Intelligent sensor system with network bus
First Claim
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1. A sensor system comprising:
- a first communication bus;
a plurality of sensors coupled to the first communication bus for providing sensor signals;
a bus converter device coupled to the first communication bus operable to control the plurality of sensors and to convert sensor signals received on the first communication bus to a format compatible with a second communication bus; and
a host computer coupled to the second communication bus for controlling the bus converter device;
wherein in an analog mode the first communication bus carries analog sensor signals and wherein in a digital mode the first communication bus carries digital sensor signals.
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Abstract
This invention disclosure describes an intelligent sensor system in which different types of sensors are connected to a network communication bus. Analog and digital signals are transferred bi-directionally on the common communication bus between the distributed sensors and an application specific controller referred to as a bus converter/controller module (BCM). The traditional analog type sensors are connected to the communication bus through interface devices referred to as transducer-to-bus interface modules (TBIM). The TBIM provides sensor identification, self-test and data correction functions.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A sensor system comprising:
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a first communication bus; a plurality of sensors coupled to the first communication bus for providing sensor signals; a bus converter device coupled to the first communication bus operable to control the plurality of sensors and to convert sensor signals received on the first communication bus to a format compatible with a second communication bus; and a host computer coupled to the second communication bus for controlling the bus converter device; wherein in an analog mode the first communication bus carries analog sensor signals and wherein in a digital mode the first communication bus carries digital sensor signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A communication device comprising:
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an analog signal conditioner for conditioning analog measurement signals received from a transducer; a converter circuit for converting the conditioned analog measurement signals to digital measurement signals; and a bus interface for connecting signals to a communication bus wherein in an analog mode, the conditioned analog measurement signals are transmitted over the communication bus and wherein in a digital mode, the digital measurement signals are transmitted over the communication bus. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of communication comprising the steps of:
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a) coupling sensor signals from a plurality of sensors to a first communication bus wherein in an analog mode the first communication bus carries analog sensor signals and wherein in a digital mode the first communication bus carries digital sensor signals; b) converting the sensor signals received on the first communication bus in a bus converter device to a format compatible with a second communication bus; and c) coupling a host computer to the second communication bus for controlling the bus converter device and receiving the sensor signals. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of communication comprising the steps of:
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acquiring an analog measurement signal from a transducer; conditioning the analog measurement signal; converting the conditioned analog measurement signal to a digital measurement signal; in a digital mode, transmitting the digital measurement signal over a first communication bus to a bus converter device, and in an analog mode, transmitting the conditioned analog measurement signal over the first communication bus to the bus converter device; and converting the digital measurement signal in the bus converter device to a format compatible with a second communication bus. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification