US3906346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Precision time interval comparator
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-12-26
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1992-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A precision time interval comparator device including an automatic time interval acquisition and continuous acceptance limit control means. The device combines digital and analog circuitry and a means to precisely and automatically measure and store the time interval between two events while comparing succeeding events against the stored time interval by means of an acceptance window which will periodically open at multiples of the stored time interval.
Inventors
- 👤 John M Hunter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:44
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04F; G04F10/00; G04F10/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A time interval comparator to measure and store the time interval between two events while comparing succeeding events against the stored time interval comprising: a. a binary storage counter for storing the time interval count between two events; b. a binary measurement counter for measuring the time interval count between two events; c. a means for initiating a series of pulsed threshold signals; d. a means for generating a time delay signal pulse simultaneously with the initiation of the initial threshold signal from said threshold means to store the time delay interval count in said storage counter until the next series threshold signal said time delay generating means initiating said measurement counter at the next series threshold signal until said measurement acquires matching time delay interval count of said storage counter; e. a means for comparing the equality of the counts between said binary storage counter and said binary measurement counter; and f. said comparing means generating an output signal to the input of an acceptance gate having a threshold input signal wherein the output signal activates said gate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A time interval comparator to measure and store the time interval between two events while comparing succeeding events against the stored time interval comprising: a. a binary storage counter for storing the time interval count between two events; b. a binary measurement counter for measuring the time interval count between two events; c. a means for initiating a series of pulsed threshold signals; d. a means for generating a time delay signal pulse simultaneously with the initiation of the initial threshold signal from said threshold means to store the time delay interval count in said storage counter until the next series threshold signal said time delay generating means initiating said measurement counter at the next series threshold signal until said measurement acquires matching time delay interval count of said storage counter; e. a means for comparing the equality of the counts between said binary storage counter and said binary measurement counter; and f. said comparing means generating an output signal to the input of an acceptance gate having a threshold input signal wherein the output signal activates said gate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
The device recited in claim 1 wherein said means for generating a time delay signal comprises: a. a clock to generate a time signal; b. a first time delay switch connected between said clock and said binary storage counter to activate said storage counter after a prescribed time delay at the initial signal threshold crossing; and c. a second time delay switch connected between said clock and said binary measurement counter to activate said measured counter at a second signal threshold crossing and terminating when said measurement counter acquires a matching count equivalent to said storage counter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device recited in claim 2 wherein said binary storage counter comprises four dual inline packages, each of said packages containing four flip flop circuits.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device recited in claim 2 wherein said binary measurement counter comprises four inline packages, each containing four flip flop circuits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device recited in claim 1 wherein said comparison means is comprised of four matrix comparator arrays, each array having four binary comparisons between said binary measurement counter and said binary storage counter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device recited in claim 1 wherein said comparator further includes a means for collapsing said AND gate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device recited in claim 6 wherein said collapsing means is a one-shot oscillator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device recited in claim 1 wherein said acceptance gate is an AND gate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3349400A
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US3380020A
Cited
US3537003A
Cited
US3660845A
Cited
US3735263A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |