Noise Reduction (e.g., Filtering) Patents (Class 340/538.12)
  • Patent number: 9325376
    Abstract: Disclosed is a direct current power line communication apparatus, by which communication between electronic apparatuses with a direct current voltage line there between can be stabilized. The direct current power line communication apparatus, i.e., a direct current power line communication apparatus that transmits signals using the direct current voltage line (15a), is provided with: a PLC communication control unit (29), which controls the transmitting unit (27) connected to the direct current voltage line (15a); and a voltage detecting unit (30), which detects the voltage of the direct current voltage line (15a), and notifies the PLC communication control unit (29) of the detected voltage. The PLC communication control unit (29) transmits information, including the voltage information, to other direct current power line communication apparatus via the transmitting unit (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigekiyo Nosaka, Hisao Koga, Ryota Yukizane
  • Patent number: 9136909
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for coupling a modem to a power supply network for transmitting data via the power supply network, comprising a mains connection, which is configured to connect the apparatus to a phase conductor, a neutral conductor and a protective earth conductor of the power supply network, with the apparatus comprising a first transformer element comprising a primary side winding, a first secondary side winding and a second secondary side winding, and with the apparatus comprising a second transformer element comprising a primary side winding, a first secondary side winding and a second secondary side winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: devolo AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Jagalla, Stephan Thiel
  • Patent number: 8938021
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing outbound interference in a broadband powerline communication system. Data is modulated on first and second carrier frequencies and is transmitted via respective first and second lines of the powerline system. A characteristic of at least one of the carrier signals (e.g., phase or amplitude) is adjusted in order to improve the electrical balance of the lines of the transmission system. This improvement in electrical balance reduces the radiated interference of the powerline system. Also disclosed is the use of a line balancing element on or more lines of the powerline system for altering the characteristics of at least one of the power lines in order to compensate for a known imbalance of the transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventor: Paul Shala Henry
  • Patent number: 8710964
    Abstract: A reception circuit according to the present invention is a reception circuit (6) that operates based on a first power supply GND1 belonging to a first power supply system and receives, through an AC coupling element (10), a transmission signal V1 output by a transmission circuit (5) that operates based on a second power supply GND2 belonging to a second power supply system, the reception circuit including: a noise rejection unit (21) that generates a transmission-use signal V2a by reducing a signal level of noise between the power supplies generated in the AC coupling element (10) due to a potential difference between the first power supply GND1 and the second power supply GND2; and a reception buffer (22) that reproduces a data signal based on the transmission-use signal. This prevents a malfunction from occurring due to noise between the power supplies caused by a relative potential variation between the power supply of the transmission circuit and the power supply of the reception circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Shunichi Kaeriyama
  • Patent number: 8638216
    Abstract: The systems and methods of the present invention provide for conductive emissions communication without requiring dedicated communications wires. The systems and methods have the capability to send digital messages over the same wires that are used to power DC systems. Hardware filter circuits are combined with advanced algorithms in a communications control chip to permit the elimination of the dedicated wires, thereby needing zero additional wires to accomplish the task of digital control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventors: Keith Lamon, Brad Rake
  • Patent number: 8552884
    Abstract: A power and signal distribution system comprises a converter unit connected to a plurality of control units. The converter unit and the control units are arranged in areas difficult to access, for instance on the sea bed. The converter unit is connected to a remote monitoring and supplying device via at least one cable connection. Each control unit has assigned thereto at least one production apparatus for crude oil or natural gas corresponding gate valves, chokes, biops, actuators. In some embodiments, the power and signal distribution system the converter unit comprises a data separation device and a voltage converter. The converted voltage from the voltage converter is transmitted together with data/signals from the converter unit to at least one of the control units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Norbert Lenz, Peter Kunow, Steffen Gebauer, Martin Trog, Volker Zabe
  • Patent number: 8378810
    Abstract: In a signal shaper circuit provided between a VICS antenna, which receives a VICS signal and outputs reception input data signal, and a navigation CPU for signal processing, a low pass filter of a resistor and a capacitor is provided. The cutoff frequency of the low pass filter is set to pass light modulation noise included in the input data signal but cut off the input data signal, which is higher in frequency than the light modulation noise. The input data signal is compared with the filter-processed signal used as a reference signal by a comparator. As a result, a final output data signal is outputted in a waveform-shaped form and without loss of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Okubo
  • Patent number: 8285444
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an integrated vehicle control system, which eliminates the possibility of interfering with motion control devices and is capable of accurately controlling the targeted behavior of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jae Kwan Lee, Jong Dae Kim
  • Patent number: 8160499
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to reducing exposure of radio devices to interference through adaptive selection of repetitive symbols are described. In an embodiment, a symbol may be selected for transmission to a display based on the operating frequency of a wireless device receiver. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin P. Slattery, Alan E. Waltho, Michael Schaffer
  • Patent number: 8072310
    Abstract: A detection and paramedic measuring system using a transponder composed of passive components and pulse inductive interrogation is disclosed. A methodology based on measuring the quality factor of the transponder is employed to detect a specific species of transponder or measure a parameter that alters the transponders quality factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Pulsed Indigo Inc.
    Inventor: Howard Richard Everhart
  • Patent number: 7969298
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing inbound interference in a broadband powerline communication system. Data modulated on first and second carrier frequencies is received via respective first and second lines of the powerline system. A characteristic of at least one of the carrier signals (e.g., phase or amplitude) is adjusted at the receiver in order to reduce the effects of inbound interference on the transmission system. The adjustment parameters may be determined by adjusting the parameters, during a period of no data transmission, until the output of a differential receiver is zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventor: Paul Shala Henry
  • Patent number: 7894773
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to reducing exposure of radio devices to interference through adaptive selection of repetitive symbols are described. In an embodiment, a symbol may be selected for transmission to a display based on the operating frequency of a wireless device receiver. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin P. Slattery, Alan E. Waltho, Michael Schaffer
  • Patent number: 7859397
    Abstract: The systems and methods of the present invention provide for conductive emissions communication without requiring dedicated communications wires. The systems and methods have the capability to send digital messages over the same wires that are used to power DC, systems. Hardware filter circuits are combined with advanced algorithms in a communications control chip to permit the elimination of the dedicated wires, thereby needing zero additional wires to accomplish the task of digital control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventors: Keith Lamon, Brad Rake
  • Patent number: 7825822
    Abstract: An economical system and method for extracting amplitude and frequency information from a modulated AC signal are provided. In one embodiment, the invention includes a circuitry implementing op amps, a dual diode, a filter, and a comparator to receive and manipulate the modulated AC signal. The dual diode receives and splits the AC signal into two separate paths, including a baseline path and a filtering path. The AC signal passing through the baseline path remains substantially unchanged, and the AC signal passing through the filtering path passes through a low-pass filter. The signal is then sent through a comparator for comparing amplitudes of the AC signal from the two paths, and the comparator output is received by a microprocessor for controlling a display that generates a visual indicia responsive to the comparator output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Cepia, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Marcellus Rambo Benson, James Augustus Keefe, III, Joseph Lee McGowan, Ashley B. Hornsby
  • Patent number: 7795994
    Abstract: A power line coupler for communicating data signals over a power distribution system having a first and second overhead energized medium voltage power line conductors is provided. In one embodiment, the coupler includes a first lightening arrestor having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first arrestor is connected to the first power line conductor. The coupler further includes a first high frequency impedance having a first end connected to the second end of the first lightening arrestor and the first impedance having a second end connected to a neutral conductor of the power line distribution system. The coupler may further include a second lightening arrestor having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second arrestor is connected to the second power line conductor. The coupler further including a second high frequency impedance having a first end connected to the second end of the second lightening arrestor and a second end connected to the neutral conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Current Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: William O. Radtke
  • Publication number: 20090140849
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing inbound interference in a broadband powerline communication system. Data modulated on first and second carrier frequencies is received via respective first and second lines of the powerline system. A characteristic of at least one of the carrier signals (e.g., phase or amplitude) is adjusted at the receiver in order to reduce the effects of inbound interference on the transmission system. The adjustment parameters may be determined by adjusting the parameters, during a period of no data transmission, until the output of a differential receiver is zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Paul Shala Henry
  • Patent number: 7518487
    Abstract: Communication apparatus, comprising: a network of power lines; and first, second and third transceivers, coupled to the network, the first transceiver being adapted to transmit a first signal over the network to the second transceiver within a selected frequency band at a transmission power level sufficiently strong that the first signal can be decoded by the second transceiver, but is attenuated sufficiently when it reaches the third transceiver so that the third transceiver can receive a second signal over the network in the selected frequency band substantially without interference by the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Main.Net Communications Ltd.
    Inventors: Yeshayahu Zalitzky, Jacob Keret, Ofir Efrati
  • Publication number: 20090058633
    Abstract: A notch filter adaptation system for use with an active noise control system of a motor vehicle has a parameters determination module receiving data from a bus of a vehicle and employing the data to determine one or more parameters for a notch filter. The data can include vehicle type, tire diameter, tire cavity, and/or ambient temperature. The parameters can include one or more notch filter peak frequency values, one or more notch filter Q values, and/or modifications of predetermined peak frequency values and/or Q values. An active noise control module can employ the parameters to generate opposite phase noise in the vehicle according to one or more notch filters having frequency bands at least in part specified by the parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Liping Luo, Yoshio Nakamura, Daizo Ando
  • Patent number: 7468657
    Abstract: A method for detecting noise location information in a power line distribution system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of receiving link quality data for a first power line communication link between a first and second power line communications device, determining an asymmetry in the link quality data of the link, and determining location information for the noise source based on the location of the first power line communications device or the location of the second power line communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Current Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Stanley Yaney
  • Patent number: 7453353
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing inbound interference in a broadband powerline communication system. Data modulated on first and second carrier frequencies is received via respective first and second lines of the powerline system. A characteristic of at least one of the carrier signals (e.g., phase or amplitude) is adjusted at the receiver in order to reduce the effects of inbound interference on the transmission system. The adjustment parameters may be determined by adjusting the parameters, during a period of no data transmission, until the output of a differential receiver is zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventor: Paul Shala Henry
  • Patent number: 7323831
    Abstract: An illumination device has an illumination unit which glows when current flows through a load thereof, at least one instruction unit for instructing the illumination unit to glow, a PWM signal generating unit which generates a plurality of PWM signals based on that the instruction unit instructed the illumination unit to glow, and a time difference setting unit for setting a time difference between one of the plurality of PWM signals and an other thereof based on that the instruction unit instructed the illumination unit to glow. The load of the illumination unit is divided into a plurality of portions which are respectively connected with each other in parallel and connected with the PWM signal generating unit. The plurality of PWM signals are generated for currents flowing through the plurality of divided portions of the load of the illumination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Norimatsu
  • Patent number: 7307520
    Abstract: The systems and methods of the present invention provide for conductive emissions communication without requiring dedicated communications wires. The systems and methods have the capability to send digital messages over the same wires that are used to power DC systems. Hardware filter circuits are combined with advanced algorithms in a communications control chip to permit the elimination of the dedicated wires, thereby needing zero additional wires to accomplish the task of digital control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventors: Keith Lamon, Brad Rake
  • Patent number: 7262695
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that provides a gateway function. The apparatus has an enclosure surrounding a network interface device. The network interface device has a communications network interface to a communications network and a power line network interface to a power line carrier-based network. A communications module stores in a memory device, a processor communicates with the memory device, and the communications module provides gateway services for the communications network and for the power line network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Hicks, III
  • Patent number: 7215245
    Abstract: An activator circuit responsive to power line disturbances. In condition of false alarm, the user will toggle a local light switch causing electrical disturbances on the power line. The activator circuit detects these disturbances and activates an output, which is further connected to the silence function on the detector, silencing the false alarm. The activator circuit comprising a power line interface circuit, a signal conditioning circuit, a threshold detector circuit, a pulse train comparison circuit and an output circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventor: Fu Ching Lee
  • Patent number: 7199706
    Abstract: A digital intercom device consistent with certain embodiments uses power line communication (PLC). A power line interface connects to a power line serving as a communication medium. An audio codec is coupled to the power line interface for encoding and decoding digital data to and from data suitable for use by the power line interface. A digital to analog converter receives digital decoded data from the codec and converts the digital coded data to a received analog signal. A receive audio amplifier amplifies the received analog signal to a level adequate to drive a speaker. A transmit audio amplifier amplifies a transmit audio signal and provides an amplified transmit audio signal as an output. An analog to digital converter converts the amplified transmit audio signal to a digital representation thereof and passes the digital representation to the codec. A control processor controls operation of the interface and the audio codec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Patrick Dawson, Ryuichi Iwamura
  • Patent number: 7091849
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing inbound interference in a broadband powerline communication system. Data modulated on first and second carrier frequencies is received via respective first and second lines of the powerline system. A characteristic of at least one of the carrier signals (e.g., phase or amplitude) is adjusted at the receiver in order to reduce the effects of inbound interference on the transmission system. The adjustment parameters may be determined by adjusting the parameters, during a period of no data transmission, until the output of a differential receiver is zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Paul Shala Henry