Virtual Sign Controller Consolidation Reduces Cabinet Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing highway sign controllers are expensive, generate significant heat, and require environmentally controlled enclosures, making them costly and space-intensive when multiple signs need to be controlled.
Innovation Solution
A multiple sign controller system utilizing a single computer with a single instance of an operating system running multiple virtual sign controller instances, along with physical and virtual communication ports, which reduces heat generation and space requirements by eliminating the need for separate controllers and extensive cabling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate physical controller is used for each highway sign, then the sign can be controlled reliably, but the cost and cabinet space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate physical controllers into a single shared controller unit that serves multiple highway signs. The controller is shared among a group of signs, eliminating the need for individual dedicated controllers for each sign, thereby reducing cabinet space requirements while maintaining control reliability through virtualization techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of controller functionality through virtual controller instances running on the shared physical controller. Each virtual controller instance appears as a separate controller to the associated sign, providing the reliability of dedicated control while sharing the physical hardware infrastructure.
2Reliability
If a separate physical controller is used for each highway sign, then the sign can be controlled reliably, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate physical controllers into a single shared controller unit, eliminating redundant hardware costs. By consolidating the physical infrastructure while maintaining virtual separation of control functions, the system reduces overall controller costs while preserving reliability through isolated virtual controller instances.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared controller is designed to perform multiple functions by serving different groups of signs with different virtual controller instances. This multi-functionality allows a single controller to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized controllers, reducing costs while maintaining the reliability needed for each specific sign group.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple separate controllers are placed in a single location, then space requirements are reduced, but heat generation increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple controller functions into a single physical controller unit, consolidating heat-generating components into one location rather than distributing them across multiple units. This reduces the total heat generation in the cabinet while maintaining the ability to control multiple signs through virtualization.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate controllers are used, then each sign can be controlled independently, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the controller functionality into separate virtual controller instances, each dedicated to a specific sign or group of signs. This virtual segmentation provides independent control capabilities for each sign while avoiding the physical complexity of multiple separate controllers, as all virtual instances run on a single shared physical platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between the physical controller hardware and the signs. This virtual layer manages the independent control of each sign through virtual controller instances, simplifying the overall system complexity by abstracting the management of multiple control functions through a unified virtualization mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a multiple sign controller are generally described herein. Many embodiments include a multiple sign controller system. In some embodiments, the multiple sign controller can comprise a computer, a single instance of an operating system configured to run on the computer, two or more virtual sign controller instances, one or more physical communication ports coupled to the computer, and two or more virtual ports configured to run on the single instance of the operating system. In many embodiments, a first virtual port of the two or more virtual ports can be associated with a first virtual sign controller instance of the two or more virtual sign controller instances. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.