WIRELESS INTERFACE FOR A PLURALITY OF TRANSDUCERS

• US 20120200425A1
• Filed: 04/18/2012
• Published: 08/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kulite Semiconductor Products Inc
• Original Assignee: Kulite Semiconductor Products Inc
• Inventors: KURTZ, Anthony D., LANDMANN, Wolf S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,470,597 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.03
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 1/00 Measuring arrangements giving results other than momentary value of variable, of general application G01D3/00 takes precedence; in tariff metering apparatus G01D4/00; transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable G01D5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 15/00 Component parts of recorders for measuring arrangements not specially adapted for a specific variable
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/086 for remote indication

Abstract

A wireless interface system that interfaces with any one of a plurality of transducers of different types, such as pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and current probes. The transducers employ identical connectors with a common connecting scheme. In this manner, any transducer can be connected to a wireless interface which has the same input connection scheme. When the wireless interface is connected to the transducer, a rechargeable battery, which is associated with the wireless interface, is activated. The wireless interface then determines the type of transducer being utilized and provides sufficient circuitry as well as determining the requirements of the connected transducer. In this manner, the wireless interface, besides recognizing and determining the type of transducer, can determine the range of the sensor and can provide specific circuitry to be activated to supply power and to read data from the sensor via common output pins.

Claims

1. A method of retrieving and transmitting data from a plurality of transducers each of a different type, comprising:

providing a plurality of transducers, each transducer capable of monitoring a different condition, each having input and output terminals, said input terminals for energizing said transducers and said output terminals for providing an output signal indicative of the state of said monitored condition, and

coupling the output terminal of one of the plurality of transducers to a wireless interface unit, wherein the wireless interface unit is configured to identify the type of transducer attached, supply the proper signal requirements to said attached transducer, and transmit a wireless signal to a remote location indicative of said attached transducer output signal and said transducer type.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising placing identification means on each transducer according to the type of transducer.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising energizing said interface unit when one of the plurality of transducers is plugged into the wireless interface unit.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising identifying said transducer type when said output terminal is plugged into the wireless interface unit.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising storing in a memory associated with each transducer the identification of said transducer.

6. The method according to claim 5, including the step of reading said memory to retrieve said identification of said transducer.

7. The method according to claim 4, further comprising supplying proper energizing levels to said transducer.

8. The method according to claim 4, further comprising selecting a circuit array for said transducer.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing a plurality of transducers includes providing at least two different type transducers.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein providing at least two different type transducers includes providing a pressure transducer and a temperature transducer.

11. A method of retrieving and transmitting data from a plurality of transducers each one capable of monitoring a different surrounding physical condition, comprising:

receiving a transducer identification signal from a first transducer;

identifying a transducer type associated with the identification signal;

providing transducer requirements to the first transducer based on the identified transducer type;

receiving a transducer output signal indicative of a surrounding physical condition; and

transmitting a wireless signal indicative of the output signal and transducer type.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein transducer requirements include power.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first transducer is a pressure transducer.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first transducer is a temperature transducer.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein identifying the transducer type comprises reading a memory component associated with the first transducer.

16. The method of according of claim 11, wherein identifying the transducer type comprises selecting a circuit array for the first transducer.