Programmable Light Display
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A light assembly having two or more operating modes, comprising:
- a plurality of light fixtures in electrical communication with each other, located in series, each of the light fixtures comprising at least one microcontroller and a plurality of lamps controlled by the at least one microcontroller;
the microcontrollers being programmed to communicate instructions for operating successive light fixtures, wherein in response to receiving the instructions from a microcontroller associated with a first light fixture in series, causing the first light fixture to operate in a selected one of the operating modes, which in turn causes succeeding light fixtures in the series to operate in the selected operating mode.
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Abstract
Programmable light assemblies that may function in various operating modes, such as to function as marker lights and/or emergency lights, or have other functions, are disclosed. The protocol and architecture of the light assemblies enables the associated light fixtures to provide a constant current output despite the presence of substantially large voltage ranges, and even when submerged in water. Alternative embodiments of the programmable light assemblies of the invention provide many other features as described herein.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A light assembly having two or more operating modes, comprising:
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a plurality of light fixtures in electrical communication with each other, located in series, each of the light fixtures comprising at least one microcontroller and a plurality of lamps controlled by the at least one microcontroller; the microcontrollers being programmed to communicate instructions for operating successive light fixtures, wherein in response to receiving the instructions from a microcontroller associated with a first light fixture in series, causing the first light fixture to operate in a selected one of the operating modes, which in turn causes succeeding light fixtures in the series to operate in the selected operating mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system for operating a light assembly, comprising:
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a power source; a plurality of light fixtures connected in series via a communication bus; a microcontroller configured to receive information related to the number of fixtures in the series, and a desired operating mode, and configured to provide a control signal, the control signal including a plurality of operating signals including information related to the desired operation of the fixtures in the series, and a constant current regulator, configured to provide reference voltages for operating the microcontroller from the power source; whereby a duration of the control signal is determined by the number of fixtures in the series, and the operation of the fixtures does not depend upon foreknowledge of the address or state of the fixtures in the series.
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30. A system including one or more groups of lighting fixtures, each of the one or more groups including fixtures connected in series, comprising:
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a microcontroller; a bypass circuit configured to pass on operating instructions to successive fixtures within a group in the event of an error in the operation of the microcontroller; a light assembly comprising one or more of the groups of lighting fixtures, the lighting fixtures comprising lamps and at least one microcontroller for controlling the lamps; one or more array drives for operating the lamps, the one or more array drives comprising a DC-to-DC converter and providing a generally constant current source for each of the lamps in the series; and a transceiver configured to receive operating control signals and to transmit control signals to succeeding fixtures within a group; whereby the illumination provided by the lamps remains generally constant over a given DC voltage range. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. A system including a microprocessor, and a light assembly comprising one or more groups of light fixtures, each of the one or more groups of light fixtures being connected in series, the system providing a logic signal for operating the light fixtures, the logic signal comprising:
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a start signal corresponding to a prior state; and a plurality of operating status signals in a first range indicating a recessive signal, and in a second range indicating a dominant signal, wherein the operating status signals correspond to operating modes that include an “
ON”
operating mode for the light fixtures, and an “
OFF”
operating mode for the light fixtures. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for using a computer readable medium arbitration system for determining whether a light fixture operated in a series of light fixtures will operate as a master unit or a slave unit, comprising the steps of:
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initiating the operation of the system from a main loop of a processor; initiating a timer; determining whether an incoming signal is recessive; lighting a fixture upon receipt of a constant recessive signal; initiating the operation of a fixture as a slave unit upon the receipt of a dominant incoming signal followed by a recessive signal; and initiating the operation of a fixture as a master unit upon the receipt of a constant dominant signal; whereby the timer is reinitiated if the fixture does not become a master unit.
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37. A method for determining whether a fixture operated in a series of fixtures will operate as a master unit or a slave unit, comprising the steps of:
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initiating the operation of the first fixture as a master unit; outputting a start signal; determining whether a previously received operating status for a first fixture is valid; operating the first fixture according to a valid previously received operating status; incrementing a counter associated with a plurality of currently received operating status signals; and outputting a plurality of “
ON” and
“
OFF”
operating state signals for the series of fixtures after the first fixture;whereby the first fixture is first operated according to the previously received operating state when the previously received operating state is valid, and the first fixture is configured to provide operating signals for successive fixtures in the series according to the next operating state for each
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38. A method for determining whether a fixture operated in a series of fixtures will operate as a master unit or a slave unit, comprising the steps of:
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initiating operation of a fixture as a slave unit; disabling a bypass associated with the fixture; determining whether a previously received operating state for the fixture is valid; operating the fixture according to a valid previously received operating state; determining whether an incoming signal is dominant or recessive; and differentiating between an “
ON” and
an “
OFF”
next operating state;whereby the fixture is first operated according to the previously received operating state when the previously received operating state is valid, and the fixture is then operated according to the next operating state.
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Specification