US3778676A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control apparatus for selectively illuminating a group of lamps
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-06-07
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1991-06-07
Abstract
Abstract Control apparatus associated with a group of three lamps selectively illuminates the lamps in predetermined sequences, there being a mode in which the sequence creates an illusion in the eye of an observer of a moving light spot surrounded by darkness, and a mode in which it appears that a moving dark spot is surrounded by light. The apparatus includes a three-state combinational switching circuit having one input which controls the illumination of one lamp; the two other outputs of the circuit, together with a two-state control switch, establish the state of a four element switching network which in turn controls the illumination of the other two lamps. Complementing the states of the combinational switching circuit changes the mode of operation; and changing the state of the control switch reverses the direction of apparent movement.
Inventors
- 👤 J Keller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:07
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/004; B; B01; B01D; B01D19/00; B01D19/0042; H; H05; H05B; H05B47/00; H05B47/10; H05B47/155
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
Control apparatus comprising: a predetermined number of actuable switch means; a pulse generator for producing periodic clock pulses; a combinational switching circuit having a predetermined number of outputs, each of said predetermined number of outputs providing a first or a second electrical signal state, said predetermined number of outputs providing a plurality of electrical signal states comprised of combinations of the first or second electrical signal state of all of said predetermined number of outputs, said combinational switching circuit including means for counting, said combinational switching circuit receiving the output of said pulse generator and being constructed and arranged to change state in response to each clock pulse by changing the electrical signal state from said first state to said second state or vice versa of at least one of said outputs of said combinational switching circuit, said combinational switching circuit being repetitively cycled through all of its plurality of states in response to the clock pulses; and switching network means associated with said switch means for actuating preselected ones of said switch means in a preselected order in response to the sequence of electrical signal states of the plurality of electrical signal states provided by said predetermined number of outputs of said combinational switching circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
Control apparatus comprising: a predetermined number of actuable switch means; a pulse generator for producing periodic clock pulses; a combinational switching circuit having a predetermined number of outputs, each of said predetermined number of outputs providing a first or a second electrical signal state, said predetermined number of outputs providing a plurality of electrical signal states comprised of combinations of the first or second electrical signal state of all of said predetermined number of outputs, said combinational switching circuit including means for counting, said combinational switching circuit receiving the output of said pulse generator and being constructed and arranged to change state in response to each clock pulse by changing the electrical signal state from said first state to said second state or vice versa of at least one of said outputs of said combinational switching circuit, said combinational switching circuit being repetitively cycled through all of its plurality of states in response to the clock pulses; and switching network means associated with said switch means for actuating preselected ones of said switch means in a preselected order in response to the sequence of electrical signal states of the plurality of electrical signal states provided by said predetermined number of outputs of said combinational switching circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
Control apparatus according to Claim 11 wherein the number of outputs of said combinational switching circuit is the same as the number of said switch means, and wherein said switching network means includes means responsive to one output of said combinational switching circuit for actuating one of said switch means when said one output has a predetermined state, and a switching network associated with the remaining switch means for actuating the latter in response to the states of the other outputs of said combinational switching circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
Control apparatus according to claim 2 including a two-state control switch, the state of the output of said control switch and the state of said other outputs of said combinational switching circuit being applied as inputs to said switching network, said switching network controlling the actuation of said remaining switch means in respone to the output state of said control switch and the state of said other outputs of said combinational switching circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
118 words
Control apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said switching network includes a plurality of switches operable to cause selective actuation of said remaining switch means, the operation of said switches being controlled in response to the states of said other outputs of said combinational switching circuit and the state of said control switch. 5. Control apparatus according to claim 4 wherein a bank of switches equal in number to the number of said other outputs of said combination switching circuit is associated with each of said remaining switch means, the operation of each switch in a bank being controlled in response to the state of the output of said combinational switching circuit with which the bank is associated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
179 words
Control apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the number of swich means is three, and said switching network includes a bank of two switches for each of said other outputs and includes two control switches, one side of each switch in a bank being connected to a respective one of said remaining switch means, the other side of each switch in a bank being connected to the other side of each switch in the other bank and to one side of a different one of said two control swtiches, the other side of each control switch being connected together and to an electrical circuit common to said switch means, said control switches being operated together so that one is open but the other is closed, and a control input for establishing the state of said control switches, each switch in a bank being associated with a different one of said other outputs, the operation of each switch being controlled in response to the state of the output with which it is associated and the state of said control switches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
Control apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said combinational switching circuit and said switching network is constructed and arranged so that said switch means are operated in a predetermined time sequence.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
Control apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said combinational switching circuit and said switching network is constructed and arranged so that the sequence of actuation is unidirectional.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
Control apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said circuit and said switching network is constructed and arranged so that the direction of the sequence of actuation is dependent upon the state of said control switches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
Control apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein each switch means, when actuated, causes a lamp to be illuminated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
Control apparatus in accordance with claim 9 including a flip-flop circuit, the outputs of said flip-flop circuit controlling the state of said control switches, and an oscillator, said oscillator providing a periodic signal to said flip-flop circuit to cause said flip-flop circuit to periodically change state, said control switches periodically changing state in response to said flip-flop circuit changing state thereby periodically reversing the direction of the sequence of actuation of said switch means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
Control apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said combinational switching circuit includes an inverter circuit connected in series with each of said predetermined number of outputs and a switch in parallel with each said inverter circuit, said switches being coupled together to operate in unison, said switches being operative to cause the inversion of the output electrical signal states of said combinational switching circuit in order to actuate all of said switch means except preselected ones in a preselected order.
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) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |