US3821732A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for producing commutating and transmitting optical and electronic signals
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-14
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Granted: 1974-06-28
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Expires: 1991-05-14
Abstract
Abstract Electronic signals, e.g., in the form of light beams, are produced. These are sequenced or commutated and transmitted through optical fibers arranged singly, in groups, or in systems of sub-groups. Means are provided to scan, select and transmit illumination, selective data, or analogous bits or continua of energy. Control means include a reversible motor driving commutator elements which are geared and grouped together. These serve to connect selected light fibers, singly or in groups, to a light source and/or to a light sensor, for reading data cards, for scanning areas or objects systematically, including anatomical organs or parts, or for displaying information, guiding human or mechanical operators in selection and/or placement for assembly of small mechanical parts, and analogous functions.
Inventors
- 👤 R Romney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:41
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/18; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/3604; G09; G09B; G09B19/00; G09B19/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
The method of scanning an object or area and thereby producing signals by means of light, which comprises the following steps in sequence: a. passing light from a light source through and along the axis of rotation of a rotatable commutation device and thence through a marginal part of said device which part describes a circular path; b. simultaneously conducting light from a marginal part of a separate rotatable commutation device which also describes a circular path and thence passing said light through and along the axis of said separate device and on to a light sensing operation; c. selectively shifting the first named device about its axis to progressively scan said object or area while similarly shifting the second device; d. selectively passing light from said first circular path to the object or area to be scanned through successive light conductors arranged in a predetermined sequence with respect to said object or area; while e. simultaneously transmitting light signals from the scanned object or area through a second series of light conductors arranged in similar predetermined sequence, while shifting the devices as aforesaid thereby to convey the transmitted light from the area of object to the second named circular path and thence through the axis of the second device; and f. detecting the light so transmitted.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
217 words
The method of scanning an object or area and thereby producing signals by means of light, which comprises the following steps in sequence: a. passing light from a light source through and along the axis of rotation of a rotatable commutation device and thence through a marginal part of said device which part describes a circular path; b. simultaneously conducting light from a marginal part of a separate rotatable commutation device which also describes a circular path and thence passing said light through and along the axis of said separate device and on to a light sensing operation; c. selectively shifting the first named device about its axis to progressively scan said object or area while similarly shifting the second device; d. selectively passing light from said first circular path to the object or area to be scanned through successive light conductors arranged in a predetermined sequence with respect to said object or area; while e. simultaneously transmitting light signals from the scanned object or area through a second series of light conductors arranged in similar predetermined sequence, while shifting the devices as aforesaid thereby to convey the transmitted light from the area of object to the second named circular path and thence through the axis of the second device; and f. detecting the light so transmitted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method according to claim 1 in which said selective shifting connects the light path with each of said plurality of conductors in a predetermined and regular order.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method according to claim 2 in which the selected shifting is utilized to scan a data-bearing record and record data therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method according to claim 2 in which the selected shifting is used to illuminate an object progressively and in a predetermined order.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method according to claim 1 in which the desired one of said plurality of light conductors is selected manually.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
227 words
Apparatus for scanning and for producing light signals which comprises, in combination, a first and a second commutator each rotatable about an axis, said axes being laterally spaced from each other and parallel, each commutator having an axial light passage and a radially spaced passage parallel to the axis and a light conductive element conducting two passages in each commutator, the arrangement being such that when either commutator is rotated about its axis the radially spaced passage defines a circular path centered on the axis, a first and a second series of light conductor elements, one series for the first and the other for the second commutator, said series of elements being arranged respectively to illuminate and to receive light from the object or area being scanned, a light source, a conductor arranged to carry light from the source to the axial passage of the first commutator, a light sensor device, a light conductor arranged to carry light from the axis of the second commutator to the light sensor, and means for simultaneously and in unison positioning selectively and rotating the two commutators to simultaneously position a conductor of the first series opposite a point to be scanned and to position a conductor of the second series at the proper point to conduct light from the point scanned through the second commutator and on to light sensing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
227 words
Apparatus for scanning and for producing light signals which comprises, in combination, a first and a second commutator each rotatable about an axis, said axes being laterally spaced from each other and parallel, each commutator having an axial light passage and a radially spaced passage parallel to the axis and a light conductive element conducting two passages in each commutator, the arrangement being such that when either commutator is rotated about its axis the radially spaced passage defines a circular path centered on the axis, a first and a second series of light conductor elements, one series for the first and the other for the second commutator, said series of elements being arranged respectively to illuminate and to receive light from the object or area being scanned, a light source, a conductor arranged to carry light from the source to the axial passage of the first commutator, a light sensor device, a light conductor arranged to carry light from the axis of the second commutator to the light sensor, and means for simultaneously and in unison positioning selectively and rotating the two commutators to simultaneously position a conductor of the first series opposite a point to be scanned and to position a conductor of the second series at the proper point to conduct light from the point scanned through the second commutator and on to light sensing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the first commutator is manually oPerable and includes a pointer for selecting a desired object in a geographic and in which the second commutator is arranged to direct the output light signal to illuminate a corresponding point on a map.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 which includes motor means for moving said commutator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the plurality of light conductor elements are arranged to sense a line of data on a perforated record member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 which includes a plurality of illuminating elements, at least one of said plurality of light conductor elements being connected for light conductance to each of said illuminating elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 in which two of said light conductor elements are connected to an illuminating element, thereby to conduct light thereto from two conductors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 in which at least some of the conductor elements consist of light fibers surface treated to emit light from within.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the plurality of light conductor elements are flexible light fibers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which a light source is positioned at one terminal of one commutator and a light detector at the other commutator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 which includes a viewing device and in which the ends of the plurality of conductors are arranged to illuminate in a selective and moving pattern an object positioned in front of the viewing device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 which includes a movable tray of small parts arranged for assembly, means connecting said tray to the movable commutator, and the plurality of light conductors being arranged to illuminate preselected areas for positioning said small parts in said assembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 which comprises, in combination, a display surface indicating physical features of a region, a plurality of box areas individually related respectively to one of said physical features, one of said plurality of light conductor elements being connected to each of said box areas and adapted to illuminate said area, and a second conductor associated with each of said connected elements and arranged to illuminate the particular physical features of said area related to said box area.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 in which a manually movable pointer for selecting a box area is connected to and drives the commutator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 which includes means for selectively changing the color of the conveyed light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |