Patent ID: 7038996
Filing Date: 2006-05-02
Classification: B82Y,G01D,G11B

Abstract:
1. A method for reading an array of thermal resistance sensors, the array having a set of row conductors each connected to the thermal resistance sensors in a corresponding row of the array and a set of column conductors each connected to the thermal resistance sensors in a corresponding column of the array such that each thermal resistance sensor is connected between a row conductor and a column conductor, the method comprising the steps of: for each row of thermal resistance sensors in the array, performing a read cycle comprising applying an activation heating pulse to the corresponding row conductor to activate the thermal resistance 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 heating pulse, and during the reading pulse, detecting, for each thermal resistance sensor in the row, a value dependent on a variable resistance characteristic of that thermal resistance sensor; wherein the read cycle for at least one row is commenced during the predetermined time interval of the read cycle for another row and the amplitude of the heating pulse is greater than the amplitude of the reading pulse and the duration of the activation heating pulse is less than the duration of the reading pulse.