US3626094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Message display system for television
Assignee: Electronic Systems Development Inc
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Filing: 1969-01-08
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Granted: 1971-12-07
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Expires: 1989-01-08
Abstract
Abstract A camera having a lens is positioned so that the lens has a predetermined line of view. An indexing unit is located at a position remote from said camera and selectively positions a plurality of cards into a position in which the cards on their images are viewable by the lens. Each card bears a written message. A clock or other viewable object is located remote from said indexing unit and is positioned so that it or its image may be viewed by said lens. In the preferred form the image from the cards or the clock is selectively positioned in the line of view of the lens by the selective rotation of a mirror. In modified forms the clock is directly in the lens line of view and the cards are selectively positioned into the lens line of view between the clock and the lens. In one modified form the cards are carried in an arcuate path about a horizontal axis whereas in the other modified form the cards are carried about a vertical axis. A control unit includes a system of various length tabs on the cards for breaking a light beam to one of three photocells. The tab length determines the length of time that a card is viewed and whether or not the mirror is rotated.
Inventors
- 👤 Milton K Widdekind
- 👤 William A Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/222
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A message display system for television or the like, comprising: a. a camera having a lens; b. an indexing unit having a plurality of message holders selectively and successively movable to a position in alignment with said lens and movable to a position out of alignment with said lens, said indexing unit including a horizontal platform, a plurality of carriers for supporting said message holders pivotally secured to said platform, and means for intermittently rotating said platform; c. a second viewable object aligned with said lens, said message holders when aligned with said lens being between said lens and said second viewable object, said message holders when not aligned with said object leaving an unobstructed line of sight from said lens to said second viewable object, and d. control means for selectively moving each message holder into such aligned position and out of aligned position to leave an unobstructed view of the second viewable object, said control means including actuating means for raising a carrier into said aligned position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A message display system for television or the like, comprising: a. a camera having a lens; b. an indexing unit having a plurality of message holders selectively and successively movable to a position in alignment with said lens and movable to a position out of alignment with said lens, said indexing unit including a horizontal platform, a plurality of carriers for supporting said message holders pivotally secured to said platform, and means for intermittently rotating said platform; c. a second viewable object aligned with said lens, said message holders when aligned with said lens being between said lens and said second viewable object, said message holders when not aligned with said object leaving an unobstructed line of sight from said lens to said second viewable object, and d. control means for selectively moving each message holder into such aligned position and out of aligned position to leave an unobstructed view of the second viewable object, said control means including actuating means for raising a carrier into said aligned position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The message display system defined by claim 1, wherein said actuating means includes a cam pivotally mounted on a horizontal pin, one end of said cam having a roller engageable with said carrier and the other end having a roller engageable with a motor-driven eccentric cam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
means for deactivating the second moving means so that the reflective means remains in its second position to cause the stationary viewable object to be reflected into the line of view of the camera,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
means for deactivating the second moving means so that the reflective means remains in its second position to cause the stationary viewable object to be reflected into the line of view of the camera,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
9 words
a light source to activate said photo cells, and,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
9 words
a light source to activate said photo cells, and,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
a plurality of tab means, each mounted to respective message holders, each of said tab means being arranged to cover selected photo cells so as to determine the steps initiated by said control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
a plurality of tab means, each mounted to respective message holders, each of said tab means being arranged to cover selected photo cells so as to determine the steps initiated by said control means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
means for activating said first moving means to move a first selected message holder of the indexing unit into its viewable position after said reflective means has moved from its first position,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
means for activating said first moving means to move a first selected message holder of the indexing unit into its viewable position after said reflective means has moved from its first position,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
220 words
A message display system for television or the like, comprising: a. a camera having a lens; b. an indexing unit having a plurality of message holders selectively and successively movable to a position in alignment with said lens and movable to a position out of alignment with said lens, said indexing unit including a pair of spaced, opposed arms rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis; a plurality of carriers for supporting said message holders, each of said carriers having a transverse rod; a clip rotatably mounted at each end of said arms for securing and supporting said transverse rod of a carrier; means for placing carrier in a supported position with said clips, means for holding said clips in a constant vertical orientation, and means for discharging said carriers from out of said clips after leaving said position aligned with said lens; c. a second viewable object aligned with said lens, said message holders when aligned with said lens being between said lens and said second viewable object, said message holders when not aligned with said object leaving an unobstructed line of sight from said lens to said second viewable object, and d. control means for selectively moving each message holder into such aligned position and out of aligned position to leave an unobstructed view of the second viewable object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
220 words
A message display system for television or the like, comprising: a. a camera having a lens; b. an indexing unit having a plurality of message holders selectively and successively movable to a position in alignment with said lens and movable to a position out of alignment with said lens, said indexing unit including a pair of spaced, opposed arms rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis; a plurality of carriers for supporting said message holders, each of said carriers having a transverse rod; a clip rotatably mounted at each end of said arms for securing and supporting said transverse rod of a carrier; means for placing carrier in a supported position with said clips, means for holding said clips in a constant vertical orientation, and means for discharging said carriers from out of said clips after leaving said position aligned with said lens; c. a second viewable object aligned with said lens, said message holders when aligned with said lens being between said lens and said second viewable object, said message holders when not aligned with said object leaving an unobstructed line of sight from said lens to said second viewable object, and d. control means for selectively moving each message holder into such aligned position and out of aligned position to leave an unobstructed view of the second viewable object.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
The message display system defined by claim 3, wherein said means for holding said clips in a constant vertical orientation further includes a pair of inner sprockets fixed along said horizontal axis, a pair of outer sprockets mounted for rotation with said clips on adjacent ends of said opposed arms and a pair of chains each entrained about said inner and outer sprockets.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
means for deactivating said first moving means for a predetermined delay period to hold said first message holder in its viewable position during said delay period,
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
means for deactivating said first moving means for a predetermined delay period to hold said first message holder in its viewable position during said delay period,
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
means for activating said second moving means at the initial portion of said delay period to move said reflective means back to its first position,
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
means for activating said second moving means at the initial portion of said delay period to move said reflective means back to its first position,
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The message display system defined by claim 4, wherein said carriers each includes a second transverse rod and said indexing unit further includes a stack holder having a pair of opposed bottom support pins and a pair of short ledges for supporting a carrier by its transverse rods.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
156 words
A message display system for television or the like comprising: a. a camera having a predetermined line of view; b. an indexing unit having a plurality of movable message holders selectively presentable in a viewable position; c. first moving means to move said message holders selectively to said viewable position; d. a stationary viewable object at a position angularly offset from said indexing unit and out of said line of view; e. reflective means in said line of view and selectively movable into a first position wherein one of said movable message holders in said viewable position is reflected into said line of view and a second position whereby said stationary viewable object is reflected into said line of view; f. second moving means to move said reflective means between its first and second positions; and g. control means to cause sequential viewing of said message holders and said stationary viewable object, said control means comprising:
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
156 words
A message display system for television or the like comprising: a. a camera having a predetermined line of view; b. an indexing unit having a plurality of movable message holders selectively presentable in a viewable position; c. first moving means to move said message holders selectively to said viewable position; d. a stationary viewable object at a position angularly offset from said indexing unit and out of said line of view; e. reflective means in said line of view and selectively movable into a first position wherein one of said movable message holders in said viewable position is reflected into said line of view and a second position whereby said stationary viewable object is reflected into said line of view; f. second moving means to move said reflective means between its first and second positions; and g. control means to cause sequential viewing of said message holders and said stationary viewable object, said control means comprising:
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
means for deactivating said second moving means for the duration of said delay period whereby said first message holder remains in the line of view of the camera during the delay period, and
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
means for deactivating said second moving means for the duration of said delay period whereby said first message holder remains in the line of view of the camera during the delay period, and
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
means for recycling the control means (6) with respect to a second message holder of the indexing unit; and h. said control means further comprises:
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
means for recycling the control means (6) with respect to a second message holder of the indexing unit; and h. said control means further comprises:
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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) | 1974-12-06 | 1975-06-07 | 1975-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-06 | 1979-06-07 | 1979-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-06 | 1983-06-07 | 1983-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |