With Sequencer Patents (Class 324/540)
  • Patent number: 11928541
    Abstract: A closed container includes a detection device for detecting opening of or an attempt to open the container. The detection device includes a contactless passive transponder that is configured to communicate with a reader via an antenna using a carrier signal. An integrated circuit of the transponder includes two input terminals connected to the antenna and two output terminals linked by a first electrically conductive wire having a severable part which is severed in the event of an opening of or an attempted opening of the container. A shorting circuit is configured to short-circuit a first output terminal with a first input terminal in the event of a conductive repair of the severed part which forms an electrical connection between the two output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventors: Jose Mangione, Andrei Tudose, Pierre Yves Baudrion, Joran Pantel
  • Patent number: 11598802
    Abstract: A circuit includes a gain stage, first and second amplifiers, and a comparison circuit. The gain stage has an input and an output. The first amplifier has an input and an output. The input of the first amplifier is coupled to the input of the gain stage. The second amplifier has an input and an output. The input of the second amplifier is coupled to the output of the gain stage. The comparison circuit is coupled to the outputs of the first and second amplifiers. The comparison circuit is configured to compare signals on the outputs of the first and second amplifiers and to generate a fault flag signal responsive to the output signal from the first amplifier being different than the output signal from the second amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kemal Safak Demirci, Shanmuganand Chellamuthu, Qunying Li
  • Patent number: 11415639
    Abstract: A portable intermittent fault detector includes an enclosure that carries electronics and a display. The electronics are selected, arranged, and connected in a manner that minimizes noise, including noise that could interfere with an ability of the portable intermittent fault detector to detect intermittent faults in complex electrical systems. The portable intermittent fault detector also includes a passive heat management system hat conveys heat away from the electronics. In addition, a test module assembly of the portable intermittent fault detector includes an inner assembly with test module boards that are rigidly secured to one another and an outer support that carries the inner assembly in a manner that absorbs impacts and other forces on the portable intermittent fault detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Synaptics Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick B. Kelly, Jayson Kelly
  • Patent number: 11169197
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for monitoring the insulation and/or continuity of at least one electric cable including a plurality of electrical wires, wherein the device comprises a measuring circuit that can be connected to the electrical wires, wherein the measuring circuit comprises: a measuring stage comprising a voltage generator; a switching stage that can be connected to the measuring stage, suited to connect each electrical wire automatically and successively to the measuring circuit and/or suited to connect the measuring circuit to ground; a looping stage of the measuring circuit that can be connected, electrical wire to electrical wire, to the switching stage; wherein the looping stage is configured to operate automatically in at least one of two modes, insulating or resistive, respectively associated with the monitoring of the insulation or the monitoring of the continuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Naval Group
    Inventors: Eric Parois-Quelennec, Richard Cheruel
  • Patent number: 10705157
    Abstract: A testing system may include an electrical cable, a computing device, a communication interface, at least one downstream device, and testing software. The communication interface may be coupled to the electrical cable and to the computing device. The at least one downstream device may be coupled to the electrical cable. The testing software may be stored on the computing device. The testing software may be configured to initiate and evaluate transfer of data between the computing device and the at least one downstream device through the electrical cable and the communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Saluka Abhishek Amarasinghe, Christopher John Allen, Edward Charles Giaimo, III, Sanketkumar Natvarbhai Patel, Attila Major, Andrew Smith Taber, Wei Guo
  • Patent number: 10444285
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a diagnostic circuit test device having multi-meter functionality and being adapted to provide current sourcing to an electrical system for selective measurement of a plurality of parameters thereof in powered and unpowered states. The diagnostic circuit test device comprises a conductive probe element configured to be placed into contact with the electrical system and provide an input signal thereto. A power supply is interconnected between an internal power source and the conductive probe element. Processors are electrically connected to the conductive probe element and configured to manipulate the input signal provided to the electrical system and receive an output signal in response to the input signal. The output signal is representative of at least one of the parameters of the electrical system. A display device is configured to display a reading of the output signal which is representative of the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Power Probe Tek, LLC
    Inventors: David Barden, Joshua Carton, Wayne Russell
  • Patent number: 10355951
    Abstract: A test instrument provides suggested next operational step function to provide a user with assistance during testing. A display is provided to show the amount of a project that has been completed, for example as a percentage completed value. Individual test results may be saved to a ‘fix later’ list, which may be later accessed to re-test items that may not have passed on initial testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Sena E. R. Janky, Glenn Keltto, Steve O' Hara, J. David Schell, Elizabeth Bacon, Karen Jones
  • Patent number: 9847921
    Abstract: A test instrument provides suggested next operational step function to provide a user with assistance during testing. A display is provided to show the amount of a project that has been completed, for example as a percentage completed value. Individual test results may be saved to a “fix later” list, which may be later accessed to re-test items that may not have passed on initial testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Sena E. Janky, Glenn Keltto, Steve O'Hara, J. David Schell, Elizabeth Bacon, Karen Jones
  • Patent number: 9768834
    Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes a first portion having a first interface configured for coupling to a cable and a second portion having a second interface configured for coupling to the cable. The first portion has circuitry configured to send a data testing signal through a data lead of the cable via the first interface, and circuitry configured to send a power signal through a power lead of the cable via the first interface. The second portion has circuitry configured to receive and analyze the data testing signal from the data lead of the cable via the second interface, and circuitry configured to receive and analyze the power signal through the power lead of the cable via the second interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Emmanuel Barajas Gonzalez, Shaun E. Harrington, Benjamin K. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 8912800
    Abstract: The present document describes an assembly for interfacing an existing harness connector of an installed wiring harness to a test module, the assembly comprising: a harness-specific connector for connecting to the existing harness connector; a test box connector module connected to the harness-specific connector and for connecting to a test module, the test box connector module comprising a key which is unique to the test box connector module and which is used to identify the test box connector module when connected to the test module. There is described a method for identifying a test box connector module used in testing an installed wiring harness comprising an existing harness connector, the method comprising: connecting the test box connector module to a test module; detecting a key which is unique to the test box connector module thereby determining the identity of the test box connector module; sending the identity of the test box connector module to a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ziota Technology Inc.
    Inventor: François Gervais
  • Patent number: 8494120
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a digital network to telephone interface device having a controller capable of detecting foreign voltage faults without interrupting telephone service. Upon detection of a foreign voltage fault the controller can deactivate the telephone service and initiate a test sequence to confirm the foreign voltage fault. If the fault is confirmed the telephone service remains deactivated and an operator of the digital network is notified. The device will improve the quality of service and save the cost of sending some one to investigate the fault. The operator can take proactive action once the device provides fault analysis and information remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Dipak R. Patel, Robert L. Kirkner, Scott A. Reinert
  • Patent number: 8050878
    Abstract: A device and method for dynamically determining an impedance of a network is disclosed. The device includes at least a processing system for measuring a network voltage and network current when said network is determined to be in a first state, measuring a network voltage when said network is determined to be in a second state, estimating said impedance value dependent upon said measured voltages and current, adapting said estimated impedance based on at least one prior impedance value and storing at least said adapted impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John James Dougherty, Dale Finney, Senthoor Navaratnam
  • Patent number: 8049512
    Abstract: A circuit board with embedded components includes a plurality of embedded components and at least one transmission line electrically connected to at least one of the embedded components and having a terminal circuit. Therefore, a measuring device is used to be electrically connected to the transmission line and send out a signal, so as to receive a corresponding reflected signal, and then, compare the received reflected signal with a signal pattern in the database to obtain an electrical parameter of the embedded component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Uei-Ming Jow, Min-Lin Lee, Shinn-Juh Lai, Chin-Sun Shyu, Chang-Sheng Chen, Ying-Jiunn Lai
  • Patent number: 7386411
    Abstract: An exemplary automatic hi-pot test apparatus (20) includes a high voltage supply (21), a transmission device configured for transmitting an electronic device (26) to be tested, a connecting device electrically connected to the high voltage supply and configured for moving and electrically connecting with or electrically disconnecting from the electronic device, a controller (28) for controlling the connecting device and the transmission device, and a detector (27) for detecting the presence of the electronic device. When the detector detects the presence of the electronic device, the detector sends a corresponding detecting signal to the controller, such that the controller stops the electronic device and drives the connecting device to electrically connect with the electronic device whereby a hi-pot test can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Innolux Display Corp.
    Inventors: Yan-Kai Zhang, Jun-Hua Yang, Yi Wang
  • Patent number: 7304481
    Abstract: In one preferred embodiment, an apparatus for testing a cable includes an interface for connecting to a connector of the cable, many resistors, a socket, and a meter for testing resistance of the resistors. The interface has many pins, the resistors respectively connected to the pins in series, and the socket is electrically connected to the pins respectively via the resistors. The meter includes two probes, one of the probes is connected to another connector of the cable, and the other one of the probes is plugged into the socket. Because conductors of the cable are respectively connected to the resistors in series, the user can tell whether the cable has a fault according to the resistance indicated by the meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Liang Wu, Ke-Sheng Wang
  • Patent number: 6954076
    Abstract: An aircraft multi-function wire and low voltage insulation tester, having a time domain reflectometer, a digital multi-meter, and a matrix switch integrated in a computer, and a connector having a plurality of output pins allowing a plurality of wires to be hooked up simultaneously. The matrix switch connects the output pins to either the digital multi-meter or the time domain reflectometer perform the respective tests. Corresponding to the output pins, the matrix switch has a plurality of input/output channels, such that wire paths can be established between the output pins. The time domain reflectometry and characteristic tests can thus be performed on each line of a cable to be tested, and each wire path established between the output pins or the lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Stanley Teich
  • Patent number: 6927579
    Abstract: A system for locating parallel arcing faults in a set of wires is described. The system includes three devices that can be used in combination or alone. A first device applies a current to a wire while grounding the remaining wires of the set of wires so as to cause the parallel arc, the first device being adapted to locate the parallel arcing fault using one or more leading edges of one or more electromagnetic waveforms being conducted on the wire under test. A second device comprises a controller and two or more receivers, each receiver being electrically coupled to the controller for receiving one or more leading edges of one or more electromagnetic waveforms being radiated by the parallel arcing fault. A third device senses one or more leading edges of one or more electromagnetic waveforms as well as the ultrasonic emissions emitted from the parallel arcing fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems, Corp.
    Inventor: Frederick K. Blades
  • Patent number: 6876203
    Abstract: A device for detecting and locating arcs in a set of wires is discussed. The device comprises a probe for discharging controlled current to an exposed portion of a wire in the set of wires. The probe includes a handleable enclosure and an elongated structure which projects from the enclosure for conducting a gas and for enclosing a needle that has a tip. A suitable gas includes gases that have low electron attachment, such as helium. The device further comprises a control unit for communicating control signals as well as the gas to the probe. The control unit includes a controller, a valve being controllable by the controller and being capable of regulating the flow of the gas, and a high-voltage generator being controllable by the controller to generate a high-voltage signal, which can be communicated to the probe by the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Frederick K. Blades
  • Patent number: 6836124
    Abstract: A capacitance monitoring system includes a capacitance gauge head for monitoring the capacitance between a measuring electrode and an electric cable travelling along a path parallel to the measuring electrode. The output from the capacitor gauge head is fed to a Fast Fourier Transform device (40) to produce, to indicate discrete cyclical faults in the cable and the frequencies to which they would be relevant. A cable speed detector (44) feeds a reference table device which stores different correction factors to correct the amplitude of the cyclical faults detected due to the attenuation imposed on the measured signal because of the specific length of the electrode. A multiplier (46) multiplies the cyclical fault signals detected by the relevant factors from the reference table device (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Beta Lasermike Limited
    Inventors: Patrick Fleming, Lee Coleman
  • Patent number: 6744257
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to quickly electrically test an electrical wiring system that has a large number of contacts by maximally reducing the number of electrical tests. A plurality of contacts forming a network of an electrical wiring system is divided into a plurality of groups. The respective groups are insulated from each other. The insulated states of these groups are discriminated, and the insulated states of the respective contacts in the respective groups are discriminated if the insulated states of the respective groups are judged to be satisfactory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Taniguchi, Setsurou Mori
  • Patent number: 6639410
    Abstract: Provided is an insulation resistance measuring apparatus capable of highly precisely measuring an insulation resistance characteristic of a capacitive electronic part in a short period of time while being unaffected by various kinds of noises such as from a power supply, measured power supply and the measured capacitor. A predetermined measurement voltage is applied to a capacitive electronic part, and a current flowing through the electronic part is measured in order to calculate an insulation resistance characteristic of the electronic part. A noise clipper circuit having a resistor and a switch connected in parallel with each other is connected on a path leading from a measurement power supply through the capacitive electronic part to a current detector. The switch is controlled to remain closed in an early stage of charging the capacitive electronic part. When charging the capacitive electronic part has progressed sufficiently, the switch is controlled to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gaku Kamitani
  • Patent number: 6456087
    Abstract: Provided is an insulation resistance measuring apparatus capable of highly precisely measuring an insulation resistance characteristic of a capacitive electronic part in a short period of time while being unaffected by various kinds of noises such as from a power supply, measured power supply and the measured capacitor. A predetermined measurement voltage is applied to a capacitive electronic part, and a current flowing through the electronic part is measured in order to calculate an insulation resistance characteristic of the electronic part. A noise clipper circuit having a resistor and a switch connected in parallel with each other is connected on a path leading from a measurement power supply through the capacitive electronic part to a current detector. The switch is controlled to remain closed in an early stage of charging the capacitive electronic part. When charging the capacitive electronic part has progressed sufficiently, the switch is controlled to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gaku Kamitani
  • Patent number: 6424160
    Abstract: A method of testing the insulation between N electrical conductors, where 2n−1<N≦2n where n is an integer greater than 1 is disclosed which consists of carrying out n tests, each test consisting of connecting together a first set of said conductors, connecting together a second set of said conductors and testing for current leakage between the two sets, said sets being such that members of every pair of conductors are in different sets for at least one test. Apparatus for carrying out the tests consists of a set of connectors, one for each test, with terminals (a-p) for connecting to the conductors, each set of terminals being connected to a respective test point (A, B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Agere Systems Guardian Corp.
    Inventor: Adriaan Kroon
  • Patent number: 6407542
    Abstract: A mechanical fixture for providing a rigid connection between a multi conductor cable or other connecting hardware and measurement equipment is disclosed. The fixture includes a test head consisting of a plurality of unbalanced ports which are contained in a generally circular area whose diameter is close to that of the cable to be tested. As a result, fan out of the conductors at the point where they connect to the ports in the test head, which can corrupt measured data, is minimized. The test head is rigidly connectable to a network analyzer, preferably by the use of a removable “snap” connection. Additional ports on the test head can be provided for use during a calibration process. An electrical cap is provided for holding the conductor ends in place. The cap mates with the test head to rigidly connect the conductor to the measurement ports while retaining the “fanned out” portion of the cable in a rigid and known configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Robert Alfred Conte
  • Patent number: 6385561
    Abstract: A method and apparatus (12-20, 32) for automatically locating faults in a network of signal carriers (cables) utilises an interrogation waveform which is pulse-like in form and receives composite reflected signals from the carriers which are a time distributed collection of individual reflections. These are sampled and compared using the function of an adaptive filter (52) to minimise the difference signal. The difference signals are analysed to determine significant points of departure which identify the fault location which is then represented as a distance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: University of Strathclyde
    Inventors: John James Soraghan, Wah Hoon Siew
  • Patent number: 6201383
    Abstract: A method for determining whether short circuits exist among networks within a circuit under test includes bringing test probes into contact with each such network and switching groups of the test probes among two sides of a test circuit so that current flows through the testing circuit only when one of the test probes connected to one side of the testing circuit is connected by means of a short circuit to one of the test probes connected to the other side of the test circuit. This first test process establishes the fact that a short circuit exists without determining which networks are connected by the short circuit. A version of this method subsequently applies tests to individual networks to make this determination, in the event that a short circuit is found to exist by the first test process. Other versions of this method additionally determine which networks are connected to which other networks by short circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jiann-Chang Lo, James Christopher Mahlbacher
  • Patent number: 6191570
    Abstract: A method for testing node isolation on a circuit board. The method utilizes an automated test system having a plurality of test channels, wherein each test channel has a digital driver with a first input and a first output, and a digital receiver with a second output and a second input. The second input of the receiver is coupled to the first output of the driver, to a number of switches, and to a test probe. The test probe is configured to couple the driver and receiver to one of a plurality of nodes on a circuit board. The number of switches are configured to selectively couple the first output and second input to ground. During a node isolation test, each node of a test node group is coupled to one of the test channels. But for a selected node of the test node group, each node of the test node group is coupled to ground via the number of switches of the test channels coupled to the nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Chandler, Barry A. Alcorn, Bryan D. Boswell, John M. Heumann, Ed O. Schlotzhauer
  • Patent number: 5757265
    Abstract: A field bus system may be used in which transmission ability of the system can be maintained even if communication error occurs due to noises or failure of a transmission line. The system can be easily shifted at a lower cost from a conventional system to the field bus system without degrading the high reliability thereof. The transmission line is constituted by a multiple-cable transmission line having at least three transmission cables. An external power supply supplies power to field devices through a pair of transmission cables of the multiple-cable transmission line. The field devices are connected to the transmission cables through a transmission line switching unit constituted by a plurality of rectifier elements, so that the field devices are supplied with current flowing in one predetermined direction when any of the pairs of transmission cables is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kogure, Koji Tomaoki, Toshimitsu Tsuchihashi
  • Patent number: 5744967
    Abstract: A latching tester for testing continuity of wires in a system has an array of pin electronics cells, where each pin cell couples a signal to a row sense line and a column sense line when a change in current flow through a pin occurs; apparatus for detecting the signal on the row sense line; and apparatus for detecting the signal on the column sense line. The array of pin electronics cells may also operate as a capacitively coupled neural network, where a signal coupled onto the row and column lines from a stimulus line varies with the load on each pin of the pin electronics cells. An alternate mode of operation permits stimulus of the network and attached loads, and generation of a signature based upon the response of the network to the stimulus, as observed on the row and column sense lines. In yet another mode of operation, the tester may serve to recognize particular signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Brent A. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 5677633
    Abstract: A test instrument (50) for testing a cable (52), the test instrument having a main unit (54) and an interchangeable performance module (56). The main unit of the test instrument contains signal generators for generating AC and DC test signals. The AC test signals are generated as single-ended signals and applied to a pair selection switching array (76). The pair selection switching array switches the single-ended test signals to a plurality of lines (84a-84d) that couple to the performance module. The performance module is an interchangeable module having a plurality of balancing networks (baluns) (102a-102d) that are connected to the plurality of lines. Single-ended test signals applied to the baluns are converted into balanced signals and applied to a cable being tested. The performance module may be interchanged to allow the main unit to be connected to cables having various impedances and connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Datacom Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Moser, Chuck C. Hanna-Myrick, Eric R. Drucker
  • Patent number: 5627474
    Abstract: Proposed is a continuity tester for a plurality of electric conductors. For this purpose, a signal transmitter for admitting different individual identification signals to such conductors is connected to one of the ends of the conductors, whereby an identification is allocated to each signal transmitter connection. A signal receiver (10) for decoding the different identification signals by means of a decoding device (15) for indicating the allocated identification on a display (16) is connected to the other ends of the conductors. The signal receiver (10) has a sequence switchgear (30) supplying the connected conductors individually and successively with a reference potential in a repeated cycle, whereby the decoding device (15) for decoding the identification signals is formed at least on the one other conductor in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Ch. Beha GmbH Technische Neuntwicklungen
    Inventor: Peter Baudisch
  • Patent number: 5617033
    Abstract: A plurality of cores of a multi-core cable are collectively conducted at first ends side thereof and are isolated from one another at second ends side thereof. The cores are engaged at the first ends side with grooves formed on a movable member one by one so as to be picked up and are sequentially transported toward an electrode. The picked-up core is cut during :its transportation so as to be electrically separated from a collective conducting part at the first end side. A high voltage is charged to the picked-up core through the electrode and based on an electric conduction characteristic of its charging current a judgment is made about whether there is a defective contact (dielectric breakdown) between the picked-up core and other cores. Further, the electric charge of the picked-up core is discharged, the picked-up core is recharged, and based on electric conduction characteristics of these discharging current and charging current a confirmation that the above judgment was not a misjudgment is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Cable Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Kashioka, Shogo Tanno, Etsuro Mamishin
  • Patent number: 5539321
    Abstract: An instrument to measure crosstalk between conductor pairs is configured to transmit a signal at one pair and receive the signal at another pair. The spureous or parasitic crosstalk at the connectors is supressed using a vectorial substraction from the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Microtest, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Sciacero, John P. Hittel
  • Patent number: 5488306
    Abstract: An improved cable fault detection system which makes the fault detection independent of the ground shift between units coupled to the interface. This fault detection is based on differentially sensing the voltage on a wire pair, in a cable, and using the differential voltage applied to the wires to make a decision as to whether or not the cable is faulted. The disclosed differential sensing and fault checking scheme reviews both data states thus making the fault detection independent of the ground shift between machines on the interface and this is accomplished without reducing the load impedance presented to the cable by the differential receiver coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventor: Anthony R. Bonaccio
  • Patent number: 5347225
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and testing a twisted pair, particularly useful for an Ethernet network. First and second DC currents alternated with one another are applied to both ends of the line, asynchronously. By monitoring the potential on the line, a determination is made as to the condition of the line. For example, shorted, crossed, improperly terminated or open conditions can be detected. A visual indication of the condition of the line is provided and additionally, the visual indication provides an indication of the traffic level in the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Tut Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin H. Graham
  • Patent number: 5321363
    Abstract: A two-terminal circuit element measuring apparatus of the present invention is capable of distinguishing a loose connection between a DUT and the measuring apparatus from a high impedance in the DUT. The measuring apparatus is also capable of measuring the impedance of the DUT without altering the connections between the DUT and the measuring apparatus. The measuring apparatus applies both DC and AC current signals to the DUT so as to compensate any leakage current occurring within the three-wire cable connecting the DUT and the measuring apparatus. Because of the compensation, when both DC and AC current ammeters indicate substantially zero values, it is assured that a loose connection exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Hideki Wakamatsu, Nobuo Nakata, Yohichi Kuboyama, Hideshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5247259
    Abstract: A machine for making and testing a cable harness assembly having planar, multi-conductor cable terminated to insulation displacement contacts housed in connectors. The machine includes a test module having a programmed microprocessing unit for executing the testing procedure. A series of manually operable switches are provided, the conditions of which are detectable by the computer. These switches are then set to indicate the number of contacts present in the connectors being terminated and to indicate which of these contact positions are to be tested. Additionally, the order of correspondence of the contacts of one connector to the other connector may be reversed by actuating a forward/reverse switch. The test module includes a learn mode, where a cable assembly of known configuration is placed into the machine. The test module then determines the continuity paths of the cable assembly and uses that information to test subsequently made cable assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthew T. Miller, Thomas J. Ryan
  • Patent number: 5228072
    Abstract: A dual unit diagnostic system for testing the physical status of a multi-pair cable. Each unit comprises connectors which are connectable to the cable wire pairs, and switches that are connected to the connectors, and are also activatable to provide distinguishable conductive pathways between each wire pair. A signal transmission section is connected to the switches, and provides a signal to a selected wires. A signal reception section is also connected to the switches for receiving a signal from distinguishable wires. A microprocessor is connected to the transmission section and the detection section, and which controls the transmission and reception of signals. A display is connected to the microprocessor and switches, and provides information to distinguish various physical wire status conditions based on the reception of the signal at predetermined wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Independent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl E. Ingalsbe, David L. Ingalsbe, David W. Callahan, Jeffrey W. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5220285
    Abstract: A system for electrical continuity and insulation testing of the electrical conductors of a portion of wiring. Outputs (11b.1, 11b.2, 11b.3) of the connecting elements of the conductors are disposed on a support (12.1, 12.2, 12.3) in the form of a matrix and the means for selecting the output comprise a first set (13.1) and a second set (13.2) movable along rows and columns of the matrix to connect to the measuring means (5) those two outputs of the connecting elements which correspond to the first and second connecting elements of the conductor being tested and a third set (13.2) movable along the rows and columns of the matrix to connect to the measuring means (5) such an output of the connecting elements as corresponds to a connecting element of the conductor under test, and a fourth set (13.3) for connecting other outputs of the connecting elements to the measuring means (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme die: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
    Inventor: Leon G. Cerda
  • Patent number: 5029274
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing the integrity of wiring cables provides a transmitter and a receiver that electrically connect to opposite ends of group of wires to be tested. The transmitter produces a voltage test signal applied to a test set of wires and a different voltage reference signal is applied to a reference set of wires. At the receiver, indicator circuits interconnect the wires to a common bus. The reference signal is applied to the common bus and, when the test signal is present, the indicators operate to produce a display. The test signal can be cycled through a plurality of test sets making up the entire test group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Cline Professional Corp.
    Inventors: Jerry E. Goff, Jon F. Wells
  • Patent number: 4992739
    Abstract: A continuity tester comprising a transmitter operatively connected to the ends of a plurality of wires which are extended through an electrical conduit. The other ends of the wires are connected to a receiver unit. The transmitter sequentially supplies power to the individual wires connected thereto with diodes being sequentially illuminated at the receiver to establish the identification and continuity of the individual wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Inventor: James J. Kosch
  • Patent number: 4937519
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying individual conductors in a multi-conductor cable, which will also identify a short or open circuit condition. One end of the multi-conductor cable is connected to a battery powered transmitter unit which sequentially generates a unique pulse on each conductor. That is, the transmitter generates a pulse on a first conductor having a unique pulse width and after a small delay follows the pulse on the first conductor with a pulse on a second conductor having a unique pulse width, preferably twice the pulse width. The transmitter sequentially steps through each conductor in a cable to generate the unique pulses. The battery powered receiver unit is connected to the other end of the multi-conductor cable with a test probe and a reference probe connected to any two conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Jupiter Toy Company
    Inventor: John B. Fields, III
  • Patent number: 4901003
    Abstract: Telecommunications (e.g. ISDN) wiring is tested by sequentially supplying to each wire at a first location a pulse sequence identifying that wire while connecting to a common potential other wires, and detecting pulses on the wires at a second location while simultaneously providing a return path connection for the pulses to the other wires. The return path connection is provided by connecting between each wire and a local ground at the second location a resistor and a diode poled to be reverse biassed by pulses on the wire. The detected pulses are counted and the result used to drive a LED (light emitting diode) display comprising N green LEDs indicating correct wiring and N(N-1) red LEDs indicating incorrect connections, the LEDs being arranged in an N by N array with the green LEDs along one diagonal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventor: David D. Clegg
  • Patent number: 4835479
    Abstract: In order to test the leakage between cores of a multicore cable, a test voltage is applied by a first switch in turn to the cores of a cable whose other end is disconnected. A second switch selects the remaining cores in turn and, after each new selection is made by the second switch, the selected core is momentarily connected to a predetermined voltage, e.g., ground or earth potential, by a third switch. This allows the capacitor formed by the two cores to be rapidly charged so that current measuring devices for detecting leakage current do not give spurious readings caused by the charging current. Also, all pair-combinations of the cores may be checked rapidly, allowing cables with large numbers of cores to be tested efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventor: Gerald J. Haines
  • Patent number: 4814693
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for testing multiconductor data cables. A test connector having plural elements is engaged with one connector of the data cable, and a test signal is applied to a preselected common element of the test connector. The test signal is conducted through one conductor of the data cable to a connector on a breakout box and terminals on the breakout box are interconnected with one another while the presence or absence of the test signal at elements of the test connector other than the common element is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Inventor: Melvin S. Coben
  • Patent number: 4794339
    Abstract: Testing of conductors of a telecommunications cable in which, after stripping cable material surrounding one end of the core, the conductors in the end are separated from one another and are embedded within a dielectric material. The dielectric material is initially flowable and is caused to fill spaces between the conductors. After hardening, the dielectric material forms a solid mass with conductor end portions embedded within it. A planar end face is then formed on the solid mass with the electrically isolated conductor ends terminating at the end face. An electrically conductive probe is then moved successively into contact with exposed conductor ends to pass an electrical current to be passed into the ends to enable measurements to be taken of any desired electrical property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Victor L. LeNir, Jean-Marc Roberge, Paul Valois
  • Patent number: 4772845
    Abstract: Apparatus for testing a multiconductor cable is disclosed. The disclosed cable testor comprises a counter, the output of which is applied as a test signal to a portion of the conductors in the cable under test. A test signal for the remaining portion of the conductors in the cable under test is derived by inverting the output of the counter. Cable faults are detected by comparing the signals out of the cable to the applied test signals. The apparatus is controlled by a state machine which causes test signals to be successively generated until a cable fault is detected or a full set of test signals has been generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Carl A. Scott
  • Patent number: 4748402
    Abstract: A telecommunications circuit pairs identifier device that has a transmitter portion that is connected to a predetermined group of pairs at the trunk line termination point and a receiver that is plugged at each one of the jacks distributed in a given network. The transmitter continuously accesses each one of the circuit pairs by counting them and transmits, during the time of access or selection, the count for that particular jack. The receiver portion of the device is removably connectable to each jack and detects, decodes and displays the output sent so that a user can identify the pair in the jack with a particular predetermined pair termination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Inventor: Valentine Sellati