Optical signalling device

(42) Start of patent term: 15. 5.1997 (45) Date of issue: 26. 1.1998 (51) Int.Cl.⁶ : G09F 21/02 (56) Documentation:

DE 3900417A US 4602191A US 4823240A US 4875144A

US 5113325A US 5278734A WO 88 / 01360A1

WO 94 / 28348A1 (54) OPTICAL SIGNALING DEVICE (57) An optical signal device which is multi-lighted and preferably in color, eg according to specific clubs, organizations or nationalities and where external control by a coordinator or certain automatically triggered signals, radio frequency or radio remote control Infrared light is provided.

(73) Patent owner:

KOCZI WOLFGANG

A-3400 KLOSTERNEUBURG, LOWER AUSTRIA (AT).

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AT 403 329

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ΑΤ 403 329 Β

The invention relates to an optical signal device consisting of a plurality of different colored light sources to achieve optical effects, which are used for entertainment and promotional purposes. The active light sources can be in the corresponding colors of eg Organizations, sports clubs or nationalities are executed and arranged in appropriate geometry. By rhythmically lighting up the light sources in certain events different optical effects are achieved. With a matrix-like arrangement of a sufficiently large number of light sources, letters, texts or even graphics can be displayed.

In contrast to comparable proposals, which have only the possibility of manual control, the present invention should also be externally triggered. In the case of manual control, pre-programmed lighting sequences are activated according to the invention after appropriate switch operation.

According to a further object of the invention, the lighting sequence is remotely controlled by an external pulse in automatic control. In this case, this impulse of a person or by certain events (eg Passing through a light barrier or exceeding the threshold value of a sensor signal). The remote control is done via high frequency or optically with the help of infrared light. By simultaneously driving a large number of such optical signal devices of the same type, an increased optical effect can be achieved. In this case, a synchronous control of the same color light sources is necessary, which is accomplished by wireless transmission of the information required for specific activation of the light sources. In the case of illuminated matrices, the information for displaying the text or the graphic is also transmitted.

The device is preferably designed as a garment or attached to such and is ideally mounted in the direction of the wearer. Suitable places could be headgear, such as Baseball caps or camisole, but also tablets or bars, which are held in the hand, are conceivable. The design should be distinguished by particular simplicity. The electronic device including power supply can be provided with a Velcro and attached to any clothing, or is integrated in the garment in question.

There are many possible uses, but mass events such as sporting events or concerts are to be preferred. For a greater visual effect, dark rooms or the evening darkness will be preferable in the application. For example, At the same time, in the case of a football match, all fans equipped with such an optical signal device could cyclically light up the colors of the corresponding football club and thus serve to cheer on the football team. It can also eg wirelessly transferred the score of a football match on the garments of the viewer and there be displayed. Similarly, the existing in the audience light arrays can be used to display small copywriting or logo. Even at concerts could be expressed with the help of this device, the enthusiasm of the audience.

Further details of the invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. 1 is the block diagram of the entire receiver-side circuit, FIG. 2 is the detailed representation of the internal control, FIG. 3 is the detailed representation of the external control (remote control), FIG. 4a is an embodiment of the invention in the form of a baseball cap, FIG. 4b two embodiments in the form of light rods and Fig. 4c an embodiment in the form of a sports bib with integrated light-emitting matrix.

The receiver-side circuit in FIG. 1 contains a voltage source 1 consisting of low-voltage accumulators or batteries. A power supply or support with solar cells may be considered in some applications. A switch 2 with three contacts allows the selection of the following functions:

I internal control

II external control (remote control)

III off (no function)

In switch position I, the internal control circuit 3 is activated, which controls the lighting elements 5 according to a preprogrammed rhythm. In switch position II, the receiver 4 is activated, thereby enabling the reception of external control signals (remote control). With switch position III, the connection to the power supply is interrupted and thus no function is possible. In the figure 5 light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are shown as light elements, but these can also be replaced by other light sources. When using LEDs, the colors yellow, orange, red, green and blue are possible. To realize other colors, appropriately colored, transparent plastic parts are placed in front of the light source. In the case of the luminous elements, it is important to ensure a sufficient luminous intensity. In the receiving side circuit is to pay attention to small size, low power consumption and low production costs.

Fig. 2 shows the circuit for the internal control 3 in more detail. An oscillator 6 generates a clock signal of corresponding frequency, which clocks a logic circuit 7. Depending on the desired

AT 403 329 Β

As a result of the light sequence of the light sources, the control logic can consist of a simple shift register or of an individually programmed digital integrated circuit IC. With a shift register, a sequential lighting up of the LEDs 5 can be achieved, with more complex, customer-specific ICs, any switching sequences can be programmed.

in Fig. 3 is necessary for remote control of the optical signal device transmitting device for

Transmission of the control pulses and the receiving circuit shown. The transmission-side circuit consists of a trigger circuit 8, an encoder 9 and a transmitter 10 together with the transmitting antenna 11. The trigger circuit consists in the simplest case of a button that can be manually operated at a particular event. The triggering impulse can but eg also by a light barrier or a sensor, which triggers a signal when exceeding a predetermined threshold, come. After triggering, a coding or coding sequence is activated. The coding includes the information necessary for controlling the light-emitting elements in the receiving-side circuit. With the generated codes, the transmitter 10 is modulated and the signal emitted by the antenna 11. In the case of remote control via infrared light, an infrared light emitting diode or an infrared laser is used instead of the transmitting antenna. The transmission takes place with a high-frequency signal carrier in the corresponding frequency band. The transmission energy is set according to the desired range and according to the valid regulations. Since as many similar receiving circuits to receive the radiated control signals, a broad directional characteristic is desired in the transmitting antenna 11. The receiving antenna 12 or the photodiode in optical transmission receives the remote control signals and supplies them to the receiver 13. In the decoder 14, the information is obtained from the received signal and fed to a drive circuit 15, which controls the lighting elements 5. With the help of this method, a synchronous control of certain light sources of many receivers is possible, resulting in an increased optical effect. Similarly, the transmission of texts or graphics for display on light arrays is possible.

Fig. 4a shows an embodiment of the optical signal device in the form of a baseball cap 16 with integrated LEDs 5 again. The entire electronics, the power supply and the necessary for the reception of the remote control signals receiving device (receiving antenna at high frequency transmission or photodiode in optical transmission) are integrated in the cap. An external control pulse triggers a flash sequence of the LEDs 5.

In the embodiments in FIG. 4b is light sticks consisting of a handle 17, which includes the electronics, power supply and receiving circuit and the lighting elements. In the right picture optical fibers 18 are used. These are coupled in the grip with the active light elements and forward the light to the end of the fibers on. In the left embodiment, the light sources are integrated in a plastic body 19. A remote control impulse activates the light sticks and passes certain luminous sequences.

In Fig. 4c, a sports vest 20 is shown, which contains a matrix-type arrangement of active luminous elements 21. Depending on the number, arrangement and color of these luminous dots letters, texts or graphics can be displayed on the screen, such as the scorer and score at a football match. The necessary information for the correct control of individual light elements is transmitted along with the remote control signal. The necessary electronics, power supply and receiving device is also integrated in the camisole.