Stored Program Interpreter For Implementing Time-Dependent Behavior of Controlled Loads
AssigneeAstronics Advanced Clectronic Systems Corp.
InventorWilliam R. Dolson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A stored program interpreter or virtual machine with a reduced or simple instruction set that implements a Sequencer which allows the programming of time-dependent behavior of controlled loads or circuits such as Electronic Circuit Breaker Units (ECBUs). Programs can be dynamically loaded or modified at run-time, allowing ensemble behavior of controlled loads, such as wig-wag or de-ice heat cycling, to be implemented without a change to the embedded firmware application code.
Claims16
A stored program interpreter for implementing time-dependent behavior of controlled loads, comprising:
- an input for receiving a user selection for controlling a load device;
- an output for selectively controlling an electronic switch associated with the load device to allow selective activation or deactivation of the load device;
- a processor and a memory containing instructions, which when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
- determine if a Program Run Flag is True;
- executing the selected activation or deactivation of the switch;
- determine any amount of wait time to be performed;
- determine a number of repeat sequences to be performed;
- and
- execute the specified number of repeat sequences.
A stored program interpreter for implementing time-dependent behavior of controlled loads, comprising:
- an input for receiving a user selection for controlling a load device;
- an output for selectively controlling an electronic switch associated with the load device to allow selective activation or deactivation of the load device;
- a processor and a memory containing instructions, which when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
- determine whether a Program Run Flag is True, and if the Program Run Flag is True, a determination is made as to whether a Wait Counter is nonzero, otherwise, a further check is made if the Program Run Flag is True;
- if the Wait Counter is determined to be nonzero, then the Wait Counter is decremented one or more times, each time followed by a further check to determine if the Wait Counter is nonzero;
- if the Wait Counter is not nonzero, then a check is made to see if the Program Counter is out of bounds, and if it is, then the program is stopped by setting a Run Flag to False, otherwise a Loop Count is incremented and a check is made to see if the Loop Count indicates an infinite loop which then causes the Run Flag to be set to false;
- when an infinite loop is not indicated, a next instruction is fetched from program storage and when the instruction is determined to be a NOP (no operation) a Program Counter is incremented;
- when the instruction is determined to not be a NOP, it is then determined if the instruction is an ON command which retrieves a next program memory element specifying the switch to be turned ON.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.