Reducing input signal levels to a microprocessor
US5956247A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/2637
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A plurality of switches are connected to a lesser plurality of shift registers which are controlled by the microcontroller to provide serial binary signals over a single data line with a voltage level clamp by a zener diode in response to clock pulses. A second plurality of switches and rheostats are supplied to a lessor plurality of multiplexers. One of the input channels to each of the multiplexers is selected in response to a channel select signal provided by the microcontroller. The registers and multiplexers produce output signals that are clamped to a lower microcontroller operating level. Signals from the microcontroller are skipped as to control the registers and multiplexers. The operation of the switches and rheostats is used by the microcontroller to control the power devices such as lights, windows, turn signals and air conditioning.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.