# US 6,297,761 B1 · Measuring apparatus for digitally detecting analog measured variables > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,297,761 B1 - Document ID: US6297761B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/267,291 - Filed: 1999-03-12 - Granted: 2001-10-02 - Earliest claimed: 1998-03-12 - Assignees: Infineon Technologies AG - Inventors: Jens Barrenscheen; Andreas Jansen; Hermann Kern; Heinz Amann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6297761B1 ## CPC - H03M 1/50: with intermediate conversion to time interval (H03M1/64 takes precedence) - H03M: CODING; DECODING; CODE CONVERSION IN GENERAL (using fluidic means F15C4/00; optical analogue/digital converters G02F7/00; coding, decoding or code conversion, specially adapted for particular applications, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. G01D, G01R, G06F, G06T, G09G, G10L, G11B, G11C, H04B, H04L, H04M, H04N; ciphering or deciphering for cryptography or other purposes involving the need for secrecy G09C) ## Abstract A measuring apparatus has a sensor element that produces an output signal proportional to a variable to be measured. An integrator which, beginning at a starting value, integrates the output signal from the sensor element. A comparator is connected downstream of the integrator, compares the output signal from the integrator with a threshold value, and outputs an output signal corresponding to the result of the comparison. A reset device that is likewise connected downstream of the comparator and resets the integrator to the starting value at specific times. This is a simple way of achieving integrability in autonomous modules. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A measuring apparatus, comprising: a sensor element producing a sensor output signal proportional to a variable to be measured; an integrator formed by a capacitor connected to said sensor element that, beginning at a starting value, integrates the sensor output signal from said sensor element and outputs an integrator output signal, a voltage across said capacitor corresponding to an integral of an output current from said sensor element; a comparator connected downstream of said integrator, said comparator comparing the integrator output signal with a threshold value and outputs a comparator output signal corresponding to a result of the comparison; and a reset device connected downstream of said comparator and resetting said integrator to the starting value at specific times. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, including a resistor connected upstream of said capacitor. ### Claim 3 A measuring apparatus, comprising: a sensor element producing a sensor output signal proportional to a variable to be measured; an integrator connected to said sensor element that, beginning at a starting value, integrates the sensor output signal from said sensor element and outputs an integrator output signal; a comparator connected downstream of said integrator, said comparator comparing the integrator output signal with a threshold value and outputs a comparator output signal corresponding to a result of the comparison; a reset device connected downstream of said comparator and resetting said integrator to the starting value at specific times; and a time measuring device connected downstream of said comparator and measuring a time duration between the starting value appearing and the threshold value being exceeded, said time measuring device to output a time signal corresponding to the time duration as a measure of the variable obtained at said sensor element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said integrator is reset to the starting value after the threshold value has been exceeded, and then said integrator begins integration again. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus according to claim 3, including a reference clock source, said time measuring device having a counter connected downstream of said reference clock source and controlled by said comparator. ### Claim 6 A measuring apparatus, comprising: a sensor element producing a sensor output signal proportional to a variable to be measured; an integrator connected to said sensor element that, beginning at a starting value, integrates the sensor output signal from said sensor element and outputs an integrator output signal, said integrator being reset at regular time intervals; a comparator connected downstream of said integrator, said comparator comparing the integrator output signal with a threshold value and outputs a comparator output signal corresponding to a result of the comparison; and a reset device connected downstream of said comparator and resetting said integrator to the starting value at specific times. ### Claim 7 A measuring apparatus, comprising: a sensor element producing a sensor output signal proportional to a variable to be measured; an integrator connected to said sensor element that, beginning at a starting value, integrates the sensor output signal from said sensor element and outputs an integrator output signal; a comparator connected downstream of said integrator, said comparator comparing the integrator output signal with a threshold value and outputs a comparator output signal corresponding to a result of the comparison; and a reset device connected downstream of said comparator and resetting said integrator to the starting value at specific times, said reset device having a controlled switch connecting a reference voltage, corresponding to the starting value, to said integrator if the threshold value of said comparator is exceeded. ### Claim 8 A measuring apparatus, comprising: a sensor element having a reverse-biased pn semiconductor junction for measuring temperature and producing a sensor output signal proportional to a variable to be measured; an integrator connected to said sensor element that, beginning at a starting value, integrates the sensor output signal from said sensor element and outputs an integrator output signal; a comparator connected downstream of said integrator, said comparator comparing the integrator output signal with a threshold value and outputs a comparator output signal corresponding to a result of the comparison; and a reset device connected downstream of said comparator and resetting said integrator to the starting value at specific times. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus according to claim 8, including a semiconductor component for detecting the temperature and said reversed-biased pn semiconductor junction integrated into said semiconductor component. ### Claim 10 A measuring apparatus, comprising: a sensor element producing a sensor output signal proportional to a variable to be measured; an integrator connected to said sensor element that, beginning at a starting value, integrates the sensor output signal from said sensor element and outputs an integrator output signal; a comparator connected downstream of said integrator, said comparator comparing the integrator output signal with a threshold value and outputs a comparator output signal corresponding to a result of the comparison; and a reset device connected downstream of said comparator and resetting said integrator to the starting value at specific times; a time measuring device connected downstream of said comparator and measuring a time duration between the starting value appearing and the threshold value being exceeded, said time measuring device to output a time signal corresponding to the time duration as a measure of the variable obtained at said sensor element; and a microcomputers, at least one of said comparator, said time measuring device and said reset device being disposed in said microcomputer. ### Claim 11 A measuring apparatus, comprising: a sensor element producing a sensor output signal proportional to a variable to be measured; an integrator connected to said sensor element that, beginning at a starting value, integrates the sensor output signal from said sensor element and outputs an integrator output signal; a comparator connected downstream of said integrator, said comparator comparing the integrator output signal with a threshold value and outputs a comparator output signal corresponding to a result of the comparison; and a reset device connected downstream of said comparator and resetting said integrator to the starting value at specific times; a time measuring device connected downstream of said comparator and measuring a time duration between the starting value appearing and the threshold value being exceeded, said time measuring device to output a time signal corresponding to the time duration as a measure of the variable obtained at said sensor element; and a microcontroller, at least one of said comparator, said time measuring device and said reset device being disposed in said microcontroller.