19261results about "Resistance/reactance/impedence" patented technology

The present invention is directed to a method and system for automatic calibration of an acoustic system. The acoustic system may include a source A / V device, calibration computing device, and multiple rendering devices. The calibration system may include a calibration component attached to each rendering device and a source calibration module. The calibration component on each rendering device includes a microphone. The source calibration module includes distance and optional angle calculation tools for automatically determining a distance between the rendering device and a specified reference point upon return of the test signal from the calibration component.

An alarm processor suppresses alarms when a physiological parameter is below a predetermined value but recovering toward a normal range.

A battery pack has a charge and discharge count measuring part (131) configured to measure the number of times of charges and discharges of a secondary battery based on the summed value of the charge current for the secondary battery, and a decay rate output part (132) configured to compute a decay rate that indicates a degree of decay of the secondary battery based on the number of times of charges and discharges measured by the charge and discharge count measuring part (131) and to output it to a device being a discharge load. For example, the charge and discharge count measuring part (131) repeatedly sums the detected values of the charge current to a predetermined threshold, and counts up the number of times of charges and discharges every time when the summed value reaches the threshold. Accordingly, even though charges and discharges are repeated at finer steps in a relatively narrow voltage range, the number of times of charges and discharges can be counted accurately, and the computing accuracy of the decay rate is improved. In the battery pack in which the secondary battery is accommodated, parameters for detecting the remaining amount of the battery are detected more accurately.

Method and apparatus for providing a leak detection circuit for data monitoring and management system using the guard trace of a glucose sensor by applying a leak detection test signal to determine whether a leakage current is present is provided. The leak detection circuit may includes an interface circuit such as a capacitor coupled to the guard trace to detect the leakage current when the leak detection test signal is applied to the guard trace, such that the user or patient using the data monitoring and management system such as glucose monitoring systems may be promptly and accurately notified of a failed sensor, and to alert the user to replace the sensor.

A method includes positioning body-electrodes in galvanic contact with a body of a patient and positioning a mapping-tool, having a mapping-electrode, in a plurality of regions in the body. The method further includes tracking the mapping-tool at different positions in each of the regions using a location-measuring system, and for each region, generating a respective set of calibration-currents between the body-electrodes and the mapping-electrode at the different positions in the region. A respective relation is derived for each region between the respective set of the calibration-currents and the different positions, and is used in determining the location of an investigation-tool in response to the different respective relations and investigation-tool-currents.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing defect data produced in testing a semiconductor chip from a logic design. In various embodiments, input for processing is a first inspection data set that identifies a first set of physical locations that are associated with defects detected during fabrication of the chip. Also input is a second test data set that includes one or more identifiers associated with failing circuitry in the chip. A second set of physical locations is determined from the one or more identifiers of failing circuitry, hierarchical relationships between blocks of the design, and placement information associated with the blocks. Each of the one or more identifiers is associated with at least one of the blocks. Correspondences are identified between physical locations in the first inspection data set and the second set of physical locations.

A method and program prevents a user from bypassing a limit placed on a specified operating life of a sensor by disconnecting and reconnecting the sensor. The present invention checks a characteristic of the sensor to see if the sensor is used prior to the connection of the sensor, and rejects the sensor if the sensor is determined to have been used before. The process of checking the characteristic of the sensor involves performing an Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) procedure and calculating an impedance value. The impedance value can be compared to various threshold values for a variety of purposes including the determination of age, condition, hydration, and stabilization of the sensor.

Disclosed is a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel. First-axis conductor assemblies and second-axis conductor assemblies are formed on a surface of a substrate. Each first-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of first-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by first-axis conduction lines. An insulation layer is formed on a surface of each first-axis conduction line. Each second-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of second-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by second-axis conduction lines. Each second-axis conduction line extends across the insulation layer of the associated first-axis conduction line.

A device and method for measuring clotting times in a fluid, typically blood, within a microchannel, with the onset of clotting being determined by measurement of the rate of change, or the value, of capacitance or impedance between two electrodes situated on either side of the microchannel. The device includes an upper support member and a lower support member with a microchannel formed therein. The device also includes electrodes situated along the length of the microchannel.

The output current value of a direct-current power source obtained by low-frequency, minute modulation of the input voltage of a switching converter is detected in a circuit having an amplification factor switching function that switches the amplification factor between definite magnitudes synchronizing with the modulation, and by using a signal obtained by demodulating in a discriminator circuit the output of this circuit synchronizing with the modulation to control the switching converter, the power point of the switching converter can be tracked to the maximum power point by following the change in state of the direct current power source.

A system for determining service outages and restorations includes an outage management server (OMS) that generates reports of outages and restoration information for metering endpoints. The outages may be caused by faults at various locations in the distribution network. The metering endpoint may include a transmitter having a battery backup that transmits the outage information upon a failure to detect a voltage at the endpoint. The transmission of the information may be filtered based on configurable criteria. The metering endpoints may also inform the OMS when power is restored.

Methods and systems for capacitive proximity and contact sensing employ one or more simple sensors (which may be a conductive fiber or pattern of conductive ink) in communication with a microcontroller. Digital signal processing executed by the microcontroller enables resolution enhancement, automatic and continuous calibration, noise reduction, pattern recognition and the configuration of virtual sensors capable of detecting how an object incorporating the sensors is being manipulated.

Methods and systems for capacitive proximity and contact sensing employ one or more simple sensors (which may be a conductive fiber or pattern of conductive ink) in communication with a microcontroller. Digital signal processing executed by the microcontroller enables resolution enhancement, automatic and continuous calibration, noise reduction, pattern recognition and the configuration of virtual sensors capable of detecting how an object incorporating the sensors is being manipulated.

The present invention provides a semiconductor processing device (800) including a tool (802) having one or more sensors, a primary data communication port (804) and a secondary data communication port (806). A sensor data acquisition subsystem (808) acquires sensor data from the tool via the secondary port (806). The data acquisition subsystem (808) acquires MES operation messages via the primary port (804). Sensor data are communicated to a sensor processing unit (828) of a sensor data processing subsystem (810). The sensor processing unit (828) processes and analyzes the sensor data. Additionally, the processing unit (828) can be adapted for making product or processing related decisions, for example activating an alarm if the process is not operating within control limits. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for processing data from a wafer fab facility (1000) including a plurality of tools (1004–1010) each having a primary data communication port (1012–1018) and a secondary data communication port (1042–1048).

An impedance monitoring circuit for an electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The monitoring circuit includes an isolation transformer coupled to at least one of an active terminal and a return terminal of an electrosurgical generator, wherein the isolation transformer includes a primary winding coupled to a reference resistor and a secondary winding coupled to a load. The monitoring circuit also includes a driver configured to transmit a sensor signal to the reference resistor and the load, a primary converter coupled to the reference resistor and the load and configured to detect a primary converted signal as a function of the sensor signal passing through the reference resistor and the load. The monitoring circuit further includes a secondary converter coupled to the driver and configured to detect a secondary converted signal as a function of the sensor signal prior to passing through the reference resistor and the load and a controller configured to determine a fault condition based on the primary and secondary converted signals.

A home control system using galvanic skin responses and heart rate information and a method thereof. Whether a user is awake is judged using a galvanic skin response sensor, and the extent of stress of a user is determined using the user's heart rate, thereby extracting a user's emotional state and sleeping state. Furthermore, based on these, various systems in the home network of a user are controlled according to the user's emotional state and sleeping state. In addition, those control results are stored in a database so as to create the optimum control conditions.

A method and apparatus for transmitting charging power to a wireless power receiver. The method includes detecting the wireless power receiver by applying different detection powers with different power levels; applying a driving power to drive the detected wireless power receiver; receiving a request signal for communication from the detected wireless power receiver using the driving power; determining whether or not to subscribe the detected wireless power receiver to a wireless power network; transmitting, to the detected wireless power receiver, a response signal to the request signal for communication, the response signal indicating whether or not the detected wireless power receiver is subscribed to the wireless power network; and transmitting charging power to the detected wireless power receiver, when the detected wireless power receiver is subscribed to the wireless power network.

An antenna is provided with an electronic component or circuit that has a value corresponding to properties of the antenna. A read mechanism reads the value and sets an operational status of a transceiver based on the value. In one embodiment, electronic component is a resistor having a value that identifies the antenna properties. A table may be used to correlate resistor values to different types of antennas or sets of antenna properties. Alternatively, the circuit can be embodied in a microchip that provides a response to a challenge sent by the read mechanism. The response encodes the properties of the antenna. The encoding scheme includes values from the challenge. Alternatively, the response is a code that is indexed into a table of antenna properties. In one embodiment, the antenna is connectorized.

Methods and apparatuses for detecting tension on a tendon and / or mechanical deformation (e.g., breakage) of one or more steering tendon of a steerable and flexible articulating device. Theses apparatuses may have one or more tendons that are each electrically conductive and configured to steer the apparatus when tension is applied to the proximal end of the tendon. Tension and / or breakage (or other deformation) of one or more of these tendons may be detected by monitoring the electrical resistance of the tendons.

Low cost millimeter wave imagers using two-dimensional focal plane arrays based on backward tunneling diode (BTD) detectors. Two-dimensional focal arrays of BTD detectors are used as focal plane arrays in imagers. High responsivity of BTD detectors near zero bias results in low noise detectors that alleviate the need for expensive and heat generating low noise amplifiers or Dicke switches in the imager. BTD detectors are installed on a printed circuit board using flip chip packaging technology and horn antennas direct the waves toward the flip chip including the BTD detectors. The assembly of the horn antennas, flip chips, printed circuit board substrate, and interconnects together work as an imaging sensor. Corrugated surfaces of the components prevent re-radiation of the incident waves.

A threshold voltage distribution of a set of storage elements in a memory device is measured by sweeping a control gate voltage while measuring a characteristic of the set of storage elements as a whole. The characteristic indicates how many of the storage elements meet a given condition, such as being in a conductive state. For example, the characteristic may be a combined current, voltage or capacitance of the set which is measured at a common source of the set. The control gate voltage can be generated internally within a memory die. Similarly, the threshold voltage distribution can be determined internally within the memory die. Optionally, storage elements which become conductive can be locked out, such as by changing a bit line voltage, so they no longer contribute to the characteristic. New read reference voltages are determined based on the threshold voltage distribution to reduce errors in future read operations.

A monitoring device (1) for monitoring the electrical properties of a medium voltage overhead line (3) in a medium voltage network comprises three separate measurement sensors (2a, 2b, 2c), each being adapted for direct connection onto a medium voltage overhead line. Each of the measurement sensors has means to draw operating power from the medium voltage overhead line. The measurement sensors measured results may be combined for accurate measurement analysis.

Systems and methods for processing sensor data and self-calibration are provided. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided which are capable of calibrating a continuous analyte sensor based on an initial sensitivity, and then continuously performing self-calibration without using, or with reduced use of, reference measurements. In certain embodiments, a sensitivity of the analyte sensor is determined by applying an estimative algorithm that is a function of certain parameters. Also described herein are systems and methods for determining a property of an analyte sensor using a stimulus signal. The sensor property can be used to compensate sensor data for sensitivity drift, or determine another property associated with the sensor, such as temperature, sensor membrane damage, moisture ingress in sensor electronics, and scaling factors.

A fringing-field capacitive liquid level sensor comprising an electrically insulating substrate, having a first and a second pattern of conductive capacitance plates plated on the substrate. Each pattern constitutes a fringing-field capacitor having a capacitance the value of which is both dependent on the liquid level and dependent on the dielectric constant of the liquid. The ratio of the two capacitances, however, is proportional to the liquid level and independent of the dielectric constant of the liquid. The fringing-field capacitive liquid level sensor may be used for measurement of liquids of substantially any dielectric constant without requiring full-scale calibration or knowledge of, and calibration for, dielectric constant of the liquid to be measured. Compensation for tilt angle can be provided through the addition of a second level sensor.

An improved E-field generator including a slow-wave transmission line structure is provided herein. In some cases, the improved E-field generator may include an inductively-loaded slow-wave transmission line structure driven by a power source at one end of the structure and terminated by a load at the other end of the structure. In other cases, the improved E-field generator may include a capacitively-loaded slow-wave transmission line structure. In either case, the improved E-field generator provides a frequency-independent, significantly increased electric field at a distance spaced from the generator without altering the dimensions of the generator and / or the input power supplied to the generator. The increase in generated field intensity is achieved by decreasing the phase velocity of the electromagnetic wave propagating along the parallel elements of the generator.

A primary device for inductive power transfer to a secondary device is disclosed. The primary device includes a primary coil, the primary device being configured to (i) operate in a first mode during which the primary coil transfers power through inductive coupling to the secondary device, and (ii) operate in a second mode during which a foreign object is detected. The primary device further includes a primary controller configured to operate the primary coil (i) using a first frequency during the first mode, and (ii) using a second frequency during the second mode. A method to detect a foreign object which is in proximity of an inductively coupled environment of a primary device is also disclosed.

A low cost, two-dimensional, fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, each pixel including a switch and a pixel electrode for forming a capacitance with a fingertip. One or more active transmission electrodes are spaced from a selected row of the pixel array, and transmit a carrier signal into the finger without direct coupling into the selected pixels. Signals sensed by the pixel array are coupled to an independent integrated circuit, and connections between the IC and the pixel array are reduced by demultiplexing row select lines, and by multiplexing sensed column data. Differential sensing may be used to improve common mode noise rejection. The fingerprint sensor may be conveniently incorporated within a conventional touchpad LCD panel, and can mimic the performance of lower density touchpad pixels.

This application relates to an apparatus and system for sensing strain on a portion of an implant positioned in a living being. In one aspect, the apparatus has at least one sensor assembly that can be mountable thereon a portion of the implant and that has a passive electrical resonant circuit that can be configured to be selectively electromagnetically coupled to an ex-vivo source of RF energy. Each sensor assembly, in response to the electromagnetic coupling, can be configured to generate an output signal characterized by a frequency that is dependent upon urged movement of a portion of the passive electrical resonant circuit and is indicative of strain applied thereon a portion of the respective sensor assembly.

An impedance matching device is provided, for which the electric characteristics at an output terminal are accurately analyzed. The matching device is provided with an input detector for detecting RF voltage and current at the input terminal, and an output detector for detecting RF voltage outputted from the output terminal. The matching device also includes a controller for achieving impedance matching between a high frequency power source connected to the input terminal and a load connected to the output terminal. The impedance matching is performed by adjusting variable capacitors based on the detection data supplied from the input detector. When the impedance of the power source is matched to that of the load, the controller calculates the output impedance, RF voltage and RF current at the output terminal, based on the adjusted capacitances of the capacitors, a pre-obtained reactance-impedance data and the detection data supplied from the output detector.

A detection system for detecting a dangerous condition for an operator using a power tool of the type which has an exposed blade relative to a work surface and a protection system for minimizing, if not eliminating the possibility of a user being injured by contacting the blade. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a proximity detection system is capable of detecting the presence of a user near the blade of a table saw and a protection system that can either retract the blade below the work surface of the table saw or terminate the drive torque to the blade which can result in rapid stopping of the saw blade by a work piece that is being cut.