US3715624A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic chance circuit
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-02-19
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Granted: 1973-02-06
•
Expires: 1991-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A random pattern generator having a plurality of neon indicator lamps which flash in random or pseudo-random sequence for use in electronic games of chance, probability studies or other desired applications. Each neon lamp is connected in series with a resistor to form one of a plurality of identical circuit branches connected in parallel across a switch controlled power source. The neon lamp-resistor junctions of the plurality of circuit branches are connected in a ring configuration by means of a like number of commutating capacitors. When the power switch is closed the neon lamps are energized to breakdown voltage and flash in a random sequence determined by momentary circuit instabilities. A holding circuit is provided to maintain conduction through the neon lamp which is on at the time the power switch is opened. A time delay circuit is incorporated into the holding circuit whereby the random flashing will continue for a predetermined time period after the power switch is opened.
Inventors
- 👤 F Herman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:04
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/04; A63F9/0468; G; G06; G06F; G06F7/00; G06F7/58; G06F7/588
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
311 words
A random electronic oscillator circuit comprising: at least three circuit branches each comprising a resistor connected in series with a display neon lamp, means connecting the resistor end of each said circuit branch to a first terminal of a dc source, means connecting the cathode of the neon lamp of each said circuit branch to a second terminal of a dc souce, capacitor means connected between each pair of resistor-neon lamp junctions of said circuit branches connecting them in a closed regenerative ring, switching means connected between one of said source terminals and said circuit branches for triggering said display neon lamps from a non-conducting state to a conducting states whereby closing of said switching means enables random triggering of said display neon lamps in said oscillator circuit, and opening of said switching means prevents further triggering of said display neon lamps, electrical holding means connected to said circuit branches and said dc source terminals for maintaining one of said display neon lamps in a conducting state when said switching means is open, a time delay means connected between said switching means and said circuit branches for delaying the stopping of random triggering of said display neon lamps when said switching means is open, said time delay means comprising: a further neon lamp having a holding voltage greater than that required to trigger said display neon lamps, a photocell connected in parallel with said further neon lamp and responsive to light from said further neon lamp, an RC network connected for charging through said photocell and for discharging through said photocell, said circuit branches and said further neon lamp, whereby said RC network charges upon closing said switching means and discharges to provide triggering voltages to said display neon lamps upon opening said switching means, said triggering voltages blocked by said photocell when light from said further neon lamp is diminished.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
311 words
A random electronic oscillator circuit comprising: at least three circuit branches each comprising a resistor connected in series with a display neon lamp, means connecting the resistor end of each said circuit branch to a first terminal of a dc source, means connecting the cathode of the neon lamp of each said circuit branch to a second terminal of a dc souce, capacitor means connected between each pair of resistor-neon lamp junctions of said circuit branches connecting them in a closed regenerative ring, switching means connected between one of said source terminals and said circuit branches for triggering said display neon lamps from a non-conducting state to a conducting states whereby closing of said switching means enables random triggering of said display neon lamps in said oscillator circuit, and opening of said switching means prevents further triggering of said display neon lamps, electrical holding means connected to said circuit branches and said dc source terminals for maintaining one of said display neon lamps in a conducting state when said switching means is open, a time delay means connected between said switching means and said circuit branches for delaying the stopping of random triggering of said display neon lamps when said switching means is open, said time delay means comprising: a further neon lamp having a holding voltage greater than that required to trigger said display neon lamps, a photocell connected in parallel with said further neon lamp and responsive to light from said further neon lamp, an RC network connected for charging through said photocell and for discharging through said photocell, said circuit branches and said further neon lamp, whereby said RC network charges upon closing said switching means and discharges to provide triggering voltages to said display neon lamps upon opening said switching means, said triggering voltages blocked by said photocell when light from said further neon lamp is diminished.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
311 words
A random electronic oscillator circuit comprising: at least three circuit branches each comprising a resistor connected in series with a display neon lamp, means connecting the resistor end of each said circuit branch to a first terminal of a dc source, means connecting the cathode of the neon lamp of each said circuit branch to a second terminal of a dc souce, capacitor means connected between each pair of resistor-neon lamp junctions of said circuit branches connecting them in a closed regenerative ring, switching means connected between one of said source terminals and said circuit branches for triggering said display neon lamps from a non-conducting state to a conducting states whereby closing of said switching means enables random triggering of said display neon lamps in said oscillator circuit, and opening of said switching means prevents further triggering of said display neon lamps, electrical holding means connected to said circuit branches and said dc source terminals for maintaining one of said display neon lamps in a conducting state when said switching means is open, a time delay means connected between said switching means and said circuit branches for delaying the stopping of random triggering of said display neon lamps when said switching means is open, said time delay means comprising: a further neon lamp having a holding voltage greater than that required to trigger said display neon lamps, a photocell connected in parallel with said further neon lamp and responsive to light from said further neon lamp, an RC network connected for charging through said photocell and for discharging through said photocell, said circuit branches and said further neon lamp, whereby said RC network charges upon closing said switching means and discharges to provide triggering voltages to said display neon lamps upon opening said switching means, said triggering voltages blocked by said photocell when light from said further neon lamp is diminished.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
311 words
A random electronic oscillator circuit comprising: at least three circuit branches each comprising a resistor connected in series with a display neon lamp, means connecting the resistor end of each said circuit branch to a first terminal of a dc source, means connecting the cathode of the neon lamp of each said circuit branch to a second terminal of a dc souce, capacitor means connected between each pair of resistor-neon lamp junctions of said circuit branches connecting them in a closed regenerative ring, switching means connected between one of said source terminals and said circuit branches for triggering said display neon lamps from a non-conducting state to a conducting states whereby closing of said switching means enables random triggering of said display neon lamps in said oscillator circuit, and opening of said switching means prevents further triggering of said display neon lamps, electrical holding means connected to said circuit branches and said dc source terminals for maintaining one of said display neon lamps in a conducting state when said switching means is open, a time delay means connected between said switching means and said circuit branches for delaying the stopping of random triggering of said display neon lamps when said switching means is open, said time delay means comprising: a further neon lamp having a holding voltage greater than that required to trigger said display neon lamps, a photocell connected in parallel with said further neon lamp and responsive to light from said further neon lamp, an RC network connected for charging through said photocell and for discharging through said photocell, said circuit branches and said further neon lamp, whereby said RC network charges upon closing said switching means and discharges to provide triggering voltages to said display neon lamps upon opening said switching means, said triggering voltages blocked by said photocell when light from said further neon lamp is diminished.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A random electronic circuit as described in claim 1 wherein said neon lamps are three terminal neon lamps.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A random electronic oscillator circuit as recited in claim 2, wherein said holding means comprises a gate of each display neon lamp connected through resistance means to a terminal of said dc source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3031622A
Cited
US3311884A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |