Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Safety and protection of systems and devices – With specific voltage responsive fault sensor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-29
2001-04-24
Sherry, Michael J. (Department: 2836)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Safety and protection of systems and devices
With specific voltage responsive fault sensor
C361S086000, C361S090000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222712
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device having connection means to which a direct voltage source for the power supply of the device can be connected, and having a circuit powered with a d.c. supply voltage, which can be obtained by means of the direct voltage source, and which includes processor means by which different program sequences can be executed, and which circuit includes undervoltage detection means by which it is possible to detect whether the d.c. supply voltage exceeds or is below a given threshold value and which are adapted to generate a detection signal, which alternates between two values depending on whether the d.c. supply voltage exceeds or decreases below the threshold value, and which have a detection signal output connected to a detection signal input of the processor means and from which the detection signal which alternates between two values, can be applied to the detection signal input of the processor means.
Such a device in the form of an appliance, namely in the form of kitchen scales having the type designation HR2385, is commercially available from the Applicant and is consequently known. For the known appliance—as well as for many other appliances—it is necessary to run certain program sequences in the processor means before the appliance can be put on the market. An example of such a program sequence is a test program sequence which must be carried out in the course of the production or towards the end of the production of such an appliance in order to test the correct operation of such processor means and, as a consequence, of the appliance. In order to start the execution of such a program sequence the known appliance requires additional means, such as test probes for the application of a start signal, holes in the housing of the appliance, through which holes the test probes can be brought into contact with a printed circuit board in the appliance in order to apply the start signal, but these holes are undesirable in view of the possibility of the ingress of moisture or liquids into the interior of the appliance housing, and a separate start terminal for the processor means. These additional means form a substantial expenditure and have drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to preclude the afore-mentioned problems and to provide an improved device of the type defined in the opening paragraph.
According to the invention, in order to achieve the afore-mentioned object in a device of the type defined in the opening paragraph, a control signal source can be connected to the connection means and can apply a control signal to the connection means, which control signal alternates between at least two direct voltage values within a given time interval, and the undervoltage detection means are adapted to produce on their detection signal output, within the given time interval, a detection signal which alternates between two values similarly to the two direct voltage values of the control signal and can be applied from the detection signal output to the detection signal input of the processor means, and transition detection means are realized by the processor means, which transition detection means are adapted to detect the occurrence of at least one transition between the two values of the detection signal within the given time interval and by which, after a detection of such an occurrence of at least one transition between the two values of the detection signal, the processor means can be controlled so as to execute at least one given program sequence. By means of the measures in accordance with the invention it is achieved in a particularly simple manner that by applying a control signal which alternates between two direct voltage values, using undervoltage detection means which are present anyway, a detection signal which alternates between two values can be generated and can be applied to a detection signal input of the processor means, the transition detection means of the processor means enabling at least one transition occurring between the two values of the detection signal to be detected and, after the occurrence of at least one transition between the two values of the detection signal has been detected, the transition detection means enabling the processor means to be activated so as to execute a desired program sequence, for example, a test program sequence, or a calibration program sequence, or any other adjustment program sequence. In a device in accordance with the invention the connection means, which are available anyway for the connection of a direct voltage source, are advantageously used in addition for the application of a control signal, which has the advantage that a device in accordance with the invention need not be provided with separate passages or holes in the housing of the device in order to start a desired program sequence in the processor means with the aid of, for example, test probes.
It has proved to be particularly advantageous to take the measures defined in claims
2
,
3
,
4
and
5
in a device in accordance with the invention. This is because these measures appear to be particularly simple and favorable for implementation with the aid of processor means.
The afore-mentioned aspects as well as further aspects of the invention will be apparent from the embodiment described hereinafter by way of example and will be elucidated with reference to this example.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4251883 (1981-02-01), Grants et al.
patent: 4428020 (1984-01-01), Blanchard, Jr.
patent: 4890005 (1989-12-01), Schornack
patent: 5513062 (1996-04-01), Paul et al.
patent: 486 222 A2 (1992-05-01), None
Bartlett Ernestine C.
Huynh Kim
Sherry Michael J.
U.S. Philips Corporation
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