Hybrid microcontroller system and method
AssigneeRenau Corporation
InventorKarol Renau
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hybrid microcontroller system for controlling a function of a device in an apparatus. The system controls the switching of the device so as to inhibit the formation of an abrupt transient spike between a pair of current switching contacts. Also, the system enables an operator from outside the system to enter a command relating to a function of the device, and for indicating to the operator outside the system the nature of the command thereof.
Claims42
A system for enabling control of a function of a device in an apparatus, by enabling the switching of the device responsive to entry of a command relating to the function of the device, wherein the system comprises a hybrid microcontroller, comprising:
- a switch, which includes a pair of contacts, adapted to be operable so as to close upon activation of the switch and open upon de-activation of the switch, subject to forming an abrupt transient spike between the pair of contacts upon operation of the switch, wherein the switch is connectable to the device upon activation thereof;
- a spike-inhibiting element for inhibiting the forming of an abrupt transient spike between the pair of contacts upon operation of the switch, connected to the switch, adapted to activate the switch responsive to activation of the spike-inhibiting element;
- and
- a processing element, connected to the spike-inhibiting element for enabling the processing of a device function-related command, and the activation of the spike-inhibiting element responsive to the processing of the device function-related command to close the connection of the switch to the device to enable the device to execute the device function-related command from the processing element.
A method of enabling control of a function of a device in an apparatus, by enabling the switching of the device responsive to entry of a command relating to the function of the device, in a system which comprises a hybrid microcontroller, comprising a switch, which includes a pair of contacts, adapted to operable so as to close upon activation of the switch and open upon de-activation of the switch, subject to forming an abrupt transient spike between the pair of contacts upon operation of the switch, wherein the switch is connectable to the device upon activation thereof, a spike-inhibiting element for inhibiting the forming of an abrupt transient spike between the pair of contacts upon operation of the switch, connected to the switch, adapted to activate the switch responsive to activation of the spike-inhibiting element;
- and a processing element, connected to the spike-inhibiting element for enabling the processing of a device function-related command, and the activation of the spike-inhibiting element responsive to the processing of the device function-related command to close the connection of the switch to the device to enable the device to execute the device function-related command from the processing element, wherein the method comprises:
- activating the processing element so as to process a device function-related command, including activating the spike-inhibiting element responsive thereto;
- and
- activating the switch responsive to activation of the spike-inhibiting element, so as to inhibit the forming of an abrupt transient spike between the pair of contacts in the switch, and so as to close the connection of the switch to the device to enable the device to perform the device function-related command from the processing element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.