Level indicator with alarm

• US 4,965,548 A
• Filed: 02/09/1989
• Issued: 10/23/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Banner Engineering Corporation
• Original Assignee: Banner Engineering Corporation
• Inventors: Fayfield, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/308,733
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 340/511, 340/525, 340/524, 340/539, 340/517, 340/518, 340/510, 340/519-522, 340/691, 340/459, 340/461, 340/462, 340/762, 340/766, 340/782, 340/811, 340/815.03, 455/134, 455/154, 455/158, 455/159, 362/800, 334/5, 334/86
• US Class Current: 340/511
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 13/405 using a plurality of active, i.e. light emitting, e.g. electro-luminescent elements, i.e. bar graphs
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/16595 with multi level indication G01R19/16519 and G01R19/16533 take precedence

Abstract

An LED bar graph display is disclosed, which can simultaneously display signal strength and diagnostic information. When an input signal is received, the indicators are selectively operated to display a strength value of the input signal. When a diagnostic condition occurs, the indicators are selectively operated to display the diagnostic condition. Thus, the LED bar graph display performs the dual functions of displaying signal strength and diagnostic information.

Claims

1. An apparatus for displaying signal strength indications and diagnostic conditions, comprising:

(a) a plurality of indicators;

(b) means for sensing the signal strength indication;

(c) means for selectively operating said indicators to display the signal strength indication;

(d) means for sensing the diagnostic condition; and

(e) means for selectively operating at least one of said indicators to display both the signal strength indication and the diagnostic condition.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said indicators is a light emitting diode.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said indicators indicate one of said diagnostic conditions.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said diagnostic condition comprises a temperature value.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said diagnostic condition comprises a condensation condition.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said diagnostic condition comprises a signal contrast value.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said signal contrast value indicates not enough gain.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said signal contrast value indicates too much gain.

9. A method of displaying signal strength indication and diagnostic conditions on a plurality of indicators, comprising:

(a) sensing the signal strength indication;

(b) selectively operating the indicators to display the signal strength indication;

(c) sensing the diagnostic condition; and

(d) selectively operating at least one of said indicators to display both the signal strength indication and the diagnostic condition.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein each of said indicators is a light emitting diode.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein each of said indicators indicate one of said diagnostic conditions.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said diagnostic condition comprises a temperature value.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein said diagnostic condition comprises a condensation condition.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said diagnostic condition comprises a signal contrast value.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said signal contrast value indicates not enough gain.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said signal contrast value indicates too much gain.

17. An apparatus for displaying signal strength indications and diagnostic conditions, comprising:

(a) a plurality of indicators;

(b) control means operatively connected to said indicators for;

(1) sensing the signal strength indication;

(2) selectively operating said indicators to display the signal strength indication;

(3) sensing the diagnostic condition; and

(4) selectively operating said indicators to display both the signal strength indication and the diagnostic condition.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each of said indicators is a light emitting diode.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each of said indicators indicate one of said diagnostic conditions.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said diagnostic condition comprises a temperature value.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said diagnostic condition comprises a condensation condition.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said diagnostic condition comprises a signal contrast value.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said signal contrast value indicates not enough gain.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said signal contrast value indicates too much gain.