Patents by Inventor Tom Ahola
Tom Ahola 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: 11411303Abstract: The invention concerns an antenna assembly for a wearable or wrist worn device, the device being suitable for underwater communications, comprising a casing, comprising an inductive coil antenna, wherein the inductive coil antenna is attachable to a housing and said housing, comprising a first radio operating on a first frequency band for communication underwater and a second radio operating on a second frequency band for communication over air interface, wherein the second frequency band is higher than the first frequency band, and the first and the second radio operate using the inductive coil antenna when said casing is attached to said housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Suunto OyInventors: Tom Ahola, Eero Varjonen, Erik Lindman
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Patent number: 11316559Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for enabling a wireless device to communicate with a portable computer over an inductive link. The portable computer is provided with a receiving unit for receiving data over said inductive link, and with a proximity detector for detecting proximity of a wireless device sending data over said inductive link. The processing of the data sent from the wireless device in said portable computer is enabled by a signal indicating a detected proximity of said wireless device. The portable computer may be a dive computer which includes a receiver unit capable of receiving sensor information from a pressure sensor an inductive link, and a proximity detector capable of sensing the proximity of the pressure sensor over the inductive link.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2015Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Suunto OyInventor: Tom Ahola
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Patent number: 11059550Abstract: A diving computer with coupled antenna and a water contact assembly is disclosed. The diving computer has at least one radiator element located on or connected to an outermost surface of a bezel of the diving computer and a radio unit having a conductive coupling to said radiator element, for enabling wireless communication between said diving computer and external devices. A conductive water contact surface extends through the housing of the diving computer and a water contact detector circuit is arranged, as a part of an underwater condition sensing circuit, to sense an underwater condition of the device. When water establishes a current path through said underwater condition sensing circuit from the water contact surface to ground, the sensing circuit provides an indication of an underwater condition to the diving computer.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Suunto OyInventors: Mikko Sepänniitty, Heikki Puuri, Ville Hurskainen, Tapio Stählberg, Niko Tarnanen, Eero Varjonen, Tom Ahola
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Publication number: 20200176857Abstract: The invention concerns an antenna assembly for a wearable or wrist worn device, the device being suitable for underwater communications, comprising a casing, comprising an inductive coil antenna, wherein the inductive coil antenna is attachable to a housing and said housing, comprising a first radio operating on a first frequency band for communication underwater and a second radio operating on a second frequency band for communication over air interface, wherein the second frequency band is higher than the first frequency band, and the first and the second radio operate using the inductive coil antenna when said casing is attached to said housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2019Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Tom Ahola, Eero Varjonen, Erik Lindman
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Publication number: 20190210703Abstract: A diving computer with coupled antenna and a water contact assembly is disclosed. The diving computer has at least one radiator element located on or connected to an outermost surface of a bezel of the diving computer and a radio unit having a conductive coupling to said radiator element, for enabling wireless communication between said diving computer and external devices. A conductive water contact surface extends through the housing of the diving computer and a water contact detector circuit is arranged, as a part of an underwater condition sensing circuit, to sense an underwater condition of the device. When water establishes a current path through said underwater condition sensing circuit from the water contact surface to ground, the sensing circuit provides an indication of an underwater condition to the diving computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Mikko Sepanniitty, Heikki Puuri, Ville Hurskainen, Tapio Stahlberg, Niko Tarnanen, Eero Varjonen, Tom Ahola
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Patent number: 9866340Abstract: The invention concerns an underwater transceiver device, communications system and method of communicating sensor data underwater. The transceiver device comprises a sensor unit or a sensor connection for an external sensor unit for providing a sensor value and a communication unit functionally connected to the sensor unit or connection and comprising means for wirelessly transmitting the sensor value to another underwater device as data packets according to a timing scheme. According to the invention, the communication unit further comprises means for wirelessly receiving data packets of other underwater devices, and means for adjusting the timing scheme based on data packets received so as to avoid simultaneous transmitting of underwater devices. The invention enables energy-efficient and robust communications between diving equipment.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Suunto OyInventors: Tom Ahola, Erik Lindman
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Publication number: 20160072557Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for enabling a wireless device to communicate with a portable computer over an inductive link. The portable computer is provided with a receiving unit for receiving data over said inductive link, and with a proximity detector for detecting proximity of a wireless device sending data over said inductive link. The processing of the data sent from the wireless device in said portable computer is enabled by a signal indicating a detected proximity of said wireless device. The portable computer may be a dive computer which includes a receiver unit capable of receiving sensor information from a pressure sensor an inductive link, and a proximity detector capable of sensing the proximity of the pressure sensor over the inductive link.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventor: Tom Ahola
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Publication number: 20150071280Abstract: The invention concerns an underwater transceiver device, communications system and method of communicating sensor data underwater. The transceiver device comprises a sensor unit or a sensor connection for an external sensor unit for providing a sensor value and a communication unit functionally connected to the sensor unit or connection and comprising means for wirelessly transmitting the sensor value to another underwater device as data packets according to a timing scheme. According to the invention, the communication unit further comprises means for wirelessly receiving data packets of other underwater devices, and means for adjusting the timing scheme based on data packets received so as to avoid simultaneous transmitting of underwater devices. The invention enables energy-efficient and robust communications between diving equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: Suunto OyInventors: Tom Ahola, Erik Lindman
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Publication number: 20100285849Abstract: A method includes receiving a first signal from an antenna of a device and at least one internal device signal in a low-energy consumption path, detecting a peak in at least one of the first signal and the at least one internal device signal, and activating a higher energy consumption path to analyze the first signal when the detected peak is not in one of the at least one internal device signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2006Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: NOKIA CORPORATIONInventors: Niko Porjo, Jakke Mäkelä, Tom Ahola, Joni Jantunen
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Patent number: 7772826Abstract: A lightning detector for lightning detection and a lightning detection method, wherein the lightning detector uses at least two separate channels or frequency bands for lightning detection, and wherein the lightning detector is a mobile RF device provided with radio interfaces for at least two communication channels or frequency bands, whereby at least one of which is normally a telecom channel/frequency range and wherein these channels/ranges are used in lightning detection.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Joni Jantunen, Jakke Mäkelä, Terho Kaikuranta, Jukka Reunamäki, Tom Ahola, Arttu Uusitalo, Kari Kalliojärvi
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Publication number: 20090179628Abstract: A lightning detector for lightning detection and a lightning detection method, wherein the lightning detector uses at least two separate channels or frequency bands for lightning detection, and wherein the lightning detector is a mobile RF device provided with radio interfaces for at least two communication channels or frequency bands, whereby at least one of which is normally a telecom channel/frequency range and wherein these channels/ranges are used in lightning detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Inventors: Joni Jantunen, Jakke Makela, Terho Kaikuranta, Jukka Reunamaki, Tom Ahola, Arttu Uusitalo, Kari Kalliojarvi
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Patent number: 7511467Abstract: A lightning detector for lightning detection and a lightning detection method, wherein the lightning detector uses at least two separate channels or frequency bands for lightning detection, and wherein the lightning detector is a mobile RF device provided with radio interfaces for at least two communication channels or frequency bands, whereby at least one of which is normally a telecom channel/frequency range and wherein these channels/ranges are used in lightning detection.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2005Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Joni Jantunen, Jakke Mäkelä, Terho Kaikuranta, Jukka Reunamäki, Tom Ahola, Arttu Uusitalo, Kari Kalliojärvi
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Publication number: 20070085525Abstract: A lightning detector for lightning detection and a lightning detection method, wherein the lightning detector uses at least two separate channels or frequency bands for lightning detection, and wherein the lightning detector is a mobile RF device provided with radio interfaces for at least two communication channels or frequency bands, whereby at least one of which is normally a telecom channel/frequency range and wherein these channels/ranges are used in lightning detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2005Publication date: April 19, 2007Inventors: Joni Jantunen, Jakke Makela, Terho Kaikuranta, Jukka Reunamaki, Tom Ahola, Arttu Uusitalo, Kari Kalliojarvi
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Patent number: 7200418Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile radio-frequency enabled device. In order to enable a lightning detection by means of such a device, it comprises an electromagnetic interferences detection component detecting electromagnetic interferences in at least one radio-frequency channel, which at least one radio-frequency channel is usable by the mobile radio-frequency enabled device for a communication link. The device further comprises a processing component adapted to determine whether a lightning stroke can be assumed to have occurred in the vicinity of the mobile radio-frequency enabled device due to an electromagnetic interference detected by said electromagnetic interferences detection component. The invention relates equally to a corresponding system, to a corresponding method and to a corresponding software program product.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2004Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Terho Kaikuranta, Jakke Mäkelä, Pekka Naula, Jarmo Heinonen, Sami Vilhonen, Tom Ahola
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Publication number: 20050262713Abstract: A system, method, device and computer code product is disclosed for stabilizing compass heading under tilt error conditions from an uncorrected electronic compass reading. Exemplary embodiments include a stabilizing filter configured to filter out tilt errors incorporated into the uncorrected electronic compass reading and a filter adaptation module configured to control the stabilizing filter response based on the signal radius of the uncorrected compass reading and a pre-calibrated ideal radius for the compass. The filter adaptation module can be configured to calculate a filter response parameter as a function of the relative difference between the signal radius of the uncorrected compass reading and the pre-calibrated ideal radius. The filter response parameter can be passed to the stabilizing filter for controlling its operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2004Publication date: December 1, 2005Inventor: Tom Ahola
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Publication number: 20050197070Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile radio-frequency enabled device. In order to enable a lightning detection by means of such a device, it comprises an electromagnetic interferences detection component detecting electromagnetic interferences in at least one radio-frequency channel, which at least one radio-frequency channel is usable by the mobile radio-frequency enabled device for a communication link. The device further comprises a processing component adapted to determine whether a lightning stroke can be assumed to have occurred in the vicinity of the mobile radio-frequency enabled device due to an electromagnetic interference detected by said electromagnetic interferences detection component. The invention relates equally to a corresponding system, to a corresponding method and to a corresponding software program product.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2004Publication date: September 8, 2005Inventors: Terho Kaikuranta, Jakke Makela, Pekka Naula, Jarmo Heinonen, Sami Vilhonen, Tom Ahola
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Patent number: 6552676Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing power in a switched capacitor circuit. In one embodiment, the power reduction apparatus includes a detector connected to both inputs of an operational amplifier in a switched capacitor circuit, and a controller. The detector monitors the inputs. A voltage corresponding to full settling (i.e. a zero difference between the inputs) is stored. The voltage corresponding to the difference between the inputs is compared to the previous value to determine whether it is within the desired range. The controller is connected to an output signal of the detector. The controller adjusts a bias current of the operational amplifier based on the output signal to as low as possible but just above a value where the comparison falls outside the desired range. The power consumption of the operational amplifier is minimized while a settling time of the operational amplifier is still adequate for maximum performance.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Patrik Bjorksten, Sami Kallioinen, Jukka Wallinheimo, Tom Ahola
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Patent number: 6084200Abstract: The invention relates to a plasma torch in which the position of the electrode (4) with respect to the orifice (11) of the plasma nozzle (5) can be adjusted. The electrode (4) is mounted on the body (3) of the torch via a ball-and-socket joint (14), whereby the electrode (4) can be rotated supported by the joint (14) thus facilitating the alignment of its tip in the center of the orifice (11) of the plasma nozzle (5). The ball part (14) of the joint is clamped in the socket (15) by means of a tightening bushing (16). The plasma torch electrode (4) is fixed to the pivotal joint (14) by way of a longitudinally adjustable assembly (12, 17, 20, 25), whereby the tip of the electrode (4) can be moved with the help of the adjustment assembly (12, 17, 20, 25) to touch the nozzle (5) thus effecting the alignment of the electrode in the pivotal support of the ball-and-socket joint (14) and under the guidance of the sliding tip of the electrode (4) to the center of the nozzle orifice (11).Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1999Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Plasma Modules OyInventor: Tom Ahola
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Patent number: 5756958Abstract: Pressure loss in a feed channel of a powder filler material feed system of a plasma welding apparatus is compensated using an adapter body having a connection for taking shielding gas into the inside of the adapter body, a connection for feeding the powder filler material into the adapter body and therein into the shielding gas flow, and a connection for taking the mixture of the shielding gas and the powder filler material from the adapter body into a feed channel of the welding cable. The adapter body is formed with a channel section which flares in the direction of the shielding gas flow, and the connection for taking the shielding gas into the adapter body incorporates an injector nozzle insert having its discharge end adapted to exit into the start end of the flaring flow channel.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1997Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Assignee: Rotaweld OyInventor: Tom Ahola
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Patent number: 5556560Abstract: An assembly suited for feeding a powderized filler material in plasma welding. The invention is based on feeding the filler material flow first along a first channel, which is next divided into two separate channels that are branched aside from the first channel. The forked branches can further be divided into a plurality of branches, and according to an advantageous embodiment, the manifold of feed channels exits into a feed nozzle of shielding gas and powderized filler material. The nozzle is provided with a plurality of grooves along which the gas and powderized filler material enter the welding plasma of the torch, and the gas flow becomes laminarized. The shielding gas and the filler material can be fed along a single manifold of channels and the tip of the torch can be made extremely small in size.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1994Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignee: Plasma Modules OyInventors: Tom Ahola, Kari Ahola