US3684964A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Decoding system and method for generating time signals
Assignee: Hathaway Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-07
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1990-08-07
Abstract
Abstract A time code generating system and method; the system comprises a radio time signal decoder and a time code generator utilizing a highly stable frequency source for producing a time code indicating time of year in days, hours, minutes and seconds. The generating system is synchronized with the received time signal once each hour and once each minute by respective reset signals derived from the detected radio time signal.
Inventors
- 👤 James A Bright
- 👤 Craig L Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:52
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G9/00; G04G9/0005; G04G9/0011; G04G7/00; G04G7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A time code generating system utilizing a standard radio time signal of the type providing time of year information in days and hours and minutes for generating a highly accurate time indication, comprising means for receiving and detecting a radio time code including minute reference marker signals, means for detecting the beginning of each minute of the code, time code generating means including a highly stable frequency source constituting a time base for generating a time code providing indication of time in days, hours, minutes and seconds, and means utilizing said beginning of minute detector for resetting the seconds indication of said time code generating means to a predetermined reference second indication once during each minute for effecting synchronization with the received radio signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A time code generating system utilizing a standard radio time signal of the type providing time of year information in days and hours and minutes for generating a highly accurate time indication, comprising means for receiving and detecting a radio time code including minute reference marker signals, means for detecting the beginning of each minute of the code, time code generating means including a highly stable frequency source constituting a time base for generating a time code providing indication of time in days, hours, minutes and seconds, and means utilizing said beginning of minute detector for resetting the seconds indication of said time code generating means to a predetermined reference second indication once during each minute for effecting synchronization with the received radio signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
A code generating system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receiving and detecting means also includes means for receiving and detecting a radio time code having hour information and including means utilizing said hour information for detecting the beginning of each hour of the code, and means utilizing said beginning of hour detector for resetting the minutes indication of said time code generating means with said radio signal once during each hour.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A code generating system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the standard code furtheR comprises binary code information in the last minute of each hour and wherein said utilizing means comprises a binary counter and means including said beginning of minute detector for generating a reset signal for said time code generating means at the beginning of each minute.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
A time code generating system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the standard code comprises minute reference markers at the end of the first second and at the respective end of each ten seconds of each minute whereby two adjacent markers occur at the beginning of each minute, and wherein said utilizing means comprises a modulo eight counter and means for resetting said counter to two upon the occurrence of said marker at the end of said first second, and means for generating a reset signal upon the count of eight at the end of each minute.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
A code generating system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said standard code further comprises binary code information in the last minute of each hour and wherein said utilizing means comprises a binary counter and means including said beginning of minute detector for generating a reset signal for said time code generating means at the beginning of each minute.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a time code generating system utilizing a standard radio time signal of the type providing time of year information in days and hours and minutes, the method of generating a highly accurate time indication which comprises receiving and detecting the radio time code signal, detecting the beginning of each minute of the time signal, providing a time code generating means for indicating time in days, hours, minutes and seconds, and utilizing the detected beginning of minute signal for periodically resetting the seconds indication of the code generating means for effecting synchronization with the received radio signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a time code generating system utilizing a standard radio time signal of the type providing time of year information in days and hours and minutes, the method of generating a highly accurate time indication which comprises receiving and detecting the radio time code signal, detecting the beginning of each minute of the time signal, providing a time code generating means for indicating time in days, hours, minutes and seconds, and utilizing the detected beginning of minute signal for periodically resetting the seconds indication of the code generating means for effecting synchronization with the received radio signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of generating a highly accurate time indication as set forth in claim 6, including the step of detecting the beginning of each hour of the time signal, and utilizing each detected beginning of hour signal for resetting the minutes indication of the time code generating means once during each selected period for effecting synchronization with the received radio signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of generating a highly accurate time indication as set forth in claim 7 wherein the step of resetting the seconds indication of the code generating means with the received radio signal is effected once each minute.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |