Patent US4453550A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4453550A
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Method and means for detecting a periodic wave structure
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1982-04-19
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Granted: 1984-06-12
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Expires: 2002-04-19
Abstract
Abstract The periodicity of a wave structure is determined by detecting a temporal feature such as zero crossings of the wave, measuring time intervals between zero crossings, and developing a histogram of the time intervals. A periodic structure will exhibit a uniformity in the time intervals, whereas a random signal will have random time intervals between zero crossings.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen W. Flax
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:58
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R19/00; G01R19/175; G01R19/02; G01R23/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of determining characteristics of biological tissue comprising the steps of transmitting an ultrasonic wave into said biological tissue, detecting ultrasonic waves reflected by said biological tissue, determining zero crossing points of the wave structure of the reflected ultrasonic waves, measuring time intervals between zero crossings, and analyzing said measured time intervals for uniformity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of determining characteristics of biological tissue comprising the steps of transmitting an ultrasonic wave into said biological tissue, detecting ultrasonic waves reflected by said biological tissue, determining zero crossing points of the wave structure of the reflected ultrasonic waves, measuring time intervals between zero crossings, and analyzing said measured time intervals for uniformity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined by claim 2 wherein said step of analyzing said measured time intervals includes developing a histogram of said measured time intervals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for use in determining characteristics of biological tissue by determining periodicity of a back scattered ultrasonic wave comprising a zero crossing detector for detecting zero crossings of a back scattered ultrasonic wave, means for applying a back scattered ultrasonic wave to said zero crossing detector, said zero crossing detector generating a signal indicative of each zero crossing, timing means, means for applying said signal from said zero crossing detector to said timing means, said timing means indicating the time interval between signals, and a multibin counter for counting time intervals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for use in determining characteristics of biological tissue by determining periodicity of a back scattered ultrasonic wave comprising a zero crossing detector for detecting zero crossings of a back scattered ultrasonic wave, means for applying a back scattered ultrasonic wave to said zero crossing detector, said zero crossing detector generating a signal indicative of each zero crossing, timing means, means for applying said signal from said zero crossing detector to said timing means, said timing means indicating the time interval between signals, and a multibin counter for counting time intervals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said zero crossing detector comprises a Schmitt triggered monostable multivibrator which generates a pulse in response to each zero crossing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-06-12 | 1987-12-12 | 1988-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-12 | 1991-12-12 | 1992-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-12 | 1995-12-12 | 1996-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |