Patent ID: 8766649

Claim:
A proximity sensor interface device (PSID) for determining if a proximity sensor is in an acceptable position with respect to a target device, said PSID comprising: a frequency generator; a processing device; a memory associated with said processing device, wherein said memory comprises a sensor response envelope stored therein comprising: a high response curve defined by inductance changes in the proximity sensor at discrete gap increments between the target and the sensor, with no angular or vertical misalignment between the target and the sensor; and a low response curve defined by inductance changes in the proximity sensor at discrete gap increments between the target and the sensor, with a worst case angular or vertical misalignment between the target and the sensor; a display; an RC circuit, said processing device programmed to route a signal generated by said frequency generator through the proximity sensor and said RC circuit for a prescribed period of time, said processing device programmed to measure a discharge time of said RC circuit, said processing device programmed to determine whether a response of the proximity sensor satisfies a threshold associated with the high response curve and the low response curve, said processing device further programmed to cause said display to provide an indication of whether a relative position of the proximity sensor and target device are within prescribed tolerances, based on the discharge time; and an enclosure housing said frequency generator, said processing device, said memory, and said RC circuit, said enclosure including a handle and configured for hand-held use.