Patent ID: 6323653
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: G01R,G09G,H01J

Abstract:
A method of performing short circuit detection on a plate structure in which a group of first electrical conductors are nominally electrically insulated from and, as viewed generally perpendicular to the plate structure, cross a group of second electrical conductors, the method comprising the steps of:moving a magnetic head over at least part of the first and second conductors to enable the head to sense changes in current-induced magnetic flux and to provide a head output signal indicative of any so-sensed changes in magnetic flux while a driving voltage that varies significantly with time in a prescribed manner is applied between the first conductors, on one hand, and the second conductors, on the other hand;evaluating the head output signal to produce current data indicative of how much, if any, current flows through each of at least part of the conductors; andexamining the current data to determine whether there appears to be a short circuit defect at any location where one of the first conductors crosses one of the second conductors.