System for generating a signal to superimpose information

• US 6,653,968 B1
• Filed: 08/07/2000
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Schneider, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US09/633,614
• Time in Patent Office: 1,205 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.18, 340/870.19, 340/870.23, 340/870.24, 340/825.64, 375/238, 375/239, 375/242, 375/253, 341/178, 341/182, 341/179, 324/165
• US Class Current: 341/178
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/142 using Hall-effect devices measuring magnetic variables using Hall-effect or other galvanomagnetic devices G01R33/06
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/489 Digital circuits therefor

Abstract

A system for generating a signal which, in addition to first information representing the rotational speed of a rotating part, contains at least second information. The signal changes over time between a first and a second current level and/or voltage level (high/low). The first information is represented by the time interval between a substantially identical change either between the first to the second level (high/low edge) or a substantially identical change between the second to the first level (low/high edge). On the other hand, the second information is represented by the length of time either of the first or of the second level. No further current levels or voltage levels are used to transmit the additional information, and that the additional information can be evaluated relatively simply. High data integrity can be attained by pulses which are as long as possible.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an arrangement for generating a signal containing first information representing a rotational speed of a rotating part and containing at least second information, the signal changing over time between a first level and a second level of at least one of a current and a voltage, wherein;

the first information is represented by a time interval between one of a substantially identical change from the first level to the second level and a substantially identical change from the second level to the first level, and

the at least second information is represented by a length of time of one of the first level and the second level.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein:

the system is used in a motor vehicle,

the first information represents at least one of a speed of a vehicle wheel, a speed of a vehicle engine designed as at least one of a gasoline engine, a diesel engine, and an electromotor, and a speed of a shaft functionally coupled to a vehicle transmission,

the at least one second information includes at least one information component representing at least one of;

a distance between the rotating part and a sensor element detecting the rotational speed,

a brake-lining wear at at least one vehicle wheel brake,

a direction of rotation of the rotating part, and

a fitting position of the sensor element detecting the rotational speed.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein:

each of the at least one information component to be transmitted by the signal corresponds to different priorities, such that, in response to a presence of a component of the at least one information component having the highest priority, each other component of the at least one information component is not transmitted.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein:

the signal is generated in such a way that, prior in time to a change from one of a high edge to a low edge and the low edge to the high edge, at least one of a current level and a voltage level which the signal has prior to the change is set for at least one specifiable time duration.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein:

a trigger signal is generated and, in reaction to a generation of the trigger signal, the signal is set to one of the first level and the second level of at least one of the current and the voltage, and

the trigger signal is generated as a function of the rotational speed of the rotating part.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein:

when the rotating part is stationary, the signal is generated in such a way that the signal has one of the first level and the second level of at least one of the current and the voltage for a specifiably fixed time duration.