×

Low power electronic measuring system

  • US 5,254,992 A
  • Filed: 10/31/1991
  • Issued: 10/19/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. In an electronic measuring system comprising measuring transducer means operative when electrically powered to provide an electrical measurement signal output indicative of the magnitude of an entity being measured thereby;

  • power means for providing power for said measuring system;

    control means operating to provide spaced energizing pulses from said power means to said measuring transducer means to cause said transducer means to provide a pulsed electrical measurement signal; and

    indicator means operative to receive said electrical measurement signal for providing an indication of the magnitude of the entity being measured at a predetermined resolution;

    the improvement comprising microprocessor means for determining an optimal pulse width and interval for each of said energizing pulses in accordance with said predetermined resolution for said measurement signal; and

    means operatively connected to said microprocessor means for varying said predetermined resolution, said microprocessor pulse width and interval determining means comprising means for determining an optimal frequency and duty cycle for said predetermined resolution and for varying said frequency and duty cycle in accordance with variations in said predetermined resolution for providing a variable pulse control signal to said control means in accordance with said variations in said predetermined resolution, said control means variably pulsing said measuring transducer means in response to said variable pulse control signal for pulsing said measuring transducer means in accordance with said predetermined resolution at any given time;

    whereby said system power is preserved by pulsing said measuring transducer means only when necessary in accordance with said resolution.

View all claims
  • 3 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×