The three-page appendix, attached hereto, contains the program code for a program that handles the self-addressing and controls the modular units, Flow charts indicative of this code are shown in
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a protocol for self-addressing control units, and more particularly to a modular sign comprising a plurality of self-addressing control units positioned side-by-side to form an array, each of the control units having a mechanical sign mechanism for displaying one of a plurality of characters to display a message on the array, which sign can be controlled from a remote location to change the characters displayed by the control units to create and change messages on the sign. Additionally, the present invention relates to the use of a protocol for self-addressing control units for application in any field wherein a plurality of control units are used in a system. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for installing a plurality of control units to form an array.
2. Related Art
In the past signs have been made to have a single image thereon for the life of the sign. Of course, the entire face of the sign could be replaced with a new face. Additionally, it is known to provide signs that can be backlit and have, on the face thereof, slots for holding individual clear panels with characters thereon so that such characters can be arranged to form words. This type of sign is used on movie theater marquees to display the names of movies playing at the theater, and the times that would such movies are scheduled to begin. However, this type of sign is difficult to install. Additionally, in order to change the names on the sign, one needs to either lower the sign down to ground level or use a ladder to climb up to the sign and remove the panels from the sign and put on new panels bearing the proper characters to spell the proper word to indicate the name of a new movie. Besides being dangerous, this procedure is time intensive. Additionally, this process must be performed frequently, such as on a weekly basis, which compounds the amount of time involved. There is additional time involved in replacing fluorescent bulbs which provide the back lighting for the sign as they burn out.
A prior attempt at overcoming these problems is found in Lesko, et.al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,921 disclosed a remote-controlled message sign which is controlled by a pager which receives radio signals from a paging service and provides output signals in response to radio signals. The output signals of the pager are used to control one or more drive motors which move a multiple position message device to a desired position. The display device includes a wheel or drum having an outer cylindrical surface and an axle and is rotatably mounted on the sign. A motor drive rotates the wheel to position the desired letter or number in the window of the sign. A position data reader on the drum determines the position of the drum relative to the window of the sign. However, this does not overcome all of the problems in the prior art.
Another attempt at providing an automatically changeable display sign is disclosed in Daugherty, et.al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,116 for a back-lightable diffusive sign for displaying alphanumeric characters and graphics comprising a plurality of mechanically movable elements, each have a dark translucent face and a bright translucent face which are movable from one to the other face interchangeably by a series of electromechanical driving elements. However, this sign does not overcome all of the problems associated with the signs of the prior art.
Accordingly, what is desired, but has not heretofore been achieved, is a sign for displaying messages which messages can be inexpensively and easily changed from a remote location.
Additionally, it has been known in the past to provide a series of control units, such as computers, computer networks, or other controllers, for performing a desired function. In the past, efforts at coordinating the outputs of the various control units involved wiring each separate control unit directly to a main controller to form an electrical and mechanical link. Such a method, however, is expensive based on the wiring involved. Another method of linking the control units together is by means of multiplexing which involves an array of many “X” and “Y” connecting wires from the main controller to each of the control units. Further, it is known to serially or sequentially link a main controller to control units by having the installer set switches on each of the control units. Indeed, many of the networking cards currently in use in computer networks are configured by the manufacturer to have a certain switch sequence for identification purposes, and these control units are mixed and matched, but the problem sometimes arises that more than one control unit has the same identification number and causes confusion in the network. All of these methods are material intensive in terms of wires and/or labor intensive and/or require expert installers to understand and install each system and/or are limited by the manufacturer of the units.
Accordingly, what is desired, and has not heretofore been invented is a control unit capable of using one single data path (one wire or parallel wires or fiber optic or radio path) where all of the units are addressed sequentially and set their own addresses based on the referencing of the prior unit to self-address and to self-install without the aid of a technician.
Additionally, in the past there has been a problem with hanging signs and running electricity thereinto. Signs had to be separately, mechanically, installed and separately, electrically interconnected. For modular signs there has been a problem installing a plurality of units need at an even and aligned position. It is difficult to achieve such alignment because of the measuring that must take place to insure that units are mounted at an aligned height with proper spacing therebetween.
Accordingly, what is needed, and has not heretofore been available, is a method for mounting and electrically connecting a plurality of units which compensates for improper installation.
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a protocol for self-addressing control units.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide self-addressing control units which periodically re-address themselves.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide self-addressing control units which look at the previous control unit identification, and a one thereto, and store the result as the address of the control unit.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide a plurality of self-addressing control units which do not require dip switches or custom program chips for addressing.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide control units which do not have to be set up by a skilled electrician or a computer installer.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an array of self-addressing control units wherein if one control unit is damaged, the remaining control units can continue to operate separately and independently.
It is another primary object of the present invention to provide a modular sign comprising a plurality of self-addressing control units, wherein each of the control units can display a character to form a message on the modular sign.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a sign comprising a plurality of self-addressing control units to provide a message which message can be remotely controlled and remotely changed.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a modular sign having a plurality of control units which may be controlled by a telephone modem interface.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a modular sign having a plurality of self-addressing control units which may be controlled by a pager interface.
It is another primary object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for installing a plurality of control units to form an array.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an installation apparatus which includes mechanical attachment means and electrical communication means integrated into one unit.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for installation of a plurality of control units to form a modular sign which does not require a wire harness.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for installing an array of control units to form a modular sign which includes a “reverse” bus system.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an array of control units having a reverse bus system, wherein the bus in formed on circuit boards within the control units, and the control units are interconnected to other adjacent control units by electrical contacts within the installation brackets.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for installing an array of self-addressing control modules which can be installed by one who is not skilled in the sign installation business and one who is not a skilled electrician.
These and other objects are achieved by the protocol for self-addressing control units of the present invention. The protocol is effected by arranging a plurality of control units in a sequence and running a line from a master controller with links off the line to each control unit. Additionally, a feedback line is provided in the reverse direction for each control unit to communicate backwards with the previous unit. The master controller sends out a signal to identify itself as 00 and the control units down the line address themselves by adding a 1 to the number that it sees. Accordingly, the first control unit addresses itself as 1, the second control unit addresses itself as 2, etc. This protocol can be implemented on a row by row basis, or in one line extending through a plurality of rows. This protocol has applicability to modular signs as well as other fields of applications wherein a number of control units are linked together such as computer networking, prosthetics, etc.
When used in connection with the modular sign, the protocol of the present invention can be used to coordinate displaying a message by allowing each of a plurality of control units to display a desired character to form a message on the array of control units. This sign can be remotely controlled by a pager system. Each control unit includes a box housing a Mylar scroll operated by a motor and employing an optical sensor to read markings on the Mylar scroll to position appropriate characters in response to a signal to display a character to form a part of a message on the modular sign. The box includes an open face with a frame therearound which is a black opaque color. A transparent cover sits thereover to seal up the control unit. The control units are positioned side by side to form an array. The control units can be removed and serviced and/or replace by means of extraction tools.
The control units are mounted against a wall or within an enclosure by means of connecting brackets having attachment means on upper and lower ends thereof, and include a plurality of contacts formed within receptacles positioned along the brackets to receive spades extending from the back of the control units. Accordingly, the mounting brackets provide electrical contacts as well as mechanical attachment for the control units. The control units include circuit boards in communication with the spades having a reverse bus formed on the circuit board to run power and data along the system, the mounting brackets serving to provide electrical communication between the units and to support the units in an array.
Other important objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following Detailed Description of the Invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
a and
a, b, and c show a logic flow chart of the system of
Referring to
Referring to
The construction of the control unit 20 allows for large surface signs formed from a plurality of units 22 to be flat, water-tight, able to expand and contract over irregular surfaces, and still be pleasing to the eye. Additionally, the overall effect of a plurality of control units 20 grouped together forms a sign of an aesthetically pleasing appearance without the need for fasteners and seams required with conventional sign faces. Additionally, this modular sign is vandal-proof because there are no exposed fasteners or edges to grip without the aid of an extraction tool.
Referring to
Extraction tools 30 may be used to extract a module 20 from a sign 10. The extraction tools comprise a grip means 32, an insertion portion 34, and an engagement portion 36 which is bent back against the insertion portion 34 to form a small angle between the insertion portion 34 and the engagement portion 36, which ends in a point 35. Accordingly, in order to extract a module 20 from a sign 10, two extraction tools 30 are inserted along the sides of the module 20 to be removed by gripping the insertion tool 30 by the grip means 32, inserting the insertion portion 34 and the engagement portion 36 along the sides of the module 20 to be removed to insert the point 35 and the engagement portion 36 past a lip formed by the side wall 26 of cover 24. Once the engagement portion 36 bypasses the side wall 26 of the cover 24, the engagement portion 36 is naturally biased to spring away from the insertion portion 36 to align with the lip formed by the side wall 26 of the cover 24. The engagement portion 36 engages the lip of the side wall 26 of the cover 24 and then one can pull the extraction tool 30 by the grip means 32 to pull the module 20 away from the mounting means in the direction of arrow A to remove the module 20 from the sign 10.
The construction of the modular sign 10 of the present invention permits a sign to be constructed that is serviceable from the front with no external cover plates which can buckle and which need to be seamed together. This allows retrofitting of existing boxes to make aesthetically pleasing signs of 30 feet or more in size with a commercially appealing look. Without the covers 24, there would have to be secondary water tight cover plates with seals and gaskets to encompass the entire sign. Of course, such a construction is also within the scope of the present invention. Service panels would have to be provided on the rear of the sign making retrofitting of existing signs possible.
The present invention includes a method and apparatus for addressing and identifying the control units comprising a system based on a self-addressing protocol. This protocol can be implemented in a number of different ways. As shown in
When the unit knows its ID number it watches the main broadcast wire or fiber optic link or radio link or other communication means for its ID number. When it sees its ID number, it reads the block of data that follows it and traps that data. Accordingly, all of the units constantly look at the broadcast line to obtain data. If any of the control units should fail, the remainder of the units are able to function independently of the failed unit. Additionally, a failed unit can be replaced by any other operable unit, even one already in the system with another assigned number, and the replacement unit will appropriately address itself and will be active in the system. In this way a system of many control units or parallel computers is created, which units self-address and are able to look to a broadcast line to trap relevant data directed to each of the units, and the units can each perform a task as a collective unit. This system comprising a plurality of control units or parallel computers may be serviced by a person having no knowledge of the system by merely replacing failed units. The failed units then re-address themselves and function as part of the system. If that unit fails, the rest of the system still continues to function.
Each box includes a transformer to avoid custom switching supplies. In the key module, each one needs a power supply as big as it is because the motor draws the most amount of power, but for broadcasting the motor is not running the units steal power from the first module and do not need to have a power supply.
A copy of a computer program for running the circuitry of
Importantly, the protocol comprising a plurality of modules wherein each of the modules comprises a separate discreet mechanism which operates in unison with the other modules to create a system. Importantly, each of the modules is self-addressing is self-identifying and accordingly, the system has a high degree of survivability and is easily maintained and fixed. The system of the present invention has applicability to modular signs as discussed herein as well as applicability to computer network systems wherein a plurality of computers are placed on a network and each computer has to be identified in order to properly communicate and interact with the main controller as well as with other computers. Following the protocol of the present invention, each computer would self-address itself and accordingly, be replaceable with any of the other modules to continue to properly work. The protocol of the present invention has further utility in application to a prosthetic type device which involves a plurality of modules for communicating information and taking specific action.
For example, a prosthetic device comprising a hand, in a simplified form, could comprise six different modules, one for each finger, and one for the palm and one for the wrist and one for arm. Each of these modules would be self-addressing and accordingly, the thumb could identify itself as number 1, the index finger is number 2, the middle finger is number 3, etc. Thereafter, each of the modules watches the information line for information relating to the particular module. For example, the index finger monitors the information bus for a signal identifying module 2. If such a signal comes through to module 2, module 2 then looks for the subsequent information or data which describes the action that it should take. Accordingly, for finger number 2 to move, it looks for its identification number and then for data which tells it to move and upon receiving that data it appropriately moves. In the system, should the hand or thumb fail, the index finger can still operate independently through software that allows it to still work in a limp mode albeit less efficiently because it sees all the data. Additionally, if the thumb is replaced, it addresses itself and becomes part of the system without the protocol thereto.
a shows a side view of the arrangement of the electrical and mechanical contacts within the channels formed within the period. Accordingly, the connector 60 includes a base 62, a plurality of upstanding walls 64 interconnected with the base and extending perpendicular therefrom, retainers 66 positioned at the upper end of the upstanding walls, and electrical contacts 68 positioned within the spaces formed by the upstanding walls and retained within the connector by means of retainer 66. The contacts are preferably gold plated to resist corrosion. The contacts provide mechanical support for the control modules and additionally provide for electrical connection between adjacent control units. The connectors further include side walls 70 to form the connectors into a unit. Additionally, apertures 72 are positioned at upper and lower ends of each connector to facilitate connection of the connector to a wall or enclosure or other location for fixing the connectors thereto.
b and
Referring to
With respect to prosthetics, the individual direct commands that have to go through the hierarchy, but on top of that are generalized global commands. So, as well as the self-addressing routing, there are some global commands that all of the units look for which can supersede local commands through separate routines through separate key words. It takes more processing time but because all of the modules are listening to the data line, the path of communication is broken.
This application is the non-provisional counterpart of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/481,421 filed on Sep. 25, 2003. This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/481,421. Furthermore, this application discloses subject matter already disclosed in U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 08/807,567 filed Feb. 28, 1997 (now abandoned unintentionally), and in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/012,565 (now abandoned unintentionally), 60/012,545 (now abandoned unintentionally), and 60/012,541 (now abandoned unintentionally) all filed Feb. 29, 1996. The entire disclosures of all the applications referred to above are expressly incorporated in their entirety herein by reference thereto.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60481421 | Sep 2003 | US |