met Method and device for pressing a book block By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and a device for pressing a book block over the rounded back of a book block having a longitudinal axis extending in the center and along the back. The book block is clamped between two clamping jaws of a clamping device, in a region adjacent to the back of the book block, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the back. A pressing device presses a pressing member against the back, wherein the pressing member is placed approximately in the center of the back onto the book block back. At least a section of the pressing member is then moved across the back. Once the pressing member, which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the back, is placed onto the back it then moves along at least one continuously preselected movement path over the back. Full Article
met Blind rivet and fastening method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The blind rivet for fastening together a plurality of mounted components with mounting holes comprises a rivet body having a sleeve, a flange and a through hole; a mandrel having a slender stem and a head; and a washer. The head of the mandrel is adjacent to the sleeve-side end portion of the rivet body, the stem of the mandrel extends through the rivet body from the flange-side end portion, and the washer is mounted near the flange on the outer periphery of the sleeve of the rivet body. A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve adjacent to the flange is swaged to form a recessed portion so that the diameter in the other position is enlarged. The washer is pushed onto the enlarged-diameter portion and secured. The mounted components are fastened together between the enlarged end portion of the sleeve and the washer. Full Article
met Insulated support for electric conductors, finger grip, and method of making same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A manufacturing method and device for supporting conductors. Using a non-metallic insulating material extending beyond one or both parallel legs of a staple the thumb and forefinger may grip this extension while the staple is being driven into a supporting structure. This finger grip allows for a small, insulated staple to be held with increased safety to thumb and forefinger during penetration of staple into support. Full Article
met Bushing assemblies, bushing assembly kits, apparatuses including bushing assemblies, and associated methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Bushing assemblies include a first tubular end portion, a second tubular end portion, and a middle tubular portion. The middle tubular portion has a longitudinal compressive strength that is less than that of the end portions. In some embodiments, the middle tubular portion is constructed of braided sleeving. Also disclosed are bushing assembly kits, apparatuses that include bushing assemblies, such as aircraft, and associated methods of utilizing bushing assemblies. Full Article
met Grommet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A grommet includes a shaft body, and a main body having a head and a leg spread by the shaft body pressed from a side of the head with elastic deformation. The shaft body includes a first contacting portion that contacts a contacted portion of the leg by pressing, and a second contacting portion located in a rear of the first contacting portion in the pressing direction, and a part of the leg is spread by the first contacting portion and then, another part of the leg is spread by further pressing the shaft body. Full Article
met Intramedullary fixation assembly and method of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for applying compression to a joint includes providing an intramedullary fixation assembly having a proximal screw member positioned at a proximal end of the intramedullary fixation assembly and a lag screw member positioned at a distal end of the intramedullary fixation assembly. Medullary canals are drilled in a first and second bone and the medullary canals are reamed. The proximal screw member is inserted into the first bone and a drill is used create a dorsal hole in the first bone. The lag screw member is slideably coupled to the dorsal hole and to the proximal screw member and into the second medullary canal. A torque is applied to the lag screw member to apply compression to the joint. Full Article
met Hold down assemblies and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A nut assembly and a holddown assembly using the nut assembly are described, including methods of manufacture and assembly. The nut assembly may include a body portion having first and second openings with an internal wall extending between them. A rotation-inhibiting wall may be included between the first and second openings. A nut portion configured to move axially within the internal wall of the body portion includes structures for co-acting with a rotation-inhibiting wall to limit or prevent rotation of the body portion and the nut portion relative to each other. A nut portion and a body portion extending around the nut portion have limited axial movement relative to each other due to axial engagement between adjacent surfaces on the nut portion and the body portion. Full Article
met System and method for driving a fastener By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for positioning a tool. The system includes a base member configured to contact a first decking member and a second decking member; at least one base guide including a first end and an opposing second end, the first end coupled to the base member, the at least one base guide configured to position the base member relative to the first decking member and the second decking member; and an adjustable section coupled to the base member, the adjustable section configured to allow adjustment of at least one of a position and an angle of the tool relative to the base member. The system further includes a fastener configured to secure the first and/or second decking members to a joist. Full Article
met Retention pin and method of forming By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An improved retention pin assembly and method of forming a pin assembly that uses a melt in a pocket without a metallurgical joint having been formed. The assembly can be generated by a method of forming a joint which includes providing a metal shaft and a member that is operable to receive the shaft. A pocket is formed within the member which operates to receive a melt pool. Next the shaft is inserted into apertures in the member. A welding or melting operation is then performed to create a melted portion that occupies the pocket. A joint is created using a retention pin. Full Article
met Mobile terminal, and program and method for preventing unauthorized use of mobile terminal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a mobile terminal having a security function, both convenience and security protection are realized so as to prevent a user from feeling bothersome. A mobile phone has an operation control unit which sets the operation of various functions of the mobile terminal to be unusable at any timing. When a used state determination unit determines that the mobile phone is not in an abnormal state and not left, the operation control unit controls operation of the various functions to maintain usable states. Full Article
met Panel fastener, panel assembly and methods of assembly and installation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Panel fasteners, panel assemblies, methods of assembly and installation of panel assemblies and panel fasteners, anchor systems, anchor systems with captive fasteners and assemblies are disclosed. Full Article
met Shift register and driving method thereof, gate driving apparatus and display apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A shift register and driving method thereof, a gate driving apparatus and a display apparatus, the shift register comprises a pulling-up unit(21), a precharging and resetting unit(22), an output signal terminal at present stage(OUTPUT), a pulling-down unit(23), an input terminal connected to an output signal terminal of a shift register at previous stage(OUTF), an input terminal connected to an output signal terminal of a shift register at next stage(OUTL), and a scan control signal input terminal(INPUT), wherein: the precharging and resetting unit(22) precharges a gate of a first thin film transistor(T1) included in the pulling-up unit(21) and resets its potential; the pulling-down unit(23) pulls down a potential at the gate of the first thin film transistor(T1) and the output signal at present stage after the precharging and resetting unit(22) resets the potential at the gate of the first thin film transistor(T1), so that the pulling-up unit(21) is turned off and the output signal at present stage is at a low level. The present shift register realizes a bidirectional gate driving scan from up to down or from down to up by a conversion control for high-low levels of input signals. Full Article
met Scan driving device and driving method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A scan driving apparatus includes a plurality of sequentially arranged scan driving blocks, each including: a first node configured to receive a first clock signal; a second node configured to receive an input signal according to a second clock signal input; a first transistor having a gate electrode coupled to the first node, a first electrode configured to receive a power source voltage, and a second electrode coupled to an output terminal; and a second transistor having a gate electrode coupled to the second node, a first electrode for receiving a third clock signal, and a second electrode coupled to the output terminal. Each scan driving block is configured to receive the first, second, and third clock signals as a corresponding three clock signals among four clock signals sequentially shifted by a first period, and to output the third clock signal by being synchronized with the input signal. Full Article
met Methods, systems and devices for generating real-time activity data updates to display devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Methods, systems and devices are provided for displaying monitored activity data in substantial real-time on a screen of a computing device. One example method includes capturing motion data associated with activity of a user via an activity tracking device. The motion data is quantified into a plurality of metrics associated with the activity of the user. The method includes connecting the activity tracking device with a computing device over a wireless data connection, and sending motion data from the activity tracking device to the computing device for display of one or more of the plurality of metrics on a graphical user interface of the computing device. At least one of the plurality of metrics displayed on the graphical user interface is shown to change in substantial real-time based on the motion data. Full Article
met Methods, systems and devices for activity tracking device data synchronization with computing devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST Methods, devices and system are provided. One method includes capturing activity data associated with activity of a user via a device. The activity data is captured over time, and the activity data is quantifiable by a plurality of metrics. The method includes storing the activity data in storage of the device and, from time to time, connecting the device with a computing device over a wireless communication link. The method defines using a first transfer rate for transferring activity data captured and stored over a period of time. The first transfer rate is used following startup of an activity tracking application on the computing device The method also defines using a second transfer rate for transferring activity data from the device to the computing device for display of the activity data in substantial-real time on the computing device. Full Article
met Shift register circuit and driving method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A shift register circuit includes a first shift register string and a second shift register string. The first shift register string is configured to receive a first start signal and output a first-stage control signal. The second shift register string, electrically connected to the first shift register string, is configured to receive the first-stage control signal and a second start signal and output the first pulse of a first-stage scan signal according to the first-stage control signal and the second start signal and consequently output the second pulse of the first-stage scan signal according to the second start signal; wherein the first and second pulses are configured to have different pulse widths. A driving method of a shift register circuit is also provided. Full Article
met Method and system for synchronizing the phase of a plurality of divider circuits in a local-oscillator signal path By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and system for synchronizing the output signal phase of a plurality of frequency divider circuits in a local-oscillator (LO) or clock signal path is disclosed. The LO path includes a plurality of frequency divider circuits and a LO buffer for receiving a LO signal coupled to the plurality of frequency divider circuits. The method and system comprise adding offset voltage and setting predetermined state to each of the frequency divider circuits; and enabling the frequency divider circuits. The method and system includes enabling the LO buffer to provide the LO signal to the frequency divider circuits after they have been enabled. When the LO signal drives each of the frequency divider circuits, each of the frequency divider circuits starts an operation. Finally the method and system comprise removing the offset voltage from each of the frequency divider circuits to allow them to effectively drive other circuits. Full Article
met Circuits and methods for using a flying-adder synthesizer as a fractional frequency divider By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An open loop clock divider circuit includes (a) a first divider configured to receive an incoming clock signal and output a first divided clock signal, (b) a flying-adder synthesizer configured to fractionally divide the first divided clock signal and output a fractionally divided clock signal, and (c) a second divider configured to receive the fractionally divided clock signal and output a second divided clock signal. The open loop clock divider circuit advantageously provides a fractional divider in which there is no feedback loop between the source frequency (fs) and the destination frequency (fd). Methods of generating a divided clock signal involving the open loop clock divider circuit are also disclosed. Full Article
met Methods and architectures for extended range arbitrary ratio dividers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT One of the most important RF building blocks today is the frequency synthesizer, or more particularly the programmable frequency divider (divider). Such dividers preferably would support unlimited range with continuous division without incorrect divisions or loss of PLL lock. The inventors present multi-modulus dividers (MMDs) providing extended division range against the prior art and without incorrect divisions as the division ratio is switched back and forth across the boundary between two different ranges. Accordingly, the inventors present MMD frequency dividers without the drawbacks within the prior art. Full Article
met Display apparatus and method for generating gate signal thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A display apparatus and a method for generating gate signal thereof are provided. The display apparatus includes a timing controller and a display panel. The timing controller is used for providing a plurality of timing signals. The display panel includes a pixel array and a gate drive circuit. The pixel array has a plurality of pixels. The gate drive circuit is electrically connected to the timing controller and the pixel array and including a plurality of shift register circuits. The shift register circuit includes a first shift register and a second shift register. The first shift register is configured for generating a corresponding primary gate signal. The second shift register is configured for generating a corresponding secondary gate signal. The timing controller adjusts overlapping relations of the timing signals according to a frame rate of the display apparatus. Full Article
met Counter, counting method, ad converter, solid-state imaging device, and electronic device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A counter configured to perform counting at both edges of an input clock to output an additional value or a subtraction value for a previous count value and a next count value includes a first latch circuit that latches the input clock, a second latch circuit that latches an output from the first latch circuit, a holding section that holds data of the 0th bit of a count value, and a correction section that performs count correction on data of the first and subsequent bits of the count value on the basis of an output of the second latch circuit. Full Article
met Method and apparatus for stacking loads in vehicles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A system for optimizing storage in an enclosed transport trailer (6), having transverse bearing beams (2) for supporting a load such as loaded pallets (12, 13) at a mid height of the trailer such that two storage levels are available. The beams have a wheel (10) at each end that runs in a horizontal track (11) attached to each side wall of the trailer, the track enclosing the wheels to prevent them from disengaging from the track. Adjacent beams can be attached together at variable spacings using a spacer bar (15) to suit a particular pallet or load size. The track has a junction adjacent the open end (20) of the trailer that leads up to another track (18) immediately below the roof line where the beams can be moved to an out of the way storage position (19) when not required. Full Article
met System and method for restraining a vehicle with a collision release mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A vehicle restraint system includes a strap assembly configured to be positioned on a portion of a tire of a vehicle to secure the vehicle to a deck of a transport. The strap assembly is also configured to be coupled to the deck of the transport on a first side of the tire of the vehicle. The system also includes a mandrel assembly operable to be coupled to the strap assembly on a second side of the tire of the vehicle, opposite the first side. The system further includes a winch assembly configured to be coupled to the deck of the transport and the mandrel assembly on the second side of the tire of the vehicle, the winch assembly configured to rotate the mandrel assembly to produce a tightening force to tighten the strap assembly around the portion of the tire. The system still further includes a release mechanism disposed between the winch assembly and the mandrel assembly and configured to create a coupling between the winch assembly and the mandrel assembly in a manner that transmits the tightening force from the winch assembly to the mandrel assembly. The release mechanism is configured to release the coupling between the winch assembly and the mandrel assembly when a force greater than or equal to a predetermined force is produced against the release mechanism. Full Article
met Function element, method for producing a function element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Some embodiments of the invention relate to function elements for fixing in seat rails of aircraft. The function element according to the invention may include: a fixing rail with a web running in the x direction and a multiplicity of extensions which protrude beyond the web in a y direction to form a T profile, wherein the fixing rail is formed corresponding to the seat rail such that the fixing rail can be inserted in the seat rail and moved along the x direction into a holding position in which the extensions sit between the holes below the slots, at least one fixing peg which is arranged mobile on the fixing rail and can be brought into a blocking position in which the fixing peg engages in a hole of the seat rail so that the function element is fixed in the x direction. Full Article
met Method and apparatus for handling aerogenerator blades By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Method and apparatus for handling aerogenerator blades that provide a versatile means for handling aerogenerator blades without an unbalanced distribution of the loads in the blade. The method comprises positioning an upper mounting part (103) over the blade after the upper mold has been retracted; lifting the blade with the upper mounting part from the under mold using a lifting means; positioning the blade over an under mounting part (104) which is fixedly attached to an inferior movable support (102); attaching the upper mounting part to the under mounting part, wherein the upper and under mounting parts together have the inner surface substantially corresponding to the shape of the blade outer profile section. The invention further comprises an apparatus for handling aerogenerator blades. Full Article
met Apparatus and method for applying an underlayment layer to trucking cargo By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus and method for applying an underlayment layer to trucking cargo are provided. The underlayment layer may be formed into a roll with a rod disposed therethrough. The roll may be supported by a frame. The roll can be configured to move vertically with respect to the ground. A trailer carrying trucking cargo can be stationed beneath the frame. The underlayment layer may unwound and dispensed from the roll. In order to drape the trucking cargo with the underlayment layer, the roll may be moved horizontally over the frame in addition to or alternatively to having the trucking cargo driven horizontally with respect to the roll. Full Article
met Methods for operating a memory interface circuit including calibration for CAS latency compensation in a plurality of byte lanes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for quickly calibrating a memory interface circuit from time to time in conjunction with operation of a functional circuit is described. The method uses controlling the memory interface circuit with respect to read data capture for byte lanes, including controlling CAS latency compensation for the byte lanes. In the method control settings for controlling CAS latency compensation are determined and set according to a dynamic calibration procedure performed from time to time in conjunction with functional operation of a circuit system containing one or more memory devices connected to the memory interface circuit. In the method, determining and setting the control settings for controlling CAS latency compensation is performed independently and parallely in each of the byte lanes. Full Article
met System and method to actively drive the common mode voltage of a receiver termination network By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An active termination circuit for a differential receiver includes a first receiver element configured to receive a first component of a differential signal, a second receiver element configured to receive a second component of a differential signal, a common mode measurement element configured to receive the differential signal and generate a transmit common mode signal (Vcm) representing an average value of the differential signal, and a receiver (RX) common mode signal node. The termination circuit also comprises an active element configured to receive the transmit common mode signal (Vcm) and provide an output to the receiver common mode signal node, the output configured to drive the value of the signal at the receiver common mode signal node to the value of the transmit common mode signal (Vcm), and a capacitive element coupled to the receiver common mode signal node in parallel with the active element. Full Article
met Nonvolatile logic circuit architecture and method of operation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Magnetoelectronic (ME) logic circuits and methods of operating the same are disclosed. Microsystems of different circuits made from different types of ME devices can be constructed and employed in applications such as sensors, smart dust, etc. Full Article
met Method and apparatus for passive equalization and slew-rate control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device for passive equalization and slew-rate control of a signal includes a first branch and a second branch. The first branch includes a first driver coupled in series with an equalization capacitor. The second branch includes a second driver coupled in series with a resistor. The second branch may be coupled in parallel to the first branch. The first branch may be configurable to enable either passive equalization or slew-rate control of the signal based on a mode control signal. Full Article
met Driving circuit with zero current shutdown and a driving method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and circuits related to a driving circuit with zero current shutdown are disclosed. In one embodiment, a driving circuit with zero current shutdown can include: a linear regulating circuit that receives an input voltage source, and outputs an output voltage; a start-up circuit having a threshold voltage, the start-up circuit receiving an external enable signal; a first power switch receiving both the output voltage of the linear regulating circuit and the external enable signal, and that generates an internal enable signal, the internal enable signal being configured to drive a logic circuit; when the external enable signal is lower than a threshold voltage, the driving circuit is not effective; when the external enable signal is higher than the threshold voltage, the start-up circuit outputs a first current; and where the output voltage at the first output terminal is generated by the linear regulating circuit based on the first current. Full Article
met Method and apparatus for clock transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus and methods are provided for an extraction circuit. In one configuration, an apparatus includes: an edge extraction circuit for receiving a first clock signal and outputting a second clock signal, wherein a duty cycle of the second clock is substantially smaller than a duty cycle of the first clock; a transistor for receiving the second clock signal and outputting a current signal; a transmission line for receiving the current signal on a first end and transmitting the current signal to a second end; a termination circuit for receiving the current signal at the second end and converting the current signal into a voltage signal; and an edge detection circuit for outputting a third clock by detecting an edge of the voltage signal. In one embodiment, the edge detection circuit comprises an inverter. In another embodiment, the edge detection circuit comprises a comparator. Full Article
met System and methods for generating unclonable security keys in integrated circuits By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and methods that generates a physical unclonable function (“PUF”) security key for an integrated circuit (“IC”) through use of equivalent resistance variations in the power distribution system (“PDS”) to mitigate the vulnerability of security keys to threats including cloning, misappropriation and unauthorized use. Full Article
met Methods and apparatus for providing redundancy on multi-chip devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A multi-chip package may include first and second integrated circuit dies that are each partitioned into multiple logic regions. The logic regions of the first and second dies may be coupled via interconnects. Each integrated circuit die may include at least one spare logic region. Multiple logic groups may be formed with each logic group including logic regions from the first and second integrated circuit dies and the interconnects that couple those logic regions. The logic groups may be evaluated to identify defective logic groups. In response to identifying a defective logic group, the defective logic group may be repaired by configuring the first and second integrated circuit dies to stop using the defective logic group and to use a spare logic group. The spare logic group may include spare logic regions of the first and second dies that are coupled by spare logic region interconnects. Full Article
met Semiconductor device and power supply control method of the semiconductor device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device includes an internal circuit, a power supply control circuit which controls supply of a power supply to the internal circuit upon receipt of a first control signal, and a control signal generation circuit which outputs the first control signal upon receipt of a second control signal. The control signal generation circuit does not deactivate the first control signal when an inactive period of the second control signal is equal to or less than a first period and deactivates the first control signal when the inactive period of the second control signal is more than the first period. Full Article
met Method and apparatus for reducing power consumption in a digital circuit by controlling the clock By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus that controls the clock of a digital circuit, and therefore power consumption, without substantially comprising performance is provided. The apparatus may include monitoring the utilization of a First in First Out (FIFO) buffer. For example in a systems and methods according to the invention, clock speed may be reduced when the FIFO is relatively empty and increased when the FIFO is relatively full. The clock speed may be controlled by a phase locked loop, a clock divider, a clock masking device or a combination of more than one of these methods. Power reduction may also be obtained by controlling the clocking of different stages of a pipelined device. One or more aspects of the inventions may be implemented in combination with other aspects of the invention to further reduce power use. Full Article
met Method for downloading a configuration file in a programmable circuit, and apparatus comprising said component By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a method for downloading a binary configuration file in a programmable circuit implemented in a device. The device comprises at least one central processing unit, a plurality of connectors, and a programmable circuit enabling all or a part of the signals received by said connectors to be processed and transmitted to at least one other circuit of the device. The device analyzes the signals present on the connectors in order to define what other devices are connected and whether the connections are operational. Then, a configuration file is selected from among a set of configuration files according to the operational connections and is downloaded from a memory of the device into the programmable circuit. The invention also relates to a device having a component programmed according to the method previously described. Full Article
met Circuit, device and method in a circuit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method in a circuit comprises providing a first clock by a resistor-capacitor (RC) oscillator; demodulating a plurality of input signals to form a plurality of demodulated input signals; discriminating frequency ranges of the plurality of demodulated input signals according to the first clock; determining whether a first predetermined number of consecutive demodulated input signals among the plurality of demodulated input signals fall into a first predetermined frequency range; triggering a crystal oscillator to provide a second clock to calibrate the first clock if the first predetermined number of consecutive input signals fall into the first predetermined frequency range. Full Article
met Self-feedback random generator and method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A self-feedback random generator comprises a digital-to-analog converter, a digital oscillator, a frequency-modulating unit and a first D-type flip-flop. The digital-to-analog converter receives a digital random-code signal and the digital random-code signal is converted to corresponding analog random signal. The frequency-modulating unit modulates frequency of first digital oscillating signal so as to increase random of frequency of first digital oscillating signal according to voltage value of the analog random signal, and accordingly outputs a second digital oscillating signal. The first D-type flip-flop receives the second digital oscillating signal and a clock signal, and reads the second digital oscillating signal through utilizing the clock signal so as to outputs the digital random-code signal, wherein frequency of the clock signal is smaller than frequency of the first digital oscillating signal, and random of frequency of the second digital oscillating signal corresponds to random of the digital random-code signal. Full Article
met Accumulator-type fractional N-PLL synthesizer and control method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT There are provided an accumulator-type fractional N-PLL synthesizer for suppressing the fractional spurious caused by periodically switching a frequency division number of a fractional frequency divider, and a control method thereof. In an accumulator-type fractional N-PLL synthesizer (100), a pulse signal proportional to a fractional phase error occurring between a reference signal and an output signal of a fractional divider (112) for feeding back an output of a VCO (115) of an output stage to a preceding stage is generated using an error signal from an accumulator (120). Through the use of the pulse signal, pulse widths of a UP signal and a DN signal output from a phase detector (140) are controlled so as to reduce a fractional phase error occurring between the UP signal and the DN signal. Thus, the fractional spurious caused by periodically switching the frequency division number of the fractional divider (112) is suppressed. Full Article
met Integrated circuit with an internal RC-oscillator and method for calibrating an RC-oscillator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An integrated circuit (10) has an internal RC-oscillator (20) for providing an internal clock signal (CLI) having an adjustable oscillator frequency. The integrated circuit (10) further comprises terminals (101, 102) for connecting an external LC tank (30) having a resonance frequency and a calibration circuit (40) which is configured to adjust the oscillator frequency based on the resonance frequency of the LC tank (30) connected during operation of the integrated circuit (10). An internal auxiliary oscillator (46) is connected to the terminals (101, 102) in a switchable fashion and is configured to generate an auxiliary clock signal (CLA) based on the resonance frequency. The calibration circuit (40) comprises a frequency comparator (47) which is configured to determine a trimming word (TRW) based on a frequency comparison of the internal clock signal (CLI) and the auxiliary clock signal (CLA). The LC tank (30) to be connected is an antenna for receiving a radio signal. Full Article
met Oven controlled crystal oscillator and manufacturing method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention discloses an Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator and a manufacturing method thereof. The Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator comprises a thermostatic bath, a heating device, a PCB and a signal generating element, where the signal generating element is used for generating a signal of a certain frequency, the heating device, the PCB and the signal generating element are mounted in the thermostatic bath, the signal generating element is mounted in a groove formed on one side of the PCB, while the heating device is mounted against the other side of the PCB that is opposite to the groove. The signal generating element may be a passive crystal resonator or an active crystal oscillator. The Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator according to the invention is advantageous for a small volume and a high temperature control precision. Full Article
met Circuit and method for generating oscillating signals By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An oscillator module includes a first MOS transistor and a capacitor. The capacitor is coupled between a gate and source of the first MOS transistor. The drain of the first MOS transistor receives a first bias current and generates an oscillating output signal. A switching circuit operates in response to the oscillating output signal to selective charge and discharge the capacitor. A current sourcing circuit is configured to generate the bias current. The current sourcing circuit includes a second MOS transistor which has an identical layout to the first MOS transistor and receives a second bias current. A resistor is coupled between a gate and source of the second MOS transistor. The current sourcing circuit further includes a current mirror having an input configured to receive a reference current passing through the resistor and generate the first and second bias currents. Full Article
met Systems and methods for impedance switching By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for switching impedance are provided. In some aspects, a system includes first and second impedance elements and an impedance switch module, which includes a third impedance element coupled between the first and second impedance elements and a switch parallel to the third impedance element. The switch is coupled between the first and second impedance elements, and is configured to switch between an open configuration and a closed configuration. An electrical path is completed between the first impedance element and the second impedance element via the first switch in the closed configuration. The electrical path is not completed in the open configuration. A total impedance of the first impedance element, the second impedance element, and the impedance switch module is varied based on the switching between the open configuration and the closed configuration. Full Article
met Digital system and method of estimating quasi-harmonic signal non-energy parameters using a digital Phase Locked Loop By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention proposes a digital system and method of measuring (estimating) non-energy parameters of the signal (phase, frequency and frequency rate) received in additive mixture with Gaussian noise. The first embodiment of the measuring system consists of a PLL system tracking variable signal frequency, a block of NCO full phase computation (OFPC), a block of signal phase primary estimation (SPPE) and a first type adaptive filter filtering the signal from the output of SPPE. The second embodiment of the invention has no block SPPE, and NCO full phase is fed to the input of a second type adaptive filter. The present invention can be used in receivers of various navigation systems, such as GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO, which provide precise measurements of signal phase at different rates of frequency change, as well as systems using digital PLLs for speed measurements. Full Article
met Crystal-less clock generator and operation method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A crystal-less clock generator (CLCG) and an operation method thereof are provided. The CLCG includes a first oscillation circuit, a second oscillation circuit, and a control circuit. The first oscillation circuit is controlled by a control signal for generating an output clock signal of the CLCG. The second oscillation circuit generates a reference clock signal. The control circuit is coupled to the first oscillation circuit for receiving the output clock signal and coupled to the second oscillation circuit for receiving the reference clock signal. The control circuit is used to generate the control signal for the first oscillation circuit according to the relationship between the output clock signal and the reference clock signal. Full Article
met Method for operating control equipment of a resonance circuit and control equipment By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a method for operating control equipment (1) of a resonance circuit (2), wherein the control equipment (1) comprises at least two circuit elements (8, 9) connected in series, in particular each comprising a recovery diode (13, 14) connected in parallel, between which a connection (6) of the resonance circuit (2) is connected. According to the invention, the circuit elements (8, 9) are actuated as a function of the voltage detected at the connection (6). The invention further relates to control equipment (1) of a resonance circuit (2). Full Article
met Temperature compensation method and crystal oscillator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the present invention provide a temperature compensation method and a crystal oscillator, where the crystal oscillator includes a crystal oscillation circuit unit, a temperature sensor unit, an oscillation controlling unit, a relative temperature calculating unit, and a temperature compensating unit. The temperature sensor unit measures a measured temperature of the crystal oscillation circuit unit; the relative temperature calculating unit obtains a temperature difference between the measured temperature and a reference temperature; the temperature compensating unit obtains a temperature compensation value corresponding to the temperature difference from a temperature-frequency curve; and the oscillation controlling unit generates a frequency control signal, according to a frequency tracked by a communications AFC device and the temperature compensation value, thereby controlling a frequency of the crystal oscillation circuit unit to work on the tracked frequency. Full Article
met Current output control device, current output control method, digitally controlled oscillator, digital PLL, frequency synthesizer, digital FLL, and semiconductor device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A current output control device is provided that includes: a current cell array section including plural current cell circuits that are each connected in parallel between a first terminal (power source) and a second terminal (ground) that connect between the first terminal and the second terminal in by operation ON so as to increase control current flowing between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a code conversion section (decoder) that generates signals (row codes, column codes) to ON/OFF control current cells so as to change the number of current cells that connect the first terminal and the second terminal according to change in an externally input code and that inputs the generated signals to the current cell array section. Full Article
met Method for varying oscillation frequency of high frequency oscillator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The switching element is provided in a state of being electromagnetically coupled to the cavity resonator of the high frequency oscillator; the bias voltage applying terminal is connected to one electrode of the switching element; another electrode of the switching element is electrically connected to the cavity resonator (the anode shell in FIG. 1); the metal plate having a size enough for reflecting an electric wave to be transmitted before and after the switching element in a high-frequency manner is provided at any one end of the switching element; and by applying a bias voltage to the switching element and varying that, a reactance of the switching element is changed and a resonance frequency of the cavity resonator is varied. By this method, an oscillation frequency can be varied greatly relative to a small change in a bias voltage. Full Article