US4374424A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for plotting a chromatogram
Assignee: Delsi
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Filing: 1979-11-23
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Granted: 1983-02-15
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Expires: 1999-11-23
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for digitally displaying with a thermal printer the continuous time varying signal generated by a chromatograph. The apparatus generates different graphic forms distinguishing chromatograph peaks representing a solvent from the chromatograph peaks indicative of compounds dissolved in the solvent. The continuous chromatograph signal is sampled at predetermined intervals at the onset of a peak. These sample values are stored in a memory that is sequentially addressed with one address corresponding to each sample. From the samples taken, individual bits of baseline data are calculated and stored in memory having addresses corresponding to those wherein their respective corresponding sample values are stored. Instructions for printing different graphic patterns are also stored and called-up to print a display indicative of the sample values and corresponding base-line information so that a reader can easily distinguish the peaks and baseline. The arrangement is particularly well suited for driving a thermal printer.
Inventors
- 👤 Andre Coustre
- 👤 Robert Elitzsch
- 👤 Jean-Claude Caullier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:18
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T11/00; G01; G01N; G01N30/00; G01N30/02; G01N30/86; G01N30/8651
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for displaying a continuous signal having a time varying elongation and including at least one peak provided by an external analysis apparatus, comprising the steps of: sampling the continuous signal at a plurality of sampling times and determining an elongation value of the continuous signal for each sample; detecting the starting time and ending time for the peak of the continuous signal; storing the elongation values for each sample taken from the starting time to the ending time of the peak; calculating, from the elongation values, baseline data comprising baseline magnitude values corresponding to the sampling times and varying from a baseline value corresponding to the elongation value at the starting time of the peak to a baseline value corresponding to the elongation value at the ending time of the peak; and generating a printing control signal from the stored data and the calculated baseline data for commanding an external printer to print the elongation values and corresponding baseline data in the form of a graphic.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for displaying a continuous signal having a time varying elongation and including at least one peak provided by an external analysis apparatus, comprising the steps of: sampling the continuous signal at a plurality of sampling times and determining an elongation value of the continuous signal for each sample; detecting the starting time and ending time for the peak of the continuous signal; storing the elongation values for each sample taken from the starting time to the ending time of the peak; calculating, from the elongation values, baseline data comprising baseline magnitude values corresponding to the sampling times and varying from a baseline value corresponding to the elongation value at the starting time of the peak to a baseline value corresponding to the elongation value at the ending time of the peak; and generating a printing control signal from the stored data and the calculated baseline data for commanding an external printer to print the elongation values and corresponding baseline data in the form of a graphic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the generating step comprises the step of generating a plurality of dots for each elongation value and corresponding baseline value, the plurality of dots being printed between the elongation value and corresponding baseline value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of calculating, from the stored data, an area defined by each peak and its corresponding baseline.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the continuous signal represents a chromatogram.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of detecting a valley point of the continuous signal and wherein the generating step includes the step of generating a control signal commanding the printing of dots corresponding to the sampling time of the valley point and elongation values varying from the stored elongation value at the valley point sampling time to the calculated baseline elongation value at the valley point sampling time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
195 words
A display apparatus for displaying a continuous signal having a time-varying elongation and including at least one peak provided by an external analysis apparatus, comprising: means for sampling the continuous signal at predetermined sampling times; means for generating a digital signal indicative of the elongation value of each sample; means for detecting the starting time and ending time for the peak; means for generating by interpolation baseline data corresponding to the sampling times from the start to the end of the peak; memory means for storing (a) the elongation values of samples taken from the start to the end of the peak and (b) the baseline data, the elongation values and baseline data being stored at sequentially addressed locations within the memory means corresponding to the sequential sampling times; means for generating a printing control signal indicative of the stored elongation values and baseline data; means for initiating the operation of the generating means at the ending time of the peak; a printer having a printing head; and means, responsive to the printing control signal for causing the printing head to print the elongation values and corresponding baseline data in the form of a graphic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
195 words
A display apparatus for displaying a continuous signal having a time-varying elongation and including at least one peak provided by an external analysis apparatus, comprising: means for sampling the continuous signal at predetermined sampling times; means for generating a digital signal indicative of the elongation value of each sample; means for detecting the starting time and ending time for the peak; means for generating by interpolation baseline data corresponding to the sampling times from the start to the end of the peak; memory means for storing (a) the elongation values of samples taken from the start to the end of the peak and (b) the baseline data, the elongation values and baseline data being stored at sequentially addressed locations within the memory means corresponding to the sequential sampling times; means for generating a printing control signal indicative of the stored elongation values and baseline data; means for initiating the operation of the generating means at the ending time of the peak; a printer having a printing head; and means, responsive to the printing control signal for causing the printing head to print the elongation values and corresponding baseline data in the form of a graphic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
A display apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the continuous signal is supplied by a chromatograph analyzing compounds dissolved in a solvent and wherein the apparatus further includes: a first additional memory for storing a first graphic pattern to be printed representing a solvent peak; and a second additional memory for storing a second graphic pattern to be printed representing a compound peak.
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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) | 1986-02-14 | 1986-08-16 | 1987-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-14 | 1990-08-16 | 1991-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-14 | 1994-08-16 | 1995-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |