Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A sensor actuator bus, comprising: a four-wire bus comprising a two-wire power bus and a two-wire communication bus; a plurality of sensors, each of said sensors being connected to said two-wire power bus and to said two-wire communications bus, said two-wire power bus and said two-wire communications bus being disposed in a common cable, each of said plurality of sensors comprising a means for formulating a data packet containing information representing a status of said sensor associated with said formulating means and a means for transmitting said data packet on said two-wire communication bus, each of said sensors being connected in signal communication with said two-wire communications bus and connected in electrical communication with said two-wire power bus, said transmitting means being connected in signal communication with said formulating means, said data packet comprising a direction bit, seven priority bits for identifying an associated sensor and three message bits, said data packet being arranged in conformance with a Controller Area Network protocol system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A sensor actuator bus, comprising: a four-wire bus comprising a two-wire power bus and a two-wire communication bus; a plurality of sensors, each of said sensors being connected to said two-wire power bus and to said two-wire communications bus, said two-wire power bus and said two-wire communications bus being disposed in a common cable, each of said plurality of sensors comprising a means for formulating a data packet containing information representing a status of said sensor associated with said formulating means and a means for transmitting said data packet on said two-wire communication bus, each of said sensors being connected in signal communication with said two-wire communications bus and connected in electrical communication with said two-wire power bus, said transmitting means being connected in signal communication with said formulating means, said data packet comprising a direction bit, seven priority bits for identifying an associated sensor and three message bits, said data packet being arranged in conformance with a Controller Area Network protocol system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sensor actuator bus of claim 1, wherein: said formulating means comprises a microprocessor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sensor actuator bus of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of sensors comprises at least one limit switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sensor actuator bus of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of sensors comprises at least one proximity detector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sensor actuator bus of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of sensors comprises at least one photoelectric device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
308 words
A sensor actuator bus, comprising: a two-wire communication bus; a two-wire power bus; a first sensor connected in signal communication with said two-wire communication bus; first means, disposed within said first sensor, for formulating a first data packet representing a direction of communications, a prioritized identity of said first sensor and a status of said first sensor; first means, disposed within said first sensor, for transmitting and receiving a first serial bit stream on said two-wire communications bus, said first serial bit stream comprising information contained in said first data packet, said first transmitting means being connected in signal communications with said first formulating means, said first transmitting means being connected in signal communications with said two-wire communications bus, said first formulating means being connected in signal communications with a first sensing component of said first sensor; a second sensor connected in signal communication with said two-wire communication bus; second means, disposed within said second sensor, for formulating a second data packet representing a prioritized identity of said second sensor and a status of said second sensor; second means, disposed within said second sensor, for transmitting and receiving a second serial bit stream on said two-wire communications bus, said second serial bit stream comprising information contained in said second data packet, said second transmitting means being connected in signal communications with said second formulating means, said second transmitting means being connected in signal communications with said two-wire communications bus, said second formulating means being connected in signal communications with a second sensing component of said second sensor, said first and second data packets being formulated in accordance with a Controller Area Network protocol; and a two-wire power bus connected in power transmission relation with said first and second sensors, said two-wire power bus being disposed in common sheath with said two-wire communication bus to form a four-wire bus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
308 words
A sensor actuator bus, comprising: a two-wire communication bus; a two-wire power bus; a first sensor connected in signal communication with said two-wire communication bus; first means, disposed within said first sensor, for formulating a first data packet representing a direction of communications, a prioritized identity of said first sensor and a status of said first sensor; first means, disposed within said first sensor, for transmitting and receiving a first serial bit stream on said two-wire communications bus, said first serial bit stream comprising information contained in said first data packet, said first transmitting means being connected in signal communications with said first formulating means, said first transmitting means being connected in signal communications with said two-wire communications bus, said first formulating means being connected in signal communications with a first sensing component of said first sensor; a second sensor connected in signal communication with said two-wire communication bus; second means, disposed within said second sensor, for formulating a second data packet representing a prioritized identity of said second sensor and a status of said second sensor; second means, disposed within said second sensor, for transmitting and receiving a second serial bit stream on said two-wire communications bus, said second serial bit stream comprising information contained in said second data packet, said second transmitting means being connected in signal communications with said second formulating means, said second transmitting means being connected in signal communications with said two-wire communications bus, said second formulating means being connected in signal communications with a second sensing component of said second sensor, said first and second data packets being formulated in accordance with a Controller Area Network protocol; and a two-wire power bus connected in power transmission relation with said first and second sensors, said two-wire power bus being disposed in common sheath with said two-wire communication bus to form a four-wire bus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
195 words
A sensor actuator bus, comprising: a four-wire bus comprising a two-wire power bus and a two-wire signal bus, said four-wire bus being contained in a common cable; a T-connector connected to said four-wire bus and to said connecting means; a programmable logic controller connected in signal communication with said two-wire signal bus; a sensor comprising a sensing element, a microprocessor and means for transmitting and receiving a serial message, said microprocessor being connected in signal communication with said transmitting means, said microprocessor being connected in signal communication with said sensing element; and means, attached to said sensor, for connecting said transmitting means in signal communication with said two-wire signal bus and for connecting said microprocessor and said transmitting means in power transmission relation with said two-wire power bus, said microprocessor comprising means for formulating a data packet containing information relating to the status of said sensing element, said data packet being configured in accordance with a Controller Area Network protocol, said sensing element, said microprocessor and said transmitting means being contained within a common sensor housing, said data packet comprising a direction bit, seven priority bits for identifying an associated sensor and three message bits.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
195 words
A sensor actuator bus, comprising: a four-wire bus comprising a two-wire power bus and a two-wire signal bus, said four-wire bus being contained in a common cable; a T-connector connected to said four-wire bus and to said connecting means; a programmable logic controller connected in signal communication with said two-wire signal bus; a sensor comprising a sensing element, a microprocessor and means for transmitting and receiving a serial message, said microprocessor being connected in signal communication with said transmitting means, said microprocessor being connected in signal communication with said sensing element; and means, attached to said sensor, for connecting said transmitting means in signal communication with said two-wire signal bus and for connecting said microprocessor and said transmitting means in power transmission relation with said two-wire power bus, said microprocessor comprising means for formulating a data packet containing information relating to the status of said sensing element, said data packet being configured in accordance with a Controller Area Network protocol, said sensing element, said microprocessor and said transmitting means being contained within a common sensor housing, said data packet comprising a direction bit, seven priority bits for identifying an associated sensor and three message bits.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor actuator bus of claim 7, wherein: said sensing element is a limit switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sensor actuator bus of claim 7, wherein: said sensing element is proximity sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor actuator bus of claim 7, wherein: said sensing element is a photoelectric device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor actuator bus of claim 7, wherein: said sensing element is a temperature sensor.