Failure detection method and apparatus for sensor network

A failure detection method for a matrix sensor network comprising:

• connecting a plurality of pressure sensitive sensors to row lines and column lines in a matrix, each sensor changing a resistance thereof according to a pressure applied thereto, characterized by:
• connecting a monitoring device to at least one of ends of two row lines and ends of two column lines to form a series circuit;
• applying a voltage to the series circuit;
• checking a voltage of the series circuit to detect failure of the matrix sensor network;
• and
• applying a same voltage to all row lines and column lines other than the two row lines and the two column lines of the series circuit.

A failure detection method for a matrix sensor network comprising:

• connecting a plurality of pressure sensitive sensors to row lines and column lines in a matrix, each sensor changing a resistance thereof according to a pressure applied thereto, characterized by:
• connecting a monitoring device to at least one of ends of two row lines and ends of two column lines to form a series circuit;
• applying a voltage to the series circuit;
• and
• checking a voltage of the series circuit to detect failure of the matrix sensor network;
• wherein the monitoring device is one of a resistor and a diode.

A failure detection method for a matrix sensor network comprising:

• connecting a plurality of pressure sensitive sensors to row lines and column lines in a matrix, each sensor changing a resistance thereof according to a pressure applied thereto, characterized by:
• connecting a monitoring device to at least one of ends of two row lines and ends of two column lines to form a series circuit;
• applying a voltage to the series circuit;
• and
• checking a voltage of the series circuit to detect failure of the matrix sensor network;
• and
• selecting in sequence at least one of two row lines and two column lines to change the series circuit to which the voltage is applied for failure detection.

A failure detection apparatus comprising:

• a matrix sensor network having row lines and column lines, and a plurality of pressure sensitive sensors connected to the row lines and the column lines in a matrix, each sensor changing electric characteristics thereof according to a pressure applied;
• a monitoring device connected to ends of at least one of two row lines and two column lines to form a series circuit;
• a voltage source connected to the series circuit to detect a failure based on variations in output of the monitoring device;
• and
• a pull-up resistor connected to one end of the series circuit, wherein the other end of the series circuit is grounded.

A failure detection apparatus comprising:

• a matrix sensor network having row lines and column lines, and a plurality of pressure sensitive sensors connected to the row lines and the column lines in a matrix, each sensor changing electric characteristics thereof according to a pressure applied;
• a monitoring device connected to ends of at least one of two row lines and two column lines to form a series circuit;
• a voltage source connected to the series circuit to detect a failure based on variations in output of the monitoring device;
• and
• a buffer circuit for applying a same voltage to all row lines and column lines other than the two row lines and the two column lines of the series circuit.

A failure detection apparatus comprising:

• a matrix sensor network having row lines and column lines, and a plurality of pressure sensitive sensors connected to the row lines and the column lines in a matrix, each sensor changing electric characteristics thereof according to a pressure applied;
• a monitoring device connected to ends of at least one of two row lines and two column lines to form a series circuit;
• and
• a voltage source connected to the series circuit to detect a failure based on variations in output of the monitoring device.
• wherein the monitoring device is one of a resistor and a diode.

A failure detection apparatus comprising:

• a matrix sensor network having row lines and column lines, and a plurality of pressure sensitive sensors connected to the row lines and the column lines in a matrix, each sensor changing electric characteristics thereof according to a pressure applied;
• a monitoring device connected to ends of at least one of two row lines and two column lines to form a series circuit;
• a voltage source connected to the series circuit to detect a failure based on variations in output of the monitoring device;
• and
• multiplexers connected to the row lines and column lines for selecting in sequence at least one of two row lines and two column lines to change the series circuit to which the voltage source is connected for failure detection.