US3553434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Arrangement for reading, recording and storing information
Assignee: SCM Corp
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Filing: 1965-03-01
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1985-03-01
Abstract
Abstract Use of a glow discharge device as a low cost yet reliable element of a perforated media reader is disclosed. In such a reader there is a glow lamp for each channel or code position and a bias voltage higher than the sustaining voltage but lower than the ignition voltage is applied to each lamp. Exposure of the lamps through a perforated record member to a pulsed source of radiant energy then results in selected ones of the glow lamps igniting and remaining on subsequent to the disappearance of the radiant energy source pulse. Thus, the glow lamps provide storage of the information and there is no need for auxiliary storage equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A Murray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/1093
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
In combination with an object having opaque portions and selectively positioned radiant energy transmissive portions to provide information as a result of said positions, a device to determine such information comprising: a plurality of lamps including electrode means and an ionizable gas, and being operable in response to application of an ignition voltage and remaining operative so long as said applied voltage is greater than a maintenance voltage; means for applying a bias voltage to said electrode means below the ignition voltage and above the maintenance voltage thereof; means for producing a beam of radiant energy of limited time duration, said last-mentioned means being positioned to normally direct said radiant energy against all of said electrode means, and where said object can be interposed between said lamps and said means producing a beam of radiant energy; such that said radiant energy transmissive portions allow said radiant energy to be directed against predetermined ones of said electrode means and said opaque portions prevent said radiant energy from being directed against the remaining electrode means; and said radiant energy being sufficient alone to cause ionization of said gas in the vicinity of the biased electrode means against which it is directed, thereby triggering predetermined lamps into operation and said bias voltage maintaining said predetermined lamps operative thereafter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
In combination with an object having opaque portions and selectively positioned radiant energy transmissive portions to provide information as a result of said positions, a device to determine such information comprising: a plurality of lamps including electrode means and an ionizable gas, and being operable in response to application of an ignition voltage and remaining operative so long as said applied voltage is greater than a maintenance voltage; means for applying a bias voltage to said electrode means below the ignition voltage and above the maintenance voltage thereof; means for producing a beam of radiant energy of limited time duration, said last-mentioned means being positioned to normally direct said radiant energy against all of said electrode means, and where said object can be interposed between said lamps and said means producing a beam of radiant energy; such that said radiant energy transmissive portions allow said radiant energy to be directed against predetermined ones of said electrode means and said opaque portions prevent said radiant energy from being directed against the remaining electrode means; and said radiant energy being sufficient alone to cause ionization of said gas in the vicinity of the biased electrode means against which it is directed, thereby triggering predetermined lamps into operation and said bias voltage maintaining said predetermined lamps operative thereafter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as recited in claim 1 in which said object is movable to a predetermined position between said radiant energy beam and said plurality of lamps, and including means for automatically producing said radiant energy beam upon said movement of said object to said predetermined position.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
259 words
A device for obtaining coded information comprising: a bank of predeterminately positioned lamps, each of said lamps containing an ionizable gas and having electrodes therein, and being operable in response to application of an ignition voltage and remaining operative so long as said applied voltage is greater than a maintenance voltage; a light means adjacent said bank of lamps in light conductive relationship therewith for impinging light on said lamp; means for biasing said electrodes of said lamps to a voltage intermediate the ignition voltage and the maintenance voltage of said lamps; light from said means being sufficient alone to cause said biased lamps to ignite when impinged thereon; guide means adapted to form a path for interposing between said light means and said bank of lamps a card having apertures therethrough in a predetermined pattern corresponding to particular ones of said lamps; said guide means including means to position said card so that a path for light is provided for said predetermined ones of said lamps, and an obsTruction to light is provided for the remainder of said lamps; means for momentarily flashing said light means, whereupon said predetermined ones of said biased lamps are ignited and by means of said bias voltage remain ignited upon removal of said card; control means responsive to the information represented by the ignition of said predetermined ones of said lamps; and means for reducing the bias on said predetermined ones of said lamps subsequent to said momentary flash of said light means and to a value below the maintenance voltage thereof.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
259 words
A device for obtaining coded information comprising: a bank of predeterminately positioned lamps, each of said lamps containing an ionizable gas and having electrodes therein, and being operable in response to application of an ignition voltage and remaining operative so long as said applied voltage is greater than a maintenance voltage; a light means adjacent said bank of lamps in light conductive relationship therewith for impinging light on said lamp; means for biasing said electrodes of said lamps to a voltage intermediate the ignition voltage and the maintenance voltage of said lamps; light from said means being sufficient alone to cause said biased lamps to ignite when impinged thereon; guide means adapted to form a path for interposing between said light means and said bank of lamps a card having apertures therethrough in a predetermined pattern corresponding to particular ones of said lamps; said guide means including means to position said card so that a path for light is provided for said predetermined ones of said lamps, and an obsTruction to light is provided for the remainder of said lamps; means for momentarily flashing said light means, whereupon said predetermined ones of said biased lamps are ignited and by means of said bias voltage remain ignited upon removal of said card; control means responsive to the information represented by the ignition of said predetermined ones of said lamps; and means for reducing the bias on said predetermined ones of said lamps subsequent to said momentary flash of said light means and to a value below the maintenance voltage thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as recited in claim 3 in which said lamps are neon tubes, each having an anode and a cathode therein, the cathodes of said lamps being in light-receiving relationship with said light means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as recited in claim 3 in which said means for flashing said light means is operable by the positioning of the card to provide a path for light to said predetermined ones of the lamps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as recited in claim 3 in which said light means includes a xenon tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |