Control device and method for controlling switches based on a voltage value

A control method comprising the steps of:

• giving an instruction to turn on a first switch connected in series to a first resistor, and a second switch connected in series to a second resistor;
• providing a variable resistor and a differential amplifier, the differential amplifier connected to the two ends of the first resistor, the variable resistor and the differential amplifier operative to calculate a voltage value that corresponds to a voltage value between the two ends of the first resistor;
• and
• sensing, when an instruction to turn on the first switch and the second switch has been given, any occurrence of a failure in at least one of the first switch, the second switch, the first resistor, and the second resistor based on the acquired voltage value,
• wherein a first series circuit that includes the first switch and the first resistor is connected in parallel to a second series circuit that includes the second switch and the second resistor, wherein the voltage value increases with an increase in the voltage value between the two ends of the first resistor, wherein if the voltage value is less than a first threshold, sensing that a failure has occurred in at least one of the first switch, the first resistor, and the second resistor, wherein if the voltage value is equal to or greater than a second threshold, sensing that a failure has occurred in at least one of the second switch, the first resistor, and the second resistor, and wherein the first threshold is less than the second threshold.

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory, machine-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by at least one programmable processor, caused at least one programmable processor to execute the steps of:

• giving an instruction to turn on a first switch connected in series to a first resistor, and a second switch connected in series to a second resistor;
• processing a voltage value determined by a variable resistor and a differential amplifier, wherein the differential amplifier connected to the two ends of the first resistor, the voltage value corresponding to a voltage value between two ends of the first resistor;
• and
• sensing, when an instruction to turn on the first switch and the second switch has been given, any occurrence of a failure in at least one of the first switch, the second switch, the first resistor, and the second resistor based on the acquired voltage value,
• wherein a first series circuit that includes the first switch and the first resistor is connected in parallel to a second series circuit that includes the second switch and the second resistor, wherein the voltage value increases with an increase in the voltage value between the two ends of the first resistor, wherein if the voltage value is less than a first threshold, sensing that a failure has occurred in at least one of the first switch, the first resistor, and the second resistor, wherein if the voltage value is equal to or greater than a second threshold, sensing that a failure has occurred in at least one of the second switch, the first resistor, and the second resistor, and wherein the first threshold is less than the second threshold.