Patent ID: 8918297

Claim:
An electronic device integrity monitoring apparatus for monitoring the integrity of an electronic device that outputs a control signal to an operating device whose operation is to be controlled, the apparatus comprising: a control unit with which the electronic device is provided and that generates the control signal for controlling operation of the operating device; a monitoring unit with which the electronic device is provided and that monitors a state of the control unit by performing the same calculation as that performed by the control unit; a storage unit that stores a first reference value serving as a reference value of a voltage value or a current value of an input/output electric signal that is input into or output from the control unit and a second reference value serving as a reference value of a voltage value or a current value of an input/output electric signal that is input into or output from the monitoring unit; a first caution signal output unit that compares the input/output electric signal into/from the control unit with the first reference value stored in the storage unit, calculating an amount of deviation therebetween, and that outputs, if the amount of deviation exceeds a predetermined first threshold value, a first caution signal for signaling that degradation of the control unit has been detected; and a second caution signal output unit that compares the input/output electric signal into/from the monitoring unit with the second reference value stored in the storage unit, calculating an amount of deviation therebetween, and that outputs, if the amount of deviation exceeds a predetermined second threshold value, a second caution signal for signaling that degradation of the monitoring unit has been detected, wherein the first reference value and the second reference value are acquired and stored in the storage unit in a period between completion of production of the control unit and the monitoring unit and start of operation thereof, and the first caution signal output unit and the second caution signal output unit acquire the input/output electric signals into/from the control unit and the monitoring unit, respectively, under the same conditions as those under which the first reference value and the second reference value are acquired.