Superimposed Unlike Currents Patents (Class 307/1)
  • Patent number: 11956093
    Abstract: A field device adapter for wireless data transfer, comprises at least: an adapter housing; an adapter electronics unit arranged in the adapter housing, the adapter electronics unit comprising a first supply circuit, which is introduced into the first connection line, for providing a first supply voltage from a loop current flowing in the first connection line, and a second supply circuit, which is introduced into the second connection line, for providing a second supply voltage from the loop current flowing in the second connection line, wherein the adapter electronics unit further comprises a HART modem and a wireless module with an antenna for transmitting and/or receiving, and the adapter electronics unit is configured such that the first supply circuit supplies the HART modem with the first supply voltage, and the second supply circuit supplies the wireless module with the second supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Schäuble, Dirk Lill, Ralph Stib, Matthias Studer, Markus Döbeli
  • Patent number: 11930578
    Abstract: A power line carrying signal pixel control light emitting diode system includes a micro-control circuit, an alternating-current power detector and a plurality of light emitting diode lamps. The micro-control circuit includes a first switch and a micro-control module. When the light emitting diode lamps are required to be controlled to light, the micro-control module detects a voltage status of an alternating-current power through the alternating-current power detector. The micro-control module continuously switches a conduction status of the first switch within a half-wave cycle along a voltage change of the alternating-current power to change a voltage transmitted to the light emitting diode lamps to generate a plurality of lighting control signals. The light emitting diode lamps are configured to receive the lighting control signals and light based on the lighting control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: SEMISILICON TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventor: Wen-Chi Peng
  • Patent number: 11881912
    Abstract: The present application describes a wireless power reception device comprising: a power pickup circuit configured to receive, from a wireless power transmission device, a wireless power generated on the basis of magnetic coupling in a power transmission phase; and a communication and control circuit configured to transmit, to the wireless power transmission device, a configuration packet including first dual data stream information, or to receive, from the wireless power transmission device, a capability packet including second dual data stream information. Upper layer data can be effectively exchanged by clearly recognizing whether the upper layer data is bidirectionally transmitted between the wireless power transmission device and the wireless power reception device, and accuracy of power loss and saving of processing resources can be achieved by synchronizing the timing of calculating the power loss between the wireless power transmission device and the wireless power reception device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yongcheol Park
  • Patent number: 11791769
    Abstract: To provide a detection system to identify a damage or a damaged part. A detection system includes a power generator, a power storage unit that receives first power supply from the power generator via cables, and detectors that perform at least one of outputting information and transmitting the information when it becomes in a state in which a weak current does not flow by a predetermined amount during a period when the weak current is passed to the power generator via at least part of the cables under a situation where the first power supply is not provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TATSUMI RYOKI CO., LTD
    Inventors: Toyoshi Kondo, Nobuhide Hamano, Shigeo Masukawa
  • Patent number: 11463128
    Abstract: An information processing device to enable a user to create a program with visual operations, and to enable the stable implementation of many functions with a small number of devices. In a basic core, a pairing unit executes pairing with a user terminal that executes control for causing functional modules, to exhibit prescribed functions. A transmission information generation unit generates transmission information including: prescribed information to be used by the functional modules, to exhibit the prescribed functions or while exhibiting the prescribed functions on the basis of the control by the user terminal; and information indicating a transmission destination, which is one of the functional modules. A connection unit executes control to superimpose the transmission information on a signal for supplying power to the functional modules in the form of electric current and to transmit the signal to the functional modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: VIVIWARE JAPAN, INC.
    Inventors: Hideaki Nii, Shozaburo Shimada, Kazutoshi Kashimoto, Vijay Siddharth Pillai, Shintaro Itamoto
  • Patent number: 11394315
    Abstract: A Power over Data Lines (PoDL) system provides a DC voltage and differential data signals on the same wire pair. A Powered Device (PD) load is coupled to the wire pair, via a gyrator, for being powered by the DC voltage. The gyrator emulates the DC-coupling properties of inductors using active components. The gyrator includes transistors that are controlled to act as a full-bridge rectifier for ensuring a correct polarity DC voltage is applied to the PD load. Since the transistors operate in saturation and are coupled to be insensitive to differential data signals on the wire pair, the current supplied to the PD load is substantially unaffected by the differential data signals. Negative feedback circuits in the gyrator reduce fluctuations in current through the gyrator due to differential data signals on the wire pair. No inductors are required in the gyrator. A PHY is AC-coupled to the wire pair via capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Gardner, Heath Stewart, Gitesh Bhagwat
  • Patent number: 11283288
    Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a UPS comprising a line input, an interface configured to be coupled to a DC power source, an output, a PFC converter, a positive DC bus coupled to the PFC converter and configured to provide a positive DC output, a negative DC bus coupled to the PFC converter and configured to provide a negative DC output, a DC-DC converter coupled to the interface, and a controller configured to operate, in an online mode of operation, the PFC converter to provide regulated DC power, derived from input AC power, to the positive DC bus and the negative DC bus, and operate, in a backup mode of operation, the DC-DC converter to convert backup DC power to unregulated power, and the PFC converter to provide regulated DC power, derived from the unregulated power, to the positive DC bus and the negative DC bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pradeep Tolakanahalli Nagabhushanrao, Chandrasekaran Jayaraman, Hariom Agrawal
  • Patent number: 11284037
    Abstract: A Digital Video Recorder (DVR) for storing video data received from an imaging device and a method thereof are provided in the present disclosure. The DVR includes a communication port configured to connect to the imaging device. The DVR also includes a processing module configured to determine whether the DVR receives video data from the imaging device through the communication port and a detection module configured to acquire an operating voltage of the imaging device. The DVR further includes a power supply switch configured to turn on or off a power supply to the imaging device based on a determination by the processing module and the operating voltage of the image device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG DAHUA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xin Ye
  • Patent number: 11043979
    Abstract: Provided is a transmission device including: a transmission circuit that operates, on the basis of a mode signal indicating a first operation mode corresponding to a data transmission period or a second operation mode corresponding to a data transmission pause period, in the first operation mode or the second operation mode, and transmits data in which a clock signal is embedded; and a power supply noise reduction circuit that reduces noise of a power supply that supplies power to the transmission circuit when switching is performed between the first operation mode and the second operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsushi Hanaoka
  • Patent number: 10971953
    Abstract: A contactless power receiving device includes a power receiving coil receiving power from a contactless power transfer device, a rectifier circuit rectifying the power to form a rectified output on a high potential side and a rectified output on a low potential side, a smoothing circuit receiving the rectified output on the high potential side and the rectified output on the low potential side, and a switching power supply converting a DC voltage from the smoothing circuit to a first voltage. The smoothing circuit includes a first inductor transmitting the rectified output on the high potential side, a second inductor transmitting the rectified output on the low potential side, and a smoothing capacitance element to which the rectified output on the high potential side and the rectified output on the low potential side are supplied, and the rectified output on the low potential side is connected to a ground potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Kawamae, Katsuei Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 10924159
    Abstract: The invention relates to a household electrical system, for example for ironing, comprising an appliance, such as an iron, connected to a base by a cord made up of at least: —a first electrical line formed by a first set of conductive wires for high-voltage (HV) transmission of a heating power, —a second electrical line formed by a second set of conductive wires for the low-voltage (LV) power supply of an electronic board arranged in the appliance, —a third electrical line for providing two-way data transmission between the base and the appliance; characterised in that the third electrical line is formed by the second set of conductive wires; the system also comprising a modulator suitable for modulating the voltage and/or the current circulating in the second set of conductive wires, so as to activate the second electrical line and the third electrical line or the third electrical line exclusively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: LauraStar S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe Monnerat, Sylvain Decastel, Laurent Seydoux
  • Patent number: 10770203
    Abstract: A power and data connectivity micro grid includes a first power sourcing equipment device having first and second power ports and first and second data ports, and configured to deliver DC power signals to the first and second power ports. The micro grid further includes first and second remote distribution nodes, and first and second splice enclosures, each splice enclosure having a power input port, a data input port, a power tap port, a data tap port, a power output port and a data output port. A first composite power-data cable is coupled between the first power port and the first data port of the first power sourcing equipment device and the power input port and the data input port of the first splice enclosure. A second composite power-data cable is coupled between the second power port and the second data port of the first power sourcing equipment device and the power input port and the data input port of the second splice enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Thomas F. Craft, Jr., Rudy Musschebroeck, Jan Jozef Julia Maria Erreygers, David T. Lambert, David J. Mather, David Thomas, Joshua M. Simer
  • Patent number: 10749610
    Abstract: A system for powering a network element of a fiber optic wide area network is disclosed. When communication data is transferred between a central office (CO) and a subscriber terminal using a network element to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the central office and twisted wire pair, coaxial cable or Ethernet cable transmission lines from the subscriber terminal, techniques related to local powering of a network element or drop site by the subscriber terminal or subscriber premise remote powering device are provided. Certain advantages and/or benefits are achieved using the present invention, such as freedom from any requirement for additional meter installations or meter connection charges and does not require a separate power network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventors: Alexander Soto, Walter Soto
  • Patent number: 10693666
    Abstract: The invention relates to powering one or more devices, in particular in the context of Power-over-Ethernet (PoE). In an embodiment of the invention, it is proposed to equip each node (11) with a PD interface (22) that can signal multiples of the standard defined unity load (25 k? with tolerances) during the detection process and increase the load during a sequence of detection attempts. In that way, several nodes (11) can share one PSE outlet and determine the number of neighboring loads (11). At the same time, each node (11) will offer full functionality during “normal” stand-alone wiring. This powering concept can be combined with full or limited data communication capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Harald Josef Günther Radermacher, Matthias Wendt, Dave Willem Van Goor, Lennart Yseboodt
  • Patent number: 10671557
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided herein for efficient component communication and resource utilization in a disaggregated computing system. A general purpose link is provided between a plurality of devices in the disaggregated computing system such that the general purpose link is used to connect the plurality of devices. For those of the plurality of devices communicating with one another within a same pool, the connection of the general purpose link is established using a backplane to facilitate the communication; and for those of the plurality of devices communicating with one another within differing pools, the connection of the general purpose link is established through an optical switching device to facilitate the communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Min Li, John A. Bivens, Ruchi Mahindru, Valentina Salapura, Eugen Schenfeld
  • Patent number: 10663507
    Abstract: A sensor system having a current interface includes a supply and current interface, an electronic control unit and an enhanced initialization sensor. The supply and current interface is configured to receive a supply voltage. The electronic control unit is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is configured to initialize the supply and current interface at a suitable current level to mitigate erroneous information. measurement system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christoph Schroers, Christof Bodner, Simon Hainz
  • Patent number: 10644512
    Abstract: A method and device for operating a power distribution node can include a controllable switching element configured to switch between supplying a power supply to an electrical load and not supplying the power supply to the electrical load, an electrical sensor connected in series to the controllable switching element and configured to generate a monitoring signal representative of an actual switching pattern of the controllable switching element, and a monitoring controller module receiving the monitoring signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventor: David Killin Roberts
  • Patent number: 10568186
    Abstract: A signal transmission device includes an Ethernet connection port, a magnetic circuit and a power transmission circuit. The Ethernet connection port is configured to be electrically connected to a set of signal equipment and to receive a power signal and a data signal provided by and to output the data signal to a system circuit via a second port. The power transmission circuit is configured to convert a supplying power of the power signal into a DC device power and to output a first power to the system circuit and a second power to the smart device according to the DC device power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: Inventec (Pudong) Technology Corporation, Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Chen-Hsiang Shih
  • Patent number: 10541535
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for aggregating and supplying energy includes a plurality of power modules for inverting a first type of electrical power, which is supplied to the power modules from multiple sources of power, to a second type of electrical power at an output of the power modules for delivery of the inverted power to a storage device for future use, or to an electrical load, or to a regional or central utility grid. A microcontroller (the “power microcontroller”) is carried by and incorporated within each of the power modules and each is configured for controlling the power inversion operations. A microcontroller (the “control microcontroller”) carried by the control module is configured for monitoring voltage levels within the at least one energy storage device and for rebalancing voltage within the energy storage device and for correcting lead and lag power factor. Means for selectively supplying power received from said multiple disparate sources of power to the destination are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Kilowatt Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Waseem Ashraf Qureshi
  • Patent number: 10462879
    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: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Lumenpulse Group Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Campbell
  • Patent number: 10334635
    Abstract: A wireless broadcasting device, systems including the device, and methods of programming and using the device are disclosed. The wireless broadcasting device is powered using power over Ethernet and can be used to provide proximity-based capabilities to devices that otherwise do not have such functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Matthew Hillier, Scott Richard Burton
  • Patent number: 10277277
    Abstract: A circuit (100) for coupling an amplifier (1) in an electrical power distribution system with the amplifier electrically and physically isolated from a power line of the system. The amplifier generates arbitrary signal waveforms injected into the power line. A transformer (T1) has a primary and a secondary side with the amplifier located on the primary side and the secondary side connected to the power line. A resistor (R1) series connected with the primary side of the transformer is sized to accommodate a minimum load impedance of the amplifier and minimize power dissipation. A resonant circuit interposed between the secondary side of the transformer and the power line has values for a capacitor (C1) and an inductor (L3) forming the resonant circuit chosen to peak the amplitude of the arbitrary signal waveform at the frequency of a waveform propagated through the power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Berchin, David Yaney
  • Patent number: 10230428
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, an access point includes a communication interface having: a coupler configured to receive, via a transmission medium, first guided electromagnetic waves from a communication node of a radio distributed antenna system, wherein the first guided electromagnetic waves propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path; and also a receiver configured to receive first data from the first guided electromagnetic waves. A data switch is configured to select first selected portions of the first data for transmission to at least one communication device in proximity to the access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Giovanni Vannucci, Peter Wolniansky, Paul Shala Henry
  • Patent number: 10194017
    Abstract: Certain configurations described herein are directed to a system configured to detect the presence of at least one mobile device within a vehicle and determine if the detected mobile device is an authorized mobile device. In some instances, the system comprises a processor separate from a vehicle engine control unit, in which the processor is electrically coupled to a first antenna configured to receive a wireless transmission from the mobile device when the mobile device is present in the vehicle and transmitting wirelessly. The processor may also be configured to determine if the detected mobile device is an authorized mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Mill Mountain Capital, LLC
    Inventor: Clay Skelton
  • Patent number: 10178747
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for providing a controller to be wired between a transformer and zones of landscape lights to provide power to and for turning on and off different landscape lights, creating and deleting landscape light zones based on a schedule loaded onto the controller by a wireless communication from a portable digital device, such as a smart phone having a landscape scheduling App thereon. Additional embodiments include wireless receivers in the landscape lights which allow for the portable digital device to remotely change colors of the landscape lights. Additional embodiments for controlling other accessories used in landscapes such as but not limited to sprinkler systems, speakers, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Chien Luen Industries Co., Ltd., Inc.
    Inventors: Eliezer Rivera, Ronald R. Portorreal, Zachary Zauhar, Charles E. Bucher, Tien S. Lowe
  • Patent number: 10034352
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to determining one or more of a space occupancy score, space energy score, and space efficiency score for a collection of lighting endpoints in a lighting network. The space occupancy score is indicative of how effective the occupancy groups are configured for a given space or the utilization level for a space. The space energy score is indicative of how much energy the collection of lighting endpoints use or will likely use based on their configurations, actual use, or a combination thereof. The space efficiency score is indicative of the overall efficiency associated with the collection of lighting endpoints based on both occupancy and energy related metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bowser, Matthew Deese, Gary David Trott, Derek Loyer
  • Patent number: 9959231
    Abstract: A data bus coupler has a primary bus connection for a primary bus and a plurality of secondary bus connections each for a terminal. The coupler includes a slave unit connected to the primary bus connection and a master unit connectable to the secondary bus connections and configured for sending telegrams to and receiving telegrams from the secondary bus connections, and a control unit. Communication switching means, under control of the control unit, connect each secondary bus connection to/from the master unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Pohle
  • Patent number: 9948337
    Abstract: A packaged cellular modem system includes a capacitor for receiving power from a DC power source, a DC-to-DC converter coupled to capacitor electrodes, a cellular modem coupled to the converter output and to an antenna, and an IS barrier circuit coupled to a modem output. A microcontroller coupled to a boost regulator has its output coupled to electrodes. A metrology jumper is between the microcontroller and ground. An encapsulation material provides a potted area for the capacitor, converter, modem, IS barrier circuit and microcontroller. A SIM card is coupled to the modem by the IS barrier circuit. LED's are coupled to the microcontroller. The SIM card and LEDs are in a non-potted area. A transparent SIM card access cover over the SIM card and LEDs enables exposing the SIM card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ajit Yadav, Murali Thavva. V. V, Murali Krishna Bezawada, John Boettger
  • Patent number: 9899833
    Abstract: An electronic direct current (DC) transformer apparatus and method of using it to convey unregulated off grid DC power to one or more load devices that in total use power at a level of at least 1 kW. The resonant frequency is at least 20 kHz, the unregulated energy-transfer efficiency is at least 75%, and the power distributing efficiency from source to load device is at least 75%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Aria Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Gary William Box, John Albert Perlick
  • Patent number: 9793873
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a signal generator and a control circuit. The signal generator includes a control terminal and includes a current electrode coupled to a terminal that is configured to couple to a power line to receive direct current (DC) power from a power generator. The control circuit is coupled to the current electrode and the control terminal of the signal generator. The control circuit determines an impedance associated with the power generator and applies a control signal to the control terminal of the signal generator to produce an impedance adjustment signal on the current electrode for communication to the power generator through the power line in response determining the impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Xiqun Zhu, Don Alfano
  • Patent number: 9722729
    Abstract: A powerline communication (PLC) device can be configured to execute functionality for zero cross sampling and detection. When the PLC device is directly coupled to a high-voltage PLC network, the PLC device can comprise printed safety capacitors in series with a high-voltage input AC powerline signal to safely couple the high-voltage AC powerline signal to the low-voltage processing circuit. The PLC device can also comprise an ADC to sample a scaled AC powerline signal and to obtain zero cross information. When the PLC device is part of an embedded PLC application, dynamic loading can affect the integrity of a low voltage zero cross signal that is used to extract zero cross information. After digitizing the zero cross signal, the PLC device can execute functionality to minimize/eliminate voltage drops caused by dynamic loading and obtain the zero cross information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Magin, Faisal Mahmood Shad, Lawrence Winston Yonge, III, Sanjay Kasturia, Niranjan Anand Talwalkar
  • Patent number: 9622329
    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 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Lumenpulse Lighting Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Campbell
  • Patent number: 9417944
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a two-wire (e.g., unshielded twisted pair) bus system that is simple (e.g., no microcontroller required in slave devices), synchronous with embedded clock information, inexpensive, automotive EMC compliant, and has sufficient speed and bandwidth for a large number of slave devices/peripherals, and also provides various protocols that can be used in various communication systems such as a two-wire bus system. The two-wire bus optionally may be self-powered, i.e., the master device may provide power to the slave devices over the two-wire bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Kessler
  • Patent number: 9419438
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes a power system coupled to a power bus, and a power line communication (PLC) gateway coupled in series with the power bus. In other embodiments, a system includes first and second power circuits coupled in series with a power bus, and first and second power-line communication circuits coupled in series with the power bus. In additional embodiments, a system includes a power converter coupled to a power bus and having one or more switching frequencies, and a power-line communication circuit coupled to the power bus and having one or more communication frequencies, where at least one of the switching frequencies is substantially greater than at least one of the communication frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Henry F. Pruett, Vincenzo DiTommaso, Ravindranath Naiknaware, Jorell A. Olson
  • Patent number: 9329457
    Abstract: A security camera system detects misting within the transparent portion of the security camera system by analyzing the actual images that are captured by the security camera system in order to determine whether or not there is misting on the transparent portion. Specifically, video analytics are applied to detect areas of the scene that appear to be out of focus as a result of misting of the transparent portion of the security camera system, also known as the bubble. The system uses, in a preferred embodiment, an edge-detection algorithm to look for areas of the scene that appear to have gone out of focus. When these are detected, the condensation mitigation system is activated in order to remove any misting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: Walter A. Martin
  • Patent number: 9307619
    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: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Lumenopulse Lighting Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Campbell
  • Patent number: 9152161
    Abstract: A Maintain Power Signature (MPS) Powered Device (PD) is described. In one or more implementations, the MPS device comprises a current sensor configured to sense current flowing from Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) to the PD. The current sense based MPS device also comprises a current generator configured to sink electrical current to prevent the PSE from removing power to the PD. Thus, the electrical current comprises a current amplitude characteristic selected based upon MPS requirements of the PSE. In some implementations, the current is sunk to a ground. In other implementations, the current is sunk to a storage device, such as a storage device included with the PD and/or external to the PD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Cristian Cerutti, Phillip J. Benzel, John M. Wettroth
  • Patent number: 9099886
    Abstract: A system for the wireless transfer of power includes a first device connected to a power supply source and provided with a first resonant circuit at a first frequency, a second device comprising at least one battery, provided with a second resonant circuit at said first frequency, arranged at a distance smaller than the wavelength associated with said first frequency and not provided with wires for the electrical connection with said first device. The first device is adapted to transfer a first signal representing the power to be sent to the second device for charging said at least one battery and comprises means adapted to modulate the frequency of said first signal for transferring data from the first device to the second device simultaneously with the power transfer. The second device comprises means adapted to demodulate the received signal, corresponding to the first signal sent from the first device, to obtain the transmitted data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mario DiGuardo
  • Patent number: 9070494
    Abstract: A fixation structure for fixing a superconducting cable including a cable core and a thermal insulation tube. The fixation structure includes a fixation box connected to the thermal insulation tube, including a hollow thermal insulation structure, and through which the cable core is passed, a fixation body for fixing the cable core on the inner wall of the fixation box, and a diameter-expanded reinforcement layer that is an electrical insulation layer that has a diameter decreasing toward both ends and is formed on the cable core. A refrigerant flows through the inside of the inner wall of the fixation box. The cable core is fixed on the inner wall with the fixation body through the diameter-expanded reinforcement layer. The structure implements a simple and low-cost fixation structure appropriate for an electric field design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Teng, Masashi Yagi, Taro Matsuoka, Shinichi Mukoyama, Shuka Yonemura
  • Publication number: 20150145324
    Abstract: A PoDL system includes a PSE connected via a wire pair to a PD, where differential data and DC power are transmitted over the same wire pair. Typically, low voltage/current detection and classification routines are required upon every powering up of the system to allow the PD to convey its PoDL requirements to the PSE. Various techniques are described that simplify or obviate such start-up routines or enable increased flexibility for the PoDL system. Such techniques include: ways to specify a particular PD operating voltage; ways to disable the PD's UVLO circuit during such routines; using opposite polarity voltages for the two routines; using voltage limiters or surge protectors to convey the PoDL information; detecting loop resistance; using a PSE memory to store previous results of the routines; and powering the PD communication circuit using the wire pair while the PD load is powered by an alternate power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Heath, David Dwelley
  • 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: 9035483
    Abstract: A fieldbus unit for connection of a field device to a fieldbus comprising two conductors is designed to transfer a signal via the fieldbus by modulation of an electrical current drawn by the field device. The fieldbus unit comprises: an electrical current control transistor, through which the electrical current drawn by the field device flows, wherein the electrical current drawn by the field device is controlled via a base current of the electrical current control transistor; a bipolar transistor, via whose emitter-collector, electrical current path the base current for driving the electrical current control transistor flows; as well as an electrical current controller, which produces an electrical current control signal for controlling the electrical current drawn by the field device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventor: Antoine Simon
  • Patent number: 9035484
    Abstract: A powerline communication (PLC) transmission module transmits a signal over a three-line electrical mains supply. The PLC transmission module includes at least two coupling transformers, each transformer coupling the signal to first and second line-pairs of a three-line electrical mains supply, the first and second line-pairs different from one another. Driving circuitry drives a first version of the signal over the first line-pair and a second version of the signal over the second line-pair. Inversion circuitry selectively inverts one version of the signal relative to the other version of the signal, dependent upon an enacted transmission mode. The inversion circuitry may invert neither/both of the versions of the signal so that the signal is transmitted as a differential-mode signal on the line-pairs or invert one of the first and second versions of the signal relative to the other so that the signal is a common-mode signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Ephraim David Hurwitz, Seyed A A Danesh, Iain Barnett
  • Publication number: 20150130269
    Abstract: A method for verifying interconnection of a PSE and PD with 4-pair PoE capabilities includes performing a first classification event on first and second pairs, respectively, and detecting a first predetermined class current on first and second sets of twisted pairs, respectively. The method includes performing a second classification event on first and second pairs, respectively, and detecting first and second predetermined class currents on first and second pairs, respectively. After expiration of a first variable delay period related to a first pseudo-random variable of the PSE, the method includes performing a third classification event on the first pair and detecting a first derived class current on the first pair. After expiration of a second variable delay period related to a second pseudo-random variable of the PD, the method includes performing the third classification event on the second pair and detecting a second derived class current on the second pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh Barrass, Anoop Vetteth
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150097421
    Abstract: An isolated signal transmission apparatus isolatingly transmits, from a control-side apparatus to a control target apparatus, an electric signal obtained by superimposing a communication signal on a direct-current signal. The apparatus includes a lower limiter circuit configured to output, to the control target apparatus, a direct-current signal, whose value is a predetermined lower limit value, if a value of the direct-current signal from the control-side apparatus is less than the predetermined lower limit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ken ITO
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150001922
    Abstract: A network device including a power supply, a communication port and a power line between the power supply and the communication port. A controller is to turn on a switch so that power can be delivered to the communication port along a second power line parallel to the first power line, before sending a power down signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Tzye Perng Poh, Boon Siang Choo, Jing Kai Tan