US3742454A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data retrieval means having multiple position switches
Assignee: H B Engineering Corp
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Filing: 1970-08-28
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1990-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A data obtaining system wherein the closed contacts of a plurality of multiple position switches are resistively read. Means are provided to distinguish between the resistive readings obtained from different switches. The condition of a separate onoff switch is ascertained.
Inventors
- 👤 H Baker
- 👤 R Genter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F15/00; G01F15/06; G01F15/061; G01F15/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for retrieving numerical information, comprising at least a pair of multiple position switches, each said switch including a plurality of contacts, each said contact being associated with a particular value of said numerical information; a matrix including a plurality of impedance elements having distinct impedance values associated with particular values of said numerical information, each said impedance element being electrically connected to one contact of each of said multiple position switch, and input circuit means electrically connected to said matrix and to said pair of multiple position switches for retrieving said numerical information, said input circuit means including a pair of input leads and blocking means electrically connected in series with said multiple position switches and with said matrix means across said input leads for permitting electrical conductance only through one said multiple position switch upon application of a first signal to said input leads and for permitting electrical conductance only through a second multiple position switch upon application of a second signal to said input leads, said second signal being electrically distinct from said first signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for retrieving numerical information, comprising at least a pair of multiple position switches, each said switch including a plurality of contacts, each said contact being associated with a particular value of said numerical information; a matrix including a plurality of impedance elements having distinct impedance values associated with particular values of said numerical information, each said impedance element being electrically connected to one contact of each of said multiple position switch, and input circuit means electrically connected to said matrix and to said pair of multiple position switches for retrieving said numerical information, said input circuit means including a pair of input leads and blocking means electrically connected in series with said multiple position switches and with said matrix means across said input leads for permitting electrical conductance only through one said multiple position switch upon application of a first signal to said input leads and for permitting electrical conductance only through a second multiple position switch upon application of a second signal to said input leads, said second signal being electrically distinct from said first signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said blocking means includes a first diode connected in series with said one multiple position switch for passing said first signal and a second diode connected in series with said second multiple position switch for passing said second signal and wherein said first signal is a direct current signal of a predetermined polarity and said second signal is a direct current signal of opposite polariTy from said first signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 including additional impedance means connected in circuit with one of said multiple position switches for discriminating between the impedance valves associated with said multiple position switches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said additional impedance means is connected in parallel with said matrix.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 including discriminating means connected to said input leads for discriminating between said impedance values associated with said multiple position switches, said discriminating means including means for shunting said input leads in response to a third signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said third signal is of predetermined voltage and polarity and said discriminating means comprises a diode and a voltage responsive breakdown element connected in series across said input leads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 including registering means connected to said multiple position switches for changing the position of said multiple position switch in response to changes in the numerical information, said registering means including a numerical information register.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said third signal comprises a pulsating direct current signal of predetermined polarity and said discriminating means comprises a diode and a low impedance element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said low impedance element comprises a capacitor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said diode is in series with one input lead, said discriminating means includes a high impedance-low resistance element connected between said first multiple position switch and said diode, said low impedance element is electrically connected to the other said input lead and to a point between said diode and said high impedance element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said input circuit means includes an on-off switch means for indicating additional information and a conductive path connecting said on-off switch means across said input leads; and means electrically connected in said conductive path for rendering the conductive path nonconductive except upon application to said input leads of a switch signal distinct from said first and second signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said impedance elements are resistors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, and further including impedance modifying circuit means connectable across said input leads for modifying the impedance across said input leads, said impedance modifying circuit means including switch means for connecting said impedance modifying circuit means across said input leads when said numerical information exceeds a predetermined limit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein said impedance modifying circuit means includes blocking means for rendering said impedance modifying circuit inactive except upon application of a predetermined signal to said input leads.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 14 wherein said predetermined signal is an alternating current signal, and said blocking means is a capacitor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as in claim 14 wherein said blocking means includes a normally open relay switch, said relay switch being closed upon a predetermined voltage being applied across said input leads.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
182 words
An information retrieval system, comprising a plurality of multiple position switches, each said switch having an electrical contact associated with each position thereof; matrix means for determining the position of each switch of a first group of said switches, said matrix means including a plurality of impedance elements electrically connected to one contact of each multiple position switch of said first group of multiple position switches; and input means electrically connected to said multiple position switches and to said matrix means for applying a signal to said first group of multiple position switches for determining the position of said switches by determining the impedance associated with the contact of each saiD switch, said input means including at least a pair of input leads; first means connected in series with said input leads and said multiple position switches for distinguishing between said first group of multiple position switches and the remainder thereof and second means connected in series with said input leads and said first group of multiple position switches for distinguishing between said switches in said first group of multiple position switches.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
182 words
An information retrieval system, comprising a plurality of multiple position switches, each said switch having an electrical contact associated with each position thereof; matrix means for determining the position of each switch of a first group of said switches, said matrix means including a plurality of impedance elements electrically connected to one contact of each multiple position switch of said first group of multiple position switches; and input means electrically connected to said multiple position switches and to said matrix means for applying a signal to said first group of multiple position switches for determining the position of said switches by determining the impedance associated with the contact of each saiD switch, said input means including at least a pair of input leads; first means connected in series with said input leads and said multiple position switches for distinguishing between said first group of multiple position switches and the remainder thereof and second means connected in series with said input leads and said first group of multiple position switches for distinguishing between said switches in said first group of multiple position switches.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the remainder of the multiple position switches include a second group of at least two switches and further include a third means for distinguishing between said switches in said second group.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
80 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the remainder of the multiple position switches are connected to a second matrix means for determining the position of each switch of the remainder of switches, said second matrix means including a plurality of impedance elements electrically connected to one contact of each multiple position switch of the remainder of multiple position switches; and said first means includes means for isolating said first group of multiple position switches from said remaining multiple position switches.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said input means comprises a two path input; said impedance elements of said second matrix being substantially more conductive than said impedance elements of said first matrix; and said isolating means comprising voltage responsive means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said input means comprises a three path input; and means responsive to a predetermined signal for shunting two of said input paths for identifying the inputs thereto.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said first means includes a plurality of Zener diodes in series with the multiple position switches of said first group of multiple position switches respectively and said second means includes a plurality of diodes each said diode is connected in series with one said multiple position switch of said first group of multiple position switches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |