Patent US3881176A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3881176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for producing a settable distance marker
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-19
•
Granted: 1975-04-29
•
Expires: 1993-04-19
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for producing both a fixed distance marker and a settable distance marker on the display device of a ranging system operating on the reflected beam principle. Upon transmission of a transmitting pulse by the system, a clock pulse generator produces clock pulses which are counted by a pulse counter. The pulse counter produces a digital output which is indicative of the count and when this count is equal to a certain fixed value, a fixed distance marker is produced in the display device. The settable distance marker is produced on the display device with the assistance of a preselector circuit which can be controlled by an operator so as to select the position of the settable distance marker. The preselector includes a setting pulse generator for producing setting pulses which are counted by a setting pulse counter. The setting pulse counter produces a digital output which is indicative of its count. The count of both the pulse counter and the setting pulse counter are compared within a comparison device, which produces an output when a given ratio exists between the two counts. The output of the comparison device is coupled to the display device for producing the settable distance marker.
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt Scheer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:57
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/04; G01S7/06; G01S7/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
425 words
In an apparatus for producing a fixed distance marker and a settable distance marker on a display device of a ranging system which operates according to the reflected beam principle and including: a clock pulse generator for producing clock pulses; a pulse counter connected in series with the output of the clock pulse generator for counting the clock pulses and producing a digital output indicative of the count; control means for causing the clock pulse generator to produce clock pulses and the pulse counter to be reset whenever a ranging pulse is transmitted by the ranging system; means connected to the output of the pulse counter for producing a fixed distance marking pulse when the pulse counter produces a digital output indicative of a preset fixed count of the clock pulses; means for coupling the fixed distance marking pulse to the display device for producing a fixed distance marker thereon; settable preselector means coupled to the pulse counter for producing a settable distance marking pulse indicative of a preselected count of the pulse counter and for displaying such preselected count on a digital display; and coupling means for coupling the settable distance marking pulse to the display device for producing a settable distance marker thereon, the improvement wherein said preselector means comprises: setting pulse generator means for producing a plurality of setting pulses and including a setting control means for controlling the output pulses therefrom; setting counter means coupled to the output of said setting pulse generator means for counting the setting pulses and for producing a digital output indicative of such count; comparision means coupled between the output of said pulse counter and the output of said setting counter means for comparing the count of said pulse counter and of said setting counter means and for producing an output pulse whenever a given ratio exists between the count of said pulse counter and of said setting counter means, said comparison means including a backwards counter having its counting input connected to the output of said clock pulse generator for receiving the clock pulses and having a zero transfer output which forms the output of said comparison means, and a transfer circuit means coupled between said backwards counter and the output of said setting counter means for transferring the count of said setting Counter means to said backward counter in response to the transmission of a ranging pulse; and wherein said coupling means couples the output pulse from said comparison means to the display device to produce the settable distance marker on the display device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
425 words
In an apparatus for producing a fixed distance marker and a settable distance marker on a display device of a ranging system which operates according to the reflected beam principle and including: a clock pulse generator for producing clock pulses; a pulse counter connected in series with the output of the clock pulse generator for counting the clock pulses and producing a digital output indicative of the count; control means for causing the clock pulse generator to produce clock pulses and the pulse counter to be reset whenever a ranging pulse is transmitted by the ranging system; means connected to the output of the pulse counter for producing a fixed distance marking pulse when the pulse counter produces a digital output indicative of a preset fixed count of the clock pulses; means for coupling the fixed distance marking pulse to the display device for producing a fixed distance marker thereon; settable preselector means coupled to the pulse counter for producing a settable distance marking pulse indicative of a preselected count of the pulse counter and for displaying such preselected count on a digital display; and coupling means for coupling the settable distance marking pulse to the display device for producing a settable distance marker thereon, the improvement wherein said preselector means comprises: setting pulse generator means for producing a plurality of setting pulses and including a setting control means for controlling the output pulses therefrom; setting counter means coupled to the output of said setting pulse generator means for counting the setting pulses and for producing a digital output indicative of such count; comparision means coupled between the output of said pulse counter and the output of said setting counter means for comparing the count of said pulse counter and of said setting counter means and for producing an output pulse whenever a given ratio exists between the count of said pulse counter and of said setting counter means, said comparison means including a backwards counter having its counting input connected to the output of said clock pulse generator for receiving the clock pulses and having a zero transfer output which forms the output of said comparison means, and a transfer circuit means coupled between said backwards counter and the output of said setting counter means for transferring the count of said setting Counter means to said backward counter in response to the transmission of a ranging pulse; and wherein said coupling means couples the output pulse from said comparison means to the display device to produce the settable distance marker on the display device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said transfer circuit means is coupled to the output of said control means and is responsive to an output thereof indicating the transmission of a ranging pulse.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
366 words
In an apparatus for producing a fixed distance marker and a settable distance marker on a display device of a ranging system which operates according to the reflected beam principle and including a clock pulse generator for producing clock pulses, a pulse counter connected in series with the output of the clock pulse generator for counting the clock pulses and producing a digital output indicative of the count, control means for causing the clock pulse generator to produce clock pulses and the pulse counter to be reset whenever a ranging pulse is transmitted by the ranging system, means connected to the output of the pulse counter for producing a fixed distance marking pulse when the pulse counter produces a digital output indicative of a preset fixed count of the clock pulses, means for coupling the fixed distance marking pulse to the display device for producing a fixed distance marker thereon, settable preselector means coupled to the pulse counter for producing a settable distance marking pulse indicative of a preselected count of the pulse counter and for displaying such preselected count on a digital display and coupling means for coupling the settable distance marking pulse to the display device for producing a settable distance marker thereon, the improvement wherein said preselector means comprises: setting pulse generator means for producing a plurality of setting pulses and including a pulse oscillator for producing the setting pulses at a controllable frequency and a setting control means for controlling the frequency of the setting pulses produced by said pulse oscillator; setting counter means coupled to the output of said setting pulse generator means for counting the setting pulses and for producing a digital output indicative of such count; and comparision means coupled between the output of said pulse counter and the output of said setting counter means for comparing the count of said pulse counter and of said setting counter means and producing an output pulse whenever a given ratio exists between the count of said pulse counter and of said setting counter means; and wherein said coupling means couples the output pulse from said comparison means to the display device to produce the settable distance marker on the display device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
366 words
In an apparatus for producing a fixed distance marker and a settable distance marker on a display device of a ranging system which operates according to the reflected beam principle and including a clock pulse generator for producing clock pulses, a pulse counter connected in series with the output of the clock pulse generator for counting the clock pulses and producing a digital output indicative of the count, control means for causing the clock pulse generator to produce clock pulses and the pulse counter to be reset whenever a ranging pulse is transmitted by the ranging system, means connected to the output of the pulse counter for producing a fixed distance marking pulse when the pulse counter produces a digital output indicative of a preset fixed count of the clock pulses, means for coupling the fixed distance marking pulse to the display device for producing a fixed distance marker thereon, settable preselector means coupled to the pulse counter for producing a settable distance marking pulse indicative of a preselected count of the pulse counter and for displaying such preselected count on a digital display and coupling means for coupling the settable distance marking pulse to the display device for producing a settable distance marker thereon, the improvement wherein said preselector means comprises: setting pulse generator means for producing a plurality of setting pulses and including a pulse oscillator for producing the setting pulses at a controllable frequency and a setting control means for controlling the frequency of the setting pulses produced by said pulse oscillator; setting counter means coupled to the output of said setting pulse generator means for counting the setting pulses and for producing a digital output indicative of such count; and comparision means coupled between the output of said pulse counter and the output of said setting counter means for comparing the count of said pulse counter and of said setting counter means and producing an output pulse whenever a given ratio exists between the count of said pulse counter and of said setting counter means; and wherein said coupling means couples the output pulse from said comparison means to the display device to produce the settable distance marker on the display device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said comparison means is a coincidence means for providing an output when the count of said pulse counter and of said setting counter means coincide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
384 words
In an apparatus for producing a fixed distance marker and a settable distance marker on a display device of a ranging system which operates according to the reflected beam principle and including a clock pulse generator for producing clock pulses, a pulse counter connected in series with the output of the clock pulse generator for counting the clock pulses and producing a digital output indicative of the count, control means for causing the clock pulse generator to produce clock pulses and the pulse counter to be reset whenever a ranging pulse is transmitted by the ranging system, means connected to the output of the pulse counter for producing a fixed distance marking pulse when the pulse counter produces a digital output indicative of a preset fixed count of the clock pulses, means for coupling the fixed distance marking pulse to the display device for producing a fixed distance marker thereon, settable preselector means coupled to the pulse counter for producing a settable distance marking pulse indicative of a preselected count of the pulse counter and for diSplaying such preselected count on a digital display and coupling means for coupling the settable distance marking pulse to the display device for producing a settable distance marker thereon, the improvement wherein said preselector means comprises: setting pulse generator means for producing a plurality of setting pulses and including a setting control means for controlling the output pulses therefrom; setting counter means coupled to the output of said setting pulse generator means for counting the setting pulses and for producing a digital output indicative of such count, said setting counter means being a forward/backward counter and said setting pulse generator means including switching means for selectively controlling the feeding of the setting pulses into said setting counter means so as to control the direction of counting; comparison means coupled between the output of said pulse counter and the output of said setting counter means for comparing the count of said pulse counter and of said setting counter means and producing an output pulse whenever a given ratio exists between the count of said pulse counter and of said setting counter means; and wherein said coupling means couples the output pulse from said comparison means to the display device to produce the settable distance marker on the display device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
384 words
In an apparatus for producing a fixed distance marker and a settable distance marker on a display device of a ranging system which operates according to the reflected beam principle and including a clock pulse generator for producing clock pulses, a pulse counter connected in series with the output of the clock pulse generator for counting the clock pulses and producing a digital output indicative of the count, control means for causing the clock pulse generator to produce clock pulses and the pulse counter to be reset whenever a ranging pulse is transmitted by the ranging system, means connected to the output of the pulse counter for producing a fixed distance marking pulse when the pulse counter produces a digital output indicative of a preset fixed count of the clock pulses, means for coupling the fixed distance marking pulse to the display device for producing a fixed distance marker thereon, settable preselector means coupled to the pulse counter for producing a settable distance marking pulse indicative of a preselected count of the pulse counter and for diSplaying such preselected count on a digital display and coupling means for coupling the settable distance marking pulse to the display device for producing a settable distance marker thereon, the improvement wherein said preselector means comprises: setting pulse generator means for producing a plurality of setting pulses and including a setting control means for controlling the output pulses therefrom; setting counter means coupled to the output of said setting pulse generator means for counting the setting pulses and for producing a digital output indicative of such count, said setting counter means being a forward/backward counter and said setting pulse generator means including switching means for selectively controlling the feeding of the setting pulses into said setting counter means so as to control the direction of counting; comparison means coupled between the output of said pulse counter and the output of said setting counter means for comparing the count of said pulse counter and of said setting counter means and producing an output pulse whenever a given ratio exists between the count of said pulse counter and of said setting counter means; and wherein said coupling means couples the output pulse from said comparison means to the display device to produce the settable distance marker on the display device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said setting pulse generator means further includes a pulse oscillator for producing the setting pulses at a selectable frequency and said setting control means controls the frequency of said pulse oscillator and controls said switching means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
149 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said setting control means includes a bridge circuit having a potentiometer connected within said bridge circuit such that its movable contact forms an input terminal of said bridge and its resistor forms the two arms of said bridge adjacent said input terminal, and a differential amplifier connected in the diagonal branch of said bridge circuit and having a sum output for providing a sum output signal, which is indicative of the degree of unbalance of the bridge circuit, and two difference outputs for providing output signals indicative of the direction of unbalance of said bridge circuit; said pulse oscillator has its frequency control input connected to said sum output of said differential amplifier; and said switching means includes two gating means, each connected to one of the difference outputs of said differential amplifier, and controlled by the respective output signal therefrom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7 further including a return spring for maintaining said movable contact of said potentiometer in a neutral position when said contact is free of external forces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5 further comprising logic means coupled to the output of said setting counter means and the output of said setting pulse generator means for blocking the feeding of further setting pulses into said setting counter means when the count therein reaches zero.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5 further comprising a display range selector means connected to said control means for selecting the display range for the display device and providing an output indicative of such selected range and blocking means coupled to the output of said display range selector means for blocking the additive feeding of setting pulses into said setting counter means when the selected settable distance marker would go beyond the limits of the selected display range of the display device.
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) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |