With Supply Voltage Regulation Or Compensation Patents (Class 340/870.39)
  • Patent number: 11742067
    Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and computer programs for generating personalized fitness programs are disclosed. One aspect comprises a method including inducing a release of a protein expression into the body, measuring a force generated by the body utilizing over ninety percent of skeletal muscle to generate the force, determining a force metric based on the force generated in relation to a parameter of the body, identifying a target force metric based on at least one user identified target metric, measuring at least one physical metric of the body, generating personalized training regimen based on the determined force metric and the at least one identified target metric, the developed training regimen configured to maximize conversion of type 1 muscle cells to type 2b muscle cells, and wherein the personalized training regimen is designed to be implemented by the body while the protein expression is present in the bloodstream of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Flaherty
  • Patent number: 11729272
    Abstract: A current loop includes a receiver assembly and a transmitter assembly. The current loop also includes: a first conductor between the receiver assembly and the transmitter assembly; and a second conductor between the receiver assembly and the transmitter assembly to complete the current loop. The transmitter assembly includes: a Highway Addressable Remote Transducer (HART) modem; a component in communication with the HART modem via a partial set of Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART) communication lines; and a break extension protocol controller coupled to or included with the HART modem and configured to support UART and non-UART communications between the HART modem and the component using the partial set of UART communication lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Hugo Cheung, Michael Douglas Snedeker
  • Patent number: 11323784
    Abstract: A method of operating a battery powered telemetric device configured with a processor, a sensor to measure data to indicate the contents or usage of a product within an asset generating sample data, data storage, at least one battery and a transmitter, includes keeping in the data storage at least one instance of previous data samples represented in a previously transmitted packet, awakening the telemetric device at variable time intervals programmed according to pre-determined user-defined characteristics so that the sensor provides sample data to the data storage to indicate the contents or usage of the product within the asset wherein the telemetric device is otherwise asleep to minimize battery drain, storing all the sample data since the transmission of the previously transmitted packet and the kept at least one instance of previous data samples represented in the previously transmitted packet in the data storage as all the stored sample data, transmitting a packet including representations of the conten
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventors: Julien Dominique Rivals, John Richard Haddy
  • Patent number: 10948365
    Abstract: A force balance sensor including a mechanical strain amplification system including a sensor torsion member having a first end and a second end spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the sensor torsion member, at least one strain sensor coupled to the sensor torsion member between the first and second ends, a first torsional stiffening member coupled to the first end of the sensor torsion member, and a second torsional stiffening member coupled to the second end of the sensor torsion member, wherein the first torsional stiffening member and the second torsional stiffening member are coupled to a torque member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Fox, Eric Anton Howell, Jeffrey Michael Roach
  • Patent number: 10168231
    Abstract: There is described a system for measuring an environmental parameter such as temperature experienced by a resistive component such as a thermistor (107) in a galvanically isolated circuit, or for measuring the voltage developed by a component. The system comprises a measurement circuit (1) comprising a voltage pulse generator (114). The measurement circuit is inductively coupled to the galvanically isolated circuit by a flyback transformer (101) such that a stable voltage (V104) across a first capacitor (114) in the measurement circuit after many voltage pulses is proportional to a stable voltage (V106) across a second capacitor (106) connected across the component in the galvanically isolated circuit. The stable voltages across the first and second capacitors are adjustable by adjusting a duty cycle of the voltage pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: TECHNELEC LTD
    Inventors: Charles Pollock, Helen Pollock
  • Patent number: 9581349
    Abstract: An indoor unit and an air conditioning system using the same include a first communication module to communicate with a wired remote controller, a power switch connected to a power terminal of one or the other side of the first communication module, a ground switch connected to a ground terminal of one or the other side of the first communication module to constitute a pair with the power switch, and an indoor unit controller to turn on the power switch and the ground switch when an indoor unit supplies power to the wired remote controller, and to turn off the power switch and the ground switch when another indoor unit supplies power to the wired remote controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Su Ho Jo, Kwan Joo Myoung, Awata Hiroshi
  • Patent number: 9460138
    Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for managing a database are disclosed. Managing the database includes managing an index of a table of the database. Managing the index includes determining the table includes a first field having a first input value configured to identify a first dynamic data function utilized to determine a first output value for the first field. In embodiments, managing the index includes determining the first dynamic data function is deterministic, determining the first output value for the first field using the first dynamic data function, and storing the first output value for the first field. In embodiments, managing the index includes determining the first dynamic data function is nondeterministic, determining a first special value to represent the first output value for the first field, and storing the first special value for the first field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rafal P. Konik, Roger A. Mittelstadt, Brian R. Muras, Mark W. Theuer
  • Publication number: 20150070192
    Abstract: Various embodiments of wireless ambient sensor unit are presented. The sensor unit may include a wireless transceiver configured to transmit sensor data and to receive instructions. The sensor unit may include a sensor configured to measure an ambient condition. The sensor unit may include a controller in communication with the wireless transceiver and the sensor. The controller may be configured to compare data measured about the ambient condition to a stored threshold while the wireless ambient sensor unit is functioning in a low-power mode. The controller may be configured to exit the low-power mode in response to the comparison of the data with the stored threshold. The controller may be configured to cause the data measured about the ambient condition to be transmitted by the wireless transceiver as one or more messages in response to the comparison to the stored threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: 8912920
    Abstract: A device connectable to a power line conductor includes an electrically conductive insulated first winding of wire wound into at least two turns having a first and a second end. The first end is configured to be attached to a first power line conductor. An electrically conductive insulated second winding of wire wound into at least one turn having a first end connected to the second end of the first winding of wire and a second end is configured to be attached to a second power line conductor. A switchable connecting device is configured to move between a first position connecting the first and second power line conductors in series, a second position connecting the first winding of wire in series with the first and the second power line conductors, and a third position connecting the first and second power line conductors and the first and second windings of wire in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Murray W. Davis
  • Publication number: 20140320314
    Abstract: There is described a system for measuring energy consumption of individual electrical devices amongst a plurality of electrical devices. The system is adapted to determine in real time energy consumption while reducing its own consumption of energy by adjusting a transmission rate to between status sensing devices and a consumption evaluation device. The transmission rate is adjusted as a function of learned energy consumption habits and/or consumption characteristics of individual electrical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Ghyslain Gagnon, Tommy Bouchard, Olivier Tremblay-Munger, Remi Paquette, Francois Gagnon
  • Publication number: 20140292538
    Abstract: An intelligent coupler device for utility meters comprising a communication module to maintain a two-way communication with its network gateway and other neighboring devices through respective communication channels; a control unit configured for processing and flow control of any communication events; an oscillator in connection with the control unit via interface to maintain the instruction clock; a memory unit for storing and processing the incoming and outgoing data; a Real Time Clock (RTC) in connection with control unit to fetch and/or set current date, time and the like; a primary power port configured for supplying power to all components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Viraj Kumar Pathi, Vamsi Krishna Sadhu, Vamsi V Prasad, Satish Maddela Babu, Anil Kumar Vangala, Ramakoteshwarudu Vangala
  • Publication number: 20140184424
    Abstract: Clock reference data may be recovered or updated in networks that include line-powered devices and other devices susceptible to power outages. For example, for a mobile information collection network, one or more devices with extended clock holdover may be strategically deployed throughout the mobile information collection network to provide reference clock data. As another example, battery-powered devices may be woken up in order to provide clock reference data to other devices. Alternatively or additionally, the battery-powered devices may be configured to periodically broadcast their clock reference data to other devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: ELSTER SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen S. Makgill, Jr., Robert T. Mason, Jr., Ronald D. Pate, Robert W. Yost
  • Patent number: 8737453
    Abstract: There is included a detection unit for detecting a magnitude of a surplus of a direct current to a source voltage generated by a voltage generation unit generating the source voltage from the direct current obtained by rectifying a signal inputted from an antenna terminal. A data processing unit operating at the source voltage and performing data processing on a transmission/reception signal includes a clock control unit for determining a frequency of a clock signal for the data processing based on the magnitude of the surplus current detected by the detection unit in a state where a frequency of the clock signal is set to a predetermined reference frequency. Since the power consumed by the data processing unit at the time of detecting the surplus of the direct current is determined by the specific reference frequency, the surplus of the direct current can be detected as an absolute surplus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Toriyama, Kazuki Watanabe, Makoto Shindo, Makoto Toyoshima, Yosuke Tanno
  • Patent number: 8663105
    Abstract: An ingestible apparatus produces and processes physiological signals representative of a physiological parameter. The apparatus measures the physiological parameter from within the body of a living entity. The apparatus includes a physiological transducer circuit to sense the physiological signals, a processor to process the physiological signals in response to the physiological transducer circuit, and a transmitter that transmits the processed signals during transmission intervals which are alternated with idle intervals. The apparatus further includes a capacitor-based circuit, including at least one capacitor, to accumulate sufficient charge during one of the idle intervals to supply power to the transmitter during one of the transmission intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: NXP, B.V.
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Malaurie, Yvan Olivier Jean Ghislain Droinet, Marc-Herve Stodel
  • Patent number: 8552849
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of verifying a component coupled to an output of a power supply includes measuring a frequency response from a control input of the power supply to the output of the power supply. The method also includes comparing the frequency response to a predetermined metric based on the measuring. The component is determined to be valid if the frequency response falls within the predetermined metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Scherr
  • Patent number: 8482429
    Abstract: RFID tag sensor devices are adapted to be mounted in locations relative to a rack mountable device to wirelessly report a condition relating to an operating environment of the rack mountable device at the location. The sensor device in some embodiments has a body having a mounting portion adapted to engage with at least one pre-configured environmental operating condition sense-location of a rack or rack mountable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Jerry Aguren
  • Publication number: 20130127637
    Abstract: A technology is provided for compressing digital discrete node data to reduce overall power consumption. Node data can be represented by a plurality of data units with a specified data width and can also be viewed as a plurality of bit planes corresponding to data at each bit position for the data units. A threshold bit position value may be selected for data units using an achievable compressibility estimate relative to an estimated energy consumption. The threshold bit position value can represent a boundary where an estimated energy consumption for compressing and transmitting a bit plane is less than an estimated energy consumption for transmitting the bit plane uncompressed. A bit plane is selected in the plurality of bit planes with a bit position value greater than the threshold bit position value. The bit plane is compressed using a compressor in the networked node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Gadiel Seroussi, Marcelo Weinberger, Raul Heman Etkin, Erik Ordentlich
  • Patent number: 8410955
    Abstract: A module with a radio transceiver device, an actuator, and an activation device. Also disclosed is a system comprising such a module and a central unit, and a method with such a module and a central unit and the activation device with the radio transceiver device. The radio transceiver device is coupled with the actuator and with an electrical energy source, and the activation device is constructed to feed electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the radio transceiver device and the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Enocean GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Schmidt, Andreas Schneider, Christian Bach
  • Patent number: 8384559
    Abstract: A sensor device includes an interface that receives a request. The sensor device includes an updatable information store that responds to the request if the request is directed to the updatable information store, the updatable information store being in a first power domain of the sensor device. The sensor device also includes a power manager that activates a sensor element in the sensor device in response to receiving the request if the request is a request for measurement of a parameter by the sensor element. The sensor element is in a second power domain of the sensor device. The sensor element communicates measured parameter information to the updatable information store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: William Hong, Jeff Gokingco
  • Patent number: 8339278
    Abstract: An electronic system includes: an AC-DC converter to convert an AC voltage into a DC voltage and to supply the DC voltage to a secondary battery; a first detector to detect a remaining amount of the secondary battery; a transmitter to transmit a signal corresponding to the remaining amount of the secondary battery; a receiver to receive the signal transmitted by the transmitter; and a controller to control the AC-DC converter using the signal received by the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takafumi Sakamoto, Koji Ogura, Shoji Otaka, Toshiyuki Umeda, Tsuyoshi Kogawa, Manabu Mukai
  • Publication number: 20120319866
    Abstract: A wireless vibration sensor suitable for connection to a distributed industrial control system arranged with a wireless network for communication of process data or control information. The wireless vibration sensor includes at least one sensor, a wireless radio transmitter, and a base part for mounting it firmly on equipment or a structure. The wireless sensor is arranged with a battery and a power storage device. A method for powering up the wireless sensor during active cycles is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Geir Svoen, Tor Ole Bang-Steinsvik, Kenneth Juul, Sverre Froystein, Orjan Lag
  • Patent number: 8151823
    Abstract: A fluid power valve arrangement with at least one solenoid valve whose solenoid is connected or able to be connected via only two control lines with an electrical control and/or communication device. The solenoid valve has integrated in it a non-volatile storage device containing identification data of the solenoid valve, and furthermore a modulator for modulation of data of the solenoid valve in the two supply lines. The control and/or communication device possesses a demodulator for demodulation of the modulated data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Gehrke, Helmut Deichert
  • Patent number: 8138945
    Abstract: There is disclosed a sensor node capable of transmitting and receiving a large amount of data or data desired to be reliable without missing data, while preventing battery exhaustion and unnecessary compression of the transmission bandwidth. A name-tag type sensor node includes a detector for detecting connection of an external power supply. When the detector detects that the external power is supplied, the name-tag type sensor node transmits and receives a large amount of data, such as bulk transmission data, at an increased frequency by means of a data selector, a communication timing controller, and a wireless communication controller. Alternatively, the name-tag type sensor node transmits and receives the data desired to be reliable, such as rewriting data of firmware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Miki Hayakawa, Norihiko Moriwaki, Kazuo Yano, Satomi Tsuji, Norio Ohkubo
  • Publication number: 20120026010
    Abstract: A telematics unit is provided for a vehicle having a power unit, along with a method for controlling a telematics unit for a vehicle. The telematics unit includes a voltage sensor, a global positioning system unit, and a processor. The voltage sensor senses a measure of a voltage of the power unit. The global positioning system unit obtains position data as to a position of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the voltage sensor and the global positioning system unit. The processor is configured to determine whether the voltage for the power unit has decreased using the sensed measure of the voltage, determine whether the vehicle is moving using the position data, and command the telematics unit to an off mode if the voltage has decreased and the vehicle is not moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS LLC
    Inventors: Kevin W. Owens, Daniel C. McGarry, Nicholas J. Peariso, Kevin R. Krause, Russell A. Patenaude
  • Publication number: 20110121990
    Abstract: A module with a radio transceiver device, an actuator, and an activation device. Also disclosed is a system comprising such a module and a central unit, and a method with such a module and a central unit and the activation device with the radio transceiver device. The radio transceiver device is coupled with the actuator and with an electrical energy source, and the activation device is constructed to feed electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the radio transceiver device and the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: EnOcean GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Schmidt, Andreas Schneider, Christian Bach
  • Patent number: 7940679
    Abstract: Techniques for power outage management and power support restoration for devices in a wireless network are disclosed herein. Such a wireless network may include a number of bi-directional nodes in bi-directional wireless communication with one or more central nodes. Each bi-directional node may have a wireless communication path to one of the central nodes that is either a direct path or an indirect path through one or more intermediate bi-directional nodes serving as relays. Each bi-directional node may be configured to detect when it has become stranded such that it can no longer communicate with its assigned central node via its assigned communication path, to determine a reason for its stranding, and to transmit a stranding notification and the reason therefore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Elster Electricity, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond H. Kelley, Kenneth C. Shuey
  • Patent number: 7859427
    Abstract: Arrangement and method for electrically isolated transmission of direct-current and alternating-current signals. The signals can be transmitted in both directions via the same and only DC-isolated channel. The arrangement comprises a first transmit-and-receive system (1), a direct-current transmitter (4) in short-circuit mode, an operational amplifier arrangement (5), and a second transmit-and-receive system (2) with a message signal transmitter (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joerg Blanke, Heinz-Wilhelm Meier
  • Patent number: 7750822
    Abstract: To restrain a communicatable distance from being shortened even when a power source voltage is lowered. A heart beat signal transmission control portion controls a resonance starting oscillation portion to output a start signal in synchronism with a heart beat signal detected by a heart beat signal detecting portion and controls a resonance starting portion to output a biometric information signal in response to the start signal. An element switching portion receives a signal representing a voltage supplied from a battery portion from a voltage detecting portion and instructs the resonance starting oscillation portion to set the start signal to a period in correspondence therewith. The resonance starting oscillation portion outputs the start signal by a period in correspondence with instruction of the element switching portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Sugai
  • Publication number: 20090278708
    Abstract: Techniques for power outage management and power support restoration for devices in a wireless network are disclosed herein. Such a wireless network may include a number of bi-directional nodes in bi-directional wireless communication with one or more central nodes. Each bi-directional node may have a wireless communication path to one of the central nodes that is either a direct path or an indirect path through one or more intermediate bi-directional nodes serving as relays. Each bi-directional node may be configured to detect when it has become stranded such that it can no longer communicate with its assigned central node via its assigned communication path, to determine a reason for its stranding, and to transmit a stranding notification and the reason therefore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Elster Electricity, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond H. Kelley, Kenneth C. Shuey
  • Patent number: 7609171
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power consumption control apparatus configured to receive messages or commands which have an increasing effect on power consumption of a communication device; monitor the power consumption of the communication device; and control the power consumption of the communication device by applying at least one predetermined power consumption limit in such a way that if the monitored power consumption reaches the at least one power consumption limit or if actions according to the received messages or commands will make the power consumption reach the at least one power consumption limit, the actions according to the received messages or commands are postponed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Sami Haapoja, Niko Kiukkonen
  • Patent number: 7561392
    Abstract: A process control system (1) comprises at least one process control computer (2) and field units (4) connected thereto via a bus system. An, in particular, intrinsically safe data transmission device (5) is connected between the process control computer and the assigned field units. This data transmission device comprises a data adaptation device (6) and a data distributing device (7). In order to be able to connect more field units per data adaptation device while simultaneously reducing the costs per field unit, the data adaptation device (6) and its assigned supply devices (8) have an explosion-proof design, and each supply device is connected to the data distributing devices via an explosion-proof line, whereby these data distributing devices or field units connected thereto have a barrier device for limiting the applied power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Cooper Crouse-Hinds GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Becker, Manfred Scharfenberg
  • Publication number: 20090153358
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus attached to an object, for measuring physical quantities of the corresponding object, and more particularly, to a data logging apparatus provided with a separate power supply for driving external sensors, which is provided with a separate power supply for sensors, a plurality of replaceable sensors for measuring physical quantities of the object, and monitoring means for monitoring disassembly of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Tae Soo Park, Won Ho Kang, Sang Eok Park
  • Publication number: 20090015434
    Abstract: A method for reducing the occurrence of false ground fault detections in a central office terminal is provided. The method includes generating a no-fault signal when no ground current is detected, delaying generation of a fault signal when ground current is detected at least for the duration of an expected pulse in AC induced signal, and when the ground current persists for a sufficient period, generating a signal indicating a fault condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: ADC DSL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: William J. Fox, Michael Carter
  • Publication number: 20080297373
    Abstract: There is disclosed a sensor node capable of transmitting and receiving a large amount of data or data desired to be reliable without missing data, while preventing battery exhaustion and unnecessary compression of the transmission bandwidth. A name-tag type sensor node includes a detector for detecting connection of an external power supply. When the detector detects that the external power is supplied, the name-tag type sensor node transmits and receives a large amount of data, such as bulk transmission data, at an increased frequency by means of a data selector, a communication timing controller, and a wireless communication controller. Alternatively, the name-tag type sensor node transmits and receives the data desired to be reliable, such as rewriting data of firmware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Miki Hayakawa, Norihiko Moriwaki, Kazuo Yano, Satomi Tsuji, Norio Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 7417558
    Abstract: An intelligent electronic device (IED) for monitoring at least one power parameter in a power system is disclosed. The IED comprises at least one voltage input operative to be coupled with at least one power line in the power system and operative to sense at least one voltage in the power system. The IED further comprises at least one current input operative to be coupled with the at least one power line and operative to sense a current flowing through the at least one power line. The IED further comprises at least one analog to digital converter coupled to the voltage input and the current input and operative to produce digital samples indicative of the voltage and current. The IED further comprises a processor coupled with the at least one analog to digital converter and operative to calculate the at least one power parameter. The IED further comprises a power supply operative to supply power to the IED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Power Measurement Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon H. Lightbody, Peter C. Cowan, Hal E. Etheridge, J. Bradford Forth, Colin N. Gunn, Martin A. Hancock
  • Publication number: 20070146161
    Abstract: To restrain a communicatable distance from being shortened even when a power source voltage is lowered. A heart beat signal transmission control portion controls a resonance starting oscillation portion to output a start signal in synchronism with a heart beat signal detected by a heart beat signal detecting portion and controls a resonance starting portion to output a biometric information signal in response to the start signal. An element switching portion receives a signal representing a voltage supplied from a battery portion from a voltage detecting portion and instructs the resonance starting oscillation portion to set the start signal to a period in correspondence therewith. The resonance starting oscillation portion outputs the start signal by a period in correspondence with instruction of the element switching portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventor: Yoshinori Sugai
  • Patent number: 7194363
    Abstract: A low power ultrasonic flowmeter to be powered by a two wire power supply loop is described, comprising: an ultrasonic flow sensor, a signal processing unit for determining a measurement result based on measurements performed by the ultrasonic flow sensor, an input/output unit to be connected to the two wire loop, for controlling a current of the power supplied to represent the measurement result, for receiving power from the power supply loop, and a power management system, for an energy efficient distribution of the power supplied to the flowmeter via the input/output unit, comprising storage means for storing energy during times of low power consumption and resupplying the stored energy during times of high power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Joe Schaffer, Dean Sylvia
  • Patent number: 7126495
    Abstract: A capacitive motion encoder, for sensing the position of a moving object relative to a stationary object, includes at least one stationary element, coupled to the stationary object and a moving element, coupled to the moving object and in proximity to the stationary element. A field transmitter generates an electrostatic field, which is modulated by a change in capacitance between the stationary and moving elements responsive to relative motion of the elements. A conductive shield, is electrically decoupled from both the moving and the stationary objects, and encloses the moving and stationary elements so as to shield the elements from external electrical interference. Processing circuitry is coupled to sense the modulated electrostatic field and to determine responsive thereto a measure of the position of the moving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Sick Sensors Ltd.
    Inventor: Yishay Netzer
  • Patent number: 7091872
    Abstract: A transmitter for a line locator system that controls the electrical current, voltage or power applied to the target line is disclosed. Control of the electrical output of the transmitter can be achieved passively or by means of a feedback control system. A transmitter connected directly to a line can include an operator control and monitoring of current being supplied to a line to be located. Some transmitters include a current regulating circuit that controls current supplied to a line. In some transmitters, feedback controllers and feedback loops are used to regulate output current, voltage or power. Some control loops are based on monitoring currents in circuits; some control loops monitor power output from an inductive mode transmitter antenna. An inductively coupled transmitter with power output control is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Metrotech Corporation
    Inventors: Russell N. Bigelow, Stevan Polak, James Long, Joseph Shtargot
  • Patent number: 6995685
    Abstract: An arrangement for providing power in a utility meter includes a power conversion circuit and a bank of capacitors. The power conversion circuit is operable to provide power to metering circuitry within the utility meter, the power conversion circuit having a maximum output current. The bank of capacitors is operably coupled to a power supply input of the radio frequency transmitter, the bank of capacitors configured to provide current in excess of the maximum output current during transmission by the radio frequency transmitter to supply power to the radio frequency transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce E. Randall
  • Patent number: 6882942
    Abstract: A power monitor circuit and method delays the start of a computer until multiple power lines are at a safe level of operation. The integrated circuit monitors only the voltage of a primary power supply output and eliminates the need for monitor circuits on each supply output. The power supply is made to exacting specifications that tie the 5 volt and 3.3 volt supplies to the primary 12 volt supply. The ATX power supply drives the 3.3 and 5.0 supplies to reach 90% of their values within 40 ms after the 12 volt supply reaches 90% of its value. A time delay circuit 25 delays switching the 3.3 and 5 volt dual outputs from the standby voltage supply to the active voltage supplies until after the primary 3.3 and 5 volt are at a safe operating level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Intersil Corporation
    Inventor: Bogdan M. Duduman
  • Patent number: 6839546
    Abstract: A process transmitter is configured to measure a process variable of an industrial process. A housing has a first cavity which houses first transmitter electronic circuitry and provides a barrier between the first transmitter electronic circuitry and second transmitter electronic circuitry. A non-physical electromagnetic link between the first transmitter electronic circuitry and the second transmitter electronic circuitry configured to carry data therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Patent number: 6778099
    Abstract: A communications module that permits remote meter reading of a utility meter via a wireless modem that communicates using data packet networks along a communications system, such as ARDIS. The communications module is a microprocessor-based transmitter/receiver which receives data collection requests from a system server, initiates data collection from a utility meter, and reports the data back to a host computer system residing, for example, at a central office. Preferably, session-based communication using the meter protocol is implemented between the communications module and the meter, and packet switching is used between the communications server and the communications module through the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Elster Electricity, LLC
    Inventors: Peter R. Meyer, Garry M. Loy, David F. Dunn, Rodney C. Hemminger, Charles Cunningham, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6771169
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system (12) for a vehicle (10) has a plurality of tires (14a-d) in respective rolling locations having a respective plurality of tire transmitters (16a-d) that generate a respective plurality of transmitter identification signals. A respective plurality of initiators (20a-d) are fixedly attached to the vehicle at a respective plurality of locations. A controller (22) activates the plurality of initiators (20a-d) by generating a respective plurality of initiator signals from the plurality of initiators. The plurality of initiator signals has a first power level. The controller (22) increases the first power level incrementally to a final power level until the controller receives a sensor signal from each of the plurality of tire transmitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Paul Kaminski, Ranjan Kumar Ahluwalia, Thomas Michael McQuade
  • Patent number: 6703943
    Abstract: In an assembly for signal transfer between a receiving station and a transmitting station and for power supply of the transmitting station where these two stations are connected via a two-wire line, an analog signal current variable between two limiting values is transmitted via this two-wire line, this signal current representing a measured value sensed by a sensor. This current also forms the supply current needed to operate the transmitting station. In the transmitting station a circuit is provided, generating a constant operating voltage for the transmitting station. The transmitting station includes a controllable current source which dictates the current flowing via the two-wire line as a function of the measured value. A charge pump is connected to the output of the current source, the charge pump generating from the voltage appearing at the output of the current source all the operating voltage needed for operating the sensor and a signal processing circuit connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Lalla, Ronald Schreiber
  • Publication number: 20040012503
    Abstract: In a vehicular control unit, a main power supply voltage detecting section to detect a voltage value of a main power supply is provided and, an abnormality determining section determines an abnormality occurs in the main power supply voltage detecting section when the main power supply voltage detecting section negatively detects the voltage value of the main power supply and a power supply stop command output section outputs a command to stop the supply of the continuous power supply to the power supply control circuit without an execution of a shut-off process when the abnormality determining section determines that the abnormality occurs in the main power supply voltage detecting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Kiminobu Takebe, Masatoshi Akanuma, Satoshi Takizawa
  • Publication number: 20030218550
    Abstract: This invention includes a power supply having a plurality of cables, each corresponding to a unique electronic host device. The cable includes a memory device having predetermined power characteristics associated with an electronic host device. The cable further includes a unique mating connector for coupling to the electronic host device. The power supply includes a control circuit that reads the power characteristics and configures the power supply to charge the electronic host device. The system allows a user to carry a single power supply with multiple cables as opposed to having to transport many different power supplies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: John Edward Herrmann
  • Patent number: 6512358
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a measuring device for measuring an industrial process variable with a predetermined maximum power consumption by the measuring device. More specifically, the invention relates to a measuring device for connection to a current loop, in particular a 4-20 ma current loop, or to a digital communication, comprising devices for regulating the measuring operation of the measuring device in adaptation to the predetermined power consumption, wherein the regulating devices regulate to power consumption by the measuring operation of the measuring device in such fashion that this power consumption is approximated to the predetermined power consumption without the predetermined power consumption being exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co.
    Inventors: Peter Klöfer, Alexander Hardell, Ralf Armbruster
  • Publication number: 20020167417
    Abstract: A location system and method for determining the location of a tagged item in a facility. In one embodiment, the location system includes a plurality of room transmitters designed to be located throughout the facility. Each room transmitter has a unique signature. The system also includes at least one item or location tag affixed or otherwise associated with an item. Each tag is operable to send a signal having information related to the signature of a room transmitter within the reception range of the tag and information related to the identity of the tag. Signals from the tags are received by one or more locating receivers. Each locating receiver is operable to determine the identity of an item tag and the likely location of the item tag within the facility based upon the signal from that tag. The invention also provides a method of locating an item in a facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth Brakeley Welles, John E. Hershey, Ralph T. Hoctor, David M. Davenport