US3794831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for monitoring the operation of tested units
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1972-06-01
•
Granted: 1974-02-26
•
Expires: 1992-06-01
Abstract
Abstract Signals from a tested electronic unit are continuously stored in sequence on a rotating disc memory while the unit is monitored for errors. When an error occurs, substantially all the recorded signal sequences are displayed as an image on a CRO screen. A manual control selects portions of the stored sequences for display, scanning the image in accordance with manual speed and direction instructions. The manual instructions control stepping of a first counter which is compared for equality with a second counter tracking currently accessible disc locations. Equal comparison triggers the CRO horizontal scan to cause display of a desired and manually variable portion of the recorded signal sequences. Circuits provide pulse stretching and peak detection necessary to efficiently utilize the tester with a variety of tested units and displays.
Inventors
- 👤 R Frankeny
- 👤 S Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/317; G01R31/3181; G01R31/319; G01R31/31903; G01R31/31912; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/30; G06F11/32; G06F11/321; G06F11/322
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A device for monitOring the operation of a tested unit, storing selected data signals indicative of operations occurring within the unit and making available for analysis data signals associated with the occurrence of an error in the tested unit, comprising: a memory for making available data signals, stored in accessible locations, indicative of operations occurring within the unit during successive fixed time intervals; memory reading means having at least one input connected to said memory, operable in accordance with signals received by an external control input to supply from accessed memory locations to an output, data signals stored in the accessed locations; recording means, connected to said memory reading means output for receiving signals therefrom and recording those data signals stored in the accessed memory locations which are indicative of unit operations; a control, connected to the memory and the recording means for variably accessing desired locations in memory for recording by aforesaid recording means; and error means connected to the memory reading means input for supplying to the control input of the memory reading means a signal to start supplying data signals subsequent to sensing an error signal indicative of the occurrence of an error in the tested unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
200 words
A device for monitOring the operation of a tested unit, storing selected data signals indicative of operations occurring within the unit and making available for analysis data signals associated with the occurrence of an error in the tested unit, comprising: a memory for making available data signals, stored in accessible locations, indicative of operations occurring within the unit during successive fixed time intervals; memory reading means having at least one input connected to said memory, operable in accordance with signals received by an external control input to supply from accessed memory locations to an output, data signals stored in the accessed locations; recording means, connected to said memory reading means output for receiving signals therefrom and recording those data signals stored in the accessed memory locations which are indicative of unit operations; a control, connected to the memory and the recording means for variably accessing desired locations in memory for recording by aforesaid recording means; and error means connected to the memory reading means input for supplying to the control input of the memory reading means a signal to start supplying data signals subsequent to sensing an error signal indicative of the occurrence of an error in the tested unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 1, wherein there is provided a delay circuit, between said error means and control input, adjustable to permit storage of signals to continue for an externally predetermined variable time following the occurrence of an error.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
190 words
A tester for testing the operation of a tested unit, storing selected data and other signals indicative of operations occurring within the tested unit and making available for analysis data signals associated with the occurrence of an error signal in the tested unit, comprising: a memory, having accessible locations, for supplying data of signals, previously recorded in a number of accessible locations, indicative of operations occurring within the tested unit during successive fixed time intervals; circuit means, having an error signal input and an output, connected to said memory, operable upon the occurrence of an external error signal at said error signal input to supply to said output, data signals from a set of contiguous accessed memory locations; a scanning control connected to the memory to supply at an output, signals indicating desired sets of locations for emphasized display; and a display, connected to said circuit means output and the scanning control output, for and displaying as human perceivable manifestations those signals indicative of tested unit operations which are accessed from the accessed memory locations and emphasizing those portions of the displayed manifestations indicated by the scanning control output signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
190 words
A tester for testing the operation of a tested unit, storing selected data and other signals indicative of operations occurring within the tested unit and making available for analysis data signals associated with the occurrence of an error signal in the tested unit, comprising: a memory, having accessible locations, for supplying data of signals, previously recorded in a number of accessible locations, indicative of operations occurring within the tested unit during successive fixed time intervals; circuit means, having an error signal input and an output, connected to said memory, operable upon the occurrence of an external error signal at said error signal input to supply to said output, data signals from a set of contiguous accessed memory locations; a scanning control connected to the memory to supply at an output, signals indicating desired sets of locations for emphasized display; and a display, connected to said circuit means output and the scanning control output, for and displaying as human perceivable manifestations those signals indicative of tested unit operations which are accessed from the accessed memory locations and emphasizing those portions of the displayed manifestations indicated by the scanning control output signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The tester of claim 3, wherein the number of accessible locations in said memory determines the largest time interval of tester operation which may be monitored, data signals being stored in the memory locations continuously during tester operations, the newest data signals superseding those oldest data signals when the total number of data signals stored exceeds said number of memory locations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The tester of claim 4, wherein successive data signals are continuously stored in adjacent memory locations allotted for such storage, the last data signal stored in each location superseding any signal previously stored therein, there being associated with said memory a source of repetitive clock signals, each signal being associated with a location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
135 words
The tester of claim 3, wherein the scanning control includes: first means having an input connected to said memory, and an output, for supplying at the output address signals derived from signals received at the input indicative of currently accessible locations; second means having an input and an output, for supplying at the output changing address signals selected by signals received at the input, from an exTernal source, indicative of sets of locations desired for display; and third means, having two inputs connected, respectively, to the first and second means outputs and an output connected to the display, operable to signal said display to emphasize sets of manifestations indicative of those tested unit operations data signals which are stored in memory locations related to successful comparison of addresses from said first and second means outputs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
118 words
The tester of claim 5, wherein the scanning control includes: a clock counter having an input, connected to said memory, and an output, the output continuously supplying address signals indicative of currently accessible locations derived from the clock signals received at the input; an address counter having an input and an output, the output continuously supplying address signals, selected from signals at the input, indicating sets of locations, relative to currently displayed locations, desired for future display; and a comparator having two inputs connected, respectively, to the clock counter and address counter outputs and an equal-compare output connected to the display, operable to signal said display to start displaying a portion of the manifestations stored in the memory.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tester of claim 7, wherein the address counter includes: a manually positionable device and an electrical transducer connected to said device for supplying at the output electrical signals indicative of the device''s position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
100 words
The tester of claim 8, wherein the manually positionable device includes a source of variable oscillator signals associated with the transducer, the rate of repetition being variable, by manual control of the transducers, relative to the repetition rate of the memory clock signals, thereby permitting scanning of a portion of the stored manifestations in accordance with the manual control by varying the time of occurrence of the equal-compare signal, and wherein the display includes an electrically scanned oscilloscope screen and additional variable duration sweep means used in varying the scanned portion size responsive to the equal-compare output from the comparator.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for monitoring the operation of a tested unit, comprising the steps of: receiving, and storing in accessible locations, data signals indicative of operations occurring within the tested unit during successive fixed time intervals; accessing a set of contiguous memory locations and, upon the occurrence of a tested unit malfunction, supplying to an output, data signals stored in the accessed locations; receiving accessed signals and displaying in human perceivable form those signals indicative of tested unit operations which are stored in the accessed memory locations; indicating desired varying sets of locations for highlighted display by said display; specifying the direction and rate of change of the display; and changing the display in accordance with the direction and rate specified.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for monitoring the operation of a tested unit, comprising the steps of: receiving, and storing in accessible locations, data signals indicative of operations occurring within the tested unit during successive fixed time intervals; accessing a set of contiguous memory locations and, upon the occurrence of a tested unit malfunction, supplying to an output, data signals stored in the accessed locations; receiving accessed signals and displaying in human perceivable form those signals indicative of tested unit operations which are stored in the accessed memory locations; indicating desired varying sets of locations for highlighted display by said display; specifying the direction and rate of change of the display; and changing the display in accordance with the direction and rate specified.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for monitoring the operation of a tested unit by storing selected data signals indicative of operations occurring within the tested unit and making available for display data signals associated with the occurrence of an error in the tested unit, comprising the steps of: receiving, and storing in currently accessible locations, data signals indicative of operations occurring within the tested unit during successive fixed time intervals; accessing a set of contiguous memory locations; supplying to an output, the data signals stored in the accessed locations; receiving signals and displaying as human perceivable data signals those manifestations indicative of tested unit operations which are stored in the accessed memory locations; indicating desired varying sets of locations for display; converting currently accessible locations to first address signals; converting sets of locations desired for display to second address signals; comparing the first and second address signals; and signalling said display to emphasize manifestations indicative of those tested unit operations which correspond to equal comparisons.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for monitoring the operation of a tested unit by storing selected data signals indicative of operations occurring within the tested unit and making available for display data signals associated with the occurrence of an error in the tested unit, comprising the steps of: receiving, and storing in currently accessible locations, data signals indicative of operations occurring within the tested unit during successive fixed time intervals; accessing a set of contiguous memory locations; supplying to an output, the data signals stored in the accessed locations; receiving signals and displaying as human perceivable data signals those manifestations indicative of tested unit operations which are stored in the accessed memory locations; indicating desired varying sets of locations for display; converting currently accessible locations to first address signals; converting sets of locations desired for display to second address signals; comparing the first and second address signals; and signalling said display to emphasize manifestations indicative of those tested unit operations which correspond to equal comparisons.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3131383A
Cited
US3361897A
Cited
US3375507A
Cited
US3339181A
Cited
US3469257A
Cited
US3466612A
Cited
US3559181A
Cited
US3614751A
Cited
US3601809A
Cited
US3641509A
Cited
US3611314A
Cited
US3662380A
Cited
US3696341A
Cited
US3713113A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |