U.S. patent number 3,805,049 [Application Number 05/255,789] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-16 for color pattern generator.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Bruce Allen Frank. Invention is credited to James C. Ahlstrom, Bruce Allen Frank, John Arlington Miles.
United States Patent |
3,805,049 |
Frank , et al. |
April 16, 1974 |
COLOR PATTERN GENERATOR
Abstract
The apparatus produces varying color patterns on an object and
comprises a plurality of color producing units connected together
in assemblage. Each unit comprises a curved surface which supports
a blue, a red, and a green light source. An object is supported a
preselected distance from the assemblage by an associated support
device. A control device connected to the light sources is adapted
to selectively vary the intensity of the light sources of each one
of the plurality of color producing units to obtain color
patterns.
Inventors: |
Frank; Bruce Allen (Ithaca,
NY), Miles; John Arlington (Demarest, NJ), Ahlstrom;
James C. (Ithaca, NY) |
Assignee: |
Frank; Bruce Allen (Ithaca,
NY)
|
Family
ID: |
22969869 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/255,789 |
Filed: |
May 22, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/444; 40/573;
40/581; 40/902; 362/231; 362/811; G9B/7.062 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B
7/09 (20130101); G09F 19/20 (20130101); Y10S
40/902 (20130101); Y10S 362/811 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09F
19/20 (20060101); G09F 19/12 (20060101); G11B
7/09 (20060101); A47g 033/16 (); F21p 001/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;240/2L,41.35A,41.35B,78D,41.25,10 ;355/70,113,115
;40/13R,13L,13W,132R,132C,132E |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Sheer; Richard M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wolder & Gross
Claims
1. Apparatus for producing varying color patterns on an object
comprising at least a curved support having a preselected radius of
curvature, light source means comprising at least first and second
different colored light sources mounted on said support and each
having a central axis lying along the radii of curvature of the
surface of the support, object support means positioned in a plane
containing the center of curvature of said curved surface, and
control means connected to said first and second light sources for
selectively varying the intensity of said first and second
2. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said light source means
comprises a first, a second and a third monochromatic light source
wherein each of said first, second and third monochromatic light
sources is a different
3. Apparatus as in claim 2, in which said first monochromatic light
source is a red light, said second monochromatic light source is a
green light
4. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said curved surface is a
portion of a
5. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said control means includes
frequency varying means for selectively and individually varying
the frequency of
6. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said control means comprises a
signal input means for receiving a multi-frequency signal, separate
intensity varying means for varying the respective intensity of
said first and second light sources, and separate filter means
between said signal input means and each intensity varying means
for respectively passing predetermined frequencies to the
associated intensity varying means to
7. Apparatus for producing varying color patterns on an object
comprising a plurality of color producing units connected together
to form an assemblage; each of said plurality of color producing
units comprising a curved surface having a preselected radius of
curvature, a first, second and third light source mounted on said
curved surface and each having a central axis lying along the
radius of curvature of said surface wherein each light source is a
different color; object supporting means positioned at the plane
containing the center of curvature of said curved surfaces in
spaced relationship from said assemblage for supporting the object
to be illuminated; and control means for selectively varying the
intensity of each one of said first, second and third light source
of each one of said
8. Apparatus as in claim 7, in which said apparatus comprises a
housing having a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and opposed
side walls, said assemblage forming said rear wall and a front
opening adapted to receive
9. Apparatus as in claim 8, in which said assemblage is
substantially planar, said curved surfaces being formed by a
portion of a sphere having a preselected radius of curvature, and
said object support means is connected to at least one of said
walls of said housing and positioned at
10. Apparatus as in claim 9, in which each of said first, second
and third light source has a central axis; means for mounting said
first, second and third light source on the respective curved
surface whereby the central axis of said first, second and third
light sources intersect at the center
11. Apparatus as in claim 10, and cooling means in said housing for
cooling
12. Apparatus as in claim 7, in which said control means comprises
first intensity means for controlling the intensity of said first
light sources in said assemblage, second intensity means for
controlling the intensity of said second light sources in said
assemblage, and third intensity means for controlling the intensity
of said third light sources in said
13. Apparatus as in claim 12, in which said first, second and third
intensity means are responsive to respective pulses for varying the
intensity of the associated light source in response to the
frequency of said pulses; and respective pulse means connected to
said first, second and third intensity means each having
selectively variable pulse
14. Apparatus as in claim 12, in which said first light source is a
high frequency light source, said second light source is an
intermediate frequency light source, and said third light source is
a low frequency light source, first filter means for applying a
high frequency signal to said first intensity means to control the
operation thereof, second filter means for applying an intermediate
frequency signal to said second intensity means to control the
operation thereof, and third filter means for applying a low
frequency signal to said third intensity means to
15. Apparatus as in claim 12, in which said first, second and third
intensity means are responsive to light signals for controlling the
intensity of the associated light sources in proportion to the
intensity of the light signal applied thereto, and means for
selectively and individually applying light signals to said first,
second and third intensity means.
Description
This invention relates generally to an apparatus for producing
varying color patterns on an object and, more particularly,
pertains to an apparatus for varying the color patterns on a
translucent object or the like to enhance the value of the same as
an art form.
In the past, many attempts have been made to enhance an art form or
object in such a manner that the result will be aesthetically
pleasing as well as interesting to the viewer. Some of the earlier
attempts have resulted in devices wherein different colored lights
where moved relative to the object to produce varying color
patterns. Other devices have included the use of flexible
reflecting material from which colored lights were reflected while
the material was manually or automatically flexed by an appropriate
mechanism. However, all of these prior attempts to obtain what may
be referred to as a color pattern generator had many drawbacks
associated with their use.
For example, in those devices where the lights executed a
repetitious motion the color patterns were simply repeated on a
cyclical basis. As a result, the viewer lost interest shortly in
the device and the aesthetic value of the device was minimal. On
the other hand, the devices of the type which used continuously
flexible material produced randomly varying patterns. However, this
produced a problem in and of itself because the viewer had no
control whatsoever over the patterns produced.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an
improved color pattern generator.
A more specific object of this aspect of the invention is to
provide a color pattern generator which produces both aesthetically
pleasing and continuously interesting color patterns on an object
of an art form.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a color pattern
generator wherein the colors may be modulated in a desired
manner.
A further object of the invention resides in the novel details of
construction which provide a color pattern generator of the type
described wherein the patterns produced thereby may be controlled
in a desired manner.
Accordingly, a color pattern generator produced in accordance with
the present invention comprises at least a curved support having a
preselected radius of curvature. Light source means comprising at
least first and second different colored light sources are mounted
on the support with their central axes lying along radii of
curvature. Object support means is placed in spaced relationship
from the curved support and is adapted to support the object to be
illuminated. Control means is provided which is connected to the
first and second light sources for selectively varying the first
and second light sources to produce the varying color patterns.
A feature of the present invention is to provide a color pattern
generator wherein colors in an object are modulated without
changing the composition or form of the object.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become
more apparent from a consideration of the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a color pattern generator
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view, to an enlarged scale, of the light
sources in a color unit of the generator shown in FIG. 1,
illustrating the light pattern produced by the unit;
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view, to an enlarged scale, of a
color unit shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the light pattern
appearing on the object;
FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit wiring diagram for controlling two of
the light sources;
FIG. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating a portion of the
control circuit for the third light source in a color unit; and
FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a key-operated device which
may be used to control the circuits shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
A color pattern generator constructed according to the present
invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10 in
FIGS. 1 and 2 and includes an enclosure 12 having a rear wall 14, a
top wall 16, a bottom wall 18, and opposed side walls 20. The walls
16, 18 and 20 define a front opening 22 in which is received a
transparent sheet of material 24 (FIG. 2). Similar sheet 26 is
spaced beyond the sheet 24. The sheets 24 and 26 extend beyond the
side walls 20 and define a slot 28 therebetween which is adapted to
receive an art form or an object upon which the varying color
patterns produced by the generator of the present invention will be
projected. The sheets 24 and 26 may be composed of any type of
material which will pass light.
The rear wall 14 comprises a plurality of color producing units,
each one of which is designated generally by the reference numeral
30. As shown in FIG. 1, nine such color units 30 are provided in a
3 .times. 3 matrix. However, this is for illustrative purposes only
and is not to be interpreted as being a limitation on the present
invention. That is, the present invention contemplates that each
color producing unit 30 may be fabricated independently of any
other color producing unit and may be connected thereto by
appropriate brackets (not shown in the drawings). Since all of the
units 30 are identical in construction, only one unit will be
described in detail.
A color producing unit 30 as shown in FIG. 1, is generally in the
shape of a square. However, the interior supporting surface 32
(FIG. 3) of the unit 30 is curved and has a radius of curvature
such that the curved support surface 32 forms a portion of a sphere
with the center of curvature of the spherical surface being located
at point 34. Mounted on the support surface 30 by any conventional
means are three light sources respectively designated 36, 38 and
40. The light sources are mounted with respect to the curved
support surface 32 such that their central axes are perpendicular
to a tangent to the spherical surface at the point of connection.
In other words, as shown schematically in FIG. 3, the central axes
42, 44 and 46 of the respective light sources 36-40 lie along radii
of the curved surface or support 32 and intersect at the center of
curvature 34.
As schematically shown in FIG. 3, the slot 28 which receives the
object upon which the varying color patterns are projected lies in
the plane of the center of curvature of the surface 32.
Accordingly, each one of the light sources 36-40 will produce a
light pattern at the slot 28 which overlaps the light pattern of
the other light sources associated with the particular unit so that
the light pattern produced by any one color producing unit 30 will
be circular as shown by the dash lines 48 in FIG. 4. It is to be
emphasized that FIG. 3 is only a schematic representation of the
arrangement of the light sources and the curved surface to
illustrate how the light pattern is formed. In practice, the light
sources will be grouped as triads as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.
Ideally, the light sources 36-40 are different colored lamps which,
in combination, may be operated upon to produce varying colored
circles 48 of light on the object received within the slot 28. More
specifically, the light sources 36-40 are monochromatic sources of
light. The light source 36 is a red light source; the light source
38 is a green light source; and, the light source 40 is a blue
light source. A control unit designated generally by the reference
numeral 50 in FIG. 2 is connected to the light sources in each of
the color producing units 30 by a cable 52. As noted in greater
detail below, the control unit 50 is adapted to vary the intensity
of the individual light sources in each unit thereby to produce the
varying color patterns on the object.
In other words, the color of the circle of light 48 projected on
the object will be dependent upon the contribution made by each one
of the light sources. For example, if only the red light source 36
in a unit is energized, the color produced by that particular unit
will be red. On the other hand, if the green and blue lamps are
energized equally, a different color will result. Therefore, the
ultimate color projected on the object may be controlled by
controlling the intensity of the light sources 36-40 in the same
manner that the color is reproduced on a color television set by
controlling the intensity of the color triads red, green and blue
on the face of a television tube.
While the intensity of the light sources 36-40 may be controlled in
any manner, the control unit 50 is adapted to control the
intensities of the respective light sources from a multi-frequency
source wherein the low frequency signals control the intensity of
the red light source 36, the intermediate frequency signals control
the intensity of the green light source 38 and the high frequency
signals control the intensity of the blue light source 40.
Alternatively, the intensity of the light sources may be controlled
by a pulse generator so that both the intensity and repetition rate
of the light sources may be selectively controlled. As another
alternative, the intensity of the light sources may be controlled
by an external key-operated device similar to piano keys wherein
the length of travel of a depressed key produces a corresponding
change in intensity in the light source.
FIG. 5 illustrates the portion of the control unit 50 which
controls the illumination intensity of the red light source 36. The
control circuitry for the green light source 38 is identical to
that shown in FIG. 5 with the exception noted below. In a like
manner, the control circuit for the blue light sources 40 is
substantially similar; however, the differences are shown in FIG.
6.
Accordingly, a pair of input terminals 54 are provided which are
adapted to be connected to a conventional AC source of potential.
Connected across the input terminals 54 through a series circuit
comprising a single-pole single-throw on-off switch 56 and a fuse
58 is a full wave bridge rectifier 60. Connected in parallel with
the rectifier 60 is a pilot lamp 62 which is adapted to be
illuminated when the switch 56 is closed to indicate that the
control unit is operating. The positive terminal of the rectifier
60 is connected to one side of all the lamps 36 in the pattern
generator 10 via a lead 64. The lamps 36 are divided into two
groups. As shown in FIG. 1, nine color producing units 30 are
provided. Accordingly, four of the lamps 36 are connected to a lead
66 through a silicon controlled rectifier or SCR 68. The other five
light sources 36 are connected to the lead 66 through an SCR 70.
The lead 66 is connected to the negative output terminal of the
bridge rectifier 60. Thus, the group of light sources 36 connected
to the SCR 68 will be illuminated when the SCR 68 is fired whereas
the group of lamps 36 connected to the SCR 70 will be illuminated
when the SCR 70 is fired. Essentially, the conduction cycle of the
SCR 68 and SCR 70 are controlled in a preselected manner thereby to
control the intensity of the lamps 36. The lead 64 is connected to
the lead 66 through a series circuit comprising a resistor 72, the
resistance of a potentiometer 74, a resistor 76, and a capacitor
78. The sliding arm of the potentiometer 74 is connected to the
second base of a unijunction transistor 80 through a resistor 82.
Base 1 of the transistor 80 is connected to the lead 66 through a
resistor 84 and to the gate electrode of the SCR 68 by a lead
86.
The emitter electrode of the transistor 80 is connected to the
collector electrode of a transistor 88. The emitter electrode of
the transistor 88 is connected to a lead 90 through a resistor 92.
The base electrode of the transistor 88 is connected to one
terminal of the secondary winding of an audio transformer 94
through a diode 96 by a lead 98. The diode 96 is polarized so that
the anode electrode thereof is connected to the base of the
transistor 88. The other terminal of the secondary winding of the
transformer 94 is connected to the lead 90. Connected in parallel
with the secondary winding of the transformer 94 is a capacitor
100. One end of the primary winding of the transformer 94 is
connected to one end of a potentiometer 102. The other end of the
primary winding of the transformer is connected to the sliding arm
of the potentiometer 102. The potentiometer 102 is connected to a
pair of input terminals 104 which are adapted to be connected to a
multi-frequency source of a signal such as a phonograph or the
like.
The capacitor 100 together with the secondary winding of the
transformer 94 form a filter which, in the case of the light
sources 36 form a resonant filter so that only the frequencies at
the low end of the spectrum from the multi-frequency source are
passed to the succeeding circuitry. The circuitry for controlling
the intensity of the green light sources 38 is identical to that
shown in FIG. 5 with the exception that the value of the capacitor
100 is changed so that the capacitor 100 and the secondary winding
of the transformer form a filter which only passes intermediate
frequencies. Therefore, the intermediate frequencies of the
multi-frequency signal will control the intensity of the green
light source 38. The base of the transistor 88 is also connected to
the lead 90 via a capacitor 106 and a resistor 108. Additionally, a
series circuit comprising a diode 110 and a capacitor 112 is
connected between the leads 98 and 90. The diode 100 is polarized
so that the anode electrode thereof is connected to the base of the
transistor 88. The junction of the capacitor 112 and the diode 110
is connected by a lead 114 to the lead 66 through a series circuit
comprising a resistor 300 and a photoresistor 116. The lead 114 is
connected to the lead 90 through a resistor 118.
A diode 120 connects the junction of the resistor 72 and the
resistance of the potentiometer 74 to the lead 90. The diode is
polarized so that the cathode electrode thereof is connected to the
lead 90. Additionally, a capacitor 122 is connected between the
leads 66 and 90. Additionally, a zener diode 132 connects the
junction of the resistor 72 and the potentiometer 74 to the lead
66. The diode 132 is polarized so that the anode electrode thereof
is connected to lead 66. The diode 120 provides a constant bias on
the lead 90 while the capacitor 122 functions as a filter
capacitor.
The circuit thus far described controls the firing of the SCR 68
and thereby controls the intensity of the group of light sources 36
connected thereto. Similar circuitry is provided to control the
group of light sources 36 connected to the SCR 70. More
specifically, the gate electrode of the SCR 70 is connected by a
lead 124 to base 1 of a unijunction transistor 126. Base 1 of the
transistor 126 is also connected to the lead 66 through a resistor
128. Base 2 of the transistor 126 is similarly connected to the
cathode of diode 132 through a resistor 130. Additionally, the end
of the resistor 130 connected to the diode 132 is also connected to
the sliding arm of a potentiometer 134 and to one end thereof. The
other end of the potentiometer 134 is connected via a resistor 136
to the emitter electrode of the transistor 126. A capacitor 140
connects the emitter of the transistor 126 to a lead 142. The lead
142 is also connected to the lead 66.
The emitter electrode of the unijunction transistor 126 is
connected to the collector electrode of a transistor 144 via a lead
146. The emitter electrode of the transistor 144 is connected to
the lead 90 through a resistor 148. The parallel circuit of a
capacitor 150 and a resistor 152 connect the base electrode of the
transistor 144 to the lead 90. Additionally, the base electrode of
the transistor 144 is connected to one terminal of the secondary
winding of an audio transformer 160 through a diode 162. The anode
electrode of the diode 162 is connected to the base electrode of
the transistor 144. The other terminal of the secondary winding of
the transformer 160 is connected to the lead 90 by a lead 164.
Similarly to the capacitor 100, a capacitor 166 is connected in
parallel with the secondary winding of the transformer 160 and for
the same reasons as the capacitor 100. The primary winding of the
transformer 160 is connected between the sliding arm and one end of
a potentiometer 168. A similar multi-frequency source as the one
adapted to be connected to the terminals 104 is adapted to be
connected to terminals 170 which, in turn, are connected to the
respective ends of the potentiometer 168.
Also connected between the base electrode of the transistor 144 and
the lead 90 is a series circuit comprising the diode 172 and a
capacitor 174. The diode 172 is polarized so that the anode
electrode thereof is connected to the base electrode of the
transistor 144. A lead 176 is connected to the junction of the
diode 172 and the capacitor 174. A resistor 175 connects the lead
176 to the lead 90. Additionally, a series circuit comprising a
resistor 301 and a photoresistor 178 is connected between the lead
176 and the lead 142. The lead 176 is connected to the sliding arm
of a potentiometer 180 through a diode 182, the anode electrode of
which is connected to the junction of the capacitor 174 and the
diode 172.
The resistance portion of the potentiometer 180 is connected at one
end to the lead 90 and at the other end to a resistor 182. The
other end of the resistor 182 is connected to the collector
electrode of a transistor 184, the emitter electrode of which is
connected to the lead 142. The collector electrode of the
transistor 184 is connected to the base electrode of a transistor
186 through the series circuit comprising a capacitor 188 and a
diode 190. The diode 190 is polarized so that the cathode electrode
thereof is connected to the base of the transistor 186.
Additionally, the junction of the diode 190 and the capacitor 188
is connected to the lead 90 through a resistor 192 and a
potentiometer 194, the sliding arm of which is adapted to short out
portions of the resistance section. The collector electrode of the
transistor 186 is connected to the lead 90 through a resistor 196.
Additionally, the collector electrode of the transistor 186 is
connected to the base electrode of the transistor 184 through a
resistor 198. The transistors 184 and 186 and the interconnecting
circuitry form an astable multivibrator.
The triggering of the multivibrator is controlled from a
unijunction transistor oscillator which includes the unijunction
transistor 200. Thus, base 1 of the transistor 200 is connected to
the base electrode of the transistor 184 through a resistor 202.
Additionally, base 1 of the transistor 200 is connected to the lead
142 through a resistor 204. Base 2 of the transistor 200 is
connected to the lead 90 through a resistor 206. A capacitor 208 is
connected between the lead 142 and the emitter electrode of the
transistor 200. Additionally, the emitter electrode of the
transistor 200 is connected to the lead 90 through a resistor 210
and the resistance of a potentiometer 212, the sliding arm of which
is adapted to short out various portions of the resistance.
Connected in parallel with the potentiometer 180 is a potentiometer
214, the sliding arm of which is connected via a diode 216 to the
lead 114. The diode 216 is polarized so that the anode electrode
thereof is connected to the lead 114.
In operation, the art form to be illuminated by the color pattern
generator 10 is inserted into the slot 28. Thereafter, the on-off
switch 56 is closed to energize the control unit 50. The light
sources 36-38 of each control unit may then be illuminated in any
one or more of the manners outlined below to control the intensity
of the respective light sources 36-40 in groups of twos, as noted
above.
That is, the respective potentiometers 74 and 134 are adjusted so
that the respective unijunction transistors 80 and 126 begin
conducting at a preselected point in their cycle of operation,
thereby causing the associated SCR 68 and SCR 70 to fire. The
firing of the SCR 68 and SCR 70 causes the light sources associated
therewith to illuminate. Thus, the intensity of the light sources
connected to the respective SCR's 68 and 70 will be determined by
the point at which the respective transistors 80 and 126 begin
conducting.
The point at which the transistors 80 and 126 begin conducting is
determined by the charge on the respective capacitors 78 and 140.
The charge on the capacitors 78 and 140 is determined by the
current controlled by the transistors 88 and 144. Thus, the control
signal applied to the base of the transistors 88 and 144 will
determine the rate of accumulation of charge on the capacitors 78
and 140, respectively, and thereby determine the intensity of the
lamps controlled by the SCR's.
The potential applied to the base electrodes of the transistors 88
and 144 may be derived from three different sources which may be
individually applied to the base electrodes of the transistors 88
and 144 or may be applied thereto in combination. It is to be noted
that the diodes 110, 96 and 216 isolate the respective sources from
each other as do the diodes 182, 162 and 172.
More specifically, the multi-frequency source of signals connected
to the respective terminals 104 and 170 will be applied to the base
electrodes of the transistors 88 and 144 respectively through the
respective filters formed by the secondary winding of the
transformer 94 and the capacitor 100 and the secondary winding of
the transformer 160 and the capacitor 166. These multi-frequency
signals are rectified by the respective rectifiers 96 and 162 and
are applied to the respective base electrodes of the transistors 88
and 144 thereby to operate the light sources in the manner noted
above. While the circuit shown in FIG. 5 is designed for the
passage of low frequencies to the base electrode, it is noted that
where the green light source is concerned, the filter will pass
intermediate frequencies.
Alternatively, the photoresistors 116 and 178 are normally of
substantially high resistance so that no potential will be applied
to the base electrodes of the transistors 88 and 114 through the
respective photoresistors. However, as additional light is
permitted to impinge on the photoresistors 116 and 178, the
respective resistances decrease so that a greater portion of the
potential is applied to the base electrodes of the transistors 88
and 144. Accordingly, the light falling on the photoresistors 116
and 178 will therefore control the current flow through the
respective transistors 88 and 144 thereby to control the intensity
of illumination of the two groups of light sources 36. It is to be
noted that if more light is permitted to fall on the photoresistor
116 than the photoresistor 178, the intensity of the lamps
connected to the SCR 68 will be greater than the intensity of the
lamps connected to the SCR 70 since the capacitor 78 will
accumulate charge at a greater rate than the capacitor 140.
A third source of control signals comprises the unijunction
transistor 200 which is connected as an oscillator, as noted above.
The setting of the potentiometer 212 determines the frequency of
the oscillator, in the conventional manner. Accordingly, trigger
pulses will cyclically be applied to the astable multivibrator
comprising the transistors 184 and 186 thereby to cause the
transistors to produce output pulses the height of which is
controlled by the potentiometers 214 and 180. These pulses are
applied to the base electrode of the transistor 88 through the
diodes 216 and 110 and to the base electrode of the transistor 144
through the diodes 182 and 172 thereby again to control the rate of
charge of the capacitors 78 and 140. Thus, the intensity of the
group of lamps 36 connected to the SCR 68 will be controlled by the
setting of the potentiometer 214 while the intensity of the group
of light sources 36 connected to the SCR 70 will be controlled by
the setting of the potentiometer 180. It is to be noted that if two
or more of the sources of signal for the base electrodes of the
transistors 88 and 144 are utilized, the signal having the greatest
amplitude will control the intensity of the lamps.
As noted hereinabove, the circuitry for controlling the blue light
sources 40 is slightly different than the circuit utilized to
control the red and green light sources. In particular, the
circuits are identical except for the filter arrangement connected
to the multi-frequency source of signals. Accordingly, the
variation of the circuit for controlling the blue light source is
shown in FIG. 6 wherein similar numerals indicate identical
elements as in FIG. 5 with only the differences being shown in FIG.
6.
Thus, the lead 90 is connected to the cathode electrode of the
diode 96 by a resistor 218. Additionally, the cathode electrode of
the diode 96 is connected to one terminal of the secondary winding
of the transformer 94 through a capacitor 220. The other terminal
of the secondary winding of the transformer 94 is connected to the
lead 90. The capacitor 120, resistor 218 and the secondary winding
of the transformer 94 form a high pass filter so that only the high
frequencies in the multi-frequency source are rectified by the
diode 96 and applied as a control signal to the base electrode of
the transistor 88.
The light impinging on the photoresistors 116 and 178 may be
controlled by a key-operated device of the type shown in FIG. 7.
Thus, an enclosure 222 is provided having a front wall and right
side wall which are not shown in the figure. The enclosure 222
includes a bottom wall 224, a left side wall 226 and a rear wall
228. Pivotally mounted on the rear wall 228 are keys 230 232, 234
and 236. Depending from each key is a partition 238 having an
aperture 240 therethrough.
Mounted on the bottomwall 24 are spaced upstanding partitions 242
alternate ones of which support the respective photoresistors 116
and 178, as shown in the figure. Each one of the photoresistors is
in juxtaposition to one side of the partitions 238. In
juxtaposition to the other side of the respective partitions 238
are upstanding walls 244 having through bores 246 which are in
alignment with the opposed photoresistors. A lamp 248 is received
between each pair of walls 244 in alignment with the bores 246.
The keys 230-236 are normally biased upwardly so that the partition
238 is received between a photoresistor and the opposed bore 246.
Hence, the light from the lamps 248 is prevented from reaching the
associated photoresistor. However, as a key is depressed the
aperture 240 moves into registration with the juxtaposed bore 246
and associated photoresistor thereby permitting light to reach the
photoresistor and decrease the resistance thereof. It is obvious
that the further a key is depressed, the more light will reach a
photoresistor and, accordingly, a stronger control signal will be
applied to the base electrode of the controlling transistor to
cause the intensity of the associated lamps to increase. Thus, for
example, complete depression of the key 234 permits all of the
light to pass through the bore 246, the aperture 240 and reach the
photoresistor 116 thereby reducing the resistance of the
photoresistor 116 to a minimum value. Hence, the control signal
applied to the base electrode of the transistor 88 will be a
maximum and the intensity of the group of light sources connected
to the SCR 68 will thereby increase.
Accordingly, a color pattern generator has been disclosed which can
produce varying color patterns on a translucent art form or the
like which are both aesthetically pleasing and continuously
interesting and may be selectively controlled by the viewer.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and
described herein, it will become obvious that numerous omissions,
changes and additions may be made in such embodiment without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
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