Patents Issued in July 12, 2016
  • Patent number: 9389589
    Abstract: In the control method for an analog display device fitted to a timepiece movement, the motor is used both for driving a first indicator of a time parameter and a second periodically driven indicator. To this end, the motor is controlled such that, when the first indicator is in an operating mode and the second indicator is arranged to remain substantially immobile, said first indicator is driven in rotation by the motor alternately. The first indicator is driven in a forward direction, to display the time parameter, during a first period in which a periodic actuation wheel set is simultaneously driven in positions of its area of non-actuation, and in a backward direction, in accelerated mode, during a second period following the first period, before the periodic actuation wheel set is driven in a position of its area of actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Pascal Lagorgette
  • Patent number: 9389590
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a dial, a day dial disposed on the rear side of the dial, and a movement that rotates the day dial by a predetermined angle every day. Seven openings corresponding to the seven days of the week are formed in the order thereof in the dial, and a mark is formed on a surface of the day dial on the side facing the dial. Whenever the day dial rotates by the predetermined angle, the mark sequentially appears in the order of the days of the week through one of the seven openings when the dial is viewed from the front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihisa Kakizawa
  • Patent number: 9389591
    Abstract: The invention concerns a magnetic device for regulating the relative angular velocity of a wheel and of at least one magnetic dipole integral with an oscillating device. The wheel or the dipole is driven by a driving torque. The wheel includes a periodic, ferromagnetic pole path which alternates according to a center angle and the at least one dipole is arranged to permit magnetic coupling with the ferromagnetic path and oscillation of the dipole at the natural frequency of the oscillating element during the relative motion of the wheel and of the magnetic dipole to regulate the relative angular velocity. The wheel further includes an assembly to dissipate the kinetic energy of the at least one dipole when it moves away from the ferromagnetic path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Gianni Di Domenico, Jerome Favre, Baptiste Hinaux, Dominique Lechot, Patrick Ragot
  • Patent number: 9389592
    Abstract: A timer assembly is configured with a motor with slim construction so as to provide a thinner and more compact timer assembly. A timer assembly with a thinner profile and reduced thickness is achieved by incorporating the motor within the timer's baseplate. Additional advantages may be achieved by positioning the motor within an area defined by the baseplate and the time indicator, or by mounting the motor in an offset manner with respect to the baseplate. Further, the orientation of the motor may be changed to mount the motor to the front or rear of the baseplate to provide for an additional thickness reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Reliance Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Baldwin, John Klein, Ryan Liebengood
  • Patent number: 9389593
    Abstract: A mobile terminal may comprise an executing unit being configured to activate an alarm clock when the mobile terminal is off. The mobile terminal may be configured to receive a target alarm clock activation time; determine a time difference between a current time and the target alarm clock activation time; and compare the time difference with a first reference time period. Upon determining that time difference is less than the first reference time period, the mobile terminal may start up. Upon determining that the time that the mobile terminal completes the startup is less than a second reference time period, the mobile terminal may activate the alarm clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Linghua Gu, Anyu Liu, Dongjie Qi, Xinyu Liu
  • Patent number: 9389594
    Abstract: An approach is provided for an interactive cable-based interface to applications and services. A cable interface platform determines at least one configuration of at least one cable associated with at least one device. The cable interface platform determines at least one function associated with one or more applications, one or more services, or a combination thereof associated with the at least one configuration. Then, the cable interface platform causes, at least in part, an initiation of the at least one function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Juha Henrik Arrasvuori, Antti Johannes Eronen, Arto Juhani Lehtiniemi, Marion Boberg
  • Patent number: 9389595
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using biometrics to select music preference are provided. A system for using biometrics to select music preferences for a user in a vehicle, comprises a music selection module electrically coupled to at least one biometric sensor in the vehicle, wherein the at least one biometric sensor senses a characteristic of the user and outputs data for the sensed characteristic to the music selection module, and wherein the music selection module selects a music selection for the user based on the sensed characteristic data, and a controller module electrically coupled to the music selection module to control playing of the music selection, wherein the controller module receives an output including the music selection from the music selection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sasha P. Caskey, Dimitri Kanevsky, Sameer R. Maskey, Tara N. Sainath
  • Patent number: 9389596
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a system and a method. In one embodiment, a system includes an industrial controller configured to control a first field device. The first field device includes an actuator and a positioner coupled to the actuator. The positioner is configured to position the actuator. The first field device is configured to detect an undesired condition and to communicate the undesired condition to the industrial controller by using a ReadBack facility of the first field device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sandro Esposito, John Alexander Petzen, Vladimir Dimitrov Kostadinov
  • Patent number: 9389597
    Abstract: This disclosure discloses a motor control device including a main circuit, a voltage detector, and a controller. The controller includes a position controller and a speed controller, The position controller generates a speed command. The speed controller generates a torque command and controls a inverter based on the torque command. Further, the controller includes a torque limiter, and a speed matching instruction part. The torque limiter starts torque limiting by the torque command to a predetermined torque or less and cancels the torque limiting. The speed matching instruction part matches the speed command with a first position command speed after the cancellation of the torque limiting. The holding part calculates and holds an accumulated position deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Toshinobu Kira, Tadashi Okubo, Yasuyuki Takei, Makoto Akama, Yusuke Oka
  • Patent number: 9389598
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a control framework for robots such that a robot can use all joints simultaneously to track motion capture data and maintain balance. Embodiments of the invention provide a framework enabling complex reference movements to be automatically tracked, for example reference movements derived from a motion capture data system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jessica K. Hodgins, Katsu Yamane
  • Patent number: 9389599
    Abstract: A system and a method for controlling an air conditioner are provided. In a system where respective points in which facility devices including an air conditioner are installed are connected to each other, power used information is collected by points and corresponding fee information is computed so that respective points can be managed, statistic data with respect to power amount information and fee information are transmitted to respective point so that a user read the information, thereby managing the information in the center or by points easily, and improving convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sangwon Yun, Duckgu Jeon
  • Patent number: 9389600
    Abstract: Disclosed are a central control system and a method for setting a control point thereof. A central controller or a control point generator generates a control map in which control points are indicated, and the control points and attribute data of devices such as indoor units on the spot in actuality are automatically matched through a mobile terminal. Also, attribute data required for setting a control point is made into a database by using a dedicated tool such as the central controller or the control point generator, thus automatically setting control points. Also, the central control system can be installed by setting attribute data of the respective control points by using a wireless solution such as a mobile terminal, without having technical knowledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seungtae Ko, Sangchul Youn
  • Patent number: 9389601
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a plurality of functional sections 200, 300, 400 and 500 each of which is selectively set in an operating state where an assigned processing thereof is executable on a substrate and a standby state where an energy consumption amount is less than in the operating state, and an apparatus controller 50 which controls a state of each functional section 200, 300, 400, 500 between the operating state and the standby state and causes the functional section in charge of the assigned processing corresponding to a recipe to be set in the operating state and perform the assigned processing in executing the recipe specifying a processing procedure on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: SCREEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasunori Nakamura, Nobuhiko Nakagawa, Naohiko Kawashima
  • Patent number: 9389602
    Abstract: An automation interface is provided for interacting with industrial controllers. The automation interface provides for programming, editing, monitoring and maintenance of industrial controllers programmatically from a local or remote location. The automation interface component is adapted to communicate with industrial controllers by integrating a computer process interface library into the automation interface component. The computer process interface library exposes the automation interface component to client application processes, so that the client application processes can communicate with the at least one industrial controller programmatically. The automation interface is provided with functionality for downloading, uploading and programming of control programs to the processors of the industrial controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. McKelvey, Mike D'Amico
  • Patent number: 9389603
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electric machine or electric unit by actuating a component of the electric machine or unit using a predicate and by automatically examining the component in regard to the performance of the predicate to permit examination of an automated system for possible errors in a simply manner, wherein the predicate contains an expected value of a (physical) quantity of the component, and wherein in the examination of the component, a check is performed to determine whether the expected value actually arises when the predicate is performed such that erroneous situations can be detected by a runtime system without explicit programming being necessary therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Edelmann, Stefan Elsterer, Christian Hock, Jörn Peschke, Frank Volkmann
  • Patent number: 9389604
    Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for allocating program components to distributed control devices of a control system, comprising the following steps: a) creating at least two program modules, which each comprise program components, data interfaces and performance parameters for the definition of a performance requirement; b) linking the program modules via data connections between the data interfaces to form a control program; c) ascertaining available control devices and the performance capability thereof in the control system; d) ascertaining possible allocations of the program modules and verification by a comparison between the requirement and performance capability; c) selecting and allocating a verified allocation; and f) configuring data exchange channels between the distributed control devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Joerg Jeschin
  • Patent number: 9389605
    Abstract: In a method of generating a numerical control program in which, based on sectional shape data of a product to which a relief processing is to be performed, a numerical control program for turning-processing the product is generated in order to recognize a groove shape data existing in the vicinity of a corner as a relief sectional shape, wherein groove shape data is extracted from the sectional shape data, an intersection of a line segment parallel to a turning axis and a line segment that is not parallel to the line segment is calculated as a corner of the sectional shape data, and the groove shape data is recognized as a relief sectional shape in a case where dimensions of a frame which includes from the corner to the groove shape data are within predetermined dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Mahito Matsuura, Takashi Kamiya, Nobuyuki Takahashi, Susumu Matsubara
  • Patent number: 9389606
    Abstract: A control and monitoring system is provided that includes an automation controller. The system includes a distributed model stored on the automation controller. Changes to the distributed model are provided via delta scripts that define only the changes to the model. Further, the control and monitoring system 24 includes distributed execution engines that execute commands based upon trigger events determined in the system. a plurality of automation control components networked together and with the automation controller, wherein the plurality of automation control components are capable of load balancing among the plurality of automation control components in response to performance demands of the control and monitoring system. These features of the control and monitoring system enable load balancing, data and processing redundancy, and collaborative design within the control and monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Subbian Govindaraj, Joseph Bronikowski, Michael Kalan, Steven John Kowal, Taryl Jasper, Kenneth Plache, Douglas J. Reichard, Douglas W. Reid, Charles Rischar
  • Patent number: 9389607
    Abstract: In a method for setting substrate-treatment time, substrate-treatment time is set by the following method. A predicted supply time of wafers of a following lot to a substrate processing apparatus is calculated based on a predicted plasma-treatment completion time of another substrate processing apparatus. A predicted plasma-treatment completion time of all of wafers of a present lot is calculated. A predicted idle time after the completion of the plasma treatment of all of the wafers of the present lot is calculated based on the predicted supply time of the following lot and the predicted plasma-treatment completion time of the present lot. If the predicted idle time is equal to or longer than the idle time required for dummy treatment, supplementary idle time is added between the plasma treatments of unprocessed wafers of the present lot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Shinji Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 9389608
    Abstract: The present invention provides loading and unloading method and device for a cooling buffer in a precise length measuring machine. The loading and unloading method contains the steps of: S1: triggering a timer after a glass substrate is loaded into an empty slot of the cooling buffer having the highest priority; and S2: after the timer reaches a first time T1, starting the loading of a glass substrate into another empty slot having the next highest priority. The loading and unloading method and device disclosed by the present invention, through the design of delayed loading and unloading glass substrates into and from the cooling buffer, enhances the intelligence of the cooling buffer, ensures the uniformity of the cooling intervals of the glass substrates, improves the measurement precision, satisfies operator's advanced operational requirement, and achieves high utilization of the precise length measuring machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Wende Huang
  • Patent number: 9389609
    Abstract: An inventory system includes inventory holders, container holders, containers carried by the container holders, mobile drive units, stations, and a management module. The management module instructs the mobile drive units to move the inventory holders and container holders to stations. Container holders are loaded with containers of inbound inventory items at a first station. Inbound inventory items are transferred from containers to inventory holders at a second station. Outbound inventory items are transferred from inventory holders to containers at a third station. Containers of outbound inventory items are removed from container holders at a fourth station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Cordell Mountz, Peter R. Wurman, John Joseph Enright, Jeremiah David Brazeau, Michael Harrison Decker, Gavin Cotter, Ishan Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 9389610
    Abstract: A wireless signal transmission module for a diagnostic system of an industrial machine is provided including a case, an independent power source, a sensor arranged to take measurements, in particular vibration measurements, a connector having a first end connected to the case and a second end connected to the sensor, a fixing system connected to the sensor and arranged so as to fix the wireless signal transmission module to the industrial machine, an electronic card provided with means of control arranged so as to control the supply cycle of the sensor in a sleep phase, a first stabilisation phase and an operating phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: I-CARE SPRL
    Inventors: Thomas Di Pietro, Fabrice Brion, Arnaud Stievenart
  • Patent number: 9389611
    Abstract: A kit for building an adaptive unmanned CIED vehicle comprising a vehicle chassis having a locomotion system for moving the vehicle in an operating environment, and a controllable steering mechanism for steering the vehicle as it moves in the operating environment; one or more motors for coupling to the locomotion system to the controllable steering mechanism; a remote control unit for communication with and for controlling the one or more motors and the controllable steering mechanism; payload devices for performing tasks attributed to the vehicle; and a platform for providing the capability of adapting the vehicle to perform new tasks in view of evolution in the operating environment, the platform comprising: a casing for mounting on or in the vehicle chassis; a computing device for connection to a selection of payload devices from the payload devices, and a memory for storing computing instructions for controlling operation of the selection of payload devices; a power source for powering at least one of th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada as Represented by the Minister of National Defence
    Inventors: David Ryan Erickson, Matthew WJ Ceh, Dale Anderson
  • Patent number: 9389612
    Abstract: A self-controlled device maintains a frame of reference about an x-, y- and z-axis. The self-controlled device processes an input to control the self-propelled device, the input being based on the x- and y-axis. The self-propelled device is controlled in its movement, including about each of the x-, y- and z-axis, based on the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Sphero, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, David E. Hygh
  • Patent number: 9389613
    Abstract: Turning radius of a tractor-trailer is calculated by certain dimensional relationships in the tractor-trailer and rotational velocities of axle wheel groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Robert Czlapinski, Ilya Sagalovich
  • Patent number: 9389614
    Abstract: An autonomous transporting tool is adapted to travel along a guiding line. The tool comprises two transporting elements. Each of the transporting elements comprise autonomous propulsion means, a control system and an optical system. The optical system comprises two cameras and two lighting units. The system is adapted to identify the location of the image of a guiding line within a received image of the floor and to provide steering commands adapted to steer the transporting tool so that the image of the guiding line is located substantially in the center of the received image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: UNITRONICS AUTOMATED SOLUTIONS LTD
    Inventor: Haim Shani
  • Patent number: 9389615
    Abstract: A global navigation satellite sensor system (GNSS) and gyroscope control system for vehicle steering control comprising a GNSS receiver and antennas at a fixed spacing to determine a vehicle position, velocity and at least one of a heading angle, a pitch angle and a roll angle based on carrier phase position differences. The system also includes a control system configured to receive the vehicle position, heading, and at least one of roll and pitch, and configured to generate a steering command to a vehicle steering system. The system includes gyroscopes for determining system attitude change with respect to multiple axes for integrating with GNSS-derived positioning information to determine vehicle position, velocity, rate-of-turn, attitude and other operating characteristics. Relative orientations and attitudes between motive and working components can be determined using optical sensors and cameras. The system can also be used to guide multiple vehicles in relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: AGJUNCTION LLC
    Inventors: Mark R. Webber, Keith R. Jones, John A. McClure, André C. Roberge, Walter J. Feller, Michael L. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 9389616
    Abstract: Provided is a driving force control device for a four-wheel-drive vehicle that can evade an occurrence of excessive understeer and oversteer in situations unintended by the driver, by appropriately controlling driving forces to be distributed to sub-drive wheels. The driving force distribution device of the four-wheeled vehicle controls driving force to be distributed to the rear wheels (Wr, Wr) by the clutch (10) for front-and-rear torque distribution so that the wheels (Wf, Wf) are main drive wheels and the rear wheels (Wr, Wr) are sub-drive wheels. The driving force distribution device is adapted to perform control to restrict the upper limit of the four-wheel drive torque based upon an estimated driving force and steering angle of the vehicle, when calculating four-wheel drive torque to be distributed to the rear wheels (Wr, Wr) by the driving force distribution device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Murakami, Jiro Hara, Nor Hairuddin, Yusuke Sakaguchi, Naoharu Takatani
  • Patent number: 9389617
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for sensing current. A current source is configured to generate a current and a pulsed sense enable signal is generated. A sense voltage across a resistive sense mechanism is sampled according to the sense enable signal, where the sense voltage represents a measurement of the current. A system includes the current source and a current sensing unit. The current source is configured to generate a current. The current sensing unit is coupled the current source and is configured to generate a pulsed sense enable signal and sample the sense voltage across a resistive sense mechanism according to the pulsed sense enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Dally
  • Patent number: 9389618
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to regulating electric power at a node of a system for distribution of electricity. A voltage controller can identify properties of branch structures in a system that includes a voltage regulation device that controls a voltage source supplying electricity to nodes via the branch structures. The voltage controller can receive information on voltage and current associated with electricity provided by the voltage source. The voltage controller can receive, from a metering devices at nodes in the system, primary voltage information. The voltage controller can select one of the nodes based on the primary voltage information. The voltage controller can determine, based on the properties, an impedance for a branch structure corresponding to the selected node. The voltage controller can control the voltage regulation device based on the impedance for the branch structure corresponding to the selected node and the information on the voltage and the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: UTILIDATA, INC.
    Inventor: David Bell
  • Patent number: 9389619
    Abstract: An electromagnetic device may include a magnetic flux core and an opening through the magnetic flux core. A conductor winding may be received in the opening and extend through the magnetic flux core. An electrical current flowing through the conductor winding generates a magnetic field about the conductor winding and a magnetic flux flow about the opening in the magnetic flux core. The electromagnetic device may also include a core flux sensor arrangement to detect a magnetic flux level in the magnetic flux core. The electromagnetic device may additionally include a core flux control system configured to adjust the electrical current flowing through the conductor winding to control the magnetic flux level in the magnetic flux core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: James Leo Peck, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9389620
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a linear voltage regulator with improved voltage regulation is disclosed. A linear voltage regulator device with improved voltage regulation that combines good resiliency to noisy ground reference, high Power Supply Rejection Ratio (PSRR), good current load regulation with changes in the current load and good feedback loop stability. The linear voltage regulator comprises of an amplifier, a current source, a pass gate, a current load, a first feedback loop, a second feedback loop, a second amplifier and second pass gate. A second feedback loop is formed to control the bias of the first feedback loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventor: Franck Banag
  • Patent number: 9389621
    Abstract: Disclosed is a compensation circuit for a common voltage according to a gate voltage, which compensates the common voltage in accordance with variation in gate high voltage, to obtain an optimal common voltage. The compensation circuit includes a divider to divide a gate high voltage, an adder to add a fed-back common voltage to a voltage output from the divider, and a differential amplifier to differentially amplify a voltage output from the adder, and to output the amplified voltage as a compensated common voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyung-Woo Lee, Jae-Hun Song
  • Patent number: 9389622
    Abstract: A voltage margin controller, an IC included the same and a method of controlling voltage margin for a voltage domain of an IC are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the voltage margin controller includes: (1) monitoring branches including circuit function indicators configured to indicate whether circuitry in the voltage domain could operate at corresponding candidate reduced voltage levels and (2) a voltage margin adjuster coupled to the monitoring branches and configured to develop a voltage margin adjustment for a voltage regulator of the voltage domain based upon an operating number of the circuit function indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Nvidia Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Smith, Stephen Felix, Jesse Max Guss, Tezaswi Raja
  • Patent number: 9389623
    Abstract: A voltage converting device with a self-reference feature for an electronic system includes a differential current generating module, implemented in a Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processing for generating a differential current pair according to a converting voltage; and a voltage converting module, coupled to the differential current generating module, a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage of the electronic system for generating the converting voltage according to the differential current pair, the first supply voltage and the second supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: NOVATEK Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Min-Hung Hu, Pin-Han Su, Chen-Tsung Wu, Chiu-Huang Huang, Chun-Wei Huang
  • Patent number: 9389624
    Abstract: Control circuitry for stabilizing a DC voltage outputted by a DC power supply against changes in ambient temperature. The control circuitry includes: measurement circuitry configured to output a measurement voltage representative of a DC voltage outputted by a DC power supply; reference circuitry configured to output a reference voltage; and comparison circuitry configured to compare the measurement voltage with the reference voltage and, based on the comparison, output a control signal for controlling the DC voltage outputted by the DC power supply. At least one temperature-sensitive component of the control circuitry is located in an enclosure configured to maintain a substantially constant temperature within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Shimadzu Research Laboratory (Europe) Ltd.
    Inventors: John Handford, Stuart Harley
  • Patent number: 9389625
    Abstract: DC-DC converter PWM controllers and dual counter digital integrators are presented for integrating an error between a reference voltage signal and a feedback voltage signal, in which a comparator, dual counters, and a DAC are used to provide a compensated reference to a modulator loop comparator which generates a PWM switching signal for controlling a power converter output voltage, with the second counter being selectively incremented or decremented when the first counter output indicates a predetermined value after the first counter output transitions in one direction through a predetermined count range to enhance loop stability, and a startup mode control allows fast integrator operation during initialization, with the ability to freeze integrator operation during overcurrent conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Zhiming Hu, Tetsuo Tateishi, Xuening Li
  • Patent number: 9389626
    Abstract: A low-drop-output type voltage regulator may include an error amplifier providing a gate signal depending on a voltage difference between a reference voltage and a feedback voltage, a semiconductor switch adjusting a current between an input terminal receiving a battery voltage and a ground, in response to the gate signal, a feedback circuit dividing and detecting a detection voltage in a detection node between the semiconductor switch and the ground and providing the feedback voltage, a voltage sensor sensing the battery voltage, and a feedback voltage controller adjusting a level of the feedback voltage depending on the sensed battery voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoo Hwan Kim, Jong Myeong Kim, Hyun Hwan Yoo, Yoo Sam Na, Dae Seok Jang, Hyun Jin Yoo
  • Patent number: 9389627
    Abstract: By adding a suppression amount for suppressing an overshoot or undershoot that attenuates with time during an overshoot or undershoot period, the overshoot or undershoot can be suppressed within a short time and the output can be made close to a normal value. When an output has overshot, an overshoot suppression amount including a time-dependent attenuation suppression amount is added to an output feedback control amount, the time-dependent attenuation suppression amount being defined in a period during which the output overshoots. Alternatively, when the output has undershot, an undershoot suppression amount including a time-dependent attenuation suppression amount is added to the output feedback control amount, the time-dependent attenuation suppression amount being defined in a period during which the output undershoots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignees: NAGASAKI UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION, MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fujio Kurokawa, Hiroyuki Osuga
  • Patent number: 9389628
    Abstract: A digitally controlled buck boost regulator includes an H-bridge circuit including a plurality of switches configured to receive an input voltage signal and generate an output voltage signal based on the input voltage signal and switching signals provided thereto. A controller generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) control value in response to a value of the output voltage signal, and a quantizer/mapper receives the PWM control value and provides a first mapping to a mapped PWM control value if the PWM control value is outside a predetermined range of PWM control values, and generates a second mapping to a mapped PWM control value if the PWM control value is within the predetermined range. A digital pulse width modulator is configured to generate switching signals based on the mapped PWM control value, and provide the generated switching signals to the H-bridge circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: David Herbison
  • Patent number: 9389629
    Abstract: A method for generating an output signal and measuring arrangement for determining at least one measured variable use at least one sensor device (2) and at least one signal output (3) for outputting at least one output signal, wherein the output signal transmits information about the measured variable and/or a state of the measuring arrangement using at least one predetermined value of the current. The measuring arrangement ensures reliable outputting of an error signal indicating the presence of an erroneous state is achieved in that a first adjusting unit (4) and a second adjusting unit (5) are provided that set the value of the current of the output signal to a predetermined desired value. The first adjusting unit (4) sets a fixed current value and the second adjusting unit (5) sets a variable current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: KROHNE Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Kolonko, Steffen Dymek, Martin van der Linde
  • Patent number: 9389630
    Abstract: A method for structuring an electric utility grid having traditional and renewable sources of electric power uses a weather forecasting system to determine, for a time interval, whether there are paths between all generating units and all consuming units satisfying certain constraints. The method includes computing a probable output for each of the generating units, both traditional and renewable, and computing a probable load for each of said consuming units for the time interval using both historical and weather forecast data. The method also includes determining the maximum load capacity of each segment in the utility grid for the time interval, the segments being the power lines making up the grid, and assigning the maximum load capacity of each segment to be a constraint therefor for the time interval and computing whether there are paths from each of the generating units to each of the consuming units for which the maximum load capacities will not be exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Gaucher, Jayant R Kalagnanam, Maharaj Mukherjee, Lloyd A. Treinish
  • Patent number: 9389631
    Abstract: A reactive power control system is provided. The reactive power control system computes a required value for a reactive power based on a state observer method for at least one electrical element in an electrical system. The reactive power control system also generates a reactive power command based on the required value of the reactive power. The reactive power control system further transmits the reactive power command to the electrical element in the electrical system for generating the required value of reactive power to compensate for a voltage change induced by the respective electrical element in the electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ara Panosyan, Daniel Kotzor, Reigh Allen Walling, Johannes Huber
  • Patent number: 9389632
    Abstract: A system and method for providing power is disclosed. A variable direct current (DC) power source provides a variable DC voltage. A configurator dynamically converts the variable DC voltage to a selected DC voltage to provide the power. A set of switches combines the solar voltage with a substantially constant DC voltage. A control unit controls the set of switches and the configurator to provide the combined voltages at a selected voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shankar Km, William P. Kostenko, Anand D. Meshram, Kota V R M Murali, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9389633
    Abstract: A pedal apparatus for a motor vehicle that includes a support piece adapted to be fixed to a part of the motor vehicle. According to one implementation the pedal apparatus includes a shaft having a plastic body having a first end portion, a second end portion and a central portion disposed between the first and second end portions, each of the first and second end portions being supported on the support piece. The shaft also includes a metal body disposed on an exterior surface of the central portion of the plastic body. A pedal with a hollow bushing at one end is arranged on the shaft with an interior surface of the hollow bushing being supported on an external surface of the metal tube, the dimensional characteristics of the hollow bushing and metal tube permitting the hollow bushing to rotate about the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Batz, S. Coop.
    Inventors: Fernando Burguera Albizuri, Lander Llona Furundarena, Javier Salvador Delgado, Egoitz Anzola Artabe, Peru Arrillaga Elcoro, Jon Menique Ezquerra
  • Patent number: 9389634
    Abstract: A stop mechanism of a helm device includes a rotation member, rotatable disks, fixed disks, and an electromagnet which presses these disks against one another. An inversion control pin is provided in a steering shaft. Slits are formed in a cylindrical portion. Both ends of the inversion control pin are inserted into the slits. The slits are shaped to be elongated in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion. A first pin receiving stopper wall is formed on one end of the slits. A second pin receiving stopper wall is formed on the other end of the slits. The inversion control pin can move within the range of inversion allowance angle between the pin receiving stopper walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keishi Washino
  • Patent number: 9389635
    Abstract: Embodiments of a jitter detection circuit are disclosed that may allow for detecting both cycle and phase jitter in a clock distribution network. The jitter detection circuit may include a phase selector, a data generator, a delay chain, a logic circuit, and clocked storage elements. The phase selector may be operable to select a clock phase to be used for the launch clock, and the data generator may be operable to generate a data signal responsive to the launch clock. The delay chain may generate a plurality of outputs dependent upon the data signal, and the clocked storage elements may be operable to capture the plurality of outputs from the delay chain, which may be compared to expected data by the logic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Greg M. Hess, James E. Burnette, II
  • Patent number: 9389636
    Abstract: A clock generating device measures a frequency ratio between a clock signal (32.768 kHz+?) and a reference frequency value based on a clock signal (25 MHz); generates a clock signal obtained by masking a portion of clocks of the clock signal based on a measurement result of the frequency ratio; and updates a compensation value of a frequency temperature characteristic of the clock signal when a difference between the measurement result of the frequency ratio and an average value of N (N is a natural number) measurement results is greater than a reference value of the frequency ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Toriumi
  • Patent number: 9389637
    Abstract: A source-synchronous communication system in which a first integrated circuit (IC) conveys a data signal and concomitant strobe signal to a second IC. One or both ICs support hysteresis for the strobe channel that allows the second IC to distinguish between strobe preambles and noise, and thus prevent the false triggering of data capture. Hysteresis may also be employed to quickly settle the strobe channel to an inactive level after receipt of a strobe postamble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Huy Nguyen, Vijay Gadde, Kambiz Kaviani, Thomas Giovannini, Todd Bystrom
  • Patent number: 9389638
    Abstract: A device for detecting a carrying case, and methods there for, are provided. The device includes: an orientation sensor; a near field communication (NFC) reader; and, a processor configured to place the device in a carrying case mode when an orientation of the device is within a given angular range as determined using the orientation sensor, and the NFC reader detects an NFC tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ahmed Abdelsamie, Marc Elis Meunier, Omar George Joseph Barake, Steven Anthony Lill, Guowei Zhang