Abstract: An operating method is for a memory device which controls a nonvolatile memory. The operating method includes managing a program depth bit map indicating an upper page program state of each of a plurality of word lines of the nonvolatile memory in response to an external write request, and outputting one of a plurality of different read commands to the nonvolatile memory based on information of the program depth bit map corresponding to a word line to be accessed in response to an external read request.

Abstract: An angle detecting apparatus using a resolver disposed at a position where an external magnetic field is present on one side in an axial direction includes a rotor that is rotatable and made of a magnetic material, a magnetic permeability of the magnet material having an uniaxial anisotropy as an entirety, and a stator disposed to face the rotor, the stator including an exciting coil and a detection coil for detecting a magnetic flux generated by the exciting coil, the rotor being provided between the stator and the external magnetic field.

Abstract: A circuit for sensing current in a capacitive network. A first capacitor carries a first current. A second capacitor is connected to the first capacitor thereby forming a current divider. The second capacitor carries a second current which is proportional to the first current. A transimpedance amplifier is connected to the second capacitor and has a voltage output that is proportional to the second current. Using a current feedback amplifier as the transimpedance amplifier significantly improves bandwidth and stability.

Abstract: A method for evaluating signal attenuation of an impedance member includes setting at least one ideal attenuation of an ideal impedance member, setting at least one attenuation range for the at least one ideal attenuation, measuring at least one first test attenuation at a first test signal frequency of the subject impedance member, measuring at least one second test attenuation at a second test signal frequency of the subject impedance member, comparing the at least one first test attenuation and the at least one second test attenuation with the at least one attenuation range for the at least one ideal attenuation, determining whether the at least one first test attenuation and the at least one second test attenuation fall within the at least one attenuation range and performing a troubleshooting function on the subject impedance member if the at least one first test attenuation or the at least one second test attenuation fall outside the at least one attenuation range.

Abstract: Position encoder for measuring a position containing a sensor 2, providing electrical signals representing the angular position, a measuring device for measuring the electrical signals and outputting at least one electrical position signal representing the angular position and signal processing means 3, processing the position signal, the signal processing means 3 exhibiting an adaptive filter comprising at least a speed estimator 5 outputting an estimated speed and connected in parallel a speed limiter 7 that depending from the estimated speed limits a change in the position signal.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement and method for an inductively rotational sensor consisting of a remote clone coil connected to a processor. The clone coil is located between a proximity sensor including a sensor and a rotating target so that when in an input or interrogatory mode rotational speed of the targets on a rotatable body is detected by the clone coil as a base rotational speed. The processor and the clone coil in an injection or output mode presenting emulating pulses to the sensor to mask the normal sensor coil to target interaction so the sensor coil sees the emulating pulses as the indicator of rotational speed. The emulating pulses proportional to the base speed and adjustable to desired levels of variation from the base speed as a reference.

Abstract: A method and a circuit for detecting positions for a motor are provided. The circuit includes a control circuit for generating PWM signals, high-side transistors and low-side transistors, resistors and a microcontroller. The high-side transistors and the low-side transistors generate voltage signals configured to drive the motor. The resistors coupled to the low-side transistors generate sensing signals in response to motor currents and back-EMF signals. The microcontroller controls the control circuit. the PWM signals are utilized to control the high-side transistors and the low-side transistor for generating the voltage signals. The high-side transistors are coupled to the input power source. The low-side transistors are coupled to the ground via the resistors. The control circuit determines the motor position in accordance with the sensing signals.

Abstract: Position encoder for measuring a position containing a sensor 2, providing electrical signals representing the angular position, a measuring device for measuring the electrical signals and outputting at least one electrical position signal representing the angular position and signal processing means 3, processing the position signal, the signal processing means 3 exhibiting an adaptive filter comprising at least a speed estimator 5 outputting an estimated speed and connected in parallel a speed limiter 7 that depending from the estimated speed limits a change in the position signal.

Abstract: A primary device for inductive power transfer to a secondary device is disclosed. The primary device includes a primary coil, the primary device being configured to (i) operate in a first mode during which the primary coil transfers power through inductive coupling to the secondary device, and (ii) operate in a second mode during which a foreign object is detected. The primary device further includes a primary controller configured to operate the primary coil (i) using a first frequency during the first mode, and (ii) using a second frequency during the second mode. A method to detect a foreign object which is in proximity of an inductively coupled environment of a primary device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting mechanical displacement in a micro-electromechanical system includes a capacitor having first and second plates spaced from one another, the first and second plates having different work functions and being electrically connected with each other. The capacitor plates are movable with respect to one another such that a spacing between the plates changes in response to a force. A current through the capacitor represents a rate of change in the spacing between the plates at a given time.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement and method for an inductively rotational sensor consisting of a remote clone coil connected to a processor. The clone coil is located between a proximity sensor including a sensor and a rotating target so that when in an input or interrogatory mode rotational speed of the targets on a rotatable body is detected by the clone coil as a base rotational speed. The processor and the clone coil in an injection or output mode presenting emulating pulses to the sensor to mask the normal sensor coil to target interaction so the sensor coil sees the emulating pulses as the indicator of rotational speed. The emulating pulses proportional to the base speed and adjustable to desired levels of variation from the base speed as a reference.

Abstract: A control system for use in safety critical human/machine control interfaces is described, more particularly a joystick type control system and particularly a joystick type control system utilizing magnetic positional sensing. The control system provides a control input device having a movable magnet, a pole-piece frame arrangement positioned about the magnet, at least three magnetic flux sensors being positioned in said pole-piece frame arrangement and a monitoring arrangement for monitoring the output signal of each of said at least three sensors.

Abstract: An angular position sensor and method that relies on a stationary circular array of Hall sensors and a rotatable circular array of magnets arranged about a common axis. A periodic and simultaneous reading of all of the Hall sensor outputs is used to determine angular velocity.

Abstract: It is disclosed to measure the impedance of a read-out line. The read-out line includes at least two cascaded electrical circuit segments, each electrical circuit segment including two longitudinal arms, wherein one of the longitudinal arms includes an electrical component, and a lateral arm including a switch configured to close in the presence of an object in the vicinity of the switch. The measured impedance of the read-out line can be compared to a preset value corresponding to an allowable value of the impedance of the read-out line.

Abstract: Systems and methods facilitate the monitoring of tire pressure, the detection/determination of wheel speed, or a combination thereof. A system is provided comprising a hub cap, a target coupled to the hub cap, and at least two displacement sensors configured to measure a displacement between each displacement sensor and the target. The target has a variable thickness, and the target comprises a hollow vessel in fluid communication with a tire.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring the relative rotational speed of a rotor which rotates with respect to a stator, having at least one inductive pulse generator which is supported by the stator and comprises at least one induction coil in which an electrical voltage which represents a rotational speed measurement signal for the rotational speed is induced by the rotation of the rotor provided with circumferential markings.

Abstract: A velocity-detecting device is mainly based on detection of charge, including a circuit board provided thereon with at least two capacitance sensors with potential difference. The two capacitance sensors are provided at different locations for detecting the time difference when a living thing moves and has its charge respectively reaching the critical one preset by the two capacitance sensors for calculating the moving velocity of the living thing, able to detect and calculate the moving velocity of a living thing for carrying out relative reaction to a machine.

Abstract: A velocity-detecting device is mainly based on detection of charge, including a circuit board provided thereon with at least two capacitance sensors with potential difference. The two capacitance sensors are provided at different locations for detecting the time difference when a living thing moves and has its charge respectively reaching the critical one preset by the two capacitance sensors for calculating the moving velocity of the living thing, able to detect and calculate the moving velocity of a living thing for carrying out relative reaction to a machine.

Abstract: A motion transducer comprising one or more electromagnetic coils provided on a first element, each of the coils having a magnetic axis of symmetry.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting the position and velocity of a test object relative to a sensor, the sensor and the test object being arranged such that they can be displaced relative to one another. In one embodiment, the sensor has a measuring coil with one or more voltage tap(s) and has a target that is placed on the test object while being electromagnetically coupled to the measuring coil. An electronic component for adding the voltages tapped on the sensor is assigned to the sensor.

Abstract: Ramp arrangements and methods in accordance with the present invention can provide the position or velocity of an actuator assembly in a rotating media data storage device while loading or unloading a head connected with the actuator assembly from a disk. One such arrangement includes a conductive ramp electrically coupled to a conductive suspension lift tab such that a closed circuit is formed when the head is unloaded from the disk. As the suspension lift tab slides along the ramp, the resistance of the circuit changes. By measuring multiple positions at multiple times, a head velocity can be determined.

Abstract: Ramp arrangements and methods in accordance with the present invention can provide the position or velocity of an actuator assembly in a rotating media data storage device while loading or unloading a head connected with the actuator assembly from a disk. One such arrangement comprises a conductive ramp electrically coupled to a conductive suspension lift tab such that a closed circuit is formed when the head is unloaded from the disk. As the suspension lift tab slides along the ramp, the resistance of the circuit changes. By measuring multiple positions at multiple times, a head velocity can be determined. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: Ramp arrangements and methods in accordance with the present invention can provide the position or velocity of an actuator assembly in a rotating media data storage device while loading or unloading a head connected with the actuator assembly from a disk. One such arrangement comprises a conductive ramp electrically coupled to a conductive suspension lift tab such that a closed circuit is formed when the head is unloaded from the disk. As the suspension lift tab slides along the ramp, the resistance of the circuit changes. By measuring multiple positions at multiple times, a head velocity can be determined. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: A method for determining the effect of load impedance on the magnitude and phase of loop gain of a power converter apparatus to aid in predicting stability of the converter apparatus under various operating conditions. The converter apparatus has an open-loop output impedance and provides an output signal to an output locus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for measuring swing velocity of a golf club head sing a resonance circuit. The device according to the present invention comprises a resonance circuit portion for detecting impedance change amount and voltage signal by the amount of impedance change in response to the approach of a golf club head having conductivity; an amplification portion for amplifying the voltage signal detected by the resonance circuit portion, a wave shaping portion for outputting the voltage signal as pulse-shaped peak wave; a mircocomputer for controlling the operation of calculating the time difference between the peak waves and indicating swing velocity; and a display portion for displaying the swing velocity data according to the output signal of the microcomputer.

Abstract: An apparatus for position detection using signal patterns created by use of a fixed disk having three conductive patterns disposed thereon. The first and second patterns are annular conductive paths which are concentric with respect to one another and the third pattern consists of radially extending conductive portions which are electrically connected to the second pattern. A brush carried by a rotating member whose position is sought to be determined is maintained in contact with the first and third pattern. In this manner an electrical signal variation is encountered as the radially extending conductive portions are encountered by the brush upon rotation thereof. This variation is thus correlated to the pattern defined on the third pattern. A microprocessor is used to add and subtract signals as the brush is rotated from a reference position based upon an indicia of motor direction.

Abstract: In a system and a method for determining the speed gradient dn/dt of a shaft of an internal combustion engine, the speed gradient dn/dt is determined as a function of the third power of the speed and the difference between two segment times in the control device. The speed gradient is only determined in phases which are not time-critical, while segment times are read in or stored only in time-critical phases so that the data required for controlling and regulating the internal combustion engine can be calculated in these time-critical phases independently from the determination of the speed gradient.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting rotation of a shaft include a first antenna for transmitting electromagnetic energy into the shaft, a second antenna disposed for rotation with the shaft for modulating electromagnetic energy passing through the shaft in relation to the shaft rotational speed, and a detector for detecting the modulated electromagnetic energy that passes through the shaft.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for determining an extended length of a hydraulic cylinder is disclosed. A piston and rod are contained within a cylindrical housing of the hydraulic cylinder. A coil is wound about the rod and is attached to the piston and an end of the cylindrical housing. The coil extends and retracts with the reciprocating movement of the piston. An oscillator is coupled to the coil and produces a position signal in response to the inductance of the coil. A circuit receives the position signal, and determines the incremental linear position and velocity of the piston and rod relative to the housing in response to the frequency of the position signal.

Abstract: A projectile velocity measurement system for determining velocity of a lahed projectile in a launch tube in an underwater environment, the system comprising a transformer with secondary coils arranged in discrete groups with an increment of insulation shielding each of the groups of coils from the water therearound, the insulation increments being connectable to the projectile and being successively separable from the groups of secondary coils to expose such groups of coils successively to the water to short out such coils and reduce the voltage of the transformer secondary, and means for converting the speed of voltage reduction to the velocity of the projectile in the tube. In the case of launch of the projectile from a submarine, at least preprocessing of the voltage of the secondary is performed in the launch tube, and the preprocessed signal is passed to within the pressure hull of the submarine via a sealed electrical connector in the breechdoor of the launch tube to provide subsafe conditions.

Abstract: A variable capacitor whose capacitance is a function of shaft position is coupled to a rotating shaft. A constant voltage is applied to the capacitor. As the shaft rotates, the changing capacitance of the variable capacitance causes current to flow into and out of the variable capacitor in response to the shaft rotation--thus providing a current source with no inherent practical frequency response limitations. A transresistance amplifier converts the current to an output voltage which is proportional to instantaneous shaft velocity. Various arrangements are used to eliminate the discontinuity associated with the inherent sign change of the capacitance time derivative while retaining the signal components associated with instantaneous velocity changes of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle tachometer kit including a pick up coil that is adapted to be mounted on the outside of the vehicle's alternator to sense its rotating field without any disassembly. An induced signal in the coil from alternator field leakage provides the normal input to a user calibrated r.p.m. display driving circuit in the tachometer that can be calibrated for different alternators and drive pulley ratios without another tachometer by selectively applying a simulated input reference signal to the display driving circuit and adjusting the r.p.m. display until a scheduled ratio is achieved between the displayed r.p.m. and the reference signal.

Abstract: A device for picking up the position of an angle of a rotating part which is provided with angle markers 11 or teeth being simultaneously distributed over its circumference, whereby at least one angle marker and/or intermediate space between two angle markers is shaped differently serving as a reference marker 12. This can be realized, for example, by a wide or smaller angle marker or gap between two angle markers. The distance between two angle marker flanks is picked up by a counter 17 which counts a cycle frequency, whereby the counter is a free running continously counting counter. The instantaneously present counter level is transmitted into a storage 18 for each angle marker flank (ascending flank or rear flank) to be evaluated. Subtractions of two successive storage values and comparisons of successive corresponding differential values are performed for recognizing a reference marker.

Abstract: An inductive displacement transducer includes a primary and at least two secondary coils with a movable coupling member for varying the amount of mutual coupling therebetween as a function of the displacement of a movable member. The secondary coils are wrapped around magnetic cores which are embedded in a disc-shaped core structure. The coupling member comprises a pair of magnetic conductive arms disposed on either side of the core structure and attached to a shaft rotatably received by a central axial bore in the core structure. An end of the shaft may be attached to the movable member. A control circuit excites the primary coil with an excitation signal with abrupt repetitive transients so that voltage spikes appear in the secondary coils with an amplitude related to the amount of mutual coupling. The voltage spikes are integrated into a D. C. voltage with an amplitude of the voltage spikes and thus, indicative of the displacement of the movable member.

Abstract: The instantaneous angular velocity of a rotating shaft or the like is translated from the relative rotation of a mark carrier, having a scale of marks, and a sensing device. A series of signals are produced and processed in a calibrating run and thereafter in a series of operating runs. In the calibrating run, the time distance of the sensed signals between at least one pair of the marks is measured and from it a calibrating value is calculated corresponding to the absolute angular distance between the marks and thereafter stored. During the operation runs, the instantaneous time distance of the sensed signals between the marks is measured and the instantaneous velocity is obtained by comparing it with the stored calibrating value.

Abstract: A system for detecting the operation of the throttle valve of an internal combustion engine for an emission control system for internal combustion engines. The emission control system has a three-way catalyst convertor, a detector, such as an oxygen sensor for detecting the concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gases, an on-off type electromagnetic valve for correcting the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture and an electronic controller. The system comprises a transducer, such as a potentiometer and a pair of sample-and-hold circuits, in which each gate thereof is periodically operated by pulse trains for sampling and holding the output voltage of the transducer, which pulse trains have a 180 degrees phase difference with respect to each other. Both sample-and-hold circuits are connected to an operational amplifier type comparator through relay switches.

Abstract: A gear speed measuring system which is capable of measuring speeds down to zero, which is capable of use in a rugged environment, and which is relatively insensitive to gear-sensor spacing. The system comprises an electromagnetic sensor (20) connected into the tank circuit of an oscillator (58) to produce an FM signal in which the frequency shifts occur in synchronism with the rotation of a gear (12) or the like. A detector (66) having a reference frequency input (68) converts the FM signal to a digital signal. A microprocessor (48) adjusts the reference frequency (68) as necessary to keep it between the high and low limits of the sensor output. The speed measuring system is applied to the control of the drive unit for a heavy off road vehicle (10) such as a tractor or earth mover.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring the velocity of a moving dielectric material including establishing an electric field within the dielectric material to polarize the material; establishing a magnetic field within the dielectric material to induce a velocity-dependent torque on the electric dipole moments tending to align the electric dipole moments perpendicular to both the direction of motion of the dielectric material and to the direction of the magnetic field; detecting the change in the polarization of the moving dielectric material induced by the magnetic field; and determining the velocity of the moving dielectric material in response to the detected change in polarization.

Abstract: A potentiometer circuit by which a continuous, sawtooth 360 degree ramp output voltage is obtained from a single turn continuous rotation potentiometer having an annularly disposed resistance element and two angularly displaced rotatable wipers providing displaced voltages from the resistance element. The circuit includes comparator means responsive to one of the wiper voltages providing a comparator output signal and switch means responsive to the comparator output signal for switching between the wiper voltage outputs to provide a continuous, sawtooth 360 degree ramp analog output voltage. An analog-digital converter may be connected to it to provide a digital output voltage.