US3971142A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Simulation apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-05-23
•
Granted: 1976-07-27
•
Expires: 1995-05-23
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for simulating decisionmaking in living beings. One or more adjustable voltage sources having knobs indicating levels of decisional influence are connected to a level detecting transistor. The level detector operates a lamp or other display device indicating the decision made in response to the total influence. Personal and judicial decisionmaking are simulated by the disclosed apparatus. One or more variable resistors adjustably isolating the level detector from respective voltage sources have knobs indicating personality factors variably isolating decisionmaking from decisional influences associated with the voltage sources. Apparatus employing a variety of physical principles may be used to accomplish the simulation.
Inventors
- 👤 James Fisher Hollander
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:57
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
Simulation apparatus comprising means for indicating and adjustably varying levels of a plurality of decisional influences; means for indicating one of a plurality of alternative decisions; and physical system means for causing said decision indicator to indicate a first decision when a combined total of said variable levels is above a threshold level and to indicate a different decision when said total is below said threshold level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
Simulation apparatus comprising means for indicating and adjustably varying levels of a plurality of decisional influences; means for indicating one of a plurality of alternative decisions; and physical system means for causing said decision indicator to indicate a first decision when a combined total of said variable levels is above a threshold level and to indicate a different decision when said total is below said threshold level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said physical system means is electrical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said physical system means is an electronic system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said physical system means is an electrical system and said influence indicating means includes a dial knob pointing to markings on a surrounding surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said physical system means is mechanical.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said decision indicator indicates one of a plurality of personal decisions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said decisional influences include a characteristic of personality.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said decisional influences include social pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said decisional influences include personal desire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said decisional influences include leader pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said decision indicator indicates decisions of a public nature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said decision indicator indicates decisions of a judicial nature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said decision indicator indicates one of no more than two decisions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said decision indicator provides a visual indication of a decision.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said decision indicator provides a visual indication by emitting light.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said decision indicator indicates one decision by emitting light and indicates another decision by appearing dark.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said decision indicator provides an audible indication of a decision.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said decision indicator provides a voice sound indicating a decision.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
Simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said decision indicator provides a tactile indication of a decision.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
75 words
A decision simulator comprising a plurality of adjustment dials indicating respective levels of different decisional influences; an indicator for displaying one of two decisions at a time; and device means adjustable by said dials for causing said indicator to display a first decision when the levels indicated on said dials combine to exceed a threshold and to display a second decision when the levels indicated on said dials combine otherwise than to exceed said threshold.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
75 words
A decision simulator comprising a plurality of adjustment dials indicating respective levels of different decisional influences; an indicator for displaying one of two decisions at a time; and device means adjustable by said dials for causing said indicator to display a first decision when the levels indicated on said dials combine to exceed a threshold and to display a second decision when the levels indicated on said dials combine otherwise than to exceed said threshold.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
69 words
A decision simulator as claimed in claim 20 wherein said adjustable device means comprises a plurality of adjustable sources of electrical voltage and means for combining said electrical voltage from each of said sources and causing said indicator to display a first decision when said voltage so combined exceeds a voltage threshold and to indicate a second decision when said voltage so combined is less than said voltage threshold.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
A decision simulator as claimed in claim 21 wherein said adjustable sources of electrical voltage are attached each to a respective one of said adjustment dials and said dials respectively indicate a form of social pressure, an influence relating to personal inclination, and a form of leader pressure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
A decision simulator as claimed in claim 21 wherein said adjustable sources of electrical voltage are attached to said adjustment dials respectively, said adjustment dials respectively indicating influences on judicial decisionmaking; and said decision simulator further comprises switch means for enabling said decision indicator to display a judicial decision only when desired.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
77 words
A decision simulator as claimed in claim 21 wherein each of said adjustable sources of electrical voltage comprises a source of fixed voltage having a positive point, a negative point, and a ground point; and a variable resistor potentiometer connected across said positive and negative points and having a wiper adjustable therebetween so that a variable voltage appears between said wiper and said ground point; said combining means being connected to each said wiper and ground point.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
81 words
A decision simulator as claimed in claim 24 wherein said combining means comprises isolation resistances, connected to each said wiper respectively, and a transistor having a base, an emitter, and a collector; said base being connected to said isolation resistances, said emitter being connected to each said ground point, and said collector being connected by an electrical path to a supply of power so that said collector has a collector voltage, said decision indicator operating in response to said collector voltage.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
A decision simulator as claimed in claim 25 wherein each of said isolation resistances comprises a variable resistor, each said variable resistor being attached to one of said adjustment dials.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
128 words
A personality simulator comprising three independently adjustable sources of voltage continuously adjustable between a positive voltage and a negative voltage; three dial means for respectively adjusting each of said voltage sources and for respectively indicating social pressure, personal inclination, and leader pressure relative to a personal decision; three variable resistances respectively connected to said voltage sources; three dial means for respectively adjusting each of said variable resistances and for respectively indicating independence from social pressure, selflessness, and compliance with leaders; a transistor having a base, an emitter, and a collector; and decision indicator means; said three variable resistances being connected to said base of said transistor, said emitter of said transistor being connected to ground, and said collector of said transistor being connected to said decision indicator means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
128 words
A personality simulator comprising three independently adjustable sources of voltage continuously adjustable between a positive voltage and a negative voltage; three dial means for respectively adjusting each of said voltage sources and for respectively indicating social pressure, personal inclination, and leader pressure relative to a personal decision; three variable resistances respectively connected to said voltage sources; three dial means for respectively adjusting each of said variable resistances and for respectively indicating independence from social pressure, selflessness, and compliance with leaders; a transistor having a base, an emitter, and a collector; and decision indicator means; said three variable resistances being connected to said base of said transistor, said emitter of said transistor being connected to ground, and said collector of said transistor being connected to said decision indicator means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
A decision simulator as claimed in claim 20 wherein said simulator further comprises means for providing changeable interpretations for each said adjustment dial.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
A decision simulator as claimed in claim 28 wherein said interpretation means comprises printed overlay sheets providable to a panel near said adjustment dials and said decision indicator so that changeable interpretations are provided for each said adjustment dial and said decision indicator.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
114 words
A decision simulator as claimed in claim 21 wherein said adjustable sources of electrical voltage are attached to said adjustment dials respectively, said adjustment dials respectively indicating influences on judicial decisionmaking due to a plaintiff, a defendant, and a burden of proof, the voltage source attached to the plaintiff adjustment dial providing variable voltage of one polarity only, the voltage source attached to the defendant adjustment dial providing variable voltage of only that polarity opposite to said plaintiff voltage polarity, and the voltage source attached to the burden of proof adjustment dial providing variable voltage of polarity opposite to the plaintiff voltage polarity when said burden of proof dial indicates plaintiff bears the burden.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
58 words
A decision simulator as claimed in claim 30 wherein the voltage source attached to the burden of proof adjustment dial also provides variable voltage of polarity opposite to the defendant voltage polarity when said burden of proof dial indicates defendant bears the burden; and said decision simulator further comprises pressable switch means for obtaining a simulated judicial decision.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
103 words
A decision simulator as claimed in claim 21 wherein said adjustable sources of electrical voltage are attached each to a respective one of said adjustment dials and each said dial indicates a respective decisional influence; and said combining means comprises isolation resistances respectively connected to said voltage sources, at least one of said isolation resistances being variable, each said variable isolation resistance being attached to a respective adjustment dial means for substantially indicating levels of isolation from the respective decisional influence; and threshold level detector means connected to said isolation resistances, said decision indicator indicating in response to said threshold level detector means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
85 words
A decision simulator comprising a source of voltage continuously adjustable between a positive voltage and a negative voltage; dial means for adjusting said voltage source and indicating levels of decisional influence; decision indicator means; and level detector means responsive to said voltage source and connected to said decision indicator means so that when said voltage source is adjusted to be positive said decision indicator indicates a first decision and when said voltage source is adjusted to be negative said decision indicator indicates a different decision.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
85 words
A decision simulator comprising a source of voltage continuously adjustable between a positive voltage and a negative voltage; dial means for adjusting said voltage source and indicating levels of decisional influence; decision indicator means; and level detector means responsive to said voltage source and connected to said decision indicator means so that when said voltage source is adjusted to be positive said decision indicator indicates a first decision and when said voltage source is adjusted to be negative said decision indicator indicates a different decision.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
99 words
A decision simulator as claimed in claim 33 wherein said adjustable voltage source comprises a potentiometer connected from a positive terminal of a first battery to a negative terminal of a second battery, said batteries being connected in series and tied to ground, said potentiometer having a wiper; said level detector means is a transistor having a base connected by a resistance to said wiper, an emitter connected to ground, and a collector connected to said decision indicator means; and said decision indicator means comprises a lamp connected from said collector to one of said first and second batteries.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3748750A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-07-27 | 1980-01-26 | 1980-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-27 | 1984-01-26 | 1984-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-27 | 1988-01-26 | 1988-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |