Control device and method of operation thereof

Abstract

The application provides a control device and an operating method thereof. The control device includes a detection unit, a control unit, a storage unit, a clock source unit and a plurality of signal transmission units. The detection unit detects a voltage signal to generate a detection signal. The control unit is coupled to the detection unit to receive the detection signal and generate at least one of an indication flag, voltage information, a first control signal and a plurality of second control signals according to the detection signal. The storage unit is coupled to the control unit to receive and store the indication flag and the voltage information. The clock source unit is coupled to the control unit to receive the first control signal and generate a first clock signal or a second clock signal according to the first control signal. The plurality of signal transmission units are coupled to the control unit to receive the second control signal and transmit or not transmit a plurality of function signals according to the second control signal.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device, and in particular, to a control device with over-voltage protection and its operating method. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, a control device (e.g. a microcontroller) is designed to operate in a predetermined voltage range (e.g. 1.8V-5.5V), i.e. the internal components of the control device can operate normally in the predetermined voltage range. However, if a sudden high voltage (e.g. greater than 5.5V or above) occurs and can last for a period of time, it can cause the internal components of the control device to be damaged, to operate abnormally or to have a leakage phenomenon.

[0003] Therefore, how to effectively design a control device with an over-voltage protection mechanism is an important issue. SUMMARY

[0004] The present invention provides a control device and its operating method for effectively recording the occurrence of an over-voltage state, increasing the reliability of operating components in the over-voltage state, avoiding the occurrence of a shutdown when the over-voltage state occurs, and increasing the convenience of use.

[0005] The present invention provides a control device, comprising a detection unit, a control unit, a storage unit, a clock source unit and a plurality of signal transmission units. The detection unit detects a voltage signal to generate a detection signal. The control unit is coupled to the detection unit, receives the detection signal, and generates at least one of an indication flag, voltage information, a first control signal and a plurality of second control signals according to the detection signal. The storage unit is coupled to the control unit, receives and stores the indication flag and the voltage information. The clock source unit is coupled to the control unit, receives the first control signal, and generates a first clock signal or a second clock signal according to the first control signal. The signal transmission unit is coupled to the control unit, receives the second control signal, and transmits or does not transmit a plurality of function signals according to the second control signal.

[0006] The present invention provides an operating method of a control device, comprising the following steps. A detection unit detects a voltage signal to generate a detection signal. A control unit receives the detection signal and generates at least one of an indication flag, voltage information, a first control signal and a plurality of second control signals according to the detection signal. A storage unit receives and stores the indication flag and the voltage information. A clock source unit receives the first control signal and generates a first clock signal or a second clock signal according to the first control signal. A plurality of signal transmission units receive the second control signal and transmit or do not transmit a plurality of function signals according to the second control signal.

[0007] The control device and the operation method thereof can effectively record the occurrence of overvoltage state, increase the reliability of working elements in overvoltage state, avoid the occurrence of downtime when overvoltage state occurs, and increase the convenience in use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the prior art description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort based on these drawings. In the drawings:

[0009] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the control device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0010] Figure 2 The flow chart of the operation method of the control device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0011] Symbol explanation:

[0012] 100: control device;

[0013] 110: detection unit;

[0014] 120: control unit;

[0015] 130: storage unit;

[0016] 140: clock source unit;

[0017] 150_1-150_N: signal transmission unit;

[0018] S202-S210: steps. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the following listed embodiments, the same reference signs will represent the same or similar elements or components.

[0020] Figure 1Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a control device according to an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, the control device 100 can be a micro controller unit (MCU) or other suitable controller, but embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. Please refer to Figure 1 The control device 100 can include a detection unit 110, a control unit 120, a storage unit 130, a clock source unit 140, and a plurality of signal transmission units 150_1-150_N, where N is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0021] The detection unit 110 detects a voltage signal to generate a detection signal. That is, the detection unit 110 can detect a voltage signal and generate a detection signal corresponding to the voltage value of the voltage signal. In this embodiment, the voltage signal can be an operating voltage, but embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0022] The control unit 120 is coupled to the detection unit 110. The control unit 120 can receive the detection signal generated by the detection unit 110 and generate at least one of an indication flag, voltage information, a first control signal, and a plurality of second control signals according to the detection signal.

[0023] For example, when the control unit 120 receives the detection signal generated by the detection unit 110, the control unit 120 can compare the voltage value of the detection signal with a preset voltage value to determine whether the voltage value of the detection signal is greater than the preset voltage value, thereby determining whether the control device 100 is in an overvoltage state. In this embodiment, the preset voltage value is, for example, 8V, 9V, 15V, etc., but embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. The user can adjust the size of the preset voltage value according to his needs, and the same technical effects can be achieved.

[0024] Further, when the control unit 120 determines that the voltage value of the detection signal is not greater than the preset voltage value (for example, the voltage value of the detection signal is less than 8V, 9V, 15V), the control unit 120 can determine that the control device 100 does not have an overvoltage condition, and the control unit 120 will generate at least one of an indication flag such as a low logic level, a first control signal with a low logic level, and a plurality of second control signals with a low logic level, and will not generate voltage information. Then, the control unit 120 will continue to receive the detection signal to determine whether the voltage value of the detection signal is greater than the preset voltage value, thereby determining whether the control device 100 is in an overvoltage state.

[0025] When the control unit 120 determines that the voltage value of the detection signal is greater than the preset voltage value (for example, the voltage value of the detection signal is greater than 8V, 9V, 15V), the control unit 120 can determine that the control device 100 is in an overvoltage state, and the control unit 120 can generate at least one of an indication flag of, for example, a high logic level, voltage information, a first control signal of a high logic level, and a plurality of second control signals of a high logic level, so as to perform subsequent operations.

[0026] In the embodiment, the indication flag can indicate whether the control device 100 is in an overvoltage state. For example, when the indication flag is a high logic level, it indicates that the control device 100 is in an overvoltage state; when the indication flag is a low logic level, it indicates that the control device 100 is not in an overvoltage state. In addition, the voltage information can include at least the start time of the overvoltage, the voltage value of the overvoltage, and the number of times of generation of the overvoltage. In addition, the number of times of generation of the overvoltage can correspond to the number of times when the indication flag is a high logic level. That is, the control unit 120 can accumulate the indication flag of a high logic level generated each time and set it in the voltage information, so as to record the number of times of generation of the overvoltage.

[0027] The storage unit 130 is coupled to the control unit 120. The storage unit 130 can receive and store the indication flag and the voltage information. That is, the indication flag and the voltage information generated by the control unit 120 can be transmitted and stored to the storage unit 130. In the embodiment, the storage unit 130 is, for example, a register, a random access memory (RAM), or a flash memory, but the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto. In this way, the user can know whether the control device 100 is in an overvoltage state (that is, the control device 100 is used in an overvoltage state) by obtaining the voltage information stored in the storage unit 130, without the need to send the control device 100 back to the factory for detection of whether the overvoltage phenomenon occurs, so as to increase the convenience of use.

[0028] The clock source unit 140 is coupled to the control unit 120. The clock source unit 140 can receive the first control signal and generate a first clock signal or a second clock signal according to the first control signal. For example, when the clock source unit 140 receives the first control signal of, for example, a low logic level, it indicates that the control device 100 is not in an overvoltage state, and the clock source unit 140 can provide, for example, the first clock signal. When the clock source unit 140 receives the first control signal of, for example, a high logic level, it indicates that the control device 100 is in an overvoltage state, and the clock source unit 140 can provide, for example, the second clock signal.

[0029] In the embodiment, the first clock signal has a different frequency from the second clock signal. For example, the first clock signal is a clock signal when the control device 100 normally operates, and the second clock signal is a clock signal when the control device 100 is in an overvoltage state (i.e., high-voltage resistant). In this way, when the control device 100 is in the overvoltage state, the control device 100 can still work in the overvoltage state without causing the control device 100 to be shut down, thereby increasing the convenience of use. In addition, the clock source unit 140 can be an oscillation circuit, such as an RC oscillation circuit, a crystal oscillation circuit, or the like, but the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0030] The signal transmission units 150_1-150_N are coupled to the control unit 120. The signal transmission units 150_1-150_N can receive the second control signal and transmit or not transmit the plurality of function signals according to the second control signal. For example, when the signal transmission units 150_1-150_N receive the second control signal, such as a low logic level, indicating that the control device 100 is not in the overvoltage state, the signal transmission units 150_1-150_N transmit the function signals, for example. When the signal transmission units 150_1-150_N receive the second control signal, such as a high logic level, indicating that the control device 100 is in the overvoltage state, the signal transmission units 150_1-150_N do not provide the function signals, i.e., the signal transmission units 150_1-150_N stop operating.

[0031] In the embodiment, the signal transmission units 150_1-150_N described above are working elements that cannot withstand high voltage. By stopping the operation of the signal transmission units 150_1-150_N when the control device 100 is in the overvoltage state through the control unit 120, the reliability of the working elements (i.e., the signal transmission units 150_1-150_N) can be improved. For example, assuming that the working elements described above can withstand high voltage for 30 seconds before failing, and the operation of the working elements is stopped when the control device 100 is in the overvoltage state, the time for which the working elements withstand high voltage is 0.1 second, for example. In this way, the number of times the working elements withstand high voltage can be 300 times, and the working elements do not continuously withstand high voltage, thereby improving the reliability of the working elements.

[0032] Further, the signal transmission units 150_1-150_N can be analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), digital-to-analog converters (DACs), operational amplifiers (OPAs), etc., and the above-mentioned functional signals can include analog-to-digital functional signals, digital-to-analog functional signals, amplification functional signals, etc., but embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0033] In some embodiments, after the control unit 120 generates the indication flag of the high logic level and the voltage information to the storage unit 130, the control unit 120 determines that the control device 100 is in the overvoltage state, and then the control unit 120 can again receive the detection signal of the detection unit 110 and determine whether the voltage value of the detection signal is greater than the preset voltage value.

[0034] When the control unit 120 determines that the voltage value of the detection signal is greater than the preset voltage value, it indicates that the control device 100 is still in the overvoltage state, and then the control unit 120 continuously receives the detection signal of the detection unit 110 and determines whether the voltage value of the detection signal is greater than the preset voltage value until the control unit 120 determines that the voltage value of the detection signal is not greater than the preset voltage value.

[0035] In addition, when the control unit 120 determines that the voltage value of the detection signal is not greater than the preset voltage value, it indicates that the control device 100 returns to the state that it is not in the overvoltage state, and then the control unit 120 can generate the indication flag of the low logic level to the storage unit 130 to clear the indication flag of the high logic level, thereby indicating that the control device 100 is not in the overvoltage state. In addition, the control unit 120 can also generate voltage information including, for example, the end time of the overvoltage to the storage unit 130, so as to record the end time of the overvoltage.

[0036] In some embodiments, after the control unit 120 generates the first control signal of the high logic level to the clock source unit 140, so that the clock source unit 140 generates the second clock signal, it indicates that the control unit 120 determines that the control device 100 is in the overvoltage state, and then the control unit 120 can again receive the detection signal of the detection unit 110 and determine whether the voltage value of the detection signal is greater than the preset voltage value.

[0037] When the control unit 120 determines that the voltage value of the detection signal is greater than the preset voltage value, it indicates that the control device 100 is still in the overvoltage state, and then the control unit 120 continuously receives the detection signal of the detection unit 110 and determines whether the voltage value of the detection signal is greater than the preset voltage value until the control unit 120 determines that the voltage value of the detection signal is not greater than the preset voltage value.

[0038] In addition, when the control unit 120 determines that the voltage value of the detection signal is not greater than the preset voltage value, indicating that the control device 100 returns to not being in the overvoltage state, the control unit 120 can generate the first control signal of the low logic level to the clock source unit 140, so that the clock source unit 140 resumes providing the first clock signal, so that the control device 100 resumes normal operation.

[0039] In some embodiments, after the control unit 120 generates the first control signal of the high logic level to the signal transmission units 150_1~150_N, so that the signal transmission units 150_1~150_N do not transmit the function signal (i.e. the signal transmission units 150_1~150_N stop operation), indicating that the control unit 120 determines that the control device 100 is in the overvoltage state, the control unit 120 can receive the detection signal of the detection unit 110 again, and determine whether the voltage value of the detection signal is greater than the preset voltage value.

[0040] When the control unit 120 determines that the voltage value of the detection signal is greater than the preset voltage value, indicating that the control device 100 is still in the overvoltage state, the control unit 120 will continue to receive the detection signal of the detection unit 110, and determine whether the voltage value of the detection signal is greater than the preset voltage value, until the control unit 120 determines that the voltage value of the detection signal is not greater than the preset voltage value.

[0041] In addition, when the control unit 120 determines that the voltage value of the detection signal is not greater than the preset voltage value, indicating that the control device 100 returns to not being in the overvoltage state, the control unit 120 can generate the second control signal of the low logic level to the signal transmission units 150_1~150_N, so that the signal transmission units 150_1~150_N resume transmitting the function signal, so that the control device 100 resumes normal operation.

[0042] Figure 2 The flowchart of the operation method of the control device according to an embodiment of the present application. In step S202, a detection signal is generated by detecting a voltage signal by a detection unit. In step S204, the detection signal is received by a control unit, and at least one of an indication flag, voltage information, a first control signal and a plurality of second control signals is generated according to the detection signal.

[0043] In step S206, the indication flag and the voltage information are received and stored by a storage unit. In step S208, the first control signal is received by a clock source unit, and a first clock signal or a second clock signal is generated according to the first control signal. In step S210, the second control signal is received by a plurality of signal transmission units, and a plurality of function signals are transmitted or not transmitted according to the second control signal.

[0044] In the embodiment, the indication flag is an overvoltage indication flag. In addition, the voltage information includes a starting time of overvoltage, a voltage value of overvoltage, a number of times of overvoltage generation, and an ending time of overvoltage. In the embodiment, the function signals include an analog-to-digital function signal, a digital-to-analog function signal, and an amplification function signal. In addition, the first clock signal is different from the second clock signal.

[0045] In summary, the control device and the operation method thereof can effectively record the occurrence of overvoltage state, increase the reliability of the working element in the overvoltage state, avoid the occurrence of downtime when the overvoltage state occurs, and increase the convenience of use.

[0046] Although the present application is disclosed with the above-mentioned embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. Any person skilled in the art can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Therefore, the scope of the present application should be based on the claims.

Claims

1. A control device characterized by comprising: The method comprises: detecting a voltage signal to generate a detection signal by a detection unit; receiving the detection signal and generating at least one of an indication flag, a voltage information, a first control signal and a plurality of second control signals according to the detection signal by a control unit coupled to the detection unit; receiving and storing the indication flag and the voltage information by a storage unit coupled to the control unit; receiving the first control signal and generating a first clock signal or a second clock signal according to the first control signal by a clock source unit coupled to the control unit; and receiving the second control signal by a plurality of signal transmission units coupled to the control unit, and transmitting or not transmitting a plurality of function signals according to the second control signal. The indication flag indicates whether the control device is in an overvoltage state. The voltage information includes a start time of an overvoltage, a voltage value of an overvoltage, a number of overvoltage occurrences and an end time of an overvoltage.

2. The control device of claim 1, wherein The function signals include an analog-to-digital function signal, a digital-to-analog function signal and an amplification function signal.

3. The control device of claim 1, wherein The frequency of the first clock signal is different from the frequency of the second clock signal.

4. The control device of claim 1, wherein The method comprises:

5. The control device of claim 1, wherein detecting a voltage signal to generate a detection signal by a detection unit; 6. A method of operating a control device, characterized by, receiving the detection signal and generating at least one of an indication flag, a voltage information, a first control signal and a plurality of second control signals according to the detection signal by a control unit coupled to the detection unit; receiving and storing the indication flag and the voltage information by a storage unit coupled to the control unit; receiving the first control signal and generating a first clock signal or a second clock signal according to the first control signal by a clock source unit coupled to the control unit; and receiving the second control signal by a plurality of signal transmission units coupled to the control unit, and transmitting or not transmitting a plurality of function signals according to the second control signal. The indication flag indicates whether the control device is in an overvoltage state. The voltage information includes a start time of an overvoltage, a voltage value of an overvoltage, a number of overvoltage occurrences and an end time of an overvoltage. The function signals include an analog-to-digital function signal, a digital-to-analog function signal and an amplification function signal.

7. The method of operating a control device of claim 6, wherein, The frequency of the first clock signal is different from the frequency of the second clock signal.

8. The method of operating a control device of claim 6, wherein, ​ 9. The method of operating a control device of claim 6, wherein, ​ 10. The method of operating a control device of claim 6, wherein, ​

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