KR102200898B1 - Single-pin Added Sensor Module Interface Device with Plug-and-play Function and Method Thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a sensor module interface device and method in which a plug and play function is implemented by adding a single analog pin to a sensor module, and a plug and play function is implemented by adding a single pin to minimize cost. This can implement a plug-and-play function that automatically identifies the type of sensor and the connection state of the sensor simply by adding one terminal in the conventional sensor module. In addition, since it is possible to automatically recognize the sensor type and the lifespan according to the type, it is easy to replace the sensor, and the accuracy of sensing can be maintained by replacing the sensor at a necessary time.

Description

Single-pin Added Sensor Module Interface Device with Plug-and-play Function and Method Thereof}

The present invention relates to a sensor module interface device and method that implements a plug-and-play function by adding a single pin, and more particularly, a single pin that can automatically identify the connection state of the sensor and the type of sensor, and minimize cost. It relates to a sensor module interface device and method implementing a plug and play function by adding a pin.

Most of the sensors sold in the market use the principle that the electrical conductivity changes by making a change in the sensor resistance by acting on the sensor by external physical or chemical changes, and these electrical changes appearing in the sensor are finally achieved through voltage distribution. It has a structure that is output as an analog type electric signal.

These sensors are generally composed of 4 or 6 pins, and 2 or 4 pins are used for detection except for 2 pins that supply power to the sensor. However, since the sensor itself does not have a load resistor for voltage distribution, in order to check the sensor's output signal through voltage distribution, induce voltage distribution from the sensor resistance inside the module or sensing device including the load resistance. It requires a separate circuit.

However, since there is always a need for replacement due to a change in life or usage of a sensor, it can be said that it is practical to use the sensor module by attaching and attaching it to the sensing device rather than making a separate circuit in the sensing device and embedding the sensor. . In particular, in the case of environmental sensors whose demand has increased due to rapid environmental changes in recent years, the life of the sensor itself is often short, and the life of the sensor may be shorter depending on the measurement environment, so sensor replacement is inevitable due to the life problem of the sensor. Therefore, it is essential to use the sensor module, and there is a need for a plug-in play function that can check the type and connection status of the sensor.

In order to meet this need, a sensor module that supports plug-in play has been developed, but by including a communication unit, a control unit, and an analog or digital circuit to operate it, it is easy to check the sensor information, but the cost incurred when replacing the sensor increases There is a drawback of becoming.

It is the sensor resistance part that causes a change in the electrical conductivity that causes the actual sensor lifetime problem, but when the sensor is replaced, a large inefficiency occurs because the entire module must be replaced. Even if the module is recycled in the future, the time and cost of additional module recycling and reliability problems due to the aging of the sensor module in the long run still exist. Therefore, there is a need to develop a sensor module capable of transmitting electrical changes of a sensor to a sensing device, supporting a plug-and-play function, and reducing costs.

Korean Patent Registration 10-1030284

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to implement a plug-and-play function by adding a single analog pin to a sensor module and a sensor module interface device and method that implements a plug-and-play function by adding a single pin that can minimize cost increase. In providing.

In order to solve the above problems, the sensor module interface device of the present invention uses a sensor to detect external physical or chemical changes, and to automatically recognize the type of the sensor and the life of the sensor using a single pin. And a sensing device having an algorithm for receiving a module and an output signal output from the sensor module, and determining the type of the sensor and the lifetime of the sensor.

The sensor module includes a power supply unit, a sensor unit receiving power from the power unit, sensing external physical or chemical changes, etc., and a plug-and-play that automatically recognizes the sensor to detect the sensor type and the lifetime of the sensor unit. May contain wealth.

The sensor unit may include multiple types or multiple sensors.

The sensor unit may further include a sensor output terminal for outputting the signal sensed by the sensor as an electrical signal.

The plug-and-play unit may include a first resistor connected to the power unit and a second resistor connected to the first resistor and one end in series and the other end connected to a ground terminal.

The second resistor may include a variable resistor.

A plug and play terminal connected between the first resistor and the second resistor may be further included.

The sensing device includes a control unit for converting an output signal output from the sensor module into a digital value through an ADC (Analog-Digital Converter) operation, a ROM memory storing information on the sensor, and sensor information stored in the ROM memory. It may include a timer that performs a timer operation.

In order to solve the above problems, the method of driving the sensor module interface of the present invention

Assigning a unique ID from the plug and play part according to the sensor type of the sensor part in the sensor module, receiving the unique ID of the sensor from a sensing device, discriminating the type and life of the sensor, and the discriminated sensor And applying the correct program.

The plug-and-play unit may include a first resistor connected to the power unit and a second resistor connected to the first resistor and one end in series and the other end connected to a ground terminal.

The step of assigning the unique ID in the sensor module may further include a step of outputting a different output voltage from the plug-and-play unit according to a sensor type of the sensor unit.

The step of assigning the unique ID in the sensor module may further include adjusting an output voltage output from the plug and play unit so that the sensor is classified according to a sensor type of the sensor unit.

The second resistor may include a fixed resistor.

The second resistor may include a variable resistor.

The sensing device includes a control unit for converting an output signal output from the sensor module into a digital value through an ADC (Analog-Digital Converter) operation, a ROM memory storing information on the sensor, and sensor information stored in the ROM memory. It may include a timer that performs a timer operation.

The step of applying a program suitable for the determined sensor may further include comparing the output signal output from the plug and play with information on the sensor stored in the ROM memory.

The determining of the lifetime of the sensor may further include providing the tire with a sensor type determined by the ROM memory to perform a timer operation according to the sensor type.

According to the present invention, it is possible to implement a plug-and-play function that automatically identifies the type of sensor and the connection state of the sensor simply by adding one terminal in the conventional sensor module.

In addition, the conventional sensor module including plug-and-play has the disadvantage of having to replace the entire module when replacing the sensor because a communication unit, a control unit, and an analog or digital circuit are included in the sensor module to operate the plug-and-play. Since the sensor module according to the present invention can implement plug and play simply by adding one terminal to the sensor module, installation and replacement costs can be minimized.

In addition, by adding a resistor having two large resistance values in the conventional sensor module, a unique ID of the corresponding sensor can be set through voltage distribution, and in some cases, a unique ID can be set by adjusting the output signal using a variable resistor. It can be changed easily.

In addition, it is possible to save additional time and cost by automatically discriminating the sensor type even when the replacement of the sensor is made not only due to a simple sensor's lifetime problem, but also due to a user's purpose change. .

In addition, since the sensor type can be automatically determined and the lifetime can be checked according to the sensor type, the user can easily check the replacement timing of the sensor and maintain the accuracy of sensing by replacing the sensor at an appropriate time.

The technical effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical effects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

1 is a diagram showing a sensor module interface device of the present invention.
2 is a diagram showing a circuit diagram of the sensor module of the present invention.
3 is a flow chart for explaining the algorithm of the sensor module interface device of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

While the present invention allows various modifications and variations, specific embodiments thereof are illustrated and shown in the drawings, and will be described in detail below. However, it is not intended to limit the present invention to the particular form disclosed, but rather the present invention encompasses all modifications, equivalents and substitutions consistent with the spirit of the present invention as defined by the claims.

When an element such as a layer, region or substrate is referred to as being “on” another component, it will be understood that it may exist directly on another element or there may be intermediate elements between them. .

Although terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or regions, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or regions It will be understood that it should not be limited by these terms.

1 is a diagram showing a sensor module interface device of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the sensor module interface device according to the present invention detects external physical or chemical changes using a sensor 121, and uses a single pin to detect the type of sensor 121 and the sensor 121. A sensing device 200 having an algorithm for receiving the sensor module 100 for automatically recognizing the lifespan and the output signal output from the sensor module 100, and determining the type of the sensor 121 and the lifespan of the sensor 121 ).

Here, by connecting the sensor module 100 to the sensing device 200, the sensing device 200 can automatically recognize the connection state of the sensor 121 included in the sensor module 100 and the type of the sensor 121 I can. In addition, since it is manufactured in a form that is detachable to the sensing device 200, the sensor module 100 including different types of sensors 121 can be easily replaced.

2 is a diagram showing a circuit diagram according to an embodiment of the sensor module of the present invention.

1 and 2, the sensor module 100 according to the present invention may include a power supply unit 110, a sensor unit 120, and a plug and play unit 130.

The power supply unit 110 may supply power required to operate the sensor unit 120 and the plug and play unit 130. At this time, the power supplied from the power supply unit 110 determines the type of the sensor 121 by the control unit 210 of the sensing device 200 to be described later, and the necessary power suitable for the determined type of sensor 121 is supplied. I can.

The sensor unit 120 may include a sensor 121 that detects external physical or chemical changes, and the like. Here, the sensor 121 may include all types of sensors 121 of various types or multiple types. The sensor 121 of the sensor unit 120 is connected between the power input terminal VCC and the ground terminal GND to perform a sensing operation, which is output to the outside.

The sensor 121 uses a principle in which an external change or the like acts on the sensor 121 to change the resistance value of the sensor resistance, thereby changing the electrical conductivity. Such electrical changes appearing in the sensor 121 may be finally output as an analog type of electrical signal through voltage distribution. As an example, the sensor 121 used in the sensor module 100 may be composed of 4 terminals or 6 terminals, and 2 terminals or 4 terminals except for the two terminals supplying power to the sensor 121 are used for detection. I can.

In addition, since the need for replacement due to change in life or use of the sensor 121 always exists, it is detected using the sensor module 100 rather than embedding the sensor 121 by making a separate circuit in the sensing device 200. It is preferable to use it by attaching it to the device 200. In particular, in the case of the environmental sensor 121, which has increased in demand due to recent environmental problems, the life of the sensor 121 itself is often short, and the life of the sensor 121 may be further shortened depending on the measurement environment. The use of the sensor module 100 is essential because the replacement of the sensor 121 is inevitable due to the problem of the life of the sensor 121, and a plug and play function that can automatically check the life and connection status of the sensor 121 is required. do.

Accordingly, the sensor module 100 according to the present invention includes a plug and play unit 130 that can automatically check the type and connection state of the sensor 121.

The plug-and-play unit 130 includes two resistors R1 and R2 connected in series between the power input terminal VCC and the ground terminal GND, and the resistance ratio is set differently according to the type of the sensor 121 . Accordingly, when the same power is supplied, the output of the plug-and-play terminal PnP may also vary according to the type of the sensor 121. This can be determined by the sensing device 200 connected to the sensor module 100 to discriminate the type of the sensor 121.

As described above, the plug and play unit 130 according to the present invention only adds a single pin in the sensor module 100, unlike a conventional communication unit, a control unit, and an analog or digital circuit for operating the same. Plug and play can be implemented.

That is, in the sensor module 100 including a conventional plug and play, a communication unit, a control unit, and an analog or digital circuit are included in the sensor module 100 in order to operate the plug and play. It has a disadvantage of incurring a large cost because it needs to be replaced, but the sensor module 100 according to the present invention can implement plug-and-play simply by adding one terminal to the sensor module 100, thus minimizing the cost. I can.

In addition, even when the replacement of the sensor 121 is not only replaced with the same sensor due to a life problem of the sensor 121 but also a heterogeneous sensor due to a change of the user's purpose, the type of sensor 121 is automatically determined to save additional time and time. You can save money.

2 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of a sensor module implementing a plug-and-play function by adding a single pin of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor module 100 according to the present invention includes a power input terminal (VCC) for power supply, a ground terminal (GND), a sensor output terminal (A_Out) for outputting an electrical signal of the sensor 121, and A total of four terminals, such as a plug and play terminal (PnP) for outputting a plug and play signal, may be included.

That is, the power supply unit 110 including the power input terminal (VCC) and the ground terminal (GND), the sensor unit 120 to which the sensor 121 and the sensor output terminal (A_Out) are connected, and the plug and play terminal (PnP) are connected. A plug and play unit 130 may be included.

The sensor 121 of the sensor unit 120 receives power required according to the type of the sensor 121 through the power supply unit 110, detects external physical or chemical changes, etc. The signal may be transmitted to the sensing device 200 through the sensor output terminal A_Out.

Also, the plug and play unit 130 may include a first resistor R1 and a second resistor R2.

Here, one end of the first resistor R1 may be connected to the power input terminal VCC, and the other end may be connected to the second resistor R2 in series. In addition, one end of the second resistor R2 may be connected to the first resistor R1 and the other end may be connected to the ground terminal GND.

The plug and play terminal PnP for outputting a plug and play signal may be connected between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2, and the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R1 and The resistance ratio of the second resistor R2 may be set differently.

For example, assuming that the rated voltage of the sensor 121 is 5V, the output voltage of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 output to the plug and play terminal PnP according to the resistance ratio is 0~ Becomes 5V. Here, in order to minimize the current distributed to the plug-and-play terminal (PnP) to reduce the influence on the operation of the sensor 121, and finally to minimize the power consumed to implement the plug-and-play function, the first resistor R1 and It is preferable that the second resistor R2 has a high resistance value.

In addition, the second resistor R2 uses a fixed resistor so that a constant voltage is output to the plug and play terminal PnP, or an indicator is used to allow the user to adjust the voltage output to the plug and play terminal PnP according to the situation. Included variable resistor can be used.

For example, when a manufacturer mounts the sensor 121 on a module and sells it, a fixed resistance module so that a different voltage value is output to the plug-and-play terminal (PnP) according to the type of the sensor 121 in the packaging stage of the sensor 121 Can be applied, and when a user purchases and directly attaches the module of the sensor 121 and the sensor 121, the output voltage to the plug and play terminal (PnP) is adjusted according to the type of the sensor 121 using a variable resistance module. You can do it.

In addition, the plug and play terminal (PnP) is connected to the sensing device 200 in a module form through the sensor module 100, and the output signal output from the plug and play is an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) of the sensing device 200. ) Can be converted to digital values.

As an example, in the case of a 10-bit ADC, since the voltage value of 0-5V is divided into 1024 values and output, the resolution is about 0.00488V, and 1024 sensors 121 can be identified. However, in actual execution, since the supply power is unstable or the voltage noise phenomenon due to the connection state of the sensor module 100 and the sensing device 200 occurs, it is not possible to use it as it is even if there is a resolution of about 0.005V. Is followed by a bunch. Therefore, in order to prevent the problem of recognition error of the sensor 121 due to these problems, the voltage section value of the sensor 121 identification must be determined in consideration of the noise to signal ratio (NSR). For example, when the sensor 121 having a rated voltage of 5V is divided by 1V, up to 5 sensors 121 can be identified, and when divided by 0.1V, up to 50 sensors 121 can be identified.

Here, the supply power or the stability of the connection state of the sensor 121 may differ depending on the user's environment, but when up to 50 types of sensors 121 are used (0.1V), 20 times the resolution (0.00488V) or more Since the sensor 121 is classified by value, it has considerable stability. After the voltage value unique to each sensor 121 is output to the plug and play terminal (PnP), the sensor 121 is identified by the sensing device 200, and an analysis algorithm suitable for the identified sensor 121 is applied. do.

Subsequently, referring to FIG. 1, the sensing device 200 may include a control unit 210, a ROM memory 220, and a timer 230.

The controller 210 converts the output signal output from the sensor module 100 into a digital value through an ADC (Analog-Digital Converter) operation. That is, the voltage value output through the plug and play unit 130 according to the type of the sensor 121 of the sensor unit 120 becomes a unique ID of the sensor 121, and then, through the plug and play terminal (PnP). It is connected to the controller 210 of the sensing device 200 and recognized as a digital value by the operation of the ADC.

The ROM memory 220 stores information on the sensor 121. Information on the sensor 121 includes an ID unique to the sensor 121, the type of the sensor 121, a voltage value used by the sensor 121 or a relationship between the output value of the sensor 121 and a physical value, and the sensor 121 May include the lifespan of. Therefore, the voltage value output through the plug-and-play unit 130 of the sensor module 100 is compared with the sensor 121 information stored in the ROM memory 220 of the sensing device 200, and the type of the sensor 121 and the The connection state of the sensor 121 may be automatically checked, and the replacement timing of the sensor 121 may be confirmed by checking the life of the sensor 121 according to the type of the sensor 121.

The timer 230 may perform the timer 230 operation according to the sensor 121 information stored in the ROM memory 220. This is because the lifespan of the sensor 121 is different depending on the type of the sensor 121, so the type and lifespan of the sensor 121 is checked using the sensor 121 information stored in the ROM memory 220, and the timer 230 according to the life of the sensor 121 ) Can be operated.

Therefore, the user can easily check the replacement timing of the sensor 121, and can maintain the accuracy of sensing by replacing the sensor 121 at an appropriate time.

3 is a flow chart for explaining the algorithm of the sensor module interface device of the present invention.

The flow chart showing the algorithm shown in FIG. 3 shows an algorithm corresponding to one channel, and when applying multiple channels using multiple types or multiple sensors 121, the algorithm can be applied by repeating the same algorithm. In addition, Vs shown in the flow chart represents a voltage value corresponding to the first ID of the sensor 121, and Vf represents a voltage value corresponding to the last ID of the sensor 121. Here, the ADC of the sensing device 200 may be connected to a sensor output terminal A_Out and a plug-and-play terminal PnP corresponding to one sensor 121 per two ADC ports.

A method of driving the interface device of the sensor module 100 according to the present invention under the above conditions will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

First, the sensing device 200 may be maintained in a standby state until a sensing signal for the sensor 121 is transmitted from the sensor module 100 (S301). At this time, the sensing device 200 is a plug-and-play terminal. It is determined whether an output signal is input from PnP (S302), and the operation of the sensor 121 may be stopped until an output signal is input from the plug and play terminal PnP (S303).

When an output signal is input from the plug and play terminal (PnP) to the sensing device 200, the sensor 121 is changed to the operating state. (S304) When the sensor 121 is changed to the operating state, the sensing device 200 is In order to determine the type of 121, the signal input from the plug and play terminal PnP is compared with the information of the sensor 121 stored in the ROM memory 220 of the sensing device 200. That is, the type of the sensor 121 may be determined by comparing the ID of the sensor 121 stored in the ROM memory 220 with a signal input from the plug and play terminal PnP.

More specifically, the input signal input from the plug-and-play terminal (PnP) is sequentially compared with the ID voltage value such as Vs, the first ID voltage value of the sensor 121, and V1, the second ID voltage value, and the last ID It compares up to the voltage value Vf. When the input signal input from the plug and play terminal PnP falls within the set ID voltage value range, a program corresponding thereto may be executed. That is, when the type of sensor 121 is determined, a program stored in accordance with the type of sensor 121 is executed.

As an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, if the input signal input from the plug and play terminal PnP is less than the first ID voltage value Vs (S305), the A type program corresponding to channel 1 is executed ( S306), and if the input signal is greater than or equal to Vs and less than the next ID voltage value V1 (S307), a B-type program corresponding to channel 1 may be executed (S308). Also, if the input signal is greater than or equal to the last ID voltage value Vf (S309), an N-type program corresponding to channel 1 may be executed (S310).

Accordingly, the sensor 121 of the sensor module 100 can determine the type of the sensor 121 by the algorithm of the detection device 200 on the input signal input from the plug and play terminal (PnP), and the sensor 121 Depending on the type of ), a program suitable for the sensor 121 may be executed.

The above algorithm can be applied by repeating the same algorithm when applying multiple channels using multiple types or multiple sensors 121.

In addition, when the type of sensor 121 is determined by the above algorithm, the lifespan according to the type of sensor 121 stored in the ROM memory 220 can be checked, and the type of sensor 121 and the lifespan of the sensor 121 The timer 230 may be operated in accordance with the life of the sensor 121 by transmitting information on the sensing device 200 to the timer 230.

Therefore, since the type of the sensor 121 can be automatically determined and the lifespan can be checked according to the type of the sensor 121, the user can easily check the replacement timing of the sensor 121, and the sensor 121 at an appropriate time. The accuracy of sensing can be maintained by replacing.

As described above, the sensor module interface device and driving method implementing the plug-and-play function according to the present invention is a type of sensor 121 and connection of the sensor 121 by simply adding one terminal in the conventional sensor module. Plug-and-play functionality can be implemented that automatically identifies the state.

In addition, in the sensor module including the conventional plug-and-play, the communication unit, the control unit 210, and analog or digital circuits are included in the sensor module in order to operate the play-and-play, so when the sensor 121 is replaced, the entire module needs to be replaced. On the other hand, the sensor module 100 according to the present invention can implement plug-and-play simply by adding one terminal to the sensor module 100, thereby minimizing installation and replacement costs.

Furthermore, since the type of the sensor 121 can be automatically determined and the lifespan can be checked according to the type of the sensor 121, the user can easily check the replacement timing of the sensor 121, and at a suitable time, the sensor 121 By replacing ), the accuracy of sensing can be maintained.

On the other hand, the embodiments of the present invention disclosed in the specification and drawings are only presented specific examples to aid understanding, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In addition to the embodiments disclosed herein, it is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other modified examples based on the technical idea of the present invention may be implemented.

100: sensor module 110: power supply
120: sensor unit 121: sensor
130: plug and play unit 200: sensing device
210: control unit 220: ROM memory
230: timer

Claims (17)

A sensor module that detects external physical or chemical changes using a sensor, and automatically recognizes the type of the sensor and the lifetime of the sensor using a single pin; And
A sensing device having an algorithm for receiving the output signal output from the sensor module and determining the type of the sensor and the lifetime of the sensor,
The sensor module,
A power supply unit, a sensor unit receiving power from the power unit and sensing external physical or chemical changes, and a plug-and-play unit automatically recognizing the sensor to detect the sensor type and the life of the sensor unit,
The plug-and-play unit includes a first resistor connected to the power unit and a second resistor connected to the first resistor in series and the other end connected to a ground terminal,
The second resistor is a sensor module interface device formed of a variable resistor. delete The method of claim 1,
The sensor module interface device comprising a plurality of sensors or multiple sensors. The method of claim 1,
The sensor module interface device further comprises a sensor output terminal for outputting the signal sensed by the sensor as an electrical signal. delete delete The method of claim 1,
A sensor module interface device further comprising a plug and play terminal connected between the first resistor and the second resistor. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing device,
A control unit for converting the output signal output from the sensor module into a digital value through an ADC (Analog-Digital Converter) operation;
A ROM memory storing information about the sensor; And
A sensor module interface device comprising a timer that performs a timer operation according to sensor information stored in the ROM memory. Assigning a unique ID from the plug and play unit according to the sensor type of the sensor unit in the sensor module;
Receiving an ID unique to the sensor from a sensing device and discriminating the type and life of the sensor; And
Including the step of applying a program suitable for the discriminated sensor,
The plug-and-play unit includes a first resistor connected to a power supply unit and a second resistor connected to the first resistor in series and the other end connected to a ground terminal,
The method of driving a sensor module interface wherein the second resistor is formed of a variable resistor. delete The method of claim 9, wherein the step of assigning the unique ID in the sensor module,
The sensor module interface driving method further comprising the step of outputting a different output voltage from the plug and play unit according to the sensor type of the sensor unit. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of assigning the unique ID in the sensor module,
The method of driving a sensor module interface further comprising: adjusting an output voltage output from the plug and play unit so that the sensor is classified according to the sensor type of the sensor unit. delete delete The method of claim 9, wherein the sensing device,
A control unit for converting the output signal output from the sensor module into a digital value through an ADC (Analog-Digital Converter) operation;
A ROM memory storing information about the sensor; And
A sensor module interface driving method comprising a timer that performs a timer operation according to sensor information stored in the ROM memory. The method of claim 15, wherein applying a program suitable for the discriminated sensor comprises:
The method of driving a sensor module interface further comprising comparing the output signal output from the plug-and-play with sensor information stored in the ROM memory. The method of claim 16, wherein determining the lifetime of the sensor,
The sensor module interface driving method further comprising the step of performing a timer operation according to the sensor type by providing the sensor type discriminated by the ROM memory to the timer.

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