Reduction of wire numbers in a paper scanner power track
First Claim
1. A scanning system, for moving a first set of sensor electronic devices between a first end and a second end along a main scanning direction, which comprises:
- a mobile carriage, onto which the first set of sensor electronic devices is secured wherein, for at least a plurality of the sensor electronic devices, each has a sensor input;
a first set of control electronic devices that is located remotely from the mobile carriage, wherein for at least a plurality of the control electronic devices, each has a control output;
a control multiplexer that is coupled to the plurality of control electronic devices and that receives input signals therefrom and that provides control signals of the plurality of control electronics for transmission through a first transmission channel;
a sensor de-multiplexer that is coupled to the plurality of sensor electronic devices and that receives the control signals from the first transmission channel and that provides sensor signals to selected sensor electronic devices to which the sensor de-multiplexer is coupled; and
means for driving a mobile carriage along the main scanning direction.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The performance of scanning systems can be significantly enhanced by replacing the traditional power track with preferably just two wires or transmission channels for effecting communication between (i) the sensors on the mobile carriage of the scanning system and (ii) the controls, power sources, and related devices that are typically located in a compartment or module which is a significant distance away. This can be implemented by employing selected multiplexer and complementary de-multiplexer combinations in the scanner head and in the module. This technique reduces EMI noise, power loss, drag on the moving scanner heads carrying the sensors, and cost of construction.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A scanning system, for moving a first set of sensor electronic devices between a first end and a second end along a main scanning direction, which comprises:
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a mobile carriage, onto which the first set of sensor electronic devices is secured wherein, for at least a plurality of the sensor electronic devices, each has a sensor input; a first set of control electronic devices that is located remotely from the mobile carriage, wherein for at least a plurality of the control electronic devices, each has a control output; a control multiplexer that is coupled to the plurality of control electronic devices and that receives input signals therefrom and that provides control signals of the plurality of control electronics for transmission through a first transmission channel; a sensor de-multiplexer that is coupled to the plurality of sensor electronic devices and that receives the control signals from the first transmission channel and that provides sensor signals to selected sensor electronic devices to which the sensor de-multiplexer is coupled; and means for driving a mobile carriage along the main scanning direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An on-line scanning sensor system capable of detecting multiple characteristics of a traveling sheet of paper product as it progresses through or exits from a papermaking machine that comprises:
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(a) a support member spanning across the traveling sheet of paper product; (b) a mobile carriage, that is slidably attached to the support member, onto which a first set of sensor electronic devices is secured wherein, for at least a plurality of the sensor electronic devices, each has a sensor input; (c) a first set of control electronic devices that is located remotely from the mobile carriage, wherein for at least a plurality of the control electronic devices, each has a control output; (d) a control multiplexer that is coupled to the plurality of control electronic devices and that receives input signals therefrom and that provides control signals of the plurality of control electronic devices for transmission through a first transmission channel; (e) a sensor de-multiplexer that is coupled to the plurality of sensor electronic devices and that receives the control signals from the first transmission channel and that provides sensor signals to selected sensor electronic devices to which the sensor de-multiplexer is coupled; and (f) means for driving a mobile carriage between a first end and a second end along a main scanning direction such that the mobile carriage scans back and forth across at least a substantial portion of the paper product along a cross direction of the moving sheet, characterized in that the first set of sensor electronic devices is operated to detect a plurality of physical characteristics of the paper product. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for transmitting signals between sensor electronic devices and control electronic devices that comprise the steps of:
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securing a first set of sensor electronic devices to the mobile carriage wherein, for at least a plurality of the sensor electronic devices, each has a sensor input; providing a first set of control electronic devices that is located remotely from the mobile carriage, wherein for at least a plurality of the control electronic devices, each has a control output; providing a control multiplexer that is coupled to the control electronic devices and that receives input signals therefrom and that provides control signals of the plurality of control electronic devices for transmission through a first transmission channel; providing a sensor de-multiplexer that is coupled to the sensor electronic devices and that receives the control signals from the first transmission channel and that provides sensor signals to selected sensor electronic devices to which the sensor de-multiplexer is coupled; moving the mobile carriage between a first end and a second end along a main scanning direction; and operating the first set of sensor electronic devices and the first set of control electronic devices. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification