Seiko Precision Inc.

Kimitaka Kishimoto

Hajime Oda

There is disclosed a power-saving sensor system such as a distance measurement sensor making use of light projection type triangulation. The sensor system has a sensor means and a CPU for controlling the supply of electrical power to the sensor means, accepting the output from the sensor means, and performing desired processing. The CPU turns on signals P, P, Pin response to a trigger signal Tp from a timer circuit, thus supplying electrical power to a distance measurement module. A distance measurement IC within the module produces an emission signal when the operating signal Pis turned on. This activates the sensor means to perform a measurement of a distance. The presence or absence of an object is determined from the detected distance value. According to the presence or absence, a transistor Tris turned on or off. A signal indicating the distance or the presence or absence of an object is produced from a terminal T. The CPU detects the end of light projection by making use of an inversion Iri of the emission signal. Immediately thereafter, a signal Pis turned on to turn on a switch SW. The signal is accepted through a terminal Data. Immediately after the end of the acceptance, the signals P, P, P, and Pare turned off, cutting off the supply of power to the distance measurement module.

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Chiba-ken, Japan

Kimitaka Kishimoto