US3810148A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic line indicator apparatus
Assignee: Kewp Inc
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Filing: 1972-07-06
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Granted: 1974-05-07
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Expires: 1992-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A new and improved indicator for detecting and indicating the intrusion or presence of objects on a line or boundary being monitored by officials or monitoring personnel, such as a boundary line at a sporting event or contest.
Inventors
- 👤 F Karsten
- 👤 J Evans
- 👤 S Pool
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:19
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/18; G08B13/181; G08B13/183; A; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/06; A63B71/0605; A63B2071/0611
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for monitoring the occurrence of permissible and impermissible events along a boundary or line, comprising: a. transmitter means for sending a pulsed beam of light at periodic intervals along the line; b. receiver means for receiving the pulsed beam of light sent along the line; and c. control means for detecting interruption of the pulsed beam of light and discriminating between interruptions caused by a permissible event and interruptions caused by an impermissible event.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for monitoring the occurrence of permissible and impermissible events along a boundary or line, comprising: a. transmitter means for sending a pulsed beam of light at periodic intervals along the line; b. receiver means for receiving the pulsed beam of light sent along the line; and c. control means for detecting interruption of the pulsed beam of light and discriminating between interruptions caused by a permissible event and interruptions caused by an impermissible event.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein said transmitter means comprises: a. emitter means for emitting a light beam when energized; and b. lens means for focusing the light beam from said emitter means along the line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure of claim 2, wherein said lens means comprises: a. collimating lens means for forming a parallel light beam; and b. said collimating lens means further focusing the parallel light beam along the line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein said receiver means comprises: a. photosensitive means for forming an electrical signal in response to light received from said transmitter means; and b. lens means for focusing onto said photo-sensitive means the light beam received from said transmitter means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure of claim 4, wherein said lens means comprises: a. condensing lens means for receiving the beam of light from said transmitter means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for assisting an official at a sporting event by monitoring action in the sporting event comprising: a. transmitter means for sending a pulsed beam of light at periodic intervals along a boundary of the sporting event; b. receiver means for receiving the pulsed beam of light sent along the boundary; and c. control means for detecting interruption of the pulsed beam of light along the boundary and determining the nature of the interruption wherein action adjacent the boundary is monitored to assist the official in controlling play in the sporting event.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for assisting an official at a sporting event by monitoring action in the sporting event comprising: a. transmitter means for sending a pulsed beam of light at periodic intervals along a boundary of the sporting event; b. receiver means for receiving the pulsed beam of light sent along the boundary; and c. control means for detecting interruption of the pulsed beam of light along the boundary and determining the nature of the interruption wherein action adjacent the boundary is monitored to assist the official in controlling play in the sporting event.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure of claim 6, wherein said transmitter means comprises: a. source means for emitting beams of light when energized; and b. pulse generator means for periodically energizing said source means wherein pulsed beams of light are sent at periodic intervals along the boundary.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
The structure of claim 6, further including: a. said transmitter means including means for sending a second pulsed beam of light along a path adjacent the boundary; and b. said receiver means including means for receiving the second pulsed beam of light sent along the path adjacent the boundary; and c. said control means including means for detecting interruption of the second pulsed beam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The structure of claim 8, wherein said control means includes indicator means, said indicator means comprising: a. first indicator means for indicating interruption of the first pulsed beam; and b. second indicator means for indicating interruption of the second pulsed beam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
The structure of claim 6, wherein the sporting event is a tennis game and wherein the action may be eitheR a player''s foot or a tennis ball on the boundary and wherein said control means comprises: a. counter means for measuring the duration of the interruption of the pulsed beam of light; and b. decision means for determining the cause of the interruption based on the duration of the interruption measured by said counter means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The structure of claim 6, wherein the action in the sporting event includes permissible and impermissible events occuring adjacent a boundary of the sporting event, and wherein said control means comprises: a. first indicator means for indicating interruption of the pulsed beam; and b. lens means for focusing onto said photo-sensitive means the light beam received from said transmitter means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structure of claim 10, wherein said decision means comprises: a. means for interrupting the operation of said counter means in response to the occurrence of the impermissible event; and b. means for indicating occurrence of the impermissible event.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structure of claim 12, further including: reset means for re-energizing said counter means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structure of claim 10, wherein said decision means comprises: a. means for interrupting the operation of said counter means in response to the occurrence of the permissible event; and b. means for indicating occurrence of the permissible event.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure of claim 14, further including: means for automatically re-energizing said counter means in response to occurrence of a permissible event.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
69 words
The structure of claim 6, further including signal conditioner means in said receiver means, said signal conditioner means, comprising: a. peak detector means for detecting the maximum signal level at said receiver means; and b. comparator means for comparing the input signal received with the signal level detected by said peak detector means wherein partial interruptions of the pulsed beam of light and obstructions on the boundary are detected.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
The structure of claim 6, further including signal conditioner means in said receiver means, said signal conditioner means comprising: automatic threshold means for establishing a threshold level in accordance with the peak intensity of the pulsed beam of light at said receiver means, wherein said receiver means is adjusted for fluctuations and changes in the ambient light level.
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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) | 1977-05-06 | 1977-11-05 | 1978-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-06 | 1981-11-05 | 1982-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-06 | 1985-11-05 | 1986-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |