GB896839A - Counting and storage system - Google Patents

Abstract

896,839. Electric selective signalling systems. GENERAL RADIO CO. May 30, 1960 [Feb. 19, 1960], No. 19115/60. Class 40 (1). [Also in Group XIX] Frequency -measuring apparatus comprises an electronic counter which counts pulses in successive predetermined periods of time and is reset after each counting period has an associated device adapted to store and display during each counting period the total reached by the counter in the immediately preceding period. The storage part of the associated device is of similar construction to the counter, and instead of acting as a store may be employed to increase the number of counting decades. The apparatus described may be employed as an eightstage decade counter or, by changing over switches S 1 , S 2 , Fig. 1, the four stages I only may be employed as a counter, the four stages II being employed as the storage part of a storage and display device. With the switches S 1 , S 2 changed over, input pulses supplied to a terminal 1 are counted for a predetermined period on the counter I. Counting is then terminated for a relatively short interval during which the total registered on the counter I is transferred over leads 3 to the store II, the counter I then being reset ready for the next counting period. Fig. 3 shows a bi-stable stage of one of the decades of the counter I connected over leads 3 to the corresponding bi-stable stage of the corresponding decade of the store II, the switch S 2 being changed over from the position shown. The bi-stable stages are double triodes 2, 2<SP>1</SP>, 102, 102<SP>1</SP>, but other components, e.g. transistors, may be employed. At the end of a predetermined counting period, a gate G is closed to terminate temporarily the supply of input pulses. The store stage 102, 102<SP>1</SP> is reset to make the tube 102 conductive by a pulse V<SP>1</SP> applied to a terminal 7, and a bias pulse V is applied at a terminal 5 to one side of a neon tube N. If the tube 2<SP>1</SP> is conducting, then by virtue of the connection of the anode of the tube 2 via a resistor R to the neon N, the neon N fires to cause the tube 102 to cease conducting and the tube 102<SP>1</SP> to conduct. If the tube 2 is conducting, the neon N is not fired and the tube 102 remains conducting. Thus the bi-stable stage 102, 102<SP>1</SP> takes up the samo state as the bi-stable stage 2, 2<SP>1</SP>. The stage 2, 2<SP>1</SP> is now reset by a pulse applied to a terminal D. The stage 102, 102<SP>1</SP> is connected over lines marked DISPLAY to a gas-tube or other known indicating or recording device. In a modification, Fig. 4 (not shown), the necessity for resetting the store stage 102, 102<SP>1</SP> is obviated, two neon tubes being provided in the transfer lead circuits.