999 results about "Power sensor" patented technology

An integrated passive wireless chip diagnostic sensor system is described that can be interrogated remotely with a wireless device such as a modified cell phone incorporating multi-protocol RFID reader capabilities (such as the emerging Gen-2 standard) or Bluetooth, providing universal easy to use, low cost and immediate quantitative analyses, geolocation and sensor networking capabilities to users of the technology. The present invention can be integrated into various diagnostic platforms and is applicable for use with low power sensors such as thin films, MEMS, electrochemical, thermal, resistive, nano or microfluidic sensor technologies. Applications of the present invention include on-the-spot medical and self-diagnostics on smart skin patches, Point of Care (POC) analyses, food diagnostics, pathogen detection, disease-specific wireless biomarker detection, remote structural stresses detection and sensor networks for industrial or Homeland Security using low cost wireless devices such as modified cell phones.

A wireless power transmission system comprises: a power transmitter, which includes a power amplifier that provides a sinusoidal waveform in the frequency range of about 20 to 500 kHz; a first loop antenna producing an alternating magnetic field within a selected area; a power receiver, which includes a second loop antenna located at least partially within the alternating magnetic field of the first antenna; and an electricity-consuming device connected to the output of the power receiver. Both transmitter and receiver preferably contain a capacitive circuit element to optimize tuning, which may be discrete capacitors or may rely on the self capacitance of the antenna(s). Applications of the system include: wirelessly powered lights for fans, boats, aquariums, display cases, etc.; wirelessly powered sensors and other devices for use with captive animals; and systems for transmitting useful power through construction materials to devices on the other side of walls or other structures.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for an ingestible sensor device are described. The ingestible sensor devices may be swallowed by an animal to diagnose one or more conditions of the animal. The ingestible sensor device may include a sensor configured to receive a stimulus inside the gastrointestinal tract of an animal, wherein the sensor is configured to output a signal having a characteristic proportional to the received stimulus. The ingestible sensor device may further include a communications module that transmits a signal modulated with the sensor output signal and a housing configured to have a size that is swallowable, wherein the housing substantially encloses the sensor and communications module.

The present invention provides a radio system and a method for relaying radio signals, providing a power calibration of transmit radio signals. With the radio system and the method no dedicated calibration signal generator is required for providing the power calibration of the transmit radio signals. The radio system comprises at least one transmit path, a calibration unit at the least one link and a power sensor. A selected one of coupled transmit signals is forwarded to a power sensor for measuring a power level of a portion of the selected one of the coupled transmit signals, wherein the calibration unit is adapted to update a power rating of the at least one transmit path in response to the transmit power level of the selected one of the coupled transmit signals.

A chirped pulse amplification system includes one or more polarization compensator configured to compensate for polarization altering elements with the chirped pulse amplification system. The polarization compensator is responsive to a sensor configured to provide feedback to the polarization compensator. In some embodiments, the chirped pulse amplification system further includes a controller configured to automatically adjust the polarization compensator responsive to the sensor. The sensor is optionally a power sensor.

A position location system, apparatus, and method are disclosed. A wireless device includes a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver and position location processor. The SPS receiver detects the availability of positioning signals and the position location processor determines an initial position of the wireless device based upon the positioning signals. A controller generates power saving events when the positioning signals are detected as being available. The controller determines the timing and duration of the power saving events. During a power saving event, the SPS receiver is deactivated and / or processing of the positioning signals is suspended to reduce power consumption of the wireless device. The initial position is updated based upon relative positioning information from one or more sensors during the power saving event. The controller activates the SPS receiver and resumes processing of the positioning signals following the power saving event.

An exercise bike may include a magnetic braking system to resist rotation of a flywheel. The magnetic braking system may be magnets mounted on brackets selectively pivoted relative to the frame to increase or decrease the resistance opposing rotation of the flywheel. The brackets may be pivoted using a brake adjustment assembly joined to the brackets in such a manner that the magnetic forces resisting rotation of the flywheel increase or decrease in a proportional manner over at least a portion of the adjustment range of the brake adjustment assembly. The exercise bike may further include a console that displays information, such as power. The power may be estimated from a look-up table using the crank or flywheel speed of the exercise bike measured using a speed sensor and the tilt angle of the brackets relative to a reference point measured using a power sensor that includes an accelerometer.

The present invention provides an inductively powered sensor system having a primary conductive path capable of being energized to provide an electromagnetic field in a defined space. An inductive power pick-up is associated with a sensor and is capable of receiving power from the field to supply the sensor. The system includes a first sensing unit to sense the power available to the pick-up and a control unit to increase or decrease the power available to the sensor dependant on the sensed power available. A method of inductively powering a sensor, an inductively powered sensor and an animal enclosure including one or more primary conductive path of an inductive power supply are also disclosed.

A method and apparatus are provided for a home energy management platform. The platform includes using a whole house power sensor or subset thereof. Data from the power sensor are analyzed using advanced statistical and machine learning techniques for extracting detailed usage information and generating specific energy saving measures, among other relevant information. In an embodiment, a gateway console is provided that has various communication capabilities. The gateway console may communicate with and control HAN devices. The gateway console may collect data from the power sensor as well as HAN devices and upload such collected data to servers for the analysis processing. Certain amounts of data processing and analysis may be performed at a server or at the local level, such as at the power sensor, gateway, or other HAN device, as well. The platform may include a user interface, such as web, mobile, email, mail, phone call, etc.

An exercise bike may include a magnetic braking system to resist rotation of a flywheel. The magnetic braking system may be magnets mounted on brackets selectively pivoted relative to the frame to increase or decrease the resistance opposing rotation of the flywheel. The brackets may be pivoted using a brake adjustment assembly joined to the brackets in such a manner that the magnetic forces resisting rotation of the flywheel increase or decrease in a proportional manner over at least a portion of the adjustment range of the brake adjustment assembly. The exercise bike may further include a console that displays information, such as power. The power may be estimated from a look-up table using the crank or flywheel speed of the exercise bike measured using a speed sensor and the tilt angle of the brackets relative to a reference point measured using a power sensor that includes an accelerometer.

The present invention transforms existing electrical wall outlets into an emergency lighting system for homes, hospitals, hotels, nursing homes and businesses. The lighting device, designed as a replacement electrical wall outlet or receptacle, simply plugs into an existing dual outlet after removal of its faceplate. The lighting device continues to function as an electrical outlet, however, also comprises a local power source such as a constant charge lithium ion battery; a motion sensor for initiating a low level of lighting for darkened room or corridor transit; a power sensor for activating a high level of light when electrical service is disrupted, thereby broadcasting a wash of light over an otherwise darkened room or corridor; and a photoelectric cell which detects daylight or otherwise provided lighting of the room or corridor and thereby prevent unnecessary power usage.

A sensor for a vehicle that conserves power by alternately switching between a power on and a reduced power state. The circuit compares a most recent sensor measurement with an earlier measurement while in the power-on state and then switches to a reduced power state. A time delay generation function determines when the circuit switches out of the reduced power state depending on the result of the comparison. The duration of the reduced power state can be increased depending on the similarity of the most recent measurement to an earlier measurement.

Stand-alone modules or blocks for use in creating low-power sensor-based monitor / control systems. Each module performs a pre-defined function, and when included in a monitor / control network operates as a node on the network and automatically communicates with one or more connected nodes using a uni-directional packet-based protocol. One class of such predefined nodes communicates Boolean values, for example, with input sensor nodes detecting the presence or absence of environmental phenomena (e.g., motion, light, sound, water, button presses, etc.), intermediate nodes transforming those Boolean values using combinational or sequential logic, and output nodes converting the resulting Boolean values to environmental phenomena (e.g., beeping, light, electric relay activation, etc.) or to data for further processing by a computer. Another class of nodes communicates integer or number values.

A laser apparatus (100) for performing the laser machining operation by condensing the laser light output from a laser oscillator (3) is disclosed. A laser output value calculation unit calculates a laser output value (L1) based on a command value (L0) issued to a laser oscillator (2). A temperature change estimating unit (31) estimates the temperature change or the temperature (Te) of specified component element(s) (7a, 7b) of the laser apparatus based on the elapsed time (t) and the laser output value calculated by the laser output value calculation unit. An adjusting unit (32) adjusts the conditions for controlling the laser or the conditions for laser machining based on the temperature change or the temperature of the specified component element estimated by the temperature change estimating unit. A stable laser machining operation is performed without a temperature sensor. The laser output value (L1) may be measured by a laser power sensor (5).

The invention discloses a microwave power sensor with a multi-cantilever structure. The microwave power sensor comprises a substrate, and a micro-strip line, a cantilever anchoring region and a plurality of pressure welding blocks, which are arranged on the substrate, wherein the cantilever anchoring region and the pressure welding blocks are arranged on the two sides of the micro-strip line respectively; a plurality of cantilevers which are parallel to one another and hung in the air are arranged above the micro-strip line; the cantilevers and the micro-strip line are vertical and have different lengths; and one end of each cantilever is arranged on the cantilever anchoring region, and the other end of each cantilever are correspondingly hung above one pressure welding block. According to the microwave power sensor, the displacements of the cantilevers are caused by the attraction of the microwave power transmitted on the micro-strip line to the cantilevers of different lengths, and the measurement of the microwave power transmitted on the micro-strip line is realized by detecting the number of the cantilevers of different lengths, which are placed in parallel and contacted with the pressure welding blocks, so that the sensitivity of the power sensor can be improved, the structure can be simplified, digital output is realized, and the error range is controlled.

An appliance that includes a host device and a memory unit with a primary memory, and a method of operating the appliance. According to one aspect of the appliance, the primary memory is nonvolatile and the memory unit also includes a volatile memory a power sensor and a controller. When the power sensor detects interruption of power to the memory unit, the controller copies data selectively from the volatile memory to the primary memory. Power for this copying is provided by a secondary power source such as a battery or a capacitor. According to another aspect of the appliance, the appliance includes primary and secondary power sources, and the memory unit also includes a charge pump whose functions include both boosting power from the primary source for the primary memory and charging the secondary source.

The invention discloses an online microwave frequency detector and a detecting method thereof based on a cantilever beam and a direct-type power sensor. The detector is prepared on a GaAs substrate and comprises coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission lines, four micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) cantilever beam structures of the completely same structure, a power combiner and three MEMS direct-type microwave power sensors of the completely same structure. The micro-electronic mechanical online microwave frequency detector provided by the invention not only has the advantages of being novel in structure and smaller in size, but also can realize online detection on a microwave signal frequency, and can be compatible with a GaAs single wafer microwave integrated circuit.

A self-powered tire pressure sensor device. The sensor device includes a power circuit, an air pressure measurement sensor, a signal circuit and a wireless transmission circuit. The power circuit converts mechanical acceleration experienced by the device into electrical potential using an electromechanical transducer. Mechanical acceleration due to collisions between the mobile sensor device and the wall of the tire while the tire is in motion cause the transducer to emit a small electrical charge. An electrical potential storage element in the power circuit accumulates and stores the charge as electrical potential. Alternatively the power circuit receives and converts electromagnetic energy into electrical potential. The electrical potential powers an air pressure measurement sensor within the tire. A signal circuit and wireless transmission circuit transmit the measurement to a chassis-mounted receiver, which makes the tire pressure measurement available to systems remote from the tire.

An integrated passive wireless chip diagnostic sensor system is described that can be interrogated remotely with a wireless device such as a modified cell phone incorporating multi-protocol RFID reader capabilities (such as the emerging Gen-2 standard) or Bluetooth, providing universal easy to use, low cost and immediate quantitative analyses, geolocation and sensor networking capabilities to users of the technology. The present invention can be integrated into various diagnostic platforms and is applicable for use with low power sensors such as thin films, MEMS, electrochemical, thermal, resistive, nano or microfluidic sensor technologies. Applications of the present invention include on-the-spot medical and self-diagnostics on smart skin patches, Point-of-Care (POC) analyses, food diagnostics, pathogen detection, disease-specific wireless biomarker detection, remote structural stresses detection and sensor networks for industrial or Homeland Security using low cost wireless devices such as modified cell phones.

The invention discloses a device and a method for phase detection based on a direct type micromechanical microwave power sensor. The device comprises an adjustable digital phase shifter (12), a power combiner (16), the direct type micromechanical microwave power sensor (19) and a digital multimeter (20), a reference microwave signal Vref is connected with a first input port (14) of the power combiner, a to-be-detected signal Vx is connected with an input port (11) of the adjustable digital phase shifter, an output port (13) of the adjustable digital phase shifter is connected with a second input port (15) of the power combiner, an output port (17) of the power combiner is connected with an input port (18) of the direct type micromechanical microwave power sensor, and back holes (8) on the direct type micromechanical microwave power sensor (19) are connected with the digital multimeter (20). The objective of accurate detection of microwave signal phase position is realized by utilizing the method of power after combining a measuring reference signal with the to-be-detected signal after phase shifting by the adjustable digital phase shifter.

The invention discloses a dual channel microwave power detection system based on a microelectronic mechanical microwave power sensor and a preparation method thereof. The system has the advantages of simple structure, large measurement range and no direct current power consumption. The system is based on a gallium arsenide substrate. A coplanar waveguide transmission line (A), a thermoelectric MEMS microwave power sensor (B) and an MEMS clamped beam capacitor type microwave power sensor (C) are designed on the substrate. When the power of a microwave signal is small, the thermoelectric MEMS microwave power sensor carries out detection according to the one-to-one corresponding relationship between the thermopile output voltage and the microwave power. When the power of the microwave signal is large, the MEMS clamped beam capacitor type microwave power sensor carries out detection. A square mass block is designed on an MEMS clamped beam above the coplanar waveguide transmission line. The area with the coplanar waveguide transmission line is increased, and at the same time the weight of the center position of the MEMS clamped beam is increased. Static power is more likely to cause large deformation of the MEMS clamped beam, and the system sensitivity is improved.

A power sensor module suitable for automotive and other high volume applications combines speed sensing and torque sensing operations into a single unit. A magnetic speed sensor is utilized for speed sensing. A power measurement can be derived from torque and speed. Combining torque sensing and speed sensing within a single module instead of using separate modules for each allows for reducing redundancies and lowering cost.

The present invention relates to a management system for in-house power consumption, more particularly to a management system for in-house power consumption efficiently performing in-house power consumption by means of estimating power consumption of each operation of in-house electric devices. The present invention provides a management system for in-house power consumption comprising: at least one or more electric devices (30, 40, 50, 60) which comprise a communication means and transmit current operation information via the communication means on a given network; an power sensor module (20) that measures an instantaneous power consumption of the total electric devices and transmit it on the network; and a power consumption controller (70) that saves a previously received the operation information and the instantaneous power consumption and estimates the power consumption of each electric device (30, 40, 50, 60) on the basis of the saved operation information and instantaneous power consumption and the currently received operation information and instantaneous power consumption.

An apparatus, system, and method for measuring thermally induced electric resistance changes in thermally assisted magnetic recording are disclosed for monitoring laser light output in thermally assisted magnetic recording disk drives. An electrical lead is coupled to a read / write head element. A first electrical resistance in the read / write head element is measured. The read / write head is heated by a laser and a second electrical resistance in the read / write head element is measured. The electrical resistance may be monitored at regular intervals when the read / write head element is on the ramp or the electrical resistance measurements may be continuously monitored as the read / write head flies over the magnetic media.

Provided are a wake-up apparatus and wake-up method for a low power sensor node, and more particularly, to a wake-up apparatus and wake-up method for a low power sensor node, which can extend the battery life of the sensor node and minimize the amount of power consumed by an entire sensor network power by minimizing unnecessary power consumption of the sensor node. The wake-up apparatus for a low power sensor node includes: a wake-up signal detector receiving and detecting a wake-up signal of a sensor node; a wake-up radio frequency (RF) circuit unit filtering and amplifying the wake-up signal; and a wake-up baseband transducer detecting a wake-up address from the wake-up signal and comparing and verifying the wake-up address with a wake-up address that is provided from a server managing the sensor node. The wake-up apparatus outputs an interrupt signal for transmitting a sensing event of the sensor node or outputs a wake-up address of another sensor node in an area where the interrupt signal is to be sensed if errors are not detected when the wake-up address is verified.

A radiation, explosives, and special materials, detection and identification system includes a housing supporting one or more gamma sensors and one or more solid-state neutron sensors proximate to container contents under examination. The system collects radiation data from the sensors and compares the collected data to one or more stored spectral images representing one or more isotopes to identify one or more isotopes present. The identified one or more isotopes present are corresponded to possible materials or goods that they represent. The possible materials or goods are compared with the manifest relating to the container to confirm the identity of materials or goods contained in the container or to detect and / or identify unauthorized materials or goods in the container. A battery powered sensor arrangement is also disclosed.

A radiation, explosives, and special materials, detection and identification system includes a housing supporting one or more gamma sensors and one or more solid-state neutron sensors proximate to container contents under examination. The system collects radiation data from the sensors and compares the collected data to one or more stored spectral images representing one or more isotopes to identify one or more isotopes present. The identified one or more isotopes present are corresponded to possible materials or goods that they represent. The possible materials or goods are compared with the manifest relating to the container to confirm the identity of materials or goods contained in the container or to detect and / or identify unauthorized materials or goods in the container. A battery powered sensor arrangement is also disclosed.

A power amplifier module for amplifying radio frequency signals includes first, second, third and fourth corner ground pads positioned at each corner of the power amplifier module; a radio frequency input pad positioned between the first and second corner ground pads; a radio frequency output pad positioned between the third and fourth corner ground pads; and a power amplifier circuit centrally positioned on the power amplifier module, the power amplifier having an input coupled to the radio frequency input pad and an output coupled to the radio frequency output pad.

The present invention transforms existing electrical wall outlets into an emergency lighting system for homes, hospitals, hotels, nursing homes and businesses. The lighting device, designed as a replacement electrical wall outlet or receptacle, simply plugs into an existing dual outlet after removal of its faceplate. The lighting device continues to function as an electrical outlet, however, also comprises a local power source such as a constant charge lithium ion battery; a motion sensor for initiating a low level of lighting for darkened room or corridor transit; a power sensor for activating a high level of light when electrical service is disrupted, thereby broadcasting a wash of light over an otherwise darkened room or corridor; and a photoelectric cell which detects daylight or otherwise provided lighting of the room or corridor and thereby prevent unnecessary power usage.