US3573652A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Random interval timer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-03-07
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Granted: 1971-04-06
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Expires: 1989-03-07
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus according to the present invention produces an output at random time intervals following a Poisson distribution. A first pulse generator means, comprising first and second time delay circuits, produces a first periodic pulse having a period on the order of minutes. A second pulse generator means provides a second repetitive pulse having a predetermined average period which is much less than the period of the first pulse, with the exact time of occurrence of the second pulse being modulated by a random noise signal. A coincidence detector indicates time coincidence between the first and second pulses and causes an audible output to be produced. The duty factor of the second pulse predetermines the chance for coincidence.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas H Charters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:21
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K3/00; H03K3/84
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for producing an output at random, unpredictable intervals wherein the average number of such outputs over an extended period of time can be predetermined, said apparatus comprising: first means for generating a first repetitive pulse having a period between pulse occurrences on the order of minutes or greater; second means for generating a second repetitive pulse having a predetermined average period which is much less than the period of said first pulse, said second pulse at each repetition thereof having a predetermined duration as compared with the average period between said second pulses for establishing a controlled chance of time coincidence with a said first pulse; means for modulating the final time of occurrence of one of said pulses by means of random noise; and means for detecting time coincidence between said first and second pulses for providing said output.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for producing an output at random, unpredictable intervals wherein the average number of such outputs over an extended period of time can be predetermined, said apparatus comprising: first means for generating a first repetitive pulse having a period between pulse occurrences on the order of minutes or greater; second means for generating a second repetitive pulse having a predetermined average period which is much less than the period of said first pulse, said second pulse at each repetition thereof having a predetermined duration as compared with the average period between said second pulses for establishing a controlled chance of time coincidence with a said first pulse; means for modulating the final time of occurrence of one of said pulses by means of random noise; and means for detecting time coincidence between said first and second pulses for providing said output.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the final time of occurrence of said second pulse is determined by said random noise, with the average time of occurrence thereof remaining substantially constant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the duration of each second pulse is between 5 and 15 percent of the period between occurrences thereof to establish a chance of time coincidence of corresponding value and to establish substantially a Poisson distribution of coincidences.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first means for generating said first pulse comprises a first time delay circuit for providing a substantially periodic output having a delay on the order of minutes or greater between occurrences of such substantially periodic output, and a second time delay circuit operated by said first time delay circuit for producing a much shorter delay and providing said first pulse at the end of said shorter delay.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for producing an output at random, unpredictable intervals comprising: a first means for providing a first repetitive pulse, said first means comprising a first time delay circuit generating a repetitive output and a second time delay circuit operated by said first time delay circuit and providing an output corresponding to said first pulse at a time after the output of said first time delay circuit shorter than the time between repetitions of the output of the first time delay circuit; second means for providing a second repetitive pulse having a much faster repetition rate than said first pulse; and means for registering a coincidence between the occurrence of said first pulse and the occurrence of said second pulse to provide an output for said apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for producing an output at random, unpredictable intervals comprising: a first means for providing a first repetitive pulse, said first means comprising a first time delay circuit generating a repetitive output and a second time delay circuit operated by said first time delay circuit and providing an output corresponding to said first pulse at a time after the output of said first time delay circuit shorter than the time between repetitions of the output of the first time delay circuit; second means for providing a second repetitive pulse having a much faster repetition rate than said first pulse; and means for registering a coincidence between the occurrence of said first pulse and the occurrence of said second pulse to provide an output for said apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said first time delay circuit provides a periodic output having a period on the order of minutes, and said second time delay circuit provides a delay for the production of said first pulse which delay is on the order of milliseconds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said second means further includes a random noise generator for modulating the output time of repetitions of said second pulse.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 further including an audio oscillator for providing an audible tone in response to a coincidence registered by said means for detecting such coincidence.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said first time delay means is connected to empower said second means at the time of an output of the first time delay means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 including a common power supply for said first and second means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said first and second time delay circuits each comprise ramp waveform generators including means for detecting when a ramp waveform generated thereby reaches a predetermined value for ascertaining a predetermined time, the ramp produced by The second time delay circuit having a greater slope than the ramp produced by the first time delay circuit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said second means further comprises a rectangular wave generator having a normal predetermined period and receiving the output of said noise generator for modulating such period.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said rectangular wave generator is adapted to produce said second pulse with a predetermined duration compared with the period between repetitions thereof for establishing a duty factor for predicting the number of coincidences detected by said means for detecting such coincidences, over an extended period of time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-05 | 1974-10-05 | 1975-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-05 | 1978-10-05 | 1979-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-05 | 1982-10-05 | 1983-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |