Method and apparatus for a plurality of modules to independently read a single sensor
First Claim
1. A system for allowing a plurality of electrical modules that require information from an environmental sensor to independently access and read the same sensor, comprising:
- a sensor device that provides an output signal in response to an input voltage and the environmental characteristics it is designed to sense;
a first module containing a first input/output port for outputting its own first reference voltage as an input voltage to said sensor, a first analog port for monitoring the output signal from said sensor and a first means for switching said first input/output port between at least said first reference voltage, a ground reference and a high impedance at predetermined intervals;
a second module containing a second input/output port for providing its own second reference voltage as an input to said sensor, a second analog port for monitoring the output signal from said sensor and a second means for switching said second input/output port between said second reference voltage, a ground reference and a high impedance at predetermined intervals;
said first module being configured to cause said first switching means to provide said first reference voltage to said sensor, to read the resulting sensor output signal at said first analog port during the time said first reference voltage is provided, and to subsequently provide a first toggle signal at said first input/output port by alternately switching said first input/output port between said first reference voltage and ground reference to signal said first module'"'"'s cessation of reading said sensor and, following the cessation of said first toggle signal, to switch said first input/output port to said high impedance; and
said second module being configured to sense said first toggle signal at its second analog port, responsively cause said second switching means to provide said second reference voltage to said sensor, to read the resulting sensor output signal at said second analog port during the time said second reference voltage is provided, and to subsequently provide a second toggle signal at said second input/output port by alternately switching said second input/output port between said second reference voltage and around reference and, following the cessation of said second toggle signal, to switch said second input/output port to said high impedance.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Two electronic modules are connected to share and to independently read the sensed value from a single environmental sensor element, by communicating between each other when a particular module is reading the sensor output signal. The sensor output signal is a function of the value of the reference voltage being applied by the reading module and the characteristics of the environment being sensed. A module provides a toggle signal when it completes its reading of the sensor so that the other (non-reading) module will know when it may apply its reference voltage to the sensor and complete its reading of the sensor. The modules alternate the reading of the sensor in order to eliminate the need for a plurality of corresponding sensors.
138 Citations
8 Claims
-
1. A system for allowing a plurality of electrical modules that require information from an environmental sensor to independently access and read the same sensor, comprising:
-
a sensor device that provides an output signal in response to an input voltage and the environmental characteristics it is designed to sense; a first module containing a first input/output port for outputting its own first reference voltage as an input voltage to said sensor, a first analog port for monitoring the output signal from said sensor and a first means for switching said first input/output port between at least said first reference voltage, a ground reference and a high impedance at predetermined intervals; a second module containing a second input/output port for providing its own second reference voltage as an input to said sensor, a second analog port for monitoring the output signal from said sensor and a second means for switching said second input/output port between said second reference voltage, a ground reference and a high impedance at predetermined intervals; said first module being configured to cause said first switching means to provide said first reference voltage to said sensor, to read the resulting sensor output signal at said first analog port during the time said first reference voltage is provided, and to subsequently provide a first toggle signal at said first input/output port by alternately switching said first input/output port between said first reference voltage and ground reference to signal said first module'"'"'s cessation of reading said sensor and, following the cessation of said first toggle signal, to switch said first input/output port to said high impedance; and said second module being configured to sense said first toggle signal at its second analog port, responsively cause said second switching means to provide said second reference voltage to said sensor, to read the resulting sensor output signal at said second analog port during the time said second reference voltage is provided, and to subsequently provide a second toggle signal at said second input/output port by alternately switching said second input/output port between said second reference voltage and around reference and, following the cessation of said second toggle signal, to switch said second input/output port to said high impedance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
Specification