Abstract: In order to process a motor signal (Ia, Um) of a DC motor (4), in particular of an adjustment drive of a motor vehicle, the armature current (Ia) and the motor voltage (Um) of the DC motor (4) are detected and used for determining the back-emf (E) of the DC motor (4), wherein the determined back-emf (E) is used to generate a useful signal (Sf, SEFL), which is in particular speed-proportional, from the armature current signal (Ia) for position sensing or for evaluating an excess force limitation.

Abstract: Three or more electrodes are arranged on either a window frame or window glass of an automobile. An electric field measurement unit measures the capacitance between various combinations of the electrodes to detect whether an object is located between the window frame and window glass. A control circuit varies the sensitivity of the electric field measurement unit by switching amongst the electrodes used for capacitance measurement based on the movement and position of the window glass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic field analysis program and a magnetic field analysis method for calculating inductance related to an AC magnetic field superimposed on a DC magnetic field with a high degree of accuracy at high speed.

Abstract: A calculating apparatus is provided. The calculating apparatus includes a resistance calculating unit configured to calculate, based on a pulse width of a gradient pulse generated by a gradient coil, a resistance of the gradient coil at the time that the gradient coil generates the gradient pulse, and a power consumption calculating unit configured to calculate power consumption of the gradient coil, based on the resistance of the gradient coil.

Abstract: A method includes measuring a first voltage (VA) across a first sensing coil of a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) and measuring a second voltage (VB) across a second sensing coil of the LVDT. The method also includes signaling a core fallout condition in response to (i) determining that a ratio of VA and VB is within a specified range of a value of one and (ii) determining that a sum of VA and VB is less than a sum of VA0 and VB0 by more than a specified amount. VA0 and VB0 are minimum voltages across the first and second sensing coils of the LVDT, respectively, when a core of the LVDT is in the LVDT.

Abstract: A method of measuring resistance in each of a plurality of resistors in a resistor matrix is provided. Each resistor is located at a different intersection between a column conductor and a row conductor. The method includes determining an offset error row current of each row conductor, scanning each row conductor to identify if that row conductor is connected to a column conductor by one of the plurality of resistors, scanning each resistor connected to that row conductor to determine if that resistor is connecting a column conductor to that row conductor, and if that resistor is connecting a column conductor to that row conductor, outputting an offset compensated resistance of that resistor calculated from the row current measured for that resistor less the offset error row current for that row conductor.

Abstract: A contact-type object water content sensing device and method and a computer program product are presented. The device includes a power unit, a sensing unit, and an calculating unit. The sensing unit includes a substrate and a copper foil, and the copper foil is configured on the substrate. The sensing unit is used to contact a target object and a power unit is used to supply power to the copper foil. The copper foil when supplied with power forms an equivalent capacitor, and the equivalent capacitor has different capacitances in correspondence to a water content of the target object. The calculating unit is electrically connected to the sensing unit and is used to analyze the capacitance of the equivalent capacitor, so as to calculate the water content of the target object.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for variably supplying power from a stand-alone fuel cell power supply system including a power conversion unit, a power switching unit and a load control unit. Preferably, a controller manages system configuration to switch the loads, the power conversion and the delivery between the two without reducing capacity by redundantly backing up each individual portion with a bank of at least two modules for each unit. Preferably, controller actuated devices are triggered automatically in response to monitors that sense performance operating parameters and detect values operating outside a threshold range.

Abstract: In one preferred form of the present invention, there is provided method 10 of generating at least one image. The method 10 includes applying electrical signals to an individual at various spaced apart nodes; measuring impedance related data between a number of the nodes; and using the impedance related data to generate three dimensional image data.

Abstract: Circuitry and methods for measuring capacitive mismatch with improved precision. The capacitors under measurement are connected in series in a voltage divider, with the node common to both capacitors connected to the gate of a source follower transistor. In one disclosed embodiment of the invention, a ramped voltage is applied to the drain of the source follower transistor simultaneously with the ramped voltage applied to the voltage divider; the slope of the ramped drain voltage is at the nominal slope of the voltage at the common node of the voltage divider. In another embodiment, a second transistor in saturation has its gate coupled to the source of the source follower device, and its source connected to the drain of the source follower device in series with a constant voltage drop. The drain-to-source voltage of the source follower device is thus held constant in each embodiment, improving precision of the measurement.

Abstract: A method for estimating a coil sensitivity map for a magnetic resonance (MR) image includes providing a matrix A of sliding blocks of a 3D image of coil calibration data, calculating a left singular matrix V? from a singular value decomposition of A corresponding to ? leading singular values, calculating P=V?V?H, calculating a matrix S that is an inverse Fourier transform of a zero-padded matrix P, and solving MHcr=(Sr)Hcr for cr, where cr is a vector of coil sensitivity maps for all coils at spatial location r, and M = ( ( 1 1 … 1 0 0 … 0 … … … 0 0 … 0 ) ? ( 0 0 … 0 1 1 … 1 … … … 0 0 … 0 ) ? ? … ? ? ( 0 0 … 0 0 0 … 0 … … … 1 1 … 1 ) ) .

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus of designing a semiconductor chip. The disclosed method includes the steps of: storing a plurality of EMS (Electro Magnetic Susceptibility) semiconductor IPs (Intellectual Property) and a plurality of EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference) semiconductor IPs; selecting a proper semiconductor IP from among the plurality of EMS shielding semiconductor IPs in a case of an input pin, and selecting a proper semiconductor IP from among the plurality of EMI shielding semiconductor IPs in a case of an output pin; and designing the semiconductor chip by disposing the selected semiconductor IP.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method comprising two fundamental steps. The first one is an innovative process of characterization of the energetic efficiency performed during a charging process of an accumulator, whereby one derives a series of information concerning: the dependency of the electric parameters of the accumulator on the state of charge; the dependency of the efficiency of the charging system on the voltage and current at the output of the charging system. The second step of the proposed method is a process of data calculation for the prediction of the energetic efficiency, wherein one simulates one or more charging processes. The method can be realized by means of a charging system able to perform both a standard process for charging the accumulator and a process of characterization of the energetic efficiency, and a process of prediction of the energetic efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ferroelectric analyzing device and a method for adjusting ferroelectric domain switching speed with the ferroelectric analyzing device, and pertains to the technical field of characteristic test of solid-state dielectrics. The ferroelectric analyzing device comprises a voltage pulse generator for generating square pulse signal, which is biased on a ferroelectric thin film so as to switch the polarization of ferroelectric domains, the ferroelectric analyzing device further comprises a variable resistor which is connected in series with the ferroelectric thin film. The variable resistor is used for adjusting domain switching current so as to realize adjustment of domain switching speed of ferroelectric domains. In the method, the square pulse signal is biased on the ferroelectric thin film, and an adjustment of domain switching speed of ferroelectric domains can be realized by adjusting the resistance value of the variable resistor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for determining sheet resistance values in a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. In certain embodiments, a system for determining sheet resistance values in an LCD panel may include a display driver integrated circuit (IC). The display driver IC may include a first switch coupled to a first input/output (I/O) pad and a second I/O pad such that the first I/O pad is configured to couple to a voltage source and the second I/O pad is configured to couple to a current source. The display driver IC may also include a second switch coupled to a third I/O pad and the second I/O pa such that the second switch has substantially the same geometry as the first switch and the third I/O pad is configured to couple to a thin-film transistor (TFT) layer of the display panel.

Abstract: A method identifies electric load types of a plurality of different electric loads. The method includes providing a support vector machine load feature database of a plurality of different electric load types; sensing a voltage signal and a current signal for each of the different electric loads; determining a load feature vector including at least six steady-state features with a processor from the sensed voltage signal and the sensed current signal; and identifying one of the different electric load types by relating the load feature vector including the at least six steady-state features to the support vector machine load feature database.

Abstract: An electronic seal of the present invention includes a bolt. The bolt is used to mount on a door latch of a cargo and inserts into a shell. The shell is provided with a control circuit to actively send a warning signal as the bolt is moved. As such, the user of the electronic seal can be properly informed to prevent theft.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a well-being of a target are disclosed. In a method embodiment, data representing a process electric potential signal is received by a computer system. The process electric potential signal may be generated at least in part by one or more electric potential sensors in response to the detection of a change in an electric field of a target spaced apart from the one or more electric potential sensors. The method may further include identifying, using the computer system and based at least in part on the data electronically received by the computer system, a recurring pattern in the received data. The method may also include determining, using the computer system and based at least in part on the received data, whether a deviation from the recurring pattern transgresses a threshold. The deviation may comprise a subset of the data electronically received by the computer system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discriminating between electric field sources. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a mobile detection system comprising a sensor probe for remotely measuring an electric field generated by an electric field source in a patrolled area; and a processor, coupled to the sensor probe, for processing data received from the sensor probe to generate a first field strength and at least a second field strength for determining whether the electric field source is potentially hazardous.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic component for a sensor apparatus comprising a first terminal device for connecting a sensitive device which is influenceable by a target, a second terminal device for the external communication, and a control device and/or an evaluation device which provides output signals, wherein the component is programmable via the second terminal device, characterized by a first programming level in which parameters for the setup of the sensor apparatus are adjustable and a second programming level in which a characteristic curve of the sensor apparatus is adjustable, wherein the first programming level is hierarchically superordinate to the second programming level and adjustments and/or possibilities of adjustment in the second programming level are a function of adjustments in the first programming level.

Abstract: Multipoint locating method and device on a touch screen with a single conducting layer are provided. In the method, if there is a minimum detection unit with a capacitance variation amount greater than a preset condition to be partitioned, partitioning out a calculation matrix corresponding to the minimum detection unit to be partitioned. Therefore, multipoint locating on a touch screen with a single conducting layer is implemented.

Abstract: In a battery model identification method of the present invention, an M-sequence input electric current production part inputs M-sequence signals with different frequency components as an electric current input into the battery. In this occasion, terminal voltage of the battery is measured by a voltage sensor, and a parameter estimation part executes system identification based on the measured result to calculate frequency characteristics of the battery. Resistance components and capacitance components as parameters of a battery model are identified based on the calculated frequency characteristics.

Abstract: Each grain bin includes a data collector coupled to multiple capacitive moisture cables, each with multiple sensor nodes spaced along it. Each sensor node includes a pair of longitudinally extending capacitive plates of the capacitive moisture sensor positioned in side-by-side, spaced-apart relationship to form a longitudinally extending gap between the capacitive plates. Positioned within the longitudinal gap between the capacitive plates is a circuit board including a microprocessor, memory, and temperature sensor. An outer housing provides a sealed enclosure that surrounds the circuit board, the capacitive plates, and a longitudinal length of the moisture cable that extends through and seals openings in each longitudinal end of the housing.

Abstract: A method for measuring capacitance in a sensor device using an internal reference circuit element(s), and without implementing additional circuitry and devices external to the sensor device, is described. In some embodiments a method uses an output pin of the sensor device and an internal reference capacitor of the sensor device to identify a touch applied to a touch point or electrode coupled to the touch sensor. The method applies reference voltages to charge the reference capacitor and measure a signal received from an electrode, wherein the touch sensor controls switching within the touch sensor to apply the reference voltages to the reference capacitor.

Abstract: Luminescence-based methods are disclosed for determining quantitative values for the series resistance across a photovoltaic cell, preferably without making electrical contact to the cell. Luminescence signals are generated by exposing the cell to uniform and patterned illumination with excitation light selected to generate luminescence from the cell, with the illumination patterns preferably produced using one or more filters selected to attenuate the excitation light and transmit the luminescence.

Abstract: A battery system comprises at least one battery cell and a high-voltage network connected thereto which includes a pre-charge circuit having at least one pre-charge resistor. The battery system further comprises a component including a link capacitor with a specific capacitance. A method for controlling the battery system includes measuring a first voltage at the link capacitor before charging, charging the link capacitor, and measuring a second voltage at the link capacitor after charging. The method further includes forming a voltage difference from the first and the second voltage, and determining an energy received by the pre-charge resistor based on the voltage difference at the link capacitor and based on the capacitance of the link capacitor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a capacitance estimation apparatus of a DC-link capacitance in an inverter. The apparatus according to the present invention may estimate a DC-link voltage, and compare it with a ripple size of the measured DC-link voltage to estimate a DC-link capacitance. According to the present invention, the capacitance of the DC-link capacitance contained in the inverter may be estimated in real time to detect the fault status in real time.

Abstract: A method for impedance measurement using chirp signal injection is provided. The method includes injecting at least one chirp signal into the three-phase AC system, and collecting at least one response to the at least one chirp signal. The method further includes transferring the at least one response from abc coordinates to dq coordinates. At least one impedance is calculated based on the at least one response to the at least one chirp signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for capacitive sensing of objects in a summation mode and a non-summation mode. A dual mode capacitive sensing system comprises a capacitive sensor and a processor. The capacitive sensor has a pair of adjacent conducting pads including a first conducting pad and a second conducting pad. The processor has a pair of input/output channels respectively coupled to the first and second conducting pads. The processor is configured to measure capacitance of the capacitive sensor in a summation mode and in a differential mode. A capacitive object sensing system comprises a capacitive sensor, a processor, and a plurality of objects each configured to have a unique capacitance. The processor is configured to identify one of the playing pieces based on the sensor capacitance measured when the one of the playing pieces is set on the capacitive sensor.

Abstract: A method for impedance measurement in a three-phase AC system is provided. The method includes injecting a shunt perturbation signal into the three-phase AC system and collecting a response to the shunt perturbation signal, and injecting a series perturbation signal into the three-phase AC system and collecting a response to the series perturbation signal. The response to the shunt perturbation signal and the response to the series perturbation signal are then transferred from abc coordinate to dq coordinates. At least one impedance of the three-phase AC system is calculated based on the response to the shunt perturbation signal and the response to the series perturbation signal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for determining parameters in a model of a transmission line. The method comprises obtaining (36) measurements of the line comprising reflection coefficient defining data and the total line capacitance, applying (38) true reflection coefficients obtained through the reflection coefficient defining data in an objective function for the line, which function comprises a sum of error signals, each comprising the difference between a model value of a reflection coefficient and a corresponding true reflection coefficient, minimising (40) the objective function by utilizing gradients of the objective function with respect to the transmission line parameters to be determined and employing a capacitive length and determining (42) at least two further transmission line parameters as combinations of a basic resistive transmission line parameter, a basic capacitive transmission line parameter and a basic inductive transmission line parameter of the transmission line model.

Abstract: Methods of generating a reference correlation for use with an absorptive capacitance vapor sensor and calibration of the absorptive capacitance vapor sensor. An electronic article including the reference correlation and methods of using the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of frequency hopping algorithms are described. One method monitors a signal on one or more electrodes of a sense network at a first operating frequency and detects noise in the signal at the first operating frequency. The method then switches to a second operating frequency, based on said detecting, for scanning the electrodes to detect a conductive object proximate to the plurality of electrodes, wherein a constant integration time is used for one half-period when scanning the electrodes at both the first and second operating frequencies.

Abstract: A graphical technique and three phase unwrapping techniques for retrieving bulk permittivity and permeability tensors of materials, and more specifically, the new technique provides for retrieving isotropic and anisotropic material parameters.

Abstract: A measurement system includes a control circuit, a measurement circuit, and a display circuit. The measurement circuit includes a first capacitor. The control circuit outputs control signals to control first or second inductors and the first capacitor to compose an LC circuit. Inductance can be gained according to the formula: L = 1 4 ? ? · f 2 · C , where L stands for the inductance, f stands for a frequency of the LC circuit, ? stands for ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, and C stands for capacitance of the first capacitor. The control circuit also controls the first and second inductors to be connected in parallel and then connected in parallel to the first capacitor to compose an LC circuit, to determine a coupling inductance. A leak inductance is equal to a half of the coupling inductance. The display circuit displays the inductances of the first and second inductors and the leak inductance.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for estimating when preventive maintenance of power capacitors is called for. Such a system may include, for example, a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and data processing circuitry. The voltage sensor may measure a voltage difference across a phase of a power capacitor. The current sensor may measure a current across the phase of the power capacitor. The data processing circuitry to determine a first instantaneous indication of a difference between a nominal capacitance of the power capacitor and an actual value of the power capacitor based at least in part on the measured first voltage difference and first current.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus includes a detection circuit, a filter circuit, an amplifying circuit, a regulation circuit, a delay and charging circuit, and a driving circuit. The detection circuit receives a video signal, and performs an operation to obtain an image signal from the video signal. The filter circuit obtains an average intensity of a luminance signal corresponding to the image signal. The delay and charging circuit charges an input capacitor when receiving a low level regulated signal from the amplifying circuit. The driving circuit activates an alarm when a charging voltage of the chargeable capacitor exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A system and a method for estimating component parameters relating to electric components of an electric circuit comprising the steps of receiving one or more sample variables associated with the electric circuit, applying the one or more sample variables to one or more component relationships associated with an arrangement of the electric components of the electric circuit, and processing the one or more component relationships with an approximation process to determine one or more estimated component parameters.

Abstract: A method for calculating sheet conductivity with an absolute working distance measurement includes selecting a motor frequency fM for a motor having a first magnet disposed on a shaft, tuning a motor voltage VM for the motor, measuring a no-load power of the motor, inserting a material adjacent the first magnet, tuning the motor frequency to fM, measuring the on-load power of the motor, measuring the absolute working distance and calculating the sheet conductivity of the material.

Abstract: A device and associated method for detecting metallic contaminants in a product using a signal received from a coil-based metal detector. A calibration module is configured to determine a product-specific, bowtie-shaped detection envelope based on calibration phase metal detector signals. A detection module is configured to compare, in a coordinate system for resistive and reactive components of a metal detector signal, a vector representation of the signal to the product-specific, bowtie-shaped detection envelope, and to indicate a presence of a metallic contaminant in the product when the vector representation of the signal extends to an area outside the bowtie-shaped detection envelope.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a battery capacity for a vehicle battery. Open circuit voltages of a vehicle battery are measured during ignition startups. A battery parameter is estimated for the vehicle battery that is a function of a present open circuit voltage measurement for a present ignition startup, a function of at least one open circuit voltage observation of a previous ignition startup, a function of a current draw integration over a time period from a previous ignition startup event to a present ignition startup event, and a function of an adjustment factor. A battery parameter is determined based on a new battery. The battery capacity is calculated as function of the battery parameter for the vehicle battery and the battery parameter for the new battery.

Abstract: A diagnostic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) procedure is applied to measure values of impedance-related parameters for one or more sensing electrodes. The parameters may include real impedance, imaginary impedance, impedance magnitude, and/or phase angle. The measured values of the impedance-related parameters are then used in performing sensor diagnostics, calculating a highly-reliable fused sensor glucose value based on signals from a plurality of redundant sensing electrodes, calibrating sensors, detecting interferents within close proximity of one or more sensing electrodes, and testing surface area characteristics of electroplated electrodes. Advantageously, impedance-related parameters can be defined that are substantially glucose-independent over specific ranges of frequencies. An Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) enables implementation of the EIS-based diagnostics, fusion algorithms, and other processes based on measurement of EIS-based parameters.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for providing presence status information of a first user to a second user. The system includes a presence server for storing presence status information of the first user. The presence server is configured to detect a change in the presence status of the first user. The presence server also informs a notification server of a change in the presence status of the first user. The notification server sends a notification message to a communication device of the second user. The notification message contains current presence status information of the first user. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell system according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a measurement unit which measures an impedance of a fuel cell in a predetermined frequency region, and a regulation unit which regulates an amount of a gas to be supplied to the fuel cell based on a measured value of the impedance in the predetermined frequency region. According to such a constitution, the impedance of the fuel cell in the predetermined frequency region (e.g., a low frequency region) is measured, and the amount of the gas (e.g., an amount of an oxidizing gas) to be supplied to the fuel cell is regulated based on this measured value of the impedance. Here, since the impedance of the fuel cell in the predetermined frequency region largely differs with a fuel supply state (see FIG. 2), the amount of the gas to be supplied to the fuel cell can be regulated based on the measured value of the impedance to realize a highly efficient and stable operation.

Abstract: A remaining battery level of each individual sodium-sulfur battery constituting a plurality of sodium-sulfur batteries is managed, a remaining battery level target value common to all sodium-sulfur batteries is set, and input/output power distributed to each individual sodium-sulfur battery is controlled based on a difference between the target value and the remaining battery level of the sodium-sulfur battery. This enables a uniform remaining battery level among the sodium-sulfur batteries to be attained.

Abstract: Geometrically based system and method for receiving capacitive sensory input. User input may be received by a capacitive sensing pad. A signal may be generated by the capacitive sensing pad. The signal may indicate a size of an area in which the user input is received. The signal may be received by an input composed in processing circuitry and coupled to the capacitive sensing pad. A location of the user input may be determined by the processing circuitry based on the signal.

Abstract: A signal analyzer includes a sampling unit, a filter unit coupled to the sampling unit, a computing unit coupled to the filter unit, and an output unit coupled to the computing unit. The sampling unit is operable to sample a time domain signal from a target system according to a predetermined sampling frequency to obtain a sampling signal. The filter unit is configured to perform filter processing upon the sampling signal so as to filter out harmonic frequency components from the sampling signal, thereby obtaining a fundamental frequency signal having a plurality of sample points. The computing unit is operable to compute a signal parameter set for each of temporally adjacent pairs of the sample points of the fundamental frequency signal. The output unit is configured to output information about dynamic behavior of the target system based upon the signal parameter sets computed by the computing unit.

Abstract: A method of electrical device characterization comprises: providing an array of electrical devices arranged in rows and columns, wherein each electrical device has a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal; clamping a first voltage at a first terminal of a selected electrical device via a first buffer or an first external voltage source; clamping a second voltage at a second terminal of a selected electrical device via a second buffer or a second external voltage source; controlling a third buffer to couple the third terminal of the selected electrical device to a first terminal or a second terminal of at least one non-selected column of electrical devices; and deriving a characterization result via the third terminal of the selected electrical device; wherein the array of electrical devices, the first buffer, the second buffer and the third buffer are on a same die or a same module.

Abstract: A current transforming harvester (“CTH”) is capable of producing power from a conductor on a preexisting power grid without alteration of the conductor or the preexisting power grid. The CTH includes a current transformer (“CT”) that captures energy via magnetic flux from the conductor. The CT is substantially circular and includes two halves called a “split core,” which allow the CT to easily attach to the conductor without opening the circuit in which the conductor operates. A clamping mechanism of the CTH may secure the CTH to the conductor via a pair of spring-biased clamp pads. The CTH includes circuitry that converts the magnetic flux energy captured by the CT into electrical energy suitable for consumption by an electrical device.

Abstract: An electric potential is applied to first and second electrodes on opposite sides of a gap between an electronic component and a heat spreader. At least one of a thermal interface material in the gap, the electronic component and the heat spreader is subjected to a changing physical condition. The electrical capacitance between the electrodes is monitored during the changing physical condition. Such a method can be practiced using an array of components sharing a common heat spreader. An assembly for testing thermal interfaces includes a printed circuit board, a plurality of electronic components mounted to and operatively associated with the printed circuit board, a heat spreader positioned for absorbing heat generated by the electronic components, a first electrode associated with the heat spreader, a plurality of second electrodes associated, respectively, with the electronic component, and a device for monitoring electrical capacitances between the first and second electrodes.