US3828173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Grain analysis computer circuit
Assignee: Dickey John Corp
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Filing: 1972-08-01
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Granted: 1974-08-06
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Expires: 1992-08-01
Abstract
Abstract A grain analysis computer has a quartz-iodide lamp to provide infrared radiation which is directed through a lens and toward the surface of a quantity of ground grain which is to be analyzed. The infrared radiation passes through selected filters so that only a specific frequency of radiation impinges upon the grain sample, this specific frequency thus providing a reflected radiation signal which corresponds to a specific constituent of the grain sample being analyzed. A plurality of pulse signals is generated by a photocell, each pulse signal corresponding to the output of a given filter element and having an amplitude corresponding to the quantity of the constituent being measured. These pulses are applied to a signal storage circuit and a signal computing circuit to provide a direct readout in terms of per cent of the constituent being analyzed. A reference standard element is automatically positioned in light-receiving relation with the light source through the filters so that before each test is made the circuit is automatically adjusted.
Inventors
- 👤 J Knepler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:13
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06G; G06G7/00; G06G7/48; G06G7/75; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S250/00; Y10S250/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
A grain analyst computer comprising in combination: a light source for directing light energy toward the surface of a grain sample to be anaLyzed, filter means positioned between said light source and the grain sample so that only a specific light spectrum of said light source will pass through said filter means and impinge upon the grain sample, said specific light spectrum corresponding to a specific constituent of the grain sample being analyzed, sensing means responsive to the reflected specific light spectrum from said grain sample to thereby produce electrical signals corresponding to the quantity of a given constituent being measured within the grain sample, signal storage means for receiving the electrical signals from said sensing means, computing circuit means connected to said signal storage means for computing said electrical signals into direct reading signals corresponding to the constituents being measured, readout means connected to said computing circuit means for producing visual readout display in per cent of the constituents being measured within the grain sample, and reference standard means to be positioned in alignment with said light source and said filter means so as to provide a reflected signal of known constituent properties corresponding to the constituents within the grain sample to be analyzed, and means actuated by the positioning of said reference standard in alignment with said light source to energize circuitry for automatically calibrating said computing circuit means to provide accurate readings for each of the grain samples being analyzed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
243 words
A grain analyst computer comprising in combination: a light source for directing light energy toward the surface of a grain sample to be anaLyzed, filter means positioned between said light source and the grain sample so that only a specific light spectrum of said light source will pass through said filter means and impinge upon the grain sample, said specific light spectrum corresponding to a specific constituent of the grain sample being analyzed, sensing means responsive to the reflected specific light spectrum from said grain sample to thereby produce electrical signals corresponding to the quantity of a given constituent being measured within the grain sample, signal storage means for receiving the electrical signals from said sensing means, computing circuit means connected to said signal storage means for computing said electrical signals into direct reading signals corresponding to the constituents being measured, readout means connected to said computing circuit means for producing visual readout display in per cent of the constituents being measured within the grain sample, and reference standard means to be positioned in alignment with said light source and said filter means so as to provide a reflected signal of known constituent properties corresponding to the constituents within the grain sample to be analyzed, and means actuated by the positioning of said reference standard in alignment with said light source to energize circuitry for automatically calibrating said computing circuit means to provide accurate readings for each of the grain samples being analyzed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
The grain analyst computer of claim 1 wherein said grain sample is placed at a predetermined point with respect to said light source, and said reference standard is automatically positioned at said predetermined point when said grain sample is displaced therefrom, said switch means automatically actuating a compensating circuit responsive to signals received from said reference standard for adjusting said signal storage means and said computing circuit means to provide an accurate measurement of the constituents within said grain sample.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The grain analyst computer of claim 1 wherein said sensing means is positioned between and in direct alignment with said filter means and the grain sample.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
The grain analyst computer of claim 1 wherein said signal storage means includes means for producing a pulse signal having an amplitude corresponding to the quantity of the constituent being measured, and means for converting the amplitude pulse signal to a DC voltage, and means for comparing the difference between the amplitude pulse signal and the DC voltage, said last means including circuit means for producing an output voltage proportional to the logarithm of its input.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The grain analyst computer of claim 4 further including first and second operational amplifiers responsive to the log voltage output of said circuit means for producing plus and minus log voltage signals of the same amplitude as said log voltage output.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
230 words
A grain analyst computer comprising: means for producing a plurality of pulse signals having amplitudes corresponding to the quantity of a characteristic of the constituents being measured, coupling capacitor means for receiving said pulse signals, said coupling capacitor means having inherent DC losses of said pulse signals, first and second amplifier circuit means, said first amplifier circuit means being direct current coupled to said coupling capacitor, said second amplifier circuit means being switchably connected to said coupling capacitor and including storage capacitor means for receiving said pulse signals to provide a stored DC voltage level, a difference amplifier having first and second inputs connected to said first and second amplifier circuit means, said difference amplifier providing an output signal corresponding to the difference of the signals from said first and second amplifier circuit means, said difference signal having a DC level compensating for the DC losses of said coupling capacitor, circuit means for converting said DC level to a logarithm voltage, third And fourth amplifier circuit means for receiving said logarithm voltage to produce corresponding plus log and minus log voltage signals, summation circuit means for receiving the plus log and minus log voltage signals to produce a composite voltage signal corresponding to a particular constituent being measured, and readout means for translating said composite voltage signal into a direct readout of the per cent of the constituent being measured.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
230 words
A grain analyst computer comprising: means for producing a plurality of pulse signals having amplitudes corresponding to the quantity of a characteristic of the constituents being measured, coupling capacitor means for receiving said pulse signals, said coupling capacitor means having inherent DC losses of said pulse signals, first and second amplifier circuit means, said first amplifier circuit means being direct current coupled to said coupling capacitor, said second amplifier circuit means being switchably connected to said coupling capacitor and including storage capacitor means for receiving said pulse signals to provide a stored DC voltage level, a difference amplifier having first and second inputs connected to said first and second amplifier circuit means, said difference amplifier providing an output signal corresponding to the difference of the signals from said first and second amplifier circuit means, said difference signal having a DC level compensating for the DC losses of said coupling capacitor, circuit means for converting said DC level to a logarithm voltage, third And fourth amplifier circuit means for receiving said logarithm voltage to produce corresponding plus log and minus log voltage signals, summation circuit means for receiving the plus log and minus log voltage signals to produce a composite voltage signal corresponding to a particular constituent being measured, and readout means for translating said composite voltage signal into a direct readout of the per cent of the constituent being measured.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The grain analyst computer of claim 6 wherein said first, second, third and fourth amplifier circuit means and said difference amplifier are operational amplifiers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The grain analyst computer of claim 6 wherein there is at least two pulse signals for each constituent measured.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
108 words
The grain analyst computer of claim 6 wherein said means for producing a plurality of pulse signals includes a light source for directing light energy toward the surface of a grain sample to be analyzed, filter means positioned between said light source and the grain sample so that only a specific light spectrum of the light source will pass through said filter means at a given time and impinge upon the grain sample, said specific light spectrum corresponding to a specific constituent of the grain sample being analyzed, and sensing means responsive to the reflected specific light spectrum from said grain sample to thereby produce said pulse signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
The grain analyst computer of claim 9 wherein a grain sample is placed at a predetermined point with respect to said light source, and a reference standard means is positioned in alignment with said light source and said filter means so as to provide a reflected signal of known constituent properties corresponding to the contituents within the grain sample to be analyzed, said reference standard means automatically calibrating said summation circuit means prior to measuring each grain sample.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The grain analyst computer of claim 9 wherein said light source is a source of infrared radiation.
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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) | 1977-08-05 | 1978-02-04 | 1978-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-05 | 1982-02-04 | 1982-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-05 | 1986-02-04 | 1986-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |