IP Library Granted Patent US 7,460,973
Granted Patent B2
US 7,460,973 · App. 11/808,817 · Granted Dec 2, 2008

Sensing apparatus

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,460,973
App. No.
11/808,817
Granted
Dec 2, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sensing apparatus includes a microprocessor having an A/D converting function of digital-converting an analog electric quantity supplied to an A/D conversion port and taking in a conversion result, and a plurality of electrical elements that are connected with the microprocessor and generate analog electric quantities. The plurality of electrical elements are respectively connected with a plurality of switch ports in the microprocessor that can be selectively grounded by internal switches of the microprocessor. Analog electric quantities generated in the electrical elements can be selectively taken into the A/D converting function of the microprocessor by selectively switching the internal switches.

Claims (20)

1. A sensing apparatus including a microprocessor that has an AD converting function of digital-converting an analog electric quantity supplied to an A/D conversion port and taking in a conversion result, and a plurality of electrical elements that are connected with the microprocessor and generate analog electric quantities, the sensing apparatus comprising:

a plurality of internal switches provided in the microprocessor; and

a plurality of switch ports that are provided in the microprocessor and can be selectively grounded by the internal switches,

wherein said plurality of electrical elements are respectively connected with the plurality of switch ports, and analog electric quantities generated in the electrical elements can be selectively taken into the A/D converting function of the microprocessor by selectively switching the internal switches.

2. The sensing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a fixed resistor having one end to which a constant voltage is applied and the other end connected with a first end portion of each of the plurality of temperature sensing elements,

wherein the plurality of electrical elements are temperature sensing elements whose resistance values vary depending on a temperature;

the plurality of switch ports are provided independently from the A/D conversion port;

a connection point between the fixed resistor and the plurality of temperature sensing elements is connected with the A/D conversion port; and

second end portions of the respective temperature sensing elements are individually connected with the plurality of switch ports.

3. The sensing apparatus according to claim 2 ,

wherein the connection point between the fixed resistor and the plurality of temperature sensing elements is connected with the A/D conversion port through a filter.

4. The sensing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a fixed resistor having one end to which a constant voltage is applied and the other end connected with a first end portion of each of the plurality of temperature sensing elements,

wherein the plurality of electrical elements are temperature sensing elements whose resistance values vary depending on a temperature;

the plurality of switch ports also serve as the A/D conversion port; and

second end portions of the respective temperature sensing elements are individually connected with the plurality of switch ports.

5. The sensing apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising:

a capacitor connected between the plurality of switch ports,

wherein an analog electric quantity of the temperature sensing element connected with the switch port grounded by the internal switches is inputted to a non-grounded switch port through a filter constituted of the capacitor and the temperature sensing element connected with the non-grounded switch port.

Assignments (2)
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Aug 29, 2023
From: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC ENERGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 064745/0405 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 13, 2007
From: KOBAYASHI, MASAYUKI; ITAGAKI, SHINICHI
To: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 019482/0756 →