Modular Indicator

Abstract

In one example, an indicator module (500) has a mounting portion (510) for removably attaching the module to another module (400) or a base (110). The indicator module also has a first set of electrodes (530) that are arranged to contact corresponding electrodes (440) in the attached module (400) or base (110). The indicator module further includes an indicator circuit and a switch module (550) that is configurable to selectively connect the indicator circuit to one of the electrodes in the indicator module. The indicator module may also include a second set of electrodes that are respectively connected to the first set of electrodes by conductors (650). The two sets of electrodes are located at respective ends of the module and are attached to another module at each end. In a visual indicator module, the conductors (650) may be disposed in a more internal region of the module as compared to visual indicator elements (such as LEDs) that may be distributed near the periphery of the module.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application is being filed as a PCT international patent application on Jun. 12, 2019, and claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 006,158, filed Jun. 12, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Additionally, the priority application is a partial continuation of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 803,619, filed Jul. 20, 2015. The disclosure of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 803,619 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Background of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure relates to indicator assemblies having a plurality of modular indicator elements. Examples of such assemblies include those sometimes referred to as “tower lights,” “stack lights,” or “tower stack lights.” Such assemblies have a wide range of applications, from safety, automation, and workflow management in industrial settings to status indication in office settings. In such a typical assembly, a plurality of indicator modules, such as generally cylindrical LED lighting modules, are connected in series along a longitudinal axis. The module at one end of the series may be connected to a base having a plurality of electrodes, each electrode being connected to a wire or connector pin for conducting an electrical signal (i.e., power) from a signal source, such as a controller, to the corresponding electrode. Each module typically may have a plurality of conductors extending from one end of the module to the other end, near or within the cylindrical housing wall of the module. When the modules are connected together, the conductors form a plurality of conductive paths through the assembly such that each of the conductors in each module is connected to a corresponding electrode in the base to receive the electrical signal. Each module also has one or more indicator circuits (such as LED elements), which typically have associated electronic components for various purposes, such as intermittent signaling and surge protection. The indicator is typically connected to one of the conductors. The angular position between each pair of adjacent modules (rotating about the longitudinal axis) is typically fixed, for example, by a bayonet mount. Thus, the order of the modules in the series typically determines which electrode in the base corresponds to the indicator circuit in each module. Such an arrangement imposes certain constraints and complexities on the design and deployment of such indicator assemblies and associated components, such as controllers and cables. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one aspect of the present disclosure, an indicator module includes a body portion having a mounting portion (such as a bayonet mount) to removably attach the module to another module, such as a module of the same type. The module also includes a first plurality of electrodes attached to the body portion and arranged to contact corresponding electrodes of a plurality of electrodes in the attached module or base. The indicator module further includes: an indicator circuit, such as a visual or audio indicator circuit; and a switch module, such as a DIP switch, operably connected to the first plurality of electrodes and the indicator circuit. The switch module can be configured (e.g., by setting the DIP switch) to selectively operably connect the indicator circuit to one of the first plurality of electrodes. In another aspect of the present disclosure, the above-described indicator module may further include a second plurality of electrodes, each electrode being operably connected to a corresponding one of the first plurality of electrodes by a conductor such as a wire. Each of the plurality of electrodes is located at one end of the module such that the module can be connected to another indicator module at each end, or to another indicator at one end and to a base at the other end.

[0005] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the visual indicator in the above-described indicator module with wires includes a plurality of light elements (such as LEDs) that can be distributed near the periphery of the module, where the wires are arranged in a more internal region of the module compared to the light elements. Such an arrangement reduces the shadows of the wires projected by the light elements that can be visible from the outside of the module.

[0006] In another aspect of the present disclosure, each of the first plurality of electrodes may include a flexible portion such that when the module is removably attached to another module or base, each electrode of the first plurality of electrodes is biased against an electrode in the other module or base. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1(a) shows an indicator assembly having a plurality of indicator modules and a base according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 1(b) shows an indicator assembly having a plurality of indicator modules and a base including two different types of indicator modules (specifically including both an audio indicator module and a visual indicator module in this example).

[0009] Figure 2 Another indicator assembly similar to the indicator assembly shown in FIG. 1(b) is shown.

[0010] FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) show one of the plurality of indicator modules being attached to another indicator module when assembling the indicator assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 4 is a top (with reference to the upright orientation of the assembly) perspective view of an indicator assembly having an indicator module mounted on a base according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 5 is a bottom (with reference to the upright orientation of the assembly) perspective view of the indicator assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 6 is Figure 5 a bottom (with reference to the upright orientation of the assembly) perspective view of the indicator assembly shown without the housing.

[0014] Figure 7 is Figure 5 a side view of the indicator assembly shown.

[0015] Figures 8(a), 8(b), and 8(c) are respectively Figure 6 a bottom view, a side view, and a top view (with reference to the upright orientation of the assembly) of the components of the indicator module shown.

[0016] Figure 9 is Figure 4 a side view of the assembly shown.

[0017] Figure 10(a) shows a DIP switch that is a part of a switch module included in an indicator module according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 10(b) schematically shows a wiring for supplying a signal (electric power) to the indicator module in the indicator assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 10(c) schematically shows an arrangement of pin connections for a connector in the base of the indicator module according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 10(d) shows the correspondence between the pins in Figure 10(c) and the module in Figure 10(b).

[0021] Figure 11 shows an example circuit diagram of the electronics in a visual indicator module according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 12 shows Figure 6 a bottom view (with reference to the upright orientation of the assembly) of the components of the indicator module shown according to another embodiment.

[0023] Figures 13(a) and 13(b) show example circuit diagrams of the electronics in a visual indicator module according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation Manner

[0024] The present disclosure is made with reference to the exemplary devices and methods shown in FIGS. 1 to 13. The exemplary devices and methods enable the indicator module in the modular tower light to be conveniently configured to be powered by any selected signal line among a plurality of signal lines, regardless of the position of the module in the module sequence. Additionally or independently, the plurality of signal lines extending through the visual indicator module can be placed in the internal area of the module relative to the visual signal source (e.g., LED), such that compared with the module having signal lines near or inside the transparent / semi-transparent module housing wall, the shadow of the conductor projected by the visual signal source is reduced.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the exemplary indicator assemblies (100, 200) each include a base (110) and a plurality of visual indicators (120, 130, 140) mounted on top of each other and on top of the base (110). Each visual indicator (120, 130, 140) can provide a selected type of visual indication, such as color. The top module (140) in the assembly (100) can receive an additional module, but in this example has a cover (150) mounted at the top. In the assembly (160) in FIG. 1(b), an audio indicator module (170) is mounted on top of the top visual indicator module (140). The base (110) includes: an indicator mounting portion (112) for attaching to the indicator modules (120, 130, 140); a base mounting portion (114) (e.g., a threaded cylindrical portion) for mounting the base on a support (such as a bracket); and a connector (116) for making electrical connections between the assembly and one or more signal sources (such as a controller) via one or more cables.

[0026] Figure 2 An assembly (200) similar to the assembly (160) shown in FIG. 1(b) is shown, except that the assembly (200) includes two additional visual modules: a lower module (210) and an upper module (220). Figure 2 Guiding marks are also shown to assist in mounting two modules to each other by bayonet mounting. For example, to attach the upper module (220) to the lower module (210), first align the first mark (222) at the bottom of the upper module (220) with the first mark (212) at the top of the lower module (210), as shown in FIG. 3(a). Then, push the two modules together longitudinally and then twist axially relative to each other until locked when the second mark (224) at the bottom of the upper module (220) aligns with the first mark (212) of the lower module (210).

[0027] Referring to Figure 4And Figure 5 , which shows an example of two identical indicator modules (lower module (210), upper module (220)), Figure 4 is from a top / side view (with reference to the upright orientation of the component), while Figure 5 is from a bottom / side view. Each module has a body portion (400, 500), and the body portion (400, 500) includes a bottom mounting portion (410, 510) for mounting the module to a lower electrical module, such as another module or a base ( Figure 4 110 in; Figure 5 not shown in). In this case, each body portion further includes a top mounting portion (420, 520) for attaching to another module or a cover. In these examples, each module further includes a set of bottom electrodes near or at the bottom mounting portion (410, 510) ( Figure 5 530 in; Figure 4 not shown in). Each module also includes a set of top electrodes corresponding to the respective bottom electrodes (530) ( Figure 4 440 in; Figure 5 not shown in). In the example shown in Figure 4 , the base (110) also has a set of electrodes (not shown) similar to the top electrodes (440) for the lower module (210). When the modules (210, 220) are mounted on a lower electrical module (such as another indicator module or a base (110)), the bottom electrodes (530) of the upper module (220) contact the electrodes in the electrical module (such as the top electrodes (440) of the lower module (210) or the electrodes (118) of the base (110)). See Figure 9 , Figure 9 is an example in which the indicator module body portion (500) is mounted on the base (110).

[0028] In this example, the top electrodes (440) are substantially flat and face the direction of the longitudinal axis of the lower module (210). The electrodes in the base (110) ( Figure 9 118 in) have a similar structure. The bottom electrodes (530) are flexible, such that when the upper module (220) is mounted on the lower module (210) or the base (110), the bottom electrodes (530) are biased against the corresponding top electrodes (440) (or the electrodes (118) in the base) to ensure proper electrical contact. Additionally, in one example, the bottom electrodes (530) include an inclined portion (532) that is inclined towards the direction in which the module rotates relative to the module to which it is attached. This configuration ensures proper bending of the bottom electrodes (530) and prevents the top circuit board of the module to which it is attachedFigure 8c Any protrusion on the top surface (624 in Figure 8) of the 620 in

[0029] Not all indicator modules need to have both a top electrode and a bottom electrode, and both a top mounting portion and a bottom mounting portion. An indicator module (such as the audio indicator module 170) can be designed to always be the top module in the stack, and for this reason, only needs to have a bottom mounting portion and a bottom electrode (details not shown).

[0030] As Figure 5 shown, in these examples, the indicator module also includes a switch module (550), and in the Figure 5 example shown, this switch module is supported at the bottom of the upper module (220), but it can be anywhere accessible by the user. The switch module (550) is used to selectively connect an indicator circuit (to be described later) in the upper module (220) to one of the bottom electrodes (530).

[0031] The body portions (400, 500) of each indicator module (210, 220) can also include housing walls (460, 560), which can be transparent or translucent walls for transmitting light emitted by a light source contained therein in the case of an optical indicator module.

[0032] Referring to Figure 6 , in this example, various electrical and electronic components (640) in the indicator modules (210, 220) are supported on the bottom circuit board (610) and the top circuit board (620). For example, the bottom electrode (530) and the switch module (550) are supported on the bottom side (614) of the bottom circuit board (610), while the top electrode (440) is supported on the top side (624) of the top circuit board (620).

[0033] Each module also includes an indicator circuit, which in this example includes a light source (630) (such as a light emitting diode (LED)) and associated electronic components (640), which can include, for example, a driver circuit, a flash circuit, and a protection circuit. In this case, the light source (630) is mounted on the bottom surface (622) of the top circuit board (620) and the top surface (612) of the bottom circuit board (not shown). In this case, the light source (630) is also distributed near the periphery of the upper module (220) or near the housing wall (560). Figure 7A cross-sectional view of the indicator module is shown, where a bottom circuit board (610) and a top circuit board (620) are interconnected via conductors (650) and connectors (660), and where a light source (630), other electronic components (640), a bottom electrode (530), and a switch module (550) are mounted on the appropriate circuit boards (610, 620).

[0034] With further reference to FIG. 8, in this example, each indicator module (210, 220) also includes a conductor (650) that connects a top electrode ( Figure 4 and 440 in FIG. 8; Figure 5 or Figure 6 not shown in Figure 4 ; not shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 530 in

[0035] Figure 9 to a bottom electrode (

[0036] not shown;

[0037] within each module via connectors (660) and wires (not shown) on the top and bottom circuit boards. The connector (660) allows the top circuit board (620) and the bottom circuit board (610) to be easily assembled together or disassembled. In this case, the conductor (650) is disposed in an inner region relative to the light source (630). Compared to an arrangement where the conductor is disposed near the periphery and the light source is disposed in a more inner region of the module, the shadow of the conductor (650) projected by the light source (630) is reduced by such an arrangement. A cross-sectional view of the indicator module is shown, where a bottom circuit board (610) and a top circuit board (620) are interconnected via conductors (650) and connectors (660), and having a bottom electrode (530), other electronic components (640), and an electrode (118) of a base (110).

[0036] When assembling the indicator assembly (100 or 160), there are a number of conductive paths that extend through all the modules in the assembly. A number of such conductive paths (logically labeled "M1" to "M6" in FIG. 10(b)) are connected to respective signal sources (symbolically shown as a set of switches (1060) in FIG. 10(b)), such as a controller (not shown), via connectors (114; for leads, see FIG. 10(c); and for wire identification, see FIG. 10(d)), respectively. One or more such conductive paths may also be connected to a common terminal, such as ground. Each conductive path includes a conductor (650) and corresponding top electrodes (440) and bottom electrodes (530) in each module.

[0037] Regarding the switch module (550), one function of the switch is to selectively interconnect an indicator circuit (such as a visual indicator circuit (630, 640)) with one or more of the conductive paths. For example, the indicator circuits in each indicator module can be connected between common terminals (e.g., ground), and can be selectively connected to one of the signal sources via the switch module. The connection to the bottom electrode (530) can be made, for example, via wires (not shown) in the circuit board (610). The switch module (550) can be any suitable connecting device, including switches such as DIP switches, rotary switches, slide switches. Although less convenient, the switch module (550) can also be a jumper arrangement. In the example shown in FIG. 10(a), a portion of the DIP switch (1050) is used for the purpose of selectively connecting the indicator circuit to one of the conductive paths. In this case, the DIP switch (1050) has a number of individual switches (1052, 1054), and a subgroup (1052) of the number of individual switches is used for making the selective connection. For example, if the switch element in position "3" in the DIP switch in the module is switched to "closed", the controller "sees" the module as M3 or module 3, regardless of the physical position of the indicator module in the module sequence in the assembly.

[0038] As another example, through appropriate settings of the switch module (550), two or more indicator modules (each occupying a different physical position) in the indicator assembly can be configured as the same logical module. For example, if the switch element in position "3" in the DIP switch in each of two or more indicator modules in the indicator assembly is switched to "closed", the controller "sees" each of the modules as M3 or module 3. Two or all of the modules set as M3 will be activated. For example, in an indicator assembly having both an audio indicator module and a visual indicator module (e.g., an indicator assembly as Figure 2 shown), both indicator modules can be set as the same logical module (e.g., both physical module 6 (170) and physical module 4 (210) can be set as logical module 3 or M3). When the controller supplies power to the logical module (e.g., module 3 or M3), both the audio indicator module and the visual indicator module will be activated and generate an audio signal and a visual signal respectively. In another example, multiple visual indicator modules in the indicator assembly can be set as the same logical module to produce a desired array of visual signals, such as an array of light of the same color or any other color pattern.

[0039] The switch modules (550, 1050) can provide other functions. For example, a part of the DIP switch (1050) can be used to affect the type of indication provided by Module 3 (assuming the switch element in position "3" is "closed"). For example, the switch elements in positions "7" and "8" can be used to control whether the indicator module is activated continuously or intermittently, and the frequency of the intermittent indication (flashing or beeping).

[0040] Various electrical and electronic circuits can be used to implement specific functional aspects of the indicator module. For example, Figure 11 The circuit schematically shown in can be used to construct a visual indicator module designed for a tower light with up to 6 independent channels. In this example, a part (1052) of the switch module (1050) is used to selectively connect the light source (630) and other electronic devices (640) via one of six conductive paths (1110). The circuit (640) includes, among other things, a driver (642) for powering the light source (630) and a timing circuit (644). Another part (1054) of the switch module (1050) is used to control the flashing indication of the light source (630). Depending on the specific desired operation, other suitable circuits can be used.

[0041] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, additional switches can be included in the indicator modules (210, 220) to implement additional functions of the module. The additional switches can be included in the switch modules (550, 1050) in the form of additional separate switches (1052, 1054). Alternatively or additionally, as in the Figure 12 exemplary embodiment shown, the additional switches can be included in one or more additional switch modules (1270) in the form of separate switches (1272, 1274).

[0042] For example, the light sources (630) can each be a multi-color LED or a set of discrete monochromatic LEDs of different colors, and the switches (1272, 1274) can be connected to supply power to the corresponding LED or the color components of the multi-color LED to produce a desired color by mixing the colors emitted by the LED or the LED components of different colors. For example, an RGB (Red - Green - Blue) LED can provide seven different colors (turning on one, two, or three colors); an RGBA (Red - Green - Blue - Amber) LED can provide fourteen colors (turning on one, two, or three colors) or more. Table I below shows an example where four switches (5B to 8B) in the DIP switch module (1270) are used to generate fourteen colors. In this example, the circuit is configured such that closing all the switches (5B to 8B) does not result in a state where all four color components are turned on; rather, it reaches an illustrative state, which can, for example, be cycling through all fourteen colors while the LED is flashing.

[0043] Table I. Influence of Switch Positions on Switch Module (1270)

[0044]

[0045] As further illustrated by the example of Table I, the switches (1272, 1274) can be connected in a manner similar to the above-described switches "7" and "8" (1054) to achieve other functions. For example, switches 2B to 4B can be connected to an appropriate circuit system to cause the LED to blink or strobe at various frequencies, or to provide intensity scanning (pulses); as another example, switch 1B can be connected to an appropriate circuit system to cause the LED to emit light at various intensities.

[0046] As outlined in Table II below, the switch states of the switches (1052) in another DIP switch (550, 1050) control the logical positions of each indicator module as previously described.

[0047] Table II. Influence of Switch Positions on Switch Modules (550, 1050)

[0048]

[0049] The user-configurable indicator module described above can also be used in conjunction with other types of indicator modules, such as traditional tower light modules, to achieve the desired configuration.

[0050] The example circuit schematically shown in FIG. 13 can be used to construct the following visual indicator module, which is designed for Figure 12 the indicated tower light and is capable of performing the various functions described above. In this example, the processor (1342) in the circuit (1300) is configured to receive inputs (in this example, Color 1, Color 2, Color 3, Color 4, Blink 1, Blink 2, Strobe, and Energy Saving (ECO)_Mode) from an additional switch module (1270) to generate control signals (in this example, PWM_Red, PWM_Green, and PWM_Blue) to control the power levels delivered to the LEDs of each color (red, green, and blue). In this example, the control is achieved through pulse width modulation (PWM). The functions described above, such as mixing LED colors to obtain various colors, cycling through colors, and intensity scanning, can be implemented. Depending on the specific desired operation, other suitable circuits can be used.

[0051] Accordingly, an apparatus and method have been described which provide, among other things, a high degree of flexibility in configuring modular indicator components (tower lights, etc.). By using a switch module within the indicator module, the module can be configured to function as a module in any logical (electronic) position within a multi-indicator component, regardless of its position in the physical sequence of indicator modules within the component. The arrangement of conductive paths relative to optical indicator elements (e.g., LEDs) reduces shadows from the conductive paths. Elastic or flexible electrodes can be used for appropriate inter-module electrical connections.

[0052] Many modifications and variations can be made to the examples disclosed herein and to many other embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention, which scope will be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An indicator module, comprising: A main body portion; A first plurality of electrodes attached to the main body portion; A second plurality of electrodes attached to the main body portion, the main body portion having a first end and a second end, and comprising: A first mounting portion at the first end, the first mounting portion being adapted to removably attach the main body portion to a first electrical module and to electrically contact the first plurality of electrodes with corresponding electrodes among a plurality of electrodes in the first electrical module; and A second mounting portion at the second end, the second mounting portion being adapted to removably attach the main body portion to a second electrical module and to electrically contact the second plurality of electrodes with corresponding electrodes among a plurality of electrodes in the second electrical module; An indicator circuit disposed within the main body portion, the indicator circuit including a plurality of indicator elements; and A first switch module disposed within the main body portion, operably connected to the first plurality of electrodes and the indicator circuit, and configurable to selectively operably connect the indicator circuit to one of the first plurality of electrodes; A second switch module disposed within the main body portion, including a plurality of switch elements configured to individually control the power level delivered to each of the plurality of indicator elements; and A processor disposed within the main body portion and having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, the plurality of inputs being operably connected to corresponding ones of the plurality of switch elements of the second switch module, the plurality of outputs being operably connected to corresponding ones of the plurality of indicator elements, Wherein each of the plurality of indicator elements includes a visual indicator, at least two of the plurality of visual indicators being configured to emit light of different colors from each other, wherein the plurality of switch elements of the second switch module are adapted to generate multiple sets of signals, each of the multiple sets of signals corresponding to a respective mixture of different colors, and Wherein the processor is configured to control the power level delivered to each of the plurality of indicator elements based on signals received at the input.

2. The indicator module according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of visual indicators are respective color components of a multi-color light-emitting diode LED, and the processor is configured to control the power level delivered to each of the plurality of indicator elements by pulse width modulation PWM.

3. The indicator module according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of conductors, each conductor connecting one of the first plurality of electrodes to a corresponding one of the second plurality of electrodes, wherein, The main body portion defines a region between the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, wherein the plurality of conductors are disposed inside the region, and wherein the indicator circuit includes a plurality of light emitters disposed in a more peripheral position within the region compared to the plurality of conductors.

4. The indicator module according to claim 3, wherein, The main body portion includes a cylindrical, translucent or transparent wall that defines a longitudinal axis and has two ends, the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion being disposed at respective ends of the wall, wherein the plurality of light emitters are disposed closer to the wall than the plurality of conductors.

5. The indicator module according to claim 4, wherein, The plurality of conductors are disposed in a connector module disposed along the longitudinal axis.

6. The indicator module according to claim 2, wherein, The body portion further includes a cylindrical, translucent or transparent wall that defines a longitudinal axis and has two ends, with the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion being disposed at the respective ends, wherein the indicator circuit includes a plurality of light emitters, a portion of the plurality of light emitters being disposed near one of the ends and another portion of the plurality of light emitters being disposed near the other of the ends.

7. The indicator module according to claim 1, wherein, The body portion includes a cylindrical, translucent or transparent wall that defines a longitudinal axis and has two ends, wherein each of the visual indicators includes a light emitter, a portion of the plurality of light emitters being disposed near one of the ends and another portion of the plurality of light emitters being disposed near the other of the ends.

8. The indicator module according to claim 1, wherein, At least one electrode of the first plurality of electrodes includes a flexible portion, and wherein the body portion further includes a cylindrical, translucent or transparent wall that defines a longitudinal axis, the first mounting portion being adapted to fix the body portion to the first electrical module, the flexible portion being adapted to bias the electrode against a corresponding electrode in the first electrical module in a direction along the longitudinal axis.

9. The indicator module according to claim 4, wherein Each of the second plurality of electrodes includes a flat contact area facing in a direction along the longitudinal axis.

10. The indicator module according to claim 1, wherein, The indicator circuit includes a multi-color light source, and the indicator module further includes a switch that is configurable to be in a plurality of switch states to cause the multi-color light source to emit different colors according to the switch states.

11. An indicator assembly comprising a plurality of indicator modules, at least one of the indicator modules including: A body portion; A first plurality of electrodes attached to the body portion, the body portion including a first mounting portion; An indicator circuit disposed within the body portion, the indicator circuit including a plurality of indicator elements; And A first switch module disposed within the body portion, operably connected to the first plurality of electrodes and the indicator circuit, and configured to selectively operably connect the indicator circuit to one of the first plurality of electrodes; And A second switch module disposed within the body portion, including a plurality of switch elements configured to individually control the power level delivered to each of the plurality of indicator elements, The plurality of indicator modules are removably attached to each other in pairs via respective mounting portions, and the first plurality of electrodes in each of the plurality of indicator modules are in electrical contact with corresponding electrodes of the plurality of electrodes of the indicator module to which it is removably attached. Wherein, each of the plurality of indicator modules further includes a processor disposed within the body portion and having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, the plurality of inputs being operably connected to respective ones of the plurality of switch elements of the second switch module, the plurality of outputs being operably connected to respective ones of the plurality of indicator elements, and the processor being configured to control the power level transmitted to each of the plurality of indicator elements based on signals received at the inputs. Wherein, each of the plurality of indicator elements includes a visual indicator, at least two of the plurality of visual indicators being configured to emit light of different colors from each other, wherein the plurality of switch elements of the second switch module are adapted to generate multiple sets of signals, each of the multiple sets of signals corresponding to a respective mixture of different colors, and Wherein, at least one of the plurality of indicator modules further includes a second plurality of electrodes attached to the body portion, the body portion further including a second mounting portion adapted to removably attach the body portion to a second electrical module and to electrically contact the second plurality of electrodes with respective ones of the plurality of electrodes in the second electrical module.

12. The indicator assembly according to claim 11, wherein, The indicator module including the second plurality of electrodes further includes a plurality of conductors, each conductor connecting one of the first plurality of electrodes to a respective one of the second plurality of electrodes.

13. The indicator assembly according to claim 12, wherein, The body portion of the indicator module including the second plurality of electrodes defines an area between the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, wherein the plurality of conductors are disposed inside the area, and wherein the indicator circuit includes a plurality of light emitters disposed at a position more peripheral than the plurality of conductors in the area.

14. The indicator assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a base module, the base module including a support having a mounting portion, a plurality of electrodes mounted on the support, the electrodes being connectable to respective power supplies, at least one of the indicator modules being removably attached to the base module through a respective mounting portion, and one of the first plurality of electrodes and the second plurality of electrodes in each of the plurality of indicator modules being electrically contacted with a respective one of the plurality of electrodes of the base module.

Images