US3626164A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Digitalized coincidence correction method and circuitry for particle analysis apparatus
Assignee: Coulter Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1969-06-16
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Granted: 1971-12-07
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Expires: 1989-06-16
Abstract
Abstract So as to generate a correct count of particles from apparatus which progressively loses individual counting pulses primarily due to the physical coincidence of two particles in the detecting transducer of the apparatus, the subject method enables digitalized addends to be progressively added to the augend formed by the detected count so as to yield, as a continuously forming sum, a corrected count which closely approximates the true particle count. The subject circuitry includes a series of decade counters which receive the detected, augend, pulses and, at progressive count levels, such as increments of one thousand, enable, and/or trigger a selected one of a plurality of correction establishing circuits, to deliver one or more addend related signals to a selected one of the decade counters. Depending upon the number of such related signals and the numeric rank of the receiving decade counter, a predetermined addend is supplied. This trigger and feedback relationship increases the increments of addend as the detected count increases.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacques A Pontigny
- 👤 Claude J Collineau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/10; G01N15/1031; G01N15/12; G01N15/131; G01N15/132
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for progressively and automatically correcting the digitalized accumulation of counting data which normally is subject to random error, comprising the steps of: receiving in a cumulative and digitalized mode the counting data as an augend, detecting in a cumulative and digitalized mode the value of the augend relative to a succession of addend corrections and instances of correction, such instances of correction being correlated to a predetermined set of augend values, determining the succession of addend corrections for each value in the set of augend values, generating the correlated addend at each instance of correction, and applying to the augend each addend as it is generated, such that the augend cumulatively is the sum of the counting data and the addends.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for progressively and automatically correcting the digitalized accumulation of counting data which normally is subject to random error, comprising the steps of: receiving in a cumulative and digitalized mode the counting data as an augend, detecting in a cumulative and digitalized mode the value of the augend relative to a succession of addend corrections and instances of correction, such instances of correction being correlated to a predetermined set of augend values, determining the succession of addend corrections for each value in the set of augend values, generating the correlated addend at each instance of correction, and applying to the augend each addend as it is generated, such that the augend cumulatively is the sum of the counting data and the addends.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of relating the amount of addend, for said generating and applying steps, to the then detected valuE of the augend.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 2 further comprising the step of enabling said generating of at least some of the addends at a prior instant related to the detecting of certain augend values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 2 further comprising repeating said generating at fixed values of the augend which are digitally spaced primarily equally from one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of delaying in a predetermined mode said generating relative to said detecting for an interval based upon the receipt of a fixed increment of augend.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising creating by said generating different individual amounts of addend, depending upon the then received value of the augend.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 6 further comprising producing by said generating, for said applying, at least one pulsed response, each such pulsed response being a fraction of the addend thereby applied.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 6 further comprising creating by said generating addends which are multiples of one another depending upon the value of the augend.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of correlating the addend of each correction individually and cumulatively with a theoretical statistic correction curve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 1 and accomplishing said receiving and detecting by arranging in digital order a plurality of count retaining stages and directing said applying, at said instances of correction, to a particular one of the ordered stages depending upon the amount of addend and the value of the augend.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 10 further comprising the step of obtaining from at least some of the ordered stages, as a representation of the results of the receiving and applying steps, the corrected count they are retaining.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 11 further comprising interrogating sequentially each of the stages for the count it is retaining, during said obtaining.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of initiating the counting data in an analyzer of particles.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 13 further comprising the steps of moving a fluid suspension of particles for purposes of said initiating, and regulating said generating and applying with reference to said moving.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 14 further comprising sensing individual particles in suspension as they pass with reference to a scanning zone, for purposes of said initiating, the random error being caused by the physical coincidence of particles in the scanning zone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus for progressively and automatically correcting the digitalized accumulation of counting data which normally is subject to random error, comprising: means for receiving in a cumulative and digitalized mode the counting data as an augend, means coupled with said receiving means for detecting in a cumulative and digitalized mode the value of the augend relative to a succession of addend corrections and instances of correction, such instances of correction being correlated to a predetermined set of augend values, means for determining the succession of addend corrections for each value in the set of augend values, means responsive to at least said determining means for generating the correlated addend at each instance of correction, and means for applying to the receiving means each addend as it is generated, such that the augend cumulatively is the sum of the counting data and the addends.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus for progressively and automatically correcting the digitalized accumulation of counting data which normally is subject to random error, comprising: means for receiving in a cumulative and digitalized mode the counting data as an augend, means coupled with said receiving means for detecting in a cumulative and digitalized mode the value of the augend relative to a succession of addend corrections and instances of correction, such instances of correction being correlated to a predetermined set of augend values, means for determining the succession of addend corrections for each value in the set of augend values, means responsive to at least said determining means for generating the correlated addend at each instance of correction, and means for applying to the receiving means each addend as it is generated, such that the augend cumulatively is the sum of the counting data and the addends.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising control means coupled to said generating means for relating the amount of addend next to be generated to the then detected value of the augend.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising means responsive to at least said receiving means for enabLing said generating means, for at least some of the addends, at a prior instant related to the detecting of certain augend values.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said detecting and control means, in combination, form means for triggering said generating means at fixed values of the augend which are digitally spaced primarily equally from one another.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said detecting and control means are arranged to coact to correlate the addend of each correction individually and cumulatively with a theoretical statistic correction curve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising means interposed between said detecting and generating means for delaying in a predetermined mode the operation of said generating means for an interval based upon the receipt by said receiving means of a fixed increment of augend.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said generating means includes means for defining different individual amounts of addend, depending upon the then received value of the augend.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said defining means includes means for applying at least one pulsed response to the augend value, such that each pulsed response is a fraction of the addend thereby applied.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said defining means includes means for creating addends which are multiples of one another depending upon the value of the augend.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein a plurality of digitally ordered count retaining stages comprise said receiving means and at said instances of correction, said applying means is selectively coupled to a particular one of the ordered stages depending upon the amount of addend and the value of the augend.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 25 further comprising means for obtaining, from at least some of the ordered stages, the corrected count they are retaining.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said obtaining means includes means for interrogating sequentially each of the stages for the count it is retaining.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising means for initiating the counting data in an analyzer of particles.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said initiating means comprises means for moving a fluid suspension of particles and means for regulating said generating and applying means in response to the amount of suspension moved by said moving means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said initiating means further comprises means for sensing individual particles in suspension as they pass with reference to a scanning zone, the random error being caused by the physical coincidence of particles in the scanning zone.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for automatically and progressively applying a digitalized statistic correction to a progessive accumulation of data which is transmitted in the form of a train of data pulses that is subject to random error due to the mode of transmitting such data, said error following a statistically preascertainable course, said apparatus comprising: a counter having an input for receiving the data pulses and a plurality of outputs responsive to and designative of different data pulse count values, a correction pulse generator having a plurality of inputs connected to said plurality of outputs and arranged to be selectively responsive to said outputs for generating correction pulses at different of said count values, at least one feedback path coupling said correction pulse generator to said counter and arranged for progressively applying thereto correction pulses having a count value and progression occurrence so as to closely follow the preascertainable course of said error, so as to offset same.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for automatically and progressively applying a digitalized statistic correction to a progessive accumulation of data which is transmitted in the form of a train of data pulses that is subject to random error due to the mode of transmitting such data, said error following a statistically preascertainable course, said apparatus comprising: a counter having an input for receiving the data pulses and a plurality of outputs responsive to and designative of different data pulse count values, a correction pulse generator having a plurality of inputs connected to said plurality of outputs and arranged to be selectively responsive to said outputs for generating correction pulses at different of said count values, at least one feedback path coupling said correction pulse generator to said counter and arranged for progressively applying thereto correction pulses having a count value and progression occurrence so as to closely follow the preascertainable course of said error, so as to offset same.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said correction pulse generator comprises at least one control circuit having a first grOup of said plurality of inputs, and at least one pulse establishing circuit, coupled to be enabled by said control circuit, and having a second group of said plurality of inputs.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein each pulse establishing circuit is coupled to supply correction pulses to said feedback path, and said feedback path is coupled to said counter such that each correction pulse is the equivalent to a specific multiplicity of count pulses, dependent upon the count value.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said plurality of inputs includes a third group coupled to specific ones of said control circuits and arranged to enable them at different specific count values.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein a plurality of coupled pairs, each having one of said control circuits and one of said pulse-establishing circuits, is provided, each said circuit pair has one of said first and second groups of inputs, and each said circuit pair is responsive to a selectively different range of count values.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein circuitry means intercouples said circuit pairs in such manner that only one pair is capable of responding to the counter outputs at any one time, and such capability correlates to the selectively different range of each said circuit pair.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus according to claim 36 wherein a first power source, which is arranged to have enough power to operate only one of said control circuits at any one time, is intercoupled to said control circuits and comprises said circuitry means, and said first group of inputs are selectively connected to the control circuits to determine their sequence of operation.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein each said pulse establishing circuit comprises a trigger element, a storage element coupled to said trigger element for periodically triggering same until said storage element is discharged, and a conduction disabling circuit connected to the output of said triggering element for periodically disabling same.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 38 wherein a delay element is interposed between said counter and said second group of inputs, and said delay element has an output connected to said storage element.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 38 wherein the relative parameters of said storage element and said conduction disabling circuit determine the number of times said triggering element can be triggered while said storage element is being discharged, and each said triggering provides one of said correction pulses to said feedback path.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 40 wherein said counter comprises a plurality of serially coupled counting stages each designating a numeric order, and said apparatus further comprises pulse synchronized interrogating circuitry connected to at least the numerically most significant of said stages for obtaining their count value for readout purposes.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus according to claim 41 in which said data pulses are each derived from a particle in a fluid suspension, and said apparatus further comprises regulating means responsive to the measurement of a predetermined volume of the fluid suspension, for purposes of particle analysis, to thereby regulate the duration of the operation of said correction pulse generator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3361897A
Cited
US3439267A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-06 | 1975-06-07 | 1975-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-06 | 1979-06-07 | 1979-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-06 | 1983-06-07 | 1983-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |