Historical Document · 1971
US Patent 3,599,221 — Baer, Recording CRT Light Gun and Method (1971)
Filed 1968-03-18. The first television light-gun patent: a photocell gun that detects a spot on a CRT.
- baer
- sanders
- crt
- light gun
- television
Historical Document · 1971
Filed 1968-03-18. The first television light-gun patent: a photocell gun that detects a spot on a CRT.
U?iied states Patent 171] [mentor 1211 Appl .No 133.. Filed [45] | 73] Patented Assignee 3,599,221 Ralph H. Baer Manchester. NH. 713,954 Mar. 18. 1968 Aug. 10. 1971 Sanders Associates, Inc. Nimhua, NH. 1541 RECORDING CRT LIGHT GUN AND METHOD [52] U.S.Cl ....... .. 1511 Int. CL. 1501 Field oiSearch. 16 Claims. 10 Drawing Figs. 2.595.701 5/[952 Potter 3.136.839 6/1964 Sa?r. ............... .. . . . . . . , . . . . 3.233.244 2/1966 Winterhalter. ... 2.994.863 8/1961 Trapnell . . . 3.031.250 4/1962 Laeufer et all... . . . . . . r . . . .. . . . . . . . . 179/1003 250/217 X 346/74 X . .. 346/33 X 346/76 3.095.653 7/1963 Corrigan 3.181.154 4/1965 Henne... 35/9 3.189.889 3.292.489 6/1965 12/1966 Bridgett ......... .. Johnson etal. ............. .. 25U/217X 340/324 353/25 Primary Examiner-Joseph W. Hartary Altarneys- Louis Etlinger and Richard I. Seligman . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . ... ........ .. 346/1. 346/74 CR. 250/217 CR. 35/9 R, 346/37 .. ... G0ld5/26, H04n 5/76 ABSTRACT: Apparatus and method for recording a coded pattern on a CRT display comprises a detector for detecting the coded pattern. a decoder for recognizing the coded pat tern. apparatus for generating a signal in response to a decode, and apparatus for recording the generated signal in a non 346/3133, 1 10. 74011. 1; 340/153. 3241; 178/66 A; 250/217 (TR; 25/9. 48; 346/1 156] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.454.651 11/1948 Homrighous.....,. 2.540.144 2/1951 Stem ..................... .. J”? \i deceptive manner by recording the decode immediately sub» sequent the occurrence thereof. Alternatively. a signal is generated in response to a detected signal and recorded 178/695 250/217 X 22 directly without decoding. rial D O EC DE 1 24 TO N E R OSCILLATOR - I 26 28 , / " 3O PATENTEUKUBIOIHYI 3,599,221 SHEET 1 [1F 4 fr?” TO N E DECODER OSCILLATOR 28 2'4 30 IN VEN TOR RALPH H. BAER BY EMJW ATTORNEY ‘3599.221 PATENTEU AUG] Own a sum 3 0F 4 FIG. 6 FIG? mvavron RALPH H. BAER BY ATTORNEY PATENTEuAusmml ‘ 3599.221 saw u 0F 4 I0 [58 I4 22 GATED ’ TONE ———'— OSCILLATOR 28 so ' ) RECORDER 60 J R a c o R 0 ER mvsnron RALPH H. BAER "AA/4%)“ ATTORNEY 1 2 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWlNGS RECORDING CRT LIGHT GUN AND METHOD The aforementioned and other objects, features and ad vantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description thereof when con~ sidered in conjunction with the drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a sketch illustrating the principal components of BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus and method by means of which the detection of a coded pattern appearing on a CRT display can be recorded permanently permitting inde?nite one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a sketch illustrating the manner in which the com ponents of the embodiment of FIG. I are connected; FIG. 3 is a sketch illustrating one embodiment of the inven storage of the detection in a nondeceptive manner. In many varied applications it is desirous to provide a non deceptive record acknowledging the detection of a signal ap pearing on a CRT display. Exemplary of these applications are tion; proof of TV program viewing in order to establish audience FIG. 4 is a sketch of a disc employed in the embodiment of FIG. 3; viewing ratings, participation in games and contests in con FIG. Sis a sketch of another embodiment of the invention; junction with TV displays, etc. Broadly there is a requirement 15 FIG. 6 is a sketch of a further embodiment of the invention to close the loop between TV program originator and the FIG. 7 is a sketch of yet another embodiment of the inven viewer. Taking the audience rating problem as exemplary; in tion; and the past a viewer could send in a punched card indicating FIG. 8 is a sketch of a still further embodiment of the inven which programs he viewed during a particular period or could tion; and respond to a telephone or personal interview. These typical FIGS. 9A and B are a sketch of an alternate embodiment of methods are unreliable in that the participant need not be the invention. honest or could make mistakes especially if the survey is con ducted at a time not proximate the viewing period, or if the DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS card if ?lled out at a later time. 25 Many games, contests etc. can be played by a TV viewer in The principal components of one embodiment of a record conjunction with TV programming. For example, contests ing CRT light gun con?gured according to the invention are il lustrated in FIG. 1 which is a pictorial view showing a cathode could be carried out in which one each evening a viewer must ray tube 10 on the screen of which a coded pattern which is to select and record one of a multiplicity of answers displayed, 30 be recognized is displayed. The coded pattern can be with the winner being the viewer having the most correct an generated by a cooperative TV station such as a commercial swers recorded. If the recording medium is merely a punched TV station, a closed circuit TV, or a CATV station. A light card or a card to be ?lled out, then the viewer need not gun 12 contains the components for decoding (recognizing) the displayed coded pattern and for acknowledging the and could answer at a later date after consultation with, for ex 35 decode thereof. In operation, the light gun I2 is aligned with ample, a reference source such as an encyclopedia. Further the CRT 10 such that light emanating from a coded pattern on respond (answer) at the time when the question is being posed more, if the answer were to be written then it could be erased the TV screen will illuminate a photosensitive detector 14 and another answer substituted therefor. contained within the barrel 16 of light gun 12. The output from the photo sensitive detector 14 is applied to a decoder SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 40 circuit 18 which decodes the coded pattern and generates a signal in response thereto. The output from the decoder cir cuit 18 is applied to a recording portion 20 of light gun l2. The entiredetector decoder and recording elements are con Accordingly. it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method for recording a coded pattern appear ing on a CRT display. It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method for recognizing and recording a coded pattern ap pearing on a CRT display. It is yet another object of this invention to provide ap tained within the gun. The gun also contains a reset switch 21 to reset the decoder circuit. Preferrably a battery also is con tained within the gun such that no external connections are required. It is within the scope of this invention that the gun can be made in any con?guration whatsoever. paratus which pennits a viewer to communicate with a cooperative TV station by recording coded information dis 50 played on the TV screen which recording can be sent to the cooperative TV station. It is a further object of this invention to provide for inter rogating a standard TV receiver through an optical photo sen sor in a manner allowing the identi?cation of a coded message Referring now to FIG. 2 there is illustrated one manner in which the components of FIG. I are connected. The coded pattern upon CRT I0 is detected by photosensitive detector 14 and the signal output therefrom ampli?ed by an ampli?er 22. The ampli?ed signal is applied to a decoder 24. When the 55 decoder 24 signi?es a decode it supplies a signal to a tone oscillator 26. Oscillator 26 is coupled to a recording head 28 which is arranged proximate a magnetic recording element 30 (herein shown as a magnetic disc). When the trigger 32 of In accordance with one embodiment of the present inven light gun 12 is actuated, it causes (at the release thereof) mag‘ tion apparatus is provided for detecting a coded signal appear~ 60 netic recording element 30 to move relative to the ?xed mag~ ing on the screen of a TV set and for recording an netic head 28 and record an output onto that portion of the acknowledgement of such detection. For example, the coded magnetic recording element‘ traversing the recording head. signal can be a time-or-frequency coded message not in Typically, if a decode occurs, a short burst comprising several dozen cycles of the tone signal will be recorded. terpretable by the unaided eye but one which causes a The information appearing on the CRT can be coded in any photocell circuit to react in such a manner as to acknowledge 65 number of ways. One way is to have the coded symbol flash a detection, for example by providing a DC level output. This and for recording acknowledgement of the identi?cation in a nondeceptive manner. DC level output can be used to drive an oscillator which puts out an AC signal which can be recorded, for example on ‘a predetermined number of times, for example 61, while all other symbols on the screen ?ash, for example, 60 times. This magnetic disc. By holding a recording head ?xed and moving 70 difference of one ?ash would not .be detected by the unaided eye but could be detected by the photosensitive detector and the magnetic disc during detection, the AC signal will be writ decoder circuits. The decoder circuits can be arranged to pro ten onto the disc for the period of time in which there is rela vide an output only in response to an odd number of ?ashes. tive movement between the recording head and the disc. Recording in this manner makes fraudulent entries'yery dif ficult. " . The decoder can be essentially a ?ip-?op with bu?‘ering, pulse shaping and amplifying stages wherein a decode is recognized 75 by the setting of one stage of the ?ip-?op to a “I ," until reset. I i 3 3,599,221 4 The screen of CRT 10 in FIG. 1 contains 3 symbols 60, 62 and 64 adjacent three words which in one embodiment cor by one sixth seconds of no ?ashes and in turn followed by ten ?ashes within a one sixth second duration. The code could responds to 3 answers to a question posed-Only one of the represent any number of different items, for example the ?rst two digits could identify the station, the second two digits the program, the ?fth digit the ?rst half of the program, the sixth digit the last halfof the program, etc. symbols corresponds to the correct answer (in this case sym bol 64). If the light gun is aligned with symbol 64 and the trigger thereof depressed and released, the acknowledgement that a correct answer was selected will be written onto the The code would be recognized in similar fashion to that of magnetic record. One such decoder is found in my copending patent applica tion for "Television gaming and Training Apparatus and the yes/no code. However, the decoder would be bypassed and the ?ashes used to generate bursts from the tone oscilla tor. Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a block diagram of a decoder circuit for this purpose. This decoder circuit would Method" Ser. No. 697,798 ?led Jan. 15, 1968. However, other decoders useful for the stated purpose will be readily ap parent to those skilled in the art. take the place of decoder circuit 18 in the embodiments of FIGS. 3,5,6 and 7. The decoder is bypassed and each burst de Referring to FlG. 3 there is illustrated thereby an embodi~ ment of the invention The output from photosensitive detec tor i4 is applied to the decoder circuit 18 which applies a tone burst output to magnetic recording head 28 when a decode tected by detector 14 causes a tone oscillator 58 to produce a short burst. The tone oscillator is gated on only when an out put is received from detector 14. No reset switch is required occurs. A magnetic disc 38 is positioned proximate recording for this embodiment. On an alternate arrangement, the recording member is head 28 and has a ratchet wheel 34 coupled thereto. Cooperating with ratchet wheel 34 is a pawl 36 coupled to The recording member including the recording head and housed with a separate unit as illustrated in FlGS..9A and 9B. trigger 32 such that actuating and releasing the trigger 32 will record medium (such as magnetic disc, strip, etc. is housed cause the ratchet wheel 34 and thus the magnetic disc 38 to rotate one segment, equivalent to one tooth spacing of the ratchet wheel. The oscillator 26 contained within decoder cir within a recorder 60. Recorder 60 also contains an eletromechanical transport mechanism such as a stepping switch to advance the disc or tape. The decoder circuit is con tained with a gun 62 or a light pen 64 having as actuating cuit l8 energizes the magnetic head 28 continuously but recognizable recording of a tone burst occurs only when members trigger 66 and switch 68, respectively. Gun 62 and trigger release motion provides relative motion between light pen 64 are connected to recorder 60 via cables 70 and recorder head 28 and disc 38. The decoder is reset upon ac 72, respectively. The trigger 66 and switch 68 supplies current tuation ofswitch 21. 30 from, for example, a battery contained within the gun or light FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment for disc 38. The disc hub pen or within the recorder to the coil ofthe electromechanical 40 is keyed to the shaft 42 (see FIG. 3) so that the initial inser‘ transport mechanism. tion ofthe disc into gun 12 results in a required predetermined While I have described above the principles of my invention position of the disc with respect to recording head 28. In this manner, recordings are made in an identi?able location per in accordance with speci?c apparatus, it is to be clearly un 35 derstood that this description is made only by way of example mitting a yes/no record of light gun responses arranged in an and not as a limitation of the scope of my invention as set forth _ ordered sequence capable of later playback. in the accompanying claims. I claim: FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which the tone bursts are recorded on a magnetic tape 44. The 1. A method for recognition of a coded pattern appearing on a CRT display and immediate recording of a signal detection circuits and recording head are similar to those described with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 3. Actua generated in response thereto comprising the steps of: tion and release of a trigger 46 causes member 48 to move recognizing said coded pattern by decoding in response only magnetic tape 44 past recording head 28 such that ifa decode to a single code; has occurred the tone burst will be recorded on the magnetic tape. 45 generating a signal in response to said recognition of said single code; and FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention. Depression and release of the trigger 46 moves a current sensi» recording said generated signal whereby a data record is ob tive paper 50 past a stylus 52 causing a series of intensity 2. A method for recording of a digitally coded pattern com prising ?ashes and lack of?ashes appearing on a CRT display, tained for subsequent analysis. modulated dots to be burnt into the paper 50. In FIG. 7 optically sensitive paper 54 is employed, with the acknowledged detection supplied by an optical source 56 comprising the steps of: detecting said code pattern by decoding only in response to a single code; generating signals responsive to said ?ashes of said single code; and recording said generated signals which can be, for example, a neon lamp or a light-emitting diode. In all these embodiments the recording takes place almost simultaneously with the detection thus precluding falsifying of whereby a data record is obtained for subsequent‘analy sis. the recorded information. This invention can be employed to provide television pro gram viewing ratings by a simple modi?cation of the embodi ments illustrated. The studio generated programs can display a coded square similar to those shown in FIG. I, however, the square rather than merely ?ashing an even or odd number. of times would be given a digital identi?cation code. An identi?cation code can 3. Apparatus for recognition of a coded pattern appearing on a CRT display and immediate recording a a signal generated in response thereto, comprising: 60 be produced by transmitting a succession offlashes in an inter 65 mittent stream with gaps denoting digital ‘*zeros“ and presence denoting digital “ones“. For example, a one second burst at a 60 cycle frame rate results in say 60 (even) and 6l (odd) "square" burst transmissions when simple yes/no cod ing is employed. However, if the station would transmit 70 shorter bursts and lack of bursts during the 60 second than a code is generated. For example, a 6 bit code such as 100101 can be originated by generating l0 ?ashes (in one sixth seconds), followed by one third ofa second of no ?ashes, fol means for recognizing said coded pattern including a decoder responsive only to a single code; means for generating a signal in response to a recognition of said single code; and means for recording said generated signal whereby a data record is obtained for subsequent analysis. 4. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 3 in which said means for recording said generated signal includes; a member having magnetic oxide recording material thereon; and a recording head coupled to said means for generating a signal. 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which said means for generating a signal includes means for generating a tone burst. 6. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 4, further including means for providing relative motion between said recording head and lowed by 10 ?ashes within a 1/6 -second time period, followed 75 said magnetic record means. 3,599,221 5 6 7. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 6, further including a “ recording includes: vgun" having said recognizing means, said signal generating a current sensitive element; and means for applying current to said current sensitive element means and said recording means internal thereto, wherein said means for providing relative motion between said recording responsive to said generated signal. head and said magnetic record means includes a trigger cou .14. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 3, in which said means for pled to said recording means, 8. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 7, further including a recording includes; a photosensitive element; and means for applying light to said photosensitive element ratchet wheel connected to said magnetic record means and a pawl connected to said trigger, said pawl and ratchet wheel responsive to said generated signal. coupled such that said ratchet wheel will rotate a predeter 15. Apparatus for recording of a digitally coded pattern mined distance upon actuation of said trigger. comprising flashes and lack of ?ashes appearing on a CRT dis- . 9. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 8 in which said magnetic play, comprising: record means includes a disc coupled to said “gun“ in such a manner that initially said disc is situated in predetermined relationship with respect to said recording head. 15 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which said “gun” in cludes a shaft, said disc being keyed to said shaft. responsive only to a single code; means for generating signals responsive to said ?ashes of said single code; and ‘ . means for detecting said coded pattern including a decoded v means for recording said generated signals whereby a data record is obtained for subsequent analysis. 11. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 7 in which said magnetic record means includes a roll of magnetic tape. 16. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 12 in which said means 12. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 11, further including 20 responsive includes an oscillator which generates a signal means for causing relative motion between said magnetic tape burst each time it is gated on by the detection of flashes of said and said recording head responsive to actuation of said trigger. single code. 13. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 3 in which said means for 25 30 35 45 50 55 65 70 75