Electronic counter and storage apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for counting, displaying and storing numerical data comprising: a counter having an input means and an output means and being capable of counting when signal pulses representing a number are received at the input means thereof, said counter having an output signal at said output means thereof when the counter has counted to a number; means coupled with said input means for directing electronic signal pulses thereto; a display unit coupled with said output means and being operable in response to an output signal thereon for displaying the number to which the counter has counted; a memory unit for receiving an electronic signal and for storing the numerical data represented thereby; means connecting the memory unit with said output means of the counter, said connecting means including control structure selectively operable to permit the memory unit to receive and store a signal from said output means and to permit the readout of data stored in said memory unit to said output means.

Claim 3

Apparatus as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said memory unit has a plurality of memory devices defining respective storage locations therefor, said control structure including means for selectively placing a particular memory device in condition for receiving a signal from said output means.

Claim 4

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said counter has means placing said output signal thereof in binary form, and wherein is included a decoder inter-connecting said display unit and said output means and being operable for changing the binary form of said output signal to a decimal form.

Claim 5

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said display unit includes a number of display tubes, said counter including an electronically actuated counter unit for each display tube, respectively.

Claim 6

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for providing a signal input comprises an actuable probe and a scaler system for generating an input signal each time the probe is actuated, said scaler system having means for multiplying said input signal by a multiplying factor to provide a series of said signal pulses.

Claim 7

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included manually actuated means coupled with said output means for applying an output signal thereto to provide a preset count therefor.

Claim 8

Apparatus for handling numerical data comprising: a memory having a number of memory devices, each memory device having means for receiving an electronic signal when the memory device is in an operative condition, each memory device providing a storage location for data represented by a signal received thereby and permitting read-in and readout of data when the memory device is in said operative condition; means coupled with said memory for selectively placing a memory device in said operative condition, said placing means including control structure for controlling the read-in and readout of data with respect thereto; a counter having input means for receiving a plurality of signal pulses representing a number to be counted and output means providing an output signal corresponding to the number counted thereby, said control structure coupling the output means of said counter to a memory device in said operative condition and being selectively operable to permit data represented by a signal at said output means to be read into and be stored by a memory device in said operative condition and to permit the readout of data stored in a memory device to said output means when the last-mentioned memory device is in said operative condition; means coupled with said input means of said counter for directing signal pulses thereto; and means coupled with said output means for applying an output signal thereto to thereby provide a preset count therefor.

Claim 9

Apparatus for handling numerical data comprising: a memory having a number of memory devices, each memory device having means for receiving an electronic signal when the memory device is in an operative condition, each memory device providing a storage location for data represented by a signal received thereby and permitting read-in and readout of data when the memory device is in said operative condition; means coupled with said memory for selectively placing a memory device in said operative condition, said placing means including control structure for controlling the read-in and readout of data with respect thereto; a counter having input means for receiving a plurality of signal pulses representing a number to be counted and output means providing an output signal corresponding to the number counted thereby, said control structure coupling the output means of said counter to a memory device in said operative condition and being selectively operable to permit data represented by a signal at said output means to be read into and be stored by a memory device in said operative condition and to permit the readout of data stored in a memory device to said output means when the last-mentioned memory device is in said operative condition; means coupled with said input means of said counter for directing signal pulses thereto; and means coupled with said output means for applying an output signal thereto to thereby provide a preset count therefor.

Claim 10

Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said signal applying means includes a selector switch for manually selecting a number to be preset at said output means.

Claim 11

Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein is included means coupled with said output means and being operable in response to an output signal thereon for providing a removable, visually observable display of the number represented by the signal at said output means, and means coupled to said counter to provide a visually observable indicator therefor with the indicator being operable to indicate when the counter has counted beyond a predetermined number.

Claim 12

Apparatus for handling numerical data comprising: a memory having a number of memory devices, each memory device having means for receiving an electronic signal when the memory device is in a predetermined operative condition, each memory device providing a storage location for data represented by a signal received thereby and permitting read-in and readout of data when the memory device is in said operative condition; means coupled with said memory for selectively placing a memory device in said condition, said placing means including control structure for controlling the read-in and readout of data with respect to a memory devicE in said condition; a counter having input means for receiving a plurality of signal pulses representing a number to be counted and output means providing an output signal corresponding to the number counted thereby; means coupling the output means of said counter to said control structure, the latter being selectively operable to permit a signal at said output means to be directed to a memory device in said operative condition for read-in of data thereto and to permit a signal to be directed to said output means when data is read out from a memory device in means coupled with the input means of said counter for directing signal pulses thereto; and means coupled with said output means and operable in response to an output signal thereon for providing a removable display of the number counted thereby.

Claim 13

Apparatus for handling numerical data comprising: a memory having a number of memory devices, each memory device having means for receiving an electronic signal when the memory device is in a predetermined operative condition, each memory device providing a storage location for data represented by a signal received thereby and permitting read-in and readout of data when the memory device is in said operative condition; means coupled with said memory for selectively placing a memory device in said condition, said placing means including control structure for controlling the read-in and readout of data with respect to a memory devicE in said condition; a counter having input means for receiving a plurality of signal pulses representing a number to be counted and output means providing an output signal corresponding to the number counted thereby; means coupling the output means of said counter to said control structure, the latter being selectively operable to permit a signal at said output means to be directed to a memory device in said operative condition for read-in of data thereto and to permit a signal to be directed to said output means when data is read out from a memory device in means coupled with the input means of said counter for directing signal pulses thereto; and means coupled with said output means and operable in response to an output signal thereon for providing a removable display of the number counted thereby.

Claim 14

Apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said memory is capable of being clocked to place a memory device in said operative condition, said control structure including actuatable means for selectively clocking said memory, and a manually actuated switch for electrically connecting said output means to a memory device when the latter is in said operative condition.

Claim 15

Apparatus for handling numerical data comprising: a memory having a plurality of memory banks capable of storing data representing a number, each memory bank having a number of memory devices, there being a memory bank for each digit of a number represented by data stored in the memory, there being a memory device in each memory bank corresponding to a memory device in each of the other memory banks, whereby the memory banks present a number of sets of corresponding memory devices, said memory being capable of receiving signals and storing the data represented thereby when a set of corresponding memory devices is in an operative, signal-receiving condition; means coupled with said memory for selectively placing one of said sets in said condition, said placing means including control structure for controlling the read-in and readout of data with respect to a set of corresponding memory devices in said condition; a counter having a number of counter units, there being a counter unit for each memory bank, respectively, each counter unit having an input means for receiving input signal pulses representing a digit of a number to be counted by the counter unit and an output means for providing a signal representing the digit to which the counter unit has counted; means connecting each counter unit to said control structure, the latter being selective operable to permit a signal at the output means of each counter unit to be directed to and stored by a respective memory device of a set of memory devices in said operative condition and to permit a signal to be directed to the output means of each counter unit when data is read out the respective memory device of a set of memory devices in said operative condition; means coupled with said output means for each counter unit and operable in response to an output signal thereon for displaying the digit of the number to which the counter unit has counted; and means coupled with said input means for directing input signal pulses thereto.

Claim 16

Apparatus for handling numerical data comprising: a memory having a plurality of memory banks capable of storing data representing a number, each memory bank having a number of memory devices, there being a memory bank for each digit of a number represented by data stored in the memory, there being a memory device in each memory bank corresponding to a memory device in each of the other memory banks, whereby the memory banks present a number of sets of corresponding memory devices, said memory being capable of receiving signals and storing the data represented thereby when a set of corresponding memory devices is in an operative, signal-receiving condition; means coupled with said memory for selectively placing one of said sets in said condition, said placing means including control structure for controlling the read-in and readout of data with respect to a set of corresponding memory devices in said condition; a counter having a number of counter units, there being a counter unit for each memory bank, respectively, each counter unit having an input means for receiving input signal pulses representing a digit of a number to be counted by the counter unit and an output means for providing a signal representing the digit to which the counter unit has counted; means connecting each counter unit to said control structure, the latter being selective operable to permit a signal at the output means of each counter unit to be directed to and stored by a respective memory device of a set of memory devices in said operative condition and to permit a signal to be directed to the output means of each counter unit when data is read out the respective memory device of a set of memory devices in said operative condition; means coupled with said output means for each counter unit and operable in response to an output signal thereon for displaying the digit of the number to which the counter unit has counted; and means coupled with said input means for directing input signal pulses thereto.

Claim 17

Apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein the output means of each counter unit provides a signal in binary form, each memory device including structure for receiving and storing the signal in binary form, said display including structure for displaying a digit in decimal form, and wherein is included a decoder unit between the output means of each counter unit, respectively, and the corresponding display means for changing the signal at the output means from binary form to decimal form.

Claim 18

Apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein said means coupled with said input means includes a pair of count input probes, and switch means for selectively placing a probe in electrical contact with said input means.

Claim 19

Apparatus for handling numerical data comprising: a memory having a number of memory devices, each memOry device having means for receiving an electronic signal when the memory device is in a predetermined operative condition, each memory device providing a storage location for data represented by a signal received thereby and permitting read-in and readout of data when the memory device is in said operative condition; means coupled with said memory for selectively placing a memory device in said condition, said placing means including control structure for controlling the read-in and readout of data with respect thereto; a counter having input means for receiving a plurality of signal pulses representing a number to be counted and output means providing an output signal corresponding to the number counted thereby, said control structure coupling the output means of said counter to a memory device in said operative condition and being selectively operable to permit a signal at said output means to be directed to a memory device in said operative condition for read-in of data thereto and to permit a signal to be directed to said output means when data is read out from a memory device in said operative condition; means coupled with the input means of said counter for directing signal pulses thereto; and means coupled with said output means for connecting the same to data handling equipment.

Claim 20

Apparatus for handling numerical data comprising: a memory having a number of memory devices, each memOry device having means for receiving an electronic signal when the memory device is in a predetermined operative condition, each memory device providing a storage location for data represented by a signal received thereby and permitting read-in and readout of data when the memory device is in said operative condition; means coupled with said memory for selectively placing a memory device in said condition, said placing means including control structure for controlling the read-in and readout of data with respect thereto; a counter having input means for receiving a plurality of signal pulses representing a number to be counted and output means providing an output signal corresponding to the number counted thereby, said control structure coupling the output means of said counter to a memory device in said operative condition and being selectively operable to permit a signal at said output means to be directed to a memory device in said operative condition for read-in of data thereto and to permit a signal to be directed to said output means when data is read out from a memory device in said operative condition; means coupled with the input means of said counter for directing signal pulses thereto; and means coupled with said output means for connecting the same to data handling equipment.