US3852705A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Sonar depth tracking system
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1973-03-26
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1993-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A system, selectively responsive to the first, peak, or last portion of a radiant energy signal for displaying a gate which brackets the radiant energy signal and also provides means for inhibiting the generation of such signal during a preset time interval preceding the gate. Means are also provided for automatically widening the gate and repositioning the gate to insure tracking of the radiant energy signal. The system is particularly adapted for monitoring a sonar depth recording to provide audible and visual alarms when the sonar data becomes excessively noisy and during sudden changes in the water depth.
Inventors
- 👤 W Backman
- 👤 G Walsh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/66; G01S15/02; G01S15/06; G01S15/08; G01S15/10; G01S15/18; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
In combination: means for transmitting sequential quanta of radiant energy towards an energy reflecting subject; means responsive to quanta of radiant energy reflected from said subject for recording the occurrences of said reflections as a function of the distance from said transmitting means to said subject; means for estimating a range of values of said distance for a succeeding reflection of said energy; and means for displaying said estimate superposed about a recording of said succeeding reflection, said displaying means including means for displaying a sequence of past values of said estimates superposed about a sequence of past values of the recordings of said occurrences of said reflections simultaneously with said displaying of said estimate superposed about said recording of said succeeding reflection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
In combination: means for transmitting sequential quanta of radiant energy towards an energy reflecting subject; means responsive to quanta of radiant energy reflected from said subject for recording the occurrences of said reflections as a function of the distance from said transmitting means to said subject; means for estimating a range of values of said distance for a succeeding reflection of said energy; and means for displaying said estimate superposed about a recording of said succeeding reflection, said displaying means including means for displaying a sequence of past values of said estimates superposed about a sequence of past values of the recordings of said occurrences of said reflections simultaneously with said displaying of said estimate superposed about said recording of said succeeding reflection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said estimation means comprises means for varying said estimated range of values in accordance with a rate of change of said distance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
104 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said estimating means comprises: means for measuring the time elapsed from said transmission of radiant energy and said reception of radiant energy; means responsive to said elapsed time measurement for providing a first signal at the end of a time interval shorter than said elapsed time by a first preset interval; and means responsive to said first signal for providing a second signal at a second preset interval of time subsequent to said first signal, said second preset interval being greater than said first preset interval, said second preset interval being proportional to said range of values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A combination according to claim 3 wherein said estimating means further comprises: a generator of clock pulses at a plurality of repetition frequencies; means for coupling said clock pulses to said second signal providing means; said second signal providing means including a counter of said clock pulses; and means responsive to said reflected radiant energy for selecting the repetition frequency of said clock pulses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
A ranging system comprising: means for recording signals received in time as a function of the length of propagation path of said signals; means for gating such signals; and means for widening said gat when a predetermined number of such signals occur outside said gate, said widening means including means for counting clock pulses, said widening means further comprising means for varying a rate of occurrence of said clock pulses independently of a rate of occurrence of said received signals, said variation in said rate of clock pulses resulting in a variation of the counting time of said counter to provide said widening of said gate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
A ranging system comprising: means for recording signals received in time as a function of the length of propagation path of said signals; means for gating such signals; and means for widening said gat when a predetermined number of such signals occur outside said gate, said widening means including means for counting clock pulses, said widening means further comprising means for varying a rate of occurrence of said clock pulses independently of a rate of occurrence of said received signals, said variation in said rate of clock pulses resulting in a variation of the counting time of said counter to provide said widening of said gate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 5 further comprising means for repositioning said gate corresponding to the time of arrival of a preceding one of sai signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system according to claim 6 further comprising means for varying said predetermined number. 8. The system according to claim 7 wherein said repositioning means is responsive to one of a set of preselected characteristics of such signals, the system further comprising means for selecting said characteristics.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein said preselected characteristics are the first portion of such signal to cross a threshold within said gate, the last portion of said signal to cross a threshold within said gate, and the peak value of such signal within said gate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
A ranging system according to claim 5 wherein said gating means includes a processor of said signals comprising: means for comparing said signals with a reference; means coupled to said comparing means for counting occurrences of said signals wherein the magnitudes of said signals exceed said reference; means for altering the magnitude of said reference in accordance with the value of said count; and means for indicating the time of occurrence of a maximum value of said count occurring within a gate provided by said gating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 10 wherein said signal processor includes means coupled to said comparing means for indicating the time of occurrence of a first and of a last occurrence of one of said signals which have a magnitude exceeding the magnitude of said reference.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
143 words
A data processor comprising: means for receiving an input signal; means responsive to an initiating signal and coupled to an output of said receiving means for measuring an interval of time elapsed from said initiating signal until said received signal; timing means coupled to said measuring means, said timing means being preset with said elapsed time measure in response to said initiating signal for providing a timing signal dependent on the magnitde of said elapsed time; and means coupled to said timing means for generating a gate in response to said timing signal, said receiving means including means for gating said received input signal, said gating means being operative by a gate signal provided by said gate generating means and said gate generating means comprising a generator for providing a marker signal for designating the occurrence of a specific part of said gate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
143 words
A data processor comprising: means for receiving an input signal; means responsive to an initiating signal and coupled to an output of said receiving means for measuring an interval of time elapsed from said initiating signal until said received signal; timing means coupled to said measuring means, said timing means being preset with said elapsed time measure in response to said initiating signal for providing a timing signal dependent on the magnitde of said elapsed time; and means coupled to said timing means for generating a gate in response to said timing signal, said receiving means including means for gating said received input signal, said gating means being operative by a gate signal provided by said gate generating means and said gate generating means comprising a generator for providing a marker signal for designating the occurrence of a specific part of said gate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A data processor according to claim 12 further comprising means coupled to said gate generating means for gating said initiating signal at a cime designated by said timing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
A data processor according to claim 12 wherein said receiving means comprises means for comparing the received signal with a reference, means activated by said comparing means for counting a series of clock signals during an interval of an output signal of said comparing means, and means coupled to said counting means for providing the value of said reference in accordance with the magnitude of the count of said counting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A data processor according to claim 14 wherein an output signal of said comparing means terminates when the value of said reference rises above the value of said received signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
A data processor according to claim 15 including means coupled to the output of said comparing means for storing a value of said elapsed time when the value of said reference rises above the value of said received signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
A data processor according to claim 12 wherein said receiving means comprises means for comparing a received signal with a reference, and means responsive to an output of said comparing means for storing a value of said elapsed time when the value of said received signal falls below the value of said reference.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
A data processor according to claim 12 wherein said receiving means comprises means for comparing said received signal with a reference, and means coupled to said comparing means for storing a value of said elapsed time when the value of said received signal rises above the value of said reference.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
83 words
A data processor according to claim 12 further comprising means for comparing a received signal with a reference, means fOr counting successive occurrences of said initiating signal, means for selectively measuring the time of occurrence of a first and a last and a peak value of such portion of said input signal having a value which exceeds a value of said reference, and means coupled to said means for measuring said first and last and peak values for resetting said initiating-signal counting means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A data processor according to claim 19 further comprising means coupled to said initiating-signal counting means for indicating when the count of said initiating-signal counting means exceeds a preset value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
A data processor according to claim 19 wherein said gate generating means comprises means responsive to the value of the count of said initiating-signal counting means for sequentially increasing the duration of said gate in accordance with a sequence of increasing values of said count.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
83 words
A data processor according to claim 21 wherein said means for sequentially increasing the duration of said gate comprises a counter, said timing means comprises a source of clock pulses having selectable pulse repetition frequencies, said counter of said gate generating means counting said clock pulses of said timing means, and said initiating-signal counting means being coupled to said timing means for selecting individual ones of said pulse repetition frequencies in accordance with the value of a count of said initiating-signal counting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3131389A
Cited
US3500302A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |