Sensor and transmission control circuit in adaptive interface package

• US 9,355,540 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2014
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FTC-Forward Threat Control LLC
• Original Assignee: FTC Sensors, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Inventors: Zajac, Francis S., Peverill, James, Bachta, Tony
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T
• Application Number:
  US14/555,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20150077260A1
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 340/577, 340/539.22, 340/539.13, 340/540, 340/541, 340/517, 348/143, 348/152
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/02 Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/06 Electric actuation of the alarm, e.g. using a thermally-operated switch
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/08 Actuation involving the use of explosive means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/12 Actuation by presence of radiation or particles, e.g. of infrared radiation or of ions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A programmable interface module includes a linear power regulator to control and provide power to interfaced components on an as needed basis. The interface module is implemented in, for example, a sensor pack and multiplexed to a plurality of sensor modules. In a first mode, the linear voltage regulator provides a relatively small amount of power which allows a sensor module to output a signal responsive to detecting an environmental condition (e.g., gamma or x-ray radiation, extreme temperatures, etc.). The interface module can switch the linear voltage regulator to a second mode in which the linear voltage regulator ramps up the amount of power provided to a detecting sensor module. The sensor module can then provide a level indicative of a concentration or intensity of the environmental condition. If the level surpasses a predetermined threshold, the senor pack can output an alert signal to security server.

Claims

1. A sensor system for outputting an alert, comprising:

a first module for outputting a signal indicating an environmental condition after occurrence of a first event;

a second module for providing a first amount of power to the first module prior to occurrence of the first event and a second amount of power to the first module after occurrence of the first event;

a programmable interface module to receive configuration information through wired or wireless communication, or update the configuration information, allowing adaptation to detect a particular environmental condition, wherein the programmable interface module is communicably coupled to the first module and configured to store configuration information; and

a third module communicably coupled to the programmable interface module for outputting the signal indicating the environmental condition.