US 10,482,728 B2 · Segmented light indicator

Abstract

A light indicator is comprised of six segments or slices that may each be individually and vividly lit with various colors and at various intensities in order to provide information in a point-of-use context, while also minimizing or entirely eliminating bleeding of colored light from one segment to another during use. The light indicator comprises a case containing a processor, memory, and LED controller, and is capable of lighting one or more segments based partially or wholly upon instructions from a remote controller or based entirely on instructions stored in its own memory. In addition to being able to simultaneously light any combination of segments to a desired color and intensity, the indicator is also capable of performing special modes including directional indication, a run mode indication, and a gauge mode indication.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An indicator comprising:

(a) a case comprising a light emitting portion, wherein the light emitting portions comprises a cover adapted to fit the case and partially enclose an interior of the case;
(b) a divider positioned within the case and adapted to separate the light emitting portion into a set of segments, wherein each segment of the set of segments is intermediate at least two other segments of the set of segments;
(c) a set of indicator lights positioned within the case;
and
(d) a controller operable to control illumination of the set of indicator lights;
wherein:
(i) the controller is configured to selectively illuminate one or more of the of the set of indicator lights to cause a corresponding segment of the set of segments to illuminate,
(ii) the cover comprises a triangular shaped surface comprising three vertices, and
(iii) each of the three vertices corresponds to a segment of the set of segments.

6 more elements

An indicator comprising:

(a) a cover adapted to allow the passage of light, wherein the cover comprises a set of segments, and wherein each segment of the set of segments is positioned next to and touches at least two other segments of the set of segments to form a looping sequence of segments;
(b) a set of light indicators positioned within the indicator and operable to selectively illuminate one or more of the set of segments;
and
(c) a controller configured to control a set of illumination characteristics of the set of light indicators;
wherein the controller is further configured to:
(i) receive a set of indicator pattern signals, and
(ii) individually control the set of illumination characteristics of each of the set of light indicators based upon the indicator pattern signal;
and
wherein the controller is further configured to, in response to a run mode signal of the set of indicator pattern signals:
(A) light a first segment of the set of segments at a first intensity, light a second segment that is adjacent to the first segment at a second intensity, and light a third segment that is adjacent to the second segment at a third intensity to create a running block, and
(B) repeatedly shift the set of illumination characteristics for each light indicator to an adjacent light indicator, in the same direction, and cause the running block to iterate through the looping sequence of segments.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Segmented light indicator

Life of this patent

Segmented light indicator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19