US4144573A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metering system
Assignee: Snap On Inc
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Filing: 1976-10-27
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Granted: 1979-03-13
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Expires: 1996-10-27
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is a metering system including a signal conditioning circuit, processor and output system. The signal conditioning circuit receives a state-indicating signal and responsively produces a repetitive digital signal compatible with the processor. The processor samples the repetitive digital signal, determines the period thereof and produces an output signal having a value related to the state-indicating signal. The output system displays the value of the output signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald C. Trussell
- 👤 James R. Caruth
- 👤 Phillip Jalowiec
- 👤 Michael J. Pociask
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:19
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D7/00; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/42; G01P3/44; G01P3/48; G01P3/481; G01P3/489; G01R; G01R13/00; G01R13/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A metering system comprising in combination: signal conditioning means for receiving a state-indicating signal and producing a digital input signal in response thereto; processor means for processing said digital input signal, said processor means having at least a first and second output port, said processor means providing a first output signal at said first output port and a second output signal at said second output port, said first output signal and said second output signal having a predetermined relationship to said state-indicating signal; and output means for displaying said first output signal and said second output signal, said output means including a group of output displays having a series of output components; said first output signal successively enabling said output displays for a first predetermined time and disabling said output displays for a second predetermined time therebetween, said second output signal enabling a predetermined number of said output components within each of said output displays, said processor means refreshing said second output signal during said second predetermined time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A metering system comprising in combination: signal conditioning means for receiving a state-indicating signal and producing a digital input signal in response thereto; processor means for processing said digital input signal, said processor means having at least a first and second output port, said processor means providing a first output signal at said first output port and a second output signal at said second output port, said first output signal and said second output signal having a predetermined relationship to said state-indicating signal; and output means for displaying said first output signal and said second output signal, said output means including a group of output displays having a series of output components; said first output signal successively enabling said output displays for a first predetermined time and disabling said output displays for a second predetermined time therebetween, said second output signal enabling a predetermined number of said output components within each of said output displays, said processor means refreshing said second output signal during said second predetermined time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A metering system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising interface means for decoding said first output signal and said second output signal interposing said processor means and said output means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A metering system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said output component is a light-emitting diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A metering system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said group includes ten (10) light-emitting diodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A metering system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said processor means includes an output display counter, said output display counter controlling said first output signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A metering system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first output signal and said second output signal cooperatively define a value, said processor means updating said value at a rate dependent upon the rate of change of said state-indicating signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A metering system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said rate is substantially linearly proportional to said rate of change of said state-indicating signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
A metering system comprising, in combination: signal conditioning means for receiving a state-indicating signal and producing a digital input signal in response thereto, said state-indicating signal having a rate of change; processor means for processing said digital input signal and responsively providing an output signal having a value related to said state-indicating signal, said processor means updating said value of said output signal at an update rate, said processor means measuring said rate of change of said state-indicating signal and varying said update rate in proportion to said rate of change of said state-indicating signal; and output means for displaying said value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
A metering system comprising, in combination: signal conditioning means for receiving a state-indicating signal and producing a digital input signal in response thereto, said state-indicating signal having a rate of change; processor means for processing said digital input signal and responsively providing an output signal having a value related to said state-indicating signal, said processor means updating said value of said output signal at an update rate, said processor means measuring said rate of change of said state-indicating signal and varying said update rate in proportion to said rate of change of said state-indicating signal; and output means for displaying said value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A metering system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said update rate is substantially linearly proportional to said rate of change.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
A metering system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said processor includes means for establishing said update rate in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU2## wherein UR, NMV, OMV, A and B represent said update rate, a newly measured value for said output signal, a previously measured value for said output signal, a constant and a constant, respectively, said processor means defining a maximum update rate of one (1).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
A tachometer for measuring the speed of an automotive engine, said automotive engine having an ignition signal, said ignition signal having a rate of change, comprising in combination: signal conditioning means for receiving said ignition signal and producing a digital input signal in response thereto; processor means for processing said digital input signal, said processor means providing an output having a value related to said speed of said automotive engine; output means for displaying said value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
A tachometer for measuring the speed of an automotive engine, said automotive engine having an ignition signal, said ignition signal having a rate of change, comprising in combination: signal conditioning means for receiving said ignition signal and producing a digital input signal in response thereto; processor means for processing said digital input signal, said processor means providing an output having a value related to said speed of said automotive engine; output means for displaying said value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 11 wherein said signal conditioning means includes comparator means for comparing said ignition signal to a reference.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 11 wherein said processor means has at least a first output port and a second output port, said output including a first output signal and a second output signal available at said first output port and said second output port, respectively.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 13 wherein said output means includes a group of output displays, said output display having a series of output components, said first output signal successively enabling said output displays, said second output signal enabling a predetermined number of said output components within each output display.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 14 wherein said output display includes ten (10) light-emitting devices.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 15 wherein said output displays are arranged in a substantially arcuate configuration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 14 wherein said group includes four (4) output displays having seven (7) output components arranged in an "8" configuration.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 11 further comprising interface means, operable in a display mode under the direction of said processor means, for interconnecting said processor means and said output means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 18 wherein said output means further includes latch means for storing said second output signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 19 wherein said interface means is operable in a transmission mode for interconnecting said processor means and said latch means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 18 further comprising input means for inputting data into said processor means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 21 wherein said interface means is operable in a configure mode for interconnecting said processor means and said input means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 11 wherein said processor means includes means for defining a predetermined maximum engine speed and means for producing an overrange signal whenever said value exceeds said predetermined maximum engine speed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 23 wherein said processor means further includes means for proportioning said overrange signal to the amount of overrange.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 11 wherein said processor includes means for updating said output at an update rate related to said rate of change of said ignition signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 25 wherein said update rate is substantially linearly proportional to said rate of change.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
64 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 25 wherein said update rate is established in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU3## wherein UR, NMV, OMV, A and B represent said update rate, a newly measured value for said output signal, a previously measured value for said output signal, a constant and a constant, respectively, said processor means defining a maximum update rate of one (1).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 11 wherein said processor includes means for transmitting said output in serial format.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tachometer as claimed in claim 11 wherein said processor includes means for validating said digital input signal.
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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) | 1982-03-12 | 1982-09-11 | 1983-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-03-12 | 1986-09-11 | 1987-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-03-12 | 1990-09-11 | 1991-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |