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:
Sep. 04, 2007
Filed:
Jan. 17, 2007
John E. Fulmer, Granite Falls, WA (US);
John E. Fulmer, Granite Falls, WA (US);
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
A method, that arbitrates when each of a plurality of sensors can perform an object detection procedure, assigns a different binary address to each sensor. Each bit in the binary address is sequentially selected. While a bit is selected, every sensor applies a signal to a communication link, which signal has a first or a second logic level as denoted by the value of the selected bit of that sensor's address. Those sensors applying the first logic level to the communication link determine if another sensor is applying the second logic level, in which case those proximity sensors suspend participation in the arbitration method. After all the bits have been selected, only one sensor remains active and that sensor is allowed to perform the object detection procedure. Thereafter, each proximity sensor resumes participation in the arbitration method with a different address and the process is repeated.