Multiple-meter driving apparatus
First Claim
1. A multiple-meter driving apparatus comprising:
- (a) a plurality of counter means, each counter means for receiving a pulse signal having a frequency corresponding to a first type of input from a first-type sensor, counting a period T of said pulse signal, and outputting a period signal;
(b) A/D converter means for receiving a DC signal corresponding to a second type of input from a second-type sensor and converting said DC signal into a digital signal;
(c) control means for sequentially inputting, during each predetermined time-sharing interval, the period signal from each of said plurality of counter means and said digital signal from said A/D converter means, said control means including processing means for time-share processing each of said input signals input exactly once during the predetermined time-sharing interval to form a corresponding meter angle signal and sequentially outputting the meter angle signal corresponding to each of said input signals; and
(d) drive means for sequentially receiving the meter angle signals during the predetermined time interval and driving a plurality of meters based on the meter angle signals outputted from said control means during the predetermined time interval, each meter angle signal driving a corresponding one of the plurality of meters.
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Abstract
A multiple-meter driving system intends to cut down on the amount of space needed and to reduce the manufacturing cost by providing a single controller including a processing circuit, the controller being adapted collectively to drive a plurality of meters mounted in a vehicle such as motorcar or the like. Pulse signals each having a frequency corresponding to an input signal from a vehicle speed sensor or the like in the vehicle are counted with respect to their period T by a plurality of counters. The counts are then supplied to the controller. DC signals each corresponding to an input from a fuel sensor or the like are converted into digital signals by an A/D converter, which are also supplied to the controller. The processing circuit in the controller time-shares these input signals so as to perform operations of 1/T, sine and cosine. The results are again supplied back to the controller which in turn directs them to pulse width modulating circuits corresponding to the respective meters to be indicated. Since the respective meters are driven on a time-sharing basis, the single controller including the processing circuit can drive the meters collectively.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A multiple-meter driving apparatus comprising:
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(a) a plurality of counter means, each counter means for receiving a pulse signal having a frequency corresponding to a first type of input from a first-type sensor, counting a period T of said pulse signal, and outputting a period signal; (b) A/D converter means for receiving a DC signal corresponding to a second type of input from a second-type sensor and converting said DC signal into a digital signal; (c) control means for sequentially inputting, during each predetermined time-sharing interval, the period signal from each of said plurality of counter means and said digital signal from said A/D converter means, said control means including processing means for time-share processing each of said input signals input exactly once during the predetermined time-sharing interval to form a corresponding meter angle signal and sequentially outputting the meter angle signal corresponding to each of said input signals; and (d) drive means for sequentially receiving the meter angle signals during the predetermined time interval and driving a plurality of meters based on the meter angle signals outputted from said control means during the predetermined time interval, each meter angle signal driving a corresponding one of the plurality of meters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A time-sharing method for driving a plurality of meters using a multiple-meter driving apparatus, comprising the steps of:
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(a) inputting pulse signals from at least one pulse type sensor; (b) inputting DC signals from at least one DC-type sensor; (d) converting each DC signal to a corresponding digital signal; (e) inputting one of said period signals and digital signals as a current input signal; (f) converting the current input signal to corresponding sine and cosine signals; (g) outputting the sine and cosine signals corresponding to the current input signal to a corresponding one of a plurality of driving circuits, the corresponding driving circuit comprising a modulating circuit and a driver, the driver driving a corresponding meter; (h) modulating the sine and cosine signals to form pulse width modulated signals; (i) driving the corresponding meter in response to the pulse width modulated signals; and (j) repeating steps (e)-(i) for each one of the period signals and digital signals, exactly once during a predetermined time-sharing interval. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification