Method for mitigating interference between nearby proximity sensors
First Claim
1. In a system having a plurality of proximity sensors for detecting presence of an object, a method for arbitrating when an proximity sensor is allowed to perform an object detection procedure, said method comprising:
- assigning a different binary address to each proximity sensor, wherein each bit of the address denotes either a first logic level or a second logic level;
each given proximity sensor performing a series of steps comprising;
(a) selecting a bit of the address for the given proximity sensor thereby designating a selected bit;
(b) applying a signal to a communication link, wherein the signal has the first logic level or the second logic level denoted by the selected bit of the given proximity sensor address,(c) determining if another proximity sensor is applying a first logic level to the communication link when the given proximity sensor is applying the second logic level to the communication link, and if so the given proximity sensor enters a dormant state in which participation in the method for arbitrating is suspended;
(d) if the given proximity sensor is not in the dormant state, repeating steps (a) through (c) until either all bits of the address have been selected or the given proximity sensor enters the dormant state; and
(e) thereafter, if the given proximity is not in the dormant state, the given proximity sensor sensing whether an object is present.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method, that arbitrates when each of a plurality of sensors can perform an object detection procedure, assigns a different binary address to each sensor. Each bit in the binary address is sequentially selected. While a bit is selected, every sensor applies a signal to a communication link, which signal has a first or a second logic level as denoted by the value of the selected bit of that sensor'"'"'s address. Those sensors applying the first logic level to the communication link determine if another sensor is applying the second logic level, in which case those proximity sensors suspend participation in the arbitration method. After all the bits have been selected, only one sensor remains active and that sensor is allowed to perform the object detection procedure. Thereafter, each proximity sensor resumes participation in the arbitration method with a different address and the process is repeated.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a system having a plurality of proximity sensors for detecting presence of an object, a method for arbitrating when an proximity sensor is allowed to perform an object detection procedure, said method comprising:
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assigning a different binary address to each proximity sensor, wherein each bit of the address denotes either a first logic level or a second logic level; each given proximity sensor performing a series of steps comprising; (a) selecting a bit of the address for the given proximity sensor thereby designating a selected bit; (b) applying a signal to a communication link, wherein the signal has the first logic level or the second logic level denoted by the selected bit of the given proximity sensor address, (c) determining if another proximity sensor is applying a first logic level to the communication link when the given proximity sensor is applying the second logic level to the communication link, and if so the given proximity sensor enters a dormant state in which participation in the method for arbitrating is suspended; (d) if the given proximity sensor is not in the dormant state, repeating steps (a) through (c) until either all bits of the address have been selected or the given proximity sensor enters the dormant state; and (e) thereafter, if the given proximity is not in the dormant state, the given proximity sensor sensing whether an object is present. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a system having a plurality of proximity sensors for detecting presence of an object, a method for arbitrating when each proximity sensor is allowed to perform an object detection procedure, said method comprising:
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assigning a different address to each proximity sensor wherein the each address has a same plurality of bits with each bit denoting either a first logic level or a second logic level; connecting each proximity sensor to an arbitration conductor; each given proximity sensor performing an arbitration cycle comprising steps of; (a) selecting one of the plurality of bits thereby designating a selected bit; (b) applying, to the arbitration conductor, the first logic level or the second logic level as denoted by the selected bit of the given proximity sensor'"'"'s address; (c) when the given proximity sensor is applying the first logic level to the arbitration conductor, determining if another proximity sensor is applying a second logic level to the arbitration conductor, and if so the given proximity sensor becomes dormant for a remainder of the arbitration cycle; (d) if the given proximity sensor is not dormant, repeating steps (a) through (c) until either all the bits of the address have been selected or the given proximity sensor becomes dormant; (e) thereafter, if the given proximity sensor is not dormant, the given proximity sensor performing an object detection procedure; and (f) commencing another arbitration cycle in which every one of the plurality of proximity sensors has a different address than was assigned to the respective proximity sensor during an immediately preceding arbitration cycle. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. In a system having a plurality of proximity sensors for detecting presence of an object, a method for arbitrating when each proximity sensor is able to perform an object detection procedure, said method comprising:
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assigning a different address to each proximity sensor wherein the each address has a same plurality of bits with each bit denoting either a first logic level or a second logic level; (a) sequentially selecting one of the plurality of bits in the address of each proximity sensor; (b) while the one of the plurality of bits is selected; (1) each proximity sensor applying a signal to a communication link, wherein the signal has the first logic level or the second logic level denoted by the selected bit, and (2) those proximity sensors, applying the first logic level to the communication link, determining if another proximity sensor is applying the second logic level to the communication link, in which case those proximity sensors enter a dormant state in which participation in the method for arbitrating is suspended; (c) after steps (1) and (2) have been performed for every bit of the address, any proximity sensor that is not in the dormant state, performs the object detection procedure; (d) then each proximity sensor resuming participation in the method for arbitrating with a different address; and (e) repeating steps (a) through (d) at least until all the plurality of proximity sensors have performed the object detection procedure. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification