Patents by Inventor Kenneth D. Alton

Kenneth D. Alton 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: 11682891
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an electromechanical switch, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a processor. The electromechanical switch is serially connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker, and configured to be placed in a switched-closed state or a switched-open state. The current sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of current flowing in a path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a current sense signal. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of voltage at a point on the path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a voltage sense signal. The processor is configured to receive and process the current sense signal and the voltage sense signal to determine operational status information of the circuit breaker and determine power usage information of a load connected to the load output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Amber Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Telefus, Stephen C. Gerber, Damon M. Baker, Kenneth D. Alton
  • Patent number: 11551899
    Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a solid-state bidirectional switch, a switch control circuit, current and voltage sensors, and a processor. The solid-state bidirectional switch is connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker, and configured to be placed in a switched-on state and a switched-off state. The switch control circuit control operation of the bidirectional switch. The current sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of current flowing in an electrical path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a current sense signal. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of voltage on the electrical path and generate a voltage sense signal. The processor is configured to process the current and voltage sense signals to determine operational status information of the circuit breaker, a fault event, and power usage information of a load connected to the load output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Amber Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Telefus, Stephen C. Gerber, Damon M. Baker, Kenneth D. Alton
  • Patent number: 11373831
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an electromechanical switch, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a processor. The electromechanical switch is serially connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker, and configured to be placed in a switched-closed state or a switched-open state. The current sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of current flowing in a path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a current sense signal. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of voltage at a point on the path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a voltage sense signal. The processor is configured to receive and process the current sense signal and the voltage sense signal to determine operational status information of the circuit breaker and determine power usage information of a load connected to the load output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Amber Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Telefus, Stephen C. Gerber, Damon M. Baker, Kenneth D. Alton
  • Publication number: 20220189721
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an electromechanical switch, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a processor. The electromechanical switch is serially connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker, and configured to be placed in a switched-closed state or a switched-open state. The current sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of current flowing in a path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a current sense signal. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of voltage at a point on the path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a voltage sense signal. The processor is configured to receive and process the current sense signal and the voltage sense signal to determine operational status information of the circuit breaker and determine power usage information of a load connected to the load output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Mark Telefus, Stephen C. Gerber, Damon M. Baker, Kenneth D. Alton
  • Patent number: 11348752
    Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a solid-state switch, an air-gap electromagnetic switch, switch control circuitry, a zero-crossing detection circuit, and a current sensor. The solid-state and air-gap switches are connected in series in an electrical path between line input and load output terminals of the circuit breaker. The switch control circuitry controls the solid-state and air-gap switches. The zero-crossing detection circuit detects zero crossings of an AC waveform on the electrical path. The current sensor senses current flow in the electrical path to detect a fault condition based on the sensed current flow. In response to a detected fault condition, the switch control circuitry generates control signals to place the solid-state switch into a switched-off state and place the air-gap switch into a switched-open state after the solid-state switch is placed into the switched-off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Amber Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Telefus, Stephen C. Gerber, Damon M. Baker, Kenneth D. Alton
  • Patent number: 11170964
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a solid-state switch, a sense resistor, a current detection circuit, and a switch control circuit. The solid-state switch and sense resistor are connected in series in an electrical path between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker. The current detection circuit is configured to (i) sample a sense voltage that is generated across the sense resistor in response to load current flowing through the sense resistor, (ii) detect an over-current fault condition based on the sampled sense voltage, and (iii) output a fault detection signal in response to detecting the over-current fault condition. The switch control circuit is configured to control the solid-state switch, wherein the switch control circuit is configured to switch off the solid-state switch in response to the fault detection signal output from the current detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Amber Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Telefus, Stephen C. Gerber, Damon M. Baker, Kenneth D. Alton
  • Publication number: 20200366079
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a solid-state switch, a sense resistor, a current detection circuit, and a switch control circuit. The solid-state switch and sense resistor are connected in series in an electrical path between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker. The current detection circuit is configured to (i) sample a sense voltage that is generated across the sense resistor in response to load current flowing through the sense resistor, (ii) detect an over-current fault condition based on the sampled sense voltage, and (iii) output a fault detection signal in response to detecting the over-current fault condition. The switch control circuit is configured to control the solid-state switch, wherein the switch control circuit is configured to switch-off the solid-state switch in response to the fault detection signal output from the current detection circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Mark Telefus, Stephen C. Gerber, Damon M. Baker, Kenneth D. Alton
  • Publication number: 20200365345
    Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a solid-state switch, an air-gap electromagnetic switch, switch control circuitry, a zero-crossing detection circuit, and a current sensor. The solid-state and air-gap switches are connected in series in an electrical path between line input and load output terminals of the circuit breaker. The switch control circuitry controls the solid-state and air-gap switches. The zero-crossing detection circuit detects zero crossings of an AC power waveform on the electrical path. The current sensor senses current flow in the electrical path to detect a fault condition based on the sensed current flow. In response to a detected fault condition, the switch control circuitry generates control signals to place the solid-state switch into a switched-off state and place the air-gap switch into a switched-open state after the solid-state switch is placed into the switched-off state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Mark Telefus, Stephen C. Gerber, Damon M. Baker, Kenneth D. Alton
  • Publication number: 20200365346
    Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a solid-state bidirectional switch, a switch control circuit, current and voltage sensors, and a processor. The solid-state bidirectional switch is connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker, and configured to be placed in a switched-on state and a switched-off state. The switch control circuit control operation of the bidirectional switch. The current sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of current flowing in an electrical path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a current sense signal. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of voltage on the electrical path and generate a voltage sense signal. The processor is configured to process the current and voltage sense signals to determine operational status information of the circuit breaker, a fault event, and power usage information of a load connected to the load output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Mark Telefus, Stephen C. Gerber, Damon M. Baker, Kenneth D. Alton
  • Publication number: 20200366078
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an electromechanical switch, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a processor. The electromechanical switch is serially connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker, and configured to be placed in a switched-closed state or a switched-open state. The current sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of current flowing in a path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a current sense signal. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of voltage at a point on the path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a voltage sense signal. The processor is configured to receive and process the current sense signal and the voltage sense signal to determine operational status information of the circuit breaker and determine power usage information of a load connected to the load output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Mark Telefus, Stephen C. Gerber, Damon M. Baker, Kenneth D. Alton
  • Patent number: 6412055
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing developers to develop software for their product. The method includes providing a first mode signal to a processor to operate in a development mode. The method also includes executing instructions stored in a first region of the memory in response to the first mode signal, providing data to the processor, and writing the data into a second region of the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Legerity, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Tallo, Kenneth D. Alton
  • Publication number: 20010011339
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for allowing developers to develop software for their product. In one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided that includes providing a first mode signal to a processor to operate in a development mode. The method also includes executing instructions stored in a first region of the memory in response to the first mode signal, providing data to the processor, and writing the data into a second region of the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: KENNETH TALLO, KENNETH D. ALTON
  • Patent number: 5732350
    Abstract: A method for registering a mobile station (307) in a radiotelephone communication system (300). The mobile station (307) receives system information from a base station (321), including a cell grouping level. The mobile station (307) determines if it is registered with the base station (321). If not, the mobile station (307) registers. The network controller of the radiotelephone communication system (300) automatically registers the mobile stations with all base stations defined by the cell grouping level. The mobile station (307), using the same algorithm, maintains a record of the base stations with which it is automatically registered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Marko, Kenneth D. Alton
  • Patent number: 5553019
    Abstract: A write-once read-many memory system (10) for electronically securing a select portion of memory from being overwritten or erased. Memory system (10) includes one or more storage cells (25) for providing electronic storage of information. A control cell (13) is used for controlling writing and/or erasing access to the storage cells (25). Control logic (11) is provided to control access to the control cell (13). Control cell (13) and control logic (11) are used as a gate to provide selective access to storage cells (25) through write control line (19) and erase control line (21). Storage cells (25) can only be accessed when the control cell (13) in an appropriate logic state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry L. Sandvos, Kenneth D. Alton
  • Patent number: 5502437
    Abstract: A method for providing isolation between first and second receivers (314, 316) located within a radio (300) is configured in software. The first receiver (314) synchronizes to the second receiver (316) in their respective battery saver modes such that the two receivers are never on at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Marko, Kenneth D. Alton
  • Patent number: 5408693
    Abstract: A radio communication device (10) comprises a radio transceiver (12), having a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) (16), an audio section (22), and a controller (16) for deactivating the audio section whenever the RSSI indicates the the received signal strength is below a predetermined threshold. The controller also operates as a counter (26) for indicating the length of time that the received signal strength has been below the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Alton, Ronald E. Sharp, Mark S. Stuglik, David L. Brown
  • Patent number: 5373547
    Abstract: A method for handset spectrum registration in cordless telephone systems having base stations operating in a first spectrum (102) and a second spectrum (101) where the first and second spectrums have a portion (103) of overlapping spectrum ranges comprises the steps at a handset (206) of scanning (18) the portion of overlapping spectrum ranges provided by a base station which is either a first base station having the first spectrum range or a second base station having the second spectrum and then choosing (20) a channel within the overlapping spectrum ranges substantially free from interference and designating the channel as the initial link establishment channel and as a re-establishment channel for subsequent re-establishment links. The handset then sends (22) a re-establishment link request to the base station to have the base re-establish a link with the re-establishment channel on the handset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Stelios J. Patsiokas, Kenneth D. Alton
  • Patent number: 5203012
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for choosing the most optimum communication channel in a system (100) having a plurality of communication channels provides for reduced interference and increased system capacity. By establishing a set of threshold levels and comparing these threshold levels to receive signal strength level measurements for each of the communication channels, a communication device originating a call can be guaranteed of establishing communication using the communication channel with the least chance of being affected by interference or of affecting other channels already in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Stelios J. Patsiokas, Paul D. Marko, Craig P. Wadin, Edward S. Kovach, Kenneth D. Alton