Dislpaying tower light

Abstract

The invention relates to a tower light assembly (TLA) for use with an industrial apparatus or process to indicate the status of the apparatus or process, comprising: at least one indicator light module (ILM) and a base module (BM) connected to a control device; the at least one indicator light module (ILM) comprising a module controller (MC), a light emitting element (LEE) and a screen (SCR); wherein the base module (BM) is configured to receive a base command from the control device, to generate an actuation command corresponding to the base command and to send the actuation command to the module controller (MC) of the at least one indicator light module (ILM); wherein the module controller (MC) is configured to interrogate a module data storage (MDS) to select a sign to display and a routine, based on the actuation command; wherein the module controller (MC) is configured to actuate the light emitting element (LEE) and the screen (SCR) according to the selected sign and the selected routine.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to tower light assemblies.BACKGROUND

[0002] A manufacturing process may yield a variety of products. Different products may involve different manufacturing processes. A food packing manufacturing process may use a conveyor system to transfer a product from station to station. While some stations may call for a user to perform a task along the manufacturing process, some stations may include equipment, such as a robotics station, to automate the performance of a task. Various stations along a manufacturing process may have a stack light to monitor equipment. A robotics station, for example, may have a stack light to monitor the operation status of the robotics station.

[0003] Tower lights are commonly used to indicate the status of a machine or a facility. Common indications are clear for people interacting with the machine or facility. For example, the tower light is illuminated in red, which means something went wrong. However, application specific messages are not understood without training and the amount of information communicated is very limited. For example, a red light means something went wrong, but does not indicate what went wrong.

[0004] There is therefore a need for improving tower light operation by adding clarity about the information provided by the tower light.SUMMARY

[0005] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to the present inventive subject matter. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] In one implementation, there is provided for a tower light assembly for use with an industrial apparatus or process to indicate the status of the apparatus or process, comprising: at least one indicator light module and a base module connected to a control device; the at least one indicator light module comprising a module controller, a light emitting element and a screen; wherein the base module is configured to receive a base command from the control device, to generate an actuation command corresponding to the base command and to send the actuation command to the module controller of the at least one indicator light module; wherein the module controller is configured to interrogate a module data storage to select a sign to display and a routine, based on the actuation command; wherein the module controller is configured to actuate the light emitting element and the screen according to the selected sign and the selected routine.

[0007] Advantageously, the tower light assembly provides simple images or signs that are easily distinguishable, allowing an operator to easily recognize an operating situation of a industrial device or process.

[0008] In an embodiment, the control device is a Programmable Logic Controller.

[0009] In an embodiment, the indicator light module includes a cylindrical-housing comprising a circumferential panel, with the screen linked to the cylindrical-housing.

[0010] In an embodiment, the screen is flexible and embedded in the circumferential panel of the housing, presenting a display around 360 degrees.

[0011] In an embodiment, the light emitting element is configured to illuminate toward the cylindrical-housing, through an optical system, providing a 360° field of light.

[0012] Advantageously, the the tower light assembly provides 360° visibility of the display, with a customizable strategy for displaying signs.

[0013] In an embodiment, the screen is an electronic display that reflects light from the light emitting element.

[0014] In an embodiment, the actuation command may include at least an identifier of the sign and a reference of the routine.

[0015] In an embodiment, the sign is at least one of a letter in any language, a drawing, a pictogram.

[0016] In another implementation, there is provided a method for operating a tower light assembly for use with an industrial apparatus or process to indicate the status of the apparatus or process, the tower light assembly comprising at least one indicator light module and a base module connected to a control device, the at least one indicator light module comprising a module controller, a light emitting element and a screen, the method comprising: receiving, by the base module, a base command from the control device, generating, by the base module, an actuation command corresponding to the base command, sending, by the base module, the actuation command to the module controller of the at least one indicator light module; interrogating, by the module controller, a module data storage to select a sign to display and a routine, based on the actuation command; actuating, by the module controller, the light emitting element and the screen according to the selected sign and the selected routine.

[0017] In another implementation there is provided a computer-readable medium having embodied thereon a computer program for executing a method for operating a tower light assembly. Said computer program comprises instructions which carry out steps according to the method according to the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and / or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a tower light assembly according to one embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 2 shows a flow chart illustrating a method for operating a tower light assembly according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0019] The same reference number represents the same element or the same type of element on all drawings.

[0020] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The figures and the following description illustrate specific exemplary embodiments of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, any examples described herein are intended to aid in understanding the principles of the invention, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments or examples described below, but by the claims and their equivalents.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, a tower light assembly TLA comprises one or more indicator light modules ILM and a base module BM.

[0023] In one embodiment, each indicator light module ILM includes module connectors such that a user may stack the modules in any order. The module connectors may include spring contacts to form an electrical communication path among the indicator light modules ILM. The electrical communication path may transmit data signals and operating power, for example, among the indicator light modules ILM.

[0024] In one embodiment, the tower light assembly is modular, comprising several indicator light modules ILM. In another embodiment, the tower light assembly is monolithic, comprising one indicator light module ILM. Also when the tower light assembly is modular, it may be assembled by the manufacturer or the end-user. When the tower light assembly is monolithic, it may be provided by the manufacturer as a single piece, even if initially preassembled from different modules by the manufacturer.

[0025] An indicator light module ILM comprises a module controller MC, a light emitting element LEE, and a screen SCR. An indicator light module ILM includes a cylindrical-housing comprising a circumferential panel, with the screen SCR linked to the cylindrical-housing.

[0026] The light emitting element LEE is able to illuminate toward the cylindrical-housing, through an optical system, providing a 360° field of light. The light emitting element comprises for example one or several light-emitting diodes (LED). In one embodiment, when the tower light assembly is modular, the light emitting diodes can be of single color, for example of green for a first light emitting element LEE, of orange for a second light emitting element LEE and of red for a third light emitting element LEE. In one embodiment, when the tower light assembly is monolithic, the light emitting diodes can be of multicolor.

[0027] In one embodiment, the indicator light module ILM comprises a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) linked to the module controller MC and the light emitting element LEE, mounted in a vertical orientation and an optical system including a lens and / or film with diffusing capacity, that illuminates in a visually even way around a radial, horizontal plane. The radius of horizontal illumination can be 180 or 360 degrees. Preferably, the indicator light module ILM illuminates around a 360 degree radius. If illuminating around 360 degrees, both sides of the PCB are populated with LED's of the light emitting element LEE.

[0028] In one embodiment, a diffusing material may be used to more evenly present the light. It disperses the light around the radius so that someone standing on the side of the unit (what would be the side / edge of the PCB) sees the same or similar amount of illumination as the person standing perpendicular to the PCB orientation. The diffusing material can be a film liner that is put inside the lens, such as a light diffusing. The diffuser or diffusing material may also be the lens itself, or something incorporated into the lens, for example a polycarbonate compound instead of a film applied to the lens.

[0029] The screen SCR can be embedded in the circumferential panel of the housing, or stuck inside the housing pressed against the panel, in order to present a display around 360 degrees.

[0030] The screen is flexible in order to be bent following the surface of the cylindrical-housing's panel and to be visible by a person standing in any position in the area of the tower light.

[0031] In one embodiment, the screen SCR is an electronic display that reflects ambient light, e.g. the light from the light emitting element LEE. In one example, the screen comprises a liquid-crystal display that uses the light-modulating properties of liquid crystals combined with polarizers, without emitting light directly. In another example, the screen comprises an electronic paper or the like, also without emitting light directly. The screen SCR is able to produce any type of images or signs in color or monochrome.

[0032] The module controller MC operably connects to a module data storage MDS (that can be a non-volatile memory). The module data storage MDS may include look-up tables to store different kind of signs (like letters in any language, drawings, pictograms, etc...) associated with one or more routines and optionally with an identifier of the screen. For example, a routine can be a repetition of an icon 5 times around the perimeter of the light emitting element LEE, the icon being in rotation from left to right. The different kind of signs can be updated by an operator, that can thus customize any set of signs, for example according to the location. As non-limiting examples, a pictogram can be a maintenance pictogram, a remove materials pictogram, a Chinese character telling a type of error. Also the different routines can be updated by an operator, for example to provide a more efficient way to alert faster a person standing in any position in the area of the tower light.

[0033] The indicator light module ILM operably connects with the base module BM via the electrical communication path or any type of communication line. The protocol for communication may be of any type, e.g. based on Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART) protocol, Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), IO-Link or any other technology.

[0034] The base module BM comprises a base controller BC, a base data storage BDS (that can be a non-volatile memory) and a network engine NE. The base controller BC operably connects to a base data storage BDS that may include look-up tables to store base commands associated with one or more indicator light modules ILM. The base data storage BDS may include program instructions to generate actuation commands to the indicator light modules ILM.

[0035] The base controller BC may receive, via the network engine NE, an operation message containing a base command in order to generate an actuation command for an indicator light module ILM. The base controller BC may transmit the generated actuation command to an indicator light module ILM via the network engine NE. The generated actuation command is formatted and adapted to the communication protocol used to communicate with the indicator light module ILM.

[0036] The tower monitoring system is operated for use with an industrial apparatus or process to indicate the status of the apparatus or process. The base module BM can be connected to a control device that may be a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) or other automation device able to implement industrial processes and able to communicate with the industrial devices for exchanging data such as requests, inputs, control data, etc...

[0037] The base module BM can send generated actuation command to an indicator light module ILM in order to alert a user of an event. The screen of the indicator light module ILM displays signs that represent simple things to see from a distance, having for example dynamic effects to attract the eye of a person standing in any position in the area of the tower light.

[0038] Routines stored in the base data storage BDS can describe dynamic effects to execute on a screen, like repetition and or rotation of an icon, a morphing between at least two icons, etc..., helping a person to easily recognize a status of an apparatus or process.

[0039] Routines can also include procedures to display something else after a certain time (if no action detected from a user): for example using red color after orange color, displaying a bigger flashing icon after static small icon.

[0040] With reference to FIG. 2, a method for operating a tower light according to one embodiment of the invention comprises steps S1 to S5.

[0041] Initially, the tower light assembly TLA comprises a first indicator light module ILM, a second indicator light module ILM and a third indicator light module ILM, and is linked to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) monitoring industrial devices.

[0042] In step S1, the base module BM of the tower light assembly TLA receives an operation message from the PLC as control device CD after the detection of an event related to an industrial device.

[0043] The operation message contains a base command that includes instructions intended for the second indicator light module ILM. For example, the base command contains the following instructions: "light tier 2 in orange and display icon number 15". The base command contains may further contain a reference to a routine.

[0044] In step S2, the base controller BC interrogates the base data storage BDS to generate an actuation command corresponding to the base command. For example, the base controller BC detects from the base command an identifier of the second indicator light module ILM in order to generate and format an actuation command for the second indicator light module ILM.

[0045] The base controller BC can further interrogate the base data storage BDS to check if the base command is associated with a procedure, that is triggered after a certain time (if no action detected from a user): for example generating another actuation command after a certain time for the third indicator light module ILM.

[0046] In step S3, the base controller BC sends the actuation command to the second indicator light module ILM, using the protocol adapted to the communication between the base controller BC and the module controller MC of the second indicator light module ILM.

[0047] In step S4, the module controller MC of the second indicator light module ILM receives the actuation command and interrogates the module data storage MDS to select a sign to display and a routine, based on the actuation command. For example, the module controller MC selects "icon number 15" as a sign, actuates the light emitting element LEE to light in orange and actuates the screen SCR to display icon number 15. From the selected routine, the module controller MC operates the screen SCR to display the icon number 15 with a repetition of 5 times around the perimeter of the light emitting element LEE and to make the icons number 15 rotate on the perimeter of the light emitting element LEE from left to right. To that end, the actuation command may include at least an identifier of the sign and a reference of the routine.

[0048] In step S5, the module controller MC of the second indicator light module ILM actuates the light emitting element LEE and the screen SCR according to the selected sign and the selected routine.

[0049] In one illustrative example, the tower light assembly comprises a first indicator light module ILM, a second indicator light module ILM and a third indicator light module ILM, and is connected to a PLC monitoring an industrial machine and receives a sequence of base commands through IO-Link communication.

[0050] The industrial machine operates, manipulating nuts, and a first base command sent by the PLC contains the following instructions: "light tier 1 in green and display icon number 7" and is received by the base module BM. The base module BM send a first actuation command to the first indicator light module ILM containing similar instructions as in the first base commands. The first indicator light module ILM lights in green and displays icon number 7, that is rotating on the perimeter of the first indicator light module ILM from left to right.

[0051] The PLC detects low stock on nuts and a second base command sent by the PLC contains the following instructions: "light tier 2 in orange and display icon number 15 (representing nut icon)" and is received by the base module BM. The base module BM send a second actuation command to the second indicator light module ILM containing similar instructions as in the second base command. The second indicator light module ILM lights in orange and displays icon number 15, that is rotating on the perimeter of the second indicator light module ILM from left to right.

[0052] The PLC detects that an emergency stop was triggered and the industrial machine is turned off. A third base command sent by the PLC contains the following instructions: "no power" and is received by the base module BM. The base module BM send a third actuation command to the first indicator light module ILM and to the second indicator light module ILM, the third actuation command containing similar instructions as in the third base command. The first indicator light module ILM turns off the green light in green and keeps displaying icon number 7. Similarly, the second indicator light module ILM turns off the orange light in green and keeps displaying icon number 15.

[0053] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the invention is limited only by the accompanying claims and, other embodiments than the specific above are equally possible within the scope of these appended claims.

[0054] Furthermore, although exemplary embodiments have been described above in some exemplary combination of components and / or functions, it should be appreciated that, alternative embodiments may be provided by different combinations of members and / or functions without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, it is specifically contemplated that a particular feature described, either individually or as part of an embodiment, can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments.

Claims

1. A tower light assembly (TLA) for use with an industrial apparatus or process to indicate the status of the apparatus or process, comprising: at least one indicator light module (ILM) and a base module (BM) connected to a control device; the at least one indicator light module (ILM) comprising a module controller (MC), a light emitting element (LEE) and a screen (SCR); wherein the base module (BM) is configured to receive a base command from the control device, to generate an actuation command corresponding to the base command and to send the actuation command to the module controller (MC) of the at least one indicator light module (ILM); wherein the module controller (MC) is configured to interrogate a module data storage (MDS) to select a sign to display and a routine, based on the actuation command; wherein the module controller (MC) is configured to actuate the light emitting element (LEE) and the screen (SCR) according to the selected sign and the selected routine.

2. The tower light assembly (TLA) according to claim 1, wherein the control device is a Programmable Logic Controller.

3. The tower light assembly (TLA) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the indicator light module (ILM) includes a cylindrical-housing comprising a circumferential panel, with the screen (SCR) linked to the cylindrical-housing.

4. The tower light assembly (TLA) according to claim 3, wherein the screen (SCR) is flexible and embedded in the circumferential panel of the housing, presenting a display around 360 degrees.

5. The tower light assembly (TLA) according to claim 3, wherein the light emitting element (LEE) is configured to illuminate toward the cylindrical-housing, through an optical system, providing a 360° field of light.

6. The tower light assembly (TLA) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen (SCR) is an electronic display that reflects light from the light emitting element (LEE).

7. The tower light assembly (TLA) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation command may include at least an identifier of the sign and a reference of the routine.

8. The tower light assembly (TLA) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sign is at least one of a letter in any language, a drawing, a pictogram.

9. A method for operating a tower light assembly (TLA) for use with an industrial apparatus or process to indicate the status of the apparatus or process, the tower light assembly (TLA) comprising at least one indicator light module (ILM) and a base module (BM) connected to a control device, the at least one indicator light module (ILM) comprising a module controller (MC), a light emitting element (LEE) and a screen (SCR), the method comprising: receiving (S1), by the base module (BM), a base command from the control device, generating (S2), by the base module (BM), an actuation command corresponding to the base command, sending (S3), by the base module (BM), the actuation command to the module controller (MC) of the at least one indicator light module (ILM); interrogating (S4), by the module controller (MC), a module data storage (MDS) to select a sign to display and a routine, based on the actuation command; actuating (S5), by the module controller (MC), the light emitting element (LEE) and the screen (SCR) according to the selected sign and the selected routine.

10. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, with a computer program stored thereon, said computer program comprising instructions for, when executed by a processor, carrying out the steps of a method according to claim 9.

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