Patents by Inventor David L. Potter

David L. Potter 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: 7881899
    Abstract: System and method for measurement, DAQ, and control operations which uses small form-factor measurement modules or cartridges with a re-configurable carrier unit, sensors, and a computer system to provide modular, efficient, cost-effective measurement solutions. The measurement module includes measurement circuitry, e.g., signal conditioner and/or signal conversion circuitry, and interface circuitry for communicating with the carrier unit. The module communicates interface information to the carrier unit, which informs the computer system how to program or configure a functional unit on the carrier unit to implement the communicated interface, or sends the information directly to the computer system. The computer system programs the carrier unit with the interface, and the programmed carrier unit and measurement module together function as a DAQ, measurement, and/or control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Perry C. Steger, Garritt W. Foote, David L. Potter, James J. Truchard, Brian Keith Odom
  • Patent number: 7542867
    Abstract: System and method for measurement, DAQ, and control operations which uses small form-factor measurement modules or cartridges with a re-configurable carrier unit, sensors, and a computer system to provide modular, efficient, cost-effective measurement solutions. The measurement module includes measurement circuitry, e.g., signal conditioner and/or signal conversion circuitry, and interface circuitry for communicating with the carrier unit. The module communicates interface information to the carrier unit, which informs the computer system how to program or configure a functional unit on the carrier unit to implement the communicated interface, or sends the information directly to the computer system. The computer system programs the carrier unit with the interface, and the programmed carrier unit and measurement module together function as a DAQ, measurement, and/or control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Perry C. Steger, Garritt W. Foote, David L. Potter, James J. Truchard
  • Publication number: 20090105985
    Abstract: System and method for measurement, DAQ, and control operations which uses small form-factor measurement modules or cartridges with a re-configurable carrier unit, sensors, and a computer system to provide modular, efficient, cost-effective measurement solutions. The measurement module includes measurement circuitry, e.g., signal conditioner and/or signal conversion circuitry, and interface circuitry for communicating with the carrier unit. The module communicates interface information to the carrier unit, which informs the computer system how to program or configure a functional unit on the carrier unit to implement the communicated interface, or sends the information directly to the computer system. The computer system programs the carrier unit with the interface, and the programmed carrier unit and measurement module together function as a DAQ, measurement, and/or control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Perry C. Steger, Garritt W. Foote, David L. Potter, James J. Truchard, Brian Keith Odom
  • Patent number: 7373356
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for operating a transducer database includes creating an electronic datasheet for a type of sensor on a computer, and registering the electronic datasheet for the type of sensor in a transducer database. Creating an electronic datasheet may include specifying attribute values for the type of sensor in the transducer database via a network connection. Registering may include storing the first electronic datasheet in the database. A sensor may be coupled to a system that obtains the electronic datasheet over a network and configures a device or software program. The sensor may have only analog interface connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Potter, Mohammed Kamran Shah
  • Patent number: 7366631
    Abstract: System and method for measurement, DAQ, and control operations which uses small form-factor measurement modules or cartridges with a re-configurable carrier unit, sensors, and a computer system to provide modular, efficient, cost-effective measurement solutions. The measurement module includes measurement circuitry, e.g., signal conditioner and/or signal conversion circuitry, and interface circuitry for communicating with the carrier unit. The module communicates interface information to the carrier unit, which informs the computer system how to program or configure a functional unit on the carrier unit to implement the communicated interface, or sends the information directly to the computer system. The computer system programs the carrier unit with the interface, and the programmed carrier unit and measurement module together function as a DAQ, measurement, and/or control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Perry C. Steger, Garritt W. Foote, David L. Potter, James J. Truchard, Brian Keith Odom
  • Publication number: 20040034658
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a computer-implemented method for operating a transducer database, the method including creating a first electronic datasheet for a first type of sensor on a first computer, wherein creating includes specifying a plurality of attribute values for the first type of sensor, accessing the transducer database over a network, and registering the first electronic datasheet for the first type of sensor in the transducer database, wherein registering includes storing the first electronic datasheet in the transducer database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: David L. Potter, Mohammed Kamran Shah
  • Publication number: 20030074489
    Abstract: System and method for measurement, DAQ, and control operations which uses small form-factor measurement modules or cartridges with a re-configurable carrier unit, sensors, and a computer system to provide modular, efficient, cost-effective measurement solutions. The measurement module includes measurement circuitry, e.g., signal conditioner and/or signal conversion circuitry, and interface circuitry for communicating with the carrier unit. The module communicates interface information to the carrier unit, which informs the computer system how to program or configure a functional unit on the carrier unit to implement the communicated interface, or sends the information directly to the computer system. The computer system programs the carrier unit with the interface, and the programmed carrier unit and measurement module together function as a DAQ, measurement, and/or control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Perry C. Steger, Garritt W. Foote, David L. Potter, James J. Truchard