Wrist strap integrity check circuitry
First Claim
1. In a static electrical discharge dissipation system having a dissipation device which is worn by a user and a conductive line for electrically connecting the dissipation device to ground, the improvement comprising a tag which electrically communicates with the dissipation device and includes electronic circuitry for monitoring the electrical connection of the dissipation device from the user to ground, the electronic circuitry of the tag comprising:
- a discharge resistor;
a microprocessor having a sensor circuit which is in electrical communication with the discharge resistor and includes;
a discharge resistor check circuit for monitoring the accuracy of the discharge resistor, the discharge resistor check circuit being configured to generate a discharge resistor signal;
a skin resistance check circuit for monitoring the electrical connection of the dissipation device to the user, the skin resistance check circuit being configured to generate a skin resistance signal; and
a ground fault detect circuit for monitoring the electrical connection of the dissipation device to ground, the ground fault detect circuit being configured to generate a ground fault signal;
the microprocessor being configured to multiplex the sensor circuit to facilitate the generation of the discharge resistor, skin resistance, and ground fault signals;
a transmission circuit which is in electrical communication with the sensor circuit for transmitting the discharge resistor, skin resistance, and ground fault signals to an interrogator unit.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Improved electronic circuitry incorporated into a tag attached to a user worn wrist strap of a static electrical discharge dissipation system. The electronic circuitry monitors the electrical connection of the wrist strap from the user to ground, and comprises a discharge resistor and a discharge resistor check circuit for monitoring the accuracy of the discharge resistor. The electronic circuitry further comprises a skin resistance check circuit for monitoring the electrical connection of the wrist strap to the user, and a ground fault detect circuit for monitoring the electrical connection of the wrist strap to ground.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. In a static electrical discharge dissipation system having a dissipation device which is worn by a user and a conductive line for electrically connecting the dissipation device to ground, the improvement comprising a tag which electrically communicates with the dissipation device and includes electronic circuitry for monitoring the electrical connection of the dissipation device from the user to ground, the electronic circuitry of the tag comprising:
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a discharge resistor; a microprocessor having a sensor circuit which is in electrical communication with the discharge resistor and includes; a discharge resistor check circuit for monitoring the accuracy of the discharge resistor, the discharge resistor check circuit being configured to generate a discharge resistor signal; a skin resistance check circuit for monitoring the electrical connection of the dissipation device to the user, the skin resistance check circuit being configured to generate a skin resistance signal; and a ground fault detect circuit for monitoring the electrical connection of the dissipation device to ground, the ground fault detect circuit being configured to generate a ground fault signal; the microprocessor being configured to multiplex the sensor circuit to facilitate the generation of the discharge resistor, skin resistance, and ground fault signals; a transmission circuit which is in electrical communication with the sensor circuit for transmitting the discharge resistor, skin resistance, and ground fault signals to an interrogator unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. In a static electrical discharge dissipation system having a dissipation device which is worn by a user and a conductive line for electrically connecting the dissipation device to ground, a method for monitoring the electrical connection of the dissipation device from the user to ground comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a tag which electrically communicates with the dissipation device and includes electronic circuitry having a discharge resistor and a microprocessor including a sensor circuit which is in electrical communication with the discharge resistor; (b) multiplexing the sensor circuit of the microprocessor to; monitor the accuracy of the discharge resistor and generate a discharge resistor signal corresponding thereto via a discharge resistor check circuit of the sensor circuit; monitor the electrical connection of the dissipation device to the user and generate a skin resistance signal corresponding thereto via a skin resistance check circuit of the sensor circuit; and monitor the electrical connection of the dissipation device to ground and generate a ground fault signal corresponding thereto via a ground fault detect circuit of the sensor circuit; (c) transmitting the discharge resistor, skin resistance, and ground fault signals to an interrogator unit via a transmission circuit of the electronic circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. In a static electrical discharge dissipation system having a dissipation device which is worn by a user and a conductive line for electrically connecting the dissipation device to ground, the improvement comprising a tag which electrically communicates with the dissipation device and includes a electronic circuitry for monitoring the electrical connection of the dissipation device from the user to ground, the electronic circuitry of the tag comprising:
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a discharge resistor; a microprocessor having a sensor circuit which is in electrical communication with the discharge resistor and includes; a discharge resistor check circuit which is operative to monitor the accuracy of the discharge resistor and generate a discharge resistor signal corresponding thereto; a skin resistance check circuit which is operative to monitor the electrical connection of the dissipation device to the user and generate a skin resistance signal corresponding thereto; and a ground fault detect circuit which is operative to monitor the electrical connection of the dissipation device to ground and generate a around fault signal corresponding thereto; the microprocessor being configured to multiplex the sensor circuit to facilitate the generation of the discharge resistor, skin resistance, and ground fault signals.
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29. In a static electrical discharge dissipation system having a dissipation device which is worn by a user and a conductive line for electrically connecting the dissipation device to ground, the improvement comprising a tag which electrically communicates with the dissipation device and includes electronic circuitry for monitoring the electrical connection of the dissipation device from the user to ground, the electronic circuitry of the tag comprising:
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a discharge resistor; and a microprocessor having a sensor circuit which is in electrical communication with the discharge resistor; the microprocessor being configured to multiplex the sensor circuit in a manner facilitating the generation of a discharge resistor signal corresponding to a monitored status of the accuracy of the discharge resistor, a skin resistance signal corresponding to a monitored status of the electrical connection of the dissipation device to the user, and a ground fault signal corresponding to a monitored status of the electrical connection of the dissipation device to ground.
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Specification