Abstract: A time of flight sensor device is provided that is capable of generating accurate information relating to propagation time of emitted light pulses using a small number of measurements or data captures. By generating pulse time of flight information using a relatively small number of measurement cycles, object distance information can be generated more quickly, resulting in faster sensor response times. Embodiments of the time of flight sensor can also minimize or eliminate the adverse effects of ambient light on time of flight measurement. Moreover, some embodiments execute time of flight measurement techniques that can achieve high measurement precision even when using relatively long light pulses having irregular, non-rectangular shapes.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for determining sensing margins and/or diagnostic information associated with a sensor are presented. A statistics component generates statistical data based on sensor data associated with a sensing device. A margin component generates sensing margins for the sensing device based on the statistical data. An output component generates an indicator for a changing condition associated with the sensing device based on the sensing margins. In an aspect, a diagnostic component generates diagnostic data for the sensing device based on the statistical data.

Abstract: A bobbin and coil architecture is provided for use in an inductive sensor. The architecture eliminates the need for coil shielding and reduces the sensor's sensitivity to temperature and proximate mounting hardware. In one or more embodiments, all or portions of separate coils are located in a common slot on the bobbin, rather than being segregated into separate slots. In an example configuration, two receiver coils may be located in respective two slots on the bobbin, and a transmitter coil may divided into two substantially equal subsets of windings, with each subset wound together with one of the receiver coils in a common slot. This yields a symmetrical and balanced winding architecture that requires fewer slots relative to designs that segregate all coils into separate slots.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for determining sensing margins and/or diagnostic information associated with a sensor are presented. A statistics component generates statistical data based on sensor data associated with a sensing device. A margin component generates sensing margins for the sensing device based on the statistical data. An output component generates an indicator for a changing condition associated with the sensing device based on the sensing margins. In an aspect, a diagnostic component generates diagnostic data for the sensing device based on the statistical data.

Abstract: A photoelectric sensor uses a selective pulse detection technique and associated synchronization techniques to improve the quality of pulse detection, the operating range of the sensor, and the sensor's immunity to noise. These improvements also yield faster sensor response times and reduce the design cycle time. A modulated light beam emitted by the sensor's emitter comprises multiple pulse periods, with a pulse being transmitted within each period. The pulses are positioned within their respective periods at a defined offset time relative to the start of the periods, where the offset time can vary between periods according to a defined pattern. The receiver can selectively sample the signal based on synchronization information to determine whether the received signal contains the emitted pulse pattern. Through-beam sensor embodiments can generate the synchronization information internally based on an analysis of the analog signal corresponding to the modulated signal.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter comprises a sensor management component (SMC) that facilitates accurately determining a desired switching state of a sensor and controlling the switching state of the sensor to reduce unwanted effects of ambient noise. The SMC samples pre-pulses, pulses, and post-pulses of a signal transmitted from a transmitter of the sensor, determines level of ambient noise associated with the signal based on levels of the pre-pulse sample and the post-pulse sample, and determines the pulse amplitude as a function of the pulse level and the levels of the pre-pulse and post-pulse samples to facilitate accurate state determinations for the sensor. The SMC can determine the state the sensor is to be in at a given time based on the number of good pulses received. The SMC can employ linear or non-linear filtering to remove spike or random noise to further facilitate accurate state determinations for the sensor.

Abstract: A photoelectric sensor uses a selective pulse detection technique and associated synchronization techniques to improve the quality of pulse detection, the operating range of the sensor, and the sensor's immunity to noise. These improvements also yield faster sensor response times and reduce the design cycle time. A modulated light beam emitted by the sensor's emitter comprises multiple pulse periods, with a pulse being transmitted within each period. The pulses are positioned within their respective periods at a defined offset time relative to the start of the periods, where the offset time can vary between periods according to a defined pattern. The receiver can selectively sample the signal based on synchronization information to determine whether the received signal contains the emitted pulse pattern. Through-beam sensor embodiments can generate the synchronization information internally based on an analysis of the analog signal corresponding to the modulated signal.

Abstract: A target detection system may include a power supply and an inductor capacitor (LC) tank circuit. The LC tank circuit may include a sensing coil, a first tank capacitor, and a second tank capacitor. Further, the LC tank circuit may alternate between the first tank capacitor and the second tank capacitor, and the power supply may power the LC tank circuit. The target detection system may further include measurement circuitry to measure a first decay characteristic of a first set of free oscillations from the first tank capacitor and a second decay characteristic of a second set of free oscillations from the second tank capacitor. Additionally, the target detection system may also include processing circuitry to compare the first decay characteristic to the second decay characteristic to determine a presence and a distance of a target.

Abstract: A photoelectric sensor uses a selective pulse detection technique and associated synchronization techniques to improve the quality of pulse detection, the operating range of the sensor, and the sensor's immunity to noise. These improvements also yield faster sensor response times and reduce the design cycle time. A modulated light beam emitted by the sensor's emitter comprises multiple pulse periods, with a pulse being transmitted within each period. The pulses are positioned within their respective periods at a defined offset time relative to the start of the periods, where the offset time can vary between periods according to a defined pattern. The receiver can selectively sample the signal based on synchronization information to determine whether the received signal contains the emitted pulse pattern. Through-beam sensor embodiments can generate the synchronization information internally based on an analysis of the analog signal corresponding to the modulated signal.

Abstract: An industrial-enabled mobile electronic device, such as a personal mobile phone or tablet computer, allows a user to wirelessly interact with industrial devices for a variety of purposes. The mobile electronic device can communicate with an industrial device to read and write configuration settings, read and view log data, send commands to the industrial device, and other such functions. The mobile electronic device can perform various types of analysis on images and video of the industrial device captured by the mobile electronic device, including identifying and translating a model or device number printed on the device, or translating error codes displayed by the industrial device. The mobile electronic device can also retrieve additional information about the industrial device or the device's stored data via interaction with a remote technical support service, and can be used to facilitate dialog with a remote technical support person.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for determining sensing margins and/or diagnostic information associated with a sensor are presented. A statistics component generates statistical data based on sensor data associated with a sensing device. A margin component generates sensing margins for the sensing device based on the statistical data. An output component generates an indicator for a changing condition associated with the sensing device based on the sensing margins. In an aspect, a diagnostic component generates diagnostic data for the sensing device based on the statistical data.

Abstract: An energy-efficient industrial sensor is provided that optimizes power consumption based on characteristics of the requirements of the sensing application in which the sensor is used. Operating parameters of the sensor, such as sensing range, operating frequency, response time, noise immunity, or other such parameters, can be scaled to suit the sensing and response requirements and environmental conditions of the sensing application. This allows the sensor to consume less energy when used in sensing applications that do not require peak sensor performance. In some embodiments, the sensor can measure the environmental or machine operating conditions in its immediate vicinity and dynamically scale its operating parameters based on the measured information. By down-scaling the sensor's operating parameters from their maximum performance levels where appropriate, the overall energy footprint of a network of sensors can be reduced.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter comprises a sensor management component (SMC) that facilitates accurately determining a desired switching state of a sensor and controlling the switching state of the sensor to reduce unwanted effects of ambient noise. The SMC samples pre-pulses, pulses, and post-pulses of a signal transmitted from a transmitter of the sensor, determines level of ambient noise associated with the signal based on levels of the pre-pulse sample and the post-pulse sample, and determines the pulse amplitude as a function of the pulse level and the levels of the pre-pulse and post-pulse samples to facilitate accurate state determinations for the sensor. The SMC can determine the state the sensor is to be in at a given time based on the number of good pulses received. The SMC can employ linear or non-linear filtering to remove spike or random noise to further facilitate accurate state determinations for the sensor.

Abstract: A target detection system may include a power supply and an inductor capacitor (LC) tank circuit. The LC tank circuit may include a sensing coil, a first tank capacitor, and a second tank capacitor. Further, the LC tank circuit may alternate between the first tank capacitor and the second tank capacitor, and the power supply may power the LC tank circuit. The target detection system may further include measurement circuitry to measure a first decay characteristic of a first set of free oscillations from the first tank capacitor and a second decay characteristic of a second set of free oscillations from the second tank capacitor. Additionally, the target detection system may also include processing circuitry to compare the first decay characteristic to the second decay characteristic to determine a presence and a distance of a target.

Abstract: A bobbin and coil architecture is provided for use in an inductive sensor. The architecture eliminates the need for coil shielding and reduces the sensor's sensitivity to temperature and proximate mounting hardware. In one or more embodiments, all or portions of separate coils are located in a common slot on the bobbin, rather than being segregated into separate slots. In an example configuration, two receiver coils may be located in respective two slots on the bobbin, and a transmitter coil may divided into two substantially equal subsets of windings, with each subset wound together with one of the receiver coils in a common slot. This yields a symmetrical and balanced winding architecture that requires fewer slots relative to designs that segregate all coils into separate slots.

Abstract: A photoelectric sensor comprises an emitter that generates a light beam modulated using a single-tone or multi-tone continuous wave signal (e.g., a sine wave, square wave, or triangular wave) rather than emitting a high-bandwidth pulsed light signal. Since the light beam is modulated using a single tone signal, the receiver is able to demodulate and evaluate the received optical signal within a narrow band around the fundamental frequency of the signal, thereby achieving greater noise rejection relative to light pulse modulation techniques, which require evaluation over a larger bandwidth. The photoelectric sensor also consumes relatively low power, since the single-tone signal requires less power to generate relative to light pulse modulation techniques.

Abstract: An industrial-enabled mobile electronic device, such as a personal mobile phone or tablet computer, allows a user to wirelessly interact with industrial devices for a variety of purposes. The mobile electronic device can communicate with an industrial device to read and write configuration settings, read and view log data, send commands to the industrial device, and other such functions. The mobile electronic device can perform various types of analysis on images and video of the industrial device captured by the mobile electronic device, including identifying and translating a model or device number printed on the device, or translating error codes displayed by the industrial device. The mobile electronic device can also retrieve additional information about the industrial device or the device's stored data via interaction with a remote technical support service, and can be used to facilitate dialog with a remote technical support person.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus which may be used to help prevent electronic devices, including cell phones, from operating with software copied from (and only authorized for use by or on) another device. A further aspect is a device, including a cell phone, for example, that employs any of such methods and apparatus. Aspects of the present invention compare a program identifier (associated with software stored in a device) to a reference identifier for the device, so as to determine whether the software is authorized for use with that device. Some embodiments respond to the comparison substantially in hardware, so that the software being checked is less able to prevent the device from being disabled in the event that the program identifier and the reference identifier do not match one another.

Abstract: A method and architecture accesses a unified memory in a micro-processing system having a two-phase clock. The unified memory is accessed during a first instruction cycle. When a program code discontinuity is encountered, the unified memory is accessed a first time during an instruction cycle with a dummy access. The unified memory is accessed a second time during the instruction cycle when a program code discontinuity is encountered with either a data access, as in the case of a last instruction of a loop, or an instruction access, as in the case of a jump instruction.

Abstract: A data processing device includes an electronic processor responsive to a context signal and operable in alternative processing contexts identified by the context signal. First and second registers are connected to the electronic processor to participate in one processing context while retaining information from another processing context until a return thereto. A context switching circuit is connected to the first and second registers and operates to selectively control input and output operations of the registers to and from the electronic processor depending on the processing context. Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.