US3764982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sequentially coded actuating device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-08-30
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Granted: 1973-10-09
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Expires: 1992-08-30
Abstract
Abstract A sequentially coded actuating device has actuation terminals that are a series of conductive areas coated on a non-conductive substrate. The conductive areas may be arranged to provide an artistic configuration, and closing of the terminals is accomplished by bridging gaps between the areas with an externally applied resistive element such as a human finger. This bridging causes placement of an activating potential at the gate of any of several field effect transistors. When a series of gaps are bridged in a predetermined correct sequence, a combination network operates a relay. A series of decoy areas, an activation timer, and a penalty timer make the device additionally secure against unauthorized access.
Inventors
- 👤 R Kidnocker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:15
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00658; G07C9/00714
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A sequentially coded actuating device comprising: a housing, a face plate covering said housing, a design on said face plate comprising a primary conductive area and a plurality of secondary conductive area segments, said secondary conductive area segments being separated from each other and from said primary conductive area by non-conductive gaps and the gap between each secondary area and said primary area being configured for bridging by an externally applied resistive element, a combination network activated by bridging of the gaps between certain of said secondary areas and said primary area in a predetermined sequence, means connected between said primary conductive area and other of said secondary conductive areas for resetting said combination network whenever any of the gaps between said other secondary conductive areas and said primary conductive area is bridged, and means responsive to activation of said combination network for generating an actuating signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A sequentially coded actuating device comprising: a housing, a face plate covering said housing, a design on said face plate comprising a primary conductive area and a plurality of secondary conductive area segments, said secondary conductive area segments being separated from each other and from said primary conductive area by non-conductive gaps and the gap between each secondary area and said primary area being configured for bridging by an externally applied resistive element, a combination network activated by bridging of the gaps between certain of said secondary areas and said primary area in a predetermined sequence, means connected between said primary conductive area and other of said secondary conductive areas for resetting said combination network whenever any of the gaps between said other secondary conductive areas and said primary conductive area is bridged, and means responsive to activation of said combination network for generating an actuating signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a time delay circuit activated by bridging the first gap in the sequence for activation of said combination network and operative to deenergize said network after elapse of a predetermined delay period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising means operable upon activation of said combination network for inhibiting said deenergization and thereby holding the generation of said actuating signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 said combination network comprising a series of field effect transistors with their gates connected to said certain secondary areas, and means for rendering said field effect transistors conductive when the gaps between their associated secondary areas and said primary area are bridged.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 said combination network further comprising a series of cascaded silicon controlled rectifiers with their gates connected to said field effect transistors, and means for sequential activation of said silicon controlled rectifiers when their associated field effect transistors are rendered conductive by bridging of the gaps between said certain of said secondary areas and said primary area in said sequence.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising means conNected to the second and subsequent of said silicon controlled rectifiers for gating off all of said silicon controlled rectifiers whenever any of said field effect transistors are prematurely rendered conductive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
130 words
A sequentially coded actuating device comprising: a series of terminal pairs, each pair being arranged for bridging by an externally applied resistive element, a series of field effect transistors arranged whereby each transistor is rendered conductive by bridging of an associated terminal pair, means for generating an actuating signal when said terminal pairs are bridged in a predetermined sequence and said field effect transistors are rendered conductive in a corresponding sequence, and a time delay circuit activated when the first field effect transistor in said sequence is rendered conductive and operative to reset said means for generating an actuating signal to the condition obtaining prior to bridging of the first terminal pair in said sequence if the last terminal pair in said sequence is not bridged within a predetermined time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
130 words
A sequentially coded actuating device comprising: a series of terminal pairs, each pair being arranged for bridging by an externally applied resistive element, a series of field effect transistors arranged whereby each transistor is rendered conductive by bridging of an associated terminal pair, means for generating an actuating signal when said terminal pairs are bridged in a predetermined sequence and said field effect transistors are rendered conductive in a corresponding sequence, and a time delay circuit activated when the first field effect transistor in said sequence is rendered conductive and operative to reset said means for generating an actuating signal to the condition obtaining prior to bridging of the first terminal pair in said sequence if the last terminal pair in said sequence is not bridged within a predetermined time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a second series of terminal pairs, each pair being arranged for bridging by an externally applied resistive element and each pair when bridged being operative to reset said means for generating an actuating signal to the condition obtaining immediately prior to bridging of the second terminal pair in aforesaid sequence.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, said series of terminal pairs and said second series of terminal pairs both being arranged whereby bridging any of the individual terminal pairs may be performed by the touch of a human finger.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising means activated upon bridging of any terminal pair in said second series and operative for a predetermined period of time to hold said means for generating an actuating signal in the state to which it is reset by said bridging.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a reset alarm activated by bridging of any terminal pair of said second series.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising alternative means for bypassing said terminal pairs and generating said actuating signal directly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a visual indicator activated upon generation of said actuating signal.
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) | 1976-10-08 | 1977-04-09 | 1977-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-08 | 1981-04-09 | 1981-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-08 | 1985-04-09 | 1985-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |