Patent ID: 8188730
Filing Date: 2012-05-29
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
1. A method for sensing a presence or position of a target comprising: providing a proximity sensor having a first coil and a second coil that are both at least indirectly in communication with control circuitry; receiving a second signal from the second coil, the second signal being at least indirectly indicative of a second electromagnetic field component experienced by the second coil as influenced by a support structure upon which the proximity sensor is mounted; receiving a first signal from the first coil, the first signal being indicative of a first electromagnetic field component experienced by the first coil as influenced both by the support structure and the target; and determining by way of the control circuitry a third signal based at least in part upon the first signal, as modified based at least in part upon the second signal, wherein the determining includes consulting an index data table correlating values potentially indicated by the second signal with corresponding values potentially indicated by the first signal, and whereby the third signal is indicative of the presence or position of the target relative to the proximity sensor.