Abstract: A surge protection device for providing electrical power to electronic devices and protecting the electronic devices from voltage surges. The surge protection device includes a surge protection circuit for absorbing voltage spikes or surges and a switch for disconnecting the electronic devices from AC power when a component of the surge protection circuit fails. The surge protection circuit provides a voltage signal indicative of whether the component fails failed to a controller and the controller outputs a control signal to the switch to control operation of the switch. The surge protection circuit may be provided on a separate circuit board that is removably electrically coupled to a main circuit board so as to facilitate easy removal and replacement of the surge protection circuit upon failure of a component.

Abstract: A surge protection device for providing electrical power to electronic devices and protecting the electronic devices from voltage surges. The surge protection device includes a surge protection circuit for absorbing voltage spikes or surges and a switch for disconnecting the electronic devices from AC power when a component of the surge protection circuit fails. The surge protection circuit provides a voltage signal indicative of whether the component fails failed to a controller and the controller outputs a control signal to the switch to control operation of the switch. The surge protection circuit may be provided on a separate circuit board that is removably electrically coupled to a main circuit board so as to facilitate easy removal and replacement of the surge protection circuit upon failure of a component.

Abstract: A watchdog timer circuit modified to operate during periods of microcomputer shut-down or sleeping, as for energy conservation purposes, controlled by an independent external rectangular-wave signal for inhibiting watchdog timer reset signal generation for the microcomputer during such shut-down periods and until a wake-up signal is generated at the end of such microcomputer sleeping, whereupon the watchdog circuit will generate a reset signal in the absence of proper microcomputer operation.

Abstract: A watchdog timer circuit modified to operate during periods of microcomputer shut-down or sleeping, as for energy conservation purposes, controlled by an independent external rectangular-wave signal for inhibiting watchdog timer reset signal generation for the microcomputer during such shut-down periods and until a wake-up signal is generated at the end of such microcomputer sleeping, whereupon the watchdog circuit will generate a reset signal in the absence of proper microcomputer operation.

Abstract: Remote resistance measurement technique using a programmable current source to enable accurate measurement of resistance, such as physical parameter sensing resistors such as for the remote monitoring of vehicular construction equipment or the like, particularly where full physical access to the sense resistor is not possible, as, for example, in vehicular fuel gauge applications and the like.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for regulating power consumption by electronic equipment containing integral rechargeable backup batteries used, among other places, in systems operating with vehicle engine main batteries and the like, and wherein techniques are employed to minimize the depletion of the main batteries used to maintain the charge on the backup battery, particularly under circumstances of engine shut down, but with electronic equipment continued power demands on the backup batteries.

Abstract: Remote resistance measurement technique using a programmable current source to enable accurate measurement of resistance, such as physical parameter sensing resistors such as for the remote monitoring of vehicular construction equipment or the like, particularly where full physical access to the sense resistor is not possible, as, for example, in vehicular fuel gauge applications and the like.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for regulating power consumption by electronic equipment containing integral rechargeable backup batteries used, among other places, in systems operating with vehicle engine main batteries and the like, and wherein techniques are employed to minimize the depletion of the main batteries used to maintain the charge on the backup battery, particularly under circumstances of engine shut down, but with electronic equipment continued power demands on the backup batteries.

Abstract: A novel method of and system for remotely monitoring location, status, utilization and condition of a widely geographically dispersed fleets of vehicular construction equipment, using the resources of satellite positioning and communication and Internet facilities, and processing and displaying such information for fleet managers and the like.