Apparatus for defining continually the envelope of the maxima, the minima and/or modulation depth of a varying input signal

Claim 3

An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mathematical combination of the extremities to be measured continually is the value of one of the two types of extremities, maximum or minimum; the extremities of the type to be measured are called extremity I and the extremities of the other type are called extremity II; the extremities following means (a) including extremity I following means for following the varying input signal till an extremity I is reached and for holding this extremity I, the extremity I following means having a reset mode for resetting its output to an initial value and a logic input for receiving logic signals for switching on and off the reset mode; the memory means (b) including sample/hold circuit means coupled to the output of the extremity I following means for storing the extremity I; the extremities detection means (c) including extremity II detection means for providing a logic signal when the varying input signal has passed an extremity II; and the logic circuit means (d) including means coupled to the output of the extremity II detection means for giving the following logic signals after the extremity II detection means has detected an extremity II: a first logic pulse signal to the sample/hold circuit means, the leading edge of the first pulse switching the sample/hold circuit means from the hold mode to the sample mode and the trailing edge of the first pulse switching the sample/hold circuit means back to the hold mode, and a second pulse signal to the extremity I following means after the first pulse signal has ended, the leading edge of the second pulse switching the extremity I following means to the reset mode and the trailing edge of the second pulse releasing the extremity I following means from the reset mode.

Claim 4

An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mathematical combination of the extremities to be measured continually is the value of one of the two types of extremities, maximum or minimum; the extremities of the type to be measured are called extremity I and the extremities of the other type are called extremity II; the extremities following means (a) including extremity I following means for following the varying input signal till an extremity I is reached and for holding this extremity I, the extremity I following means having a reset mode for resetting its output to an initial value and a logic input for receiving logic signals for switching on and off the reset mode; the memory means (b) including sample/hold circuit means coupled to the output of the extremity I following means for storing the extremity I; the extremities detection means (c) including extremity II detection means for providing a logic signal when the varying input signal has passed an extremity II, and extremity I detection means for providing a logic signal when the varying input signal has passed an extremity I; and the logic circuit means (d) including means coupled to the outputs of the extremity II detection means and the extremity I detection means for giving a logic pulse signal to the sample/hold circuit means after the extremity I detection means has detected an extremity I, the leading edge of the pulse switching the sample/hold circuit means from the hold mode to the sample mode and the trailing edge ofthe pulse switching the sample/hold circuit means back to the hold of the and for giving a logic pulse signal to the extremity I following means after The extremity II detection means has detected an extremity II, the leading edge of the pulse switching the extremity I following means to the reset mode and the trailing edge of the pulse releasing the extremity I following means from the reset mode.

Claim 5

An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mathematical combination of the extremities to be measured continually is the value of one of the two types of extremities, maximum or minimum; the extremities of the type to be measured are called extremity I and the extremities of the other type are called extremity II; the extremities following means (a) including extremity I following means for following the varying input signal till an extremity I is reached and for holding this extremity I, the extremity I following means having a reset mode for resetting its output to an initial value and a logic input for receiving logic signals for switching on and off the reset mode; the memory means (b) including sample/hold circuit means coupled to the output of the extremity I following means for storing the extremity I; the extremities detection means (c) including extremity II detection means for providing a logic signal, when the varying input signal has passed an extremity II, and extremity I detection means for providing a logic signal when the varying input signal has passed an extremity I; and the logic circuit means (d) including means coupled to the outputs of the extremity II detection means and the extremity I detection means for giving the following logic signals after the extremity I detection means has detected an extremity I: a logic pulse signal to the sample/hold circuit means, the leading edge of the pulse switching the sample/hold circuit means from the hold mode to the sample mode and the trailing edge of the pulse switching the sample/hold circuit means back to the hold mode, and a logic signal switching the extremity I following means to the reset mode after the pulse signal has ended; and for giving a logic signal for releasing the extremity I following means from the reset mode after the extremity II detection means has detected an extremity II.

Claim 6

An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mathematical combination of the extremities to be measured continually is the value of one of the two types of extremities, maximum or minimum; the extremities of the type to be measured are called extremity I and the extremities of the other type are called extremity II; the extremities following means (a) including alternately one of two extremity I following means for following the varying input signal till an extremity I is reached and for holding this extremity I, the two extremity I following means having separate reset modes for resetting each output to an initial value and separate logic inputs for switching on and off the reset mode; and the memory means (b) including alternately one of the two extremity I following means for storing an extremity I during the time of the cycle wherein an extremity I following means is not used for following the varying input signal, and including extremity I selection means for choosing the most extreme value from the output values of the two exremity I following means, the output of the extremity I selection means being the read-out of the apparatus.

Claim 7

An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein: the extremities detection means (c) includes extremity II detection means for providing a logic signal when the varying input signal has passed an extremity II; and the logic circuit means (d) including means coupled to the output of the extremity II detection means for giving a logic pulse signal to the first extremity I detection means after the extremity II detection means has detected an extremity II, the leading edge of the pulse switching the first extremity I following means to the reset mode and the trailing edge of the pulse releasing the fiRst extremity I following means from the reset mode, and for giving a logic pulse signal to the second extremity I detection means after the extremity II detection means has detected the next extremity II, the leading edge of the pulse switching the second extremity I following means to the reset mode and the trailing edge of the pulse releasing the second extremity I following means from the reset mode.

Claim 8

An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the extremities detection means (c) includes extremity II detection means for providing a logic signal when the varying input signal has passed an extremity II, and extremity I detection means for providing a logic signal when the varying input signal has passed an extremity I; and the logic circuit means (d) includes means coupled to the outputs of the extremity II detection means and the extremity I detection means for giving a logic signal for switching on the reset mode of the first extremity I following means after the extremity I detection means has detected an extremity I, for giving a logic signal for releasing the first extremity I following means from the reset mode after the extremity II detection means has detected the extremity II, which follows after the detected extremity I, for giving a logic signal for switching on the reset mode of the second extremity I following means after the extremity I detection means has detected the next extremity I, and for giving a logic signal for releasing the second extremity I following means from the rest mode after the extremity II detection means has detected the next extremity II.

Claim 9

An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mathematical combinations of the extremities to be measured continually are the maximum value and the minimum value, the extremities following means (a) including maximum following means for following the varying input signal till a maximum is reached and for holding this maximum, the maximum following means having a reset mode for resetting its output to an initial value and a logic input for receiving logic signals for switching on and off the reset mode, and including minimum following means for following the varying input signal till a minimum is reached and for holding this minimum, the minimum following means having a reset mode for resetting its output to an initial value and a logic input for receiving logic signals for switching on and off the reset mode; the memory means (b) including a first sample/hold circuit means coupled to the output of the maximum following means for storing the maximum and a second sample/hold means coupled to the output of the minimum following means for storing the minimum; the extremities detection means (c) including maximum detection means for providing a logic signal when the varying input signal has passed a maximum, and including minimum detection means for providing a logic signal when the varying input signal has passed a minimum; and the logic circuit means (d) including means coupled to the ouputs of the maximum detection means and the minimum detection means for giving the following logic signals after the maximum detection means has detected a maximum: a logic pulse signal to the first sample/hold circuit means, the leading edge of the pulse switching the first sample/hold circuit means from the hold mode to the sample mode and the trailing edge of the pulse switching the first sample/hold circuit means back to the hold mode, a logic signal switching the maximum following means to the reset mode after the pulse signal has ended, and a logic signal releasing the minimum following means from the reset mode, and for giving the following logic signals after the minimum detection means has detected a minimum: a logic pulse signal to the second sample/hold circuit means, the leading edge of the pulse switching the second sample/hold circuit means from the hold mode to the sample mode and the trailing edge of the pulsE switching the second sample/hold circuit means back to the hold mode, a logic signal switching the minimum following means to the reset mode after the pulse signal has ended, and a logic signal releasing the maximum following means from the reset mode.

Claim 10

An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mathematical combinations of the extremities to be measured continually are the maximum value and the minimum value, the extremities following means (a) including alternately one of two maximum following means for following the varying input signal till a maximum is reached and for holding this maximum, the two maximum following means having separate reset modes for resetting each output to an initial value and separate logic inputs for switching on and off the reset mode, and including alternately one of two minimum following means for following the varying input signal till a minimum is reached and for holding this minimum, the two minimum following means having separate reset modes for resetting each output to an initial value and separate logic inputs for switching on and off the reset mode; the memory means (b) including alternately one of the two maximum following means for storing a maximum during the time of the cycle wherein a maximum following means is not used for following the varying input signal, including maximum selection means for choosing the highest value from the output values of the two maximum following means, including alternately one of the two minimum following means for storing a minimum during the time of the cycle wherein a minimum following means is not used for following the varying input signal, and including minimum selection means for choosing the lowest value from the output values of the two minimum following means, the outputs of the maximum selection and the minimum selection means being the read-out of the apparatus; the extremities detection means (c) including maximum detection means for providing a logic signal when the varying input signal has passed a maximum, and including minimum detection means for providing a logic signal when the varying input signal has passed a minimum; and the logic circuits means (d) including means coupled to the outputs of the maximum detection means and the minimum detection means for giving a logic signal for switching on the reset mode of the first maximum following means and a logic signal for releasing the first minimum following means from the reset mode after the maximum detection means has detected a maximum, for giving a logic signal for switching on the reset mode of the second minimum following means and a logic signal for releasing the first maximum following means from the reset mode after the minimum detection means has detected the minimum, which follows after the detected maximum, for giving a logic signal for switching on the reset mode of the second maximum following means and a logic signal for releasing the second minimum following means from the reset mode after the maximum detection means has detected the next maximum, and for giving a logic signal for switching on the reset mode of the first minimum following means and a logic signal for releasing the second maximum following means from the reset mode after the minimum detection means has detected the next minimum.

Claim 11

An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mathematical combination of the extremities to be measured continually is a combination of the values of both types of extremities, maximum and minimum; the extremities of one type are called extremity I and the extremities of the other type are called extremity II, the extremities following means (a) including extremity I following means for following the varying input signal till an extremity I is reached and for holding this extremity I, the extremity I following means having a reset mode for resetting its output to an initial value and a logic input for receiving logic signals for switching on and off the reset mode, and including extremity II following means for following the varying input signal till an extremity II is reached and for holding this extremity II, the extremity II following means having a reset mode for resetting its output to an initial value and a logic input for receiving logic signals for switching on and off the reset mode; the memory means (b) including calculating means coupled to the outputs of the extremity I following means and the extremity II following means for forming the mathematical combination of extremity I and extremity II, and including sample/hold circuit means coupled to the output of the calculating means for storing the mathematical combination of extremity I and extremity II; the extremities detection means (c) including extremity I detection means for providing a logic signal when the varying input signal has passed an extremity I, and extremity II detection means for providing a logic signal when the varying input signal has passed an extremity II; and the logic circuit (d) including means coupled to the outputs of the extremity I detection means and the extremity II detection means for giving the following logic signals after the extremity I detection means has detected an extremity I: a first logic pulse signal to the sample/hold circuit means, the leading edge of the first pulse switching the sample/hold circuit means from the hold mode to the sample mode and the trailing edge of the first pulse switching the sample/hold circuit means back to the hold mode, a second logic pulse signal to the extremity II following means after the first pulse signal has ended, the leading edge of the second pulse switching the extremity II following means to the reset mode and the trailing edge of the second pulse releasing the extremity II following means from the reset mode, and a logic signal switching the extremity I following means to the reset mode after the first pulse signal has ended, and for giving a logic signal for releasing the extremity I following means from the reset mode after the extremity II detection means has detected an extremity II.

Claim 12

An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the extremities detection means (c) includes comparing means for comparing the value of the varying input signal with the value at the output of extremity following means, which follows the varying input signal till an extremity is reached and which holds this extremity value, the comparing means giving different logic signals when the output of the extremity following means is equal to or less extreme than the input signal and when the output of the extremity following means exceeds the varying input signal.

Claim 13

An apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein the comparing means includes adjustable positive feed back means from the output to the input of the comparing means for eliminating the influence of noise.

Claim 14

An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the extremities following means (a) includes a capacitor, which is charged over a diode by the output of comparing means for comparing the signal over the capacitor with the varying input signal, the comparing means having feed back circuit means for insuring that the signal over the capacitor follows the varying input signal in a stable manner without overschoot as long as the capacitor has to be charged, the feed back circuit means including a diode for preventing any current through the feed back circuit when the extremity value is reached by the varying input signal, whereupon the comparing means gives its normal high level signal; and wherein the extremities detecting means (c) includes the said comparing means, the said high level signal being the logic signal for indicating that an extremity has passed.

Claim 15

An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the extremities detection means (c) includes comparing means adapted to be coupled to the varying input signal and to a predetermined signal value for giving a logIc signal when the varying input signal passes the predetermined signal value.

Claim 16

An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 and including low pass filter means adapted to be coupled to the varying input signal for supplying the said predetermined signal value.

Claim 17

An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein the extremity I selection means includes two operational amplifiers for receiving the output signals from the two extremity I following means and two diodes placed in series, in contrary direction, between the outputs of the two operational amplifiers, the output of the extremity I selection means being between the two diodes, and the said output being connected with the negative inputs of the two operational amplifiers by two resistors.

Claim 18

An apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein the maximum selection means includes two operational amplifiers for receiving the output signals from the two maximum following means and two diodes placed in series, in contrary direction, between the outputs of the two operational amplifiers, the output of the maximum selection means being between the two diodes, and the said output being connected with the negative inputs of the two operational amplifiers by two resistors; and wherein the minimum selection means includes two operational amplifiers for receiving the output signals from the two minimum following means and two diodes placed in series, in contrary direction, between the outputs of the two operational amplifiers, the output of the minimum selection means being between the two diodes, and the said output being connected with the negative inputs of the two operational amplifiers by two resistors.