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).
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Patent number: 8831904Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 19, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: John Houldsworth
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Patent number: 8717063Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia IncorporatedInventors: Gary Stirk, Jong-Dii Jiang, John Houldsworth
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Patent number: 8436620Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 2, 2010Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Gary Lee Stirk, Brian Allen, Umar Jameer Lyles, John Houldsworth, Brian Lum-Shue-Chan, Bertan Bakkaloglu
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Patent number: 8306771Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 23, 2007Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia LimitedInventor: John Houldsworth
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Publication number: 20120256656Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia IncorporatedInventors: Gary Stirk, Jong-Dii Jiang, John Houldsworth
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Patent number: 8228092Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 30, 2007Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia IncorporatedInventors: Gary Stirk, Jong-Dii Jiang, John Houldsworth
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Publication number: 20120177954Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: John Houldsworth, Gary L. Stirk
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Publication number: 20120056624Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Inventors: Gary Lee Stirk, Brian Allen, Umar Jameer Lyles, John Houldsworth, Brian Lum-Shue-Chan, Bertan Bakkaloglu
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Patent number: 8115453Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 5, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia IncorporatedInventors: John Houldsworth, Gary L. Stirk
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Publication number: 20110031944Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2007Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: POWERPRECISE SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Gary Stirk, Jong-Dii Jiang, John Houldsworth
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Publication number: 20100109610Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia IncorporatedInventors: John Houldsworth, Gary L. Stirk
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Publication number: 20100010769Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2007Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia Inc.Inventor: John Houldsworth
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Patent number: 7615966Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 28, 2002Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia IncorporatedInventors: John Houldsworth, Gary L. Stirk
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Patent number: 7589533Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 28, 2006Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia IncorporatedInventor: John Houldsworth
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Patent number: 7477158Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 14, 2005Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: John Houldsworth, Nigel A. Jones
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Patent number: 7315489Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 14, 2005Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Powerprecise Solutions, Inc.Inventor: John Houldsworth
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Patent number: 7259572Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: PowerPrecise Solutions, Inc.Inventors: John Houldsworth, Nigel A. Jones
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Patent number: 7248053Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 15, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Powerprecise Solutions, Inc.Inventor: John Houldsworth
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Publication number: 20070052422Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2006Publication date: March 8, 2007Inventor: John Houldsworth
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Publication number: 20060012333Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2005Publication date: January 19, 2006Inventor: John Houldsworth