Sensor system and communication method

A sensor system comprising:

• control means for transmitting a signal;
• and
• sensor means for sequentially transferring the signal transmitted from the controller via at least one cable,
• wherein the control means comprises first circuitry configured to perform control to transmit a command signal to at least one of the sensor means to change a functional setting of the at least one of the sensor means from a current setting to a first target setting,
• wherein the at least one of the sensor means comprises second circuitry to change the current setting to the first target setting when the at least one of the sensor means receives the command signal,
• wherein the at least one of the sensor means includes plural synchronized processing sensors
• wherein the second circuitry of the plural synchronized processing sensors is further configured to
• detect reception of the signal from the control means, and
• match a first timing among the plural synchronized sensors such that the plural synchronized processing sensors change the current setting substantially at the first timing based on the reception of the signal,
• wherein the second circuitry of the plural synchronized processing sensors is configured to determine whether a first period has lapsed since the plural synchronized processing sensors receive the command signal designating a distal sensor, the distal sensor being connected most distantly to the control means among the sensor means, and
• wherein the second circuitry of the plural synchronized processing sensors changes the current setting when determining that the first period has lapsed.

A communication method for sensors, comprising:

• transmitting a signal from a controller to the sensors;
• and
• transferring the signal serially via at least one cable among the sensors,
• wherein the controller comprises first circuitry configured to perform control to transmit a command signal to at least one of the sensors to change a functional setting of the at least one of the sensors from a current setting to a first target setting,
• wherein the at least one of the sensors comprises second circuitry to change the current setting to the first target setting when the at least one of the sensors receives the command signal,
• wherein the at least one of the sensors includes plural synchronized processing sensors,
• wherein the second circuitry of the plural synchronized processing sensors is further configured to
• detect reception of the signal from the controller, and
• match a first timing among the plural synchronized sensors such that the plural synchronized processing sensors change the current setting substantially at the first timing based on the reception of the signal,
• wherein the second circuitry of the plural synchronized processing sensors is configured to determine whether a first period has lapsed since the plural synchronized processing sensors receive the command signal designating a distal sensor, the distal sensor being connected most distantly to the controller among the sensors, and
• wherein the second circuitry of the plural synchronized processing sensors changes the current setting when determining that the first period has lapsed.