The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 23, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 30, 2000
John E. Field, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
Candescent Technologies Corporation, San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A device (,) for sensing current flowing in a generally flat plate structure (,) contains a magnetic head (,) and signal processing circuitry (,). The magnetic head (a) senses changes in current-induced magnetic flux as the head is positioned over the plate structure and (b) provides a head output signal. The signal processing circuitry processes the head output signal to produce a data signal indicative of how much current appears to flow in the plate structure below the head. A driving voltage, which typically varies in a periodic manner to produce a characteristic signature, is applied to a primary conductor in the plate structure. A location sensor, typically formed with a light source (,) and a light sensor (,), detects the position of the magnetic head relative to the plate structure. A gas-cushion mechanism (,) controls the height of the head above the plate structure.