Sign with remote power source tester

• US 5,897,194 A
• Filed: 05/14/1996
• Issued: 04/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Byung I.L. Ham
• Original Assignee: Byung I.L. Ham
• Inventors: Ham, Byung Il
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, DAVID B
• Application Number:
  US08/645,849
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 362/812, 362/20, 362/226, 362/276, 362/802, 40/570, 200/310
• US Class Current: 362/20
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/062 indicating emergency exits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00019 using optical means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/02 in which an auxiliary distribution system and its associated lamps are brought into service
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/221 General power management systems

Abstract

An apparatus for remotely verifying the potency of a backup power source for an information display apparatus using an electrically-actuated switch coupled between a primary power source interface and the switch. In one embodiment, a signal receiving device receives a transmitted signal, activates a switch, interrupts the supply of power from a primary power source, and requires the sign to be lighted by the backup power supply. The apparatus may include a circuit to transform alternating current line voltage into a reduced direct current voltage for the lighting source; a backup power supply recharging circuit that is integrated so as to allow the backup power supply to be recharged using power from the primary source; a power failure detector switching circuit that allows the light source to receive power from the backup power supply if the power from the primary power source were interrupted; and a control circuit power source. These components may be integrated upon a circuit board and placed in a housing which has a removable front and displays a message such as "EXIT." A multi-pronged connector may be interfaced to connect the primary power source to the integrated circuitry.

Claims

1. A sign comprising;

a housing having a rear wall, four adjacent side walls, and a front wall, the rear wall, four adjacent side walls, and the front wall adapted to assemble into a housing, wherein the housing defines an internal area and wherein at least one wall is partially constructed from a translucent material;

a light source located in the internal area of the housing;

a primary power source interface coupled to the light source;

a backup power source coupled to the light source;

an electrically-actuated switch responsive to a remote infrared signal coupled to the primary power source interface, the electrically-actuated switch having a first and a second position; and

a second light source coupled to the electrically-actuated switch, the second light source comprising a first light emitting diode and a second light emitting diode wherein the first light emitting diode is adapted to indicate the first position of the electrically-actuated switch and the second light emitting diode is adapted to indicate the second position of the electrically-actuated switch.

2. The sign of claim 1, further comprising a means for coupling the primary power source interface to a primary power source.

3. The sign of claim 2, wherein the means for coupling is a multi-pronged connector.

4. The sign of claim 3, wherein the multi-pronged connector extends from a wall of the housing.

5. The sign of claim 4, further comprising a means for fastening the rear wall of the housing to one of an electrical wall socket and a wall.