Method and apparatus for providing power to a visual messaging system for high-speed networks

• US 6,844,823 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2003
• Issued: 01/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RMG Enterprise Solutions, Inc. (RMG Networks Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symon Communications Incorporated
• Inventors: Hooks, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C.
• Application Number:
  US10/408,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20040032338A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.45, 340/635, 340/691.1, 340/693.1, 340/693.3, 340/693.4, 340/332, 340/333, 340/286.02, 363/15, 363/34
• US Class Current: 340/815.45
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels

Abstract

The present invention a method and apparatus for providing 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. A method for providing power to a visual messaging device, comprising:

(a) providing a relatively low direct current (DC) voltage, high current;

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

(c) converting at a remote location from said first AC voltage from said AC source to a first DC voltage; and

(d) converting said first DC voltage to a second DC voltage and supplying said second DC voltage to a relatively low direct current voltage, high current device.

2. The method 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 method of claim 1 wherein said first DC voltage is within a range of voltages of 3 to 60 volts.

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

6. A method for providing power to a visual messaging device, comprising:

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

(b) providing 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) providing an AC to AC converter at a remote location from said relatively low direct current voltage, high current device for converting said first AC voltage from said AC source to a second AC voltage; and

(d) providing an 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 device.

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

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said second AC voltage is within a range of voltages of 3 to 60 volts.

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

11. A method for providing power to a visual messaging device, comprising:

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

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

(c) providing 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; and

(d) providing a DC to DC converter adjacent said electrical component for converting said first DC voltage to a second DC voltage and supplying said second DC voltage to said electrical component.

12. A method for providing power to a visual messaging device, said system comprising:

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

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

(c) providing 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; and

(d) providing a 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.