Different Frequencies Or Phase Patents (Class 307/3)
  • Patent number: 9325374
    Abstract: A powerline communication diversity coupling mechanism may implement a transformer coupling unit. The transformer coupling unit can receive a communication signal to be coupled to a plurality of powerline communication channels for transmission in a powerline communication network. The transformer coupling unit can split the communication signal into a plurality of communication signals for transmission. The transformer coupling unit can couple each of the plurality of the communication signals to a corresponding one of a plurality of the powerline communication channels for transmission in the powerline communication network. Also, the transformer coupling unit can receive a plurality of communication signals on each of a plurality of powerline communication channels. The transformer coupling unit can combine the plurality of the communication signals into a communication signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Magin, Lawrence W. Yonge, III
  • Patent number: 9128489
    Abstract: A distributed control system is provided wherein a master controller inductively delivers power and data to a plurality of remote slave modules or controllers via a plurality of coupling loops formed along a length of transmission line. Each of the remote slave modules, in turn, inductively delivers return data to the master controller via the plurality of coupling loops. The use of inductive coupling provides an advantage over the state of the art because no direct galvanic electrical connection is required between the transmission line and the remote slave modules which promise to simplify installation and enhance long-term reliability. Example applications for the control system described herein include agricultural irrigation systems where individual sprinkler and valve components may be controlled collectively, individually, or in groups or subsets, to vary application rates according to prescribed irrigation parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Bauman, Tom J. Young, Craig B. Nelson, Chad D. Leinweber
  • Patent number: 9130372
    Abstract: A system for transmitting alternating current power and communication signals between a first location and a second location through a communication path which includes at least one inductive load and at least one switch configured to switch power to the at least one inductive load on and off is disclosed herein. The system comprises a control configured to control the at least one switch so that, if the power is switched on during a particular phase of the power, is the power is switched off during the opposite phase of the power, and if the power is switched off during a particular phase of the power, the power is switched on during the opposite phase of the power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Controls Limited
    Inventors: Silviu Puchianu, Hilton Smart, Graham Morley, Julian Richard Davis, Steven Lewis Charles Simpson
  • Patent number: 9112590
    Abstract: A device for determining a common-mode signal in a power line communication network. The device includes a first line, a second line, and a third line that are connected to a first terminal, to a second terminal, and to a third terminal, respectively. The first, the second, and the third terminal are configured to be connected to a phase line, a neutral line, and a protective ground line of the power line communication network, respectively. The device further includes a common-mode choke configured to couple out the common signal from the first, second, and third line, and the common-mode choke is connected to a termination impedance which is higher than an impedance of the power line communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Schwager, Werner Baeschlin
  • Patent number: 9041241
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of powering a mobile device using a sink device. The method may include detecting a coupling of the mobile device to the sink device and transmitting an acknowledgement in response to a query, the acknowledgement confirming that the sink device has charging capability. Power may be selectively provided in response to the power request. According to some embodiments, the method includes transmitting a query by a communications transmitter to determine if a sink device has charging capability, and deactivating a driver for a power line and transmitting a power request using the communications transmitter in response to receiving an acknowledgement signal from the sink device. The method may further include selectively providing power received from the sink device to a charging circuit of the mobile device. The mobile device may include an HDMI transmitter for communicating through a transmission line to an HDMI sink device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Analogix Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Ning Zhu, Hongwu Chi
  • Patent number: 9024464
    Abstract: A powerline communication control system for controlling a lighting unit, such as an LED lighting unit, including a master controller for receiving lighting unit control inputs from a lighting controller and generating corresponding lighting unit command outputs in a lighting system command format and transmission mode and superimposing the lighting unit command outputs onto the power distribution system and at least one lighting slave unit for receiving the lighting command signal, separating the lighting command signal from the power signal and for providing lighting unit control commands to the at least one lighting unit to control illumination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Lumenpulse Lighting Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Campbell
  • Patent number: 8952793
    Abstract: A bicycle electrical system is provided with a first electric component, a second electric component, and a third electric component. The first electric component includes a first electric power line communication section. The second electric component includes a second electric power line communication section. The third electric component includes a third electric power line communication section. The first and second electric power line communication sections are connected with a first electric power line such that the first and second electric power line communication sections conduct communications via the first electric power line. The second and third electric power line communication sections are connected with a second electric power line such that the second and third electric power line communication sections conduct communications via the second electric power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Shimaro Inc.
    Inventors: Taihei Nishihara, Takafumi Suzuki, Shun Kou
  • Patent number: 8934860
    Abstract: A method for detecting an ingress of a short wave radio signal in a power line communication system which determines a strength of a common mode signal at a frequency of the power line communication system during a time period when no communication in the power line communication system at this frequency takes place and an ingress is detected if the strength of the common mode signal is above a determined threshold. A corresponding power line communication modem can implement such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Andreas Schwager
  • Patent number: 8928170
    Abstract: A receiver and method for a transponder of a two-way automatic communications system (TWACS) used by an electrical utility in which analog outbound messages are sent from the utility to a consumer and inbound, reply messages are sent from the consumer to the utility. The receiver and method enable a transponder to detect the outbound messages and include A/D conversion and digital processing for demodulating a digitized signal and providing the outbound message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLC
    Inventor: David W. Rieken
  • Patent number: 8922048
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) sub-generator junction box (1) for a PV system (100) comprises a plurality of electric terminals (11) for optionally connecting one respective PV string (2) of one or more serially connected PV modules (3). Said PV sub-generator junction box (1) further comprises a sub-generator line terminal (12) for connecting a PV sub-generator line (4) of a remote central PV inverter (5) or connecting a PV sub-generator line (4) of an inserted PV generator junction box (6). The PV sub-generator junction box (1) also comprises an electronic control unit (10) that is connected to a central control unit (7) of the PV inverter (5) in order to exchange data (DAT0). According to the invention, the PV sub-generator junction box (1) comprises a power line modem (8) for feeding and retrieving the data (DAT) via the PV sub-generator line (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventor: Bodo Giesler
  • Patent number: 8907519
    Abstract: A data transmission system includes a sender, at least one receiver, a sender controller, and a receiver controller. The sender controller receives an AC signal from an AC power source via a first AC input port, receives data from the sender via a first data port, and processes the received AC signal according to the received data, and outputs a processed AC signal via a first AC output port. The receiver controller receives the processed AC signal from the sender controller via the second AC input port, powers the at least one receiver using the processed AC signal via the second AC output port, and converts the processed AC signal to corresponding data and transmits the data to the at least one receiver via a second data port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Presicion Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-Yuan Zhang, Zhang-Yong Zheng, Bi-Qing Luo, Xin Lu, Shih-Fang Wong
  • Patent number: 8896153
    Abstract: An electric power supplying system includes at least two systems each including a bus line which is formed by at least two conductors and on which an information signal representing information is superimposed on electric power, a power supply server which is connected to the bus line and which supplies the electric power, and a client connected to the bus line to receive the supply of the electric power from the power supply server. The two systems are connected to each other by connecting the bus lines using conductors. The conductors include a connector having at least two electrodes that connect with each of the conductors. The connector has a structure in which, when the connector is connected to the bus line, one of the electrodes is connected to the bus line before the other of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Tajima
  • Patent number: 8847151
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for coupling RF and AC signals to provide power to a multipole in a mass spectrometer is provided. A first circuit comprises: an RF power source for providing difference mode power to the multipole via the RF signal; at least one inductor for forming at least one resonant LC circuit with the multipole for providing voltage gain for the RF signal; and a transformer, comprising a secondary tap, the transformer connected in parallel to the RF power source and further connected to the at least one inductor such that the signals injected into the secondary tap are communicated to the at least one resonant LC circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: DH Technologies Development Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: John Vandermey, Alexandre Loboda
  • Patent number: 8823202
    Abstract: There is provided an electronic appliance including a hinge portion including a first rotating hinge including a first electrode for transmitting a direct current and a first coil for transmitting/receiving a data signal by using electromagnetic induction, and a second rotating hinge including a second electrode for receiving the direct current by contacting the first electrode and a second coil for transmitting/receiving the data signal to/from the first coil. The hinge portion connects the first rotating hinge and the second rotating hinge in a rotatable manner while maintaining a state where the first electrode and the second electrode are in contact with each other and a center axis of the first coil and a center axis of the second coil are substantially same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takehiro Sugita
  • Patent number: 8816832
    Abstract: Coupling circuit for coupling a power line communication device to a power line network, including a first network port coupled between a network phase line and a first network line, a second network port coupled between a network neutral line and a second network line, a third network port coupled between a network ground line and a third network line, a first differential modem port including a first terminal and a second terminal, a second differential modem port including a third terminal and a fourth terminal, a first transformer including a first network side winding and a first modem side winding, a second transformer including a second network side winding and a second modem side winding, the transformers including respective terminals, a center tap extending from the midpoint of the first network side winding to a terminal of the second network side winding and a plurality of capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Sigma Designs Israel S.D.I Ltd., Alvarion Technologies Ltd
    Inventors: Uri Weiss, Dror Ben-Yehuda, Naftali Chayat
  • Patent number: 8810059
    Abstract: Coupling and interface circuits for powerline modems are disclosed. A powerline modem may be coupled to a low voltage (LV) line or a medium voltage (MV) line using a circuit that is designed to compensate for signal attenuation and loss that is created by the a LV/MV transformer and/or a MV coupler. In one embodiment, separate coupling transformers may be used by the modem for reception and transmission. In other embodiments, a capacitance is switched on the transmission line before the modem transmits to lower the line impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Il Han Kim, Badri N. Varadarajan, Anand G. Dabak
  • Publication number: 20140175866
    Abstract: A system for transmitting communication signals, the system comprising an injector circuit connected to a powered circuit conductor and configured to modulate a power signal with a direct current voltage offset, the direct current voltage offset being within a range that causes approximately 1 percent or less total harmonic distortion of the power signal; and a decoder connected to the powered circuit conductor and a load, the decoder configured to demodulate the direct current voltage offset to control the load. A method for transmitting communication signals, the method comprising modulating a power signal on a powered circuit conductor with a direct current voltage offset, the direct current voltage offset being within a range that causes approximately 1 percent or less total harmonic distortion of the power signal; and demodulating the direct current voltage offset to control a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Powerline Load Control LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Fox, Peter R. Pettler
  • Patent number: 8759999
    Abstract: A powerline communication control system for controlling a lighting unit, such as an LED lighting unit, including a master controller for receiving lighting unit control inputs from a lighting controller and generating corresponding lighting unit command outputs in a lighting system command format and transmission mode and superimposing the lighting unit command outputs onto the power distribution system and at least one lighting slave unit for receiving the lighting command signal, separating the lighting command signal from the power signal and for providing lighting unit control commands to the at least one lighting unit to control illumination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Lumenpulse Lighting, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Campbell
  • Patent number: 8716882
    Abstract: A system for transmitting communication signals, the system comprising an injector circuit connected to a powered circuit conductor and configured to modulate a power signal with a direct current voltage offset, the direct current voltage offset being within a range that causes approximately 1 percent or less total harmonic distortion of the power signal; and a decoder connected to the powered circuit conductor and a load, the decoder configured to demodulate the direct current voltage offset to control the load. A method for transmitting communication signals, the method comprising modulating a power signal on a powered circuit conductor with a direct current voltage offset, the direct current voltage offset being within a range that causes approximately 1 percent or less total harmonic distortion of the power signal; and demodulating the direct current voltage offset to control a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Powerline Load Control LLC
    Inventors: Peter R. Pettler, Christopher Fox
  • Patent number: 8710695
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method may include receiving, at a first plug link device prong, a Powerline Communication (PLC) signal from a first main electrical line. The method may further include transferring the PLC signal from the first plug link device prong to a first plug link device electrical line. The method may also include passing the PLC signal from the first plug link device electrical line to a second plug link device electrical line. The method may also include transferring the PLC signal from the second plug link device electrical line to a second plug link device prong. The method may also include sending, from the second plug link device prong, the PLC signal to a second main electrical line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Asoka USA Corporation
    Inventors: Jiun-Sheuan Yang, Xia MingYao
  • Patent number: 8692407
    Abstract: A power line transmission apparatus is not interfered by the noise of the public power for transmitting high quality video/audio signal. The power line transmission apparatus includes an isolating unit connected between an external power line and an internal power line for isolating a high frequency noise signal carried on the external power line and transmitting a first power signal of the external power line from the external power line to the internal power line, and a power line network interface. The power line network interface includes at least one digital signal input/output interface for inputting or outputting a digital signal, converting the digital signal, and modulating the converted signal into the first power signal to form a second power signal and transmit the second power signal to the internal power line. A home network system without noise signal interference is built by utilizing several power line transmission apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Powertech Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Lung Lee, Ming-Chou Kuo
  • Patent number: 8686588
    Abstract: A device arrangement includes an electronic device having a rechargeable battery and a power adapter which can be electrically coupled to the electronic device and has a converter circuit for producing at least one operating voltage (UB) for the electronic device from a supply voltage from a power supply system at a voltage output, wherein the operating voltage (UB) is a DC voltage, the voltage output of the electronic device and the power adapter can be connected to one another via at least one power supply line to transmit the DC voltage, and the electronic device has a monitor that monitors at least one state of the electronic device and/or of the rechargeable battery, a first controller that produces at least one control signal (S) as a function of the monitored state, and a first signal device that signals the produced signal (S) to the power adapter, which first signal device is designed to modulate a radio-frequency AC voltage signal which is associated with the control signal (S), onto the power suppl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Technology Solutions Intellectual Property GmbH
    Inventors: Albertus Soemantri, Erwin Bässler
  • Patent number: 8680706
    Abstract: A system includes a first communication module to be coupled to a first transmission medium for distributing power using a voltage waveform having a first amplitude; and a second communication module to be coupled to a second transmission medium for distributing power using a voltage waveform having a second amplitude different from the first amplitude, the second transmission medium being coupled to the first transmission medium. Each of the first and second communication modules is configured to use signals that propagate between the first and second transmission media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: James Zyren
  • Publication number: 20140077590
    Abstract: Some embodiments teach an electrical device configured to emulate a high frequency electrical noise signal on an electrical power line. The electrical power line is coupled to one or more electrical outlets and the electrical device configured to be coupled to one or more electrical appliances. The electrical device can include: (a) a monitoring module configured to detect usage of electrical power from the electrical power line by a first one of the one or more electrical appliances; (b) an emitter module configured to generate an emulated high frequency electrical noise signal, the emulated high frequency electrical noise signal emulates electrical noise from a switch mode power supply; (c) a first electrical coupling mechanism configured to couple to a first one of the one or more electrical outlets; and (d) a second coupling mechanism configured to couple to the first one of the one or more electrical appliances. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Belkin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Karthik Yogeeswaran, Charles Gillen-O'Neel, Jeffery Garb
  • Patent number: 8674539
    Abstract: Functionality of a powerline communication (PLC) power supply and modem interface can be implemented using a power supply processing unit and a PLC modem unit that can be coupled together using standard, two-wire cabling. The power supply processing unit can generate a DC power signal and a zero cross signal based on an AC powerline signal received via a PLC network. The power supply processing unit can modulate the zero cross signal onto the DC power signal. The power supply processing unit can then generate a composite PLC signal comprising a PLC signal (extracted from the AC powerline signal) and the DC power signal modulated with the zero cross signal. The PLC modem unit can extract the PLC signal, the DC power signal, and the zero cross signal from the composite PLC signal, and then can process the PLC signal based on information associated with the zero cross signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory A. Magin, Celestino A. Corral
  • Patent number: 8653952
    Abstract: A power line communication system includes a plurality of communication nodes, a communication line coupling the communication nodes, a direct current power line coupling a connection point of the communication line with one of a positive terminal of a battery and a supply terminal of a load, and a capacitor coupled between the direct current power line and a ground. The communication nodes communicate with each other by superimposing a high frequency signal having a wavelength of ? to the communication line. The capacitor is coupled with the direct current power line at a position where a line length from the connection point is (n×?/2+?/4), where n is a natural number including zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Taiji Abe, Yuji Sugimoto, Akira Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8624424
    Abstract: Some embodiments teach an electrical device configured to emulate a high frequency electrical noise signal on an electrical power line. The electrical device can include: (a) a monitoring module configured to detect usage of electrical power from an electrical power line by a first one of one or more electrical appliances; (b) an emitter module configured to generate an emulated high frequency electrical noise signal, the emulated high frequency electrical noise signal emulates electrical noise from a switch mode power supply; (c) a first electrical coupling mechanism configured to couple to a first one of the one or more electrical outlets; and (d) a second coupling mechanism configured to couple to the first one of the one or more electrical appliances. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Belkin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Karthik Yogeeswaran, Charles Gillen-O'Neel, Jeffery Grab
  • Patent number: 8581436
    Abstract: An off-mains switch (14) and a control box (15) for electrically adjustable articles of furniture, such as beds, chairs or tables, which automatically interrupt the connection to the power supply when the article of furniture is not adjusted, such that this will not constantly be under the mains voltage. These off-main switches require a multi-part cable which is rigid and thick. In the present structure (14, 15) a single two-part cable (13) is sufficient, as the off-mains switch (14) is configured such that the control signals between control unit/control box (15) and the off-mains switch are transmitted through a mains cable (13). A standard cable having two conductors is then sufficient. This means in turn that standard plugs may be used, and thus that the cable (13) may be connected to the power supply via an ordinary plug. Since, hereby, the off-mains switch may appear as a separate unit, production and logistics are facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventor: Henning Kristensen
  • Patent number: 8520400
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate. A first integrated circuit die includes a first circuit and a first intra-chip clock interface that transmits a first clock signal via the substrate. A second integrated circuit die includes a second circuit that operates based on the first clock signal and a second intra-chip clock interface that recovers the first clock signal from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza (Reza) Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8519560
    Abstract: A power line communication device achieving suppression of electric power consumption is provided. Processing performed by a CPU of a PLC adapter includes the steps of sensing that a time to cut off electric power supply has come (S610), generating a message notifying that electric power supply will be cut off (S620), transmitting the message to equipment connected to the PLC adapter (S630), and emitting a command to cut off electric power supply to an RJ45 connector to a power feed circuit (S680) when a confirmation signal with regard to cut-off of electric power supply is received from the equipment (YES in step S640) and when cut-off OK is indicated (YES in step S650).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masakazu Ito
  • Publication number: 20130181630
    Abstract: A load control system comprises a load control device for controlling an electrical load receiving power from an AC power source, and a controller adapted to be coupled in series between the source and the load control device. The load control system may be installed without requiring any additional wires to be run, and is easily configured without the need for a computer or an advanced commissioning procedure. The load control device receives both power and communication over two wires, and the controller generates a phase-control voltage that has at least one timing edge in each half-cycle, and transmits digital messages by modulating a timing edge of the phase-control voltage relative to a reference edge. The controller may be operable to receive inputs from a plurality of different input devices, and the load control device may be operable to control a plurality of different loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Mark S. Taipale, James P. Steiner, Walter S. Zaharchuk, Michael W. Pessina, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: 8436487
    Abstract: A method for controlling and supplying power to at least one electrical consumer that is connectable in a wired, electrically conductive fashion to an energy source is provided. In the method, electrical energy is transferred by an alternating voltage and control information for activating the at least one electrical consumer is transmitted to the electrical consumer by an angle modulation of the alternating voltage used for the power supply. The control information is transmitted in binary form by a frequency modulation, wherein individual binary values are depicted and transmitted by an associated predetermined frequency of the alternating voltage used for the power supply. Each binary value is transmitted by a plurality of oscillations of the alternating voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Arnold Zender
  • Patent number: 8421614
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for providing reliable redundant data communications. The mechanism issues a request for data to a set of powered elements using a set of secondary communication channels in response to a reduction in a level of communications being detected. The set of secondary communication channels comprises one or more alternating current power lines and the request is sent as data injected onto the alternating current power lines to the set of powered elements. The mechanism receives the data using the set of secondary communication channels from the set of powered elements, analyzes the data to determine a set of recovery actions to restore the level of communications, and issues the set of recovery actions to the set of powered elements using the set of secondary communication channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian James Cagno, John Charles Elliott, Kenny Nian Gan Qiu, Donald Scott Smith
  • Patent number: 8415821
    Abstract: An adapter includes a connector, a rectifier, a communication unit, a modulating unit, and a switching unit. The connector receives an input voltage. The rectifier is capable of rectifying the input voltage into various direct current voltages. The various direct current voltages include a predetermined voltage and a desired voltage. The communication unit is configured for generating a communication signal. The modulating unit is configured for superposing the communication signal to the predetermined direct current voltage to generate a modulation signal. The communication unit is further configured for receiving a desired signal comprising information of the desired voltage from the electronic device, and controlling the rectifier to rectify the input voltage into the desired voltage and controlling the switching unit to electrically connect the rectifier to the electronic device for transmitting the desired voltage to the electronic device when receiving the desired signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kim-Yeung Sip, Ming-Yue Yan
  • Patent number: 8410630
    Abstract: A powerline communication control system for controlling a lighting unit, such as an LED lighting unit, including a master controller for receiving lighting unit control inputs from a lighting controller and generating corresponding lighting unit command outputs in a lighting system command format and transmission mode and superimposing the lighting unit command outputs onto the power distribution system and at least one lighting slave unit for receiving the lighting command signal, separating the lighting command signal from the power signal and for providing lighting unit control commands to the at least one lighting unit to control illumination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Lumenpulse Lighting Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Campbell
  • Publication number: 20130076119
    Abstract: Some embodiments teach an electrical device configured to emulate a high frequency electrical noise signal on an electrical power line. The electrical device can include: (a) a monitoring module configured to detect usage of electrical power from an electrical power line by a first one of one or more electrical appliances; (b) an emitter module configured to generate an emulated high frequency electrical noise signal, the emulated high frequency electrical noise signal emulates electrical noise from a switch mode power supply; (c) a first electrical coupling mechanism configured to couple to a first one of the one or more electrical outlets; and (d) a second coupling mechanism configured to couple to the first one of the one or more electrical appliances. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Belkin International Inc.
    Inventors: Karthik Yogeeswaran, Charles Gillen-O'Neel, Jeffery Grab
  • Patent number: 8368337
    Abstract: An HVAC unit includes a transformer and a system controller. The transformer is configured to receive power from a first and a second phase of a three-phase power source and to produce a first reduced-voltage waveform therefrom. The system controller is adapted to sample the reduced voltage waveform to determine a figure of merit of the three-phase power source. The controller is further configured to operate the HVAC unit in response to the figure of merit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Absalon Bonilla, Carlos O. Chamorro, Richard A. Mauk, John P. Stachler
  • Publication number: 20130020861
    Abstract: A method and device for impressing a measuring-signal voltage (U) on a power supply network in which a generator signal (Usig) is alternately sampled by two sample-and-hold elements (20, S1, S3), the sampled values are alternately allocated to a first pulse sequence (P1) and a second pulse sequence (P2), the pulse sequences (P1, P2) are separately inductively transmitted and the secondary-side measuring-signal voltage (U) is formed by adding the induced partial voltages (U1, U2) together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Dieter Hackl, Burkhard Macht
  • Patent number: 8338981
    Abstract: The disclosure describes communication of information between a network interface device and subscriber devices over a power line. A UPS unit receives operating power from subscriber premises via a first power line and delivers operating power to the network interface device via a second power line. The network interface device transmits and receives information, such as voice, video and data, to and from the UPS unit via the second power line. The UPS unit receives the information transmitted by the network interface device via the second power line, and transmits the received information to subscriber devices within the premises via the first power line. The UPS unit receives information transmitted by subscriber devices via the first power line, and transmits the received information to the network interface device via the second power line. The first and second power lines each serve as both a power line and a communication medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Biegert
  • Publication number: 20120313428
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to propose a communication system using an electronic choke circuit which has impedance slightly varied with a load variation and is prevented from having negative resistance and can stabilize circuit operation. A terminal device includes an electronic choke circuit separating DC power supplied from a management device and a communication signal from each other. The electronic choke circuit includes a variable impedance element constituted by a transistor having its collector and its emitter respectively connected to a first terminal and a third terminal, and an inductor and a resistor connected in series with the variable impedance element. A series circuit of a first resistor and a first capacitor is interposed between the first terminal and a second terminal, and the first capacitor has its one end connected to a base of the variable impedance element. A second capacitor is interposed between the third terminal and a fourth terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenji Kuniyoshi
  • Patent number: 8330585
    Abstract: A power supply for supplying electric power comprises a power circuit which supplies L channels of electric power (L: positive integer), a control circuit board which outputs multiple types of control signals including a digital control signal and a PWM signal, a digital-to-analog converter having M channels (M: positive integer less than L) each of which converts the digital control signal into an analog control signal, and N demodulation circuits (N=L?M) each of which generates an analog control signal by demodulating the PWM signal. The control circuit board is electrically connected to the power circuit via the M channels of the digital-to-analog converter and the N demodulation circuits. N is a positive integer not more than M.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahito Hamaya
  • Patent number: 8302418
    Abstract: An air conditioning system comprising an outdoor and an indoor unit connected through common power supply lines. The outdoor unit including a first communication circuit using one of the plurality of common power supply lines and one signal line independent of the power supply lines. The indoor unit comprising terminals connected to the first communication circuit; a switch configured to set the first and second communication circuits to a connection state or a disconnection state; a detection circuit configured to detect a voltage between the terminals; and a controller configured to control the switch. The switch sets the first and second communication circuits to the disconnection state when the voltage detected by the detection circuit equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold value; otherwise the switch sets the first and second communication circuits to the connection state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20120274278
    Abstract: A low-pass filter (63) is disposed between a residential power line (3a) and a vehicle power line (7), and attenuates a power line communication high-frequency signal. A power line communication section (60) is connected in parallel to the low-pass filter (63), performs conversion to a signal of a frequency lower than that of a power line communication high-frequency signal superimposed on the residential power line (3a) from a charge command apparatus, and communicates with a vehicle via the vehicle power line (7) by means of the converted low-frequency signal. A control section (65) controls connection or disconnection of a connection section (64) based on a charge command apparatus command signal demodulated by the power line communication section (60).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuji IGATA
  • Patent number: 8294555
    Abstract: A return communication system and method for an Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) System allows a pick-up device (3) to receive an instruction and supply a load (36) in such a way that a predetermined variation occurs in current in the primary conductive path (2) of the system The variation may be detected and decoded to determine a response from the pick-up to the instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Auckland UniServices Limited
    Inventor: Stephen D. Tetlow
  • Patent number: 8279058
    Abstract: A system, method and device for communicating over a power line are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a first device configured to communicate via broadband communications having a bandwidth greater than one megahertz, and a second device having a first port and a second port. The second port may be configured to communicate with the first device via broadband communications and the first port configured to communicate over one or more power lines with one or more remote devices via one or more of a plurality of frequency bands, and wherein each of the plurality of frequency bands has a bandwidth that is less than five hundred kilohertz. The second device may select one of the plurality of frequency bands and one of a plurality of modulations schemes based on channel conditions and/or operational parameters. The second device may be configured to transmit and receive data in a multitude of the plurality of frequency band concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Current Technologies International GmbH
    Inventor: Manu Sharma
  • Publication number: 20120228927
    Abstract: A transmitting circuit is connected to a communication line and configured to transmit a primary signal, being a current signal, to the communication line by changing a current flowing from a transmission unit via the communication line. A receiving circuit is configured to receive a secondary signal which is generated by converting the primary signal transmitted from the transmitting circuit to a voltage signal by a current/voltage converter provided between the transmission unit and the communication line. Specifically, the primary signal, being a current signal transmitted from a communication terminal, is converted to the secondary signal being a voltage signal by the current/voltage converter. As a result, communication can be performed even when the impedance of the communication line is reduced, facilitating introduction of a communication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadashi Matsumoto, Shoji Koise
  • Patent number: 8264370
    Abstract: A power and signal distribution system comprises a converter unit connected to a plurality of control units. The converter unit and the control units are arranged in areas difficult to access, for instance on the sea bed. The converter unit is connected to a remote monitoring and supplying device via at least one cable connection. Each control unit has assigned thereto at least one production apparatus for crude oil or natural gas corresponding gate valves, chokes, biops, actuators. In some embodiments, the power and signal distribution system the converter unit comprises a data separation device and a voltage converter. The converted voltage from the voltage converter is transmitted together with data/signals from the converter unit to at least one of the control units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Norbert Lenz, Peter Kunow, Steffen Gebauer, Martin Trog, Volker Zabe
  • Patent number: 8258649
    Abstract: A system includes a first communication module to be coupled to a first transmission medium for distributing power using a voltage waveform having a first amplitude; and a second communication module to be coupled to a second transmission medium for distributing power using a voltage waveform having a second amplitude different from the first amplitude, the second transmission medium being coupled to the first transmission medium. Each of the first and second communication modules is configured to use signals that propagate between the first and second transmission media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.
    Inventor: James Zyren
  • Patent number: 8258940
    Abstract: A power line communications system includes slave apparatuses individually connected to multiple electric power line wirings; a master apparatus connected to one of the multiple electric power line wirings; and couplers each connected between the master apparatus and the others of the multiple electric power line wirings. The master apparatus includes a communicator for performing power line communications with the slave apparatuses via the electric power lines; a power supply terminal device connected to the one electric power line wiring; a communication connector provided between the communicator and the power supply terminal device; and a coupler connecting terminal device connected to each of the couplers via a signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiro Matsuda, Hiroji Kobayashi, Kenji Kuniyoshi, Hiroji Hatano, Kaoru Mukai
  • Patent number: 8242622
    Abstract: A method and system for communicating over neutral power lines is provided wherein the neutral power line is isolated from the ground line and other connections, such as with transformers, by using a plurality of ferrites. The ferrites are positioned between the connections to the neutral line and the outputs of a BPL modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Corinex Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Fangxin Wang, Sam Shi, Peter Sobotka