Contactless proximity sensor with multilevel response
First Claim
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1. A contactless proximity sensor comprising:
- a detector of incoming signals indicative of the presence of an object in a predetermined area;
a threshold circuit connected to said detector and provided with a first, a second and a third output respectively energized in the presence of an incoming signal surpassing a low, an intermediate and a high level;
a visual indicator;
load-control means connected to said second output for performing a switching operation in response to an incoming signal exceeding at least said intermediate level; and
pulse-generating means connected independently of said indicator to said first, second and third outputs for flashing said indicator at a relatively low rate in response to incoming signals lying in a lower range between said low and intermediate levels and flashing said indicator at a relatively high rate in response to incoming signals lying in an upper range between said intermediate and high levels, said rates lying within the range of visual perception.
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Abstract
A signal detector of a contactless proximity sensor feeds three voltage comparators with reference inputs connected to points of different threshold potentials. When the incoming signal exceeds only the lowest threshold, a light-emitting diode is flashed at a low frequency; when the intermediate threshold is surpassed, the diode flashes at a higher frequency, whereas its light emission is continuous in the presence of a signal level above the highest threshold. Only in the last two instances will a load-control circuit be switched.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A contactless proximity sensor comprising:
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a detector of incoming signals indicative of the presence of an object in a predetermined area; a threshold circuit connected to said detector and provided with a first, a second and a third output respectively energized in the presence of an incoming signal surpassing a low, an intermediate and a high level; a visual indicator; load-control means connected to said second output for performing a switching operation in response to an incoming signal exceeding at least said intermediate level; and pulse-generating means connected independently of said indicator to said first, second and third outputs for flashing said indicator at a relatively low rate in response to incoming signals lying in a lower range between said low and intermediate levels and flashing said indicator at a relatively high rate in response to incoming signals lying in an upper range between said intermediate and high levels, said rates lying within the range of visual perception. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeGerd Marhofer, Robert Buck
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Original AssigneeGerd Marhofer, Robert Buck
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InventorsBuck, Robert, Marhofer, Gerd
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Primary Examiner(s)Miller, Stanley D.
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Assistant Examiner(s)Davis, B. P.
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Application NumberUS06/309,480Time in Patent Office818 DaysField of Search307/308, 307/311, 307/361, 328/5, 340/529, 340/555, 340/556, 340/691US Class Current327/75CPC Class CodesG08B 13/00 Burglar, theft or intruder ...G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspec...H03K 17/945 Proximity switches H03K17/9...
