Sensors for electrical connectors

Abstract

In some implementations, a gasket, set forth by way of example and not limitation, includes a housing having a plurality of openings operative to receive a plurality of prongs of a power connector for an appliance. At least one sensor is operative to sense at least one characteristic of an environment. A transmitter is operative to transmit one or more signals derived from the at least one sensed characteristic, where the transmitted signals are capable of being received by a receiving device. A power circuit is operative to provide power from the electric current to the at least one sensor and the transmitter.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT / US2013 / 26502, filed Feb. 15, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 61 / 599,113, filed Feb. 15, 2012 and of U.S. Ser. No. 13 / 767,659, filed Feb. 14, 2013, all of which are incorporated by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to electronic sensors and more particularly to wireless electronic sensing systems.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0003]Sensing devices are used in many different applications for sensing a wide variety of different parameters or characteristics. Sensed characteristics can be used to monitor the operation of mechanical, electrical, chemical, and other phenomenon. For example, sensing devices can be capable of sensing such characteristics as temperature, pressure, electric and magnetic fields, gas and vapor concentration, odor, power, audio, and video. Some sensing devices are capable of transmitting signals ind...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]In various example implementations of the gasket, the sensor can be operative to sense at least one characteristic of an electric current flowing through at least one of the prongs. A converter circuit can be used convert one or more sensed analog voltages to the one or more signals that can be provided as digital data signals. The power circuit can be coupled to at least one conductive terminal that conductively contacts at least one of the prongs and creates an electrical connection between the terminal and prong, such that the terminal provides at least a portion of the electric current to the power circuit. In some implementations, the power circuit can be capacitively coupled to at least one of the prongs such that at least a portion of the electric current is provided to the power circuit. The gaske

Problems solved by technology

Existing sensing devices tend to be large, intrusive and cumbersome.

But this device is too large and too expensive to place in an area where space comes at a premium, nor is suitable for placement in large numbers.

However, such sensors are also of a relatively large size and often not practical to place in large numbers.

In living quarters or office space, for example, numerous such large sensors would be conspicuous and impractical.

However, this approach resul

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