Patent ID: 6035260
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
In a static electrical discharge dissipation system having a dissipation device which is worn by a user and a conductive line for electrically connecting the dissipation device to ground, the improvement comprising a tag which electrically communicates with the dissipation device and includes electronic circuitry for monitoring the electrical connection of the dissipation device from the user to ground, the electronic circuitry of the tag comprising:a discharge resistor;a microprocessor having a sensor circuit which is in electrical communication with the discharge resistor and includes:a discharge resistor check circuit for monitoring the accuracy of the discharge resistor, the discharge resistor check circuit being configured to generate a discharge resistor signal;a skin resistance check circuit for monitoring the electrical connection of the dissipation device to the user, the skin resistance check circuit being configured to generate a skin resistance signal; anda ground fault detect circuit for monitoring the electrical connection of the dissipation device to ground, the ground fault detect circuit being configured to generate a ground fault signal;the microprocessor being configured to multiplex the sensor circuit to facilitate the generation of the discharge resistor, skin resistance, and ground fault signals;a transmission circuit which is in electrical communication with the sensor circuit for transmitting the discharge resistor, skin resistance, and ground fault signals to an interrogator unit.