Communication system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A communication system usable with a plurality of spaced apart devices comprising:
- a control element; and
a bidirectional communications link couplable to one or more of the devices wherein said control element includes driver circuitry for reversibly applying a selected electrical potential across said link thereby applying constant amplitude outgoing pulses having first and second widths to said link, and wherein one or more replying devices includes circuitry for reversibly apply a second selected electrical potential across said link thereby applying substantially constant amplitude incoming pulses having third or fourth widths to said bidirectional communication link.
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Abstract
A communication system includes a control element, a bidirectional communications link, and one or more devices coupled to the link. The control element, via driver circuits, reversibly applies a predetermined potential to the link for the purpose of energizing the one or more devices as well as communicating therewith. The devices can respond at appropriate time intervals. During the responding time intervals, the control element can continue to supply power to the devices.
67 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A communication system usable with a plurality of spaced apart devices comprising:
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a control element; and a bidirectional communications link couplable to one or more of the devices wherein said control element includes driver circuitry for reversibly applying a selected electrical potential across said link thereby applying constant amplitude outgoing pulses having first and second widths to said link, and wherein one or more replying devices includes circuitry for reversibly apply a second selected electrical potential across said link thereby applying substantially constant amplitude incoming pulses having third or fourth widths to said bidirectional communication link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A monitoring system comprising:
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a control element; a bidirectional communications link coupled to said control element wherein said control element includes driver circuitry for reversibly apply a selected electrical potential across said link; and a plurality of monitoring devices coupled to said link wherein at least some of said devices include full-wave rectification circuitry capable of rectifying said reversibly applied electrical potential; and
whereinone or more of said devices each includes circuitry for applying digital, symmetrical voltage pulses having first and second widths to said bidirectional communication link wherein said pulses have the same duty cycle. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method of bidirectional communication between a control element and one or more displaced devices comprising:
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providing a source having a predetermined electrical potential; reversing the electrical potential as a function of time thereby generating a modulated pulse sequence with a constant amplitude on the order of twice the predetermined potential; transmitting the modulated pulse sequence to the displaced devices; and
whereinone or more displaced devices each includes circuitry for producing a local potential having a local amplitude at the respective device and wherein the respective device communicates with the control element by generating a balanced, width modulated, constant amplitude, pulse sequence wherein the constant amplitude has a value on the order of twice the local amplitude. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification