Electronic chime module and method
First Claim
1. Chime generating circuitry, for use in a vehicle control system having a control means for monitoring the status of a vehicle condition, comprising:
- (a) an oscillator circuit connected to a microcontroller;
(b) a microcontroller comprised of;
a microprocessor having a central processing unit, random access memory and read only memory,a plurality of inputs for monitoring the status of a vehicle condition including a first input for receiving a seat belt unbuckled signal, a second input for receiving a door open signal, a third input for receiving a key in the ignition signal, fourth input for receiving a signal from an accessory, each of said inputs being operable to transmit said signals from said inputs to said microprocessor,a single tri-statable output operable to generate a time-varying digital output signals, the tri-statable output having at least three states including an on-state, an off-state, and a high-impedance disconnect state, said high-impedance disconnect state being used to help generate a sinusoidal signal by repetitively holding the output signal at an intermediate level for a predetermined time period;
(c) a control circuit comprising;
a single stage low-pass filter circuit having an input receiving the digital output signal from said single tri-statable output and a first output for producing a first output voltage,a buffer having an input and an output, said input receiving said first output voltage from said low-pass filter circuit, said buffer output being operable to drive a tone-generating device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An exponentially decaying chime sound is generated with a single tri-statable output pin from a microprocessor which is implemented using a single digital output pin line to create states of low, high and disconnect which are input to a control circuit for output to a speaker. Preferably, the control circuit comprises a low pass filter in series with a buffer. Preferably, the buffer is a Darlington transistor. Preferably, the speaker is an electro-mechanical device, alternatively it may be a piezo-resistive device. A method is disclosed for generating a desired audible chime signal with a chime generating circuit regulating a tri-statable output via a single pin of a microprocessor to approximately generate a desired signal frequency, and preferably includes regulating said tri-statable output to produce amplitude decay of the desired signal frequency over time.
55 Citations
19 Claims
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1. Chime generating circuitry, for use in a vehicle control system having a control means for monitoring the status of a vehicle condition, comprising:
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(a) an oscillator circuit connected to a microcontroller; (b) a microcontroller comprised of; a microprocessor having a central processing unit, random access memory and read only memory, a plurality of inputs for monitoring the status of a vehicle condition including a first input for receiving a seat belt unbuckled signal, a second input for receiving a door open signal, a third input for receiving a key in the ignition signal, fourth input for receiving a signal from an accessory, each of said inputs being operable to transmit said signals from said inputs to said microprocessor, a single tri-statable output operable to generate a time-varying digital output signals, the tri-statable output having at least three states including an on-state, an off-state, and a high-impedance disconnect state, said high-impedance disconnect state being used to help generate a sinusoidal signal by repetitively holding the output signal at an intermediate level for a predetermined time period; (c) a control circuit comprising; a single stage low-pass filter circuit having an input receiving the digital output signal from said single tri-statable output and a first output for producing a first output voltage, a buffer having an input and an output, said input receiving said first output voltage from said low-pass filter circuit, said buffer output being operable to drive a tone-generating device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Chime generating circuitry, for use in a vehicle control system having a control means for monitoring the status of a vehicle condition, comprising:
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a microprocessor-based chime control means, including a microprocessor having at least one tri-statable output, for generating a time-varying digital output signal, the tri-statable output having at least three states, including an on-state, an off-state and a high-impedance state, the digital output signal at the tri-statable output being controlled by the microprocessor so as to generate an approximate sinusoidal waveform for producing a corresponding exponentially decaying sinusoidal signal to an audio output device which in turn creates a corresponding decaying chime sound the approximate sinusoidal waveform including a plurality of periods during each sinusoidal cycle wherein the tri-statable output is placed in its high-impedance state for a predetermined length of time each period; a low pass filter means having an input and an output, said input receiving the digital output signal from the tri-statable output; a buffer means having an input and an output, said input of said buffer means receiving output from said filter means and said output of said buffer means producing a signal for delivery to a tone-generating audio output device. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for generating a desired audible chime signal with a chime generating circuit, the method comprising the steps of:
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1) determining a chime signal for generation by said chime generating circuit via a microprocessor, the microprocessor including a control means, and a tri-state output and other outputs; 2) regulating via said control means the voltage of the output;
to generate said chime signal at a desired signal frequency; and
during a typical cycle of said chime signal;3) increasing the voltage amplitude of the tri-state output when the output is pulled to a high state; 4) decreasing the voltage amplitude of the tri-state output when the output is pulled to a low state; 5) maintaining the voltage amplitude of the output when the output is in a disconnected high-impedance state; and 6) repeating steps 3 through 5 in order to generate a repetitive approximate sinusoidal signal to generate a chime signal; and 7) processing signals to other outputs via said microprocessor when the tri-state output is in the disconnect state. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification