Method and apparatus for reading an array of thermal resistance sensors
US7038996B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B19/04
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Described is a method for reading an array of sensors having a set of row conductors each connected to the sensors in a corresponding row of the array and a set of column conductors each connected to the sensors in a corresponding column of the array such that each sensor is connected between a row conductor and a column conductor. The method comprises: for each row of sensors in the array, performing a read cycle comprising applying an activation pulse to the corresponding row conductor to activate the sensors in the row, applying a reading pulse to the row conductor on expiry of a predetermined time interval from an edge of the activation pulse, and during the reading pulse, detecting, for each sensor in the row, a value dependent on a variable characteristic of that sensor. The read cycle for at least one row is commenced during the predetermined time interval of the read cycle for another row. In a preferred example described in detail, the sensors are thermal resistance sensors, the activation pulse is a heating pulse to heat the sensors, and the variable characteristic is resistance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.