Fault Detection Apparatus

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to enhance fault detection accuracy offered by a fault detection apparatus. A microcomputer reads a characteristic signal input thereto. The microcomputer compares a characteristic read from the characteristic signal with a previously established reference value. The previously established reference value represents a characteristic exhibited by a resistor that is connected with a temperature sensor circuit when the temperature sensor circuit operates normally. The microcomputer determines whether the characteristic exhibited by the resistor falls within a detection range. If it is determined that the characteristic falls with the detection range, the temperature sensor circuit is detected to be operational and information indicating that the temperature sensor circuit is operational is output to a host control apparatus. If it is determined that the detection range is exceeded, the temperature sensor circuit is detected to be faulty and information indicating that the temperature sensor circuit is faulty is output to the host control apparatus.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.