Continuous monitoring electrostatic discharge system
First Claim
1. A monitoring system comprising:
- (a) means, having an input path and a current return path, for connecting a device to said connecting means;
(b) means for providing a nonintermittent, constant and nonvarying magnitude, electrical current to the input path; and
(c) means for continuously comparing a voltage at the input path to a high limit value and a low limit value and for providing an alarm signal whenever the voltage at the input path is not between the high limit value and the low limit value indicating an electrostatic discharge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A monitoring system is shown to include a connector, having an input path and a current return path, for connecting a two section wrist strap to said connector, said two section wrist strap, when affixed to an operator'"'"'s wrist, would complete an electrical path between the input path and the current return path of the connector across the wrist skin surface. The monitoring system further includes a current source for providing an electrical current to the input path and a comparator for comparing a voltage at the input path to a high limit value and a low limit value and for providing an alarm signal whenever the voltage at the input path is not between the high limit value and the low limit value. With such an arrangement, an operator is ensured that a proper connection between the operator and ground is maintained thus significantly reducing the possibility of an electrostatic discharge harming an electronic component handled by the operator.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A monitoring system comprising:
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(a) means, having an input path and a current return path, for connecting a device to said connecting means; (b) means for providing a nonintermittent, constant and nonvarying magnitude, electrical current to the input path; and (c) means for continuously comparing a voltage at the input path to a high limit value and a low limit value and for providing an alarm signal whenever the voltage at the input path is not between the high limit value and the low limit value indicating an electrostatic discharge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A monitoring system comprising:
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(a) a current source having an output terminal and a ground terminal, the ground terminal of the current source connected to an electrical ground, the current source adapted to provide a nonintermittent, predetermined constant and nonvarying magnitude of current; (b) a resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the second terminal of the resistor connected to the electrical ground; (c) a connector disposed between the output terminal of the current source and the first terminal of the resistor; and
(d) a comparator having an input connected to the output terminal of the current source to provide an alarm signal when a voltage at the output terminal of the current source varies beyond a predetermined limit indicating on electrostatic discharge. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of protecting circuit elements from electrostatic discharges from an operator comprising the steps of:
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(a) coupling a two section wrist strap having an input path and an output path to an operator such that the operator completes a signal path between the input path and the output path of the two section strap; (b) providing a predetermined nonintermittent, constant and nonvarying magnitude, electrical current to the input path of the two section strap and connecting a bleeding resistor between the output path of the two section strap and an electrical current return path; (c) comparing continuously a voltage at the input path of the two section strap to a high limit value and a low limit value; and (d) providing an alarm signal whenever the voltage at the input path of the two section strap is not between the high limit value and the low limit value. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification