Color-Changing LED Cross-Arm for Real Estate Sign Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing real-estate signs are not effectively visible at night due to blending with surrounding lights, and current lighted solutions are cumbersome, expensive, and fail to attract passersby's attention efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A horizontal cross-arm assembly with color-changing LEDs, controlled by a microcontroller, that emits colored light through a frosted acrylic housing to attract attention and integrate with existing signage without significant deviation from standard configurations, including a near-field communication feature for mobile device interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional light bulbs are used to illuminate the real-estate sign, then the sign becomes visible at night, but the light blends with surrounding neighborhood lights and is easily missed by passersby
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-changing LEDs that can display multiple colors (red, green, blue, yellow, etc.) and color sequences to illuminate the real-estate sign. This dynamic color capability makes the sign stand out from static single-color neighborhood lights, solving the light blending problem while maintaining visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic color changes and flashing patterns through programmable LED sequences controlled by a microcontroller. The lights can cycle through colors, flash in patterns, or display moving sequences, creating periodic visual actions that attract passerby attention and prevent blending with steady neighborhood lights.
2Illumination intensity
If existing real-estate signs are illuminated with traditional lighting, then nighttime visibility is improved, but the solution becomes cumbersome, complicated, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LEDs, a power source, control circuitry, and housing into a single integrated cross-arm assembly that replaces the traditional separate sign and lighting components. This merging simplifies installation and reduces overall system complexity while providing enhanced illumination capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional cross-arm assembly that serves as both the structural support for the sign and the illumination source. The assembly can display various colors and patterns to attract attention, while also providing structural mounting functionality, thereby reducing the need for separate lighting fixtures and simplifying the overall system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If marketing indicia are integrated into the lighted assembly, then the sign becomes self-contained, but relators must waste existing real-estate signage and purchase expensive integrated assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination function from the sign face, allowing the cross-arm assembly to serve as a reusable lighting platform that can accommodate different sign faces. The LED array is separated from the marketing indicia, enabling relators to keep their existing signs and only invest in the illumination assembly, reducing overall cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the cross-arm assembly as an intermediary between the power source and the sign face, providing illumination without requiring integration of the marketing indicia into the lighting system. This intermediary structure allows flexible combination of existing signs with new lighting technology, avoiding the need for expensive integrated assemblies.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides attention-catching nighttime visibility for real-estate signs using color-changing LEDs and NFC capabilities, enhancing marketing effectiveness without requiring extensive modifications or investments.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of color-changing light-sources disposed within an interior cavity defined by the external surface of the housing, the plurality of color-changing light-sources operable to emit a colored light through the external surface of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A horizontal cross-arm assembly is disclosed having a housing with an external surface, the housing defining a horizontal cross-arm operably configured to support a real-estate sign thereunder. A plurality of color-changing light-sources are disposed within an interior cavity defined by the external surface of the housing, the plurality of color-changing light-sources operable to emit a colored light through the external surface of the housing. At least one controller is communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of color-changing light-sources, the controller operably configured to change a color of at least one of the plurality of color-changing light-sources from a first color to a second color, different from the first color.