# US 10,455,330 B2 · Method for operating a sensor, and sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,455,330 B2 - Document ID: US10455330B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/821,785 - Filed: 2017-11-23 - Published: 2018-05-24 - Granted: 2019-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-24 - Assignees: Infineon Technologies AG - Applicants: Infineon Technologies AG - Inventors: Benno Muehlbacher; Andreas Wiesbauer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10455330B2 ## CPC - H04R 11/04: Microphones - G01K 7/00: Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat (giving results other than momentary value of temperature G01K3/00) {; Power supply therefor, e.g. using thermoelectric elements} - G01K 13/00: Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes - H04R 7/16: Mounting or tensioning of diaphragms or cones - H04R 19/005: {using semiconductor materials} - H04R 19/04: Microphones (H04R19/01 takes precedence) - H04R 2201/003: Mems transducers or their use - H04R 2410/03: Reduction of intrinsic noise in microphones - H04R 2499/11: Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) - G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00) ## Abstract In various embodiments, a method for operating a sensor is provided. The method includes intermittently generating an operating current in the sensor, generating a reactive current in the sensor when the operating current is not generated, and not generating the reactive current when the operating current is generated. A value of the reactive current is the same or approximately the same as a value of the operating current. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for operating a sensor, the method comprising: intermittently generating an operating current in the sensor; generating a reactive current in the sensor when the operating current is not generated; and not generating the reactive current when the operating current is generated; wherein a value of the reactive current is the same or approximately the same as a value of the operating current. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the generating of the reactive current is preceded by a check being performed to determine whether or not the operating current is generated. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the operating current is used to transmit information. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the sensor comprises an electronic unit; and wherein the operating current is used to transmit information of the electronic unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the operating current is used to transmit information from the electronic unit to the external apparatus. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the information is exchanged between the electronic unit and the external apparatus via an integrated circuit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the electronic unit is a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature in the sensor; and wherein the information is representative of the temperature. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the operating current flows via an interface of the sensor; and wherein the interface is configured for communication with an apparatus external to the sensor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the value of the reactive current is firmly prescribed. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the value of the operating current is captured; and wherein the value of the reactive current is matched to the captured value of the operating current. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured as a microphone that has a microsystem having a diaphragm for capturing sound waves and an integrated circuit that is electrically connected to the microsystem and that is configured to receive a signal that is representative of a movement of the diaphragm from the microsystem. ### Claim 12 A sensor, comprising: an integrated circuit configured to generate an operating current in the sensor; and a reactive current source that is electrically connected to the integrated circuit and that is configured to generate a reactive current when the operating current is not generated; wherein a value of the reactive current is the same or approximately the same as a value of the operating current. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The sensor of claim 12, further comprising: a detection circuit that is connected to the integrated circuit and that is configured to identify whether or not the operating current flows. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The sensor of claim 13, wherein the detection circuit is configured to capture the value of the operating current; and wherein the integrated circuit is configured to actuate the reactive current source such that it matches the value of the reactive current to the captured value of the operating current. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The sensor of claim 12, further comprising: an interface configured for communication with an external apparatus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The sensor of claim 15, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to generate the operating current in reaction to a first communication signal of the external apparatus and the reactive current source is configured to generate the reactive current in reaction to a second communication signal of the external apparatus. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The sensor of claim 12, further comprising: an electronic unit; wherein the operating current is used to transmit information of the electronic unit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The sensor of claim 17, wherein the electronic unit is a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature in the sensor; and wherein the information is representative of the temperature. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The sensor of claim 12, further comprising: a memory unit that stores the value of the reactive current as a fixed value. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The sensor of claim 12, which is configured as a microphone and which has a microsystem having a diaphragm for capturing sound waves; wherein the integrated circuit is electrically connected to the microsystem and is configured to receive an electrical signal that is representative of a movement of the diaphragm from the microsystem.