Sensor and Transmission Control Circuit in Adaptive Interface Package

• US 20100141426A1
• Filed: 02/23/2010
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FTC-Forward Threat Control LLC
• Original Assignee: FTC-Forward Threat Control LLC
• Inventors: Bachta, Tony, Peverill, James, Zajac, Francis S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,058,991 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.100
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/02 Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/06 Electric actuation of the alarm, e.g. using a thermally-operated switch
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/08 Actuation involving the use of explosive means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/12 Actuation by presence of radiation or particles, e.g. of infrared radiation or of ions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A programmable interface module includes a linear power regulator to control and provide power to interfaced components on an as needed basis. The interface module is implemented in, for example, a sensor pack and multiplexed to a plurality of sensor modules. In a first mode, the linear voltage regulator provides a relatively small amount of power which allows a sensor module to output a signal responsive to detecting an environmental condition (e.g., gamma or x-ray radiation, extreme temperatures, etc.). The interface module can switch the linear voltage regulator to a second mode in which the linear voltage regulator ramps up the amount of power provided to a detecting sensor module. The sensor module can then provide a level indicative of a concentration or intensity of the environmental condition. If the level surpasses a predetermined threshold, the senor pack can output an alert signal to security server.

Claims

1. An asset tracking system in a durable case, the system with an interface designed to be wirelessly configured for particular uses, comprising:

a sensor module for sensing an environmental condition and generating a signal indicating a level therefrom, the sensor module having associated configuration information related to its operation;

a programmable interface module coupled to the sensor module and configured to receive the level signal and output a threshold signal, the programmable interface comprising;

a configuration module to receive the configuration information through wired or wireless communication, or update the configuration information, allowing adaptation to operation with the sensor module wherein the configuration module is configured to store configuration information;

a processor, communicatively coupled to the interface module that executes one or more instructions responsive to one or more signals received from the sensor module; and

a communication module, communicatively coupled to the interface module, for outputting an alert in response to said threshold signal indicating the level has met an alert threshold.

2. The asset tracking system of claim 1 wherein the communication module is communicatively coupled to a satellite server and the communication module transmits the alert signal to the satellite server.

3. The asset tracking system of claim 1 wherein the sensor module is coupled to a moving object and the communication module is configured to receive a change in location of the moving object and output information about the change in location.