Laser range finder power management system
First Claim
1. For use with a laser range finder system having digital circuitry and analog circuitry, the power management apparatus comprising:
- power supply means for selectively supplying power to said digital circuitry and to said analog circuitry in response to a plurality of power control signals; and
programmed controller means for selectively supplying said plurality of power control signals to said power supply means so as to cause supply of power by said power supply means to said digital circuitry only when said digital circuitry needs power to be supplied thereto and so as to cause supply of power to said analog circuitry only when said analog circuitry needs power to be supplied thereto.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power management system for a laser range finder including a microcontroller which controls the supply of power by a series of linear regulators to analog electronics and digital electronics such that the respective electronics units are powered only during intervals when they require power during operation of the laser range finder. The linear regulators and a laser firing pulse generator circuit are powered by simplified DC/DC converter circuitry which is, in turn, supplied with power by a solid state front end circuit subject to control by the microcontroller and which includes first, second, and third transistors providing reverse voltage protection, overvoltage protection, and reduced power consumption.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. For use with a laser range finder system having digital circuitry and analog circuitry, the power management apparatus comprising:
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power supply means for selectively supplying power to said digital circuitry and to said analog circuitry in response to a plurality of power control signals; and programmed controller means for selectively supplying said plurality of power control signals to said power supply means so as to cause supply of power by said power supply means to said digital circuitry only when said digital circuitry needs power to be supplied thereto and so as to cause supply of power to said analog circuitry only when said analog circuitry needs power to be supplied thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A front end circuit having an input and return line and a pair of output terminals for the power supply of a laser range finder including a detector range finder requiring a bias voltage comprising:
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a first diode means connected to an input terminal of said circuit for preventing current flow in a selected direction and first transistor means responsive to supply of a detector bias voltage to said detector for shorting said first diode means and for preventing current flow in said selected direction; a second diode means for preventing current flow into the return line of said front end means and second transistor means responsive to application of voltage to said first diode means to turn on and short out said second diode means, and thereafter prevent current flow into said return line; and third transistor means connected between said input terminal and an output terminal of said front end means for limiting the voltage applied to said output terminal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. For use with a laser range finder system having digital circuitry and analog circuitry, the power management apparatus comprising:
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a power supply including a plurality of linear regulators, each responsive to a control signal to switch at least a first voltage to said digital circuitry and at least a second voltage to said analog circuitry; and a programmable digital controller circuit programmed to supply respective control signals to said linear regulators so as to supply power to said digital circuitry only when said digital circuitry requires power and so as to supply power to said analog circuitry only when said analog circuitry requires power.
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21. A laser range finder system comprising:
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digital range counter circuitry; analog range finder circuitry; power supply means for selectively providing power to said digital range counter circuitry and said analog range finder circuitry in response to a plurality of power control signals; and controller means for selectively providing said plurality of power control signals to said power supply means so as to cause supply of power to said digital range counter circuitry only when said digital range counter circuitry needs power and so as to supply power to said analog range finder circuitry only when said analog range finder circuitry needs power.
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Specification