US4023024A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic urn decision device
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1975-05-19
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Granted: 1977-05-10
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Expires: 1995-05-19
Abstract
Abstract A probabilistic decision making device produces an "Accept" decision when a predetermined ratio of input 1's to 0's is established for a predetermined total amount of binary information. The decision making process in essence is an implementation of probability theory relating to a classical "Urn" problem. The device forms a standard reference decision device for similar types of decision making apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Walton B. Bishop
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F7/00; G06F7/60; G06F7/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
358 words
A decision device for making probabilistic decisions regarding the most recent set, W, of a series of binary 1 and 0 sample signals comprising, in combination: terminal means for connection to separate sources of binary 1 and 0 sample signals; W-counting means for counting the total number of 1 and 0 sample signals received and providing an output signal when the total exceeds a preselected number, W; T-counting means for receiving a continuing series of binary 1 and 0 signals and converting them to a number of output signals, T i , where i is a number from 1 to a preselected value A, T A corresponding to a probability value of 1's relative to the number of 1's and 0's in said T-counting means which has been selected as the probability level at which an Accept decision will be made; probability-setting means, connected to said terminal means, said W-counting means and said T-counting means, said probability-setting means including special-purpose, pseudorandom, binary-sequence-generator means, for causing the count of said T-counting means, after the W-counting means has reached a count of W, to be reduced by one unit with a probability of T i /W if the received input binary sample is a 0, and to be increased by one unit with a probability of W-T i /W if the received input binary sample is a 1; M-counting means, connected to said terminal means, for counting said 1 and 0 samples and producing an output signal when the total number of 1's and 0's becomes equal to M, a preselected binary number related to the maximum number of samples to be considered before a NON-Accept decision is made, M being a number greater than the number W; logic means, connected to receive the output signal of said M-counting means and the T A output signal of said T-counting means, for generating a Non-Accept output signal whenever said M-counting means reaches a count of M before said T-counting means reaches a count of T A and for generating an Accept signal whenever said T-counting means reaches a count of T A before said M-counting means reaches a count of M.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
358 words
A decision device for making probabilistic decisions regarding the most recent set, W, of a series of binary 1 and 0 sample signals comprising, in combination: terminal means for connection to separate sources of binary 1 and 0 sample signals; W-counting means for counting the total number of 1 and 0 sample signals received and providing an output signal when the total exceeds a preselected number, W; T-counting means for receiving a continuing series of binary 1 and 0 signals and converting them to a number of output signals, T i , where i is a number from 1 to a preselected value A, T A corresponding to a probability value of 1's relative to the number of 1's and 0's in said T-counting means which has been selected as the probability level at which an Accept decision will be made; probability-setting means, connected to said terminal means, said W-counting means and said T-counting means, said probability-setting means including special-purpose, pseudorandom, binary-sequence-generator means, for causing the count of said T-counting means, after the W-counting means has reached a count of W, to be reduced by one unit with a probability of T i /W if the received input binary sample is a 0, and to be increased by one unit with a probability of W-T i /W if the received input binary sample is a 1; M-counting means, connected to said terminal means, for counting said 1 and 0 samples and producing an output signal when the total number of 1's and 0's becomes equal to M, a preselected binary number related to the maximum number of samples to be considered before a NON-Accept decision is made, M being a number greater than the number W; logic means, connected to receive the output signal of said M-counting means and the T A output signal of said T-counting means, for generating a Non-Accept output signal whenever said M-counting means reaches a count of M before said T-counting means reaches a count of T A and for generating an Accept signal whenever said T-counting means reaches a count of T A before said M-counting means reaches a count of M.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A decision device as in claim 1, further including: second terminal means for connection to a reset-signal source for resetting the decision device to an initial starting condition, said second terminal means being connected to said M-counting means, said T-counting means, and said logic means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A decision device as in claim 1, wherein said T-counting means produces a further output signal, T T , which is fed to said logic means, T T being a number which is smaller than T A and being produced whenever the count of said T-counting means decreases from a count greater than T T to T T .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
138 words
A decision device as in claim 1, wherein said probability-setting means includes means for storing different binary numbers, B i , corresponding to different preselected probability values, each said T i output signal from said T-counting means being connected to permit a different one of said B i numbers to be fed to said binary-sequence-generator means for comparison with a binary number, Y, generated thereby, said binary-sequence-generator means generating a signal for decreasing by one unit the count of said T-counting means when B i is less than Y and a binary 0 sample signal is received by the decision device and generating a signal for increasing by one unit the count of said T-counting means when B i is equal to or greater than Y and a binary 1 sample signal is received by the decision device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A decision device as in claim 4, wherein said probability-setting means includes means for permitting said increasing and decreasing signals to pass to said T-counting means only after the W-counting means has reached a count of W.
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) | 1980-05-09 | 1980-11-08 | 1981-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-09 | 1984-11-08 | 1985-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-09 | 1988-11-08 | 1989-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |