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US 5,626,040 AGranted
Rotary pin-in-maze discriminator
AssigneeSandia Corporation
InventorGilbert L. Benavides
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A discriminator apparatus and method that discriminates between a unique signal and any other (incorrect) signal. The unique signal is a sequence of events; each event can assume one of two possible event states. Given the unique signal, a maze wheel is allowed to rotate fully in one direction. Given an incorrect signal, both the maze wheel and a pin wheel lock in position.
Claims22
A discriminator apparatus comprising:
- a first planar surface capable of rotation;
- a second planar surface capable of rotation, said first and second surfaces having parallel but separate axes of rotation;
- a maze consisting of a plurality of binary decision points, each decision point comprising two advancement choices of constant angular displacement, one of which leads to a dead end in said maze, said maze being placed on said first surface;
- and
- an extended member fixed to and extending perpendicularly from said second surface, said extended member being capable of engaging and passing through said maze.
2 more elements
A discriminating method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first planar surface capable of rotation;
- providing a second planar surface capable of rotation, said first and second surfaces having parallel but separate axes of rotation;
- placing on the first surface a maze consisting of a plurality of binary decision points, each decision point comprising two advancement choices of constant angular displacement, one of which leads to a dead end in the maze;
- and
- securing an extended member to the second surface that extends perpendicularly therefrom, the extended member being capable of engaging and passing through the maze.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.