IP Library Granted Patent US 7,855,566
Granted Patent B2
US 7,855,566 · App. 12/280,195 · Granted Dec 21, 2010

Sensor device

Assignee: Ident Technology AG
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,855,566
App. No.
12/280,195
Granted
Dec 21, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sensor system has a support that extends along an observation zone, a row of detection subassemblies arranged one after another on the support and having subcircuits for capturing detection events within respective observation subzones defined by the respective detection subassemblies, and a base circuit on the support. The detection subassemblies are controlled with an alternating voltage having a frequency that forms a carrier frequency based on which a signal dialog occurs between the subcircuits and the base circuit.

Claims (17)

1. A sensor system comprising:

a support that extends along an observation zone;

a row of detection subassemblies arranged one after another on the support and having respective subcircuits for capturing detection events within respective observation subzones defined by the respective detection subassemblies;

a base circuit on the support; and

means for controlling the detection subassemblies with an alternating voltage having a frequency that forms a carrier frequency based on which a signal dialog occurs between the subcircuits and the base circuit.

2. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection subassemblies are controlled by the means by addressing.

3. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection subassemblies are queried by the means by addressing.

4. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection subassemblies are activated or queried by the means according to a run pattern in a time-shifted manner.

5. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection subassemblies are formed by components of an RC or LC network.

6. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection subassemblies each comprise at least one respective electrode configured and arranged such that changes of the field-electric properties within the respective observation subzone influence capacitance of a capacitor system that is at least partially formed by the electrode.

7. The sensor system according to claim 6 wherein the detection subassemblies each comprise at least one electrode configured and arranged such that changes of the electric field within each observation subzone can be detected by the respective electrode.

8. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein each detection subassembly monitors the observation zone associated therewith for a defined number of oscillation cycles.

9. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the means processes signals in the region of the subcircuits associated with the respective observation subzones, based on which indicative signals can be generated with respect to different approach statuses.

10. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein, in the region of the subcircuits associated with the respective observation subzones, a connection to a base line is established.

11. The sensor system according to claim 10 wherein the connection is prompted by the subcircuits associated with the respective observation subzones.

12. The sensor system according to claim 10 wherein the connection of the subcircuits associated with the respective observation subzones is prompted by a reading signal sequence.

13. The sensor system according to claim 12 wherein the means can change a detection effect of the detection subassemblies in a controlled manner via the reading signal sequence.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 9, 2015
From: IDENT TECHNOLOGY AG
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY GERMANY GMBH
Reel/Frame 035866/0375 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 24, 2008
From: RICHTER, WOLFGANG
To: IDENT TECHNOLOGY AG
Reel/Frame 021579/0818 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2006 008 281 · Feb 22, 2006 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090033342A1 · Feb 5, 2009