Monitoring apparatus for control system with microcomputer

• US 5,113,504 A
• Filed: 04/07/1989
• Issued: 05/12/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Matsuda, Toshiro
• Primary Examiner(s): CLARK, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US07/334,804
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: 371/12, 371/14, 371/61, 371/62, 371/65, 364/200, 364/900
• US Class Current: 714/23
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24125 Watchdog, check at timed intervals
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0757 by exceeding a time limit, i.e. time-out, e.g. watchdogs

Abstract

A monitoring apparatus for a control system including a microcomputer which can output a microcomputer reset signal only once or repeatedly if a program run pulse signal outputted from the microcomputer stops oscillating for longer than a first predetermined time interval T₁ and an additional trouble detection command signal if the program run pulse signal stops oscillating for longer than a second predetermined time interval T₂ which is longer than time interval T₁. In response to this trouble detection command signal, an alarm lamp is lit up and/or the control system is disabled.

Claims

1. A microcomputer monitoring apparatus, comprising:

a microcomputer for storing a predetermined program and for executing said predetermined program,

said microcomputer generating and outputting a cyclic signal, having a substantially cyclic oscillation period, indicating execution of said predetermined program,

said microcomputer being resettable upon receipt of a reset signal for restarting said predetermined program and for generating said cyclic signal;

first means for monitoring said cyclic signal and for outputting said reset signal for resetting said microcomputer upon an absence of said cyclic signal for a first predetermined period of time;

second means for monitoring said cyclic signal and for outputting a warning signal upon an absence of said cyclic signal for a second predetermined period of time, said second predetermined period of time being longer than said first predetermined period of time so that said reset signal is input to said microcomputer at least once;

third means, responsive to said warning signal for indicating occurrence of a type of error not correctable by resetting said microcomputer;

oscillator means for generating a plurality of pulse signals starting at a third predetermined period of time after said microcomputer has been activated;

constant level means for outputting a constant voltage level signal starting at a fourth predetermined period of time after said microcomputer has been activated, said fourth predetermined period of time being shorter than said third predetermined period of time;

a first NOR gate having one input terminal connected to said first means, another input terminal connected to said oscillating means, and a NOR output for outputting a first NOR gate pulse signal when said first means outputs said reset signal and when said oscillator means is generating said pulse signals; and

a second NOR gate having one input terminal connected to said NOR output of said first NOR gate and another input terminal connected to said constant level means, for outputting said reset signal to said microcomputer when said first NOR gate outputs said first NOR gate pulse signal and when said constant level means outputs said constant voltage level signal.

2. The monitoring apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said oscillator means comprises an operational amplifier, having one input terminal to which a threshold voltage level is applied and another input terminal to which a capacitor and resistor are connected, for outputting said pulse signal at said third predetermined period of time after said amplifier has been activated, said third predetermined period of time being determined in accordance with a time constant obtained by said capacitor and resistor.