Operator device and method for calibrating a sensor

Abstract

The present invention relates to an operator device (10) for a sensor (12), having a storage unit (14), which stores a set (18b) of calibration parameters, and an electronic device (16), which is designed and / or programmed in such a way that the electronic device (16) can be used at least once to define at least one sensor-specific operator variable (20) for the sensor (12) taking account of at least one sensor signal (22) provided by the sensor (12) and using the set (18b) of calibration parameters provided by or read out from the storage unit (14), wherein the storage unit (14) also stores, in addition to the set (18b) of calibration parameters, a set (18a) of initial calibration parameters, and the electronic device (16) is additionally designed and / or programmed in such a way that the electronic device (16) can be used at least once to define the at least one sensor-specific operator variable (20) taking account of the at least one sensor signal (22) and using the set (18a) of initial calibration parameters provided by or read out from the storage unit (14).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Operator device and method for calibrating a sensor

[0004] The present invention relates to an operating device for a sensor. The invention also relates to a sensor. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for calibrating a sensor.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Fig. 1 shows a coordinate system for explaining a conventional procedure for calibrating a gas sensor device of the prior art, which is known to the applicant as internal prior art.

[0007] The abscissa of the coordinate system of Fig. 1 is the time axis t. In the conventional procedure for calibrating a gas sensor device of the prior art, which is schematically represented by the coordinate system of Fig. 1, at least one sensor-specific operator variable Xmax and Xmin is determined for the gas sensor device at all times t represented by the abscissa of the coordinate system of Fig. 1, using a provided set of calibration parameters and additionally taking into account at least one sensor signal provided / outputted by the gas sensor device in the meantime. Thus, in all calibration processes carried out during operation of the gas sensor device, the same set of calibration parameters is used to determine the at least one sensor-specific operator variable x max and x m m used. As the at least one sensor-specific operator size x max and x mm, the ordinate of the coordinate system of Fig. 1 gives a fixed limit x max a low-pass filter of the gas sensor device (Filter High) and a specified limit value x m m of a high-pass filter of the gas sensor device (Filter Low). The prior art gas sensor device is intended to be used during operation to detect gases from the group of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The ordinate of the coordinate system in Fig. 1 also indicates an actual concentration c of the volatile organic compounds in an environment of the prior art gas sensor device. As can be seen from the coordinate system in Fig. 1, the sensor-specific operator variables x determined using the conventional procedure described here fluctuate. ma x and x mm depends significantly on the actual concentration c of the volatile organic compounds.

[0008] Disclosure of the invention

[0009] The present invention provides an operator device for a sensor having the features of claim 1, a sensor having the features of claim 6 and a method for calibrating a sensor having the features of claim 9.

[0010] Advantages of the invention

[0011] The present invention provides advantageous possibilities for calibrating a sensor in a manner that enables faster learning of specific sensor characteristics of the respective sensor. At the same time, by using the present invention, the respective sensor can be calibrated such that the at least one sensor-specific operator variable defined thereby remains relatively constant for the sensor even in the event of strong fluctuations in environmental parameters in the vicinity of the sensor. This contributes to improving the operation of the sensor calibrated using the present invention. In particular, by using the present invention, more precise sensor values ​​for at least one physical variable and / or chemical concentration to be determined by means of the sensor can be measured using the sensor calibrated in this way.Likewise, error deviations occur less frequently in a sensor calibrated using the present invention. The present invention thus makes a significant contribution to improving a wide variety of sensor types. The present invention is based on the finding that often, after completion and / or commissioning of the respective sensor, it must first "stabilize" under its operating conditions until the sensor exhibits its sensor-specific sensor characteristics. By using the present invention, however, the calibration of the sensor can be adjusted accordingly. It is expressly pointed out that this adjustment of the calibration can only be realized by designing / programming the electronics used for calibration. Use of the present invention is therefore not / hardly associated with additional costs or significant additional work.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the operator device, the electronic device is additionally designed and / or programmed such that the at least one sensor-specific operator variable can first be determined at least once by the electronic device using the set of initial calibration parameters, and only thereafter, or upon the existence of at least one predetermined condition, can the at least one sensor-specific operator variable be determined at least once by the electronic device using the set of calibration parameters. The embodiment of the operator device described here therefore enables calibration of the respective sensor, taking into account that the sensor is generally not yet "stabilized" to the extent that it exhibits its typical sensor characteristics upon its completion and / or commissioning.However, by initially using the set of initial calibration parameters and later using the set of calibration parameters, a good calibration of the sensor is ensured both immediately after its completion and / or commissioning and during its comparatively long service life.

[0013] For example, the electronic device can additionally be designed and / or programmed such that, as long as a time elapsed since completion and / or commissioning of the sensor is below a predetermined limit time, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable can be determined at least once by means of the electronic device using the set of initial calibration parameters, whereas, as soon as the time elapsed since completion and / or commissioning of the sensor is above the predetermined limit time, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable can be determined at least once by means of the electronic device using the set of calibration parameters.By simply setting the limit time (approximately) equal to the time “required” to “stabilize” the respective sensor, good operation of the optimally calibrated sensor is guaranteed both immediately after completion and / or commissioning of the sensor and during its comparatively long service life.

[0014] Alternatively, the electronic device can additionally be designed and / or programmed such that, as long as a total number of measurements performed by the sensor since completion and / or commissioning of the sensor is below a predetermined limit, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable can be determined at least once by the electronic device using the set of initial calibration parameters. As soon as the total number of measurements performed by the sensor since completion and / or commissioning of the sensor is above the predetermined limit, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable can be determined at least once by the electronic device using the set of calibration parameters. The embodiment of the operator device described here also enables improved calibration of the respective sensor compared to the prior art.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the operator device, the electronic device is additionally designed and / or programmed such that, as long as at least one predetermined property of the sensor is not yet present from the completion and / or commissioning of the sensor, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable can be defined at least once by means of the electronic device using the set of initial calibration parameters, while as soon as the at least one predetermined property of the sensor is present from the completion and / or commissioning of the sensor, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable can be defined at least once by means of the electronic device using the set of calibration parameters.The at least one predetermined property can, for example, be at least one property / physical quantity of a sensitive material desired for sensor operation of the sensor, which is used to measure at least one sensor value of at least one physical quantity and / or chemical concentration to be determined by the sensor. The embodiment of the operator device described here is therefore particularly well suited for sensor types in which the sensitive material must first stabilize during operation of the sensor in its operating environment.

[0016] A sensor with such an operator device also realizes the advantages described above. This sensor can be understood, in particular, as a sensor type that, after completion and / or commissioning, must first "stabilize" in its operating environment and therefore cannot be calibrated by means of in-line calibration. However, it should be noted that the usability of the operator device is not limited to any specific sensor type.

[0017] For example, the sensor can be a gas sensor. A variety of gas sensor types, such as gas sensors for detecting hydrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and / or gases from the VOC group (volatile organic compounds), use a gas-sensitive material to interact with the gas to be detected. This material must first "stabilize" in the ambient air after the respective gas sensor has been completed and / or put into operation. However, by equipping the gas sensor according to the invention with the operator device explained above, advantageous operation of the gas sensor is nevertheless ensured both immediately after the gas sensor has been completed and / or put into operation, as well as during its longer service life. In particular, the gas sensor can comprise a metal oxide as the gas-sensitive material.By equipping the gas sensor according to the invention with the operator device explained above, the gas sensor is therefore advantageously calibrated both immediately after its completion and / or commissioning and during its comparatively long service life, despite the “stabilization” of the metal oxide only occurring after a certain period of time after the completion and / or commissioning of the gas sensor.

[0018] Furthermore, a corresponding method for calibrating a sensor also provides the advantages explained above. It is expressly noted that the method for calibrating a sensor can be further developed according to the above-explained embodiments of the operator device and / or the sensor.

[0019] Short description of the drawings

[0020] Further features and advantages of the present invention are explained below with reference to the figures. They show:

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a coordinate system for explaining a conventional

[0022] Procedure for calibrating a state-of-the-art gas sensor device;

[0023] Fig. 2a and 2b show a flow chart and a coordinate system for explaining an embodiment of the method for calibrating a sensor; and

[0024] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a

[0025] Operator device for a sensor.

[0026] Embodiments of the invention

[0027] Figs. 2a and 2b show a flowchart and a coordinate system for explaining one embodiment of the method for calibrating a sensor. It is expressly pointed out that the feasibility of the method described below is not limited to any specific sensor type used. The information provided below regarding the sensor type of the sensor calibrated using the method described here is to be interpreted only as an example.

[0028] The method comprises a method step S1, which is carried out at least once. In the method step S1, at least one sensor-specific operator variable x max and x mm for the sensor is determined taking into account at least one sensor signal provided / output by the sensor and using a set of initial calibration parameters. For this purpose, method step S1 comprises a sub-step S1a, in which the set of initial calibration parameters is provided or read from a storage unit, preferably from a storage unit of the sensor. In a further sub-step S1b of method step S1, a so-called initial calibration of the sensor is carried out by determining the at least one sensor-specific operator variable x max and x mm, for which the set of initial calibration parameters provided or read from the storage unit is used. Initial calibration can be understood, in particular, as a relatively fast calibration. Optionally, in a sub-step Sic of method step S1, it can be checked whether the initial calibration has been completed successfully. If this is not the case, sub-step Slb can be repeated.

[0029] After performing process step S1 at least once, the sensor is recalibrated by performing process step S2 at least once instead of the initial calibration. When performing process step S2, at least one sensor-specific operator variable x max and x mm is determined taking into account the at least one sensor signal (interimly) provided / output by the sensor and using a set of calibration parameters that differs from the set of initial calibration parameters. Therefore, method step S2 comprises a sub-step S2a, in which the set of calibration parameters is provided or read from the memory unit. In a further sub-step S2b of method step S2, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable x max and x mm is defined as a so-called recalibration, for which the set of calibration parameters is used. The recalibration performed in sub-step S2b can take significantly longer than the initial calibration performed in sub-step S1b. As an optional sub-step S2c of process step S2, it can be checked whether the recalibration has been completed successfully; if not, sub-step S2b can be repeated.

[0030] As illustrated by the flow chart in Fig. 2a, immediately after completion and / or commissioning of the sensor, method step S1 is first executed at least once, while later, if method step S1 is not executed, method step S2 is executed at least once. Thus, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable x max and x mm is determined at least once by carrying out the process step S1 using (co-)use of the set of initial calibration parameters, and only then or when at least one specified condition is met, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable x max and x m m is determined at least once by executing process step S2 using the set of calibration parameters. It is expressly pointed out that the set of calibration parameters is not used during an initial calibration performed using process step S1. Accordingly, the set of initial calibration parameters is not used during a recalibration performed using process step S2.

[0031] The set of initial calibration parameters includes at least one calibration value that is not found in the set of calibration parameters. Accordingly, the set of calibration parameters also includes at least one calibration value that is "missing" from the set of initial calibration parameters. The set of initial calibration parameters can, for example, differ from the set of calibration parameters at least in a filter time constant to be used for the respective initial calibration or calibration. Specifically, for the initial calibration, which is performed at least once, a filter time constant between 10 minutes and 5 hours, in particular between 30 minutes and 3 hours, can be specified in the set of initial calibration parameters, while for the recalibration, which is performed at least once, a filter time constant between one day and 28 days, in particular between 2 days and 5 days, is specified in the set of calibration parameters.Alternatively or additionally, the set of initial calibration parameters can also differ from the set of calibration parameters in terms of the difference between an amplitude minimum and an amplitude maximum of the sensor signal. It should also be noted here that the definition of at least one sensor-specific operator variable x. max and x m m taking into account the at least one sensor signal provided / output by the sensor, also determining / calculating the at least one sensor-specific operator variable x maxand Xmm can be understood using at least one signal derived from the at least one sensor signal. The at least one signal derived from the at least one sensor signal can, for example, be compensated or pre-evaluated signals for initial calibration and / or recalibration. If the sensor is, for example, a gas sensor with a gas-sensitive material, humidity-compensated signals derived from the sensor signals can be used for initial calibration and / or recalibration.

[0032] Preferably, the method described here also includes an (optional) method step S0, which is executed before a calibration of the sensor effected by executing method step S1 or method step S2. In method step S0, it can be determined whether the respective calibration is the first calibration of the sensor after its completion and / or commissioning, or whether at least one predetermined condition exists that triggers the execution of method step S1 instead of method step S2.If necessary, if the respective calibration is the first calibration of the sensor after its completion and / or commissioning or if the at least one predetermined condition which triggers execution of method step S2 instead of method step S1 is present, method step S1 is carried out instead of method step S2, while otherwise method step S2 is carried out instead of method step S1.

[0033] As the at least one condition that triggers execution of method step S1 instead of method step S2, it can be examined, for example, in method step S0, whether a time elapsed since the completion and / or commissioning of the sensor is below a predetermined limit time t, whether a total number of measurements carried out by means of the sensor since the completion and / or commissioning of the sensor is below a predetermined limit number, and / or whether at least one predetermined property of the sensor is not yet present since the completion and / or commissioning of the sensor. As long as the at least one predetermined condition is present, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable x max and x mmby means of method step S1 using the set of initial calibration parameters. However, as soon as the at least one predefined condition is met, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable Xmax and Xmm is determined by means of method step S2 using the set of calibration parameters.

[0034] If the sensor is a gas sensor with a gas-sensitive material, the at least one specified property of the sensor can be examined, for example, whether at least one physical parameter of the gas-sensitive material lies within a specified normal value range. The gas-sensitive material of the gas sensor often requires a certain amount of time after its completion and / or commissioning to stabilize in normal ambient air. This circumstance can be taken into account by maintaining the at least one sensor-specific operator parameter x ma x and x mmby means of method step S1 using the set of initial calibration parameters until the at least one physical quantity of the gas-sensitive material is in the respectively specified normal value range, and only when the at least one physical quantity is in the respective normal value range is the at least one sensor-specific operator quantity x ma x and x mm is determined by means of method step S2 using the set of calibration parameters.

[0035] It should also be noted here that instead of just one set of initial calibration parameters, several different sets of initial calibration parameters can also be stored on the memory unit. Accordingly or alternatively, several sets of different calibration parameters can also be stored on the memory unit. If necessary, in sub-step S1a or S2a, the set of initial calibration parameters or set of calibration parameters used to execute the subsequent sub-step S1b or S2b can be selected, taking into account at least one environmental condition of the current environment of the sensor.The at least one environmental condition can be, for example, humidity, weather, outside air quality, a location type (such as a residential interior, a cold storage room, a production room), a season (summer or winter), and / or an application condition of the sensor (specifically, distinguishing between mounting the sensor on a mobile device and mounting the sensor on a stationary device). A sensitivity of the sensor and / or an offset of the sensor can be determined as the at least one operator variable Xmax and Xmin using sub-steps S1b and S2b, for example. Likewise, x can be determined as the at least one operator variable. max and x mm, a further set of sensor-specific calibration parameters can also be defined. If it is detected in an (optional) method step S3 that further calibration of the sensor would be advantageous, the sensor-specific calibration parameters last stored on the storage unit can be provided or read out in an (optional) method step S4, so that they can be used to execute sub-step S2b again.

[0036] For example only, the sensor used in this embodiment of the method is a gas sensor for detecting gases from the group of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In the coordinate system of Fig. 2b, the abscissa represents the time axis t, while the ordinate represents a first sensor-specific operator variable x. max specified limit x maxa low-pass filter (Filter High) of the gas sensor, a second sensor-specific operator variable x m m specified limit x m m of a high-pass filter (Filter Low) of the gas sensor, and an actual concentration c of the volatile organic compounds in an environment of the gas sensor. The limit value x max of the low-pass filter (Filter High) of the gas sensor corresponds to a sensor offset of the gas sensor, while the limit value x m a high-pass filter (Filter Low) of the gas sensor allows conclusions to be drawn about the sensitivity of the gas sensor.

[0037] The limit values / sensor-specific operator variables x shown in the coordinate system of Fig. 2b max and x m m are each determined by executing the method of Fig. 2a, whereby before a time to (as the limit time to) only the method step S1 for determining the limit values / sensor-specific operator variables xmax and x m m is executed, and after the time to only the process step S2 for determining the limit values / sensor-specific operator variables x max and x m m is used. As can be seen from a comparison of the coordinate systems of Fig. 1 and 2b, in contrast to the conventional procedure explained above, by executing the method of Fig. 2a, the limit values / sensor-specific operator variables x max and Xmm as sensor characteristics of the sensor can be determined / "learned" faster and more accurately. In particular, despite the occurrence of large fluctuations in the concentration c of the volatile organic compounds in the vicinity of the gas sensor, more reliable, i.e. less strongly fluctuating limit values / sensor-specific operator variables x ma x and x mm can be obtained by executing the method of Fig. 2a. The method of Fig. 2a therefore provides an adaptive algorithm for individually learning the sensor characteristics of the sensor, even in an environment with strongly fluctuating environmental properties.

[0038] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an operator device for a sensor.

[0039] The usability of the operator device 10 described below is not limited to any specific sensor type of a sensor 12 that can be calibrated with it. The following description of the sensor 12 should therefore be interpreted only as an example. The operator device 10 can optionally be a subunit of the sensor 12 or a separate unit from the sensor 12.

[0040] The operator device 10 comprises a memory unit 14 and an electronic device 16. At least one set 18a of initial calibration parameters and at least one set of calibration parameters 18b are stored on the memory unit 14. The electronic device 16 is designed and / or programmed such that at least one sensor-specific operator variable 20 for the sensor 12 can be defined / is defined at least once by the electronic device 16, taking into account at least one sensor signal 22 provided / output by the sensor 12 and using the set 18a of initial calibration parameters provided or read by the memory unit 14.Likewise, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable 20 can be / is determined at least once by means of the electronic device 16, taking into account the at least one sensor signal 22 provided / output by the sensor 12 and using the set 18b of calibration parameters provided or read by the memory unit 14. Thus, the operator device 10 described here also achieves the advantages described above.

[0041] Preferably, the electronic device 16 is designed and / or programmed such that first the at least one sensor-specific operator variable 20 is / is determined at least once by means of the electronic device 16 using the set 18a of initial calibration parameters, and only thereafter or upon the existence of at least one predetermined condition the at least one sensor-specific operator variable 20 is / is determined at least once by means of the electronic device 16 using the set 18b of calibration parameters.For example, the electronic device 16 can be designed and / or programmed such that, as long as a time elapsed since completion and / or commissioning of the sensor 12 is below a predetermined limit time, as long as a total number of measurements carried out by means of the sensor 12 since completion and / or commissioning of the sensor 12 is below a predetermined limit number, and / or as long as at least one predetermined property of the sensor 12 is not yet present since completion and / or commissioning of the sensor 12, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable 20 can be / is determined at least once by means of the electronic device 16 using the set 18a of initial calibration parameters.If necessary, only as soon as the time elapsed since the completion and / or commissioning of the sensor 12 is above the predetermined limit time, as soon as the total number of measurements carried out by means of the sensor 12 since the completion and / or commissioning of the sensor 12 is above the predetermined limit number, and / or as soon as the at least one predetermined property of the sensor 12 is present as of the completion and / or commissioning of the sensor 12, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable 20 can be / will be determined at least once by means of the electronic device 16 using the set 18b of calibration parameters.

[0042] The sensor 12 can, for example, be a gas sensor 12. Due to the improved calibration of the gas sensor 12 ensured by the advantageous design / programming of the operator device 10 / its electronic device 16, a concentration of at least one gas to be detected, such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and / or gases from the group of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), can be determined reliably and with high measurement accuracy during operation of the sensor 12. In particular, the gas sensor 12 can comprise a metal oxide, specifically a semiconducting metal oxide, as the gas-sensitive material. Such a gas sensor 12 can also be referred to as an MOX gas sensor.As soon as the gas-sensitive material of the gas sensor 12 is in the appropriate state, a conductivity or resistance of the gas-sensitive material heated to a predetermined temperature corresponds to the respective concentration of the at least one gas to be detected that interacts with the gas-sensitive material in the environment of the sensor 12. However, this gas-sensitive material requires a certain amount of time from the completion and / or commissioning of the sensor 12 to stabilize in normal ambient air. However, by means of the advantageous design / programming of the operator device 10, the calibration of the sensor 12 is optimally adapted to this material property of its gas-sensitive material, thus ensuring reliable operation of the respective gas sensor.

[0043] The operator device 10 / its electronic device 16 can additionally be designed / programmed such that all method steps of the method described above can be carried out therewith. In particular, several different sets of initial calibration parameters and / or several sets of different calibration parameters can be stored on the memory unit 14. If necessary, the electronic device is designed / programmed to select a subsequently used set of initial calibration parameters or set of calibration parameters, taking into account at least one environmental condition of a current environment of the sensor 12. Furthermore, by means of the operator device 10 (based on software algorithms implemented on the electronic device 16), a "zero point" of the sensor signals 22 of the sensor 12 can also be determined at least once during its operation.In particular, this also allows tracking of temporal changes in the "zero point" of the sensor signals 22. In this way, the accuracy of at least one sensor value measured by the sensor 12 can be increased through reliable baseline tracking.

Claims

Claims 1 . Operator device (10) for a sensor (12) comprising: a memory unit (14) on which a set (18b) of calibration parameters is stored; and an electronic device (16) which is designed and / or programmed such that by means of the electronic device (16) at least one sensor-specific operator variable (20, x max , x mm) for the sensor (12) taking into account at least one sensor signal (22) provided by the sensor (12) and using the set (18b) of calibration parameters provided or read out by the memory unit (14); characterized in that in addition to the set (18b) of calibration parameters, a set (18a) of initial calibration parameters is also stored on the memory unit (14); and the electronic device (16) is additionally designed and / or programmed such that by means of the electronic device (16) the at least one sensor-specific operator variable (20, x max , x mm ) taking into account the at least one sensor signal (22) provided by the sensor (12) and using the set (18a) of initial calibration parameters provided or read out by the memory unit (14).

2. Operator device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device (16) is additionally designed and / or programmed such that first the at least one sensor-specific operator variable (20, x max , x mm ) can be determined at least once by means of the electronic device (16) using the set (18a) of initial calibration parameters, and only thereafter or upon the existence of at least one predetermined condition, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable (20, x max , x mm ) can be determined at least once by means of the electronic device (16) using the set (18a) of calibration parameters.

3. Operator device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic device (16) is additionally designed and / or programmed such that, as long as a time elapsed since completion and / or commissioning of the sensor (12) is below a predetermined limit time (to), the at least one sensor-specific operator variable (20, x max , x mm ) can be determined at least once by means of the electronic device (16) using the set (18a) of initial calibration parameters, while, as soon as the time elapsed since the completion and / or commissioning of the sensor (12) is above the predetermined limit time (to), the at least one sensor-specific operator variable (20, x max , x mm ) can be determined at least once by means of the electronic device (16) using the set (18b) of calibration parameters.

4. Operator device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic device (16) is additionally designed and / or programmed such that, as long as a total number of measurements carried out by means of the sensor (12) from the completion and / or commissioning of the sensor (12) is below a predetermined limit number, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable (20, x max , x mm ) can be determined at least once by means of the electronic device (16) using the set (18a) of initial calibration parameters, while as soon as the total number of from the completion and / or the Commissioning of the sensor (12) by means of the sensor (12) carried out measurements is above the specified limit number, which is at least one sensor-specific operator size (20, x max , x mm ) can be determined at least once by means of the electronic device (16) using the set (18b) of calibration parameters.

5. Operator device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic device (16) is additionally designed and / or programmed such that, as long as at least one predetermined property of the sensor (12) is not yet present from the completion and / or commissioning of the sensor (12), the at least one sensor-specific operator variable (20, x max , x mm ) can be determined at least once by means of the electronic device (16) using the set (18a) of initial calibration parameters, while, as soon as the at least one predetermined property of the sensor (12) is present from the completion and / or commissioning of the sensor (12), the at least one sensor-specific operator variable (20, x max , x mm ) can be determined at least once by means of the electronic device (16) using the set (18b) of calibration parameters.

6. Sensor (12) comprising: an operator device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. Sensor (12) according to claim 6, wherein the sensor (12) is a gas sensor (12).

8. Sensor (12) according to claim 7, wherein the gas sensor (12) comprises a metal oxide as a gas-sensitive material.

9. Method for calibrating a sensor (12) comprising the step: at least one time setting of at least one sensor-specific operator size (20, x max , x mm ) for the sensor (12) taking into account at least one sensor signal (22) provided by the sensor (12) and using a set (18b) of calibration parameters (S2) provided or read out by a memory unit (14); characterized by: at least once setting the at least one sensor-specific operator variable (20, x max , x mm) taking into account the at least one sensor signal (22) provided by the sensor (12) and using a set (18a) of initial calibration parameters (S1) provided or read out by the memory unit (14).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein first the at least one sensor-specific operator variable (20, x max , x mm ) is determined at least once using the set (18a) of initial calibration parameters, and only thereafter or upon the existence of at least one predetermined condition, the at least one sensor-specific operator variable (20, x max , Xmin) is determined at least once using the set (18b) of calibration parameters.

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