Patent Application
20060245301
None
No federal funds were used in the development of this invention REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX
None
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a unique method for a user to communicate information with the electronics of a sensor such as an ultrasonic ranging sensor, a load sensor, a pressure sensor, optical sensors, and the like.
2. Description of Prior Art
Most sensors consist of a transducer that interacts with the environment and electronics to power the transducer and to sense the transducer output. For example, an ultrasonic ranging transducer as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,202,034; 5,793,704; and 5,568,449 consists basically of a piezo electric transducer and electronics to provide power to the transducer and sense the output signal from the transducer. Conventionally, information, such as setup information, is communicated to the electronics of a sensor, which might include a controller or microprocessor, by means of push buttons, key pads, potentiometers, switches and the like. These components add complexity and cost to the sensor, and can adversely impact the reliability of the sensor. The present invention eliminates the need for additional components to communicate with the electronics of a sensor.
The present invention is a means of communicating with the electronics of a sensor by touching the transducer for a specified period of time. Touching the transducer can radically alter the output signal of the transducer, which when recognized by the electronics alerts the sensor that the user wishes to communicate with it. The sensor electronics can be preprogrammed to recognize the length of time of the contact, and it can react differently for different length of times of contact with the transducer. Alternately, the user can touch the power input wire to the output wire, which will dramatically alter the output signal, for a specified period of time to alert the sensor electronics that communications is desired. Alternately, a control wire can be touched to the power input wire for a specified period of time.
For example, the operating range of an ultrasonic ranging sensor can be setup in the following way using the current invention. The piezo electric transducer is touched, or the output or control wire is touched to the input wire, for say five seconds. The electronics senses that the transducer is being touched since the ultrasonic output signal is greatly altered. The electronics then times the length of the contact. After the five seconds the electronics can flash a green light emitting diode (LED) to alert the user that the sensor is ready to set the maximum range. The user then removes his finger from the transducer. The electronics is preprogrammed to respond to a five-second contact by accepting an output signal from an object placed at the sensor's maximum range. When the sensor has recognized the maximum range the green LED stops flashing. The sensor is now programmed to accept to detect any object at any distance up to the maximum range.
The transducer then can be touched for a different time period say ten seconds. The preprogrammed electronics responds to the ten-second contact by flashing a red LED and, after the touch is removed, accepting an output signal from an object placed at the sensor's minimum range. The sensor is now programmed to detect an object at any distance between the minimum and maximum range.
Alternately, the preceding two programming steps can be initiated by touching the output wire or control wire to the input power wire instead of touching the transducer.
In this way the sensor is taught what its maximum and minimum range is, and it is accomplished without any type of additional imputing components. The sensor transducer itself or the input, output and control wires are employed to communicate with the sensor.
A single bicolor (red and green) LED can be used to replace the two LEDs discussed above. A third color (amber) can be obtained for another purpose by lighting both parts of the bicolor LED.
Other types of sensors having transducers such as load cells, pressure monitors and the like can be communicated with in a similar way, namely by touching the transducer or by connecting the output wire or control wire to the input wire for a preprogrammed period of time.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings, description will be given of the embodiments of a generic sensor and, for an example, an ultrasonic ranging sensor incorporating the present invention.
As an example,
The user for example may wish to “teach” the sensor values of maximum and minimum range that it should respond to. This can be done employing the present invention. The user touches the transducer 7 or touches the output wire 12 or control wire 8 to the input wire 10 for a specific time period, say 5 seconds. The output signal dramatically changes because of this. The change is sensed by the electronics and the timer 11 measures the duration of the touch. A green LED can be flashed when the five seconds has elapsed. The preprogrammed controller or microprocessor 9 knows that a five-second touch means that the user desires to set the maximum range for the sensor. The user has placed an object 13 in the path of the ultrasound wave at the desired maximum distance. The sensor thus “learns” the maximum range. After a preset period of time for communication the sensor reverts back to normal operation.
The minimum range can be “taught” to the sensor by touching the transducer 1 or the output wire 12 or control wire 8 to the input wire 10 for say ten seconds. Now a red LED can be flashed. The preprogrammed controller or microprocessor 9 knows that this means that the user wishes to set the minimum range. The user has placed an object in the sound waves path at the desired minimum range and thus the sensor “learns” the minimum range.
In this way the user has communicated with the sensor without requiring any additional components such as switches, buttons, keypads, potentiometers, and the like. This lowers the cost of the sensor, reduces its complexity and increases its reliability.
While the particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the present invention in its broadest aspects.
