Micropressor monitoring and resetting circuit
US5123018A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 5, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/1415
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
There is provided an efficient circuit which monitors micropressor operation and directs a reset signal to the microprocessor in the event of malfunction. The status monitor circuit operates by maintaining a capacitor charge with a status pulse from the microprocessor. The base of a transistor is controlled by this charged capacitor, such that the transistor switches OFF when the charge is drained and the absence of a status signal is indicated. When the transistor is switched OFF a reset pulse is enabled to the microprocessor. To provide the reset signal, a transformed AC line voltage is applied to the base of a second transistor to switch it ON and OFF in synchronization with the line frequency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.