Remote Indicator Using Optical Fibre for Sabbath Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote indicator systems for ultra Orthodox Jews observing the Sabbath are not acceptable as they inherently activate electrical circuits, violating their religious laws, even when using optical sensors and shutters to control devices.
Innovation Solution
A remote indicator system utilizing a housing with a first light source and a fibre optic cable, where manual switching means allow light to be transferred to a remote display unit without completing an electrical circuit, using a moveable assembly or shutter to align and unalign the fibre optic cable with the light source, enabling light transmission without electrical activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If optical sensors and shutters are used to control devices on the Sabbath, then remote control capability is achieved, but electrical circuits are still activated which violates religious laws
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical circuit activation function from the control system by using fibre optic cables to transmit light signals instead of electrical signals. The light source remains in the housing and transmits through the fibre optic cable to the remote display unit, eliminating the need for electrical circuits at the remote location.
Solution Approach 2:
The fibre optic cable acts as an intermediary medium that transmits control signals from the housing to the remote display unit without completing an electrical circuit. The light-based transmission medium bridges the gap between the two locations while maintaining Sabbath compliance.
2Reliability
If permanently lit light sources are used with fibre optic cables, then electrical circuit activation is avoided, but manual switching mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a moveable assembly that can be manually positioned to either align with or block the fibre optic cable from the light source. This dynamic positioning mechanism allows simple manual operation to control light transmission without complex electrical switching circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism is segmented into separate functional components: the permanently lit light source, the moveable assembly with blocking capability, and the fibre optic cable. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently with simple mechanics rather than complex integrated switching circuits.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables ultra Orthodox Jews to send signals to remote locations on the Sabbath without violating their religious laws by allowing light to be transmitted through fibre optic cables without activating electrical circuits, providing a compliant remote indicator system.
Implementation Method 1
a fibre optic cable... transmitting light from a first location to a second location
Data Source
AI summary
A remote indicator system comprising a housing and a display unit located remotely from the housing. The housing comprises a first light source and a first end of an end-emitting fibre optic cable. The display unit comprises a second end of the fibre optic cable. The housing includes manual switching means configurable to allow light from the first light source to pass into the first end of the optical fibre cable and further configurable to prevent light from the first light source from passing into the first end of the optical fibre cable.