Programmable detection sensor with means to automatically adjust sensor operating characteristics to optimize performance for both high gain and low contrast applications
First Claim
1. In a sensor including an emitter which emits a detection signal such that the detected signal can be blocked by or reflected from an object and a detection means having a variable gain amplifier for generating an electronic signal representing the presence, absence or condition of the object, the sensor being configured to perform a method for automatically adjusting the gain of the variable gain amplifier comprising the steps of:
- determining the amplitude of said electronic signal in a first state at each of a plurality of gain settings;
determining the amplitude of said electronic signal and a second state at the same plurality of gain settings;
comparing the amplitude of said electronic signal and said first and second stage at each of said gain settings;
and adjusting the gain of the variable gain amplifier to a gain setting based upon said comparison to maximize low contrast performance if the difference in amplitude in said first and second states is less than a predetermined value or maximize excess gain performance if said difference is equal to or greater than said predetermined value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A detection sensor with a single switch for multi-function programming of the sensor is disclosed. The sensor has a processor operatively connected to the switch, an emitter, and a detector for controlling one or more operational parameters of the sensor in response to a program signal from the switch. In the preferred embodiment the processor compares a signal detected by the sensor in a first state and a second state and automatically establishes the sensor amplifier gain and switching thresholds based on the signal difference in the two states.
114 Citations
10 Claims
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1. In a sensor including an emitter which emits a detection signal such that the detected signal can be blocked by or reflected from an object and a detection means having a variable gain amplifier for generating an electronic signal representing the presence, absence or condition of the object, the sensor being configured to perform a method for automatically adjusting the gain of the variable gain amplifier comprising the steps of:
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determining the amplitude of said electronic signal in a first state at each of a plurality of gain settings; determining the amplitude of said electronic signal and a second state at the same plurality of gain settings; comparing the amplitude of said electronic signal and said first and second stage at each of said gain settings; and adjusting the gain of the variable gain amplifier to a gain setting based upon said comparison to maximize low contrast performance if the difference in amplitude in said first and second states is less than a predetermined value or maximize excess gain performance if said difference is equal to or greater than said predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. In a sensor including an emitter which emits a detection signal such that the detection signal can be blocked by or reflected from an object and a detection means for generating an electronic signal representing the presence, absence or condition of the object, and switch means operatively connected to said detection means for generating a sensor output signal representing the presence, absence, or condition of the object, the sensor being configured to perform a method for automatically adjusting the signal threshold level at which the output signal of the sensor switches comprising the steps of:
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determining the amplitude of said electronic signal in one state corresponding to the minimum detection signal received by said detection means; determining the amplitude of said electronic signal in another state corresponding to the maximum detection signal received by said detection means; comparing the amplitude of said electronic signal in said one and said another states; and adjusting the threshold signal level at which said output signal of said sensor switches based upon said comparison. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. A sensor comprising:
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emitting means for emitting a detection signal such that the detection signal can be blocked by or reflected from an object; detecting means for generating an electronic signal representing the presence, absence, or condition of the object based upon the portion of the detection signal returned to the sensor and including a variable gain amplifier, said electronic signal having a first amplitude corresponding to a first state of said object and a second amplitude corresponding to a second state of said object; switch means for providing multifunction programming of the sensor operational characteristics, said switch means generating a program signal; processing means operatively connected to said emitting means, detecting means, and switch means, for controlling one or more operational characteristics in response to said program signal; said processing means having means for determining said first amplitude and said second amplitude at each of a plurality of gain levels of said variable gain amplifier, and comparing first and second amplitudes at each of said gain levels; said processing means providing a gain adjust signal to adjust the gain of said variable gain amplifier to a gain level to maintain the greatest difference between the first and second amplitudes if the difference at each of said gain levels is less than a predetermined value; said processing means providing a gain adjust signal to adjust the gain of said variable gain amplifier to the maximum gain level that maintains the difference between the first amplitude and the second amplitude greater than or equal to said predetermined value when the difference between the first amplitude and second amplitude is equal to a greater than said predetermined value at at least one of said gain levels. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A sensor comprising:
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emitting means for emitting a detection signal such that the detection signal can be blocked by or reflected from an object; detecting means for generating an electronic signal representing the presence, absence, or condition of the object based upon the portion of the detection signal returned to the sensor and including a variable gain amplifier, said electronic signal having a first amplitude corresponding to a first state of said object and a second amplitude corresponding to a second state of said object; switch means for providing multifunction programming of the sensor operational characteristics, said switch means generating a program signal; processing means operatively connected to said emitting means, detecting means and switch means, for controlling one or more operational characteristics in response to said program signal; said processing means having means for determining said first amplitude and said second amplitude at each of a plurality of gain levels of said variable gain amplifier, and comparing first and second amplitudes at each of said gain levels; said processing means providing a gain adjust signal to adjust the gain of said variable gain amplifier to a gain level to maintain the greatest difference between the first and second amplitudes if the difference at each of said gain levels is less than a predetermined value; said processing means providing a gain adjust signal to adjust the gain to the maximum gain level that maintains the difference between the first amplitude and the second amplitude greater than or equal to said predetermined value when the difference between the first amplitude and second amplitude is equal to a greater than said predetermined value at at least one of said gain levels; said processing means further comprising means for establishing a sensor switching threshold based upon a comparison of said first amplitude with said second amplitude; and said processing further comprising means for establishing the sensor hysteresis value based upon a comparison of said first amplitude with said second amplitude.
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10. A sensor comprising:
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emitting means for emitting a detection signal such that the detection signal can be blocked by or reflected from an object; detecting means for generating an electronic signal representing the presence, absence or condition of the object based upon the portion of the detection signal reed to the sensor; a single switch means for providing multi-function programming of the sensor operational characteristics, said switch means generating a program signal; processing means operatively coupled to the emitting means, detecting means, and switch means, for controlling one or more operational characteristics in response to said program signal; said detecting means comprising a variable gain amplifier and said processing means comprising means for determining said first amplitude and said second amplitude at each of a plurality of gain levels of said variable gain amplifier, comparing the first and second amplitude at each of said gain levels, and providing a gain adjust signal, such that the gain can be adjusted to one of said plurality of gain levels.
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Specification