The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 22, 1997
Filed:
Jan. 03, 1995
Massimiliano Brambilla, Sesto San Giovanni, IT;
Giampietro Maggioni, Cornaredo, IT;
SGS-Thomson Microelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
A drive circuit fault detection device comprising a discriminating circuit generating a digital signal, the level of which indicates a fault; and an identifying circuit generating a binary-coded signal indicating the type of fault, i.e. ground shorting of the drive circuit or an open load. The discriminating circuit comprises a resistive network connected to the output of the drive circuit, for generating a voltage indicating correct connection of the load or a fault on the drive circuit and a comparator for comparing the generated voltage with a reference voltage and supplying the digital signal at its output. The identifying circuit comprises a current mirror circuit generating an output voltage having two different logic levels in the event of short circuiting or an open load, respectively, and a combination circuit for generating the binary-coded output signal.