Patents Assigned to Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
  • Patent number: 5886798
    Abstract: An information carrier has at least one diffraction pattern which is formed from microscopically fine relief structures and which, upon being illuminated with coherent light, produces in two spatially separate directions, a first and a second image of an object. The images can be rendered visible on a screen or analysed by means of photodetectors. The two images have strong-light and/or weak-light picture elements and includes a symmetry insofar as a weak-light picture element of the second image can be associated with a strong-light picture element of the first image and vice-versa. Such information carriers are suitable as security elements for documents of all kinds such as, for example, banknotes, passes, identity cards, credit cards, etc., wherein at least a part of the security information is not visible under incoherent illumination conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventors: Rene Staub, Wayne Robert Tompkin
  • Patent number: 5882463
    Abstract: In a method of transferring a security element which is in the form of a laminate with a carrier foil and with a thermally activatable adhesive layer for connection to a substrate onto a document the adhesive layer is brought into contact with the substrate and locally heated by the supply of heat energy through the laminate. After the adhesive layer cools if necessary the carrier foil can be pulled off the substrate, in which case the carrier foil, at the locations adhering to the substrate, is detached from the rest of the laminate and the laminate tears along the boundary between the adhering and the non-adhering locations so that only the adhering locations of the laminate remain behind on the substrate. In particular a laser beam or an array of laser or light emitting diodes is suitable for the supply of heat energy. The laminate preferably has diffraction structures or layers producing optical interference effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Rene Staub
  • Patent number: 5875170
    Abstract: An optical data carrier is written along data tracks with diffraction patterns, each diffraction pattern representing a predetermined bit sequence with n bits. The bit sequences of a diffraction pattern can be determined with a number n of photodetectors which is smaller than the number m of the possible different diffraction patterns. It is particularly provided that the number m is a power of two of the number n: m=2.sup.n. The design of the diffraction pattern as a number of at most n juxtaposed diffraction elements which in the reading operation illuminate only a single photodetector permits simple production of an ROM and a WORM data carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventors: Wayne R. Tompkin, Rene Staub
  • Patent number: 5790662
    Abstract: A data carrier with an electronic circuit for storing and processing data is provided with an information strip with optically readable markings, and preferably a test field and an authentication feature. An optical interface, for example, can be provided for communication with a write/read device. The markings represent a digital signature. Testing of the authenticity of the data carrier can be done on the basis of the physical properties of the markings, the internal structure of the signature and/or the proof that a test number stored in the electronic circuit is equal to a number calculated from the signature according to a pre-determined function. The signature can also serve as a cryptographic key for encoding and decoding the data to be exchanged between the electronic circuit and the write/read device. The test field can be irreversibly modified when the data carrier is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventors: Stephanov Valerij, Tompkin Wayne Robert, Staub Rene, Otto Carsten
  • Patent number: 5760961
    Abstract: An information carrier is in the form of a composite laminate with a first, a second and a third layer having refractive indices n3, n4, n5 respectively. The second layer forms structures by only partially covering the first layer. The third layer covers over the second layer or the first layer in direct contact therewith. The surface on the first layer has surface elements with first and second diffraction structures which produce a visually verifiable authenticity feature or which serve for reading out the information contained in the structures formed by the second layer. The refractive indices n4 and n5 are substantially real in the visible range and therefore the second and third layers are transparent. The differences .vertline.n4-n3.vertline. and .vertline.n5-n3.vertline. are greater than 0.2 over large parts of the visible range so that the first diffraction structures produce visible diffraction effects independently of the structures formed by the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Rene Staub
  • Patent number: 5759420
    Abstract: A process for producing a partially transparent, visually discernible surface pattern with surface elements which diffusely scatter, reflect or diffract light incident on the surface pattern commences with a base foil which may include a carrier foil and a lacquer layer, and also an intermediate layer between these two layers to provide for good adhesion. Before or after application of the microscopically fine relief structures in the lacquer layer, the free surface thereof is covered over its entire area with a reflection layer. A printed image is then printed with an etching agent for the reflective material on the reflection layer in such a way that, at surface portions corresponding to the printed image, the reflection layer is removed and the surface of the lacquer layer is exposed again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventors: Ohannes Minnetian, Beat Nauer
  • Patent number: 5754520
    Abstract: An optical data carrier for use as a WORM memory contains memory cells where each memory cell is physically represented by a diffraction pattern. The content of each memory cell is a one bit information having a binary value "0" or "1". If a memory cell is altered by applying thermal energy it represents the complementary binary value. The unaltered memory cells are also used as security elements. This means that upon reading the content of an unaltered memory cell with a readout beam, the unaltered memory cell bends this reading beam into a plurality of different beams of predetermined outgoing directions. The intensities of these reflected beams are measured and compared with stored values. The data carrier is only then an authentic data carrier and not a fraudulent imitation, if the measured intensities of the reflected beams of such an unaltered memory cell lie within predetermined ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventors: Wayne R. Tompkin, Rene Staub
  • Patent number: 5745063
    Abstract: In a circuit at least one of the signals (u?t! or i?t!) is transmitted to a signal input of a sigma-delta modulator operated at a first clock frequency (1/T.sub.S) the output of which is connected to at least one of two signal inputs of a multiplication/addition element (3). The arrangement is used for example in electricity counters and makes it possible to calculate sums of products by means of simple shift and algebraic adding operations while maintaining closely the precision achievable with a classic multiplication. The arrangement is especially advantageous if the multiplications are done on a semiconductor chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventors: Peter Gruber, Raul Cermeno, Heinz Lienhard
  • Patent number: 5736848
    Abstract: A system for measuring the energy output from one or more electrical energy sources first makes an analog power measurement, and converts the resultant output into digital form. The A/D converter includes a sigma-delta modulator in series with a digital filter. Then, the output from the A/D converter is inputted to a digital quantizer via a serial interface. A programmable calibration value is also inputted into the digital quantizer from a computer via a non-volatile memory, such that the operating level/calibration of the digital quantizer is controllable by the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventors: Jacob De Vries, Jan Petr, Raul Cermeno, Peter Hodel
  • Patent number: 5727653
    Abstract: A drive device for controlling the position of an actuator includes an electric motor for actuating the drive device. The motor is coupled to a gear mechanism and adapted to control the position of the actuator by selective operation thereof. A gear mechanism operatively coupled to the motor and to the actuator has a restoring spring and an auxiliary spring, each of which is tightenable to store energy therein by operation of the motor upon startup. In the event of a power loss to the motor, the gear mechanism operates to use the stored energy of the restoring spring to move the actuator to a preselected position. The stored energy of the auxiliary spring is used to counteract against moment of the motor at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventors: Christian Grossenbacher, Werner Studer
  • Patent number: 5712980
    Abstract: A data arrangement for an apparatus connectable to a communication network comprises data points (6.1..6.n) arranged in an apparatus and also a characterization of the apparatus. In a data point 6.k, with an index k of 1 to n, dynamic process information is storable. With apparatus connected, the data points (6.1..6.n) are accessible over the communication network for a station connected to the communication network for the reading and/or changing, in which also a single data point (6.k) is accessible. The characterization is a static description of objects of the apparatus in which a single data point (6.k) or also a group of data points (6.k) are objects of the apparatus. The data arrangement creates the precondition that in the operation of the apparatus an access is feasible to a data point (6.k) with a minimum of data traffic on the data network. The available characterization makes possible, further, a data-controlled realization of a user program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventors: Heinz Beeler, Gerhard Brun, Alfred Moertlseder
  • Patent number: 5712541
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for actuating a plurality of synchronous motors which are connected to a common power supply and which are respectively used for displacing an element between two limit positions and have a connection Y1 for forward motion, a connection Y2 for reverse motion and a neutral connection G. In that case the respective connection between the connection Y1 or Y2 which is in use and the power supply is interrupted by means of a limit switch which responds when the element reaches a limit position. The connection between the connection Y2 or Y1 which is not in use and the power supply remains interrupted during non-use. A respective switch element having a control input is connected upstream of the connection Y1 for forward motion and the connection for reverse motion. The control input of the switch element is connected to a respective control circuit which includes the respective limit switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventor: Krister Larsson
  • Patent number: 5710725
    Abstract: An angular position change of the linearly driven drive system is proportional to its particular running time. In the process there is determined a desired value of the running time of the drive system belonging to a desired-value angular position (.alpha..sub.S), the drive system is thereupon started and its running time is measured and, when a measured value of the running time is equal to the determined desired value of said running time, the drive system is stopped. By this process the dependability of the drive system is improved and the costs of the latter are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventors: Klaus Bott, Eckhard Schwendemann
  • Patent number: 5689206
    Abstract: An SC-integrator comprises an amplifier connected to a circuit network, which includes an integrating capacitor and a storage capacitor. The storage capacitor is connected via a first switch to the output of the amplifier and via a second switch directly to one side of a switching circuit capacitor, which is also connected by means of third and fourth switches to ground and the inverting input of the amplifier, respectively. The other side of the switching circuit capacitor is connected by means of a fifth switch to an input voltage Vin, via a sixth switch to ground, and by means of a seventh switch to a reference voltage Vref. The SC integrator uses a storage capacitor of relatively low capacitance value, since the storage capacitor is connected in parallel with the switching circuit capacitor when effecting a reversal of the voltage polarity across the integrating capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventor: Michel Schaller
  • Patent number: 5685148
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for reversible movements of an actuator is provided with a drive element made from a shape memory alloy with one-way effect. The drive element acts upon a lever rotatable about an axle in opposition to the force of a resetting element, wherein the lever can be used as a coupling member for converting a deformation of the drive element into a movement of the actuator. The drive element is a winding with a plurality of turns of a wire, wherein the turns are fixed and arranged mechanically parallel between an anchor point and the lever so that the lever is rotatable about the axle by means of a deformation of a turn, and the tractive force acting upon the lever by means of the drive element results from the individual forces of the turns of the winding acting mechanically parallel upon the lever. The diameter of the wire is advantageously approximately equal to the standardised diameter of the crystalline grain of the shape memory alloy in the austenitic state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventor: Partel Robert
  • Patent number: 5640085
    Abstract: A temperature compensation circuit for a power measurement device includes an input sensor, with a temperature-dependent transmission factor (K.sub.H,T), connected to a signal processor with a temperature-dependent transmission factor (K.sub.S,T). Transmission factor (K.sub.S,T) of the signal processor is inversely proportional to a temperature-dependent reference voltage (U.sub.R,N,T), which is inputted to the signal processor in order to render the combined transmission factor (K.sub.H,T .multidot.K.sub.S,T) temperature independent. To accomplish this, a temperature coefficient value of reference voltage (U.sub.R,N,T) must be equal to the sum of a temperature coefficient value of transmission factor (K.sub.H,T) and a temperature coefficient value of transmission factor (K.sub.S,T). The desired temperature coefficient value of reference voltage (U.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventors: Jan Petr, Erich Jeker
  • Patent number: 5629879
    Abstract: The information on the state of switchgears (2.1;2.2) appearing on call circuits in the form of analog low-voltage signals is conveyed in parallel to a circuit block (4). The information is digitalized at given points in time in the form of binary values "0" or "1" and is transmitted in series to a microprocessor (1). Preferably the circuit block (4) comprises at least one shift register in cascade connection. Call circuits are coupled to the circuit block solely via a high-impedance resistor (3.1;3.2). The circuit block (4) is supplied by a voltage supply circuit (5) so that when one of the switchgears (2.1;2.2) is in the open state, a current flows alternately via one of the protection diodes (D1S.1,D2S.1;DIS.2,D2S.2) of the circuit block (4), and does not do so when one of the switchgears (2.1;2.2) is in the closed state. To ascertain whether a voltage (U.sub.1,U2) at the input (4.1;4.2) of the circuit block (4) is D.C. or A.C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventor: Josef Lelle
  • Patent number: 5594312
    Abstract: An automatic firing arrangement (1) has an apparatus for actuating a fan which is driven by a controllable-speed asynchronous motor (2). The apparatus includes a frequency converter (3) with which the speed of rotation of the asynchronous motor (2) is controllable, switching devices (6.1; 6.2; 6.3) by which the asynchronous motor (2) can be temporarily separated from the power supply for a predetermined period of time, and a measuring means (5) with which the speed of rotation and the direction of rotation of the asynchronous motor (2) can be detected by way of the generator action thereof in said period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventors: Eckhard Schwendemann, Klaus Bott
  • Patent number: 5575057
    Abstract: Coin detector may be manufactured in several steps. An integrated circuit board (ICB) having conductive material on its surface is covered with an etching mask where conductive elements are to be located. The unmasked portion of the ICB surface is etched off, and then the etching mask is removed. The ICB substrate is attached with a detector circuit located on an etched portion of the ICB surface. An oscillator circuit is connected to a conductive coil. If the coin detector uses a two-layer coil, the coils are connected by a through-going board. The structure is encased in a synthetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventor: Thomas Seitz
  • Patent number: 5544970
    Abstract: An apparatus for the attachment of an axle (10) to a hub (3) capable of rotating around a rotational axis (2) is provided with a first thread (5) and with a screw (7) with a second thread (8) and a third thread (9), so that the second thread (8) has half the pitch of the third thread (9) and is screwed into the first thread (5). A clamping device of the apparatus consists of a first part (11) and a second part (12) which is screwed via a fourth thread (13) into the third thread (9). By rotating the screw (7) the first part (11) with the screw (7) can be moved in a first direction, so that the second part (12) is at the same time moving at twice the speed in the opposite direction to the first direction. The axle (10) can be clampingly held between the first part (11) and the second part (12) in a wide diameter range so as to be centered relative to the rotational axis (2) by turning the screw (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventor: Werner Studer