GB2028614A - Data storage systems - Google Patents
Data storage systems Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2028614A GB2028614A GB7833772A GB7833772A GB2028614A GB 2028614 A GB2028614 A GB 2028614A GB 7833772 A GB7833772 A GB 7833772A GB 7833772 A GB7833772 A GB 7833772A GB 2028614 A GB2028614 A GB 2028614A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- oscillator
- counter
- output
- memory
- monostable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R19/00—Arrangements for measuring currents or voltages or for indicating presence or sign thereof
- G01R19/25—Arrangements for measuring currents or voltages or for indicating presence or sign thereof using digital measurement techniques
- G01R19/252—Arrangements for measuring currents or voltages or for indicating presence or sign thereof using digital measurement techniques using analogue/digital converters of the type with conversion of voltage or current into frequency and measuring of this frequency
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03M—CODING; DECODING; CODE CONVERSION IN GENERAL
- H03M1/00—Analogue/digital conversion; Digital/analogue conversion
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03M—CODING; DECODING; CODE CONVERSION IN GENERAL
- H03M1/00—Analogue/digital conversion; Digital/analogue conversion
- H03M1/12—Analogue/digital converters
- H03M1/60—Analogue/digital converters with intermediate conversion to frequency of pulses
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Read Only Memory (AREA)
Abstract
A device for recording and storing information in respect of the variation of a predetermined parameter over a period of time comprises a first oscillator (1) arranged to oscillate at a frequency providing a reference standard, a second oscillator (2) of which the frequency of oscillation varies with the variation of said parameter, a counter (5) connected to the output of the second oscillator by way of a sampling gate (4), a memory (6) connected to the output of said counter, and a monostable (3) arranged to control operation of the sampling gate (4) and a means (7) for causing the output of the counter (5) to be read into addresses of the memory (6). The counter (5) receives a count from the oscillator (2) in accordance with the period of the monostable (3) and this count is read into selected addresses of the memory at intervals, to provide a record of the variation in frequency of the oscillator (2). The information stored in the memory can be recovered by a decoding unit. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Improvements in data storage systems
This invention concerns improvements in and relating to data storage systems, and concerns more especially a system for recording and storing information in relation to the variation of a predetermined parameter over a period of time.
It is often required to obtain a record of the variation of a parameter over a period of time, and a variety of means, such as chart recorders, tape recorders, etc., are available for this purpose. In some cases, however, it is required that an information sensing and storage system should be constructed as a portable unit capable of being located in an environment from which information is to be derived, and to which convenient access is not possible at the time when recording of the information is to be effected.For example, in cases where a product is to travel through a continuous manufacturing or other process, and a record is required of a parameter or parameters to which the article is subjected during treatment, it is necessary to construct an information storage and recording device as a portable unit capable of travelling with the product and storing information on a parameter to which the product is subjected.
In the case of a canning process, for example, such information may be obtained by means of a portable unit installed in a selected can arranged to travel on a production line together with a series of other cans to be treated.
In such circumstances, the recording and storage of information on the variable parameter has hitherto posed considerable difficulties owing to the limitations of the hitherto known data recording and storage system. For example, it has hitherto been proposed to obtain such information by radio telemetry from a portable sensor device.
Although such a system is accurate and is the only system that can give information while it is happening, it is susceptible to noise and interference and requires an aerial installation within the plant which can be costly. Another hitherto proposed system involves the use of miniature tape recorders, or mechanical chart recorders, but such systems have the disadvantage that they are not sufficiently resistant to elevated temperatures, and require considerable insulation. Also, the systems are relatively bulky.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a device for recording and storing information which is capable of being constructed in an compact and readily portable form, which has no moving parts and which is not unduly susceptible to elevated temperatures or electrical noise or interference.
In accordance with the invention there is provided a device for recording and storing information in relation to the variation of a predetermined parameter over a period of time, comprising a first oscillator arranged to oscillate at a frequency providing a reference standard, a second oscillator of generally similar characteristics to the first but incorporating an element of which the characteristics vary with said predetermined parameter whereby the oscillator frequency correspondingly varies, a counter connected to the output of said second oscillator by way of a sampling gate, a memory connected to the output of said counter and providing a plurality of information storage locations or addresses, a monostable-of which the period is controlled by said first oscillator, said monostable providing a first, set period during which the sampling gate is opened to permit actuation of the counter by the output of the second oscillator and a second, reset period during which the staticised output of the counter is made available to be read into the memory and then the counter is reset, and means, actuated either during each reset period of the
monostable or during selected reset periods, for
causing the output of the counter to be read into a
corresponding location of the memory and for
preparing a new location in the memory to receive
the next count to be read therein.
A device in accordance with the invention has
the advantage that it is capable of being
constructed in relatively compact form as a self
contained, re-chargeable electronic unit, which is
capable of recording and storing information
without the requirement for moving parts, and
which is readily interogatable for recovery of the
information at the end of the period of time in
recording has taken place.
In accordance with one embodiment of the
invention, the parameter in respect of which
information is to be stored is temperature, and the
two oscillators are constructed of components
which, with the exception of the specific
temperature sensor element providing for
variation of the frequency of the second oscillator,
are closely matched to one another so that any
variation of characteristics with temperature is the
same for both oscillators. Thus the system is.
compensated against temperature variations, and
can provided the degree of accuracy that is
required.
One embodiment of the invention is illustrated
by way of example in the accompanying
diagrammatic drawing, the single figure of which
isa block diagram of a device in accordance with
the invention.
Referring to the drawing, the system comprises
two oscillators 1 and 2, which are, for example,
transistorised devices of which the respective
components are carefully matched to one another
as regards their temperature responsive
characteristics, with the exception that the
oscillator 2 incorporates a temperature responsive
element, such as a thermistor, in the place of a
corresponding fixed value element of the oscillator
1, so that the oscillator 1 provides a fixed
reference frequency, whereas the oscillator 2
provides a frequency which is temperature
dependent. The output of the oscillator 1 is fed to a monostable device 3, of which a first, set output
3A is applied to a sampling gate 4, and a second, reset output 3B is applied to a bindary counter 5.
The sampling gate 4 is arranged between the output of the oscillator 2 and the binary counter 5, and the output of the latter is applied to the input of a memory 6.
The monostable 3 is also arranged to control the period of a further timing element 7 such as a ripple counter, of which the output is connected to an AND gate 8 to which is also connected the output 3B from the monostable 3. The output from the AND gate 8 is connected to read input of the memorv 6.
The device described above forms a self-contained data sensing and storage unit which operates as follows. The monostable 3 is controlled by the output of the oscillator 1 to provide set and reset periods of approximately one second each, so that for one second the sampling
gate 4 is opened to enable the binary counter 5 to
receive the output from the oscillator 2, and thus to count the pulses transmitted from the latter.
During the following period of one second the
reset output 3B of the monostable causes the
count within the binary counter 5 to be stored and available to be read into the memory 6. The counter is then reset and, during the next one second period determined by the output 3A of the
monostable the counter again counts the pulses transmitted from the oscillator 2. Thus, during
each alternative second there is stored in the
binary counter 5 a count which is dependent upon the frequency of oscillation of the oscillator 1, and
in turn upon the temperature sensed by the thermistor contained therein. Since the period of the monostable 3 is determined by the output from the oscillator 1, it is ensured that any variation in the frequency of the oscillator 2
caused by variation in the characteristics of
components other than the thermistor is
compensated.
The ripple counter 7 is arranged to provide an
output after a predetermined number of periods of
the monostable 3, for example at 128 second
intervals, and this output, in conjunction with the
output 3B from the monostable received at the
AND gate 8 is effective to cause the binary count
stored within the counter 5 to be read into the
memory 6. It will be appreciated that the memory
6 is a type which provides a plurality of locations
for the storage of data, and that upon receipt of
consecutive read commands via the AND gate 8,
the data presented thereto is stored in different
addresses. The memory may, for example,
comprise a shift register. Thus, the memory 6
serves to store in serial form data presented
thereto at each 128 second interval by the binary
counter 5.
Upon completion of the data recording and
storage operation, the information may be
retrieved from the memory 6, for example by
applying the output of a decode clock oscillator 9
to a read input thereof, and recording the
information either in a corresponding digital
device 10, or upon a chart recorder 11 by way of a
digital to analog converter 12 and an amplifier 13
which may incorporate an offset to enable linearisation and calibration of the stored data values.
It will be appreciated that a data recording and storage device as described above may be constructed in very compact and simple manner as a rechargeable electronic unit capable of being placed in a desired environment, for example within an article to be treated on a production line, and will record over a period of time data which may be retrieved subsequently when convenient.
With suitable selection of its components the unit may be rendered resistant to medium temperatures without insulation, and higher temperatures with insulation. Moreover, although the device has been described by way of example with reference to the sensing of temperature, it will be appreciated that other parameters may be sensed by the replacement of the thermistor with a correspondingly sensitive element. Moreover, by selection of the period of the ripple counter 7 data may be stored at any desired intervals of two seconds upwards, the only limitation being the capacity of the memory 6 and the period of time over which monitoring of the relevant parameter is desired. Of course, it would be possible to dispense with the ripple counter 7 altogether, and to cause the reading of the output of the counter 5 into the memory 6 directly by the output of the monostable 3. It will be appreciated that suitable delay devices are provided so that reading of the output from the binary counter 5 and resetting of the counter prior to commencement of the next count take place in the appropriate order.
Claims (3)
1. A device for recording and storing information in relation to the variation of a predetermined parameter over a period of time, comprising a first oscillator arranged to oscillate at a frequency providing a reference standard, a second oscillator of generally similar characteristics to the first but incorporating an element of which the characteristics vary with said predetermined parameter whereby the oscillator frequency correspondingly varies, a counter connected to the output of said second oscillator by way of a sampling gate, a memory connected to the output of said counter and providing a plurality of information storage locations or addresses, a monostable of which the period is controlled by said first oscillator, said monostable providing a first, set period during which the sampling gate is opened to permit actuation of the.
counter by the output of the second oscillator and a second, reset period during which the staticised output of the counter is made available to be read into the memory and then the counter is reset, and means, actuated either during each reset period of the monostable or during selected reset periods, for causing the output of the counter to be read into a corresponding location of the memory and for preparing a new location in the memory to receive the next count to be read therein.
2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, in which the said parameter in repsect of which information is to be stored is temperature, and the two oscillators are constructed of components which, with the exception of the specific temperature sensor element providing for variation of the frequency of the second oscillator, are closely matched to one another so that any variation of characteristics with temperature is the same for both oscillators.
3. A device for recording and storing information, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB7833772A GB2028614A (en) | 1978-08-17 | 1978-08-17 | Data storage systems |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB7833772A GB2028614A (en) | 1978-08-17 | 1978-08-17 | Data storage systems |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB2028614A true GB2028614A (en) | 1980-03-05 |
Family
ID=10499131
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB7833772A Withdrawn GB2028614A (en) | 1978-08-17 | 1978-08-17 | Data storage systems |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2028614A (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2139439A (en) * | 1983-05-05 | 1984-11-07 | Seiko Instr & Electronics | Temperature measuring device |
GB2139440A (en) * | 1983-05-05 | 1984-11-07 | Seiko Instr & Electronics | Temperature measuring device |
FR2577043A1 (en) * | 1985-02-01 | 1986-08-08 | Mesure Automatisme Electroniqu | Method and devices for recording the change in a physical quantity in a closed vessel |
WO2003025598A2 (en) * | 2001-09-19 | 2003-03-27 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Intergrated circuit having a voltage sensor |
US6836220B2 (en) * | 2001-08-03 | 2004-12-28 | Kaye Instruments, Inc. | Miniaturized self-contained sensors for monitoring and storing data as to temperature and the like at remote areas and removable therefrom for digital reading, and novel method of operating the same |
-
1978
- 1978-08-17 GB GB7833772A patent/GB2028614A/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2139439A (en) * | 1983-05-05 | 1984-11-07 | Seiko Instr & Electronics | Temperature measuring device |
GB2139440A (en) * | 1983-05-05 | 1984-11-07 | Seiko Instr & Electronics | Temperature measuring device |
FR2577043A1 (en) * | 1985-02-01 | 1986-08-08 | Mesure Automatisme Electroniqu | Method and devices for recording the change in a physical quantity in a closed vessel |
US6836220B2 (en) * | 2001-08-03 | 2004-12-28 | Kaye Instruments, Inc. | Miniaturized self-contained sensors for monitoring and storing data as to temperature and the like at remote areas and removable therefrom for digital reading, and novel method of operating the same |
WO2003025598A2 (en) * | 2001-09-19 | 2003-03-27 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Intergrated circuit having a voltage sensor |
WO2003025598A3 (en) * | 2001-09-19 | 2003-08-14 | Sun Microsystems Inc | Intergrated circuit having a voltage sensor |
GB2395020A (en) * | 2001-09-19 | 2004-05-12 | Sun Microsystems Inc | Intergrated circuit having a voltage sensor |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |