Sensor interface method and apparatus
First Claim
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1. Sensor interface apparatus that can be coupled to a cable for conducting signals to a sensor comprising:
- a) an electrical connector having three conductive contacts for mating with either a two-wire or three-wire cable connected to a sensor;
b) an interface circuit including a power conductor coupled to a first of the three conductive contacts of the connector;
said interface circuit including;
i) a current sensing circuit coupled to said first of the said three conductive contacts for sensing current flowing through said first contact to distinguish between a three-wire and two-wire cable connected to the sensor;
ii) a sensor status monitoring circuit connected to another of said three contacts for monitoring a status of said sensor and iii) an output circuit for providing one output signal related to a type of sensor and a second output signal related to a status of the sensor as determined by the current sensing and status monitoring circuits.
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Abstract
A sensor interface for determining whether a three-wire or a two-wire sensor is coupled to the interface. In the case of a three-wire interface, the interface determines that the sensor is powered by a power supply through a selected contact in electrical communication with the sensor. For both two- and three-wire sensors the interface generates an output corresponding to a status of the attached sensor.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. Sensor interface apparatus that can be coupled to a cable for conducting signals to a sensor comprising:
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a) an electrical connector having three conductive contacts for mating with either a two-wire or three-wire cable connected to a sensor; b) an interface circuit including a power conductor coupled to a first of the three conductive contacts of the connector;
said interface circuit including;
i) a current sensing circuit coupled to said first of the said three conductive contacts for sensing current flowing through said first contact to distinguish between a three-wire and two-wire cable connected to the sensor;
ii) a sensor status monitoring circuit connected to another of said three contacts for monitoring a status of said sensor and iii) an output circuit for providing one output signal related to a type of sensor and a second output signal related to a status of the sensor as determined by the current sensing and status monitoring circuits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A sensor interface circuit for monitoring a status of one or more sensors comprising:
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a) a connector for each of said one or more sensors having three conductive contacts for mating with either a two-wire or three-wire cable connected to an associated sensor; b) a sensing circuit for each sensor having an input coupled to a first of the said three conductive contacts that determines what type of sensor is connected to the connector based upon current passing through the first contact and provides a first output signal corresponding to the sensor type; and c) a monitor circuit having an input for each sensor coupled to at least one additional of said three conductive contacts that monitors a signal at said one additional conductive contacts to determine a status of an attached sensor and provides a second output signal corresponding to a sensor status. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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Specification