Patent ID: 7945606

Claim:
A method for evaluating a received signal representing values of a parameter varying over a test interval; said received signal being embodied in a plurality of connected extrema; the method comprising: (a) employing a sampling unit configured for receiving said received signal for obtaining an extant data sample of said signal at an extant sample time; (b) employing a comparing unit for comparing said extant data sample with stored previous extrema of said plurality of connected extrema stored in a storage unit to effect determining whether said extant data sample exceeds at least one of said stored previous extrema; (c) employing a logic unit for determining whether said extant data sample exceeds at least one of said stored previous extrema; if said extant data sample does not exceed at least one of said stored previous extrema, storing said extant data sample; (d) if said extant data sample exceeds at least one of said stored previous extrema to establish at least one currently-exceeded previous extremum, in no particular order: (1) extracting and storing cycle information in said storage unit involving each respective said currently-exceeded previous extremum of said at least one currently-exceeded previous extremum; and (2) replacing an earliest-occurring currently-exceeded previous extremum of said at least one currently-exceeded previous extremum stored in said storage unit with said extant data sample; (e) outputting first selected data from said storage unit; (f) employing a monitoring unit coupled with said sampling unit for determining whether said test interval has completed; (g) if said test interval has not completed, repeating steps (a) through (f); (h) if said test interval has completed, checking whether said storage unit is empty; (i) if said storage unit is not empty, outputting second selected data from said storage unit; and (j) if said storage unit is empty, terminating the method.