Back to results
US 5,057,024 AGranted
Computerized globe/almanac system
OwnerGlenn C. Sprott, Ruth J. Sprott +1inventors
InventorsGlenn C. Sprott, Ruth J. Sprott, Kevin C. Malone
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A computer controlled illuminated globe almanac is disclosed for rotating the globe to a selected viewing position and illuminating selected points, lines and areas on the globe. The system also displays and/or prints associated almanac-type data such as, for example, city or country name and population, river name an length, etc.
Claims6
A computer controlled globe almanac comprising:
- a globe having an outer surface;
- means for rotating the globe to a selected viewing orientation relative to a viewer;
- inserts attached to the globe outer surface via holes therein, said inserts defining regions and points corresponding to selected geographic and political features;
- at least one illumination source, said illumination source optically coupled to a selected one of the inserts via one of said holes for internally illuminating said selected insert;
- an optical light pipe means between said illumination source and said selected insert comprising an opaque cylinder in said one hole and a light pipe in said cylinder, for channeling light from said illumination source to said selected insert;
- computer means controlling the rotating means to effect rotation of the globe to the selected viewing orientation and controlling activation of the illumination source to illuminate selected points and regions;
- and
- the globe being mounted on a base housing, said base housing including power and control wiring for the globe rotation means and illumination source, said globe further comprising:
- a shaft having one end mounted to the base housing and a second end extending into the globe for mounting the globe and routing said wiring into the globe;
- a mounting plate mounted internally within the globe co-axially with said shaft;
- said globe rotation means including a motor mounted on said mounting plate and adapted for rotating the globe about said shaft;
- and p1 a slip ring assembly mounted on the second end of said shaft and to the mounting plate for connecting said wiring to said illumination source and said rotating means.
9 more elements
A computer-controlled globe almanac of, comprising:
- a globe having an outer surface;
- means for rotating the globe to a selected viewing orientation relative to a viewer;
- inserts attached to the globe outer surface via holes therein, said inserts defining regions and points corresponding to selected geographical and political features;
- at least one illumination source, said illumination source optically coupled to a selected one of the inserts via one of said holes for internally illuminating said selected insert;
- an optical light pipe means between said illumination source and said selected insert comprising an opaque cylinder in said one hole and a light pipe in said cylinder, for channeling light from said illumination source to said selected insert;
- computer means controlling the rotating means to effect rotation of the globe to the selected viewing orientation and controlling activation of the illumination source to illuminate selected points and regions;
- and
- a base housing including power and control wiring for the globe rotation means and illumination source;
- a shaft having one end mounted to the base housing and a second end extending into the globe for mounting the globe;
- a stationary mounted plate mounted internally within the globe co-axially with said shaft;
- said globe rotation means including a motor mounted on said stationary mounting plate and adapted for rotating the globe about the shaft;
- a slip ring assembly mounted on the second end of the shaft and to the mounting plate;
- and
- wiring means routed between the base housing the globe for supplying power and control leads to the motor and illumination source, said wiring means comprising a first wiring section routed from the base housing through the shaft to the slip ring assembly;
- a second section connected between the slip ring assembly and the mounting plate;
- and a third section connected between the mounting plate and the at least one source of illumination and the motor, whereby a stationary route is provided for said wiring means within the rotational globe.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.