Patents by Inventor Tom Pendleton

Tom Pendleton 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: 8092234
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for sensing information (e.g., voltage, current, data, etc.) that is being transmitted through a connector. Preferred embodiments of the present invention operate in accordance with a connector and at least one sensor. In one embodiment of the present invention, the connector comprises a plug, a receptacle, and a sensor assembly for housing at least one circuit board, at least one sensor, and at least one sensor housing, wherein the sensor is configured to sense (or sample) information that is being communicated over a conductor. The sensor may be a torroidal coil that includes a core (e.g., ferrite, etc.) and at least one wire (e.g., copper, etc.) wound around the core. Alternatively, the sensor may be a MEMS sensor, a Hall Effect sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor and/or a direct (or physical) connection between the at least one wire and either the at least one circuit board or an external circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Deutsch Engineered Connecting Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: James Friedhof, Tom Pendleton
  • Publication number: 20100112866
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for sensing information (e.g., voltage, current, data, etc.) that is being transmitted through a connector. Preferred embodiments of the present invention operate in accordance with a connector and at least one sensor. In one embodiment of the present invention, the connector comprises a plug, a receptacle, and a sensor assembly for housing at least one circuit board, at least one sensor, and at least one sensor housing, wherein the sensor is configured to sense (or sample) information that is being communicated over a conductor. The sensor may be a torroidal coil that includes a core (e.g., ferrite, etc.) and at least one wire (e.g., copper, etc.) wound around the core. Alternatively, the sensor may be a MEMS sensor, a Hall Effect sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor and/or a direct (or physical) connection between the at least one wire and either the at least one circuit board or an external circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: JAMES FRIEDHOF, Tom Pendleton