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US 7,002,453 B2Granted
Remote lamp status display via fiber optic system
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorAnthony Edward Martinez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for remotely monitoring the status of a variety of illumination devices. A fiber optic cable coupled to a light fixture transmits a light display. Based on the light received, the status of the light is determined. The status is determined without the use of elegant and expensive electronics that are more subject to failure and with minimal power consumption.
Claims23
An apparatus for providing feedback, comprising;
- at least one illumination device;
- at least one optical fiber, wherein a first end of the at least one optical fiber at least configured to be coupled to the at least one illumination device to at least receive light;
- and
- a display, wherein the display further comprises:
- at least being coupled to a second end of the at least one optical fiber;
- at least being configured to receive light from the at least one optical fiber;
- at least being configured to report the status of the at least one illumination device based on the light received from the at least one optical fiber;
- at least one photoelectric detector at least configured to be coupled to the second end of the at least one optical fiber;
- a controller, wherein the controller is at least configured to receive at least one first signal from the photoelectric detector;
- and
- an output panel, wherein the output panel further comprises:
- at least configured to be coupled to the controller to at least receive at least one second signal from the controller;
- and
- at least one indicator at least configured to corresponding to the at least one illumination device.
11 more elements
A method for determining the status of an illumination device, comprising:
- receiving light from an illumination device by an optical fiber;
- transmitting the light to a display, wherein the display displays the status of the illumination device based on the light;
- and
- wherein the display comprises:
- a photoelectric detector at least configured to be coupled to the second end of the at least one optical fiber;
- a controller, wherein the controller is at least configured to receive at least one first signal from the photoelectric detector;
- and
- an output panel, wherein the output panel further comprises:
- at least configured to be coupled to the controller to at least receive at least one second signal from the controller;
- and
- at least one indicator at least configured to correspond to the at least one illumination device.
8 more elements
A system, comprising:
- an illumination device;
- an optical fiber comprising a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the illumination device and configured to receive light from the illumination device;
- a display coupled to the optical fiber, comprising:
- a photoelectric detector coupled to the second end of the optical fiber;
- a controller coupled to the photoelectric detector and configured to receive a first signal from the photoelectric detector and to generate a control signal in response to the received first signal;
- and
- an indicator coupled to the controller and configured to receive the control signal from the controller and to generate an output indication in response to the received control signal.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.