System, device and method for comprehensive input/output interface between process or machine transducers and controlling device or system

• US 7,912,562 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2001
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Electronic Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Electronic Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Boyd, Laurence A. II, Woolworth, Donald P., Duté, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang; Jungwon
• Application Number:
  US09/915,188
• Publication Number:
  US 20020082725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,527 Days
• Field of Search: 710/8, 710/12, 710/14, 710/62, 710/63, 710/65, 700/6, 700/7, 700/75, 700/51, 700/11, 702/189
• US Class Current: 700/51
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21114 Universal input, AC or DC
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21117 Universal I-O, same pin is input or output, bidirectional

Abstract

Comprehensive universal configurable interface for electrical, electronic, and electromechanical control, sensing, and actuation. Circuit, apparatus, method, and signal set for interfacing an electrical or electronic component or a mechanical component generating or effecting an electrical or electronic signal to a control system or device. Comprehensive universal input/output interface system, circuit, and method for interfacing such components and control systems that send or receive analog or digital voltage and/or current inputs over a large range of voltages and/or current without hardware or software switches. Interface and method includes and needs only two terminals for the connection of sensor or actuator. Provides plurality of operation mode circuits to accomplish the following functions: digital input, digital output, analog input, analog output, and others. Supports either voltage or current input and output, and voltage and current capabilities over a broad dynamic range. Single physical package for user configuration into a broad set of applications.

Claims

1. A comprehensive interface circuit for simultaneously sensing input devices and output devices, comprising:

a first physical circuit package having a first electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal and a plurality of mode circuits disposed thereon, wherein said plurality mode circuits can accomplish digital input, digital output, analog input, and analog output, said first physical circuit package being electrically connected directly, exclusively, and physically to a single sensor or a single actuator, but not both simultaneously, via only said first electrical terminal and said second electrical terminal of said first physical circuit package, and said first electrical terminal and said second electrical terminal being capable of electrical communication with each of said plurality of mode circuits;

a second physical circuit package having a first electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal and a plurality of mode circuits disposed thereon, wherein said plurality mode circuits can accomplish digital input, digital output, analog input, and analog output, said second physical circuit package being electrically connected directly, exclusively, and physically to another single sensor or another single actuator, but not both simultaneously, via only said first electrical terminal and said second electrical terminal of said second physical circuit package, and said first electrical terminal and said second electrical terminal being capable of electrical communication with each of said plurality of mode circuits; and

a controller that is external to said first physical circuit package and said second physical circuit package, said controller being capable of simultaneously receiving a condition from each sensor and being capable of simultaneously sending commands to each actuator.

2. The comprehensive interface circuit of claim 1, wherein each physical circuit package further has a point controller disposed thereon.

3. The comprehensive interface circuit of claim 1, further comprising an electrical bridge.

4. The comprehensive interface circuit of claim 1, further comprising a monoline serial interface.

5. The comprehensive interface circuit of claim 1, wherein said first physical circuit package is electrically connected to a single sensor and said second physical circuit package is electrically connected to a single actuator.