Abstract: A constant-current controller that supplies a constant-current to a solenoid driver for use with an electromechanical device. The controller comprises a PCB containing a constant-current control circuit. The circuit comprises a GaNFET primary switch and a secondary switch. The PCB is integrated with and made a part of the solenoid driver. A standard electromechanical device may be converted to a constant-current controlled electromechanical device by exchanging the solenoid driver.

Abstract: An energizable electromagnet of a door locking system is affixed to the door or the door frame for electromagnetically attracting an armature affixed to the other. A power control circuit is configured to selectively energize the electromagnet using a pulse-width modulated current cycle wherein two levels of magnetic force may be selectively applied to the system. A door position sensor is configured to provide a first communication signal to the power control circuit when the door is in a closed position. A second communication signal is provided when the door is not in the closed position. The electromagnet is energized at the lower level of magnetic force when the power control circuit receives the first communication signal and at the higher level of magnetic force only when an unauthorized attempt to open the door is initiated.

Abstract: An energizable electromagnet of a door locking system is affixed to the door or the door frame for electromagnetically attracting an armature affixed to the other. A power control circuit is configured to selectively energize the electromagnet using a pulse-width modulated current cycle wherein two levels of magnetic force may be selectively applied to the system. A door position sensor is configured to provide a first communication signal to the power control circuit when the door is in a closed position. A second communication signal is provided when the door is not in the closed position. The electromagnet is energized at the lower level of magnetic force when the power control circuit receives the first communication signal and at the higher level of magnetic force only when an unauthorized attempt to open the door is initiated.

Abstract: A constant-current controller that supplies a constant-current to a solenoid driver for use with an electromechanical device. The controller comprises a PCB containing a constant-current control circuit. The circuit comprises a GaNFET primary switch and a secondary switch. The PCB is integrated with and made a part of the solenoid driver. A standard electromechanical device may be converted to a constant-current controlled electromechanical device by exchanging the solenoid driver.

Abstract: A constant-current controller that supplies a constant-current to a solenoid driver for use with an electromechanical device. The controller comprises a PCB containing a constant-current control circuit. The circuit comprises a GaNFET primary switch and a secondary switch. The PCB is integrated with and made a part of the solenoid driver. A standard electromechanical device may be converted to a constant-current controlled electromechanical device by exchanging the solenoid driver.

Abstract: A novel and useful degauss circuit for use with electromagnetic door locks. The door lock circuit is configured to provide a constant current to the electromagnetic coil load. A pulse width modulation (PWM) controller varies the frequency and/or duty cycle to a switch in series with the coil. Coil current feedback is used to adjust the PWM frequency and/or duty cycle so as to maintain the current through the coil at a certain level to maintain a desired holding force on the door lock. A degauss circuit inline with the current flowing through the coil is provided. When triggered either in an uncontrolled or controlled manner, a series RLC circuit that includes the coil inductance and resistance causes ringing to occur whereby the coil current reverses direction with sufficient amplitude and duration to degauss the coil.

Abstract: A constant-current controller that supplies a constant-current to a solenoid driver for use with an electromechanical device. The controller comprises a PCB containing a constant-current control circuit. The circuit comprises a GaNFET primary switch and a secondary switch. The PCB is integrated with and made a part of the solenoid driver. A standard electromechanical device may be converted to a constant-current controlled electromechanical device by exchanging the solenoid driver.

Abstract: A constant-current controller that supplies a constant current to an inductive load. This controller comprises an electric control circuit module. The electric control circuit module comprises a primary switch and a secondary switch. During a time interval in which the primary switch is closed (ton), the secondary switch is open and the voltage across the inductive load is equal to the source voltage (Vs). At time ton until the end of a time interval (T), zero volts appears across the inductive load. During this interval, current continues to flow as supplied by the energy stored in the inductance. The periodic current in the inductive load becomes constant with a sufficiently large PWM switching frequency and is dependent upon the parameters of the control circuit and the duration of ton.

Abstract: A novel and useful degauss circuit for use with electromagnetic door locks. The door lock circuit is configured to provide a constant current to the electromagnetic coil load. A pulse width modulation (PWM) controller varies the frequency and/or duty cycle to a switch in series with the coil. Coil current feedback is used to adjust the PWM frequency and/or duty cycle so as to maintain the current through the coil at a certain level to maintain a desired holding force on the door lock. A degauss circuit inline with the current flowing through the coil is provided. When triggered either in an uncontrolled or controlled manner, a series RLC circuit that includes the coil inductance and resistance causes ringing to occur whereby the coil current reverses direction with sufficient amplitude and duration to degauss the coil.

Abstract: An energizable electromagnet of a door locking system is affixed to the door or the door frame for electromagnetically attracting an armature affixed to the other. A power control circuit is configured to selectively energize the electromagnet using a pulse-width modulated current cycle wherein two levels of magnetic force may be selectively applied to the system. A door position sensor is configured to provide a first communication signal to the power control circuit when the door is in a closed position. A second communication signal is provided when the door is not in the closed position. The electromagnet is energized at the lower level of magnetic force when the power control circuit receives the first communication signal and at the higher level of magnetic force only when an unauthorized attempt to open the door is initiated.

Abstract: A power control circuit assembly for an electric door latch mechanism comprises a load control circuit module configured to distribute a DC operating voltage to power an electromechanical door latch mechanism and its associated access control device. An energy storage device such as a rechargeable battery is coupled to the load control circuit module and is configured to deliver a DC voltage to the load control circuit module wherein the DC energy storage device voltage supplies the DC operating voltage. A rectifier is configured to receive an input AC voltage and convert the input AC voltage to an input DC voltage. The input DC voltage is adapted to deliver an energy storage device recharge voltage. An energy storage device voltage detection module is configured to interrogate a DC voltage supplied by the energy storage device.

Abstract: A constant-current controller that supplies a constant current to an inductive load. This controller comprises an electric control circuit module. The electric control circuit module comprises a primary switch and a secondary switch. During a time interval in which the primary switch is closed (ton), the secondary switch is open and the voltage across the inductive load is equal to the source voltage (Vs). At time ton until the end of a time interval (T), zero volts appears across the inductive load. During this interval, current continues to flow as supplied by the energy stored in the inductance. The periodic current in the inductive load becomes constant with a sufficiently large PWM switching frequency and is dependent upon the parameters of the control circuit and the duration of ton.

Abstract: A power control circuit assembly for an electric door lock comprises a load control circuit module configured to distribute a DC operating voltage to power an electromechanical door latch mechanism and its associated access control device. An energy storage device such as a rechargeable battery is coupled to the load control circuit module and is configured to deliver a DC voltage to the load control circuit module wherein the DC energy storage device voltage supplies the DC operating voltage. A rectifier is configured to receive an input AC voltage and convert the input AC voltage to an input DC voltage. The input DC voltage is adapted to deliver an energy storage device recharge voltage. An energy storage device voltage detection module is configured to interrogate a DC voltage supplied by the energy storage device.

Abstract: The present invention is a computing system typically but not necessarily used in a printer, which includes a processor for managing operation of a print engine, expansion buses, and bridge devices between expansion buses. A bus bridge is described which can operate in an expansion bus environment. The bus bridge uses a nontransparent PCI bridge in a nonstandard manner to emulate a transparent bus bridge. Processes are included for detecting overall bus topology in the system and for creating configuration cycles on the secondary side of any bridge found.

Abstract: The present invention is a computing system typically but not necessarily used in a printer, which includes a processor for managing operation of a print engine, expansion buses, and bridge devices between expansion buses. A bus bridge is described which can operate in an expansion bus environment. The bus bridge uses a nontransparent PCI bridge in a nonstandard manner to emulate a transparent bus bridge. Processes are included for detecting overall bus topology in the system and for creating configuration cycles on the secondary side of any bridge found.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting at least one imaging process in response to the media thickness as detected by a media thickness sensor is presented. The apparatus is an optical sensor for measuring a thickness of a media in an imaging device. The sensor includes a light source and a receiver. The light source transmits a beam toward a first side of the media which reflects at least a portion of the transmitted beam as a reflected beam. The second side of the media is supported by a media support that is a fixed distance from the light source and receiver. The receiver receives the reflected beam and generates output signals correlating the receiver output to a media thickness. The output signals are used to adapt at least one imaging process in response to the measured media thickness.