Patents by Inventor Christopher P. Townsend
Christopher P. Townsend 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).
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Patent number: 7365455Abstract: A device for powering a load from an ambient source of energy is provided. The device includes an energy harvesting device for harvesting energy from the ambient source of energy wherein the rate energy is harvested from the ambient source of energy is below that required for directly powering the load. A storage device is connected to the energy harvesting device. The storage device receives electrical energy from the energy harvesting device and is for storing the electrical energy. A controller is connected to the storage device for monitoring the amount of electrical energy stored in the storage device and for switchably connecting the storage device to the load when the stored energy exceeds a first threshold. The system can be used for powering a sensor and for transmitting sensor data, such as tire pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2004Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Micro Strain, Inc.Inventors: Michael John Hamel, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P Townsend, David L. Churchill
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Patent number: 7361998Abstract: A device for powering a load from an ambient source of energy is provided. The device includes an energy harvesting device for harvesting energy from the ambient source of energy wherein the rate energy is harvested from the ambient source of energy is below that required for directly powering the load. A storage device is connected to the energy harvesting device. The storage device receives electrical energy from the energy harvesting device and is for storing the electrical energy. A controller is connected to the storage device for monitoring the amount of electrical energy stored in the storage device and for switchably connecting the storage device to the load when the stored energy exceeds a first threshold. The system can be used for powering a sensor and for transmitting sensor data, such as tire pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2004Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.Inventors: Michael John Hamel, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P Townsend, David L. Churchill
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Patent number: 7256695Abstract: An electronic system includes a reader and a remotely powered and remotely interrogated sensor transponder. The sensor transponder includes a coil or an antenna, a switched reactance circuit, a processor, and a sensor. The sensor transponder receives power radiated from the reader to the coil or antenna. The sensor uses the power for sensing. The sensor transponder is capable of processing sensor data in the processor and transmitting the sensor data to the reader using the switched reactance circuit. In one embodiment, the receiver coil or antenna is part of a resonant tank circuit which includes an impedance matching circuit. The impedance matching circuit is connected to the receiver coil or antenna to provide greater current to the sensor or other power-using device than would be available to the sensor or other power-using device if the sensor or other power-using device were connected between the first and second end. The impedance matching circuit can be two or more taps to the coil or antenna.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2003Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.Inventors: Michael John Hamel, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P. Townsend
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Patent number: 7256505Abstract: A device for monitoring a rotating shaft is provided. The device measures strain in the shaft and provides angular velocity and torque in the shaft. The device includes a sensor, sensor conditioning circuitry, a microprocessor, and a transmitter, all located on a rotating shaft. The device obtains power by harvesting mechanical energy of the rotating shaft itself. Coils are provided rotating with the shaft and permanent magnets are mounted adjacent the rotating shaft so electrical energy is induced in the coils as they rotate through the magnetic field of the permanent magnets. A battery or capacitor is connected to the coils for storing energy. A microprocessor is connected to the sensors, the storage device, and the transmitter for managing power consumption and for monitoring the amount of electrical energy stored in the storage device and for switchably connecting the storage device to the transmitter when the stored energy exceeds a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2004Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.Inventors: Steven W. Arms, Christopher P Townsend, David L. Churchill, Michael J. Hamel
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Patent number: 7210240Abstract: A sensing device is attached to a living subject that includes a first sensors for distinguishing lying, sitting, and standing positions. In another embodiment, sensor data is stored in a storage device as a function of time. Multiple points or multiple intervals of the time dependent data are used to direct a feedback mechanism to provide information or instruction in response to the time dependent output indicating too little activity, too much time with a joint not being moved beyond a specified range of motion, too many motions beyond a specified range of motion, or repetitive activity that can cause repetitive stress injury.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2004Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.Inventors: Christopher P. Townsend, Steven W. Arms
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Patent number: 7170201Abstract: A device for powering a load from an ambient source of energy is provided. The device includes an energy harvesting device for harvesting energy from the ambient source of energy wherein the rate energy is harvested from the ambient source of energy is below that required for directly powering the load. A storage device is connected to the energy harvesting device. The storage device receives electrical energy from the energy harvesting device and is for storing the electrical energy. A controller is connected to the storage device for monitoring the amount of electrical energy stored in the storage device and for switchably connecting the storage device to the load when the stored energy exceeds a first threshold. The system can be used for powering a sensor and for transmitting sensor data, such as tire pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.Inventors: Michael John Hamel, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P Townsend, David L. Churchill
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Patent number: 7143004Abstract: The device is a miniature, self-contained solid state orientation sensor. The unit utilizes three magnetometers and three accelerometers to calculate pitch, roll, and yaw (compass heading) angles relative to the earth's magnetic and gravitational fields. The three orientation angles are output in digital RS232 or optional multi-drop RS485. The device can also be programmed to provide raw accelerometer and magnetometer data in true physical units. The device is capable of measuring angles from 0 to 360 degrees on the yaw axis, 0 to 360 degrees on the pitch axis, and ?70 to +70 degrees on the roll axis. The yaw output is compensated for errors due to pitch and roll using embedded algorithms. Applications include fast solid state compassing, robotics, virtual reality, down-hole well drilling, and body position tracking for biomedical and multimedia applications.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2003Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.Inventors: Christopher P. Townsend, Steven W. Arms
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Patent number: 7081693Abstract: A device for powering a load from an ambient source of energy is provided. The device includes an energy harvesting device for harvesting energy from the ambient source of energy wherein the rate energy is harvested from the ambient source of energy is below that required for directly powering the load. A storage device is connected to the energy harvesting device. The storage device receives electrical energy from the energy harvesting device and is for storing the electrical energy. A controller is connected to the storage device is for monitoring the amount of electrical energy stored in the storage device and for switchably connecting the storage device to the load when the stored energy exceeds a first threshold. The system can be used for powering a sensor and for transmitting sensor data, such as tire pressure.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2003Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.Inventors: Michael John Hamel, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P Townsend, David L. Churchill
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Patent number: 7011410Abstract: An apparatus consistent with the present invention comprises a sensor for receiving a signal representing eye tremor and a processor for monitoring eye tremor while receiving the signal. A method consistent with the present invention includes receiving a signal representing eye tremor, comparing the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value, and classifying a patient's brain stem function using the comparison of the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value. An embodiment consistent with the present invention includes an ocular micro tremor (OMT) sensor and associated signal processing hardware and software for clinical analyses.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: EyeTect, L.L.C.Inventors: Ciaran Bolger, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P. Townsend, Kurt R. Smith
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Patent number: 6871413Abstract: The novel miniaturized inclinometer for angle measurement with accurate measurement indicator is designed to monitor the angular motion of limbs. The device contains at least one inclinometer with signal conditioning electronics, including a microprocessor, placed within a miniature housing. A number of different sensors can be used and positioned in their housings so that their outputs vary as a function of their angle with respect to the gravity sector. The microprocessor controls a multiplexer, which controls the activities of the sensors; performs analog to digital conversions and measures the output curves from the sensor pairs to perform a conversion which results in a three hundred and sixty degree range with respect to gravity. Calibration data is stored in a read only memory and the microprocessor corrects variables to ensure accuracy and measures the difference in angle between the pairs of sensors.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1997Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.Inventors: Steven W. Arms, Christopher P. Townsend
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Patent number: 6834436Abstract: A sensing device is attached to a living subject that includes a first sensors for distinguishing lying, sitting, and standing positions. In another embodiment, sensor data is stored in a storage device as a function of time. Multiple points or multiple intervals of the time dependent data are used to direct a feedback mechanism to provide information or instruction in response to the time dependent output indicating too little activity, too much time with a joint not being moved beyond a specified range of motion, too many motions beyond a specified range of motion, or repetitive activity that can cause repetitive stress injury.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2002Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.Inventors: Christopher P. Townsend, Steven W. Arms
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Publication number: 20040113790Abstract: An electronic system includes a reader and a remotely powered and remotely interrogated sensor transponder. The sensor transponder includes a coil or an antenna, a switched reactance circuit, a processor, and a sensor. The sensor transponder receives power radiated from the reader to the coil or antenna. The sensor uses the power for sensing. The sensor transponder is capable of processing sensor data in the processor and transmitting the sensor data to the reader using the switched reactance circuit. In one embodiment, the receiver coil or antenna is part of a resonant tank circuit which includes an impedance matching circuit. The impedance matching circuit is connected to the receiver coil or antenna to provide greater current to the sensor or other power-using device than would be available to the sensor or other power-using device if the sensor or other power-using device were connected between the first and second end. The impedance matching circuit can be two or more taps to the coil or antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Michael John Hamel, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P. Townsend
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Publication number: 20040078662Abstract: A device for powering a load from an ambient source of energy is provided. The device includes an energy harvesting device for harvesting energy from the ambient source of energy wherein the rate energy is harvested from the ambient source of energy is below that required for directly powering the load. A storage device is connected to the energy harvesting device. The storage device receives electrical energy from the energy harvesting device and is for storing the electrical energy. A controller is connected to the storage device is for monitoring the amount of electrical energy stored in the storage device and for switchably connecting the storage device to the load when the stored energy exceeds a first threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventors: Michael John Hamel, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P. Townsend, David L. Churchill
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Patent number: 6714763Abstract: A sensing device includes a Wheatstone bridge and a source of a stimulation configured to apply the stimulation across two electrodes of the Wheatstone bridge. The device also includes a timing sensitive circuit configured to detect timing of a signal appearing across one of the other electrodes of the bridge as a result of the stimulation being applied. The timing provides a way to read the sensor. The device can be powered remotely and data so read can be transmitted using the remote power. The timing sensitive circuit includes a comparator. The comparator provides a high logic signal for a time related to the reactance of one leg of the Wheatstone bridge, and that provides a reading of a differential sensor having elements in each leg of the bridge.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Microstrain, IncInventors: Michael John Hamel, Christopher P. Townsend, Steven W. Arms
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Publication number: 20030204361Abstract: The device is a miniature, self-contained solid state orientation sensor. The unit utilizes three magnetometers and three accelerometers to calculate pitch, roll, and yaw (compass heading) angles relative to the earth's magnetic and gravitational fields. The three orientation angles are output in digital RS232 or optional multi-drop RS485. The device can also be programmed to provide raw accelerometer and magnetometer data in true physical units. The device is capable of measuring angles from 0 to 360 degrees on the yaw axis, 0 to 360 degrees on the pitch axis, and −70 to +70 degrees on the roll axis. The yaw output is compensated for errors due to pitch and roll using embedded algorithms. Applications include fast solid state compassing, robotics, virtual reality, down-hole well drilling, and body position tracking for biomedical and multimedia applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2003Publication date: October 30, 2003Inventors: Christopher P. Townsend, Steven W. Arms
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Publication number: 20030158699Abstract: The device is a miniature, self-contained solid state orientation sensor. The unit utilizes three magnetometers and three accelerometers to calculate pitch, roll, and yaw (compass heading) angles relative to the earth's magnetic and gravitational fields. The three orientation angles are output in digital RS232 or optional multi-drop RS485. The device can also be programmed to provide raw accelerometer and magnetometer data in true physical units. The device is capable of measuring angles from 0 to 360 degrees on the yaw axis, 0 to 360 degrees on the pitch axis, and −70 to +70 degrees on the roll axis. The yaw output is compensated for errors due to pitch and roll using embedded algorithms. Applications include fast solid state compassing, robotics, virtual reality, down-hole well drilling, and body position tracking for biomedical and multimedia applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 1999Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventors: CHRISTOPHER P. TOWNSEND, STEVEN W. ARMS
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Publication number: 20030047002Abstract: A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) is described for economical sensing of angular accelerations, especially for use in biomechanical applications. The device design is inspired by that of the semi-circular canals of the inner ear, utilizing a fluid filled channel and differential pressure transducer. Using modem fabrication techniques, very sensitive angular acceleration instruments may be realized. By combining these fast response sensors with other sensors, such as DC response linear accelerometers, allows broader frequencies of human motion to be monitored.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 1999Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventors: STEVEN W. ARMS, CHRISTOPHER P. TOWNSEND
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Publication number: 20020190785Abstract: A sensing device includes a Wheatstone bridge and a source of a stimulation configured to apply the stimulation across two electrodes of the Wheatstone bridge. The device also includes a timing sensitive circuit configured to detect timing of a signal appearing across one of the other electrodes of the bridge as a result of the stimulation being applied. The timing provides a way to read the sensor. The device can be powered remotely and data so read can be transmitted using the remote power. The timing sensitive circuit includes a comparator. The comparator provides a high logic signal for a time related to the reactance of one leg of the Wheatstone bridge, and that provides a reading of a differential sensor having elements in each leg of the bridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: Michael John Hamel, Christopher P. Townsend, Steven W. Arms
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Publication number: 20020170193Abstract: A sensing device is attached to a living subject that includes a first sensors for distinguishing lying, sitting, and standing positions. In another embodiment, sensor data is stored in a storage device as a function of time. Multiple points or multiple intervals of the time dependent data are used to direct a feedback mechanism to provide information or instruction in response to the time dependent output indicating too little activity, too much time with a joint not being moved beyond a specified range of motion, too many motions beyond a specified range of motion, or repetitive activity that can cause repetitive stress injury.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2002Publication date: November 21, 2002Inventors: Christopher P. Townsend, Steven W. Arms
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Publication number: 20020117007Abstract: The novel sensor assembly is comprised of a threaded housing with pressure relief tracks through the threads that terminate at a hole through the housing and a displacement sensor. In the preferred embodiment, we have included an integral connector, a super-elastic core carrier and a Differential Variable Reluctance Transducer. Other sensor types could be used to construct a pressure equalized displacement sensor as described herein, these may include: capacitive, resistive, Hall effect, eddy current, and differential variable transformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 1998Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: STEVEN W. ARMS, CHRISTOPHER P TOWNSEND, STEVEN W. MUNDELL