Sensor

• US 20070283758A1
• Filed: 10/12/2006
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Funo, Hiroyuki, Watanabe, Masao, Iida, Kiyoshi, Mizutani, Ryota, Konishi, Yasuaki
• Application Number:
  US11/546,463
• Publication Number:
  US 20070283758A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/570
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 17/00 Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves, not provided for in the preceding groups see provisionally also G01H1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02845 Humidity, wetness
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0289 Internal structure, e.g. defects, grain size, texture

Abstract

A sensor includes: a receiver that receives signals sent from outside; a first converter that converts signals received by the receiver into acoustic waves; a second converter that converts the acoustic waves propagating along a predetermined area into signals; a transmitter that transmits the signals that are output from the second converter; and an attachment that is attached to a propagation path of the acoustic waves on the predetermined area, that undergoes an irreversible change in response to an environmental change and that changes the propagation characteristics of the acoustic waves on the predetermined area due to this change.

Claims

1. A sensor, comprising:

a receiver that receives signals sent from outside;

a first converter that converts signals received by the receiver into acoustic waves;

a second converter that converts the acoustic waves propagating along a predetermined area into signals;

a transmitter that transmits the signals that are output from the second converter; and

an attachment that is attached to a propagation path of the acoustic waves on the predetermined area, that undergoes an irreversible change in response to an environmental change and that changes the propagation characteristics of the acoustic waves on the predetermined area due to this change.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate, wherein:

the predetermined area is the substrate; and

the acoustic waves are surface acoustic waves.

3. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the attachment includes a substance that melts when a predetermined temperature is reached.

4. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the attachment includes a substance that deliquesces when a predetermined humidity is reached.

5. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the attachment includes a substance that is cured when exposed to light.

6. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the attachment includes a substance that chemically reacts with a predetermined substance.

7. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the attachment is provided such that it is removed from the substrate in the event that an external force exceeding a predetermined strength acts on the sensor.

8. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the attachment is provided such that the position of the attachment changes with respect to the substrate in the event that an external force exceeding a predetermined strength acts on sensor.