Micro-processor controlled indicator device

• US 7,492,276 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Issued: 02/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Banner Engineering Corporation
• Original Assignee: Banner Engineering Corporation
• Inventors: Fayfield, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Application Number:
  US11/317,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20070152842A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.45
• US Class Current: 340/815.45
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/24 using electrical feedback from LEDs or from LED modules
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/395 Linear regulators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An indicator device includes an indicator module, a control module, and a communications module. The indicator module is configured to emit a plurality of light signals. The control module is operationally coupled to the indicator module and is configured to operate the indicator module based on one of a plurality of logic functions stored in the control section. The communications module is operationally coupled to the control section and is configured to receive an input signal corresponding to one of the logic functions.

Claims

1. A light indicator, comprising:

an indicator section configured to emit a plurality of light signals;

a control section operationally coupled to the indicator section, the control section configured to operate the indicator section based on one of a plurality of logic functions stored in the control section;

a communications section operationally coupled to the control section, the communications section configured to receive an input signal corresponding to one of the logic functions;

wherein the control section causes the indicator section to emit one of the plurality of light signals based on the logic function corresponding to the received input signal;

wherein the indicator section is configured to emit light of at least a first color and a second color;

wherein the control section causes the indicator section to emit light of a blended color, the blended color including the first color and the second color.

2. The light indicator of claim 1, wherein the control section is threaded.

3. The light indicator of claim 1, wherein the communications section is threaded.

4. The light indicator of claim 1, wherein the indicator section includes at least one light emitting diode.

5. The light indicator of claim 1, wherein the control section causes the indicator section to flash light of one color.

6. The light indicator of claim 1, wherein the control section causes the indicator section to flash alternately light of two or more colors.

7. The light indicator of claim 1, further comprising at least one securing element for mounting the light indicator to a surface.

8. The light indicator of claim 1, wherein the communications section is further configured to receive a program signal, wherein the program signal causes the control section to store a different plurality of logic functions.

9. The light indicator of claim 1, wherein the control section includes a logic circuit configured to store the plurality of logic functions.

10. A programmable light indicator, comprising:

a microcontroller configured to store a plurality of programs;

a plurality of input lines operationally coupled to the microcontroller for sending one of a plurality of input signals to the microcontroller, each input signal activating one of the plurality of programs stored in the microcontroller; and

a plurality of light indicators, each light indicator operably coupled to the microcontroller for receiving a control signal from the microcontroller, the control signal causing the light indicator to emit one of a plurality of light functions;

wherein the microcontroller transmits the control signal to each light indicator based on the activated program;

wherein the plurality of light functions comprise emitting light, turning off, flashing light, and dimming.

11. The programmable light indicator of claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of programs stored in the microcontroller causes the microcontroller to transmit control signals to the plurality of indicators causing at least two light indicators to emit light simultaneously.

12. The programmable light indicator of claim 10, further comprising a communication line including a first end in communication with the microcontroller and a second end in communication with a program source.

13. The programmable light indicator of claim 12, wherein the program source can alter any of the programs stored in the microcontroller to change the control signals transmitted to the light indicators when the program is activated.

14. The programmable light indicator of claim 12, wherein the program source is an external computer.

15. The programmable light indicator of claim 12, wherein the program source is an external Programmable Logic Controller.

16. A programmable light indicator, comprising:

a microcontroller configured to store a plurality of programs;

a plurality of input lines operationally coupled to the microcontroller for sending one of a plurality of input signals to the microcontroller, each input signal activating one of the plurality of programs stored in the microcontroller; and

a plurality of light indicators, each light indicator operably coupled to the microcontroller for receiving a control signal from the microcontroller, the control signal causing the light indicator to emit one of a plurality of light functions;

wherein the microcontroller transmits the control signal to each light indicator based on the activated program;

wherein at least one of the plurality of programs stored in the microcontroller causes the microcontroller to transmit control signals to the plurality of indicators causing at least two light indicators to emit light simultaneously;

wherein the microcontroller causes the light indicators to emit light of a blended color, the blended color including a first color and a second color.

17. The programmable light indicator of claim 16, further comprising a communication line including a first end in communication with the microcontroller and a second end in communication with a program source.

18. The programmable light indicator of claim 17, wherein the program source can alter any of the programs stored in the microcontroller to change the control signals transmitted to the light indicators when the program is activated.

19. The programmable light indicator of claim 17, wherein the program source is an external computer.

20. The programmable light indicator of claim 17, wherein the program source is an external Programmable Logic Controller.