Patent US3656066A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3656066A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Information format converter-oscillator
Assignee: Systronics Inc
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Filing: 1970-05-27
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Granted: 1972-04-11
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Expires: 1990-05-27
Abstract
Abstract Information format converter receives input information represented by variable input resistance and converts this input information into an output signal whose frequency varies in accordance with the input information. A charge storage means charges over a time period in accordance with the resistance value of the input resistance and provides a signal to an output means, a bi-stable level detector, having two output threshold levels which changes state between the two levels when said storage means reaches either of the two levels. The converter can be connected so that the frequency of the output signal varies in direct proportion with the resistance value of the input or so that the period of the output signal varies in direct proportion with the resistance value of the input. The converter also uses a new bi-stable level detector which eliminates the requirement that precision reference voltages be used in the converter. The converter can also be used as a voltage waveform generator.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J Reynal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:02
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K7/00; H03K7/06; G; G01; G01R; G01R27/00; G01R27/02; H03K4/00; H03K4/06; H03K4/066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An information format converter for converting input variables indicated by a resistance to an output signal of a corresponding frequency, comprising: a. input means whose resistance value varies in accordance with the input parameter being measured; b. charge storage means whose charging time varies in accordance with the resistance of said input means; and c. output means responsive to said storage means and having two output threshold levels, said output means comprising bi-stable level detector means for providing predetermined alternative voltage output levels in accordance with the input thereto, comprising: 1. amplifier means having a plurality of input terminals; and 2. first means for actuating said bi-stable level detector to provide a first of its predetermined alternative voltage output levels in response to the input to said amplifier means, said levels changing when said storage means reaches either of said two threshold levels whereby said output means produces a two-level output signal changing between levels at a frequency varying in accordance with the input parameter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
An information format converter for converting input variables indicated by a resistance to an output signal of a corresponding frequency, comprising: a. input means whose resistance value varies in accordance with the input parameter being measured; b. charge storage means whose charging time varies in accordance with the resistance of said input means; and c. output means responsive to said storage means and having two output threshold levels, said output means comprising bi-stable level detector means for providing predetermined alternative voltage output levels in accordance with the input thereto, comprising: 1. amplifier means having a plurality of input terminals; and 2. first means for actuating said bi-stable level detector to provide a first of its predetermined alternative voltage output levels in response to the input to said amplifier means, said levels changing when said storage means reaches either of said two threshold levels whereby said output means produces a two-level output signal changing between levels at a frequency varying in accordance with the input parameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
first means for actuating said bi-stable level detector to provide a first of its predetermined alternative voltage output levels in response to the input to said amplifier means, said levels changing when said storage means reaches either of said two threshold levels whereby said output means produces a two-level output signal changing between levels at a frequency varying in accordance with the input parameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
first means for actuating said bi-stable level detector to provide a first of its predetermined alternative voltage output levels in response to the input to said amplifier means, said levels changing when said storage means reaches either of said two threshold levels whereby said output means produces a two-level output signal changing between levels at a frequency varying in accordance with the input parameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said bi-stable level detector means comprises: (a) second means for actuating said bi-stable level detector to provide the second it its predetermined alternative voltage output levels in response to the input to said amplifier means; (b) said first means and said second means being mutually exclusively operable, and being connected in common at their outputs to form the output terminal of said bi-stable level detector; and (c) feedback means connecting said output terminal to an input terminal of said amplifier means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
first means for actuating said bi-stable level detector to provide a first of its predetermined alternative voltage output levels in response to the input to said amplifier means, said levels changing when said storage means reaches either of said two threshold levels, whereby said output means generates a square wave signal of the predetermined frequency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
first means for actuating said bi-stable level detector to provide a first of its predetermined alternative voltage output levels in response to the input to said amplifier means, said levels changing when said storage means reaches either of said two threshold levels, whereby said output means generates a square wave signal of the predetermined frequency.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
an integrating capacitance connecting the output of said operational amplifier to a first input terminal thereof;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
an integrating capacitance connecting the output of said operational amplifier to a first input terminal thereof;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
an integrating capacitance connecting the output of said operational amplifier to a first input terminal thereof;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
an integrating capacitance connecting the output of said operational amplifier to a first input terminal thereof;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
a resistance for connecting said input means to said first input terminal, further serving as the resistance of said integrator operational amplifier;
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
a resistance for connecting said input means to said first input terminal, further serving as the resistance of said integrator operational amplifier;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
a resistance for connecting said input means to said first input terminal, further serving as the resistance of said integrator operational amplifier;
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
a resistance for connecting said input means to said first input terminal, further serving as the resistance of said integrator operational amplifier;
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure of claim 2, including: a. means for supplying direct current power to said bi-stable level detector; and b. means for establishing a comparison reference operating potential for said format converter witH respect to the voltage output of said power supply.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
82 words
The structure of claim 3 wherein: a. said first actuating means of said level detector is a first transistor, receiving at its base the output of said amplifier means; b. said second actuating means of said level detector is a second transistor opposite in conductivity to said first transistor, receiving at its base the output of said amplifier means; and c. the emitters of said first and said second transistors being connected and forming the output terminal of said bi-stable level detector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
a second input terminal of said operational amplifier being connected to said reference operating potential junction; b. said feedback means further including second feedback means for connecting the output terminal of said bi-stable level detector to said integrator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
a second input terminal of said operational amplifier being connected to said reference operating potential junction; b. said feedback means further including second feedback means for connecting the output terminal of said bi-stable level detector to said integrator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
a second input terminal of said operational amplifier being connected to said reference operating potential junction; b. said feedback means further including second feedback means for connecting the output terminal of said bi-stable level detector to said integrator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
a second input terminal of said operational amplifier being connected to said reference operating potential junction; b. said feedback means further including second feedback means for connecting the output terminal of said bi-stable level detector to said integrator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
102 words
The structure of claim 4, wherein said operating potential establishing means comprises: a. a first Zener diode, connected at one terminal to said power supply and the collector of said first transistor; b. a second Zener diode, serially connected between a second terminal of said first diode and the collector of said second transistor; c. the collector of said second transistor being connected to a power common terminal of said power supply; and d. the junction between said first diode and said second diode having a potential established by said diodes, and serving as a reference potential junction for said format converter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The structure of claim 5, wherein: a. said storage means comprises:
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
84 words
The structure of claim 6 wherein said input means comprises; a. an input resistance, variable according to value of input parameter, connected between said reference junction and said second input of said integrator operational amplifier; and b. a fixed resistance connected between said input resistance and said connecting resistance whereby the charging period of the integrator is directly proportional to the value of said input parameter, and the period of transitions of the output is directly proportional to the value of the input parameter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
109 words
The structure of claim 6 wherein said input means comprises: a. a first fixed resistance, connected to said reference terminal and having a tap positioned thereon according to the input parameter being measured, said tap being connected to said second input of said integrator operational amplifier; b. a second fixed resistance connected between said first fixed resistance and said connecting resistance of said first input terminal of said operational amplifier integrator whereby the charging period of the integrator is inversely proportional to the value of said input parameter, and thereby the frequency of the transitions between said output levels is directly proportional to the value of the input parameter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
73 words
The structure of claim 6 wherein said input means comprises: a. a fixed resistance connected between said reference terminal and said connecting resistance; and b. a variable resistance connected between said second feedback means and said connecting resistance wherein the charging period of the integrator is directly proportional to the value of said input parameter, and the period of transitions of the output is directly proportional to the value of the input parameter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
95 words
The structure of claim 6, wherein said input means comprises: a. a first fixed resistance connected to said second feedback means having a tap positioned thereon according to the input parameter being measured, said tap connected to said connectinG resistance; and b. a second fixed resistance being connected between said first fixed resistance and said reference terminal wherein the charging period of the integrator is inversely proportioned to the value of the input parameter and wherein the frequency of the transitions between said output levels is directly proportional to the value of the input parameter.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
58 words
The structure of claim 6 wherein said input means comprises: a. an input resistance variable according to the value of the input parameter and connected between the output of said integrator operational amplifier and said amplifier of said level detector; and b. means for connecting said reference terminal directly to said second input of said integrator operational amplifier.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
55 words
The structure of claim 6 wherein said input means comprises: a. an input resistance variable according to the value of the input parameter and connected between the input of said level detector amplifier and said feedback means; and b. means for connecting said reference terminal directly to said second input of said integrator operational amplifier.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
89 words
A voltage waveform generator for producing voltage waveforms of a predetermined frequency, comprising: a. a fixed input resistance whose resistance value establishes the predetermined frequency; b. charge storage means whose charging time is established in accordance with the fixed input resistance and whose output provides a sawtooth waveform of the predetermined frequency; and c. output means responsive to said storage means and having two output threshold levels, said output means comprising bi-stable level detector means for providing predetermined alternative voltage output levels in accordance with the input thereto, comprising:
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
89 words
A voltage waveform generator for producing voltage waveforms of a predetermined frequency, comprising: a. a fixed input resistance whose resistance value establishes the predetermined frequency; b. charge storage means whose charging time is established in accordance with the fixed input resistance and whose output provides a sawtooth waveform of the predetermined frequency; and c. output means responsive to said storage means and having two output threshold levels, said output means comprising bi-stable level detector means for providing predetermined alternative voltage output levels in accordance with the input thereto, comprising:
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
86 words
The structure of claim 13, wherein said bi-stable level detector comprises: (a) second means for actuating said bi-stable level detector to provide the second of its predetermined alternative voltage output levels in response to the input to said amplifier means; (b) said first means and said second means being mutually exclusively operable, and being connected in common at their outputs to form the output terminal of said bi-stable level detector; and (c) feedback means connecting said output terminal to an input terminal of said amplifier means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure of claim 14, including: a. means for supplying direct current power to said bi-stable level detector; and b. means for establishing a comparison reference operating potential for said waveform generator with respect to the voltage output of said power supply.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
82 words
The structure of claim 15 wherein: a. said first actuating means of said level detector is a first transistor, receiving at its base the output of said amplifier means; b. said second actuating means of said level detector is a second transistor opposite in conductivity to said first transistor, receiving at its base the output of said amplifier means; and c. the emitters of said first and said second transistors being connected and forming the output terminal of said bi-stable level detector.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
102 words
The structure of claim 16, wherein said operating potential establishing means comprises: a. a first Zener diode, connected at one terminal to said power supply and the collector of said first transistor; b. a second Zener diode, serially connected between a second terminal of said first diode and the collector of said second transistor; c. the collector of said secoNd transistor being connected to a power common terminal of said power supply; and d. the junction between said first diode and said second diode having a potential established by said diodes, and serving as a reference potential junction for said waveform generator.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
11 words
The structure of claim 17, wherein: a. said storage means comprises;
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
43 words
The structure of claim 18 wherein said input means comprises: a. a fixed input resistance connected between said reference junction and said second input of said integrator operational amplifier; and b. a fixed resistance connected between said input resistance and said connecting resistance.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
71 words
The structure of claim 18 wherein said input means comprises: a. a first fixed resistance, connected to said reference terminal and having a tap positioned thereon according to the output frequency being generated, said tap being connected to said second input of said integrator operational amplifier; b. a second fixed resistance connected between said first fixed resistance and said connecting resistance of said first input terminal of said operational amplifier integrator.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structure of claim 18 wherein said input means comprises: a. a fixed resistance connected between said reference terminal and said connecting resistance; and b. a second fixed resistance connected between said second feedback means and said connecting resistance.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
57 words
The structure of claim 18 wherein said input means comprises: a. a first fixed resistance connected to said second feedback means having a tap positioned thereon according to the output frequency being generated, said tap connected to said connecting resistance; and b. a second fixed resistance being connected between said first fixed resistance and said reference terminal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
48 words
The structure of claim 18 wherein said input means comprises: a. a fixed resistance connected between the output of said integrator operational amplifier and said amplifier of said level detector; and b. means for connecting said reference terminal directly to said second input of said integrator operational amplifier.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure of claim 18 wherein said input means comprises: a. A fixed resistance connected between the input of said level detector amplifier and said feedback means; and b. means for connecting said reference terminal directly to said second input of said integrator operational amplifier.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
68 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein said bi-stable level detector means comprises: (a) second means for actuating said bi-stable level detector to provide the second of its predetermined alternative voltage output levels in response to the input; and (b) said first means and said second means being mutually exclusively operable, and being connected in common at their outputs to form the output terminal of said bi-stable level detector.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
68 words
The structure of claim 13, wherein said bi-stable level detector means comprises: (a) second means for actuating said bi-stable level detector to provide the second of its predetermined alternative voltage output levels in response to the input; and (b) said first means and said second means being mutually exclusively operable, and being connected in common at their outputs to form the output terminal of saiD bi-stable level detector.
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) | 1975-04-11 | 1975-10-11 | 1976-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-11 | 1979-10-11 | 1980-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-11 | 1983-10-11 | 1984-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |