US3875388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Modular system for evaluating sailboat performance
Assignee: Velcon Filters Inc
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Filing: 1973-11-05
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1993-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A system for evaluating sailboat performance wherein boat speed, apparent wind speed and apparent wind direction are sensed and utilized to determine the performance characteristics of sailing boats. Modular signal detection and signal display units are bustied to a computer which controls data flow on the bus and computes average boat speed, average apparent wind speed and average apparent wind direction for display. Storage of the sailboat''s previous performance also permits computation of a comparison between its present performance and its previous best.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H Luten
- 👤 Lucian W Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:23
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B49/00; B63H; B63H9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for evaluating sailboat performance comprising: a signal source representing a variable having an effect upon sailboat performance; counting means connected to said source for producing a binary coded decimal input signal in parallel form representing said variable; multiplexing means connected to said counting means and responsive to a first address signal for converting said binary coded decimal input a signal from parallel to serial form; computing means for generating said first address signal and responsive to said binary coded decimal input signal for generating an output signal representing a sailboat performance characteristic; and bus means connecting said multiplexing means and said computing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for evaluating sailboat performance comprising: a signal source representing a variable having an effect upon sailboat performance; counting means connected to said source for producing a binary coded decimal input signal in parallel form representing said variable; multiplexing means connected to said counting means and responsive to a first address signal for converting said binary coded decimal input a signal from parallel to serial form; computing means for generating said first address signal and responsive to said binary coded decimal input signal for generating an output signal representing a sailboat performance characteristic; and bus means connecting said multiplexing means and said computing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said computing means generates said output signal as a binary coded decimal output signal in serial form and a second address signal in response to said binary coded decimal input signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system according to claim 2 including demultiplexing means connected to said bus means and responsive to said second address signal for converting said binary coded decimal output signal from serial to parallel form and means connected to said demultiplexing means responsive to said binary coded decimal output signal in parallel form for determining sailboat performance characteristics.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 3 wherein said means for determining sailboat performance characteristics includes a visual indicator.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
239 words
A system for evaluating sailboat performance comprising: a signal source representing apparent wind direction; counting means response to said apparent wind direction signal source for producing a first binary coded decimal input signal in parallel form representing apparent wind direction; multiplexing means connected to said apparent wind direction counting means and responsive to a first address signal for converting said first binary coded decimal input signal from parallel to serial form; a signal source representing apparent wind speed; counting means responsive to said apparent wind speed signal source for producing a second binary coded decimal input signal in parallel form representing apparent wind speed; multiplexing means connected to said apparent wind speed counting means and responsive to a second address signal for converting said second binary coded decimal input signal from parallel to serial form; a signal source representing boat speed; counting means responsive to said boat speed signal source for producing a third binary coded decimal input signal in parallel form representing boat speed; multiplexing means connectd to said boat speed counting means and responsive to a third address signal for converting said third binary coded decimal input signal from parallel to serial form; computing means for generating said first, second and third address signals and responsive to said first, second and third input signals for generating at least one output signal representing a sailboat performance characteristic; and bus means connecting said multiplexing means and said computing means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
239 words
A system for evaluating sailboat performance comprising: a signal source representing apparent wind direction; counting means response to said apparent wind direction signal source for producing a first binary coded decimal input signal in parallel form representing apparent wind direction; multiplexing means connected to said apparent wind direction counting means and responsive to a first address signal for converting said first binary coded decimal input signal from parallel to serial form; a signal source representing apparent wind speed; counting means responsive to said apparent wind speed signal source for producing a second binary coded decimal input signal in parallel form representing apparent wind speed; multiplexing means connected to said apparent wind speed counting means and responsive to a second address signal for converting said second binary coded decimal input signal from parallel to serial form; a signal source representing boat speed; counting means responsive to said boat speed signal source for producing a third binary coded decimal input signal in parallel form representing boat speed; multiplexing means connectd to said boat speed counting means and responsive to a third address signal for converting said third binary coded decimal input signal from parallel to serial form; computing means for generating said first, second and third address signals and responsive to said first, second and third input signals for generating at least one output signal representing a sailboat performance characteristic; and bus means connecting said multiplexing means and said computing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said signal source representing apparent wind direction includes wind direction detection means responsive to the apparent wind, encoding means responsive to the position of said detection means for generating a position signal, and decoding means responsive to said position signal for generating signals representing the direction of rotation of said detection means for said apparent wind direction signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein said wind direction detection means is a conventional wind vane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein said encoding means produces said position signal in analog form in response to the position of said detection means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein said decoding means produces said signals as a first pulse train representing clockwise rotation of said detection means and a second pulse train representing counterclockwise rotation of said detection means In response to said analog position signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 9 wherein said encoding means produces an index signal at predetermined positions of said detection means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 10 wherein said decoding means produces index pulses to said index signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system according to claim 11 wherein said counting means for producing a first input signal includes at least one up/down binary coded decimal counter responsive to said first pulse train for counting upward and responsive to said second pulse train for counting downward for producing a first binary coded decimal input signal in parallel form representing an accumulated total of pulses from said decoding means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system according to claim 12 wherein said counting means for producing a first input signal includes means responsive to said index pulses for generating predetermined count totals and wherein said counters are responsive to said predetermined count totals for generating said first binary coded decimal input signal in parallel form.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 12 wherein said counting means for producing a first input signal includes means for resetting said counters when counting through zero degrees in the upward or downward direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein said encoding means is a dual-track quadrature phased incremental shaft encoder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said multiplexing means connected to said apparent wind direction counting means generates a device select signal in response to said first address signal and wherein said counting means for producing a first input signal includes means for producing a data ready signal in response to said device select signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system according to claim 16 wherein said means for producing a data ready signal includes a NOR flip flop which is set to a first output state in response to said device select signal and is reset to a second output state when said counters are counting, being set to predetermined count totals or being reset.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said signal source representing apparent wind speed includes a wind speed detector responsive to the apparent wind for producing a pulse train with a frequency proportional to apparent wind speed for said apparent wind speed signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 18 wherein said wind speed detector is a masthead anemometer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system according to claim 18 wherein said counting means for producing a second input signal includes at least one binary coded decimal counter responsive to said pulse train for producing a second binary coded decimal input signal in parallel form representing an accumulated total of pulses from said wind speed detector.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
141 words
A system according to claim 20 wherein said multiplexing means connected to said apparent wind speed counting means generates a device select signal in response to said second address signal and wherein said counting means for producing a second input signal includes means for generating a data ready signal in response to the presence of said device select signal and the absence of a reset signal and an enabling, a reset timer for generating said reset signal for a first predetermined time interval in response to the termination of said data ready signal, and a count timer for generating an enabling signal for a second predetermined time interval in response to the termination of said reset signal and wherein said counters reset to zero in response to said reset signal and count said pulse train in response to said enabling signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system according to claim 20 wherein said counting means for producing a second input signal includes frequency conversion means connected between said wind speed detector and said counters for multiplying the frequency of said pulse train by a predetermined conversion factor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said signal source representing boat speed includes a boat speed detector responsive to the movement of the boat for producing a pulse train with a frequency proportional to boat speed for said boat speed signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 23 wherein said boat speed detector is a magnetic paddlewheel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein each of said multiplexing means includes addressing means responsive to a predetermined one of said address signals from said computing means for generating a device select signal to a corresponding one of said counting means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
83 words
A system according to claim 25 wherein said address signals are in binary coded decimal form, said computing means generates a strobe signal for each bit of said predetermined address signal, said addressing means includes at least one shift register which stores each bit of said predetermined address signal in response to said strobe signal from said computing means, and said addressing means includes decoding means for generating said device select signal in response to said address bits stored in said shift register.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 26 wherein said computing means generates a mode signal and said decoding means is enabled by said mode signal from said computing means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
112 words
A system according to claim 25 wherein said corresponding counting means includes means for generating a data ready signal in response to the presence of said device select signal; each of said multiplexing means includes data conversion means for converting one of said binary coded decimal input signals from parallel to serial form; said computing means generates a strobe signal for each bit of said one input signal; and wherein said data conversion means includes at least one shift register responsive to said one input signal, said strobe signal, said device select signal, and said data ready signal for generating said one input signal one bit at a time at an output.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 28 wherein said multiplexing means includes a bilateral switch connecting said shift register output to said bus means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 29 wherein each of said multiplexing means includes a bilateral switch connecting an output from said corresponding counting means for said data ready signal to said bus means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said computing means includes memory means for storing program instructions and a central processing unit for processing said input signals and generating said address signals, enable signals, and said output signals in response to said program instruction.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
114 words
A system according to claim 31 wherein said computing means includes an address latch connectd to said central processing unit for generating a program address signal and a memory number signal in response to said address signals and said enable signals from said central processing unit; decoding means for producing a select signal in response to said memory number signal, wherein said memory means for storing program instructions generates a predetermined one of a plurality of stored program instruction signals in response to said program address signal and said select signal; and an instruction and input/output transfer device for transferring said program instruction signals from said memory storage means to said central processing unit.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 32 wherein said memory storage means includes at least one read only memory element for generating said predetermined one of said plurality of stored program instruction signals in response to said program address signal and said select signals.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 31 wherein said computing means include a control unit connected to said central processing unit for producing strobe signals, mode signals and switch enable signals in response to said address and enable signals from said central processing unit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 34 wherein said control unit is a random access memory.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
80 words
A system according to claim 34 wherein saiD computing means includes an instruction and input/output transfer device connected to said central processing unit for transferring said input signals, said address signals, and said output signals; address and data multiplexing means connected to said transfer device; data demultiplexing means connected to said transfer device; and an interface circuit connecting said central processing unit, said address and data multiplexing means, said data demultiplexing means, and said control unit to said bus means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 36 wherein said address and data multiplexing means is a shift register responsive to said strobe signal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 36 wherein said data demultiplexing means is a shift register responsive to said strobe signal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 36 wherein said interface circuit includes a first bilateral switch responsive to said control unit switch enable signal for connecting said address and data multiplexing means to said bus means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said bus means includes a strobe signal line, a mode signal line, a test signal line and an address and data signal line connecting said computing means to said multiplexers.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said computing means generates a first binary coded decimal output signal in serial form representing a sailboat performance characteristic and a fourth address signal in response to one of said input signals.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
64 words
A system according to claim 41 including demultiplexing means connected to said bus means and responsive to said fourth address signal for converting said first output signal from serial to parallel form, means responsive to said first output signal in parallel form for producing an analog signal and means responsive to said analog signal for producing said output signal representing a sailboat performance characteristic.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 42 wherein said demultiplexing means includes addressing means responsive to said fourth address signal from said computing means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 43 wherein said addressing means includes at least one shift register which stores each bit of said fourth address signal in response to a strobe signal from said computing means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 43 wherein said addressing means includes a decoding means for generating a clock signal in response to said fourth address signal at said shift register outputs.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 45 wherein said decoding means is enabled by a mode signal from said computing means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system according to claim 42 wherein said demultiplexing means includes data conversion means having at least one shift register connected to said bus means for receiving said first output a signal one bit at a time in response to a strobe signal from said computing means and generating said first output signal in parallel form at said shift register outputs.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 42 wherein said means for producing an analog signal is a digital to analog converter.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 48 wherein said means responsive to said analog signal is a visual indicator.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system according to claim 4 including demultiplexing means connected to said bus means and responsive to said fourth address signal for converting said first output signal from serial to parallel form and means responsive to said first output signal in parallel form for producing said output signal representing a sailboat performance characteristic.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 50 wherein said means responsive to said first output signal in parallel form includes a visual indicator.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 51 wherein said visual indicator includes a display decoder.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 52 wherein said display decoder is a binary coded decimal to seven segment decoder element.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 51 wherein said visual display includes a lighted Decimal display device.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
68 words
A system according to claim 5 including a signal source representing wave effect, counting means responsive to said source for producing a fourth binary coded decimal input signal in parallel form representing wave effect and multiplexing means connected between said conversion means and said bus means and responsive to a fifth address signal from said computing means for converting said fourth input signal from parallel to serial form.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 55 wherein said signal source representing wave effect includes an accelerometer for generating an analog signal.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 55 wherein said counting means is an analog to digital converter responsive to said analog signal for producing said fourth binary coded decimal input signal in parallel form.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
68 words
A system according to claim 5 including a signal source representing compass direction, counting means responsive to said source for producing a fifth binary coded decimal input signal in parallel form representing compass direction and multiplexing means connected between said conversion means and said bus means and responsive to an sixth address signal from said computing means for converting said fifth input signal from parallel to serial form.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
90 words
A system according to claim 58 wherein said computing means generates a first binary coded decimal output signal in serial form representing boat position for said output signal representing a sailboat performance characteristic and a seventh address signal in response to said fifth input signal; and including demultiplexing means connected to said bus means and responsive to said seventh address signal for converting said output signal from serial to parallel form and means responsive to said first output signal in parallel form for producing said output signal representing boat position.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system according to claim 5 including control switch means for producing a sixth binary coded decimal input signal in parallel form representing control data signals and multiplexing means connected between said control switch means and said bus means and responsive to a eight address signal for converting said sixth input signal from parallel to serial form.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 60 wherein said control switch means includes a plurality of signal outputs each connected to a positive power supply through a resistor and to ground through a switch.
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) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |