Guide sign with demonstration function

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of display devices, and particularly relates to a guide sign with a demonstration function, which comprises a shell, a light guide plate, an LED light source, a millimeter wave radar sensor, an ambient light sensor and a main control unit, and is characterized in that the shell is provided with a containing cavity, the light guide plate is mounted on the front side of the shell, and the LED light source is arranged in the containing cavity and located on the side edge of the light guide plate; the millimeter wave radar sensor is installed in the containing cavity and used for detecting human body existence signals, the ambient light sensor is installed on the shell and used for detecting ambient brightness signals, and the main control unit is electrically connected with the millimeter wave radar sensor, the ambient light sensor and the LED light source. The main control unit is configured to control on-off and brightness of the LED light source according to the environment brightness signal and the human body existence signal. By integrating the millimeter wave radar sensor and the ambient light sensor, intelligent automatic control of the sign is realized, and the problems that a traditional manual switch is easy to forget, poor in waterproof performance and high in maintenance cost are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of display device technology, and more particularly to a wayfinding sign with a demonstration function. Background Technology

[0002] In bars, pubs, clubs, and similar venues, illuminated signage is often used to highlight the types, prices, or brands of alcoholic beverages in dimly lit environments. Existing such equipment typically includes a light guide plate, LED light sources, and physical push-button switches, allowing manual control of the lights.

[0003] However, the following technical problems exist in actual use: First, the interaction method is simple and relies on employees to manually turn it on and off. During peak business hours, it is easy to forget to turn it on or off, resulting in the signage not being displayed effectively or causing energy waste. Secondly, most of the existing equipment uses mechanical switches, which are easily affected by splashes of alcohol in the humid environment of a bar, leading to poor contact or short circuit failure. Third, battery-powered products require frequent battery replacements, resulting in high maintenance costs and environmental unfriendliness. Fourth, it cannot automatically adjust the display status according to ambient light and people's activities.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a wayfinding sign with intelligent sensing and control functions to improve user experience and operational efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on the technical problems existing in the prior art, the present invention proposes a wayfinding sign with demonstration function.

[0006] The present invention proposes a wayfinding sign with demonstration function, comprising: A housing having a receiving cavity; A light guide plate is installed on the front side of the housing; An LED light source is disposed within the receiving cavity and located on the side of the light guide plate; Also includes: A millimeter-wave radar sensor is installed inside the cavity to detect the presence of a human body. An ambient light sensor, mounted on the housing, is used to detect ambient brightness signals; The main control unit is electrically connected to the millimeter-wave radar sensor, the ambient light sensor, and the LED light source, respectively. The main control unit is configured to control the on / off state and brightness of the LED light source based on the ambient brightness signal detected by the ambient light sensor and the human presence signal detected by the millimeter-wave radar sensor.

[0007] Preferably, it further includes a wireless communication module, which is electrically connected to the main control unit and is used to receive control commands from an external control terminal.

[0008] Preferably, it also includes a wireless charging receiver module, which is electrically connected to the main control unit and is used to provide power to the sign.

[0009] Preferably, the millimeter-wave radar sensor operates at a frequency of 24 GHz or 60 GHz. Preferably, the main control unit includes a low-power microcontroller, which has a deep sleep mode and a working mode.

[0010] Preferably, a reflective layer is provided on the back of the light guide plate, and the reflective layer has a hollow structure corresponding to the preset pattern area.

[0011] Preferably, the housing is a sealed structure with a protection level of IP65 or higher.

[0012] Preferably, the main control unit is configured to: control the LED light source to turn on when the ambient brightness is lower than a preset threshold and the millimeter-wave radar sensor detects a human body approaching; and control the LED light source to turn off or enter a low-light standby mode after the millimeter-wave radar sensor detects a human body leaving and the duration exceeds a preset delay time.

[0013] Preferably, the brightness of the LED light source is dynamically adjusted according to the ambient brightness signal; the lower the ambient brightness, the lower the brightness.

[0014] Preferably, the brightness of the low-light standby mode is 5%-10% of the rated brightness.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a wayfinding sign with a demonstration function, which has the following beneficial effects: By integrating millimeter-wave radar sensors and ambient light sensors, intelligent automatic control of signage is achieved without manual intervention, solving the problem of easily forgotten traditional manual switches and improving ease of use and user experience.

[0016] Millimeter-wave radar sensors can penetrate non-metallic shells to accurately detect the presence of the human body and are unaffected by temperature and humidity. They can still work stably in the humid environment of a bar. Combined with the sealed shell design, it effectively solves the defects of traditional equipment that are prone to moisture and short circuits.

[0017] Employing a low-power microcontroller and intelligent control logic, it automatically enters deep sleep or low-light standby mode when unattended or in the dark, significantly reducing power consumption and extending battery life.

[0018] An optional wireless communication module can be added to enable cluster control. Managers can use terminal devices to group, dim, and set scenes for multiple signs to meet the display needs of different business scenarios.

[0019] An optional wireless charging module can be added to enable contactless charging, avoid frequent battery replacements, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure the airtightness of the casing. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first angle structure inside the housing of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the second angle structure inside the housing of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the back structure of the light guide plate of the present invention.

[0021] In the diagram: 100, housing; 110, receiving cavity; 200, light guide plate; 210, reflective layer; 300, LED light source; 310, LED driving circuit; 400, millimeter-wave radar sensor; 500, ambient light sensor; 600, main control unit; 700, wireless communication module; 800, wireless charging receiver module. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0023] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0024] Example 1 This embodiment provides a wayfinding sign with a demonstration function, see reference. Figures 1-4The directional sign with demonstration functions includes a housing 100, a light guide plate 200, an LED light source 300, a millimeter-wave radar sensor 400, an ambient light sensor 500, and a main control unit 600. The housing 100 is made of engineering plastic or metal and has a cavity 110 for housing electronic components. The front of the housing 100 has an opening for mounting the light guide plate 200. To ensure reliability in humid environments, the housing 100 is designed as a sealed structure, with sealing strips or sealant at each joint, achieving an overall protection rating of IP65 or higher, effectively preventing spills and moisture intrusion.

[0025] A light guide plate 200 is mounted on the front side of the housing 100 and is made of high-transmittance acrylic or polycarbonate material. A reflective layer 210 is provided on the back of the light guide plate 200, and the reflective layer 210 has a perforated structure corresponding to the preset pattern area. When light emitted from the LED light source 300 enters the light guide plate 200, it undergoes total internal reflection within the light guide plate 200. When it encounters the perforated structure of the reflective layer 210, the light is emitted from the perforation, forming the luminous effect of the preset pattern. The preset pattern can be the name of the wine, its price, brand logo, or other information that needs to be displayed.

[0026] The LED light source 300 is disposed within the receiving cavity 110 and located on the side of the light guide plate 200. The LED light source 300 is electrically connected to the LED driving circuit 310, which is controlled by the main control unit 600 and can adjust the brightness and on / off state of the LED light source 300. The LED driving circuit 310 can adopt a constant current driving method to ensure stable light emission of the LED light source 300 and avoid flickering.

[0027] The millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 is installed within the receiving cavity 110, specifically on the front side wall or bottom of the housing 100, with its detection direction facing the area in front of the sign. In this embodiment, the millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 uses a 24GHz millimeter-wave radar, which operates at a frequency of 24GHz and can penetrate the non-metallic housing 100 and light guide plate 200 to accurately detect subtle human movements and presence signals. Compared to traditional infrared sensors, the millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 is unaffected by ambient temperature and light, exhibiting higher stability and accuracy in complex environments such as bars. In other embodiments, a 60GHz millimeter-wave radar can also be used, which offers even higher detection accuracy but consumes slightly more power.

[0028] An ambient light sensor 500 is mounted on the housing 100, specifically on the front side wall of the housing 100 with a photosensitive window exposed, for detecting ambient brightness signals. The ambient light sensor 500 uses a photodiode or phototransistor to convert ambient light intensity into an electrical signal, which is then output to the main control unit 600. The installation position of the ambient light sensor 500 should avoid direct illumination from the light emitted by the light guide plate 200 to prevent self-interference.

[0029] The main control unit 600 is installed within the receiving cavity 110 and is electrically connected to the millimeter-wave radar sensor 400, the ambient light sensor 500, and the LED light source 300. The core of the main control unit 600 is a low-power microcontroller; in this embodiment, an ESP32-C3 chip is used. This chip integrates Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functions, has multiple ADC input channels and PWM output ports, and can meet the needs of sensor signal acquisition and LED brightness control. The low-power microcontroller has a deep sleep mode and a working mode. In deep sleep mode, only the basic clock and wake-up functions are retained, and power consumption can be reduced to the microampere level.

[0030] The circuit connections of the main control unit 600 are as follows: the output of the ambient light sensor 500 is connected to the ADC input of the low-power microcontroller; the output of the millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 is connected to the GPIO input of the low-power microcontroller, triggered by an interrupt; the PWM output of the low-power microcontroller is connected to the control terminal of the LED driver circuit 310; and the output of the LED driver circuit 310 is connected to the LED light source 300. In addition, the main control unit 600 is also connected to a power management circuit to provide stable operating voltage for each module.

[0031] In this embodiment, the main control unit 600 is configured to control the on / off state and brightness of the LED light source 300 based on the ambient brightness signal detected by the ambient light sensor 500 and the human presence signal detected by the millimeter-wave radar sensor 400. The specific control logic is as follows: The main control unit 600 reads the detection value of the ambient light sensor 500 in real time. When the ambient brightness is higher than the preset threshold, such as during the day or when the lights in the business premises are sufficient, the main control unit 600 controls the LED light source 300 to remain off, regardless of whether the millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 detects a human body, in order to save power.

[0032] When the ambient brightness is below a preset threshold, such as at night or when the venue lights are dimmed, the main control unit 600 enters a standby state. In this state, the millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 continuously detects the presence of a human in the area in front. When a human approaches and the distance is less than a preset distance threshold (e.g., 1.5 meters), the main control unit 600 wakes up from deep sleep mode and controls the LED light source 300 to turn on at a preset brightness, illuminating the preset pattern on the light guide plate 200.

[0033] When the millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 detects that a person has left and the time exceeds the preset delay time (e.g., 30-60 seconds), the main control unit 600 controls the LED light source 300 to gradually dim until it turns off, and re-enters deep sleep mode, waiting for the next wake-up.

[0034] Through the above control logic, the wayfinding signage in this embodiment achieves intelligent control of "lights on when people come and lights off when people leave," without the need for manual intervention, which not only ensures the display effect but also saves energy to the greatest extent.

[0035] Example 2 This embodiment further optimizes the control method and adds wireless charging functionality based on Embodiment 1. This embodiment provides a control method for a wayfinding sign with demonstration capabilities, comprising the following steps: S1: The ambient light sensor 500 collects ambient brightness signals in real time and transmits them to the main control unit 600. The sampling frequency of the ambient light sensor 500 can be set as needed, for example, 10 times per second, to balance response speed and power consumption.

[0036] S2: The millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 collects human presence signals in real time and transmits them to the main control unit 600. The millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 operates in a low-power mode, detecting only when needed, or in an intermittent mode, such as detecting once every 100 milliseconds.

[0037] S3: The main control unit 600 judges the ambient brightness signal. If the ambient brightness is lower than the preset threshold Lth, it enters the waiting state; otherwise, it keeps the LED light source 300 off and continues to monitor the ambient brightness. The preset threshold Lth can be set according to the actual application scenario. For example, when the illuminance is lower than 50 lux, it is judged as a dark environment.

[0038] S4: In the standby state, the main control unit 600 judges the presence of a human body. If a human body is detected approaching and the distance is less than a preset distance threshold Dth, the main control unit 600 controls the LED light source 300 to turn on at a preset brightness. In this embodiment, the preset brightness is not a fixed value, but is dynamically adjusted according to the ambient brightness signal. Specifically, the main control unit 600 determines the turning brightness of the LED light source 300 by looking up a table or calculating a formula based on the brightness value detected by the ambient light sensor 500. The lower the ambient brightness, the lower the turning brightness of the LED light source 300 is, in order to avoid producing glaring light in extremely dark environments. For example, when the ambient brightness is 10 lux, the LED light source 300 turns on at 30% of its rated brightness; when the ambient brightness is 1 lux, the LED light source 300 turns on at 10% of its rated brightness.

[0039] S5: When the millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 detects a human body leaving and the duration exceeds the preset delay time Tdelay, the main control unit 600 controls the LED light source 300 to turn off or enter a low-light standby mode. In this embodiment, the preset delay time Tdelay can be set to 30 seconds, 60 seconds, or longer as needed. The brightness of the low-light standby mode is 5%-10% of the rated brightness, maintaining a certain level of visibility while maximizing energy savings.

[0040] To further enhance the user experience, this embodiment also includes a wireless charging function. Specifically, the wayfinding sign also includes a wireless charging receiver module 800, which is electrically connected to the main control unit 600 and provides power to the sign. The wireless charging receiver module 800 includes a receiving coil and a rectifier circuit, and is installed within the receiving cavity 110. Correspondingly, a wireless charging transmitter is provided on the wine rack or display shelf, which includes a transmitting coil and a driving circuit. When the wayfinding sign is placed in the designated position, the receiving coil couples with the transmitting coil, transmitting power through electromagnetic induction to achieve contactless charging.

[0041] The advantages of using wireless charging are as follows: First, it eliminates the need for a charging port on the housing 100, ensuring its airtightness and improving its waterproof and moisture-proof capabilities; second, it avoids the maintenance work of frequent battery replacements, reducing operating costs; and third, it allows for recharging at any time, ensuring that the sign is always in a usable state.

[0042] Example 3 This embodiment adds wireless communication functionality to the existing embodiment 1 or embodiment 2, enabling intelligent cluster control of multiple wayfinding signs.

[0043] Reference Figure 3 The wayfinding signage in this embodiment also includes a wireless communication module 700, which is electrically connected to the main control unit 600 and used to receive control commands from an external control terminal. The wireless communication module 700 can be a Bluetooth Mesh module, a Wi-Fi module, or a ZigBee module, integrated on the ESP32-C3 chip. In this embodiment, a Bluetooth Mesh module is preferred because it offers advantages such as flexible networking, low power consumption, and moderate cost.

[0044] Multiple wayfinding signs with Bluetooth Mesh capability can form a Mesh network, with each sign acting as a node in the network. External control terminals can be smartphones, tablets, or dedicated controllers, which can connect to any node in the Mesh network via Bluetooth to send control commands to the entire network or specific groups.

[0045] The following cluster control functions can be achieved through the wireless communication module 700: (1) Group control: Bar managers can divide the signage into different groups according to the layout of the liquor racks or display needs, such as "Whiskey area", "Red wine area", "Beer area", etc. Through an external control terminal, the on / off, brightness and flashing mode of a certain group of signs can be controlled individually.

[0046] (2) Scene settings: Multiple scene modes can be preset, such as "Daily business mode", "Promotional activity mode", "Late night mode", etc. The brightness and display mode of the signs will be automatically adjusted in different scenes. For example, in the promotional activity mode, the signs for the promotional wines can be set to a higher brightness or a flashing state to attract customers' attention.

[0047] (3) Timed control: Timed tasks can be set through an external control terminal, such as automatically turning on the sign at 18:00 every day and automatically turning it off at 02:00 the next day, so as to achieve unmanned management.

[0048] (4) Status monitoring: The main control unit 600 can report the working status of the sign through the wireless communication module 700, including power, brightness, fault information, etc., so that managers can discover and deal with problems in a timely manner.

[0049] In the cluster control system of this embodiment, each wayfinding sign retains its local intelligent control function. When wireless communication is disconnected or no external command is received, the sign operates autonomously according to the local control logic described in Embodiment 1 or 2; when an external command is received, the external command has higher priority, and the sign executes the corresponding operation according to the external command. This design ensures both system reliability and provides a flexible control method.

[0050] Example 4 This embodiment optimizes the installation method and signal processing of the millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 to improve detection accuracy and anti-interference capability.

[0051] The installation position of the millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 within the housing cavity 110 has a significant impact on the sign detection performance. In this embodiment, the millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 is installed at the bottom of the housing 100, with the antenna facing upwards at a certain angle, so that the detection beam covers a fan-shaped area 1-2 meters in front of the sign. This installation method avoids excessive clutter caused by the radar beam directly illuminating the ground or ceiling, while effectively detecting people standing or passing by.

[0052] To improve anti-interference capabilities, the millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 employs differential detection and motion filtering algorithms for signal processing. Specifically, the millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 outputs an intermediate frequency signal, which is amplified and filtered before being sent to the ADC of the main control unit 600 for acquisition. The main control unit 600 performs a fast Fourier transform on the acquired signal to extract the target's velocity and distance information. By setting a velocity threshold, reflected signals from stationary objects can be filtered out, responding only to moving targets. This prevents false triggering even if there are fixed objects such as tables and chairs near the wine rack.

[0053] To further improve detection accuracy, this embodiment also employs a personnel presence confirmation mechanism. When the millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 detects a signal for the first time, the main control unit 600 does not immediately wake up the LED light source 300. Instead, it waits until multiple consecutive detection results meet the conditions before confirming a valid trigger. Similarly, when personnel are detected leaving, it is only confirmed as personnel leaving after multiple consecutive no signal detections. This mechanism can effectively avoid false triggering caused by momentary interference.

[0054] Furthermore, the millimeter-wave radar sensor 400 in this embodiment has multi-target detection capabilities, enabling it to simultaneously track the positions of multiple people. When multiple people approach simultaneously, the sign lights up normally; when some people leave, the sign remains lit as long as someone remains within the detection area until the last person leaves. This function is particularly important in scenarios where multiple people browse the wine rack simultaneously, as it avoids the unpleasant experience caused by frequent on / off switching.

[0055] Example 5 This embodiment optimizes the structure of the light guide plate 200 and the reflective layer 210 to improve the uniformity of light emission and the display effect.

[0056] The light guide plate 200 is formed with microstructure dots on its bottom surface using laser engraving or precision injection molding. The size and density of these dots are optimized according to their distance from the LED light source 300, so that when the light propagates inside the light guide plate 200, it can be emitted evenly from the front, avoiding the phenomenon that the area near the LED light source 300 is bright and the area away from the LED light source 300 is dark.

[0057] The reflective layer 210 is made of highly reflective white PET material or silver reflective film and is attached to the back of the light guide plate 200. The reflective layer 210 has a hollow structure corresponding to the preset pattern area, and the shape of the hollow part is the pattern to be illuminated. When the LED light source 300 is lit, the light is totally internally reflected inside the light guide plate 200. When it encounters the reflective layer 210, it is reflected back to the light guide plate 200 to continue propagating. When it encounters the hollow structure, it is emitted from the hollow part to form a clear luminous pattern.

[0058] To achieve multi-color display, this embodiment can also use LED light sources 300 of various colors. For example, red LEDs and blue LEDs are respectively arranged on both sides of the light guide plate 200, and the color change of the pattern can be achieved by controlling the brightness ratio of different colored LEDs. The main control unit 600 can independently control the brightness of each colored LED through PWM signals, thereby producing rich color effects.

[0059] To further enhance the visual effect, this embodiment may also provide a diffusion film or a prism film on the front side of the light guide plate 200. The diffusion film can make the light softer and more uniform, avoiding the appearance of LED bright spots; the prism film can control the light emission angle, making the light propagate more concentratedly forward, improving brightness and visual effect.

[0060] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wayfinding sign with a demonstration function, comprising: The housing (100) has a receiving cavity (110). A light guide plate (200) is installed on the front side of the housing (100); An LED light source (300) is disposed within the receiving cavity (110) and located on the side of the light guide plate (200); Its characteristic is that it further includes: A millimeter-wave radar sensor (400) is installed inside the receiving cavity (110) for detecting the presence of a human body; An ambient light sensor (500) is mounted on the housing (100) for detecting ambient brightness signals; The main control unit (600) is electrically connected to the millimeter-wave radar sensor (400), the ambient light sensor (500), and the LED light source (300), respectively. The main control unit (600) is configured to control the opening and closing and brightness of the LED light source (300) based on the ambient brightness signal detected by the ambient light sensor (500) and the human presence signal detected by the millimeter-wave radar sensor (400).

2. A wayfinding sign with a demonstration function according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a wireless communication module (700), which is electrically connected to the main control unit (600) and is used to receive control commands from an external control terminal.

3. A wayfinding sign with a demonstration function according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a wireless charging receiver module (800), which is electrically connected to the main control unit (600) and is used to provide power to the sign.

4. A wayfinding sign with a demonstration function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The millimeter-wave radar sensor (400) operates at a frequency of 24 GHz or 60 GHz.

5. A wayfinding sign with a demonstration function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main control unit (600) includes a low-power microcontroller, which has a deep sleep mode and a working mode.

6. A wayfinding sign with a demonstration function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The back of the light guide plate (200) is provided with a reflective layer (210), and the reflective layer (210) has a hollow structure corresponding to the preset pattern area.

7. A wayfinding sign with a demonstration function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (100) is a sealed structure with a protection level of IP65 or above.

8. A wayfinding sign with a demonstration function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main control unit (600) is configured to: control the LED light source (300) to turn on when the ambient brightness is lower than a preset threshold and the millimeter-wave radar sensor (400) detects a human body approaching; and control the LED light source (300) to turn off or enter a low-light standby mode when the millimeter-wave radar sensor (400) detects a human body leaving and the duration exceeds a preset delay time.

9. A wayfinding sign with a demonstration function according to claim 8, characterized in that, The brightness of the LED light source (300) is dynamically adjusted according to the ambient brightness signal; the lower the ambient brightness, the lower the brightness.

10. A wayfinding sign with a demonstration function according to claim 8, characterized in that, The brightness of the low-light standby mode is 5%-10% of the rated brightness.

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