Multicolor function indicator light

• US 7,012,542 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2003
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gibson Brands, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gibson Guitar Corporation (Gibson Brands, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mendenhall, Eric, Powell, Mark H., Seaton, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, SON M
• Application Number:
  US10/407,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20040070513A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.44, 34081565-81568, 340/815.45, 340/691.6, 34081573-81576, 340/815.43, 330/2
• US Class Current: 340/815.44
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes

Abstract

A multicolor function indicator light system is provided for an audio amplifier or similar electronic equipment. A sensor circuit monitors operation of the equipment. An indicator light device has a plurality of different color outputs. A control logic circuit receives input signals from the sensor and controls the indicator light device so that different sensed modes of operation of the electronic equipment are indicated by different color outputs of the indicator light device.

Claims

1. A polychromatic light indicator system for monitoring a power amplifier disposed within a housing, said light indicator system comprising:

sensing circuitry for sensing different modes of operation of the amplifier;

a luminaire comprising;

a polychromatic light source for emitting output light of selectably different color;

a reflector assembly disposed adjacent to the light source and having a plurality of reflective surfaces for receiving and reflecting the output light emitted by the light source; and

an indicator lens disposed adjacent to the reflector assembly for receiving and refracting the output light reflected by the reflector assembly such that the output light is displayed to an observer; and

control logic circuitry for receiving input signals from the—

sensing circuitry and for selectably controlling the polychromatic light source such that each different sensed mode of operation of the amplifier is indicated by a luminaire output light of a different color wherein the control logic circuitry further controls the polychromatic light source such that the color of the output light displayed is determined by a hierarchy of modes operation of the amplifier and wherein the different sensed modes of operation of the amplifier comprise;

a cower on mode;

a signal present mode;

a clipping mode; and

a protection mode.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein polychromatic light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED) array.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the LED array comprises at least one red LED, at least one green LED, at least one yellow LED and at least one orange LED.

4. The system of claim 1, said reflector assembly further comprising a diffuser box for receiving the reflected output light and diffusing the same.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicator lens includes an inner lens surface and an outer lens surface, said inner lens surface proximal to the reflector assembly and said outer lens surface distal to the reflector assembly.

6. The system of claim 5, said indicator lens further comprising a lens material suitable for molding.

7. The system of claim 6, said lens material comprising an acrylic material.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein said amplifier is disposed within a housing comprising an exterior molded panel and wherein said indicator lens is integrally molded within said exterior molded panel.

9. The system of claim 5, said indicator lens further comprising opacity particles dispersed within the lens material for providing more even dispersion of output light across said outer lens surface.

10. The system of claim 5, said outer lens surface comprising a convex outer lens surface for magnifying the output light displayed to an observer.

11. The system of claim 5, said inner lens surface comprising a flat inner lens surface, said flat inner lens surface treated so as to provide more even dispersion of output light across said outer lens surface.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said flat inner lens surface having a treatment comprising frosting or texturing.

13. The system of claim 1, said control logic circuitry further comprising a microprocessor.

14. A multicolor function indicator light system for an audio amplifier, comprising:

sensor circuitry for monitoring operation of the amplifier;

an indicator light device for emitting colored light outputs in each of a plurality of colors; and

control logic circuitry for receiving input signals from the sensor circuitry and for controlling the indicator light device so that different sensed modes of operation of the amplifier are indicated by different colored light outputs of the indicator light device, the different sensed modes of operation of the amplifier including at least the following;

(1) power on mode;

(2) signal present mode; and

(3) clipping mode; and

(4) protection mode.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the indicator light device comprises:

an LED array comprising at least one LED for emitting light in each of a plurality of colors;

an LED driver circuit in electrical communication with the control logic circuitry and each LED of the LED array, wherein the control logic circuitry electronically signals the LED driver circuit to selectively energize each LED of the LED array;

a reflector assembly comprising at least one reflective surface, said reflector assembly disposed so as to receive and reflect the colored light emitted by each LED; and

an indicator lens disposed adjacent to the reflector assembly, said indicator lens disposed so as to receive the reflected light from the reflector assembly and to refract the same such that a colored light output is displayed to an observer.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the LED array comprises at least one LED for emitting red light, at least one LED for emitting green light, and at least one LED for emitting yellow light.

17. The system of claim 15, said reflector assembly further comprising a diffuser box disposed so as to receive the reflected light from the at least one reflective surface and diffuse the same so as to provide to the indicator lens a colored light having a substantially uniform color and intensity.

18. A method of visually indicating the operational mode of an audio amplifier, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a multicolor function indicator system electrically connected to an audio amplifier, said amplifier being disposed in an audio amplifier circuit;

(b) sensing the operational mode of the amplifier; and

(c) displaying a colored light output corresponding to the sensed mode of operation, whereby the color of said colored light output is selected from a plurality of colors, each corresponding to a different mode of operation, and whereby the different sensed modes of operation of the amplifier include at least the following;

(1) power on mode;

(2) signal present mode;

(3) clipping mode; and

(4) protection mode.