US4084081A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable survey system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-06-21
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Granted: 1978-04-11
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Expires: 1996-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A portable survey system housed in a suitcase-like assembly, the cover of which supports an electronic display panel having a number of individually energizable display elements. A number of responder units, each connected with the display assembly to control the selective energization of a group of display elements, enables various individuals to cast votes which are preserved in total anonymity by the "pseudo-random" energization of the display and the use of a master control switch to prevent any display from being provided until after all votes are cast. The base of the case contains a plurality of separate compartments for receiving the individual responders for storage whereby the entire unit is self-contained and may be easily transported and subsequently set up for use in businesses, schools, hospitals, or merely for entertainment purposes.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Raheb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:51
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
A portable survey system, comprising: a case having a base and a cover therefor; an electronic display assembly fixedly mounted in said cover, said display assembly having a plurality of individually energizable display elements; a plurality of responder units each coupled with said display assembly to control the selective energization of a group of said display elements thereby to cast a vote, each responder including a main body having a top wall, a plurality of switches on said top wall, and a peripheral rim extending completely around the periphery of said top wall and extending above and below the plane thereof to shield said switches from sight by other than the user of the responder; and a plurality of separate compartments in said base for receiving said plurality of responders, respectively, for storage, said responders being nested in said compartments with said cover closed onto said base for storage and transport of said system, and said responders being removed from said compartments with said cover disposed upright to expose said display for use of the system, said cover being connected to said base by a hinge and being movable between a first extreme position closed over said base and a second extreme position pivoted upright from said base and exposing said display.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
A portable survey system, comprising: a case having a base and a cover therefor; an electronic display assembly fixedly mounted in said cover, said display assembly having a plurality of individually energizable display elements; a plurality of responder units each coupled with said display assembly to control the selective energization of a group of said display elements thereby to cast a vote, each responder including a main body having a top wall, a plurality of switches on said top wall, and a peripheral rim extending completely around the periphery of said top wall and extending above and below the plane thereof to shield said switches from sight by other than the user of the responder; and a plurality of separate compartments in said base for receiving said plurality of responders, respectively, for storage, said responders being nested in said compartments with said cover closed onto said base for storage and transport of said system, and said responders being removed from said compartments with said cover disposed upright to expose said display for use of the system, said cover being connected to said base by a hinge and being movable between a first extreme position closed over said base and a second extreme position pivoted upright from said base and exposing said display.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The survey system as recited in claim 1 further including a master switch coupled to said display assembly to prevent the energization of said display elements by said responders until said master switch has been actuated whereby votes may be cast prior to display thereof to preserve anonymity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The survey system as recited in claim 2 wherein each of said responders comprises a plurality of switches each connected in series with a different display element of the group associated with said responder to form series networks; and wherein all of said series networks are connected in parallel to form a parallel network, said parallel network being connected in series with a source of operating potential and said master switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The survey system as recited in claim 3 wherein said source of operating potential comprises a battery, a rectifier having a DC output and an input adapted to be connected to an AC power source, and a power switch having a first position connecting said battery to the system and a second position substituting said rectifier for said battery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The survey system as recited in claim 4 further including a receptacle mounted on said case and connected to the input of said rectifier; and wherein said power switch normally assumes said first position and is connected to said receptacle for movement to said second position in response to insertion of a plug into said receptacle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The survey system as recited in claim 3 wherein said master switch comprises a socket mounted on said case and connected in series with said source of operating potential and said parallel network, a normally-open switch, and a plug connected to said switch and cooperating with said socket to connect said switch in the system when said plug and said socket are inerconnected.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The survey system as recited in claim 6 wherein said socket includes plug responsive contacts coupled to short-circuit said socket when said plug is not connected thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The survey system as recited in claim 1 wherein said display elements comprise lamps, said lamps being arranged in rows and columns; and wherein each of said groups of display elements comprises a respective column of lamps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
The survey system as recited in claim 1 wherein said rim is provided with outwardly extending flanges on the borders thereof whereby a length of cable interconnecting said responder and said display assembly may be wrapped around and stored on said rim, the outer dimensions of said flanged rim being substantially equal to the inner dimensions of said compartments such that said stored cable is prevented from inadvertent displacement from said nested responders during storage and transport of the system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The survey system as recited in claim 3 wherein said plurality of switches for each of said responders comprise a first slide switch having first and second on positions separated by an off position, and a second slide switch having plural on positions and an off position at one end thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
152 words
A portable survey system, comprising: an electronic display assembly having a plurality of individually energizable lamps arranged in rows and columns; a plurality of responder units each connected with said display assembly to control the selective energization of a respective column of said lamps thereby to cast a vote; a master switch coupled to said display assembly to prevent the energization of said lamps by said responders until said master switch has been actuated whereby votes may be cast prior to display thereof to preserve anonymity; and each of said responders including a plurality of independently operable switches each connected directly in series with a different lamp of the column associated with said responder to form series networks; and wherein all of said series networks are connected directly in parallel to form a parallel network, said parallel network being connected in series with a source of operating potential and said master switch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
152 words
A portable survey system, comprising: an electronic display assembly having a plurality of individually energizable lamps arranged in rows and columns; a plurality of responder units each connected with said display assembly to control the selective energization of a respective column of said lamps thereby to cast a vote; a master switch coupled to said display assembly to prevent the energization of said lamps by said responders until said master switch has been actuated whereby votes may be cast prior to display thereof to preserve anonymity; and each of said responders including a plurality of independently operable switches each connected directly in series with a different lamp of the column associated with said responder to form series networks; and wherein all of said series networks are connected directly in parallel to form a parallel network, said parallel network being connected in series with a source of operating potential and said master switch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
The survey system as recited in claim 1 wherein each responder comprises a main body having a top wall, said plurality of switches being mounted on said top wall, and a peripheral rim extending completely around the periphery of said top wall and extending above and below the plane thereof whereby said switches are shielded from sight by other than the user of the responder.
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) | 1981-04-10 | 1981-10-10 | 1982-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-10 | 1985-10-10 | 1986-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-10 | 1989-10-10 | 1990-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |