US4099100A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Neon tube flashing device
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1976-07-06
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Granted: 1978-07-04
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Expires: 1996-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A neon tube flashing device having a neon tube which emits light upon application of a predetermined voltage thereto to effect indication of operational conditions comprises a capacitor parallel-connected to the neon tube, and switch means series-connected to the capacitor and parallel-connected to the neon tube. The neon tube may be caused to effect flashing by charging-discharging of the capacitor during conduction of the switch means.
Inventors
- 👤 Koichi Takahata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:05
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/05; G08; G08B; G08B5/00; G08B5/22; G08B5/36; G08B5/38; H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/30; H05B41/32; G03B2215/00; G03B2215/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A system in which a single indicator device is used to indicate a plurality of conditions, said system comprising a source of voltage, an indicator device which emits light only when the voltage applied thereto exceeds a certain threshold, means connecting said indicator device to said source and causing said device to emit light continuously when a first condition is present, namely, when the voltage of said source exceeds said threshold, and means for causing said indicator device to emit light intermittently in response to a second condition, the last-mentioned means including a capacitor and an electronic switch connected in series across said indicator device, said switch having a triggering electrode which renders said switch conductive when a signal designating the presence of said second condition is applied to said electrode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A system in which a single indicator device is used to indicate a plurality of conditions, said system comprising a source of voltage, an indicator device which emits light only when the voltage applied thereto exceeds a certain threshold, means connecting said indicator device to said source and causing said device to emit light continuously when a first condition is present, namely, when the voltage of said source exceeds said threshold, and means for causing said indicator device to emit light intermittently in response to a second condition, the last-mentioned means including a capacitor and an electronic switch connected in series across said indicator device, said switch having a triggering electrode which renders said switch conductive when a signal designating the presence of said second condition is applied to said electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said source of voltage is a main capacitor for a flash discharge tube and said indicator device is a neon lamp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said switch is a transistor providing a charging path for the first-mentioned capacitor, and further comprising a diode connected between the emitter and the collector of said transistor and providing a discharge path for the first-mentioned capacitor when the neon lamp emits light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the switch is a triac.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said signal is produced by a dimming circuit which regulates the quantity of light produced by said flash discharge tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said main capacitor is charged by a battery and said signal is produced by a circuit responsive to the voltage of said battery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system in accordance with claim 6, wherein said circuit comprises a manual switch having a first position in which the battery is connected to said main capacitor and a second position in which the battery is connected to a voltage detector circuit which produces said signal when the battery voltage exceeds a certain level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a flash device having a flash discharge tube, a main capacitor applying a voltage to the flash discharge tube and a light-emitting element which emits light when the charging voltage of the main capacitor reaches a level for which the flash discharge tube can emit light, the flash device being so designed that when light reflected from a scene reaches a predetermined level the emission of the flash discharge tube is stopped, the improvement comprising: a flashing capacitor and an electronic switch means connected in series across the light-emitting element; and a control means for rendering the switch means conductive in response to reflected light from the scene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a flash device having a flash discharge tube, a main capacitor applying a voltage to the flash discharge tube and a light-emitting element which emits light when the charging voltage of the main capacitor reaches a level for which the flash discharge tube can emit light, the flash device being so designed that when light reflected from a scene reaches a predetermined level the emission of the flash discharge tube is stopped, the improvement comprising: a flashing capacitor and an electronic switch means connected in series across the light-emitting element; and a control means for rendering the switch means conductive in response to reflected light from the scene.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 8, wherein the control means renders the switch means non-conductive when the flash discharge tube emits light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein the control means comprises: a dimming means generating a first signal when the flash discharge tube emits light and generating a second signal in response to said reflected light; and a means for driving the switch means in response to the first and second signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein the switch means includes a charge circuit which is driven by the driving means and which can be rendered conductive in a direction to charge the flashing capacitor to cause the light-emitting element to emit light and a discharge circuit which is connected in parallel with the charge circuit and which discharges the flashing capacitor when the light-emitting element emits light.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 11, wherein the charge circuit includes a transistor having its collector-emitter path connected in series with the flashing capacitor and its base connected to the driving means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein the discharge circuit includes a diode connected across the collector-emitter path of the transistor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein the driving means includes a flip-flop circuit having first and second transistors connected to the dimming means so that the bases of the first and second transistors can receive the first and second signals, respectively, the collector of the first transistor being connected to the switch means.
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) | 1981-07-03 | 1982-01-02 | 1982-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-03 | 1986-01-02 | 1986-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-03 | 1990-01-02 | 1990-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |