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:
Feb. 18, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 15, 2000
Vincent Hiligsmann, Chenee, BE;
Rudi De Winter, Heusden-Zolder, BE;
Melexis NV, Leper, BE;
Abstract
A sensor system including magnetic sensing elements and circuitry configured to detect the presence or absence of an article, such as a gear tooth, in a first mode, and to determine timing accuracy in a second mode. Control circuitry is provided for controlling the switching circuitry to switch between modes in a predetermined manner and at predetermined times dependent upon the voltages and magnetic fields. The magnetic sensing elements as well as the switching circuitry, interface circuitry and the control circuitry are preferably integrated onto a single silicon chip to yield an efficient and reliable sensor system. Upon power on, the sensor is configured in the first mode to determine the presence or absence of the article next to the sensor. After a number of transitions of the hall voltage, e.g., indicating a predetermined number of gear teeth have passed the sensor, the sensor is switched to the second mode, and the sensor operates in a dynamic time continuous manner to determine speed and timing parameters.