US3624643A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Signal-to-time converter
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-09-17
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Granted: 1971-11-30
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Expires: 1989-09-17
Abstract
Abstract A system for converting an input AC signal into a output signal having a time period or duration proportional to the full-wave average value of the input signal. The system is formed of a pair of integrators, one of which is connected to accept a reference voltage, the other connected to accept a full-wave rectified version of the input signal. Both integrators operate for the same time, following which the voltage on one is fed to the input of the other so that the latter reversely integrates back to its initial or zero condition. The time required to perform the reverse integration is the desired time period.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter L Richman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:36
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K7/00; H03K7/08; G; G01; G01R; G01R27/00; G01R27/02; G01R27/08; G01R27/10; G01R27/12; G06; G06G; G06G7/00; G06G7/12; G06G7/16; G06G7/161; G06G7/18; G06G7/24; G06J; G06J1/00; H03K7/06; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/50; H03M1/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A device for converting a parameter of a periodically varying input signal into a time period proportional thereto, and comprising, in combination, first means for integratIng over a first time interval which is an integral number of half cycles of the input signal fundamental, a first signal proportional to the amplitude of said input signal, so as to obtain a first time integral; second means for integrating a reference signal over said first time interval so as to obtain a second time integral; and means for comparing the time integrals of said first and reference signals by integrating in said first means said second time integral over a second time interval starting from the value of said first time integral and ending when the output signal from said first means reaches a predetermined value, so as to provide an output signal having a duration proportional to said second time interval and thus to a ratio of said integrals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
A device for converting a parameter of a periodically varying input signal into a time period proportional thereto, and comprising, in combination, first means for integratIng over a first time interval which is an integral number of half cycles of the input signal fundamental, a first signal proportional to the amplitude of said input signal, so as to obtain a first time integral; second means for integrating a reference signal over said first time interval so as to obtain a second time integral; and means for comparing the time integrals of said first and reference signals by integrating in said first means said second time integral over a second time interval starting from the value of said first time integral and ending when the output signal from said first means reaches a predetermined value, so as to provide an output signal having a duration proportional to said second time interval and thus to a ratio of said integrals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as defined in claim 1 including means for establishing said first signal proportional to the absolute value of said input signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for establishing said first signal comprises means for providing full wave rectification of said input signal.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
199 words
A device for converting a parameter of a periodically varying input signal into a time period proportional thereto, and comprising, in combination means for establishing a first signal proportional to the absolute value of the amplitude of said input signal; said means for establishing said first signal comprising means for inverting said input signal, an axis-crossing detector responsive to an AC signal of the same fundamental frequency as said input signal, and a pair of analog gates, one of which has an input connected to the output of said inverting means, the other having an input connected to the source of said input signal, both having their outputs connected to a common junction, said gates being connected to the output of said axis-crossing detector so as to be alternately operable for respectively applying said input signal and the inversion of said input signal to said common junction; first means for integrating said first signal over a time interval; second means for integrating a reference signal over said time interval; and means for comparing the time integrals of said first and reference signals so as to provide an output signal having a duration proportional to a ratio of said integrals.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
199 words
A device for converting a parameter of a periodically varying input signal into a time period proportional thereto, and comprising, in combination means for establishing a first signal proportional to the absolute value of the amplitude of said input signal; said means for establishing said first signal comprising means for inverting said input signal, an axis-crossing detector responsive to an AC signal of the same fundamental frequency as said input signal, and a pair of analog gates, one of which has an input connected to the output of said inverting means, the other having an input connected to the source of said input signal, both having their outputs connected to a common junction, said gates being connected to the output of said axis-crossing detector so as to be alternately operable for respectively applying said input signal and the inversion of said input signal to said common junction; first means for integrating said first signal over a time interval; second means for integrating a reference signal over said time interval; and means for comparing the time integrals of said first and reference signals so as to provide an output signal having a duration proportional to a ratio of said integrals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for establishing said first time interval comprises an axis-crossing detector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for integrating both comprise integrating operational amplifiers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for comparing comprises said first means, means for connecting the output of said second means to the input of said first means, and means for measuring the time required for said first means to integrate said second time integral starting from the value of said first time integral and ending when the output signal from said first means reaches said predetermined value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
A device as defined in claim 7 including an axis-crossing detector connected to said first means so as to provide an output signal when the output signal from said first means reaches said predetermined value, and means for producing an output signal commencing with the connection of the output of said second means to the input of said first means and terminating responsively to the output signal from said axis-crossing detector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as defined in claim 1 including means for converting said output signal duration into a digital value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for converting comprises a digital clock, a gate enabled by said output signal and having an input connected to said clock, and a counter connected to the output of said gate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as defined in claim 1 including means for establishing said first time interval as an even number of half cycles of the fundamental of said input signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device As defined in claim 1 including means for establishing said first time interval as an odd number of half-cycles of the fundamental of said input signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as defined in claim 1 including means for establishing said first time interval as an integral number of half cycles of the fundamental of a phase reference signal of the same frequency as the fundamental of said input signal.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
123 words
A device for converting a parameter of a periodically varying input signal into a time-period proportional thereto, and comprising, in combination, means for establishing a time interval as an integral number of half-cycles of the fundamental of a phase reference signal of the same frequency as the fundamental of said input signal; first means for integrating over said time interval, a first signal proportional to a cosine function of any phase angle difference between said phase reference signal and said input signal; second means for integrating said reference signal over said time interval; and means for comparing the time integrals of said first and reference signals so as to provide an output signal having a duration proportional to a ratio of said integrals.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
123 words
A device for converting a parameter of a periodically varying input signal into a time-period proportional thereto, and comprising, in combination, means for establishing a time interval as an integral number of half-cycles of the fundamental of a phase reference signal of the same frequency as the fundamental of said input signal; first means for integrating over said time interval, a first signal proportional to a cosine function of any phase angle difference between said phase reference signal and said input signal; second means for integrating said reference signal over said time interval; and means for comparing the time integrals of said first and reference signals so as to provide an output signal having a duration proportional to a ratio of said integrals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
92 words
A device as defined in claim 14 wherein at least said first means for integrating comprises an integrating operational amplifier, and including means for determining the polarity of the output signal from said integrating operational amplifier, means for inverting the output signal from said second means for integrating, and means for selectively connecting either the inverted output signal or the noninverted output signal from said second means for integrating according to the relative polarity of the output signal from said integrating operational amplifier as detected by said means for determining said polarity.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
138 words
A device for converting a parameter of a periodically varying input signal into a time period proportional thereto, and comprising, in combination, means for establishing a first time interval as an integral number of half-cycles of the fundamental of a phase reference signal of the same frequency as the fundamental of said input signal, and comprising an axis-crossing detector connected to a first terminal at which said phase reference signal is intended to be applied, first means for integrating over said first time interval, a first signal proportional to the absolute value of said input signal; second means for integrating a reference signal over said first time interval; and means for comparing the time integrals of said first and reference signals so as to provide an output signal having a duration proportional to a ratio of said integrals.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
138 words
A device for converting a parameter of a periodically varying input signal into a time period proportional thereto, and comprising, in combination, means for establishing a first time interval as an integral number of half-cycles of the fundamental of a phase reference signal of the same frequency as the fundamental of said input signal, and comprising an axis-crossing detector connected to a first terminal at which said phase reference signal is intended to be applied, first means for integrating over said first time interval, a first signal proportional to the absolute value of said input signal; second means for integrating a reference signal over said first time interval; and means for comparing the time integrals of said first and reference signals so as to provide an output signal having a duration proportional to a ratio of said integrals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
135 words
A device as defined in claim 16 including means for establishing said absolute value and comprising a second terminal at which said input signal is intended to be applied and isolated from said first terminal, means connected to said first terminal for inverting said input signal, a first analog gate having an input connected to said first terminal, a second analog gate having an input connected to the output of said means for inverting said gates having their outputs connected to a common junction, said gates being connected to the output of said axis-crossing detector so as to be alternately and mutually exclusively operable for respectively connecting said input signal and its inversion to said common junction as a cosine function of any phase angle difference between said phase reference signal and said input signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as defined in claim 1 including means for providing said reference signal as a substantially steady-state DC signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as defined in claim 1 including means for providing said reference signal as a full-wave rectified AC signal of substantially the same frequency as the fundamental of said AC input signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as defined in claim 1 including means for converting said output signal duration into a signal having amplitude prOportional to said duration.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
57 words
A device as defined in claim 20 wherein said means for converting comprises means for integrating an auxiliary input signal for a period proportional to said output signal duration, means for sampling and holding the output signal from the last-named means, and means for periodically reading out the amplitude of the signal stored in said sample-and-hold means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as defined in claim 21 wherein said auxiliary input signal is said reference signal.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
162 words
A device for converting a parameter of an input signal into a time period proportional thereto, and comprising, in combination, first means for integrating over a time interval, a first signal proportional to the amplitude of said input signal; second means for integrating a reference signal over said time interval; means for comparing the time integrals of said first and reference signals so as to provide an output signal having a duration proportional to a ratio of said integrals; and means for converting said output signal duration into a signal having amplitude proportional to said duration; said means for converting comprising a first integrator for integrating an auxiliary input signal for a period proportional to said output signal duration, a second integrator for integrating over said period the output signal from the first integrator, means for sampling and holding the output signal from the second integrator, and means for periodically reading out the amplitude of the signal stored in said sample-and-hold means.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
162 words
A device for converting a parameter of an input signal into a time period proportional thereto, and comprising, in combination, first means for integrating over a time interval, a first signal proportional to the amplitude of said input signal; second means for integrating a reference signal over said time interval; means for comparing the time integrals of said first and reference signals so as to provide an output signal having a duration proportional to a ratio of said integrals; and means for converting said output signal duration into a signal having amplitude proportional to said duration; said means for converting comprising a first integrator for integrating an auxiliary input signal for a period proportional to said output signal duration, a second integrator for integrating over said period the output signal from the first integrator, means for sampling and holding the output signal from the second integrator, and means for periodically reading out the amplitude of the signal stored in said sample-and-hold means.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
228 words
A device for converting a parameter of an input signal into a time period proportional thereto, and comprising, in combination, first electrical means for integrating over a first time interval, a first signal proportional to the amplitude of said input signal; means for establishing said first signal proportional to the absolute value of said input signal, said first means being capable of selectively integrating as a direct function of time, or being discharged at a rate which is an exponential function of time, means for connecting said means for establishing said first signal to said first means and for controlling the latter so that it integrates said first signal as a direct function of said first time interval; means for controlling said first means so that following integration of said first signal, said first means is discharged at a rate which is an exponential function of time; means for comparing the time integrals of said first and reference signals by determining a second time interval required for the output signal from the discharging first means to reach an amplitude predetermined relative to the amplitude of the output signal from said first means at the beginning of said first time interval, so that said second time interval has a duration proportional to a ratio of said integrals; second means for integrating a reference signal over said first time interval;
Claim 30
Independent Claim
228 words
A device for converting a parameter of an input signal into a time period proportional thereto, and comprising, in combination, first electrical means for integrating over a first time interval, a first signal proportional to the amplitude of said input signal; means for establishing said first signal proportional to the absolute value of said input signal, said first means being capable of selectively integrating as a direct function of time, or being discharged at a rate which is an exponential function of time, means for connecting said means for establishing said first signal to said first means and for controlling the latter so that it integrates said first signal as a direct function of said first time interval; means for controlling said first means so that following integration of said first signal, said first means is discharged at a rate which is an exponential function of time; means for comparing the time integrals of said first and reference signals by determining a second time interval required for the output signal from the discharging first means to reach an amplitude predetermined relative to the amplitude of the output signal from said first means at the beginning of said first time interval, so that said second time interval has a duration proportional to a ratio of said integrals; second means for integrating a reference signal over said first time interval;
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as defined in claim 24 including means for providing said reference signal as a substantially steady-state DC signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as defined in claim 24 including means for providing said reference signal as a full-wave rectified AC signal having substantially the same frequency as the fundamental of said AC input signal.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
163 words
A device for converting a parameter of a periodically varying input signal into a digital output signal proportional thereto, and comprising, in combination, a voltage-to-rate converter connected for providing a pulse train having a repetition rate proportional to said input signal, a first gate having an input connected to the output of said converter, means for enabling said first gate for a time interval which is an integral number of half-cycles of the fundamental of said input signal, and a first counter for counting the output of said first gate, clock means for producing a reference pulse train of predetermined repetition rate, a second gate Having an input connected to the output of said clock means, means for enabling said second gate for said time interval, and a second counter connected for counting the output of said second gate, and means for comparing the counts in said counters with one another to provide a ratio having a digital value proportional to said parameter.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
163 words
A device for converting a parameter of a periodically varying input signal into a digital output signal proportional thereto, and comprising, in combination, a voltage-to-rate converter connected for providing a pulse train having a repetition rate proportional to said input signal, a first gate having an input connected to the output of said converter, means for enabling said first gate for a time interval which is an integral number of half-cycles of the fundamental of said input signal, and a first counter for counting the output of said first gate, clock means for producing a reference pulse train of predetermined repetition rate, a second gate Having an input connected to the output of said clock means, means for enabling said second gate for said time interval, and a second counter connected for counting the output of said second gate, and means for comparing the counts in said counters with one another to provide a ratio having a digital value proportional to said parameter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as defined in claim 27 wherein said means for comparing comprises a digital divider connected for dividing the total in one counter by the total in the other counter.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
70 words
A device as defined in claim 27 wherein said clock means comprises an input terminal at which an AC reference wave is intended to be applied, means connected to said terminal for providing a signal which is the absolute value of said AC reference wave, and a second voltage-to-rate converter for producing said reference pulse train with a repetition rate proportional to said absolute value of said AC reference wave.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
115 words
A device for converting a parameter of a periodically varying input signal into a digital output proportional thereto, and comprising, in combination, first means for integrating over a time interval which is an integral number of half cycles of the input signal fundamental, a first signal proportion to the absolute amplitude of said input signal; second means for integrating a reference signal over said time interval; and an analog-to-digital converter connected such that the output signal from said first means is compared to the output signal from said second means so as to provide an output signal having a digital value proportional to a ratio of the time integrals of said first and reference signals.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
115 words
A device for converting a parameter of a periodically varying input signal into a digital output proportional thereto, and comprising, in combination, first means for integrating over a time interval which is an integral number of half cycles of the input signal fundamental, a first signal proportion to the absolute amplitude of said input signal; second means for integrating a reference signal over said time interval; and an analog-to-digital converter connected such that the output signal from said first means is compared to the output signal from said second means so as to provide an output signal having a digital value proportional to a ratio of the time integrals of said first and reference signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-29 | 1975-05-31 | 1975-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-29 | 1979-05-31 | 1979-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-29 | 1983-05-31 | 1983-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |