| 31st week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 19 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120194131 | CHARGING DEVICE FOR CHARGING A BATTERY PACK - A charging device for charging a battery pack, having a control circuit for a switched-mode power supply transformer assigned to the charging device, the transformer having at least one primary winding switchable using a power switch and at least one first secondary winding for generating an electrical output voltage for charging the battery pack, the output voltage having a first amplitude which is predefinable by a control unit and adjustable using a first voltage limiting control loop. The transformer has at least one second secondary winding for generating at least one electrical auxiliary voltage having a second amplitude which is predefinable by the control unit and adjustable using a second voltage limiting control loop in order to at least reduce an energy feed assigned to an operation of the control circuit from the primary winding to the secondary windings in a standby mode of the control circuit. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194132 | ELECTRONIC CASSETTE CHARGER - A charger includes a loading chamber into which a battery pack is insertably/removably loaded. An insertion opening into which the battery pack is inserted is formed on an upper surface of the main body. The loading chamber is forwardly inclined to a front surface of the main body, and a bottom surface of the insertion opening is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction so that one end of the front surface side is located at a lower end and the other end of the back surface side is located at an upper end. A connecter for supplying power is disposed at the upper end side of the bottom surface. Even when the dust, rubbish or fluid entered from the insertion opening drops to the bottom surface, it flows down to the lower end side, so that less dirt adheres to the connecter. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194133 | ACTIVE CELL BALANCING USING INDEPENDENT ENERGY TRANSFER BUS FOR BATTERIES OR OTHER POWER SUPPLIES - A system includes a power source having multiple energy storage power cells. The system also includes multiple cell active balancing circuits. Each active balancing circuit is coupled across and associated with at least one of the power cells. Each active balancing circuit is also configured to provide energy to and draw energy from the at least one associated power cell. The system further includes an energy transfer bus configured to transfer energy between the active balancing circuits. In addition, the system includes a controller configured to control the transfer of energy between the active balancing circuits in order to control balancing of charges on the power cells. Each active balancing circuit could include a bi-directional direct current-to-direct current converter configured to convert and transfer DC energy between the associated power cell(s) and the energy transfer bus. The power source could include a battery, and the power cells could include battery cells within the battery. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194134 | Inductive Charge Balancing - Disclosed is a method for charge balancing in a charge storage arrangement having a plurality of charge storage cells connected in series, and a charge balancing circuit. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194135 | BATTERY VOLTAGE MONITORING APPARATUS - The battery voltage monitoring apparatus has a structure in which, for each adjacent two of battery cells, the positive electrode of the battery cell on the higher voltage side and the negative electrode of the battery cell on the lower voltage side are commonly connected to a corresponding one of common terminals provided in an RC filter circuit. The common terminal is branched into a first branch connected to one end of a first resistor and a second branch connected to one end of a second resistor, the first resistor being connected to a corresponding one of positive side detection terminals at the other end thereof, the second resistor being connected to a corresponding one of negative side detection terminals at the other end thereof. A capacitor is connected across a corresponding one of pairs of the positive side and negative side detection terminals. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194136 | BATTERY PACK - An electrical combination including a driver drill capable of producing an average current draw of approximately 20-amps, a circular saw capable of producing an average current draw of approximately 20-amps, and a power tool battery pack operable to supply power to the driver drill and to the circular saw, the battery pack including a plurality of battery cells, the plurality of battery cells each having a lithium-based chemistry. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194137 | VOLTAGE EQUALIZER FOR BATTERY ASSEMBLY - A voltage equalizer is applied to balance voltages among multiple battery units that are connected in series as a battery assembly. The voltage equalizer has a transformer, a switch and a controller. The transformer has a primary winding connected to the battery assembly and the controller through the switch, and further has multiple secondary windings connected to the battery units respectively. When the switch is alternately turned on and off, the transformer draws energy from the battery units with the higher voltage and couples the energy to the secondary windings to charge the battery unit with the lower voltage for balancing the voltages of the battery units. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194138 | ELECTRIC ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM WITH BALANCING CIRCUIT - An electric energy storage system is designed to equally utilize electric energy storage banks during charging/discharging, and keep fluctuation of an input voltage from a charger or an output voltage to a load, within an arbitrary range, while equally utilizing the electric energy storage banks during charging/discharging. The electric energy storage system comprises an electric energy storage module, a charger, a balancing circuit, a voltage detection section, taps led out, respectively, from one of opposite terminals of the electric energy storage module and/or the other terminal of the electric energy storage module and/or one or more of series-connection points between the electric energy storage units, through respective switches, and a switch control section for switching the switches such that one of the taps is connected to one of opposite terminals of the charger. The switch control section is operable to sequentially switch the switches according to progress of the charging. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194139 | RECHARGEABLE BATTERY SYSTEM - A rechargeable battery system capable of suppressing the increase in the internal resistance of a lithium ion rechargeable battery and having long life is provided. A rechargeable battery system comprising rechargeable battery modules each having a plurality of lithium ion rechargeable batteries, and a charge/discharge control means for controlling assembled batteries having the rechargeable battery modules connected in parallel, in which the charge/discharge control means controls discharge, upon discharge of the lithium ion rechargeable batteries, on every lithium ion rechargeable battery modules connected in parallel is adopted. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194140 | SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USING A SODIUM METAL HALIDE CELL - An energy storage system can comprise: an energy storage device and a temperature management device and controller configured for establishing an intra-cell temperature gradient along the axis when the energy storage device is in an idle state. The energy storage device can have an axis and comprise a housing having an axis and an interior surface defining a volume; a separator disposed in the volume and having a first surface that defines at least a portion of a first chamber and a second surface that defines at least a portion of a second chamber; a cathodic material in ionic communication with the separator; and an electrolyte in ionic communication with the cathodic material and the separator. The first chamber can be in ionic communication with the second chamber through the separator. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194141 | Battery Charger Digital Control Circuit and Method - A digital controlled battery charger comprises a power converter, a voltage sensor, a current senor, a mode selector and a digital controller. The voltage sensor and current sensor detect the voltage of a rechargeable battery and the current flowing through the rechargeable battery respectively. The mode selector selects a feedback signal from either the output of the voltage sensor or the output of the current sensor. The digital controller receives the selected feedback signal and generates a pulse width modulated signal for the power converter. Additionally, the digital controller is capable of dynamically adjusting its coefficients so that the control loop can maintain a stable system when the battery charger operates in different battery charging phases. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194142 | POWER GENERATING DEVICE AND BRAKING DEVICE - Power generation efficiency is improved with a simple configuration. A braking device is provided with a brake rotor which rotates on a central axis, and friction portions which are in frictional contact with the brake rotor. A coil is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the brake rotor. A friction portion has the north pole of a magnet, and a friction portion has the south pole of a magnet. The braking device generates electricity by using an electromagnetic induction phenomenon and an electrostatic phenomenon that are caused by the interaction between the outer peripheral portion and the friction portion, for example, at the time of braking. As a result, the configuration can be simplified and the amount of power generation is not likely to be limited by a motor capability because there is very little need to use the motor as a generator. Furthermore, the friction energy itself converted from the kinetic energy of the brake rotor can be converted into electrical energy to suppress the friction energy from being lost as heat energy. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194143 | Switch-Mode Converter Operating in a Hybrid Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM)/Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) That Uses Double or More Pulses in a Switching Period - A switching converter controller and method for controlling a switch-mode converter in a hybrid discontinuous conduction mode (DCM)/continuous conduction mode (CCM) mode are disclosed. The hybrid mode involves using double (two) or more switching pulses in a switching period of a control signal for controlling the switch-mode converter. The switching period is defined by a switch on-time duration, a switch off-time duration, and an N number of switching pulses. N is an integer greater than one. An inductor current through the inductor of the switch-mode converter is zero before an initial switching pulse, is zero after a last switching pulse, and is non-zero for all other times within the switching period. The switch-mode-converter controller can be used as a power factor correction controller for a power factor corrector. The switch-mode converter controller can be implemented on a single integrated circuit. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194144 | BALANCING THREE PHASE POWER SYSTEMS BY SMOOTH PAHSE SHIFTING AND CLUSTERING - A method of maintaining balance in power systems is provided herein. The method comprises of detecting a need for load switch from a source phase to a target phase; then applying a Direct Current (DC) conversion to the target phase, to yield a DC representation of the target phase; then synthesizing the DC representation of the target phase to yield synthesized source phase; then, conveying specified amount of load from the source phase to the synthesized source phase; then, repeatedly advancing, in each cycle, the phase of the synthesized source phase until it breaches the phase of target phase. The advancing is carried out in a rate of up to a standard error deviation that complies with electricity standard and conveying a load from the synthesized source phase to the target phase. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194145 | SWITCHING MODE POWER SUPPLY WITH PREDICTED PWM CONTROL - The present technology discloses a switching mode power supply with predicted PWM control. In one embodiment, the switching mode power supply monitors the slew rate of COMP signal which represents the output voltage of the switching mode power supply. When the load steps up, the ON state of the power stage is prolonged; when the load steps down, the power stage is turned off earlier. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194146 | Adaptive Control of Electrical Devices to Achieve Desired Power Use Characteristics - A system and method is provided for energizing and managing digitally-controlled devices at different levels of granularity, to achieve desired power use characteristics. At the lowest level, a digitally-controlled device is energized using a variable load-sensing adaptive control (VLSAC). Operation of the device is controlled using digital signals input to the device, so that limits on parameters, such as power consumption are met. A plurality of VLSACs can be coupled to a power distribution unit (PDU), which is controlled to achieve desired levels for selected parameters, set for the PDU. Multiple PDUs can be coupled to a power conversion and regulation unit (PCRU), which can be controlled by a master control to achieve a desired power profile for an entire facility, enabling the facility to meet requirements of a utility supplying the power and thus, reducing operational costs. The VLSACs and PCRU include high efficiency power sources having low distortion. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194147 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Provided is a voltage regulator capable of enabling overcurrent protection in a state in which an output current is large even if an input/output voltage difference is small, without waiting until the output voltage decreases. A sense current that a sense transistor flows is detected by a differential amplifier circuit, and hence, in the state in which the input/output voltage difference is small and the output current is large, the overcurrent protection can be enabled even when the output voltage does not decrease. Further, a good fold-back characteristic can be obtained. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194148 | POWER MODULE AND THE METHOD OF PACKAGING THE SAME - A power module includes a substrate; a conductive path layer formed on the substrate with a specific pattern as an inductor; a connection layer being formed on the substrate and electrically connected to a first terminal of the inductor; and a first transistor, electrically mounted on the substrate through the connection layer. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194149 | POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT, CONTROL METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCORPORATING POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT - A power supply circuit electrically connectable to a load, including a reference voltage circuit, having a ground voltage detection element to detect a ground terminal voltage at the ground terminal of the load, to generate a reference voltage based on the detected ground terminal voltage; an error amplifier to generate a difference voltage between and the reference voltage and a load voltage detection circuit generated based on a voltage at a power supply terminal of the load; and a control circuit to control an output voltage of the power supply circuit such that the output voltage is set to a constant voltage based on the difference voltage from the error amplifier to cause a voltage between the power supply terminal and the ground terminal of the load to set to a predetermined voltage. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194150 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOW-BATTERY OPERATION CONTROL IN PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICES - Systems and methods may include a low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulator for portable communication devices. The systems and methods may include a comparator having first and second inputs and generating a control voltage, the first input receiving a battery voltage from a battery source, the second input receiving a fixed voltage independent from the battery voltage, and a power management circuit that receives the control voltage and provides a regulated voltage based upon the control voltage, wherein when the received battery voltage is above the fixed voltage, the control voltage is provided at a high constant voltage, thereby resulting in the regulated voltage being at a first voltage, and wherein when the battery voltage is below the fixed voltage, the control voltage is provided at a low constant voltage, thereby resulting in the regulated voltage being at a second voltage less than the first voltage. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194151 | STANDBY CURRENT REDUCTION THROUGH A SWITCHING ARRANGEMENT WITH MULTIPLE REGULATORS - Consistent with an example embodiment, there is a power regulator arrangement with variable current capacity providing power from a power supply to a load having variable demand. As a load, a high-performance microprocessor has several modes of operation. At the highest speed setting, it demands a lot of current. At slower clock speeds and during state retention, the processor has a very low current consumption. Using a single regulator, the current efficiency may be very low during long standby periods. To increase the efficiency even at lower load currents, a scheme is based on parallel operation of multiple regulators having different load ranges, for example, a “low, “medium,” and “high” range regulators. Having knowledge of the load current profile, the regulators can be adjusted such that the peak of the efficiency curve matches the load profile of the regulator. The efficiency of the power regulator arrangement is enhanced throughout the range of power demanded by the load. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194152 | VOLTAGE CONTROLLED CURRENT SOURCE FOR VOLTAGE REGULATION - A system and method for providing a voltage controlled current source for bus regulation is disclosed. A bus current delivered to an electrical bus from a current source is controlled using a synchronous switch according to a PWM duty cycle. Further, the PWM duty cycle is controlled to be proportional to an error signal based on a comparison of a voltage of the electrical bus to a reference voltage. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194153 | CONSTANT VGS MOS SWITCH WITH CHARGE PUMP - A system comprises a switch circuit including an input and a control connection and a voltage converter circuit electrically coupled to the switch circuit. The voltage converter circuit includes an input electrically coupled to the input of the switch circuit and an output electrically coupled to the control connection of the switch circuit. The output signal generated at the output includes the input signal shifted by a substantially constant voltage amplitude as the voltage of the input signal varies. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194154 | SWITCHING REGULATOR CONTROL CIRCUIT AND SWITCHING REGULATOR - Provided is a switching regulator including an overload protection circuit, which has high accuracy even without requiring adjusting means in a test step. The switching regulator includes: a first triangle wave generation circuit for generating a first triangle wave which controls Duty of a PWM signal; and a second triangle wave generation circuit for generating a second triangle wave for overload detection, which has a crest value smaller than that of the first triangle wave. A ratio between the crest value of the first triangle wave and the crest value of the second triangle wave is set based on respective capacitances or constant currents thereof. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194155 | POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS AND RECORDING APPARATUS - A power supply apparatus that suppresses radiation of noise while supplying a stable voltage, and a method of supplying power are provided. The power supply apparatus includes a power conversion unit configured to input a voltage to convert the voltage into an electric power; and a smoothing unit configured to include a coil, a capacitor, and a cable in which power supply wires connecting one end of the capacitor to the coil and ground wires connecting the other end of the capacitor to a ground of the power conversion unit are alternately arranged, and to smooth the voltage output from the power conversion unit. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194156 | LOAD DRIVING SIGNAL-LINKED HIGH VOLTAGE DRIVING METHOD AND DRIVING CIRCUIT THEREOF - A load driving signal-linked high voltage driving method comprises the steps of: generating an output power voltage of preset size by boosting the voltage of input power; converting the output power voltage so that the generated output power voltage may be linked with an output signal of a load driving circuit; and driving a load by applying the converted output power voltage to the load driving circuit. According to the above present invention, it is possible to minimize power consumption of a battery in a portable electronic device which drives a load by converting the low-voltage rectification power or a voltage of the battery into a high voltage, and thus the usage of a function or an apparatus such as a haptic terminal or the like, which may need a high voltage, is more activated. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194157 | SWITCHING REGULATOR PERFORMING OUTPUT VOLTAGE CHANGING FUNCTION - A switching regulator can convert an input voltage to a desired output voltage by ON-OFF controlling switching elements with PWM signals. The switching regulator can include a communication interface circuit that receives external operation instructions, an output voltage setting section that changes an output voltage to an output voltage setting value upon receiving an output voltage changing instruction from the outside, a voltage divider and an ADC that converts an error voltage into a digital error signal e[n], the error voltage being a difference between a reference voltage Vref and a detected output voltage value Vfb. The switching regulator can also include a controller that includes an operation control section for calculating a duty factor signal d[n] to determine an ON time proportion of the switching elements and an output voltage changing control section for controlling operation to change the output voltage. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194158 | CONTROLLERS FOR CONTROLLING CURRENTS TO PREDETERMINED CURRENT REFERENCES - A high-side switch is coupled to a power supply terminal and selectively coupled to ground via a conduction path. During an on state duration, the high-side switch can be enabled and the conduction path can be disabled. During an off state duration, the high-side switch can be disabled and the conduction path can be enabled. During a skip state duration, the high-side switch and the conduction path both can be disabled. A controller coupled to the high-side switch can control the on state duration and the skip state duration based on a current reference. The controller can further generate a control signal for controlling the high-side switch and the conduction path according to the on state duration and the skip state duration, and adjust an output current to the current reference according to the control signal. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194159 | INTERLEAVING FUNCTION POWER SUPPLY CONTROLLER AND METHOD THEREFOR - At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of switching between synchronous and nonsynchronous ramp control. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194160 | VOLTAGE GENERATORS HAVING REDUCED OR ELIMINATED CROSS CURRENT - Embodiments described include voltage generators having reduced or eliminated cross current. Dynamic adjustment of a low or high threshold voltage used in a voltage generator is described. Use of a folded cascade amplifier in a voltage generator is also described. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194161 | INDUCTOR CURRENT MEASUREMENT FOR DC TO DC CONVERTERS - A system includes an estimation module and a current measuring module. The estimation module estimates current through an inductor in an output stage of a power supply using a model of the current and generates an estimated current. The current measuring module measures the current through the inductor and generates a measured current. The estimation module adjusts the model based on the measured current. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194162 | PULSE WIDTH MODULATION CONTROLLER AND METHOD FOR OUTPUT RIPPLE REDUCTION OF A JITTERING FREQUENCY SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY - A pulse width modulation controller and method for output ripple reduction of a jittering frequency switching power supply detect the current of a power switch of the switching power supply to generate a current sense signal, and adjust the gain or the level of the current sense signal according to the switching frequency of the power switch to adjust the on time of the power switch, to reduce the output ripple of the switching power supply caused by the jittering frequency of the switching power supply. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194163 | Reverse Power Y-Adapter - A power Y-adapter provides power at a high voltage to an output end from at least two input ends to which power of a lower voltage and a phase difference is provided and includes a first polarity sensitive current isolation device, a second polarity sensitive current isolation device, a control section, and an output section. When the voltage signals supplied to the hot wire terminals of the first input connector and the second input connector sufficiently are out of phase, the Y-adapter can produce a voltage of higher magnitude between the first and the second hot wire terminals of the output connector. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194164 | Cuk Based Current Source - Disclosed is a Ćuk based current source, a control circuit for a Ćuk based current source, and a method for providing a current. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194165 | METHOD OF LIMITING A CURRENT SUPPLIED BY A DC POWER SUPPLY - The invention relates to a method of limiting a current i | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194166 | DRIVING METHOD AND METHOD FOR MEASURING FEED THROUGH VOLTAGE OF ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAY - A driving method of an electrophoretic display is provided. The driving method includes the following steps. A plurality of pixels of a display panel of the electrophoretic display are configured as a plurality of blocks. A common voltage of the display panel is set to a first voltage. A plurality of scanning signals are inputted to a plurality of scanning lines of the display panel in order in which scanning lines corresponding to the same block receives the same scanning signal. A plurality of data lines of the display panel are measured to obtain at least one peak voltage corresponding to each of the blocks. A feed through voltage corresponding to each of the blocks is determined according the peak voltages corresponding to the blocks. A plurality of driving signals which drive each of the blocks are adjusted according the feed through voltage corresponding to each of the blocks. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194167 | HIGH THROUGHPUT LABEL FREE NANOPARTICLE DETECTION AND SIZE ASSAY - The present invention reports a novel microfluidic analyzer for the high-throughput, label-free measurement of particles suspended in a fluid. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194168 | LIGHTNING CURRENT DETECTION SENSOR - The present invention has an object to provide a lightning current detection sensor that has a configuration resistant to high voltage and high current in a lightning strike and has high sensitivity and high resolution. In a lightning current detection sensor | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194169 | dF/dT TRIGGER SYSTEM AND METHOD - A dF/dT trigger system and method includes instantaneously triggering on a frequency deviation of a data signal, which can be associated with an SSC signal. After receiving a signal at an input terminal of a test and measurement instrument, the signal is low-pass filtered and transmitted to trigger circuitry. When a frequency deviation rate in the filtered signal exceeds or crosses one or more thresholds, a trigger event is produced. Also disclosed is a test and measurement instrument including an input terminal to receive the signal, input circuitry to receive and process the signal, and dF/dT trigger circuitry configured to receive the signal and produce a trigger event when a frequency deviation in the signal exceeds or crosses one or more thresholds. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194170 | Load Detection for Switched-Mode Power Converters - In one embodiment, a method for detecting a load in a switched-mode power converter is provided. The switched-mode power converter includes high and low-side power switches which are configured to be driven respectively by high and low-side drive signals to provide a switching voltage. The high and low-side drive signals include a plurality of dead-time periods. The method includes monitoring a waveform of the switching voltage and at least one of the high and low-side drive signals. The monitored waveform of the switching voltage is compared to the monitored waveform of the at least one of the high and low-side drive signals to determine whether the switching voltage is high or low during at least one of the dead-time periods. A current measurement of the load is determined based on whether the switching voltage is high or low during the at least one of the dead-time periods. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194171 | ACTIVE CORE CURRENT SENSOR - Methods and system for sensing current include detecting current through a sensing coil resulting from a field produced by current through a primary conductor. The sensing coil has a core that may become saturated by the primary current field. If the core is not saturated, a sensing circuit may detect the current through the sensing coil by changing the state of at least one controlled switch. If the core is saturated, the sensing circuit changes the state of the at least one controlled switch to pull the core out of saturation, at which time a current measurement is made. The technique may be used with AC currents, including changing currents, as well as with DC currents, and currents that may be AC at times and become essentially DC at other times. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194172 | Current Sensing Apparatus - A current sensing device ( | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194173 | CONNECTOR, PROBE, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING PROBE - A connector includes multiple probes and a first insulator part and a second insulator part joined to cover the probes. Each of the probes has a monolithic structure of a single bent metal plate. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194174 | Mechanical Packaging and Method for a Single Current Sensor Integrated into an Electricity Meter - An electricity meter comprises a single current sensor with a toroidal coil that has an inner bore extending substantially through the sensor. The meter also has two current conductors that form one of a pair of line-side blades of the meter. The electricity meter also has a disconnect switch with a pair of moveable contacts and a pair of fixed contacts. One of the pairs contacts is electrically connected to the current conductors. The other pair forms a respective load-side blade of the meter. One current conductor passes through the inner bore of the current sensor in a first direction relative to its line-side blade and the other current conductor passes through the inner bore of the current sensor in a substantially opposite direction relative to its line-side blade so that current passing through the conductors passes through the inner bore of the current sensor in a same direction. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194175 | Sensor - The present invention is directed to a sensor with a body and a magnetic field sensor. The body includes a plurality of structures arranged in a first direction to effect a periodically varying magnetic field upon movement of the body in the first direction. The magnetic field sensor is configured to detect components of the magnetic field in a second direction and in a third direction, wherein the magnetic field sensor is arranged adjacent to the body such that the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction and such that the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and to the second direction. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194176 | ELECTRONIC INTERFACE FOR LVDT-TYPE PRESSURE TRANSDUCERS USING PIEZORESISTIVE SENSORS - A transformer-less, solid-state pressure transducer assembly having significantly better characteristics than the electro-mechanical assemblies of the prior art. The pressure transducer assembly of the present invention achieves the many of the same functions as transducer assemblies of the prior art having transformers, however the pressure transducer assembly of the present invention is smaller in size and weight, cost less to manufacture, and has increased reliability. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194177 | MINIMIZING MAGNETIC INTERFERENCE IN A VARIABLE RELUCTANCE RESOLVER EXCITED BY 180 DEGREE DIFFERENTIAL SIGNALS - A multi-pole variable reluctance resolver is balanced wired and driven by 180 degree differential signals. Capacitive passive elements may be serially added to the resolver to minimize magnetic interference and cancel flux between poles of the same polarity and orthogonal poles, as well as minimize the effect of input driving signal distortion. Symmetric networks of resistive and capacitive elements may also be added to the resolver to overcome noise sensitivity associated with balanced wired resolvers. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194178 | ROTOR FOR ROTATION SENSOR - A rotor for a rotation sensor may be mounted on a bearing that supports a wheel on an automotive vehicle so that it can detect the number of revolutions for the wheel. The rotor for a rotation sensor | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194179 | SENSOR SYSTEM - A system including a spinning current Hall sensor and a chopping circuit. The spinning current Hall sensor is configured to provide input signals and the chopping circuit is configured to receive the input signals. Spinning phases of the spinning current Hall sensor are lengthened in residual offset adjustment phases to obtain signals that correspond to the residual offset voltages of the spinning phases. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194180 | Magnetoresistive Device and Method for Manufacturing the Same - A magnetoresistive device includes a carrier, an xMR-sensor, a magnetic layer formed above an active xMR-region of the xMR-sensor and an insulating layer arranged between the xMR-sensor and the magnetic layer. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194181 | MAGNETIC SENSOR, MAGNETIC SENSOR DRIVING METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - A magnetic sensor includes: a pulse generation circuit that generates a pulse having a pulse width shorter than the power-on time of an intermittent power supply signal from an external intermittent power supply; a magneto-electric conversion element; and a switch that controls, based on the pulse, a signal application time of the intermittent power supply signal to the magneto-electric conversion element within the power-on time. The magneto-electric conversion element is, for example, an MR element that outputs two detection signals, magnitude relation between signal levels of the two detection signals changing by field intensity of an external magnetic field. The magnetic sensor may further include an amplifier that amplifies the two detection signals and a comparator that compares the two amplified detection signals. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194182 | METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF A MAGNETIC SENSOR ELEMENT - A method is provided for producing a magnetic sensor element, the magnetic sensor element having at least one magnetic pathway that extends along a displacement path and that has a plurality of magnetic north-south transitions, as well as at least one magnetic sensor mounted so as to be movable relative to the magnetic pathway. At least one of the magnetic north-south transitions is defined as a critical north-south transition whose position is to be detected with a specified degree of precision. Adjacent to the critical north-south transition are situated magnetic poles having identical polarity. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194183 | Image Acquisition Optimization - A system and a method for acquiring image data of a subject with an imaging system is provided. The system can include a gantry that completely annularly encompasses at least a portion of the subject, with a source positioned within and movable relative to the gantry. The source can be responsive to a signal to output at least one pulse. The system can include a detector positioned within and movable relative to the gantry to detect the pulse emitted by the source. The system can also include a detector control module that sets detector data based on the detected pulse, and an image acquisition control module that sets the signal for the source and receives the detector data. The image acquisition control module can reconstruct image data based on the detector data. The signal can include a signal for the source to output a single pulse or two pulses. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194184 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DESIGNING EXCITATION PULSES FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Methods and systems for designing excitation pulses for magnetic resonance imaging are provided. One method includes parameterizing spin-domain rotation parameters to define parameterized variables and defining a constrained optimization problem based on the parameterized variables. The method also includes solving the constrained optimization problem and generating parameters for the RF pulses based on the solved problem, wherein the RF pulses are one of multidimensional RF pulses on non-constant gradient trajectories or one dimensional RF pulses on non-constant gradient trajectories. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194185 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM ACTIVATION SEQUENCE - A method and control sequence determination facility for determining a magnetic resonance system activation sequence that includes a multichannel pulse train with a plurality of individual HF-pulse trains to be emitted by the magnetic resonance system via different independent high-frequency transmit channels of a transmit facility in a parallel manner are described. The multichannel pulse train is calculated based on a k-space gradient trajectory and a predetermined target magnetization using an HF pulse optimization method. In the HF pulse optimization method, optimization of the multichannel pulse train and/or the k-space gradient trajectory takes account of at least one hardware operating parameter of the transmit facility. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194186 | MR Imaging System for Discriminating Between Imaged Tissue Types - A system provides B1- and B0-insensitive, blood flow and motion-robust T2-preparation and T2-preparation combined with inversion recovery. An MR imaging system discriminates between imaged tissue types based on transverse relaxation time (T2) or transverse relaxation time combined with longitudinal recovery time (T1). A signal generator generates a pulse sequence for T2 preparation or combined T2-preparation with inversion recovery comprising one or more B1 independent refocusing (BIREF-1) pulses for refocusing of magnetization of an anatomical region of interest being imaged, and different combinations of adiabatic or non-adiabatic tip-down and flip-back pulses. Multiple RF coils transmit RF pulses in response to the pulse sequence and acquire RF data in response to transmission of the RF pulses. A processing system processes the RF data to provide a display image indicating different tissue types with enhanced discrimination based on T2 relaxation time difference or combined T2 and T1 time difference. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194187 | System for Suppression of Artifacts in MR Imaging - An MR system acquires, over multiple heart cycles, image datasets representing multiple image slices of an anatomical region of interest of a patient. In the device, an RF signal generator and a magnetic field gradient generator provides an RF pulse and magnetic field gradient sequence for RF signal excitation of the region of interest and for acquiring RF data following the signal excitation. The sequence comprises, a first sequence occurring substantially immediately after the acquisition of image data using a readout magnetic field gradient. The first sequence includes an RF pulse with a predetermined flip angle followed by a magnetic field gradient pulse for reducing field magnetization to substantially zero. The first sequence is preceded by a dummy acquisition sequence comprising the elements of the first sequence except substantially without acquisition of data. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194188 | System and Method for Controlling Apparent Timing Dependencies for T2-Weighted MRI Imaging - A system and method for imaging includes applying an RF excitation pulse to a region-of-interest (ROI) in the presence of a first slice selective gradient and applying a readout gradient to acquire a echo signal from the ROI, wherein a time between the RF excitation pulse and the echo signal define an echo time (TE). A saturation module is applied to the ROI including an RF pulse configured to provide a TE-independent steady state and enforcing a predetermined time period (TR | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194189 | System and Method for Diffusion-modulated Relaxation Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A system and method for applying an RF excitation pulse to the region of interest (ROI) and a plurality of selective gradients to the ROI to elicit MR data pertaining to at least a first MR parameter from the ROI. The system and method also apply at least one diffusion gradient to the ROI to modulate the first MR parameter with a second MR parameter, acquire MR data from the ROI, and reconstruct a parametric map of the ROI using the MR data, wherein the parametric map is weighted based on the first MR parameter and modulated by the second MR parameter. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194190 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING EXCITATION REGION - In imaging using 2-dimensional selective excitation pulses, regardless of applications thereof, a technique for obtaining a high quality image is provided. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194191 | TECHNIQUES FOR DETECTING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FIELD - A device includes a housing, a first magnetic field sensor, a second magnetic field sensor, and a control module. The housing is configured to be implanted in a patient. The first magnetic field sensor is located at a first location within the housing and is configured to measure a first strength of a magnetic field at the first location. The second magnetic field sensor is located at a second location within the housing and is configured to measure a second strength of the magnetic field at the second location. The control module is configured to identify a source of the magnetic field based on the first and second strengths. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194192 | MECHANICALLY FLEXIBLE MAGNETIC RESONANCE COIL WITH OPENING CONDUCTOR STRUCTURES - The present embodiments relate to a local coil for a magnetic resonance tomography system, the local coil including an antenna element that includes a releasable connection to form an opening. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194193 | Method for independent manipulation of a fat and a water component in Magnetic Resonance Imaging - An MR imaging system independently manipulates a fat and a water component of MR signals used for generating image data. An RF signal generator and a magnetic field gradient generator provide an RF pulse and magnetic field gradient sequence for acquisition of an MR signal discriminating between anatomical objects based on longitudinal relaxation time (T | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194194 | NMR Sample Containers - A kit and methods of using including a package with at least one NMR tube comprising an elongate cylindrical body with an open proximal end and a band around an outside of the cylindrical body, the band positioned adjacent the open proximal end and having a width extending along a length of the elongate cylindrical body. The kit also including at least one closure configured to slidably engage the outside of the elongate cylindrical body so that when the closure is fully placed on the NMR tube, a distal end of the closure extends a length along the cylindrical body and is within about the width of the band. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194195 | Magnetic Ranging Method and Apparatus - A method and system is provided for minimizing delays in a magnetic ranging method. Delays are minimized by establishing synchronicity between triggering of a three-axis magnetometer and energisation of a solenoid assembly deployed in the borehole being drilled and the first borehole, respectively. Synchronicity enables measuring various components of the alternating magnetic field created by energisation of the solenoid assembly by the magnetometer, the moment the solenoid assembly is energised. The recorded components are used for computation of steering data for drilling the second borehole relative to the first borehole. The steering data can be determined at the surface or downhole. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194196 | Electromagnetic Source to Produce Multiple Electromagnetic Components - An electromagnetic (EM) source assembly for performing marine subterranean surveying includes electrodes in an arrangement configured for towing through a body of water. A controller is configured to selectively activate different sets of the plurality of electrodes, where a first of the sets produces an EM field in a first direction, and where a second of the sets produces an EM field in a second, different direction. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194197 | Fuel Gauging System and Method Thereof - A lighting system is provided that includes at least one lighting device, at least one connector, and a plurality of external power sources. The at least one lighting device includes at least one lighting source, and an internal power source applying a first electrical current to illuminate the at least one lighting element, wherein the internal power source supplies the first electrical current. The at least one connector electrically connects to the at least one lighting device. The plurality of external power sources include at least first and second external power sources that are adapted to be electrically connected to the at least one lighting device by the at least one connector. Further, a fuel gauging system and method detects an electrochemical composition of a power source, which can be at least one of the internal power source and the external power source, and then determines a state of charge of the power source based upon the determined electrochemical composition of the power source. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194198 | SENSOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY - A device and method for determining the state of charge of an object, such as an electrochemical battery cell. The device includes a state of charge sensor having a primary magnet that creates a primary magnetic field, and at least one magnetic field sensing element. The sensitivity axes of the sensing elements are substantially perpendicular to the direction of polarization of the primary magnet. The primary magnet and the sensing elements are placed in the proximity of the object, and magnetic fields resulting from the magnetic susceptibility of the object are measured by the sensing elements. The sensing elements output an electrical signal from which the state of charge of the object can be determined. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194199 | BATTERY VOLTAGE MONITORING APPARATUS - The battery voltage monitoring apparatus has a structure in which, for each adjacent two of battery cells, the positive electrode of the battery cell on the higher voltage side and the negative electrode of the battery cell on the lower voltage side are connected to a corresponding one of common terminals provided in an RC filter circuit. The common terminal is branched into first and second branches respectively connected with a first resistor and a second resistor. The first and second resistors are connected to a corresponding one of positive side detection terminals and a corresponding one of negative side detection terminals, respectively. A capacitor is connected across a corresponding one of pairs of the positive side and negative side detection terminals. Switches for making short circuits respectively between the positive side detection terminals and between the negative side detection terminals corresponding to each adjacent two battery cells are provided. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194200 | FUSE CONTINUITY DETECTION - Systems, methods, and circuits are disclosed for detecting continuity of a fuse or other current protection device in a circuit. For example, a signal is generated and coupled onto a closed circuit in which the continuity of the fuse closes the circuit. The signal is then coupled from the closed circuit to a signal detector, which detects the presence of the signal and provides an output indicative of the presence of the signal. If the fuse blows, the circuit is opened, prohibiting the signal from being coupled to the signal detector, in which case the signal detector provides an output indicative of the absence of the signal. This example, however, are not exhaustive. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194201 | FREQUENCY BASED FAULT DETECTION - A electrical circuit includes an excitation voltage connected via a first circuit path to an output, a switching device having a control terminal and first and second controlled terminals connected to the first circuit path, and a controller that generates a control signal provided to the control terminal of the switching device to selectively supply the excitation voltage to the output. Faults in the electrical circuit are detected by monitoring the switching device voltage at one of the controlled terminals of the switching device. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194202 | DRIVE FAILURE PROTECTION - The present techniques include methods and systems for detecting a failure in a capacitor bank of an electrical drive system. Embodiments include using discharge resistors to discharge capacitors in the capacitor bank, forming a neutral node of the capacitor bank. In different capacitor configurations, the neutral node is measured, and the voltage is analyzed to determine whether a capacitor bank unbalance has occurred. In some embodiments, the node is a neutral-to-neutral node between the discharged side of the discharge resistors and a neutral side of the capacitor bank, or between the discharged side of the discharge resistors and a discharged side of a second set of discharge resistors. In some embodiments, the node is a neutral-to-ground node between the discharged side of the discharge resistors and a ground potential. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194203 | BIOELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE MEASURING APPARATUS - A bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus may include an impedance measuring unit configured to provide an inspection current based on a predetermined current to a living body, and obtain an inspection voltage corresponding to an impedance of the living body, an amplification unit configured to amplify the inspection voltage with reference to a correction voltage, an AD converter configured to AD-convert an output of the amplification unit, and a control unit configured to control the inspection current and the correction voltage based on an AD-converted result of the AD converter such that the output of the amplification unit is within an input dynamic range of the AD converter, and calculate an impedance average of the living body and an impedance variation of the living body based on the predetermined current, the correction voltage and the AD-converted result. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194204 | MINUTE IMPEDANCE VARIATION DETECTION DEVICE - A minute impedance variation detection device includes a differential amplifier, first and second impedances, a sensing electrode and a signal source. The differential amplifier has first and second input ends and an output end. The first impedance is connected to the first input end. The second impedance is connected to the second input end. The sensing electrode is connected to the second input end for sensing a touch and thus receiving a touch signal. The signal source is connected to the first impedance and the second impedance for providing an input signal inputted to the first impedance and the second impedance. The first impedance has an impedance value close to that of the second impedance. The differential amplifier is based on the input signal and the touch signal to differentially amplify the touch signal. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194205 | RAPID SCREENING BUFFER LAYERS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS - An apparatus and method of testing electrical impedance of a multiplicity of regions of a photovoltaic surface includes providing a multi-tipped impedance sensor with a multiplicity of spaced apart impedance probes separated by an insulating material, wherein each impedance probe includes a first end adapted for contact with a photovoltaic surface and a second end in operable communication with an impedance measuring device. The multi-tipped impedance sensor is used to contact the photovoltaic surface and electrical impedance of the photovoltaic material is measured between individual first ends of the probes to characterize the quality of the photovoltaic surface. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194206 | Measuring Apparatus - A test for connecting a transmitter and a receiver of a device under test with each other is carried out by a measurement device. The measurement device | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194207 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TESTING OF MEMS DEVICES - Some embodiments provide methods, process, systems and apparatus for use in testing multi-axis Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) devices. In some embodiments, methods of testing are provided, comprising: selecting, according to a test specification and a test program, at least a first MEMS device on a substrate comprising a plurality of MEMS formed relative to the substrate and applying one or more electrical probes to the first MEMS device; providing power to the first MEMS device through the one or more electrical probes; measuring output signals of the first MEMS device; applying a force to the first MEMS device using a force actuator; measuring a set of output signals of the first MEMS device based on the applied force; and processing test data and generating output test results according to the test specification and test program. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194208 | Coaxial Four-Point Probe for Low Resistance Measurements - Various exemplary embodiments provide probes, systems and methods for measuring an effective electrical resistance/resistivity with high sensitivity. In one embodiment, the measuring system can include an upper probe set and a similar lower probe set having a sample device sandwiched there-between. The device-under-test (DUT) samples can be sandwiched between two conductors of the sample device. Each probe set can have an inner voltage sense probe coaxially configured inside an electrically-isolated outer current source probe that has a large contact area with the sample device. The measuring system can also include a computer readable medium for storing circuit simulations including such as FEM simulations for extracting a bulk through-plane electrical resistivity and an interface resistivity for an effective electrical z-resistivity of the DUT, in some cases, having sub-micro-ohm resistance. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194209 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PICKING AND PLACEMENT OF CHIP DIES - According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a chip die manipulator apparatus arranged for pick and placing of a chip die ( | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194210 | PROBE CARD WIRING STRUCTURE - The present disclosure provides a probe card for wafer level testing. The probe card includes a space transformer having first power/ground lines and first signal lines embedded therein, wherein the first power/ground and signal lines are configured to have a first wiring pitch on a first surface and a second wiring pitch on a second surface, the second wiring pitch being substantially less than the first wiring pitch; a printed circuit board bonded to the first surface of the space transformer, wherein the printed circuit board includes second power/ground lines and second signal lines embedded in the printed circuit board and coupled to the first power/ground and signal lines; and conductive lines configured to a surface of the printed circuit board remote to the first surface of the space transformer, wherein each of the conductive lines includes a first end coupled to one of the second signal lines and a second end coupled to a different location of the printed circuit board. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194211 | OPTICAL DEVICE INSPECTING APPARATUS - To provide an optical device inspecting apparatus which can be set to take many objects at one time more freely compared with conventional apparatuses, and can accurately inspect even an optical device wherein an optical sensor is offset from a microlens. Provided is an optical device inspecting apparatus having a probe card unit and a lens unit. The probe card unit is provided with a main substrate, a guide plate and a probe. The guide plate is provided with a plurality of probe inserting holes. The probe is inserted into the probe inserting hole on the guide plate and fixed. The leading end portion of the probe protruding from the inserting hole has a shape of a cantilever. The lens unit is arranged at the opening on the main substrate, and makes light applied to an inspecting object incline as the light goes further from the optical system. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194212 | Fine pitch guided vertical probe array having enclosed probe flexures - Probes suitable for use with densely packed fine-pitch 2-D contact arrays are provided by use of an electrically insulating guide plate in connection with vertical probes, where the vertical probes have probe flexures that are either vertically folded sections, or coils having a horizontal axis. Preferably, the probes are configured such that the probe flexures are inside the guide plate holes, and the parts of the probes extending past the guide plate are relatively rigid. This configuration alleviates problems associate with probe shorting, because the probe flexures are enclosed by the guide plate holes, and are therefore unable to come into contact with flexures from other probes during probing. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194213 | PROBE CARD - A probe card for testing electrical characteristics of an object to be tested includes a plurality of contactors for contacting the object during the testing; a plurality of tester chips configured to send and receive electric test signals to and from the object to test the electrical characteristics of the object; and a conductive portion electrically connecting the contactors with the corresponding tester chips, the contactors being arranged on a lower surface of the conductive portion. The probe card further includes a pressing portion configured to press the conductive portion against the object during the testing, so that a pressing force is applied between the contactors and the object. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194214 | EQUIPMENT AND METHOD TO CLASSIFY SEMICONDUCTOR PACKAGES - An equipment and method to classify semiconductor packages diced on a substrate into defective and non-defective semiconductor packages includes a loading preparation table to receive a plurality of semiconductor packages to be inspected, a first inspection unit to inspect and classify the semiconductor packages received at the loading preparation table into normal semiconductor packages and defective semiconductor packages, a temporary loading table to temporarily receive at least a portion of the normal semiconductor packages, a first loading picker to transfer the defective semiconductor packages from the loading preparation table to a defective package loading tray and to transfer the normal semiconductor packages from the temporary loading table to the loading preparation table, and a second loading picker to transfer the normal semiconductor packages from the loading preparation table to a normal package loading tray. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194215 | SEMICONDUCTOR APPARATUS AND IMPEDANCE CALIBRATION CIRCUIT FOR THE SAME - A semiconductor apparatus includes a data input/output circuit and an impedance calibration circuit. The impedance calibration circuit may be configured to output a code signal for controlling a resistance value of the data input/output circuit in response to a division voltage applied to a joining interconnection directly coupled to a ZQ pad and a preset reference voltage. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194216 | 3D Semiconductor Device - A three dimensional semiconductor device is described with two transistor layers overlaid. The first transistor layer comprises a plurality of flip-flops each having an input and an output, wherein the inputs are selectively coupleable to the second transistor layer. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194217 | INPUT/OUTPUT CORE DESIGN AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREFOR - One aspect provides an input/output cell. The input/output cell, in one example, includes an input/output layout boundary delineated on a substrate, wherein the input/output layout boundary defines a first side parallel and opposing a second side, a third side parallel and opposing a fourth side, wherein the first and second sides are substantially perpendicular the third and fourth sides. The input/output cell, in this example, further includes input/output transistors positioned within the input/output layout boundary over the substrate. The input/output cell, in this example, further includes first and second power conductors and first and second ground conductors located over the substrate, the first power conductor and first ground conductor extending entirely between the first and second sides and the second power conductor and second ground conductor extending entirely between the third and fourth sides. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194218 | 3D Semiconductor Device - A semiconductor device includes a first transistor layer and a second transistor layer overlaying the first transistor layer, wherein said first transistor layer comprises a plurality of flip-flops each having a selectively coupleable additional input generated by said second transistor layer. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194219 | LOGIC CIRCUIT AND METHOD OF LOGIC CIRCUIT DESIGN - A complementary logic circuit contains first and second logic inputs, first and second dedicated logic terminals, a high-voltage terminal configured for connection to a high constant voltage, a low-voltage terminal configured for connection to a low constant voltage, a p-type transistor and an n-type transistor. The p-type transistor and n-type transistor each have a respective outer diffusion connection, gate connection, inner diffusion connection, and bulk connection. The first and second dedicated logic terminals are connected respectively to the outer diffusion connection of the p-type transistor and the outer diffusion connection of the n-type transistor. The inner diffusion connection of the p-type transistor and the inner diffusion connection of the n-type transistor are connected together to form a common diffusion logic terminal. The high-voltage terminal and the low-voltage terminal are connected respectively to the bulk connection of the p-type transistor and the bulk connection of the n-type transistor. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194220 | Frequency Divider with Synchronous Range Extension Across Octave Boundaries - A frequency divider based on a series of divide-by-2/3 cells and divide-by-1/2/3 cells using extended division range is disclosed. The frequency divider uses modified divide-by-1/2/3 cells and additional circuit elements to correctly divide an input frequency by a divisor on successive output cycles while the divisor transitions across an octave boundary. The frequency divider creates a divide-by-1 mode for unused divide-by-1/2/3 cells in the series of cells. The divide-by-1 mode passes the input clock in the unused latches of each unused divide-by-1/2/3 cell as opposed to having each unused divide-by-1/2/3 cell implement divide-by-3 mode. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194221 | ADVANCED CONVERTERS FOR MEMORY CELL SENSING AND METHODS - A counter configuration operates in cooperation with a delay configuration such that the counter configuration counts an input interval based on a given clock speed and a given clock interval while the delay configuration provides an enhanced data output that is greater than what would otherwise be provided by the given clock speed. The counter configuration counts responsive to a selected edge in the clock interval. An apparatus in the form of a correction arrangement and an associated method are configured to monitor at least the delay configuration output for detecting a particular time relationship between an endpoint of the input interval and a nearest occurrence of the selected clock edge in the given clock signal that is indicative of at least a potential error in the enhanced data output and determining if the potential error is an actual error for subsequent use in correcting the enhanced data output. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194222 | MEMORY HAVING A LATCHING SENSE AMPLIFIER RESISTANT TO NEGATIVE BIAS TEMPERATURE INSTABILITY AND METHOD THEREFOR - An integrated circuit includes a memory cell and a sense amplifier coupled to the memory cell via a first bit line and a second bit line. The sense amplifier includes first and second inverters cross-coupled to provide a latch. The first inverter is responsive to a first data signal provided by the memory cell over the first bit line. The second inverter is responsive to a second data signal as provided by the memory cell over the second bit line. A first negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) compensation transistor includes a source electrode coupled to receive a reference voltage, a drain electrode coupled to a source electrode of the first inverter, and a gate electrode coupled to first logic responsive to the first data signal. A second NBTI compensation transistor includes a source electrode coupled to receive the reference voltage, a drain electrode coupled to a source electrode of the second inverter, and a gate electrode coupled to second logic responsive to the second data signal, wherein the second data signal is a logical complement of the first data signal. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194223 | TIME-INTERLEAVED SAMPLE-AND-HOLD - A time-interleaved sample-and-hold system includes a first sample-and-hold circuit and a second sample-and-hold circuit. The first sample-and-hold circuit and the second sample-and-hold circuit share a common sampling switch. A method of remediating a timing offset between a first sample-and-hold circuit and a second sample-and-hold circuit in a time-interleaved sample-and-hold system includes switching at least one shunt capacitor disposed between two logic gates in a timing circuit to adjust a delay between a timing signal for a common sampling switch electrically coupled to the first and second sample-and-hold circuits and a timing signal for at least one of the sample-and-hold circuits. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194224 | PRE-EMPHASIS CIRCUIT AND DIFFERENTIAL CURRENT SIGNALING SYSTEM HAVING THE SAME - Provided is a pre-emphasis circuit which transmits a pre-emphasis output current to an output node of an output driver in response to first to fourth pre-emphasis control signals generated by a logical operation on differential input signals. The pre-emphasis circuit includes: a first pre-emphasis circuit driven in a range between a first voltage and a second voltage and configured to generate a first pre-emphasis output current in response to the first and second pre-emphasis control signals and output the generated first pre-emphasis output current to a first output node of the output driver; and a second pre-emphasis circuit driven in the range between the first voltage and the second voltage and configured to generate a second pre-emphasis output current in response to the third and fourth pre-emphasis control signals and output the generated second pre-emphasis output current to a second output node of the output driver. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194225 | DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT BUFFER - According to one embodiment, a main driver is configured to shift the level of a differential signal. A bypass circuit is configured to bypass current flowing through the main driver in such a manner as to contain the change amount of current running through the main driver flowing from a high power supply potential to a low power supply potential within a fixed range upon transition between an operating state and a standby state of the main driver. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194226 | SWITCHING ELEMENT CONTROL APPARATUS - A switching element control apparatus capable of controlling a switching element that is driven by controlling a voltage on its control terminal properly in response to characteristic information of the switching element. The apparatus includes a constant current circuit that applies a constant current to the control terminal, a voltage-limiting circuit that limits the voltage on the control terminal so as not to exceed a limiting voltage, and a control circuit that controls the constant current circuit to apply the constant current to the control terminal when having received a drive signal for turning on the switching element, and controls the voltage-limiting circuit to limit the voltage on the control terminal for a voltage-limiting time period. The control circuit includes a memory storing the characteristic information and variably sets at least one of the limiting voltage, the voltage-limiting time period, and the constant current in response to the characteristic information. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194227 | JITTERING FREQUENCY CONTROL CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR A SWITCHING MODE POWER SUPPLY - A jittering frequency control circuit and method for a switching mode power supply enlarge the uttering frequency range of the switching frequency of the switching mode power supply when the switching mode power supplier enters a frequency reduction mode, to improve the electro-magnetic interference of the switching mode power supply operating with the frequency reduction mode. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194228 | SEMICONDUCTOR APPARATUS - A semiconductor apparatus may include a transmission control signal generation unit, a fuse signal transmission unit, a reception control signal generation unit and a fuse signal reception unit. The transmission control signal generation unit receives a clock signal and generates a plurality of divided clock signals based on the clock signal to output transmission control signals from the plurality of divided clock signals. The fuse signal transmission unit transmits fuse information in synchronization with the transmission control signals. The reception control signal generation unit receives the clock signal and generates the plurality of divided clock signals, and generates reception control signals based on the plurality of divided clock signals. The fuse signal reception unit receives the fuse information in synchronization with the reception control signals. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194229 | CLOCK DIVIDER CIRCUIT - A clock divider circuit. The clock divider receives m input clock signals each of the same frequency. Each input clock signal after the first has a phase offset of 2 π/m from the previous input clock signal. The clock divider divides the frequency of the input clock signals by an integer of division K. The clock divider includes a counter that receives the first input clock signal and provides one or more count signals. The clock divider also includes m flip-flops, of which a first flip-flop receives the first input clock signal at its clock input and provides a first clock output signal. Each flip-flop after the first receives an input clock signal at its clock input and provides a clock output signal, each clock output signal after the first having a 2 πK/m phase offset from the previous clock output signal. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120194230 | CONTROL CIRCUIT AND DATA HOLD DEVICE USING THE CONTROL CIRCUIT - A control circuit | 2012-08-02 |
