Apparatus for automatically controlling the initiation and/or termination of functions of apparatus or processes using a clock pulse generator

Claim 1

Apparatus for controlling both the initiation and termination of at least one function in timed relationship to the occurrence of an event comprising a clock pulse generator for providing, when activated, a train of clock pulses which occur one after the other in sequential spaced apart relationship; means responsive to the occurrence of either of at least two different events for activating said clock pulse generator; means having a plurality of output terminals for translating said train of clock pulses into a plurality of pulse signals that are derivable from individual ones of said output terminals, one such pulse signal being derivable at each of said output terminals and the pulses of different ones of said pulse signals occurring at different points in time; at least two networks, connecting means connecting said networks to at least one of said output terminals, said two networks including a common two state device, said two state device controlling the initiation and termination of one said function, said two state device initiating said one function when said state thereof changes from one state to a second state and terminating said one function when said state thereof changes from said second state to said one state, said two state device being responsive to the supply of a pulse thereto via either of said networks and derived from a pulse occurring at said at least one of said output terminals to which said networks are connected for changing said state thereof; means responsive to the occurrence of one of the events that activates said clock pulse generator for rendering, for the duration of the count of said clock pulse generator in response to said one event, one of said networks incapable of supplying a pulse derived from any pulse occurring at said at least one of said output terminals to said two state device and for enabling the other of said networks to supply a pulse derived from a pulse occurring at said at least one of said output terminals to said two sTate device to change said state of said two state device from said one state to said second state thereof; and means responsive to the occurrence of the other of said events that activates said clock pulse generator for rendering, for the duration of the count of said clock pulse generator in response to said other event, said other network incapable of supplying a pulse derived from any pulse occurring at said at least one of said output terminals to said two state device and for enabling said one network to supply a pulse derived from a pulse occurring at said at least one of said output terminals to said two state device to change said state of said two state device from said second state to said one state thereof.