US3887796A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Digital incremental control system
Assignee: Cal Comp Inc
•
Filing: 1964-10-26
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1984-10-26
Abstract
Abstract An incrementally advanced open loop output system for data processing applications is presented. The system maximizes average data plotting rate by plotting at the maximum rate at which incremental stepping mechanisms can be reversed without irregularities during portions of plots where the incremental stepping mechanisms are subject to reversals and thereby limited by the acceleration characteristics of the plotting mechanisms, and by plotting at higher rates during portions of the plot where the incremental stepping mechanisms are not subject to reversals and thereby less limited by the acceleration characteristics of the plotting mechanisms.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert B Trousdale
- 👤 Eugene Seid
- 👤 William E Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/22; G06K15/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
The method of providing digital incremental graphical plots from a data processor which includes the steps of providing distance increment and velocity increment commands in separate series from the data processor, operating a plotter at rates synchronized with distance increment commands as they are provided in one series, and operating the plotter at rates which vary with time in accordance with the velocity increment commands as they are provided in the other series.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
The method of providing digital incremental graphical plots from a data processor which includes the steps of providing distance increment and velocity increment commands in separate series from the data processor, operating a plotter at rates synchronized with distance increment commands as they are provided in one series, and operating the plotter at rates which vary with time in accordance with the velocity increment commands as they are provided in the other series.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
73 words
The method of providing digital incremental graphical plots from a data processor which includes the steps of providing distance increment and velocity increment commands in separate series from the data processor, operating a plotter at rates synchronized with distance increment commands as they are provided in one series, and operating the plotter at rates which vary with time in accordance with the velocity increment commands as they are provided in the other series.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
73 words
The method of providing digital incremental graphical plots from a data processor which includes the steps of providing distance increment and velocity increment commands in separate series from the data processor, operating a plotter at rates synchronized with distance increment commands as they are provided in one series, and operating the plotter at rates which vary with time in accordance with the velocity increment commands as they are provided in the other series.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
115 words
The method of providing digital incremental graphical plots from data provided from a data processor which includes the steps of providing data commands in spaced binary digital character form at a known data transfer rate, the commands occurring in either of two separate series, a first type of series comprising distance increment commands, and a second type of series comprising velocity increment commands, operating a plotter at a rate synchronized with the distance increment commands as they are provided, converting the velocity increment commands to distance increment commands occurring at varying pulse repetition rates which are integral submultiples or multiples of the known data rate, and operating the plotter at the varying pulse repetition rates.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
115 words
The method of providing digital incremental graphical plots from data provided from a data processor which includes the steps of providing data commands in spaced binary digital character form at a known data transfer rate, the commands occurring in either of two separate series, a first type of series comprising distance increment commands, and a second type of series comprising velocity increment commands, operating a plotter at a rate synchronized with the distance increment commands as they are provided, converting the velocity increment commands to distance increment commands occurring at varying pulse repetition rates which are integral submultiples or multiples of the known data rate, and operating the plotter at the varying pulse repetition rates.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
69 words
The method of driving a graphical output device through a desired program with compressed data including the steps of providing incremental distance-representative commands for the graphical output device for portions of the program which do not contain essentially continuous graphical data, and providing velocity-representative commands which define compressed directional commands along two axes for the graphical output device for portions of the program which contain essentialy continuous graphical data.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
69 words
The method of driving a graphical output device through a desired program with compressed data including the steps of providing incremental distance-representative commands for the graphical output device for portions of the program which do not contain essentially continuous graphical data, and providing velocity-representative commands which define compressed directional commands along two axes for the graphical output device for portions of the program which contain essentialy continuous graphical data.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
103 words
The method of controlling a graphical output device with compressed data provided serially by character to drive a graphical output device which operates incrementally in response to separate commands through a desired program, the method including the steps of providing incremental distance-representative data characters for the graphical output device for portions of the program which do not contain essentially continuous graphical data, providing velocity-representative data characters which define compressed directional commands along two axes for the graphical Output device for portions of the program which contain essentially continuous graphical data, and expanding the compressed commands into command sequences for the graphical output device.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
103 words
The method of controlling a graphical output device with compressed data provided serially by character to drive a graphical output device which operates incrementally in response to separate commands through a desired program, the method including the steps of providing incremental distance-representative data characters for the graphical output device for portions of the program which do not contain essentially continuous graphical data, providing velocity-representative data characters which define compressed directional commands along two axes for the graphical Output device for portions of the program which contain essentially continuous graphical data, and expanding the compressed commands into command sequences for the graphical output device.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
48 words
The method of operating a stepping mechanism in regular stepping and slewing modes which includes the steps of providing a succession of regularly time-spaced velocity increment commands, cumulatively totaling the commands, and converting the cumulatively totalled commands to a succession of equal increment commands of controlled repetition rate.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
48 words
The method of operating a stepping mechanism in regular stepping and slewing modes which includes the steps of providing a succession of regularly time-spaced velocity increment commands, cumulatively totaling the commands, and converting the cumulatively totalled commands to a succession of equal increment commands of controlled repetition rate.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
100 words
The method of operating a stepping mechanism in regular stepping and slewing modes which includes the steps of providing a succession of regularly time-spaced commands, the commands being provided in either of two series, a first series comprising regular stepping commands, and the second series comprising velocity increment commands for the slewing mode, operating the stepping mechanism directly from the regular stepping commands, cumulatively averaging the velocity increment commands, converting the cumulatively averaged commands to a succession of increment commands of variable and controlled repetition rate, and operating the stepping mechanism from the variable repetition rate commands during slewing modes.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
100 words
The method of operating a stepping mechanism in regular stepping and slewing modes which includes the steps of providing a succession of regularly time-spaced commands, the commands being provided in either of two series, a first series comprising regular stepping commands, and the second series comprising velocity increment commands for the slewing mode, operating the stepping mechanism directly from the regular stepping commands, cumulatively averaging the velocity increment commands, converting the cumulatively averaged commands to a succession of increment commands of variable and controlled repetition rate, and operating the stepping mechanism from the variable repetition rate commands during slewing modes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention as set forth in claim 6 above, wherein the variable repetition rate commands are provided at integral subumultiples and multiples of the initial command rate, and wherein changes between the various command rates during the slewing mode are limited to rates within the acceleration and deceleration capabilities of the stepping mechanism.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
28 words
The method of driving a stepping mechanism which includes the steps of providing velocity increment commands and converting the velocity increment commands to time rate varying increment commands.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
28 words
The method of driving a stepping mechanism which includes the steps of providing velocity increment commands and converting the velocity increment commands to time rate varying increment commands.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
74 words
The method of driving a mechanism which is movable in equal increments along an axis from separate commands, including the steps of providing a succession of digital velocity increment commands at a substantially fixed rate and converting the velocity increment commands to a succession of digital increment commands, each for a stepping movement, the digital increment commands being provided at varying time rates which vary in steps harmonically related to the substantially fixed rate.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
74 words
The method of driving a mechanism which is movable in equal increments along an axis from separate commands, including the steps of providing a succession of digital velocity increment commands at a substantially fixed rate and converting the velocity increment commands to a succession of digital increment commands, each for a stepping movement, the digital increment commands being provided at varying time rates which vary in steps harmonically related to the substantially fixed rate.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
51 words
The method of operating a controlled incrementally movable mechanism under separate digital commands which includes the steps of providing a succession of digital commands representing velocity increments, continually accumulating the velocity increments, and forming commands representing equal increments of movement which vary in rate in response to the accumulated velocity increments.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
51 words
The method of operating a controlled incrementally movable mechanism under separate digital commands which includes the steps of providing a succession of digital commands representing velocity increments, continually accumulating the velocity increments, and forming commands representing equal increments of movement which vary in rate in response to the accumulated velocity increments.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
110 words
The method of operating a controlled, incrementally movable, mechanism under control of a succession of separate digital commands, each comprising a character representing incremental movements desired for the mechanism, the method of including the steps of identifying a given succession of the digital commands as velocity increments desired for the controlled mechanism, algebraically accumulating the velocity increments at a high rate of speed relative to the movement of the controlled mechanism, converting the accumulated velocity increments to equal increment commands being provided at a time varying rate determined by the accumulated velocity increments, and operating the controlled mechanism synchronously at the time varying rate determined by the equal increment commands.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
110 words
The method of operating a controlled, incrementally movable, mechanism under control of a succession of separate digital commands, each comprising a character representing incremental movements desired for the mechanism, the method of including the steps of identifying a given succession of the digital commands as velocity increments desired for the controlled mechanism, algebraically accumulating the velocity increments at a high rate of speed relative to the movement of the controlled mechanism, converting the accumulated velocity increments to equal increment commands being provided at a time varying rate determined by the accumulated velocity increments, and operating the controlled mechanism synchronously at the time varying rate determined by the equal increment commands.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
57 words
The method of operating a stepping mechanism at varying speeds from a succession of input commands including providing a succession of movement commands, the sequence of the commands representing velocity variations desired for the stepping mechanism, integrating the movement commands and deriving a succession of stepping commands which vary at rates dependent upon the integrated movement commands.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
57 words
The method of operating a stepping mechanism at varying speeds from a succession of input commands including providing a succession of movement commands, the sequence of the commands representing velocity variations desired for the stepping mechanism, integrating the movement commands and deriving a succession of stepping commands which vary at rates dependent upon the integrated movement commands.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
72 words
The method of operating a stepping mechanism which includes the steps of providing successive reGular stepping and slewing mode command sequences, each of the command sequences comprising a series of step commands representing a different characteristic dependent upon the mode of operation, separately identifying the mode of operation, and operating the stepping mechanism in equal distance increments but at different rates in response to the command sequences provided in the slewing mode.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
72 words
The method of operating a stepping mechanism which includes the steps of providing successive reGular stepping and slewing mode command sequences, each of the command sequences comprising a series of step commands representing a different characteristic dependent upon the mode of operation, separately identifying the mode of operation, and operating the stepping mechanism in equal distance increments but at different rates in response to the command sequences provided in the slewing mode.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
72 words
The method of operating a digital incremental plotter which includes the steps of providing digital commands for the two axes of movement, stepping the plotter in synchronism with the commands and in movements having direct correspondence to the commands in a first mode, identifying a second, slewing mode of operation, utilizing the commands as velocity increments during the second mode, and driving the plotter at varying rates dependent upon the velocity increments.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
72 words
The method of operating a digital incremental plotter which includes the steps of providing digital commands for the two axes of movement, stepping the plotter in synchronism with the commands and in movements having direct correspondence to the commands in a first mode, identifying a second, slewing mode of operation, utilizing the commands as velocity increments during the second mode, and driving the plotter at varying rates dependent upon the velocity increments.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
165 words
The method of operating a digital incremental plotter having X and Y axis stepping mechanisms which includes the steps of providing a sequence of digital commands at a substantial fixed frequency for controlling movement relative to the two axes, the commands comprising separate characters encoded to represent directional movement, stepping the plotter in one-to-one synchronism with the commands and in movements having direct correspondence to the commands in a first mode, identifying a second, slewing mode of operation, utilizing the commands as velocity increments during the second mode, integrating the velocity increments during the second mode, for both axes, establishing a reference frequency for both axes which is an integral multiple of the rate at which the initial digital commands are provided, subdividing the reference frequency to a harmonically related lower frequency for each axis dependent on the integrated value of velocity increments for the axis, and driving the plotter on each axis in a synchronous manner at a rate dependent upon the varying frequency.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
165 words
The method of operating a digital incremental plotter having X and Y axis stepping mechanisms which includes the steps of providing a sequence of digital commands at a substantial fixed frequency for controlling movement relative to the two axes, the commands comprising separate characters encoded to represent directional movement, stepping the plotter in one-to-one synchronism with the commands and in movements having direct correspondence to the commands in a first mode, identifying a second, slewing mode of operation, utilizing the commands as velocity increments during the second mode, integrating the velocity increments during the second mode, for both axes, establishing a reference frequency for both axes which is an integral multiple of the rate at which the initial digital commands are provided, subdividing the reference frequency to a harmonically related lower frequency for each axis dependent on the integrated value of velocity increments for the axis, and driving the plotter on each axis in a synchronous manner at a rate dependent upon the varying frequency.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
72 words
The method of controlling a digital incremental plotter to minimize the number of individual commands required for a given plot which includes the steps of providing a succession of commands having one-to-one correspondence to plotter movements for plot portions of a discontinuous nature, and providing a succession of commands which cumulatively identify desired plotter velocity for plot portions of a substantially continuous nature, and identifying the two types of successions of commands.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
72 words
The method of controlling a digital incremental plotter to minimize the number of individual commands required for a given plot which includes the steps of providing a succession of commands having one-to-one correspondence to plotter movements for plot portions of a discontinuous nature, and providing a succession of commands which cumulatively identify desired plotter velocity for plot portions of a substantially continuous nature, and identifying the two types of successions of commands.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
74 words
A data processing system comprising the combination of means providing a series of characters at a fixed data transfer rate, the characters comprising either of two series, a first series representing increment commands and a second series representing velocity commands, and means coupled to receive the commands and operate responsively thereto, said coupled means operating at the data rate of said increment commands and at a variable rate in response to said velocity commands.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
74 words
A data processing system comprising the combination of means providing a series of characters at a fixed data transfer rate, the characters comprising either of two series, a first series representing increment commands and a second series representing velocity commands, and means coupled to receive the commands and operate responsively thereto, said coupled means operating at the data rate of said increment commands and at a variable rate in response to said velocity commands.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
114 words
A data processing system comprising the combination of means providing a series of reproduced binary characters at a fixed nominal data transfer rate, the characters comprising either of two series, a first series representing increment commands and a second series representing velocity commands, means for generating a clock pulse from the reproduced characters, control means coupled to receive the commands and operate responsively thereto, said means operating at the data rate of said increment commands and at a variable rate in response to said velocity commands, and means coupled to receive said reproduced characters and to operate said control means at a frequency which is a synchronized multiple of the actual data transfer rate.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
114 words
A data processing system comprising the combination of means providing a series of reproduced binary characters at a fixed nominal data transfer rate, the characters comprising either of two series, a first series representing increment commands and a second series representing velocity commands, means for generating a clock pulse from the reproduced characters, control means coupled to receive the commands and operate responsively thereto, said means operating at the data rate of said increment commands and at a variable rate in response to said velocity commands, and means coupled to receive said reproduced characters and to operate said control means at a frequency which is a synchronized multiple of the actual data transfer rate.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for preparing graphical output data from input data comprising a computer including means to provide a succession of data including incremental velocity commands as output commands, an incrementally variable output device coupled to receive the output commands, and means coupling the computer and the output deviCe and including a control system responsive to the content of the output commands for selectively varying the speed of operation of the output device in response to the individual commands from the computer.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for preparing graphical output data from input data comprising a computer including means to provide a succession of data including incremental velocity commands as output commands, an incrementally variable output device coupled to receive the output commands, and means coupling the computer and the output deviCe and including a control system responsive to the content of the output commands for selectively varying the speed of operation of the output device in response to the individual commands from the computer.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
77 words
A system for controlling an output device from regularly spaced data commands comprising the combination of means for identifying substantially continuous sequences of desired operations in the output device; means responsive to the successive commands in the identifying sequence for accumulating the values thereof; means responsive to the accumulated values for digitally integrating said values, and means responsive to the digitally integrated values for commanding the output device with varying repetitive command pulses in a continuous sequence.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
77 words
A system for controlling an output device from regularly spaced data commands comprising the combination of means for identifying substantially continuous sequences of desired operations in the output device; means responsive to the successive commands in the identifying sequence for accumulating the values thereof; means responsive to the accumulated values for digitally integrating said values, and means responsive to the digitally integrated values for commanding the output device with varying repetitive command pulses in a continuous sequence.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
78 words
A system for preparing graphical output data from input data comprising a computer including means to provide a succession of data as output commands, an incrementally variable output device coupled to receive the output commands, and control means coupling the computer and the output device and including digital integrator means responsive to the content of the output commands for selectively varying the speed of operation of the output device in response to the individual commands from the computer.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
78 words
A system for preparing graphical output data from input data comprising a computer including means to provide a succession of data as output commands, an incrementally variable output device coupled to receive the output commands, and control means coupling the computer and the output device and including digital integrator means responsive to the content of the output commands for selectively varying the speed of operation of the output device in response to the individual commands from the computer.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
73 words
A system for providing graphical output date from reproduced data comprising the combination of means for reproducing data at a selected substantially constant data rate, the reproduced data including means of identifying high speed portions containing incremental velocity commands, means responsive to the high speed portions for generating variable pulse rate sequences in response to the contents thereof, and means for driving the output device in response to the variable pulse rate sequence.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
73 words
A system for providing graphical output date from reproduced data comprising the combination of means for reproducing data at a selected substantially constant data rate, the reproduced data including means of identifying high speed portions containing incremental velocity commands, means responsive to the high speed portions for generating variable pulse rate sequences in response to the contents thereof, and means for driving the output device in response to the variable pulse rate sequence.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
105 words
A control system for converting regularly time spaced commands to variable pulse rate commands, the regularly time spaced commands being binary-valued signal combinations representing directional variations occurring at a selected regular clock rate, the system comprising directional digital integrator means and adder means for totaling the regularly time spaced commands, parallel adder means coupling the adder means to the digital integrator means, means operating the parallel adder means at a rate which is an integral multiple of the regular clock rate, and means coupled to the digital integrator means for providing variable repetition rate pulses in accordance with the contents of the digital integrator means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
105 words
A control system for converting regularly time spaced commands to variable pulse rate commands, the regularly time spaced commands being binary-valued signal combinations representing directional variations occurring at a selected regular clock rate, the system comprising directional digital integrator means and adder means for totaling the regularly time spaced commands, parallel adder means coupling the adder means to the digital integrator means, means operating the parallel adder means at a rate which is an integral multiple of the regular clock rate, and means coupled to the digital integrator means for providing variable repetition rate pulses in accordance with the contents of the digital integrator means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
108 words
A control system for converting regularly time spaced commands to variable pulse rate commands, the regularly time spaced commands having directional sense and a selected clock rate, the system comprising means for counting increments of directional sense of the regularly spaced commands, digital integrator means, adder means coupled to add the contents of said means for counting, means for adding the contents of the adder means to the digital integrator means at a rate which is an integral multiple of the selected clock rate, and means coupled to the digital integrator means for providing variable repetition rate pulses in accordance with the contents of the digital integrator means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
108 words
A control system for converting regularly time spaced commands to variable pulse rate commands, the regularly time spaced commands having directional sense and a selected clock rate, the system comprising means for counting increments of directional sense of the regularly spaced commands, digital integrator means, adder means coupled to add the contents of said means for counting, means for adding the contents of the adder means to the digital integrator means at a rate which is an integral multiple of the selected clock rate, and means coupled to the digital integrator means for providing variable repetition rate pulses in accordance with the contents of the digital integrator means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
48 words
A graphical plotter system comprising the combination of a source of incremental position commands and incremental velocity commands, an incrementally variable plotter, and means responsive to the incremental position and velocity commands for generating variable rate driving pulses for the plotter dependent upon the sequence of the commands.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
48 words
A graphical plotter system comprising the combination of a source of incremental position commands and incremental velocity commands, an incrementally variable plotter, and means responsive to the incremental position and velocity commands for generating variable rate driving pulses for the plotter dependent upon the sequence of the commands.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
62 words
A graphical plotter system comprising the combination of a source of incremental position commands, a digital incremental plotter having X and Y axes, and means responsive to the incremental position commands for generating variable rate driving pulses for the plotter dependent upon the sequence of the commands, said means for generating comprising a pair of digital integrater means, one for each axis.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
62 words
A graphical plotter system comprising the combination of a source of incremental position commands, a digital incremental plotter having X and Y axes, and means responsive to the incremental position commands for generating variable rate driving pulses for the plotter dependent upon the sequence of the commands, said means for generating comprising a pair of digital integrater means, one for each axis.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
185 words
A digital incremental plotter system comprisiNg the combination of a digital incremental plotter having X and Y axis controls and including separate stepping motors for each of the axes, data source means providing a plurality of data characters at a substantially fixed rate, the data characters each including a clock pulse and plotter command digits for each of the axes, and code combinations identifying slew and increment modes, and a control system for operating the plotter in response to the character commands, the control system including variable frequency clock means coupled to receive the clock pulses and to provide a fixed frequency clock signal which is an integral multiple of the clock pulse rate, and a pair of channels, one for each axis, each of the channels including register means for totaling the commands, digital integrator means having a plurality of overflow stages and data receiving stages, parallel adder means coupling the register means to the data receiving stages of the digital integrator means, and means responsive to the overflow from the digital integrator means for operating as the appropriate axis of the plotter means.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
185 words
A digital incremental plotter system comprisiNg the combination of a digital incremental plotter having X and Y axis controls and including separate stepping motors for each of the axes, data source means providing a plurality of data characters at a substantially fixed rate, the data characters each including a clock pulse and plotter command digits for each of the axes, and code combinations identifying slew and increment modes, and a control system for operating the plotter in response to the character commands, the control system including variable frequency clock means coupled to receive the clock pulses and to provide a fixed frequency clock signal which is an integral multiple of the clock pulse rate, and a pair of channels, one for each axis, each of the channels including register means for totaling the commands, digital integrator means having a plurality of overflow stages and data receiving stages, parallel adder means coupling the register means to the data receiving stages of the digital integrator means, and means responsive to the overflow from the digital integrator means for operating as the appropriate axis of the plotter means.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as set forth in claim 27, wherein the control system includes high frequency clock means synchronized to the clock pulse rate at an integral multiple thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |