Patent ID: 8140299

Claim:
An operating method of a sensor, comprising: a) detecting an analog signal by a detection device; b) determining a digital signal by an evaluation device using the analog signal; c) transmitting the digital signal to a control device outside the sensor; d) supplying the analog signal or the analog signal and the digital signal to a monitoring device; e) monitoring a correct operation of the detection device and/or the evaluation device by the monitoring device using the signals supplied to the monitoring device; f) transmitting an enable signal to the control device outside the sensor, wherein the enable signal is only transmitted by the monitoring device when the detection device and/or the evaluation device is operating correctly; g) repeating steps a) to f) by the sensor in a cyclical manner regardless of whether or not the senor is in a test mode; h) assuming a test mode by the sensor, when a test signal is transmitted to the sensor, wherein the sensor manipulates the signals supplied to the monitoring device such that the monitoring device identifies incorrect operation of the detection device and/or the evaluation device when the monitoring device is operating correctly; and i) awaiting an occurrence of an internal event inside the sensor while the sensor is in test mode and then automatically quitting test mode.