US4477920A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable resolution counter
Assignee: Agilent Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1982-02-26
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Granted: 1984-10-16
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Expires: 2002-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A variable resolution counter is provided in which the resolution of the count decreases as the counted value increases. A set of scale control bits from the most significant bits of the counter are used to control selection of one of several prescaled signals from a prescaler. Resetting of the count value may be made conditional on the value of the count, and a flag may be provided to effectively redistribute the capacity of the counter between high and low resolution modes. A gray code of particular interest is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Nygaard, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:42
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K23/00; H03K23/64; H03K23/66; H03K21/00; H03K21/40; H03K23/004; H03K23/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A variable resolution counter for counting events indicated by an input signal, comprising: prescaler means for providing a plurality of scaled signals in response to said input signal; counter means for incrementing a value in response to a first signal, and for providing a second signal indicative of a preselected set of the most significant digits of said value; count output means, for providing a count out signal to permit sampling of said value; and selector means connected to the prescaler means and the counter means, for selecting said first signal from one of the plurality of scaled signals, in response to said second signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A variable resolution counter for counting events indicated by an input signal, comprising: prescaler means for providing a plurality of scaled signals in response to said input signal; counter means for incrementing a value in response to a first signal, and for providing a second signal indicative of a preselected set of the most significant digits of said value; count output means, for providing a count out signal to permit sampling of said value; and selector means connected to the prescaler means and the counter means, for selecting said first signal from one of the plurality of scaled signals, in response to said second signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A variable resolution counter as in claim 1 further comprising reset disabling means connected to the counter means, for preventing resetting of the value in said counter means in response to the magnitude of the value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A variable resolution counter as in claims 1 or 2 wherein the counter means is configured to represent the value in a gray code.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A variable resolution counter as in claim 3 further comprising flag means for indicating which of the plurality of scaled signals is selected by the selector means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1987-10-16 | 1988-04-16 | 1988-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-16 | 1992-04-16 | 1992-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-16 | 1996-04-16 | 1996-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |