US4829546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radio controlled inductive loop counter for detecting human proximity
Assignee: Interprovincial Traffic Services Ltd
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Filing: 1987-06-16
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Granted: 1989-05-09
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Expires: 2007-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A remote controlled object counter has a data counter which may e.g. be buried beneath a trail for counting the passage of people along the trail and a data collector separate from the data counter. The data counter employs an inductive loop with an oscillator and a processor for detecting the oscillator frequency and transmitting a corresponding data signal through radio transceivers in the data counter and the data collector for processing in the latter. To enable adjustment of the data counter sensitivity without physical contact, an adjustment signal generated in the data collector is sent through the transceivers to the data collector processor.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard Dueckman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06M; G06M1/00; G06M1/08; G06M1/10; G06M1/102; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; G08B13/26; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/01; G08G1/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A remote controlled object counter, comprising (a) sensing means for providing an output signal in response to movement of an object past said counter, said sensing means comprising: inductive loop means responsive to disturbance of a magnetic field by the movement of the object; oscillator means connected to said inductive loop means for providing an oscillator signal the frequency of which varies in response to said disturbance; first processor means responsive to said oscillator signal for providing a corresponding output signal, said processor means including means responsive to a control signal for adjustably varying the sensitivity of said first processor means to said oscillator signal; and first transceiver means for transmitting said output signal and receiving said control signal; and (b) data collecting means for receiving data from said data counter means, said data collecting means comprising: second transceiver means for receiving said output signal and transmitting said control signal; second processor means for processing said output signal and generating said control signal; means for displaying data from said second processor means and means for imputing data into said second processing means to thereby adjust the sensitivity of said first processor means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A remote controlled object counter, comprising (a) sensing means for providing an output signal in response to movement of an object past said counter, said sensing means comprising: inductive loop means responsive to disturbance of a magnetic field by the movement of the object; oscillator means connected to said inductive loop means for providing an oscillator signal the frequency of which varies in response to said disturbance; first processor means responsive to said oscillator signal for providing a corresponding output signal, said processor means including means responsive to a control signal for adjustably varying the sensitivity of said first processor means to said oscillator signal; and first transceiver means for transmitting said output signal and receiving said control signal; and (b) data collecting means for receiving data from said data counter means, said data collecting means comprising: second transceiver means for receiving said output signal and transmitting said control signal; second processor means for processing said output signal and generating said control signal; means for displaying data from said second processor means and means for imputing data into said second processing means to thereby adjust the sensitivity of said first processor means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A remote controlled object counter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first processing means include means for counting in response to said oscillator signal, said first processing means including means responsive to said control signal for varying the gate time of said counting means to thereby vary the sensitivity of said first processor means to said oscillator signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A remote controlled object counter as defined in claim 1, wherein said oscillator means comprises a high frequency low noise oscillator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A remote controlled object counter as defined in claim 3, wherein said oscillator means operates at approximately 3 megahertz.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A remote controlled object counter as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second transceivers comprise half duplex radio transmission transceivers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A remote controlled object counter as defined in claim 5, wherein said first and second transceivers operate at a frequency of 310 and 320 megahertz.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A remote controlled object counter as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second transceivers comprise keyed amplitude modulation transceivers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A remote controlled object counter as defined in claim 1, wherein said inductive loop means comprises a loop of wire embedded in a rubber sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A remote controlled object counter as defined in claim 8 wherein said loop of wire consist of belden heavy armored poly thermaleze magnet wire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A remote controlled object counter as defined in claim 8, wherein said oscillator means operates at approximately 3 megahertz.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A remote controlled object counter as defined in claim 8 wherein said oscillator means, said first processor means and said first transceiver means are integral with said rubber sheet.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of sending and counting the type and number of magnetic and electric field disturbances around an inductive loop connected to oscillator means, comprising the steps of: feeding a signal from said oscillator means to a counter means; recording counter values at a specified frequency; computing an average of frequencies measured by said counter means; determining its set averages within a specific frequency window; determining the type of field disturbances; determining removal of field disturbances; and transmitting a radio signal to adjustably vary the gate time of said counter means and thereby adjust the sensitivity of said counter means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of sending and counting the type and number of magnetic and electric field disturbances around an inductive loop connected to oscillator means, comprising the steps of: feeding a signal from said oscillator means to a counter means; recording counter values at a specified frequency; computing an average of frequencies measured by said counter means; determining its set averages within a specific frequency window; determining the type of field disturbances; determining removal of field disturbances; and transmitting a radio signal to adjustably vary the gate time of said counter means and thereby adjust the sensitivity of said counter means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 12 wherein the removal of field disturbances is determined by determining whether said average frequency remains stable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 12 wherein the removal of field disturbances is determined by determining whether said average frequency returns to a specified frequency.
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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) | 1992-05-08 | 1992-11-07 | 1993-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-08 | 1996-11-07 | 1997-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-08 | 2000-11-07 | 2001-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |