US3651586A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

A display device comprising first and second sets of lights arranged in an elliptical pattern and a third set of lights arranged in a generally circular pattern. The elliptical patterns intersect and one light which is common to both of the first and second sets is located at the region of intersection. The common light is also located substantially along the circular pattern. First and second circuits alternately and sequentially illuminate the lights of the first and second sets, respectively, to create the illusion of movement along the elliptical patterns. Eventually both of the circuits will simultaneously illuminate the common light. When this occurs, a third circuit becomes operative to alternately and sequentially illuminate and extinguish the lights in the circular pattern to provide an illusion of movement along the circular path. At the same time, the lights of the two elliptical patterns are extinguished.

Description

United States Patent Funk Mar. 28, 1972 [54] DISPLAY DEVICE Primary Examiner-Jerome Schnall [72] inventor: James W. Funk, 9019 Reading Ave., Los

Angeles, Calif. 90045 1 AttorneySmyth, Roston & Pavitt [22] Filed: June 18, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT Appl. No.: 47,292

, FROM 05:00 El? FROM 87 0550052 i TIME DELAY DECODEI? A display device comprising first and second sets of lights arranged in an elliptical pattern and a third set of lights arranged in a generally circular pattern. The elliptical patterns intersect and one light which is common to both of the first and second sets is located at the region of intersection. The common light is also located substantially along the circular pattern. First and second circuits alternately and sequentially illuminate the lights of the first and second sets, respectively, to create the illusion of movement along the elliptical patterns. Eventually both of the circuits will simultaneously illuminate the common light. When this occurs, a third circuit becomes operative to alternately and sequentially illuminate and extinguish the lights in the circular pattern to provide an illusion of movement along the circular path. At the same time, the lights of the two elliptical patterns are extinguished.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures To COMMON LIE/4T FLIP- FLOP DECODEI? Patented March 28, 1972 3,651,586

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 H6 TO FROM FROM oacoasn 87 paws; 9 I COMMON UGHT TIME DELAY R S FLIP- FLOP W03 DECODER 056005 9 III II I INV6NTOfi: James w Fun/r Patented March 28, 1972 3,651,586

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVCN TOR James W Funk @Aw 31 a M HNEYS DISPLAY DEVICE This invention relates to a display device which is particularly adapted for use as a teaching aid or educational device.

A recent theory of solar system formation is that at one time large masses of material orbited the sun in numerous elliptical orbits. Some of the elliptical orbits intersected with the result that after long periods, collisions between masses travelling along the intersecting elliptical orbits occurred. A collision between two masses results in combining of the masses to ultimately form a planet. The combined mass then rotates in a generally circular orbit because the radial velocity of the combined mass is essentially zero. The radius of the planet orbit is a function of'the eccentricity of the associated pair of elliptical orbits and the divergence of the major axes. of such elliptical orbits. Although this description of the solar system formation process is greatly simplified, it is this simplified description which the present invention is particularly adapted to depict.

According to the present invention, first and second sets of lights are arranged in first and second generally elliptical patterns with each of the sets representing an elliptical orbit for one of the masses. Each of the first and second sets of lights preferably extend generally radially from a central location and intersect at a region of intersection. At least one light is common to both of the sets of lights and this common light is located at the region of intersection. v

A third set of lights is arranged in a circular pattern to represent the generally circular orbit of an ultimately formed planeLThe common light lies substantially on the circular pattern.

The lights of the several sets are illuminated and extinguished in a manner to point out the concept desired. Preferably first means are provided for sequentially illuminating and extinguishing the lights of the first set at a rate, and in a sequence, to create the illusion of movement along the first elliptical path. Second means operates the second set of lights in the same manner. The operation of the first and second sets of lights is such that eventually the common light is illuminated substantially simultaneously by both of the first and second means. This simultaneous illumination of the common light represents a collision between the masses travelling along the elliptical orbits. Third means responsive to such simultaneous illumination of the common light by the first and second means disables the first and second means and sequentially illuminates and extinguishes the lights of the third set at a rate, and in a sequence, to create an illusion of movement along the circular pattern. This, of course, represents the circular orbit which results from the collision between masses travelling along the separate elliptical orbits.

Of course, a display device constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention can have any number of sets of lights arranged in elliptical and circular patterns to basically duplicate the function and result described hereinabove to thereby illustrate the formation of more than one planet. Preferably after the last set of lights arranged in a circular pattern has been operating for a predetermined time period, the process is automatically terminated and restarted.

The control of the lights can be advantageously carried out electronically. In a preferred form of the invention, a photoelectric pulse generator provides electrical pulses to a suitable electronic component which operates the lights of the several sets in accordance with the pulses received. The display device is provided with a selector switch which enables the user to select different modes of operation. For example, a preferred mode of operation is described above wherein simultaneous illumination of the common light automatically turns off the lights of the elliptical patterns containing such common light and automatically causes sequential operation of the lights of the corresponding circular pattern. The selector can also be used to select other operating modes such as all of the lights operating, all of the lights off, all of the lights arranged in circular patterns operating, all of the lights arranged in elliptical patterns operating or all of the lights in elliptical patterns remain in operation after the simultaneous illumination of a light common to such elliptical patterns.

The display device of this invention can also be used to present an attractive light display for entertaining purposes or for advertising.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation together with further features and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a display device constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation showing how the lights may be arranged in four elliptical patterns and two circular patterns.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the rotatable disc of the pulse generator.

Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, reference numeral 11 designates a display device constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. The display device 11 includes three sets 13, 15 and 17 of lights with the'sets '13 and 15 being arranged in an elliptical pattern and with the set '17 being arranged in a circular pattern. The set 13 includes a plurality of individual-lights 19 substantially equally spaced along an elliptical path and mounted on suitable supporting structure 21. The set 15 similarly includes a plurality of lights 23 equally spaced along an elliptical pattern and suitably mounted on a supporting structure 25. Both sets 13 and 15 are oriented with their inner foci coincident at point 31, although their aphehia, or far points are separated in angle. The set 17 includes lights 27 equally spaced along a circular pattern andsuitably mounted on a suitable supporting structure 29.

The circular pattern has a center 31 and each of the elliptical patterns surround the center 31 in highly eccentric fashion. The elliptical patterns extend generally radially relative to the circular pattern and intersect at a point lying substantially along the circular pattern. The sets 13 and 15 have a light 33 which is common to both the sets and which lies along the circular pattern.

Although FIG. 1 shows only two sets of lights arranged in an elliptical pattern and a single set 17 arranged in a circular pattern, it should be understood that any numbers of sets of lights may be employed. For example, FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically an arrangement of four sets 13a, 13b, 15a and 15b of lights arranged in elliptical patterns and two sets 17a and 17b of lights arranged in circular patterns. The circular patterns are concentric and have a center 31a. The sets 13a and 15a intersect and have a common light 33a, and the sets 13b and 15b have a common light 33b with the common lights 33a and 33b lying in the circular paths formed by the light sets 17a and 17b, respectively. Because the angled formed by the major axes of 15b and 13b is smaller than that formed by and 15a, the radius of circle 17b is larger than of circle 17a. Additional sets of elliptically and circularly arranged lights could be provided by merely duplicating features illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Preferably the radii of the circularly arranged lights are proportioned to generally correspondto the radii of the orbits of the planets.

A suitable pulse generator such as a photoelectric pulse generator 35 provides pulses for controlling the illumination and extinguishing of the lights of the sets 13, 15 and 17. The pulse generator 35 may be of conventional design and includes a power source such as a DC motor 37, a speed reducer 39 driven by the motor, a rotatable shaft 41 driven by the speed reducer and a plurality of discs 43 (only one being shown in FIG. I) mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith. The disc 43 has apertures 45, 47 and 49 (FIG. 3) arranged in three circular rows, respectively. Three light beams are conducted to the disc 43 at the three rows of apertures from a light source 51 by fiber optics bundles 53, 55 and 57. The fiber 'optices bundle 57 is arranged to direct light through each of the apertures 45 as rotation of the disc 43 brings such aperture into alignment therewith. Accordingly, cooperation between the fiber optics bundle 57 and the disc 43 causes light pulses to appear on the right side of the disc 43 with the duration of such pulses being a function of the circumferential dimension of the apertures 45 and with the length of time between pulses being a function of the circumferential spacing between adjacent apertures 45. Of course, the speed of rotation of the disc 43 also effects pulse duration and the period of time between pulses. The bundles 53 and 55 are similarly arranged with respect to the apertures 49 and 47 to produce similar results.

Three photocells 59, 61 and 63 are located in alignment with the light beams from the bundles 53, 55 and 57, respectively. Each of the photocells 59, 61 and 63 are maintained at a positive voltage with respect to the light sensitive surface thereof as shown. The photocells 59, 61 and 63 are coupled to the collectors of transistors 65, 67 and 69, respectively, and the emitters of each of the transitors 65, 67 and 69 are coupled to ground.

The transistors 65,67 and 69 can be rendered conductive by the application of anappropriate current to the base thereof. The transistors 65, 67 and 69 are controlled by a suitable selector switch 71 and related circuitry which is described more fully hereinbelow. At this point, it can be assumed that the transitors 65 and 67 are conductive and that the transitor 69 is nonconductive.

As the transitor 69 is in a nonconducting state, no current will flow in the circuit containing the photocell 63 and the transistor 69 even when a light pulse is directed against the photocell 63. However, when a light pulse is directed against the cell 61, current flows in the associated circuit because the emitter of the transistor 67 is coupled to ground potential. This causes an electrical energy pulse to be supplied through a lead 73 and an amplifier 75 and to a counter 77. The counter 77, which may be a ring counter, is coupled to a decoder 79 by a plurality of leads with four of such leads being illustrated. The pulses received by the counter 77 are counted in binary with the counter supplying electrical signals through the leads to the decoder 79 to thereby provide the decoder 79 with binary information representing the total number of pulses received by the counter 77.

The decoder 79 is coupled separately to each of the lights 19 through an amplifier 80. The decoder 79 is responsive to the binary input from the counter 77 to sequentiallyilluminate and extinguish each of the lights 19 at a rate and in a sequence to create an illusion of movement along the elliptical pattern of the set 13. Although this can be carried out in different ways, by way of example, a first of the lights 19 may be illuminated in response to the first pulse received by the counter 77 with the remaining lights 19 being extinguished. At the termination of the first pulse the first light goes off and in response to the second pulse received by the counter 77, the decoder causes illumination of an adjacent light 19 with this process being repeated completely around the elliptical pattern of the set 13.

Similarly, the circuit containing the photocell 59 is coupled to an amplifier 81 through a lead 83. The output from the amplifier 81 is fed to a counter 85 which is coupled by a plurality ofleads to a decoder 87. The decoder 87 is coupled separately to each of the lights 23 through an amplifier 88. Accordingly, the light pulses which energize the photocell 59 causes sequential illumination and extinguishing of the lights 23 in the same manner as described hereinabove with respect to lights 19. If desired, different discs 43 can be used to provide the light pulses for one or more of the decoders 79, 87 and 95. The circuit containing the photocell 63 is coupled to an amplifier 89 through a lead 91. The output of the amplifier 89 is supplied to a counter 93 which is coupled by a plurality of leads to a decoder 95. The decoder 95 is coupled separately to each of the lights 27 through an amplifier 96. When the transitor 69 is turned on, one pulse ofelectrical energy is supplied to the counter 93 for each light pulse which is received by the photocell 63 to thereby cause the counter 93 and the decoder 95 to operate in a manner identical of the counter 77 and the decoder 79. This results in the sequential illumination and extinguishing of each of the lights 27 to provide an illusion of movement along the circular path. Accordingly, with the transitors 65 and 67 turned on, the lights 19 and 23 of the sets 13 and 15 will be operated as described above to provide an illusion of movement along the sets 13 and 15.

The transitors 65, 67 and 69 control the mode of operation of the lights 19, 23 and 27. It can be seen from the upper end of FIG. 1 that the light 33 can be energized by either a pair of leads 97 from the decoder 79 or by a pair of leads 99 from the decoder 87. One of the leads 97 and one of the leads 99 is coupled through AND gate 101 to a flip flop 103. In this state, the flip flop provides a positive biasing current through a lead 105 a switch arm 107 of the selector switch 71 and a lead 109 to the bases of the transitors 65 and 67 to thereby render the transitors conductive. In this same state, the flip flop 103 provides no current flow through a lead 111, a switch arm 113 and a lead 115 to the base of the transistor 69. Accordingly, the transistor 69 is in a nonconductive state.

However, when pulses from both of the decoders 79 and 87 are transmitted through the leads 97 and 99 simultaneously to the amplifier 116 for the light 33, simultaneous pulses are transmitted through the AND gate 101 to the flip flop 103 to thereby provide a trigger signal which changes the flip flop circuit from one state to another. Thereafter, the biasing current to the bases of the transistors 65 and 67 is removed and a biasing current is provided to the base of the transistor 69 through the lead 111, the switch arm 113 and the lead 115. With the transistors 65 and 67 turned off, all of the lights 19 and 23 of the sets 13 and 15 are extinguished and the lights 27 are alternately extinguished and illuminated to provide an illusion of movement around the circular pattern of the set 17.

In order to provide a new trigger signal to the flip flop 103 to change it back to the first state, the lead 115 is coupled by a lead 117 to an AND gate 119. The AND gate 119 is coupled in series with another AND gate 121. The outputs of two other AND gates 123 and 125 are fed to the AND gate 121. The output of the AND gate is coupled to a time delay device 127 which, after a predetermined time delay provides a new trigger signal to the flip flop 103. This latter trigger signal causes the flip flop to revert to its initial condition in which the transitors 65 and 67 are conductive and the transitors 69 is nonconductive.

1f the display device includes only the sets 13, 15 and 17, the lead 117 could be coupled directly to the input of the time delay device 127 and the AND gates 119, 121, 123 and 125 could be eliminated. However, assuming that a large number of the circular sets 17 and elliptical sets 13 and 15 are utilized, then the employment of these AND gates is desirable for resetting of the flip flop 103. For example, assuming that the display device included 10 circular sets (one of each of the planets plus one for the asteroids) and 20 elliptical sets (one pair for each of the planets and one for the asteroids), then the AND gate arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 could be employed. In this event, each of the AND gates 119, 123 and 125 would be coupled by leads corresponding to the lead 117 to corresponding portions of the circuitry for the device. When all of the transistors corresponding to the transistor 69 for the respective circular patterns have been energized, the outputs of the three AND gates 119, 123 and 125 would be energized to thereby permit energization of the output of the AND gate 121. Thereafter, following the preset time delay for the time delay device 127, the flip flop 103 is reset to restart the entire cycle.

The switch 71 has manually movable switch arms 107 and 113 which permit manual selection of the mode of operation of the display device 1 l. The switch 71 may be, for example, a wafer switch. As shown in FIG. 1, the switch arms 107 and 1 13 are in position a and the operation of the display device 11 has been described hereinabove with the switch arms in the positrons a.

However, the display device 11 can be operated in other modes. For example, by manually moving the switch arms 107 and 1 13 to position b, positive biasing voltage sources are coupled to the bases of the transistors 65, 67 and 69. This causes all of the lights of all of the sets l3, l5 and 17 to be sequentially illuminated and extinguished in accordance with the respective pulses provided to the photocells 59, 61 and 63. Thus, in this mode the simultaneous illumination of the lights 33 will not cause any change in the operation of the device.

In position 0, the bases of the transistors 65, 67 and 69 are coupledto ground potential and this represents the off position of the display device.

In position d, the bases of the transistors 65 and 67 are coupled to a positive biasing voltage so that. the sets 13 and 15 operate continuously. The switch arm 113 is coupled to the output of the flip flop so that the set 17 is not rendered operable until the light 33 is simultaneously illuminated by both of the decoders 79 and 87. However, as the bases of the transistors 65 and 67 are coupled to a constant biasing voltage, the sets 13 and 15 continue to operate even following the simultaneous illumination of the common light 33.

In position e, the bases of the transistors 65 and 67 are coupled to a continuous biasing voltage so that the sets 13 and 15 operate continuously. The base of the transistor 69 is coupled 'to ground potential so that-the lights 27 of the set 17 remain inoperative. Conversely, in position f, the bases of the transistors 65 and 67 are coupled to ground potential so that the sets 13 and 15 are inoperative while the base of the transistor 69 is coupled to a continuous biasing voltage so that the set 17 operates continuously.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, many changes, modifications and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Iclaim:

l. A display device comprising:

a first set of lights arranged in a first generally elliptical pattern;

a second set of lights arranged in a second generally elliptical pattern, said first and second elliptical patterns intersecting at a region of intersection, one light of said first set of lights also being included in said second set of lights whereby said one light is common to both of said sets of lights, said one light being located at said region of intersection;

a third set of lights arranged in a generally circular pattern, both of said elliptical patterns intersecting said circular pattern and projecting outwardly from said circular pattern, said one light being located substantially in said circular pattern;

first means for sequentially illuminating and extinguishing the lights of said first set at a rate to create an illusion of movement along said first generally elliptical pattern;

second means for sequentially illuminating and extinguishing the lights of said second set at a rate to create an illusion of movement along said second generally elliptical pattern, the operation of said first and second means being timed so that said one light willeventually be illuminated substantially simultaneously by both of said first and second means; and

third means responsive to the substantially simultaneous illumination of said one light by said first and second means for disabling said first and second means and for sequentially illuminating and extinguishing the lights of said third set at a rate to create an illusion of movement along said generally circular pattern.

2. A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second patterns extend generally radially from about the center of said third pattern.

3. A display device as defined in claim 1 including means responsive to a predetermined time delay following the substantially simultaneous illumination of said one light by said first and second means for disabling said third means whereby the first and second means are rendered operative.

4. A display device as defined in claim 1 including manual switch means for overriding said third means and for allowing operation of said first and second means after the simultaneous illumination of said one light.

5. A display device as defined in claim 1 including fourth and fifth sets of lights with each of said fourth and fifth sets of lights being arranged in fourth and fifth generally elliptical patterns, respectively, said fourth and fifth elliptical patterns intersecting at a region of intersection, one light of said fourth and fifth sets being common to both of said fourth and fifth sets and being located at the region of intersection of said fourth and fifth patterns, a sixth set of lights arranged in a generally circular pattern which is generally concentric with the circular pattern for said third set of lights, said fourth and fifth elliptical patterns intersecting said circular pattern of said sixth set of lights with said one light of said fourth and fifth sets being located substantially in the last mentioned circular pattern, fourth means for sequentially illuminating and extinguishing the lights of said fourth set at a rate to create the illusion of movement along the fourth elliptical pattern, fifth means for sequentially illuminating and extinguishing the lights of said fifth set at a rate to create the illusion of movement along the fifth elliptical pattern, sixth means responsive to the substantial simultaneous illumination ofsaid one light of said fourth and fifth sets for disabling said fourth and fifth means and for sequentially illuminating and extinguishing the lights of said sixth set at a rate to create the illusion of movement along the sixth pattern, and means responsive to the operation of said third and sixth sets of lights for a predetermined length of time for disabling said third and sixth means whereby the first, second, fourth and fifth means are rendered operative.

6. A display device comprising:

a first set of lights arranged in a generally elliptical pattern;

a second set of lights arranged in a second generally elliptical pattern, said first and second elliptical patterns intersecting at a region of intersection, one light of said first set of lights being included in said second set of lights whereby said one light is common to both of said sets of lights, said one light being located at said region of intersection;

a third set of lights arranged in a generally circular pattern, both of said elliptical patterns intersecting said circular pattern and projecting outwardly from said circular pat tern, said one light being located substantially in said circular pattern;

first means for providing electrical pulses in a first predetermined sequence;

first decoder means responsive to said pulses to sequentially illuminate and extinguish each of said lights of said first set with the rate at which each new light of said first set is illuminated being a function of said first predetermined sequence;

second means for providing electrical pulses in a second predetermined sequence different from said first predetermined sequence;

second decoder means responsive to said pulses from said second means to sequentially illuminate and extinguish each of said lights of said second set with the rate at which each new light of said second set is illuminated being a function of said second predetermined sequence whereby eventually said one light be illuminated substantially simultaneously by both of said first and second decoder means; and

third means responsible to the substantial simultaneous illumination of said one light by said first and second decoder means for discontinuing the sequential illumination and extinguishing of the lights of said first and second sets and for sequentially illuminating and extinguishing the lights of said third set in a sequence to create the illusion of movement along said circular path.

7. A display device as defined in claim 6 wherein said first means includes means for providing a beam of light, light senble member whereby the beam of light can pass sequentially through said apertures to periodically energize said light sensitive means.

9. A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein the inner focus of the second elliptical pattern is substantially coincident with the inner focus of the first elliptical pattern.

Claims (9)

1. A display device comprising: a first set of lights arranged in a first generally elliptical pattern; a second set of lights arranged in a second generally elliptical pattern, said first and second elliptical patterns intersecting at a region of intersection, one light of said first set of lights also being included in said second set of lights whereby said one light is common to both of said sets of lights, said one light being located at said region of intersection; a third set of lights arranged in a generally circular pattern, both of said elliptical patterns intersecting said circular pattern and projecting outwardly from said circular pattern, said one light being located substantially in said circular pattern; first means for sequentially illuminating and extinguishing the lights of said first set at a rate to create an illusion of movement along said first generally elliptical pattern; second means for sequentially illuminating and extinguishing the lights of said second set at a rate to create an illusion of movement along said second generally elliptical pattern, the operation of said first and second means being timed so that said one light will eventually be illuminated substantially simultaneously by both of said first and second means; and third means responsive to the substantially simultaneous illumination of said one light by said first and second means for disabling said first and second means and for sequentially illuminating and extinguishing the lights of said third set at a rate to create an illusion of movement along said generally circular pattern.

2. A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second patterns extend generally radially from about the center of said third pattern.

3. A display device as defined in claim 1 including means responsive to a predetermined time delay following the substantially simultaneous illumination of said one light by said first and second means for disabling said third means whereby the first and second means are rendered operative.

4. A display device as defined in claim 1 including manual switch means for overriding said third means and for allowing operation of said first and second means after the simultaneous illumination of said one light.

5. A display device as defined in claim 1 including fourth and fifth sets of lights with each of said fourth and fifth sets of lights being arranged in fourth and fifth generally elliptical patterns, respectively, said fourth and fifth elliptical patterns intersecting at a region of intersection, one light of said fourth and fifth sets being common to both of said fourth and fifth sets and being located at the region of intersection of said fourth and fifth patterns, a sixth set of lights arranged in a generally circular pattern which is generally concentric with the circular pattern for said third set of lights, said fourth and fifth elliptical patterns intersecting said circular pattern of said sixth set of lights with said one light of said fourth and fifth sets being located substantially in the last mentioned circular pattern, fourth means for sequentIally illuminating and extinguishing the lights of said fourth set at a rate to create the illusion of movement along the fourth elliptical pattern, fifth means for sequentially illuminating and extinguishing the lights of said fifth set at a rate to create the illusion of movement along the fifth elliptical pattern, sixth means responsive to the substantial simultaneous illumination of said one light of said fourth and fifth sets for disabling said fourth and fifth means and for sequentially illuminating and extinguishing the lights of said sixth set at a rate to create the illusion of movement along the sixth pattern, and means responsive to the operation of said third and sixth sets of lights for a predetermined length of time for disabling said third and sixth means whereby the first, second, fourth and fifth means are rendered operative.

6. A display device comprising: a first set of lights arranged in a generally elliptical pattern; a second set of lights arranged in a second generally elliptical pattern, said first and second elliptical patterns intersecting at a region of intersection, one light of said first set of lights being included in said second set of lights whereby said one light is common to both of said sets of lights, said one light being located at said region of intersection; a third set of lights arranged in a generally circular pattern, both of said elliptical patterns intersecting said circular pattern and projecting outwardly from said circular pattern, said one light being located substantially in said circular pattern; first means for providing electrical pulses in a first predetermined sequence; first decoder means responsive to said pulses to sequentially illuminate and extinguish each of said lights of said first set with the rate at which each new light of said first set is illuminated being a function of said first predetermined sequence; second means for providing electrical pulses in a second predetermined sequence different from said first predetermined sequence; second decoder means responsive to said pulses from said second means to sequentially illuminate and extinguish each of said lights of said second set with the rate at which each new light of said second set is illuminated being a function of said second predetermined sequence whereby eventually said one light will be illuminated substantially simultaneously by both of said first and second decoder means; and third means responsible to the substantial simultaneous illumination of said one light by said first and second decoder means for discontinuing the sequential illumination and extinguishing of the lights of said first and second sets and for sequentially illuminating and extinguishing the lights of said third set in a sequence to create the illusion of movement along said circular path.

7. A display device as defined in claim 6 wherein said first means includes means for providing a beam of light, light sensitive means responsive to said beam of light for providing electrical energy and means for periodically interrupting said beam of light to thereby permit said light sensitive means to supply said electrical pulses in said first predetermined sequence.

8. A display device as defined in claim 7 wherein said last mentioned means includes a rotatable member having a plurality of apertures therein and means for rotating said rotatable member whereby the beam of light can pass sequentially through said apertures to periodically energize said light sensitive means.

9. A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein the inner focus of the second elliptical pattern is substantially coincident with the inner focus of the first elliptical pattern.

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