Apparatus and method for generating light designs
US4338547A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 19, 1980 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 19, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S362/806
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus and method for generating light designs using a plurality of light emitting diodes on the outer, flat surface of a motor-driven rotor which is rotatably mounted on a base. The diodes are coupled through sliding contacts on the shaft of the rotor to control circuitry carried by the base. The circuitry includes a switching network having a signal input fed by one or more oscillators. The switching network includes comparators for the diodes to compare the voltage of the input signals from the oscillators with a characteristic voltage for each diode, respectively. The diodes are turned on when the input signal voltages have predetermined values with respect to the characteristic voltages, so that diodes can be operated in a sequence and at frequencies to provide distinctive, repeatable designs as the diodes rotate with the rotor. Resistive and capacitive components can be used to change the waveform of the input signals to the switching network. A speaker can be driven from the output of the oscillators to provide sounds corresponding to the design patterns formed by the diodes. The switching network may be provided with a control to cause the diodes to form illuminated dots…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.