How Modules Can Activate Things in a Sequence
This patent describes a system where an activation signal travels through connected modules, each activating an associated device after a delay before passing the signal to the next module.
Original patent title: “Sequentially operated modules”
This patent describes a system where an activation signal travels through connected modules, each activating an associated device after a delay before passing the signal to the next module. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent discloses a system of connected modules designed to control various devices, referred to as 'payloads'. An activation signal starts from a 'master module' which has a user-activated switch. This signal then travels from one module to the next. When a module receives the activation signal, it waits for a pre-set or random amount of time. After this delay, it activates its associated payload, and then, after another pre-set or random delay, it transmits the activation signal to the next connected module. The signal can move in one direction or bi-directionally, using a special module to change direction. For example, pressing a button on a master module could trigger a chain reaction: first, a light turns on, then a fan starts after a short pause, and finally, a speaker plays a sound.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover systems where all modules activate simultaneously without a sequential propagation of an activation signal.
- Does not cover systems where modules communicate wirelessly without a defined connection for signal propagation.
- Does not cover systems that activate payloads without an intermediate delay after receiving the activation signal.
- Does not cover systems where the activation signal's propagation direction cannot be reversed if two-way propagation is desired.
- Does not cover systems that do not use a master module with a user-activated switch to initiate the sequence.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in the controlled, sequential propagation of an activation signal through connected modules, each introducing a delay before activating its payload and passing the signal along. This allows for precise timing and ordering of events in a distributed system, with the flexibility of one-way or two-way signal flow.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Automated assembly lines where steps must occur in sequence.
Theatrical special effects where lights, sounds, and props activate in a timed order.
Security systems where alarms trigger sequentially across different zones.
Smart home routines where devices activate one after another.
Industrial control systems for machinery startups and shutdowns.
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology provides a structured way to control multiple devices in a specific order with timed delays. This sequential control is valuable in automation, safety systems, and entertainment, where precise timing and order of operations are crucial. It offers a fundamental building block for creating complex automated sequences from simple, interconnected components.
Filed
November 26, 2024
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies in industrial automation, smart home technology, and robotics are actively developing systems that rely on sequential control and modular design. Major players like Siemens, Rockwell Automation, and ABB, along with numerous IoT startups, build products that incorporate principles of distributed, timed activation of components to manage complex processes and environments.
Market impact
This type of modular, sequential control system enables more flexible and scalable automation solutions. It simplifies the design of complex systems by breaking them into smaller, manageable, and interconnected parts. This can lead to faster development cycles and easier maintenance for automated processes across various industries, from manufacturing to smart infrastructure.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent discloses a system of connected modules designed to control various devices, referred to as 'payloads'. An activation signal starts from a 'master module' which has a user-activated switch. This signal then travels from one module to the next. When a module receives the activation signal, it waits for a pre-set or random amount of time. After this delay, it activates its associated payload, and then, after another pre-set or random delay, it transmits the activation signal to the next connected module. The signal can move in one direction or bi-directionally, using a special module to change direction. For example, pressing a button on a master module could trigger a chain reaction: first, a light turns on, then a fan starts after a short pause, and finally, a speaker plays a sound.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in the controlled, sequential propagation of an activation signal through connected modules, each introducing a delay before activating its payload and passing the signal along. This allows for precise timing and ordering of events in a distributed system, with the flexibility of one-way or two-way signal flow.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover systems where all modules activate simultaneously without a sequential propagation of an activation signal.
- Does not cover systems where modules communicate wirelessly without a defined connection for signal propagation.
- Does not cover systems that activate payloads without an intermediate delay after receiving the activation signal.
- Does not cover systems where the activation signal's propagation direction cannot be reversed if two-way propagation is desired.
- Does not cover systems that do not use a master module with a user-activated switch to initiate the sequence.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 18.1 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). How Modules Can Activate Things in a Sequence (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,435). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734435/sequentially-operated-modules
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Modules Can Activate Things in a Sequence cover?
This patent describes a system where an activation signal travels through connected modules, each activating an associated device after a delay before passing the signal to the next module.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology provides a structured way to control multiple devices in a specific order with timed delays. This sequential control is valuable in automation, safety systems, and entertainment, where precise timing and order of operations are crucial. It offers a fundamental building block for creating complex automated sequences from simple, interconnected components.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover systems where all modules activate simultaneously without a sequential propagation of an activation signal.
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