Circuit for detecting motion of an object
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A circuit for detecting motion of an object, comprising:
- a semiconductor substrate having first and second opposing surfaces; and
a magnetic field sensor disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the magnetic field sensor responsive to a magnetic field associated with the object, wherein in response to detecting a magnetic field associated with the object, the magnetic field sensor is configured to generate an output signal indicative of a respective one of a plurality of encoded spatial regions by detecting a magnetic field falling within a pair of magnetic field angle values and a pair of magnetic field amplitude values which define the respective one of the plurality of encoded spatial regions,wherein each of the plurality of encoded spatial regions is defined by;
one pair of amplitude values of a plurality (M) of pairs of amplitude values, andone pair of angle values of a plurality (N) of pairs of angle values, wherein the plurality (N) of pairs of angle values comprises a first plurality (N) of pairs of angle values corresponding to a first pair of amplitude values representing a first spacing between the magnetic field sensor and the object, and a second plurality (N) of pairs of angle values corresponding to a second pair of amplitude values representing a second spacing between the magnetic field sensor and the object.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A circuit for detecting motion of an object includes a semiconductor substrate having first and second opposing surfaces. The circuit also includes a magnetic field sensor disposed on the first surface of the substrate and configured to generate a respective plurality of magnetic field sensor output signals in response to a magnetic field associated with the object. At least one of the magnetic field sensor output signals is indicative of an angular position of the magnetic field with respect to the sensor. Additionally, at least one of the magnetic field sensor output signals is indicative of an amplitude of the magnetic field.
81 Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A circuit for detecting motion of an object, comprising:
-
a semiconductor substrate having first and second opposing surfaces; and a magnetic field sensor disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the magnetic field sensor responsive to a magnetic field associated with the object, wherein in response to detecting a magnetic field associated with the object, the magnetic field sensor is configured to generate an output signal indicative of a respective one of a plurality of encoded spatial regions by detecting a magnetic field falling within a pair of magnetic field angle values and a pair of magnetic field amplitude values which define the respective one of the plurality of encoded spatial regions, wherein each of the plurality of encoded spatial regions is defined by; one pair of amplitude values of a plurality (M) of pairs of amplitude values, and one pair of angle values of a plurality (N) of pairs of angle values, wherein the plurality (N) of pairs of angle values comprises a first plurality (N) of pairs of angle values corresponding to a first pair of amplitude values representing a first spacing between the magnetic field sensor and the object, and a second plurality (N) of pairs of angle values corresponding to a second pair of amplitude values representing a second spacing between the magnetic field sensor and the object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A circuit for detecting motion of an object, the circuit comprising:
-
magnetic field sensing means configured to detect a magnetic field associated with the object and falling within a pair of magnetic field angle values and a pair of magnetic field amplitude values and in response thereto configured to generating an output signal indicative of one of a plurality of encoded spatial regions, each of the encoded spatial regions defined by; one pair of magnetic field amplitude values selected from a plurality (M) of pairs of amplitude values; and one pair of magnetic field angle values selected from a plurality (N) of pairs of angle values, wherein the plurality (N) of pairs of angle values comprises a first plurality (N) of pairs of angle values corresponding to a first pair of amplitude values representing a first spacing between the magnetic field sensor and the object, and a second plurality (N) of pairs of angle values corresponding to a second pair of amplitude values representing a second spacing between the magnetic field sensor and the object. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
-
-
27. A method for detecting, in a magnetic field sensor, motion of an object, the method comprising:
-
receiving a plurality of magnetic field signals generated in response to detection of a magnetic field associated with the object and falling within a pair of magnetic field angle values and a pair of magnetic field amplitude values which define a respective one of a plurality of encoded spatial regions; and generating an output signal indicative of a respective one of a plurality of encoded spatial regions in response to the received magnetic field signals, each of the encoded spatial regions defined by; one pair of amplitude values selected from a plurality (M) of pairs of amplitude values; and one pair of angle values selected from a plurality (N) of pairs of angle values, wherein the plurality (N) of pairs of angle values comprises a first plurality (N) of pairs of angle values corresponding to a first pair of amplitude values representing a first spacing between the magnetic field sensor and the object, and a second plurality (N) of pairs of angle values corresponding to a second pair of amplitude values representing a second spacing between the magnetic field sensor and the object.
-
Specification