Patents Issued in December 6, 2016
  • Patent number: 9513315
    Abstract: A system that measures a high electric voltage on an electrical transmission line has an electro optical voltage transducer sensor connected between the electrical transmission line and ground for providing in response to the measured high electric voltage a Sin optical intensity signal and a Cos optical intensity signal. The system also has a signal processor that operates in a first state to digitally process samples of the Sin and said Cos optical intensity signals. The process samples are used to provide a representation of the high electric voltage on the transmission line. The representation can be used for one or more of metering, relaying and transient capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventor: William R. Verbanets
  • Patent number: 9513316
    Abstract: A system including a non-intrusive capacitive voltage sensor configured to couple to an insulator surrounding a metal conductor, wherein the non-intrusive capacitive voltage sensor is configured to produce a voltage signal indicative of a voltage in the metal conductor, and a monitor-controller system configured to receive the voltage signal from the non-intrusive capacitive voltage sensor, wherein the monitor-controller system is configured to use the voltage signal to monitor or control a machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dan Tho Lu, Prabhakar Neti
  • Patent number: 9513317
    Abstract: A current detection structure includes a busbar to flow a current therethrough, a magnetic detection element to detect a strength of a magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the busbar, and a current detecting portion to determine the current flowing through the busbar based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic detection element. A through-hole is formed penetrating the busbar such that a current path is formed on both sides of the through-hole. The magnetic detection element is disposed in the through-hole. The current detecting portion determines the current flowing through the busbar based on a strength of a synthetic magnetic field detected by the magnetic detection element. The synthetic magnetic field is produced by combining a magnetic field that is generated by a current flowing through the current path on the both sides of the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Okuyama, Naofumi Chiwata, Katsuya Akimoto, Naoki Futakuchi, Yukio Ikeda, Kazuhisa Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9513318
    Abstract: An example relates to a circuit comprising an electronic switching element and an temperature compensating element, which is arranged in the vicinity of the electronic switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andreas Kiep, Stefan Willkofer
  • Patent number: 9513319
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices for power and energy metering. Devices may include first processing logic coupled to an isolator and configured to receive a first bit stream from a first modulator via the isolator. The first bit stream may be generated by the first modulator based on a first analog signal. The first processing logic may be further configured to receive a second bit stream from a second modulator via the isolator. The second bit stream may be generated by the second modulator based on a second analog signal. The processing logic may be further configured to generate a third bit stream based on a combination of the first bit stream with the second bit stream. The devices may also include second processing logic configured to generate an output signal based on one or more values of the third bit stream. The output signal may characterize a measurement of electrical power associated with an electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Ross Martin Fosler, Christopher Corson Keeser
  • Patent number: 9513320
    Abstract: An electrical test device may include a power supply, a conductive probe element, and a spectral analysis block. The power supply may be connected to an external power source. The conductive probe element may be connected to the power supply and may be configured to be energized by the power supply. The probe element may be configured to be placed in contact with an electrical system under test and apply an input signal containing current for measuring at least one parameter of the electrical system. The spectral analysis block may be connected to the probe element and may be configured to receive an output signal from the electrical system in response to the application of the current to the electrical system. The spectral analysis block may be configured to analyze frequency spectra of the output signal and detect a broadband increase in energy of the frequency spectra above a predetermined energy threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Power Probe, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Whisenand, Randy Cruz
  • Patent number: 9513321
    Abstract: A sensor system for monitoring surroundings on a mechanical component, includes at least one capacitive sensor element that is attachable to the surface of machines or machine parts, the at least one sensor element being constructed from a layered structure of flexible electrically conductive and electrically insulating plies, electrically conductive potential surfaces of one ply being disposed, laterally spaced apart via insulating plies located therebetween, in such a way that electric field lines form between the conductive potential surfaces and change measurably upon proximity and/or contact of a body or an object. The layered structure of a sensor element has at least two measuring elements operating separately from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Frangen
  • Patent number: 9513322
    Abstract: One embodiment includes an I/O bus including a signal line coupled to a signal source and multiple line switches, each line switch to couple a corresponding I/O port to the signal line. Switch logic coupled to the I/O bus may programmatically switch the multiple line switches to couple at least one of the signal source and measurement circuitry to the respective I/O port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis R. Seguine
  • Patent number: 9513323
    Abstract: A rotary resonant three-dimensional electric field sensor is disclosed. The rotary resonant three-dimensional electric field sensor includes: a substrate (1); an X-direction electric field measurement unit (4), a Y-direction electric field measurement unit (5), and a Z-direction electric field measurement unit (6), set on the substrate (1), each of which including: a sensing electrode (8, 10, 13) fixed on the substrate (1), and a shielding electrode (7, 9, 12) vibrating relatively to the sensing electrode (8, 10, 13); and at least one set of driving mechanical structures (11, 18), is configured to generate a driving force so as to cause the shielding electrode (7, 9) to vibrate relatively to a corresponding sensing electrode (8, 10, 13), and the vibration is transferred to the shielding is electrodes (7, 9, 12) of the other two electric field measurement units (4, 5, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Institute of Electronics, Chinese Academy of Science
    Inventors: Shanhong Xia, Yu Wang, Dongming Fang, Chunrong Peng
  • Patent number: 9513324
    Abstract: A test system includes a first, second, and third power converter and a data collection system. The test system performs load testing on the second and third power converters without requiring any external load. The first power converter is supplied by an Alternating Current (AC) source. During a test cycle, the first, second, and third power converters are controlled such that the second power converter is supplied by an output current of the first power converter and a feedback current output by the third power converter. The third power converter receives current output by the second power converter and outputs the feedback current onto the second power converter. The data collection system receives power converter test characteristics (voltage, current, and temperature information) during the test cycle without any power being dissipated by an external load. Test information is used to determine whether the second and third power converters are defective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Motiv Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William Treichler, Cullen Teague McMahon, Justin Anthony Tomlin, James Michael Castelaz
  • Patent number: 9513325
    Abstract: A matrix key input interface has key common signal lines and key data signal lines wired in a matrix and key switches disposed at positions where the key common signal lines intersect the key data signal lines. The key data signal lines are periodically monitored while key scan signal is not output to any of the key common signal lines. Based on the results of monitoring, an earth fault is detected in key common signal lines or key data signal lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouhei Yoshida, Jiro Kinoshita, Hiroshige Ando
  • Patent number: 9513326
    Abstract: A Ship Board Ground Monitor System measures an antistatic bond between a ship and a loading-off-loading facility during operation and an earth ground while in the process of loading or unloading flammable materials. The system ensures that a maximum adjustable, preset resistance between the ship transport and safety ground is not exceeded. Should this resistance be exceeded, the control apparatus within the system will activate audible and visual annunciation and provide a contact output, which may be used to disable pumping systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Juan Andujar
  • Patent number: 9513327
    Abstract: Devices and methods for testing the operation of acoustic devices such as ultrasonic probes. The disclosed devices and methods identify failures of individual piezoelectric elements of various types of ultrasonic probes free of family-specific adapters to interface with such probes and free of acoustic coupling fluids or the like to establish acoustic coupling with the probes. In one arrangement, a testing appliance is disclosed that includes a testing unit and first and second probes electrically connected thereto. After an operator has established electrical connections between the first probe and a first contact of a connector assembly of the acoustic probe and between the second probe and a ground return path of the connector assembly, the testing device may pass a current through an electric circuit between the first and second probes and determine one or more corresponding electrical quantities of the circuit for establishing statuses of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Acertara Acoustic Laboratories LLC
    Inventors: James Gessert, G. Wayne Moore
  • Patent number: 9513328
    Abstract: A pulsed voltage bias method and/or pulsed light bias method may be used to reduce, minimize, and/or eliminate external quantum efficiency measurement artifacts of multi-junction solar cells, for example artifacts caused by the shunt effect. In this manner, multi-junction solar cells may be designed and constructed with improved performance, efficiency, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Yong-Hang Zhang, Jing-Jing Li, Swee Hoe Lim
  • Patent number: 9513329
    Abstract: Embodiments for aging-based usage metering of components of an IC are described herein. In various embodiments, the IC may include various components and an aging-based usage metering circuit for metering usage of the components. The components may include respective associated usage vectors that are different from one another, whereas the usage metering circuit may include circuit elements coupled to each other, forming different processing paths for processing the different usage vectors. Additionally, the components may be configured to respectively transmit their different associated usage vectors to the usage metering circuit whenever the respectively components are used. And the usage metering circuit may be configured to process the usage vectors. Further, the circuit elements of the usage metering circuit may age over time as a result of the processing, enabling usage of the components be determined based on their aging. Other embodiments may be described or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Miodrag Potkonjak
  • Patent number: 9513330
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present description, an integrated circuit die has a plurality of through-body-vias and a testing circuit on board the die which allows charges on a first and second through-body-via to redistribute between them to provide an indication whether one or both of the first and second through-body-vias has a defect. Other aspects are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mladenko Vukic, Kalyan C. Kolluru
  • Patent number: 9513331
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a test head for electrical testing of a test specimen, in particular a wafer, having at least two guide plates, which are spaced apart by means of at least one spacer and have guide holes distributed over the surfaces thereof, in which test contact pins for physical contact with the test specimen are guided in a sliding manner. Provision is made for the spacer to be formed by a multiplicity of point supports arranged in a manner distributed over the surfaces of the guide plates and secured on the guide plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: FEINMETALL GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Trenz, Gunther Böhm, Achim Weiland
  • Patent number: 9513332
    Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit die comprises partitioning a first probe card partition layout of the integrated circuit die having one or more sections comprising a first quantity of section types into a second probe card partition layout having a greater quantity of sections comprising a second quantity of section types, the second quantity of section types being less than the first quantity of section types. The method also comprises using one or more probe cards to test the sections in the second probe card partition layout, each of the one or more probe cards having a test contact pattern that corresponds with a test contact pattern of one of each section type included in the second probe card partition layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Sandeep Kumar Goel, Mill-Jer Wang
  • Patent number: 9513333
    Abstract: A test interface board includes a substrate including a power plane electrically connected to at least one power terminal of a semiconductor device under test, and a ground plane electrically connected to at least one ground terminal of the semiconductor device under test, and a voltage regulator arranged on the substrate and configured to supply, via the power plane and the ground plane, to the semiconductor device under test, a driving voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ki-Jae Song, Jong-woon Yoo
  • Patent number: 9513334
    Abstract: A method for performing on-chip spatial debugging of a user circuit programmed into a user-programmable integrated circuit includes halting an internal clock driving synchronous logic elements in the integrated circuit and reading the states of all synchronous logic elements programmed into the integrated circuit while the internal clock is halted. An interrupt to an embedded processor in the integrated circuit running a user application can also be generated. The output of at least one synchronous logic element can be forced to a desired state while the internal clock is halted. The clock can then be restarted or stepped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Microsemi SoC Corporation
    Inventors: Pankaj Mohan Shanker, Ming-Hoe Kiu, Mikhail Ivanovich Chukhlebov
  • Patent number: 9513335
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decompressing test data using XOR trees for application to scan chains of a design for test (DFT) integrated circuit in a physically efficient construction are disclosed. Moreover, methods and apparatus for compressing test response data from scan chains in a DFT integrated circuit in a physically efficient construction are disclosed. The XOR tree decompression method may comprise splitting signals at each node of the XOR trees according to distribution logic implemented by a set of XOR gates. The XOR tree compression method may comprise combining signals at each node of the XOR trees according to combination logic implemented by a set of XOR gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steev Wilcox, Brian Edward Foutz, Paul Alexander Cunningham, Vivek Chickermane, Krishna Vijaya Chakravadhanula
  • Patent number: 9513336
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a test architecture that supports a common approach to testing individual die and dies in a 3D stack arrangement. The test architecture uses an improved TAP design to facilitate the testing of parallel test circuits within the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 9513337
    Abstract: An integrated circuit sensor includes circuitry and methods for generating a high speed delay fault test clock signal. A trimmable oscillator generates a master clock signal for use by an output protocol processor to provide the sensor output signal. A fault test clock signal generator is responsive to the master clock signal and to a test trigger signal for generating the test clock signal having a launch pulse and a capture pulse, each having edges substantially coincident with like edges of pulses of the master clock signal and a spacing between launch and capture pulses established by the trimmable master clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Glenn A. Forrest, Aaron Cook, Dana Briere, Devon Fernandez, Naota Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9513338
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a state of charge of a battery. A magnetic force between the battery and a magnet is detected. The state of charge of the battery is determined based on the detected magnetic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Koch, Robert S. Conell
  • Patent number: 9513339
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide a battery monitor for a battery system that avoids current loops. A battery monitor may be provisioned as an integrated circuit and may include a pair of supply pins for reception of power to the integrated circuit, a third high impedance pin, and a voltage regulation circuit. When the circuits are deployed, the supply pins of several battery monitors may be connected to each other to form a stack. The high impedance inputs of each battery monitor may be coupled to low voltage terminals of an associated battery cell. A voltage reference circuit within the battery monitor may maintain the voltage at a low voltage supply of the monitors at a level that matches the voltage present on the high impedance input. Thus, the voltages on the monitors' low voltage supplies may be regulated. As a result, no current should flow through the high impedance pins of the battery monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Streit
  • Patent number: 9513340
    Abstract: A power information display device includes: a power information acquisition unit which acquires information relating to a remaining capacity of a storage battery, and information relating to power consumption of devices that use power of the storage battery; and a display unit which displays usable time of the storage battery when a plurality of devices are operating, and usable time when at least one of the plurality of devices has stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Misuzu Doi, Yumiko Kawazoe, Hirosuke Miki, Norihiro Ochi, Morihiro Katsurada
  • Patent number: 9513341
    Abstract: A current detection apparatus for detecting a current from a battery flowing through a harness. The apparatus includes a resistor having first and second fixed portions secured and electrically connected to a battery-side wiring and the harness, respectively, a circuit board provided with a current detection circuit for detecting a current flowing through the resistor on the basis of a potential difference between two positions along a current carrying path between the first and second fixed portions of the resistor, and a casing for housing the resistor and the circuit board. The resistor includes a current carrying member that provides the current carrying path and a lead member electrically connecting the current carrying member and the circuit board. The first and second fixed portions, and the current carrying member are disposed on the top surface of the battery, and the circuit board is disposed on a side of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuya Oohata
  • Patent number: 9513342
    Abstract: A novel method for real-time small-signal stability analysis within the instability borders for power electronic-based components in a power system. The method may be used to monitor a power system in real-time by perturbing the source side of an electronic-based component of the power system of about 0.5 to 1 percent of a nominal current of the power system at the source side, and perturbing the load side of the power electronic-based component by varying the voltage at the load side. Time-domain results of the perturbations may be transferred to frequency-domain results and the stability of the power system may be monitored by obtaining a Nyquist contour and employing unit circuit criterion or Generalized Nyquist Criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamadamin Salmani, Chris S. Edrington
  • Patent number: 9513343
    Abstract: A measuring system having a magnetic device for generating a magnetic field and having a magnetic field sensor for detecting a flux density of the magnetic field at least in a first spatial direction, whereby the magnetic field sensor is fixedly positioned relative to the magnetic device. The magnetic device has at least two main poles for generating a main magnetic field and at least two secondary poles for generating a secondary magnetic field. The magnetic field in the magnetic field sensor is formed by superposition of the main magnetic field and the secondary magnetic field. The magnetic field sensor is designed to measure the flux density of the superposition in the first spatial direction, and, in the magnetic field sensor, the secondary magnetic field compensates at least partially the main magnetic field in the first spatial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Micronas GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Heberle, Joerg Franke, Oliver Breitwieser, Timo Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 9513344
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a magnetic field sensor having a squat soft-magnetic body disposed on a surface of a substrate including a magnetic sensor array having a plurality of spatially diverse magnetic sensor elements disposed in a predetermined configuration. In the presence of an external magnetic field the squat soft-magnetic body becomes magnetized to generate a reactionary magnetic field. The plurality of magnetic sensor elements respectively measure a magnetic field value of a superposition of the external magnetic field and the reactionary magnetic field along a first axis (e.g., a z-axis), resulting in a plurality of spatially diverse measurements of the magnetic field component along the first axis. The plurality of spatially diverse measurements may be used to compute magnetic field components of the external magnetic field along a plurality of axes (e.g., x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Udo Ausserlechner
  • Patent number: 9513345
    Abstract: A system for magnetic detection of an external magnetic field is disclosed. The system includes a nitrogen vacancy (NV) diamond material comprising a plurality of NV centers, a magnetic field generator that generates a magnetic field, a radio frequency (RF) excitation source that provides RF excitation, an optical excitation source that provides optical excitation, an optical detector that receives an optical signal emitted by the NV diamond material, and a controller. The controller is configured to calculate a control magnetic field, control the magnetic field generator to generate the control magnetic field, receive a light detection signal from the optical detector based on the optical signal due to the sum of the generated control magnetic field and the external magnetic field, store measurement data based on the received light detection signal, and calculate a vector of the external magnetic field based on the stored measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Peter G. Kaup, Arul Manickam
  • Patent number: 9513346
    Abstract: A method and system for a device with a magnetic sensor includes a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet. The first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet of the magnetic sensor have at least one alternating ferromagnetic (FM) layer and antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer. The first permanent magnet is magnetized in a first direction and the second permanent magnet is magnetized in a second direction which is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The blocking temperature of the AFM layer of the first permanent magnet is higher than the blocking temperature of the AFM layer of the second permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Jong Il Shin, Jongwoo Shin
  • Patent number: 9513347
    Abstract: A device with a magnetic sensor includes a substrate with a device layer. A magnetic sensor is formed on the device layer and includes a first permanent magnet. The first permanent magnet has at least one alternating ferromagnetic (FM) layer and antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer, with a barrier layer disposed between the FM layer and the AFM layer. The first permanent magnet is magnetized in a first direction at a temperature higher than a blocking temperature of the AFM layer. A plurality of device pads are coupled to the magnetic sensor. An integrated circuit substrate with a plurality of IC pads, wherein the plurality of device pads are selectively eutectic bonded to the plurality of IC pads at a bonding temperature greater than the blocking temperature of the AFM layer of the first permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Invensense, Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Il Shin, Jongwoo Shin
  • Patent number: 9513348
    Abstract: A Hall electromotive force signal detection circuit combines offset cancellation means by a spinning current method of a Hall element with a continuous-time signal processing circuit. A Hall element includes first to fourth terminals, and generates a Hall electromotive force signal voltage Vhall1. Another Hall element generates another Hall electromotive force signal voltage Vhall2. A first switching circuit selects a terminal position for applying a drive current from the four terminals of the Hall element. A second switching circuit selects a terminal position for applying a drive current from the four terminals of the another Hall element, which is different from the terminal position selected by the first switching circuit. A chopper clock generation circuit supplies a chopper clock signal ?1, ?2 having two different phases to the switching circuit, and also supplies the chopper clock signal ?1, ?2 to the first and second switching circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeki Okatake, Takenobu Nakamura, Makoto Kataoka
  • Patent number: 9513349
    Abstract: A scissor type magnetic sensor having a magnetic bias structure extending from the back edge of first and second magnetic free layers. The magnetic bias structure is constructed of a magnetic material having a high magnetic moment, such as NiFe with a high Fe content or CoFe. The high magnetic moment bias structure reduces magnetic signal asymmetry while also maintaining high signal amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Hardayal S. Gill, Kuok S. Ho, Suping Song
  • Patent number: 9513350
    Abstract: An RF coil device and an MRI system are provided. The RF coil device includes m coil elements, where m is an integer greater than 1. The RF coil device also includes an RF switch control unit including n output terminals and m input terminals connected to the m coil elements, respectively, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than m. The RF coil device includes a decoder for outputting a control signal to the RF switch control unit according to a received control command. The RF switch control unit connects each of not more than n input terminals to a different output terminal according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wen Ming Li, Yu Ye Liu, Jian Min Wang
  • Patent number: 9513351
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance coil for transmitting and/or receiving magnetic resonance signals is provided. The magnetic resonance coil includes at least two overlapping coil elements. Coil conductors of the at least two overlapping coil elements intersect in intersection regions and are arranged on a support. Mutually overlapping coil elements of the at least two overlapping coil elements are arranged on different sides of the support. The support is formed from at least three layers of a support material. A cavity that is filled with air or a filler material, the dielectric constant of the filler material being lower than the dielectric constant of the support material, is provided in the intersection regions in a middle layer of the at least three layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Biber, Daniel Driemel, Helmut Greim, Steffen Wolf
  • Patent number: 9513352
    Abstract: A system for inductively communicating signals in a magnetic resonance imaging system is presented. The system includes first array of primary coils configured to acquire data from a patient positioned on a patient cradle. Furthermore, the system includes a second array of secondary coils operatively coupled to the first array of primary coils. Moreover, the system includes a third array of tertiary coils disposed at a determined distance from the second array of secondary coils. In addition, the system includes a tuning unit operatively coupled to the third array of tertiary coils by a cable having a quarter-wave electrical wavelength and configured to control the first array of primary coils through impedance transformation, where the second array of secondary coils is configured to inductively communicate the acquired data to the third array of tertiary coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Selaka Bandara Bulumulla, Christopher Judson Hardy, Karthikeyan Veeraswamy Sathyamurthy
  • Patent number: 9513353
    Abstract: A method of determining a magnet arrangement for use in magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the method including, determining a function representing current densities required within a magnet region to generate a field, determining a current density distribution required to generate a desired field, using the function and determining the magnet arrangement using the current density distribution, the magnet arrangement including a number of current carrying coils arranged within the magnet region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
    Inventors: Quang Minh Tieng, Viktor Vegh, Ian Malcolm Brereton
  • Patent number: 9513354
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to estimating an electrical property of tissue using Magnetic Resonance (MR) images. In exemplary embodiments, complex MR images of a target tissue are obtained. An estimated value of an electrical property of the target tissue is determined based on complex values of the pixels in the complex MR images. The complex values are proportional to the product of the transmit radio frequency magnetic field and the receive RF magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ileana Hancu, Selaka Bandara Bulumulla, Seung-Kyun Lee
  • Patent number: 9513355
    Abstract: A method for controlling a magnetic resonance system is provided. The magnetic resonance system includes a plurality of radio-frequency transmit channels via which, in operation, parallel RF pulse trains are transmitted. The method includes specifying a common reference pulse train for the plurality of the radio-frequency transmit channels. The method also includes, determining, in an RF pulse optimization method, taking into account a prespecified target magnetization, a transmit scaling factor for each of the radio-frequency transmit channels in order to calculate the RF pulse trains for the transmit channels on the basis of the reference pulse train. The transmit scaling factors are optimized taking into account a component-induced B1 field maximum value that is dependent upon the transmit scaling factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Dieter Ritter
  • Patent number: 9513356
    Abstract: In order to improve contrast and image quality in non-orthogonal measurement without sacrificing speed, in imaging which combines a fast imaging sequence for acquiring a plurality of echo signals in one shot with non-orthogonal system measurement, the shape of a blade in which an echo train of each shot is arranged includes a fan-shaped region having the radius and the arc of a circle centered on the origin of the k space, and a region overlapping an adjacent blade. During measurement, control is performed such that an echo signal for desired TE of each blade is arranged in a low spatial frequency region of a k space, and during image reconstruction, body motion between the blades is corrected using data of the overlapping regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kamada, Masahiro Takizawa
  • Patent number: 9513357
    Abstract: Processing techniques of volumetric anatomic and vector field data from volumetric phase-contrast MRI on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are provided to evaluate the physiology of the heart and vessels. This method includes the steps of: (1) correcting for phase-error in the source data, (2) visualizing the vector field superimposed on the anatomic data, (3) using this visualization to select and view planes in the volume, and (4) using these planes to delineate the boundaries of the heart and vessels so that measurements of the heart and vessels can be accurately obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Albert Hsiao, Shreyas S Vasanawala, Marcus T. Alley
  • Patent number: 9513358
    Abstract: The method and system for correcting motion-induced phase errors in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) use a phase shift of the non-phase encoded reference echo-signal accumulated during the diffusion-weighting in order to characterize bulk motion and tissue deformation and to compensate their effect for correcting the diffusion/perfusion-weighted image. The sequences unbalanced with respect to the first motion derivative are used for distinguishing the perfusion component. The MRI apparatus provides additional excitation resonance-frequency ranges for forming the reference echo signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Vaposun Inc.
    Inventor: Pavel Levin
  • Patent number: 9513359
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a forward spatial encoding polarity magnetic resonance (MR) coil image and a reverse spatial encoding polarity MR coil image generated from data obtained with a magnetic field gradient that is reversed with respect to the magnetic field gradient with which the forward spatial encoding polarity MR coil image is acquired. The method also includes performing an iterative shift map calculation algorithm to determine a pixel shift map corresponding to a minimized difference between the forward and reverse spatial encoding polarity MR coil images, converting the pixel shift map into a magnetic field shift map by determining a magnetic field value corresponding to each pixel in the pixel shift map, and providing the magnetic field shift map as an input to a shim calculation process that includes determining a level of at least one shim current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kevin Matthew Koch, Eric M. Printz
  • Patent number: 9513360
    Abstract: A method for testing mainframe performance of different types of PD detectors based on analog voltage signal injection, the method comprises: using a function generator (19) with an adjustable output frequency of 0 to 3.5 GHz and an adjustable output amplitude of 0 to 10V, directly injecting or injecting via a DC blocking element (28) with a frequency band of 10 kHz to 10 MHz equivalent analog voltage signals generated by said function generator (19) based on PD waveforms actually tested by a pulse current PD detection sensor (6), an ultrasound PD detection sensor (12,13) and a UHF PD detection sensor (9) into mainframes of a pulse current PD detector, an ultrasound PD detector and a UHF PD detector respectively. The advantages are that the test method is universalized and standardized, the test result is reproducible and measurable, the application scope of the test object is wide, and the test content is comprehensive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: The Electric Power Research Institute of Yunnan Power Grid Company Limited
    Inventors: Ke Wang, Xianping Zhao, Junyu Dong, Xiangyu Tan, Jing Peng, Enxin Xiang
  • Patent number: 9513361
    Abstract: A system and related method is disclosed including a symmetrical array of Balanced Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna (BAVA) elements. Within the array a plurality of dual polarization sub-arrays comprised of individual BAVA elements oriented in a first polarization and individual BAVA elements oriented in a second polarization. The plurality of sub-arrays maintains low mutual coupling and cross polarization rejection between sub-arrays within the array and between elements within the sub-array. As a signal is received by each of the individual BAVA elements, signals from each first polarized BAVA element and each second polarized BAVA element of a sub-array are combined to produce a single signal of the first polarization and a single signal of the second polarization per sub-array. A DF processor receives the two signals and determines the angle of arrival of the signal. A communications link within the array sends and receives information and commands for array operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Wajih A. Elsallal, James B. West
  • Patent number: 9513362
    Abstract: A method for enhancing positioning measurement and a communications apparatus are disclosed. The method includes receiving an observed mobility difference of arrival (OTDOA) request and a search list of cells provided by a network at a second time point, comparing the received search list to a stored search list of cells which is received from the network at a first time point and stored in a database, searching at least one of the cells from the received search list by using different search ranges adjusted according to the comparison result, and storing the at least one of the cells in the database, and performing OTDOA measurements from the at least one of the cells. The corresponding communications apparatus includes a receiving module, a comparing module, a searching module, and a measuring module, configured to carry out the above-identified operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Tsung-Yu Chiou, Yuan-Wen Ting
  • Patent number: 9513363
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining signal source probabilities. Signal source probabilities, for a plurality of sub-areas of a geographic area covered by a plurality of signal sources, may be determined. For each one of the plurality of sub-areas, the signal source probabilities may be determined based on probable field strengths of the plurality of signal sources for the one of the plurality of sub-areas, and the signal source probabilities for that one of the plurality of sub-areas indicate the probability that a mobile device, located in that one of the plurality of sub-areas, is operable to detect a particular signal source for communicating. Determining signal source probabilities may comprise calculating expected field strengths in the plurality of sub-areas. Determining signal source probabilities may comprise obtaining power information indicating a detected power of respective signals received by the mobile device from multiple transmitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SWISSCOM AG
    Inventor: Ernst Versteeg
  • Patent number: 9513364
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques to authenticate tags passing through detection regions against an access control list, receive data that identifies a number of people passing through or within the detection regions, compare the number people identified by the received data with the number of tags identified by the system, and cause an alarm to be asserted when a discrepancy is detected in the number people identified with the number of tags in a detection region with personnel within the detection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventors: Stewart E. Hall, Robert F. Brewin, Scott M. Clements