Apparatus intelligent illuminated sign, methods of configuration and controls
First Claim
1. An intelligent configurable apparatus illuminating a sign;
- said apparatus sustaining reliability and functionality by automatically adapting to a measured ambient temperature including controlling power dissipation and/or heat generated by electronic components comprising said apparatus, and by automatically adapting to an electrical power source, including monitoring power parameters and controlling power consumption; and
said apparatus comprising of;
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 ambient environment;
said environment including environment surrounding the apparatus and/or environment within the apparatus;
said environment including ambient light, temperature, object proximity;
wherein the at least one sensor is configured to monitor a power parameter of the at least one configurable power source connected to the apparatus;
said power parameter including voltage and/or current;
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 connect 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 based on a status of the at least one sensor maintaining operation of the apparatus within an acceptance criteria;
wherein said acceptance criteria include said apparatus adapting to a measured ambient temperature for sustaining reliability and functionality of said apparatus by executing a real-time controls of power dissipation and/or heat generated by at least one electronic component comprising said apparatus; and
said adapting for low ambient temperatures includes said apparatus controlling said heat as function of said low ambient temperatures to maintain internal temperature of said apparatus above a low operating temperature limit defined by said acceptance criteria;
wherein said acceptance criteria include said apparatus adapting to an electrical power source by comparing of at least one measured power parameter to a predefined acceptable level, and automatically switching to a new power source when a result of said comparison is outside said acceptable level; and
said apparatus sustaining reliability and functionality while maximizing time of using a power source with a limited capacity, including a battery.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An intelligent configurable apparatus illuminating a sign;
- said apparatus sustaining reliability and functionality by automatically adapting to a measured ambient temperature including controlling power dissipation and/or heat generated by electronic components comprising said apparatus, and by automatically adapting to an electrical power source, including monitoring power parameters and controlling power consumption; and
said apparatus comprising of;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 ambient environment;
said environment including environment surrounding the apparatus and/or environment within the apparatus;
said environment including ambient light, temperature, object proximity;wherein the at least one sensor is configured to monitor a power parameter of the at least one configurable power source connected to the apparatus;
said power parameter including voltage and/or current;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 connect 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 based on a status of the at least one sensor maintaining operation of the apparatus within an acceptance criteria;wherein said acceptance criteria include said apparatus adapting to a measured ambient temperature for sustaining reliability and functionality of said apparatus by executing a real-time controls of power dissipation and/or heat generated by at least one electronic component comprising said apparatus; and
said adapting for low ambient temperatures includes said apparatus controlling said heat as function of said low ambient temperatures to maintain internal temperature of said apparatus above a low operating temperature limit defined by said acceptance criteria;wherein said acceptance criteria include said apparatus adapting to an electrical power source by comparing of at least one measured power parameter to a predefined acceptable level, and automatically switching to a new power source when a result of said comparison is outside said acceptable level; and
said apparatus sustaining reliability and functionality while maximizing time of using a power source with a limited capacity, including a battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
- said apparatus sustaining reliability and functionality by automatically adapting to a measured ambient temperature including controlling power dissipation and/or heat generated by electronic components comprising said apparatus, and by automatically adapting to an electrical power source, including monitoring power parameters and controlling power consumption; and
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5. A method of controlling an intelligent configurable apparatus for illuminating a sign consisting of:
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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; configuring the operating criteria to include a preset level of a measurement made by the controller of a status of a sensor connected to the controller; configuring the sensors to provide;
status of an ambient and/or internal environment of the apparatus, and/or status of the power source connected to the apparatus;
said sensors including;
ambient light, object proximity, temperature, electrical power;configuring the controller for executing the algorithm stored in the non-volatile memory and maintaining operation of the apparatus within the at least one acceptable operating criteria; configuring the controller for 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; configuring the controller for executing the algorithm stored in the non-volatile memory and controlling at least one illumination device within the at least one acceptable operating criteria; configuring the at least one illumination device including LED; configuring the at least one acceptable operating criteria for the controller for automatically adapting the apparatus to an ambient temperature, including sustaining illumination of said sign at low ambient temperatures by controlling power dissipation and/or heat generated by electronic components comprising said apparatus; configuring the at least one acceptable operating criteria for the controller for monitoring power parameters, and based on said criteria the controller automatically selecting an electrical power source for the apparatus, and the controller adapting the apparatus to a power source with a limited capacity including controlling said illumination to maximize use of said power source; configuring the controller for 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 at least one acceptable operating criteria. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification