Automatic line monitor

Claim 2

An automatic line monitor for use in association with a power supply, the automatic line monitor comprising: a. means for receiving a first DC voltage input; b. means for receiving an auxiliary DC voltage input; c. a first comparator for determining when the auxiliary DC voltage input has reached a first minimum predetermined voltage; d. a second comparator for determining when the first DC voltage input reaches a first lower voltage range; e. a third comparator for determining when the first DC voltage input has reached a second higher voltage; f. a latch whose state is controlled by the second and third comparators depending on first DC voltage input; g. a first switch whose state is controlled by the state of the latch; and h. a second switch whose state is controlled by the first switch to affect the function of the power supply.

Claim 3

The automatic line monitor of claim 1 further comprising a third switch that varies the trip set-point of the third comparator in response to the state of the latch.

Claim 4

An automatic line monitor for detecting one of a high or low voltage ranges on an incoming line voltage comprising: a. a semiconductor device, the device including i. a first comparator responsive to a first line voltage trip set-point; ii. a second comparator responsive to a second line voltage trip set-point; iii. a third comparator coupled to the output of each of the first and second comparators to provide an indication when each of them has tripped; iv. a fourth comparator responsive to a third line voltage trip set-point; v. a latch coupled to the third and fourth comparators that latches when the higher voltage range is detected and remains unlatched when the lower voltage range is detected; vi. a first switch means coupled to the latch so that the switch closes when the lower voltage range is detected and remains open when the higher voltage range is detected; and vii. a second switch means coupled to the output of the latch to vary the trip set-point of the fourth comparator; b. a first power resistor coupled to an input of the third comparator to provide an input voltage indicative of the input line voltage; c. a second power resistor coupled to an input of the fourth comparator to provide an input voltage indicative of the input line voltage; d. a third switch means coupled in series with and activated by the first switch means; and e. a fourth switch means coupled to and activated by the third switch to effect a voltage doubling mode in the detected lower voltage range and a non-voltage doubling mode in the detected higher voltage range.

Claim 5

An automatic line monitor for detecting one of a high or low voltage ranges on an incoming line voltage comprising: a. a semiconductor device, the device including i. a first comparator responsive to a first line voltage trip set-point; ii. a second comparator responsive to a second line voltage trip set-point; iii. a third comparator coupled to the output of each of the first and second comparators to provide an indication when each of them has tripped; iv. a fourth comparator responsive to a third line voltage trip set-point; v. a latch coupled to the third and fourth comparators that latches when the higher voltage range is detected and remains unlatched when the lower voltage range is detected; vi. a first switch means coupled to the latch so that the switch closes when the lower voltage range is detected and remains open when the higher voltage range is detected; and vii. a second switch means coupled to the output of the latch to vary the trip set-point of the fourth comparator; b. a first power resistor coupled to an input of the third comparator to provide an input voltage indicative of the input line voltage; c. a second power resistor coupled to an input of the fourth comparator to provide an input voltage indicative of the input line voltage; d. a third switch means coupled in series with and activated by the first switch means; and e. a fourth switch means coupled to and activated by the third switch to effect a voltage doubling mode in the detected lower voltage range and a non-voltage doubling mode in the detected higher voltage range.

Claim 6

The automatic line monitor of claim 3 wherein the semiconductor is provided on a single semiconductor chip.

Claim 7

The automatic line monitor of claim 3 wherein the third switch means is an opto-coupler and the fourth switch means is a high-power triac.

Claim 8

The automatic line monitor of claim 3 wherein the first switch is a field effect transistor.