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. 23, 2002
Filed:
Feb. 24, 1998
Michelangelo Mazzucco, Santa Maria Del Tempio, IT;
Giampietro Maggioni, Cornaredo, IT;
Other;
Abstract
The short-circuit detecting device includes a current generator for generating a current (I ) of predetermined intensity, selectively into or out of the terminal (IN), and a first voltage comparator connected to the terminal (IN) and connected to the current generator in a manner such that the generator generates a current (I ) in the inward direction and in the outward direction relative to the terminal (IN), respectively, when the voltage between the terminal (IN) and the ground is greater than a first level and less than a second level, respectively. The first level is greater than or equal to the second. The device also includes a second voltage comparator for supplying a first and a second signal, respectively, when the voltage between the terminal (IN) and the ground is close to the supply voltage (Vcc) and close to the ground potential (gnd), respectively, and a processing circuit connected to the second comparator for detecting whether the first or the second signal, respectively, persists for a predetermined period of time. In this case, an output signal (F_Vcc; F_gnd) is supplied which is indicative of a short-circuit of the terminal (IN) to the supply (Vcc) or to ground, respectively.