EP0504514A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-function, multi-mode switch for an instrument
Assignee: Fluke Corp
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Filing: 1991-04-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A multi-function, multi-mode switch (22) for an instrument (1c) that changes the instrument between primary (A1-H1) and secondary (A2-H2) functions and between first and second modes of operation within the primary and secondary functions. The instrument changes from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation when the switch is actuated for a first period of time. The instrument changes from the second mode of operation to the first mode of operation when the switch is activated for a second period of time. The instrument changes between the primary and secondary functions when the switch is operated for a third period of time. The switch controls a program that instructs the instrument to perform the appropriate operations. The program also instructs the instrument to confirm that an operation has occurred via audible and visual feedback (16,30).
Inventors
- 👤 Richard D. Beckert
- 👤 William F. Rasnake
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R15/00; G01R15/12; H; H03; H03M; H03M11/00; H03M11/02; H03M11/04; H03M11/06; H03M11/10; H01; H01H; H01H2300/00; H01H2300/054
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A multi-function, multi-mode switch for a test and measurement instrument capable of performing a primary function and a secondary function, wherein said multi-function, multi-mode switch comprises: (a) first means for changing the instrument from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation within the primary and secondary functions; (b) second means for changing the instrument from said second mode of operation to said first mode of operation; and (c) third means for changing the instrument between the primary and secondary functions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A multi-function, multi-mode switch according to claim 1, wherein said first means includes the step of actuating said multi-function, multi-mode switch for a first time period, said second means includes the step of actuating said multifunction, multi-mode switch for a second time period, and said third means includes the step of actuating said multi-function, multi-mode switch for a third time period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A multi-function, multi-mode switch according to claim 2, wherein said multi-function, multi-mode switch is a pushbutton.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
A test and measurement instrument responsive to an electrical parameter and comprising: (a) a function selecting switch for selecting a primary function and a corresponding secondary function of the instrument; and (b) a multi-function, multi-mode switch that: (i) in a first operation, changes the instrument from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation within said selected primary function and said corresponding secondary function; (ii) in a second operation, changes the instrument from said second mode of operation to said first mode of operation; and (iii) in a third operation, changes the instrument between said selected primary function and said corresponding secondary function.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
An instrument according to claim 4, wherein said multi-function, multi-mode switch performs said first operation when said multi-function, multi-mode switch is actuated for a first time period; said multi-function, multi-mode switch performs said second operation when said multi-function, multi-mode switch is actuated for a second time period; and said multi-function, multi-mode switch performs said third operation when said multi-function, multi-mode switch is actuated for a third time period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An instrument according to claim 5, wherein the instrument further includes feedback means for confirming that any of said first, second and third operations is performed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
An instrument according to claim 6, wherein said feedback means includes a circuit that produces a first audible indication when said first operation is performed, a second audible indication when said second operation is performed, and a third audible indication when said third operation is performed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
An instrument according to claim 6, wherein said feedback means includes a display that produces a first visual indication when said first operation is performed, a second visual indication when said second operation is performed, and a third visual indication when said third operation is performed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
An instrument according to claim 5 wherein said multi-function, multi-mode switch is a pushbutton.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
An instrument according to claim 5, wherein the test and measurement instrument is a digital multimeter capable of measuring the electrical parameter and has range selection capability for selecting an appropriate measurement range depending on the value of the parameter being measured and, wherein said first mode of operation is an automatic mode in which the instrument automatically selects an appropriate measurement range and said second mode of operation is a manual mode in which an appropriate measurement range is manually selected.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An instrument according to claim 10, wherein said first operation changes the measurement range when the instrument is already in said manual mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
An instrument according to claim 11, wherein the instrument further includes feedback means for confirming that any of said first, second and third operations is performed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
An instrument according to claim 12, wherein said feedback means include a circuit that produces a first audible indication when said first operation is performed, a second audible indication when said second operation is performed, and a third audible indication when said third operation is performed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
An instrument according to claim 12, wherein said feedback means includes a display that produces a first visual indication when said first operation is performed, a second visual indication when said second operation is performed, and a third visual indication when said third operation is performed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
151 words
A handheld digital multimeter for measuring electrical parameters and having a plurality of primary measurement functions and a plurality of corresponding secondary measurement functions for measuring the electrical parameters and having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation within said plurality of primary and secondary measurement functions, said multimeter comprising: (a) a selector switch for selecting one of said plurality of primary measurement functions and said plurality of corresponding secondary measurement functions; and (b) a multi-function, multi-mode switch for performing a first operation that changes said multimeter from said first mode of operation to said second mode of operation, a second operation that changes said multimeter from said second mode of operation to said first mode of operation, and a third operation that changes said multimeter between a selected one of said plurality of primary measurement functions and one of said plurality of corresponding secondary measurement functions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
A multimeter according to claim 15, wherein said first mode of operation is an automatic mode in which said multimeter automatically selects an appropriate measurement range and said second mode of operation is a manual mode in which an appropriate measurement range is manually selected.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
61 words
A multimeter according to claim 16, wherein said multi-function, multi-mode switch is a pushbutton, and said first operation is initiated by pushing said pushbutton for a first period of time, said second operation is initiated by pushing said pushbutton for a second period of time, and said third operation is initiated by pushing said pushbutton for a third period of time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A multimeter according to claim 17 wherein said multimeter further includes feedback means for confirming that any of said first, second and third operations is performed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
144 words
In an instrument, a method for implementing a primary function and a secondary function and first and second modes of operation within said primary and secondary functions with a multi-function, multi-mode switch, said method comprising the steps of: (a) initiating a first operation of the instrument when said multi-function, multi-mode switch is activated for a first period of time, whereby the instrument changes from said first mode of operation to said second mode of operation; (b) initiating a second operation of the instrument when said multi-function, multi-mode switch is activated for a second period of time, whereby the instrument changes from said second mode of operation to said first mode of operation; and (c) initiating a third operation of the instrument when said multi-function, multi-mode switch is activated for a third period of time, whereby the instrument changes between said primary and secondary functions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 19 further comprising the steps of providing feedback when the instrument changes between said primary and secondary functions, from said first mode of operation to said second mode of operation, and from said second mode of operation to said first mode of operation.
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