Patents by Inventor John Houldsworth

John Houldsworth 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: 8831904
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring a temperature in at least one energy storage unit. They system includes at least one temperature sensor thermally coupled to the at least one energy storage unit, and a battery management controller in communication with the at least one temperature sensor. The battery management controller is configured to process a temperature of the at least one energy storage unit to obtain an internal temperature in the at least one energy storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: John Houldsworth
  • Patent number: 8717063
    Abstract: A device and method for dc isolation and level shifting includes a driver circuit powered by a first voltage range, a capacitor connected to the driver circuit, and a latching circuit connected to the capacitor. The latching circuit is powered by a second voltage range and is configured to restore and/or minimize charge loss of the capacitor during a voltage transition at the capacitor. A device and method for analog isolation and measurement configured to measure an analog voltage at a second potential without requiring analog circuits at the second potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia Incorporated
    Inventors: Gary Stirk, Jong-Dii Jiang, John Houldsworth
  • Patent number: 8436620
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring a voltage. A level shifter is configured to generate a current proportional to the voltage of the battery cell. A delta-sigma modulator is configured to convert the current into a first density modulated bitstream representing the voltage of the battery cell. A first reference source is configured to provide a second density modulated bitstream representing a first threshold voltage. A first comparator is configured to compare the first density modulated bitstream and the second density modulated bitstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Gary Lee Stirk, Brian Allen, Umar Jameer Lyles, John Houldsworth, Brian Lum-Shue-Chan, Bertan Bakkaloglu
  • Patent number: 8306771
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring a temperature in at least one energy storage unit. The system includes at least one temperature sensor thermally coupled to the at least one energy storage unit, and a battery management controller in communication with the at least one temperature sensor. The battery management controller is configured to process a temperature of the at least one energy storage unit to obtain an internal temperature in the at least one energy storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia Limited
    Inventor: John Houldsworth
  • Publication number: 20120256656
    Abstract: A device and method for dc isolation and level shifting includes a driver circuit powered by a first voltage range, a capacitor connected to the driver circuit, and a latching circuit connected to the capacitor. The latching circuit is powered by a second voltage range and is configured to restore and/or minimize charge loss of the capacitor during a voltage transition at the capacitor. A device and method for analog isolation and measurement configured to measure an analog voltage at a second potential without requiring analog circuits at the second potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia Incorporated
    Inventors: Gary Stirk, Jong-Dii Jiang, John Houldsworth
  • Patent number: 8228092
    Abstract: A device and method for dc isolation and level shifting includes a driver circuit powered by a first voltage range, a capacitor connected to the driver circuit, and a latching circuit connected to the capacitor. The latching circuit is powered by a second voltage range and is configured to restore and/or minimize charge loss of the capacitor during a voltage transition at the capacitor. A device and method for analog isolation and measurement configured to measure an analog voltage at a second potential without requiring analog circuits at the second potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia Incorporated
    Inventors: Gary Stirk, Jong-Dii Jiang, John Houldsworth
  • Publication number: 20120177954
    Abstract: A system for managing energy stored in a plurality of series connected energy storage units has a plurality of energy storage unit controllers, each associated with one of the plurality of energy storage units, a balancing circuit between two of the energy storage units, being controlled by at least one of the energy storage unit controllers, a serial electrical interface between the energy storage unit controllers providing voltage isolated bi-directional communication, and a central controller in electrical communication with the energy storage unit controllers. A method for managing charge in a plurality of series connected energy storage units in which current is diverted from the first energy storage unit to the second energy storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: John Houldsworth, Gary L. Stirk
  • Publication number: 20120056624
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring a voltage. A level shifter is configured to generate a current proportional to the voltage of the battery cell. A delta-sigma modulator is configured to convert the current into a first density modulated bitstream representing the voltage of the battery cell. A first reference source is configured to provide a second density modulated bitstream representing a first threshold voltage. A first comparator is configured to compare the first density modulated bitstream and the second density modulated bitstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Gary Lee Stirk, Brian Allen, Umar Jameer Lyles, John Houldsworth, Brian Lum-Shue-Chan, Bertan Bakkaloglu
  • Patent number: 8115453
    Abstract: A system for managing energy stored in a plurality of series connected energy storage units has a plurality of energy storage unit controllers, each controller being associated with one of the plurality of energy storage units, a balancing circuit between two of the energy storage units, the balancing circuit being controlled by at least one of the energy storage unit controllers, a serial electrical interface between the energy storage unit controllers for providing voltage isolated bi-directional communication, and a central controller in electrical communication with the energy storage unit controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia Incorporated
    Inventors: John Houldsworth, Gary L. Stirk
  • Publication number: 20110031944
    Abstract: A device and method for dc isolation and level shifting includes a driver circuit powered by a first voltage range, a capacitor connected to the driver circuit, and a latching circuit connected to the capacitor. The latching circuit is powered by a second voltage range and is configured to restore and/or minimize charge loss of the capacitor during a voltage transition at the capacitor. A device and method for analog isolation and measurement configured to measure an analog voltage at a second potential without requiring analog circuits at the second potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: POWERPRECISE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Stirk, Jong-Dii Jiang, John Houldsworth
  • Publication number: 20100109610
    Abstract: A system for managing energy stored in a plurality of series connected energy storage units has a plurality of energy storage unit controllers, each controller being associated with one of the plurality of energy storage units, a balancing circuit between two of the energy storage units, the balancing circuit being controlled by at least one of the energy storage unit controllers, a serial electrical interface between the energy storage unit controllers for providing voltage isolated bi-directional communication, and a central controller in electrical communication with the energy storage unit controllers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia Incorporated
    Inventors: John Houldsworth, Gary L. Stirk
  • Publication number: 20100010769
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring a temperature in at least one energy storage unit. The system includes at least one temperature sensor thermally coupled to the at least one energy storage unit, and a battery management controller in communication with the at least one temperature sensor. The battery management controller is configured to process a temperature of the at least one energy storage unit to obtain an internal temperature in the at least one energy storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia Inc.
    Inventor: John Houldsworth
  • Patent number: 7615966
    Abstract: A system for managing energy stored in a plurality of series connected energy storage units has a plurality of energy storage unit controllers, each controller being associated with one of the plurality of energy storage units, a balancing circuit between two of the energy storage units, the balancing circuit being controlled by at least one of the energy storage unit controllers, a serial electrical interface between the energy storage unit controllers for providing voltage isolated bi-directional communication, and a central controller in electrical communication with the energy storage unit controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia Incorporated
    Inventors: John Houldsworth, Gary L. Stirk
  • Patent number: 7589533
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a change in an electrical property between contacts. A one-time operating state detection device includes a member coupling a pair of contacts and a detector for detecting a change in the coupling between the pair of contacts when the member is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia Incorporated
    Inventor: John Houldsworth
  • Patent number: 7477158
    Abstract: A method for gradually increasing the brightness of an indicator light. An activation signal is received indicating that the indicator light should be lit. Upon receipt of the activation signal, the brightness of the indicator light gradually increases. Upon detection of deactivation of the activation signal, the indicator light is extinguished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: John Houldsworth, Nigel A. Jones
  • Patent number: 7315489
    Abstract: A method is provided for accurate time measurement. Time is first measured with a first oscillator. At designated intervals, a second oscillator is activated for a period of time based on the first oscillator. The second oscillator is more accurate than the first oscillator. Pulses are then counted from the second oscillator during the period of time. The second oscillator is then turned off after the period of time. The count from the second oscillator is used as a new measurement of the period of time of the first oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Powerprecise Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John Houldsworth
  • Patent number: 7259572
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an impedance across a pair of terminals. A sensing circuit is AC coupled to the terminals which produces an output related to a time constant associated with the impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: PowerPrecise Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Houldsworth, Nigel A. Jones
  • Patent number: 7248053
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a change in an electrical property between contacts. A one-time operating state detection device includes a member coupling a pair of contacts and a detector for detecting a change in the coupling between the pair of contacts when the member is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Powerprecise Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John Houldsworth
  • Publication number: 20070052422
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a change in electrical property between contacts. A one-time operating state detection device includes a member coupling a pair of contacts and a detector for detecting a change in the coupling between the pair of contacts when the member is moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: John Houldsworth
  • Publication number: 20060012333
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a change in an electrical property between contacts. A one-time operating state detection device includes a member coupling a pair of contacts and a detector for detecting a change in the coupling between the pair of contacts when the member is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventor: John Houldsworth