Interface for multiplex motor control systems

Claim 2

A control interface unit comprising first, second, and third AND gates each of which has a plurality of input terminals and at least one output terminal, a plurality of parallel control lines subdivided into first, second, and third distinct groups of lines, means for selectively energizing different ones of the lines in each of said groups of lines to designate a control function to be performed, means coupling the input terminals of said first gate to different selected ones of the control lines in said first group of lines respectively, means coupling the output terminal of said first gate in parallel to an input terminal of each of said second and third gates, means coupling selected ones of the lines in said second group of lines in parallel to all but one of the remaining input terminals of each of said second and third gates, means coupling a selected one of the lines in said third group of lines to the remaining input terminal of said second gate, means coupling a different selected one of the lines in said third group of lines to the remaining input terminal of said third gate, and at least one controller coupled to the output terminals of said second and third gates for performing a control function.

Claim 3

The interface unit of claim 1 wherein a single controller is coupled to the output terminals of both of said second and third gates, said single controller including means responsive to the comparative states of energization of said output terminals of said second and third gates for performing either of two different control functions.

Claim 4

The interface unit of claim 1 wherein each of said first, second, and third AND gates includes three input terminals.

Claim 5

The interface unit of claim 1 including a pair of Triacs coupled respectively to the output terminals of said second and third gates for energizing said controller.

Claim 6

The unit of claim 4 wherein each of said Triacs is coupled to its associated gate output terminal by means of an optical coupler.

Claim 7

The interface unit of claim 1 including a further gate having a pair of inputs coupled respectively to the output terminals of said second and third gates, said further gate being responsive to predetermined comparative states of energization of said second and third gate output terminals for producing a control signal, and means responsive to said control signal for preventing energization of said controller.

Claim 8

The interface unit of claim 1 including a further gate coupled to the output of said first gate for selectively producing a control signal operative to address a sensor disposed adjacent said controller.

Claim 9

The interface unit of claim 1 including a further gate having a pair of inputs coupled respectively to the output terminal of said first gate and to at least one of the control lines in said second group of lines for selectively producing an output signal operative to address a sensor associated with said controller.

Claim 10

The unit of claim 8 including a meter connected to said sensor.

Claim 11

The unit of claim 1 wherein each of said AND gates comprises a NAND gate having an inverter connected to its output, the output terminal of each AND gate comprising the output of its inverter.

Claim 12

The interface unit of claim 1 wherein said plurality of control lines are bundled together into a cable, said means for energizing different ones of said lines comprising the output of a computer.

Claim 13

The interface unit of claim 1 wherein said means for selectively energizing different ones of said lines comprises a control box located at a position remote from said interface unit.

Claim 14

A control interface unit comprising first, second, and third AND gates each of which has a plurality of input terminals and an output terminal, a plurality of control lines subdivided into at least first and second distinct groups of lines, means for seleCtively energizing different ones of the lines in each of said groups of lines to designate a control function to be performed, means coupling the input terminals of said first gate to different selected ones of the control lines in said first group of lines respectively, means coupling the output terminal of said first gate in parallel to a first input terminal of each of said second and third gates, means coupling other selected ones of the lines in said first group of lines in parallel to all but one of the remaining input terminals of each of said second and third gates, means coupling a selected one of the lines in said second group of lines to the remaining input terminal of said second gate, means coupling a different selected one of the lines in said second group of lines to the remaining input terminal of said third gate, and at least one controller coupled to the output terminals of said second and third gates for performing a control function in dependence upon the states of energization of the output terminals of said second and third gates.

Claim 15

A control interface unit comprising first, second, and third AND gates each of which has a plurality of input terminals and an output terminal, a plurality of control lines subdivided into at least first and second distinct groups of lines, means for seleCtively energizing different ones of the lines in each of said groups of lines to designate a control function to be performed, means coupling the input terminals of said first gate to different selected ones of the control lines in said first group of lines respectively, means coupling the output terminal of said first gate in parallel to a first input terminal of each of said second and third gates, means coupling other selected ones of the lines in said first group of lines in parallel to all but one of the remaining input terminals of each of said second and third gates, means coupling a selected one of the lines in said second group of lines to the remaining input terminal of said second gate, means coupling a different selected one of the lines in said second group of lines to the remaining input terminal of said third gate, and at least one controller coupled to the output terminals of said second and third gates for performing a control function in dependence upon the states of energization of the output terminals of said second and third gates.

Claim 16

The interface unit of claim 13 wherein said controller comprises a reversible motor coupled to the output terminals of both of said second and third gates.

Claim 17

The interface unit of claim 13 wherein two different controllers are coupled respectively to the output terminals of said second and third gates.

Claim 18

A control interface unit comprising first, second and third AND gates each of which has a plurality of input terminals and at least one output terminal, a plurality of parallel control lines, means for selectively energizing different ones of the lines to designate a control function to be performed, means coupling the input terminals of said first gate to selected ones of said control lines respectively, means coupling the output terminal of said first gate in parallel to an input terminal of each of said second and third gates, means coupling other selected ones of the lines in parallel to all but one of the remaining input terminals of each of said second and third gates, means coupling a further selected one of said lines to the remaining input terminal of said second gate, means coupling a still further selected one of said lines to the remaining input terminal of said third gate, and at least one controller coupled to the output terminals of said second and third gates for performing a control function.

Claim 19

A control interface unit comprising first, second and third AND gates each of which has a plurality of input terminals and at least one output terminal, a plurality of parallel control lines, means for selectively energizing different ones of the lines to designate a control function to be performed, means coupling the input terminals of said first gate to selected ones of said control lines respectively, means coupling the output terminal of said first gate in parallel to an input terminal of each of said second and third gates, means coupling other selected ones of the lines in parallel to all but one of the remaining input terminals of each of said second and third gates, means coupling a further selected one of said lines to the remaining input terminal of said second gate, means coupling a still further selected one of said lines to the remaining input terminal of said third gate, and at least one controller coupled to the output terminals of said second and third gates for performing a control function.