Relay Switch Including an Energy Detection Circuit
First Claim
1. A method for operating a relay switch connected between a first data port and a second data port and receiving a power supply voltage signal, the method comprising:
- measuring the voltage level of the power supply voltage signal;
measuring an energy level of incoming signals on either one of the first and second data ports;
opening the relay switch to isolate the first and second data ports when the voltage level of the power supply voltage signal is greater than a predetermined supply voltage threshold level;
opening the relay switch to isolate the first and second data ports when the voltage level of the power supply voltage signal is equal to or below the predetermined supply voltage threshold level and the energy level of the incoming signals on either one of the first and second data ports is greater than a predetermined energy threshold level; and
closing the relay switch to electrically connect the first and second data ports when the voltage level of the power supply voltage signal is equal to or below the predetermined supply voltage threshold level and the energy level of the incoming signals on either one of the first and second data ports is less than or equal to the predetermined energy threshold level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A semiconductor relay switch having two data ports receiving incoming signals and a power supply terminal receiving a power supply voltage is responsive to a power supply voltage level and an energy level of the incoming signals to open and close its conduction paths. The relay switch is open when a valid power supply level is detected and when there is no supply power on the power supply terminal but a high energy level is detected in the incoming signals. The relay switch is closed to allow conduction between the two data ports only when there is no power supply voltage on the power supply terminal and an energy level below a predetermined threshold is detected in the incoming signals. In one embodiment, the semiconductor relay switch includes a main conduction switch circuit, an energy detect circuit and a control signal generator.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method for operating a relay switch connected between a first data port and a second data port and receiving a power supply voltage signal, the method comprising:
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measuring the voltage level of the power supply voltage signal; measuring an energy level of incoming signals on either one of the first and second data ports; opening the relay switch to isolate the first and second data ports when the voltage level of the power supply voltage signal is greater than a predetermined supply voltage threshold level; opening the relay switch to isolate the first and second data ports when the voltage level of the power supply voltage signal is equal to or below the predetermined supply voltage threshold level and the energy level of the incoming signals on either one of the first and second data ports is greater than a predetermined energy threshold level; and closing the relay switch to electrically connect the first and second data ports when the voltage level of the power supply voltage signal is equal to or below the predetermined supply voltage threshold level and the energy level of the incoming signals on either one of the first and second data ports is less than or equal to the predetermined energy threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification