A Method of Signalling on Electric Lighting Circuits.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 14th May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 14th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 14th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Method of Signalling on Electric Lighting Circuits.
We, WALTER CLAUDE JOHNSON and SAMUEL EDMUND PHILLIPS, both of
14, Union Court, Old Broad Street, in the City of London, Telegraph Engineers,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to a method of signalling on electrical lighting circuits
whereby any special apparatus for that purpose at the receiving stations is dispensed
with, and it consists in effecting such signals by the momentary increase or decrease
or cessation of the light of the lamps at the places of consumption, produced by a
corresponding increase or decrease or cessation of the current at the central station,
effected either automatically or otherwise.
Such signals may be employed for various purposes; thus a single signal given
at a certain time of the day may serve to give the correct time to all consumers
of current on the circuit, and such signal may either be given automatically by a
standard timepiece at the central station, which is made, at the required time to
actuate a switch, resistance or other device for momentarily increasing or decreasing
or stopping the lighting current. Or such switch &c. may be actuated by hand at
the given time.
Again, the signal may serve to indicate at a distance the occurrence of a
certain event at the central or other station; or lastly a series of consecutive
signals arranged according to any desired code may serve to convey messages.
Dated this 14th day of May 1890.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Method of Signalling on Electric Lighting Circuits.
We, WALTER CLAUDE JOHNSON and SAMUEL EDMUND PHILLIPS, both of
14, Union Court, Old Broad Street, in the City of London, Telegraph Engineers,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:—
Our invention relates to a method of signalling on electrical lighting circuits
whereby any special apparatus for that purpose at the receiving stations is dispensed
with, and it consists in utilizing the ordinary lamps of the installations for effecting
such signals, by causing the momentary increase or decrease or the cessation of the
lights of such lamps by a corresponding increase or decrease or cessation of the
current at the central station, effected either automatically or otherwise.
Such signals may be employed for various purposes; thus a single signal given
at a certain time of the day may serve to give the correct time to all consumers of
current on the circuit, and such signal may either be given automatically by a standard
timepiece at the central station, which is made, at the required time to actuate a
switch or other suitable device of known construction for momentarily breaking
the electric circuit completely and cause momentary cessation of the light, or to cut
out or switch into the circuit a resistance and cause momentary increase or decrease
in the intensity of the light, as the case may be.
Or such switch &c. may be actuated by hand at the given time.
Again, the signal may serve to indicate at a distance the occurrence of a
certain event at the central or other station; or lastly a series of consecutive
signals arranged according to any desired code may serve to convey messages.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
A method of utilising the ordinary electric lamps on electric lighting installations
for signalling purposes, consisting in effecting a momentary increase or decrease or 5
cessation of the light of such lamps by means of a suitable switch or other device
at the central station whereby the electrical energy passing through the lighting
mains can be momentarily increased, or intercepted, either automatically or other-
wise, such momentary variations in the light being made to take place either in
succession according to any signalling code, or at certain times of the day to indicate
correct time or for other signalling purposes.
Dated this 14th day of February 1891
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.