Sequentially operated modules
DCFirst Claim
1. A device for receiving a first signal from a first unit and, in response, transmitting a second signal to a second unit identical to the first unit, and for producing a control signal to control a payload in response to receiving the first signal, said device comprising:
- a first connector for connecting to the first unit;
a first line receiver coupled to said first connector for receiving the first signal from the first unit;
a first timer coupled to said first line receiver and operative for producing the second signal that is delayed by a first time period from the first signal;
a second connector, capable of mating with said first connector and configured to be connectable to the second unit;
a first line driver coupled between said first timer and said second connector and operative to transmit the second signal to a line receiver of the same type as said first line receiver, in the second unit;
a control circuit coupled to said first line receiver for generating the control signal in response to receiving the first signal, said control circuit having a control port couplable to control the payload by the control signal; and
a single enclosure housing said first and second connectors, said first line receiver, said first line driver, said first timer and said control port.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads. An activation signal is propagated in the system from one module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to an external power source such as AC power.
264 Citations
94 Claims
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1. A device for receiving a first signal from a first unit and, in response, transmitting a second signal to a second unit identical to the first unit, and for producing a control signal to control a payload in response to receiving the first signal, said device comprising:
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a first connector for connecting to the first unit; a first line receiver coupled to said first connector for receiving the first signal from the first unit; a first timer coupled to said first line receiver and operative for producing the second signal that is delayed by a first time period from the first signal; a second connector, capable of mating with said first connector and configured to be connectable to the second unit; a first line driver coupled between said first timer and said second connector and operative to transmit the second signal to a line receiver of the same type as said first line receiver, in the second unit; a control circuit coupled to said first line receiver for generating the control signal in response to receiving the first signal, said control circuit having a control port couplable to control the payload by the control signal; and a single enclosure housing said first and second connectors, said first line receiver, said first line driver, said first timer and said control port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79)
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80. A device for randomly delaying an activation signal to a payload, the device comprising:
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a first connector for connecting to a wiring; a line receiver coupled to said first connector for receiving the activation signal from the wiring; a first timer coupled to said line receiver for producing a delayed activation signal that is delayed by a first time period from the activation signal; a control port couplable to activate the payload by coupling the delayed activation signal to the payload; a random signal generator operative to output a random signal, said random signal generator being coupled to control the delay produced by said first timer; and a single enclosure housing said first connector, said line receiver, said first timer, said random signal generator and said control port. - View Dependent Claims (81, 82, 83, 84, 85)
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86. A device for randomly activating a payload, the device comprising:
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a first connector for connecting to a wiring; a line receiver coupled to said first connector for receiving an activation signal from the wiring; at least one payload; a control port couplable to activate said at least one payload by coupling a control signal to said at least one payload; a first timer coupled between said line receiver and said control port for producing a control signal in response to the activation signal being delayed by a controlled first time period; a random signal generator operative to output a random signal, said random signal generator being coupled to control the delay of said first timer; a reference signal source for producing a reference signal; a comparator coupled to provide a digital logic signal based on comparing the random signal with the reference signal, the digital logic signal being coupled to said control port; and a single enclosure housing said first connector, said line receiver, said first timer, said reference signal source, said comparator said control port and said random signal generator, wherein said control port is operative to activate said at least one payload in response to the delayed activation signal received by said line receiver and the digital logic signal. - View Dependent Claims (87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94)
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Specification