1988-12-29
1991-09-10
Atkinson, Charles E.
Excavating
371 62, G06F 1132
Patent
active
050480170
ABSTRACT:
A watchdog device for monitoring control signals from a computer being used to control an operating system, is disclosed; said device having sufficiently low operating power requirements so that it is compatible with the power requirements of a series connecte LED indicator. The device is thereby capable of displaying a visual indication of its output status by activating an LED indicator which may be rack mounted or integrated into the device. In addition, the timer disclosed provides an adjustable timer interval which allows its adaptation to applications having widely differing time-out requirements. Depending on the requirements of the application, the adjustability is accomplished using a variable resistor, capacitor, or inductor for short timer intervals, or an oscillator driven frequency divider circuit for long timer intervals. Further, for steady state or non-periodic control signals, the device has no timing circuit, but provides an electromechanical relay to control the LED indicator and thereby provide a visual indication of control status.
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