# US 7,466,238 B2 · Signal unit having and acoustic signal transmitter

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- Number: US 7,466,238 B2
- Document ID: US7466238B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/371,957
- Filed: 2006-03-10
- Published: 2006-09-14
- Granted: 2008-12-16
- Earliest claimed: 2005-03-11
- Inventors: Gerhard Kuehnemundt
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7466238B2

## CPC

- G08B 3/10: using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
- G08B 21/182: {Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold}
- G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS

## Abstract

A signal unit is provided for signaling at least one operating state of a technical device such as a machine, installation, vehicle, or the like, having at least one acoustic signal transmitter (2) for generating an acoustic signal, thereby improving the monitoring of the technical device. This is achieved according to the invention by providing a sensor unit or detecting an acknowledgment of the signal.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A signal unit for signaling at least one operating state of a machine, having at least one acoustic signal transmitter for generating an acoustic signal wherein the improvement comprises a dual function sensor unit having an acoustic signal transmitter for generating said acoustic signal and a sensing unit for detecting the acknowledgement of said acoustic signal.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The signal unit according to claim 1 further comprising at least one input element for inputting the acknowledgment by an operator.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The signal unit according to claim 1 wherein the sensor unit detects a first parameter of the acoustic signal.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1, 3)

The signal unit according to claim 1 or 3 wherein said parameter of the acoustic signal is at least the amplitude or the frequency of the signal.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The signal unit according to claim 1 wherein the sensor unit has a control unit for comparing the target-actual values of a parameter of the acoustic signal, whereby the acknowledgment generates the actual value.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The signal unit according to claim 3 wherein the control unit modifies a second parameter of the acoustic signal.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The signal unit according to claim 6 wherein the second parameter to be modified is at least the volume or the presence of the signal.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The signal unit according to claim 1 wherein the acoustic signal transmitter signals the acknowledged operating state.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The signal unit according to claim 1 further comprising at least one optical signal transmitter having a light-emitting diode for generating an optical signal.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The signal unit according to claim 9 wherein the control unit modifies a parameter of a light-emitting diode.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The signal unit according to claim 9 wherein the optical signal transmitter signals the acknowledged operating state.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The signal unit according to claim 1 wherein the acoustic signal transmitter includes at least one piezoelectric element.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The signal unit according to claim 1 wherein the sensor unit detects a contact or deformation of the acoustic signal transmitter.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The signal unit according to claim 1 wherein the sensor unit detects the amplitude or frequency of the acoustic signal transmitter as a result of a contact or deformation.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The signal unit according to claim 1 wherein the acoustic signal transmitter is a sensor in the sensor unit to achieve the sensor function and the signal function.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The signal unit according to claim 1 wherein the signal unit is a signal column.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The signal unit according to claim 16 wherein the signal column has an acoustic module for the acoustic signal transmitter or 6 has at least one light module for an optical signal transmitter.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The signal unit according to claim 1 further comprising one transmitting unit with a transmitter for wireless data transmission to a receiver.

### Claim 19

A signaling device for signaling the operating state of a machine comprising:
(a) a piezoelectric element having a dual function of transmitting an acoustic signal and as a sensor for acknowledging the receipt of said acoustic signal; and
(b) a translucent housing having one or more light emitting diodes.

### Claim 20

A signaling device for signalling signaling the operating state of a machine having an acoustic signal transmitter for generating an acoustic signal and a sensor for providing acknowledgment for receipt of said acoustic signal wherein the improvement comprises a dual function acoustic signal transmitter for generating said acoustic signal and a sensing unit for detecting the acknowledgment of said acoustic signal and a translucent housing having one or more light emitting diodes.