Method and apparatus for tri-color rail signal system with control

• US 20050151665A1
• Filed: 01/08/2004
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Current Lighting Solutions, LLC (f/k/a GE Lighting Solutions, LLC) (American Industrial Partners)
• Original Assignee: Gelcore (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Bohler, Chris, Martineau, Patrick, Brunet, Louis, Sommers, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 7,385,481 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/815.450
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 2207/02 using light-emitting diodes [LEDs]
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 5/1881 Wiring diagrams for power supply, control or testing
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights

Abstract

A signaling control device apparatus (10) comprises at least one LED (20) having a light emitting surface (18). A sensor (24) is set to detect an external light load (16) directed to the light emitting surface (18) and generate a control signal indicative of a presence of the light load (16). An electrical control system (14) detects the control signal indicative of the light load (16) and sources an elevated current to the LED (20) while the light load (16) is present. The elevated current increases the contrast ratio making the signal perceivable by the users as being in a particular state.

Claims

1. A signaling control device apparatus comprising:

a light source including at least one LED, the light source having a light emitting surface; and

at least one sensor set to detect an external light load directed to the light emitting surface and generate a control signal indicative of a presence of the light load.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes a photodiode.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one LED and the at least one sensor are disposed on the printed circuit board.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is positioned in a location remote from the printed circuit board.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including:

an electrical control system to receive the control signal indicative of the presence of the light load.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the electrical control system triggers an increase in current being supplied to the at least one LED in response to the received control signal.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the current is continuous.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the current is pulsing.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the current is raised by pulsing the current at a frequency higher than visually perceivable.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor detects a magnitude of the light load and further including:

a control system to receive a control signal indicative of a value of the magnitude of the load and to generate an increased current to be supplied to the at least one LED in proportion to the load magnitude.

11. A method of controlling a signaling device, the method comprising:

providing a light source including at least one LED, the light source having a light emitting surface;

setting at least one sensor to detect an external light load directed to the light emitting surface; and

in response to detecting a presence of the light load, generating a control signal indicative of detecting the light load.

12. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the at least one sensor includes a photodiode.

13. The method as set forth in claim 11, further including:

mounting the at least one LED on a printed circuit board; and

arranging the at least one sensor on the printed circuit board.

14. The method as set forth in claim 11, further including:

mounting the at least one sensor in a location remote from the printed circuit board.

15. The method as set forth in claim 11, further including:

receiving the control signal by an electrical control system.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15, further including:

setting up the control system to trigger an increase in current being supplied to the at least one LED in response to receiving the control signal.

17. The method as set forth in claim 15, further including:

one of supplying a continuous current and a pulsing current.

18. The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the current is raised by pulsing the current at a frequency higher than visually perceivable.

19. The method as set forth in claim 11, further including:

detecting a magnitude of the light load; and

generating an output control signal indicative of a value of the light load magnitude.

20. The method as set forth in claim 19, further including:

receiving the magnitude value by an electrical control system; and

supplying an elevated current to the at least one LED, the elevated current proportionate to the detected light load magnitude.