Diagnosis Output Circuit Using Power-Supply Interface for CPU-Free Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for displaying maintenance diagnosis information at startup require a dedicated display device and a functioning CPU, making it difficult to output and display operation or failure conditions when the CPU is not operational, and often necessitate complex control circuits.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a general-purpose interface that includes a diagnosis-information output circuit capable of generating and outputting electrical signals for maintenance diagnosis information using a power-supply interface, allowing for diagnosis information to be displayed even when the CPU is not operating, utilizing a USB-like interface for easy user access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated display device (7-segment LED) is used to display maintenance diagnosis information, then the operation condition or failure condition can be displayed at startup, but an extra cost is required and the display device must be set out of sight requiring time to open a case to check
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a general-purpose interface (USB type-C connector) that serves both as a power supply interface and as a communication interface for outputting maintenance diagnosis information. This eliminates the need for a dedicated display device while maintaining the ability to display operation conditions, and allows users to access diagnosis information through a readily accessible external device without opening the case.
2Ease of operation
If a general-purpose interface is used to output operation condition, then the interface can be easily accessed by users, but a complicated control circuit is needed and the interface cannot be used when the CPU does not operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the maintenance diagnosis information output function from the CPU-controlled general-purpose interface system. A separate maintenance diagnosis information output circuit is implemented that operates independently of the CPU, using dedicated hardware circuits (condition monitoring circuit, condition determining circuit, output-information generating circuit) to monitor system conditions and output diagnosis information directly through the power supply interface without requiring CPU intervention or complicated control circuits.
3Ease of operation
If a general-purpose interface is used to output operation condition, then the interface can be easily accessed by users, but the operation condition or failure condition at startup cannot be displayed when a CPU does not operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the maintenance diagnosis information output circuit continuously monitor system conditions (power supply status, clock signal status, reset signal status) and prepare diagnosis information in advance. The condition monitoring circuit and condition determining circuit are designed to detect and record system states even when the CPU is not operating, ensuring that maintenance diagnosis information is ready for immediate output through the power supply interface without requiring CPU intervention at the time of display.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device includes a diagnosis-information output circuit constituted by a condition monitoring circuit, a condition determining circuit, a condition-controlling-signal monitoring circuit, an output-information generating circuit that generates diagnosis information indicating a condition of the control device, and a condition controlling circuit that changes a signal in the control device in response to a signal for controlling the control device.