Electrical pulse counters – pulse dividers – or shift registers: c – Applications – Measuring or testing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-06
2001-02-13
Wambach, Margaret R. (Department: 2816)
Electrical pulse counters, pulse dividers, or shift registers: c
Applications
Measuring or testing
Reexamination Certificate
active
06188742
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of electronic event counters, including reaction timers and counter modules, and to a method of constructing such devices using a watch with stopwatch functions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many recreational devices are designed to be interactive with a user and, in particular, are configured to measure a length of time between an event and the user's response to the event, or to measure the level of response of the user to the event. For example, in martial arts training, response time is measured between the time a buzzer sounds or a light flashes and the user responds by kicking or hitting a bag or the like. Once the user has responded by hitting the bag or the like, it is desirable to stop the timer so that the user can then measure their response time from the event. The user then attempts to improve their response time by repeating the process. In other applications, it is desirable to measure the strength of a user's impact on a device such as a punching bag, or the number of times the bag is hit.
In designing and manufacturing recreational items for measuring response times and impact and the like, the devices are typically provided with electronics for performing the desired functions. Thus, it is desirable to find a way to provide such electronics which are relatively inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and are easily replaceable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first aspect, the invention describes an event counter having an integral stopwatch. The integral stopwatch includes an internal clock for generating electrical clock pulses of a predetermined period, a timing circuit for counting the number of clock pulses, an output circuit for outputting an elapsed number of clock pulses generated by the clock, and a reset switch for resetting the output circuit to a base level. A start/stop switch is provided for starting and stopping the timing circuit. A pulse signal generator is configured to alter the state of the start/stop switch as a result of a pulse signal that is generated by the pulse signal generator.
In a first embodiment of the invention, the event counter is used as a response timer to measure the time of response of a user between an event such as an alarm or a flash of light and the user's response thereto. A piezoelectric element is used as the pulse signal generator and is configured to generate the pulse signal upon impact by the user.
In a second embodiment of the invention, the event counter is configured as a counter display to count the number of pulses generated by the pulse signal generator or the magnitude of an event, and display this information. In this configuration, the invention further comprises a counter circuit configured to generate a plurality of pulse signals of an even number in proportion to the number of cumulative events or the magnitude of a single event. The signals alter the state of the stop/start switch the number of times equal to the plurality of pulse signals to thereby start and stop the clock the same number of times. This generates a number of clock pulses equal to one-half the number of pulse signals. This number can then be displayed to indicate the number of pulse signals which are representative of the number of events or the magnitude of the event. An example of an application is a piezoelectric element used to the number of impacts on a target measure of the strength of an impact from a user on the target.
In a third embodiment of the invention, the event counter incorporates a random time delay circuit to randomly generate an event which is perceived by a user. Thereafter, the response period of the user to the event is measured. In this embodiment, the event counter includes a delay circuit having first and second RC circuits having different tau values. The differential decay of the two voltages in the RC circuits is used to activate a switch which starts the timer and also signals the user that the timer has started.
In a fourth embodiment of the invention, the event counter further includes a circuit for driving a signal indicator, such as a beeper or an LED, by use of a low voltage power supply and a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is used to alternately turn on and off a switch such as a transistor and, thereby, use the low voltage to charge an inductor. When the piezoelectric element is in the off state, the inductor discharges through the signal indicator.
A second aspect of the invention is a method of driving a circuit device requiring a first voltage by using a reference voltage of a lower value than the first voltage in conjunction with a signal device which generates a voltage pulse of insufficient power to drive the circuit device. An example of the signal device is a piezoelectric element. The method includes the steps of providing a current storage device in electrical communication with the reference voltage and the circuit device. An example of a current storage device is an inductor. A switch is provided which can be activated to a first position by the voltage pulse from the signal device. In the first position, the switch allows the reference voltage to flow electrical current to the current storage device. In a second position, which coincides with the absence of the voltage pulse, no current flows through the current storage device. At this point, if sufficient current is stored in the current storage device, it will flow through the circuit device. The method further includes the steps of applying the reference voltage to the circuit device, the current storage device, and the switch when the switch is in the second position. The voltage pulse from the signal device is applied to the switch to allow current to flow into the current storage device and, thereby, store sufficient current to drive the circuit device with the first voltage. The voltage pulse is then removed from the switch to allow current to flow from the current storage device through the circuit device. The circuit device can comprise an indicator such as an LED and/or a start/stop switch for the clock in the internal stopwatch to alert the user and start the timer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4807639 (1989-02-01), Shimizu et al.
Schousek Brian Walter
Schousek Theresa Jean
Reid John S.
Reidlaw, L.L.C.
Wambach Margaret R.
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