Method for operating a microcomputer apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9588154-B2
Application number	US-201414315429-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 26, 2014
Priority date	Jun 27, 2013
Publication date	Mar 7, 2017
Grant date	Mar 7, 2017

Abstract

A method for operating a microcomputer apparatus includes provisioning an electrical reference voltage that is independent of an electrical supply voltage, continuously comparing a defined level of the electrical reference voltage with the electrical supply voltage, and performing a defined operation with the microcomputer apparatus for at least one defined ratio between the defined level of the electrical reference voltage and the electrical supply voltage. The provisioning and the continuous comparing involves using a functional module of the microcomputer apparatus.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for operating a microcomputer apparatus, comprising:
provisioning an electrical reference voltage that is independent of an electrical supply voltage;
continuously comparing a defined level of the electrical reference voltage with the electrical supply voltage; and
performing a defined operation with the microcomputer apparatus for at least one defined ratio between the defined level of the electrical reference voltage and the electrical supply voltage,
wherein the provisioning and the continuous comparing involves using a functional module of the microcomputer apparatus,
wherein the defined operation is switching an electrical apparatus to a standby state, and
wherein the microcomputer apparatus is included in the electrical apparatus.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the defined operation is performed when the electrical supply voltage is below a defined threshold value.

3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
outputting a control signal to an electronic device.

4. An electrical apparatus comprising:
a mains power supply; and
a microcomputer apparatus electrically connected to the mains power supply,
wherein the electrical apparatus is configured to be switched to a defined state according to an operating method that is carried out by the microcomputer apparatus,
wherein the operating method includes (i) provisioning an electrical reference voltage that is independent of an electrical supply voltage, (ii) continuously comparing a defined level of the electrical reference voltage with the electrical supply voltage, and (iii) performing a defined operation with the microcomputer apparatus for at least one defined ratio between the defined level of the electrical reference voltage and the electrical supply voltage, and
wherein the provisioning and the continuous comparing involves using a functional module of the microcomputer apparatus, and
wherein the defined operation is switching the electrical apparatus to a standby state.

5. The electrical apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising:
an electronic device associated with the microcomputer apparatus and the mains power supply,
wherein a threshold value for the electrical supply voltage for the microcomputer apparatus is configured based on a requirement of the electronic device in respect of the mains power supply.

6. The electrical apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the electronic device is configured to produce a synchronization signal.

7. The electrical apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the threshold value and/or the electrical reference voltage is configured to be adjusted in a defined manner.

8. The electrical apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the electrical apparatus is an electric tool.

9. A computer program product comprising:
a computer-readable storage medium including:
a plurality of instructions that when executed by a microcomputer apparatus of an electrical apparatus causes the microcomputer apparatus to perform the following acts:
(i) provisioning an electrical reference voltage that is independent of an electrical supply voltage, (ii) continuously comparing a defined level of the electrical reference voltage with the electrical supply voltage, and (iii) performing a defined operation with the microcomputer apparatus for at least one defined ratio between the defined level of the electrical reference voltage and the electrical supply voltage, and

wherein the provisioning and the continuous comparing involves using a functional module of the microcomputer apparatus,
wherein the defined operation is switching the electrical apparatus to a standby state.

Assignees

• Bosch Gmbh Robert

Inventors

• Rombach Daniel
• Pogorzelski Kamil
• Wiszniewski Jacek
• Prantner Marcus

Classifications

• G01R19/165 Primary

  Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values · CPC title

• B25F5/00 Primary

  Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• G01R19/16576

  comparing DC or AC voltage with one threshold (G01R19/16514, G01R19/16519, G01R19/16528, G01R19/16533 and G01R19/1659 take precedence) · CPC title

• G01R19/16533

  characterised by the application · CPC title