Calibration Patents (Class 324/202)
  • Patent number: 10846211
    Abstract: Described herein are technologies related to testing computer code for bugs, wherein the computer code is to run in kernel mode of an operating system. The computer code is executed in kernel mode of a first operating system, and content of memory that is mapped to kernel mode address space of the first operating system is transferred to user mode memory that is mapped to user mode address space of a second operating system. The computer code is executed in user mode and tested while being executed in user mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Barry C. Bond, Patrice Godefroid
  • Patent number: 10845432
    Abstract: A system and method for calibrating rigid and non-rigid arrays of 3-axis magnetometers. Such arrays might be used to analyze structures containing ferromagnetic material. The calibration determines scale factor and bias parameters of each magnetometer in the array, and the relative orientation and position of each magnetometer in the array. Once the parameters are determined, the actual magnetic field value at the magnetometer location can be simply related to magnetometer measurements. The method and system can be used to calibrate an array of 3-axis magnetometers in aggregate as opposed to individual magnetometers. This is critical in large arrays to increasing reproducibility of the calibration procedure and decreasing time required to complete calibration procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sorensen, Philip Babcock, Cort Johnson, Neil Sunil Patel
  • Patent number: 10830796
    Abstract: Systems and methods include determining energy usage of a residence from a current that flows through a first main conductor and a second main conductor that transport the current into the residence. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to sensors (130a-b) that monitor magnetic fields (150a-b) generated by the first and second main conductors (120a-b). After a resistive load (210a-b) is added for an electrical path in the residence, the first and second magnetic fields (150a-b) may be converted to generate first and second calibrating currents. A first prototype current is corrected to eliminate the influence of the second magnetic field (150b) onto the first magnetic field (150a) and a second prototype current is corrected to eliminate the influence of the first magnetic field (150a) onto the second magnetic field (150b). The energy usage of the residence is determined from the corrected currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Potential Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Lachman, Robin J. Kinney
  • Patent number: 10830797
    Abstract: An integrated device provides a measure of a quantity dependent on current through an electrical conductor, having: a sensing and processing sub-system; an electrical conductor conducting current; an insulating material encapsulates the sensing and processing sub-system and maintains the electrical conductor in a fixed and spaced relationship to the sensing and processing sub-system. The insulating material insulates the electrical conductor from the sensing and processing sub-system. Sensing and processing sub-system sensing circuitry includes magnetic field sensing elements adjacent the electrical conductor. The sensing circuitry provides a measure of the quantity as a weighted sum and/or difference of magnetic field sensing elements outputs caused by current through the electrical conductor adjacent the magnetic field sensing elements. A voltage sensing input senses a measure of voltage associated with the current conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: HALL ELEMENT DEVICES (IP HOLDINGS) LIMITED
    Inventor: Toma{hacek over (z)} Slivnik
  • Patent number: 10816577
    Abstract: One aspect of the present technology relates to an optical electric field sensor device. The device includes a non-conductive housing configured to be located proximate to an electric field. A voltage sensor assembly is positioned within the housing and includes a crystal material positioned to receive an input light beam from a first light source through a first optical fiber. The crystal material is configured to exhibit a Pockels effect when an electric field is applied when the housing is located proximate to the electric field to provide an output light beam to a detector through a second optical fiber. An optical cable is coupled to the housing and configured to house at least a portion of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. The first light source and the detector are located remotely from the housing. A method of detecting an electric field is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: MICATU INC.
    Inventors: James Kennedy, Atul Pradhan, Michael Oshetski, William Laratta
  • Patent number: 10782434
    Abstract: A circuit and a method for detecting a medium under a gypsum board are provided. The method comprises: first, providing a sensor, the sensor consisting of one group of printed circuit board (PCB) copper foils, namely, forming left and right polar plates by two pieces of completely identical PCB copper foils; next, providing a detection drive signal ClK to be applied to the left and right polar plates so that an electromagnetic field is formed between the left and right polar plates and the earth; further, providing a waveform shaping and phase difference circuit so that each polar plate can generate a phase difference relative to its own drive signal; and then, providing an phase inverter circuit to achieve waveform inversion so as to facilitate filtering and amplification of tiny signals, and sampling direct-current voltage signals of the two polar plates by a micro controller unit (MCU).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Inventors: Mingfeng Guo, Zhihong Chen, Fanjian Zeng, Hailin Huang
  • Patent number: 10765343
    Abstract: A method of obtaining information about the position and/or orientation of a magnetic component relatively to a magnetometric detector, the magnetic component and the magnetometric detector being moveable independently from each other relatively to a static secondary magnetic field, the method comprising the steps of: measuring in the presence of the combination of both the magnetic field of the magnetic component and the static secondary magnetic field essentially simultaneously the strength and/or orientation of a magnetic field at at least a first position and a second position spatially associated with the magnetometric detector, the second position being distanced from the first position; and combining the results of the measurements to computationally eliminate the effect of the secondary magnetic field and derive the information about the position and/or orientation of the magnetic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: eZono AG
    Inventors: Rolf Henkel, Eliseo Ventura Sobrino Patino, Robert Von Offenberg Sweeney, Allan Dunbar
  • Patent number: 10758740
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices and methods for detecting and measuring TMS-induced electrical fields. In accordance with certain aspects of an embodiment of the invention, a TMS sensor probe is provided having a field detector, a first electrical connection connecting the field detector to either a power source or a processor, and a second electrical connection connecting the field detector to a processor. The field detector is configured to measure a characteristic of a TMS-induced electrical field at the location of the field detector, and the processor is configured to receive the measured characteristic of the induced electrical fields and display a human-readable depiction of a calculated induced electrical field. A system using such a sensor probe to calibrate a TMS-induced electrical field is also provided, including the foregoing sensor probe, and a magnetic field generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: University of Maryland, Baltimore, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
    Inventors: Liyi Elliot Hong, Fow-Sen Choa
  • Patent number: 10718640
    Abstract: A sensor element for a motor vehicle, includes a sensor circuit for detecting a physical variable, a first housing, in which the sensor circuit is arranged, a second housing, in which the first housing is arranged, a thermoplastic, which at least partially encloses the first housing and fixes the first housing in the second housing in a positioning position, at least two positioning recesses for receiving positioning pins being formed in the first housing in order to fix the first housing in the positioning position while the first housing is being enveloped by the thermoplastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Lothar Biebricher, Marco Benner, Jakob Schillinger, Dietmar Huber, Thomas Fischer, Stefan Günthner, Michael Schulmeister
  • Patent number: 10677620
    Abstract: A system includes a magnetic field sense element for detecting an external magnetic field and a magnetic field source proximate the magnetic field sense element for providing a reference magnetic field. The magnetic field sense element produces a composite signal having reference and measurement signal portions, the reference signal portion being indicative of the reference magnetic field and the measurement signal portion being indicative of the external magnetic field. A power supply provides a supply current through the magnetic field source for continuously generating the reference magnetic field while the system is in an operational mode. A processing circuit processes the composite signal to produce a measurement output signal indicative of the external magnetic field. A qualification circuit, coupled with the processing circuit at multiple test points, detects the reference signal portion at the multiple test points and determines operability of the system from the detected reference signal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Robert Meyer, Michael Schoeneich
  • Patent number: 10680164
    Abstract: A Hall effect sensor comprises a semiconductor substrate, a first well formed in the semiconductor substrate, a first ohmic contact formed in the first well, a second ohmic contact formed in the first well, a first terminal electrically coupled to the first ohmic contact, a second terminal electrically coupled to the second ohmic contact, and a first metal layer formed over the semiconductor substrate. The first metal layer comprises a first interconnect and a first trace, where the first trace is formed over the first well, and where the first interconnect electrically couples a first part of the first well to a second part of the first well. The first and second ohmic contacts are each positioned between the first part and the second part of the first well, where the first interconnect is electrically isolated from the first trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Keith Ryan Green, Dok Won Lee
  • Patent number: 10641625
    Abstract: In general, the invention relates to an algorithm and process for automated and/or continuous calibration of magnetic sensor, for example such as a sensor installed in a mobile positioning system handset. According to certain aspects, the calibration process can use the normal motion of the handset such that all measurement data from the three orthogonal axes of sensor when exposed to Earth's magnetic field is collected. According to still further aspects, the process includes fitting measurement data to an ellipsoid that characterizes the actual magnetic field measurements from a magnetic sensor, so that anomalies such as hard iron effect, soft iron effect and scale factors can be extracted and/or corrected by comparison to a sphere represented by magnetic field data from a model at the sensor's location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: CSR Technology Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Mahesh Chowdhary, Mahaveer Jain
  • Patent number: 10634742
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a system configured to characterize a magnetic response of a sample. The system can comprise an electrical source configured to generate a time-varying current supply, an excitation coil system coupled to the electrical source to generate a time-vary magnetic field for application to a sample, and a sensing coil system that senses a magnetic response of the sample in response to the time-varying magnetic field. The sensing coil system can comprise a pick-up coil and a balancing coil that can be translated or rotated. The balancing coil configured to cancel a feed-through induction signal. In another embodiment, the sensing coil system can comprise an adjustable fine-tuning coil that is configured to modify an effect of the cancellation of the feed-through induction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Garraud, Carlos Rinaldi, David P. Arnold
  • Patent number: 10585055
    Abstract: A method for operating an inductive conductivity meter having a transmitting coil, a receiving coil and a terminating impedance device, the transmitting coil having a transmitting coil terminal, the receiving coil having a receiving coil terminal and the terminating impedance device having a terminating impedance, wherein the receiving coil is terminated with the terminating impedance device and wherein the transmitting coil and the receiving coil are inductively coupled with one another by an electrically conductive medium. To provide an improved accuracy of a determination of a conductivity of a medium a setpoint input impedance is specified, an input impedance is determined at the transmitting coil terminal, the terminating impedance is set such that the input impedance is matched to the setpoint input impedance, and a conductivity of the medium is determined using the adjusted input impedance and the set termination impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: KROHNE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Holger Glasmachers
  • Patent number: 10557723
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an angle of rotation includes a rotatable member situated in a first plane and rotatable to be switched between a reference state and rotated states, the rotatable member being unrotated in the reference state, magnet pieces arranged on the rotatable member along a circumferential direction of the rotatable member at intervals of an angle, the magnet pieces moving along a first locus as the rotatable member is rotated, a Hall sensor lying in a second plane spaced a distance apart from the first plane and positioned along a second locus, said second locus being a projection of the first locus into the second plane, and the Hall sensor providing an output varying as the rotatable member is rotated, and a processor configured to detect an angle of rotation of the rotatable member in response to the output from the Hall sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Haechitech Corporation
    Inventors: Hae Jung Lee, Kyoung Suck Ki
  • Patent number: 10521977
    Abstract: A method of verifying the health and functionality of at least one vehicle sensor is disclosed herein. The method includes positioning the vehicle within a controlled environment test facility, displaying a predetermined test pattern to the at least one vehicle sensor as the vehicle travels within the controlled environment test facility, receiving sensor data corresponding to a performance condition of the at least one sensor from the at least one vehicle sensor, transmitting the sensor data to a remote processor, and determining a functional condition of the at least one vehicle sensor based on the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Evan M. Pitt, James N. Nickolaou
  • Patent number: 10506947
    Abstract: A system for selecting a calibration includes a data structure (138) including non-transitory computer readable storage media having a plurality of calibration entries stored therein and indexed to position and/or orientation criteria for a field generator. The field generator is configured for placement in an environment for sensor tracking. A calibration selection module (140) is configured to determine a position and/or orientation of the field generator and, based on the position and/or orientation, determine, using the data structure, corresponding calibration information stored in the data structure. The calibration information is optimized based upon the position and/or orientation of the field generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Shyam Bharat, Ananth Ravi, Ehsan Dehghan Marvast, Cynthia Ming-Fu Kung, Jochen Kruecker
  • Patent number: 10495604
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for detecting metal is equipped with at least one test device (2) with a non-metallic guide tube (21). Only a proximal end of the guide tube is connected to a pneumatic control unit (3). A distal end of the guide tube has at least one first ventilation port (211). A test article (7), having a known mass of metal, is movable back and forth between the proximal end and the distal end of the guide tube, at least through a section of an electromagnetic field, to verify operation of the metal detection The pneumatic control unit can use air pressure, either elevated above or reduced below the ambient pressure, applied to the proximal end of the guide tube in order to drive the test article back and forth, or only in one direction if it is returned by gravitational force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: METTLER-TOLEDO SAFELINE LTD.
    Inventor: Paul Rigby
  • Patent number: 10474518
    Abstract: A device may receive information related to an operation of the device during each of multiple time intervals. The device may store, for each time interval of the multiple time intervals, the information in a respective slot of a circular buffer that includes multiple slots. The circular buffer may be used to store a historical record of the information in one or more of the multiple slots. The historical record may be provided from the circular buffer during a dump of the device. The device may provide the historical record during the dump of the device based on storing the historical record of the information in the one or more of the multiple slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Sreekanth Rupavatharam
  • Patent number: 10475690
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for calibrating the compressive forces exerted on a component during a component retrieval process from a carrier or support surface by a component handling device. The system includes a sensor, a component pickup assembly having a reference structure, a housing and a spring guide holder coupled to a suction tip. A resilient member may reside within the housing and the reference structure such that the spring guide holder and the housing are spaced from each other to define a variable first gap thereinbetween. A gate is formed by the reference structure and a sheath located on the housing whereby the reference structure is spaced from the housing to define a variable second gap thereinbetween. A detection structure is located within the variable second gap such that the sensor is able to detect portions of the detection structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES & INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Lian Seng Ng, Lian Aik Tan, Mun Fai Lye
  • Patent number: 10436857
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensing apparatus and a sensing method are provided. The magnetic field sensing apparatus includes an anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) resistor, a current generator, and an arithmetic device. The AMR resistor is configured to provide a first resistance value according to a sensed magnetic field in a first magnetic field sensing phase and provide a second resistance value according to the sensed magnetic field in a second magnetic field sensing phase by a magnetized direction setting operation. The current generator provides a current based on a current direction to flow through two ends of the AMR resistor. The arithmetic device is configured to perform an arithmetic operation with respect to a first voltage difference and a second voltage difference generated according to the current respectively in the first magnetic field sensing phase and the second magnetic field sensing phase, and generate a magnetic field sensing voltage result accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: iSentek Inc.
    Inventors: Fu-Te Yuan, Pei-Chun Kao, Meng-Huang Lai
  • Patent number: 10393780
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for monitoring the currents in a load center, and ultrasonically reporting currents to a data aggregator. The monitoring is performed by branch circuit current monitors which are inductive. The data aggregator receives the current reports from the branch circuit current monitors. The data aggregator manages collisions and transmission medium distortions to ensure reliable receipt of the current reports and stores in a storage location that which it learns about the currents drawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.
    Inventor: Steven M. Meehleder
  • Patent number: 10393824
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to magnetometer calibration. In some aspects, a device may obtain multiple sets of magnetic field measurements corresponding to multiple local magnetic field strengths, wherein each set of magnetic field measurements is measured in association with an unknown local magnetic field strength. The device may calculate multiple error values using the multiple sets of magnetic field measurements, estimated values of the multiple local magnetic field strengths, and estimated hard iron bias values. The device may identify a set of hard iron bias values for magnetometer calibration based at least in part on comparing the multiple error values. The device may calibrate a magnetometer using the identified set of hard iron bias values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Benjamin Tarlow, Murray Jarvis, William Morrison
  • Patent number: 10367635
    Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure provide a signal transmission apparatus, a carrier phase recovery apparatus and method. By inserting phase modulation signals with variable amplitudes into data modulation signals and performing carrier phase recovery on received signals at a receiving end according to the phase modulation signals, the apparatuses and methods are applicable to communications systems of various modulation formats and are compatible with existing communications systems, and calculation complexity is relatively low. Furthermore, as the amplitudes of the inserted phase modulation signals are variable, the phase modulation signals may be flexibly configured in data modulation signals, to lower redundancy and influence on the system capacity is relatively small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiaofei Su, Liang Dou, Zhenning Tao
  • Patent number: 10348419
    Abstract: A wireless sensor includes a substrate, an antenna, a sensing element, a transmission line, and a sensing integrated circuit (IC). The sensing element is positioned on one end of the substrate and the antenna is positioned on an opposite end of the substrate. The sensing IC is coupled to the sensing element and to the antenna via the transmission line. The sensing IC is operable to receive a sensed condition of the item from the sensing element. The sensing IC is further operable to determine an input impedance of the wireless sensor based on the sensed condition and convert it into a digital value that is representative of the condition of the item. The sensing IC is further operable to output, via the antenna, the digital value or a representation of the condition of the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: RFMicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian David Young, Shahriar Rokhsaz
  • Patent number: 10338801
    Abstract: A touchscreen Human Machine Interface (HMI) may be used to communicate with a machine controller which, in turn, may communicate with a variety of systems of an agricultural machine to calibrate those systems. Accordingly, the HMI, via the machine controller, may communicate and interact with various electronically controlled devices of the machine, such as a joystick, a brake pedal, a hydrostatic pump system, a steering angle sensor, a rear steering controller, and the like (such as via an ISO Bus or CAN bus) to effect such calibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Paul Brooks, Kerry J. Treinen
  • Patent number: 10288646
    Abstract: Systems and methods include determining energy usage of a residence from a current that flows through a first main conductor and a second main conductor that transport the current into the residence. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to sensors (130a-b) that monitor magnetic fields (150a-b) generated by the first and second main conductors (120a-b). After a resistive load (210a-b) is added for an electrical path in the residence, the first and second magnetic fields (150a-b) may be converted to generate first and second calibrating currents. A first prototype current is corrected to eliminate the influence of the second magnetic field (150b) onto the first magnetic field (150a) and a second prototype current is corrected to eliminate the influence of the first magnetic field (150a) onto the second magnetic field (150b). The energy usage of the residence is determined from the corrected currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Potential Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Lachman, Robin J. Kinney
  • Patent number: 10247703
    Abstract: An exemplary method of inspecting a component includes, among other things, securing an inspection probe body relative to a component, using a sensor assembly housed within the inspection probe body to induce an eddy current in a target area of the component, the target area having a target surface that is spaced from the sensor assembly, sensing a parameter of the eddy current in the component using the sensor assembly, and determining a position of the target surface of the component relative to the inspection probe body using the parameter of eddy current from the sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin D. Smith, Jonathan P. Sullivan, David A. Raulerson
  • Patent number: 10234261
    Abstract: A measurement tool includes a rotation stage supporting an workpiece support, a thickness sensor overlying a workpiece support surface; a translation actuator coupled to the thickness sensor for translation of the thickness sensor relative to the workpiece support surface; and a computer coupled to control the rotation actuator and the translation actuator, and coupled to receive an output of the thickness sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward W. Budiarto, Dmitry A. Dzilno, Todd J. Egan, Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Nir Merry
  • Patent number: 10234515
    Abstract: A magnetic detection apparatus includes a Hall device configured to include terminals and to generate an electromotive force based on a magnetic field, a Hall output controller configured to control an output of the Hall device such that an output phase alteration order of a first section of the output is symmetrical to an output phase alteration order of a second section of the output on the basis of half cycle of a control cycle of the Hall device, an amplifier configured to be connected to output terminals of the Hall device to amplify the output of the Hall device, and an amplifier output controller configured to control an output polarity of the amplifier based on the output of the Hall device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Haechitech Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Ho Kim, Yong Sup Lee
  • Patent number: 10218178
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing device determines real and reactive power flows at a transformer at a given time, and computes, based on the real power and reactive power flow at the transformer, an amount of reactive power adjustment to produce a desired voltage differential across the transformer. The computing device may then adjust the reactive power flow from a secondary side of the transformer at substantially the given time based on the computed amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: University of Hawai'i
    Inventors: Leon Roy Roose, Staci T. C. L. Sadoyama, Hsun Jou, Marc Minoru Matsuura
  • Patent number: 10203194
    Abstract: A method and device for measuring the thickness of a coating material layer of a running strip according to which, by means of an eddy current sensor for at least one area of the strip, a quantity is measured, representative of the thickness of the coating layer and the thickness of the coating layer is determined from the measured quantity and from at least one calibration value. The measurement made with an eddy current sensor comprises the measurement of the complex impedance of a coil facing the running strip for a low excitation frequency and a high excitation frequency and the elaboration of a quantity representative of the thickness of the coating layer from said complex impedance measurements. A device for applying the method and a coating installation equipped with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: ARCELORMITTAL INVESTIGACION Y DESARROLLO, S.L.
    Inventor: Pierre Gauje
  • Patent number: 10177304
    Abstract: Methods of forming a high sensitivity Hall effect sensor having a thin Hall plate and the resulting devices are provided. Embodiments include providing a SOI substrate having a sequentially formed Si substrate and BOX and Si layers; forming a first STI structure in a first portion of the Si layer above the BOX layer, the first STI structure having a cross-shaped pattern; forming a second STI structure in a frame-shaped pattern in a second portion of the Si layer; the second STI structure formed outside and adjacent to the first STI structure; removing a portion of the Si layer between the first and second STI structures down to the BOX layer; removing the first STI structure, a cross-shaped Si layer remaining; and implanting N+ dopant ions into each end of the cross-shaped Si layer to form N+ implantation regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Shyue Seng Tan, Eng Huat Toh
  • Patent number: 10132906
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a sensor array having elements spaced from one another in a first direction, the array defining an array spatial response function, includes: providing a test workpiece having at least first and second calibrated defects spaced apart in the first direction by a characteristic distance such that when the first calibrated surface defect is located at a position corresponding to an array response function maximum, the second calibrated surface defect is located at a position corresponding to an array response function minimum; passing the array across the first and second calibrated surface defects in a direction normal to the first direction and determining a peak sensor signal from at least two of the elements in the array to determine an array spatial response function root mean squared average; and setting a rejection threshold as a predetermined proportion of the array spatial response function root mean squared average.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Robert R Hughes, Christopher J L Lane
  • Patent number: 10072956
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting when a magnetic anomaly may impact the quality of data being output by a magnetometer. A plurality of detection algorithms may be performed in parallel on the sensor data. Further, indication of a anomaly from one or a combination of the detection algorithms may cause the magnetometer data to have a reduced contribution in any sensor fusion operation or may be omitted from a sensor fusion operation as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan Zheng, Shang-Hung Lin, William Kerry Keal
  • Patent number: 10073151
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring Hall effect in a material includes measuring a voltage in two test states, each state alternating the direction and orientation of a current applied across the material or the voltage measured across the material relative to a magnetic field in each state. According to an embodiment, the frequency of measurement at each state differs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Lake Shore Cryotronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Lindemuth
  • Patent number: 10066940
    Abstract: Provided are a single-chip differential free layer push-pull magnetic field sensor bridge and preparation method, the magnetic field sensor bridge comprising: a substrate, a staggered soft magnetic flux concentrator array, and a GMR spin valve or a TMR magnetoresistance sensing unit array having a magnetic sensing axis in an X-direction on the substrate. A soft magnetic flux concentrator comprises sides parallel to an X-axis and a Y-axis, and four corners sequentially labeled as A, B, C and D clockwise from an upper left position. Magnetoresistive sensing units are located at gaps between the soft magnetic flux concentrators. Additionally, the magnetoresistive sensing units corresponding to the A and C corner positions and B and D corner positions of the soft flux concentrators are defined as push magnetoresistive sensing units and pull magnetoresistive sensing units, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: MultiDimension Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James Geza Deak, Zhimin Zhou
  • Patent number: 10048338
    Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently generating MR images are provided. The method comprises acquiring k-space MR data, reconstructing an MR image from the k-space MR data, and generating the MR image. The MR image is reconstructed using an alternative-direction-method-of-multiplier (ADMM) strategy that decomposes an optimization problem into subproblems, and at least one of the subproblems is further decomposed into small problems. The further decomposition is based on Woodbury matrix identity and uses a diagonal preconditioner based on non-Toeplitz models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Yunhong Shu, Armando Manduca, Joshua D. Trzasko, Matthew A. Bernstein
  • Patent number: 10025289
    Abstract: A system and method for automated part inspection are provided. The method comprises receiving a corrective machine tool program comprising instructions for causing a Numerical Control machine tool to machine at least one finished surface of a part, the corrective machine tool program differing from a nominal machine tool program; determining from the machine tool program a desired position and a desired orientation of an inspection tool relative to the at least one finished surface; and generating an inspection tool path program defining a movement of the inspection tool relative to the part, the inspection tool path program comprising instructions for placing the inspection probe at the desired position and the desired orientation and acquiring at least one measurement of the at least one new finished surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Mario Blais, Sylvain Roberge
  • Patent number: 9995773
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to dynamically determining DC-offset used for proximity sensing of a mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Newfel Harrat, Leonid Sheynblat, Kyoung Cheol Oh
  • Patent number: 9983552
    Abstract: A system composed of a servicing device and a field device having at least one sensor unit for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable. At least one electronics unit, which has an evaluation unit, wherein the evaluation unit receives measurement signals from the sensor unit and evaluates such with reference to the process variable, and at least one switch element actuatable contactlessly from outside of the field device. The servicing device is embodied to modulate the switch state of the switch element for transmission of field device specific data to the electronics unit. Furthermore, a field device, a servicing device and a method for communication between field device and servicing device are claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Armin Wernet, Kag Uppenkamp
  • Patent number: 9952291
    Abstract: A Hall sensor may include a Hall sensing element configured to produce a Hall voltage indicative of a magnetic field when traversed by an electric current, and a first pair of bias electrodes mutually opposed in a first direction across the Hall sensing element. The Hall sensor may include a second pair of bias electrodes mutually opposed in a second direction across the Hall sensing element. The Hall sensor may include a first pair of sensing electrodes mutually opposed in a third direction across the Hall sensing element, and a second pair of sensing electrodes mutually opposed in a fourth direction across the Hall sensing element. The fourth direction may be orthogonal to the third direction, each sensing electrode being between a bias electrode of the first pair and a bias electrode of the second pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Marco Crescentini, Marco Tartagni, Aldo Romani, Roberto Canegallo, Marco Marchesi, Domenico Cristaudo
  • Patent number: 9887587
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments for a guided surface wave receiver, comprising circuitry that identifies at least one frequency from a plurality of available frequencies associated with a transmission of a plurality of guided surface waves along a terrestrial medium; and circuitry that adjusts a frequency at which the guided surface wave receiver receives the transmission to the at least one frequency via the terrestrial medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: CPG Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum
  • Patent number: 9880231
    Abstract: A gear detection switch apparatus may include a detection unit into which a magnetization target is inserted at a front part thereof, the detection unit having a printed circuit board (PCB), a front housing having an open front end and into which the detection unit is inserted so that a frontal end of the PCB is exposed through the open front end, a rear housing connected to a rear side of the front housing, wherein a connection boundary between the front and rear housings is molded with a molding material, a Hall sensor device coupled to the exposed frontal end of the PCB, and a finishing closure molded over the open front end of the front housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: Hyndai Motor Company, Daesung Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Yeon Park, Seag Woo Lee, Chang Kyu Han
  • Patent number: 9857438
    Abstract: Magnetoresistive devices can include a first and second sensor. Each of the first and second sensors can be configured to sense a first magnetic field component and a second magnetic field component. The first and second magnetic field components may be orthogonal to each other. Signals generated by the first and/or the second sensors can be used to determine local or global differentials of the magnetic field components. The first and/or the second sensors can each include four magnetoresistive sensors that can be connected in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. Further, the magnetoresistive devices can include magnets having a cavity formed therein, where the dimensions of the cavity are configured to reduce magnetic field conditions of a magnetic field in proximity to and/or within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Tobias Werth
  • Patent number: 9837188
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward methods and apparatus that include a lead frame with a fixed external pin pitch. A differential signal path is provided that is characterized by bond-pad pitch range, wire length and wire diameter. The differential signal path carries signals in a frequency range between 5 GHz and 16.1 GHz with less than about 25 dB differential return loss (DDRL). Further, the signals are processed at a signal-processing node that is electrically coupled to the differential signal path by using the differential signal path to carry signals in a frequency range between 5 GHz and about 16.1 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Wayne A. Nunn, Joe E. Schulze, Jim R. Spehar
  • Patent number: 9833171
    Abstract: In a multi-sensor system and method of monitoring vital body signals during movement of a body of a human or an animal, acceleration sensors are placed at body locations in such a way that an acceleration angle change induced by the vital body signals differs between the at least two acceleration sensors. The retrieval of the vital body signals is achieved by extracting a wanted vital body signal based on measurement results from multiple sensors that may be motion contaminated. Three retrieval schemes are proposed, each with preferred sensor locations that provide optimal performance of retrieving the vital body signal(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Bin Yin, Steven Antonie Willem Fokkenrood, Haris Duric, Teun Van Den Heuvel
  • Patent number: 9823283
    Abstract: The operation of electrical appliances receiving electrical power from an electrical system may be indirectly monitored using monitoring units engaged with outlets on branch circuits of the electrical system. Electrical systems providing power to appliances to be monitored in accordance with the present invention may comprise split phase alternating current systems, tri-phase systems, or any other type of electrical system. Known loads may be applied to calibrate the monitoring system. The monitoring system may measure the power consumption of appliances operating on the electrical system and/or detect possible fault conditions. The application of a known load to each phase of the electrical system for calibration permits different portions of the electrical system to be isolated and, therefor, provides improved accuracy in monitoring power consumption and detection of potential fault conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald Byron Kabler, Robert Leon Lutes, Alain Charles Briancon, Curtis Scott Crawford, Christopher Allen Giacoponello, Jerald Frederic Johnson, Victor Andres Jara-Olivares, Marc Anthony Epard, Steven Jeffrey Goldberg, John Berns Lancaster
  • Patent number: 9793757
    Abstract: A remotely controlled electronic general switch in DC power electrical supply system(s), ensuring switching and control of current and supply voltage, has an electronic module. The module has a controller or processor connected (i) to the switching and measurement circuit, the controller and measurement circuit optionally being linked bidirectionally, the controller being configured such that, when it receives a voltage and current measurement of the measurement circuit, it is respectively able to verify whether the input voltage lies in a predetermined interval and to instruct current interruption by the switching circuit for a certain duration, as a function of the measured current value, and (ii) to the communication interface, the communication interface connected to the communication bus and controller optionally being linked bidirectionally, such that the controller can be programmed remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: CMI DEFENCE S.A.
    Inventor: Eric Moeskops
  • Patent number: 9746325
    Abstract: An electronic device may have electrical components mounted in alignment with an electronic device housing. A compass in the electronic device housing may potentially be misaligned with respect to the electrical components and the electronic device housing. Reference devices having compasses may be used to gather compass data while one or more electrical components in the reference devices are controlled to generate magnetic fields that are detected by the compasses. An electronic device may be calibrated in a factory or in the field using calibration data produced by comparing compass readings gathered from the compass in the device while controlling electrical components in the device to compass data from the reference devices. Calibration data may be applied to compass readings in real time to correct for misalignment between the compass and the electronic device housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan J. Garrone