US3603975A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for analog to digital conversion or digital to analog conversion
Assignee: Gordon Engineering Co
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Filing: 1969-04-01
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1989-04-01
Abstract
Abstract In a successive approximation for converting analog data to digital form or digital data to analog form, the logically programmed sequence is switched at ground potential in order to eliminate transients of the type usually introduced by switching. In order to ensure great conversion accuracy, a voltage source is provided for generating precision reference signals that are extremely unresponsive to input voltage fluctuations.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard M Gordon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 02:43
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/34; H03M1/38; H03M1/42; H03M1/66; H03M1/74; H03M1/76
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
A device for data conversion between analog form and digital form, said device comprising: a. voltage source means for providing a reference voltage; b. a plurality of precision voltage component means through which currents are defined, said currents being related to an input signal, each of said voltage component means having first and second terminal means, each of said voltage component first terminal means operatively connected to said voltage source means; c. a series of switching means having at least first and second terminal means, one each of said switching first terminal means operatively connected to one each of said voltage component second terminal means, each of said switching second terminal means connected to ground potential, each said switching means having ON and OFF states, said switching first terminal means operatively connected to said switching second terminal means when said switching means are in the ON state, said switching first terminal means operatively disconnected from said switching second terminal means when said switching means are in the OFF state, current flowing through selected ones of said voltage component means to said ground potential via selected switching means in the ON state; d. means operatively connected to said switching means for controlling the ON and OFF states of each said switching means; and e. comparator means having at least first, second, and output terminal means, said comparator first terminal means operatively connected to said voltage source means, said comparator second terminal means operatively connected to each said voltage component first terminal means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
251 words
A device for data conversion between analog form and digital form, said device comprising: a. voltage source means for providing a reference voltage; b. a plurality of precision voltage component means through which currents are defined, said currents being related to an input signal, each of said voltage component means having first and second terminal means, each of said voltage component first terminal means operatively connected to said voltage source means; c. a series of switching means having at least first and second terminal means, one each of said switching first terminal means operatively connected to one each of said voltage component second terminal means, each of said switching second terminal means connected to ground potential, each said switching means having ON and OFF states, said switching first terminal means operatively connected to said switching second terminal means when said switching means are in the ON state, said switching first terminal means operatively disconnected from said switching second terminal means when said switching means are in the OFF state, current flowing through selected ones of said voltage component means to said ground potential via selected switching means in the ON state; d. means operatively connected to said switching means for controlling the ON and OFF states of each said switching means; and e. comparator means having at least first, second, and output terminal means, said comparator first terminal means operatively connected to said voltage source means, said comparator second terminal means operatively connected to each said voltage component first terminal means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the data conversion is from analog form to digital form, said means for controlling including: a. a series of sequential flip-flop means, one each of said flip-flop means operatively connected to one each of said switching means and to said comparator means, each said sequence flip-flop means having first and second states; and b. timing means operatively connected to each said sequential flip-flop means for selectively controlling the states of each said sequential flip-flop means, the final state of each said sequential flip-flop means representing an input analog signal in digital form.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the data conversion is from digital form to analog form, said means for controlling including a series of sequential flip-flop means, one each of said sequential flip-flop means operatively connected to one each of said switching means for governing the state of said switching means, a signal in digital form being selectively applied to each said sequential flip-flop means; an analog form of said digital signal being presented at said output terminal means of said comparator means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said timing means includes: a. control flip-flop means for initiating a conversion by said device; b. clock means for generating a sequence of predeterminately timed clock pulses; and c. programmer means operatively connected to said control flip-flop means, clock means, and sequential flip-flop means for generating a sequence of program pulse responsive to said clock pulses for sequentially triggering said sequential flip-flop means into said second state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said comparator means includes: a. accept means for generating accept pulses; b. reject means for generating reject pulses for triggering said sequential flip-flop means triggered into said second state by said programmer means into said first state.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
275 words
A device for data conversion from analog form to digital form, said device comprising: a. input means for receiving an analog signal; b. voltage source means for providing a reference operatively connected to said input means; c. a plurality of precision voltage component means through which currents are defined, said currents being related to said analog signal, each of said voltage component means having first and second terminal means, each of said voltage component first terminal means operatively connected to said voltage source means; d. a series of switching means having at least first and second terminal means, one each of said switching first terminal means operatively connected to one each of said voltage component second terminal means, each of said switching second terminal means connected to ground potential, each said switching means having ON and OFF states, said switching first terminal means operatively connected to said switching second terminal means when said switching means are in the ON state, said switching first terminal means operatively disconnected from said switching second terminal means when said switching means are in the OFF state, current flowing through selected ones of said voltage component means to said ground potential via selected switching means in the ON state; e. means operatively connected to said switching means for controlling the ON and OFF states of each said switching means; and f. comparator means having at least first, second, and output terminal means, said comparator first terminal means operatively connected to said voltage source means, said comparator second terminal means operatively connected to each said voltage component means, and said comparator output terminal means operatively connected to said means for controlling.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
275 words
A device for data conversion from analog form to digital form, said device comprising: a. input means for receiving an analog signal; b. voltage source means for providing a reference operatively connected to said input means; c. a plurality of precision voltage component means through which currents are defined, said currents being related to said analog signal, each of said voltage component means having first and second terminal means, each of said voltage component first terminal means operatively connected to said voltage source means; d. a series of switching means having at least first and second terminal means, one each of said switching first terminal means operatively connected to one each of said voltage component second terminal means, each of said switching second terminal means connected to ground potential, each said switching means having ON and OFF states, said switching first terminal means operatively connected to said switching second terminal means when said switching means are in the ON state, said switching first terminal means operatively disconnected from said switching second terminal means when said switching means are in the OFF state, current flowing through selected ones of said voltage component means to said ground potential via selected switching means in the ON state; e. means operatively connected to said switching means for controlling the ON and OFF states of each said switching means; and f. comparator means having at least first, second, and output terminal means, said comparator first terminal means operatively connected to said voltage source means, said comparator second terminal means operatively connected to each said voltage component means, and said comparator output terminal means operatively connected to said means for controlling.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
271 words
A device for data conversion from digital form to analog form, said device comprising: a. input means for receiving a digital signal; b. voltage source means for providing a reference voltage; c. a plurality of precision voltage component means through which currents are defined, said currents being related to said digital signal, each of said voltage component means having first and second terminal means, each of said voltage component first tErminal means operatively connected to said voltage source means; d. a series of switching means having at least first and second terminal means, one each of said switching first terminal means operatively connected to one each of said voltage component second terminal means, each of said switching second terminal means connected to ground potential, each said switching means having ON and OFF states, said switching first terminal means operatively connected to said switching second terminal means when said switching means are in the ON state, said switching first terminal means operatively disconnected from said switching second terminal means when said switching means are in the OFF state, current flowing through selected ones of said voltage component means to said ground potential via selected switching means in the ON state; e. means operatively connected between said input means and said digital signals applied to said means for controlling and said means for controlling selectively triggering said switching means into the ON and OFF states; and f. comparator means having at least first, second, and output terminal means, said comparator first terminal means operatively connected to said voltage source means, said comparator second terminal means operatively connected to each said voltage component means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
271 words
A device for data conversion from digital form to analog form, said device comprising: a. input means for receiving a digital signal; b. voltage source means for providing a reference voltage; c. a plurality of precision voltage component means through which currents are defined, said currents being related to said digital signal, each of said voltage component means having first and second terminal means, each of said voltage component first tErminal means operatively connected to said voltage source means; d. a series of switching means having at least first and second terminal means, one each of said switching first terminal means operatively connected to one each of said voltage component second terminal means, each of said switching second terminal means connected to ground potential, each said switching means having ON and OFF states, said switching first terminal means operatively connected to said switching second terminal means when said switching means are in the ON state, said switching first terminal means operatively disconnected from said switching second terminal means when said switching means are in the OFF state, current flowing through selected ones of said voltage component means to said ground potential via selected switching means in the ON state; e. means operatively connected between said input means and said digital signals applied to said means for controlling and said means for controlling selectively triggering said switching means into the ON and OFF states; and f. comparator means having at least first, second, and output terminal means, said comparator first terminal means operatively connected to said voltage source means, said comparator second terminal means operatively connected to each said voltage component means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
124 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said voltage source means includes: a. input means having terminal means for receiving a signal from an external voltage source and b. stabilizer means having at least first and second amplifier means; said first and second amplifier means connected in stages, each said first and second amplifier means having input and output terminal means, said first amplifier input terminal means operatively connected to said input means, said first amplifier output terminal means operatively connected to said second amplifier input terminal means, said second amplifier means operatively connected to said first amplifier input terminal means as a negative feedback, the stability of said second amplifier means operating to stabilize the voltage at said first amplifier input means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said input means includes reference voltage means operatively connected between said input terminal means and ground potential for maintaining the signal at said input terminal means at a constant level.
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) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |