US3978322A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Measurement system for timer
Assignee: National Semiconductor Corp
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Filing: 1974-09-30
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Granted: 1976-08-31
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Expires: 1994-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A system for measuring the accuracy of an internal timing source of a device having a light emitting display which is energized at a rate derived from the timing cycle of that timing source includes an optical pickup disposed for receiving light emission from one element of the display and generating a signal having the same frequency as the frequency of such light emission. In one embodiment, the pulses of that signal which occur within a given time period are counted and the number of such counted pulses is supplied to a display for human recognition. In a second embodiment, the time elapsed during one or more complete light emitting cycles is measured and displayed for human recognition. The pulses of a timing signal having a period of one microsecond which occur during one or more complete light emitting cycles are counted and the resultant count is displayed. A method includes the steps of comparing a time reference signal with a signal corresponding to the light emitting cycle of the light emitting display, determining the ratio of one parameter of the time reference signal to one parameter of the light emitting cycle, and displaying the value of either the ratio, a multiple of that ratio, or a submultiple of that ratio.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Dobkin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:21
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04D; G04D7/00; G04D7/12; G04D7/1207; G04D7/1214
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for measuring the accuracy of the timing source of a device having a light emitting display which is formed of a plurality of light emitting elements which are energized successively at a rate derived from the timing cycle of that source, said system comprising a. transducer means responsive to only one of the light emitting elements for generating a signal having a parameter which is proportional to said rate of the light emission of that element. b. timing means for generating a signal having its parameter which is proportional to time, and c. means responsive to said signals for determining the value of one of said parameters which accumulates during a time period which is proportional to the other of said parameter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for measuring the accuracy of the timing source of a device having a light emitting display which is formed of a plurality of light emitting elements which are energized successively at a rate derived from the timing cycle of that source, said system comprising a. transducer means responsive to only one of the light emitting elements for generating a signal having a parameter which is proportional to said rate of the light emission of that element. b. timing means for generating a signal having its parameter which is proportional to time, and c. means responsive to said signals for determining the value of one of said parameters which accumulates during a time period which is proportional to the other of said parameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said value of said one parameter is the frequency of the signal of said transducer means which is equal to said rate of the light emission of said one element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said value of said one parameter is a multiple of said rate of the light emission of said one element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said value of said one parameter is the period of the signal of said transducer means which is equal to the period of the light emitting cycle of said one element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said value of said one parameter is the multiple of the period of the light emitting cycle of said one element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the signal of said transducer means is a first two-level signal, with one level thereof having a duration which is proportional to the period of the light emitting cycle of said one element, wherein the signal of said timing means is a second two-level signal with one level thereof having a predetermined duration, and wherein said determining means includes means for counting the number of pulses which occur in one of said signals during the time which the other of said signals is at said one level thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 6, wherein said counting means includes a counter, means for supplying said first signal to an input of said counter when said second signal is at said one level, and means for displaying for human recognition an output of said counter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 7, wherein the predetermined duration of said one level of said second signal is adjustable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 6, wherein said timing means includes a clock source for generating said second signal, and wherein said counting means includes a first counter, means for supplying said second signal to an input of said first counter when said first signal is at said one level, and means for displaying for human recognition an output of said counter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said transducer means includes an optical-to-electrical transducer, a second counter connected to an output of said transducer, and means connected between an output of said second counter and an input of said supplying means for establishing said first signal at said one level thereof in response to a count within said second counter which is greater than zero and less than a predetermined value.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of measuring the accuracy of the timing source of the device having a light emitting display which is formed of a plurality of light emitting elements which are energized successively at a rate derived from the timing cycle of that source, said method comprising the steps of a. establishing a reference signal having a time related parameter, b. comparing the light emitting rate of only one of the light emitting elements of such a display with said parameter.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of measuring the accuracy of the timing source of the device having a light emitting display which is formed of a plurality of light emitting elements which are energized successively at a rate derived from the timing cycle of that source, said method comprising the steps of a. establishing a reference signal having a time related parameter, b. comparing the light emitting rate of only one of the light emitting elements of such a display with said parameter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said step of comparing includes the step of determining the value of said parameter which accumulates during a period equal to one complete light emitting cycle of said one element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said step of comparing includes the step of determining the value of said parameter which accumulates during a period equal to a multiple of a complete light emitting cycle of said one element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said step of comparing includes the step of counting the cycles of said rate of light emission of said one element which occur during the time established by said parameter.
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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) | 1979-08-31 | 1980-03-01 | 1980-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-31 | 1984-03-01 | 1984-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-31 | 1988-03-01 | 1988-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |