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US 2010/0148799 A1Published application
Inductive proximity sensor and related methods
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorDavid Hardie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inductive proximity sensor or switch and a method of using same. The sensor or switch includes an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (“ASIC”) and a plurality of external components. The ASIC is implemented in CMOS technology and has an oscillator. A switch point of the sensor or switch is predetermined by selection of a bias voltage to a potential node of the oscillator.
Claims20
An inductive proximity sensor, comprising:
- a sensor head;
- and
- a programmable circuit coupled to the sensor head, the programmable circuit having a programming mode and a normal operating mode, where the programmable circuit automatically enters the programming mode upon an initial power up of the programmable circuit where one or more of a functional setting and/or a sense distance setting is programmed, and once the programming mode is exited, the programmable circuit automatically sets a lock flag that prevents the programmable circuit from re-entering the programming mode upon a subsequent power up of the programmable circuit, and causes the programmable circuit to enter the normal mode upon the subsequent power up.
A method for programming an inductive proximity sensor, comprising:
- placing a target a target distance from a sensor head of a inductive proximity sensor;
- powering up the inductive proximity sensor for a first time;
- entering a programming mode;
- once in the programming mode, execute an automatic trimming routine that automatically trims one or more components of the inductive proximity sensor to set a sense distance setting of the inductive proximity sensor to the target distance;
- setting a lock bit that prevents the inductive proximity sensor from re-entering the programming mode upon a subsequent power up;
- and
- exiting the programming mode.
4 more elements
A method for programming an inductive proximity sensor, comprising:
- powering up the inductive proximity sensor for a first time;
- entering a programming mode;
- applying a predetermined signal to a pin of the inductive proximity sensor;
- once in the programming mode, programming a functional setting of the inductive proximity sensor based upon a characteristics of the predetermined signal that is applied to the pin of the inductive proximity sensor;
- setting a lock bit that prevents the inductive proximity sensor from re-entering the programming mode upon a subsequent power up;
- and
- exiting the programming mode.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.