Universal Sensor Interface for Power Conditioning and Signal Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensors often require specific voltage and current levels that exceed standard power sources, and custom connectors, preventing them from operating with standard computers and electronic equipment.
Innovation Solution
A universal interface method and apparatus that acquires and conditions electrical power from external sources, converts sensor outputs to compatible forms, and communicates them through wired or wireless interfaces, enabling compatibility with standard computer equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a sensor uses specific voltage and current levels that exceed standard power sources, then the sensor can operate with required power quality, but it cannot be compatible with standard computers and electronic equipment
Solution Approach 1:
A universal sensor interface device is introduced as an intermediary between the sensor and standard computer equipment. This interface conditions the electrical power from standard USB power sources to provide the required voltage and current levels to the sensor, while also converting sensor outputs to compatible digital formats that standard computers can process.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal sensor interface changes electrical parameters by conditioning power from standard USB sources (5V, limited current) to provide appropriate voltage and current levels for the sensor. It also transforms sensor output parameters from various analog formats to standardized digital output formats compatible with modern computing equipment.
2Measurement precision
If a sensor uses a custom sensor output and analog voltage output with voltage range that exceeds or falls below threshold standards, then the sensor can provide precise measurements, but it cannot function with standard computers without specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The universal sensor interface acts as a mediator that receives various custom sensor outputs (analog voltage signals with different ranges, frequency outputs) and converts them to standardized digital formats. This eliminates the need for specialized external equipment like separate A/D converters or data collection cards, as the conversion is performed within the universal interface itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal sensor interface is designed to handle multiple sensor output types (analog voltage, frequency, digital) and convert them all to a common compatible digital format. This multi-functional capability allows a single device to work with various sensor types without requiring specialized equipment for each sensor format.
3Reliability
If a sensor uses a custom connector and specialized data collection equipment, then the sensor can be precisely connected to specialized equipment, but it prevents the sensor from operating with standard computers
Solution Approach 1:
The universal sensor interface incorporates multiple connector types and communication protocols within a single device. It can accept various sensor connectors and output formats while providing a standardized USB output that is universally compatible with standard computers, thereby maintaining connection reliability for specialized sensors while achieving broad computer compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal interface serves as an intermediary adaptation layer between specialized sensor connectors and standard USB ports. It maintains the reliable physical and electrical connections required by specialized sensors while translating the interface to standard USB communication that works with conventional computers without requiring specialized data collection equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus of a universal interface compatibility of a sensor are disclosed. In one embodiment, a universal interface method includes acquiring an electrical power of an external source and conditioning the electrical power to provide to a sensor. The universal interface method further includes transferring the processed electrical power to the sensor, receiving a sensor output, converting the sensor output to a compatible form, and communicating the compatible form to an interface. The external source may include at least one of a USB power source, a battery, and a wall charger. The electrical power may be conditioned by at least one of detecting an input voltage, adjusting a variance of the electrical power, and altering a voltage of the electrical power. The compatible form may include at least one of a digital signal and an analog signal.