Input Circuit For Simultaneous Electrical And Mechanical Output From Piezoelectric Element Patents (Class 310/316.01)
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Patent number: 10890607Abstract: A sense circuit for a piezoresistive sensor is provided that comprises: an energy storage circuit coupled to the piezoresistive sensor via a first node; a charge control circuit coupled to the first node and configured to charge the energy storage circuit to a predetermined potential; a discharge control circuit configured to allow the energy storage circuit to discharge through the piezoresistive sensor; and a readout circuit coupled to the first node and configured to output a sensed voltage based on a level of charges stored by the energy storage circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.Inventors: Chihjen Cheng, Xiaoliang Ding, Pengpeng Wang, Xueyou Cao, Yuzhen Guo
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Patent number: 10869963Abstract: A low-cost medical pump for ambulatory use provides reduced life components combined with a pump lockout enforcing a safe operating limit and preventing reuse after that limit is exceeded. An improved IV line clamp portion minimizes unsupported clamp structure length and provides a dual lock system preventing inadvertent clamp release.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Zyno Medical, LLCInventors: Mei Zhang, Chao Young Lee
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Patent number: 10806952Abstract: An apparatus and as method for generating ultrasound. The apparatus comprises: a signal generator arranged to generate a driving signal; and an ultrasound transducer arranged to transmit an ultrasound beam in response to the driving signal received from the signal generator. The signal generator is arranged to combine a carrier wave and a modulating wave having a lower frequency than the carrier wave to generate an amplitude modulated driving signal. The ultrasound beam is suitable for inducing cavitation in a human or animal body tissue.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: King Fahad Medical City (KFMC)Inventor: Fares Al Mayiah
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Patent number: 10811592Abstract: A piezoelectric element, in which a piezoelectric material layer has a plurality of crystal particles and a plurality of void portions and, in at least one of two or more of the piezoelectric material layers, when the average thickness in the lamination direction of the piezoelectric material layer is defined as TP, the average circle-equivalent diameter of the plurality of crystal particles is defined as DG, the maximum length in the lamination direction of the plurality of void portions not contacting the electrode layers is defined as LV, and the average thickness of the electrode layers contacting the at least one piezoelectric material layer is defined as TE, 0.07TP?DG?0.33TP and TE?LV?0.3TP are established and the lead content is less than 1000 ppm.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Makoto Kubota, Jumpei Hayashi, Tatsuo Furuta, Kanako Oshima, Shinya Koyama
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Apparatus and method for operating an oscillation blade device and a system comprising the apparatus
Patent number: 10808729Abstract: A power source is configured to apply a first alternating electric excitation signal to an oscillation blade device at a first excitation frequency causing a blade of the oscillation blade device to oscillate at a first oscillation frequency. A current detector is configured to measure amplitude values of the current supplied by the power source to the oscillation blade device. A processor is configured to assess a plurality of successive peak values of the measured amplitudes, determine a second oscillation frequency for the blade if variation in the successive peak values is detected and send a command to the power source to apply a second alternating electric excitation signal to the oscillation blade device at a second excitation frequency which matches the determined second oscillation frequency.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2016Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Alcatel LucentInventors: Akshat Agarwal, Nicholas Jeffers -
Patent number: 10801839Abstract: An accelerator comprises: an accelerometer (100), configured to detect an acceleration of a motion of a carrier and output a corresponding electrical signal; a sampling and low-pass filter (200), coupled to the accelerometer (100), and configured to sample the electrical signal regularly and filter a noise from the electrical signal; an amplifier (300), configured to amplify the electrical signal after filtering the noise; an analog-to-digital converter (400), configured to convert the amplified electrical signal into a digital signal; a function control module (500), configured to process the digital signal and output a control signal to control the analog-to-digital converter (400), the amplifier (300), and the sampling and low-pass filter (200); and an oscillator module (600), configured to output, according to the control signal, a sampling signal to the sampling and low-pass filter (200), so as to control the sampling and low-pass filter (200) to sample the electrical signal regularly.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2016Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: CSMC TECHNOLOGIES FAB2 CO., LTD.Inventors: Huagang Wu, Xueyan Wang
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Patent number: 10800172Abstract: There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a first switching circuit is switched so that a first voltage waveform is supplied to a first piezoelectric element corresponding to a first nozzle which ejects the liquid, a second switching circuit is switched so that a second voltage waveform is supplied to a second piezoelectric element corresponding to a second nozzle which does not eject the liquid, and a third switching circuit is switched so that none of a plurality of voltage waveforms is supplied to a third piezoelectric element corresponding to the third nozzle which does not eject the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Motonori Chikamoto, Toru Matsuyama
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Patent number: 10797617Abstract: An electromechanical transducer, including: one or more first mechanical resonator structures having respective first fundamental oscillation resonance frequencies; and a second mechanical resonator structure including one or more electromechanical transducer components, and having a second fundamental oscillation resonance frequency that is substantially greater than the first fundamental resonance frequencies of the first mechanical resonator structures; wherein oscillations of the first mechanical resonator structures driven by external mechanical vibrations cause the first mechanical resonator structures to intermittently couple with the second resonating structure to drive oscillations of the second resonating structure such that the electromechanical transducer components of the second mechanical resonator structure convert the oscillations of the second resonating structure to electrical energy or signals.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2015Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATIONInventors: Andojo Ongkodjojo Ong, Paulo Antonio De Souza, Jr.
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Patent number: 10775583Abstract: A value obtained by adding an output of a speed feedforward calculation unit that uses a speed calculated from a change over time in an instruction value to a stage downstream from a feedback calculation unit that uses a positional deviation is used as a control amount, and at least one of an elliptic ratio of elliptical motion and a driving direction is controlled.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Jun Sumioka
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Patent number: 10770646Abstract: Techniques and structures are provided for manufacturing a flexible PMUT array. In one embodiment, a piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducer (PMUTs) array comprises a plurality of PMUTs, where each PMUT in the flexible array of PMUTs includes: a first polymer layer configured to support the PMUT, a mechanical layer configured to provide planarization to the PMUT, a first electrode, a second electrode, a piezoelectric layer configured to separate the first electrode and the second electrode, patterns on the first electrode, the piezoelectric material, and the second electrode configured to route electrical signals, and a cavity configured to adjust a frequency response of the PMUT.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Donald William Kidwell, Jr., Ravindra Shenoy, Jon Lasiter
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Patent number: 10761638Abstract: A detection of piezoelectric sensor elements is provided. According to a first aspect, a device comprises: a matrix of piezoelectric sensor elements comprising rows of the piezoelectric sensor elements and columns of the piezoelectric sensor elements; measuring circuits configured to detect at least one touch, wherein the measuring circuits are configured to the rows and to the columns; and a wake-up trigger configured to detect the at least one touch and further configured to trigger the matrix to an operation mode when the at least one touch is detected. The device is configured for detecting a press event of a plurality of piezoelectric sensor elements, using, for example only a single activity detecting and touch recognition circuit. Complexity and energy consumption may be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Aito BVInventors: Turo Keski-Jaskari, Jukka Riihiaho
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Patent number: 10749444Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a transformer, a PWM IC, an input voltage detecting circuit, a detecting voltage adjusting circuit, and a driving voltage supply circuit. The transformer is configured to receive an input voltage on a primary side and provide an output voltage on a secondary side. The PWM IC is configured to activate the driving voltage according to a first detecting voltage and a second detecting voltage. The input voltage detecting circuit is disposed on the primary side of the transformer and configured to provide a first voltage and a second voltage associated with the input voltage. The detecting voltage adjusting circuit is disposed on the primary side of the transformer and configured to provide the first and the second detecting voltages according to the first and the second voltage. The driving voltage supply circuit is configured to provide the driving voltage for operating the PWM IC.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: ACER INCORPORATEDInventor: Tzu-Tseng Chan
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Patent number: 10730158Abstract: Methods for measuring a resonance frequency of a tool set in ultrasonic vibration during the machining of a workpiece, involving radiating a working signal with a working frequency into a tool holder comprising a tool by a generator to produce the ultrasonic vibration of the tool; after the start of the machining of the workpiece, radiating a test signal with a test frequency varying by the working frequency and a lower power than the working signal power into the tool holder by the generator; generating a sensor signal from the ultrasonic vibration of the tool by a sensor apparatus arranged in the tool holder; reading out the sensor signal by a read-out apparatus; splitting the sensor signal into a frequency spectrum involving a main frequency and an auxiliary frequency by an analytical apparatus; determining the main frequency from the working frequency and the auxiliary frequency from the resonance frequency.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2016Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: SAUER GmbHInventor: Jens Ketelaer
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Patent number: 10724934Abstract: Method for validating a resonator. The method comprises: providing a first set of resonator responses of the resonator pertaining to a first validation fluid, contacting the resonator and a second validation fluid, wherein the first and the second validation fluids have different viscoelastic properties, obtaining in contact with the second validation fluid a second set of resonator responses of the resonator, wherein each resonator response pertains to a resonance frequency or a dissipation of the resonator, validating the resonator by comparing a first and a second value, the first value being obtained from at least one resonator response of the first set of resonator responses and at least one resonator response from the second set of resonator responses, the second value being based on a relationship between frequency or dissipation responses of the resonator and a function of the viscoelastic properties of the first and the second validation fluid.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2017Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: INL—INTERNATIONAL IBERIAN NANOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORYInventors: Veronica Mugnaini, Dmitri Y Petrovykh
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Patent number: 10721568Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an acoustic transducer device having a base structure that is positioned in proximity to a cavity of an organic substrate, a piezoelectric material in contact with a first electrode of the base structure, and a second electrode in contact with the piezoelectric material. In one example, for a transmit mode, a voltage signal is applied between the first and second electrodes and this causes a stress in the piezoelectric material which causes a stack that is formed with the first electrode, the piezoelectric material, and the second electrode to vibrate and hence the base structure to vibrate and generate acoustic waves.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2016Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Georgios C. Dogiamis, Feras Eid, Adel A. Elsherbini, Johanna Swan, Shawna M. Liff, Thomas L. Sounart, Sasha N. Oster
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Patent number: 10720857Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic circuit (100) for controlling charging of a piezoelectric load (190). The electronic circuit comprises a charge pump (111) configured to supply a charging current to the piezoelectric load dependent on a charge control signal (131), a measurement circuit (113) configured to obtain a load voltage corresponding to a terminal voltage at a load terminal of the piezoelectric load, a comparator circuit (114) configured to compare an adjustable reference voltage with the load voltage. The electronic circuit is configured to determine the charge control signal dependent on the comparison so that the control signal controls delivery of the charging current dependent on the comparison. The electronic circuit is further configured to set the adjustable reference voltage to a target voltage (VT) and to set the adjustable reference voltage to a low limit voltage (Vlow), being lower than the target voltage, when the load voltage reaches the target voltage.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2017Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Polight ASAInventor: Tore Svortdal
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Patent number: 10707831Abstract: A resonator includes a support frame, a rectangular vibrating plate that performs contour vibration in a predetermined direction, and two pairs of support arms. The vibrating plate includes four vibration regions arranged in a row in the lengthwise direction and electrodes disposed in the vibration regions. Each of the vibration regions vibrate with a phase opposite to phases with which the adjacent vibration regions vibrate upon excitation. A center line of a pair of the electrodes in the lengthwise direction is offset from a center line, in the lengthwise direction, of a corresponding vibration region that includes the electrode disposed thereon.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2017Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshio Nishimura, Yuichi Goto, Daisuke Nakamura
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Patent number: 10682670Abstract: An ultrasonic detection circuit includes a transmitter circuit that provides excitation signals to an ultrasonic transducer during an excitation interval. A control circuit includes a port to receive a command. The control circuit controls the frequency and the duty cycle of the excitation signals of the transmitter circuit during the excitation interval. The control circuit generates a first excitation signal sequence of the excitation interval followed by a first monitoring period to receive a first echo signal in response to the command. The control circuit generates a second excitation signal sequence of the excitation interval followed by a second monitoring period to receive a second echo signal in response to the command. The control circuit outputs results via the port based on at least one of the first or second echo signals received.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2017Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Lei Ding, Srinath Mathur Ramaswamy, Baher Haroun
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Patent number: 10677902Abstract: An ultrasonic detection circuit includes a transmitter circuit that provides excitation signals to a terminal of an ultrasonic transducer to drive the ultrasonic transducer during an excitation interval. The excitation signals provided during the excitation interval include a first excitation signal at a first resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer followed by a second excitation signal at a second resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer. The first resonant frequency is different from the second resonant frequency.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Lei Ding, Srinath Mathur Ramaswamy
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Patent number: 10680162Abstract: An actuator device is provided having a controllable stiffness profile, wherein an actuator member (12) comprises an electroactive polymer material (16) having light absorbing filler elements (20) embedded therein. The filler elements are adapted to absorb and convert incident light (26) to heat energy to therefore heat surrounding sections of the electroactive material. By selectively controlling an intensity level or spectral composition of a light source (24) directed at the actuator member, a specific degree and spread of heating can be achieved across the member and, as a result, a specific desired stiffness or flexibility profile can be realised across the actuator member.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Eduard Gerard Marie Pelssers, Petrus Cornelis Hendriks, Franciscus Johannes Gerardus Hakkens, Achim Hilgers, Daan Anton Van Den Ende, Mark Thomas Johnson
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Patent number: 10666225Abstract: An acoustic impedance transformation circuit and related apparatus are provided. In aspects discussed herein, the acoustic impedance transformation circuit can be configured to transform an input impedance into an output impedance higher than the input impedance. In this regard, the acoustic impedance transformation circuit can be provided in an apparatus to enable impedance matching between two electrical circuits. As a result, it may be possible to reduce signal reflection resulting from impedance mismatch between the two circuits, thus helping to improve performance of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.Inventor: Nadim Khlat
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Patent number: 10636956Abstract: The disclosure relates to a circuit arrangement that includes a first DC-DC converter that is connected on the output side to a capacitor. A first terminal of the capacitor is a supply voltage terminal and a second terminal of the capacitor is a reference potential terminal. The circuit arrangement also includes a second DC-DC converter, which is connected on the input side with the capacitor and on the output side to a first terminal of a piezo actuator. The second terminal of the piezo actuator is connected to the first terminal of the capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbHInventors: Martin Götzenberger, Walter Schrod
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Patent number: 10603683Abstract: An ultrasonic vibrator driving apparatus applies a sine-waveform alternating voltage as a drive voltage via a conversion circuit to an ultrasonic vibrator that has a unique resonance frequency. A first current detector that detects a first current that flows from the drive voltage generator to the conversion circuit and a second current detector that detects a second current that flows from the conversion circuit to the ultrasonic vibrator are included. A frequency controller performs control on the drive voltage generator to change the frequency of a square-waveform alternating voltage so that the difference between the first current and the second current is reduced or approaches a minimum.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2019Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: OMRON HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.Inventors: Masao Maeda, Hidetaka Togo
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Patent number: 10582978Abstract: A shaft being, e.g., flexible, that includes an elongated outer sheath, at least one drive shaft disposed within the outer sheath and a ring non-rotatably mounted on the at least one rotatable drive shaft and at least one light source mounted within the shaft, such that, upon rotation of the at least one rotatable drive shaft, the ring alternately blocks and allows light from the light source to be detected. The shaft may also include a moisture sensor disposed within the outer sheath of the shaft and configured to detect moisture within the outer sheath. The shaft may include couplings that connect a distal end of the outer sheath to a surgical attachment and a proximal end of the outer sheath to a remote power console.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas
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Patent number: 10505385Abstract: A contactless power supply has a dynamically configurable tank circuit powered by an inverter. The contactless power supply is inductively coupled to one or more loads. The inverter is connected to a DC power source. When loads are added or removed from the system, the contactless power supply is capable of modifying the resonant frequency of the tank circuit, the inverter frequency, the inverter duty cycle or the rail voltage of the DC power source.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2017Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V.Inventor: David W. Baarman
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Patent number: 10489627Abstract: An acoustic biometric touch scanner device and method is disclosed. In one aspect, an acoustic fingerprint sensing device includes an array of ultrasonic transducers configured to transmit an ultrasound signal having a frequency in a range from 50 megahertz (MHz) to 500 MHz. The acoustic fingerprint ultrasonic transducers include a piezoelectric film. The acoustic fingerprint sensing device further includes a receiving surface configured to receive a finger. The acoustic fingerprint sensing device further includes a processor configured to generate an image of at least a portion of a fingerprint of the finger based on a reflection of the ultrasound signal from the finger.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Morten Fischer Rasmussen, Gerard Touma, Butrus T. Khuri-Yakub
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Patent number: 10477109Abstract: An imaging apparatus can mount a lens device, which is an external device, on the main body thereof. The main body includes a shake detection unit that detects a shake amount and a power supply fluctuation detection unit that detects a fluctuation in power supply supplied from a power supply unit to the lens device. A frequency calculation unit calculates a driving frequency of the lens device based on the fluctuation in power supply during lens driving. If the driving frequency of the lens device interferes with the driving frequency of the shake detection unit, the system control unit inhibits or restricts a function using the shake detection unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2018Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shogo Fujiwara
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Patent number: 10464316Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a discharge unit which discharges a liquid by applying a driving signal to a piezoelectric element; and a driving circuit which outputs the driving signal based on an original driving signal, in which the driving circuit includes a transistor pair for outputting the driving signal, a first gate driver which generates a first control signal, and a linear amplifier which amplifies a voltage of the original driving signal, in which a first output terminal from which the first control signal is output, a first input terminal to which a first feedback signal, and a second input terminal to which a second feedback signal, and in which the shortest distance between the first output terminal and the first input terminal is longer than the shortest distance between the first output terminal and the second input terminal.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Tomokazu Yamada
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Patent number: 10456107Abstract: An ultrasound imaging device includes an exterior housing including a panel, a processor positioned within the exterior housing, and an acoustic exciter attached to the panel and electrically connected to the processor. The processor is configured to drive the acoustic exciter in order to vibrate the panel and transmit audible sounds. A method of providing audible sounds from an ultrasound device includes attaching an acoustic exciter to a panel, electrically connecting the acoustic exciter to a processor, providing signals to the acoustic exciter from the processor, vibrating the acoustic exciter in response to the signals, and transmitting audible sounds from the panel connected to the acoustic exciter.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2019Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Todd Schueneman, Jonathan Boomgaarden, Ross Stalter, Michael Harland
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Patent number: 10457041Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a discharge unit which discharges a liquid by a piezoelectric element; and a driving circuit which drives the piezoelectric element, in which the driving circuit includes a first transistor pair which is driven by a first power source voltage and a second power source voltage, a second transistor pair which is driven by the second power source voltage and a third power source voltage, and a first control circuit which controls on a first input signal, and in which, the shortest distance between the first power source voltage and the first input terminal is shorter than the shortest distance between the second power source voltage and the first input terminal, and the shortest distance between the second power source terminal and the first input terminal is shorter than the shortest distance between the third power source voltage and the first input terminal.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Tomokazu Yamada, Hidehiko Yajima
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Patent number: 10461697Abstract: An oscillation circuits that provides stable oscillations even when the amount of phase rotation of a piezoelectric resonator is small or fluctuates. The oscillation circuit includes a first amplifier having an input and an output, and a piezoelectric resonator connected between the input and the output of the first amplifier. Moreover, the oscillation circuit feeds, back to the input, a current flowing from the output of the first amplifier to the piezoelectric resonator. The oscillation circuit further includes an alternating-voltage waveform shaping circuit that applies, to the piezoelectric resonator, an alternating-voltage waveform having rising portions sharper than those of a sine wave.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshio Imanishi, Hitoshi Matsuno
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Patent number: 10449570Abstract: A control console for a powered surgical tool. The console includes a transformer that supplies the drive signal to the surgical tool. A linear amplifier with active resistors selectively ties the ends of the transformer primary winding between ground and the open circuit state. Feedback voltages from the transformer windings regulate the resistances of the active resistors.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: STRYKER CORPORATIONInventors: Adam D. Downey, Neal R. Butler, Scott A. Rhodes
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Patent number: 10448948Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes an end effector configured to interact with a tissue and a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes at least one drive mechanism operable to effect at least one motion in the end effector. The surgical instrument further includes one or more vibration sensors configured to record vibrations generated by the at least one drive mechanism, wherein the one or more vibration sensors are configured to generate an output signal based on the sensed vibrations, and wherein the output signal is employed to select between an acceptable status, a marginal status, and a critical status of the surgical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Mark D. Overmyer, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris
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Patent number: 10405875Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprises a cylindrical shaft and a blade at a distal or free end of the shaft, the blade being unitary and continuous with the shaft, without an intervening joint. The shaft has a longitudinal axis and the blade includes a flat or planar blade body with a proximal end eccentrically disposed relative to the shaft axis. Thus, the blade body or at least a proximal end portion thereof is disposed eccentrically relative to the shaft. The blade in its entirely may be inclined relative to the shaft axis or extend parallel thereto.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2016Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: MISONIX, INCORPORATEDInventors: Dan Voic, Scott Isola
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Patent number: 10401618Abstract: Disclosed examples include ultrasonic cleaning systems, driver integrated circuits and methods for cleaning a lens, in which an oscillating drive signal is provided to an ultrasonic transducer and the driver controls the frequency of the drive signal according to a current sense signal representing a drive current flowing in the transducer. The driver sweeps the drive signal frequency and compares the sensed current values with predetermined profiles corresponding to a clean lens and a lens with one or more known contaminants, and generates the drive signal at one or more frequencies corresponding to peaks or valleys of the sensed current values or predetermined frequencies to promote cleaning of the lens.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Yunhong Li, Nabeel Fuad Khan
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Patent number: 10404192Abstract: An electrical voltage-generating piezoelectric device comprising at least a first blade (1) with a curved portion (10) defining a first arm (11) and a second arm (12) of the blade, the first arm (11) being intended to be fastened to a fixed support, the second arm (12) being substantially flat and having a free end (120) designed to oscillate around its resting position under the effect of mechanical force, at least one piezoelectric element (31) resting upon one of the main surfaces (14) of the second arm (12) of the first blade. The device also includes a second blade (2) identical in structure to the first blade (1), the first arms (11, 21) of the first and second blades (1, 2) being fastened together on all or part of their surfaces and being fixed relative to each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2015Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: HAGER ELECTRO SASInventors: Jean-Frédéric Martin, Sébastien Didier
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Patent number: 10384239Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ultrasonic lens cleaner using configurable filter banks are disclosed. In certain described examples, the methods and apparatus can expel fluid from a droplet on an optical surface using an ultrasonic transducer mechanically coupled to the optical surface and having first and second resonant frequency bands.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Stephen John Fedigan, David Patrick Magee
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Patent number: 10380402Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for conserving power during navigation, e.g., user device pointer/cursor navigation, using a fingerprint image sensor, that may comprise processing, via a computing device, fingerprint image sensor data indicative of finger position and movement with respect to a fingerprint image sensor surface in a finger navigation mode to determine if the finger is in a first finger navigation mode; processing, via the computing device, fingerprint image sensor data indicative of finger position and movement with respect to a fingerprint image sensor surface in a finger navigation mode to determine if the finger is in a second finger navigation mode; and transitioning, via the computing device, the fingerprint image sensor from a first power consumption mode to a second power consumption mode, based on detecting a transition from the first finger navigation mode to the second finger navigation mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Erik Jonathon Thompson, Frank Schwab, Anthony P. Russo, Bjoren Davis, Charles Bellman, Gregory Lewis Dean, Philip Yiu Kwong Chan, Jaswinder Jandu
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Patent number: 10372212Abstract: Computer-implemented techniques include receiving, at a first mobile computing device having one or more processors, a first input signal from a first set of pressure sensors associated with the first mobile computing device, the first input signal having been generated by the first set of pressure sensors in response to a first force applied by a first user. The techniques also include transmitting, from the first mobile computing device to a second mobile computing device, the first input signal, wherein receipt of the first input signal causes the second mobile computing device to generate and output a first output signal based on the first input signal, and wherein the output of the first output signal causes a first set of haptic actuators associated with the second mobile computing device to generate a second force to be felt by a second user.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Google LLCInventor: Maxwell Andrew Sills
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Patent number: 10365182Abstract: A method for performing vibration detection on a feed system of a machine tool is implemented by a detecting device, and includes: calculating a target frequency range associated with a rotation speed of the machine tool; detecting vibration of the feed system in a static state; calculating a smoothed signal according to detected result, the smoothed signal including a plurality of noise amplitude values distributed across the target frequency range; identifying a measurement frequency that corresponds with a smallest one of the noise amplitude values; calculating a suggested rotation speed based on the measurement frequency; and detecting vibration of the feed system rotating at the suggested rotation speed.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Hiwin Technologies Corp.Inventors: Yi-Jun Feng, Min-Hsiu Wu
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Patent number: 10355194Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a piezoelectric element including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a driving system that drives the piezoelectric element by applying voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode, in which the driving system drives the piezoelectric element at a maximum voltage that is lower than a voltage at which a tunnel current or a Poole-Frenkel current starts to be generated in the piezoelectric element.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2016Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Eiji Osawa, Yoshihiro Hokari, Akira Kuriki
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Patent number: 10344821Abstract: A vibration suppressing apparatus and a vibration suppressing method thereof are provided. The vibration amplitude, vibration frequency, and vibration phase of a vibration suppressing unit are adjusted in real-time according to the vibration amplitude, vibration frequency and vibration phase of a vibration source.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Wistron CorporationInventors: Ming-Chi Kao, Ming-Chih Chen, Po-Cheng Chen, Wen Chieh Hsu
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Patent number: 10263433Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power supply device includes a voltage conversion circuit configured to convert a voltage of power generated by a power generation element; a plurality of power storage elements connected in parallel with respective load circuits; a switch circuit configured to switch an electrical connection between the voltage conversion circuit and each of the plurality of power storage elements; and a control circuit configured to measure voltages of the plurality of power storage elements and to control the switch circuit based on the measured voltages.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Kohei Onizuka, Takeshi Ueno
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Patent number: 10252294Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer that can include a driver side and a bias voltage side. A higher voltage source can be electrically connected to the bias voltage side through a first resistor. A lower voltage source can be electrically connected to the driver side of through a second resistor. A field effect transistor or other suitable switch can be included, having a source, a gate and a drain. The source can be electrically connected to ground and the gate can be electrically connected to a control signal source. The drain can be electrically connected to the lower voltage source through a second resistor and be electrically connected to the driver side of the ultrasonic transducer. The gate can be electrically connected to a signal source through a third resistor.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: uBeam Inc.Inventors: Matthew Angle, Marc Berte
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Patent number: 10245449Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for sensing coupling of an ultrasound source to a target and for providing a constant average output of power from an ultrasound source. The systems and methods can include a frequency sweep function. The systems and methods can also include receiving reflected energy from an acoustic window and determining a feedback using the reflected energy. The systems and methods can also include comparing the feedback with a threshold level and using the comparison to determine if the ultrasound source is coupled with a target.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems, LLCInventors: Michael H. Slayton, Peter G. Barthe, Paul Jaeger
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Patent number: 10245179Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering energy during a surgical procedure such as phacoemulsification is provided. The method and apparatus include applying energy during at least one pulsed energy on period, comprising applying energy during a series of short burst periods, the short burst periods interspersed by short rest periods. The method and apparatus further comprise delivering minimal energy during a long off period, the long off period comprising a relatively long period when minimal energy is applied, wherein one long off period follows each pulsed energy on period. The short burst periods and the short rest periods are relatively brief in duration as compared with the long off period.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2015Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth E. Kadziauskas, Paul W. Rockley, Mark Schafer
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Patent number: 10213272Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device having a circuit. The circuit includes at least one boost converter receiving power from an energy source, a square wave driver in series with the boost converter, an inductor in series with the square wave driver for converting a square wave to a sinusoidal wave, and a piezoelectric transducer in series with the inductor, the piezoelectric transducer connectable to a load. The device further includes a phase-locked loop coupled to the circuit to determine a resonance frequency of the piezoelectric transducer when the piezoelectric transducer is connected to the load.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2014Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: INTER-MED, INC.Inventors: Gary J. Pond, John Baeten, Michael W. Allen
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Patent number: 10216872Abstract: In an approach for providing simulation results of an interaction between a transducer head and a magnetic medium, a computer identifies a first raster scan of a sample via a scanning probe microscope. The computer generates a topography image based on the first raster scan of the sample. The computer identifies one or more reference features within the created topography image. The computer calculates an average height based on the one or more reference features. The computer determines a lift distance associated with a probe of the scanning probe microscope. The computer defines a uniform plane based on the calculated average height and the determined lift distance. The computer performs a second raster scan of the sample based on the defined uniform plane. The computer generates a fly-height image based on the second raster scan. The computer provides simulation results based at least in part on the second raster scan.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2018Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ho-Yiu Lam, Jason Liang
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Patent number: 10210293Abstract: In an approach for providing simulation results of an interaction between a transducer head and a magnetic medium, a computer identifies a first raster scan of a sample via a scanning probe microscope. The computer generates a topography image based on the first raster scan of the sample. The computer identifies one or more reference features within the created topography image. The computer calculates an average height based on the one or more reference features. The computer determines a lift distance associated with a probe of the scanning probe microscope. The computer defines a uniform plane based on the calculated average height and the determined lift distance. The computer performs a second raster scan of the sample based on the defined uniform plane. The computer generates a fly-height image based on the second raster scan. The computer provides simulation results based at least in part on the second raster scan.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ho-Yiu Lam, Jason Liang
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Patent number: 10194973Abstract: Disclosed is a method of generating electrical signal waveforms by a generator. The generator includes a digital processing circuit, a memory circuit in communication with the digital processing circuit, the memory circuit defining a lookup table, a digital synthesis circuit in communication with the digital processing circuit and the memory circuit, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit. The method includes storing, by the digital processing circuit, phase points of a digital electrical signal waveform in the lookup table defined by the memory circuit, wherein the digital electrical signal waveform is represented by a predetermined number of phase points, wherein the predetermined number phase points define a predetermined wave shape. Receiving a clock signal by the digital synthesis circuit. Retrieving, by the digital processing circuit, a phase point from the lookup table. Converting, by the digital processing circuit, the retrieved phase point to an analog signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Eitan T. Wiener, David C. Yates