Compact programmable temperature detector apparatus

Abstract

A programmable temperature detector for simple detection applications is described. The programmable temperature detector has three terminals and a plurality of temperature-transitions points from which to choose. A first terminal receives power from a supply, a second terminal receives a ground reference, and a third terminal provides an indication of an object's temperature crossing a selected temperature-transition point. The desired temperature transition point is specified by a single non-precision resistor coupled in series with the power terminal of the detector. The non-precision resistor and a power supply set a program signal, in the form of a current, into the power terminal of the detector. The programmable temperature detector comprises circuitry for quantizing the program signal into a discrete signal level and for selecting a temperature transition point in response.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.