Sensor devices and sensor systems

Abstract

The sensor device and sensor system of the present invention reduce the number of wiring harnesses connecting the pressure sensor and the processing device. A sensor device is provided comprising a physical quantity sensor for detecting a physical quantity, and a processing circuit that generates and outputs a second signal containing first data contained in a first signal input from an external source and second data representing the detection result of the physical quantity sensor. The first signal and the second signal each have multiple messages, each message having two or more high-speed data segments and low-speed data segments. The first signal and the second signal are signals obtained by dividing predetermined data and storing it in the low-speed data segments of the two or more messages. The processing circuit can also store the first data and the second data in the two high-speed data segments of the second signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to sensor devices and sensor systems. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, pressure sensors that output signals based on the SENT (registered trademark) protocol to an external processing device were known (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-86417

[0004] Patent Document 2: US Patent No. 10,129,339 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0006] Increasing the number of pressure sensors will lead to an increase in the number of wiring harnesses connecting each pressure sensor to the processing device.

[0007] Technical solutions adopted to solve technical problems

[0008] To address the aforementioned problems, in a first aspect of the present invention, a sensor device is provided that includes a physical quantity sensor for detecting a physical quantity. The sensor device may include a processing circuit that generates and outputs a second signal containing first data and second data, wherein the first data is included in the first signal input from an external source, and the second data represents the detection result of the physical quantity sensor.

[0009] The processing circuit can generate a second signal that conforms to the same protocol as the first signal.

[0010] The processing circuit may have a decoder that extracts the first data from the first signal.

[0011] The first signal and the second signal can each have multiple data segments that store data. The processing circuit can extract the first data from the data segments of the first signal and store the second data in different data segments of the second signal.

[0012] A physical quantity sensor can be a pressure sensor.

[0013] The processing circuit can receive a clock signal synchronized with the first signal and process the first signal based on the clock signal.

[0014] Signal 1 and signal 2 can each have multiple messages. Each message can have two or more high-speed data segments and low-speed data segments. Signal 1 and signal 2 can be signals obtained by dividing predetermined data into low-speed data segments in two or more messages. The processing circuit can store the first data and the second data in two high-speed data segments of signal 2.

[0015] The first and second data points can represent pressure values. The processing circuit can store temperature data in a low-speed data segment.

[0016] The processing circuit can extract data from the high-speed data segment of the first signal, which is a pre-defined high-speed data segment used to store the first data, without extracting data from the low-speed data segment stored in the first signal.

[0017] Signal 1 and signal 2 can be signals that conform to the SENT protocol.

[0018] In a second aspect of the present invention, a sensor device is provided that includes a physical quantity sensor for detecting a physical quantity. The sensor device may include a processing circuit having a first generation function for generating a second signal including first data and second data, and a second generation function for generating a third signal including the second data, wherein the first data is included in the first signal input from an external source, and the second data represents the detection result of the physical quantity sensor.

[0019] The processing circuit can generate a second signal that conforms to the same protocol as the first signal.

[0020] The processing circuit may have a decoder that extracts the first data from the first signal.

[0021] The processing circuit can select one of the first generation function and the second generation function by inputting setting information.

[0022] The sensor device may include a memory. Setting information may be stored in the memory.

[0023] Signals 1 through 3 can be signals that conform to the SENT protocol.

[0024] A physical quantity sensor can be a pressure sensor.

[0025] In a third aspect of the invention, a sensor system is provided comprising a first sensor device and a second sensor device. The first sensor device may have a first physical quantity sensor for detecting a physical quantity. The first sensor device may have a first processing circuit that generates and outputs a first signal containing first data, the first data representing the detection result of the first physical quantity sensor. The second sensor device may have a second physical quantity sensor for detecting a physical quantity. The second sensor device may have a second processing circuit that receives the first signal, generates and outputs a second signal containing the first data and the second data, the first data being included in the first signal, and the second data representing the detection result of the second physical quantity sensor.

[0026] The first sensor device and the second sensor device can be mounted on different circuit boards.

[0027] The first processing circuit and the second processing circuit can generate a first signal and a second signal that conform to the same protocol.

[0028] The second processing circuit may have a decoder that extracts the first data from the first signal.

[0029] It may include a group of multiple first sensor devices and second sensor devices.

[0030] Furthermore, the above summary of the invention does not list all the essential features of the invention. In addition, sub-combinations of these feature groups can also constitute an invention. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of a sensor system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of the data format for the first signal S1 and the second signal S2.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of the data format for the second signal S2.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing other structural examples of the sensor system 10.

[0035] Figure 5A This is a diagram showing other structural examples of the sensor system 10.

[0036] Figure 5B This is a diagram showing other structural examples of the sensor system 10.

[0037] Figure 6This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the first sensor device 100-1 and the second sensor device 100-2.

[0038] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a sensor system 200. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The present invention will be described below through embodiments, but these embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, the combinations of features described in the embodiments are not all necessary technical means to solve the technical problems of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates a structural example of a sensor system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The sensor system 10 detects physical quantities such as pressure or temperature in the surrounding environment and outputs a signal representing the detection result to a control device 20. The sensor system 10 may also include a wiring harness for transmitting signals to the control device 20. The wiring harness may be, for example, a wire, but may also be wiring other than a wire.

[0041] Control unit 20 processes signals received from sensor system 10. Control unit 20 can also control other devices based on the results of signal processing. As an example, control unit 20 is an engine control unit (ECU) that controls the vehicle's engine, and sensor system 10 is a pressure sensor that detects pressure in a specific area of ​​the engine. Control unit 20 can also control the vehicle's engine based on signals from sensor system 10.

[0042] The sensor system 10 includes multiple sensor devices 100 for detecting physical quantities. These physical quantities are, for example, environmental pressure, temperature, or humidity, but are not limited to these. A single sensor device 100 can detect one physical quantity or multiple physical quantities. Figure 1 In the example, sensor system 10 includes a first sensor device 100-1 and a second sensor device 100-2. Each sensor device 100 may also be a device mounted on a different circuit board. In this specification, the circuit board may be a semiconductor substrate, a printed circuit board, or a flexible substrate, etc.

[0043] Each sensor device 100 has a physical quantity sensor 112, a processing circuit 110, a terminal 115, and a terminal 117. The physical quantity sensor 112 and the processing circuit 110 in the same sensor device 100 can be mounted on the same circuit board.

[0044] The physical quantity sensor 112 detects physical quantities such as pressure and temperature. The physical quantity sensor 112 can output an electrical signal corresponding to the detected physical quantity. For example, the physical quantity sensor 112 is a pressure sensor. The physical quantity sensor 112 may have a detection unit whose resistance value changes according to the detected pressure value, and output an analog electrical signal corresponding to the resistance value.

[0045] The processing circuit 110 generates a signal that includes the detection result of the physical quantity sensor 112. The processing circuit 110 may also include an AD converter 113 that converts the analog signal from the physical quantity sensor 112 into a digital signal, and logic circuitry 114 that processes the digital signal. In this example, the signal output by the processing circuit 110-1 of the first sensor device 100-1 is designated as the first signal S1, and the signal output by the processing circuit 110-2 of the second sensor device 100-2 is designated as the second signal S2. Furthermore, the first signal S1 includes first data D1 representing the detection result of the physical quantity sensor 112-1 of the first sensor device 100-1, and the second signal S2 includes second data D2 representing the detection result of the physical quantity sensor 112-2 of the second sensor device 100-2, and the first data D1.

[0046] In this example, the logic circuit 114-1 of the first sensor device 100-1 outputs the first signal S1 to the second sensor device 100-2. The second sensor device 100-2 extracts the first data D1 contained in the input first signal S1. The processing circuit 110-2 may also have a decoder 116-2 that extracts the first data D1 from the first signal S1. The decoder 116-2 may also have information pre-set indicating which bit of the first signal S1 corresponds to the first data D1.

[0047] The logic circuit 114-2 of the processing circuit 110-2 generates a second signal S2 containing the first data D1 extracted by the decoder 116-2 and the second data D2 representing the detection result of the physical quantity sensor 112-2, and outputs it to the control device 20. The control device 20 decodes the second signal S2 to extract the first data D1 and the second data D2. Using such a structure, the number of wires connected to the control device 20 can be reduced. Especially when the control device 20 is connected to multiple sensor systems 10, connecting each sensor device 100 to the control device 20 would result in an increased number of wires. In contrast, according to this example, one sensor system 10 is connected to the control device 20 via a single wire. Therefore, the number of wires connected to the control device 20, where wires are easily concentrated, can be reduced.

[0048] In this example, signal S1 and signal S2 are digital signals. Processing circuit 110-2 can generate signal S2 that conforms to the same protocol as signal S1. As an example, this protocol is the SENT protocol.

[0049] Signal S1 and signal S2 can each have multiple data segments storing data. These segments can be groups of bits within the signal. For example, a defined range of bits from signals S1 and S2 can be allocated to these data segments. Decoder 116-2 extracts first data D1 from the data segment of signal S1. Logic circuit 114-2 can store the first data D1 and the second data D2 extracted by decoder 116-2 in different data segments of signal S2.

[0050] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the data format for signal S1 and signal S2. The data format refers to information representing the function assigned to each segment of the signal.

[0051] In this example, signal S1 contains more than one message M1, and signal S2 contains more than one message M2. Each message M has a synchronization segment Sync, a status segment Sta, a first data segment Data1, a second data segment Data2, and an error correction segment CRC.

[0052] A synchronization segment (Sync) is a segment that represents the boundary between this message and other messages. In this example, the synchronization segment Sync is configured at the beginning of message M and stores a pre-determined data value. A state segment (Sta) stores data representing the state of a device in sensor system 10, or the state of signal S. State segment Sta can store erroneous data in the event of an anomaly detected in a device of sensor system 10. It can also store data representing the type of physical quantity stored in data segment Data, or the type of physical quantity sensor 112, etc., or data representing the upper and lower limits of the data stored in data segment Data, or coefficients to be multiplied by the data value when calculating the physical quantity. State segment Sta can also store data representing the protocol version of signal S.

[0053] Data segment 1 (Data1) and data segment 2 (Data2) store data D corresponding to the physical quantity detected by physical quantity sensor 112. Error correction segment (CRC) stores data such as CRC symbols used to correct data errors in the message.

[0054] In this example, logic circuit 114-1 stores the first data D1 in a data segment of the first signal S1. Figure 2In the example, this is the first data segment, Data1. Decoder 116-2 extracts the first data segment, D1, from the first signal S1. Logic circuit 114-2 stores the first data segment, D1, in a data segment of the second signal S2. Figure 2 In the example, the first data segment (Data1) is used, and the second data segment (D2) is stored in another data segment. Figure 2 In the example, this is the second data segment (Data2).

[0055] Thus, a second signal S2 containing first data D1 and second data D2 can be generated. Processing circuits 110-1 and 110-2 can be circuits that process signals according to the same protocol (e.g., the SENT protocol).

[0056] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the data format of the second signal S2. In this example, the data format of the second signal S2 is described, but the first signal S1 also has the same data format as the second signal S2. The second signal S2 in this example contains n messages M2-1 to M2-n (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2).

[0057] The n messages each contain two or more high-speed data segments and a low-speed data segment. In this example, data segment 1 (Data1) and data segment 2 (Data2) correspond to the two high-speed data segments. Additionally, a portion of the bits in the status segment (Sta) corresponds to the low-speed data segment (SD). Figure 3 The table shows the state segments Sta1 to Stan for each message side by side. As indicated by the dashed lines, each state segment Sta1 to Stan contains low-speed data segments SD1 to SDn.

[0058] The second signal S2 is a signal obtained by dividing predetermined data into low-speed data segments and storing them in two or more messages M. In this example, the specified data is divided into low-speed data segments SD1 to SDn in n messages M2-1 to M2-n. The control device 20 can combine the bits of the n low-speed data segments SD1 to SDn contained in the second signal S2 to detect the low-speed data. That is, high-speed data is data that detects one piece of data from one message, while low-speed data is data that detects one piece of data from multiple messages. Therefore, the transmission speed of low-speed data is slower than that of high-speed data.

[0059] In this example, processing circuit 110-1 stores the first data D1 in a high-speed data segment of the first signal S1. Additionally, processing circuit 110-2 stores the first data D1 and the second data D2 in a high-speed data segment of the second signal S1. The first data D1 and the second data D2 can be data representing pressure values.

[0060] The processing circuit 110-2 can also store data representing physical quantities of different types than the first data D1 and the second data D2 in a low-speed data segment of the second signal S2. For example, the processing circuit 110-2 stores data representing temperature in a low-speed data segment. This temperature can be the temperature detected by the first sensor device 100-1 or the temperature detected by the second sensor device 100-2. In this case, at least one of the first sensor device 100-1 and the second sensor device 100-2 has a temperature sensor.

[0061] Using a structure like this, data that requires a shorter detection cycle and data that is acceptable even with a longer detection cycle can be transmitted with the same signal. For example, this example structure is effective in situations where engine control needs to follow pressure changes at high speeds, but can follow temperature changes at lower speeds.

[0062] As an example, the processing circuit 110-2 of the second sensor device 100-2 can store physical quantities such as temperature in a low-speed data segment of the second signal S2. In this case, the decoder 116-2 may not need to extract the low-speed data of the first signal S1. Therefore, the circuit size of the decoder 116-2 can be reduced. The processing circuit 110-1 of the first sensor device 100-1 may or may not store data in the low-speed data segment of the first signal S1. In either case, the decoder 116-2 may not need to extract the low-speed data of the first signal S1.

[0063] Furthermore, decoder 116-2 can extract data from a pre-defined data segment that is used to store the first data D1 from multiple high-speed data segments. It does not extract data from other data segments, thereby reducing the circuit size of decoder 116-2.

[0064] In the event of a malfunction in the first sensor device 100-1, the processing circuit 110-1 can store the erroneous data of a predetermined bit value in a high-speed data segment to replace the first data D1. This allows the decoder 116-2, with its smaller circuit size, to extract the erroneous data. The processing circuit 110-1 can also store the erroneous data in a state segment Sta. In this case, the decoder 116-2 preferably also extracts the data from the state segment Sta. In the event of a malfunction in either the first sensor device 100-1 or the second sensor device 100-2, the processing circuit 110-2 can store the erroneous data in the state segment Sta of the second signal S2.

[0065] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating other structural examples of the sensor system 10. The sensor system 10 in this example is similar to... Figures 1 to 3The difference in the example described is that the logic circuit 114-1 of the first sensor device 100-1 outputs a clock signal CLK synchronized with the first signal S1 along with the first signal S1. The sensor system 10, apart from the structure related to the clock signal CLK, also has... Figures 1 to 3 The examples described in the document have the same structure.

[0066] The decoder 116-2 of the second sensor device 100-2 receives the first signal S1 and the clock signal CLK. The decoder 116-2 samples the first signal S1 according to the clock signal, thereby extracting the value of each bit in the first signal S1. Using such a structure, the value of the first signal S1 can be detected with higher accuracy.

[0067] The second sensor device 100-2 can output a clock signal synchronized with the second signal S2 to the control device 20 in a manner that matches the second signal S2. The period of the second signal S2 can be the same as or different from that of the first signal S1.

[0068] Figure 5A This is a diagram illustrating other structural examples of the sensor system 10. The sensor system 10 in this example is similar to... Figures 1 to 4 The difference between the examples described is that the first sensor device 100-1 has a decoder 116-1 and a terminal 117-1, and each sensor device 100 has a memory 118 and a terminal 119. That is, the first sensor device 100-1 and the second sensor device 100-2 have the same structure. Other structures are the same as... Figures 1 to 4 The same applies to any of the examples described.

[0069] In this example, in sensor device 100, the device that outputs signals to another sensor device 100 is called the master device, and the device that outputs signals to control device 20 is called the slave device. Figures 1 to 4 In the example, the first sensor device 100-1 is the master-side device, and the second sensor device 100-2 is the slave-side device. Utilizing... Figure 5A The structure shown allows any sensor device 100 to function as a master device, and also allows any sensor device 100 to function as a slave device. Figure 5AIn the example, the first sensor device 100-1 is a slave device, and the second sensor device 100-2 is a master device. The memory 118 of each sensor device 100 stores setting information indicating whether the device is master-side or slave-side. The logic circuit 114 of each sensor device 100 can read setting information Smst indicating that the corresponding sensor device 100 is master-side, or setting information Sslv indicating that the corresponding sensor device 100 is slave-side, from the memory 118. Terminal 119 can externally store the setting information of whether each sensor device 100 is master-side or slave-side into the memory 118. Alternatively, the setting information of whether each sensor device 100 is master-side or slave-side can be directly input to the logic circuit 114 from the outside instead of storing it in the memory 118. The wiring harness connecting each device is configured according to this setting information. The sensor system 10 may also include a switching unit that switches which sensor device 100's output terminal is connected to the wiring harness connected to the control device 20 according to this setting information. Furthermore, in this case, the main device and the slave device have the same physical shape and internal structure, so their appearance can be distinguished by different colors and shapes. Additionally, if the main device and the slave device are connected in reverse, each sensor device 100 or control device 20 may output an error signal.

[0070] The logic circuit 114, configured as the master side, stores data from the corresponding physical quantity sensor 112 in signal S. The logic circuit 114, configured as the slave side, stores data from the corresponding decoder 116 and data from the corresponding physical quantity sensor 112 in signal S. With this structure, each sensor device 100 can function as either a slave or master device.

[0071] Figure 5B It has only one Figure 5A The example uses the structure of sensor device 100. In this case, sensor device 100 outputs a third signal S3. The sensor device 100 in this example is similar to... Figure 5A The second sensor device 100-2 shown is identical and includes a memory 118. The memory 118 can store setting information for using the sensor device 100 as a standalone unit. The logic circuit 114 can read the setting information Ssgl for using the sensor device 100 as a standalone unit from the memory 118. Terminal 119 allows external storage of the setting information for using the device as a standalone unit into the memory 118. The logic circuit 114 generates a third signal S3 based on data from the physical quantity sensor 112.

[0072] Figure 5A and Figure 5BThe memory 118 described herein can store data for correcting the output of physical quantity sensors. Furthermore, this memory 118 can be a rewritable non-volatile memory such as flash memory.

[0073] As described above, the sensor device 100, which can function as either a master or slave device, can also be used as a standalone unit. Therefore, the sensor device 100 can be configured to be selectable as a master, slave, or standalone unit. Thus, as a function when used as a slave device, the logic circuit 114 includes a first generation function that generates a second signal containing first data and second data, the first data being derived from a first signal input from an external source, and the second data representing the detection result of the physical quantity sensor. Furthermore, as a function when used as a master or standalone unit, the logic circuit 114 includes a second generation function that generates a third signal containing second data, the second data representing the detection result of the physical quantity sensor. Moreover, the three usage modes can be switched using setting information stored in the memory 118. Furthermore, the same setting information can be set for the case of functioning as a master device and the case of standalone unit use.

[0074] Figure 6 This diagram illustrates an example configuration of the first sensor device 100-1 and the second sensor device 100-2. In this example, the first sensor device 100-1 and the second sensor device 100-2 detect the gas pressure within a gas pipe 40 through which the intake or exhaust gas of a vehicle's engine passes. A filter 30 is provided in the gas pipe 40 to remove foreign matter or other contaminants contained in the gas passing through it. The first sensor device 100-1 detects the gas pressure within the gas pipe 40 upstream of the filter 30. The second sensor device 100-2 detects the gas pressure within the gas pipe 40 downstream of the filter 30. "Upstream" and "downstream" refer to positions along the direction of gas flow. By detecting the gas pressure at two locations where the filter 30 is clamped, blockages or other issues with the filter 30 can be detected. Furthermore, combining the two sensor devices near the filter 30 as the first sensor device 100-1 and the second sensor device 100-2 shortens the distance between the sensor devices and reduces the length of the wiring harness. In addition, the two associated pressure values ​​can be included in a single signal and transmitted to the control device 20.

[0075] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a sensor system 200. This example sensor system 200 includes multiple... Figures 1 to 6The sensor system 10 described herein refers to a sensor system 200 comprising a group of multiple first sensor devices 100-1 and second sensor devices 10-2. Generally, the more numerous the sensor devices 100, the more concentrated the wiring harness becomes within the control device 20. According to this example, the sensor system 10, which includes two sensor devices 100, is connected to the control device 20 via a single wiring harness; therefore, the number of wiring harnesses connected to the control device 20 can be halved.

[0076] The present invention has been described above using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. As can be seen from the claims, the various modifications or improvements described above are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0077] Please note that the execution order of actions, processes, steps, and stages in the apparatus, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specification, and drawings can be implemented in any order, unless explicitly stated as "before" or "previously," and the output of previous processes is not used in subsequent processes. The use of terms such as "firstly" and "then" in the action flow descriptions in the claims, specification, and drawings for ease of explanation does not imply that the actions must be performed in this order.

[0078] Label Explanation

[0079] 10 Sensor Systems

[0080] 20 Control devices

[0081] 30 filters

[0082] 40 Gas piping

[0083] 100 sensor devices

[0084] 110 Processing Circuit

[0085] 112 Physical quantity sensor

[0086] 113 AD converter

[0087] 114 Logic Circuits

[0088] 115 terminal

[0089] 116 Decoder

[0090] 117 terminal

[0091] 118 Memory

[0092] 119 terminal

[0093] 200 sensor system.

Claims

1. A sensor device, characterized in that, include: A physical quantity sensor that detects physical quantities; as well as The processing circuit generates and outputs a second signal containing first data and second data, wherein the first data is included in the first signal input from an external source, and the second data represents the detection result of the physical quantity sensor. The first signal and the second signal each have a first data segment and a second data segment, respectively. The first data is stored in the first data segment of the first signal. The processing circuit has a decoder that is pre-programmed with information indicating which bit of the first signal corresponds to the first data segment, and extracts the first data from the first signal. The processing circuit generates a second signal that stores the first data extracted from the first signal in the first data segment and stores the second data in the second data segment.

2. The sensor device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The processing circuit generates the second signal, which conforms to the same protocol as the first signal.

3. The sensor device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The processing circuit receives a clock signal synchronized with the first signal and processes the first signal based on the clock signal.

4. The sensor device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first signal and the second signal each have multiple messages. Each message contains two or more high-speed data segments and a low-speed data segment. The first signal and the second signal are signals obtained by dividing predetermined data into low-speed data segments and storing them in two or more messages. The processing circuit stores the first data and the second data in two high-speed data segments of the second signal.

5. The sensor device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The first data and the second data are data representing pressure values. The processing circuit stores the temperature data in the low-speed data segment.

6. The sensor device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The processing circuit extracts data from the high-speed data segment of the first signal, which is a pre-defined segment for storing the first data, without extracting data from the low-speed data segment stored in the first signal.

7. The sensor device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The processing circuit extracts data from the high-speed data segment of the first signal, which is a pre-defined segment for storing the first data, without extracting data from the low-speed data segment stored in the first signal.

8. The sensor device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, The first signal and the second signal are signals that conform to the SENT protocol.

9. The sensor device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The first signal and the second signal are signals that conform to the SENT protocol.

10. The sensor device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The decoder does not extract data from the second data segment of the first signal.

11. The sensor device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, The first signal and the second signal each also have state segments. In the event of a malfunction in the device outputting the first signal, erroneous data is stored in the first data segment of the first signal to replace the original first data. In the event of an anomaly occurring in the device outputting the first signal, the processing circuit stores data indicating that an anomaly has occurred in the device outputting the first signal within the state segment of the second signal.

12. The sensor device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The first signal and the second signal each also have state segments. In the event of a malfunction in the device outputting the first signal, erroneous data is stored in the first data segment of the first signal to replace the original first data. In the event of an anomaly occurring in the device outputting the first signal, the processing circuit stores data indicating that an anomaly has occurred in the device outputting the first signal within the state segment of the second signal.

13. The sensor device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, The sensor device also includes a memory that stores setting information indicating whether it functions as either a master device or a slave device. When the setting information indicates that it functions as the main device, the processing circuit generates the second signal that stores the second data from the physical quantity sensor in the second data segment. When the setting information indicates that it functions as the slave device, the processing circuit generates the second signal, which stores the first data extracted from the first signal in the first data segment and stores the second data in the second data segment.

14. The sensor device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor device also includes a memory that stores setting information indicating whether it functions as either a master device or a slave device. When the setting information indicates that it functions as the main device, the processing circuit generates the second signal that stores the second data from the physical quantity sensor in the second data segment. When the setting information indicates that it functions as the slave device, the processing circuit generates the second signal, which stores the first data extracted from the first signal in the first data segment and stores the second data in the second data segment.

15. A sensor system, characterized in that, Including a first sensor device and a second sensor device, The first sensor device has: A first physical quantity sensor, which detects a physical quantity; and A first processing circuit generates and outputs a first signal containing first data, wherein the first data represents the detection result of the first physical quantity sensor. The second sensor device includes: A second physical quantity sensor, which detects physical quantities; and A second processing circuit receives the first signal, generates and outputs a second signal containing the first data and the second data, wherein the first data is included in the first signal, and the second data represents the detection result of the second physical quantity sensor. The first signal and the second signal each have a first data segment and a second data segment, respectively. The first data is stored in the first data segment of the first signal. The second processing circuit has a decoder that is pre-programmed with information indicating which bit of the first signal corresponds to the first data segment, and extracts the first data from the first signal. The second processing circuit generates a second signal that stores the first data extracted from the first signal in the first data segment and stores the second data in the second data segment.

16. The sensor system as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that, The first sensor device and the second sensor device are mounted on different circuit boards.

17. The sensor system as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that, The first processing circuit and the second processing circuit generate the first signal and the second signal that conform to the same protocol.

18. The sensor system as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that, The first processing circuit and the second processing circuit generate the first signal and the second signal that conform to the same protocol.

19. The sensor system according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that, It includes a group of multiple first sensor devices and second sensor devices.

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