Method and apparatus for indicating faults in switch-type inputs
First Claim
1. An apparatus for indicating fault conditions, comprising:
- a plurality of sensor means for sensing a plurality of sensor signals, each of said sensor signals being in one of a normal state or a fault condition and having an associated pin number;
a plurality of indicator lights, each of said indicator lights being associated with one of said plurality of sensor signals;
display means for individually indicating each pin number associated with a sensor signal being in said fault condition;
means for flashing each of said indicator lights being associated with one of said plurality of sensor signals being in said fault condition; and
means for causing the indicator light associated with the sensor signal for which the associated pin number is being indicated by said display means to be steadily illuminated instead of being flashed.
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Abstract
Systems for diagnosing fault conditions in a plurality of inputs are useful in many applications. Advantageously, such systems allow a technician to quickly and clearly identify the fault condition. The subject invention includes a plurality of sensors to produce a plurality of sensor signals. Each of the sensor signals is in one of a normal state or a fault condition and has an associated pin number. A plurality of indicator lights are also each associated with one of the sensor signals. A display individually indicates each pin number associated with a sensor signal in the fault condition. Each of the indicator lights associated with one of the sensor signals in the fault condition is flashed. The indicator light associated with the sensor signal for which the associated pin number is indicated by the display is steadily illuminated.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for indicating fault conditions, comprising:
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a plurality of sensor means for sensing a plurality of sensor signals, each of said sensor signals being in one of a normal state or a fault condition and having an associated pin number; a plurality of indicator lights, each of said indicator lights being associated with one of said plurality of sensor signals; display means for individually indicating each pin number associated with a sensor signal being in said fault condition; means for flashing each of said indicator lights being associated with one of said plurality of sensor signals being in said fault condition; and means for causing the indicator light associated with the sensor signal for which the associated pin number is being indicated by said display means to be steadily illuminated instead of being flashed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An apparatus for indicating a fault condition, comprising:
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a plurality of sensor means for sensing a plurality of parameters and responsively producing a plurality of sensor signals, each of said sensor signals being in one of a normal state or a fault condition and having an associated pin number; display means for indicating parameter levels and the presence of one or more fault or warning conditions, said display means being operable in a normal display mode and a diagnostic mode and having a plurality of indicator lights, each of said indicator lights being associated with one of said plurality of sensor signals; means for flashing each of said indicator lights having an associated sensor signal in said fault condition; and signalling means for causing said display means to indicate said parameter levels in response to said display means being in said normal display mode and, in response to said display means being in said diagnostic mode, to individually indicate each pin number associated with a sensor signal being in said fault condition and to cause the indicator light associated with the sensor signal for which the associated pin number is being indicated by said display means to be steadily illuminated rather than being flashed. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for indicating fault conditions, comprising the steps of:
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producing a plurality of sensor signals, each of said sensor signals being in one of a normal state or a fault condition and having an associated pin number and indicator light; individually indicating each pin number associated with one of the plurality of sensor signals being in the fault condition; flashing the indicator light associated with each of the plurality of sensor signals being in the fault condition; and steadily illuminating, and thereby preventing from flashing, the indicator light associated with the sensor signal for which the associated pin number is being indicated. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification