Apparatus and methods for controlling a signal device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for controlling at least two signal devices for energization by an electrical source comprising:
- means for repeatedly producing different first and second concurrent digital cycles each on an output line wherein each digital cycle includes a sequence of alternating pulses and spaces, each cycle having at least two pulses that differ in duration with respect to each other and having at least two spaces that differ in duration with respect to each other wherein said means for producing digital cycles includes memory means for storing the digital cycles with each of the digital cycles including a plurality of digital values representative of the duration of the pulses and spaces, means for producing the digital cycles in different modes in response to a mode input, and counter means for addressing said memory means in a predetermined sequence, said memory means successively supplying the digital values in sequence to said output line;
means connected to the output line and responsive to said means for producing the digital cycles for applying electrical energization from the electrical source to each one of the signal devices concurrently in accordance with the pulses in the digital cycles and for not applying electrical energization from the electrical source to the signal devices in accordance with the spaces in the digital cycles; and
wherein said means for producing the digital cycles includes an oscillator having an alterable repetition rate, and means responsive to the oscillator for concurrently generating a control signal for selectively altering the repetition rate of the oscillator at least once during each digital cycle.
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for controlling a signal device for energization by an electrical source. The apparatus includes circuitry for producing digital cycles on an output line wherein each digital cycle includes a sequence of pulses and spaces, each cycle having at least two pulses that differ in duration and at least two spaces that differ in duration. The apparatus also includes circuitry connected to the output line and responsive to the circuitry for producing the digital cycles for applying electrical energization from the electrical source to the signal device in accordance with the pulses in the digital cycles.
46 Citations
15 Claims
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1. Apparatus for controlling at least two signal devices for energization by an electrical source comprising:
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means for repeatedly producing different first and second concurrent digital cycles each on an output line wherein each digital cycle includes a sequence of alternating pulses and spaces, each cycle having at least two pulses that differ in duration with respect to each other and having at least two spaces that differ in duration with respect to each other wherein said means for producing digital cycles includes memory means for storing the digital cycles with each of the digital cycles including a plurality of digital values representative of the duration of the pulses and spaces, means for producing the digital cycles in different modes in response to a mode input, and counter means for addressing said memory means in a predetermined sequence, said memory means successively supplying the digital values in sequence to said output line; means connected to the output line and responsive to said means for producing the digital cycles for applying electrical energization from the electrical source to each one of the signal devices concurrently in accordance with the pulses in the digital cycles and for not applying electrical energization from the electrical source to the signal devices in accordance with the spaces in the digital cycles; and wherein said means for producing the digital cycles includes an oscillator having an alterable repetition rate, and means responsive to the oscillator for concurrently generating a control signal for selectively altering the repetition rate of the oscillator at least once during each digital cycle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for controlling a signal device for energization by an electrical source comprising:
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means for repeatedly producing digital cycles on an output line wherein each digital cycle includes a sequence of alternating pulses an spaces, each cycle having at lest two pulses that differ in duration with respect to each other and having at least two spaces that differ in duration with respect to each other; means connected to the output line and responsive to said means for producing the digital cycles for applying electrical energization from the electrical source to the signal device in accordance with the pulses in the digital cycles and for not applying electrical energization from the electrical source to the signal device in accordance with the spaces in the digital cycles; and wherein said means for producing digital cycles includes an oscillator having an alterable repetition rate, and means responsive to the oscillator for concurrently generating a control signal for selectively altering the repetition rate of the oscillator at least once during each digital cycle.
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10. Apparatus for controlling a signal device for energization by an electrical source comprising:
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means for repeatedly producing digital cycles on an output line wherein each digital cycle includes a sequence of alternating pulses and spaces, each cycle having at least two differing subperiods, each subperiod including a pulse and a space and every subperiod exceeding one-tenth second; and means connected to the output line and responsive to said means for producing digital cycles for applying electrical energization from the electrical source to the signal device in accordance with the pulses i the digital cycles; and wherein said means for producing digital cycles includes an oscillator having an alterable repetition rate and means responsive to the oscillator for concurrently generating a control signal for selectively altering the repetition rate of the oscillator at least once during each digital cycle.
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11. Apparatus for controlling electrical energization of a signal device by an electrical source, the circuit comprising:
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sequencing means for producing a sequential electrical output, said sequencing means including a counter including an oscillator having an alterable repetition rate establishing a rate of counting by the counter; memory means responsive to the sequential electrical output from said sequencing means for generating a pattern of signals having pulses or spaces of different duration, said memory means including means for concurrently generating a control signal for selectively altering the repetition rate of the oscillator at least once as the pattern is produced; mode select means connected to said memory means for selecting one of a plurality of patterns to be generated; and means connected to the memory means for repeatedly energizing the signal device from the electrical source in accordance with the pattern of signals. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification