Sensor device and method for interrogating a sensor device

1. A sensor device comprising i sensor elements of a first type and j additional sensor elements of a second type, the i sensor elements of the first type being connected in a circuitry (n×m) matrix array with n row conductors and m column conductors, where i, j, n and m are natural numbers other than zero and where 1≦i≦n*m,

wherein each of the i sensor elements of the first type is connected between one of said n row conductors and one of said m column conductors and wherein each of the j additional sensor elements of the second type is connected between two of the n row conductors.

2. The sensor device according to claim 1 , comprising k additional sensor elements of a second type, where k is a natural number other than zero, wherein each of the k additional sensor elements of the second type is connected between two of the in column conductors.

3. The sensor device according to claim 1 , wherein

1

≤

j

≤

n

*

(

n

-

1

)

2

.

4. The sensor device according claim 1 , wherein the sensor elements of the first type and the sensor elements of the second type are designed in such a way that they perform an identical function in the sensor device.

5. The sensor device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sensor elements of the second type is designed in such a way that the at least one sensor element of the second type performs a function in the sensor device which differs from the function performed by the sensor elements of the first type.

6. The sensor device according to claim 1 , further comprising a device for interrogating a sensor device including n+m control devices which are connectable to the n row conductors and the m column conductors, each control device being individually switchable in such a way that in a first mode the control device operates as a driver cell for applying an electrical test voltage to the row or column conductor to be connected, and in a second mode the control device operates as a measuring transformer for processing the signal at the column or row conductor which is to be connected.

7. The sensor device according to claim 2 , wherein

1

≤

j

≤

n

*

(

n

-

1

)

2

.

8. The sensor device according to claim 2 , wherein

1

≤

k

≤

m

*

(

m

-

1

)

2

.

9. The sensor device according claim 2 , wherein the sensor elements of the first type and the sensor elements of the second type are designed in such a way that they perform an identical function in the sensor device.

10. The sensor device according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of the sensor elements of the second type is designed in such a way that the at least one sensor element of the second type performs a function in the sensor device which differs from the function performed by the sensor elements of the first type.

11. A sensor device comprising i sensor elements of a first type and k additional sensor elements of a second type, the i sensor elements of the first type being connected in a circuitry (n×m) matrix array with n row conductors and m column conductors, where i, k, n and m are natural numbers other than zero and where 1≦i≦n*m,

wherein each of the i sensor elements of the first type is connected between one of said n row conductors and one of said m column conductors and wherein each of the k additional sensor elements of the second type is connected between two of the in column conductors.

12. The sensor device according to claim 11 , further comprising a device for interrogating a sensor device including n+m control devices which are connectable to the n row conductors and the m column conductors, each control device being individually switchable in such a way that in a first mode the control device operates as a driver cell for applying an electrical test voltage to the row or column conductor to be connected, and in a second mode the control device operates as a measuring transformer for processing the signal at the column or row conductor which is to be connected.

13. The sensor device according to claim 11 , wherein

1

≤

[

[

j

]

]

⁢

k

_

≤

m

*

(

m

-

1

)

2

.

14. The sensor device according claim 11 , wherein the sensor elements of the first type and the sensor elements of the second type are designed in such a way that they perform an identical function in the sensor device.

15. The sensor device according to claim 11 , wherein at least one of the sensor elements of the second type is designed in such a way that the at least one sensor element of the second type performs a function in the sensor device which differs from the function performed by the sensor elements of the first type.