Patent US4916339A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4916339A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Signal processing for contact-sensing probe
Assignee: Renishaw PLC
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Filing: 1987-09-02
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Granted: 1990-04-10
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Expires: 2007-09-02
Abstract
Abstract A probe (12) is connected to an interface circuit (10). The probe (12) has two different types of contact sensors, namely a piezo electric sensor and an electro-mechanical switching sensor. The trigger signal from the piezo electric sensor is detected by circuits (34,36,38,40) while that from the switching sensor is detected by a comparator (32). The signals are mixed in a mixer (42) to produce a single output trigger signal. A monostable (48) and latch (50) discriminate which sensor produced the output signal, making use of the inherent time delay between the two sensor signals. Circuits (24,26,28) determine if a conventional switching probe has been connected instead of the probe (12). If so, a transistor (T4) varies the power supply to the probe, and gates (30,33) switch in a comparator (18) in place of the comparator (32).
Inventors
- 👤 Peter G. Lloyd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 03:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/002; G01B5/00; G01B5/004; G01B5/008; G01B5/012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A circuit for processing a trigger signal from a workpiece position-sensing probe having first and second sensing means for producing said trigger signal, the circuit comprising: first detecting means for detecting a signal produced by the first sensing means, giving a first detection signal; second detecting means for detecting a signal produced by the second sensing means, giving a second detection signal; means for combining the first and second detection signals and producing an output trigger signal on an output line in response to whichever of said detection signals is the first to occur; and means for discriminating which of said first and second detection signals produced the output trigger signal, and providing a further output accordingly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A circuit for processing a trigger signal from a workpiece position-sensing probe having first and second sensing means for producing said trigger signal, the circuit comprising: first detecting means for detecting a signal produced by the first sensing means, giving a first detection signal; second detecting means for detecting a signal produced by the second sensing means, giving a second detection signal; means for combining the first and second detection signals and producing an output trigger signal on an output line in response to whichever of said detection signals is the first to occur; and means for discriminating which of said first and second detection signals produced the output trigger signal, and providing a further output accordingly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A circuit according to claim 1, wherein the discriminating means comprises means for discriminating a time delay between the detection signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A circuit according to claim 2, wherein said time delay is discriminated by means for latching the second detection signal upon production of the output trigger signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A circuit according to claim 3, including means for receiving the output trigger signal and producing a signal therefrom which is delayed by a time value which is shorter than said time delay between the detection signals, and causing the latching means to latch the second detection signal upon production of the delayed signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A circuit according to claim 1, having only two terminals for connection to the probe, one of the terminals being connected to both of the detecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A circuit according to claim 1, including probe determination means for determining which of two probes is connected to the circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A circuit according to claim 6, including third detecting means for detecting a signal from an alternative probe, and means for enabling or disabling at least one of the detecting means in accordance with the output of the probe determination means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A circuit according to claim 6, having means for supplying power to a probe when connected to the circuit, including means for varying the power supply in accordance with the output of the probe determination means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
110 words
A circuit for processing a trigger signal from a workpiece position-sensing probe, the circuit being connectable to a first probe and a second probe which is different from said first probe, the circuit comprising: first detecting means for detecting a signal produced by the first probe and producing an output in response thereto; second detecting means for detecting a signal produced by the second probe and producing an output in response thereto; probe determination means for determining which of the two probes is connected to the circuit; and means for enabling or disabling at least one of the detecting means in accordance with the output of the probe determination means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
110 words
A circuit for processing a trigger signal from a workpiece position-sensing probe, the circuit being connectable to a first probe and a second probe which is different from said first probe, the circuit comprising: first detecting means for detecting a signal produced by the first probe and producing an output in response thereto; second detecting means for detecting a signal produced by the second probe and producing an output in response thereto; probe determination means for determining which of the two probes is connected to the circuit; and means for enabling or disabling at least one of the detecting means in accordance with the output of the probe determination means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A circuit according to claim 9, having means for supplying power to a probe when connected to the circuit, including means for varying the power supply in accordance with the output of the probe determination means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
97 words
A circuit for processing a trigger signal from a workpiece position-sensing probe, the circuit being connectable to a first probe and a second probe which is different from said first probe, the circuit comprising: detecting means for detecting a signal produced by a said probe and producing an output in response thereto; probe determination means for determining which of the two probes is connected to the circuit; and means for supplying power to a probe when connected to the circuit, including means for varying the power supply in accordance with the output of the probe determination means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
97 words
A circuit for processing a trigger signal from a workpiece position-sensing probe, the circuit being connectable to a first probe and a second probe which is different from said first probe, the circuit comprising: detecting means for detecting a signal produced by a said probe and producing an output in response thereto; probe determination means for determining which of the two probes is connected to the circuit; and means for supplying power to a probe when connected to the circuit, including means for varying the power supply in accordance with the output of the probe determination means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
103 words
A circuit for processing a trigger signal from a workpiece position-sensing probe having first and second sensing means for producing said trigger signal, the circuit comprising: first detecting means for detecting a signal produced by the first sensing means, giving a first detection signal; second detecting means for detecting a signal produced by the second sensing means, giving a second detection signal; means for producing at least one output trigger signal on an output line and in response to said detection signals; and means for discriminating the first to occur of said first and second detection signals, and providing a further output accordingly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
103 words
A circuit for processing a trigger signal from a workpiece position-sensing probe having first and second sensing means for producing said trigger signal, the circuit comprising: first detecting means for detecting a signal produced by the first sensing means, giving a first detection signal; second detecting means for detecting a signal produced by the second sensing means, giving a second detection signal; means for producing at least one output trigger signal on an output line and in response to said detection signals; and means for discriminating the first to occur of said first and second detection signals, and providing a further output accordingly.
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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) | 1993-04-09 | 1993-10-09 | 1994-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-09 | 1997-10-09 | 1998-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-09 | 2001-10-09 | 2002-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |