Monitoring method, circuit, and system
First Claim
1. A circuit monitoring method comprising the steps of:
- providing a floating gate monitoring circuit in association with a monitored circuit;
programming the floating gate to a selected charge level;
comparing the programmed floating gate charge level with a signal level of the monitored circuit; and
using selected comparison criteria, activating an output.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, circuits, and methods are described for providing efficient, monitoring capabilities for providing output reactive to monitored conditions. According to the disclosed methods, steps are included for providing a floating gate monitoring circuit in association with a monitored circuit and programming the floating gate to a selected charge level. The programmed floating gate charge level is then compared with a signal level in a monitored circuit. In an additional step, selected comparison criteria are used for selectably activating output. Exemplary embodiments of methods and associated circuits and systems employing the methods are also disclosed, in which protection for a monitored circuit is provided in the event of undervoltage, undercurrent, overvoltage, or undervoltage. Configurations of preferred embodiments of circuits, systems, and methods using the principles of the invention are disclosed in which ultra-low power is consumed by operation in an “ON” state, and little or no significant power is consumed when operating in an “OFF” state.
20 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A circuit monitoring method comprising the steps of:
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providing a floating gate monitoring circuit in association with a monitored circuit; programming the floating gate to a selected charge level; comparing the programmed floating gate charge level with a signal level of the monitored circuit; and using selected comparison criteria, activating an output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A circuit monitoring system comprising:
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a floating gate monitoring circuit having a programmable floating gate and signal comparison means; a monitored circuit operably coupled to the floating gate monitoring circuit whereby a signal of the monitored circuit is compared with the programmable floating gate; and an output device operably coupled to the monitored circuit and controlled with the floating gate monitoring circuit whereby the output device may be activated based upon comparison of the programmable floating gate with the monitored signal level. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification