| 11th week of 2010 patent applcation highlights part 20 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20100066306 | MOBILE TELEPHONE CHARGER WITH PROMOTIONAL AUDIO OUTPUT - A mobile telephone charger capable of reproducing a promotional audio tune is provided comprising a housing, a power input connector attached to the housing for receiving an electrical power input, a power output connector attached to the housing for charging a mobile telephone responsive to the electrical power input, a power detector module for generating an enabling signal in response to detecting the electrical power input, an audio chip module responsive to the enabling signal for generating a predetermined audio signal, the predetermined audio signal corresponding to audio data stored in a computer readable medium disposed in the mobile telephone charger, and an audio transducer for generating an audio output in response to the predetermined audio signal. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066307 | PROTECTION CIRCUIT MODULE AND SECONDARY BATTERY INCLUDING THE PROTECTION CIRCUIT MODULE - A protection circuit module (PCM) for a secondary battery including a bare cell is provided. The PCM includes: a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB); and control circuitry mounted on the FPCB via adhesive material and configured for electrical coupling to the bare cell through the FPCB. The control circuitry is adapted to control charging and discharging of the bare cell. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066308 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROTECTING BATTERY OF ELECTRONIC DEVICE FROM OVERHEATING - A method for protecting a battery of an electronic device from overheating is provided. The method senses the temperature of the battery and conduct an unloading action when the temperature of the battery ascends to an unloading temperature. The method further halts the unloading action when the temperature of the battery descends to a lowest critical temperature, wherein the unloading temperature is not lower than the lowest critical temperature. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066309 | Method for pulsed charging of a battery in an autonomous system comprising a supercapacitance - The autonomous system comprises an intermittent power source delivering a direct current. A supercapacitance is connected in parallel with the battery and the power source respectively via a first switch and a second switch. Charging of the battery comprises pulsed current charging managed by a control circuit. During a current pulse, the amplitude of the current and the amplitude of the voltage increase at the terminals of the battery are measured. The dynamic internal resistance of the battery is determined from said amplitudes. A maximum acceptable current threshold is determined according to a maximum voltage threshold, to said dynamic internal resistance and to the no-load voltage at the battery terminals. At the next current pulse, the value of the charging current is limited by controlling the closing time of the second switch. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066310 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARGING AND PULSATING BATTERIES - A battery charging and pulsating system including a battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, a charger electrically connected to the positive and the negative terminals of the battery, the charger including a controller, a pulsator electrically connected to the positive and the negative terminals of the battery, the pulsator including a controller, and a voltage measuring circuit electrically connected to the positive and the negative terminals of the battery, the voltage measuring circuit being adapted to measure a voltage across the positive and the negative terminals of the battery, wherein the controller of the pulsator is adapted to activate the pulsator when the measured voltage is at least one of (1) at or below a predetermined threshold voltage and (2) at or above a predetermined gassing voltage. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066311 | POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING OUTPUT VOLTAGE - Various embodiments are described herein for a charging device and an associated charging method for charging a rechargeable battery. The charging device generally includes a current source that is coupled to a power source and configured to provide a charging current to the rechargeable battery. The charging device further includes a controller that is configured to control the current source to provide the charging current with an amplitude that is less than the charging current required by the rechargeable battery in a given charging state to bring an output voltage of the current source towards the voltage of the rechargeable battery. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066312 | Overvoltage protection circuit for use in charger circuit system and charge circuit with overvoltage protection function - The present invention discloses an overvoltage protection (OVP) circuit for use in a charger circuit system, comprising: a power transistor electrically connected between a voltage supply and a battery; an OVP circuit which turns off the transistor when a voltage supply exceeds a threshold value; and a multiplexing circuit electrically connected between an output of the OVP circuit and the gate of the transistor. The present invention also discloses a charger circuit with an OVP function, comprising: a single power transistor electrically connected between a voltage supply and a battery; an OVP control circuit which turns off the power transistor when a voltage supply exceeds a threshold value; and a charger control circuit which controls the gate of the power transistor to determine a charge current to the battery when the voltage supply does not reach the threshold value. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066313 | Methods for Manufacturing and Operating a Semiconductor Device - A method for manufacturing and operating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a first capacitor node, a second capacitor node, a first capacitor electrode, a second capacitor electrode, a first switch and a second switch. The first switch is coupled between the first capacitor electrode and the first and second capacitor nodes such that the first switch has a first position that couples the first capacitor electrode to the first capacitor node and a second position that couples the first capacitor electrode to the second capacitor node. The second switch is coupled between the second capacitor electrode and the first and second capacitor nodes such that the second switch has a first position that couples the second capacitor electrode to the first capacitor node and a second position that couples the second capacitor electrode to the second capacitor node. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066314 | GENERATOR CONTROL UNIT WITH FAST FIELD DISCHARGE - A generator control unit for fast field discharge of a field coil is disclosed. The generator control unit comprises a control domain for detecting an excessive generator output voltage, a buck regulator with a feedback pin fed from the control domain, and an over-voltage protection switch connected in a field coil return path which is bypassed by a voltage limiting device. The control domain receives a point of regulation voltage feedback and upon detection of an over-voltage, emits a disable signal to cause the buck switch shut off along with the over-voltage protection switch. Thus dual breaking points are created at two ends of the field coil to dissipate the field charge quickly through the voltage limiting device. When the buck switch experiences a shorting failure, the over-voltage protection switch provides a second breaking point to allow the field discharge through the voltage limiting device, thereby controlling the field discharge with directly controlled over-voltage protection switch. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066315 | Method and System for Monitoring the Condition of Generator End Windings - A method and system for monitoring the operating conditions of an electric generator. The system includes a triad sensor array formed within a predetermined section of a fiber optic conductor. The triad sensor array is formed of a group of sensors including a first sensor including a Bragg grating for producing a first signal representative of strain in a stator bar of the generator, a second sensor including a Bragg grating for producing a second signal representative of temperature in the stator bar, and a third sensor including a Bragg grating for producing a third signal representative of vibration amplitude in the stator bar. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066316 | Method and apparatus for detecting a short circuit in a DC link - A system for detecting a short circuit in a direct current (DC) link ( | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066317 | Static Var Compensator Apparatus - A one-phase static var compensator apparatus includes a compensator string consisting of a first static var compensator connected serially to a thyristor valve. The compensator string is arranged to be connected on its first end to one phase of a transmission grid of a rated voltage exceeding 69 kV. Moreover, the thyristor valve includes a plurality of thyristors connected serially and the compensator string is arranged to be directly connected to the transmission grid. A corresponding three phase apparatus is also presented. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066318 | SUPPLY TOPOLOGY WITH POWER LIMITING FEEDBACK LOOP - A supply topology comprising an AC to DC or DC to DC adapter and an electronic device with an active system, a battery, and an adapter controller implements closed-loop control of adapter output voltage to limit power consumption by the electronic device to a value related to maximum adapter power. The adapter couples a signal representing maximum adapter power to a control line connected to the electronic device and the electronic device couples an error signal representing the difference between instantaneous power consumption and adapter maximum power onto the same control line. The adapter adjusts its output voltage in response to the magnitude of the error signal. An adapter controller in the electronic device sets a limit for allocating current to battery charging from the signal representing maximum adapter power, with battery charging current approaching zero as instantaneous power consumption approaches maximum adapter power. The adapter controller adjusts the limit for allocating current to battery charging in response to new values of adapter maximum power associated with alternate adapters connected to the electronic device. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066319 | ADVANCED PHASE NUMBER CONTROL FOR MULTIPHASE CONVERTERS - A control circuit for generating a control signal to add phases to a multiphase voltage regulator. The control circuit includes an input for receiving an error correction voltage from an error amplifier of the multiphase voltage regulator and at least one output for providing a PWM control signal. Control circuitry generates at least one PWM control signal to add a phase to the multiphase voltage regulator responsive to a determination that the error correction voltage has exceeded a threshold level. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066320 | Integrated LDO with Variable Resistive Load - To provide adequate compensation for a wide range of output loads, a low dropout (LDO) regulator has an amplifier, a pass transistor, a voltage divider, a compensation network, and a control circuit. The amplifier outputs a comparison result according to a reference signal and a feedback signal. The pass transistor generates an output current based on the comparison result of the amplifier. The voltage divider generates the feedback signal according to the output current. The compensation network couples the output of the pass transistor to a low-impedance node of the amplifier, and has a compensation capacitor and a variable resistor coupled to the compensation capacitor. The control circuit is coupled to the input of the pass transistor and to the variable resistor for controlling resistance of the variable resistor according to the output current of the pass transistor. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066321 | CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR CURRENT SENSING - A current sensing circuit includes a first resistor, a second resistor and a sense amplifier. The first resistor converts a current flowing through the first resistor to a voltage drop between positive and negative sides of the first resistor. The second resistor is coupled to the negative side of the first resistor. The sense amplifier is coupled to the positive side of the first resistor via a first pin of the sense amplifier, and coupled to the negative side of the first resistor through the second resistor via a second pin of the sense amplifier. The sense amplifier employs a negative feedback to generate a sensing current proportional to the current flowing through the first resistor. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066322 | DC/DC-CONVERTER - The present invention relates voltage conversion device in which a regulated output voltage is supplied by current pulses generated by the voltage conversion device from a voltage source. In particular, the invention relates to an improved control of an pulse frequency modulation (PFM) operation mode in which the frequency of the generated current pulses is modulated to regulated the desired output voltage, namely how PFM pulses can be generated without the need for a high-frequency clock of a time controlled system. By having pulse phases are current mode controlled and providing a mode detector to generate the right kind of current pulse, the high-frequency clock is no longer needed. Further, the presented solution allows for a higher PWM as well as PFM frequency, the external components of the converter can be made smaller. Eliminating the need for a high-frequency clock makes the device simpler, smaller and more energy-efficient. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066323 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PULSE FREQUENCY MODULATION MODE - A voltage regulator comprises switching circuitry for generating a phase voltage at a phase node responsive to an input voltage and switching control signals. An inductor is connected to the phase node and an output voltage node. A capacitor is connected between the output voltage node and ground. An error amplifier generates an error voltage responsive to an output voltage from the output voltage node and a reference voltage. Switching control circuitry generates switching control signals to the switching circuitry responsive to the error voltage, a ramp voltage and an established voltage level. The switching control circuitry operates the voltage regulator in a pulse frequency modulation mode of operation after sampling the error voltage and setting the established voltage level and exits the pulse frequency modulation mode of operation when the error voltage falls below the established voltage level. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066324 | METHOD OF DIGITAL CONTROL OF PWM CONVERTERS ACHIEVING FAST TRANSIENT REPONSE AND LOW STEADY-STATE JITTERING - A pulse width modulator (PWM) control system for a power converter achieves a fast transient response and low steady-state jittering. The control system manages the ADC sample timing to reduce noise susceptibility, and the ADC includes a regulation bin or dead band to minimize large phase corrections and thus eliminate limit cycling. The PWM module includes a dithering circuit to accumulate fractional PWM control signals to reduce period jitter by increasing the effective resolution of the pulse width modulator. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066325 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - The adverse effect of noise a constant voltage receives in a semiconductor device capable of data communication through wireless communication is suppressed. Further, communication is performed normally with a constant voltage with less noise even in the case where the amount of received power is large. The semiconductor device includes an input circuit for generating a DC voltage from an AC signal, a circuit for generating a constant voltage lower than the DC voltage, a circuit portion supplied with the constant voltage, a filter, and a feedback circuit for changing impedance with the constant voltage input from the circuit for generating a constant voltage, wherein the filter is electrically connected between the input circuit and the circuit for generating a constant voltage. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066326 | POWER REGULATOR - A power regulator for converting an input voltage to an output voltage includes a pass device and an error amplifier. The pass device receives the input voltage and provides the output voltage at an output terminal of the power regulator. The error amplifier coupled to the pass device includes a transistor. The transistor receives a reference signal and a feedback signal indicative of the output voltage, compares the feedback signal to the reference signal, and generates a control signal according to a result of the comparison to drive the pass device. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066327 | VOLTAGE CONVERSION APPARATUS - A voltage conversion apparatus includes a DC-to-DC conversion circuit, a sensing circuit, and a compensation circuit. The voltage conversion apparatus is capable of adaptively adjusting the system bandwidth according to the load. The system bandwidth is increased to make the converted voltage responding to the load rapidly when the voltage conversion apparatus is operated at a transient state; and the system bandwidth is decreased to increase the system stability when the voltage conversion circuit is operated at a steady state. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066328 | DC-DC CONVERTER - A non-isolated DC-DC converter that converts a voltage input to an input terminal to output a constant output voltage to a load terminal while switching control mode between a PWM mode and a VFM mode depending on a current output to the load terminal. The DC-DC converter includes an inductor, a switching circuit, and a control circuit. The inductor stores electric energy for supply to the load terminal. The switching circuit switches on and off current flow at a switching frequency to alternately charge and discharge the inductor. The control circuit increases an electric current flowing to the load terminal through the inductor per one operational cycle as the switching frequency decreases during VFM control mode operation. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066329 | SUPPLY WITH FREQUENCY CONVERSION FUNCTION AND COMPUTER SYSTEM THEREOF - The invention discloses a power supply with a frequency conversion function. The power supply is connected with a motherboard. The power supply includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller, a direct current-direct current (DC-DC) converter, and a switch resistor modulation circuit. The PWM controller generates a PWM signal. The DC-DC converter is connected with the PWM controller and the motherboard, and it generates a plurality of voltages to the motherboard after it receives the PWM signal. The switch resistor modulation circuit provides a first resistance value and a second resistance value switched to correspondingly generate a first switching frequency or a second switching frequency. The second resistance value is larger than the first resistance value. The second switching frequency is smaller than the first switching frequency. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066330 | SEMICONDUCTOR CIRCUIT - A semiconductor circuit ( | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066331 | Overshoot/undershoot elimination for a PWM converter which requires voltage slewing - A level-switching device is coupled to an output node of a PWM converter to switch the output voltage of the PWM converter between two levels by switching a MOS. An undershoot/overshoot eliminator is coupled to the MOS for the MOS changing from totally on state to totally off state or vice versa softly when switching the MOS. The feedback signal transition in the level-switching device becomes slower when switching the MOS to eliminate overshoot/undershoot on the output voltage. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066332 | Switching power supply with near zero supply current in light-load operation - Techniques for near zero light-load supply current in switching power supply are described. In one embodiment, a switching power supply comprises sub-circuits, a capacitor/inverter circuit, and a standby control circuit. The sub-circuits comprise a feedback resistor that supplies a fraction of an output voltage of the power supply, an integrator that provides an integrator output, a comparator that provides a pulse width modulated signal, a switching element that receives the pulse width modulated signal and modulates current such that the power supply provides a regulated voltage, and a monitoring circuit that provides a logic low signal when the pulse width modulated signal is absent over a period of time. The standby control circuit disables the sub-circuits when the logical low signal is detected permitting the switching power supply to operate at a minimum current, an re-enables the sub-circuits when an out of regulation signal from the capacitor/inverter circuit is detected. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066333 | CURRENT MODE CONTROL TYPE SWITCHING REGULATOR - A switching regulator for converting input voltage to output voltage includes a switch; an inductor energized by input voltage by the switch; a rectifier for discharging the inductor; and a slope voltage generator for generating slope voltage inclined responsive to current of the inductor, amplifies a difference between reference voltage and divided output voltage, and compares the amplified voltage and the slope voltage to generate signal for controlling the switch. The slope voltage generator includes a detector for converting current flowing through the inductor when the switch is on into voltage; and a voltage generator for generating ramp voltage. These voltages are added as the slope voltage. The voltage generator includes constant current; a resistor; and a ramp capacitor charged by the constant current through the resistor. Voltage drop of the resistor is added to terminal voltage of the ramp capacitor to output the ramp voltage. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066334 | Softstart controller - According to the invention, a DC-DC converter with a digital softstart controller comprises a feedback voltage; a reference voltage; an error amplifier; and a PWM comparator. The error amplifier compares the reference voltage with the feedback voltage. The error amplifier is coupled to the digital softstart controller. The PWM comparator compares signal from the error amplifier. Wherein, the digital softstart controller contains a mapping table, which has information regarding voltage step and time step so as to provide an arbitrary voltage. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066335 | POWER CONVERSION REGULATOR WITH PREDICTIVE ENERGY BALANCING - A power-conversion regulator comprising an inductive reactor, an output filter reactor, and a switch for admitting energy to the inductive reactor, additionally comprises computation circuitry responsive to the flux in the inductive reactor, to a reference signal, to an output voltage, and sometimes to an output load current, for computing the quantity of energy that must be supplied to a load and to the output filter reactor to regulate the output voltage or current to a desired relationship with the reference signal during each chopping waveform cycle driving the switch. As the inductive reactor is charged from an input energy source, the computation circuitry predicts whether the energy in the inductive reactor has become adequate for the regulation. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066336 | POWER CONTROL CIRCUIT - A control circuit | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066337 | Novel Utilization of a Multifunctional Pin Combining Voltage Sensing and Zero Current Detection to Control a Switched-Mode Power Converter - An embodiment of the invention relates to a power converter including an inductor coupled in series with a power switch and a resistor coupled to a winding of the inductor. Input and output power converter voltages including an input brownout condition or an output overvoltage condition are estimated, and the output voltage may be regulated, by sensing a current in the resistor. An input current waveform can thereby be controlled to replicate substantially the input voltage waveform. The controller adjusts an on time and terminates an off time of the power switch by sensing respectively a current and a change of current in the resistor. The controller may sense a current flowing in the resistor to select a line voltage range of the input voltage to the power converter. The controller may estimate an input current to the power converter employing the current flowing in the resistor. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066338 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR INCLUDING QUASI TRANSITION DIODE EMULATION MODE OF OPERATION - A voltage regulator includes an upper switching transistor connected between an input voltage node and a phase node. A lower switching transistor is connected between the phase node and ground. An output filter is connected between the phase node and an output voltage node. A PWM control circuit generates an PWM control signal responsive to a feedback voltage. An upper gate control circuit controls operation of the upper switching transistor responsive to the PWM control signal. A lower gate control circuit controls operation of the lower switching transistor responsive to the PWM control signal and a ramp voltage signal. The lower gate control circuit linearly increases a lower gate control signal from 0 to (1-D), where D=the duty cycle, to transition the voltage regulator for diode emulation mode of operation to synchronous mode of operation responsive to a first pulse in the PWM control signal. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066339 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND SYSTEM - A semiconductor device is provides which includes: a first boost circuit that generates a first boost voltage by boosting an external voltage and supplies the first boost voltage to an internal circuit; and a first circuit that supplies the external voltage to an output of the first boost circuit when power is turned on and supplies the first boost voltage to the output of the first boost circuit when the external voltage reaches a given voltage. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066340 | Non-Contact Rotary Power Transfer System - A power delivery system includes a rotary transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding and configured to transfer power between stationary coupling elements on a stationary side and rotational coupling elements on a rotational side. The rotational coupling elements share a central axis with the stationary coupling elements, and are adapted to rotate with respect to the stationary coupling elements. The power delivery system includes an isolation transformer that drives the primary winding of the rotary transformer, and a plurality of power inverter stages whose outputs are adapted to be summed and coupled to the rotary transformer. A plurality of output power converters receive transmitted power from the rotary transformer. A plurality of control elements, disposed on the rotating side, are configured to close a feedback loop on desired and actual performance of the output power converters, and to control the power inverter stages. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066341 | POWER CONVERTER - A power converter includes an input unit, an output unit, first and second capacitors connected in series, a first electric conduction control device, a second electric conduction control device, a third electric conduction control device, and a fourth electric conduction control device, and a control circuit for performing on/off control on those electric conduction control devices. The first electric conduction control device and the fourth electric conduction control device have a first path through which a current flowing between the input unit and the output unit is allowed to flow in one direction, and a second path which has a switch function of allowing the current flowing between the input unit and the output unit to flow through or shutting off such a current. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066342 | CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR SINGLE CHIP IC - A control circuit for a single chip IC controlled by an external power is provided. The control circuit includes a regulating circuit, an MCU and a trigger circuit. The regulating circuit is controlled by the external power and includes a regulator to be enabled to generate an internal power for an internal circuit of the single chip IC. The MCU is controlled by the internal power and generates a switch signal to disable the regulator when the internal circuit of the single chip IC is standby. The trigger circuit is controlled by the external power and generates a trigger signal to enable the regulator based on an external signal. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066343 | BINARY VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A voltage regulator is provided that includes a plurality of buck-boost transformers each having primary and secondary windings. The secondary windings of the transformers are electrically disposed in series between a source and a load. Each transformer is controlled by a plurality of control switches configured to control the voltage across the primary winding of a corresponding transformer. A controller monitors the output voltage and generates control signals for the switches. The transformers generate different voltage level changes in between the source and load and the voltages across the primary windings are capable of assuming opposite polarities to enable scaling of resolution and range. The voltage regulator efficiently regulates power with relatively few or no moving parts and also partially protects the power switching components by removing them from the path of the load current thereby producing a device that is smaller in size, costs less and is more reliable. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066344 | Soft-start circuit - The present invention discloses a soft-start circuit having a reference signal generator, a first current generator, a second current generator, and a soft-start capacitor. The reference signal generator generates a first signal and a second signal. The first current generator generates a first current according to the first signal, and the second current generator generates a second current according to the second signal. The soft-start capacitor is coupled to the first current generator and the second current generator, and charged by a current difference of the first current and the second current to generate a soft-start signal. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066345 | Battery Charger Short Circuit Monitor - Various apparatuses and methods for supplying an electrical current are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide an apparatus including a current regulation switch connected in a current path between a power input and a current output. A current regulator is connected to the current regulation switch. The current regulator includes a current set terminal, and the current through the current regulation switch is proportional to the current through current set terminal. An impedance monitor is connected to the current set terminal. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066346 | Fabrication of microstructures integrated with nanopillars along with their applications as electrodes in sensors - This invention presents microstructures enhanced with nanopillars. The invention also provides ways for manufacturing nanopillar-enhanced microstructures. In some embodiments, the invention also provides methods of use for the nanopillar-enhanced microstructures. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066347 | Position sensor - A resolver the resolver comprising an excitation coil for receiving an excitation signal formed by amplitude modulation of a high-frequency signal and a detection coil for outputting a detection signal. The resolver is arranged to detect a change in position of a rotor provided with the excitation coil or the detection coil based on the detection signal varying with the change in position of the rotor. The high-frequency signal is a digitized signal generated from a reference clock. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066348 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MOLECULE DETECTION USING NANOPORES - A detector device comprises a substrate ( | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066349 | Method and Apparatus of Load Detection for a Planar Wireless Power System - Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for determining information regarding a load in a planar wireless power transfer system by extracting system operating parameters from one or more test points in the transmitter circuit. As shown in FIG. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066350 | CURRENT SENSOR - A current sensor includes a housing having a pair of first slits, a bus bar supported by the housing and electrically connected to a battery post provided on a battery, an annular shield member arranged so as to surround an axis extending in a direction in which a current is flowed in the bus bar, and a magnetic-electric conversion element provided on the housing to detect a magnetic flux density of a magnetic field generated when the current is flowed in the bus bar and produce an electric signal. The magnetic-electric conversion element is arranged between the first slits. The shield member is inserted into the first slits so that the shield member is mounted on the housing. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066351 | DEVICE FOR MEASURING A CURRENT FLOWING IN A CABLE - An exemplary embodiment relates to a measuring device for measuring a current flowing in a first cable. The measuring device includes a measuring shunt in the form of a plate connected in series with the first cable and associated with a measuring electronic card connected to a data transmission cable. The measuring shunt further includes a measuring portion of resistive alloy coupled to connection portions on either side of the measuring portion. The connection portions are integrally formed with the measuring portion, and the first cable is secured to at least one of the connection portions of the measuring shunt. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066352 | Rotation detector and rotation detector-equipped bearing - A rotation detecting device capable of outputting information on the absolute angle using an ABZ phase signal and without extra operation and procedures required, and a bearing assembly having this rotation detecting device incorporated therein are provided. The device includes an absolute angle detecting sensor unit for detecting the rotation angle of a rotating member as an absolute angle and a rotation pulse signal generating section for generating a rotation pulse signal including an index signal corresponding to a zero phase of the absolute angle detecting sensor unit and a pulse signal of a constant interval, based on the absolute angle detected by the absolute angle detecting sensor unit. The rotation pulse signal is outputted in an absolute angle output mode, under which the rotational pulse signal is outputted from a time the index signal is outputted to the current absolute angle. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066353 | ROTATION ANGLE DETECTION DEVICE - A rotation angle detection device comprises a magnet ( | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066354 | METALLIC DEBRIS DETECTION SENSOR - The present invention relates to a sensor arrangement. In particular, a sensor for the measurement of magnetically active or ferrous debris, for example, as generated as a result of machine wear. There is provided a sensor ( | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066355 | PROCESS MEASURING DEVICE - A process measuring device configured to identify malfunctions due to hardware and/or software errors is provided. The process measuring device includes a measuring unit for converting a non-electric variable to an electric variable with a modulation facility modulating the conversion, a signal processing device for processing the electric variable, or an electric raw signal obtained from the electric variable by signal preprocessing, by a signal processing software to produce a measured value, and means for obtaining a test signal corresponding to the modulation. Further, the device includes means in the form of the signal processing device for processing the test signal by the signal processing software to produce a diagnosis value and means for monitoring the signal processing device by comparing the diagnosis value with an expected value. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066356 | SENSOR DEVICE COMPRISING MEANS FOR DETERMINING THE SAMPLE COVERED AREA OF THE SENSITIVE SURFACE - The invention relates to a microelectronic device ( | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066357 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING CRITICAL CURRENT PROPERTIES OF A COATED CONDUCTOR - The transverse critical-current uniformity in a superconducting tape was determined using a magnetic knife apparatus. A critical current I | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066358 | MAGNETIC SIGNATURE ASSESSMENT - Magnetic signature assessment apparatus for a vehicle comprising sensors for incorporation in the vehicle to measure the magnetic field normal to a closed surface at least approximately bounding the vessel and processing means for calculating from the normal field measurements a scalar magnetic potential outside the surface. Apparatus may be provided on the vehicle to generate a magnetic field to suppress the magnetic signature corresponding to the scalar potential. The invention also extends to corresponding methods and to programs for implementing those methods. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066359 | MAGNETIC DETECTION DEVICE AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCT - An integrated circuit is provided with two output terminals and a mode switch circuit which includes a pair of switch terminals. The mode switch circuit is allowed to switch the output mode between the 1-output mode for outputting the (+) magnetic field detection signal and the (−) magnetic field detection signal from the output terminal, and the 2-output mode for outputting the (+) magnetic field signal from the output terminal as one of the output terminals, and the (−) magnetic field detection signal from the output terminal as the other output terminal in accordance with the shortcircuit state or the non-shortcircuit state between the switch terminals. The switch terminals are exposed on the surface of the device, and the shortcircuit state and the non-shortcircuit state may be externally adjusted. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066360 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD USING A PARALLEL IMAGING TECHNIQUE COMBINED WITH A ZOOMED ACQUISITION TECHNIQUE - In a magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus, magnetic resonance data are acquired (an examination subject) using a zoomed method, and reconstruction of the image of the examination subject is undertaken using a parallel imaging reconstruction method. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066361 | METHOD FOR FAST MAGNETIC RESONANCE RADIOFREQUENCY COIL TRANSMISSION PROFILE MAPPING - A system and method for producing an image indicative of characteristics of a radiofrequency (“RF”) coil with a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system is disclosed. The method includes acquiring MR signals while performing a pulse sequence with the MRI system and driving the RF coil at a selected transmission power. This process is repeated a plurality of times to drive the RF coil at a different transmission powers during each repetition. A plurality of images are reconstructed from the acquired MR signals and an image indicative of RF reception characteristics of the RF coil is produced from the reconstructed images. Subsequently, an image indicative of RF transmission characteristics of the RF coil is produced using the image indicative of the RF receiver response. More specifically, only one data acquisition is necessary for each RF coil element to produce the image indicative of the RF transmission characteristics for that coil element. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066362 | Method for Obtaining Amplitude and Phase Profiles of RF Pulses for Spatially Selective Excitation - A method for determining amplitude and phase dependencies of radio frequency pulses that are irradiated during traversal of a defined k-space trajectory to produce a spatial pattern of the transverse magnetization in an MR experiment using at least one RF transmission antenna, is characterized in that, in a calibration step, a set of basic pulses is defined, each basic pulse is irradiated individually, the specified k-space trajectory is traversed and at least one set of basic patterns is produced by detection of the MR signals thus excited, which in a range to be examined of the object, are proportional to the complex transverse magnetization produced, wherein the k-space trajectory is traversed fully identically every time at least from the beginning of the irradiation of each basic pulse, and, in a calculation step, a defined target pattern is approximated with a linear combination of the basic patterns of a set or with a mathematical association of linear combinations, with which, within each set, the basic patterns are identically combined, and the amplitude and phase dependencies to be determined are obtained as the corresponding linear combination of the basic pulses. Experimental imperfections can be intrinsically compensated for in this way. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066363 | IMAGING METHOD FOR OBTAINING SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF NANOPARTICLES IN THE BODY - A well-posed magnetic imaging method is disclosed that exploits the non-linear behavior of the characteristic time scale of the Neel relaxation for obtaining accurate high-spatial resolution images of magnetic tracers. The method includes placing an object in a selection field (static field) generated by three pairs of orthogonally arranged coil (drive coils), supplying prudently choice currents to the drive coils, a zero field voxel (ZFV) is formed that can be positioned anywhere in the local region of interest (ROI), switching the magnetizing field off, and collecting an image. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066364 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA ACQUISITION AND IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION METHOD AND SYSTEM - In a method and system to generate magnetic resonance (MR) images by MR data are acquired by a pure phase-coded imaging in k-space having a predetermined set of possible measurement points, with the MR data being acquired only for a predetermined subset of the measurement points of this set. An image is reconstructed from the acquired measurement points of the subset such that information about un-acquired measurement points of the set is also obtained. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066365 | METHODS FOR FAT SIGNAL SUPPRESSION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - The present invention is directed to methods for chemical species signal suppression in magnetic resonance imaging procedures, wherein Dixon techniques are enhanced by continuously sampling techniques. In the invention, k-space data is acquired during the entire period of read gradient associated with a gradient echo pulse acquisition scheme. The invention utilizes a total sampling time (TST) acquisition during the entire read gradient, using three echoes of a TST data set to achieve chemical species separation in both homogenous fields as well as areas of field inhomogeneity. As an example, a continuously sampled rectilinearly FLASH pulse sequence is modified such that the time between echoes was configured to be 2.2 milliseconds, with TE selected to allow 180° phase variation in the fat magnetization between each of the three TE's (TE | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066366 | Adaptive Signal Averaging Method Which Enhances the Sensitivity of Continuous Wave Magnetic Resonance and Other Analytical Measurements - This method of adaptive signal averaging is used to enhance the signal to noise ratio of magnetic resonance and other analytical measurements which involve repeatable signals partially or completely obscured by noise in a single measurement at a rate much faster than that observed with conventional signal averaging. This technique expedites the signal averaging process because it filters each individual scan in real time with an adaptive algorithm and then averages them separately to provide an averaged filtered signal with less noise. This technique is particularly useful for any type of continuous wave magnetic resonance experiment or any other noisy measurement where signal averaging is utilized. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066367 | Integrated Superconductor MRI Imaging System - The present invention relates to an integrated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) RF apparatus and method of constructing the same. One Embodiment of the present invention provides an MRI apparatus comprising an examination region, a patient support, at least one vacuum thermal isolation housing, a main magnet system for generating a main magnetic field in the examination region, and a cryogenic system. The vacuum thermal isolation housing comprises a hermetically sealed high vacuum jacket that encloses a low vacuum space hosting at least one superconductor RF coil and a heat sink assembly therein. The RF coil is in thermal contact with the heat sink assembly that is coupled to the cryogenic system through a heat pipe to achieve and maintain a desired low temperature at the superconductor RF coil. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066368 | Dedicated Superconductor MRI Imaging System - The present invention relates to dedicated superconductor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) RF apparatus and method of constructing the same. One Embodiment of the present invention provides an MRI breast imaging apparatus comprising an examination region, a patient support, at least one vacuum thermal isolation housing, a main magnet system, and a cryogenic system. The vacuum thermal isolation housing comprises a low vacuum space between at least one inner and an outer high vacuum enclosure. The low vacuum space hosts at least one superconductor RF coil and a heat sink assembly therein. The RF coil is in thermal contact with the heat sink assembly that is coupled to the cryogenic system through a heat pipe to achieve and maintain a desired low temperature at the superconductor RF coil. The system provides a local examination region substantially surrounded by the superconductor RF coil. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066369 | Full-Body Antenna For A Magnetic Resonance System Comprising Hollow Rods - A whole-body antenna for a magnetic resonance apparatus has an antenna structure composed of a number of antenna rods extending in a rod direction between first and second ends of the antenna structure. The antenna rods are distributed around a central axis of the antenna structure, forming an examination region for an examination subject in a magnetic resonance examination. The antenna rods are coupled to each other at their first ends by a ferrule. Each of the rods is a hollow rod, and each rod is connected at its second end to ground via a hollow ring. Conductors are routed in the interior of the hollow rods, and can be routed through the hollow ring to the exterior of the antenna structure. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066370 | Method and Apparatus for Tuning and Matching MRI/NMR Probe - A method and apparatus for tuning the frequency and matching the impedance of an RF coil, or probe, used for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are provided. In NMR/MRI, the RF coils used to acquire the data are tuned and impedance matched for enhanced performance. An embodiment of the subject invention allows for enhanced frequency and impedance adjustments to be made remotely when, for example, space for accessing the mechanical matching components is limited or not available. Applications in which embodiments of the invention can be beneficial include, but are not limited to, medical systems, very high field research magnets and research or commercial MRI/NMR systems. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066371 | INTRABODY MRI STACKED FLAT LOOP ANTENNAS AND RELATED SYSTEMS - Elongate intrabody MRI-antenna probes include opposing distal and proximal portions. The distal portion includes at least one multi-turn conductor arranged as a stack of substantially flat loops, each with a substantially rectangular elongate shape. A flat loop can reside on each of a plurality of adjacent vertically stacked substantially planar layers, the flat loops cooperate to define a MRI receive antenna. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066372 | ELECTRO-CONDUCTIVE PET PHANTOM FOR MR/PET QUALITY CONTROL MEASUREMENT - A phantom for use in quality control measurement of a fully integrated magnetic resonance/PET scanner is disclosed. The phantom features radiation activity distributed throughout an electrically conductive binder. Suitably, the binder is elastomeric and includes carbon fibers distributed throughout it to set the conductivity of the phantom to a desired level. The phantom is applicable to various multimodality integrated medical imaging systems such as MR/SPECT and MR/CT in addition to MR/PET. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066373 | Local coil facility for magnetic resonance tomography apparatus - A local coil facility is disclosed for a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus for examining an examination object. In at least one embodiment, the local coil facility includes at least one electronic processing system, a high frequency antenna, and an antenna housing to cover the high-frequency antenna and the at least one electronic processing system, the antenna housing having at least one wall close to the object and at least one wall away from the object. To reduce or even minimize the attenuation of PET radiation in a combined MR/PET device and thus in particular to ensure a better signal to noise ratio for the PET measurement, it is proposed according to at least one embodiment of the invention that the surfaces of the wall away from the object are essentially tangential to the examination object. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066374 | SAMPLE ANALYZER AND SAMPLING SYSTEM - A spectroscopic sample analysis apparatus includes an actively controlled heat exchanger in serial fluid communication with a spectroscopic analyzer, and a controller communicably coupled to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is disposed downstream of a fluid handler in the form of a stream selection unit (SSU), a solvent/standard recirculation unit (SRU), and/or an auto-sampling unit (ASU). The SSU selectively couples individual stream inputs to an output port. The SRU includes a solvent/standard reservoir, and selectively couples output ports to the heat exchanger, and returns the solvent/standard sample to the reservoirs. The ASU includes a sample reservoir having a sample transfer pathway with a plurality of orifices disposed at spaced locations along a length thereof. The controller selectively actuates the fluid handler, enabling sample to flow therethrough to the heat exchanger, and actuates the heat exchanger to maintain the sample at a predetermined temperature. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066375 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A STATUS AND/OR CONDITION OF A LED/OLED DEVICE AND DIAGNOTIC DEVICE - The present invention relates to a method for determining a status and/or condition of an LED/OLED device | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066376 | METHOD FOR TESTING A PROTECTIVE DEVICE, A PROTECTIVE DEVICE, AND TEST DEVICE - A method for testing a protective device as well as a correspondingly configured protective device and test device are provided. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066377 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE BATTERY CAPACITY WITH THE AID OF CAPACITY-DEPENDENT PARAMETERS - A method for determining a battery variable, in particular capacity of battery, with the aid of a state variable and parameter estimator, which calculates from operating variables of battery state variables and parameters of a mathematical energy storage model. Capacity of battery may be determined very accurately when the battery is in operation if it is calculated as a function of at least one capacity-dependent parameter. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066378 | Current Mirror Potentiostat - Systems, methods, and apparatuses for measuring current flow in an electrochemical cell are disclosed. A system includes a circuit configured to output a mirrored value of an electrical current flowing through an electrochemical cell. The system may also include a voltage controller, coupled to one or more electrodes of the electrochemical cell, for controlling the voltage difference between at least two electrodes of the electrochemical cell. The system may further include a current replication circuit coupled to the voltage controller or the electrochemical cell. The current replication circuit generates a mirrored current of the electrical current flowing in the electrochemical cell. The replicated current may be measured or processed with different circuits and methods to output the current flowing through the electrochemical cell. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066379 | ABNORMALITY DETECTING DEVICE FOR STORAGE ELEMENT, ABNORMALITY DETECTING METHOD FOR STORAGE ELEMENT, ABNORMALITY DETECTING PROGRAM FOR STORAGE ELEMENT, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM STORING ABNORMALITY DETECTING PROGRAM - An abnormality detecting device for a storage element is able to improve accuracy of abnormality detection for the storage element. The device includes at least an equalization process portion, an abnormality determination portion, a voltage measurement portion, and a control portion. The control portion issues a command to the equalization process portion to start an equalization process in a case where there is a variance in capacity of storage element blocks B | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066380 | ELECTRON SOURCE FOR A VACUUM PRESSURE MEASURING DEVICE - A vacuum pressure measuring device with an electron source has a reaction zone for forming ions by impact ionization, wherein the electron source communicates with the reaction zone via a passage for the electrons. The electron source is surrounded by an insulating housing with a vacuum chamber, and a partition part is designed as a membrane carrier, carrying a nanomembrane at least in one section, the membrane separating the vacuum chamber from the outer region in a gastight manner and being at least partially designed to be electron-permeable. The vacuum chamber has a cathode for the emission of electrons. In the region of and/or on the nanomembrane, an anode arrangement is provided such that electrons are conducted against the nanomembrane and at least partially through it. The nanomembrane abuts the vacuum chamber of the vacuum pressure measuring device. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066381 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE FAULT DETECTION IN MV DISTRIBUTION CIRCUITS - A method and a protective device operable to perform the method are provided, wherein the method is for detecting and analyzing faults in a first cable and one or more other cables, which convey power in a three phase feeder system. Current magnitude in the first cable is compared to a threshold level. If the current magnitude exceeds the threshold level, the duration of the condition is measured. If the duration falls within a predetermined duration range, a predetermined time interval is allowed to pass and then a determination is made whether a fault is detected in the one or more other cables. If a fault is not detected in the one or more other cables, then a determination is made that a single phase fault has occurred in the feeder system. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066382 | TEST DEVICE AND TEST METHOD FOR A PV CONCENTRATOR MODULE - The invention relates to a test device for a PV concentrator module, comprising a first light source for generating a light that simulates solar irradiation, a lens system which concentrates the light beams emitted by the first light source to a pencil of rays whose individual light beams diverge by less than 2° while being suited to direct said pencil of rays to an incident light surface of the PV concentrator module, and an instrument for measuring an output signal of the PV concentrator module irradiated by the pencil of rays. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066383 | ARRAY SUBSTRATE AND DEFECT-DETECTING METHOD THEREOF - The present invention discloses an array substrate and a defect detecting method thereof. The array substrate comprises one or more shorting bars for applying signals to a plurality of data lines or a plurality of gate lines of the array substrate while testing. The array substrate further comprises a line detecting circuit for receiving signals on the plurality of data lines or the plurality of gate lines, and detecting and locating the line defects of the plurality of data lines or the plurality of gate lines. The array substrate and the defect detecting method thereof provided by the invention can locate the line defects of the array substrate accurately and quickly. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066384 | IDENTIFYING DAMAGE TO A WIRE - Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention determine the type of damage to a wire, the amount of damage, and the location of the damage based on the wire's broadband impedance measured from a single measurement point. The type of damage is determined by comparing the wire's calculated dielectric function, resistance and inductance to known values that correspond to types of wire damage. The amount of damage is determined by comparing the wire's low-frequency impedance phase to known low-frequency impedance phase information that corresponds to a known amount of wire damage. The location of damage is determined by comparing the wire's high-frequency impedance phase to known high-frequency impedance phase information that corresponds to a known location of wire damage. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066385 | Method for at least partly determining and/or adapting an attenuation map used for correcting attenuation of positron emission tomography image data sets in a combined magnetic resonance-positron emission tomography device - A method is disclosed for at least partly determining and/or adapting an attenuation map used for attenuation correction of Positron Emission Tomography image data sets in a combined Magnetic Resonance-Positron Emission Tomography device. In at least one embodiment of the method, at least one one-dimensional magnetic resonance data set of a patient is recorded along one imaging direction; the boundaries of at least one part of the body of the patient intersected by the imaging direction are determined from the one-dimensional magnetic resonance data set; and the attenuation map is determined and/or adapted at least partly as a function of the boundaries determined. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066386 | SYSTEM FOR DETECTING, QUANTIFYING AND/OR LOCATING WATER IN AIRCRAFT SANDWICH STRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR USING THIS SYSTEM - A system for the detection of water in a sandwich structure for aircraft including: a microwave generator, at least two microwaves emitters/sensors mounted in the structure, and a microwave detector capable of detecting the microwaves after propagation in the structure; a data-processing unit associated with a library containing at least one model of the structure when empty. Also methods for implementing this system as well as an aircraft including such a system. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066387 | Device for determining the distance between a rotor blade and a wall of a turbine engine surrounding the rotor blade - A device for determining distance between a rotor blade and a wall of a gas turbine surrounding the rotor blade is provided. A waveguide guides and emits electromagnetic waves of at least one frequency in the direction of the rotor blade through a waveguide opening facing the rotor blade. The electromagnetic waves are injected into the waveguide and reflected portions of the electromagnetic waves are received. An evaluation unit compares the phase of the electromagnetic waves to be injected with the phase of the reflected portions of the electromagnetic waves and determines phase comparison values for every frequency and the distance is determined based on the phase comparison values. The waveguide comprises a sealing element which is configured to be transmissible for the electromagnetic waves of the frequency and which has two opposite surfaces in the direction of guidance of the electromagnetic waves. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066388 | EPITAXIAL SOOT SENSOR - A soot sensor has a soot-sensitive noble-metal structure formed as strip conductor sections on an electrically insulating carrier, whose strip conductor sections are between 5 and 100 μm wide and are spaced apart from each other between 5 and 100 μm. The electrically insulating carrier may be a single crystal and the noble metal crystallized out on a surface of the single crystal, or the electrically insulating carrier may be polycrystalline and the noble metal crystallized out on the polycrystalline, electrically insulating carrier. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066389 | CHARACTERIZATION TECHNIQUE FOR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS - A test structure for polymer characterization over a wide frequency range, temperature range and under an applied DC electric field is disclosed. A high resistivity silicon substrate is topped by an adhesion layer. A polymer thin-film is deposited on a patterned metal | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066390 | CAPACITANCE VARIATION DETECTION CIRCUIT AND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - In a hybrid IC including, a semiconductor chip including a capacitance sensor and a semiconductor chip including a detection circuit for detecting a variation in capacitance, the number of bonding wires required between the chips is reduced. A rear surface of a sensor chip is connected to an electrode on a surface of a support substrate on which the sensor chip is mounted. A potential at one terminal of a capacitor of a sensor is set at a reference potential. A pad of another terminal is formed on a surface of the sensor chip. A detection circuit chip includes: a pad to serve as a connection terminal of the capacitor; a bias circuit connected to a terminal, for outputting a bias voltage to charge the capacitor; and a detection circuit connected to the terminal through a capacitor, for detecting a variation in potential of the terminal of the capacitor as an electrical signal. The chips are interconnected through a bonding wire between the pad of the terminal and the pad of the terminal. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066391 | CAPACITANCE CHANGE MEASURING CIRCUIT OF CAPACITIVE SENSOR DEVICE, CAPACITIVE SENSOR MODULE, METHOD OF MEASURING CAPACITANCE CHANGE OF CAPACITIVE SENSOR DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - Scanning rate in a capacitance change measuring circuit for a capacitive sensor device is enhanced. The circuit includes: an electrode drive section line-sequentially applying an input pulse signal to a plurality of columns of first electrode patterns in the capacitive sensor device; a peak hold circuit storing a peak level of a detection signal extracted from each column of second electrode patterns into a capacitive element as a corresponding potential; a current source initializing the potential in the capacitive element within one period of the input pulse signal; a comparator comparing the potential in the capacitive element with a reference value; and determination sections each determining whether or not an input operation using a human body or the like is executed, based on a timing information and a reference timing information, the timing information representing a timing when the potential held in the capacitive element crosses the reference value. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066392 | MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT, TEST SYSTEM, AND MEASUREMENT METHOD - A measurement apparatus that detects a defect in a device based on the quiescent current (IDDQ) of a CMOS LSI or the like detects the defect by measuring the value of IDDQ that flows when a logic vector is applied. However, the miniaturization of CMOS LSIs has caused an increase in the leak current flowing through a normal CMOS circuit. This makes it difficult to distinguish between the power supply current flowing in a defective CMOS circuit and the leak current flowing through a normal CMOS circuit. By applying the logic vector after suppressing the fluctuation of the leak current by controlling the power supply voltage applied to the device under measurement and the voltage applied to the substrate of the device under measurement, the measurement apparatus of the present invention can measure the power supply current flowing through a defective CMOS circuit to detect the defect in the CMOS circuit. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066393 | HIGH DENSITY INTERCONNECT SYSTEM FOR IC PACKAGES AND INTERCONNECT ASSEMBLIES - An improved interconnection system is described, such as for electrical contactors and connectors, electronic device or module package assemblies, socket assemblies, and/or probe card assembly systems. An exemplary connector comprises a first connector structure comprising a contactor substrate having a contact surface and a bonding surface, and one or more electrically conductive micro-fabricated spring contacts extending from the probe surface, a second connector structure comprising at least one substrate and having a set of at least one electrically conductive contact pad located on a connector surface and corresponding to the set of spring contacts, and means for movably positioning and aligning the first connector structure and the second connector structure between at least a first position and a second position, such that in at least one position, at least one electrically conductive micro-fabricated spring contact is electrically connected to at least one electrically conductive contact pad. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066394 | INSPECTION UNIT - An inspection unit includes: a metal block having a through hole; a contact probe for grounding which is coaxially arranged in through hole; and a coil spring having electrical conductivity at least on a surface thereof and provided between an inner peripheral face of the through hole and an outer peripheral face of the contact probe. The coil spring includes: a first coil part a part of which is in contact with the inner peripheral face of the through hole; and a second coil part a part of which is in contact with the outer peripheral face of the contact probe. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066395 | Wafer Prober Integrated With Full-Wafer Contacter - Methods and apparatus for testing unsingulated integrated circuits on a wafer include adapting a wafer prober for use with full-wafer-contacter disposed on the wafer. Some embodiments include placing wafer on a chuck of the prober, aligning the wafer to a full-wafer contacter incorporated in the wafer prober, removably attaching the wafer to the full wafer contacter, separating the wafer from the chuck, and making electrical contact to one or more integrated circuits of the wafer by making physical contact with a surface of the full-wafer contacter that faces away from the wafer. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066396 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTING APPARATUS - An electrical connecting apparatus for use in electrical measurement of a device under test comprises a supporting member and a flat plate-like probe base plate. On one surface of the probe base plate are provided multiple probes abutting on electrical connecting terminals of the device under test undergoing an electrical test. Also, on the other surface of the probe base plate is formed a securing portion provided with a screw hole opened at the top portion. It further has a generally cylindrical spacer and a screw member passing through the spacer and whose tip end is screwed in the screw hole of the securing portion. As for the spacer, movement in the axial direction is restricted in relation to the supporting member by a restricting means. The spacer has a head portion whose underside is mounted on the other surface of the supporting member and a body portion communicating with the head portion at one end, arranged to pass through a through hole formed in the supporting member, and whose other end is arranged to abut on the top face of the securing portion. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066397 | ALIGNMENT FEATURES IN A PROBING DEVICE - An image of an array of probes is searched for alignment features. The alignment features are then used to bring contact targets and the probes into contact with one another. The alignment features may be a feature of one or more of the tips of the probes. For example, such a feature may be a corner of one of the tips. An array of probes may be formed to have such alignment features. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066398 | TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL METHOD - Pressing an electronic device ( | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066399 | MINIATURE FLUID-COOLED HEAT SINK WITH INTEGRAL HEATER - A temperature control device that includes a miniature liquid-cooled heat sink with integral heater and sensing elements is used as part of a system to provide a controlled temperature surface to an electronic device, such as a semiconductor device, during the testing phase. The temperature control device includes an interface surface configured to provide a thermal path from the device to a device under test. One such device has a liquid-cooled heat sink comprising a first heat transfer portion in a first plane and a second heat transfer portion in a second plane. The first and second heat transfer portions establish a three-dimensional cross-flow of coolant within the heat sink structure. An alternate embodiment includes parallel fluid conduits, each having a three-dimensional microchannel structure that directs coolant flow in three dimensions within the fluid conduits. Coolant flows in opposite directions through adjacent fluid conduits, thus resulting in a three-dimensional cross-flow within the heat sink structure. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066400 | Method and apparatus for determining the operating condition of generator rotating diodes - A controller ( | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066401 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - Disclosed is a semiconductor device in which a circuit in the semiconductor chip is divided into a plurality of sub-circuits. The semiconductor device includes switches between the respective sub-circuits and a power supply, and a circuit that variably controls on-resistances of the switches | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066402 | METALLIC PROBE, AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING THE SAME - A sharpened metallic probe having a top of main body including a carbon-containing metal and a method and an apparatus for fabricating the metallic probe. A metallic probe with an extremely sharpened tip is obtained by inducing a field emission from the tip of the main body of the metallic probe where a nanotube is joined thereto, heating and melting locally the tip of the main body of the metallic probe by a Joule heating, and tearing the nanotube toward a counter electrode by a Coulomb attractive force. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066403 | TEST APPARATUS AND TEST METHOD - Provided is A test apparatus that tests a device under test, including a power supply section that supplies power to a power supply terminal of the device under test; a power supply control section that controls the power supply section to output the power at a plurality of voltage levels; a current measuring section that measures, at each voltage level, a current value of a quiescent current of the device under test, the quiescent current being supplied to the power supply terminal of the device under test by the power supply section; and an analyzing section that analyzes whether a defect is present in the device under test by using at least three current values from among the current values measured by the current measuring section at the plurality of voltage levels. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066404 | Reduced Power Differential Type Termination Circuit - A reduced power differential type termination circuit for use in SSTL, HSTL and other transmission line systems reduces power consumption. A differential type termination circuit may comprise first and second nodes for coupling, respectively, to first and second transmission lines; a first impedance coupled between the first transmission line and a third node; a second impedance coupled between the second transmission line and the third node; and a low direct current reference voltage generator for generating a reference voltage applied to the third node. The first and second transmission lines may transmit complimentary signals. The first and second impedances may be symmetric or asymmetric. The first impedance may match the second impedance. The first and second impedances may, respectively, match the impedances of the first and second transmission lines. The first and/or second impedances may include a bidirectional switch, such as a transmission gate, to enable and disable the termination circuit. | 2010-03-18 |
| 20100066405 | Line Driver With Tuned On-Chip Termination - A line driver includes current sources and resistors that form a bridge circuit in which a bridge resistor is connected between an internal node and ground, and a series resistor connected between the internal node and the driver's output node. The internal node is connected to receive a unit current from a first stage transistor, and the output node is connected to receive an amplified current from a second stage transistor that is N times the unit current. The bridge resistor is formed with a resistance value set such that the voltages at the internal node and the output node are equal, i.e., such that no current flows through the series resistor. The resistance value of the series resistor is thus adjustable to optimize output impedance in a manner independent of the driver's gain. An echo cancellation circuit is utilized to eliminate noise from two associated line drivers. | 2010-03-18 |
