Apparatus for providing power to a visual messaging system for high-speed networks

• US 6,545,591 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2001
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RMG Enterprise Solutions, Inc. (RMG Networks Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symon Communications Incorporated
• Inventors: Hooks, Kevin, Odom, Chuck
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US09/939,101
• Publication Number:
  US 20020041227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 340/660, 340/664, 340/693.1, 340/286.2, 363/15, 363/34
• US Class Current: 340/286.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels

Abstract

The present invention provides a visual messaging device for use with a high-speed network and an electrical supply system for the visual messaging device. The visual messaging device includes a network interface circuit that receives the message data from a network and arranges it in memory unit in usable form (packets) for use by a processor at the high network speed. The electrical supply system utilized with the visual messaging device comprises, in part, a power source, located in a remote location relative to a low voltage, high current device, which provides for the transmission of electrical power to the low voltage, high current device, such as a visual display unit, via relatively thin wiring or cabling passing through an enclosure, such as a plenum air space, without the need of placing the wiring or cabling in a conduit.

Claims

1. An electrical supply system for providing power to a visual messaging device, said system comprising:

(a) a relatively low direct current (DC) voltage, high current low profile display device;

(b) a source of alternating current (AC) at a remote location from said relatively low direct current voltage, high current device for providing a first AC voltage;

(c) an AC to DC converter at a remote location from said relatively low direct current voltage, high current low profile display device for converting said first AC voltage from said AC source to a first DC voltage;

(d) a wire of maximum thickness 16 gauge up to 300 feet long for transmitting the first DC voltage substantially without loss and without the need for a conduit surrounding the wire to the high current low profile display device; and

(e) a DC to DC converter incorporated within said relatively low direct current voltage, high current low profile display device for converting said first DC voltage to a second DC voltage and supplying said second DC voltage to said relatively low direct current voltage, high current device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said relatively low direct current voltage, high current device is a light-emitting diode (LED) display having a plurality of LEDs arranged in an array.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said relatively low direct current voltage, high current device is a plasma display.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said first DC voltage is within a range of voltages of 5 to 60 volts.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said second DC voltage is within a range of voltages of less than 1 to 30 volts.

6. An electrical supply system for providing power to a visual messaging device, said system comprising:

(a) a relatively low direct current (DC) voltage, high current low profile display device;

(b) a source of alternating current (AC) at a remote location from said relatively low direct current voltage, high current device for providing a first AC voltage;

(c) a AC to AC converter at a remote location from said relatively low direct current voltage, high current low profile display device for converting said first AC voltage from said AC source to a second AC voltage;

(d) a wire of maximum thickness 16 gauge up to 300 feet long for transmitting the second AC voltage substantially without loss and without the need for a conduit surrounding the wire to the high current low profile display device; and

(e) a AC to DC converter adjacent said relatively low direct current voltage, high current device for converting said second AC voltage to a first DC voltage and supplying said first DC voltage to said relatively low direct current voltage, high current low profile display device.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said relatively low direct current voltage, high current device is a light-emitting diode (LED) display having a plurality of LEDs arranged in an array.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein said relatively low direct current voltage, high current device is a plasma display.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein said second AC voltage is within a range of voltages of 5 to 60 volts.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein said first DC voltage is within a range of voltages of less than 1 to 30 volts.

11. An electrical supply system for providing power to a visual messaging device, said system comprising:

(a) an electrical component within the visual messaging device;

(b) a source of alternating current (AC) at a remote location from said electrical component for providing a first AC voltage;

(c) an AC to DC converter at a remote location from said electrical component for converting said first AC voltage from said AC source to a first DC voltage;

(d) a wire of maximum thickness 16 gauge up to 300 feet long for transmitting the first DC voltage substantially without loss and without the need for a conduit surrounding the wire to the high current low profile display device; and

(e) a DC to DC converter adjacent incorporated within said visual display device for converting said first DC voltage to a second DC voltage and supplying said second DC voltage to said electrical component.

12. An electrical supply system for providing power to a visual messaging device, said system comprising:

(a) an electrical component within the visual messaging device;

(b) a source of alternating current (AC) at a remote location from said electrical component for providing a first AC voltage;

(c) an AC to AC converter at a remote location from said electrical component for converting said first AC voltage from said AC source to a second AC voltage;

(d) a wire of maximum thickness 16 gauge up to 300 feet long for transmitting the second AC voltage substantially without loss and without the need for a conduit surrounding the wire to the high current low profile display device; and

(e) an AC to DC converter adjacent said electrical component for converting said second AC voltage to a first DC voltage and supplying said first DC voltage to said electrical component.