Improved sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An improved sensor apparatus comprising:
- sensor means for detecting a physical characteristic and for providing to a first group of output lines an electrical data signal related thereto; and
logic means including;
identifier means for providing an electrical identification signal to a second group of output lines, said first and second groups of output lines having at least one line other than ground in common; and
means causing the identifier means to provide the identification signal to said second group of output lines upon detection of an interrogation signal transmitted to the sensor means over one of said groups of output lines, wherein said interrogation signal is not uniquely associated with said sensor means.
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Abstract
A sensor is disclosed which exchanges with associated data acquisition equipment a digital attribute signal, distinct from its transducer output signal, on the occurrence of a predetermined event. The invention is particularly illustrated with reference to an accelerometer which transmits sensor identification data to associated data acquisition equipment when power is first applied by using the same two signal lines as are used to provide power to the sensor and to convey the sensor output signal to the equipment. After the identification data is transmitted, the apparatus operates as a buffer amplifier to modulate the transducer output signal onto the same two signal lines.
38 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An improved sensor apparatus comprising:
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sensor means for detecting a physical characteristic and for providing to a first group of output lines an electrical data signal related thereto; and logic means including; identifier means for providing an electrical identification signal to a second group of output lines, said first and second groups of output lines having at least one line other than ground in common; and means causing the identifier means to provide the identification signal to said second group of output lines upon detection of an interrogation signal transmitted to the sensor means over one of said groups of output lines, wherein said interrogation signal is not uniquely associated with said sensor means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 19, 20)
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9. A logic circuit comprising:
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first and second signal lines; identifier means for producing an electrical identification signal; means for receiving a predetermined signal from said first and second lines and for causing the identifier means to provide the identification signal to said first and second lines upon the receipt of said predetermined signal, wherein said predetermined signal is not uniquely associated with said logic circuit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus comprising:
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sensor means for detecting a physical characteristic and for providing to a group of signal lines an electrical data signal related thereto, said sensor means further including means for receiving a power signal from said group of signal lines; data acquisition equipment coupled to the group of signal lines for receiving said electrical data signal from the sensor means; means for exchanging between said data acquisition equipment and said sensor means over said group of signal lines a digital attribute signal distinct from said data signal; and means coupled to said group of signal lines for receiving and processing said attribute signal. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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17. An improved sensor apparatus comprising:
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sensor means for detecting a physical characteristic and for providing an electrical data signal related thereto to first and second lines; and logic means including; identifier means for providing an electrical identification signal to the aforesaid first and second lines; and means causing the identifier means to provide the identification signal upon the occurrence of a predetermined event. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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- 22. An improved sensor apparatus comprising a transducer connected to associated electronic circuitry and disposed in a common housing therewith, the electronic circuitry including first means for connecting to two wires, the circuitry including second means for receiving from the two wires a power signal, the circuitry further including third means for providing to the two wires a data signal relating to a physical characteristic sensed by the transducer, the circuitry finally including fourth means for providing to the two wires a digital signal identifying the sensor.
Specification