Patent US3563130A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3563130A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Visual interpretation apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-11-25
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Granted: 1971-02-16
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Expires: 1988-11-25
Abstract
Abstract Visual interpretation apparatus for interpreting electric current signals generated by electronic intelligence devices such as audio sound systems creating music, and the like by means of record players, phonographs, radios, AM and FM tuners, transmitters, receivers and the like and which apparatus has a light optical system for receiving and projecting a light beam(s) onto a viewing surface. A plurality of light polarization and light retardation devices are disposed in the path of the beam and are variably movably responsive to the electric current signals to interpret said intelligence and provide visual light patterns on the viewing surface which correspond to said electric current signals. The polarization and retardation devices may partake of various configurations such as discs, vanes and the like. The variable movement of said devices is in the path of the light beam and is in response to the variation in the electric current signals. A consequent change or ''''sweep'''' of color on the viewing surface may also be accompanied by what appears to be movement of the imagery within the confines of the image projected onto the viewing surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley B Elliott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:23
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63J; A63J17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
In apparatus for visually interpreting electric signal currents comprising a source of electric signal currents having a plurality of frequencies and amplitudes, means for deriving control signals representative of said audio signal currents, a light source, a polarizer element in light intercepting position with respect to said light source effective to polarize light emanating therefrom, birefringent means positioned to intercept the light emanating from said polarizer element effective to provide retardation thereof, means actuatable by and responsive to at least one of said control signals to proportionately, and in an oscillatory fashion, tiltably swing at least one of said birefringent means between 0 and 90* on an axis substantially parallel with respect to said polarizer element said axis being located so that said tilting of the birefringent means results in a proportional variation in the thickness of said birefringent means traversed by the light from said polarizer element and efFect a consequent change in its retardation response, an analyzer element positioned to receive light emanating from said birefringent means, and means in light intercepting position with respect to the light emerging from said analyzer element for projecting said polarized light onto a surface for viewing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
In apparatus for visually interpreting electric signal currents comprising a source of electric signal currents having a plurality of frequencies and amplitudes, means for deriving control signals representative of said audio signal currents, a light source, a polarizer element in light intercepting position with respect to said light source effective to polarize light emanating therefrom, birefringent means positioned to intercept the light emanating from said polarizer element effective to provide retardation thereof, means actuatable by and responsive to at least one of said control signals to proportionately, and in an oscillatory fashion, tiltably swing at least one of said birefringent means between 0 and 90* on an axis substantially parallel with respect to said polarizer element said axis being located so that said tilting of the birefringent means results in a proportional variation in the thickness of said birefringent means traversed by the light from said polarizer element and efFect a consequent change in its retardation response, an analyzer element positioned to receive light emanating from said birefringent means, and means in light intercepting position with respect to the light emerging from said analyzer element for projecting said polarized light onto a surface for viewing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 1 and wherein the birefringent means comprises at least two birefringent elements positioned to intercept the light emanating from the polarizer element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 1 and wherein the birefringent means comprises at least two birefringent elements positioned to intercept the light emanating from the polarizer element, and means actuatable by and responsive to at least one of the control signals to proportionately and in an oscillating fashion swing said birefringent elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
253 words
In apparatus for visually interpreting electric signal currents comprising a source of signal currents having a plurality of frequencies and amplitudes, means for deriving control signals representative of said audio signal currents, a light source, a polarizer element in light intercepting position with respect to said light source effective to polarize light emanating therefrom, said polarizer element being characterized by having at least a portion of its total area consisting of designs formed of oriented polarizing materials, said oriented areas being so constructed as to present the illusion of motion, birefringent means positioned to intercept the light emanating from said polarizer element effective to provide retardation thereof, means actuatable by and responsive to at least one of said control signals to proportionately, and in an oscillatory fashion, tiltably swing said birefringent means between 0 and 90* on an axis substantially parallel with respect to said polarizer element, said axis being located so that said tilting of the birefringent means results in a proportional variation in the thickness of said birefringent means transversed by the light from said polarizer element and effect a consequent change in its retardation response, an analyzer element positioned to receive light emanating from said birefringent means, said analyzer element being movably actuated so as to react with the light from the design elements of the polarizer element to create the illusion of motion, and means in light intercepting position with respect to the light emerging from said analyzer element for projecting said polarized light onto a surface for viewing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
253 words
In apparatus for visually interpreting electric signal currents comprising a source of signal currents having a plurality of frequencies and amplitudes, means for deriving control signals representative of said audio signal currents, a light source, a polarizer element in light intercepting position with respect to said light source effective to polarize light emanating therefrom, said polarizer element being characterized by having at least a portion of its total area consisting of designs formed of oriented polarizing materials, said oriented areas being so constructed as to present the illusion of motion, birefringent means positioned to intercept the light emanating from said polarizer element effective to provide retardation thereof, means actuatable by and responsive to at least one of said control signals to proportionately, and in an oscillatory fashion, tiltably swing said birefringent means between 0 and 90* on an axis substantially parallel with respect to said polarizer element, said axis being located so that said tilting of the birefringent means results in a proportional variation in the thickness of said birefringent means transversed by the light from said polarizer element and effect a consequent change in its retardation response, an analyzer element positioned to receive light emanating from said birefringent means, said analyzer element being movably actuated so as to react with the light from the design elements of the polarizer element to create the illusion of motion, and means in light intercepting position with respect to the light emerging from said analyzer element for projecting said polarized light onto a surface for viewing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 4 and wherein the analyzer element is positioned to receive light emanating from said birefringent means and is actuatable by and responsive to the control signals to proportionately vary the position of the polarizing axis of said analyzer element so as to react with the light from the design elements of the polarizer to create the illusion of motion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
284 words
In apparatus for visually interpreting electric signal currents comprising a source of signal currents having a plurality of frequencies and amplitudes, means for deriving control signals representative of said audio signal currents, a light source, a polarizer element in light intercepting position with respect to said light source effective to polarize light emanating therefrom, said polarizer element being actuatable by and responsive to at least one of said control signals to proportionately alter its position and effect a consequent change in its polarizing response, said polarizer element being characterized by having at least a portion of its total area consisting of designs formed of oriented polarizing materials, said oriented areas being so constructed so as to present the illusion of motion, birefringent means positioned to intercept the light emanating from said polarizer element effective to provide retardation thereof, means actuatable by and responsive to at least one of said control signals to proportionately, and in an oscillatory fashion, tiltably swiNg said birefringent means between 0 and 90* on an axis substantially parallel with respect to said polarizer element said axis being located so that said tilting of the birefringent means results in a proportional variation in the thickness of said birefringent means traversed by the light from said polarizer element to effect a consequent change in its retardation response, an analyzer element positioned to receive light emanating from said birefringent means, said analyzer element being movably actuated so as to react with the light from the design elements of the polarizer element to create the illusion of motion, and means in light intercepting position with respect to the light emerging from said analyzer element for projecting said polarized light onto a surface for viewing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
284 words
In apparatus for visually interpreting electric signal currents comprising a source of signal currents having a plurality of frequencies and amplitudes, means for deriving control signals representative of said audio signal currents, a light source, a polarizer element in light intercepting position with respect to said light source effective to polarize light emanating therefrom, said polarizer element being actuatable by and responsive to at least one of said control signals to proportionately alter its position and effect a consequent change in its polarizing response, said polarizer element being characterized by having at least a portion of its total area consisting of designs formed of oriented polarizing materials, said oriented areas being so constructed so as to present the illusion of motion, birefringent means positioned to intercept the light emanating from said polarizer element effective to provide retardation thereof, means actuatable by and responsive to at least one of said control signals to proportionately, and in an oscillatory fashion, tiltably swiNg said birefringent means between 0 and 90* on an axis substantially parallel with respect to said polarizer element said axis being located so that said tilting of the birefringent means results in a proportional variation in the thickness of said birefringent means traversed by the light from said polarizer element to effect a consequent change in its retardation response, an analyzer element positioned to receive light emanating from said birefringent means, said analyzer element being movably actuated so as to react with the light from the design elements of the polarizer element to create the illusion of motion, and means in light intercepting position with respect to the light emerging from said analyzer element for projecting said polarized light onto a surface for viewing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 6 and wherein the analyzer element is positioned to receive light emanating from said birefringent means and is actuatable by and responsive to the control signals to proportionately vary the position of the polarizing axis of said analyzer element so as to react with the light from the design elements of the polarizer to create the illusion of motion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
300 words
In apparatus for visually interpreting electric signal currents comprising a source of signal currents having a plurality of frequencies and amplitudes, means for deriving control signals representative of said audio signal currents, a light source, a polarizer element in light intercepting position with respect to said light source effective to polarize light emanating therefrom, at least two birefringent means positioned to intercept the light emanating from said polarizer element effective to provide retardation thereof, means actuatable by and responsive to at least one of said control signals to proportionately, and in an oscillatory fashion, tiltably swing one of said birefringent means between 0 and 90* on an axis substantially parallel with respect to said polarizer element, said axis being located so that said tilting of the birefringent means results in a proportional variation in the thickness of said birefringent means traversed by the light from said polarizer element and effect a consequent change in its retardation response, means actuatable by and responsive to at least one of said control signals to proportionately alter the position of a second birefringent means and effect a consequent change in its retardation response to said polarized light, said second birefringent means being characterized by having at least a portion of its total area consisting of designs formed of oriented birefringent materials, said oriented areas being so constructed as to present the illusion of motion when viewed through an appropriately moved analyzer element, an analyzer element positioned to receive light emanating from said birefringent means, said analyzer element being movably actuated so as to react with light from the birefringent design elements to create the illusion of motion, and means in a light intercepting position with respect to the light emerging from said analyzer element for projecting said polarized light onto a surface for viewing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
300 words
In apparatus for visually interpreting electric signal currents comprising a source of signal currents having a plurality of frequencies and amplitudes, means for deriving control signals representative of said audio signal currents, a light source, a polarizer element in light intercepting position with respect to said light source effective to polarize light emanating therefrom, at least two birefringent means positioned to intercept the light emanating from said polarizer element effective to provide retardation thereof, means actuatable by and responsive to at least one of said control signals to proportionately, and in an oscillatory fashion, tiltably swing one of said birefringent means between 0 and 90* on an axis substantially parallel with respect to said polarizer element, said axis being located so that said tilting of the birefringent means results in a proportional variation in the thickness of said birefringent means traversed by the light from said polarizer element and effect a consequent change in its retardation response, means actuatable by and responsive to at least one of said control signals to proportionately alter the position of a second birefringent means and effect a consequent change in its retardation response to said polarized light, said second birefringent means being characterized by having at least a portion of its total area consisting of designs formed of oriented birefringent materials, said oriented areas being so constructed as to present the illusion of motion when viewed through an appropriately moved analyzer element, an analyzer element positioned to receive light emanating from said birefringent means, said analyzer element being movably actuated so as to react with light from the birefringent design elements to create the illusion of motion, and means in a light intercepting position with respect to the light emerging from said analyzer element for projecting said polarized light onto a surface for viewing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 8 and wherein means actuatable by and responsive to the control signals proportionately vary the position of the polarizing axis of said analyzer element so as to react with the light from the birefringent design elements to create the illusion of motion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
298 words
In apparatus for visually interpreting the electric signal currents comprising a source of signal currents having a plurality of frequencies and amplitudes, means for deriving control signals representative of said audio signal currents, a light source, a polarizing element in light intercepting position with respect to said light source effective to polarize light emanating therefrom, at least three birefringent means positioned to intercept the light emanating from said polarizer element effective to provide retardation thereoF, an analyzer element positioned to receive light emanating from said birefringent means, means actuatable by and responsive to at least one of said control signals to proportionately, and in an oscillatory fashion, tiltably swing one of said birefringent means between 0 and 90* on an axis substantially parallel with respect to said polarizer element, said axis being located so that said tilting of the birefringent means results in a proportional variation in the thickness of said birefringent means traversed by the light from said polarizer element and effect a consequent change in its retardation response, means actuatable by and responsive to at least one of said control signals to proportionately alter the position of a second birefringent means and effect a consequent change in its retardation response to said polarized light, said birefringent means being characterized by having at least a portion of its total area consisting of designs formed of oriented birefringent materials, said oriented areas being so constructed as to present the illusion of motion, said third birefringent means being movably actuated so as to react with light from the birefringent design elements to create the illusion of motion when viewed through said analyzer element, and means in light intercepting position with respect to the light emerging from said analyzer element for projecting said polarized light onto a surface for viewing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
298 words
In apparatus for visually interpreting the electric signal currents comprising a source of signal currents having a plurality of frequencies and amplitudes, means for deriving control signals representative of said audio signal currents, a light source, a polarizing element in light intercepting position with respect to said light source effective to polarize light emanating therefrom, at least three birefringent means positioned to intercept the light emanating from said polarizer element effective to provide retardation thereoF, an analyzer element positioned to receive light emanating from said birefringent means, means actuatable by and responsive to at least one of said control signals to proportionately, and in an oscillatory fashion, tiltably swing one of said birefringent means between 0 and 90* on an axis substantially parallel with respect to said polarizer element, said axis being located so that said tilting of the birefringent means results in a proportional variation in the thickness of said birefringent means traversed by the light from said polarizer element and effect a consequent change in its retardation response, means actuatable by and responsive to at least one of said control signals to proportionately alter the position of a second birefringent means and effect a consequent change in its retardation response to said polarized light, said birefringent means being characterized by having at least a portion of its total area consisting of designs formed of oriented birefringent materials, said oriented areas being so constructed as to present the illusion of motion, said third birefringent means being movably actuated so as to react with light from the birefringent design elements to create the illusion of motion when viewed through said analyzer element, and means in light intercepting position with respect to the light emerging from said analyzer element for projecting said polarized light onto a surface for viewing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3218926A
Cited
US3163078A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-15 | 1974-08-17 | 1975-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-15 | 1978-08-17 | 1979-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-15 | 1982-08-17 | 1983-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |