US3834042A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computation device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-09-07
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Granted: 1974-09-10
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Expires: 1993-09-07
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for indicating correct and incorrect solutions to an equation of two independent variables includes a printed circuit board on which electrically conducting strips are formed in a family of curves representing solutions to a desired equation, such as xy Z. The family of curves is arranged in a manner whereby the distance along one edge of the board represents the value of one of the independent variables, and the distance along another edge of the board represents the value of the other of the independent variables, the intersection of lines parallel to the edges of the board intersecting over the curve representing the solution to the equation of the two variables. The board is mounted between upper and lower frames, the lower frame carrying an electrical contactor which is movable in the two directions of the independent variables to contact the electrically conducting solution curve and impart an electric potential to it. Each of the solution curves is connected to an electrically conducting possible solution member, displayed on the top panel. A test probe is connected to a relay switch to energize the relay when the test probe is brought into contact with the proper solution member to which the voltage is conducted from the solution curve. The test probe contains a switch, operable by pressure on the probe to energize a selected one of two solution indicating lamps, the incorrect lamp being ordinarily selected and the correct answer lamp being selected by positive potential detected by the probe which the relay energizes.
Inventors
- 👤 J Henry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:36
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B19/00; G09B19/02; G09B19/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
Apparatus comprising, a board presenting a family of curves of electrically conducting material, each representing a solution of an equation having two independent variables, means for applying a voltage to a selected one of said curves, means for independently moving said voltage applying means in the direction of first anD second coordinates, the distance along each of said coordinates representing the magnitude of one of said independent variables, whereby said voltage applying means is located adjacent and contacts the curve representing the solution to the equation having variables equal to the distances along said coordinates said voltage applying means is moved, probe means for establishing an electrical conduction path with a selected one of said curves, two display means, one of said display means being normally selected for energizing, first switch means activated by the potential on said selected curve conducted on said conduction path established by said probe means to select the other of said display means for energizing, and second switch means for applying a voltage to energize the selected one of said two display means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus comprising, a board presenting a family of curves of electrically conducting material, each representing a solution of an equation having two independent variables, means for applying a voltage to a selected one of said curves, means for independently moving said voltage applying means in the direction of first anD second coordinates, the distance along each of said coordinates representing the magnitude of one of said independent variables, whereby said voltage applying means is located adjacent and contacts the curve representing the solution to the equation having variables equal to the distances along said coordinates said voltage applying means is moved, probe means for establishing an electrical conduction path with a selected one of said curves, two display means, one of said display means being normally selected for energizing, first switch means activated by the potential on said selected curve conducted on said conduction path established by said probe means to select the other of said display means for energizing, and second switch means for applying a voltage to energize the selected one of said two display means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said board is a printed circuit board.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second switch means is carried by said probe means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said probe means comprises a probe of electrically conducting material and a wire connected between said probe and said first switch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said probe additionally carries said second switch means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of electrically conducting members, and a plurality of wires connecting a respective one of said members and contacting a respective one of said curves, each of said electrically conducting members representing a possible solution to the equation represented by said family of curves, whereby upon operation of said second switch means if said electrically conducting probe is touched to one of said members representing an incorrect solution, said one display means ordinarily selected is energized, and if said electrically conducting probe is touched to one of said members representing a correct solutoin, said other display means is energized.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
240 words
Apparatus for displaying upon choosing correct and incorrect solutions to an equation having two independent variables comprising, a frame having a centrally located opening, a board carried by said frame within said opening, a plurality of electrically conducting strips carried by said board, said strips being arranged to represent the solutions to said equation over a predetermined range of values of said two independent variables, at preselected coordinates thereof, a plurality of electrically conducting members each representing a possible solution to the equation, a plurality of electrically conducting wires interconnecting a respective one of said members and the strip representing the possible solution, a locatable contactor for applying a potential to one of said strips, means for locating said contactor independently in two directions, the magnitude of each direction representing the magnitude of one of said independent variables, whereby said contactor contacts the strip representing the solution to the equation having variables equal to the magnitude of the distances in said two directions, electrically energizable selectable means for indicating a correct solution, electrically energizable selectable means for indicating an incorrect solution, said incorrect solution indicating means being normally selected, an electrically conducting probe for contacting one of said electrically conducting possible solution indicating members, a first switch electrically connected to said probe and operated by said potential applied by said locatable contactor for selecting said correct solution indicating means, and a second switch for energizing said second solution indicating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
240 words
Apparatus for displaying upon choosing correct and incorrect solutions to an equation having two independent variables comprising, a frame having a centrally located opening, a board carried by said frame within said opening, a plurality of electrically conducting strips carried by said board, said strips being arranged to represent the solutions to said equation over a predetermined range of values of said two independent variables, at preselected coordinates thereof, a plurality of electrically conducting members each representing a possible solution to the equation, a plurality of electrically conducting wires interconnecting a respective one of said members and the strip representing the possible solution, a locatable contactor for applying a potential to one of said strips, means for locating said contactor independently in two directions, the magnitude of each direction representing the magnitude of one of said independent variables, whereby said contactor contacts the strip representing the solution to the equation having variables equal to the magnitude of the distances in said two directions, electrically energizable selectable means for indicating a correct solution, electrically energizable selectable means for indicating an incorrect solution, said incorrect solution indicating means being normally selected, an electrically conducting probe for contacting one of said electrically conducting possible solution indicating members, a first switch electrically connected to said probe and operated by said potential applied by said locatable contactor for selecting said correct solution indicating means, and a second switch for energizing said second solution indicating means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said plurality of electrically conducting strips carried by said board are etched onto said board in the configuration of a family of curves, each curve representing the correct solution to an equation having two indepEndent variables equal to the magnitude of their respective distances along perpendicular axes along said board to which said curve relates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said second switch is carried by said electrically conducting probe, and is actuated by pressure upon said probe.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-09 | 1978-03-11 | 1978-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-09 | 1982-03-11 | 1982-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-09 | 1986-03-11 | 1986-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |