Sensor device

• US 7,855,566 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2007
• Issued: 12/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microchip Technology Germany GmbH (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: IDENT Technology AG (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Richter, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Vincent Q
• Application Number:
  US12/280,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20090033342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,398 Days
• Field of Search: 324/658, 324/674, 324/681, 324/683, 324/691
• US Class Current: 324/687
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/46 responsive to changes in electrical capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9622 using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9602 characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96078 Sensor being a wire or a strip, e.g. used in automobile door handles or bumpers

Abstract

A sensor system has a support that extends along an observation zone, a row of detection subassemblies arranged one after another on the support and having subcircuits for capturing detection events within respective observation subzones defined by the respective detection subassemblies, and a base circuit on the support. The detection subassemblies are controlled with an alternating voltage having a frequency that forms a carrier frequency based on which a signal dialog occurs between the subcircuits and the base circuit.

Claims

1. A sensor system comprising:

a support that extends along an observation zone;

a row of detection subassemblies arranged one after another on the support and having respective subcircuits for capturing detection events within respective observation subzones defined by the respective detection subassemblies;

a base circuit on the support; and

means for controlling the detection subassemblies with an alternating voltage having a frequency that forms a carrier frequency based on which a signal dialog occurs between the subcircuits and the base circuit.

2. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection subassemblies are controlled by the means by addressing.

3. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection subassemblies are queried by the means by addressing.

4. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection subassemblies are activated or queried by the means according to a run pattern in a time-shifted manner.

5. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection subassemblies are formed by components of an RC or LC network.

6. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection subassemblies each comprise at least one respective electrode configured and arranged such that changes of the field-electric properties within the respective observation subzone influence capacitance of a capacitor system that is at least partially formed by the electrode.

7. The sensor system according to claim 6 wherein the detection subassemblies each comprise at least one electrode configured and arranged such that changes of the electric field within each observation subzone can be detected by the respective electrode.

8. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein each detection subassembly monitors the observation zone associated therewith for a defined number of oscillation cycles.

9. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the means processes signals in the region of the subcircuits associated with the respective observation subzones, based on which indicative signals can be generated with respect to different approach statuses.

10. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein, in the region of the subcircuits associated with the respective observation subzones, a connection to a base line is established.

11. The sensor system according to claim 10 wherein the connection is prompted by the subcircuits associated with the respective observation subzones.

12. The sensor system according to claim 10 wherein the connection of the subcircuits associated with the respective observation subzones is prompted by a reading signal sequence.

13. The sensor system according to claim 12 wherein the means can change a detection effect of the detection subassemblies in a controlled manner via the reading signal sequence.