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US5060244A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for indicating when the total in a counter reaches a given number

Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1989-07-28
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Granted: 1991-10-22
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Expires: 2009-07-28
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Abstract

Abstract In order to compare the total reached by a counter counting pulses from a source with a given number, the more significant digits from the counter are compared with the corresponding digits of the given number. The comparator produces an output when the groups of more significant digits are equal. An adjusted output taking account of the less significant digits of the given number is obtained by delaying the output by a time period equal to that required for the number of pulses from the source to be incremented by the number represented by the less significant digits of the given number. The time delay is provided by a multi-stage shift register using the pulses from the source as shift pulses, the output from the comparator being applied to the first stage and the adjusted output being derived from a stage selected according to the less significant digits of the given number.

Inventors

  • 👤 Iain C. Robertson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-31 12:54
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K21/00; H03K21/08; H03K21/12

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim 179 words
Apparatus for indicating when the total in a counter counting pulses from a source reaches a given number, the total and the number each including a more significant group of digits and a less significant group of digits, the apparatus including a comparator for comparing the more significant group of digits of the total recorded in the counter with the more significant group of digits of the given number and producing an output signal when the groups of digits are equal to each other, a time delaying means connected to receive the output signal from the comparator and using as timing pulses the pulses from the source, decoding means responsive to the less significant digits of the given number to produce a gating signal on a corresponding one of a plurality of output conductors, the time delaying means being connected to the plurality of output conductors and being arranged to impose a time delay on the transmission of the output signal from the comparator to an output terminal depending on which of the output conductors carries the gating signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 179 words
Apparatus for indicating when the total in a counter counting pulses from a source reaches a given number, the total and the number each including a more significant group of digits and a less significant group of digits, the apparatus including a comparator for comparing the more significant group of digits of the total recorded in the counter with the more significant group of digits of the given number and producing an output signal when the groups of digits are equal to each other, a time delaying means connected to receive the output signal from the comparator and using as timing pulses the pulses from the source, decoding means responsive to the less significant digits of the given number to produce a gating signal on a corresponding one of a plurality of output conductors, the time delaying means being connected to the plurality of output conductors and being arranged to impose a time delay on the transmission of the output signal from the comparator to an output terminal depending on which of the output conductors carries the gating signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 100 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the time delaying means includes a multi-stage shift register, to the first stage of which the output signal of the comparator is applied, and by which the pulses from the source are used as shift pulses, and a plurality of gating means are provided respectively connected from the stages of the shift register to the output terminal, the output conductors of the decoding means being respectively connected to control inputs of the gating means which are responsive to the gating signal to pass a signal from the shifting register stage to the output terminal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 including means for altering the given number by a predetermined amount so as to provide additional time for the comparator to generate the output signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the predetermined amount is one in the least significant place of the more significant group of digits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 47 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the stage of the counter counting the least significant place of the more significant group of digits is adapted to produce its output digit early so as to provide additional time for the comparator to generate the output signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the comparator is constructed using dynamic MOS logic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the counter is a binary counter and the given number is in binary code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the least significant groups of digits each include two bits.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 13 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the multistage shift register includes four stages.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 122 words
A method for indicating when the total in a counter counting pulses from a source reaches a given number, the method including the steps of comparing a group of more significant digits of the given number with a corresponding group of more significant digits of the total in the counter and producing an indication when the two groups of digits are of equal value, subjecting the production of the indication to a delay time equal to the time required for the source to produce pulses equal in number to the less significant digits of the given number remaining after the group of more significant digits has been subtracted from the given number, and producing an output in response to the delayed indication.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 122 words
A method for indicating when the total in a counter counting pulses from a source reaches a given number, the method including the steps of comparing a group of more significant digits of the given number with a corresponding group of more significant digits of the total in the counter and producing an indication when the two groups of digits are of equal value, subjecting the production of the indication to a delay time equal to the time required for the source to produce pulses equal in number to the less significant digits of the given number remaining after the group of more significant digits has been subtracted from the given number, and producing an output in response to the delayed indication.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 17 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the indication itself is delayed to provide the output signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the digits from the counter are delayed before being compared with the digits from the given number.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 25 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the delaying of the production of the indication is effected by means clocked by pulses from the source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 14 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein the clocked means is a shift register.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 48 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the group of the more significant digits of the given number is reduced by a predetermined amount before being compared with the total in the counter so as to provide additional time for the indication to be produced by the comparison.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 19 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the counter is for counting pulses of the given number in binary.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 124 words
A data processing apparatus comprising: a first register operative to hole a first data word; a counter having a count register operative to hold count data, said counter operative to increment the count data; a comparator connected to said first register and to said count register operative to compare the count data with the first data to generate an output signal; an output register connected to said comparator operative to receive the output signal from said comparator for transmission of the output signal from said comparator; and a decoder connected to said first register operative to decode the first data for controlling said output register independently of said comparator with respect to transmission of the output signal from said comparator by said output register.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 124 words
A data processing apparatus comprising: a first register operative to hole a first data word; a counter having a count register operative to hold count data, said counter operative to increment the count data; a comparator connected to said first register and to said count register operative to compare the count data with the first data to generate an output signal; an output register connected to said comparator operative to receive the output signal from said comparator for transmission of the output signal from said comparator; and a decoder connected to said first register operative to decode the first data for controlling said output register independently of said comparator with respect to transmission of the output signal from said comparator by said output register.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 25 words
The data processing apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a clock generator operative to provide clock pulses for incrementing the count data of said counter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 137 words
A data processing apparatus comprising: a first register operative to hold a first data word; a counter having a count register operative to hold count data, said counter operative to increment the count data; a clock generator operative to provide clock pulses for incrementing the count data of said counter register; a comparator connected to said first register and to said count register operative to compare the count data with the first data to generate an output signal; a divider circuit connected to said comparator and said clock generator operative to divide clock pulses from said clock generator to control said comparator; an output register connected to said comparator operative to receive the output signal from said comparator; and a decoder connected to said first register operative to decode the first data for controlling said output register.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 137 words
A data processing apparatus comprising: a first register operative to hold a first data word; a counter having a count register operative to hold count data, said counter operative to increment the count data; a clock generator operative to provide clock pulses for incrementing the count data of said counter register; a comparator connected to said first register and to said count register operative to compare the count data with the first data to generate an output signal; a divider circuit connected to said comparator and said clock generator operative to divide clock pulses from said clock generator to control said comparator; an output register connected to said comparator operative to receive the output signal from said comparator; and a decoder connected to said first register operative to decode the first data for controlling said output register.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 115 words
A data processing apparatus comprising: a first register operative to hole a first data word; a counter having a count register operative to hold count data, said counter operative to increment the count data; a comparator connected to said first register and to said count register operative to compare the count data with the first data to generate an output signal, the most significant bits of said first register and said count register being compared in generating the output signal; an output register connected to said comparator operative to receive the output signal from said comparator; and a decoder connected to said first register operative to decode the first data for controlling said output register.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 115 words
A data processing apparatus comprising: a first register operative to hole a first data word; a counter having a count register operative to hold count data, said counter operative to increment the count data; a comparator connected to said first register and to said count register operative to compare the count data with the first data to generate an output signal, the most significant bits of said first register and said count register being compared in generating the output signal; an output register connected to said comparator operative to receive the output signal from said comparator; and a decoder connected to said first register operative to decode the first data for controlling said output register.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 21 words
The data processing apparatus of claim 20 wherein the least significant bits of said first register are decoded by said decoder.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 118 words
A data processing apparatus comprising: a first register operative to hold a first data word; a counter having a count register operative to hold count data, said counter operative to increment the count data; a comparator connected to said first register and to said count register operative to compare the count data with the first data to generate an output signal; an output register connected to said comparator operative to receive the output signal from said comparator, said output register comprising a plurality of shift registers each having a register output and a clock input for receiving clock pulses; and a decoder connected to said first register operative to decode the first data for controlling said output register.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 118 words
A data processing apparatus comprising: a first register operative to hold a first data word; a counter having a count register operative to hold count data, said counter operative to increment the count data; a comparator connected to said first register and to said count register operative to compare the count data with the first data to generate an output signal; an output register connected to said comparator operative to receive the output signal from said comparator, said output register comprising a plurality of shift registers each having a register output and a clock input for receiving clock pulses; and a decoder connected to said first register operative to decode the first data for controlling said output register.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 41 words
The data processing apparatus of claim 22 wherein each register output comprises an output gate connected to an output line operative to receive a control signal from said decoder to provide the output signal from said comparator to the output line.
Claim 30
Independent Claim 92 words
A method of operating a data processor comprising the steps of: incrementing count data contained in a count register; comparing the count data with the contents contained in a first register having a first data word; generating an output signal to an output register when the count data is equal to the first data; decoding the first register to generate a control signal operative to gate the output register independently of the output signal; and transmitting the output signal from the output register in response to the gating of the output register.
Claim 31
Independent Claim 92 words
A method of operating a data processor comprising the steps of: incrementing count data contained in a count register; comparing the count data with the contents contained in a first register having a first data word; generating an output signal to an output register when the count data is equal to the first data; decoding the first register to generate a control signal operative to gate the output register independently of the output signal; and transmitting the output signal from the output register in response to the gating of the output register.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising generating clock pulses for incrementing the count data of said count register.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the output register comprises a shift register and the method further comprises the step of shifting the output signal.
Claim 34
Independent Claim 94 words
A method of operating a data processor comprising the steps of: incrementing count data contained in a count register by generating clock pulses; comparing the count data with the contents contained in a first register having a first data word; dividing the clock pulses to generate divided pulses for controlling the comparison of the count data with the first data; generating an output signal to an output register when the count data is equal to the first data; and decoding the first register to generate a control signal operative to gate the output register.
Claim 35
Independent Claim 94 words
A method of operating a data processor comprising the steps of: incrementing count data contained in a count register by generating clock pulses; comparing the count data with the contents contained in a first register having a first data word; dividing the clock pulses to generate divided pulses for controlling the comparison of the count data with the first data; generating an output signal to an output register when the count data is equal to the first data; and decoding the first register to generate a control signal operative to gate the output register.
Claim 36
Independent Claim 84 words
A method of operating a data processor comprising the steps of: incrementing count data contained in a count register; comparing the count data with the contents contained in a first register having a first data word by comparing the most significant bits of the first data and the count data; generating an output signal to an output register when the count data is equal to the first data; and decoding the first register to generate a control signal operative to gate the output register.
Claim 37
Independent Claim 84 words
A method of operating a data processor comprising the steps of: incrementing count data contained in a count register; comparing the count data with the contents contained in a first register having a first data word by comparing the most significant bits of the first data and the count data; generating an output signal to an output register when the count data is equal to the first data; and decoding the first register to generate a control signal operative to gate the output register.
Claim 38
Independent Claim 82 words
A method of operating a data processor comprising the steps of: incrementing count data contained in a count register; comparing the count data with the contents contained in a first register having a first data word; generating an output signal to an output register when the count data is equal to the first data; and decoding the first register by decoding the least significant bits of the first data contained therein to generate a control signal operative to gate the output register.
Claim 39
Independent Claim 82 words
A method of operating a data processor comprising the steps of: incrementing count data contained in a count register; comparing the count data with the contents contained in a first register having a first data word; generating an output signal to an output register when the count data is equal to the first data; and decoding the first register by decoding the least significant bits of the first data contained therein to generate a control signal operative to gate the output register.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4372150A Cited
US4608706A Cited
US4756013A Cited
US4780895A Cited
US4815113A Cited
US4805199A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-10-21 1995-04-22 1995-10-22 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-10-21 1999-04-22 1999-10-22 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-10-21 2003-04-22 2003-10-22 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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