Method of monitoring the quality of an object or state
First Claim
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1. A method for monitoring a variable in a system comprising:
- sensing actual values of the variable over time to produce sensed values of the variable;
setting an initial threshold below an initially sensed value of the variable by a predetermined amount and thereafter selectively maintaining the threshold constant and adjusting the threshold to follow below the sensed values by an amount which is a function of the sensed values if the sensed values remain constant or increase, with the threshold remaining constant if the sensed values decrease;
comparing the threshold with the sensed values; and
indicating an unsatisfactory quality if the sensed values fall below the threshold.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for monitoring a variable in a system. Actual values of the variables are sensed to produce sensed values. An initial threshold is set below an initially sensed value by a predetermined difference. Thereafter, the threshold is selectively maintained constant and adjusted to follow below the sensed values by a difference which is a function of the sensed values if the sensed values remain constant or increase, with the threshold remaining constant if the sensed values decreases. The threshold is compared with the sensed values and an indication of an unsatisfactory quality is provided if the sensed values fall below the threshold.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring a variable in a system comprising:
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sensing actual values of the variable over time to produce sensed values of the variable; setting an initial threshold below an initially sensed value of the variable by a predetermined amount and thereafter selectively maintaining the threshold constant and adjusting the threshold to follow below the sensed values by an amount which is a function of the sensed values if the sensed values remain constant or increase, with the threshold remaining constant if the sensed values decrease; comparing the threshold with the sensed values; and indicating an unsatisfactory quality if the sensed values fall below the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for monitoring a variable in a system comprising:
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sensing means for sensing momentary values of the variable over a period of time; threshold generating means for setting an initial threshold below an initially sensed value by a predetermined amount and thereafter selectively maintaining the threshold constant and adjusting the threshold to follow below the sensed value by an amount which is a function of the sensed value if the sensed value remains constant or increases, with the threshold remaining constant if the sensed value decreases; a comparator having two inputs connected to said sensing means and to said threshold generating means, respectively, and a comparison output, for comparing a momentary sensed value with the threshold; and indicating means connected to said comparison output for indicating when the sensed value is at or below the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for monitoring a variable in a system comprising:
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sensing actual values of the variable over time to produce sensed values of the variable; setting an initial threshold above an initially sensed value of the variable by a predetermined amount and thereafter selectively maintaining the threshold constant and adjusting the threshold to follow above the sensed values by an amount which is a function of the sensed values if the sensed values remain constant or decrease with the threshold remaining constant if the sensed values increase; comparing the threshold with the sensed values; and indicating an unsatisfactory quality if the sensed values fall above the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for monitoring a variable in a system comprising:
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sensing means for sensing momentary values of the variable over a period of time; threshold generating means for setting an initial threshold above an initially sensed value by a predetermined amount and thereafter selectively maintaining the threshold constant and adjusting the threshold to follow above the sensed value by an amount which is a function of the sensed value if the sensed value remains constant or decreases with the threshold remaining constant if the sensed value increases; a comparator having two inputs connected to said sensing means and to said threshold generating means, respectively, and a comparison output, for comparing a momentary sensed value with the threshold; and indicating means connected to said comparison output for indicating when the sensed value is at or above the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification