Programmable Indicator Light With 360° Status Message Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indicator lights lack flexibility in displaying multiple messages simultaneously and providing a 360° viewing angle without additional legends, and do not adequately accommodate colorblind users or harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
A multi-mode programmable indicator light (MPIL) with embedded programmable scrolling displays (EPSD) at light emitting portions (LEPs) that emit light in one plane and display messages in a perpendicular plane, allowing 360° visibility, user-friendly programming, and environmental protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional indicator lights are used without integrated displays, then the device complexity is low and manufacturing is simple, but the amount of information conveyed to the user is limited and requires separate components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (indicator light, display screen, housing) into a single integrated unit. The display screen is embedded within the indicator light housing, allowing status lights and text messages to be presented together in one component, thereby reducing the number of separate parts while conveying more information.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator light housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the status LEDs, and integrates the display screen for text messages. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device structure while improving information conveyance.
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate components are used for status indication and messaging, then each component can be optimized independently, but the overall device size increases and installation space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the indicator light and display screen into a single integrated housing unit. This consolidation reduces the overall footprint and eliminates the need for separate mounting locations, making installation simpler while providing both visual and text-based status information.
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen is nested within the indicator light housing structure. This nesting arrangement allows the display to be housed within the existing indicator light form factor, minimizing additional space requirements while adding messaging capability.
3Loss of information
If status messages are displayed separately from indicator lights, then the information can be more detailed, but the user must process multiple separate signals increasing cognitive load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent presents both visual status indicators and text messages simultaneously within the same housing and field of view. This integration allows users to process related information together rather than switching between separate components, reducing cognitive load while providing detailed status information.
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen is positioned adjacent to or integrated with the status LEDs within the same housing. This local positioning ensures that related information (visual and text) is presented in close proximity, making it easier for users to associate the text messages with the corresponding status indicators.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a light device with built-in status display. In an illustrative example, a multi-mode programmable indicator light (MPIL) may include at least one embedded programmable scrolling display (EPSD) at one or more light emitting portions (LEPs) of the MPIL. The LEP, for example, may emit a light indicium in a first plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the MPIL. The EPSD, for example, may display a predetermined scrolling message at a physical peripheral boundary of the MPIL. The scrolling message, for example, may represent a corresponding predetermined interpretation of the light indicium. For example, the scrolling message may be displayed in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane. Various embodiments may advantageously display an interpretation of the light indicium from substantially 360° around the longitudinal axis of the MPIL.