Methods and apparatus for enhancing resolution in pulse analysis
First Claim
1. A method for selecting, among input signals, those which are spaced from each other by at least a predetermined time interval, comprising the steps of:
- driving a timing means from a reset condition toward a predetermined final condition;
generating a minimum interval signal upon each occurrence of the predetermined final condition;
resetting the timing means to its reset condition upon each occurrence of either an input signal or a minimum interval signal; and
selecting only those input signals which are directly preceded and followed by minimum interval signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for selecting, among input signals, those which are time-spaced from each other by more than a predetermined time interval. Clock pulses are continuously applied to a pulse counter, and a predetermined count signal is produced each time the counter reaches a predetermined count. The counter is reset upon occurrence of either an input signal or a predetermined count signal. The order of occurrence of the input signals and of the predetermined count signals is memorized, and a validation signal is produced for each input signal which is directly preceded and followed by a predetermined count signal. Signals distorted by pile-up effect can thus be rejected.
6 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for selecting, among input signals, those which are spaced from each other by at least a predetermined time interval, comprising the steps of:
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driving a timing means from a reset condition toward a predetermined final condition; generating a minimum interval signal upon each occurrence of the predetermined final condition; resetting the timing means to its reset condition upon each occurrence of either an input signal or a minimum interval signal; and selecting only those input signals which are directly preceded and followed by minimum interval signals.
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2. A method for selecting, among input signals, those which are spaced from each other by more than a predetermined time interval, comprising the steps of:
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applying clock pulses to a pulse counting means; producing a predetermined count signal each time said counting means reaches a predetermined count; resetting the counting means to a reset count upon occurrence of either an input signal or a predetermined count signal; and selecting input signals which are directly preceded and followed by a predetermined count signal. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for selecting, among input signals, those which are spaced from each other by more than a predetermined time interval, comprising:
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continuously applying clock pulses to counting means; producing a predetermined count signal each time said counting means reaches a predetermined count; resetting the counting means to a reset count upon occurrence of either an input signal or a predetermined count signal; detecting the occurrence of only one input signal directly preceded and followed by a predetermined count signal; and opening gate means for said one input signal.
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12. A method for selecting, among input signals during predetermined time periods, delimited by gate signals, those input signals which are spaced from each other and form a gate signal by more than a predetermined time interval, comprising the steps of:
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applying clock pulses to pulse counting means; producing a predetermined count signal each time said counting means reaches a predetermined count; resetting the counting means to a reset count upon occurrence of either an input signal, a predetermined count signal or a gate signal; and selecting input signals which are directly preceded and followed by a predetermined count signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method for selecting, among input signals during predetermined time periods, those input signals which are spaced from each other and from the limits of said time periods by more than a predetermined time interval, comprising:
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continuously applying clock pulses to a pulse counting means; producing gate signals at the beginning and at the end, respectively, of said time periods; producing a predetermined count signal each time said counting means reaches a predetermined count; resetting the counting means to a reset count upon occurrence of either an input signal, a predetermined count signal or a gate signal, said predetermined time interval being defined by the difference between said predetermined count and said reset count; detecting the occurrence of only one input signal directly preceded and followed by a predetermined count signal; and opening gate means for said one input signal during said predetermined time periods.
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16. An apparatus for selecting, among input signals, those which are spaced from each other by more than a predetermined time interval, comprising:
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means for counting clock pulses; means for producing a predetermined count signal when said counting means reaches a predetermined count; means for resetting said counting means to a reset count upon occurrence of either an input signal or a predetermined count signal, the difference between said predetermined count and said reset count defining said predetermined time interval; and means for selecting input signals which are directly preceded and followed by a predetermined count signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus for selecting, among input signals during predetermined time periods delimited by gate signals, those input signals which are spaced from each other and from a gate signal by more than a predetermined time interval comprising:
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means for counting clock pulses; means for producing a predetermined count signal when said counting means reaches a predetermined count; means for resetting said counting means to a reset count upon occurrence of either an input signal or a predetermined count signal or a gate signal, said predetermined time interval being defined by the difference between said predetermined count and said reset count; and means for selecting input signals which are directly preceded and followed by a predetermined count signal. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. An apparatus for selecting, among input signals during predetermined time periods, those input signals which are spaced from each other and from the limits of said time periods by more than a predetermined time interval, comprising
means for counting clock pulses; -
means for producing a predetermined count signal when said counting means reaches a predetermined count; means for producing gate signals at the beginning and at the end, respectively, of said time periods; means for resetting said counting means to a reset count upon occurrence of either an input signal or a predetermined count signal or a gate signal, said predetermined time interval being defined by the difference between said predetermined count and said reset count; and means for selecting input signals which are directly preceded and followed by a predetermined count signal.
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Specification