Patent ID: 8384512

Claim:
A detection sensor configured to operate in a master mode or a slave mode, the detection sensor comprising: a detection unit configured to detect a physical value change in a detection area; an output circuit configured to output an output signal related to the physical value change detected by the detection unit; an external connecting terminal configured to be electrically connected to a connecting terminal of an external device in the master triode and a connecting terminal of a setting information output device in the slave mode, the external connecting terminal being connected to the output circuit to transmit the output signal from the output circuit - to the external device; an input circuit configured to connect to the external connecting terminal to receive first setting information from the setting information output device; a memory configured to store the first setting information and a second setting information related to operation of the detection unit; a switch configured to enable and disable the output circuit and the input circuit; a mode selector configured to switch the detection sensor between the master mode and the slave mode; and a control unit configured to: receive a detection signal related to the physical value change from the detection unit; control the switch to enable the output circuit to output the second setting information to the external device in the master mode; control the switch to enable the input circuit to receive the first setting information from the setting information output device in the slave mode; and store the received first setting information in the memory.