Multi-lens visual notification device

Abstract

A notification device including a device housing having a housing front portion, wherein the housing front portion includes at least one internal wall that defines at least one opening. The notification device further includes a plurality of lighting devices mounted within the device housing. Additionally, the notification device includes a plurality of lens members mounted within the at least one opening, wherein each of the plurality of lens members is configured to refract light from a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices in a respective one of a plurality of different directions.

Description

FDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092)MULTI-LENS VISUAL NOTIFICATION DEVICECROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Indian Provisional Application Number No. 202411059477, titled: MULTI-LENS VISUAL NOTIFICATION DEVICE and filed on August 6, 2024. The entirety of the aforementioned application is incorporated by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a notification device, and more particularly, to a visual notification device having a plurality of lenses.BACKGROUND

[0003] Visual notification devices are utilized in a multitude of different environments such as schools, office buildings, commercial retail spaces and countless other every day environments. In these environments it is important to have ways to effectively notify anyone inside of the space no matter where they are, specifically in the event of an emergency. This poses a need for a notification device that can effectively cover any complex or large space, but also can cover these spaces in an efficient manner that does not require a large amount of notification devices.SUMMARY

[0004] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects norFDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092) delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0005] According to one example, a notification device, comprises: a device housing having a housing front portion, wherein the housing front portion includes at least one internal wall that defines at least one opening; a plurality of lighting devices mounted within the device housing; and a plurality of lens members mounted within the at least one opening, wherein each of the plurality of lens members is configured to refract light from a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices in a respective one of a plurality of different directions.

[0006] Another example aspect includes a notification device further comprising a controller configured to separately control each of a plurality of luminous intensities of each of the plurality of lighting devices.

[0007] Another example aspect includes a notification device wherein the controller comprises a plurality of switches each movable between a plurality of luminous intensity settings, wherein each luminous intensity setting sets an amount of luminous intensity generated by a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices.

[0008] Another example aspect includes a notification device further comprising: a plurality of luminous intensity indicators each corresponding to one of the plurality of lighting devices; wherein each luminous intensity indicator includes a plurality of luminous intensity setting values for a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices; and wherein movement of each of the plurality of switches to a respective one of the plurality of luminous intensity settings moves a corresponding one of the plurality of luminous intensity indicators to indicate at an external surfaceFDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092) of the front housing portion a respective one of the plurality of luminous intensity setting values corresponding to the respective one of the plurality of luminous intensity settings.

[0009] Another example aspect includes a notification device wherein each the plurality of lens members is configured to refract the light from the respective one of the plurality of lighting devices into one of a plurality of different lighting areas.

[0010] Another example aspect includes a notification device wherein at least two of the plurality of different lighting areas partially overlap.

[0011] Another example aspect includes a notification device wherein the housing front portion extends along a plane, wherein each the plurality of lens members is configured to refract the light from the respective one of the plurality of lighting devices in front of the plane into one of a plurality of different lighting areas covering 180 degrees relative to the plane.

[0012] Another example aspect includes a notification device wherein the plurality of lens members comprises four lens members.

[0013] Another example aspect includes a notification device wherein the housing front portion extends along a first plane, wherein each the plurality of lens members is configured to refract the light from the respective one of the plurality of lighting devices in front of the plane into one of a plurality of different lighting areas covering a hemisphere relative to the plane.

[0014] Another example aspect includes a notification device wherein the plurality of lens members comprises five lens members.

[0015] Another example aspect includes a notification device further comprising: at least one secondary internal wall that defines at least one secondary opening; and a plurality of luminous intensity indicators each corresponding to one of the plurality of lighting devices, wherein eachFDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092) luminous intensity indicator indicates a luminous intensity setting value for a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices.

[0016] Another example aspect includes a notification device further comprising a plurality of walls extending between each of the plurality of lighting devices and each of the plurality of lens members.

[0017] Another example aspect includes a notification device wherein the plurality of lens members have a respective one of a plurality of light receiving surfaces, wherein one or more of the plurality of walls separate adjacent ones of the plurality of light receiving surfaces.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a front view of an example visual notification device.

[0019] Figures 2A and 2B are top views of an example of angular coverage of selected ones of the plurality of lenses of the visual notification device of Fig. 1.

[0020] Figures 3A and 3B are side views of an example of angular coverage of selected ones of the multiple lenses of the visual notification device of Fig. 1.

[0021] Figure 4 is an exploded front perspective view of the visual notification device of Fig. 1.

[0022] Figure 5 is a left side view of the visual notification device of Fig. 1.

[0023] Figure 6 is a right side view of the visual notification device of Fig. 1.

[0024] Figure 7 is an internal view of the front housing portion of the visual notification device of Fig. 1.

[0025] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the internal view of the front housing portion of Fig. 5 that includes details relating to the controller and / or switches for setting an amount of luminous intensity generated by respective ones of the plurality of lighting devices.FDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092)

[0026] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the portion of the front view of the example visual notification device of Fig. 1 that includes the lenses and the plurality of luminous intensity indicators each corresponding to one of the plurality of lighting devices.

[0027] Figure 10 is a side view of the back housing portion of the visual notification device of Fig.1.

[0028] Figure 11 is a front view of the back housing portion of the visual notification device of Fig. 1.

[0029] Figure 12 is a top view of a floor plan with lighting area coverage of a plurality of the wall- mounted visual notification devices of Fig. 1.

[0030] Figure 13 is a top view of the different lighting area coverage of each lens of the plurality of lenses of the example visual notification device of Fig. 1.

[0031] Figure 14 is a table of vertical strobe light illumination at various angles for a selected candela value of an example visual notification device of Fig. 1 mounted on a wall, and an inset graph of notification device height versus effective range at all angles.

[0032] Figure 15 is a front view of another example visual notification device having a plurality of lenses.

[0033] Figure 16 is a front view of an example of angular coverage of the outer lenses of the plurality of lenses of the visual notification device of Fig. 15.

[0034] Figure 17 is a side view of an example of angular coverage of the center lens of the plurality of lenses of the visual notification device of Fig. 15.

[0035] Figure 18 is an exploded front perspective view of the visual notification device of Fig. 15.

[0036] Figure 19 is a left side view of the visual notification device of Fig. 15.

[0037] Figure 20 is a right side view of the visual notification device of Fig. 15.FDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092)

[0038] Figure 21 is an internal view of the front housing portion of the visual notification device of Fig. 15.

[0039] Figure 22 is an enlarged view of a portion of the internal view of the front housing portion of Fig. 21 that includes details relating to the controller and / or switches for setting an amount of luminous intensity generated by respective ones of the plurality of lighting devices.

[0040] Figure 23 is a side view of the back housing portion of the visual notification device of Fig.15.

[0041] Figure 24 is a front view of the back housing portion of the visual notification device of Fig. 15.

[0042] Figures 25A and 25B are a side view of a floor plan of the lighting area coverage of a plurality of the ceiling mounted visual notification devices of Fig. 15.

[0043] Figure 26 is a table of vertical strobe light illumination at various angles for a selected candela value of an example visual notification device of Fig. 15 mounted on a ceiling, with all angles achieving an illumination threshold.

[0044] Figure 27 is a graph of vertical strobe light illumination at various angles for a selected candela value, corresponding to the table of Fig. 26, of an example visual notification device of Fig. 15 mounted on a ceiling.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Various aspects of the disclosure are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to promote a thorough understanding of one or more aspects of the disclosure. It may be evident in some orFDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092) all instances, however, that any aspects described below can be practiced without adopting the specific design details described below.

[0046] Aspects of the disclosure include a light-based visual notification device and the utilization of a plurality of lenses that diffract light to different lighting areas to increase the visual notification range and radius. The visual notification device of the present disclosure has a plurality of lighting devices, each corresponding to and / or aligned with one of the plurality of lenses, and a controller that is configured to individually set an amount of luminous intensity generated by a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices. In some aspects, the visual notification device includes, on a front side of the device, a plurality of luminous intensity indicators each corresponding to one of the plurality of lighting devices. The luminous intensity indicators enable a quick and easy visual inspection and determination of a luminous intensity setting of each lighting device - lens pair.

[0047] More specifically, in one implementation, a visual notification device includes a device housing having a device housing front portion, a plurality of lighting devices mounted within the device housing, a plurality of lens member mounted to the device housing front portion, and a controller configured to adjust the plurality of lighting devices. Each of the plurality of lens members corresponds to at least one of the lighting devices and is configured to refract or direct the light emitted by the plurality of lighting devices so as to maximize coverage of light emitted by the plurality of lighting devices.

[0048] Referring specifically to Figures 1-14, in one example implementation that should not be construed as limiting, an example visual notification device 100 includes a device housing 102 having a device housing front portion 104 configured to mate with a device housing back portion 106, which can be secured to wall or ceiling. The device housing front portion 104 further includesFDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092) at least one internal wall 108 that defines an opening 110 (Figure 3B) within which a plurality of lens members 112 are mounted. Each of the plurality of lens members 112 are located above and / or configured to receive light from a corresponding one of a plurality of lighting devices 114 located within the device housing 102 and diffract the light into different coverage areas to increase a coverage of the visual notification device 100.

[0049] In an aspect of the disclosure, the device housing front portion 104 is configured to house most or all of the components required to operate the lighting devices 114, as well as the lighting devices 114 themselves, and similarly are configured to hold the lens members in place. The device housing back portion 106 (Figure 4) is configured to provide an electrical interface to a fire control system, and to be mountable to a surface such a wall, or any other surface which may require the need for a visual notification device 100 in the event a wall may not be accessible. The device housing front portion 104 and device housing back portion 106 may be easily connectable and similarly removable from one another so as to allow the device housing front portion 104 and the components contained within it to be easily accessed. This connection mechanism may be at least one screw, a clip, or any other similar attachment mechanism. The device housing 102 may be made of a plastic or other similar damage resistant material that can be easily manufactured.

[0050] The plurality of lens members 112 are configured to be mountable within, and extend out of, the opening 110 in the front housing portion 104. Although the present disclosure includes the plurality of lens members 112 formed in a single, unitary piece, it should be understood that each of the plurality of lens members 112 may be an individual component that is separately mounted in the front housing portion 104. In one non-limiting example, referring specifically to Figures 1- 6, the plurality of lens members 112 may include a first lens member 116 (also labeled herein as “LI”) at a top center position and facing forward, a second lens member 118 (also labeled hereinFDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092) as “L2”) at a left position and facing rightwards and downwards (when viewed from the perspective of the notification device 100 looking forward), a third lens member 120 (also labeled herein as “L3”) at a right position and facing rightwards and downwards (when viewed from the perspective of the notification device 100 looking forward), and a fourth lens member 122 (also labeled herein as “L4”) at a bottom center position and facing downward. Each lens member of the plurality of lens member 112 may be arranged within the opening 110 to display light in a particular direction, or have a particular coverage area / radius so that the combination of the plurality of lens members 112 may encompass a 180 degree coverage radius relative to a plane defined by the surface to which the visual notification device 100 is mounted. Further, each lens member of the plurality of lens members 112 may partially overlap in lighting coverage with one or more of the other lens members.

[0051] Referring to Figs. 2A-B and 3A-B, for instance, an example of the coverage angles of each lens of the plurality of lens members 112 includes a 45 degree lateral coverage for second and third lens members 118 and 120, and a 90 degree lateral coverage for first and fourth lens members 116 and 122 (see, e.g., Figs. 2A and 3A), as well as a 90 degree vertical coverage for first and fourth lens members 116 and 122 (see, e.g., Figs. 2B and 3B). Additionally, an example centerline 115 of each of the plurality of lens members 112 may be positioned to provide desired coverage and / or focus of the light from each lighting device 114. Further, the plurality of lens members 112 and / or each of the lighting devices 114 may be separated by one or more reflector members 117, which may be attached to the device housing front portion 104 and / or device housing back portion 106, and / or fixed between independent lens members 112. Suitable examples of reflector members 117 may be any structure or surface configured to reflect light emitted by the one or more lighting devices 114.FDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092)

[0052] In an example implementation, as shown in Figures 1-6, and more specifically in Figures 12 and 13 , the first lens member 116 may be arranged to refract light from a corresponding lighting device 114 in a substantially forward and partially upward direction relative to a line normal to a face of the notification device 100 and / or in a forward and upward hemispheric area relative to the plane defined by a mounting surface to which the notification device 100 is attached. Further, the second lens member 118 is arranged to refract light from a corresponding lighting device 114 in a substantially left direction relative to a line normal to a face of the notification device 100 and / or in a left hemispheric area relative to the plane defined by the mounting surface. Also, the third lens member 120 is arranged to refract light from a corresponding lighting device 114 in a substantially right direction or a right hemispheric area relative to the plane defined by the mounting surface. Finally, the fourth lens member 122 is arranged to refract light from a corresponding lighting device 114 in a substantially downward direction relative to a line normal to a face of the notification device 100 and / or in a downward hemispheric area relative to the plane defined by the mounting surface. Each lens member of the plurality of lens member 112 will additionally direct light partially in some or all of the other directions, as well as in a straight forward direction in order to obtain a full 180 degree coverage laterally, and at least 90 degrees of coverage vertically. For example, the first lens member 116 may be oriented to project light in a substantially forward and upward direction, and to partially project light in the right direction, thereby overlapping with the third lens member 120, and also in the left direction, thereby overlapping with the second lens member 122, and additionally in the forwards direction, thereby overlapping with the fourth lens member 122. Each of the other lens members of the plurality of lens members 112 may similarly overlap with one or more the others thereby creating a full 180FDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092) degree coverage radius laterally, and at least 90 degrees of coverage vertically, with respect to a plane defined by the mounting surface.

[0053] Each lens member of the plurality of lens members 112 may be configured to attach to the device front housing portion 104, within the opening 110, at a first edge, and extends to attach to at least one of the additional lens members 112 at a second edge. Although, as the plurality of lens members 112 may be integrally formed, the edges connecting each lens member may be internal, integral edges, and the edge connected to the opening may be an outer edge. Each of the plurality of lens members 112 may be made of a transparent or translucent, or partially translucent material such as glass, plastic, a polycarbonate material, or other similar materials. Further, each lens of the plurality of lenses 112 may have a convex or substantially convex shape so as to refract the light emitted through the lens into the direction to which the lens is oriented, while still partially emitting light into the other directions.

[0054] In some aspects of the disclosure, one or more of the reflector members 117 may additionally include one or more walls that separate, and preferably isolate, the light from each of the plurality of lighting devices 114. For instance, a respective reflector member 117 may separate each adjacent one of the plurality of lenses, and corresponding each adjacent one of the plurality of lighting devices 114. A respective reflector member 117 may extend from the edge of a respective lens member away from the device front housing portion 104 and toward a mounting surface of the corresponding adjacent ones of the lighting devices 114. These partitioning walls will create a separate light chamber corresponding to each individual lens member of the plurality of lens members 112 and a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices 114. Therefore, each lens member of the plurality of lens members 112 will have a corresponding light chamber created, at least in part, by one or more of the reflector members 117. As noted, the one or more of theFDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092) reflector members 117 may be made of a material that efficiently reflects or refracts light so as to increase the luminous output as light is emitted by respective lighting devices 114 into each respective light chamber, such as a mirrored surface or a polished metal among other materials, or may have a surface coating of such a material.

[0055] More specifically, in some aspects, one or more of the reflector members 117 may extend from the connection points of the plurality of lens members 112 into the device front housing portion 104 substantially towards the internal surface to which the plurality of lighting devices 114 are mounted. In a first example aspect, one or more of the reflector members 117 may extend from the connection points of the plurality of lens members 112 at a first end and connect to the surface to which the plurality of lighting devices 114 are mounted at a second end. In this example aspect each lens and lighting chamber will have a lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices associated with it. Therefore, the first lens member 116, will be partitioned by one or more of the reflector members 117 to receive light from a first lighting chamber, and wherein a first lighting device 114 will be mounted within the device housing front portion 104 to emit light into the first lighting chamber, and through the first lens member 116. Each of the additional lens members of the plurality of lens members 112 will similarly have a corresponding light chamber and lighting device 114 associated with it. The plurality of lighting devices 114 in an example aspect may include a light emitting diode (LED), or other lighting mechanism that may be customized to increase or decrease the light output emitted from the lighting device.

[0056] In an alternative aspect, there may be fewer lighting devices than lens members and light chambers. In the aforementioned aspect, there may be at least two lighting devices. In this example aspect of the disclosure, one or more of the reflector members 117 may not fully extend to and attach to the device front housing member at a second end. The one or more of the reflectorFDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092) members 117 may instead extend up to the lighting device(s) 114 and stop. In this example aspect of the disclosure, the lighting devices 114 each may be located at an edge of one of the reflector members 117 so as to partially emit light into more than one of the light chambers. For example, a first lighting device 124 may emit light into the lighting chambers corresponding to the first lens member 116, the fourth lens member 122 and the third lens member 120, and a second lighting device 126 may emit light into the lighting chambers corresponding to the first lens member 116, the fourth lens member 122 and the second lens member 118. In this example aspect of the disclosure, the plurality of lighting devices 114 are individually configurable to emit a different amount of light in order to provide a desired overall coverage area by the notification device 100.

[0057] The plurality of lighting device 114 may be any type of light-emitting device, such as but not limited to a light emitting diode (LED), incandescent light bulbs, halogen light bulbs, fluorescent light bulbs, or any device capable of emitting visible light.

[0058] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the plurality of lighting devices 114 are further adjustable through a controller 132 mounted within the device housing front portion 104. Each lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices is controllable or adjustable from the controller 132, specifically the luminous intensity (measured in candelas) may be adjusted for each of the lighting devices 114 from the controller 132.

[0059] In an example aspect, the controller 132 has a plurality of switches 134, wherein each switch of the plurality of switches 134 corresponds to one of the plurality of lenses 112. In a first instance each lens of the plurality of lenses 112 may correspond to a singular lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices 114, and each switch 134 is configured to adjust the luminous intensity of the particular lighting device 114 to which it is assigned. In this instance, each switch would adjust the amount of light emitted by one of the plurality of lens members 112 by directlyFDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092) adjusting the switch 134 that controls the luminous intensity of the corresponding one of the plurality of lighting device 114.

[0060] In an alternative example there may be fewer lighting devices 114 than lens members 112 (e.g., as in the example described above). In this example, the luminous intensity output for each lens member 112 may be adjustable through a combination of the lighting devices 114. For example, the first lens member 116 may receive luminous output from a portion of the first lighting device and the second lighting device. The switch on the controller would therefore adjust the luminous intensity for the portions of the lighting devices 114 that emit light into the first lighting chamber and through the first lens 116.

[0061] In both of the above example aspects of the disclosure the controller 132 can directly adjust the luminous output from the lighting device or lighting devices 114 into a particular corresponding lighting chamber and through a particular corresponding lens member 112. This allows the luminous intensity to be changed to output more or less light in particular direction based on the particular application. For example, if a visual notification device 100 is located in a place where light needs to extend further in particular direction the switches 134 may be adjusted to a higher luminous intensity for the lenses 112 which emit light in that direction. In a more specific example where light needs to be emitted in the right direction or in the right hemispheric area, the switch corresponding to the third lens member 120 may be adjusted to a higher luminous intensity, the switches corresponding to the first and second lens members 116, 118 may be adjusted to a medium luminous intensity and the switch corresponding to the second lens member 118 may be adjusted to a lower luminous intensity.

[0062] Additionally, referring to Figures 1 and 9, the notification device 100 includes a plurality of luminous intensity indicators 140 each corresponding to one of the plurality of lighting devicesFDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092)114. For example, each of the indicators 140 visually indicates a value 142 (Figure 9) of the luminous intensity setting of the corresponding lighting device associated with the respective lens member 144. The plurality of luminous intensity indicators 140, and corresponding lens member identifiers 144, may be presented on a display, or may be physical graphical indicators. In an aspect, such as in a physical or mechanical system, movement of each of the plurality of switches 134 to a respective one of the plurality of luminous intensity settings moves a corresponding one of the plurality of luminous intensity indicators 140 to indicate at an external surface of the front housing portion 104 a respective one of the plurality of luminous intensity setting values 142 corresponding to the respective one of the plurality of luminous intensity settings 134, adjacent to corresponding lens member identifiers 144.

[0063] The ability to adjust the luminous intensity of particular lens members allows for a higher visual coverage range in a desired direction, which may include all directions, as compared with a standard system of notification devices.

[0064] Referring to Figures 12-14, for example, the sections of the floorplan (Fig. 12) showing utilized coverage (Figs. 13, 14) of the multi-lens visual notification device 100 to provide increased visual range for each device 100, therefore requiring less notification devices 100 for a given installation area compared to existing solutions.

[0065] In a further alternative aspect, the controller 132 may be controllable or adjustable remotely so as to allow the luminous intensity settings to be adjusted for an individual visual notification device 100 from a phone, tablet, or other central device. This allows for a plurality of notification devices to be adjustable from one central location to eliminate the need to adjust each individual device from a manual slider.FDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092)

[0066] Also, in an alternative or additional aspect, the notification device 100 may further include an audio notification device 150, such as a speaker, bell, chime or other audio-based indicator.

[0067] Referring to Figures 15-27, an additional example implementation includes a visual notification device 200, similar to notification device 100, but configured for being mountable on a ceiling. This example implementation works functionally the same as the wall mounted visual notification device 100, however, may include additional lens members 212 and additional lighting devices 114 to account for different lighting requirements for a visual notification device 200 mounted on a ceiling. Also, notification device 200 may include additional and / or differently configured luminous intensity indicators 240 each corresponding to one of the plurality of lighting devices 114.

[0068] In this example implementation, a first lens member 216 (also referred to as “LI”) is arranged to direct light in a substantially straight direction or in a straight hemispheric area relative to the plane defined by the mounting surface, a second lens member 218 (also referred to as “L2”) is arranged to direct light in a substantially left direction or in a leftward hemispheric area relative to the plane define by the mounting surface, the third lens member 220 (also referred to as “L3”) is arranged to direct light in a substantially backward direction or in a backward hemispheric area relative to the plane define by the mounting surface, a fourth lens member 222 (also referred to as “L4”) is arranged to direct light in a substantially right direction or in a rightward hemispheric area relative to the plane define by the mounting surface, and a fifth lens member 223 (also referred to as “L5”) is arranged to direct light in a substantially forward direction or in an forward hemispheric area relative to the plane define by the mounting surface. Each of the lens members will additionally display light partially in some or all of the other directions, as well as in a partiallyFDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092) downward direction in order to obtain a full 180 degree of vertical coverage and a full 360 degree of lateral coverage.

[0069] Figure 14 is a table of vertical strobe light illumination at various angles for a selected candela value of an example visual notification device of Fig. 1 mounted on a wall, and an inset graph of notification device height versus effective range at all angles.

[0070] Referring to Figures 16 and 17, for instance, examples of degrees of coverage of respective ones of the plurality of lenses 212 are illustrated.

[0071] Referring to Figures 21 and 22, the plurality of lighting devices 114 are further adjustable through a controller 132 mounted within the device housing front portion 104. Each lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices 114 is controllable or adjustable from the controller 132, specifically the luminous intensity (measured in candelas) may be adjusted for each of the lighting devices 114 from the controller 132.

[0072] Referring to Figures 25A-27, for example, the sections of the floorplan (Figure 25A continued on Figure 25B) highlighted utilize the coverage (Figs. 25A-B, 27) of the ceilingmounted multi-lens visual notification device 200 to provide increased visual range for each device 200, therefore requiring less notification devices 200 for a given installation area compared to existing solutions.

[0073] Figure 26 is a table of vertical strobe light illumination at various angles for a selected candela value of an example visual notification device of Fig. 15 mounted on a ceiling, with all angles achieving an illumination threshold.

[0074] Additional aspects of the disclosure are described in the clauses that follow:

[0075] Clause 1. A notification device, comprising: a device housing having a housing front portion, wherein the housing front portion includes at least one internal wall that defines at leastFDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092) one opening; a plurality of lighting devices mounted within the device housing; and a plurality of lens members mounted within the at least one opening, wherein each of the plurality of lens members is configured to refract light from a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices in a respective one of a plurality of different directions.

[0076] Clause 2. The notification device of clause 1, further comprising a controller configured to separately control each of a plurality of luminous intensities of each of the plurality of lighting devices.

[0077] Clause 3. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller comprises a plurality of switches each movable between a plurality of luminous intensity settings, wherein each luminous intensity setting sets an amount of luminous intensity generated by a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices.

[0078] Clause 4. The notification of any of the preceding clauses, further comprising: a plurality of luminous intensity indicators each corresponding to one of the plurality of lighting devices; wherein each luminous intensity indicator includes a plurality of luminous intensity setting values for a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices; and wherein movement of each of the plurality of switches to a respective one of the plurality of luminous intensity settings moves a corresponding one of the plurality of luminous intensity indicators to indicate at an external surface of the front housing portion a respective one of the plurality of luminous intensity setting values corresponding to the respective one of the plurality of luminous intensity settings.

[0079] Clause 5. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, wherein each the plurality of lens members is configured to refract the light from the respective one of the plurality of lighting devices into one of a plurality of different lighting areas.FDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092)

[0080] Clause 6. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least two of the plurality of different lighting areas partially overlap.

[0081] Clause 7. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the housing front portion extends along a plane, wherein each the plurality of lens members is configured to refract the light from the respective one of the plurality of lighting devices in front of the plane into one of a plurality of different lighting areas covering 180 degrees relative to the plane.

[0082] Clause 8. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the plurality of lens members comprises four lens members.

[0083] Clause 9. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the housing front portion extends along a first plane, wherein each the plurality of lens members is configured to refract the light from the respective one of the plurality of lighting devices in front of the plane into one of a plurality of different lighting areas covering a hemisphere relative to the plane.

[0084] Clause 10. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the plurality of lens members comprises five lens members.

[0085] Clause 11. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, further comprising: at least one secondary internal wall that defines at least one secondary opening; and a plurality of luminous intensity indicators each corresponding to one of the plurality of lighting devices, wherein each luminous intensity indicator indicates a luminous intensity setting value for a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices.

[0086] Clause 12. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, further comprising a plurality of walls extending between each of the plurality of lighting devices and each of the plurality of lens members.FDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092)

[0087] Clause 13. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the plurality of lens members have a respective one of a plurality of light receiving surfaces, wherein one or more of the plurality of walls separate adjacent ones of the plurality of light receiving surfaces.

[0088] Clause 14. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, further comprising a controller configured to separately control each of a plurality of luminous intensities of each of the plurality of lighting devices.

[0089] Clause 15. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller comprises a plurality of switches each movable between a plurality of luminous intensity settings, wherein each luminous intensity setting sets an amount of luminous intensity generated by a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices.

[0090] Clause 16. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, further comprising: a plurality of luminous intensity indicators each corresponding to one of the plurality of lighting devices; wherein each luminous intensity indicator includes a plurality of luminous intensity setting values for a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices; and wherein movement of each of the plurality of switches to a respective one of the plurality of luminous intensity settings moves a corresponding one of the plurality of luminous intensity indicators to indicate at an external surface of the front housing portion a respective one of the plurality of luminous intensity setting values corresponding to the respective one of the plurality of luminous intensity settings.

[0091] Clause 17. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, wherein each of the plurality of lens members is configured to refract the light from the respective one of the plurality of lighting devices into one of a plurality of different lighting areas.

[0092] Clause 18. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least two of the plurality of different lighting areas partially overlap.FDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092)

[0093] Clause 19. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the housing front portion extends along a plane, wherein each of the plurality of lens members is configured to refract the light from the respective one of the plurality of lighting devices in front of the plane into one of a plurality of different lighting areas covering 180 degrees relative to the plane.

[0094] Clause 20. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the plurality of lens members comprises four lens members.

[0095] Clause 21. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the housing front portion extends along a first plane, wherein each of the plurality of lens members is configured to refract the light from the respective one of the plurality of lighting devices in front of the plane into one of a plurality of different lighting areas covering a hemisphere relative to the plane.

[0096] Clause 22. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the plurality of lens members comprises five lens members.

[0097] Clause 23. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, further comprising: at least one secondary internal wall that defines at least one secondary opening; and a plurality of luminous intensity indicators each corresponding to one of the plurality of lighting devices, wherein each luminous intensity indicator indicates a luminous intensity setting value for a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices.

[0098] Clause 24. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, further comprising a plurality of walls extending between each of the plurality of lighting devices and each of the plurality of lens members.FDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092)

[0099] Clause 25. The notification device of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the plurality of lens members have a respective one of a plurality of light receiving surfaces, wherein one or more of the plurality of walls separate adjacent ones of the plurality of light receiving surfaces.

[0100] In general, the description of the aspects disclosed should be considered as being illustrative in all respects and not being restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is shown by the claims rather than by the above description, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all changes in the scope. While preferred aspects of the disclosure have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

[0101] In the above disclosure, the term “substantially” or “approximately” may be used as a modifier for a geometric relationship between elements or for the shape of an element or component. While the terms substantially or approximately are not limited to a specific metric and may cover any metric that is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to be an acceptable variation, some examples are provided as follows. In some examples, the terms substantially or approximately may include a variation of less than 10% of the dimension of the object or component, or a variation of less than 5% of the object or component. These examples are not intended to be limiting and may be increased or decreased based on the understanding of acceptable limits to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0102] In this disclosure, terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are used interchangeably with the term at least one. The phrases “at least one of’ and “comprises at least one of’ followed by a list refers to any one of the items in the list and any combination of two or more items in the list. All numerical rangesFDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092) are inclusive of their endpoints and non-integral values between the endpoints unless otherwise stated.

[0103] The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and “fourth” are used in their relative sense only. In particular, in some aspects certain components may be present in interchangeable and / or identical multiples (e.g., pairs). For these components, the designation of first, second, third, and / or fourth may be applied to the components merely as a matter of convenience in the description of one or more of the aspects of the disclosure.

[0104] The term “at,” for example when referring to something being located at a specific location, is intended to include any one or more of: proximate, on, near, adjacent to, or within the specific location.

[0105] In the description, certain terms such as “forward,” “front,” “rear,” “back,” “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” “inner,” “outer,” “backside,” “frontside,” and the like are used to provide some clarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. However, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and / or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an upper surface can become a lower surface by turning the object over.

[0106] Additionally, references to “one aspect” or “an aspect” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional features or components, either described in this application or that would have been understood by one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure, that also incorporate the recited features.

Claims

FDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092)CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A notification device, comprising: a device housing having a housing front portion, wherein the housing front portion includes at least one internal wall that defines at least one opening; a plurality of lighting devices mounted within the device housing; and a plurality of lens members mounted within the at least one opening, wherein each of the plurality of lens members is configured to refract light from a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices in a respective one of a plurality of different directions.

2. The notification device of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to separately control each of a plurality of luminous intensities of each of the plurality of lighting devices.

3. The notification device of claim 2, wherein the controller comprises a plurality of switches each movable between a plurality of luminous intensity settings, wherein each luminous intensity setting sets an amount of luminous intensity generated by a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices.

4. The notification device of claim 3, further comprising: a plurality of luminous intensity indicators each corresponding to one of the plurality of lighting devices; wherein each luminous intensity indicator includes a plurality of luminous intensity setting values for a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices; and wherein movement of each of the plurality of switches to a respective one of the plurality of luminous intensity settings moves a corresponding one of the plurality of luminous intensity indicators to indicate at an external surface of the front housing portion a respective one of the plurality of luminous intensity setting values corresponding to the respective one of the plurality of luminous intensity settings.FDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092)5. The notification device of claim 1, wherein each the plurality of lens members is configured to refract the light from the respective one of the plurality of lighting devices into one of a plurality of different lighting areas.

6. The notification device of claim 5, wherein at least two of the plurality of different lighting areas partially overlap.

7. The notification device of claim 1 , wherein the housing front portion extends along a plane, wherein each the plurality of lens members is configured to refract the light from the respective one of the plurality of lighting devices in front of the plane into one of a plurality of different lighting areas covering 180 degrees relative to the plane.

8. The notification device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of lens members comprises four lens members.

9. The notification device of claim 1 , wherein the housing front portion extends along a first plane, wherein each the plurality of lens members is configured to refract the light from the respective one of the plurality of lighting devices in front of the plane into one of a plurality of different lighting areas covering a hemisphere relative to the plane.

10. The notification device of claim 9, wherein the plurality of lens members comprises five lens members.

11. The notification device of claim 1, further comprising: at least one secondary internal wall that defines at least one secondary opening; and a plurality of luminous intensity indicators each corresponding to one of the plurality of lighting devices, wherein each luminous intensity indicator indicates a luminous intensity setting value for a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices.

12. The notification device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of walls extending between each of the plurality of lighting devices and each of the plurality of lens members.FDW-23-7738-WO (039636.08092)13. The notification device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of lens members have a respective one of a plurality of light receiving surfaces, wherein one or more of the plurality of walls separate adjacent ones of the plurality of light receiving surfaces.

14. The notification device of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to separately control each of a plurality of luminous intensities of each of the plurality of lighting devices.

15. The notification device of claim 14, wherein the controller comprises a plurality of switches each movable between a plurality of luminous intensity settings, wherein each luminous intensity setting sets an amount of luminous intensity generated by a respective one of the plurality of lighting devices.

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