US3810039A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and apparatus for generating random time intervals
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-02-26
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Granted: 1974-05-07
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Expires: 1993-02-26
Abstract
Abstract The generation of pulses commensurate with random time intervals is achieved by generating a periodic signal at a first frequency and, upon occurrence of an initiating event, translating the signal to a different time base by changing the time constant of the signal generator. The time between the start of each cycle of the first frequency signal and the obtaining of a predetermining magnitude of the signal after translation to the different time base will be commensurate with random time intervals.
Inventors
- 👤 H Fein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/16; A61B5/18; H; H03; H03K; H03K3/00; H03K3/84
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
Apparatus for generating electrical output pulses commensurate with time intervals of random duration comprising: signal generator means, said signal generator means selectively producing a periodic signal at either of two different frequencies, said signal generator means further providing control signals commensurate with the periodic signal reaching a preselected magnitude; switch means having a pair of input terminals and a pair of output terminals, a first of said switch means input terminals being connected to receive an input signal commensurate with an initiating event and the other of said switch means input terminals being connected to receive control signals from said signal generator means, said switch means output terminals being connected to the input of said signal generator means, said control signals causing said switch means to assume a first state whereby the output of said switch means causes said signal generator means to produce periodic signals at a first of said two different frequencies, an input signal commensurate with an initiating event causing said switch means to assume a second state whereby the output of said switch means causes said signal generator means to produce periodic signals at the other of said two different frequencies; and means connected to said switch means for providing an output signal commensurate with the state of said switch means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
Apparatus for generating electrical output pulses commensurate with time intervals of random duration comprising: signal generator means, said signal generator means selectively producing a periodic signal at either of two different frequencies, said signal generator means further providing control signals commensurate with the periodic signal reaching a preselected magnitude; switch means having a pair of input terminals and a pair of output terminals, a first of said switch means input terminals being connected to receive an input signal commensurate with an initiating event and the other of said switch means input terminals being connected to receive control signals from said signal generator means, said switch means output terminals being connected to the input of said signal generator means, said control signals causing said switch means to assume a first state whereby the output of said switch means causes said signal generator means to produce periodic signals at a first of said two different frequencies, an input signal commensurate with an initiating event causing said switch means to assume a second state whereby the output of said switch means causes said signal generator means to produce periodic signals at the other of said two different frequencies; and means connected to said switch means for providing an output signal commensurate with the state of said switch means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said signal generator means comprises: ramp voltage generator means for providing an output signal having a magnitude which varies linearly with time; and voltage level sensitive means connected to said ramp voltage generator means for providing control signals commensurate with a preselected magnitude of the output of said ramp voltage generator means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the rate of change of the output voltage of said ramp voltage generator means is a function of an RC time constant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said switch means comprises: means for selectively varying the time constant of said ramp voltage generator means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said ramp voltage generator means comprises: a capacitive storage element; a first resistive element; a second resistive element; means connecting first terminals of each of said resistive elements to said capacitive storage element; means connecting second terminals of each of said resistive elements to said switch means; and means responsive to the generation of said control signals for discharging said capacitive storage element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for selectively varying the time constant comprises: a bistable circuit having a pair of output terminals, second terminals of said resistive elements being connected to respective of the output terminals of said bistable circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for selectively varying the time constant comprises: a bistable circuit having a pair of output terminals connected to said ramp voltage generator means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said voltage level sensitive means comprises: a trigger circuit, said trigger circuit being responsive to said linearly varying output signals from said ramp voltage generator means for generating said control signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said voltage level sensitive means comprises: a trigger circuit, said trigger circuit being responsive to said linearly varying output signals from said ramp voltage generator means for generating said control signals.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of generating random time intervals comprising: generating a periodic signal at a first frequency; intercepting the first frequency signal at some unpredictable voltage within its range in response to an initiating event; translating the first frequency signal to a different time base immediately upon intercepting; and providing an indication of the time required for the translated signal to reach a preselected level.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of generating random time intervals comprising: generating a periodic signal at a first frequency; intercepting the first frequency signal at some unpredictable voltage within its range in response to an initiating event; translating the first frequency signal to a different time base immediately upon intercepting; and providing an indication of the time required for the translated signal to reach a preselected level.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the step of translating comprises: varying the RC time constant of a circuit which generates the periodic signal at a first frequency.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3205454A
Cited
US3575606A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-06 | 1977-11-05 | 1978-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-06 | 1981-11-05 | 1982-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-06 | 1985-11-05 | 1986-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |