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:
Mar. 16, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 13, 1995
Kenneth J Dollhopf, Livonia, MI (US);
Richard L Stoolmaker, Linden, MI (US);
Belanger, Inc., Northville, MI (US);
Abstract
A smart module circuit board carries a programmable microprocessor and a plurality of relay type interface circuits for use in organizing relatively high voltage input devices and output devices into a complex system wherein a programmed combination of input device signals determines when and if to energize one or more output devices in the system. The interface circuit comprises input and output stages which operate on logic level voltages and which are decoupled by opto-couplers from a relatively high voltage energization circuit which passes through a relatively high voltage electrical device. The energization circuit comprises a triac which is operated by the output stage in response to outputs from the microprocessor, a manual switch connected in parallel with the triac so that a given electrical load device can be manually activated and a multi-colored LED for indicating the conditions of the input and output circuits individually and in combination. The smart modules are utilized in a vehicle laundry having a master computer for overall control of multiple smart modules, the microprocessor of each smart module being independently operable to control at least a portion of the laundry system in the event of a failure of the master computer.