US3576441A — Analytical photometer-to-digital computer interfa…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 319 words

In a device for measuring the transmission of radiation through a plurality of discrete samples disposed in a spinning rotor and oriented in a circular array about the center of rotation of said rotor, a computer-interfacing system for real time application of sample transmission data signals sequentially to a digital computer provided with at least a first and second synchronizing inputs and a data-receiving input, comprising: a synchronizing disc coaxially mounted for rotation with said rotor, said disc having openings therethrough radially aligned with corresponding samples, respectively; means for sensing the position of a first one of said samples and providing a first synchronizing pulse output to said first synchronizing input of said computer before said first sample arrives into measuring position; means for sensing the passing of each of said openings of said disc and providing a second synchronizing pulse output coincident with the passing of each of said samples through said measuring position; means for sensing said radiation transmission through said samples and providing an analog output signal proportional to the level of said radiation transmission through said samples; a peak follower and holder circuit having an input connected to receive said analog signal, a reset input, and an output circuit for holding the peak level of said analog signal until reset by a reset pulse applied to said reset input thereof; an analog-to-digital converter connected to the output of said peak follower and holder circuit, said analog-to-digital converter having its output connected to said data receiving input of said computer; and switching means connected to receive each of said second synchronizing pulses for generating a delayed reset pulse at the output thereof connected to said reset input of said peak follower and holder circuit whereby said digital signal is read into said computer during said second synchronizing pulse and said peak follower and holder circuit is reset in advance of a succeeding sample transmission data signal.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 319 words

In a device for measuring the transmission of radiation through a plurality of discrete samples disposed in a spinning rotor and oriented in a circular array about the center of rotation of said rotor, a computer-interfacing system for real time application of sample transmission data signals sequentially to a digital computer provided with at least a first and second synchronizing inputs and a data-receiving input, comprising: a synchronizing disc coaxially mounted for rotation with said rotor, said disc having openings therethrough radially aligned with corresponding samples, respectively; means for sensing the position of a first one of said samples and providing a first synchronizing pulse output to said first synchronizing input of said computer before said first sample arrives into measuring position; means for sensing the passing of each of said openings of said disc and providing a second synchronizing pulse output coincident with the passing of each of said samples through said measuring position; means for sensing said radiation transmission through said samples and providing an analog output signal proportional to the level of said radiation transmission through said samples; a peak follower and holder circuit having an input connected to receive said analog signal, a reset input, and an output circuit for holding the peak level of said analog signal until reset by a reset pulse applied to said reset input thereof; an analog-to-digital converter connected to the output of said peak follower and holder circuit, said analog-to-digital converter having its output connected to said data receiving input of said computer; and switching means connected to receive each of said second synchronizing pulses for generating a delayed reset pulse at the output thereof connected to said reset input of said peak follower and holder circuit whereby said digital signal is read into said computer during said second synchronizing pulse and said peak follower and holder circuit is reset in advance of a succeeding sample transmission data signal.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 67 words

The computer interfacing system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the device is a photometric solution analyzer wherein a first light source is disposed so as to transmit light through said samples at said measuring position and said means for sensing said radiation through said samples includes a first photodetector having its output coupled to said analog signal input of said peak follower and holder circuit.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 111 words

The computer interfacing system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for sensing the position of a first one of said samples and providing a first synchronizing pulse output comprises an additional slot in said synchronizing disc of said first sample, a second light source disposed so as to direct light through said additional slot in advance of said sample into said measuring position, a second phoTodetector disposed so as to receive the light passing through said additional slot to provide said first synchronizing pulse at the output of said second photodetector and means connecting said output of said second photodetector to said first synchronizing input of said computer.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 130 words

The computer interfacing system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for sensing the passing of each of said plurality of openings of said disc and providing said second synchronizing pulse comprises a third light source disposed so as to direct light through said openings at a position coincident with said measuring position, a third photodetector disposed so as to view the light passing through said plurality of slots from said third light source, a first Schmitt trigger circuit connected to the output of said third photodetector, a first univibrator connected to the output of said first Schmitt trigger circuit and a first inverter circuit having its input connected to the output of said first univibrator and its output connected to said second synchronizing input of said computer.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 54 words

The computer interfacing system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said switching means includes a second inverter connected to the output of said first univibrator, and a second univibrator connected to the output of said second inverter and having its output connected to said reset input of said peak follower and holder circuit.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 46 words

The computer interfacing system as set forth in claim 5 further including a noninverting amplifier connected in series with the output of said first photodetector and a filter circuit connected between the output of said amplifier and the input of said peak follower and holder circuit.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1974-04-26	1974-10-26	1975-04-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1978-04-26	1978-10-26	1979-04-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1982-04-26	1982-10-26	1983-04-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Analytical photometer-to-digital computer interfacing system for real time data reduction

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