Apparatus Intelligent Illuminated Sign, Methods of Configuration and Controls

• US 20150294603A1
• Filed: 08/10/2014
• Published: 10/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zachary Leonid Braunstein
• Original Assignee: Zachary Leonid Braunstein
• Inventors: Braunstein, Zachary Leonid
• Granted Patent: US 9,460,645 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/005 Illumination controller or illuminated signs including an illumination control system
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/04 Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/222 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/005 Signs associated with a sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/04 the elements being secured or adapted to be secured by magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/021 Power management, e.g. power saving
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/144 the light being ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/004 to give the appearance of moving signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3406 Control of illumination source illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Apparatus intelligent illuminated sign comprising: controller, sensors, illumination devices, interfaces, power source. Apparatus configurations include: display, sensor, operator interface, controller interface, acceptance criteria, control algorithm. Display providing parallel view illumination, with mounting configuration including replacement without impacting integrity of apparatus. Sensors include: ambient light, proximity, temperature, power. Plug and power source includes intelligent power splitter, sustaining operation of apparatus during power outage. Operator interface include interrupting ambient light for triggering sensor status. Controller interface include: LAN, INTERNET, mobile devices. Acceptance criteria include: optimization using energy, sustaining apparatus safety and contributing to safety of surrounding environment. Control algorithm includes: executing real-time self-diagnostics, and controls to sustain apparatus operation within acceptance criteria, maintaining predefined safety margins using components of apparatus, maintaining reliability and maximizing operating life of apparatus. Apparatus configurable in compliance with local and national regulations for applications as intelligent illuminated: street address sign, street name sign; building sign, traffic sign.

Claims

1. An intelligent modular configurable apparatus comprising:

at least one configurable illumination module;

at least one configurable solid-state light source;

at least one configurable display;

at least one configurable sensor;

at least one configurable power source;

at least one configurable controller;

wherein the at least one illumination module is configured to provide illumination, including illumination for the at least one configurable display;

said configurable display is either embedded into the apparatus permanently, or attached to the apparatus;

said attachment supporting replacement of the display without impacting integrity of the apparatus;

wherein the at least one solid-state light source is configured to provide illumination for the at least one illumination module;

said light source providing illumination in a direction which is substantially parallel to an observer standing in front of the illumination module of the apparatus;

wherein the at least one sensor is configured to monitor environment, including environment within the apparatus;

said environment including ambient light, temperature, power source;

wherein the at least one controller is configured to connect with the at least one solid-state light source;

said controller is further configured for monitoring and controlling operation of the light source;

wherein the at least one controller is configured to conned with the at least one sensor;

said controller is further configured for monitoring status of the sensor;

wherein the at least one power source is configured to power the apparatus;

said power source configurations include conventional DC power supply, battery, and solar battery;

wherein the at least one configurable display includes at least one display element, said element is either embedded into the display permanently, or attached to the display;

said attachment supporting replacement of the element without impacting integrity of the display;

wherein the at least one display element is configured from a combination of;

art, graphic elements, numeric and alpha characters;

wherein the at least one controller is configured to execute a control algorithm;

said control algorithm includes configuration of the algorithm maintaining operation of the apparatus within acceptance criteria;

said acceptance criteria include status and trigger level points for the sensors, which are used by the algorithm and the controller, and maintain operation of the apparatus within acceptance criteria;

said acceptance criteria are configured to include specifications parameters of components comprising the apparatus;

said control algorithm includes configuration supporting use of the components comprising the apparatus within the respective component specification requirements;

2. The intelligent apparatus of claim 1 further comprising;

the at least one solid state light source configured as an LED, and the at least one solid state light source within the illumination module is configured to provide illumination in a direction substantially parallel to an observer standing in front of the illumination module.

3. The intelligent apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

the apparatus configured as a Illuminated sign, providing illumination of display elements of the sign, and the configuration of the apparatus include;

street name sign, street address sign, traffic control sign.

4. The intelligent apparatus of claim 1 further comprising;

the controller configured to include a non-volatile memory.

5. A method of controlling an intelligent modular configurable apparatus consisting of;

configuring the intelligent apparatus to provide general illumination;

said apparatus configuration includes configuration for operating outdoors;

configuring the intelligent apparatus as an illuminated sign;

said sign configuration includes configuration for operating outdoors;

configuring the illuminated sign with a display, which is either attached or embedded to the illuminated sign;

said display includes configuration for operating outdoors;

programming a controller of the intelligent apparatus to execute a control algorithm and storing the algorithm within a non-volatile memory of the controller;

setting at least one acceptable operating criteria for the controller and storing the criteria within the non-volatile memory of the controller;

the operating criteria including a preset level of a measurement made by the controller of a status of a sensor connected to the controller;

the sensors providing status of an ambient environment surrounding the apparatus;

said sensors including ambient light and proximity;

the status of the ambient environment including;

level of supply voltage, temperature, ambient light;

the controller executing the algorithm stored in the non-volatile memory and maintaining operation of the apparatus within the at least one acceptable operating criteria;

the controller executing the algorithm stored in the non-volatile memory and informing an operator when a status of the apparatus is not within the at least one acceptable operating criteria;

the controller executing the algorithm stored in the non-volatile memory and controlling at least one illumination device within the at least one acceptable operating criteria;

the at least one illumination device includes LED;

the operator detecting the status of the apparatus by analyzing the operation of the apparatus, including visual affects invoked by the controller and indicated by the apparatus, which are unique to the status of the controller,

the controller executing the algorithm stored in the non-volatile memory and preventing damage to components of the apparatus when the status of the apparatus is not within the acceptable operating criteria.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising;

wherein the configuration of the apparatus, including the configuration of the acceptance criteria, are entered by an operator, and the entry process by the operator includes operator executing a pre-defined sequences interrupting the ambient light to the ambient light sensor and affecting status of the ambient light sensor, and the entry process includes operator interrupting the ambient light within a predefined time window after power is applied to the apparatus.

7. The method or claim 5 further comprising;

wherein the configuration of the apparatus, including the configuration of the acceptance criteria, are entered by an operator, and the entry process by the operator includes operator executing a pre-defined sequences affecting status of the proximity sensor, and the entry process includes operator approaching and affecting status of the proximity sensor within a predefined time window after power is applied to the apparatus.

8. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

wherein the acceptance criteria for the apparatus are configured to include optimization of using energy resources, which are providing power to the apparatus; and

the acceptance criteria for the apparatus include optimization of using at least one illumination device of the apparatus, and providing sufficient illumination, including general illumination, which is generated by the apparatus as function of the status of ambient sensors.

9. The method of claim 5 further comprising;

wherein the intelligent apparatus configurations include illuminated street address sign, illuminated street name sign, illuminated building sign, and illuminated traffic sign, and the control algorithm of the signs contributing to environmental safety.

10. The method of claim 5 further comprising;

wherein the at least one acceptance criteria for the apparatus is configured to use a configurable power source, and the configuration of the power source during a loss of a conventional power will automatically switch over from the conventional power to a battery backup, and the controller of the apparatus detecting the change in the power source, and the controller optimizing power usage by the apparatus prolonging useful life of the battery backup.

11. The method of claim 5 further comprising;

wherein the at least one acceptance criteria for the apparatus is configured to enable the controller of the apparatus to select a power source from available power sources, and select the power source meeting the acceptance criteria, including automatically switching over from the conventional power to a battery backup, and the controller optimizing power usage by the apparatus prolonging useful life of the battery backup.

12. The method of claim 5 further comprising;

wherein the intelligent apparatus configured for an illuminated sign, and the apparatus supporting configurations of a display of the sign, including configuration allowing replacement of the display being illuminated by the sign, and the replacement of the display having no impact on integrity of the sign.

13. The method of claim 5 further comprising;

wherein the configurations of the intelligent apparatus include an interface with at least one remote controller, and the remote controller includes;

mobile phones, IR remote and RF remote, and the interface protocol supporting controls, including;

verification of status of the apparatus;

changing configuration of the apparatus.

14. The method of claim 5 further comprising;

wherein the intelligent apparatus configurations include battery backup power source sustaining operation of the apparatus during a power outage.

15. The method of claim 5 further comprising;

wherein the intelligent apparatus is configured to monitor ambient temperature, and is further configured to indicate to an operator when the temperature has exceeded predefined acceptance criteria; and

the apparatus contributing to environmental safety.

16. The method of claim 5 further comprising;

wherein the intelligent apparatus is configured to monitor ambient light, and is further configured per at least one acceptable operating criteria to control the at least one illumination device, and the apparatus contributing to better visibility, including visibility of;

street name signs, street address signs, street regulation signs, and the area surrounding the apparatus; and

the apparatus contributing to environmental safety.

17. The method of claim 5 further comprising;

wherein the intelligent apparatus is configured to monitor ambient temperature, and is further configured to detect a condition when the ambient temperature is below predefined acceptable operating criteria, and based on that condition the apparatus controlling the at least one illumination device with a purpose of generating self-heating within the apparatus, extending operation of the apparatus to low ambient temperatures without impacting reliability of the apparatus.

18. The method of claim 5 further comprising;

wherein the controller is executing the control algorithm, including monitoring status of the sensors, and maintaining operation of the apparatus within the acceptable operating criteria at all times, and the acceptable operating criteria not exceeding limitations set by the apparatus specifications.

19. The method of claim 5 further comprising;

wherein the display is configured for embedding into the apparatus, and the embedding consisting of one or combination of processes including;

gluing, screening, painting;

wherein the display configurations include the apparatus operating outdoors.

20. The method of claim 5 further comprising;

wherein the display is configured for attaching to the apparatus, and the configuration supporting the display being replaceable without noticeable impact on the integrity of the apparatus, and a process of the attachment consisting of one or combination of processes;

using at least one pocket to accept at least one perimeter tab of the display;

using faceplate, which is attached to the apparatus via hidden magnets, retaining the display in-between the faceplate and the apparatus;

wherein the display configurations include the apparatus operating outdoors.