Translator alarm

Claim 2

A detecting apparatus for erroneous electrical connections between any pair of terminals and between different pairs of terminals of a matrix, the apparatus comprising: a. means for applying a potential difference between each individual pair of such terminals; b. means for applying cascaded signals to such pairs of terminals, a different one of said cascaded signals being applied to at least one terminal of each such pair of terminals; c. means for sensing a preselected potential difference between terminals of any pair of terminals; and d. means for sensing a preselected signal on the at least one terminal of each such pair of terminals.

Claim 3

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each such pair of terminals has an impedance means connected therebetween, the means for applying a potential difference comprising means for applying a current signal between each such pair of terminals and through the impedance means which is connected therebetween.

Claim 6

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said potential difference sensing means comprises a plurality of detection circuits, one for each such pair of matrix terminals, each detection circuit having an input for coupling across the terminals of the corresponding one of such pair of matrix terminals and being characterized for forming a predetermined output signal when the signal between the coupled terminals drops below a predetermined level.

Claim 7

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for sensing a signal on a terminal comprises a plurality of detection circuits, one corresponding to each pair of matrix terminals; and means for providing cascaded reference signals, a different reference signal for each of said pairs of matrix terminals, each detection circuit having one input for receiving a signal from at least one terminal of the corresponding one of such pair of matrix terminals and another input connected for receiving the corresponding cascaded reference signal.

Claim 8

An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for sensing a preselected signal comprises a plurality of between terminal pair detecting circuits, one for each such pair of matrix terminals; a plurality of voltage dividers, one for each of the pairs of matrix terminals, coupled across said source of potential for providing a plurality of cascaded reference signals, one reference signal being provided corresponding to each such pair of matrix terminals, each of said between terminal pair detecting circuits having one input for receiving a signal from at least one terminal of the corresponding one of such pairs of matrix terminals and another input for receiving the cascaded reference signal for the corresponding pair of matrix terminals.

Claim 9

An apparatus according to claim 1 additionally comprising means for responding to a predetermined signal from at least one of said sensing means for providing an alarm signal.

Claim 10

A detecting apparatus for erroneous electrical connections between any pair of terminals and between different pairs of terminals of a matrix, the apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of pairs of terminals; b. means for applying an electrical signal between each said terminal pair and ana electrical signal on at least one terminal of each terminal pair which forms cascaded signals from terminal pair to terminal pair; c. means, for each terminal pair, for sensing a preselected signal existing between the corresponding terminal pair; and d. means, for each terminal pair, for sensing a preselected signal on the at least one terminal of the corresponding terminal pair.

Claim 11

A detecting apparatus for erroneous electrical connections between any pair of terminals and between different pairs of terminals of a matrix, the apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of pairs of terminals; b. means for applying an electrical signal between each said terminal pair and ana electrical signal on at least one terminal of each terminal pair which forms cascaded signals from terminal pair to terminal pair; c. means, for each terminal pair, for sensing a preselected signal existing between the corresponding terminal pair; and d. means, for each terminal pair, for sensing a preselected signal on the at least one terminal of the corresponding terminal pair.

Claim 12

An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said electrical signal applying means comprises: a. a source of potential having an output with first and second sides; b. first impedance means for one terminal of each terminal pair for coupling the corresponding terminal to the first side of said source; c. second impedance means for the other terminal of each terminal pair for coupling the corresponding terminal to the second side of said source; and d. said first and second impedance means having values which cause the cascaded signals to be formed on the at least one terminal of the terminal pairs when current flows between terminals of individual terminal pairs and the first and second impedance means.

Claim 13

An apparatus according to claim 8 comprising: a. means for providing cascaded reference signals, one such reference signal for each different terminal pair; and b. said second named sensing means having an input coupled to receive the signal formed on the at least one termInal of the corresponding terminal pair and another input coupled to receive the reference signal corresponding to such terminal pair and adapted for providing a predetermined output signal responsive to a predetermined relationship between the signal on the at least one terminal of the corresponding terminal pair and the corresponding reference signal.

Claim 14

A detecting apparatus for erroneous electrical connections between any pair of terminals and between different pairs of terminals of a matrix comprising: a. a plurality of apparatus terminal pairs; b. a source of potential having first and second sides; c. first impedance means for one terminal of each apparatus terminal pair coupled between the corresponding terminal and one side of said source; d. second impedance means for one terminal of each apparatus terminal pair coupled between the corresponding terminal and the other side of said source; e. the value of the impedances of the impedance means varying from apparatus terminal pair to apparatus terminal pair so as to provide, an at least one terminal of each apparatus terminal pair, a signal forming a series of cascaded signals from terminal pair to terminal pair when current flows between individual apparatus terminal pairs through the impedance means; f. means for providing a series of cascaded reference signals, one reference signal being provided for each apparatus terminal pair; g. first signal detecting means for each apparatus terminal pair having a separate input coupled to each terminal of the corresponding terminal pair, the first signal detecting means being adapted for providing a predetermined output responsive to a predetermined signal between the terminals of the pair; and h. second signal detecting means for each apparatus terminal pair having one input coupled to the at least one terminal of the corresponding apparatus terminal pair and a second input coupled to receive the corresponding reference signal, the second signal detecting means being adapted for providing a predetermined output responsive to a predetermined relation between a signal on the at least one terminal to which it is coupled and the corresponding reference signal.

Claim 15

A detecting apparatus for erroneous electrical connections between any pair of terminals and between different pairs of terminals of a matrix comprising: a. a plurality of apparatus terminal pairs; b. a source of potential having first and second sides; c. first impedance means for one terminal of each apparatus terminal pair coupled between the corresponding terminal and one side of said source; d. second impedance means for one terminal of each apparatus terminal pair coupled between the corresponding terminal and the other side of said source; e. the value of the impedances of the impedance means varying from apparatus terminal pair to apparatus terminal pair so as to provide, an at least one terminal of each apparatus terminal pair, a signal forming a series of cascaded signals from terminal pair to terminal pair when current flows between individual apparatus terminal pairs through the impedance means; f. means for providing a series of cascaded reference signals, one reference signal being provided for each apparatus terminal pair; g. first signal detecting means for each apparatus terminal pair having a separate input coupled to each terminal of the corresponding terminal pair, the first signal detecting means being adapted for providing a predetermined output responsive to a predetermined signal between the terminals of the pair; and h. second signal detecting means for each apparatus terminal pair having one input coupled to the at least one terminal of the corresponding apparatus terminal pair and a second input coupled to receive the corresponding reference signal, the second signal detecting means being adapted for providing a predetermined output responsive to a predetermined relation between a signal on the at least one terminal to which it is coupled and the corresponding reference signal.

Claim 16

An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said reference signal providing means comprises a voltage divider for each apparatus terminal pair, the voltage dividers providing the series of cascaded reference signals.

Claim 19

A method according to claim 13 wherein the step of applying individual signals comprises the step of applying a current signal between each said terminal pair.

Claim 20

A method according to claim 14 wherein said step of applying cascaded signals comprises the step of applying to the at least one terminal of each terminal pair a predetermined signal with reference to a referencE signal.

Claim 21

A method according to claim 13 wherein the step of applying the individual signals between the terminals of all terminal pairs comprises the step of applying such signals simultaneously between terminals of all terminal pairs.

Claim 22

A method according to claim 13 wherein the step of applying cascaded signals to the at least one terminal of each terminal pair comprises the step of simultaneously applying such cascaded signals.

Claim 23

A detecting apparatus for erroneous electrical connections between any pair of terminals and between different pairs of terminals of a matrix, the apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of pairs of terminals; b. means for applying an electrical signal between each said terminal pair and an electrical signal on at least one terminal of each terminal pair, the latter forming cascaded signals from terminal pair to terminal pair; c. means for sensing a preselected signal, different from the applied signal, between terminals of any terminal pair; and d. means for sensing a preselected signal, different from the applied signal, on the at least one terminal of any of the terminal pairs.

Claim 24

A detecting apparatus for erroneous electrical connections between any pair of terminals and between different pairs of terminals of a matrix, the apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of pairs of terminals; b. means for applying an electrical signal between each said terminal pair and an electrical signal on at least one terminal of each terminal pair, the latter forming cascaded signals from terminal pair to terminal pair; c. means for sensing a preselected signal, different from the applied signal, between terminals of any terminal pair; and d. means for sensing a preselected signal, different from the applied signal, on the at least one terminal of any of the terminal pairs.