Counter Unit Pulse Signal Measurement Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing counter units face challenges in maintaining measurement accuracy and reducing communication and data processing loads when counting pulse signals, particularly in applications requiring varying sampling periods and non-uniform movement speeds, as they often result in increased data redundancy and uneven communication loads.
Innovation Solution
A counter unit that includes a measurement unit, a comparison unit, a time information processing unit, and an output unit to measure pulse signals, determine coincidence with target values, store target time information, and output it to an external device at predetermined intervals, allowing for optimized communication and data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If over-sampling function is used to secure measurement resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but communication load and data processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary data points from the continuous pulse counting process. Instead of transmitting all counted pulses, it identifies and transmits only the target pulse counts that correspond to specific measurement positions, thereby reducing data amount while preserving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing complete pulse counting for all pulses but selectively outputting only the necessary target pulse counts. This approach maintains full measurement capability while transmitting only the essential data portions needed for shape measurement.
2Measurement precision
If sampling period is shortened to increase measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but communication load and data processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by transmitting data at predetermined communication periods rather than continuously. The counter unit accumulates target pulse counts during the counting period and transmits them at scheduled communication intervals, achieving both measurement accuracy and communication efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-identifying and storing target pulse counts in a buffer during the counting period before transmission. This preparation allows efficient batch transmission at communication periods without requiring continuous data processing and communication operations.
3Device complexity
If fixed sampling period is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying movement speeds deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the measurement sampling adaptive to the movement speed of the inspection target. The counter unit dynamically adjusts the effective sampling rate based on the pulse frequency, ensuring appropriate measurement density regardless of whether the target moves slowly or quickly, while maintaining relatively simple fixed communication periods.
4Measurement precision
If data is transmitted for every control period, then measurement precision is maintained, but communication load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple target pulse count measurements into a single transmission event. Instead of transmitting each pulse count separately, the counter unit accumulates multiple target pulse counts in a buffer and transmits them together at communication periods, reducing communication frequency while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
When counting a pulse signal, in order that the communication load and data processing load be suppressed and measurement accuracy be maintained, a counter unit (2) comprises: a measurement unit (21) which counts the number of pulses of a pulse signal, and thus measures an actual value; a comparison unit (22) which determines if the actual value and a target value match; a time information processing unit (23) which, if there is a match, sets the time of the actual value as target time information; and an output unit (24) which outputs the target time information, in a prescribed communication cycle, to an external device.