METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING THE HYDRATION OF SENSORS
First Claim
1. A program code storage device, comprising:
- a computer-readable medium; and
computer-readable program code, stored on the computer-readable medium, the computer-readable program code having instructions, which when executed cause a microcontroller to;
receive an interrupt from a detection circuit, the interrupt being representative of the detection circuit detecting hydration of a sensor by detecting a high level of attenuation of an AC signal that had been applied to the sensor; and
transmit a signal to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), in response to the interrupt, the signal being representative of a voltage that the DAC is to apply to the sensor to provide power to the sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor system includes a sensor and a sensor electronics device. The sensor includes a plurality of electrodes. The sensor electronics device includes a connection detection device, a power source, and a delay circuit. The connection detection device determines if the sensor electronics device is connected to the sensor and transmits a connection signal. The delay circuit receives the connection signal, waits a preset hydration time, and couples the regulated voltage from the power source to an electrode in the sensor after the preset hydration time has elapsed. Alternatively, the sensor electronics device may include an electrical detection circuit and a microcontroller. The electrical detection circuit determines if the plurality of electrodes are hydrated and generates an interrupt if the electrodes are hydrated. A microcontroller receives the interrupt and transmits a signal representative of a voltage to an electrode of the plurality of electrodes.
114 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A program code storage device, comprising:
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a computer-readable medium; and computer-readable program code, stored on the computer-readable medium, the computer-readable program code having instructions, which when executed cause a microcontroller to; receive an interrupt from a detection circuit, the interrupt being representative of the detection circuit detecting hydration of a sensor by detecting a high level of attenuation of an AC signal that had been applied to the sensor; and transmit a signal to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), in response to the interrupt, the signal being representative of a voltage that the DAC is to apply to the sensor to provide power to the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A sensor system, comprising:
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a sensor, the sensor including a plurality of electrodes; and a sensor electronics device that is coupled to the sensor and includes; an electrical detection circuit that determines whether the plurality of electrodes in the sensor are hydrated and, if said plurality of electrodes are hydrated, generates an interrupt; and a microcontroller that receives the interrupt from the electrical detection circuit and transmits a signal representative of a voltage to the sensor, wherein an electrode of the plurality of electrodes receives the voltage derived from the transmitted signal. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A sensor system, comprising:
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a sensor including a plurality of electrodes; and a sensor electronics device that is coupled to the sensor and includes; an electrical detection circuit to determine whether the plurality of electrodes in the sensor are hydrated, to generate a first interrupt if the plurality of electrodes are hydrated, and to generate a second interrupt if the electrical detection circuit determines that the sensor has been disconnected from the sensor electronics device; and a microcontroller to receive the second interrupt and to generate a signal to turn off power to one or more components or circuits within the sensor electronics device in response to the second interrupt. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification