Patent US3860807A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3860807A
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Electronic taximeter having serially energized indicator means
Assignee: Digital Kienzle Computersysteme GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1973-01-19
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1993-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A completely electronic taximeter has a first storage which has sufficient capacity for storing all variables required for calculating an individual fare and for storing totals required for determining the payment of the taxi driver. During operation of the taximeter the variables referring to the individual fare are transferred from the first storage to a buffer storage. Synchronizing means transfer the contents of the buffer storage in sequence to corresponding indicator elements. Although each indicator element is energized only briefly the repetition rate is sufficiently high to cause a constant visual indication. The capacity of the buffer storage is only large enough to store the values required for such indicator.
Inventors
- 👤 Manfred Fichter
- 👤 Siegfried Spauszus
- 👤 Ulrich Warkentin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:20
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/32; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0283; G06Q30/0284; G07; G07B; G07B13/00; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/32; B01J2219/322; B01J2219/32282
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
Electronic taximeter comprising, in combination, first and second measuring means for furnishing, respectively, a first and second pulse sequence signifying distance travelled and elapsed waiting time, respectively; computer and storage means for compUting the fare in response to said first and second pulse sequence, said computer and storage means having a first storage means for storing variables required for computing said fare and additional variables for computing totals required for calculating the pay of the taxi driver; electronic indicator means having a plurality of indicator elements, each adapted to furnish a visual output only in the presence of a signal applied thereto; buffer storage means connected to said first storage means and said indicator means, said buffer storage means having a plurality of buffer storage locations corresponding in number to said plurality of indicator elements, each for storing data received from said first storage means and for applying corresponding signals to a corresponding one of said indicator elements when addressed; and control circuit means for cyclically addressing said buffer storage locations in a predetermined order and at a rate sufficient to effect a visually continuous output from each of said indicator elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
Electronic taximeter comprising, in combination, first and second measuring means for furnishing, respectively, a first and second pulse sequence signifying distance travelled and elapsed waiting time, respectively; computer and storage means for compUting the fare in response to said first and second pulse sequence, said computer and storage means having a first storage means for storing variables required for computing said fare and additional variables for computing totals required for calculating the pay of the taxi driver; electronic indicator means having a plurality of indicator elements, each adapted to furnish a visual output only in the presence of a signal applied thereto; buffer storage means connected to said first storage means and said indicator means, said buffer storage means having a plurality of buffer storage locations corresponding in number to said plurality of indicator elements, each for storing data received from said first storage means and for applying corresponding signals to a corresponding one of said indicator elements when addressed; and control circuit means for cyclically addressing said buffer storage locations in a predetermined order and at a rate sufficient to effect a visually continuous output from each of said indicator elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
An electronic taximeter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first storage means has a plurality of first storage locations exceeding in number said number of buffer storage locations, said plurality of first storage locations including predetermined first storage locations for furnishing said data to said buffer storage locations when addressed; and wherein said control circuit means further comprise means for cyclically addressing said first storage locations in synchronism with said addressing of said buffer storage locations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
180 words
An electronic taximeter as set forth in claim 2, wherein said computer and storage means further have means for computing said totals from said variables and storing said totals in said first storage means; further comprising means for storing data corresponding to extra charges to be applied during a trip in corresponding predetermined ones of said first storage locations; wherein said plurality of buffer storage locations includes a first and second set of buffer storage locations, for, respectively, indicating the individual fare and said extra charges when said taximeter is carrying a passenger; wherein said indicator means comprises first and second indicator portions connected, respectively, to said first and second set of buffer storage locations; further comprising a plurality of externally activatable selector elements, each for transferring one of said totals to a buffer storage location in said second set of buffer storage locations when said taxicab is not carrying passengers, whereby said indicator portion further includes a selected one of said totals upon activation of the corresponding one of said selector elements when said taxicab is not carrying passengers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
Electronic taximeter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said totals comprise the total fare collected, the number of trips, the distance travelled by the taxi in an occupied state, the distance travelled in an unoccupied state, the total number of additional charges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
99 words
An electronic taximeter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control circuit means comprise means for furnishing a sequence of control pulses, address counter means connected to said means for furnishing a sequence of control pulses and to said buffer storage means, for counting said control pulses and furnishing address signals addressing said buffer storage locations in response to the so-counted number of pulses, and connecting means for connecting said buffer storage means to said indicator means in such a manner that data in each so-addressed storage location is transferred to the corresponding one of said indicator elements.
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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) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |