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US4479190A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Detecting apparatus using a digital computer

Assignee: Denso Corp
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Filing: 1981-12-10
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Granted: 1984-10-23
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Expires: 2001-12-10
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Abstract

Abstract A detecting apparatus for compensating for changes in supply voltage to a physical parameter sensor. The apparatus includes an input element, such as a heatsensitive resistor connected to a voltage source to produce a voltage signal (C S ) corresponding to a physical factor, e.g., a temperature. A constant voltage circuit or a voltage divider connected to the same voltage source as the input element produces a reference voltage signal (C R ) corresponding to a predetermined reference value of the input element. Both voltage signals (C S , C R ) are applied to a microcomputer in which a correction value (C C ) is calculated on the basis of the both voltage signals (C S , C R ) and a theoretical set value (C O ) of the reference voltage signal (C R ). The detected physical factor by the input element is corrected by the correction value (C C ).

Inventors

  • 👤 Hiromitsu Takai
  • 👤 Akira Shibata

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 05:31
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/20; G05D23/24; G01; G01K; G01K3/00; G01K3/005; G05B; G05B15/00; G05B15/02

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim 263 words
A detecting apparatus for generating a control output signal indicative of a physical parameter, including means for compensating for a change of supply voltage to a sensor of said physical parameter comprising: an electric power source supplying a source voltage; input means, connected to said electric power source and responsive to said physical parameter to be detected, for producing a first voltage signal varying in accordance with the detected physical parameter and in proportion to the source voltage supplied from said electric power source; reference means, connected to said electric power source, for generating a second voltage signal varying in direct proportion to the source voltage but independent from changes in the detected physical factor; control means, connected to said input means and said reference means, including analog-digital converter means for converting said first voltage signal into a first digital signal and converting said second voltage signal into a second digital signal, fixed means for providing a fixed digital signal predetermined to be equal to said second digital signal when the source voltage supplied from said electric power source is a predetermined value and compensating means for compensating said first digital signal in a direction to increase said first digital signal by an amount equal to said fixed digital signal and in a direction to decrease said first digital signal by an amount equal to said second digital signal, said control means producing a control output signal equal to the first digital signal, as compensated by said compensation means; and an output device responsive to said control output signal from said control means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 263 words
A detecting apparatus for generating a control output signal indicative of a physical parameter, including means for compensating for a change of supply voltage to a sensor of said physical parameter comprising: an electric power source supplying a source voltage; input means, connected to said electric power source and responsive to said physical parameter to be detected, for producing a first voltage signal varying in accordance with the detected physical parameter and in proportion to the source voltage supplied from said electric power source; reference means, connected to said electric power source, for generating a second voltage signal varying in direct proportion to the source voltage but independent from changes in the detected physical factor; control means, connected to said input means and said reference means, including analog-digital converter means for converting said first voltage signal into a first digital signal and converting said second voltage signal into a second digital signal, fixed means for providing a fixed digital signal predetermined to be equal to said second digital signal when the source voltage supplied from said electric power source is a predetermined value and compensating means for compensating said first digital signal in a direction to increase said first digital signal by an amount equal to said fixed digital signal and in a direction to decrease said first digital signal by an amount equal to said second digital signal, said control means producing a control output signal equal to the first digital signal, as compensated by said compensation means; and an output device responsive to said control output signal from said control means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means includes a variable resistor having a changing resistance value for controlling said first voltage signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said variable resistor is a heat-sensitive resistor responsive to said physical parameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reference means includes a voltage-dividing resistor arrangement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 272 words
A control apparatus comprising: an electric power source for supplying a source voltage; input means, connected to said electric power source and responsive to a physical factor to be detected, for producing a first voltage signal varying in accordance with the detected physical factor and in proportion to the source voltage; reference means, connected to said electric power source, for generating a second voltage signal varying in direct proportion to the source voltage but independent from changes in the detected physical factor; control means, connected to said input means and said reference means, including analog-digital converter means for converting said first voltage signal into a first digital signal and converting said second voltage signal into a second digital signal, fixed means for providing a fixed digital signal determined to be equal to said second digital signal when the voltage supplied from said electric power source is a predetermined value, varying means for providing a third digital signal varying in accordance with a desired value of said physical factor, compensating means for compensating said first digital signal in a direction to increase said first digital signal by an amount equal to said fixed digital signal and in a direction to decrease said first digital signal by an amount equal to said second digital signal, and comparing means for comparing a result of compensation of said control means with said third digital signal and producing a control output signal in accordance with the result of said comparison; and changing means responsive to said control output signal from said control means for changing said physical factor detected by said input means toward said desired value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 272 words
A control apparatus comprising: an electric power source for supplying a source voltage; input means, connected to said electric power source and responsive to a physical factor to be detected, for producing a first voltage signal varying in accordance with the detected physical factor and in proportion to the source voltage; reference means, connected to said electric power source, for generating a second voltage signal varying in direct proportion to the source voltage but independent from changes in the detected physical factor; control means, connected to said input means and said reference means, including analog-digital converter means for converting said first voltage signal into a first digital signal and converting said second voltage signal into a second digital signal, fixed means for providing a fixed digital signal determined to be equal to said second digital signal when the voltage supplied from said electric power source is a predetermined value, varying means for providing a third digital signal varying in accordance with a desired value of said physical factor, compensating means for compensating said first digital signal in a direction to increase said first digital signal by an amount equal to said fixed digital signal and in a direction to decrease said first digital signal by an amount equal to said second digital signal, and comparing means for comparing a result of compensation of said control means with said third digital signal and producing a control output signal in accordance with the result of said comparison; and changing means responsive to said control output signal from said control means for changing said physical factor detected by said input means toward said desired value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 26 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said input means includes a variable resistor changing the internal resistance value thereof for controlling said first voltage signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said variable resistor is a heat-sensitive resistor responsive to said physical factor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 15 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said reference means includes a voltage-dividing resistor arrangement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 60 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said variable means includes a variable resistor manipulated by a user for changing said desired value of said physical factor, said variable resistor producing a third voltage signal indicative of an amount of said said manipulation, and wherein said analog-digital converter means also converts said third voltage signal into said third digital signal.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 269 words
An apparatus for controlling an air temperature in a compartment comprising: an electric power source for supplying a source voltage; a temperature sensing means connected to said electric power source and responsive to said air temperature in said compartment, said temperature sensing means generating a first voltage signal varying in accordance with the sensed air temperature and in proportion to the source voltage supplied from said electric power source; voltage-dividing means, connected to said electric power source for generating a second voltage signal varying in direct proportion to the source voltage but independent from changes in said air temperature; temperature setting means for setting a desired temperature for said compartment and generating a third voltage signal indicative of said desired temperature; converting means for converting said first, second, and third voltage signals into a first, second, and third digital signals, respectively; fixed means for providing a fixed digital signal predetermined to be equal to said second digital signal when the source voltage is a predetermined value; compensating means for compensating said first digital signal in a direction to increase said digital signal by an amount equal to said fixed digital signal and in a direction to decrease said first digital signal by an amount equal to said second digital signal; comparing means for comparing a result of compensation of said compensating means with said third digital signal and producing a control output signal in accordance with the result of comparison; operating means responsive to said control output signal for changing said air temperature in said compartment to decrease a difference of said sensed air temperature from said desired temperature.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 269 words
An apparatus for controlling an air temperature in a compartment comprising: an electric power source for supplying a source voltage; a temperature sensing means connected to said electric power source and responsive to said air temperature in said compartment, said temperature sensing means generating a first voltage signal varying in accordance with the sensed air temperature and in proportion to the source voltage supplied from said electric power source; voltage-dividing means, connected to said electric power source for generating a second voltage signal varying in direct proportion to the source voltage but independent from changes in said air temperature; temperature setting means for setting a desired temperature for said compartment and generating a third voltage signal indicative of said desired temperature; converting means for converting said first, second, and third voltage signals into a first, second, and third digital signals, respectively; fixed means for providing a fixed digital signal predetermined to be equal to said second digital signal when the source voltage is a predetermined value; compensating means for compensating said first digital signal in a direction to increase said digital signal by an amount equal to said fixed digital signal and in a direction to decrease said first digital signal by an amount equal to said second digital signal; comparing means for comparing a result of compensation of said compensating means with said third digital signal and producing a control output signal in accordance with the result of comparison; operating means responsive to said control output signal for changing said air temperature in said compartment to decrease a difference of said sensed air temperature from said desired temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 35 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said temperature sensing means includes a serial combination of a fixed resistor and a heat-sensitive resistor changing the internal resistance value thereof in response to said air temperature.
Claim 15
Independent Claim 481 words
An apparatus for controlling an air temperature in a compartment comprising: an electric power source providing a source voltage; first signal generating means, connected in series across said electric power source and including a serial combination of a first fixed resistor and a heat-sensitive resistor changing its internal resistance value in response to said air temperature, for generating a first voltage signal varying in accordance with the sensed air temperature and in proportion to the source voltage at the junction between said first fixed resistor and said heat-sensitive resistor; second signal generating means, connected in series across said electric power source and including a voltage divider arrangement, for generating a second voltage signal varying in direct proportion to the source voltage but independent from changes in said air temperature; third signal generating means, connected in series across said electric power source and including a serial combination of a second fixed resistor and a potentiometer having a manually adjusted contact, for generating a third voltage signal varying in accordance with the position of said contact and in proportion to the source voltage at said contact and generating a fourth voltage signal varying in direct proportion to the source voltage at the junction between said second fixed resistor and said variable resistor; converting means for converting said first, second, third, and fourth voltage signals into a first, second, third, and fourth digital signals, respectively; means, responsive to said fourth digital signal, for multiplying said fourth digital signal by a predetermined coefficient, said means providing a fifth digital signal indicative of the result of said multiplication; fixed means for providing a first fixed digital signal predetermined to be equal to said second digital signal when the source voltage is a predetermined constant and for providing a second fixed digital signal equal to a predetermined value which is a product of said predetermined coefficient and said fourth digital signal provided when the source voltage is equal to said predetermined constant; first compensating means for compensating said first digital signal in a direction to increase said first digital signal by an amount equal to said first fixed digital signal and in a direction to decrease said first digital signal by an amount equal to said second digital signal; second compensating means for compensating said third digital signal in a direction to increase said third digital signal by an amount equal to said second fixed digital signal and in a direction to decrease said third digital signal by an amount equal to said fifth digital signal; comparing means for comparing a result of compensation by said first compensating means with a result of said second compensating means, and producing a control output signal indicative of comparison therebetween; and operating means, responsive to said control output signal, for changing said air temperature in said compartment to decrease a difference of said sensed air temperature from said desired temperature.
Claim 16
Independent Claim 481 words
An apparatus for controlling an air temperature in a compartment comprising: an electric power source providing a source voltage; first signal generating means, connected in series across said electric power source and including a serial combination of a first fixed resistor and a heat-sensitive resistor changing its internal resistance value in response to said air temperature, for generating a first voltage signal varying in accordance with the sensed air temperature and in proportion to the source voltage at the junction between said first fixed resistor and said heat-sensitive resistor; second signal generating means, connected in series across said electric power source and including a voltage divider arrangement, for generating a second voltage signal varying in direct proportion to the source voltage but independent from changes in said air temperature; third signal generating means, connected in series across said electric power source and including a serial combination of a second fixed resistor and a potentiometer having a manually adjusted contact, for generating a third voltage signal varying in accordance with the position of said contact and in proportion to the source voltage at said contact and generating a fourth voltage signal varying in direct proportion to the source voltage at the junction between said second fixed resistor and said variable resistor; converting means for converting said first, second, third, and fourth voltage signals into a first, second, third, and fourth digital signals, respectively; means, responsive to said fourth digital signal, for multiplying said fourth digital signal by a predetermined coefficient, said means providing a fifth digital signal indicative of the result of said multiplication; fixed means for providing a first fixed digital signal predetermined to be equal to said second digital signal when the source voltage is a predetermined constant and for providing a second fixed digital signal equal to a predetermined value which is a product of said predetermined coefficient and said fourth digital signal provided when the source voltage is equal to said predetermined constant; first compensating means for compensating said first digital signal in a direction to increase said first digital signal by an amount equal to said first fixed digital signal and in a direction to decrease said first digital signal by an amount equal to said second digital signal; second compensating means for compensating said third digital signal in a direction to increase said third digital signal by an amount equal to said second fixed digital signal and in a direction to decrease said third digital signal by an amount equal to said fifth digital signal; comparing means for comparing a result of compensation by said first compensating means with a result of said second compensating means, and producing a control output signal indicative of comparison therebetween; and operating means, responsive to said control output signal, for changing said air temperature in said compartment to decrease a difference of said sensed air temperature from said desired temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 221 words
A detecting apparatus comprising: an electric power source providing a source voltage; input means, connected in series across said electric power source and including a serial combination of a fixed resistor and a potentiometer having a moving output contact, for generating an input voltage signal varying in accordance with the position of said contact and in proportion to the source voltage at said contact and generating a reference voltage signal varying in direct proportion to the source voltage at the junction between said fixed resistor and said potentiometer; converting means for converting said input voltage signal and reference voltage signal into an input digital signal and reference digital signal, respectively; fixed means for providing a fixed digital signal equal to a predetermined value which is a product of a predetermined coefficient and said reference digital signal provided when the source voltage is a predetermined constant value; compensating means for compensating said input digital signal in a direction to increase said input digital signal by an amount equal to said fixed digital signal and in a direction to decrease said input digital signal by an amount equal to said reference digital signal, said compensating means producing a control output signal on the basis of a result of compensation; and an output device responsive to said control output signal from said compensating means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 221 words
A detecting apparatus comprising: an electric power source providing a source voltage; input means, connected in series across said electric power source and including a serial combination of a fixed resistor and a potentiometer having a moving output contact, for generating an input voltage signal varying in accordance with the position of said contact and in proportion to the source voltage at said contact and generating a reference voltage signal varying in direct proportion to the source voltage at the junction between said fixed resistor and said potentiometer; converting means for converting said input voltage signal and reference voltage signal into an input digital signal and reference digital signal, respectively; fixed means for providing a fixed digital signal equal to a predetermined value which is a product of a predetermined coefficient and said reference digital signal provided when the source voltage is a predetermined constant value; compensating means for compensating said input digital signal in a direction to increase said input digital signal by an amount equal to said fixed digital signal and in a direction to decrease said input digital signal by an amount equal to said reference digital signal, said compensating means producing a control output signal on the basis of a result of compensation; and an output device responsive to said control output signal from said compensating means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4340882A Cited
US4198676A Cited
US4369352A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-10-23 1988-04-23 1988-10-23 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-10-23 1992-04-23 1992-10-23 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-10-23 1996-04-23 1996-10-23 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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