IP Library Granted Patent US 6,968,276
Granted Patent B2
US 6,968,276 · App. 10/695,602 · Granted Nov 22, 2005

System for processing measuring signals from a sensor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,968,276
App. No.
10/695,602
Granted
Nov 22, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for processing the measuring signals from a sensor 12 , including of a first micro-controller 10 having an input for the sensor data, a first memory 18, 19 and a first processor 16 , and a second micro-controller 24 having a second memory 26, 30 and a second processor 27 . A bus system 22 is provided that connects the first micro-controller 10 with the second micro-controller 24 . The first memory 18, 19 stores data and instructions that are configured so as to be adapted to the sensor 12 and enable the conversion of the signals provided by the sensor 12 into data representing the variable to be measured. The first processor 16 executes the instructions stored in the first memory 18 , and transfers the resulting data by way of the bus system 22 to the second micro-controller 24 . The second memory 26, 30 stores sensor-independent data and instructions, which enable the processing, by the second microprocessor 27 , of the data transferred by the bus system 22 , representing the variable to be measured.

Claims (24)

1. A system for processing the measuring signals from a sensor comprising:

a first micro-controller, comprising an input for the sensor data, a first memory and a first processor,

a second micro-controller comprising a second memory and a second processor;

a bus system that connects the first micro-controller with the second micro-controller,

wherein the first memory stores data and instructions that are configured so as to be adapted to the sensor and enable the conversion of the signals provided by the sensor into data representing the variables to be measured, and

wherein the first processor is connected such that it can execute the instructions stored in the first memory, and thereby convert in real-time the measuring signals of the sensor into data that represent the measurable variable, and transfer these data by way of the bus system to the second micro-controller,

wherein the second memory stores sensor-independent data and instructions, which enable the processing of the data transferred by the bus system, representing the variable to be measured, and whereby the second processor is connected so as to be able to execute the sensor-independent instructions in the second memory, and

wherein both the first memory and the second memory each comprise a data memory and a program memory.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the sensor-independent instructions stored in the second memory are configured so that the data processed by the second micro-controller can be output.

3. A system according to claim 2 , further comprising an interface by means of which the data processed can be output.

4. A system according to claim 3 , further comprising an output unit that is connected to the interface.

5. A system according to claim 1 , further comprising an analog-digital converter connected between the sensor and the first micro-controller.

6. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the second micro-controller is furthermore connected to a timer unit by way of the bus system.

7. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the first microcontroller and the second micro-controller are furthermore connected to transmission links, which control the access to the bus system.

8. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor consists of a resistor array serving to measure voltage and/or current parameters.

9. A system according to claim 8 , where the sensor is a flow meter to measure the consumption of gases or fluids.

10. An Electronic electricity consumption meter for processing the measuring signals from a sensor comprising:

a first micro-controller, comprising an input for the sensor data, a first memory and a first processor,

a second micro-controller comprising a second memory and a second processor;

a bus system that connects the first micro-controller with the second micro-controller,

wherein the first memory stores data and instructions that are configured so as to be adapted to the sensor and enable the conversion of the signals provided by the sensor into data representing the variables to be measured, and

wherein the first processor is connected such that it can execute the instructions stored in the first memory, and thereby convert in real-time the measuring signals of the sensor into data that represent the measurable variable, and transfer these data by way of the bus system to the second micro-controller, and

wherein the second memory stores sensor-independent data and instructions, which enable the processing of the data transferred by the bus system, representing the variable to be measured, and whereby the second processor is connected so as to be able to execute the sensor-independent instructions in the second memory, and wherein the second memory is configured so as to contain data and instructions that represent a current consumption tariff system, and where the further processing of the data representing the variable to be measured results in the computation of the electricity consumed.

11. An Electricity consumption meter according to claim 10 , where the consumption tariffs are time-dependent and where the time information required for the computation of the electricity consumption costs are supplied by the timer.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 16, 2021
From: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
To: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 055314/0255 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2004
From: DIEWALD, HORST
To: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Reel/Frame 015329/0618 →