Measurement apparatus detecting consumption current of a display

• US 8,698,505 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2010
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
• Inventors: Torimaru, Takashi, Shimura, Tooru, Sugawara, Fujikazu, Suzuki, Shin
• Primary Examiner(s): Assouad, Patrick J
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, LAMARR A
• Application Number:
  US12/848,598
• Publication Number:
  US 20110032236A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,352 Days
• Field of Search: 324/511, 324/713, 324/522
• US Class Current: 324/511
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 3/08 with provision for safeguarding the apparatus, e.g. against abnormal operation, against breakdown
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 3/10 with provision for switching-in of additional or auxiliary indicators or recorders
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/006 Electronic inspection or testing of displays and display drivers, e.g. of LED or LCD displays testing individual LED's G01R31/2635; testing lamps G01R31/44; testing of optical features of LCD displays G02F1/1309
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3611 Control of matrices with row and column drivers

Abstract

A measurement apparatus includes a display unit, a current detection unit configured to output a detection signal if an increase in a consumption current of the display unit is detected, a plurality of setting units each of which is configured to output an output signal, each of the plurality of setting units changing the output signal if the detection signal is received, and a diagnosis unit configured to receive the output signal, the diagnosis unit diagnosing the increase in the consumption current.

Claims

1. A measurement apparatus comprising:

a display unit;

a current detection unit configured to output a detection signal if an increase in a consumption current of the display unit is detected;

a plurality of setting units each of which is configured to output an output signal, each of the plurality of setting units changing the output signal if the detection signal is received; and

a diagnosis unit configured to receive the output signal, the diagnosis unit diagnosing the increase in the consumption current, wherein

the current detection unit comprises;

an operational amplifier configured to receive a first input of a first voltage that is obtained by splitting an internal power supply voltage, and a second input of a second voltage that is dropped from the internal power supply voltage by a voltage amount that is based on the consumption current, the operational amplifier controlling elements through which the consumption current is flowing; and

a comparator configured to compare an output voltage from the operational amplifier with a third voltage that is obtained by splitting the internal power supply voltage, and

the current detection unit detects an increase in the consumption current based on comparison results from the comparator.

2. The measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the current detection unit executes a detection processing of the consumption current for a first predetermined period, and

if the increase in the consumption current is detected, then the current detection unit changes a state of the detection signal and maintains the state until the first predetermined period ends.

3. The measurement apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

the current detection unit executes the detection processing of the consumption current for the first predetermined period after a startup processing for the display unit has finished.

4. The measurement apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

display data displayed on the display unit is restored to displaying a correct value after the first predetermined period has elapsed.

5. The measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the diagnosis unit diagnoses an abnormality in the consumption current if a changed state of the output signal has continued for a second predetermined period.

6. The measurement apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a storage unit configured to store a history of abnormalities diagnosed by the diagnosis unit.

7. The measurement apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an alarm unit configured to output an alarm if an abnormality is detected by the diagnosis unit.

8. A measurement apparatus comprising:

a display unit including a driver; and

a current limiting unit configured to supply a current from an external power supply to the driver of the display unit, the current limiting unit limiting the current, wherein

a current value output by the current limiting unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and

a drive current of the display unit is limited so that the measurement apparatus operates stably even if a consumption current of the display unit becomes excessive.

9. The measurement apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:

a CPU configured to output a logic signal that is used for displays to the display unit; and

a buffer disposed between the CPU and the display unit, the buffer converting a voltage level of the logic signal.

10. The measurement apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the buffer includes an input tolerant function.

11. The measurement apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:

a CPU configured to output a logic signal that is used for displays to the display unit; and

a buffer disposed between the CPU and the display unit, the buffer converting a voltage level of the logic signal.

12. The measurement apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the buffer includes an input tolerant function.

13. A measurement apparatus comprising:

a current detection unit configured to detect a consumption current of a display unit, the current detection unit outputting a detection signal if an increase in the consumption current of the display unit is detected;

a plurality of setting units each of which is configured to output an output signal, each of the plurality of setting units changing the output signal if the detection signal is received; and

a diagnosis unit configured to receive the output signal, the diagnosis unit diagnosing the increase in the consumption current, wherein

the current detection unit comprises;

an operational amplifier configured to receive a first input of a first voltage that is obtained by splitting an internal power supply voltage, and a second input of a second voltage that is dropped from the internal power supply voltage by a voltage amount that is based on the consumption current, the operational amplifier controlling elements through which the consumption current is flowing; and

a comparator configured to compare an output voltage from the operational amplifier with a third voltage that is obtained by splitting the internal power supply voltage, and

the current detection unit detects an increase in the consumption current based on comparison results from the comparator.

14. The measurement apparatus according to claim 13, wherein

the current detection unit executes a detection processing of the consumption current for a first predetermined period, and

if the increase in the consumption current is detected, then the current detection unit changes a state of the detection signal and maintains the state until the first predetermined period ends.

15. The measurement apparatus according to claim 14, wherein

the current detection unit executes the detection processing of the consumption current for the first predetermined period after a startup processing for the display unit has finished.

16. The measurement apparatus according to claim 14, wherein

display data displayed on the display unit is restored to displaying a correct value after the first predetermined period has elapsed.

17. The measurement apparatus according to claim 13, wherein

the diagnosis unit diagnoses an abnormality in the consumption current if a changed state of the output signal has continued for a second predetermined period.