(19)
(11)EP 2 798 625 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
29.07.2020 Bulletin 2020/31

(21)Application number: 12818762.2

(22)Date of filing:  28.12.2012
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
G09F 9/30(2006.01)
G09F 27/00(2006.01)
G09F 13/18(2006.01)
G09F 9/35(2006.01)
G09F 13/00(2006.01)
G09F 13/22(2006.01)
(86)International application number:
PCT/US2012/072059
(87)International publication number:
WO 2013/109402 (25.07.2013 Gazette  2013/30)

(54)

PANEL COMMUNICATION VIA ILLUMINATED BEZEL

TAFELKOMMUNIKATION ÜBER BELEUCHTETE GLASRÄNDER

COMMUNICATION PAR PANNEAU À L'AIDE D'UNE COLLERETTE ÉCLAIRÉE


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 30.12.2011 US 201113340835

(43)Date of publication of application:
05.11.2014 Bulletin 2014/45

(73)Proprietor: Eaton Corporation
Cleveland, OH 44114 (US)

(72)Inventor:
  • CZAPAR, Matthew
    Milwaukee, WI 53203 (US)

(74)Representative: Wimmer, Hubert 
Wagner & Geyer Partnerschaft mbB Patent- und Rechtsanwälte Gewürzmühlstrasse 5
80538 München
80538 München (DE)


(56)References cited: : 
WO-A1-03/049828
US-A1- 2011 018 462
US-A1- 2011 051 019
US-A1- 2009 289 874
US-A1- 2011 018 849
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    FIELD OF INVENTION



    [0001] The present invention relates to interface panels and more particularly to communicating via an illuminated bezel of an interface panel.

    BACKGROUND



    [0002] Interface panels are used in a variety of industries and applications for controlling various mechanical devices and software applications. Interface panels have buttons and other types of controls for receiving input from a user as well as LEDs for conveying information to a user. In certain applications, such as in an industrial power application, interface panels may be combined to form a larger control center.

    [0003] The LEDs consume valuable space on the interface panel, however, which could be otherwise used for additional interface buttons and other types of controls. In addition, in applications where several interface panels are combined to form a larger control center, it may be difficult to distinguish a message being communicated via a first interface panel from a message being communicated via a second interface panel. Further, reference is made to US 2011 051 019 A1, US 2011 018 462 A1 and US 2011 018 849 A1, each relating to an illuminated bezel for a display such as a TV, wherein the illumination of the bezel may be controlled on the basis of different parameters.

    [0004] Attention is drawn to WO 03/049 828 A, which shows an external visual indicator such as a candle which is provided for a gaming machine having lights such as LEDs, and which are programmable via a processor of the gaming machine. The reprogrammability of the illumination sequence and colors of the candle may provide for the promotion of bonusing and to aid in the servicing of gaming machines.

    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION



    [0005] In accordance with the present invention, a system for communicating via an illuminated bezel as set forth in claim 1 is provided. Further embodiments are inter alia defined in the dependent claims. The system inter alia has an interface panel having a bezel extending around a perimeter of the interface panel. A light diffuser is coupled to a light source and is configured to distribute the light generated by the light source. The light diffuser is disposed in the bezel and extends around the perimeter of the panel. A light source controller, coupled to the light source, is configured to control the light source to generate the light to communicate a predefined message via the light diffuser.

    [0006] An interface panel has a bezel extending around a perimeter of the interface panel. The interface panel has a light source for generating a light. The interface panel has a light diffuser coupled to the light source and configured to distribute the light generated by the light source. The light diffuser is disposed in the bezel and extends around the perimeter of the interface panel. The interface panel has a light source controller coupled to the light source. The light source controller is configured to control the light source to generate the light to communicate a predefined message via the light diffuser.

    [0007] In a method for communicating via an illuminated bezel of a panel, a computer receives notification to communicate a message. The computer determines at least one parameter, based on the message, for generating a light. The computer controls a light source to generate a light, according to the at least one determined parameter, to illuminate a bezel of an interface panel to communicate the message.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0008] In the accompanying drawings, structures are illustrated that, together with the detailed description provided below, describe exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention. Like elements are identified with the same reference numerals. It should be understood that elements shown as a single component may be replaced with multiple components, and elements shown as multiple components may be replaced with a single component. The drawings are not to scale and the proportion of certain elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of illustration.

    Figure 1 is a rear view of an example system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

    Figure 2 is a front view of an example interface panel, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

    Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for communicating via an illuminated bezel of a panel, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

    Figure 4 is a block diagram of an example computer system for implementing a light source controller, according to one embodiment of the present invention.


    DETAILED DESCRIPTION



    [0009] Figure 1 is a rear view of an example system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. System 100 has an interface panel 102 for enabling a user to interface with a software application or with some mechanical equipment or machinery. For example, interface panel 102 may be used in an industrial setting for controlling an industrial motor. In an example embodiment, multiple interface panels 102 may be combined to form a larger control panel for controlling one or more software applications or mechanical devices. Interface panel 102 may include various types of buttons and controls for receiving input from a user as well as LED and other types of light displays for communicating messages to the user, on the front face (not shown) of interface panel 102.

    [0010] Interface panel 102 has a bezel 104 extending around the perimeter of interface panel 102. Bezel 104 is a channel or a groove configured in size and shape so as to receive light diffuser 108. After the bezel 104 receives light diffuser 108 during assembly, light diffuser 108 becomes integrated with interface panel 102. Light diffuser 108 may be secured in place within bezel 104 by an adhesive, for example. Alternatively, Light diffuser 108 may be secured in place within bezel 104 mechanically.

    [0011] Light diffuser 108 is configured in such a way that when light is delivered to a front end 112, the light is transported around the perimeter of interface panel 102, throughout the length of light diffuser 108. Further, light diffuser 108 is configured in such a way that as the delivered light is being transported around interface panel 102, the light is being evenly distributed throughout light diffuser 108 in order to evenly illuminate the perimeter of interface panel 102. In an example embodiment, light diffuser 108 is a light pipe.

    [0012] A light source 106 is coupled to light diffuser 108 at front end 112 for generating a light and for delivering the light to light diffuser 108. Light source 106 can be an LED, or a plurality of LEDs, for example. In an example embodiment, light source 106 is configured to deliver a single color of light. In an example embodiment, light source 106 is configured to deliver multiple colors of light, either simultaneously or independently.

    [0013] System 100 has a light source controller 110 coupled to light source 106. Light source controller 110 is configured to control light source 106 to generate the light to communicate a predefined message via light diffuser 108. In other words, a user is able to interpret a light being delivered around the perimeter of interface panel 102 to be a predefined message. Light source controller 110 is configurable to control light source 106 according to a user defined preference.

    [0014] In an example embodiment, light source controller 110 is configured to control light source 106 to generate a first color light to communicate a first message and a second color light to communicate a second message. For example, light source controller 110 may control light source 106 to generate a green color light to indicate that an associated mechanical device is operating properly. Similarly, light source controller 110 may control light source 106 to generate a red color light to indicate that the associated mechanical device is operating in an error or fault state and that the associated mechanical device may need to be serviced or may require attention.

    [0015] In an example embodiment, light source controller 110 may be configured to set light source 106 to flash on and off repeatedly rather then generating a continuous light. In an example embodiment, light source controller 110 may be configured to control the frequency at which light source 106 flashes. In other words, light source controller 110 may control light source 106 to flash at a first frequency to communicate a first message and to flash at a second frequency to communicate a second message. For example, light source controller 110 may control light source 106 to flash at 60Hz when an associated mechanical device has a potential problem that may require future attention while light source controller 110 may control light source 106 to flash at 120Hz when an associated mechanical device has a severe problem that may require immediate attention.

    [0016] In an example embodiment, light source controller 110 may be configured to control light source 106 in order to accommodate various international standards. For example, a flashing color may indicate a first message according to a first country's standard while the same flashing color may indicate a second message according to a second country's standard. Thus, depending on which country light source controller 110 is configured to operate in, light source controller 110 may adjust the light color generated by light source 106 for a given message.

    [0017] In an example embodiment, light source controller 110 may be configurable by a user or a systems administrator to control light source 106 according to user defined parameters. For example, a user may define a certain color scheme which that user prefers. Accordingly, light source controller 110 may be configured to control light source 106 according to the user's preferences.

    [0018] It should be understood that light source controller 110 can be implemented as a microcontroller, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a tablet computer, a server, or other similar type of computing device capable of providing instructions to, and controlling, light source 106.

    [0019] Figure 2 is a front view of an example interface panel 202 having a light diffuser 204 surrounding the perimeter of interface panel 202. Interface panel 202 has a plurality of buttons 206a-e for controlling various functions of an associated mechanical device or software application. Interface panel 202 has a plurality of LEDs 208a-c for communicating messages to a user. In an example embodiment, the same messages communicated to a user by LEDs 208a-c may be communicated to the user by light diffuser 204. Accordingly, in an example embodiment, LEDs 208a-c may be removed from interface panel 202 in order to make room for additional buttons.

    [0020] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for communicating via an illuminated bezel of a panel. At step 302, light source controller 110 receives a notification to communicate a message. The notification may come from an associated mechanical device or it may come from a software application or system. The notification may be an error or some other type of warning. Alternatively, the notification may be sent to simply inform a user of a current status or condition of a mechanical device.

    [0021] At step 304, light source controller 110 determines at least one parameter, based on the message, for generating a light. In an example embodiment, light source controller 110 may determine multiple parameters for generating the light. A parameter for generating a light may include a color, a flash frequency, or another similar type of parameter for defining how a light is illuminated and presented to a user. Light source controller 110 may determine the parameter by cross referencing the received notification with a parameters database stored in memory. Messages to be communicated may be pre-associated with specific parameters in a parameters database based on user preference or based on country specific standards, for example. For example, an error message may be pre-associated with the color red and with a flash frequency of 120 Hz in the parameters database while a maintenance warning message may be associated with the color yellow and with a flash frequency of 60 Hz in the parameters database. Thus, light source controller 110 may be configured to control light source 106 to operate according to a user preference by configuring the parameters database.

    [0022] At step 306, light source controller 110 controls light source 106 to generate a light, according to the at least one determined parameter, to illuminate bezel 104 of interface panel 102 to communicate the message.

    [0023] Figure 4 is a block diagram of an example computer system 400 for implementing a light source controller 110. Computer system 400 is intended to represent various forms of digital computers, including laptops, desktops, handheld computers, tablet computers, servers, and other similar types of computing devices. Computer system 400 includes a processor 402, memory 404, a storage device 406, and a communication port 422, connected by an interface 408 via a bus 410.

    [0024] Processor 402 processes instructions, via memory 404, for execution within computer system 400. In an example embodiment, multiple processors along with multiple memories may be used. In an example embodiment, multiple computer systems 400 may be connected, with each device providing portions of the necessary operations.

    [0025] Memory 404 may be volatile memory or non-volatile memory. Memory 404 may be a computer-readable medium, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk. Storage device 406 may be a computer-readable medium, such as floppy disk devices, a hard disk device, and optical disk device, a tape device, a flash memory, or other similar solid state memory device, or an array of devices, including devices in a storage area network of other configurations. A computer program product can be tangibly embodied in a computer readable medium such as memory 404 or storage device 406.

    [0026] Computer system 400 can be coupled to one or more input and output devices such as a display 414, a scanner 418, a printer 416, and a mouse 420.

    [0027] To the extent that the term "includes" or "including" is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term "or" is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean "A or B or both." When the applicants intend to indicate "only A or B but not both" then the term "only A or B but not both" will be employed. Thus, use of the term "or" herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See, Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms "in" or "into" are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean "on" or "onto." Furthermore, to the extent the term "connect" is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to mean not only "directly connected to," but also "indirectly connected to" such as connected through another component or components.

    [0028] Some portions of the detailed descriptions are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a sequence of operations that produce a result. The operations may include physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, the physical quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in a logic and the like.

    [0029] It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. It should be borne in mind, however, that these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, it is appreciated that throughout the description, terms like processing, computing, calculating, determining, displaying, or the like, refer to actions and processes of a computer system, logic, processor, or similar electronic device that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities.

    [0030] While the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art.


    Claims

    1. A system (100) for communicating status information via an illuminated bezel of a panel, the system (100) comprising:

    an interface panel (102, 202) comprising a bezel (104) extending around a perimeter of the interface panel (102, 202) and a button (206a-e) for controlling a function of a mechanical device;

    a light source (106) for generating a light;

    a light diffuser (108) disposed in the bezel (104) and extending around the perimeter of the interface panel (102, 202), wherein the light diffuser (108) is coupled to the light source (106) and configured to distribute the light generated by the light source (106) to illuminate the perimeter of the interface panel (102, 202); and

    a light source controller (110) coupled to the light source (106), the light source controller (110) configured to control the light source (106) to generate the light to communicate a predefined message via the light diffuser (108) based on a notification received for communicating a message, the notification being provided by the mechanical device and being indicative of a current status of the mechanical device


     
    2. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the light source (106) comprises at least one LED.
     
    3. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the light source (106) is configured to generate a plurality of colors of light.
     
    4. The system (100) of claim 3, wherein the light source controller (110) is further configured to control the light source (106) to generate a first color light to communicate a first message and a second color light to communicate a second message.
     
    5. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the light source controller (110) is further configured to control the light source (106) to flash at a first frequency to communicate a first message and to flash at a second frequency to communicate a second message.
     
    6. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the light diffuser (108) is a light pipe.
     
    7. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the light source controller (110) is configurable to control the light source (106) according to a user defined preference.
     
    8. A system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanical device is an industrial motor.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. System (100) zum Übermitteln von Statusinformation bzw. -informationen über eine beleuchtete Einfassung eines Paneels bzw. einer Tafel, wobei das System (100) Folgendes aufweist:

    ein Schnittstellenpaneel (102, 202), das eine Einfassung (104), die sich um einen Umfang des Schnittstellenpaneels (102, 202) herum erstreckt, und einen Knopf (206a-e) zum Steuern einer Funktion einer mechanischen Einrichtung aufweist;

    eine Lichtquelle (106) zum Erzeugen eines Lichts;

    einen Lichtdiffusor (108), der in der Einfassung (104) angeordnet ist und der sich um den Umfang des Schnittstellenpaneels (102, 202) herum erstreckt, wobei der Lichtdiffusor (108) an die Lichtquelle (106) gekoppelt und eingerichtet ist, das von der Lichtquelle (106) erzeugte Licht zu verteilen, um den Umfang des Schnittstellenpaneels (102, 202) zu beleuchten; und

    eine Lichtquellensteuerung (110), die an die Lichtquelle (106) gekoppelt ist, wobei die Lichtquellensteuerung (110) eingerichtet ist, die Lichtquelle (106) zu steuern, das Licht zu erzeugen, um eine vordefinierte Nachricht über den Lichtdiffusor (108) auf Grundlage einer zum Übermitteln einer Nachricht empfangenen Meldung zu übermitteln, wobei die Meldung von der mechanischen Vorrichtung bereitgestellt wird und einen aktuellen Status der mechanischen Vorrichtung anzeigt.


     
    2. System (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Lichtquelle (106) mindestens eine LED aufweist.
     
    3. System (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Lichtquelle (106) eingerichtet ist, eine Vielzahl von Lichtfarben zu erzeugen.
     
    4. System (100) nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Lichtquellensteuerung (110) ferner eingerichtet ist, die Lichtquelle (106) zu steuern, dass sie ein Licht einer ersten Farbe erzeugt, um eine erste Nachricht zu übermitteln, und ein Licht einer zweiten Farbe, um eine zweite Nachricht zu übermitteln.
     
    5. System (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Lichtquellensteuerung (110) ferner eingerichtet ist, die Lichtquelle (106) zu steuern, dass sie mit einer ersten Frequenz blinkt, um eine erste Nachricht zu übermitteln, und dass sie mit einer zweiten Frequenz blinkt, um eine zweite Nachricht zu übermitteln.
     
    6. System (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Lichtdiffusor (108) ein Lichtleiter ist.
     
    7. System (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Lichtquellensteuerung (110) einrichtbar ist, die Lichtquelle (106) gemäß einer benutzerdefinierten Präferenz zu steuern.
     
    8. System (100) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die mechanische Vorrichtung ein Industriemotor ist.
     


    Revendications

    1. Système (100) destiné à communiquer des informations d'état via un encadrement illuminé d'un panneau, le système (100) comprenant :

    un panneau d'interface (102, 202) comprenant un encadrement (104) s'étendant sensiblement autour d'un périmètre du panneau d'interface (102, 202) et un bouton (206a-e) pour commander une fonction d'un dispositif mécanique ;

    une source de lumière (106) destinée à générer une lumière ;

    un diffuseur de lumière (108) placé dans l'encadrement (104) et s'étendant autour du périmètre du panneau d'interface (102, 202), dans lequel le diffuseur de lumière (108) est couplé à la source de lumière (106) et configuré pour distribuer la lumière générée par la source de lumière (106) pour éclairer le périmètre du panneau d'interface (102, 202) ; et

    un contrôleur de source de lumière (110) couplé à la source de lumière (106), le contrôleur de source de lumière (110) étant configuré pour commander la source de lumière (106) pour générer la lumière pour communiquer un message prédéfini via le diffuseur de lumière (108) sur la base d'une notification reçue pour communiquer un message, la notification étant prévue par le dispositif mécanique et étant indicative d'un état courant du dispositif mécanique.


     
    2. Système (100) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la source de lumière (106) comprend au moins une LED.
     
    3. Système (100) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la source de lumière (106) est configurée pour générer une pluralité de couleurs de lumière.
     
    4. Système (100) selon la revendication 3, dans lequel le contrôleur de source de lumière (110) est configuré en outre pour commander la source de lumière (106) pour générer une première lumière de couleur pour communiquer un premier message et une deuxième lumière de couleur pour communiquer un deuxième message.
     
    5. Système (100) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le contrôleur de source de lumière (110) est configuré en outre pour commander la source de lumière (106) pour qu'elle clignote à une première fréquence pour communiquer un premier message et pour qu'elle clignote à une deuxième fréquence pour communiquer un deuxième message.
     
    6. Système (100) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le diffuseur de lumière (108) est un conduit de lumière.
     
    7. Système (100) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le contrôleur de source de lumière (110) est configurable pour commander la source de lumière (106) en fonction d'une préférence définie par un utilisateur.
     
    8. Système (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le dispositif mécanique est un moteur industriel.
     




    Drawing

















    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description




    Non-patent literature cited in the description