Patents Issued in June 21, 2016
  • Patent number: 9372458
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a fixing unit having a film and a heater in contact with the inner surface of the film, an electrical breakdown may occur in the protection layer of the heater, when a surge voltage is applied to a power supply line connected to the heater. An arrester is provided on a power supply line connected to the heater of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoji Misao, Kazunari Nishimoto, Kazushi Nishikata, Shotaro Yoshimura, Tomoya Kuruma
  • Patent number: 9372459
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer image forming portion configured to form a developer image on a recording medium; a fixing portion configured to fix the developer image to the recording medium; a transportation portion configured to transport the recording medium to form a second image on the recording medium; and a transportation speed setting portion configured to set a transportation speed of the recording medium when the fixing portion fixes the developer image to the recording medium. The transportation speed setting portion sets a first transportation speed when the first image is fixed to the recording medium and a second transportation speed when the second image is fixed to the recording medium according to first developer used for forming the first image and second developer used for forming the second image. The first transportation speed is different from the second transportation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: OKI DATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daitetsu Amada
  • Patent number: 9372460
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a correction unit configured to correct image data based on a correction condition; an image forming unit configured to form an image based on the image data corrected by the correction unit; a measurement unit configured to measure a measurement image formed by the image forming unit; an update unit configured to control the correction unit to correct measurement image data based on the correction condition, control the image forming unit to form the measurement image based on the corrected measurement image data, and update the correction condition based on a measurement result and reference data corresponding to the measurement image; and a control unit configured to control whether or not to convert a measuring result of a target measurement image by the measurement unit to target reference data corresponding to the target measurement image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhito Shirafuji
  • Patent number: 9372461
    Abstract: A transmission unit transmits an ultrasonic wave by a drive signal being supplied to two terminals. A reception unit receives the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmission unit and to output a reception signal from two terminals in accordance with the received ultrasonic wave. A change unit changes a determination scheme for determining a type of a recording medium, based on information indicating a relation between a polar character of the transmission unit and a polar character of the reception unit, the information having been acquired from the reception signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yamamoto, Tsutomu Ishida
  • Patent number: 9372462
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a movable image bearing member, a transfer member, a constant voltage source for applying a transfer voltage and a returning voltage to the transfer member, an executing portion capable of selectively executing an operation in a first mode in which image formation is executed at a first speed and an operation in a second mode in which the image formation is effected at a speed slower than the first speed, and a setting portion for setting a falling time from transfer voltage falling start timing toward the returning voltage until a current flowing through said transfer member is zero. The setting portion sets the falling time in the operation in the second mode so as to be longer than the falling time in the operation in the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuya Ohta
  • Patent number: 9372463
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, where, at suitable positions in a power supply path of a first heat generating member and a second heat generating member which can be switched to a series connection condition and a parallel connection condition, there are arranged a current detection section including a circuit which detects a current subjected to rectification of a positive half wave and a circuit which detects a current subjected to rectification of a negative half wave, and an applied voltage detection section including a circuit which detects a voltage subjected to full-wave rectification. Consequently, in the image forming apparatus which can be used in locations using different power supply voltages, failure of the apparatus can be detected, and reliability of the apparatus can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Shimura
  • Patent number: 9372464
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance section (1) includes a roller (3a), a roll (3b), and a pressing member (5). The roller (3a) and the roll (3b) carry a sheet (P) by sandwiching the sheet P. The pressing member (5) presses the roll (3b) against the roller (3a). The roll (3b) is supported so as to be movable independently of the pressing member (5) on condition that the pressing by the pressing member (5) is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9372465
    Abstract: A recording-material cooling device is disposed downstream from a fixing device in a transport direction of a recording material. The fixing device includes a fixing member and a pressing member to fix an unfixed toner image on the recording material. The recording-material cooling device includes a first cooling unit disposed at a same side as the pressing member relative to the recording material, a second cooling unit disposed at a same side as the fixing member relative to the recording material, and a third cooling unit disposed at the same side as the pressing member relative to the recording material. The first cooling unit, the second cooling unit, and the third cooling unit are arranged in an order of the first cooling unit, the second cooling unit, and the third cooling unit from upstream to downstream in the transport direction of the recording material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Ikeda, Tomoyasu Hirasawa, Yutaka Shoji, Kenji Ishii, Takeshi Watanabe, Susumu Tateyama, Hiroaki Miyagawa, Hiromitsu Fujiya
  • Patent number: 9372466
    Abstract: A cleaning blade lubricant including an acicular shape lubricant is provided. The cleaning blade lubricant is applied to a cleaning blade of an electrophotographic printing device for improving the cleaning performance of a cleaning blade of an electrophotographic printing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael F Zona, Juan A Morales-Tirado, Samir Kumar
  • Patent number: 9372467
    Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus that suppresses occurrence of image deletion in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment and provides good toner cleanability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ishida, Masahiko Kurachi, Hokuto Hatano, Kazunori Kurimoto
  • Patent number: 9372468
    Abstract: An open/closed sensing device includes an opening and closing member, a member that receives the opening and closing member when the opening and closing member is closed, at least one magnetic force holder on one of the opening and closing member and the receiving member and that includes a conductive holding frame and a magnet held in the holding frame so as to magnetize the holding frame, a conductive to-be-attracted member that is disposed on a portion of the other one of the opening and closing member and the receiving member, the portion corresponding to the magnetic force holder, and to which the holding frame is attracted when the opening and closing member is closed, and a sensing circuit that connects in series the holding frame and the to-be-attracted member and that electrically senses whether the holding frame and the to-be-attracted member are in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ken Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9372469
    Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus that includes an image forming section which forms an image on a recording medium, and an opening/closing portion which is opened outward; and a recording-medium storage device that stores a recording medium to be fed to the image forming section, the recording-medium storage device being formed separately from the image forming apparatus and having a space allowing the opening/closing portion to be opened outward when the recording-medium storage device is connected to the image forming apparatus so as to cover the opening/closing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunimasa Kawamata, Taku Kiyomasa, Yuji Otsuka, Hiroshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9372470
    Abstract: The apparatus includes first and second terminals, an electrical conductor placed around at least the second terminal, a first current applying unit, an abnormal circumstances determining unit, a second current applying unit, and an informing unit. The first current applying unit applies current between the first terminal and the second terminal. The abnormal circumstances determining unit determines whether there is an abnormal circumstance at the connection between the apparatus and the unit side circuit, under the condition that the current is applied by the first current applying unit. The second current applying unit applies current between the first terminal and the second terminal, in case that the abnormal circumstances determining unit determined that there is not an abnormal circumstance of the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yohei Yamada, Toru Kasamatsu, Mikiyuki Aoki, Kouei Cho
  • Patent number: 9372472
    Abstract: A system for order alignment of diffractively produced images is provided. The system comprises: a diffractive spatial light modulator (DSLM) configured to provide a computer generated hologram of an image; a substantially coherent light source configured to illuminate the DSLM which responsively produces the image along each of different diffractive order paths; and, at least one set of optical components located along respective diffractive order paths of the DSLM, the at least one set of optical components configured to align at least one respective image diffracted from the DSLM with at least another diffracted image at a common image plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: CHRISTIE DIGITAL SYSTEMS USA, INC.
    Inventors: Simon Guthrie, Michael Perkins, John Domm, John M. Nieminen
  • Patent number: 9372473
    Abstract: A timepiece mechanism including a movable component oscillating about a rest plane passing through a pivot axis. An arbor of the movable component includes a main protruding portion which forms the largest radius of the movable component about this axis. The protruding portion is delimited by two surfaces defining a profile inscribed in a rectangle whose shape proportion is greater than 2 wherein the direction of the length defines a main axis, which occupies a determined angular position with respect to the rest plane in the rest position of the movable component. The mechanism has a preferred direction of magnetization that is substantially orthogonal to the main axis of the arbor in the rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Alain Zaugg, Davide Sarchi, Nakis Karapatis, Marco Verardo
  • Patent number: 9372474
    Abstract: An external piece for a time piece and a method of manufacturing the same, including a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one of the faces includes a longitudinal curvature and a transverse curvature that are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Comadur S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Tassetti, Gilles Derriey, Patrice Dumont
  • Patent number: 9372475
    Abstract: In a lighting system, each lamp has a wireless circuit that realizes: a time measuring unit measuring the elapsed time period since the lamp is turned on by a wall switch; a specifying unit specifying a plurality of electrical devices wired to the wall switch according to the elapsed time period measured by each time measuring unit; an identification information assigning unit assigning same identification information to the plurality of lamps specified by the specifying unit as being wired to the same wall switch; and a registration unit registering a Net-ID of a remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsumi Setomoto, Toru Okazaki, Tamotsu Ando
  • Patent number: 9372476
    Abstract: A system construction supporting apparatus searches through, when receiving an input for arranging a component on the system configuration diagram anew, association information in which combinations among components connectable to one another are described and extracts a component connectable to a component selected by the input, connects a display object of the selected component and a display object of the extracted component each other and arranges the display objects, and independently moves, when receiving an input for moving one of a plurality of display objects connected to one another and arranged on the system configuration diagram (Yes at step S53), the display object designated by the input while deforming a connection line connecting the display object designated by the input and another display object connected to the display object while maintaining a connection relation between the display objects by the connection line (steps S60 to S62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nakata, Masayuki Ueno, Hiroyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9372477
    Abstract: An environmental monitoring device that includes a switching mechanism is described. During operation of the environmental monitoring device, the switching mechanism (such as a switch) selectively electrically couples a first electrical-connection node and a second electrical-connection node. For example, using the switching mechanism, an electronic device that is electrically coupled to the first electrical-connection node may be selectively electrically coupled to a second electronic device that is electrically coupled to the second electrical-connection node. The selective electrical coupling may be based on one or more measurements of an environmental condition in an external environment that includes the environmental monitoring device. Moreover, a sensor mechanism in the environmental monitoring device may provide sensor data based on the one or more measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Leeo, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam M. Gettings, Andrew G. Stevens, Bjorn H. Hovland, Yi Zheng, Lucas Ivers, Nina S. Joshi
  • Patent number: 9372478
    Abstract: A control system for a power application is provided, including a control module and a configuration tool. The control module is in communication with the power application. The control module includes control logic for controlling the power application by a plurality of frame states. All of the frame states are executed within a period of time referred to as a frame rate. The control module includes control logic for allotting an adjustable amount of time for each of the frame states. The configuration tool is in communication with the control module. The configuration tool includes control logic for modifying the adjustable amount of time of each of the plurality of frame states without modifying the frame rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Harry Paul Ridenour, III, Sunil Keshava, Raghavendra Rao Perampalli Nekkar
  • Patent number: 9372479
    Abstract: A system for operating a plurality of energy consuming devices is provided. The system includes a database storing at least one device driver. The at least one device driver is for operating at least one device controller. At least one of the device drivers includes a database layer interface and a device layer interface. The system also includes a network interface coupling the database with a network. The network is coupled to the at least one device controller, and the database is adapted to transmit the device layer interface over the network to the at least one device controller. The at least one device controller controls a first energy consuming device of the plurality of energy consuming devices. A method for operating a plurality of energy consuming devices is provided that includes storing in a database at least one device driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Omniboard, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Louis Phillips, Michael Bradley Martin, Andrew Manzo
  • Patent number: 9372480
    Abstract: A method and system for configuring at least one communication interface module in a control or automation system includes a communication interface module for coupling at least two field bus systems. At least one first functional unit integrated in the communication interface module implements a connection to a configured superordinate controller via a first communication link on the basis of a first field bus protocol. At least one second functional unit integrated in the communication interface module implements a connection for field devices via a second communication link on the basis of a second field bus protocol. At least one further, third functional unit integrated in the communication interface module is configured to connect further field devices via input and/or output functionalities integrated in the communication interface module, and at least one serial interface integrated in the communication interface module can be used to configure the communication interface module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Stefan Gutermuth, Gernot Gaub, Brigette Blei
  • Patent number: 9372481
    Abstract: An encoder includes a measurement target which is coupled to a motor, a module which is positioned relative to the measurement target and generates signals based on motion of the measurement target, and a control device which generates and outputs position data based on the signals from the module and includes a position detector, an abnormality detector, a cause analyzer, a non-volatile memory, and a non-volatile memory controller. The position detector detects a position of the motor, the abnormality detector detects an abnormality based on state information including a state of the position detector, the cause analyzer analyzes the state information when the abnormality detector detects the abnormality such that a cause of the abnormality detected by the abnormality detector is identified, and the non-volatile memory controller stores in the non-volatile memory a result of analysis obtained by the cause analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Matsutani
  • Patent number: 9372482
    Abstract: Methods for predicting a machine event are described. In one aspect, a method includes receiving data for current events for the machine, and determining whether the data for the current events is within operational limits. The method also includes, when the data for the current events is within operational limits, determining, using a predetermined model, whether an anomaly exists, and generating an alert including information on the anomaly when the anomaly exists. Systems and machine-readable media are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Rikkola, Anubhaw Bhushan, Shashikiran Gudur, Brian Raba
  • Patent number: 9372483
    Abstract: A method for the calculation of flight paths taking into consideration events of relevance for the radiation dose comprises the following steps: a) collection of radiation data for atmospheric radiation (10); b) examination of the radiation data and conclusion about an event of relevance for radiation dose generating a temporary increase in exposure; c) creation of a model using the radiation data, wherein the model contains at least one estimate of the geographical location of a region with a radiation intensity increased by the event of relevance for radiation dose; d) determination of flight-relevant parameters; e) calculation of a possible flight path in the light of the flight-relevant parameters taking into consideration the model created in step c), wherein the flight path is adjusted in respect of a reduction of exposure to radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Daniel Matthia, Matthias Meier, Michael Wirtz
  • Patent number: 9372484
    Abstract: The present invention relates to automated guided vehicles, hereinafter referred to as AGVs, and specifically to AGVs used for entertainment purposes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a safety system for a passenger carrying AGV used for entertainment purposes. The present invention acts to prevent a passenger carrying automated guided vehicle from deviating from its intended path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: RoboCoaster Limited
    Inventor: Gino Daniel De-Gol
  • Patent number: 9372485
    Abstract: A flow rate control device, including: a body including first and second ports for supplying and discharging pressurized fluid; a set of first and second solenoid valves connected to an upper part of the body and selecting a state of flow of the pressurized fluid; and an opening/closing valve for increasing a flow rate of the pressurized fluid which flows as the result of selection by the first and second solenoid valves. The pressurized fluid is caused to flow from the first port to the second port at a predetermined flow rate while the opening/closing valve is closed, and then the flow rate of the pressurized fluid flowing from the first port to the second port is increased by opening the opening/closing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 9372486
    Abstract: A flow meter, and related system and method are provided. The flow meter includes a coupler, a support member, an image sensor, a valve, and one or more processors. The coupler is adapted to couple to a drip chamber. The support member is operatively coupled to the coupler. The image sensor has a field of view and is operatively coupled to the support member. The image sensor is positioned to view the drip chamber within the field of view. The one or more processors are operatively coupled to the image sensor to receive image data therefrom and to the actuator to actuate the valve. The one or more processors are configured to estimate a flow of fluid through the drip chamber and to actuate the valve to control the flow of fluid through the drip chamber to achieve a target flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob David Peret, Brian H. Yoo, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: 9372487
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluidic actuator comprising a drive element (2) that can be supplied with a pressure fluid and a two-stage proportional position controller (3) controlling the supply with pressure fluid to the drive element, said actuator comprising an electro-fluidic pilot stage (10) of the position controller, exactly one electromechanical transducer (14) and exactly one proportional valve (16) actuated by said transducer and having a pressure fluid inlet (18), a control pressure outlet (19) and a discharge outlet (20). A fluidic power stage (11) of the position controller comprises two poppet valves (24, 25) having associated pressure-to-distance converters that are supplied by a common control chamber (34) which is connected to the control pressure outlet (19) of the pre-stage (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Automatisierungstechnik Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Haller, Max Schrobenhauser, Erich Rankl, Marcus Grodl
  • Patent number: 9372488
    Abstract: A controller device for managing an oxygen generating system. The controller device is configured to: receive a first pressure signal associated with a first pressure; determine the first pressure to be less than or equal to a startup threshold pressure, said first pressure associated with a pressure of an oil-less tank; send a signal to switch a first circuit on, said first circuit for providing electrical power to a bank of oxygen generators; send a signal to switch a second circuit on, said second circuit for providing electrical power to an oil-less air compressor; receive a second pressure signal associated with a second pressure; determine the second pressure to be greater than or equal to a shutoff threshold pressure, said second pressure associated with a pressure of the oil-less tank; send a signal to switch the first circuit off; and send a signal to switch the second circuit off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: HVLPO2, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Kornbluh, Thomas D. Friedman, Eric Ellenwood
  • Patent number: 9372489
    Abstract: Provided is a voltage regulator including a leakage current sink circuit capable of suppressing an influence of a leakage current of an output transistor at high temperature, and reducing power consumption of the voltage regulator at normal temperature. The voltage regulator includes: a reference voltage circuit configured to output a reference voltage; an output transistor configured to output an output voltage; a voltage divider circuit configured to divide the output voltage to output a feedback voltage; an error amplifier circuit configured to amplify a difference between the reference voltage and the feedback voltage, and output the amplified difference to control a gate of the output transistor; and a leakage current sink circuit connected to an output terminal and configured to be prevented from operating at normal temperature, and suppress an influence of a leakage current from the output transistor only at high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: SII SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Kobayashi, Teruo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9372490
    Abstract: A system and method for adaptive activity management of on-chip voltage regulators based upon the workload information is provided to force each on-chip regulator to operate in its most power-efficient load current. In the proposed regulator-gating technique, regulators are adaptively turned ON when the current demand is high and turned OFF when the current demand is low to improve the voltage conversion efficiency. With the proposed regulator-gating system and method, the overall voltage conversion efficiency from the battery or off-chip power supply to the output of the on-chip voltage regulators experiences an approximately 3 times improvement over the prior art techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Selcuk Kose, Orhun Aras Uzun
  • Patent number: 9372491
    Abstract: Circuits and methods to maintain a resistive voltage divider ratio during start-up of an electronic circuit comprising a feed-forward capacitor across a feedback resistor using a dynamic start-up circuit are disclosed as e.g. a LDO or an amplifier. In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure is applied to an LDO. Modification of the resistive voltage divider ratio caused by the feed-forward capacitor during start-up is prevented while the voltage level of a voltage access point of the voltage divider on the feed-forward capacitor is maintained. A start-up circuit comprises a start-up capacitor and a start-up comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignees: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH, Dialog Semiconductor B. V.
    Inventors: Ambreesh Bhattad, Ludmil Nikolov, Marinus Wilhelmus Kruiskamp
  • Patent number: 9372492
    Abstract: Techniques for generating a boost clock signal for a boost converter from a buck converter clock signal, wherein the boost clock signal has a limited frequency range. In an aspect, the boost clock signal has a maximum frequency determined by Vbst/T, wherein Vbst represents the difference between a target output voltage and a battery voltage, and T represents a predetermined cycle duration. The boost converter may include a pulse insertion block to limit the minimum frequency of the boost clock signal, and a dynamic blanking/delay block to limit the maximum frequency of the boost clock signal. Further techniques are disclosed for generally implementing the minimum frequency limiting and maximum frequency limiting blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Song S Shi, Pengfei Li, Lennart Karl-Axel Mathe, Yunfei Shi
  • Patent number: 9372493
    Abstract: A modular multilevel converter system. The system includes a plurality of series connected two-terminal M2LC cells arranged into at least two output phase modules. A first one of the output phase modules has an inductance and an effective capacitance associated therewith. The first one of the output phase modules is configured so that a natural resonant frequency of the inductance with the effective capacitance of the first one of the output phase modules is greater than at least one of the following: an operating frequency of the first one of the output phase modules; a switching frequency of the first one of the output phase modules; and a switching frequency of any of the M2LC cells of the first one of the output phase modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Benshaw, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Francis Aiello, Kenneth Stephen Berton, Walter Gilbert Barie
  • Patent number: 9372494
    Abstract: The present application describes a current regulator for providing a regulated current from an input voltage. The current regulator comprises a voltage regulator circuit, operable to provide a regulated voltage, which comprises a plurality of Zener diodes connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ACCURIC LTD.
    Inventor: Dave Bannister
  • Patent number: 9372495
    Abstract: A dB-linear voltage-to-current (V/I) converter is amenable to implementation in CMOS technology. In a representative embodiment, the dB-linear V/I converter has a voltage scaler, a current multiplier, and an exponential current converter serially connected to one another. The voltage scaler supplies an input current to the current multiplier based on an input voltage. The current multiplier multiplies the input current and a current proportional to absolute temperature and supplies the resulting current to the exponential current converter. The exponential current converter has a differential MOSFET pair operating in a sub-threshold mode and generating an output current that is proportional to a temperature-independent, exponential function of the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Hasan Akyol, Bipul Agarwal, Dean Badillo
  • Patent number: 9372496
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device with a bandgap reference generator including a first path with series connection of a first bipolar transistor, a first resistor and a second resistor, and a second path with series connection of a second bipolar transistor and a third resistor. The first and second paths are supplied current via a common node through a fourth resistor controlled by an amplifier sensing voltage drops within the first and second paths. A curvature compensation stage compensates for a variation of base emitter voltage of the bipolar transistors by drawing a compensation current from the common resistor node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Matthias Arnold
  • Patent number: 9372497
    Abstract: A rotary actuator has a first rotatable part having a control surface with an undulating or sawtooth profile, and has a fixed second part having at least one detent element running on the control surface. The detent element is accommodated, in a manner which allows movement against a restoring force, in an aperture which tapers in a V shape towards the first part. The detent element is accommodated with play between the side walls bounding the aperture. The detent element interacts with the radially oriented control surface in such a way that, as it runs up a projection on the control surface as a result of a movement of the first part, it is moved against one side wall and, upon passing beyond the projection, strikes against the other side wall due the restoring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Christian Wall, Sten Währisch
  • Patent number: 9372498
    Abstract: The rotary/push operating device (10) for a human-machine interface, in particular for a vehicle component, such as an air conditioning system, is provided with a rotary/push operating element (12) that can be rotated about a guide shaft (14) in a rotary movement and moved axially along the guide shaft (14). Furthermore, the rotary/push operating device (10) has a rolling bearing unit (30) having an outer bearing ring (32), an inner bearing ring (34) and rolling elements (36,38) arranged therebetween, wherein one of the bearing rings (32, 34) is connected with the rotary/push operating element (12) in a rotationally fixed manner and can be rotated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Fust, Frank Vogt
  • Patent number: 9372499
    Abstract: A clock doubler includes a first NAND gate having a first input for receiving a clock input signal and a second input, a second NAND gate having a first input and a second input for receiving a complement of the clock input signal, an output NAND gate having a first and second inputs coupled to outputs of the first and second NAND gates, respectively, and an output for providing a clock output signal, an inverter chain having an input for receiving the clock input signal and responsive to first and second control signals to selectively provide a first true output to the first input of the second NAND gate, and a second complementary output to the second input of the first NAND gate, and a control signal generation circuit providing the first and second control signals in response to the outputs of the first and second NAND gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventors: Sriram Sambamurthy, Arun Sundaresan Iyer, Alok Baluni, Aaron Grenat
  • Patent number: 9372500
    Abstract: Various aspects provide for generating a timeout signal based on a clock counter associated with a data request. An interface component is configured for receiving a data request from a master device and forwarding the data request to a slave device. A timeout component is configured for maintaining a clock counter associated with the data request and generating a timeout signal in response to a determination that a threshold level associated with the clock counter is reached before receiving a data response associated with the data request from the slave device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ayush Goyal, Phil Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9372501
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to deskew dead cycles is described using a block aligner. In one example a method includes receiving a sequence of bytes into a first buffer from each lane of a multiple lane peripheral device bus and receiving the sequence of bytes into a second buffer delayed one clock cycle from the first buffer. The method further includes providing the sequence of bytes from the first buffer to an output buffer, counting clock cycles of data as the data is received into the first and second buffers, upon reaching a predetermined count, inserting a dead cycle into the output buffer, and after inserting the dead cycle providing the sequence of bytes from the second buffer instead of the first buffer to the output buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Shrinivas Venkatraman
  • Patent number: 9372502
    Abstract: A system clock signal distributed to electronic configurable and reconfigurable computing devices within a distributed computing system. The distributed computing devices, which may be dual-die chip carriers (DDCC), include input addressable data/clock ports on which system clock signals are accepted and may be propagated on one or more data/clock output ports. The input and/or output ports of various distributed computing devices may be configured and reconfigured according to system preferences or requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Advanced Processor Architectures, LLC
    Inventors: Louis Edmund Chall, John Bradley Serson, Philip Arnold Roberts, Cecil Eugene Hutchins
  • Patent number: 9372503
    Abstract: A method embodiment of the present disclosure includes receiving a delay value associated with an interconnect delay that is measured across interconnect circuitry communicatively coupling a host semiconductor device with a semiconductor device. The method also includes delaying a local clock signal by an amount of delay indicated by the delay value to produce a delayed local clock signal. The method also includes receiving a delayed source clock signal, where the delayed source clock signal is received from the host semiconductor device via the interconnect circuitry. The method also includes outputting a master clock signal based on a comparison of the delayed source clock signal and the delayed local clock signal, where the master clock signal is utilized to generate one or more aligned clock signals on the semiconductor device that are aligned with a source clock signal generated on the host semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Miller, James G. Gay, Gilford E. Lubbers, Geng Zhong
  • Patent number: 9372504
    Abstract: A multi display apparatus is provided. The multi display apparatus includes a first display device and a second display device arranged adjacent to each other, and a hinge device provided to rotate the first display device and the second display device relative to each other, wherein the hinge device includes a first hinge member fixed to the first display device, and a second hinge member fixed to the second display device and connected to the first hinge member such that the second hinge member is movable in a circumferential direction with respect to an interface between adjacent side surfaces of the first display device and the second display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Hoon Han, Young Tai Kim
  • Patent number: 9372505
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display. Inactive portions of the display such as peripheral portions of the display may be masked using an opaque masking layer. An opening may be provided in the opaque masking layer to allow light to pass. For example, a logo may be viewed through an opening in the opaque masking layer and a camera may receive light through an opening in the opaque masking layer. The display may include upper and lower polarizers, a color filter layer, and a thin-film transistor layer. The opaque masking layer may be formed on the upper polarizer, may be interposed between the upper polarizer and the color filter layer, or may be interposed between the color filter layer and the thin-film transistor layer. The upper polarizer may have unpolarized windows for cameras, logos, or other internal structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Thomas Wilson, Jr., Adam T. Garelli
  • Patent number: 9372506
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a battery; a fixing member coupled to the battery; a printed board partially fixed to the fixing member; and a housing that houses the battery, the fixing member, and the printed board, the battery being fixed to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Sando
  • Patent number: 9372507
    Abstract: A support that is selectively adjustable to a plurality of configurations that enable a variety of viewing/user orientations of a mobile device. The mobile device includes a display, a back panel, a support positioned at the back panel, and adjustment members pivotally connected to respective outer ends of the support and mounted at the back panel to facilitate linear, reciprocating movement along an axis so as to change the relative orientation of the support relative to the back panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ben Dekock, Shawn McEuen
  • Patent number: 9372508
    Abstract: A flexible display device includes a base, a flexible display panel, a detecting unit and a control unit. The flexible display includes a touch control unit that could be exposed outside of or received within the base. The detecting unit is used to detect the operating state of the flexible display panel. Then, the control unit controls the touch control unit according to a detected result of the detecting unit. Accordingly, the flexible display device according to the present invention may effectively reduce the accidental contact-induced malfunctions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: E Ink Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Tzu-Ming Wang