US3571575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Measurement devices
Assignee: Rank Organization Ltd
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Filing: 1967-06-28
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Granted: 1971-03-23
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Expires: 1987-06-28
Abstract
Abstract An electronic counter is provided for use in counting pulses, for example pulses representing interference fringes in laser interferometers. In order to give an output reading in a predetermined scale of measurement, for example, the metric system the pulses are counted in a first counter and pass through a gate to a second counter which gives the output reading, the gate being controlled in dependence upon the first counter so that the gate is blocked, for the duration of one input pulse, at predetermined intervals, such that the count in the second counter is modified by a predetermined ratio to give an output count in the desired scale of measurement.
Inventors
- 👤 John Denzil Barr
- 👤 Peter Frederic Thoma Stillwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:53
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K21/00; H03K21/02; G; G01; G01B; G01B9/00; G01B9/02; G01B9/02083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
An electronic counter comprising: first counter means responsive to input pulses representative of one scale of measurement; a normally open gate receiving the input pulses; second counter means connected to the gate to receive the input pulses transmitted therethrough; and gate operating means connected to the gate and to the first counter means and effective to block the gate for the duration of one input pulse at predetermined intervals, determined by the counting of predetermined numbers of pulses in the first counting means, to modify the count recorded in the second counting means by a predetermined ratio, a predetermined proportion of the input pulses being omitted from the input to the second counter means; said first counter means including a plurality of stages, each of said stages being arranged to provide a separate correction to said input signals, the cumulative total of said corrections constituting the required modification of said input signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
An electronic counter comprising: first counter means responsive to input pulses representative of one scale of measurement; a normally open gate receiving the input pulses; second counter means connected to the gate to receive the input pulses transmitted therethrough; and gate operating means connected to the gate and to the first counter means and effective to block the gate for the duration of one input pulse at predetermined intervals, determined by the counting of predetermined numbers of pulses in the first counting means, to modify the count recorded in the second counting means by a predetermined ratio, a predetermined proportion of the input pulses being omitted from the input to the second counter means; said first counter means including a plurality of stages, each of said stages being arranged to provide a separate correction to said input signals, the cumulative total of said corrections constituting the required modification of said input signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
159 words
An interferometer counter for measuring the number of interference fringes produced by the movement of a target, comprising: decoding means producing input pulses representative of said fringes; first counter means connected to the decoding means to receive the input pulses therefrom; a normally open gate receiving the input pulses; second counter means connected to the gate to receive the input pulses transmitted therethrough; gate operating means connected to the gate and to the first counter means and effective to block the gate for the duration of one input pulse at predetermined intervals, determined by the counting of predetermined numbers of pulses in the first counting means, to modify the count recorded in the second counting means by a predetermined ratio, a predetermined proportion of the input pulses being omitted from the input to the second counter means; and said decoding means being connected to a NAND Gate, the output of which controls the operation of said normally open gate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
159 words
An interferometer counter for measuring the number of interference fringes produced by the movement of a target, comprising: decoding means producing input pulses representative of said fringes; first counter means connected to the decoding means to receive the input pulses therefrom; a normally open gate receiving the input pulses; second counter means connected to the gate to receive the input pulses transmitted therethrough; gate operating means connected to the gate and to the first counter means and effective to block the gate for the duration of one input pulse at predetermined intervals, determined by the counting of predetermined numbers of pulses in the first counting means, to modify the count recorded in the second counting means by a predetermined ratio, a predetermined proportion of the input pulses being omitted from the input to the second counter means; and said decoding means being connected to a NAND Gate, the output of which controls the operation of said normally open gate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
228 words
An interferometer counter for measuring the number of interference fringes produced by the movement of a target, comprising: decoding means producing input pulses representative of said fringes; first counter means connected to the decoding means, to receive the input pulses therefrom; a normally open gate receiving the input pulses; second counter means connected to the gate to receive the input pulses transmitted therethrough; gate operating means connected to the gate and to the first counter means and effective to block the gate for the duration of one input pulse at predetermined intervals, determined by the counting of predetermined numbers of pulses in the first counting means, to modify the count recorded in the second counting means by a predetermined ratio, a predetermined proportion of the input pulses being omitted from the input to the second counter means, to give an output in terms of a given scale of measurement; circuit means for modifying the input to said second counter means so that the output of said second counter means provides a reading in a further scale of measurement; and said circuit means including; at least one counter means receiving said modified signal and connected to at least two further counter means arranged in parallel, the output of said counter means being taken through suitable delay lines to an OR gate in the input to said second counter means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
228 words
An interferometer counter for measuring the number of interference fringes produced by the movement of a target, comprising: decoding means producing input pulses representative of said fringes; first counter means connected to the decoding means, to receive the input pulses therefrom; a normally open gate receiving the input pulses; second counter means connected to the gate to receive the input pulses transmitted therethrough; gate operating means connected to the gate and to the first counter means and effective to block the gate for the duration of one input pulse at predetermined intervals, determined by the counting of predetermined numbers of pulses in the first counting means, to modify the count recorded in the second counting means by a predetermined ratio, a predetermined proportion of the input pulses being omitted from the input to the second counter means, to give an output in terms of a given scale of measurement; circuit means for modifying the input to said second counter means so that the output of said second counter means provides a reading in a further scale of measurement; and said circuit means including; at least one counter means receiving said modified signal and connected to at least two further counter means arranged in parallel, the output of said counter means being taken through suitable delay lines to an OR gate in the input to said second counter means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-22 | 1974-09-21 | 1975-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-22 | 1978-09-21 | 1979-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-22 | 1982-09-21 | 1983-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |