With Comparison Or Difference Circuit Patents (Class 324/705)
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Publication number: 20140285226Abstract: A method may include applying a first current through the memory element and a first selection component. The memory element and the first selection component may be located along a memory line. The method may also include measuring a first potential difference across the memory line. The method may further include applying a second current through a second selection component, wherein the second selection component is located along a dummy line, and measuring a second potential difference across the dummy line. The method may additionally include determining the resistance of the memory element based on the first potential difference and the second potential difference. The first selection component may be activated and the second selection component may be deactivated to apply the first current. The first selection component may be deactivated and the second selection component may be activated to apply the second current.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: Fei LI, Kit Ho Melvin CHOW
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Publication number: 20140285106Abstract: According to one embodiment, a detection circuit including first and second comparators and a determining unit is provided. The first comparator includes a first input terminal for inputting a first detection voltage, a second input terminal for inputting a first threshold voltage, and a first output terminal configured to output a first output signal. The second comparator includes a third input terminal for inputting a second detection voltage, a fourth input terminal for inputting a second threshold voltage higher than the first threshold voltage, and a second output terminal configured to output a second output signal. The determining unit is configured to determine the presence or absence of conduction angle control of an AC voltage and whether the conduction angle control is a phase control system or an opposite phase control system on the basis of a time difference between the first output signal and the second output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2013Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: TOSHIBA LIGHTING & TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Noriyuki Kitamura
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Publication number: 20140285225Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for determining the type of an analog sensor. The apparatus for determining the type of an analog sensor includes a determination module configured to receive an output signal output from the sensor and output a determination reference signal for determining the type of the sensor, and a controller configured to apply the output signal from the sensor to the determination module and determine the type of the sensor using the determination reference signal output from the determination module.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: SAMSUNG SDS CO., LTD.Inventors: Ji Hun CHO, Young KWAK
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Patent number: 8841929Abstract: A sensor system for a steering wheel of a vehicle includes a first sensor disposed within a first portion of the steering wheel to detect contact with a front left surface of the steering wheel. The sensor system includes a second sensor disposed within a second portion of the steering wheel separate from the first portion to detect contact with a front right surface of the steering wheel. The sensor system also includes a third sensor disposed within the steering wheel to detect contact with a rear surface of the steering wheel. The first, second and third sensors are configured to respectively detect touching of the front left surface, the front right, and the rear surface of the steering wheel by a hand or a non-hand part of an operator of the vehicle. The first, second and third sensors can be complex impedance sensors.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Bennett, Leonard S. Cech, Joseph K. Krause
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Publication number: 20140247528Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for determining the direction of current flowing through a circuit breaker. An embodiment includes obtaining a sample value of current flowing through the circuit breaker and a differential value of current; obtaining a sample value of voltage at the circuit breaker; on the basis of a relationship between voltage and current in an equivalent circuit in which the circuit breaker lies at the present time and at a previous time, obtaining an equivalent resistance and an equivalent inductance in the equivalent circuit; if the equivalent resistance and equivalent inductance are both greater than zero, determining that the direction of current flowing through the circuit breaker is the same as the current reference direction, and if the equivalent resistance and equivalent inductance are both less than zero, determining that the direction of current flowing through the circuit breaker is opposite to the current reference direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Wei Gang CHEN, Feng DU, Yue ZHUO
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Patent number: 8823400Abstract: A diagnostic method and system is described for diagnosing an operating condition of a conductive particulate matter sensor. The sensor has a substrate with electrical resistance that varies with temperature and two electrodes on the substrate adapted to collect particulate matter between the electrodes, thereby establishing an electrically conductive path through collected particulate matter between the electrodes that can be detected by measuring electrical resistance between the electrodes, Relect. The diagnosis is performed by heating the substrate in the area between the electrodes and using the resistance between the electrodes to determine detecting whether contamination is present on the surface of the sensor. Heat may be maintained on the sensor to attempt to burn off a detected contaminant, and a subsequent resistance reading may be used to determine if the contaminant was successfully burned off.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lary R. Hocken, Charles S. Nelson
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Publication number: 20140232361Abstract: A system and method are provided for sensing current. A current source is configured to generate a current and a pulsed sense enable signal is generated. A sense voltage across a resistive sense mechanism is sampled according to the sense enable signal, where the sense voltage represents a measurement of the current. A system includes the current source and a current sensing unit. The current source is configured to generate a current. The current sensing unit is coupled the current source and is configured to generate a pulsed sense enable signal and sample the sense voltage across a resistive sense mechanism according to the pulsed sense enable signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2013Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATIONInventor: William J. Dally
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Publication number: 20140216384Abstract: It is possible to determine the presence or absence of the degradation and abnormality of a glow plug with high reliability using a relatively simply procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2012Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: BOSCH CORPORATIONInventors: Yutaka Tanaka, Tomohiro Nakamura, Yoshihito Fujishiro, Yasuo Toyoshima, Yasushi Hiratsuka
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Publication number: 20140191773Abstract: A control device for controlling an oxygen concentration sensor includes: a voltage sweeping unit for applying a voltage to the sensor for a time interval during an impedance detection process; a pre-sweeping voltage memory for storing a terminal voltage of the sensor as an initial terminal voltage just before applying the voltage; an impedance detection unit for detecting an element impedance; a voltage returning unit for returning the terminal voltage to the initial terminal voltage after a predetermined time interval has elapsed; a monitoring unit for monitoring the terminal voltage after the voltage returning unit starts returning the terminal voltage; a determination unit for determining whether a monitored terminal voltage of the sensor reaches a stored terminal voltage in the memory; and a stop unit for stopping a returning operation of the voltage returning unit when the monitored terminal voltage reaches the stored terminal voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Masaki SAIJOH, Takamasa OGURI, Kouji MORISHITA
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Publication number: 20140191772Abstract: The invention relates to a differential current sensor for measuring a differential current (?I) between an electric current (IH) through a delivery conductor (H) and an electric current (IR) through a return conductor (R), with two low-ohmic current-measuring resistors (RH, RL) for measuring the currents (IH, IR) in the delivery conductor (H) and return conductor (R) and two measuring devices (MEH, MEL) with a measuring transducer for measuring the voltage drops (UH, UL) over the two current-sense resistors (RH, RL) in each case, and also with two voltage references (UREFH, UREFL) for calibrating the measuring devices (MEH, MEL). It is suggested that the two measuring transducers successively measure both the voltage drop (UH) over the respective current-sense resistor (RH) and the associated voltage reference (UREFH, UREFL).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2012Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: ISABELLENHUETTE HEUSLER GMBH & CO. KGInventor: Ullrich Hetzler
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Patent number: 8773150Abstract: A metal plate (14) is buried in a gasket (12) of a case (10) for accommodating an electric device such as an inverter. The metal plate (14) is connected to a control board (400) in the case (10), and the voltage of the metal plate (14) is determined. A reference voltage is applied to the metal plate (14), and the case (10) is grounded. When the metal plate (14) is brought into contact with the case (10) or disconnected due to a crash, the voltage of the metal plate (14) is thereby changed, and the control board (400) detects a crash, based on the change in the voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ryouji Hironaka
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Publication number: 20140184250Abstract: A method for measuring electric potential difference comprises following steps. A carbon nanotube composite layer is located on an object and electrically connected to a first region and a second region spaced from each other in the object, wherein an unknown electric potential difference U exists between the first region and the second region. Characteristic band frequency value Y* of Raman-spectra of the carbon nanotube composite layer under the unknown electric potential difference U is measured. A relationship between the characteristic band frequency value Y of Raman-spectra and the electric potential difference ?U of the carbon nanotube composite layer is obtained. Value of unknown electric potential difference U is obtained through the relationship between the characteristic band frequency value Y of Raman-spectra and the electric potential difference ?U.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., Tsinghua UniversityInventors: YUAN-HAO JIN, QUN-QING LI, SHOU-SHAN FAN
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Patent number: 8766654Abstract: A package structure with conformal shielding includes a substrate providing electrically connected inner grounding structures, a chip module mounted on the substrate, a molding compound covering the chip module and one surface of the substrate, and a conductive shielding layer covering the molding compound and the lateral sides of the substrate, and electrically connected with a part of the inner grounding structures. The substrate further provides one or multiple independent conductive structures electrically connected with the conductive shielding layer and exposed to the outside. By measuring the resistance value between one independent conductive structure and the conductive shielding layer or another independent conductive structure or one ground contact and then comparing the measured resistance value with a predetermined reference value, the EMI shielding performance of the package structure is determined.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignees: Universal Scientific Industrial Co., Ltd., Universal Global Scientific Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jaw-Ming Ding, Chien-Yeh Liu, Chih-Hao Chiang
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DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING THE RESISTANCE OF THE GROUND CONNECTION FOR AN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS
Publication number: 20140176163Abstract: A device and method for estimating resistance of a ground connection of an electrical apparatus connected to an electrical power network, also connected to ground by an additional resistance, and including at least one impedance disposed at an input of the electrical apparatus, a voltage generator connected to the impedance and connected to ground, a mechanism to measure current flowing to ground, and a calculation mechanism to estimate the resistance of the ground connection as a function of the current flowing to ground. The device and method can for example find application in estimation of resistance of a ground connection of a charger of an electric or hybrid traction motor vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s.Inventors: Christophe Ripoll, Pascal Caumon -
Publication number: 20140159753Abstract: Disclosed are an online alternating current detection device and method. The method includes the following steps: firstly fixedly connecting two sampling points to a segment of wire; amplifying the voltage difference of the sampling points to obtain a median value; subsequently rectifying and filtering and amplifying the median to obtain a direct current amplified value; then utilizing the amplified value, the median value, the multiplying power there between and the resistance value of the wire between the two sampling points to calculate an estimated value of an alternating current; comparing the estimated value to a reference value measured by a standard device between the two sampling points; then adjusting the multiplying power of the amplified value relative to the median until the estimated value coincides with the reference value, only then can the alternating current be measured online.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Inventor: Xuanlai You
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Patent number: 8749252Abstract: There are disclosed a method and an equipment for monitoring current drained by a grounding electrode in an electric impedance tomography system. The grounding electrode and a set of electrodes may be simultaneously applied to a patient in an electric impedance tomography apparatus. The equipment may be configured to convert current into a voltage signal and amplify, demodulate, and filter the voltage signal in order to recover its almost continuous component. The equipment may further be configured to compare the value of the continuous component with limit/threshold values proportional to an intensity of an excitation current applied to the set of electrodes. In addition to detecting the disconnection of the grounding electrode, the comparison may also detect the disconnection of one or more tomography electrodes, as well as unbalance in the currents injected through the electrodes and the contact of the patient with voltage sources or conductive bodies.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2009Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Timpel S.A.Inventor: Edward Lazo Maktura
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Publication number: 20140152331Abstract: A method for detecting a grid event is provided. The method includes sampling grid voltage and grid current over a fixed period of time; determining grid impedance at one or more frequencies using the sampled grid voltage and the sampled grid current; comparing the grid impedance at the one or more frequencies to a known expected grid impedance at the one or more frequencies; and detecting a grid event based on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Allen Michael Ritter, Mark Eugene Shepard, Talha Irfanul Haque
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Patent number: 8729915Abstract: A current monitor for sensing the current in a current path includes a resistive sensing element in a section of the current path and a current mirror circuit having a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device. Both semiconductor devices electrically interconnect with each other for copying the current in the second semiconductor device to the first semiconductor device. The first semiconductor device is electrically connected to an electric reference potential and to a current input side of the section via a resistive equivalence element in a first current branch. The second semiconductor device is electrically connected to the electric reference potential and to a current output side of the section in a second current branch. The current monitor further includes a constant current source for keeping the current in the second current branch independent from the potential difference between the potential of the current output side of the section and the reference potential.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2010Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Alcatel LucentInventors: Gerhard Luz, Dirk Wiegner, Robin Machinal
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Publication number: 20140125362Abstract: A semiconductor device and a detection method thereof are provided. The semiconductor device includes a resistor terminal, a dummy pull up driver, a comparator and a detection state machine. The resistor terminal is connected to an external resistor. The dummy pull up driver provides driving operations of 20 to 2N+1?1 stages, wherein N is a natural number. The comparator outputs a comparison signal in response to a test voltage and a reference voltage. The detection state machine controls the driving operation of the dummy pull up driver to generate and output a detection signal according to the comparison signal. The detection signal indicates an electric connection state of the resistor terminal is a connecting state of an operation voltage or a floating state, a connecting state of the external resistor, or a connecting state of a ground voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: WINBOND ELECTRONICS CORP.Inventor: Chih-Hsiang Chang
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Publication number: 20140111231Abstract: A carbon nanofiber aggregate (CNFA) system and method provides self-sensing capabilities that can be used to detect strain, moisture, and temperature changes. The CNFA may include cement, aggregate, silica fume, high-range water reducer (HRWR), and/or carbon nanofibers. The metal meshes in the CNFA may be utilized to monitor the electric properties of the CNFA to detect strain, moisture, and temperature changes. The CNFA may be embedded in concrete structures to allow detection of strain, moisture, and temperature changes that may cause damage to structures. Several metal meshes may be embedded in the CNFA.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: University of HoustonInventors: Yi-Lung Mo, Rachel Howser, Hermant Dhonde, Gangbing Song
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Publication number: 20140111230Abstract: A system for detecting a laser attack on an integrated circuit chip formed in a semiconductor substrate, including a detection device capable of detecting voltage variations of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SASInventors: Mathieu Lisart, Thierry Soude
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Patent number: 8704539Abstract: A minute impedance variation detection device includes a differential amplifier, first and second impedances, a sensing electrode and a signal source. The differential amplifier has first and second input ends and an output end. The first impedance is connected to the first input end. The second impedance is connected to the second input end. The sensing electrode is connected to the second input end for sensing a touch and thus receiving a touch signal. The signal source is connected to the first impedance and the second impedance for providing an input signal inputted to the first impedance and the second impedance. The first impedance has an impedance value close to that of the second impedance. The differential amplifier is based on the input signal and the touch signal to differentially amplify the touch signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Invention Element Inc.Inventors: Hsiang-Yu Lee, Ping-Tsun Lin
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Patent number: 8692580Abstract: An amplifying circuit comprises a bias circuit, a reference circuit, a first circuit, and an amplifying sub-circuit. The bias circuit is configured to provide a bias current. The reference circuit is configured to provide a first differential input based on a reference resistive device and a reference current derived from the bias current. The first circuit is configured to provide a second differential input based on a first current and a first resistance. The amplifying sub-circuit is configured to receive the first differential input and the second differential input and to generate a sense amplifying output indicative of a resistance relationship between the first resistance and a resistance of the reference resistive device.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chen-Ming Hung, Sung-Chieh Lin, Kuoyuan (Peter) Hsu
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Patent number: 8680878Abstract: In a current measuring device for measuring an electric current flowing through between a terminal of a battery and a wire, a resistance member has a length and first and second ends in a direction of the length. The first end is to be secured electrically to the terminal of the battery. The second end is to be secured electrically to the wire. The resistance member constitutes a current flow path between the terminal of the battery and the wire. The resistance member has a turned portion through which the current flow path extends. The current measuring device includes a circuit board in which a current measuring circuit is installed. The current measuring circuit measures an electric current flowing through the resistance member based on a potential difference between two different points defined on the resistance member.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Toshiyo Teramoto, Shigenobu Nakamura
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Publication number: 20140076449Abstract: A monitoring circuit for detecting degradation of a hose assembly a hose assembly and a hose assembly incorporating such a monitoring circuit are disclosed. The monitoring circuit includes a voltage source connected to a first connection location of a hose assembly. A capacitor is electrically connected between the second connection location connected to the second conductive layer of a hose assembly and a ground. The capacitor is selected such that a change in resistance of the hose assembly changes a voltage carried by the capacitor. The monitoring circuit includes a voltage sampling circuit configured to periodically detect a voltage at the capacitor. Upon detecting a change in the voltage above a predetermined threshold, the voltage sampling circuit generates an alarm indicative of potential failure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventors: JAMES DEAN BETSINGER, NICHOLAS ADAM BURTYK
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Patent number: 8659305Abstract: In a sensor control circuit, an impedance signal output unit has a HPF, a P/H circuit, a LPF, etc., and detects an element impedance of a sensor element on the basis of an impedance response signal which is alternately changed in response to an alternating current signal supplied to the sensor element. The P/H circuit has an input comparator which inputs an impedance detection voltage Vz after the HPF, a rectifying element connected to the P/H circuit, and a hold capacitor which is charged by the output of the input comparator. The input comparator has a constant current circuit and a transistor. The constant current circuit limits an updating value of a hold voltage value Vph of the hold capacitor every alternating current period. The sensor control device detects the element impedance of the sensor element with high accuracy while preventing influence of noise.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Toshiyuki Suzuki
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Publication number: 20140028335Abstract: A security wrap (20) for protecting an electronic component includes a substrate (22) having a first side and a second side opposite to each other. A security screen (26) is disposed over the first side of the substrate (22) and includes a pair of screen terminals (48) and a frangible and electrically conductive path (46) between the pair of screen terminals (48). A layer of adhesive (30) is over the first side of the substrate (22) and bonds the first side of the substrate (22) to the electronic component with the security screen (26) sandwiched there between.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: Johnson Electric S.A.Inventors: Vincent Daniel Jean SALLE, Dominic John WARD, Martin Wallace EDMONDS, Libing ZHANG
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Patent number: 8618821Abstract: A device for detecting the thinning down of the substrate of an integrated circuit chip, including, in the active area of the substrate, bar-shaped diffused resistors connected as a Wheatstone bridge, wherein: first opposite resistors of the bridge are oriented along a first direction; the second opposite resistors of the bridge are oriented along a second direction; and the first and second directions are such that a thinning down of the substrate causes a variation of the imbalance value of the bridge.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SASInventors: Pascal Fornara, Christian Rivero
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Publication number: 20130342029Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a controller (1) for use with a mechanical switch (2). The controller (1) comprises at least one sensor (9), an actuator and at least one attachment member (5) suitable for attaching the controller (1) to the mechanical switch (2) such that the actuator is brought into contact with the mechanical switch (2). The actuator is arranged to operate the mechanical switch (2) in response to a signal from the at least one sensor (9), in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2011Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventor: Paul Mans
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Publication number: 20130314110Abstract: A measurement circuit is provided for measuring the resistance of a variable resistance element biased with an external voltage supply. The measurement circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a reference generator connected with the ADC. The ADC is operative to receive a reference voltage and a first voltage developed across the variable resistance element, and to generate a digital output signal indicative of a relationship between the first voltage and the reference voltage. The reference generator is operative to generate the reference voltage as a function of the external voltage supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2012Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: LSI CORPORATIONInventors: Bruce Walter McNeill, Peter John Windler, Wei T. Lim
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Patent number: 8581601Abstract: A rotation angle sensor with two or more oscillators which comprises, in each case, striplines fixed on a dielectric support, as sensor elements, such that the oscillators are arrayed in a curve, for angle measurement, or they are arrayed in a straight line, for position measurement. One or more actuating elements, for example eddy-current actuating elements, are passed over the curve or the line to cause relative movement. The striplines are shaped so that the one or more actuating elements (B1, B2) cover more than one oscillator.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Michael Schreiber
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Publication number: 20130293247Abstract: A level shift circuit in which no adverse effect is produced on a delay time, regardless of the resistance values of resistors. The level shift circuit includes an operation detection circuit that outputs a nseten signal and a nresen signal in response to a state of output from first and second series circuits, a latch malfunction protection circuit connected to the operation detection circuit, a latch circuit connected through first to sixth resistors to first and second level shift output terminals of the first and second series circuits, first and second parasitic resistors, and third and fourth switching elements connected in parallel therewith, and fifth and sixth switching elements connected to a power source potential, a connection point of the first and second resistors or a connection point of the third and fourth resistors, and the operation detection circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventor: Masashi AKAHANE
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Patent number: 8577316Abstract: Mechanically tuned radios and related methods are disclosed that utilize ratiometric time measurements to detect settings for mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The radio systems and methods disclosed make a first time measurement associated with a mechanically adjusted circuit, make a second time measurement associated with the mechanically adjusted circuit, determine a setting for the mechanical adjustment mechanism based upon a ratio associated with the first and second time measurements, and utilize the setting to select a tuning frequency for signals received by the radio. More generally, ratiometric time measurements can be used to determine a setting for a mechanical adjustment mechanism for a mechanically adjusted circuit, and this setting can be used to at least part control a desired operational feature of a device.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Matthew B. Henson, Greg Allan Hodgson
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Publication number: 20130285679Abstract: According to one disclosed embodiment, an on-chip resistor calibration circuit includes an RC oscillator having a test resistor and a precision capacitor as elements, a counter, and a reference clock. In one embodiment, an RC oscillator generates a waveform having a period dependent upon the resistance of the test resistor and the capacitance of the precision capacitor. In such an embodiment, a counter and a reference clock may be configured to measure the period of the waveform. Using a pre-determined capacitance of the precision capacitor, a resistance of the test resistor may be determined. In another embodiment, an RC oscillator generates first and second waveforms through use of an additional capacitor that can be switched in and out of the RC oscillator circuit. Using a pre-determined capacitance of the precision capacitor, an RC product of the test resistor and the additional capacitor may be determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventors: Alireza Zolfaghari, Chin-Ming Chien, Bojko Marholev
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Publication number: 20130285970Abstract: A touch sensor capable of specifying a touch position and/or a degree of a touch pressure by using graphene as an electrode and/or a strain gauge, and more particular, a touch sensor capable of simultaneously detecting a pressure and a position by means of change in resistance by using graphene is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2011Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: GRAPHENE SQUARE INC.Inventors: Jong-Hyun Ahn, Byung Hee Hong, Young Bin Lee, Su Kang Bae, Hyeong Keun Kim
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Patent number: 8570025Abstract: A power delivery circuit has power delivery components and a load (ZT) terminal, detectors for measuring voltages at two or more measuring nodes (V1, V3) of the power delivery circuit, and an estimation circuit for using the measurements to estimate current, voltage, or power delivered to a load by the power delivery circuit. The detectors may measure voltages at nodes of transistor switches of the power delivery circuit, particularly at the gates. The power delivery circuit may have switches in series, and the detectors measure voltages at nodes of only a subset of the switches. The detectors in one example measure switch voltages and the estimation circuit estimates power delivered to the load according to a switch voltage and impedance between two nodes of the switch. The switch impedance may be provided during calibration using a reference load. The estimation circuit may be a simple analogue circuit such as an amplifier (AMP1) and a multiplexer (MX1).Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2008Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Ferfics LimitedInventor: Eugene Heaney
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Publication number: 20130279055Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry. A host device may measure a first voltage and a second voltage received from an accessory, where the voltages are provide through the accessory from a power source. Before measuring the second voltage, the host device may send an instruction to the accessory instructing the accessory to alter an impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device, and the host device may draw at least a threshold amount of current from the power source via the accessory. The host device may then determine whether the accessory includes particular circuitry based on the relationship between the first voltage and the second voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Zachary C. Rich
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Publication number: 20130278205Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry. A host device may measure a first voltage and a second voltage received from an accessory, where the voltages are provide through the accessory from a power source. Before measuring the second voltage, the host device may send an instruction to the accessory instructing the accessory to alter an impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device, and the host device may draw at least a threshold amount of current from the power source via the accessory. The host device may then determine whether the accessory includes particular circuitry based on the relationship between the first voltage and the second voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Zachary C. Rich
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Patent number: 8558560Abstract: Provided is a test apparatus that measures a peak in a current supplied to a device under test via a transmission path which transmits power from a power supply to a device under test, the peak including a frequency component higher than a frequency corresponding to a product of an inductance component from the power supply to the device under test and a capacitance component between the transmission path and a ground potential, and judges acceptability of the device under test based on the peak measured by the current measuring section.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Advantest CorporationInventor: Yoshihiro Hashimoto
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Patent number: 8558559Abstract: Provided is a test apparatus that measures charge/discharge current of an intermediate capacitor provided between a transmission path transmitting power from a power supply to a device under test and a ground potential, and calculates a load current flowing through a device under test, based on the charge/discharge current.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Advantest CorporationInventor: Yoshihiro Hashimoto
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Publication number: 20130265065Abstract: A method detects a glowing contact in a power circuit. The method applies at least two different resistance values across the power circuit and responsively senses at least two voltages across the power circuit. Each of the at least two voltages correspond to one of the at least two different resistance values. Then, the method determines if a number of changes in the sensed at least two voltages with respect to a number of changes in the at least two different resistance values is linear within a predetermined range or if a change in two of the sensed at least two voltages does not increase with a decrease in two of the at least two different resistance values and, otherwise, responsively generates at least one of a trip signal and an alarm signal corresponding to detecting the glowing contact in the power circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2012Publication date: October 10, 2013Inventor: JOHN J. SHEA
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Patent number: 8552753Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include circuits and methods for sensing resistance. In one embodiment, a current is generated into a node. The node is coupled to a first terminal of a resistor. A second terminal of the resistor is coupled in series with a capacitance and a reference voltage. The current is turned off when a voltage on the node meets a threshold. A second voltage is detected on the node after the current is turned off. A resistance value is determined based on the first voltage on the node and the second voltage on the node. In one embodiment, the resistor is external to an integrated circuit and sensed through a single pin of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may include a current source, comparator, and a digital-to-analog converter.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventor: Kenneth C. Adkins
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Publication number: 20130257463Abstract: A circuit arrangement (16) for monitoring electrical isolation in a power supply system (7). Electrical isolation is provided between a high-voltage system (8) and a low-voltage system (9), wherein the high-voltage system (8) and the low-voltage system (9) are connected to ground (14), and wherein the high-voltage system (8) has a first connection (T+) for a first supply voltage potential and a second connection (T?) for a second supply voltage potential of a voltage source (10). In each case, at least one variable resistor (Rm1, Rm2) is connected between the connections (T+, T?) and ground (14), and a voltage measuring device (17) for detecting a potential shift of the ground (14) relative to the supply voltage potentials when at least one of the resistors (Rm1, Rm2) is varied. And an evaluation device, which determines the ability of the electrical isolation to function depending on the detected potential shifts.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventor: Thomas Peuser
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Publication number: 20130257464Abstract: A battery system includes: a first battery cell; a second battery cell; a power load supplied with current from the first battery cell and the second battery cell; a connection which electrically connects a negative electrode terminal of the first battery cell and a positive electrode terminal of the second battery cell; a connection which electrically connects the first negative electrode terminal and the second positive electrode terminal; a cell balancing circuit which causes electromotive voltages of the first battery cell and the second battery cell to be substantially equal; and a controller, wherein the controller enables the current to be supplied to the power load after causing the electromotive voltages of the first battery cell and the second battery cell to be substantially equal, thereby determining looseness of the connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2011Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventor: Hideyasu Takatsuji
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Publication number: 20130257462Abstract: A package structure with conformal shielding includes a substrate providing electrically connected inner grounding structures, a chip module mounted on the substrate, a molding compound covering the chip module and one surface of the substrate, and a conductive shielding layer covering the molding compound and the lateral sides of the substrate, and electrically connected with a part of the inner grounding structures. The substrate further provides one or multiple independent conductive structures electrically connected with the conductive shielding layer and exposed to the outside. By measuring the resistance value between one independent conductive structure and the conductive shielding layer or another independent conductive structure or one ground contact and then comparing the measured resistance value with a predetermined reference value, the EMI shielding performance of the package structure is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicants: UNIVERSAL GLOBAL SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., UNIVERSAL SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Jaw-Ming DING, Chien-Yeh Liu, Chih-Hao Chiang
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Patent number: 8547131Abstract: A system and method for observing threshold voltage variations are provided. A ring oscillator circuit comprises a plurality of inverters arranged in a sequential loop, a plurality of test circuits having devices under test, each coupled between a respective one of the inverters and a power supply. Each test circuit has a bypass field effect transistor (FET) having a first channel coupled between the power supply and a respective one of the inverters responsive to an individual enable signal, and a FET device under test having a second channel arranged in parallel to the first channel. A method is described for determining the threshold voltage of the device under test by disabling, for one of the inverters in the ring oscillator, the first FET device such that the device under test is coupled between the power supply and the respective inverter and affects the operating frequency of the ring oscillator.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chung-Hsing Wang, Chih-Chieh Chen, Yi-Wei Chen
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Publication number: 20130245993Abstract: A system and method is provided for correcting alignment of a product on a tool and, more particularly, to a system and method for correcting alignment of a wafer on a chuck of a tool. The system is a tool including at least one contact near a circumference of the tool and a grounded contact proximate to the at least one contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventor: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
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Publication number: 20130229195Abstract: In a method for evaluating degradation of a potentiometer, a plurality of evaluation items, from minor to major, are established as evaluation items for degradation in performance prior to failure of a potentiometer. The degradation of the potentiometer in performance of the plurality of evaluation items is evaluated in terms of stages, in a specific sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: AZBIL CORPORATIONInventors: Makoto SARUWATARI, Hiroaki NARITA, Takuji ABE
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Patent number: 8525529Abstract: According to the present invention, a small impedance detection circuit capable of accurately detecting the impedance of an object to be measured and an adjustment method of an impedance detection circuit can be provided. In the impedance detection circuit according to the present invention, an AC signal generator outputs an AC signal. A detection circuit, which is connected to a circuit to be measured, applies an AC signal to the circuit to be measured. Further, the detection circuit outputs a first signal corresponding to the composite impedance of the impedance of the circuit to be measured and a parasitic impedance. A correction circuit outputs a second signal in synchronization with the first signal. A subtraction circuit outputs a detection signal obtained by subtracting the second signal from the first signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2011Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Renesas Electronics CorporationInventors: Yoshiaki Ishizeki, Jou Kudou, Hiroaki Shirai
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Publication number: 20130221996Abstract: Embodiments described herein use capacitive sensing to detect human interaction with living plants. A sensing system may utilize the natural conductive paths found in an organic plant to transmit an electrical signal between the plant and a user interacting with the plant. By directly contacting the plant or coming into proximity of the plant, the user may affect the electrical signal. That is, the electrical properties of the user (e.g., the capacitance of the human body) change a measured impedance curve associated with the electrical signal. Based on this change, the sensing system detects an interaction between the user and the plant and may inform a user interaction device to provide a feedback response to the user. For example, the feedback response may be an audio or video effect that is based on the type of user interaction such as whether the user touched the plant's leaf or stem.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventor: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.