Patents by Inventor Andrew T. Hines

Andrew T. Hines has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11831470
    Abstract: A surface-launched acoustic wave sensor tag system for remotely sensing and/or providing identification information using sets of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor tag devices is characterized by acoustic wave device embodiments that include coding and other diversity techniques to produce groups of sensors that interact minimally, reducing or alleviating code collision problems typical of prior art coded SAW sensors and tags, and specific device embodiments of said coded SAW sensor tags and systems. These sensor/tag devices operate in a system which consists of one or more uniquely identifiable sensor/tag devices and a wireless interrogator. The sensor device incorporates an antenna for receiving incident RF energy and re-radiating the tag identification information and the sensor measured parameter(s). Since there is no power source in or connected to the sensor, it is a passive sensor. The device is wirelessly interrogated by the interrogator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: SenSanna Incorporated
    Inventors: Jacqueline H. Hines, Leland P. Solie, Dana Y. G. Tucker, Andrew T. Hines
  • Publication number: 20230130157
    Abstract: Improved surface acoustic wave structures (or elements) that can be used to realize any of a wide variety of dispersive or non-dispersive transversal SAW filters that are distinct from prior known means for producing such filters are disclosed. The devices and structures may include stepped acoustic wave delay modification elements that can be used to implement transversal filter impulse response functions in a manner analogous to the use of interdigital transducers. The structures disclosed are of particular usefulness to implement SAW devices at high frequencies where normal photolithographic resolution would prove limiting. Aspects and embodiments of the present invention would be useful to produce SAW devices for use in a wide variety of applications, including as components in cell phones, in radar and other communications and electronic systems, and as wired or wireless sensors or sensor-tags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: SenSanna Incorporated
    Inventors: Leland P. Solie, Jacqueline H. Hines, Andrew T. Hines
  • Patent number: 11151337
    Abstract: Enhanced surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors and SAW sensor-tag wireless interface devices, including low loss devices, devices that enable enhanced use of time diversity for device identification, and devices suitable for use in band-limited environments (such as ISM band) and for use in ultra-wideband applications are disclosed. Antennas for use with both SAW sensors and/or tags, and wireless transceiver systems also are disclosed, including antennas suitable for operation in conductive media and in highly metallic environments, said antennas being used to activate and read said SAW sensors and/or tags. SAW sensors and sensor-tags and related methods for measuring scaled voltage and current in electrical conductors via measurements of the electric and magnetic fields thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SENSANNA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jacqueline H. Hines, Andrew T. Hines, Leland P. Solie, Doug Kirkpatrick
  • Publication number: 20200334423
    Abstract: Enhanced surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors and SAW sensor-tag wireless interface devices, including low loss devices, devices that enable enhanced use of time diversity for device identification, and devices suitable for use in band-limited environments (such as ISM band) and for use in ultra-wideband applications are disclosed. Antennas for use with both SAW sensors and/or tags, and wireless transceiver systems also are disclosed, including antennas suitable for operation in conductive media and in highly metallic environments, said antennas being used to activate and read said SAW sensors and/or tags. SAW sensors and sensor-tags and related methods for measuring scaled voltage and current in electrical conductors via measurements of the electric and magnetic fields thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Jacqueline H. HINES, Andrew T. HINES, Leland P. SOLIE, Doug KIRKPATRICK
  • Patent number: 10747967
    Abstract: Enhanced surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors and SAW sensor-tag wireless interface devices, including low loss devices, devices that enable enhanced use of time diversity for device identification, and devices suitable for use in band-limited environments (such as ISM band) and for use in ultra-wideband applications are disclosed. Antennas for use with both SAW sensors and/or tags, and wireless transceiver systems also are disclosed, including antennas suitable for operation in conductive media and in highly metallic environments, said antennas being used to activate and read said SAW sensors and/or tags. SAW sensors and sensor-tags and related methods for measuring scaled voltage and current in electrical conductors via measurements of the electric and magnetic fields thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: SENSANNA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jacqueline H. Hines, Andrew T. Hines, Leland P. Solie, Doug Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 10620238
    Abstract: Improved devices, apparatuses, systems, and methods involving the use of field probes with voltage-controlled variable impedance elements and surface-launched acoustic wave devices, including surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices and SAW sensor-tag wireless interface devices to measure voltage and current in current carrying conductors (CCCs) via measurement of the electric fields and magnetic fields around said CCCs are disclosed. The devices, apparatuses, systems, and methods taught in the present invention include a remotely powered line-mounted measurement unit that requires no connection to electrical ground for operation, and that has no internal energy source, no energy harvesting or power conditioning circuitry, no discrete energy storage components, and no radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: SENSANNA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jacqueline H. Hines, Andrew T. Hines, Doug Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 9977930
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for wireless communication with remote devices that reduce or eliminate interference from zero-mean noise and deterministic signals within the operating system frequency band are provided. An interrogator uses dithering of the initiation time of sequential transmitted signals or sets of transmitted signals with synchronous accumulation of the resulting received signals to reduce the relative strength of interfering signals while increasing the relative strength of the desired signal. The apparatus, system, and method are particularly advantageous when used to extract identification and/or sensor data from passive wireless sensors and tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: SENSANNA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Andrew T. Hines, Jacqueline H. Hines
  • Publication number: 20180113161
    Abstract: Improved devices, apparatuses, systems, and methods involving the use of field probes with voltage-controlled variable impedance elements and surface-launched acoustic wave devices, including surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices and SAW sensor-tag wireless interface devices to measure voltage and current in current carrying conductors (CCCs) via measurement of the electric fields and magnetic fields around said CCCs are disclosed. The devices, apparatuses, systems, and methods taught in the present invention include a remotely powered line-mounted measurement unit that requires no connection to electrical ground for operation, and that has no internal energy source, no energy harvesting or power conditioning circuitry, no discrete energy storage components, and no radio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Jacqueline H. HINES, Andrew T. HINES, David S. YANEY, Doug KIRKPATRICK
  • Publication number: 20170272277
    Abstract: A surface-launched acoustic wave sensor tag system for remotely sensing and/or providing identification information using sets of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor tag devices is characterized by acoustic wave device embodiments that include coding and other diversity techniques to produce groups of sensors that interact minimally, reducing or alleviating code collision problems typical of prior art coded SAW sensors and tags, and specific device embodiments of said coded SAW sensor tags and systems. These sensor/tag devices operate in a system which consists of one or more uniquely identifiable sensor/tag devices and a wireless interrogator. The sensor device incorporates an antenna for receiving incident RF energy and re-radiating the tag identification information and the sensor measured parameter(s). Since there is no power source in or connected to the sensor, it is a passive sensor. The device is wirelessly interrogated by the interrogator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Jacqueline H. HINES, Leland P. SOLIE, Dana Y.G. TUCKER, Andrew T. HINES
  • Publication number: 20170116442
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for wireless communication with remote devices that reduce or eliminate interference from zero-mean noise and deterministic signals within the operating system frequency band are provided. An interrogator uses dithering of the initiation time of sequential transmitted signals or sets of transmitted signals with synchronous accumulation of the resulting received signals to reduce the relative strength of interfering signals while increasing the relative strength of the desired signal. The apparatus, system, and method are particularly advantageous when used to extract identification and/or sensor data from passive wireless sensors and tags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew T. HINES, Jacqueline H. HINES
  • Publication number: 20170010308
    Abstract: Enhanced surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors and SAW sensor-tag wireless interface devices, including low loss devices, devices that enable enhanced use of time diversity for device identification, and devices suitable for use in band-limited environments (such as ISM band) and for use in ultra-wideband applications are disclosed. Antennas for use with both SAW sensors and/or tags, and wireless transceiver systems also are disclosed, including antennas suitable for operation in conductive media and in highly metallic environments, said antennas being used to activate and read said SAW sensors and/or tags. SAW sensors and sensor-tags and related methods for measuring scaled voltage and current in electrical conductors via measurements of the electric and magnetic fields thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Jacqueline H. HINES, Andrew T. HINES, Leland P. Solie
  • Patent number: 9537677
    Abstract: A surface-launched acoustic wave sensor tag system for remotely sensing and/or providing identification information using sets of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor tag devices is characterized by acoustic wave device embodiments that include coding and other diversity techniques to produce groups of sensors that interact minimally, reducing or alleviating code collision problems typical of prior art coded SAW sensors and tags, and specific device embodiments of said coded SAW sensor tags and systems. These sensor/tag devices operate in a system which consists of one or more uniquely identifiable sensor/tag devices and a wireless interrogator. The sensor device incorporates an antenna for receiving incident RF energy and re-radiating the tag identification information and the sensor measured parameter(s). Since there is no power source in or connected to the sensor, it is a passive sensor. The device is wirelessly interrogated by the interrogator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SenSanna Incorporated
    Inventors: Jacqueline H. Hines, Leland P. Solie, Dana Y. G. Tucker, Andrew T. Hines