Interface circuit for processor controlled system and vehicle laundry system utilizing such interface circuit

A circuit for interfacing an electrical device having conductive and non-conductive conditions with a controller of the type which produces commands for controlling the condition of an electrical device and which processes signals supplied thereto representing the condition of an electrical device comprising:

• a) a load energization circuit adapted to be connected between the electrical device and a source of electrical power, said circuit including a remotely controllable first switch for opening and closing the circuit and, a second switch for opening and closing the circuit independently of the first switch;
• b) current sensing means coupled to the load energizing circuit for producing a signal representing the conductive condition of the circuit and the electrical device;
• c) logic circuit means for receiving commands from the controller and for generating a control signal;
• and
• d) means for coupling said control signal to said first switch for controlling the condition of the remotely controllable first switch according to the data content of the command;
• e) wherein the controller is a microprocessor having inputs and outputs, the current sensing means being connected to an input and said logic circuit means being connected to an output.

A circuit for interfacing an electrical load device with a controller of the type which produces control commands for activating and deactivating an electrical load device and which processes data signals applied thereto in accordance with a stored program comprising:

• a) a load circuit between the electrical load device and a source of electrical power, said circuit including at least a first remotely controllable switch for opening and closing the circuit;
• b) current sensing means coupled to said switch for producing an output signal when the switch is open but the load device is operative;
• c) first logic circuit means coupled to said current sensing means for producing an input signal to the controller in response to the output signal;
• d) second logic circuit means connected to receive commands from the controller and for assuming states representing the content of the commands from the controller received thereby;
• and
• e) means for rendering the remotely controllable switch conductive and non-conductive for controlling the application of power to the load device in response to the state of the second logic circuit.

A circuit for interfacing an electrical device with a controller of the type which produces digital control commands for controlling the condition of a circuit which supplies power to an electrical device and which processes data signals supplied thereto representing the condition of an electrical device comprising:

• a) an electrical device energization circuit having a first switch means for opening and closing the circuit;
• b) a command circuit having an input adapted to receive commands from the controller and an output coupled to the first switch means to place the first switch means in an open circuit condition and a closed circuit position according to the command on the input;
• c) second switch means in said electrical device energization circuit for opening and closing said energization circuit independently of said first switch means;
• d) means interconnecting said first switch means to the input of said command circuit for providing a command equivalent signal thereto when said second switch means is in the closed circuit condition;
• e) sensing means coupled to said energization circuit and having a first output signal condition when said circuit is closed and a second output signal condition when said circuit is open;
• f) controller input circuit means coupled to said sensing means for producing a data input to the controller according to the output signal condition of the sensing means;
• and
• g) indicator means for producing a coordinated display representing the states of:
• 1) the command circuit;
• 2) the controller input circuit;
• and
• 3) the second switch means.