Patent ID: 6815944
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: G01D,G01P,H03K

Abstract:
A magnetic article proximity detector for detecting a magnetic article, the magnetic article proximity detector comprising:a magnetic field sensor for providing an output signal proportional to a magnetic field; a detection circuit to detect at least one of: (a) a parameter of the environment in which the magnetic article is disposed; (b) a parameter of the environment in which the magnetic article proximity detector is disposed; (c) a parameter related to a relationship between the magnetic article proximity detector and the magnetic article; and (d) a parameter of the magnetic article; and an output control circuit coupled to receive one or more signals from said detection circuit, and in response to the one or more signals for providing a data string in accordance with a predetermined protocol in which a first logic data bit having a first logic value in the data string is provided from a first single pulse having a first pulse characteristic and a second logic data bit having a second different logic value in the data string is provided from a second single pulse having a second different pulse characteristic, wherein the second different pulse characteristic is multiple of the first pulse characteristic.