US 5,631,667 A · Frequency and amplitude measurement tool for electronic displays

Abstract

A frequency and amplitude measurement tool for electronic displays is provided. The measurement tool automatically draws a measurement scale (24) on an electronic display screen (12) based upon operator inputs from an input device (18). The operator selects a first point (x.sub.0,y.sub.0) by depressing a key (19) on the input device (18), and selects a second point (x.sub.1,y.sub.1) by subsequent movement of the input device (18). The measurement tool draws a measurement scale (24) extending between the first and second points. The measurement scale (24) includes horizontal lines and vertical hash lines (54) that subdivide the horizontal distance between the first and second points so that the frequency calculated is an average frequency over the number of cycles represented by the subdivisions. The horizontal lines allow the operator to make amplitude measurements, and the vertical hash lines (54) allow the operator to align the measurement scale (24) with consecutive peaks or valleys of a waveform so that the average frequency of a portion of the waveform can be calculated.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A frequency measurement tool for measuring the average frequency of several cycles of a plurality of cycles of a variable-frequency, multiple-cycle waveform displayed on an electronic display, said frequency measurement tool including:

(a) an electronic display displaying a plurality of cycles of a variable-frequency, multiple-cycle waveform;
(b) an input device for allowing an operator to select two points on said display located at opposite ends of several cycles of said plurality of cycles of said variable-frequency, multiple-cycle waveform displayed on said electronic display;
and
(c) a data processor, coupled to said input device and said electronic display, for:
(i) subdividing the horizontal distance between said two points into a plurality of equi-spaced apart subdivisions,
(ii) drawing a measurement scale over said several cycles of said plurality of cycles between said two points, said measurement scale including a plurality of vertical hash lines that overlie said several cycles of said plurality of cycles and subdivide said horizontal distance between said points into said plurality of equi-spaced apart subdivisions,
(iii) calculating a frequency based upon the number of said plurality of equi-spaced apart subdivisions and said horizontal distance between said two points, and
(iv) displaying said calculated frequency on said electronic display.

5 more elements

A method of providing operator-controlled frequency measurements of the average frequency of several cycles of a plurality of cycles of a variable-frequency, multiple-cycle waveform displayed on an electronic display, said method comprising:

(a) selecting two points located at opposite ends of several cycles of a plurality of cycles of a variable-frequency, multiple-cycle waveform displayed on an electronic display;
(b) subdividing the horizontal distance between said two points into a plurality of equi-spaced apart subdivisions;
(c) drawing a measurement scale over said several cycles of said plurality of cycles of said variable-frequency, multiple-cycle waveform displayed on said electronic display between said two points, said measurement scale including a plurality of vertical hash lines that overlie said several cycles of said plurality of cycles and subdivide the horizontal distance between said two points into said plurality of equi-spaced apart subdivisions;
(d) calculating a frequency based on said horizontal distance between said two points and the number of said plurality of equi-spaced apart subdivisions;
and
(e) displaying said calculated frequency on said electronic display.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Frequency and amplitude measurement tool for electronic displays

Life of this patent

Frequency and amplitude measurement tool for electronic displays

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12