US3750108A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-clocking record sensing system
Assignee: Western Atlas Inc
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Filing: 1971-02-12
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1991-02-12
Abstract
Abstract The system comprises a pair of timing circuits which, through logic circuitry, are alternately charged by incoming signals derived from a peak detector. The output signals of the timing circuits are so spaced as to provide a period of time within which a signal of a variable frequency signal train may be sampled. The circuitry is provided in order to enable the system to go from a quiescent condition to an operating condition and finally, when no proper signals are received within a predetermined time, return to the quiescent condition.
Inventors
- 👤 A Jensen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:19
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/10; G11B20/14; G11B20/1403; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/01; G06K7/016; G06K7/0166
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
613 words
A sampling system capable of sampling the signals of a variable frequency signal train, the time of sampling varying in accordance with the elapsed time between th two preceding successive signals of the train, said system comprising: a circuit input terminal for receiving the train signals; a storage capacitor; first detection means coupled to said circuit input terminal to detect when the train signals are moving in a first polarity direction, said first detection means coupled to said storage capacitor and responsive to charge said storage capacitor in a first polarity direction in accordance with the length of time the train signals are moving in the first polarity direction; second detection means coupled to said circuit input terminal to detect when the train signals are moving in a second polarity direction, said second detection means coupled to said storage capacitor and rsponsive to charge said storage capacitor in a second polarity direction opposite to said first polarity and in accordance with the length of time the train signals are moving in the second polarity direction; third detection means coupled to said storage capacitor for sensing the charge stored in said storage capacitor and to produce output signals when the stored charge is zero; first output means coupled to said first and third detection means and in response to said first polarity signals providing a first signal corresponding to said output signal only when the charge in said storage capacitor is zero; second output means coupled to said second and third detection means and in response to said second polarity signals providing a second signal corresponding to said output signal only when the charge in said storage capacitor is zero; third output means coupled to said first and second output means for providing a third signal in response to the termination of either said first or second signals; input terminal means coupled to said third output means to receive said third signal; gating means coupled to said input terminal means for selectively gating said third signal therethrough; distributor means having two outputs, said distributor means being coupled to said gating means to receive said gated third signal and providing alternate ones of said signals respectively to each of said distributor means outputs; a pair of timing control means, each responsive to signals coupled thereto from a separate one of said distributor means outputs and both coupled to said gating means for controlling the operation thereof; each of said timing control means including means providing for the storage of said coupled distributor output signals; each of said storage means being responsive to the termination of the respective distributor output signal coupled thereto for initiating the release of the signals stored therein and for causing the respective timing control means to produce an output control signal during the release of said stored signals; said gating means being responsive to the outputs of said timing control means such that only in the absence of output control signals from both of said timing circuits is said gating means operative to gate the third signal from said input terminal means to said distribution means; a first of the train signals being gated to said distributor means for initiating a first storage of said one distributor output signal in one of said storage means, the next occurring train signal being gated to said distributor means and causing storage of said other distributor output signal in the other of said storage means, the gating of any further train signals being prevented until the release of the signal stored in the said one timing circuit storage means is completed and prior to an output signal being produced by said other timing circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
613 words
A sampling system capable of sampling the signals of a variable frequency signal train, the time of sampling varying in accordance with the elapsed time between th two preceding successive signals of the train, said system comprising: a circuit input terminal for receiving the train signals; a storage capacitor; first detection means coupled to said circuit input terminal to detect when the train signals are moving in a first polarity direction, said first detection means coupled to said storage capacitor and responsive to charge said storage capacitor in a first polarity direction in accordance with the length of time the train signals are moving in the first polarity direction; second detection means coupled to said circuit input terminal to detect when the train signals are moving in a second polarity direction, said second detection means coupled to said storage capacitor and rsponsive to charge said storage capacitor in a second polarity direction opposite to said first polarity and in accordance with the length of time the train signals are moving in the second polarity direction; third detection means coupled to said storage capacitor for sensing the charge stored in said storage capacitor and to produce output signals when the stored charge is zero; first output means coupled to said first and third detection means and in response to said first polarity signals providing a first signal corresponding to said output signal only when the charge in said storage capacitor is zero; second output means coupled to said second and third detection means and in response to said second polarity signals providing a second signal corresponding to said output signal only when the charge in said storage capacitor is zero; third output means coupled to said first and second output means for providing a third signal in response to the termination of either said first or second signals; input terminal means coupled to said third output means to receive said third signal; gating means coupled to said input terminal means for selectively gating said third signal therethrough; distributor means having two outputs, said distributor means being coupled to said gating means to receive said gated third signal and providing alternate ones of said signals respectively to each of said distributor means outputs; a pair of timing control means, each responsive to signals coupled thereto from a separate one of said distributor means outputs and both coupled to said gating means for controlling the operation thereof; each of said timing control means including means providing for the storage of said coupled distributor output signals; each of said storage means being responsive to the termination of the respective distributor output signal coupled thereto for initiating the release of the signals stored therein and for causing the respective timing control means to produce an output control signal during the release of said stored signals; said gating means being responsive to the outputs of said timing control means such that only in the absence of output control signals from both of said timing circuits is said gating means operative to gate the third signal from said input terminal means to said distribution means; a first of the train signals being gated to said distributor means for initiating a first storage of said one distributor output signal in one of said storage means, the next occurring train signal being gated to said distributor means and causing storage of said other distributor output signal in the other of said storage means, the gating of any further train signals being prevented until the release of the signal stored in the said one timing circuit storage means is completed and prior to an output signal being produced by said other timing circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
438 words
A sampling system capable of sampling the signals of a variable frequency train, the train having information and timing signals arranged in an alternating sequence, the timing signals being uniformly interspaced along the train and between the information signals, the time of sampling the signals varying in accordance with the elapsed time between the previous two sequential timing signals of the train, the system comprising: input terminal means for receiving the train signals; first gating means coupled to said input terminal means and operative to selectively gate therethrough the timing signal portions of said train signals; distributor means having two output terminals, said distributor means being coupled to said first gating means to receive the gated timing signals and in response thEreto for alternately providing a corresponding output signal to one of said two output terminals; a pair of timing control circuits, each responsive to output signals coupled thereto from a separate one of said distributor output terminals and including means providing for the storage of said coupled distributor output signals, each of said storage means being responsive to the termination of the respective distributor output signal coupled threto for initiating the release of the signals stored therein and for causing the respective timing control circuit to produce an output control signal during the release of said stored signals; said first gating means being responsive to the outputs of said timing control circuits such that only in the absence of output control signals from both of said timing circuits is said gating means operative to gate the timing signal portions of said train signals from said input terminal means to said distributor means; a first of the timing signals being gated to said distributor means for initiating a first storage of said one distributor output signal in one of said storage means, the next occurring timing signal of the train being gated to said distributor means and causing storage of said other distributor output signal in the other of said storage means, the gating of any further timing signals of the train being prevented until the release of the signal stored in the said one timing circuit storage means is completed and prior to an output signal being produced by said other timing circuit; second gating means coupled to said input terminal means for selectively gating therethrough the information signal portions of said train signals, said second gating means being responsive to the timing signal output of said first gating means for inhibiting the passage of said timing signals therethrough; and information signal storage means coupled to said second gating means for receiving and storing said information signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
438 words
A sampling system capable of sampling the signals of a variable frequency train, the train having information and timing signals arranged in an alternating sequence, the timing signals being uniformly interspaced along the train and between the information signals, the time of sampling the signals varying in accordance with the elapsed time between the previous two sequential timing signals of the train, the system comprising: input terminal means for receiving the train signals; first gating means coupled to said input terminal means and operative to selectively gate therethrough the timing signal portions of said train signals; distributor means having two output terminals, said distributor means being coupled to said first gating means to receive the gated timing signals and in response thEreto for alternately providing a corresponding output signal to one of said two output terminals; a pair of timing control circuits, each responsive to output signals coupled thereto from a separate one of said distributor output terminals and including means providing for the storage of said coupled distributor output signals, each of said storage means being responsive to the termination of the respective distributor output signal coupled threto for initiating the release of the signals stored therein and for causing the respective timing control circuit to produce an output control signal during the release of said stored signals; said first gating means being responsive to the outputs of said timing control circuits such that only in the absence of output control signals from both of said timing circuits is said gating means operative to gate the timing signal portions of said train signals from said input terminal means to said distributor means; a first of the timing signals being gated to said distributor means for initiating a first storage of said one distributor output signal in one of said storage means, the next occurring timing signal of the train being gated to said distributor means and causing storage of said other distributor output signal in the other of said storage means, the gating of any further timing signals of the train being prevented until the release of the signal stored in the said one timing circuit storage means is completed and prior to an output signal being produced by said other timing circuit; second gating means coupled to said input terminal means for selectively gating therethrough the information signal portions of said train signals, said second gating means being responsive to the timing signal output of said first gating means for inhibiting the passage of said timing signals therethrough; and information signal storage means coupled to said second gating means for receiving and storing said information signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A sampling system as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said storage means includes a capacitor, each capacitor being charged for a period of time equal to the time the associated one of said distributor outputs has distributor means signals applied to it, said capacitor beginning to discharge upon the removal of said distributor means signal from the associated one of said distributor means outputs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
A sampling system as defined in claim 3 said distributor means is a flip-flop having two stable states, said flip-flop being operated by successive timing signal out-puts from said first gating means to change from one of said stable states to the other of said stable states, said flip-flop providing signals on one of said two distributor means outputs in accordance with the one or the other stable states said flip-flop is in.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A sampling system as defined in claim 4 and further comprising a peak detecting circuit coupled between said input terminal means and said first and second gating mans for applying signals to said first and second gating means which meet predetermined amplitude conditions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
A sampling system as defined in claim 5 and further comprising a drop-out detector coupled to said peak detector for detecting the absence of an output from said peak detector within a predetermined period, said absence of an output indicating the absence of proper signals at said input terminal means, and in response to thereto the output of said drop-out detector being coupled to said flip-flop to prevent the further operation thereof and reset it to an initial stable state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A sampling system as defined in claim 6 and further comprising an alarm device coupled to said drop-out detector, said alarm device being operated by the operation of said drop-out detector at the same time as said flip-flop is reset to said initial stable state.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
331 words
A sampling system capable of sampling the signals of a variable frequency signal train, the train having information and timing signals arraNged such that an information signal follows two timing signals, the time of sampling of an information signal varying in accordance with the elapsed time between the previous two adjacent timing signals associated with the information signal of the train, the system comprising: input terminal means for receiving the information and timing signals of the signal train; first gating means coupled to said input terminal means and operative to selectively gate the timing signals therethrough; second gating means coupled to said input terminal means and operative to selectively gate the information signals therethrough; distributor means having an input coupled to said first gating means for receiving the gated timing signals and in response thereto for providing an output signal coextensive with the elapsed time period between said first and the secnd of said two associated timing signals; a timing control circuit coupled to said distributor means for receiving said distributor output signal, said timing control circuit including storage means for retaining said distributor output signal for the elapsed time period between said two associated timing signals, said storage means being responsive to the second of said two associated timing signals for initiating the release of the distributor output signal stored therein and for causing said timing control circuit to produce an output control signal during the release of said stored output signal; said first gating means being responsive to the output of said timing control circuit to inhibit said first gating means from passing therethrough timing signals received at said input terminal means, said second gating means being responsive to the output of said timing control circuit to enable said second gating means to pass therethrough the associated information signal received at said input terminal means; and information signal storage means coupled to said second gating means for receiving and storing the information signals gated by said second gating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
331 words
A sampling system capable of sampling the signals of a variable frequency signal train, the train having information and timing signals arraNged such that an information signal follows two timing signals, the time of sampling of an information signal varying in accordance with the elapsed time between the previous two adjacent timing signals associated with the information signal of the train, the system comprising: input terminal means for receiving the information and timing signals of the signal train; first gating means coupled to said input terminal means and operative to selectively gate the timing signals therethrough; second gating means coupled to said input terminal means and operative to selectively gate the information signals therethrough; distributor means having an input coupled to said first gating means for receiving the gated timing signals and in response thereto for providing an output signal coextensive with the elapsed time period between said first and the secnd of said two associated timing signals; a timing control circuit coupled to said distributor means for receiving said distributor output signal, said timing control circuit including storage means for retaining said distributor output signal for the elapsed time period between said two associated timing signals, said storage means being responsive to the second of said two associated timing signals for initiating the release of the distributor output signal stored therein and for causing said timing control circuit to produce an output control signal during the release of said stored output signal; said first gating means being responsive to the output of said timing control circuit to inhibit said first gating means from passing therethrough timing signals received at said input terminal means, said second gating means being responsive to the output of said timing control circuit to enable said second gating means to pass therethrough the associated information signal received at said input terminal means; and information signal storage means coupled to said second gating means for receiving and storing the information signals gated by said second gating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
A sampling system as defined in claim 8 and wherein said distributor means is a flip-flop having two stable states, said flip-flop being operated by each of said gated signals to change from one of said stable states to the other of said stable states, in one of said stable states said flip-flop providing said distributor output signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A sampling system as defined in claim 9 and wherein said input terminal means includes a peak detecting circuit responsive to said variable frequency signal train and operative to only couple said train signals to said first and second gating means which meet predetermined amplitude conditions.
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) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |