted lead is damaged.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: The Spectranetics CorporationInventor: Kenneth P. Grace
-
Patent number: 9291664Abstract: A device for avoiding spark discharge during high voltage testing of semiconductor components on semiconductor wafers, includes a pressure chamber provided for the semiconductor wafer in a sealed manner, and having a pressurized gas feed so that the interior thereof is subjected to overpressure and thus the sparking voltage for a spark discharge between contact faces is higher than the maximum test voltage to be applied. The pressure chamber is connected to a probe card including contact probes. The pressure chamber has a movable part, which is movable relative to the parts of the pressure chamber connected to the probe card. An air bearing in the gap between the pressure chamber and the semiconductor wafer holds the movable part of the pressure chamber in a sealed manner spaced from the surface of the semiconductor wafer. The movable part is pressed by a spring force towards the semiconductor wafer.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Inventor: Rainer Gaggl
-
Patent number: 9291665Abstract: A test structure of a semiconductor wafer includes a series of electrical units connected electrically in series output-to-input in an open loop configuration. The series of electrical units is configured to have alternating output voltages, such that each electrical unit is configured to output a voltage opposite an output voltage of a preceding electrical unit. Each electrical unit is configured to have an output voltage that alternates when an input voltage applied to a first electrical unit in the series of electrical units alternates.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.Inventors: Oliver D. Patterson, Zhigang Song
-
Patent number: 9291666Abstract: A detecting device includes a detecting part configured to detect a change in an object to be detected so as to output a detection signal, an amplifying part configured to amplify the detection signal output from the detecting part to output a first amplification signal, a reference voltage supply part configured to supply a reference voltage to the amplifying part, the reference voltage being input to the amplifying part to be output as a second amplification signal, a switching part configured to switch a connection between the detecting part and the amplifying part or a connection between the amplifying part and the reference voltage supply part based on a control signal input thereto, and a comparing part configured to compare a predetermined amplification factor in the amplifying part, with an amplification factor obtained from the second amplification signal so as to output the comparison result as a comparison signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO, MELEXIS NVInventors: Hiroshi Ueno, Kenji Kanemaru, Daisuke Mori, Francois Piette, Wouter Leten
-
Patent number: 9291667Abstract: An adaptive thermal control system maintains and regulates an accurate and stable thermal environment for a device under test. The adaptive thermal control system includes (i) pre-trigger communications from automatic test equipment (ATE) to automatic thermal control (ATC) allowing slow-responding ATC to start responding to an imminent thermal change before the thermal change occurs, (ii) a control profile which indicates to the ATC, prior to anticipated thermal change, that a change is imminent and the nature of the change over time. The generation and fine-tuning of the control profile can be done by two different methods (i) with the semi-automatic approach the tester does some pre-tests in order to determine a typical response profile which the test program then adjusts using adaptive techniques, (ii) With the fully automatic adaptive circuitries same typical response profile is algorithmically adjusted and utilized to control the ATC.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: ADVANTEST CORPORATIONInventors: David H. Armstrong, Mike Callaway
-
Patent number: 9291668Abstract: The invention relates to a tester apparatus of the kind including a portable supporting structure for removably holding and testing a substrate carrying a microelectronic circuit. An interface on the stationary structure is connected to the first interface when the portable structure is held by the stationary structure and is disconnected from the first interface when the portable supporting structure is removed from the stationary structure. An electrical tester is connected through the interfaces so that signals may be transmitted between the electrical tester and the microelectronic circuit to test the microelectronic circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Aehr Test SystemsInventors: Steven C. Steps, Scott E. Lindsey, Kenneth W. Deboe, Donald P. Richmond, Alberto Calderon
-
Patent number: 9291669Abstract: A semiconductor device, a test structure of the semiconductor device, and a method of testing the semiconductor device are provided. The test structure including a first pad and a second pad being separated from each other, and a first test element and a second test element connected between the first pad and the second pad, a first value of a characteristic parameter of the first test element being different from a second value of the characteristic parameter of the second test element, may be provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jin-Myoung Lee, Il-Kwon Lee, Jun-Woo Lee, Sang-Goo Jung, Kyoung-Mi Park, In-Ae Lee
-
Patent number: 9291670Abstract: A device includes an integrated circuit programmed with an operating surface equation. The operating surface equation may define an operating point as a function of operating voltage, operating frequency, and leakage current. The operating surface equation may be generated by fitting a surface equation to data for operating voltage and operating frequency versus leakage current for a plurality of test integrated circuits. An operating voltage of the integrated circuit at a given operating frequency may be determined by the operating surface equation and a leakage current value fused into the device.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Preminder Singh, Sung Wook Kang
-
Patent number: 9291671Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor integrated circuit in which a ring oscillator is formed by a variable delay circuit to cause the ring oscillator to oscillate (S2) at the test operation of the variable delay circuit and it is determined whether the variable delay circuit is normal or abnormal depending on whether the ring oscillator satisfies a predetermined monotonic increase condition (S6) and a predetermined linearity condition (S7).Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yasuyoshi Sunaga, Hideki Sakakibara, Yuko Ito, Tomoji Nakamura, Atsushi Hazeyama, Kozaburo Kurita, Koki Tsutsumida
-
Patent number: 9291672Abstract: A debug apparatus for debugging a chip under test with a plurality of pins is provided. The debug apparatus includes a processor for controlling the chip under test via a bridge device. The processor provides graphical data to indicate pin states of the chip under test when the chip under test is controlled by the processor.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Nuvoton Technology CorporationInventors: Xiaohui Chen, Xiaocheng Shen
-
Patent number: 9291673Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes: an output timing test unit configured to edge-trigger a pad output data applied from an input/output pad at a first timing and output the edge-triggered pad output data as output timing test data, during an output timing test mode, and a test output unit configured to receive the output timing test data and output the received output timing test data to a probe pad.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.Inventor: Ki Up Kim
-
Patent number: 9291674Abstract: A scan-testable integrated circuit includes first and second flip-flops. The first flip-flop includes first and second latches and the second flip-flop includes third and fourth latches and a logic circuit. During scan-shift mode of scan testing, the first flip-flop shifts a first bit of a test pattern into the second flip-flop. The first flip-flop then shifts a second bit of the test pattern into the second flip-flop. The logic circuit deactivates a clock signal provided to the third latch, which is a master latch, when the logic states of the first and second bits are equal. The output terminals of the third and fourth latches are retained at the logic state corresponding to the first bit, thereby reducing power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.Inventors: Sian Lu, Hao Wang
-
Patent number: 9291675Abstract: An integrated circuit or circuit board includes functional circuitry and a scan path. The scan path includes a test data input lead, a test data output lead, a multiplexer, and scan cells. A dedicated scan cell has a functional data output separate from a test data output. Shared scan cells each have a combined output for functional data and test data. The shared scan cells are coupled in series. The test data input of the first shared scan cell is connected to the test data output of the dedicated scan cell. The combined output of one shared scan cell is coupled to the test data input lead of another shared scan cell. The multiplexer has an input coupled to the test data output, an input connected to the combined output lead of the last shared scan cell in the series, and an output connected in the scan path.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventor: Lee D. Whetsel
-
Patent number: 9291676Abstract: We report methods relating to scan warmup of integrated circuit devices. One such method may comprise loading a scan test stimulus to and unloading a scan test response from a first set of logic elements of an integrated circuit device at a scan clock first frequency equal to a test clock frequency; adjusting the scan clock from the first frequency to a second frequency by a scan warmup unit, wherein the scan clock second frequency is equal to a system clock frequency; and capturing the scan test response by a shift logic at the scan clock second frequency. We also report processors containing components configured to implement the method, and fabrication of such processors. The methods and their implementation may reduce di/dt events otherwise commonly occurring when testing logic elements of integrated circuit devices.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Atchyuth K Gorti, Aditya Jagirdar, Bikash Kumar Agarwal, Eric Quinnell
-
Patent number: 9291677Abstract: Method and system that produce requisite drive signals to fully exercise and test electromechanical elements of a liquid rocket stage including solenoid valve drives, DC motor drives and actuator drive signals. The electrical driver tester includes a signal processor, power driver circuits, and A/D and D/A circuits to monitor and control the drive circuitry. Drive current is monitored and a signal proportional to the current is produced for the purpose of analyzing current profiles as part of the test regimen for the device under test. Actuator speed and positioning are controlled in real time with a tailored lead lag control algorithm implemented with digital signal processor hardware.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Advanced Testing Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Emery Korpi, Eli Levi, Peter F Britch
-
Patent number: 9291678Abstract: For each phase of a controller, a pair of semiconductor switches comprises a high side switch and a low side switch. A direct current voltage bus provides electrical energy to the semiconductor switches at a test voltage level less than a full operational voltage level. A measuring circuit is adapted to measure the direct current bus voltage. A data processor determines that a deficiency in a tested, related semiconductor switch is present if the measured direct current bus voltage decreases or collapses upon activation of a particular semiconductor switch in the same phase of the controller, or if other sequential test results indicate a deficiency. If the deficiency in the related semiconductor switch is present the processor may prevent the voltage supply from providing the full operational voltage to the direct current data bus to prevent damage to the motor or the controller, for example.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Whitney M. Aalund, Alan K. Gilman, Long Wu
-
Patent number: 9291679Abstract: After discharging has been stopped, a transient response component of the voltage remaining in the cell unit is calculated as an initial remaining voltage value (VDIFF) from the difference between the measured voltage value (CCVOFF[tC1]) and the open-circuit voltage value (OCVON:EST[tC0]). The open-circuit voltage value is thereafter estimated on the basis of the initial remaining voltage value, a predetermined time constant, and the measured voltage value during the interval in which discharge is stopped, with consideration given to the fact that the transient response component attenuates with a predetermined time constant.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: Akihiko Yamada
-
Patent number: 9291680Abstract: A circuit measures a cell voltage of a cell in a battery. The circuit includes a measurement circuit and a current generator. The measurement circuit includes a first terminal coupled to a positive terminal of a cell via a first resistive element and includes a second terminal coupled to a negative terminal of the cell via a second resistive element. The measurement circuit consumes a first current. The current generator generates a first compensation current according to the first current. The first current and the first compensation current flow from the positive terminal through the first resistive element to the first terminal. The measurement circuit calculates the cell voltage according to a first voltage difference between the first and second terminals when the first compensation current is disabled and according to a second voltage difference between the first and second terminals when the first compensation current is enabled.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: O2Micro Inc.Inventors: Xiaohu Tang, Guoxing Li
-
Patent number: 9291681Abstract: A monitoring apparatus and method of a battery contact point that autonomously measures contact resistances of a contact terminal for directly connecting a battery for charging/discharging and a circuit in a charge/discharge apparatus for charging/discharging a single secondary battery or a plurality of secondary batteries in series.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignees: LG CNS CO., LTD, HBL CORPORATIONInventors: Jeong Moog Kim, Hwan Hee Lee, Tae Hyoung Ryu, Dong Hoon Shin, Cheol Kyu Han
-
Patent number: 9291682Abstract: Provided is a degradation state estimating method which decreases degradation in a secondary battery caused by estimating the degradation state. The degradation state estimating method is a method of estimating the degradation state of a secondary battery, includes: controlling application of current to the secondary battery; obtaining, as measurement information, at least a voltage value of the secondary battery measured while the current is flowing through the secondary battery; and estimating the degradation state of the secondary battery, based on a model for estimating the degradation state of the secondary battery and the measurement information obtained in the obtaining. In the controlling, at least one of a current value of the current and duration during which a predetermined current value is maintained is determined according to a provisional degradation state of the secondary battery.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Tatsuto Kinjo, Seiya Miyazaki, Takahiro Kudoh
-
Patent number: 9291683Abstract: A power conversion unit includes a power converter and a controller coupled to the secondary or output stage of the power converter. The power conversion unit is configured to generate an output test voltage or current during a pre-start test period of the power converter, where the output test voltage or current is monitored to determine a converter fault condition. A method of operating a power conversion unit is also included.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Subarna Pal, Stephen C. Guthrie
-
Patent number: 9291684Abstract: A wireless field device assembly comprises a process sensor, a housing, a transmitter, and a power module. The process sensor is configured to monitor a process variable and produce a sensor signal. The housing encloses an interior space of the wireless field device. The transmitter is enclosed within the interior space, and is configured to process the sensor signal. The power module is configured to be housed in the interior space, and comprises an energy storage device, a connection to a local power source, and a processor configured to provide the transmitter with a diagnostic report of the energy storage device and the local power source.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Rosemount, Inc.Inventors: Chad Michael McGuire, Kelly Michael Orth, Theodore Henry Schnaare
-
Patent number: 9291685Abstract: A device for evaluating a magnetic field with an integrated circuit with a magnetic field sensor is provided, which has a first connection, a second connection, and a third connection led out from the housing. A signal conditioning circuit is connected to the magnetic field sensor. A control circuit generates a control signal for controlling the signal conditioning circuit based on a detected transmission signal with a detection circuit for detecting the transmission signal. The signal conditioning circuit generates an analog signal based on a sensor signal and based on the control signal. An evaluation circuit evaluates the analog signal and compares the analog signal to a default value to adjust the signal conditioning circuit via the digital transmission signal such that the analog signal corresponds to the default value.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Micronas GmbHInventors: Hans Joerg Fink, Martin Bayer
-
Patent number: 9291686Abstract: A residual magnetic flux estimation device 1 includes a DC power-source control device 11 which controls a DC power source 300 to apply a DC voltage across two terminals of a ? connection that is a secondary winding or a tertiary winding, a voltage measuring device 12 which measures a terminal voltage at the primary side of a three-phase transformer 200, a computing device 13 that determines a phase having a high voltage between the two phases other than the phase to which the voltage is applied, and a residual magnetic flux measuring device 14 that measures a phase-to-phase residual magnetic flux between the two phases other than the high-voltage phase, and estimates a measured value of the phase-to-phase residual magnetic flux as a maximum residual magnetic flux in the measurement-target three-phase transformer.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2011Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Keisuke Udagawa, Tadashi Koshizuka, Minoru Saitoh, Yoshimasa Sato, Hiroyuki Maehara
-
Patent number: 9291687Abstract: A semiconductor process and apparatus provide a high-performance magnetic field sensor with three differential sensor configurations which require only two distinct pinning axes, where each differential sensor is formed from a Wheatstone bridge structure with four unshielded magnetic tunnel junction sensor arrays, each of which includes a magnetic field pulse generator for selectively applying a field pulse to stabilize or restore the easy axis magnetization of the sense layers to orient the magnetization in the correct configuration. prior to measurements of small magnetic fields. The field pulse is sequentially applied to groups of the sense layers of the Wheatstone bridge structures, thereby allowing for a higher current pulse or larger sensor array size for maximal signal to noise ratio.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: EVERSPIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Bradley Engel, Phillip Mather
-
Patent number: 9291688Abstract: An RF coil device and an MRI apparatus allowing a connection relationship between input RF channels and output RF channels to be controlled by a smaller number of switch elements are provided. The RF coil device includes multiple coil segments and a multi-selection switch. Input terminals of the multi-selection switch are each connected to a different coil segment. An output terminal of the multi-selection switch leads to an RF output channel. A control terminal of the multi-selection switch is used to receive a control signal so as to select a coil segment for connection to the output terminal. Multiple coil segments connected to the input terminals are not in consecutive positions, and the number of coil segments by which any two of the multiple coil segments are spaced apart is no fewer than the maximum number of coil segments required for one MRI imaging less 1. The MRI apparatus includes the RF coil device.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Weng Ming Li, Jian Min Wang, Lan Wang, Zhi Bin Li
-
Patent number: 9291689Abstract: A receive apparatus in a strong magnetic alternating field is disposed in a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) system. The MRT system includes at least one receive apparatus for a magnetic resonance high frequency (MR-HF) signal. The receive apparatus includes a receive coil element for receiving the MR-HF signal, an optical modulator, in which an electrical control input is coupled to the receive coil element, and an optical output for outputting an output signal of the modulator. The optical modulator forms an optical demodulation device for the MR-HF signal. The optical modulator is coupled to a laser light source via an optical input that is configured to generate a laser light. A light intensity of the laser light varies periodically with a predetermined frequency.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Stefan Popescu
-
Patent number: 9291690Abstract: Molecular structures of organic molecules in a geological formation are determined. The organic molecules may include kerogen, coal, and/or other organic molecules. In particular, the technique implemented may operate to convert nuclear magnetic resonance data into a multi-dimensional space that permits identification of molecular structures through comparisons of intensity information across the multi-dimensional space with a cutoff map of the space. This may not only simplify the identification of molecular structures of the organic molecules, but also use exact mathematical model for mixture samples to derive both structural and dynamic parameters plus their variation.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Marcus Oliver Wigand, Boqin Sun
-
Patent number: 9291691Abstract: A method of exciting nuclear spins in a body, the method comprising the steps of: (a) immerging said body (PB) in a static magnetic field (B0) for aligning nuclear spins along a magnetization axis (z), said static magnetic field being substantially uniform over at least a volume of interest (VOI) of said body; (b) exposing said body, or at least said volume of interest, to a time-varying magnetic field gradient having components (Gx, Gy, Gz) directed along at least three non-coplanar directions (x, y, z) and to a transverse radio-frequency field (B1), whereby said time-varying magnetic field gradient defines a three-dimensional trajectory in k-space constituted by segments linking discrete points (kT1-kT9), and said transverse radio-frequency field deposits radio-frequency energy along at least part of said trajectory for flipping said nuclear spins by a same predetermined flip angle, independently from their position within said volume of interest.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Commissariat a l'Emergie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesInventors: Alexis Amadon, Martijn Cloos
-
Patent number: 9291692Abstract: The present invention relates to a blood-brain barrier recovery curve assessment method which uses a focused ultrasound dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI technique, in order to obtain a permeability constant of drug. Furthermore, the present invention, using a double exponential distribution function mathematical model, can estimate the actual physiological recovery curve of the blood-brain barrier. Meanwhile, the present invention also provides a monitoring system for the blood-brain barrier permeability.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: NATIONAL YANG-MING UNIVERSITYInventors: Feng-Yi Yang, I-Fang Chung, Sheng-Yao Huang
-
Patent number: 9291693Abstract: The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a main magnet to generate a static magnetic field in an imaging region, a gradient coil assembly to form a gradient in the static magnetic field, a radio frequency (RF) coil assembly to apply a first RF pulse and second RF pulse with respect to n (n?2) slice regions located at different positions in the imaging region, to excite atomic nuclei of the slice regions, and a controller to control the RF coil assembly to apply a first RF pulse and second RF pulse having a first center frequency f0 to a first slice and to apply a first RF pulse having a second center frequency f0+fs1 and a second RF pulse having a third center frequency f0?fs1 to a second slice.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Hyun Wook Park, Ye Ji Han
-
Patent number: 9291694Abstract: Some embodiments can concern a method of using an electrical sensor device. The method can include: determining a first current measurement of a first current in an electrical power infrastructure and a first phase angle measurement of the first current; determining that a first load is coupled to the electrical power infrastructure; while the first load is coupled to the electrical power infrastructure, determining a second current measurement of a second current in the electrical power infrastructure and a second phase angle measurement of the second current; and using a Kalman filter to determine one or more first calibration coefficients for the electrical sensor device at least in part using the first current measurement, the second current measurement, the first phase angle, and the second phase angle. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Belkin International, Inc.Inventors: Yael G. Maguire, Karthik Yogeeswaran
-
Patent number: 9291695Abstract: A device provides location information to assist in identifying the location of RF sources. Antenna arrays coupled to corresponding receivers supply signals to a direction of arrival computation block, and the direction information is used to provide a display showing the location of the RF source.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Peter Q. Oakley, John Paul Hittel
-
Patent number: 9291696Abstract: A photovoltaic system including a photovoltaic cell, and an electronic module connected to the photovoltaic cell. The electronic module is adapted to produce at least one control signal indicative of electrical power being generated by the photovoltaic cells. A tracking controller is adapted to receive the control signal(s) and based on the control signal(s), the controller is adapted to control a tracking motor for adjusting the system so that electrical power generated by the photovoltaic cells is increased. The photovoltaic system may include an optical element, adapted for concentrating solar light onto the photovoltaic cells. The electronic module preferably performs direct current (DC) to direct current (DC) power conversion and maximum power point tracking by electrical power, current, or voltage at either their inputs or their outputs.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Meir Adest, Guy Sella, Lior Handelsman, Yoav Galin, Amir Fishelov
-
Patent number: 9291697Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are described for applying, based on angles of arrival of source components relative to the axes of different microphone pairs, a spatially directive filter to a multichannel audio signal to produce an output signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Lae-Hoon Kim, Erik Visser
-
Patent number: 9291698Abstract: According to an embodiment, a wireless communication device includes a detector to detect a mobile object by referring to sensing information; a first communicating unit to communicate mobile object information, which is related to a detection result of the mobile object, with another wireless communication device; a first calculator to calculate a moving path of the mobile object between wireless communication devices by referring to the detection result of the mobile object and mobile object information received from the other wireless communication device; a second communicating unit to communicate movement information, which is related to the moving path of the mobile object, with the other wireless communication device; and a second calculator to calculate distances between wireless communication devices that are dependent on the number of times of movement in the moving path by referring to the calculated moving path and movement information received from the other wireless communication device.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Tomoki Watanabe, Tatsuo Kozakaya, Ryuzo Okada, Yoshihiro Oba, Mitsuru Kanda, Seijiro Yoneyama, Yasuyuki Tanaka, Takaomi Murakami
-
Patent number: 9291699Abstract: Systems and methods for locating one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are provided. A phase difference of received information signals of illuminated RFID tags is utilized to locate the RFID tags. One or more exciters transmit interrogation signals to illuminate the RFID tags in which the exciters may have a plurality of antenna selectively configured to transmit through two or more antennas and to receive on one antenna. Multiple reads of the same RFID tag can also be performed to generate a probability model of the location of the RFID tag. An enhanced particle filter is applied to probability model to determine the exact location of the RFID.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Mojix, Inc.Inventors: Ramin Sadr, Scott Stephens, Christopher Jones
-
Patent number: 9291700Abstract: Systems and methods including a database storing the identifiers of cells representing residential parcels of real estate properties. Mobile devices determine the coordinates of their locations during a period of time using a location determination system, such as a global positioning system. The coordinates are converted to cell identifiers to look up corresponding residential parcels that have been visited by the mobile devices. A server generates a visitation data set for each residential parcel visited by each mobile device, including different types of frequencies of the mobile device visiting the residential parcel (e.g., night, weekend). A server filters the residential parcels based on visitation frequencies to identify home candidates and then further filters the home candidates based on the count of mobile devices having the home candidates. A home parcel, and thus its address, is identified from the filtered home candidate(s) for each mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: NinthDecimal, Inc.Inventors: Elena Rose, Mark Christopher Dixon, Kevin Toshio Ching, Veronica Milenkiy
-
Patent number: 9291701Abstract: Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of determining a relative-location of a mobile device. For example, a proximity estimator may receive input information of at least first and second sets of one or more wireless communication devices corresponding to first and second mobile devices, respectively, and may determine a relative location of the first mobile device with respect to the second mobile device based on a relationship between the information of the first and second sets.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2011Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: INTEL CORPORATIONInventor: Ophir Shabtay
-
Patent number: 9291702Abstract: An apparatus for indicating the location of a signal emitting tag. The apparatus includes signal detectors, control logic, and at least one light producing device. The control logic activates the light producing device in response to receiving data from the signal detectors. After activation, the light producing device illuminates the location of an individual that is near the point of origin of a signal that was detected by the signal detectors.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.Inventors: Daniel T. Bajema, Joseph P. Edgar, Jeffrey R. McCallum, Thuan Q. Nguyen, Socheat Sou
-
Patent number: 9291703Abstract: A terminal is provided, which has a near-field communication module suitable for receiving signals from a transponder fitted with a circuit presenting a load impedance. The terminal includes a receiver suitable for receiving a first signal relating to the load impedance of the transponder (T3). The terminal obtains a second signal from the first signal and determines a position indication of the terminal relative to the transponder and based on analysis of the second signal. The terminal delivers a third signal that is a function of the determined position indication.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: OrangeInventors: Houssem Assadi, Philippe Levionnais
-
Patent number: 9291704Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adjusting wireless-derived positions of a mobile station using a motion sensor are presented. One method includes estimating a position of a mobile station based upon wireless signal measurements and measuring a movement of the mobile station using a relative motion sensor. The method further includes detecting a displacement of the mobile station based upon the measured movement, determining that the displacement is below a threshold and then adjusting the estimated position of the mobile station using information from the relative motion sensor. An apparatus includes a wireless transceiver, a relative motion sensor, a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver and the relative motion sensor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores executable instructions and data for causing the processor to execute methods for adjusting wireless-derived positions using a motion sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Vinay Sridhara, Alok Aggarwal, Ayman Fawzy Naguib
-
Patent number: 9291705Abstract: A signal processing device is provided. The device includes a signal input unit for receiving reception signals obtained from transmission signals reflecting on one or more objects, a pulse compressor for pulse compressing the reception signals, an interference detector for detecting a reception signal caused by interference, from the pulse-compressed reception signals, a signal level controlling module for controlling a level of the detected reception signal, and an interpolation processing module for interpolating the level-controlled reception signal in an azimuth direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: FURUNO ELECTRIC COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Kazuya Nakagawa, Yasunobu Asada