Patents Issued in March 7, 2017
  • Patent number: 9588154
    Abstract: A method for operating a microcomputer apparatus includes provisioning an electrical reference voltage that is independent of an electrical supply voltage, continuously comparing a defined level of the electrical reference voltage with the electrical supply voltage, and performing a defined operation with the microcomputer apparatus for at least one defined ratio between the defined level of the electrical reference voltage and the electrical supply voltage. The provisioning and the continuous comparing involves using a functional module of the microcomputer apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Rombach, Kamil Pogorzelski, Jacek Wiszniewski, Marcus Prantner
  • Patent number: 9588155
    Abstract: Threshold detection for load current on a bus involves generating an output current representative of the load current using a transconductance circuit, sampling the output current during a quiescent phase of the bus to produce a sample current, generating a compensation current that is proportional to the transconductance gain associated with the transconductance circuit, where the compensation current is a function of the sample current, combining the output current, the sample current, the compensation current, and a reference current representative of a threshold value for the load current to produce a combined current, and using a discriminator during an active phase of the bus to output a first value when the sum current exceeds the threshold value and a second value when the combined current is less than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Siddhartha Gopal Krishna, Ramji Gupta
  • Patent number: 9588156
    Abstract: A voltage stability monitoring apparatus monitors the voltage stability of a transmission corridor through which power flows between different parts of a power system. The apparatus monitors an equivalent load impedance at an interface between the transmission corridor and a part of the power system designated as generating the power. This equivalent load impedance at the interface comprises a ratio of a voltage phasor at the interface to a current phasor at the interface. The apparatus tracks a Thevenin equivalent voltage and impedance of the designated part by separately updating that voltage and impedance. Notably, the apparatus updates the imaginary part of the Thevenin equivalent voltage to reflect the magnitude of any changes in the voltage phasor that are associated with large variations in the magnitude of the equivalent load impedance at the interface. The apparatus computes an index indicating the voltage stability as a function of this tracked Thevenin equivalent voltage and impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Quanta Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Mevludin Glavic, Vahid Madani, Damir Novosel
  • Patent number: 9588157
    Abstract: A current sense circuit for a PWM driver comprises: a PWM control circuit comprising: a first switching device arranged to receive a PWM signal from the PWM driver whose current is to be sensed; and a second switching device whose supply current is arranged to track the sensed current of the PWM driver. An ADC is operably coupled to the first and second switching device. The ADC comprises: a DAC arranged to provide a current sense to the second switching device that tracks the current passing through the PWM driver; a first comparator arranged to receive and compare an output current from the DAC and an output current from the first switching device; and a first successive approximation register arranged to receive an output from the comparator and provide: a first output to the ADC; and a second output that provides a representation of the sensed current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Benoit Alcouffe, Jerome Casters, Tarek Hakam, Bernard Pierre Francois Pechaud
  • Patent number: 9588158
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining information on a power variation of a transmit signal comprises a power amplifier module, an antenna module and a power variation determining module. The power amplifier module amplifies a radio frequency transmit signal and the antenna module transmits at least partly the amplified radio frequency transmit signal. The power variation determining module determines a weighted sum of a first feedback signal derived from the amplified radio frequency transmit signal and a second feedback signal derived from the amplified radio frequency transmit signal. The first feedback signal and the second feedback signal comprise different dependencies on a varying impedance at the antenna module. Further, the power variation determining module generates a power variation signal based on the weighted sum. The power variation signal comprises information related to a power variation of the amplified radio frequency transmit signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Intel IP Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Langer, Thomas Bruder
  • Patent number: 9588159
    Abstract: An acquisition unit acquires first measurement values of the amounts of electric power of respective branch circuits or respective load devices and second measurement values of the amount of electric power of a master circuit provided for a building from a measurement device. An overall set unit obtains an overall reference value on the basis of a history of the second measurement values, and the unit receives a reduction target to set an overall target value on the basis of the overall reference value and the reduction target. An individual set unit sets an individual target value by distributing the overall target value set in the overall set unit to the amounts of electric power of the respective branch circuits or the respective load devices as allocation objects. A display instruction unit instructs display of the individual target value and the first measurement values acquired by the acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Takehara
  • Patent number: 9588160
    Abstract: A wire manager including current sensing features provides input for power measurement and management systems. The wire manager may be a single wire or single bundle retaining device with a current sensor such as a hall effect sensor integrated therein, or may be a multi-wire management housing with multiple current sensing devices disposed inside for measuring the current through multiple wires. The wires may be multiple branch circuits in a power distribution panel or raceway, and the wire manager may be adapted for mounting in such a panel or raceway. Voltage sensing may also be incorporated within the sensors by providing an electrically conductive plate, wire or other element that capacitively couples to the corresponding wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary D. Carpenter, Wael El-Essawy, Thomas W. Keller, Jr., Juan C. Rubio
  • Patent number: 9588161
    Abstract: In one example, this disclosure describes a circuit and techniques that may be used to measure the ion balance in an ionization balance device (10). The described circuit comprises a capacitor (22) that includes two conductors (23, 24), wherein a first one (23) of the conductors is exposed to the output of the ionization device, and the second one (24) of the conductors is shielded from the output of the ionization device. The first conductor may accumulate charge so as to quantify the output of the ionization balance device. A switch (29) may be used to discharge the first conductor at periodic intervals in order to measure the accumulated charge on the first conductor, and signal processing may be performed on this discharge measurement in order to generate feedback that can be used to control and adjust the output of an ion source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Desco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Siarhei V. Savich
  • Patent number: 9588162
    Abstract: A positioning device for capacitively detecting an object enclosed in a medium includes a measuring electrode, a reference electrode, and a receiving electrode. The measuring electrode with the receiving electrode forms a measuring capacitance, which can be influenced by the object. The reference electrode with the receiving electrode forms a reference capacitance, which cannot be influenced by the object. The positioning device further includes an oscillator configured to supply the measuring capacitance and the reference capacitance with phase-shifted AC voltages and a control device configured to control amplitudes of at least one of the AC voltages, in order to adapt effects of electrical fields of the measuring electrode or of the reference electrode on the receiving electrode to one another. The measuring, reference, and receiving electrodes are planarly formed. The measuring electrode has a larger surface area than the reference electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Zibold, Andrej Albrecht
  • Patent number: 9588163
    Abstract: The present invention is related to an apparatus and method for detecting a foreign object in a wireless power transmitting system. Specifically, a wireless power transmitting apparatus includes a primary core block which transmits wireless power to a wireless power receiving apparatus through magnetic induction or magnetic resonance; an electric driving unit applying an AC (Alternating Current) signal required for the primary core block to transmit the wireless power; a control unit being connected to the electric driving unit and generating a control signal for controlling the AC signal; and a current measurement unit measuring a current flowing into the primary core block and obtaining a current measurement value converted to a numeric value relevant for the control unit to analyze the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: HANRIM POSTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Gu Yoon, Suk Woo Chung
  • Patent number: 9588164
    Abstract: Devices and methods for monitoring a high-voltage arrangement wherein a current loop runs through elements of the high-voltage arrangement that are monitored. Voltages are sensed on at least three points of the current loop. On the basis of the sensed voltages, an interruption of the current loop is detected and, in response, a high-voltage supply is interrupted. The interruption is localized on the basis of the sensed voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Arnold, Uwe Lachmund
  • Patent number: 9588165
    Abstract: A method of testing an electric discharge stun device includes the steps of identifying a stun device to be tested and absorbing a discharge from the stun device into a tester. The discharge is characterized by a discharge characteristic that is then compared automatically to information such as (a) a previous corresponding characteristic associated with a previous discharge of the stun device or (b) a corresponding characteristic associated with a prior discharge of at least one other stun device. The characteristic can be a waveform, a peak voltage, duration, current, joule, and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: AEGIS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Burns, Bruno D.V. Marino, Kenneth J. Stethem
  • Patent number: 9588166
    Abstract: A ground check system for checking a ground conductor of a power supply comprising at least one line conductor comprises a pulse generator and a compare circuit. The pulse generator applies a test signal to a test circuit formed at least in part by the ground conductor and the at least one line conductor when an AC voltage on the at least one line conductor is approximately zero volts. The compare circuit compares the test signal passing through the test circuit with at least one test criteria indicative of an unacceptable ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: WOOD STONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark L. Stephenson, Aaron Michelle
  • Patent number: 9588167
    Abstract: A receiver includes an internal antenna installed on a substrate and capable of receiving a wireless signal, and an external antenna connected to a connector, which is arranged on the substrate, and capable of receiving the wireless signal. A demodulator is arranged on the substrate and demodulates the wireless signals received through the internal antenna and the external antenna. An applying circuit is arranged on the substrate and applies a voltage to the external antenna via the connector. A disconnection detector is arranged on the substrate and detects whether the external antenna is disconnected based on a voltage or current applied by the applying circuit. The internal antenna forms a part of the applying circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Masanori Kosugi
  • Patent number: 9588168
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to calculating a fault location in an electric power transmission system based on traveling waves. In one embodiment, a system consistent with the present disclosure may be configured to detect a fault in an electric power transmission system. The system may include a traveling wave detection subsystem configured to detect and measure traveling waves on a transmission line and a fault location estimation subsystem. The fault location estimation subsystem may receive from the traveling wave detection subsystem a first plurality of traveling waves on the transmission line generated during a reference event. The fault location estimation subsystem may receive from the traveling wave detection subsystem a second plurality of traveling waves generated during an unplanned event. An unmatched traveling wave in the second plurality of waves may be detected and a location of the unplanned event based on the unmatched traveling wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Mangapathirao Venkata Mynam, Armando Guzman-Casillas
  • Patent number: 9588169
    Abstract: There are disclosed apparatus and methods for testing a live circuit powered from an alternating current (AC) voltage. A zero crossing detector detects zero crossings of the AC voltage. A spread spectrum time domain reflectometer (SSTDR) coupled to the zero crossing detector performs measurements of the live circuit, each measurement synchronized with a zero crossings of the AC voltage. A processor coupled to the SSTDR detects faults in the live circuit based on correlation data provided by the SSTDR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: LiveWire Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Arthur Watkins, Niall Michael McNamara
  • Patent number: 9588170
    Abstract: A saturation edge detection circuit for testing a saturation level in an insulated gate bipolar transistor (“IGBT”) includes a first input operable to receive an on signal, a second input coupled to an IGBT driver circuit, and an output coupled to a control electrode of the IGBT. The output indicates a change in a state of a saturation voltage associated with the IGBT during operation of the IGBT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventor: Thierry Sicard
  • Patent number: 9588171
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of testing an integrated circuit, includes receiving a supply voltage on the integrated circuit via a first input pin, providing power to circuits disposed on the integrated circuit via the first input pin, comparing the supply voltage to an internally generated voltage, generating a digital output value based on the comparing, and applying the digital output value to a pin of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Nikolay Ilkov, Winfried Bakalski
  • Patent number: 9588172
    Abstract: Provided is a device capable of generating test patterns even after the design stage. The area of a circuit which is included in the device and unnecessary during normal operation can be reduced. The device includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The second circuit includes a plurality of third circuits, a plurality of fourth circuits, and a fifth circuit and has a function of generating a signal for testing operation of the first circuit and a function of operating as part of the first circuit. The fourth circuit has a function of storing a first data and a function of storing a second data. The fifth circuit has a function of writing the first data to the plurality of fourth circuits, a function of writing the second data to the plurality of fourth circuits, and a function of reading the second data from the plurality of fourth circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 9588173
    Abstract: A test fixture has a flexible plastic cable that acts as a waveguide. The Device-Under-Test (DUT) is a small transceiver and antenna that operate in the Extremely High-Frequency (EHF) band of 30-300 GHz. The size of the DUT transceiver is very small, limiting the power of emitted electromagnetic radiation so that close-proximity communication is used. The envelope for reception may only extend for about a centimeter from the DUT transceiver, about the same size as the test socket. A slot is formed in the test socket very near to the antenna. The slot receives one end of the plastic waveguide. The slot extends into the envelope by the DUT transceiver so that close-proximity radiation is captured by the plastic waveguide. The waveguide has a high relative permittivity and reflective metalized walls so that the radiation may be carried to a receiver that is outside the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Keyssa, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Isaac, Bhupendra Sarhad, Gary Davis McCormack, Ian A. Kyles, Frederick George Weiss, Christopher Scott Sansom
  • Patent number: 9588174
    Abstract: A design-for-test (DFT) architecture for testing a three dimensional (3D) integrated circuit, may comprise a two dimensional (2D) silicon layer n?1 and a 2D silicon layer n connected together with a through silicon via (TSV) having a first side and a second side; scannable latch circuits on said first side and said second side of said TSV, wherein said scannable latch circuits: control flow of data between said layer n?1 and said layer n and allow said TSV to be verified; allow launch and capture clocks to be applied with variable delay in order to perform an alternating current delay fault test between said layer n?1 and said layer n; and have a quiescent state supply current (IDDq) test function built in which allows selection of an input load for a unidirectional signal connection between said layer n?1 and said layer n.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Raphael Peter Robertazzi
  • Patent number: 9588175
    Abstract: A semiconductor device inspection system (1) includes a laser beam source (2), for emitting light, an optical sensor (12) for detecting the light reflected by the semiconductor device (10) from the light and outputting a detection signal, a frequency band setting unit (16) for setting a measurement frequency band and a reference frequency band with respect to the detection signal, a spectrum analyzer (15) for generating a measurement signal and a reference signal from the detection signals in the measurement frequency band and the reference frequency band, and a signal acquisition unit (17) for calculating a difference between the measurement signal and the reference signal to acquire an analysis signal. The frequency band setting unit (16) sets the reference frequency band to a frequency domain in which a level of the detection signal is lower than a level obtained by adding 3 decibels to a white noise level serving as a reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventor: Tomonori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9588176
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may include user storage circuits and scan storage circuits. The scan storage circuits may store data from the user storage circuits and provide the data to a user interface during a read-back operation. The user storage circuits may store data from the scan storage circuits, which the scan storage circuits may have received from the user interface during a write-back operation. The scan storage circuits may be arranged in a scan chain and controlled by a local control circuit. The integrated circuit may include multiple local control circuits that each control a sector of the integrated circuit. The local control circuits may communicate with a global control circuit over a communication network, and the global control circuit may communicate with the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hutton, Sean Atsatt, James Ball, Dana How, Jeffrey Chromczak, Eng Ling Ho
  • Patent number: 9588177
    Abstract: Technical solutions are described for optimizing a set of test configurations used for testing an electronic circuit that includes latches. An example method includes receiving a test configuration that includes settings that initiate a set of predetermined input values and corresponding expected output values. The method also includes evaluating the test configuration by executing the electronic circuit according to the test configuration and recording parametric data during the execution, where the parametric data is representative of switching activity of the latches in the electronic circuit. The evaluation includes analyzing the parametric data to identify presence of a predetermined pattern in the switching activity and selecting the test configuration based on the predetermined pattern being absent/present in the switching activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eugene R. Atwood, Mary P. Kusko, Paul J. Logsdon, Franco Motika, Andrew A. Turner
  • Patent number: 9588178
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus of using the JTAG TAP's TMS and TCK terminals as a general purpose serial Input/Output (I/O) bus. According to the present disclosure, the TAP's TMS terminal is used as a clock signal and the TCK terminal is used as a bidirectional data signal to allow serial communication to occur between; (1) an IC and an external controller, (2) between a first and second IC, or (3) between a first and second core circuit within an IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 9588179
    Abstract: A method for masking scan chains in a test circuit of an integrated circuit is disclosed. A test pattern to be fed into the test circuit of the integrated circuit is generated. The generated test pattern can be used for detecting a primary fault, one or more secondary faults, and one or more tertiary faults. A mask to mask the output of the scan chains of the test circuit is generated. If a condition is not met, a mask that increases the total number of detectable faults is generated. If the condition is met, a mask that protects the primary fault of the test pattern is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventors: Jyotirmoy Saikia, Rohit Kapur
  • Patent number: 9588180
    Abstract: A circuit, system, machine-readable storage medium and method for detecting the presence of a leakage path in a multi-cell voltage source is described. The system includes a detection circuit, the detection circuit having a first, second and third amplifiers, a first input of the first amplifier connected to a first terminal of the voltage source and the first input of the second amplifier connected to a second terminal of the voltage source, a second input of each of the first and second amplifiers connected to a reference capacitor, and an output of each of the first, second and third amplifiers connected to a respective first, second and third outputs of the detection circuit; and a processor having inputs connected to the first and second outputs of the detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Streit
  • Patent number: 9588181
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring a voltage of electrochemical cells of a pack. The system includes circuit elements individually associated with respective electrochemical cells of the pack and having electrical characteristics that are different such that individual electrochemical cells can be distinguished from one another. The system also includes a measurement circuit configured to measure the voltage of the electrochemical cells and to identify an electrochemical cell being measured based on an electrical characteristic of a circuit element associated with the electrochemical cell. Various self-diagnostic techniques are described, as well as techniques for measuring sense resistance, reducing sense resistance, and measuring changes in voltage of a cell over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventors: Peter Fredrick Nortman, Daniel A. Sufrin-Disler, Phillip John Weicker, Patrick J. Mcgulpin
  • Patent number: 9588182
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for estimating when preventive maintenance of power capacitors is called for. Such a system may include, for example, a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and data processing circuitry. The voltage sensor may measure a voltage difference across a phase of a power capacitor. The current sensor may measure a current across the phase of the power capacitor. The data processing circuitry to determine a first instantaneous indication of a difference between a nominal capacitance of the power capacitor and an actual value of the power capacitor based at least in part on the measured first voltage difference and first current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Silvio Colombi, Marco Crespan
  • Patent number: 9588183
    Abstract: A secondary battery is charged at a predetermined charging current density to a first SOC, and discharged at a discharging current density same as the charging current density to a second SOC smaller than the first SOC, the voltage thereof is stabilized by leaving the secondary battery for a predetermined time while maintaining the secondary battery in the range of ±3° C. from the battery temperature of the secondary battery that has been discharged, the secondary battery the voltage of which has been stabilized is self-discharged under room temperature, and the presence or absence of a short-circuit is detected on the basis of a voltage drop amount after a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takayuki Nakayama, Akio Minakuchi
  • Patent number: 9588184
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a method of managing a state of charge of a battery having a plurality of battery cells. The method may include calculating an individual state of charge for each battery cell, calculating an average state of charge for the battery cells, defining a minimum and a maximum average state of charge threshold, and calculating an overall state of charge for the battery such that when the average state of charge is below the minimum threshold, the overall state of charge is calculated based on the state of charge of a subset of battery cells having the lowest state of charge, and when the average state of charge is above the maximum threshold, the overall state of charge is calculated based on the state of charge of a subset of battery cells having the highest state of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: NUVERA FUEL CELLS, INC.
    Inventors: Tyler Underhill, Pierre-Francois Quet
  • Patent number: 9588185
    Abstract: A testing device contains measuring circuitry adapted to apply time-varying electrical excitation to a cell or battery, to sense a time-varying electrical response, and to thus determine components of complex immittance at n+m discrete frequencies, where n is an integer equal to or greater than two and m is an integer equal to or greater than one. Computation circuitry utilizes measured complex immittance components at the n discrete frequencies to evaluate the elements of a 2n-element equivalent circuit model. It then calculates the complex immittance of this model at the m discrete frequencies and mathematically compares components of the calculated immittances with components of the measured immittances at the m discrete frequencies. The results of this comparison establish the degree of cell deterioration without regard to the battery's manufacturer, group size, or its electrical ratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Keith S. Champlin
  • Patent number: 9588186
    Abstract: A battery management system for use with a battery under test is disclosed. The system includes a container configured to hold the battery. The system also includes a stress/strain sensor. The container is configured to hold the battery in fixed relationship with respect to the stress/strain sensor. A processor is coupled to the stress/strain sensor, the processor being configured to measure the stress/strain on the battery and determine the state of health (SOH) of the battery based on the measured stress/strain and previously stored SOH relationship data for the battery. The processor may be configured to determine a state of charge (SOC) of the battery based on the measured stress/strain, the SOH of the battery and previously stored SOC relationship data for the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Craig B. Arnold, John Cannarella
  • Patent number: 9588187
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a battery life includes a battery monitor configured to monitor an output signal from a battery; a steady state detector configured to detect a first steady state in which the output signal stays in a steady state and a second steady state differing from the first steady state; and an estimator configured to estimate a battery life from a variation of the output signal in a transient state in which the output signal transitions from the first steady state to the second steady state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Do Park
  • Patent number: 9588188
    Abstract: A method and system of remotely monitoring an operational status of electronic discharge devices in an air purification system senses emitted radiation at a location proximate the air purification system, alone or in combination with a determination of an amount of time remaining in an operational lifetime of the electronic discharge device, or an amount of power delivered to at least one of the electronic discharge devices. A determination of the operational status of at least one of the electronic discharge devices is made based on at least emitted radiation, and the status information is transmitted to a remote monitoring unit that receives the status information and displays an indicator of operational status. In one embodiment, the operational status of a UV-C germicidal lamp may be monitored using optically sensitive devices located within a purification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Steril-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Kanghong Zhang, Robert M. Culbert, Robert Scheir, Richard Mueller
  • Patent number: 9588189
    Abstract: A system of detecting magnetic field comprises a magnetic impedance element surrounded by a detection coil, a stimulus unit that generates pulse signal of programmable rise/fall time to drive the magnetic impedance element, and a signal detection module that detects signal on the detection coil, wherein the signal detection module includes a buffer unit having adjustable bandwidth for shaping output signal of the detection coil, a signal amplify unit that includes a sample and hold circuit and a chopping programmable gain amplifier to amplify buffered signal from the buffer unit, a signal processing unit that processes amplified signal from the signal amplify unit by applying a selectable algorithm to output detection result, and a control unit that connects the signal processing unit to generate control parameters of the stimulus unit, the buffer unit, the signal amplify unit, and the signal processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: PROLIFIC TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Chih-Shiun Lu
  • Patent number: 9588190
    Abstract: A method includes supplying a current to at least one conductive path integral with a MEMS device to thereby exert a Lorentz force on the MEMS device in the presence of a magnetic field. The method includes determining the magnetic field based on a control value in a control loop configured to maintain a constrained range of motion of the MEMS device. The control loop may be configured to maintain the MEMS device in a stationary position. The current may have a frequency equal to a resonant frequency of the MEMS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Eric B. Smith, Riad Wahby, Yan Zhou
  • Patent number: 9588191
    Abstract: A superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID) comprises a superconducting inductive loop with at least two Josephson junction, whereby a magnetic flux coupled into the inductive loop produces a modulated response up through radio frequencies. Series and parallel arrays of SQUIDs can increase the dynamic range, output, and linearity, while maintaining bandwidth. Several approaches to achieving a linear triangle-wave transfer function are presented, including harmonic superposition of SQUID cells, differential serial arrays with magnetic frustration, and a novel bi-SQUID cell comprised of a nonlinear Josephson inductance shunting the linear coupling inductance. Total harmonic distortion of less than ?120 dB can be achieved in optimum cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hypres, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor K. Kornev, Igor I. Soloviev, Nikolai V. Klenov, Oleg A. Mukhanov
  • Patent number: 9588192
    Abstract: Disclosed are a magnetic sensor chip and a magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor chip comprises a magnetic sensitive film (2, 21), and in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic sensitive film (2, 21) are provided a number n of suppression units (4) capable of achieving the sectionalized suppression of a demagnetizing field, where the number n is an integer equal to or greater than 2. By means of the suppression units (4) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic sensitive film (2, 21), the magnetic sensitive film (2, 21) to achieve a suppression of a demagnetizing field, so as to reduce or even eliminate the hysteresis of the magnetic sensitive film (2, 21), thus improving the sensitivity of the magnetic sensor chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventors: Bingjun Qu, Wei Xiong
  • Patent number: 9588193
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic sensor includes: a case disposed facing an object that is to be detected; a plurality of magnetic sensing portions accommodated inside the case; and a magnetic generator disposed inside the case, between the plurality of magnetic sensing portions and the object that is to be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Junji Miura, Seiji Ikari
  • Patent number: 9588194
    Abstract: A method and structure for operating a magnetoresistive sensor system includes applying a set-reset process wherein the set-reset signal is phased through the magnetoresistive element in such a way that the set-reset field of each region is not released until the adjacent field is aligned. Starting at one end of the magnetoresistive element, the set-reset signal is activated. This aligns the domains directly underneath the first of the set-reset elements. Before this field is released, the adjacent set-reset is activated, which aligned the domains in the adjacent field. Once the adjacent field has been realigned, the set-reset field in the first region can be released, and the set-reset field in the next region can be activated. In this way, no more than two set-reset elements must be active at any one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: mCube Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony F. Flannery, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9588195
    Abstract: The end-effector includes a sheath and a medical device or needle carrier that is disposed within the interior compartment of the sheath. An aperture is located in a portion of the sheath proximal a distal end of the sheath that is inserted into a natural or artificial cavity. This device is guided by a real-time imager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Gabor Fichtinger, Ergin Atalar, Louis L. Whitcomb, Robert C. Susil, Axel Krieger, Attila Tanacs
  • Patent number: 9588196
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-channel (e.g. quadrature) MRI transmit system in which RF power amplifiers having different power capabilities are used in different transmit channels. This results in reduced system costs, due to the avoidance of an unused excess of RF power capability when the power demand for obtaining a homogeneous B1-field (RF shimming) is asymmetric and the asymmetry is qualitatively the same for different imaging applications. The multi-channel transmit unit may also comprise a commutator which enables to selectively connect each RF power amplifier to each drive port of transmit coil arrangement (e.g. a birdcage coil).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Paul Royston Harvey, Wilhelmus Reinerius Maria Mens
  • Patent number: 9588197
    Abstract: A method and a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) system are provided. The MRT system includes at least one cable. The MRT system is configured to transmit high frequency (HF) signals for at least one HF transmitting coil, and shim signals for at least one shim coil and/or gradient signals for at least one gradient coil in the at least one cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Biber, Wolfgang Renz, Jan Ruff
  • Patent number: 9588198
    Abstract: An open type nuclear magnetic resonance magnet system having an iron ring member. A superconducting coil and a superconducting switch form a closed-loop current circuit to generate a magnetic field. The generated magnetic field gains a magnetic flux circuit and executes magnetic field shielding through upper and lower iron yokes and a lateral iron yoke. The magnet system generates a desired magnetic field in a magnet imaging central area via the superconducting coil. To balance the extremely high electromagnetic force between the superconducting coil and the upper and lower iron yokes, an annular iron ring is mounted in a space defined by an inner perimeter wall of in a cryogenic container. The magnetic field distribution between the superconducting coil and the upper and lower iron yokes is changed via the iron ring, so that the electromagnetic interaction force therebetween is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Qiuliang Wang, Hui Wang, Xinning Hu, Yinming Dai, Luguang Yan, Jianyi Xu, Housheng Wang, Jianhua Wang
  • Patent number: 9588199
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for detecting unplugged local coils in a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) device. The MRT device includes a local coil that has a RFID tag configured to detect transmitted RFID signals. When at least one transmitted RFID signal is detected, at least one unplugged local coil is detected in the MRT device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Kess
  • Patent number: 9588200
    Abstract: In order to avoid the duplication of the period and cost required for magnetic field adjustment, minimize the magnetic field adjustment period in a final installation site, and achieve highly efficient magnetic field adjustment of a magnet, a method for adjusting the homogeneity of a static magnetic field generated in a measurement space by a static magnetic field generation means by disposing magnetic field correction means for generating a corrected magnetic field with respect to the static magnetic field comprises: a step for measuring the static magnetic field generated by the static magnetic field generation means; a step for expanding the spatial distribution of the measured static magnetic field in a series; a first magnetic field adjustment step for correcting a high-order term irregular magnetic field components expanded in a series; and a second step for adjusting a low-order irregular magnetic field component, the second step being performed after the first adjustment step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 9588201
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting at least one compound in a material under test (MUT) is presented. The system includes a Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) frequency generator that generates an NQR frequency (fNQR) and propagates the fNQR frequency toward the MUT. A microwave frequency generator generates a microwave frequency (fmw) and propagates the fmw frequency toward the MUT. A RF output probe detects radio frequency (RF) emissions returned from the MUT. A detector detects the at least one compound based, at least in part, on whether the RF emissions returned from the MUT include any frequencies corresponding to fmw+/?(n×fNQR), where n is an integer of 2 or greater. In the preferred embodiment, n=2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Don A. Harris, Michael J. Bowers, II, Roland A. Gilbert, Tadd C. Kippeny
  • Patent number: 9588202
    Abstract: A method and system for providing an article of manufacture with increased longevity of hyperpolarized 1H signals (and other species) for NMR spectroscopy and MRI. The method involves providing a material including a molecular species susceptible of NMR spectroscopy, by providing parahydrogen (and other appropriate species) to disperse within the material/solvent to establish increased longevity of the NMR signals. The material can be in a solution with a surfactant and catalysts added to enhance the persistence of parahydrogen (or other species) in the form of enhanced solubility, microbubbles or micelles and resultant hydrogenation (or other species) of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventors: Joel A. Tang, Francesca Gruppi, Roman Fleysher, Daniel K. Sodickson, James W. Canary, Alexej Jerschow
  • Patent number: 9588203
    Abstract: An assembly for determining at least one electrical property of an object. The assembly includes at least one transmitter that can generate a plurality of electromagnetic field distribution patterns directed at an object. The assembly also includes a data apparatus with an MRI apparatus and a data processor. The MRI apparatus can produce at least one image of the object using a magnitude or a phase modulated by the electromagnetic field distribution patterns. The processor can then process data associated with the object to determine the at least one electrical property the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventors: Yudong Zhu, Daniel K. Sodickson