Self-energized wireless sensor and method using magnetic field communications
First Claim
1. A method of transmitting information by a circuit via a wireless medium, the method comprising:
- converting an electrical signal representing information into a series of electrical pulses; and
generating a series of magnetic field pulses corresponding to the series of electrical pulses to transmit a representation of the information via a wireless medium.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Manufacturing processes monitor forces or pressures within a machine. Metal within machines affect wireless communications within the machines for reporting monitored data. An embodiment of the present invention is a sensor that provides wireless communications unaffected by metals and with less electrical noise than slip rings. An embodiment can monitor manufacturing processes, such as by employing a piezoelectric transducer to measure forces or pressures in a machine and generate an electrical signal representing, for example, forces measured by the piezoelectric transducer. A threshold modulator circuit converts the electrical signal into a series of electrical pulses, which can be transmitted as a corresponding series of magnetic field pulses to a wireless receiver. The receiver reconstructs the original electrical signal, thereby enabling a receiver system to determine physical activities in the machine. The embodiment may be self-powered through use of power generated by the piezoelectric transducer.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method of transmitting information by a circuit via a wireless medium, the method comprising:
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converting an electrical signal representing information into a series of electrical pulses; and generating a series of magnetic field pulses corresponding to the series of electrical pulses to transmit a representation of the information via a wireless medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A circuit comprising:
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an input port and an output port; a resistor having a first lead and a second lead; a silicon bidirectional switch electrically coupled in series with the input port and the first lead of the resistor; and a thyristor having its voltage control input coupled in series with the second lead of the resistor and its current flow path coupled in series with the input port and the output port; wherein the resistor, silicon bidirectional switch, and thyristor compose a threshold modulator circuit, and wherein the circuit is configured to receive an electrical signal at the input port, and convert the electrical signal to a series of electrical pulses using the threshold modulator circuit. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A communications system comprising:
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a transducer configured to produce an electrical signal representative of an applied force or pressure; a threshold modulator circuit coupled to the transducer and configured to convert the electrical signal to a series of electrical pulses; and a transmitter coupled to the threshold modulator circuit and configured to convert the series of electrical pulses to a series of magnetic field pulses and transmit the series of magnetic field pulses via a wireless medium. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A communications system, comprising:
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means for converting an electrical signal into a series of electrical pulses; means for generating a series of magnetic field pulses corresponding to the series of electrical pulses; and means for transmitting the series of magnetic field pulses via a wireless medium.
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38. A non-contact slip ring, comprising:
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an interior member comprising; a transducer configured to produce an electrical signal representation of measured data; a threshold modulator circuit coupled to the transducer configured to convert the electrical signal to a series of electrical pulses; and a transmitter coupled to the threshold modulator circuit configured to convert the series of electrical pulses to a corresponding series of magnetic field pulses and transmit the series of magnetic field pulses via a wireless medium; and an exterior member comprising; a receiver configured to receive the series of magnetic field pulses from the transmitter via the wireless medium; and a signal reconstruction circuit configured to determine the force or pressure as a function of the series of magnetic field pulse.
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39. A circuit comprising:
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an input port and an output port; a resistor, configured to be selectively programmed, having a first lead and a second lead; a silicon bidirectional switch electrically coupled in series with the input port and the first lead of the resistor; and a thyristor having its voltage control input coupled in series with the second lead of the resistor and its current flow path coupled in series with the input port and the output port.
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40. A circuit comprising:
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an input port and an output port; a resistor having a first lead and a second lead; a silicon bidirectional switch electrically coupled in series with the input port and the first lead of the resistor; and a thyristor having its voltage control input coupled in series with the second lead of the resistor and its current flow path coupled in series with the input port and the output port, wherein the circuit is self-powered.
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Specification