SIGNAL PROCESSING SYSTEM AND COMPONENTS THEREOF

• US 20090315710A1
• Filed: 10/01/2007
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microchip Technology Germany GmbH (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Microchip Technology Germany GmbH (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Richter, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 8,289,169 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/945 Proximity switches H03K17/96 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/005 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the human body

Abstract

The invention relates to a signal processing system and to individual components of said system. The aim of the invention is to provide solutions which make it possible to solve a number of sensor problems in a cost-effective manner within a limited space with relatively little circuitry. To this end, a sensor system for generating control signals is disclosed, said control signals being used for setting switching states, a user located in the region of the sensor system acting as a—signal transmission structure. Said sensor system comprises: a first sensor component having a sensor, a local-key switch and a signal extraction switch for generating a partial signal whose information content is indicative of a sensor event detected by the sensor, a second sensor component also having a sensor, a local-key switch and a signal extraction switch for generating a partial signal whose information content is indicative of a sensor event detected by the sensor of a signal requester component that comprises an interface device via which an extraction of seek signals searched in the mentioned user and an introduction of partial signals from the user in the interface device is carried out, wherein the local-key switch associated to each sensor component is configured in such a way that the partial signal carries an information content that allows the partial signal to be allocated to the respective sensor component. It is thus advantageously possible to detect the signals of several sensors without the need of specific direct wirings between the sensor components and the signal requester component.

Claims

1. A sensor system for generating control signals that are employed for setting switching states, whereby a user located in the vicinity of the sensor system functions as a signal-transmitting structure, the sensor system comprising:

a first detector comprising a sensor, a local-key circuit and a signal-outputting circuit for generating a tell signal including data corresponding to a sensor event detected by the sensor,

a second detector also comprising a sensor, a local-key circuit and a signal-outputting circuit for generating a tell signal including data corresponding to a sensor event detected by the sensor, and

a signal requester comprising an interface that outputs seek signals into the user and receives tell signals from the user,

the local-key circuit assigned to each detector being configured in such a way that the tell signal carries information content that enables assigning of the tell signal to the respective detectors.

2. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tell signal is time-offset from the seek signal.

3. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tell signal is emitted at least phase-wise at the same time as the seek signal.

4. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tell signal is routed back by impedance modulation to the interface of the signal seekers.

5. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of the detectors is addressed by the seek signal.

6. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein power is suppled to the detectors via the seek signal.

7. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensor signal is generated by the seek signal.

8. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the sensors is a pressure sensor.

9. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the sensors is a proximity sensor.

10. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensor system is integrated into a motor-vehicle seat or seating space.

11. The sensor system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the sensor system detects whether the seat is occupied.

12. The sensor system as claimed in claim 11 wherein an air-bag system is deployed according to detected seat occupancy.

13. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the system comprises several signal requesters.

14. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the system comprises a plurality of detectors.

15. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the interface comprises a transmitter electrode and a receiver electrode, and that both electrodes are spaced from one another.

16. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the local key of the respective detectors can be specified by the signal requester.

17. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein response characteristics of the detectors can be specified via the signal requester.