Electronic digital logic circuitry – Interface – Logic level shifting
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-30
2001-01-09
Tokar, Michael (Department: 2819)
Electronic digital logic circuitry
Interface
Logic level shifting
C326S089000, C326S075000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06172523
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed toward an interface method and apparatus for digital logic, and more particularly a method and apparatus for interfacing a source of non-logic-family signal levels to a circuit that requires signals to conform to the specifications of a logic-family.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many technologies, e.g., telecommunications, diagnostic circuitry is employed. Often, such diagnostic circuitry only takes the form of a warning light, such as a light emitting diode (LED), and/or an auditory indicator, e.g., a buzzer or beeping device. In the event that a predetermined condition arises, the LED and/or buzzer is energized to provide a warning.
As the demands upon such technology and the environments in which they are used change, such diagnostic technology sometimes becomes insufficient. For example, a device might have originally been placed in a quiet and/or rather dimly lit environment. However, changing demands might place this device in a brightly lit and/or noisy environment where a blinking LED and/or faint buzzer might go unnoticed.
Alternatively, it might be desired to remotely gather data based upon the state of such an LED or buzzer for improved monitoring purposes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an advantage of the invention to be able to translate a non-logic-family signal level into a logic-family-signal level, e.g., in order to augment the output of an indicator such as an LED or buzzer or to remotely collect data based upon the state of such an indicator.
These and other advantages of the invention are achieved by providing a system for translating a non-logic-family signal level into a logic-family signal level, the system comprising: a source of a non-logic-family signal that can assume a first and a second non-logic-family state; and a translator for determining whether said non-logic-family signal is in said first non-logic-family state, and if so, providing a translated signal having a first logic-family level.
These and other advantages of the invention are also achieved by providing a converter for converting a non-logic-family signal level to a logic-family signal level comprising: a comparator for comparing a level of a non-logic family signal with a reference value to determine whether said signal is in said first or said second non-logic-family state; an output transistor controlled by said comparator; and a pull-up resistor connected between an output terminal of said output transistor and a supply voltage set according to a logic-family high signal level.
These and other advantages of the invention are also achieved by providing a method of translating from a non-logic-family signal level into a logic-family signal level, the method comprising: comparing a level of a non-logic-family signal with a reference value to determine whether said signal is in a first or second non-logic-family state; and causing, when said first non-logic-family signal level is detected, an input to a logic-family device to take a first logic-family state.
The foregoing and other objectives of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4931672 (1990-06-01), Khan
patent: 5434518 (1995-07-01), Sinh et al.
patent: 5859545 (1999-01-01), Thornblad
patent: 5877633 (1999-03-01), Ng et al.
“Undervoltage Sensing Circuit, MC 34064, Data Sheet,” pp. 1-8, 1996.*
Blaszczyk Martin
Bridge Vincent E.
Radke Daniel E.
Taylor Brent E.
Zurat Michael
Le Don Phu
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Tokar Michael
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