US3896296A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Live time correction system
Assignee: EDAX INTERNATIONAL Inc
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Filing: 1972-12-11
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Granted: 1975-07-22
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Expires: 1992-12-11
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a system including a pulse analyzer for analyzing a stream of input data pulses from a pulse source, wherein the analyzer requires a finite time period for the analysis of the input data pulses and provides an output pulse corresponding to the completion of each analysis, wherein the finite time period overlaps in real time one or more adjacent input data pulses so that during any given processing period there are a number of non-processed or ''''lost'''' input data pulses, and wherein the analyzer has a clock providing a real time correlation input to said analyzer. In this invention the clock is selectively stopped for periods of time corresponding to the analysis times for lost input pulses thereby to correct the time measured by the analyzer. Specifically, the clock is operated for a period of time and the number of non-processed input data pulses occurring during that period of time are counted. Then the clock is stopped while the analyzer continues to process input data pulses and provide output pulses corresponding to the counted number of non-processed input data pulses. Thereupon the clock is turned back on and the procedure repeated. This method accurately compensates for analysis dead time regardless of the pulse shape and under conditions of variable count rate and variable spectral distribution.
Inventors
- 👤 Morris W Barnhart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
376 words
In a system including an analyzer for analyzing a stream of input data pulses from a pulse source wherein the analyzer requires a finite time period for the analysis of the input data pulses and provides an output pulse corresponding to the completion of each analysis, which finite time period overlaps in real time one or more adjacent input data pulses so that the analyzer provides an output pulse corresponding to only a portion of said input pulses and where the analyzer has a clock means providing a real time correlation input to said analyzer means, the improvement of an accurate live time correction circuit comprising: a gate means, an up/down counter register for counting pulses from zero up to a pre-set maximum count capacity, said up/down register being connected to the pulse source through said gate means for counting up for each of the input data pulses from the pulse source and being connected to the analyzer for receiving and simultaneously counting down for each of the output pulses from the analyzer, so that the count normally in said register is the subtracted difference between the total count of the input data pulses from the pulse source and the total count of the output pulses from the analyzer, and switch means operatively connecting said register to the clock means and also to said gate means, said switch means being operative between a closed condition in response to said register reaching said pre-set maximum count capacity of said register and an opened condition in response to said register reaching zero, said switch means, in said closed condition, switching off both the clock means input to the analyzer and said gate means for the time period extending between the time said pre-set maximum count capacity of said register is reached and the time said register is counted down to zero; whereby counts to said register corresponding to input data pulses are interrupted and said register is counted down to zero by the output pulses from said analyzer, and the time periods in which said switch means is closed providing accurate time correction adjustment for the difference between the number of the input data pulses from the pulse source and the number of output pulses from the analyzer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
376 words
In a system including an analyzer for analyzing a stream of input data pulses from a pulse source wherein the analyzer requires a finite time period for the analysis of the input data pulses and provides an output pulse corresponding to the completion of each analysis, which finite time period overlaps in real time one or more adjacent input data pulses so that the analyzer provides an output pulse corresponding to only a portion of said input pulses and where the analyzer has a clock means providing a real time correlation input to said analyzer means, the improvement of an accurate live time correction circuit comprising: a gate means, an up/down counter register for counting pulses from zero up to a pre-set maximum count capacity, said up/down register being connected to the pulse source through said gate means for counting up for each of the input data pulses from the pulse source and being connected to the analyzer for receiving and simultaneously counting down for each of the output pulses from the analyzer, so that the count normally in said register is the subtracted difference between the total count of the input data pulses from the pulse source and the total count of the output pulses from the analyzer, and switch means operatively connecting said register to the clock means and also to said gate means, said switch means being operative between a closed condition in response to said register reaching said pre-set maximum count capacity of said register and an opened condition in response to said register reaching zero, said switch means, in said closed condition, switching off both the clock means input to the analyzer and said gate means for the time period extending between the time said pre-set maximum count capacity of said register is reached and the time said register is counted down to zero; whereby counts to said register corresponding to input data pulses are interrupted and said register is counted down to zero by the output pulses from said analyzer, and the time periods in which said switch means is closed providing accurate time correction adjustment for the difference between the number of the input data pulses from the pulse source and the number of output pulses from the analyzer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The live time correction circuit set forth in claim 1 further including a discriminator disposed between the pulse source and gate means for providing an intelligible count signal to said gate corresponding to each of the input data pulses in the stream of input data pulses.
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) | 1978-07-21 | 1979-01-20 | 1979-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-21 | 1983-01-20 | 1983-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-21 | 1987-01-20 | 1987-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |