Patent US4263548A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4263548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Midpoint measuring circuit
Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Inc
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Filing: 1979-10-24
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Granted: 1981-04-21
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Expires: 1999-10-24
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for measuring the amplitude of an adjustable width current or voltage impulse at a known time interval following the initiation of the impulse. During a first pulse duration, a counter is advanced with clock signals having a frequency f 1 . The total number of clock signals accumulated during the interval is then transferred into a downcounter which is arranged to be decremented during a second identical interval by a clock signal having a frequency n (f 1 ). When the downcounter reaches zero, a strobe pulse is produced for enabling the analog measuring circuits which sample the amplitude of the current or voltage impulse being monitored. By selecting the value n, the sampling point can be shifted in time along the width of the pulse being measured. For example, for n=2, the amplitude of the voltage or current pulse being measured will be that occurring at the midpoint of the pulse.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott W. Carlson
- 👤 James T. Bartelt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R29/00; G01R29/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
Electronic test apparatus for measuring the voltage amplitude of a pulse type waveform at a predetermined time following the leading edge thereof, comprising: (a) a first source of regularly occurring timing signals of a frequency, f 1 ; (b) a second source of regularly occurring timing signals of a frequency, n f 1 ; (c) counter means connected to be incremented by said timing signals of frequency f 1 which occur during the duration of the pulse to be measured and to be decremented by said timing signals of frequency n f 1 during the duration of a subsequently occurring one of said pulses to be measured; (d) strobe signal generating means for detecting when the count in said counter means reaches a predetermined value and for generating a strobe signal when said predetermined value is reached; (e) means coupled to receive said strobe signal for sampling the voltage amplitude of said pulse to be measured at the time of occurrence of said strobe signal; and (f) means for displaying a value corresponding to the amplitude so sampled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
Electronic test apparatus for measuring the voltage amplitude of a pulse type waveform at a predetermined time following the leading edge thereof, comprising: (a) a first source of regularly occurring timing signals of a frequency, f 1 ; (b) a second source of regularly occurring timing signals of a frequency, n f 1 ; (c) counter means connected to be incremented by said timing signals of frequency f 1 which occur during the duration of the pulse to be measured and to be decremented by said timing signals of frequency n f 1 during the duration of a subsequently occurring one of said pulses to be measured; (d) strobe signal generating means for detecting when the count in said counter means reaches a predetermined value and for generating a strobe signal when said predetermined value is reached; (e) means coupled to receive said strobe signal for sampling the voltage amplitude of said pulse to be measured at the time of occurrence of said strobe signal; and (f) means for displaying a value corresponding to the amplitude so sampled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein n is an integer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
8 words
The apparatus as in claim 2 wherein n=2.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said counter means comprises: (a) a binary up-counter adapted to be advanced by said timing signals of a frequency f 1 occurring during the duration of the pulse to be measured; (b) a binary presettable downcounter having a plurality of stages coupled to receive the output from said up-counter upon receipt of a gating pulse, said downcounter adapted to be decremented by said timing signals of said frequency n f 1 occurring during a subsequent indentical duration of the pulse to be measured; and (c) means responsive to the occurrence of one of said pulses to be measured for producing said gating pulse.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said strobe signal generating means is coupled to reset said binary presettable downcounter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for displaying comprises: (a) analog-to-digital converter means coupled to said means for sampling for producing a digital number corresponding to the amplitude so sampled; (b) digital number registering means connected to receive said digital number; and (c) visual display means connected to said digital number registering means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said strobe signal generating means comprises: (a) a monostable multivibrator having its trigger input connected to the carry output terminal of said presettable downcounter.
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) | 1984-04-20 | 1984-10-20 | 1985-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-04-20 | 1988-10-20 | 1989-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-04-20 | 1992-10-20 | 1993-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |