Wireless interface for a plurality of transducers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9470597-B2
Application number	US-201213449482-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 18, 2012
Priority date	Jun 26, 2009
Publication date	Oct 18, 2016
Grant date	Oct 18, 2016

Abstract

A wireless interface system that interfaces with any one of a plurality of transducers of different types, such as pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and current probes. The transducers employ identical connectors with a common connecting scheme. In this manner, any transducer can be connected to a wireless interface which has the same input connection scheme. When the wireless interface is connected to the transducer, a rechargeable battery, which is associated with the wireless interface, is activated. The wireless interface then determines the type of transducer being utilized and provides sufficient circuitry as well as determining the requirements of the connected transducer. In this manner, the wireless interface, besides recognizing and determining the type of transducer, can determine the range of the sensor and can provide specific circuitry to be activated to supply power and to read data from the sensor via common output pins.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method, comprising:
monitoring, by a first transducer of a plurality of transducers, a first surrounding physical condition;
receiving, at a processor, a transducer identification signal from the first transducer;
identifying, by the processor, and responsive to the received identification signal, a transducer type of the first transducer;
providing transducer requirements to the first transducer based on the identified transducer type, wherein the transducer requirements include a bias voltage;
compensating an output of the processor based on the identified transducer type;
receiving, at the processor, a transducer output signal indicative of the monitored first surrounding physical condition;
detecting, by the processor, a quantity of transducers in the plurality of transducers;
selecting a transmission mode based on the identified transducer type and on the detected quantity of transducers, wherein selecting the transmission mode includes selecting a different frequency based on the identified transducer type and on the detected quantity of transducers; and
transmitting, via the selected transmission mode, a wireless signal indicative of the output signal.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein transducer requirements include power.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first transducer is a pressure transducer.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first transducer is a temperature transducer.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein identifying the transducer type comprises reading a memory component associated with the first transducer.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein identifying the transducer type comprises selecting a circuit array for the first transducer.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein providing transducer requirements comprise providing a bias voltage.

8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising digitizing the transducer output signal.

Assignees

• Kurtz Anthony D
• Landmann Wolf S
• Kulite Semiconductor Products Inc

Inventors

• Kurtz Anthony D
• Landmann Wolf S

Classifications

• G01D15/00

  Component parts of recorders for measuring arrangements not specially adapted for a specific variable · CPC title

• G01D1/00

  Measuring arrangements giving results other than momentary value of variable, of general application (G01D3/00 takes precedence; in tariff metering apparatus G01D4/00; transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable G01D5/00) · CPC title

• G01L19/086 Primary

  for remote indication · CPC title