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US4079322A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Automatic vehicle monitoring system

Assignee: Novatek Inc
•
Filing: 1976-02-24
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Granted: 1978-03-14
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Expires: 1996-02-24
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Abstract

Abstract An automatic vehicle monitoring system utilizing a plurality of spaced magnetic fields disposed along a vehicle path. A vehicle mounted sensor produces electrical signals in response to the presence of the magnetic fields. These signals are processed to discriminate against noise and to extract therefrom information concerning the location of the vehicle.

Inventors

  • 👤 Willis Thompson Lawrence
  • 👤 David B. Spaulding

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 13:06
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962; G08G1/0967; G08G1/096708; G08G1/096716; G08G1/096733; G08G1/096758; G08G1/096766; G08G1/096783; G08G1/096791

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 169 words
A signal processing system for processing signals derived from the presence of a magnetic field said signal processing system comprising: (1) means for producing an electrical signal in response to the presence of a magnetic field; (2) variable gain amplifier means for amplifying the electrical signals produced by said signal producing means; (3) means responsive to the rate of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for varying the gain of said amplifier means as a function of said rate of relative movement whereby the amplitude of the signal output is substantially constant; (4) variable threshold electrical signal processing means for processing only electrical signals from the output of said amplifier means which exceed a variable threshold; and, (5) means responsive to the rate of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for varying the threshold of said variable threshold electrical signal processing means as a function of said rate of relative movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 169 words
A signal processing system for processing signals derived from the presence of a magnetic field said signal processing system comprising: (1) means for producing an electrical signal in response to the presence of a magnetic field; (2) variable gain amplifier means for amplifying the electrical signals produced by said signal producing means; (3) means responsive to the rate of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for varying the gain of said amplifier means as a function of said rate of relative movement whereby the amplitude of the signal output is substantially constant; (4) variable threshold electrical signal processing means for processing only electrical signals from the output of said amplifier means which exceed a variable threshold; and, (5) means responsive to the rate of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for varying the threshold of said variable threshold electrical signal processing means as a function of said rate of relative movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 163 words
A signal processing system for processing signals derived from the presence of a magnetic field said signal processing system comprising: (1) means for producing an electrical signal in response to the presence of a magnetic field; (2) variable gain amplifier means for amplifying the electrical signals produced by said signal producing means; (3) means responsive to the rate of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for varying the gain of said amplifier means as a function of said rate of relative movement whereby the amplitude of the signal output is substantially constant; (4) variable pass band, electrical signal filtering means for filtering the output signals from said variable gain amplifier means; and, (5) means responsive to the rate of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for varying the pass band of said electrical signal filter means as a function of said rate of relative movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 163 words
A signal processing system for processing signals derived from the presence of a magnetic field said signal processing system comprising: (1) means for producing an electrical signal in response to the presence of a magnetic field; (2) variable gain amplifier means for amplifying the electrical signals produced by said signal producing means; (3) means responsive to the rate of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for varying the gain of said amplifier means as a function of said rate of relative movement whereby the amplitude of the signal output is substantially constant; (4) variable pass band, electrical signal filtering means for filtering the output signals from said variable gain amplifier means; and, (5) means responsive to the rate of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for varying the pass band of said electrical signal filter means as a function of said rate of relative movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 165 words
A signal processing system for processing signals derived from the presence of a magnetic field, said signal processing system comprising: (1) means for producing an electrical signal in response to the presence of a agnetic field; (2) variable pass band, electrical signal filtering means for filtering the electrical signals produced by said signal producing means; (3) means responsive to the rate of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for varying the pass band of said electrical signal filter means as a function of said rate of relative movement; (4) variable threshold electrical signal processing means for processing only the filtered output signals from said signal filtering means which exceed a variable threshold; and, (5) means responsive to the rate of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for varying the threshold of said variable threshold electrical signal processing means as a function of said rate of relative movement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 165 words
A signal processing system for processing signals derived from the presence of a magnetic field, said signal processing system comprising: (1) means for producing an electrical signal in response to the presence of a agnetic field; (2) variable pass band, electrical signal filtering means for filtering the electrical signals produced by said signal producing means; (3) means responsive to the rate of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for varying the pass band of said electrical signal filter means as a function of said rate of relative movement; (4) variable threshold electrical signal processing means for processing only the filtered output signals from said signal filtering means which exceed a variable threshold; and, (5) means responsive to the rate of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for varying the threshold of said variable threshold electrical signal processing means as a function of said rate of relative movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 98 words
A signal processing system for processing signals derived from the presence of a magnetic field, said signal processing system comprising: (1) means for producing an electrical signal in response to the presence of a magnetic field (2) variable pass band, electrical signal filter means for filtering the electrical signals produced by said signal producing means; and, (3) means responsive to the rate of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for varying the pass band of said electrical signal filter means as a function of said rate of relative movement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 98 words
A signal processing system for processing signals derived from the presence of a magnetic field, said signal processing system comprising: (1) means for producing an electrical signal in response to the presence of a magnetic field (2) variable pass band, electrical signal filter means for filtering the electrical signals produced by said signal producing means; and, (3) means responsive to the rate of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for varying the pass band of said electrical signal filter means as a function of said rate of relative movement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 93 words
A signal processing system for processing electrical signals derived from the presence of a magnetic field, said signal processing system comprising: (1) means for producing an electrical signal in response to the presence of a magnetic field; and, (2) means responsive to the amount of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for processing the electrical signals from said signal producing means only when the amount of relative movement is within a predetermined range of distances which includes the distance between two preselected magnetic fields.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 93 words
A signal processing system for processing electrical signals derived from the presence of a magnetic field, said signal processing system comprising: (1) means for producing an electrical signal in response to the presence of a magnetic field; and, (2) means responsive to the amount of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for processing the electrical signals from said signal producing means only when the amount of relative movement is within a predetermined range of distances which includes the distance between two preselected magnetic fields.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 153 words
A signal processing system for processing electrical signals derived from the presence of a magnetic field, said signal processing system comprising: (1) means for producing an electrical signal in response to the presence of a magnetic field; (2) variable pass band, electrical signal filter means for filtering the electrical signals produced by said signal producing means; (3) means responsive to the rate of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for varying the pass band of said electrical signal filter means as a function of said rate of relative movement; and, (4) means responsive to the amount of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for processing the electrical signals from said filter means only when the amount of relative movement is within a predetermined range of distances which includes the distance between two preselected magnetic fields.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 153 words
A signal processing system for processing electrical signals derived from the presence of a magnetic field, said signal processing system comprising: (1) means for producing an electrical signal in response to the presence of a magnetic field; (2) variable pass band, electrical signal filter means for filtering the electrical signals produced by said signal producing means; (3) means responsive to the rate of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for varying the pass band of said electrical signal filter means as a function of said rate of relative movement; and, (4) means responsive to the amount of relative movement between said electrical signal producing means and a plurality of spaced, magnetic fields for processing the electrical signals from said filter means only when the amount of relative movement is within a predetermined range of distances which includes the distance between two preselected magnetic fields.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2882488A Cited
US3493923A Cited
US3835374A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1981-03-13 1981-09-12 1982-03-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1985-03-13 1985-09-12 1986-03-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1989-03-13 1989-09-12 1990-03-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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