U.S. patent number 3,898,636 [Application Number 05/466,432] was granted by the patent office on 1975-08-05 for solid state control and display board.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy. Invention is credited to Edwin W. Smith.
United States Patent |
3,898,636 |
Smith |
August 5, 1975 |
Solid state control and display board
Abstract
A solid state control and display board wherein a total
configuration of connected elements is shown together with
switchable connections with semiconductor light emitting elements
used to generate switching command signals, display opened and
closed circuits and provide output signals.
Inventors: |
Smith; Edwin W. (Del Mar,
CA) |
Assignee: |
The United States of America as
represented by the Secretary of the Navy (Washington,
DC)
|
Family
ID: |
23851726 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/466,432 |
Filed: |
May 2, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/815.45;
345/158 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
3/0386 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
3/033 (20060101); G08B 005/22 (); H04N 003/14 ();
H04Q 001/00 (); G09F 009/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/150,151,147R,409,225,147P,225,324,378,381,149R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 14, No. 8, January 1972,
pp. 2313, 314, "Film Exhibit Controller," R. P. Dingwall et
al..
|
Primary Examiner: Yusko; Donald J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sciascia; R. S. Rubens; G. J.
Phillips; T. M.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a control and display board for the control and display of
communication switching, data transfer switching, data sampling for
monitor test of operating systems and the like; the combination
comprising:
a. a plurality of display points,
b. light emitting diode means associated with each of said display
points for indicating the status of switch, connections associated,
respectively, with each of said display points,
c. modulator means coupled to said each of said light emitting
diodes for modulating said diode with an input signal,
d. light sensitive detector means associated with said light
emitting diode means for sensing the modulated light signal emitted
by said light emitting diode means,
e. movable light reflecting means associated with said display
points for reflecting light emitted by said light emitting diode
means to said light sensitive means when positioned to cover one of
said display points,
f. demodulator means connected to said light sensitive detector
means for providing an output signal when said display point is
covered by said reflecting means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many systems currently in use for control and monitoring of
communications networks and data switching employ a cathode ray
tube display, either of alpha numeric or alpha graphic, along with
fairly complicated computer, memory and peripheral systems. In
addition, frequently there is a requirement for investments in
complex computer programs. There are drawbacks of cost, equipment
complexity, problems of maintenance, and need for operator training
in order to use this type of system effectively. In addition to the
problems of complexity and associated cost, where the cathode ray
tube type system is used, there are other shortcomings related to
operator usage. For example, in configuring connections of
equipments and connections of data, communications and monitoring
channels, the physical size of the cathode ray tube display surface
often restricts the view of the user to only a portion of the
system he is concerned with. From the standpoint of human interface
it is desirable that his view of the switching and configuration
options and those already exercised not be so limited. It is also
desirable that monitoring and control functions be closely related
for convenient and efficient use by the operator. A typical
operation employing a cathode ray tube system involves action by
the user through keyset action to call up and exercise control
action, with related display, of a comparatively small number of
items, which along with many others form the total configuration or
system, with which he must deal. In many instances it is difficult
for the operator to maintain perspective on the total system while
working with only a portion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a highly reliable and versatile
control and display board for control and display of communications
switching, data transfer switching, and data sampling for monitor
and test of operating systems. The present invention also provides
for a continuous display of a total configuration with closely
related control capabilities for convenient use by an operator. The
present invention makes use of light-emitting diodes or devices
with similar performance characteristics, with a suitably matched
light detector, which provides the means for controlling and
monitoring the configured system. Advantages and new features of
the invention are those of providing a continuous display of a
total system configuration along with a simplified means of
providing control for switching options by use of the same
indicator mechanisms as are employed for indicating status of the
switch options. One of the advantages is the elimination of the
cathode ray tube display and associated complexities of equipment
and operation as a requirement for providing the display in
associated control. In the present invention the user sees before
him a total graphic display showing switch positions and monitor
test points. By actuating these indicators the user is able to make
and exercise his decisions regarding operation of the system
directly in terms of the total system picture and status indicators
he sees before him. In addition, another feature of the invention
permits transfer of information by one or more users of the graphic
display, utilizing either voice or data communications transfered
without addition of wires or switches from the indicators
themselves on the display. This results in efficiency and
simplicity of the operation, economy of fabrication, freedom from
the unreliability of a large number of switches of usual type and
improved ability on the part of the human user to formulate and
exercise his decisions relating to a part of a system while
maintaining perspective regarding the entire system. This
capability to display an entire system permits exercise of
decisions and readout of information keyed to these decision
points, without the complexities or size limitations of alternative
systems is an important feature of the invention. The reliability
attendant to the absence of multi-contact control buttons and
switches is another important feature of the invention.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly an object of the invention is the provision of a system
and supporting sub-system to provide a total configuration and
switch connection display along with the related means of
controlling and monitoring that configuration.
Another object of the invention is a provision of a total
configuration of switch connection display wherein control and
monitoring is provided by means of solid state light emitting means
and matched light detectors.
Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this
invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better
understood by reference to the following detailed description when
considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a typical representation of two
system blocks which provide for operator choice of various
switching options.
FIG. 2 shows a combination display and control panel with light
emitting diodes to indicate closed or open switch connections or
data sampling points.
FIG. 3 is a section of panel showing the wire-free switching
arrangement.
FIG. 4 shows a section of the panel using a non-reflective light
sensitive probe for information signal pickup.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
It is assumed that this invention will be used in conjunction with
suitable logic circuitry or a mini-computer with appropriate
programming and interfaces to accomplish the types of electronic
action described in the description which follows. All of these
control, driving, and logic decision actions are typical of those
in use in logic and computer-type systems.
Referring now to FIG. 1 wherein there is shown a number of
equipments that can be optionally connected or disconnected.
Equipment No. 1 may be connected to equipment No. 2 or equipment
No. 3. Light emitting diode indicators 10 indicate the closure or
non-closure of the interconnection between the various
equipments.
The embodiment of FIG. 2 shows by way of example, an arrangement
where diodes 10 are positioned in a grid or switch matrix.
There are three modes of interrelated capabilities in practicing
the invention. These are interrogation, control and readout. When
it is desired to ascertain or control the status of the system in
the interrogation mode, light emitting diodes 10 are scanned in
sequence and pulsed with short pulses from a source not shown. In
this mode the diode indicators 10 are caused to light, but with
pulses so short and infrequent that to the human observer they do
not appear illuminated. There are short bursts of light emitted
from each in turn, however in predetermined slots of time, which if
detected by a photo transistor or similar device and associated
circuitry, can produce an initiating trigger signal identifying the
particular switch or signal sampling point on the graphic display
(FIGS. 1 and 3) with which the time period is associated.
A light pen incorporating a light sensitive device pointed at the
switch indicator can be used to initiate a trigger for this
purpose. An alternative device to the light pen with its associated
light sensitive device and attendant electrical connection is shown
in FIG. 3. The light from the light emitting diode 10 is reflected
back to a light sensitive detector 14 such as a photocell. Diode 10
and detector 14 should be mounted in the panel in such a manner
that light cannot go directly from light source 10 as shown in FIG.
3 to the light detector 14 but can be reflected by a reflective
probe or the finger 15 of an operator without the need for active
circuitry in the designating device. An advantage of this approach
is that no electrical contacts or moving mechanical parts are
required for designation. When used in conjunction with a function
keyset, the operator would tell the system what function is to be
performed relating to the switch point or test point designated.
For example, closed circuit, open circuit, inject stimulus, read
stimulus etc.
In the second mode of the invention following designation of a
switch closing by the operator, light emitting diodes 10 (or
devices with similar light emitting response and fast operating
characteristics) corresponding to circuits closed in the graphic
display will be pulsed or turned on by means of modular 16 or other
suitable means during the period or periods when the light-emitting
diodes are not being pulsed selectively. To accomplish these two
modes of operation optionally it is important to note that the
light emitting devices used must have pulsed characteristics such
that the following conditions hold: (1) short pulses at relatively
infrequent intervals will not be visible to the observer during
times when the light emitters are used only for interrogation and
designation purposes; for example, short pulses of relatively low
intensity of a few microseconds duration occurring every second
will not be visible, (2) pulsing of the light emitter indicating a
circuit closure or sampling point, at a sufficiently high frequency
with sufficient intensity, by turning on the light emitter during
the portion of a complete cycle not used for interrogation or
designating purposes.
In other words a basic concept of the invention is that the light
emitters are pulsed suitably for non-visibility during
interrogation period and pulsed or turned on suitably for
visibility as appropriate in the information period during the
non-interrogation portion of the cycle.
It is important to note that in addition to their desirable
response characteristics there is another characteristic of the
light-emitting diode which causes them to be particularly useful in
the invention. This is the diode nature of the device, which
permits prevention of "sneak" circuits without use of additional
diodes specifically added for this purpose; in other words, both
the light source and the diode isolation are available in the same
device.
The present invention also makes use of an additional third mode of
operation permitting readout of information fed to respective light
emitting diodes during a time shared period, shared with mode one
and with mode two described above but independent of the mode one
and mode two pulses. If during periods when a light emitter is not
pulsed with mode 1 or mode 2 pulses it is pulsed or modulated with
information-related signals (either digital or voice, for example)
this mode of operation shown in FIG. 4 permits recovery of this
information by use of a suitable light sensitive detector, related
circuitry and readout equipment. For example, if light emitter 20
is modulated with voice type signals by means of modulator 16
during this time sharing mode, light detector probe 22 and
demodulator circuitry (not shown) in conjunction with headset or
loudspeaker will permit the operator to monitor traffic flowing at
a given point in the graphic display. Light detector probe 22 would
be placed over the light emitter as shown in FIG. 4.
Similarly a small digital or alpha numeric readout probe can be
employed if the light emitter 10 is fed with appropriate digital
type information. It is required, of course, that the demodulator
be properly triggered or synchronized to respond to the information
coded modulation or pulses. This feature of the invention, assuming
that the desired information is fed to the appropriate light
emitter, permits one or several operators to retrieve information
from a large control and display board without use of pushbuttons
or mutual interference between users. Thus overall status display
of the large system along with control of switching or other
options is provided together with switch-free monitoring and
readout of activity or data associated with any display point. In
terms of state of the art devices available a response time of 1
microsecond for matched light source and light detector is
feasible.
If an interrogation response time is assumed as 1 second to avoid
response-delay annoyance to the user this assumption will establish
the basic cycle time as 1 second, composed of 1,000,000 possible
time slots which can be used for purposes related to mode 1, mode
2, or mode 3 operation. For interrogation purposes, if 1,000 items
as a maximum are to be identified, 1,000 microseconds must be
allotted for this purpose. For display of the light source to be
sufficiently bright and free from flicker as viewed by the human
observer the source must be pulsed at least 60 times a second
(assuming the pulses are distributed throughout the time period).
Because of practical peak current considerations affecting the
apparent brightness, it is likely that more than 60 pulses per
second (of 1 microsecond duration) should be allotted for this
purpose. If arbitrarily one-half second total time per cycle is
allocated for interrogation and the apparent steady-state light-on
indication, this will leave 500,000 pulse slots per second for
information purposes. This is a sufficiently high frequency if the
pulses are distributed throughout the 1 second cycle time to permit
either voice or data coding and demodulation by a number of
conventional methods.
Obviously many modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is
therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described.
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