Random one-of-N selector
Abstract
An apparatus for selecting at random one item of N items on the average comprising counter and reset elements for counting repeatedly between zero and N, a number selected by the user, a circuit for activating and deactivating the counter, a comparator to determine if the counter stopped at a count of zero, an output to indicate an item has been selected when the count is zero or not selected if the count is not zero. Randomness is provided by having the counter cycle very often while varying the relatively longer duration between activation and deactivation of the count. The passive circuit components of the activating/deactivating circuit and those of the counter are selected for the sensitivity of their response to variations in temperature and other physical characteristics of the environment so that the response time of the circuitry varies. Additionally, the items themselves, which may be people, may vary in shape or the time they press a pushbutton, so that, for example, an ultrasonic beam broken by the item or person passing through it will add to the duration of the count and thus to the randomness of the selection.
- Inventors:
-
- (353 Church Rd., Beech Island, SC 29841)
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- WESTINGHOUSE SAVANNAH RIVER CO
- OSTI Identifier:
- 868754
- Patent Number(s):
- 5204671
- Assignee:
- Kronberg, James W. (353 Church Rd., Beech Island, SC 29841) SRS
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-89SR18035
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- random; one-of-n; selector; apparatus; selecting; item; items; average; comprising; counter; reset; elements; counting; repeatedly; zero; selected; user; circuit; activating; deactivating; comparator; determine; stopped; count; output; indicate; randomness; provided; cycle; varying; relatively; duration; activation; deactivation; passive; components; sensitivity; response; variations; temperature; physical; characteristics; environment; time; circuitry; varies; additionally; people; vary; shape; press; pushbutton; example; ultrasonic; beam; broken; person; passing; add; selection; circuit component; physical characteristics; response time; circuit components; physical characteristic; /340/463/
Citation Formats
Kronberg, James W. Random one-of-N selector. United States: N. p., 1993.
Web.
Kronberg, James W. Random one-of-N selector. United States.
Kronberg, James W. Fri .
"Random one-of-N selector". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/868754.
@article{osti_868754,
title = {Random one-of-N selector},
author = {Kronberg, James W.},
abstractNote = {An apparatus for selecting at random one item of N items on the average comprising counter and reset elements for counting repeatedly between zero and N, a number selected by the user, a circuit for activating and deactivating the counter, a comparator to determine if the counter stopped at a count of zero, an output to indicate an item has been selected when the count is zero or not selected if the count is not zero. Randomness is provided by having the counter cycle very often while varying the relatively longer duration between activation and deactivation of the count. The passive circuit components of the activating/deactivating circuit and those of the counter are selected for the sensitivity of their response to variations in temperature and other physical characteristics of the environment so that the response time of the circuitry varies. Additionally, the items themselves, which may be people, may vary in shape or the time they press a pushbutton, so that, for example, an ultrasonic beam broken by the item or person passing through it will add to the duration of the count and thus to the randomness of the selection.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1993},
month = {1}
}