Claims
- 1. A method of comparing a first signal and a second signal, each said signal having either a first level or a second level, comprising the steps of:
- developing light of a first color when only said first signal has a first level;
- developing light of a second color when only said second signal has a first level;
- developing light of a third color when both said first signal and said second signal have a first level;
- developing no light when both said first signal and said second signal have a second level;
- filtering light to obtain filtered light by removing light of said third color and by transmitting light of said first color or of said second color; and
- interrogating said filtered light to determined whether said first signal and said second signal have the same level or different levels.
- 2. The method od comprising as defined in claim 1 wherein light of said third color is obtained by blending light of said first color and light of said second color.
- 3. A method of comparing a first signal and a second signal, each said signal having either a first level or a second level, comprising the steps of:
- causing a first light emitting diode to emit light of a first color when said first signal has a first level and to extinguish when said first signal has a second level;
- causing a second light emitting diode to emit light of a second color when said second signal has a first level and to extinguish when said second signal has a second level;
- blending, when both said first light emitting diode and said second light emitting diode emit light, their emissions to obtain composite light of a composite color;
- filtering light emitted by said first light emitting diode and said second light emitting diode to obtain filtered light by removing light of said composite color and by transmitting light of said first color or of said second color; and
- interrogating said filtered light to determine whether said first signal and said second signal have the same level or different levels.
- 4. A multicolor comparator of a pair of signals, each said signal having either a first level or a second level, comprising:
- a first input terminal and a second input terminal for receiving said signals;
- a multicolor light source including a first light source for emitting upon activation light of a first color, a second light source for emitting upon activation light of a second color, and means for combining light emitted from said first light source and said second light source to obtain composite light of a composite color;
- said first light source being coupled to said first input terminal for being activated in response to signals of a first level and for not being activated in response to signals of a second level;
- said second light source being coupled to said second input terminal for being activated in response to signals of a first level and for not being activated in response to signals of a second level;
- whereby no light is emitted from said multicolor light source when signals of a second level are applied to said first input terminal and to said second input terminal, light of said composite color is emitted from said multicolor light source when signals of a first level are applied to said first input terminal and to said second input, and light either of said first color or of said second color is emitted from said multicolor light source when a signal of a first level is applied to one of said input terminals, and a signal of a second level is applied to the other of said input terminals;
- filter means disposed adjacent to said multicolor light source for filtering light emitted therefrom to obtain filtered light by removing light of said composite color and by transmitting light either of said first color or of said second color; and
- means for interrogating said filtered light to determine whether the signals in said pair have the same level or different levels.
- 5. A multicolor comparator of signals as defined in claim 4 wherein said filter means include a color filter for absorbing light of said composite color and for transmitting light either of said first color or of said second color.
- 6. A multicolor comparator of a pair of signals, each said signal having either a first level or a second level, comprising:
- a first input terminal and a second input terminal for receiving said signals;
- a multicolor light source including a first light emitting diode for emitting when forwardly biased light of a first color, a second light emitting diode for emitting when forwardly biased light of a second color, and means for combining light emitted by said first light emitting diode and by said second light emitting diode to obtain composite light of a composite color;
- said first light emitting diode being coupled to said first input terminal for being forwardly biased in response to signals of a first level and for not being forwardly biased in response to signals of a second level;
- said second light emitting diode being coupled to said second input terminal for being forwardly biased in response to signals of a first level and for not being forwardly biased in response to signals of a second level;
- whereby no light is emitted from said multicolor light source when signals of a second level are applied to said first input terminal and to said second input terminal, light of said composite color is emitted from said multicolor light source when signals of a first level are applied to said first input terminal and to said second input terminal, and light either of said first color or of said second color is emitted from said multicolor light source when a signal of a first level is applied to one of said input terminals, and a signal of a second level is applied to the other of said input terminals;
- color filter means disposed adjacent to said multicolor light source for filtering light emitted therefrom to obtain filtered light by absorbing light of said composite color and by transmitting light either of said first color or of said second color; and
- means for measuring the intensity of said filtered light to determine whether the signals in said pair have the same level or different levels.
- 7. A multicolor comparator of two aligned sets of pairs of signals, each said signal having either a first level or a second level, comprising:
- A. a plurality of comparator cells, each said cell including:
- a. a first input and a second input for receiving a pair of said signals from respective said sets;
- b. a multicolor light source including a first light source for emitting upon activation light of a first color, a second light source for emitting upon activation light of a second color, and means for combining light emitted from said first light source and from said second light source to obtain composite light of a composite color;
- c. said first light source being coupled to said first input terminal for being activated in response to signals of a first level and for not being activated in response to signals of a second level;
- d. said second light source being coupled to said second input terminal for being activated in response to signals of a first level and for not being activated in response to signals of a second level;
- e. whereby no light is emitted from said multicolor light source when signals of a second level are applied to said first input terminal and to said second input terminal, light of said composite color is emitted from said multicolor light source when signals of a first level are applied to said first input terminal and to said second input terminal, and light either of said first color or of said second color is emitted from said multicolor light source when a signal of a first level is applied to one of said input terminals, and a signal of a second level is applied to the other of said input terminals;
- B. filter means disposed adjacent to a plurality of said cells for filtering light emitted therefrom to obtain filtered light by removing light of said composite color and by transmitting light either of said first color or of said second color; and
- C. means for interrogating said filtered light to determine whether the signals in a plurality of said pairs have the same level or different levels.
- 8. A multicolor comparator of two aligned sets of pairs of signals, each said signal having either a first level or a second level, comprising:
- A. a plurality of comparator cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, each said cell including:
- a. a row input terminal, a column input terminal, a first data input terminal, and a second data input terminal for receiving said signals;
- b. a multicolor light source including a first light source for emitting upon activation light of a first color, a second light source for emitting upon activation light of a second color, and means for combining light emitted by said first light source and by said second light source to obtain composite light of a composite color;
- c. said first light source being coupled to the first data input terminal for being activated in response to signals of a first level and for not being activated in response to signals of a second level;
- d. said second light source being coupled to the second data input terminal for being activated in response to signals of a first level and for not being activated in response to signals of a second level;
- e. whereby no light is emitted from said multicolor light source when signals of a second level are applied to the first data input terminal and to the second data input terminal, light of said composite color is emitted from said multicolor light source when signals of a first level are applied to the first data input terminal and to the second data input terminal, and light either of said first color or of said second color is emitted from said multicolor light source when a signal of a first level is applied to one of the data input terminals, and a signal of a second level is applied to the other of the data input terminals;
- B. the row input terminals, the column input terminals, the first data input terminals, and the second data input terminals of said cells in said matrix being coupled according to a predetermined system such that said signals may be selectively applied to said cells;
- C. filter means disposed adjacent to said matrix for filtering light emitted from a plurality of said cells to obtain filtered light by removing light of said composite color and by transmitting light either of said first color or of said second color; and
- D. means for interrogating said filtered light to determine whether the signals in a plurality of said pairs have the same level or different levels.
- 9. A multicolor comparator as defined in claim 8 wherein the row input terminals of all cells located in the same row are coupled, the column input terminals of all cells located in the same column are coupled, the first data input terminals of all cells in said matrix are coupled, and the second data input terminals of all cells in said matrix are coupled.
- 10. A multicolor comparator as defined in claim 8 wherein:
- the row input terminals of all cells located in the same row are coupled, the column input terminals of all cells located in the same column are coupled, the first data input terminals of all cells in said matrix are coupled, and the second data input terminals of all cells in said matrix are coupled; and
- gate means are provided for gating signals applied to the row inputs and to the column input terminals such that the signals applied to the coupled first data input terminals and to the coupled second data input terminals may be applied to the first data input terminal and the second data input terminal in a selective one of said cells.
- 11. A multicolor comparator as defined in claim 8 wherein:
- said first light source emits upon activation light of red color;
- said second light source emits upon activation light of green color;
- the first data input terminal of said cell is operative in response to said signal of a first level to activate said first light source to emit light of red color; and
- the second data input terminal of said cell is operative in response to said signal of a first level to activate said second light source to emit light of green color.
- 12. A multicolor comparator of a pair of signals, each said signal having either a first level or a second level, comprising:
- a first input terminal and a second input terminal for receiving said signals;
- a multicolor light source including a first light source capable either of an extinguished condition or of an illuminated condition in a first color, a second light source capable either of an extinguished condition or of an illuminated condition in a second color, and means for combining light emitted by said first light source and said second light source to obtain composite light of a composite color;
- said first light source being coupled to said first input terminal for being briefly illuminated in response to briefly applied signals of a first level and for not being illuminted in response to signals of a second level;
- means coupled to said first light source for stabilizing it in its illuminated condition when briefly illuminated;
- said second light source being coupled to said second input terminal for being briefly illuminated in response to briefly applied signals of a first level and for not being illuminated in response to signals of a second level;
- means coupled to said second light source for stabilizing it in its illuminated condition when briefly illuminated;
- whereby no light is emitted from said multicolor light source when signals of a second level are applied to said first input terminal and to said second input terminal, light of said composite color is emitted from said multicolor light source when signals of a first level are briefly applied to said first input terminal and to said second input terminal, and light either of said first color or of said second color is emitted from said multicolor light source when a signal of a first level is briefly applied to one of said input terminals, and a signal of a second level is applied to the other of said input terminals;
- filter means disposed adjacent to said multicolor light source for filtering light emitted therefrom to obtain filtered light by removing light of said composite color and by transmitting light either of said first color or of said second color; and
- means for interrogating said filtered light to determine whether the signals in said pair, which were briefly applied to said first input and to said second input, had the same level or different levels.
- 13. A multicolor comparator as defined in claim 12 further including initialization means having reset outputs respectively coupled to said first light source and to said second light source and having a reset input terminal responsive to a reset signal, for activating said reset outputs to extinguish said first light source and said second light source when said reset signal is applied to said reset input terminal.
- 14. A multicolor comparator of two aligned sets of pairs of signals, each said signal having either a first level or a second level, comprising:
- A. a plurality of comparator cells, each said cell including:
- a. a first input terminal and a second input terminal for receiving a pair of said signals from respective said sets;
- b. a multicolor light source including a first light source for emitting when activated light of a first color, a second light source for emitting when activated light of a second color, and means for combining light emitted by said first light source and by said second light source to obtain composite light of a composite color;
- c. said first light source being coupled to said first input terminal for being briefly illuminated in response to briefly applied signals of a first level and for not being illuminated in response to signals of a second level;
- d. said second light source being coupled to said second input terminal for being briefly illuminated in response to briefly applied signals of a first level and for not being illuminated in response to signals of a second level;
- e. memory means coupled to said first light source and to said second light source for respectively stabilizing them in their illuminated conditions when briefly illuminated;
- f. whereby no light is emitted from said multicolor light source when signals of a second level are applied to said first input terminal and to said second input terminal, light of said composite color is emitted from said multicolor light source when signals of a first level are briefly applied to said first input terminal and to said second input terminal, and light either of said first color or of said second color is emitted from said multicolor light source when a signal of a first level is briefly applied to one of said input terminals, and a signal of a second level is applied to the other of said input terminals;
- B. filter means disposed adjacent to a plurality of said cells for filtering light emitted therefrom to obtain filtered light by removing light of said composite color and by transmitting light either of said first color or of said second color; and
- C. means for measuring luminous intensity of said filtered light to determine whether the signals in a plurality of said pairs, which were briefly applied to said first inputs and to said second inputs, had the same level or different levels.
- 15. A multicolor comparator as defined in claim 14 further including initialization means having reset outputs coupled to all said first light sources and to all said second light sources and having a reset input terminal responsive to a reset signal, for activating said reset outputs to extinguish all said first light sources and all said second light sources when said reset signal is applied to said reset input terminal.
- 16. A multicolor comparator for determining the degree of similarity between two aligned sets of pairs of signals, each said signal having either a first level or a second level, comprising:
- A. a plurality of comparator cells, each said cell including:
- a. a first input terminal and a second input for receiving a pair of said signals from respective said sets;
- b. a multicolor light source including a first light source for emitting when activated light of a first color, a second light source for emitting when activated light of a second color, and means for combining light emitted by said first light source and by said second light source to obtain composite light of a composite color;
- c. said first light source being coupled to said first input terminal for being activated in response to signals of a first level and for not being activated in response to signals of a second level;
- d. said second light source being coupled to said second input terminals for being activated in response to signals of a first level and for not being activated in response to signals of a second level;
- e. whereby no light is emitted from said multicolor light source when signals of a second level are applied to said first input terminal and to said second input terminal, light of said composite color is emitted from said multicolor light source when signals of a first level are applied to said first input terminal and to said second input terminal, and light either of said first color or of said second color is emitted from said multicolor light source when a signal of a first level is applied to one of said input terminals, and a signal of a second level is applied to the other of said input terminals;
- B. filter means disposed adjacent to a plurality of said cells for filtering light emitted therefrom to obtain filtered light by removing light of said composite color and by transmitting light either of said first color or of said second color; and
- C. means for measuring total luminous intensity of said filtered light, which is a function of the number of said cells having pairs of said signals of unequal levels applied to their inputs, to thereby determine the degree of similarity between said two sets of pairs of signals.
- 17. A multicolor comparator as defined in claim 16 wherein said means for measuring total luminous intensity of said filtered light include a phototransistor and means for directing said filtered light on of said phototransistor, said phototransistor being further operatively biased for developing an output voltage which serves as an indication of the degree of similarity between said two sets of signals.
- 18. A multicolor comparator as defined in claim 16 wherein:
- said means for measuring total luminous intensity of said filtered light include a phototransistor and means for directing said filtered light on said phototransistor, said phototransistor being further operatively biased for developing an output voltage which serves as an indication of the degree of similarity between said two sets of signals; and
- attenuating filter means disposed adjacent to said phototransistor for absorbing a predetermined portion of light directed on said phototransistor so as to prevent it from achieving saturation.
- 19. A multicolor comparator for determining the degree of similarity between two aligned sets of pairs of signals, each said signal having either a first level or a second level, comprising:
- A. a plurality of comparator cells, each said cell including:
- a. a first input terminal and a second input terminal for receiving a pair of said signals from respective said sets;
- b. a multicolor light source including a first light emitting diode for emitting when forwardly biased light of a first color, a second light emitting diode for emitting when forwardly biased light of a second color, and means for combining light emitted by said first light emitting diode and said second light emitting diode to obtain composite light of a composite color;
- c. said first light emitting diode being coupled to said first input terminal for being forwardly biased in response to signals of a first level and for not being forwardly biased in response to signals of a second level;
- d. said second light emitting diode being coupled to said second input terminal for being forwardly biased in response to signals of a first level and for not being forwardly biased in response to signals of a second level;
- e. whereby no light is emitted from said multicolor light source when signals of a second level are applied to said first input terminal and to said second input terminal, light of said composite color is emitted from said multicolor light source when signals of a first level are applied to said first input terminal and to said second input terminal, and light either of said first color or of said second color is emitted from said multicolor light source when a signal of a first level is applied to one of said input terminals, and a signal of a second level is applied to the other of said input terminals;
- B. color filter means disposed adjacent to a plurality of said cells for filtering light emitted therefrom to obtain filtered light by absorbing light of said composite color and by transmitting light either of said first color or of said second color; and
- C. a phototransistor disposed adjacent to said cells for measuring total luminous intensity of said filtered light, which is a function of the number of said cells having pairs of said signals of unequal levels applied to their inputs, said phototransistor being operatively biased for developing an output voltage which serves as an indication of the degree of similarity between said two sets of pairs of signals.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 06/856,196 filed Apr. 28, 1986, now abandoned, entitled Multicolor Optical Device.
US Referenced Citations (5)
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
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Parent |
856196 |
Apr 1986 |
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