U.S. patent number 3,824,723 [Application Number 05/270,329] was granted by the patent office on 1974-07-23 for multiple transparency display unit and sequencing control therefor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Storyboard Display, Inc.. Invention is credited to Frank A. Gargas.
United States Patent |
3,824,723 |
Gargas |
July 23, 1974 |
MULTIPLE TRANSPARENCY DISPLAY UNIT AND SEQUENCING CONTROL
THEREFOR
Abstract
The display unit comprises an electric lamp located in each of
its compartments. Various transparencies, each containing an
advertising or educational message thereon, are placed over the
compartment openings. A plug board enables certain lamps to be
selectively energized. A control circuit provides a sequenced
energization of the lamps and also an adjustable display period for
each lamp.
Inventors: |
Gargas; Frank A. (Minneapolis,
MN) |
Assignee: |
Storyboard Display, Inc.
(Minneapolis, MN)
|
Family
ID: |
23030877 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/270,329 |
Filed: |
July 10, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/367; 40/573;
340/815.55; 40/463 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F
13/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09F
13/10 (20060101); G09F 13/08 (20060101); G09f
013/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;35/1,8R,8A,9R,9B,9A,22R,35C,48R,6
;40/28R,28C,52R,106.1,13R,13L,132D,132E,63R,63A
;340/309.4,334,339,325 ;240/1R,1ST |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Sylvan, T. P. "Notes on the Application of the Silicon Unijunction
Transistor," May, 1961, Pgs. 77..
|
Primary Examiner: Schnall; Jerome
Assistant Examiner: Hum; Vance Y.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Peterson; Stuart R.
Claims
I claim:
1. A multiple transparency display unit and sequencing control
comprising means for supporting a plurality of transparencies,
illumination means for each transparency, a stepping switch
including a plurality of fixed contacts and a movable contact
successively engageable with said fixed contacts, means for
stepping said movable contact from one fixed contact to the next
adjacent fixed contact, a plurality of individually adjustable
means for controlling said stepping means to vary the stepping
intervals and hence the period of energization of each illumination
means, and means connecting at least certain of said fixed contacts
in circuit with at least certain of said illumination means whereby
those illumination means connected in circuit are energized only
when said movable contact engages the particular fixed contact
electrically associated with the selected illumination means and
whereby only each illumination means is energized for a period
determined by the individual adjustment of the particular
adjustable means associated therewith.
2. A multiple transparency display unit and sequencing control
comprising a cabinet having a plurality of forwardly facing
individual compartments open at the front, a lamp disposed in each
compartment adjacent the rear thereof so that light therefrom will
pass through the open front of the compartment and any transparency
associated therewith, means for selectively energizing each lamp,
and an adjustable impedance means for each lamp for determining the
period that each lamp is energized, said impedance means including
an adjustable resistor for each lamp and a capacitor common to the
various lamps to provide a resistance-capacitance circuit for each
lamp, said means for energizing said lamp including a stepping
switch having a plurality of fixed contacts, a wiper arm
successively engageable with said fixed contacts, a coil and
armature for advancing said wiper arm from contact to contact, and
means controlled by said resistance-capacitance circuit for
providing pulses to said coil to effect the successive advancement
of said wiper arm from contact to contact after a delay period
determined by the setting of the adjustable resistor for the
particular fixed contact with which the wiper arm is then
engaged.
3. A multiple transparency display unit and sequencing control
comprising means for supporting a plurality of transparencies,
illumination means for each transparency, a stepping switch
including a plurality of fixed contacts and a movable contact
successively engageable with said fixed contacts, means for
stepping said movable contact from one fixed contact to the next
adjacent fixed contact, adjustable means for controlling said
stepping means to vary the stepping intervals and hence the period
of energization of said illumination means, said controlling means
including an adjustable resistor connected in circuit between its
associated fixed contact and said stepping means, and means
connecting at least certain of said fixed contacts in circuit with
at least certain of said illumination means whereby those
illumination means connected in circuit are energized only when
said movable contact engages the particular fixed contact
electrically associated with the selected illumination means.
4. A multiple transparency display unit and sequencing control in
accordance with claim 3 in which a capacitor is included in circuit
with said various adjustable resistors, and a unijunction triggered
by the time constant provided by said resistors and capacitors, a
silicon controlled rectifier gated by said unijunction transistor
and in circuit with said stepping means so that pulses are
delivered to said stepping means each time that said rectifier is
fired by said unijunction transistor.
5. A multiple transparency display unit and sequencing control in
accordance with claim 4 in which said connecting means includes a
plurality of conductors each selectively connectable between a
fixed contact and an illumination means so that the sequencing of
said various illumination means depends upon the selected
connection of said conductors with said fixed contacts and also
with said various illumination means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to visual display aids, and
pertains more particularly to a display unit that can be programmed
both as to the order of display presentation and also the time
interval for each display.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Visual display devices, of course, are not new. An example of such
a device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,402,491, issued on Sept.
24, 1968 to Arthur M. Wagner. While the device described in this
patent makes provision for changing the display sequence, it must
be done by substituting a new disc containing the programming
information thereon in the form of arcuate conductive strips.
Provision is made for manually interrupting the program sequence.
However, to change the program or order in which the transparencies
are illuminated requires a substitution of discs that must be
previously prepared with the particular program thereon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide
display equipment that will enable the individual user to change
the programming or order of presentation to suit his individual
circumstances. More specifically, an aim of the invention is to
enable the user to modify or change the program to whatever degree
he needs to, depending upon the particular requirements at a given
time. Consequently, if the order of disply presentation must be
deviated from that which he has personally set up, he can do so
very conveniently when practicing the teachings of the present
invention.
Another object is to provide flexibility as far as the periods of
presentation are concerned. Stated somewhat differently, if it
becomes important to have one or more transparencies illuminated
for a longer or shorter period than others, this can be
accomplished through the simple expedient of manually adjusting a
resistor.
Further, an object of the invention is to provide for the multiple
illumination of transparencies. In this regard, the user may select
more than one transparency so that all so selected will be
simultaneously illuminated. Also, the user has the choice of having
various lamps contained in the display unit remain de-energized,
thereby giving an interval of darkness which can lend emphasis or
indicate a change of subject. Coupled with the different periods of
display made available to the user, a highly varied program can be
devised.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide display equipment
that can be manufactured at a relatively low cost, which is
compact, and which is readily transportable from one place to
another. Consequently, a distinct advantage to be obtained when
utilizing the present invention is that a lecturer or salesman who
travels can carry with him the display equipment that constitutes
the present invention.
Briefly, my invention comprises a stepping switch which is operated
upon receipt of various electrical pulses. Provision is made for
varying the times at which these pulses are supplied, thereby
enabling the various presentation periods to be modified as to the
intervals they are made visible to the viewer. By means of a plug
board, various lamps can be selected for energization and thereby
whatever transparency confronting a particular lamp can be either
illuminated or left dark as circumstances dictate. The plug board
also permits several lamps to be illuminated simultaneously and
others to be left de-energized, thereby providing a considerable
amount of flexibility with respect to the presentation of the
messages contained on the various transparencies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an electrical schematic view of a multiple transparency
display unit and the sequencing control circuitry utilized
therewith;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of
the display unit appearing at the right in FIG. 1, and
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken in the direction of line 3--3 of
FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in detail to the display unit and control circuit
therefor shown in the drawing, it is to be observed that the
display unit diagrammatically appearing in FIG. 1 has been denoted
generally by the reference numeral 10. It may contain any number of
electric lamps 12. In the exemplary instance, though, six lamps
have been rather arbitrarily depicted and have been assigned
suffixes a, b, c, d, e and f.
Each lamp has a base 14 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and leads 16, 18 extending
therefrom, these leads being shown in FIG. 1 as well. From FIGS. 2
and 3 it will be seen also that the various lamps 12 are housed in
a cabinet 20. More specifically, each lamp 12 is contained in an
appropriately sized compartment 22 having an opening 24 at the
front thereof. There is a top grooved runner 26 and a bottom
grooved runner 28, these runners 26, 28 being in alignment with an
access slot 30 via which a transparency 32 can be inserted. The
particular arrangement for mounting each transparency 32 is
unimportant to a practicing of the invention. As a matter of fact,
the cabinet 20 may be designed so as to accommodate a single panel
having the desired transparencies integral therewith, one such
integral transparency overlying or confronting a given lamp 12 much
like that illustrated in said U.S. Pat. No. 3,402,491. Still
further, while the various compartments 22 are vertically arrayed
in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it will be appreciated that these compartments
can be horizontally disposed or where a greater number of
compartments are employed then the various compartments can be
arranged both horizontally and vertically to constitute a grid or
network of compartments.
At this stage of the description attention is directed to a plug
board 34 shown in FIG. 1. While the term plug board has been
employed, it will be appreciated that appropriate switches, a
barrier strip or a so-called vector board may be used, the function
of the plug board being that it is to selectively connect any of
the lamps 12a-12f in circuit so that they will be energized at the
proper time.
Accordingly, in the form illustrated in FIG. 1, the plug board 34
is wired so as to provide pairs of female contacts 36 and 38.
Inasmuch as each pair of contacts 36 and 38 is to be electrically
attached through a diode 39 to one of the leads 16, it will be well
to use the same suffix designation for the contacts 36, 38 as used
in denoting the various lamps 12a-12f. Similarly, additional female
contacts are paired and the reference numerals 40, 42 have been
used to denote these additional contacts. More will be said
presently concerning the means by which power is delivered to the
contacts 40, 42. At the present time, though, it will be observed
that a plurality of flexible conductors 44, each equipped with male
contacts 46 and 48 at their opposite ends. A supply of additional
conductors 44 would normally be made available to the user of
display equipment of the type herein described, the specific
conductors 44 illustrated in FIG. 1 being sufficient for an
understanding of the versatility obtainable with my invention.
It will be recognized that the conductor 44 provided with the
contact 46a at one end and the contact 48e at the other end thereof
supplies an electrical connection between the contact 36a and the
contact 40e. Similarly, the conductor 44 having the contact 46b
thereon is mated at one end with the contact 38b, thereby supplying
power from the other end thereof having the contact 48c which is
mated with the fixed contact 40c. Regarding the conductor having
the contact 46d thereon, it will be seen that this is mated with
the contact 38d at one end and the other end having the contact 48f
is mated with the contact 40f. With respect to the conductor 44
having the contact 48ff at one end, it will be seen that by reason
of the other end having the contact 48ee that a circuit is effected
between the contacts 38f and the contact 42e. On the other hand, an
additional conductor 44 is used, reference being made to the one
having the contact 46f at one end which is mated with the contact
36f, the conductor in this instance extending to the contact 38c
which is made with the contact 48c at the other end of this
particular conductor 44. As will be apparent when presenting an
operational description, this enables three of the lamps 12 to be
energized simultaneously.
Inasmuch as six lamps 12 have been selected to illustrate the
invention, six conductors 50, each being distinguished from the
other by letter suffix, extend from the paired contacts 40, 42 to a
sequencing control circuit indicated in its entirety by the
reference numeral 50, more specifically to a stepping switch
denoted generally by the reference numeral 54. As is customary,
stepping switches are provided with various banks of fixed
contacts. In order to keep the description as simple as possible by
virtue of having selected only six lamps 12, only six fixed
contacts 56 are shown in conjunction with the construction of the
stepping switch 54. A wiper arm 58 serves as a movable contact for
successively engaging each of the fixed contacts 56a-56f. The wiper
arm 58 is conventionally advanced by reason of its mechanical
connection to an armature 60 that is actuated by the pulsing of a
coil 62. More specifically, each time that an electrical pulse is
delivered to the coil 62 it literally moves upwardly to actuate the
wiper arm 58 from one contact 56 to the next adjacent contact. A
set of normally closed contacts 64 are instrumental in completing
the pulsing circuit through the coil 62 as will become clearer as
the description progresses.
Before describing further the control circuit 52, it might be well
to explain that a conductor 66 extends from the wiper arm 58
through a disconnect switch 68 to another conductor 70. The
conductor 70 is connected to a conventional bayonet-type plug 72
which has a pair of prongs or blades 74 and 76. More specifically,
the conductor 70 is electrically connected to the prong or blade 74
whereas an additional conductor 78 extends from the blade or prong
76 via a conductor 78 to a conductor 80 connecting with the various
leads 18. Although the electrical paths will perhaps be clearer
when the operational description is presented, it should be
evident, at least to some extent, that the power supplied to the
various lamps 12 is done through the various contacts 56 belonging
to the stepping switch 54.
Continuing now with the description of the control circuit 52, it
will be perceived that a number of conductors 82 are connected to
the previously mentioned conductors 50. The same suffix designation
will be used and it will also be employed in conjunction with a
number of adjustable resistors 84. Each resistor 84 in turn has a
conductor 86 leading to the anode of a diode 90, the cathode of the
diode 90 being connected to one plate of a capacitor 92. The other
plate of the capacitor 92 is connected through the agency of a
conductor 94 to the earlier mentioned conductor 78 attached to the
plug 72. Depending upon which adjustable resistor 84 is connected
into the circuit, and this in turn depends upon which fixed contact
56 is engaged by the movable contact or wiper 58, a time delay or
R-C circuit is provided, the capacitor 92 serving to provide the
capacitive action in each instance.
The time constant provided by the foregoing resistance and
capacitance combination is used in the triggering of a firing
circuit now to be described. Accordingly, a conductor 96 leads from
the junction between the diode 90 and the capacitor 92 to the
emitter of a unijunction transistor 98. One base of the unijunction
transistor 98 is connected through a dropping resistor 100 to the
conductor 94, whereas the other base of the unijunction transistor
98 is connected through a second resistor 102 to a conductor 104
which leads to one side of a switch 106, the switch 106 being in
circuit with a battery 108. The other or negative side of the
battery 108 is connected to the conductor 94.
The firing circuit additionally includes a silicon controlled
rectifier (SCR) 110. In this regard, it will be noted that the gate
of the rectifier 110 is connected directly to the first mentioned
base of the unijunction transistor 98, this being the one
associated with the dropping resistor 100. Hence, when the
unijunction transistor 98 is switched into a conductive state, this
provides a triggering or firing pulse for the rectifier 110 with
the consequence that it becomes conductive so as to supply a
pick-up or energizing pulse to the coil 62 of the stepping switch
54. Of course, the interval or time before the unijunction
transistor 98 is triggered is determined by the previously
mentioned R-C time constant. This time constant in turn is variable
by reason of the particular setting of each adjustable resistor
84.
Having mentioned the plug 72, it should be pointed out that this
plug 72 is intended to be connected to an ordinary household outlet
and therefore a plug receptacle 112 is depicted. The plug
receptacle has a pair of slots 114 and 116 into which the
previously mentioned blades 74, 76 of the plug 72 are inserted. The
slots 114 and 116 have electrical contacts therein which are
connected to conductors 118 and 120 in circuit with an alternating
current source 122.
OPERATION
Although the foregoing description perhaps is generally adequate
for an understanding of my invention, nonetheless a description of
how the invention functions should be of additional help in
appreciating the benefits to be gained. Accordingly, it will first
be assumed that the appropriate transparencies 32 have been
inserted through the access slots 30. Each transparency 32 will
contain thereon an appropriate message, perhaps associated with the
advertising of a product or the description of how a particular
piece of machinery operates. Particularly where a large number of
compartments 22 comprise the cabinet 20, there will be occasions
where certain transparencies 32 will not be used. It is not
necessary to remove these transparencies as the plug board 34
enables the user to energize only those lamps 12 associated with
the specific transparencies to be illuminated and thereby viewed.
It will be recalled that any preferred number of conductors 44 may
be used in conjunction with the plug board 34. Six such conductors
are employed for illustrating the particular energizing program
that will permit a facile understanding of the invention; others
would be made available to the user, though. While all of the lamps
12 are connected so as to be energized, these lamps with the
illustrative program are not all individually energized.
With respect to the manner in which each particular lamp 12 is
energized, it will be observed that when the stepping switch 54
starts its sequencing action, the first contact to be brought into
the circuit is the fixed contact 56a. A circuit can be traced from
the plug 72 over the conductor 70, the switch 68 and the conductor
66 to the movable wiper arm 58. From the fixed contact 56a there
extends the conductor 50a to the contacts 40a and 42a belonging to
the plug board 34. Since only the contact 42a is connected by way
of a conductor 44 to the contact 36e it follows that only the lamp
12e is energized at this particular time. Hence, only the
transparency 32 associated with the particular compartment in which
the lamp 12e is housed will be illuminated.
Depending upon the setting for the adjustable resistor 84a, it will
take a little time for the capacitor 92 to become sufficiently
charged, this time being influenced by the amount of resistance
provided by the resistor 84a, and hence it will trigger the
unijunction transistor 98 into conduction at the appropriate time
determined by the setting of the adjustable resistor 84. When the
transistor 98 conducts, this fires the silicon controlled rectifier
110 which supplies a pulse to the coil 62, the contacts 64 being
normally closed so as to complete the pulsing circuit. This causes
the armature 60 to be immediately picked up and to move the wiper
arm 58 to the next fixed contact 56b. Since only a pulse is
forwarded to the coil 62, the armature 60 falls back to its
original position, closing the contacts 64 in preparation for the
next pulse when it arrives.
Inasmuch as no conductor 44 has been connected with either of the
contacts 40b or 42b, consequently there will be no illumination of
any transparency during this interval and the resulting lack of any
illumination can be used to impart emphasis or to start a different
chain of messages.
Of course, when the wiper arm 58 reaches the third contact 56c,
then there is an electrical path established to the lamp 12b. There
will be an inactive period once again when the wiper arm 58 reaches
the contact 58d. However, when the wiper arm 58 engages the contact
56e, then power will be supplied to both contacts 40e and 42e, and
since there is a conductor 44 connected to each, power will be
forwarded to the lamp 12a and also to the lamp 12f. Owing to the
presence of a conductor 44 leading from the contact 36f to the
contact 38c, power will also be delivered to the lamp 12c. Thus, at
this stage three lamps will be energized, these being the lamsps
12a, 12c and 12f. When the wiper arm 58 reaches the contact 56f,
then the lamp 12d will be energized and this will terminate the
illustrative sequence.
It should be readily apparent that the wiper arm 58 is advanced in
succession from one fixed contact to the next but that the
advancement is not necessarily at regular intervals. Actually, the
intervals are varied by virtue of the fact that the various
resistors 84 vary the time constant of the triggering circuit. The
time constant is set for a particular contact 56 and this will
remain as a fixed time constant for that particular contact and
also any lamp 12 that might be connected through the agency of the
plug board 34. Considerable latitude or freedom is provided the
user by reason of the various conductors 44 that can be selectively
mated as far as their contacts are concerned with those permanently
installed on the board 34.
Although a specific description has not been presented with respect
to the homing action of the stepping switch 54, nonetheless this is
a feature that is conventional. Thus, after the foregoing
sequencing has been completed, the stepping switch 54 can be used
for repeating the particular sequence as long as that sequence is
desired. On the other hand, if at any time the user wishes to
adjust the time interval which any particular transparency 32 is
illuminated, he is free to do so, it only being necessary that a
new setting be adopted for the particular adjustable resistor 86.
By the same token, if a different order of sequencing is desired,
then the user simply rearranges the conductors 44, either adding to
or subtracting from the number of conductors 44 shown for the
display program herein described.
It will be appreciated that the various diodes 39 assure that each
lamp 12 is isolated from the other as far as the feedback circuit
through the variable resistors 84 are concerned to the base of the
unijunction transistor 98, without the diodes 39, all of the lamps
12 would be essentially connected together and there would then be
only one resistance in the circuit.
* * * * *