Patent FR1538644A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4234941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Verbal read-out depth sounding system
Assignee: Coast Radar and Communications Ltd
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Filing: 1978-09-25
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Granted: 1980-11-18
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Expires: 1998-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A system for measuring distance to an object. The system comprises a device for producing a high frequency sound impulse. There is a receiver for a high frequency echo sound impulse reflected from the object. A depth clock is connected to clock a counter. An initiator for the depth clock initiates the clock at a first time corresponding to the time of production of the high frequency sound impulse. The depth clock is stopped at a second time corresponding to the time of receipt of the echo sound impulse. The content of the counter is proportional to the distance to the object. A timer prevents stopping of the depth clock until a predetermined delay after the first time. A speech synthesizer produces spoken numbers corresponding to data supplied to the speech synthesizer. Data corresponding to the content of the counter are supplied to the speech synthesizer. The system is safer than prior art systems as it does not need to be observed.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick J. Welland, Jr.
- 👤 Edward C. Cairns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/02; G01S15/06; G01S15/08; G01S15/10; G01S15/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
A system for measuring distance to an object comprising means both for transmitting a high frequency sound impulse and for receiving a high frequency echo sound impulse reflected from the object, a depth clock, a multidigit counter connected to receive an output from said depth clock, means to initiate the depth clock at a first time corresponding to the time of transmission of the high frequency sound impulse, means for stopping the depth clock at a second time corresponding to the time of receipt of the echo sound impulse, whereby the content of said multidigit counter is proportional to the distance to the object, time delay means coupled to prevent said means for stopping the depth clock from actuation until expiration of a predetermined delay after said first time, speech synthesizer means having a gating input and a data input, selector means coupled to said multidigit counter and to said data input of said speech synthesizer for selectively supplying data corresponding to a single one of said digits at a time in said multidigit counter, and sequence clock means operable when the depth clock is stopped to drive a sequence generator which provides sequential pulses to different outputs, and includes a plurality of outputs coupled to said gating input of said synthesizer, and an output therebetween coupled to said selector means for sequentially stepping said selector means to couple a different digit in said multidigit counter to said data input of said synthesizer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
243 words
A system for measuring distance to an object comprising means both for transmitting a high frequency sound impulse and for receiving a high frequency echo sound impulse reflected from the object, a depth clock, a multidigit counter connected to receive an output from said depth clock, means to initiate the depth clock at a first time corresponding to the time of transmission of the high frequency sound impulse, means for stopping the depth clock at a second time corresponding to the time of receipt of the echo sound impulse, whereby the content of said multidigit counter is proportional to the distance to the object, time delay means coupled to prevent said means for stopping the depth clock from actuation until expiration of a predetermined delay after said first time, speech synthesizer means having a gating input and a data input, selector means coupled to said multidigit counter and to said data input of said speech synthesizer for selectively supplying data corresponding to a single one of said digits at a time in said multidigit counter, and sequence clock means operable when the depth clock is stopped to drive a sequence generator which provides sequential pulses to different outputs, and includes a plurality of outputs coupled to said gating input of said synthesizer, and an output therebetween coupled to said selector means for sequentially stepping said selector means to couple a different digit in said multidigit counter to said data input of said synthesizer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the speech synthesiser is capable of producing the spoken numbers zero to nine and the counter is a two digit counter and in which the means for supplying data to the speech synthesiser is a digit select means which selects sequentially each digit in the counter and supplies to the synthesiser data corresponding to the respective digits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
143 words
A system according to claim 1 including a master clock for generating clock pulses, transmitting means for energizing on generation of a clock pulse a transducer to produce the high frequency sound impulse, receiving means energizing by the transducer on receipt of the high frequency echo sound impulse to produce an electrical echo pulse at an output of the receiving means, a flip-flop having a first input connected with the master clock and a second input connected with the output of the receiving means, an output of the flip-flop being connected to the depth clock whereby respective signals are derived at the output of the flip-flop depending on whether the first or the second input has been pulsed so that the depth clock is enabled on the production of a clock pulse from the master clock and disabled by the electrical echo pulse.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system according to claim 3, including a first transistor connected to an output of the master clock and connected to an input of the transmitting means and to the first input of the flip-flop, and a second transistor connected between an output of the transmitting means and the transducer, the transistors being operable to derive suitable pulses for operating the flip-flop and the transducer, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 1, in which the frequency of the depth clock is adjustable to determine the units of the content of the counter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
A system according to claim 3 in which the time delay means comprises a pulse generator triggered by the master clock to produce a pulse of predetermined duration, and gating means to which the pulse of the predetermined duration is fed together with the electrical echo pulse from the receiving means, an output signal of a particular polarity being derived at the output of the gating means while the electrical echo pulse is present and the pulse of predetermined duration has ceased.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the speech synthesizer includes a "busy" output connected to the sequence clock means for stopping the sequence clock means when the speech synthesizer is in operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system according to claim 1 for measuring the depth of a body of water, in which the means for producing a high frequency sound impulse and the means for receiving a high frequency echo sound impulse are arranged to be disposed at or near the surface of the body of water.
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) | 1983-11-18 | 1984-05-19 | 1984-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-18 | 1988-05-19 | 1988-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-18 | 1992-05-19 | 1992-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |