Methods and apparatus for determining the condition of a sensor and identifying the failure thereof
First Claim
1. An apparatus for generating error signals, including in combination:
- at least two sensors providing control signals having magnitudes that approximately correspond to a sensed event, said magnitudes being unequal to each other;
memory means for storing estimated correlation values;
processor means coupled to said sensors and to said memory means, said processor means calculating an actual correlation error for said control signals;
said processor means further calculating a difference value based on the difference between a current estimated correlation value and said actual correlation error;
said processor means additionally calculating a new estimated correlation value based on said difference value and said current estimated correlation value;
said processor means comparing a difference magnitude value based on the difference between said new estimated correlation value and said actual correlation error to a threshold value; and
said processor means providing an error signal if said difference magnitude value exceeds said threshold value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided which generate an error signal if a sensor is either anticipated to fail or fails. At least two sensors provide input signals having magnitudes that approximately correspond to a sensed event. A processor calculates an actual correlation error for the two signals. A processor then further calculates an estimated new correlation value based on the difference of a stored initial correlation value and the actual correlation error. After a predetermined number of estimated correlation values are calculated, the error signal is generated if the difference between an estimated correlation value and the actual correlation error exceeds a predetermined threshold.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for generating error signals, including in combination:
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at least two sensors providing control signals having magnitudes that approximately correspond to a sensed event, said magnitudes being unequal to each other; memory means for storing estimated correlation values; processor means coupled to said sensors and to said memory means, said processor means calculating an actual correlation error for said control signals; said processor means further calculating a difference value based on the difference between a current estimated correlation value and said actual correlation error; said processor means additionally calculating a new estimated correlation value based on said difference value and said current estimated correlation value; said processor means comparing a difference magnitude value based on the difference between said new estimated correlation value and said actual correlation error to a threshold value; and said processor means providing an error signal if said difference magnitude value exceeds said threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for determining a condition of at least one of a plurality of sensors and for generating error signals in response to sensor failure, the method comprising:
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receiving input signals from at least two of the sensors, said input signals having different magnitudes that approximately correspond to a sensed event; calculating an actual correlation error relating to said different magnitudes of said input signals; storing a current estimated conelation value; determining a difference value between said actual correlation error and said current estimated correlation value; using said difference value to calculate a new estimated correlation value; storing said new estimated correlation value in place of said current estimated correlation value; repeating said determining, using and storing steps to calculate a predetermined number of updated new estimated correlation values; and determining a current difference magnitude value based on the difference between a currently updated new estimated correlation value and said actual correlation error, determining that said current difference magnitude value exceeds a predetermined threshold, and generating an error signal in response to the determination that said current difference magnitude value exceeds said predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification