초록 ▼

The object of the invention is to interface a device to a bus carrying power and a signal while simultaneously complying with bus-standard current draw limits, storing power for the device in an energy storage device located in the interface apparatus, and conditioning the bus signal as a function o

The object of the invention is to interface a device to a bus carrying power and a signal while simultaneously complying with bus-standard current draw limits, storing power for the device in an energy storage device located in the interface apparatus, and conditioning the bus signal as a function of the energy level of the signal received by the interface device from the bus and the level of energy measured in the energy storage device in the interface apparatus. As shown in FIG. 29, according to one aspect of the invention the interface apparatus (472) includes an input filter (480), a current limiter (482), a power converter (483), an energy storage device (484), a signal decoder/controller (486) and a signal conditioner (488). In operation, power flows from the bus through input filter (480) through the current limiter (482) to the power converter (483), which converts the power to a form suitable for charging the energy storage device (484). The output of the energy storage device provides power to the device. The bus signal is received by the signal decoder/controller (486), which performs any necessary decoding before sending the signal onto the signal conditioner (488). Signal decoder/controller (486) also is connected to and controls power converter 483. Signal conditioner (488) measures the level of energy stored in energy storage device (484) then generates and conveys to the signal input of the device an output signal that is a function of the energy level of the bus signal and the measured level of energy in the energy storage device (484).

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for interfacing a bus to a device, the bus including a power line carrying power and a signal line carrying a signal, the device including a power input and a signal input, the interface apparatus including:a. a power output connected to the device power inpu

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for interfacing a bus to a device, the bus including a power line carrying power and a signal line carrying a signal, the device including a power input and a signal input, the interface apparatus including:a. a power output connected to the device power input;b. a power input connected to the bus power line;c. a signal input connected to the bus signal line;d. a signal output connected to the device signal input;e. an energy storage device having an input and an output, the energy storage device output connected to the interface apparatus power output;f. a power converter having a power input connected to the interface apparatus power input and a power output connected to the energy storage device input, whereby the power converter receives power from the bus power line and converts it to a form suitable for charging the energy storage device, the power converter further including:a current sensor being connected in series with the power converter power input and output and having an output carrying a signal representative of the current flowing through the current sensor; anda current limiter having a predetermined current limit, being operably connected to the power converter power input and power output, and having an input connected to the current sensor output for receiving the current sensor signal representative of the current flowing through the current sensor, whereby the current limiter limits the current drawn by the device and the interface apparatus to the predetermined current limit; andg. a signal conditioner having a first input connected to the energy storage device output, a second input connected to the interface apparatus signal input, the signal conditioner including a transfer function that produces a signal conditioner output signal at the signal conditioner output that is a function of the level of energy in the energy storage device and the level of energy of the bus signal or the signal conditioner output signal.