The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 25, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 13, 1999
Applicant:
Inventor:
Christopher Gavin Brickell, Mukilteo, WA (US);
Assignee:
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G08B / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
3405731 ; 3405731 ; 340552 ; 340556 ; 340557 ;
Abstract
An apparatus for detecting the presence or absence of an object within a monitor zone includes a sensor (12) operative to sense a condition of the monitored zone (Z) and provide a sensor signal indicative thereof. The sensor signal is processed, preferably according to two different transfer functions, to provide first and second signals that vary based on the sensor signal. A comparator (46) provides a comparator signal that varies as a function of the first and second signals. Additional circuitry (58) is operative to provide an indication of the presence or absence of an object within the monitored zone (Z) as based on the comparator signal.