Plural Elements Patents (Class 310/331)
  • Patent number: 11911904
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling microelectronic devices comprises a pick arm having a pick surface configured for receiving a microelectronic device thereon, drives for moving the pick arm and reorienting the pick surface in the X, Y and Z planes and about a horizontal rotational axis and a vertical rotational axis, and a sensor device carried by the pick arm and configured to detect at least one of at least one magnitude of force and at least one location of force applied between the pick surface and a structure contacted by the pick surface or a structure and a microelectronic device carried on the pick surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuan Wei Tseng, Brandon P. Wirz
  • Patent number: 11874294
    Abstract: An acceleration detection device includes a board including first and second surfaces, an acceleration detector on the first surface of the board, first circuit components on the second surface of the board, a seal including a first sealing portion covering the acceleration detector on the first surface of the board and a second sealing portion covering the first circuit components on the second surface of the board, the second sealing portion including an inner surface facing the board and an outer surface on a side opposite to the inner surface, the seal being made of a resin, and a high-rigidity body extending in a direction in which the outer surface and the second surface of the board are connected to each other within the second sealing portion, the high-rigidity body having higher rigidity than the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shingo Chida
  • Patent number: 11696420
    Abstract: A cooling device for use with circuit interrupters includes a housing structured to be coupled to a terminal of the circuit interrupter and formed with several ventilation openings, as well as a permanent magnet, a torque converter and a fan blade all contained within the housing. When the cooling device is coupled to a terminal of a circuit interrupter and current flows through the terminals of the circuit interrupter, parasitic magnetic fields are generated and induce oscillatory motion of the permanent magnet. The torque converter is coupled to the permanent magnet and converts the oscillatory motion of the magnet to rotational motion that rotates the fan blade. The fan blade is disposed near the ventilation openings of the housing so that air flow produced by rotation of the fan blade travels across the surface of the circuit interrupter terminal nearest the ventilation openings to increase convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Avadhoot Kittur, T. R. Milind, Mahesh Balakrishna Varrier, Robert Michael Slepian
  • Patent number: 11618058
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration actuator device. The vibration actuator device includes a substrate, lower supports disposed on the substrate and spaced apart from each other in a first direction, an actuator disposed on the lower supports to generate a vibration having a first resonant frequency by an external power, a vibration plate disposed on the actuator to vibrate in accordance with the actuator, and a mass portion disposed on the vibration plate to vibrate in accordance with the actuator and the vibration plate. Here, each of the vibration plate and the mass portion has a second resonant frequency that is less than the first resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Kang-Ho Park, Hye Jin Kim, Seongwoo Cho
  • Patent number: 11512689
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an undulating-membrane fluid circulator having an intake port (3), a pump housing (4) delimiting a propulsion chamber (5), a discharge port (6), and an undulating membrane (2) paired with a drive means permitting an undulating movement of the membrane (2) between the upstream (8) and downstream (9) edges thereof, the undulating membrane (2) being capable of moving a fluid towards the discharge port (6). According to the invention, the circulator further comprises at least one means (7) for guiding the fluid, said means being disposed in the fluid propulsion chamber (5) near one of the edges (8, 9) of the undulating membrane (2) and making it possible to channel the fluid flow in a direction substantially parallel to the displacement of the wave along the membrane (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: CorWave SA
    Inventors: Jean-Baptiste Drevet, Harold Guillemin
  • Patent number: 11460946
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an input device. The input device has an input/output module below or within a cover defining an input surface. The input/output module detects touch and/or force inputs on the input surface, and provides haptic feedback to the cover. In some instances, a haptic device is integrally formed with a wall or structural element of a housing or enclosure of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Qiliang Xu, Alex J. Lehmann, Ming Yu, Xianwei Zhao, Xiaonan Wen, Shan Wu, Xiaofan Niu
  • Patent number: 11463025
    Abstract: The invention provides a piezoelectric electromagnetic combined energy harvester based on parallel mechanism. The harvester includes fixed bracket, three groups of motion branches and movable bracket. The movable bracket includes bottom platform, the bottom platform support frame and the bottom platform connector. The invention realizes multi-direction telescopic motion, and the magnetic flux of the coil is constantly changing, generating induced electromotive force. The vibration of piezoelectric beam causes the polarization of piezoelectric material and produces the output voltage. The invention uses parallel mechanism to introduce twelve piezoelectric beams, twelve permanent magnets and twenty-four coils in a small working space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TIANGONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Pengfei Liu, Minghui Yao, Ii Ma
  • Patent number: 11428845
    Abstract: A method for forming a sensing system responsive to a wavefield of acoustic or seismic signals. One embodiment includes providing a foil layer having first and second opposing surfaces and piezoelectric properties. The foil layer, configured as a sheet, is positioned about a frame surface which provides the foil layer a stable shape while permitting the sheet configuration of the foil layer to be responsive to a wavefield of seismic or acoustic energy. Coupling between the foil layer and the frame is so limited as to render direct coupling of the foil layer with signals of the wavefield the predominant means for stimulating the sensor element with seismic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Quantum Technology Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Richard Kryszczynski, Mark Andrew Tinker, Paul Armin Nyffenegger, Arthur Owen Endress, Kenneth Allan Ports
  • Patent number: 11417826
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an ultrasonic sensor, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device. The ultrasonic sensor includes a substrate and at least one sensor component located on the substrate. The sensor component includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric layer located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The substrate is provided with a groove on a side close to the sensor component, and the orthographic projection of the piezoelectric layer on the substrate has a portion overlapping with a region of the groove in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Libin Liu, Qian Yang
  • Patent number: 11374294
    Abstract: A tunable phase shifter is provided which includes a dielectric substrate, a transmission line formed based on the dielectric substrate for carrying input and output signals and a dielectric disturber placed on top of the transmission line. The phase shifter further includes a phase shifting mechanism for adjusting at least one of a distance between the transmission line and the substrate and a distance between the transmission line and the dielectric disturber to effect phase shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: C-COM SATELLITE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Ahmed Shehata Abdellatif, Aidin Taeb, Nazy Ranjkesh, Suren Gigoyan, Ahmed Kamal Said Abdelaziz, Safieddin Safavi-Naeini
  • Patent number: 11249052
    Abstract: A detection system 1 contains a sensing device 10 including a vibration unit 11 for applying vibration to the inspection target 100, the vibration unit 11 attached to the inspection target 100, a driving circuit 12 for supplying an electric signal to the vibration unit 11 for driving the vibration unit 11 and a sensor 13 for detecting vibration of the inspection target 100 caused by the vibration applied from the vibration unit 11; and a detection processing device 20 for receiving vibration information related to the vibration of the inspection target 100 detected by the sensor 13 from the sensing device 10 and detecting the state change of the inspection target 100 based on the vibration information. The vibration unit 11 includes a coil 112, a spring 113, and a magnet 114b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiko Irie, Shigenori Inamoto, Kenta Ueda
  • Patent number: 11237090
    Abstract: A sensor element includes a membrane structure suspended on a frame structure, wherein the membrane structure includes a membrane element and an actuator. The membrane structure is deflectable in a first stable deflection state and in a second stable deflection state and is operable in a resonance mode in at least one of the first and the second stable deflection states. The actuator is configured to deflect the membrane structure in a first actuation state into one of the first and the second stable deflection states, and to operate the membrane structure in a second actuation state in a resonance mode having an associated resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Michael Schneider, Alfons Dehe, Manuel Dorfmeister, Christoph Glacer, Ulrich Krumbein, Ulrich Schmid, David Tumpold
  • Patent number: 11105023
    Abstract: A nonwoven member that includes a plurality of piezoelectric fibers. The nonwoven member is formed into a cloth by intertwining the plurality of piezoelectric fibers. The nonwoven member inhibits the growth of bacteria due to an electric charge generated when an external force is applied to the piezoelectric fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masamichi Ando, Satoshi Ishino
  • Patent number: 11073710
    Abstract: Provided is a display apparatus including a bezel that is improved to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD). The display apparatus includes a display panel on which an image is to be displayed, a chassis arranged at a rear side of the display panel and including a conductive material, a bezel configured to support the display panel and including a non-conductive material, and an adhesive including a conductive material and coated on an inner side surface of the bezel such that static electricity is guided away from being discharged toward an inside of the display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Kyoung Hwan Kim, Do Wan Kim, Myeong Gil Kim, Min Chul Kim, Boum Sik Kim, Tae Youn Yoon, Sang Min Lee, Hyun Jun Jung, Hye Ryung Hwang
  • Patent number: 11054932
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an input device. The input device has an input/output module below or within a cover defining an input surface. The input/output module detects touch and/or force inputs on the input surface, and provides haptic feedback to the cover. In some instances, a haptic device is integrally formed with a wall or structural element of a housing or enclosure of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Qiliang Xu, Alex J. Lehmann, Ming Yu, Xianwei Zhao, Xiaonan Wen, Shan Wu, Xiaofan Niu
  • Patent number: 11048156
    Abstract: A light combining module includes a first light source, a second light source, a first dichroic mirror, and an alignment structure. The first light source is used to output a first light. The second light source is used to output a second light. The first dichroic mirror is disposed on a transmission path of the first light and the second light, wherein the first light is incident on the second light source via the first dichroic mirror. The alignment structure adjusts the position of the second light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Young Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Yu-Chen Chang, Chi-Chui Yun, Yi-Hsueh Chen
  • Patent number: 11035735
    Abstract: Spherical detector array devices are provided, which are implemented using passive detector structures for thermal imaging applications. Passive detector structures are configured with unpowered, passive front-end detector structures with direct-to-digital measurement data output for detecting incident photonic radiation in the thermal IR portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: DIGITAL DIRECT IR, INC.
    Inventors: Peter N. Kaufman, Howard E. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 10876811
    Abstract: Lighting kit (1) for weapons in use in fencing comprising: a light source (6); at least one guided propagation member (10) of light (L) generated by the source (6), said member (10) being disposed within a groove (11) formed on a blade (9) of said weapon for use in fencing; constraint means (16) for firmly engaging the propagation member (10) within said groove (11); and supply means (18) electrically connected to the light source (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventors: Girolamo Abbatescianni, Renzo Armelin
  • Patent number: 10877215
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a waveguide array including a plurality of waveguides arranged in a first direction. Each waveguide includes: an optical waveguide layer that propagates light supplied to the waveguide in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a first mirror having a first reflecting surface intersecting a third direction; and a second mirror having a second reflecting surface that faces the first reflecting surface. The optical waveguide layer is located between the first and second mirrors and has a variable thickness and/or a variable refractive index for the light. The width of the first mirror and the width of the second mirror are each larger than the width of the optical waveguide layer. The first mirror has a higher light transmittance than the second mirror and allows part of the light propagating through the optical waveguide layer to be emitted in the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Hashiya, Yasuhisa Inada, Taku Hirasawa, Yoshikazu Yamaoka, Nobuaki Nagao
  • Patent number: 10722214
    Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes a substrate that is provided with an opening and a partition wall surrounding the opening, a vibration portion that closes one end side of the opening, and a piezoelectric element that is provided in the vibration portion, in which, in a case where an opening width dimension of the opening is indicated by W, and a thickness dimension of the substrate is indicated by H, a ratio W/H is 0.66 to 0.92.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Osawa, Chikara Kojima
  • Patent number: 10718072
    Abstract: A nonwoven member that includes a plurality of piezoelectric fibers. The nonwoven member is formed into a cloth by intertwining the plurality of piezoelectric fibers. The nonwoven member inhibits the growth of bacteria due to an electric charge generated when an external force is applied to the piezoelectric fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masamichi Ando, Satoshi Ishino
  • Patent number: 10562292
    Abstract: A method for applying a transfer ply of a foil to a substrate, with the steps of: a) applying a radically curable adhesive to at least one subregion of the transfer ply by means of an inkjet printhead; b) pre-curing the adhesive by UV irradiation; c) applying the at least one subregion of the transfer ply provided with adhesive to the substrate; d) fully curing the adhesive by UV irradiation; e) peeling a carrier ply of the foil from the at least one subregion of the transfer ply. An application apparatus and also printing apparatus for implementing such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Leonhard Kurz Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Konstantin Kosalla, Ulrike Plaia
  • Patent number: 10521016
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a haptic touch panel including a touch surface, a housing, a counter mass, an actuator and an elastic plate. The actuator is connected to the haptic touch panel. The elastic plate includes a first portion connected to the haptic touch panel, a second portion connected to the counter mass, and a third portion connected to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: INNOLUX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jozef Egidius Maria Schreurs, Jef Notermans, Gerben Johan Hekstra
  • Patent number: 10473808
    Abstract: An acoustic logging tool includes a first acoustic transducer and a second acoustic transducer. At least a portion of the first transducer is parallel with the second transducer. The first and second acoustic transducers are configured to propagate an acoustic signal in the same direction. The first acoustic transducer is configured to generate an acoustic output having a different frequency than the second acoustic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Chung Chang, Chen Li
  • Patent number: 10474207
    Abstract: An opening at a first carbon fiber sheet is provided, the opening extending through the sheet from a first major surface to a second major surface, the opening defining two sides and a first end of a rectangular flap, a second end of the flap remaining rooted in the first carbon fiber sheet. A piezoelectric transducer is bonded to the first carbon fiber sheet, the transducer proximate to the second end of the flap. A controller including a signal generator is coupled to the piezoelectric transducer, the piezoelectric transducer to excite sympathetic vibration of the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS, LP
    Inventors: Joohyun Woo, Deeder M. Aurongzeb
  • Patent number: 10397835
    Abstract: A method for voice call fallback to a circuit switched (CS) domain disclosed in the present invention includes: receiving a Service Request message from a calling user equipment (UE), where the Service Request message includes called number information of a voice call in a CS domain, instructing an evolved NodeB (eNB) to initiate circuit switched fallback (CSFB) handover; receiving a Handover Request message from the eNB, where the Handover Request message includes information required for CS handover, selecting a mobile switching center (MSC) and sending a packet switched (PS) to CS Handover Request message to the MSC, where the PS to CS Handover Request message carries information required for the CS handover and a called number so that the MSC calls a called UE. The corresponding apparatuses and systems are also disclosed. The technical solution of the present invention can reduce the connection delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaobo Wu, Hai Liu, Wei Xiao
  • Patent number: 10354102
    Abstract: Ultrasonic identification devices, and methods of making and use same. The present invention further relates to ultrasonic ID devices using membranes (such as membranes made of graphene or a polyester film).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: CLEAN ENERGY LABS, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph F. Pinkerton
  • Patent number: 10250995
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a piezoelectric speaker 30 includes a sheet member 32 and multiple piezoelectric vibration parts 31. The multiple piezoelectric vibration parts 31 each have a vibration plate 311 supported on the sheet member 32 in a vibratable manner, as well as a piezoelectric element 312 joined to the vibration plate 311. In an embodiment, the piezoelectric speaker 30 in combination with a dynamic speaker 20 constitutes an electroacoustic transducer 104L/104R, and a pair of the electroacoustic transducers 104L, 104R constitute headphones 100. The piezoelectric speaker can improve sound pressures without lowering the resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yutaka Doshida
  • Patent number: 10226191
    Abstract: A newborn heart rate monitor is disclosed comprising a sensor integrated into a clamp configured to clamp onto the umbilical cord of a newborn infant. The sensor is configured to detect radial pulsation of the umbilical cord and produce a corresponding electrical signal which can be processed by a processor to calculate the heartbeat of the newborn infant. The heartbeat can be displayed visually or audibly or both. A second reference sensor can be included to detect environmental noise and the processor can be configured to use the detected environmental noise to filter noise from the detected heartbeat. Additional filtering, processing, and alert algorithms can be included for processing and analyzing the detected heartbeat data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventor: Jae H. Kim
  • Patent number: 10177688
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating offshore power generation apparatus using an ionic polymer-metal composite, including: a floating body floating on water; an ionic polymer-metal composite that is attached to the floating body and generates electricity by bending in a vertical or horizontal direction according to the flowing state of sea water; a rectification unit that converts, into a direct electric current, the electricity generated in the form of an alternating electric current in the ion polymeric metal composite; and a load unit that is connected to the rectification unit and supplies or stores the produced electricity. According to the present invention, ionic polymer-metal composites having hydrophilicity are attached to one floating body instead of complicated mechanical parts vulnerable to the offshore environment, thereby facilitating maintenance and increasing power generation efficiency per unit area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: IN-JE UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Ki-won Park, Hyung-man Kim, Jung-koo Lee, Ji-woong Ahn, Kyung-cheol Kim
  • Patent number: 10175114
    Abstract: Spherical detector array devices are provided, which are implemented using passive detector structures for thermal imaging applications. Passive detector structures are configured with unpowered, passive front-end detector structures with direct-to-digital measurement data output for detecting incident photonic radiation in the thermal IR portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: DIGITAL DIRECT IR, INC.
    Inventors: Peter N. Kaufman, Howard E. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 10114133
    Abstract: A sensor system responsive to acoustic or seismic signals. One system includes a frame and a piezo-electric sensor element. The sensor element, responsive to a wavefield of seismic or acoustic energy, is positioned about the frame. Coupling between the sensor element and the frame is so limited as to render direct coupling of the sensor element with the wavefield the predominant means for stimulating the sensor element with seismic energy. Another system includes a frame and a cable element, responsive to a seismic or acoustic wavefield, extending about the frame. Coupling between the cable element and frame is so limited as to render direct coupling of the sensor element with the wavefield the predominant means for stimulating the sensor element with acoustic or seismic energy. The element may be coaxial cable or have piezo-electric properties to generate a charge differential measurable as a voltage between conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Inventors: Paul Armin Nyffenegger, Mark Andrew Tinker, Arthur Owen Endress
  • Patent number: 10006281
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a coefficient of a pressure sensor for blasting operations, including striking a first piezoelectric sensor of a first unmolded pressure sensing apparatus; determining, with an interface circuit, a first peak voltage of the first piezoelectric sensor during the striking thereof, striking a second piezoelectric sensor of a second molded pressure sensing apparatus; determining with the interface circuit, a second peak voltage of the second piezoelectric sensor during the striking thereof, and calculating a piezoelectric constant of the second piezoelectric from at least the first and second peak voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Austin Star Detonator Company
    Inventors: Gimtong Teowee, Bryan E. Papillon, James D. Heckelman, Chris Munroe
  • Patent number: 10001574
    Abstract: An improved hydrophone is presented that has extremely low acceleration sensitivity, hermetic sealing, and is self-shielded. The hydrophone can also contain an integral amplifier and pressure/depth limiting switch. The hydrophone is also designed such that it can use a single standard piezoelectric sensing element in many hydrophone designs that have different acoustic pressure sensitivities but the same capacitance. Lastly, the sensor is also designed to be low cost in high volumes using standard accelerometer manufacturing techniques. A hydrophone is also designed such that it can use a single standard piezoelectric sensing element that can be incorporated into several hydrophone configurations with varying acoustic pressure sensitivities. The sensor is also designed to be low cost in high volumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Amphenol (Maryland), Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew C. Goenner, Mihaela Marin
  • Patent number: 9974444
    Abstract: The invention provides a sensor for measuring both impedance and ECG waveforms that is configured to be worn around a patient's neck. The sensor features 1) an ECG system that includes an analog ECG circuit, in electrical contact with at least two ECG electrodes, that generates an analog ECG waveform; and 2) an impedance system that includes an analog impedance circuit, in electrical contact with at least two (and typically four) impedance electrodes, that generates an analog impedance waveform. Also included in the neck-worn system are a digital processing system featuring a microprocessor, and an analog-to-digital converter. During a measurement, the digital processing system receives and processes the analog ECG and impedance waveforms to measure physiological information from the patient. Finally, a cable that drapes around the patient's neck connects the ECG system, impedance system, and digital processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Banet, Susan Meeks Pede, Marshal Singh Dhillon, Kenneth Robert Hunt
  • Patent number: 9932992
    Abstract: A piezoelectric fan is provided that can effectively supply airflow to a subject to be cooled. The piezoelectric fan includes an air blower having a free end and a fixed end, and a planar piezoelectric element fixed to the air blower. The piezoelectric element causes vibration of the free end of the air blower. The air blower includes a first plate to which the piezoelectric element is fixed, and a second plate and a third plate which are orthogonal to the first plate and parallel to each other. In this structure, the free end of the air blower is H-shaped. The H-shaped blowing end of the air blower effectively prevents lateral airflow and improves the directivity of airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: R-FLOW CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Takeda
  • Patent number: 9900807
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present application discloses a circuit switched fallback method, a UE, an MSC, and an MME. The method includes: sending, by a UE to an MME, a request message for requesting to perform CSFB; receiving, by the UE, a switch command sent by an eNodeB; releasing or holding a default CS call of the UE after the UE switches to the CS domain according to the switch command, where the default CS call is generated by the UE according to the switch command; and by using an MSC, initiating, by the UE, a CS call or receiving a CS call. According to the circuit switched fallback method, the UE, the MSC, and the MME in the embodiments of the present application, circuit switched fallback can be implement in a manner of switching by a UE from a PS domain to a CS domain, and reduce a delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaobo Wu, Hai Liu, Daliang Zhang, Xinyong Wang, Yaowei Han
  • Patent number: 9875732
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for an electronic handheld musical instrument that generates electronic signals for processing by a processor-based module to generate musical sounds adapted to replicate non-electronic traditional hand percussion and other handheld instruments, is provided. A piezoelectric-based trigger is secured in an enclosed volume or enclosure formed in the electronic handheld musical instrument. When manipulated by a musician in a normal fashion, freely moving beads float or travel within the enclosure of the electronic handheld musical instrument and strike against a sensitive face of the piezoelectric transducer device to create a desired sound effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen Suitor
  • Patent number: 9841328
    Abstract: The invention refers to measuring equipment and is a mechanical stress sensor. The sensor has a rectangular plate of a polymer material the top surface of said rectangular plate having a cavity where a detector is located. Inside the rectangular plate there is a preliminary tensile amorphous ferromagnetic microwire located inside a measuring coil. The microwire is connected to a first pair of contact pads, while the differential measuring coil is connected to a second pair of contact pads. Both pairs of contact pads are connected to the detector. The detector has an output which is connected to an analog to digital converter coupled with a personal computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY “MISIS”
    Inventors: Sergey Alexandrovich Gudoshnikov, Boris Yakovlevich Liubimov, Nickolai Alexandrovich Usov, Andrey Sergeevich Ignatov, Vadim Petrovich Tarasov, Olga Nikolaevna Krivolapova
  • Patent number: 9823833
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electronic interactive device having a haptic enabled flexible touch sensitive surface are disclosed. In one embodiment, the electronic interactive device includes a flexible touch sensitive surface, a flexible screen (or display), and an actuator. The flexible touch sensitive surface is deposited over the flexible screen and is capable of receiving an input, such as, for example, from a user. The flexible screen displays an image via a displaying window. The actuator is coupled to the flexible screen and provides haptic feedback in response to the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Juan Manuel Cruz Hernandez, Christophe Ramstein
  • Patent number: 9806250
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator is provided which acts as a micromechanical actuating element. Thus, the piezoelectric actuator has a piezoelectric element and an electrode structure, wherein said electrode structure is arranged with the electrodes thereof exclusively on one side of the piezoelectric element. Furthermore, the piezoelectric actuator has at least one attachment element, wherein the attachment element is fitted on the piezoelectric element and on the side of the electrode structure of the piezoelectric element, and the attachment element at least partially encompasses the electrode structure of the piezoelectric actuator. The attachment element in the process, by virtue of encompassing the electrode structure, provides a physical limit for the expansion of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Förg, Hubert Lachner
  • Patent number: 9736593
    Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer includes a base and a plurality of vibration portions. Each of the vibration portions includes a piezoelectric transduction layer and has two connection ends and a free end. The connection portions are connected to the base, and the free ends are separated from one another. The piezoelectric transduction layers are adapted to receive electrical signals to deform, such that the vibration portions are driven to vibrate and generate corresponding acoustic waves. The vibration portions are adapted to receive acoustic waves to vibrate, such that the piezoelectric transduction layers are driven to deform and generate corresponding electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: GlobalMEMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Hsiung Tseng, Ming-Ching Wu
  • Patent number: 9728361
    Abstract: A piezoelectric multiplexer includes an actuator and multiple piezo-morph beams. The actuator includes an actuator conducting head and an actuator stem, and each piezo-morph beam includes a conducting beam contact head and a beam stem manufactured out of piezo-morph material. A control voltage is selectively applied to electrical contacts coupled to the beam stems to create a piezoelectric effect that bends the selected piezo-morph beam and creates an electrical connection between its contact head and the conducting head of the actuator. A control circuit with a controller signals which piezo-morph beam to connect to the actuator. This multi-piezo-morph-beam piezoelectric multiplexer can be affixed to the electrical terminals of different electrical components (e.g., a transistor) to create an electrical cell that can be manufactured on a semiconductor chip or in a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: 19th Space Electronics
    Inventors: Lizon Maharjan, Babak Fahimi, Daniel Christopher Dial, Joseph Hearron, Job Timothy Brunet, Carlos Caicedo-Narvaez, Arash Hassanpour Isfahani
  • Patent number: 9705067
    Abstract: A piezoelectric fan includes a vibration sheet, piezoelectric elements, a reinforcing sheet bonded to at least one of principal surfaces of the piezoelectric element, a reinforcing sheet bonded to at least one of principal surfaces of the piezoelectric element, and a fixing sheet. The vibration sheet is fixed to the inside of an electronic device by the fixing sheet disposed at one end of the vibration sheet. The total thickness of the reinforcing sheets and a region of the vibration sheet adjacent to the piezoelectric elements is greater than the average thickness of a region of the vibration sheet in which the piezoelectric elements are not disposed. The piezoelectric elements are disposed symmetrically to the center plane of the thickness direction of the vibration sheet. The reinforcing sheets are disposed symmetrically to the center plane of the thickness direction of the vibration sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuhira Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9698335
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator device, with at least one piezoelectric transducer which has at least one piezoelectric body and an electrode unit assigned to this piezoelectric body, with overall capacitance and including two electrodes lying opposite one another. At least one of the two electrodes of the electrode unit is divided into several individual sub-electrodes, spaced apart from one another and forming with the electrode lying opposite several sub-electrode pairs defining in each case a partial capacitance of the overall capacitance. A separate current-limiting resistor active during charge flow is connected in series to each sub-electrode pair. A valve, for controlling a fluid, is equipped with such an actuator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Gino Palermo, Jens Anderle, Hannes Wirtl, Gerd Hoitz
  • Patent number: 9647462
    Abstract: A hearing instrument having an audio signal source for providing for audio signals; an audio signal processing unit for processing said audio signals; a unit to be worn at or in a user's ear or to be implanted in the user's head for stimulating the user's hearing according to the processed audio signals, and a rechargeable power source, in which the rechargeable power source is a wound capacitor comprising a capacitor foil arrangement which has at least a first electrically conducting layer, a second electrically conducting layer and a dielectric layer in-between and which is wound in a manner so as to form an induction coil for generating a current for charging of the capacitor when exposed to an external alternating electromagnetic field generated by a charging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Jan Angst, Erdal Karamuk, Hilmar Meier, Roland Hug, Andi Vonlanthen
  • Patent number: 9625708
    Abstract: An optical deflector is a piezoelectrically-driven optical deflector including a vibration mirror part having a reflection surface portion for reflecting light, a torsion bar part connected to the vibration mirror part, and a piezoelectric element that allows the vibration mirror part to swing around the torsion bar part so as to vibrate. Protruding portions are formed respectively at both end portions of the vibration mirror part in a main scanning direction of reflected light to protrude to an outer side in the main scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Yuji Toyota
  • Patent number: 9556022
    Abstract: For producing a structured coating, or for carefully lifting off a coating over a sensitive region, it is proposed that a release film be applied and structured under the coating in the region which is not to be coated. In a release step, the release film is reduced in the adhesion in the region which is not to be coated and is subsequently lifted off together with the coating applied over it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Pahl
  • Patent number: 9543861
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ionic ring comprising a number of piezoelectric elements, a piezoelectric device including the ionic ring, and a piezoelectric generator including the ionic ring and host devices incorporating the piezoelectric generator. The piezoelectric generator can be used to generate energy on a portable electronic device in response to mechanical deformation. The generated energy can be used instead of a battery of the portable electronic device or can be used to charge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Peter Mankowski
  • Patent number: 9488828
    Abstract: In an optical deflector apparatus including a mirror, an inner frame, an outer frame, an inner piezoelectric actuator adapted to flex the mirror around an axis of the mirror, an outer piezoelectric actuator adapted to flex the mirror around the axis of the mirror, and a driver adapted to generate an offset drive voltage and a rocking drive voltage. The offset drive voltage is applied to a first piezoelectric actuator selected from the inner piezoelectric actuator and the outer piezoelectric actuator. The rocking drive voltage is applied to a second piezoelectric actuator different from the first piezoelectric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiichi Ikegami, Akio Ogawa