U.S. patent number 3,573,792 [Application Number 04/775,082] was granted by the patent office on 1971-04-06 for universal display panel.
This patent grant is currently assigned to THE United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy. Invention is credited to Donald E. Reed.
United States Patent |
3,573,792 |
Reed |
April 6, 1971 |
UNIVERSAL DISPLAY PANEL
Abstract
A programmable, lighted display panel device is disclosed
comprising a trlucent panel, individual areas of which can be
back-lighted according to programmed circuitry including stepping
switch means responsive alternatively to pushbutton selection
switch means or single step switch means to control illumination of
the pushbuttons and to control a program switch which, together
with a wiring patch board, effect energization of predetermined
groups of panel illuminating lamps. The circuitry includes means
for regulating lamp brightness, for preventing lamp flicker during
stepping, and for preventing undue inrush current through
lamp-controlling contacts.
Inventors: |
Reed; Donald E. (Winter Park,
FL) |
Assignee: |
THE United States of America as
represented by the Secretary of the Navy (N/A)
|
Family
ID: |
25103270 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/775,082 |
Filed: |
November 12, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/55; 340/331;
340/815.48; 40/573 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F
13/04 (20130101); G09F 13/0427 (20210501); G09F
13/0409 (20130101); G09F 13/045 (20210501); G09F
13/0454 (20210501) |
Current International
Class: |
G09F
13/04 (20060101); G09f 013/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/225,338,339,164,325
;40/132 (X)/ ;40/106.52 ;35/(Inquired) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Habecker; Thomas B.
Assistant Examiner: Trafton; David L.
Claims
I claim:
1. A programmable display panel device comprising:
a panel of light-transmitting material having front and rear
surfaces;
wall means extending from said rear surface and defining a
plurality of cubicles;
a plurality of panel-illuminating lamps, one of said lamps being
mounted in each of said cubicles so as to illuminate the area of
said panel associated therewith when energized;
a source of lamp-energizing voltage;
program switch means connected to said source of lamp-energizing
voltage and comprising program switch contactor means, a plurality
of program switch contacts, and program switch solenoid means
energizable to move said contactor means between said program
switch contacts;
electrical connector means electrically connecting predetermined
ones of said lamps to predetermined ones of said program switch
contacts for energization in accordance with the position of said
contactor means;
selector switch means including control means having a plurality of
control positions and comprising a plurality of sets of normally
closed contacts, one set being operable to an open condition for
each of said control positions;
stepping switch means comprising stepping switch contactor means, a
plurality of stepping switch contacts, stepping switch solenoid
means energizeable to move said stepping switch contactor means
between positions engaging said stepping switch contacts,
self-stepping contacts operative by said stepping switch solenoid
means; and
said stepping switch solenoid means being connected to said sets of
normally closed contacts of said selector switch means and said
program switch solenoid means being connected to said stepping
switch contacts, whereby operation of said selector switch to a
selected one of said control positions will open a corresponding
one of said normally closed sets of contacts and close any
previously opened sets thereof to energize said stepping switch
solenoid to step said stepping switch contactor until it stops on
the stepping switch contacts corresponding in position to the
opened one of said sets of normally closed contacts, and stepping
of said stepping switch contactor will energize said program switch
solenoid to step said program switch contactor to a corresponding
position with respect to said program switch contacts so as to
energize predetermined panel-illuminating lamps corresponding to
said selected one of said control positions.
2. A programmable display panel device as defined in claim 1, and
wherein:
said electrical connector means comprises patch board means
including first socket means connected to each of said
panel-illuminating lamps, second socket means connected to said
program switch contacts, and a plurality of bus means; and
patch cord means for selectively electrically connecting said first
and second socket means to said bus means.
3. A programmable display panel device as defined in claim 1, and
wherein said selector switch control means comprises a plurality of
pushbuttons corresponding in number to said control positions, each
of said sets of normally closed contacts being operable to an open
condition by actuation of one of said pushbuttons.
4. A programmable display panel device as defined in claim 3, and
wherein:
said selector switch means includes a plurality of indicator lamps
each associated with one of said pushbuttons; and
said stepping switch contacts including a plurality of indicator
lamp energizing contacts each connected to one of said indicator
lamps, and said stepping switch contactor means including a
contactor operative to connect said source of lamp voltage to the
indicator lamp corresponding to said selected one of said operative
positions of said selector switch means.
5. A programmable display panel device as defined in claim 2, and
wherein said selector switch control means comprises a plurality of
pushbuttons corresponding in number to said control positions, each
of said sets of normaLly closed contacts being operable to an open
condition by actuation of one of said pushbuttons.
6. A programmable display panel device as defined in claim 5, and
wherein:
said selector switch means includes a plurality of indicator lamps
each associated with one of said pushbuttons;
said stepping switch contacts including a plurality of indicator
lamp energizing contacts each connected to one of said indicator
lamps, and said stepping switch contactor means including a
contactor operative to connect said source of lamp voltage to the
indicator lamp corresponding to said selected one of said operative
positions of said selector switch means.
7. A programmable display panel device as defined in claim 6, and
wherein said lamp voltage supply means comprises adjustable means
for varying the maximum value of said voltage to select the
brightness of said lamps, and means for reducing said voltage to
zero during stepping of said program switch means to eliminate
flicker of said panel lamps.
8. A programmable display panel device as defined in claim 7, and
wherein said lamp voltage supply means comprises means for limiting
the rate at which said voltage reaches said maximum voltage when
said program switch means stops at a position corresponding to a
position selected by said selector switch means.
9. A programmable display panel device as defined in claim 8, and
further comprising:
a mode-selecting switch operative between a pushbutton mode
position and a single step mode position, and operative in the
latter position to interrupt current flow through any of said sets
of contacts of said selector switch means; and
a single step control switch operative to advance said stepping
switch a single step for each actuation of said single step control
switch.
10. A programmable display panel device as defined in claim 2, and
further comprising:
a plurality of additional switch means each mounted in one of said
cubicles;
said additional switch means each being connected between the side
of the corresponding panel-illuminating lamp which is connected to
said patch board means and said source of lamp energizing
voltage;
said additional switch means each being normally open; and
said additional switch means each being individually operable from
said front side of said panel to a closed position whereby the
associated panel lamps can be selectively energized irrespective of
the operative position of said program switch.
11. A programmable display panel device as defined in claim 10, and
further comprising:
frame means supporting said panel;
overlay means supported by said frame means in superimposed
relation to said panel; and
said frame comprising storage means for other overlay means.
12. A programmable display as defined in claim 11, and comprising
means for operating said additional switch means to their closed
positions through said overlay means when one of said overlay means
is in said superimposed relation.
Description
The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or
for the Government of the United States of America for governmental
purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or
therefor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to lighted display or instructional panels
and more particularly to such panels wherein predetermined areas of
a chart or diagram thereon may be illuminated in a selected
sequence in order to assist in focusing the attention of a viewer
on those areas, for example, during classroom instruction. Various
forms of sequentially lighted panels have been utilized heretofore
either for instructional aids or advertising purposes. These have
generally been confined to two types, one wherein the program is
controlled by selectively manually actuating switches which control
energization of desired areas of a panel, and the other wherein a
timer-motor-driven switch or a manually operated switch causes the
sequential lighting of areas in a fixed, predetermined
sequence.
The former requires a great deal of concentration on the part of
the instructor who must find and operate the proper switch at the
proper time to carry forth the lighting sequence which corresponds
to his presentation, while the latter type is limited to a fixed,
predetermined sequence which is difficult and costly to have
programmed.
Each of the prior art devices lacks a convenient means whereby the
instructor or individual students may participate by modifying the
sequence of illumination at any desired time, for example, to
illuminate an area, either out of sequence or which is not in the
predetermined sequence, as an aid to illustrating a question or
answer or other point of discussion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the foregoing in mind, it is a principal object of this
invention to provide an improved display device of the type wherein
areas of a panel may be lighted in accordance with a predetermined
program or sequence whereby portions of diagrams, charts, or the
like on the panel are illuminated in a desired sequence, for
example to accompany the progress of a verbal presentation by a
classroom instructor, and which display device may be conveniently
programmed by the instructor or other user without special tools,
equipment or extensive training.
Another object of this invention is the provision of a back-lighted
display device of the foregoing type comprising a translucent panel
which is divided into a substantial number of individually
lightable areas by an "egg crate" structure on the back side
thereof, there being a small lamp provided in each compartment
thereof, and electrical switch means for energizing the lamps
individually or in predetermined groups under the control of the
instructor or operator.
A further object of this invention is the provision of novel
control circuitry including pushbuttons for selecting the
particular configuration of display lamps to be lighted, the
pushbuttons including indicator lamps which are energized to
indicate which of a number of configurations is being
displayed.
Yet another object is the provision of a remote control switch for
advancing the program irrespective of the pushbuttons, but which
actuates circuitry to illuminate the pushbutton corresponding to
the display selected by the remote control switch.
Still another object of this invention is the provision of a
display device of the foregoing character and further comprising
means whereby a student can effect illumination of a particular
selected area of the panel without otherwise disturbing the display
configuration then illuminated.
The invention may be further said to reside in certain
constructions and combinations of parts which will become apparent
from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof
when read in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings
forming a part of this specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a back-lighted universal
display device embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the device
of FIG. 1, with parts broken away;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
FIGS. 4a and 4b are schematic illustrations of control circuitry of
the device of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of a program plug board.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings and
described hereinafter, there is provided a display device 10
comprising a generally rectangular frame 12 which is conveniently
formed of wood and includes top and bottom walls 14 and 16, end
walls 18 and 20, and a narrow, front wall 22 adjacent the end wall
18. A rectangular, translucent panel 26 is supported in the frame
12, the panel 26 being preferably formed of a relatively rigid
plastic sheet material.
Below the panel 26 are access doors 28 and 30 behind which are
respectively located electrical circuit components and program
switch drum and patch board storage compartments. The frame 12 is
conveniently adjustably mounted on supports 32 which permit
variations in height of the device 10.
Mounted on the front wall 22 are various controls for operation of
the device 10, which controls include an array of pushbuttons 36,
off and on switches 38, 40, a brightness control 42, a mode select
switch 43, and a single step switch 44. A remote single step switch
46 is provided at the end of a suitable electrical cable 48 which
has a plug received in a jack on the end wall 18. This remote
stepping switch permits an instructor to advance the illumination
program from various positions in the classroom.
Congruently mounted over the panel 26 is an overlay panel 50 on
which there has been drawn a diagram or the like, portions of which
are to be illuminated during a classroom lecture, for example.
Thus, there is illustrated on the overlay panel 50 a series of
representative diagram blocks A, B, and C which are to be
illuminated in sequence as the instructor progresses with his
presentation. Extra overlay panels 50' are adapted to be stored at
the rear of the device 10 by sliding in grooves 52 as shown.
As is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, there are provided on the
rear side of the panel 26 an "egg crate" type of structure
comprising intersecting horizontal walls 54 and vertical walls 56.
The walls 54, 56 define cells or cubicles or components 58, which,
in the present example, divide the panel 26 into square areas of
about 2 inches on each side. Thus, with a panel 26 of about 4 feet
high by 7 feet long, there are 966 panel areas, each associated
with a cubicle 58.
The cubicles 58 are closed at the rear by a panel 60 which provides
support for lamp sockets 62, one for each cubicle. Alternatively,
the panel 60 may be omitted and the lamp sockets 62 mounted on the
walls 54 or 56. The lamp sockets 62 each contain a lamp 64 having a
reflector 66 which may or may not be integral with the lamp.
Energization of any one such lamp 64 will effect transmission of
light by the area of the translucent panel 26 served by the cubicle
containing the energized lamp.
Also mounted in each cubicle, preferably in an upper corner
thereof, is a socket or jack-type switch 70 which has an opening
aligned with an opening 72 in the panel 26 and with an opening 74
in an overlay panel 50. The aligned openings 72, 74 permit a plug
76 to be inserted into the switch 70 which is thereby actuated to
energize the associated lamp 64, as well as others in some
circumstances, all as will be explained in greater detail as this
specification proceeds.
Referring now to the schematic illustration of FIGS. 4a and 4b,
four of the 60 pushbuttons 36 of the preferred embodiment are
shown, namely buttons 1, 2, 3, and 60. The pushbuttons 36 each
comprise a button-illuminating lamp 74 and normally closed contacts
76. When a pushbutton 36 is pushed, the contacts 76 thereof are
actuated to an open condition. The buttons 36 are interlocked, as
indicated by dotted lines 78, so that pushing of any one button to
a latched-in position will cause any previously latched button to
pop out to its normal position. This interlocking may be effected
entirely mechanically or mechanically within each row and by
solenoid from one row to the next, all as is well understood by
those skilled in the art of pushbutton switches.
The pushbuttons 36 serve to control operation of a solenoid
operated stepping switch 80 which in turn controls operation of a
solenoid-operated program switch 82 to ultimately effect
energization of certain ones of the panel area illuminating lamps
64 predetermined by a removable patch board 84 later described in
more detail. The stepping switch 80 and the program switch 82 are
conveniently of the rotary type although they are schematically
illustrated in FIG. 4a in a linear manner for convenience.
The stepping switch 80 comprises a solenoid 86 which is linked to
contactors 88, 90, and 92 which are moved in unison in step-by-step
fashion by energization of the solenoid 86 so as to cooperate with
three sets of contacts 94, 96, and 98, each corresponding in number
to the number of pushbuttons 36. The solenoid 86 is also linked to
interrupter contacts 100 which causes the stepping switch 80 to
repeatedly self-step as long as power is applied to input
conductors 102 and 104 thereof.
The contacts 94 serve to control energization of the lamps 74 so
that the pushbuttons 36 will be lighted and extinguished
sequentially as the device 10 is put through its program. To this
end, a lamp power supply 110 is provided which is connected to
receive conventional 115 volt AC electric current from power lines
L1 and L2, and provides across lines 112 and 114 a voltage suitable
for energizing lamps 64 and 74. This voltage is preferably on the
order of 12 volts DC, and can be regulated to some extent by the
knob 42 of a brightness control 116.
The lamp supply voltage is applied via line 112 to each of the
lamps 74 which are connected by lines 118 to the individual
contacts 94 of the stepping switch 80. Accordingly, the lamp 74
corresponding to the position of the stepping switch 80 will be
energized. In the condition illustrated in FIG. 4a, wherein the
second pushbutton 36 is latched-in, a circuit may be traced from
the lamp power supply 110 through line 112, the lamp 74 of the
second pushbutton, the line 118, contacts 94, the contactor 88, a
line 120, and line 114 to the lamp power supply.
The program switch 82 operates as a slave to the stepping switch 80
and comprises a solenoid 124 which is linked to a contactor 126.
The contactor 126, which is conveniently in the form of a removable
drum (not shown) of a well-known construction, is adapted to be
stepped to effect closure of a plurality of contacts 128
corresponding to the 60 pushbuttons 36. The solenoid 124 is also
linked to interrupter contacts 130 which serve to prevent the
stepping switch 80 from operating at a rate different from the
program switch. The contacts 130 are connected by the line 104 to
the interrupter contacts 100 of the stepping switch 80, and by line
134 to each of the contacts 96 of the stepping switch.
The program switch solenoid 124 is connected by line 134 to the
power line L1, and by line 138 to one side of each of the contacts
98 of the stepping switch 80. The other sides of the contacts 98
are connected by line 140 to the power line L2.
Now, when a different pushbutton 36 is pushed, such as the third
button, the contacts 76 thereof will be opened, and the contacts 76
of the second pushbutton will close. Closing of the latter contacts
76 completes a circuit which may be traced from the power line L1
through line 102, solenoid 86, interrupter contacts 100, line 104,
contacts 130, line 134, contacts 96 and 90, a line 142, the now
closed contacts 76 of the second pushbutton, a line 144, a mode
selecting switch 43, and a line 148 to the power line L2.
Energization of the solenoid 86 by the just-traced circuit will
effect movement of the contactors 88, 90, and 92 to positions
corresponding to the third pushbutton where the solenoid 86 will
remain deenergized because of the open contacts 76 at the third
pushbutton. This movement of the contactors will effect
deenergization of the lamp 74 in the second pushbutton and effect
energization of the lamp in the third pushbutton. Also, the
contactor 92 will effect energization of the solenoid 124 advancing
the contactor 126 to the position of contacts 128 corresponding to
the third pushbutton.
If some pushbutton beyond the third had been pushed, the contacts
76 of all buttons except the one pushed would be closed, and the
self-stepping or interrupter contacts 100 would have caused the
solenoid 86 to repeatedly step until the contactor 96 came to the
position corresponding to the pushbutton which was pushed and
therefore has open contacts 76. Moreover, the program switch 82
would be stepped upon each arrival of the contactor 92 at a set of
contacts 98. Thus, it will be seen that when the mode selecting
switch 43 is in the "auto" position, the switches 80 and 82 will
always step to the position selected by pushing one of the
pushbuttons 36.
The position of the contactor 126 of the program switch 82,
together with patch wiring on the patch board 84, determines which
one or ones of the lamps 64 will be energized at any time. The
patch board 84 comprises a series of jacks 160, each of which is
connected by a conductor 162 to one of the contacts 128 of the
program switch 82. Thus, there is a patch board jack 160 to each of
the 60 positions of the stepping switch 80 and program switch
82.
The patch board further comprises a plurality of shorting buses
164, each of which is provided with a plurality of interconnected
jacks 166. These shorting buses may number as many as the number of
pushbutton switches, although a lesser number may suffice. In
addition, the patch board comprises a plurality of jacks 168, one
for each of the lamps 64 which, as has been mentioned earlier,
number 966 in the preferred embodiment. Each patch board jack 168
is connected by a conductor 170 to one side of a corresponding one
of the 966 lamps 64. The other side of each lamp 64 is connected to
a conductor 172 which is connected to the lamp power supply 110
output line 112.
The individual buses 164 are adapted to be connected to selected
contacts 128 of the program switch 82 by means of conductive patch
cords 176 having suitable plugs at opposite ends for engagement in
the jacks 160 and 166. The individual lamps 64 which are to be
energized for any given position of the contactor 126 of the
program switch 82 are effectively connected to the appropriate bus
164 by means of patch cords 178 between the jacks 166 and 168.
Thus, the three lamps 64 in the group designated A are all
electrically connected through the patch board 84 and associated
patch cords to the contacts 128 of the program switch 82
corresponding to the first pushbutton 36. The two lamps 64 in the
group designated B are both electrically connected through the
patch board 84 to the contacts 128 corresponding to the second
pushbutton 36. Likewise, the two lamps 64 of the group C are
connected to the contacts 128 corresponding to the third
pushbutton. Similarly, other groups of lamps 64 may be connected
through the patch board 84 to contacts of the program switch 82
corresponding to others of the pushbuttons in accordance with a
predetermined program and overlay 50.
With the second pushbutton 36 in its illustrated latched-in
condition and the contactor 126 in its illustrated position, the
lamps 64 of the group B will be energized as well as the lamp 74 of
the second pushbutton. If the third pushbutton is then depressed,
the contactor 126 will move to the third set of contacts 128,
deenergizing the lamps of the group B and energizing the lamps of
the group C (as well as the lamp 74 of the third pushbutton).
The patch board 84 is preferably removable and may be replaced by
substitute patch boards which have been prepared with patch cords
to provide desired programs corresponding to the other overlays
50'.
The device 10 comprises circuitry in association with the lamp
power supply 110 to permit manual selection of the brightness of
the display, to prevent damage to switch contacts because of inrush
current when a substantial number of lamps 64 are to be energized
at once, and to prevent flicker or flashing of the lamps when the
program switch 82 is stepped through a number of positions before
coming to rest in a selected position. To these ends, the lamp
power supply must have a remote program capability. Accordingly,
the output line 112 is connected internally of the supply to a
resistor 190 which is connected in series with a conductor 192, a
resistor 194, a variable resistor 196 of the brightness control
116, and a conductor 198 which is connected internally of the power
lamp supply to the line 114. A capacitor 200 is connected between
the lines 192 and 198, and contacts 204 of an antiflicker relay 206
are connected in parallel with the capacitor 200. The relay 206
comprises a solenoid 208 which is connected on one side by a line
210 to power line L1, and on the other side by a line 212 and line
104 to the interrupter contacts 130 operated by solenoid 124 of the
program switch 82.
When the output voltage across lines 112, 114 is to be zero, the
contacts 204 are closed, effectively shorting the lines 112, 114.
When the contacts 204 open, the capacitor 200 will be charged
through resistor 190 over a period of 100 to 300 milliseconds, and
the output voltage across lines 112, 114 will increase at the same
rate as the capacitor charges. The settings of the variable
resistor 196 will determine the maximum output voltage across lines
112, 114.
It will be noted that the contacts 204 of relay 206 will be closed
when the stepping switch 80 passes through positions wherein the
pushbutton contacts 76 are closed. When the stepping switch
contactor 90 arrives at a position having a "missing ground," that
is, where contacts 76 are open, the self-stepping action ceases and
contacts 204 will open permitting the selected lamps 64 to be
energized with a voltage which increases at a rate determined by
resistor 190 and capacitor 200 to a maximum determined by resistor
196.
At times it is desirable to advance the program in a single step
manner without use of the pushbuttons 36, for example, through the
use of the earlier mentioned remote switch 46. To this end, the
cable 48 comprises conductors 220, 222 connected to lines L2 and
104 respectively. When it is desired to operate in the single step
manner without use of the pushbuttons, the mode switch 146 is moved
to its open, dotted line position. Thereafter, momentary closing of
the remote switch 46 will cause the stepping switch 80 and program
switch 82 to advance one position irrespective of the condition of
the pushbuttons 36. It will be noted, however, that the pushbutton
lamp 74 corresponding to the actual position of the stepping switch
80 and program switch 82 will be energized, thereby always
providing the proper indication of what step in the program is
being displayed by the lamps 64.
The single step 44 mounted on the front of the device 10 is
connected in parallel with the switch 46 to permit single stepping
of the program without the remote switch 46, if desired.
When student participation is desired, for example, where an
instructor calls upon a student to point out a particular element,
say area C, to the class, the student may illuminate that area, or
any other, by inserting the plug 76 into one of the holes 74 in the
overlay within that area. This will close the switch 70 associated
with one of the lamps 64 in the area selected and a circuit may be
traced from the power supply 110 through conductor 112, conductor
172, the lamp 64 associated with the switch 70, a conductor 226, a
conductor 228, and conductor 114 to the power supply. Because each
of the lamps 64 of an area, such as area A, have the side connected
to the respective switches 70 also connected together through the
associated bus 164, all of the lamps 64 will be energized in any
area in which one of the switches 70 is closed.
From the foregoing detailed description of a presently preferred
embodiment of the invention, it will be appreciated that the device
10 has accomplished all of the previously stated objects and
advantages, as well as others apparent from this description. Of
course it will also be appreciated that the described preferred
embodiment is given by way of example only.
* * * * *