EP0829844A2 - Flat advertising holder for outdoor use - Google Patents

Abstract

The advertising display surface has an illumination device (1,2,3) which is operated by solar energy, with a central system control with a microcontroller for overall control of the illumination device. The solar energy is fed to 2 independently controlled storage batteries with battery controllers for detecting their charge levels and temperature sensors for detecting their operating temperatures.

Description

The invention relates to a flat outdoor advertising medium with lighting device.

Such outdoor advertising media can preferably be used as euro billboards, in particular as large areas. In addition, they can also be used to illuminate bus waiting halls with an integrated large area, city information points and collective information boards in arterial roads in cities or districts as well as for a variety of other purposes.

Flat outdoor advertising media with lighting devices are known in the prior art, which are operated by connection to public energy networks. It is also known in the case of lighting devices to install them stationary on the outdoor advertising media or notice boards and to lay separate earth connection cables for their power supply in the case of peripheral installation. This requires energy measuring and control devices that are not directly mounted on the flat outdoor advertising media.

Facilities with a network connection require a lot of installation and running costs. These facilities are particularly disadvantageous in those cases in which at the installation site of the areal Energy supply from a public network can be difficult or impossible to implement, either from a technical or licensing point of view.
Known lighting devices also have the disadvantage that they are permanently installed on the outdoor advertising media, so that if an existing lighting contract is canceled, for example when changing the rental of a large outdoor advertising media and the resulting changed wishes of a subsequent tenant, complex structural changes for assembly and disassembly work are necessary.

Furthermore, simple controls are known for such lighting systems from DE 32 14 790 A1 and DE 94 12 069 U1, with which the lighting can be switched on and off via a time switch and / or a twilight switch.
A lighting device known according to De 41 07 107 A1 uses a system in which the electronic control device is designed as a learning system which, depending on the charge level of the battery and / or the amount of light absorbed during the day by the photovoltaic arrangement, specifies the night-time light in the same sense changed. However, this does not meet the goals of a solar-powered lighting device for large outdoor advertising media.
Voice memory applications are also known from DE 86 03 617 U1 as additional elements on billboards. However, this additional auditory advertising medium only has a simple activation option by means of a time switch and / or a passive infrared sensor (PIR) and can therefore only be used to a very limited extent in advertising. For example, it is not possible to address multiple memory chips in a freely selectable order.

The known solar-powered lighting devices require an additional connection to the electrical energy network for use in medium geographical latitudes for a longer operating time.

The invention has for its object to provide a flat outdoor advertising medium with lighting device that achieves a significant improvement in advertising-specific performance, can be operated over a longer period of time independently of a network connection and can be adapted to different applications with little effort due to simple assembly and disassembly options.

• die Beleuchtungseinrichtung mit Solarenergie betrieben wird,
• die gesamte Beleuchtungseinrichtung über eine zentrale Systemsteuerung mit Microcontroller gesteuert wird und
• die Solarenergie in zwei getrennt ansteuerbaren Akkumulatoren gespeichert wird, bei denen mit Batteriecontrollern der Ladezustand und mit Temperatursensoren die Betriebstemperatur erfaßt wird.

According to the invention this object is achieved in that

• the lighting device is operated with solar energy,
• the entire lighting device is controlled by a central system controller with a microcontroller and
• the solar energy is stored in two separately controllable accumulators, in which the state of charge is recorded with battery controllers and the operating temperature is recorded with temperature sensors.

Advantageous refinements of the lighting device according to the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The microcontroller used to control the self-sufficient lighting device can be adapted to the specific site conditions on site based on individual advertising aspects.

The programming required for this is made possible via a serial interface, so that the control can be easily adapted to different applications. These changes can be carried out on the flat outdoor advertising media on site without the need for technical changes in the device or circuitry.

The lighting device has two different application programs, a main program and an application program.

• die Ein- und Ausschaltzeit der Basisbeleuchtung,
• die Ein- und Ausschaltzeit der Zusatzbeleuchtung,
• die Anzahl und die Dauer der Einschaltungen,
• das Programm zur Auswahl der Sprachspeicher und zur Aktivierung eines ROM-Corders, mit dem die Programmierung der Reihenfolge der Ausgabe und der Ausgabezeiten erfolgt,
• die Zuordnung von Sprachspeicherchips zu bestimmten Gruppen wie Geräuschkulissen, Musik, Werbebotschaften, Informationen und dergleichen,
• die Auswahl der Aktivierungsart des ROM-Corders, beispielsweise bei Annäherung von Personen oder zu voreingestellten Zeiten,
• die Programmierung einer im Tafelträger integrierten LCD-Anzeige zur Ausgabe von Texten,
• die Programmierung des LED-Laufschrifterzeugers, z.B. die Reihenfolge des Aussendens der Textblöcke und die Auswahl der Texte entweder zeitgesteuert oder bei Annäherung von Zielpersonen,
• die Aktivierung von Zähleinrichtungen zur Überprüfung der Werbewirksamkeit, z.B. die Registrierung der Schaltvorgänge, die durch Betätigen der Folientastatur im Tafelträger ausgelöst werden.

The entered values can be changed in both programs. The condition is advantageous that changes to values in the main program must only be made by specialists who are both familiar with controller programming and have extensive knowledge of the processes within the system control.
In contrast, the application program offers the operator of the advertising medium the option of implementing a specially adapted program.
The following can be varied:

• the on and off time of the basic lighting,
• the on and off time of the additional lighting,
• the number and duration of activations,
• the program for selecting the voice memory and for activating a ROM recorder, with which the programming of the sequence of the output and the output times is carried out,
• the assignment of voice memory chips to specific groups such as background noise, music, advertising messages, information and the like,
• the selection of the type of activation of the ROM recorder, for example when people approach or at preset times,
• programming an LCD display integrated in the table support for the output of texts,
• the programming of the LED ticker generator, e.g. the order in which the text blocks are sent and the selection of the texts either time-controlled or when target persons are approached,
• the activation of counting devices to check the advertising effectiveness, eg the registration of the switching processes, which are triggered by pressing the membrane keyboard in the table carrier.

The individual values are changed in the program and then transferred to the microcontroller via data cable via the serial interface.

Since the entire system control is implemented on the basis of a microcontroller, in which a charge controller for the separate charging of two batteries is integrated and a separate discharge control with integrated deep discharge protection and battery controller is provided, the charging and discharging of the batteries can be controlled so that a Main accumulator for normal operation, which has a larger storage capacity and thus a greater weight and is arranged in the lower region of the flat outdoor advertising medium, is first discharged. This ensures that the reserve accumulator located in the upper area is constantly charged and is only discharged in the case of a very low energy level. In addition, the external is always The batteries can be recharged on site or a discharged battery can be exchanged for a charged battery.

Known lighting devices require an elaborate time switch with the associated disadvantages, such as setting the clock when starting up, adjusting the clock due to inaccuracies, changing summer and winter time and, in the event of total failure, resetting the clock. Further disadvantages are, for example, that in known arrangements a high outlay on circuitry is required, that a separate time control is required for each assembly to be controlled and that different changes in the respective time sequences lead to undesired shifts in the switching times for the individual assemblies. Avoiding these displacements by means of circuitry measures requires additional effort due to the coupling of the components.

In the lighting device according to the invention, a DCF-77 radio clock module is used as the time base for the programmable weekly timer implemented in the microcontroller, which can receive the time standard from the DCF-77 transmitter in Mainflingen fully automatically via an integrated antenna system. This avoids the disadvantages mentioned above.
In the lighting device according to the master-slave functional principle, the switching processes in different, parallel-connected systems can advantageously be triggered simultaneously without a direct coupling of the systems with one another being required. Furthermore, the clock does not have to be set after a supply voltage failure. The weekly timer is used as a multi-channel timer executed. There is one open collector output per channel. The switching times are set in the application program of the microcontroller and can be changed there at any time.

The microcontroller provides two switching channels for lighting devices to be connected, one of the two channels being followed by a dimmer and a random generator. An optically effective switching on and off of the additional lighting is thereby achieved.
It is also possible that a control circuit for several voice memories is implemented in the microcontroller, which makes it possible, according to the application program programmed in the microcontroller, to output the advertising messages at preset times, when people approach or by selection using a keyboard input.

Furthermore, it is possible that an LED ticker generator is integrated in the lighting box, which is activated by the central control unit. The system control is designed so that an overlap of different advertising messages, for. B. the simultaneous output of an auditory message via the voice memory and a visual message via the LED ticker generator is avoided.

The charge controller implemented in the microcontroller works on the principle of IU charging. A charging characteristic curve specified by the battery manufacturer and a characteristic curve for the temperature dependence of the final charge voltage are stored in the memory area of the microcontroller control and the charging is carried out in accordance with these characteristic curves. A temperature sensor connected to the battery is used to determine the current one Battery temperature and thus the determination of the temperature-dependent final charge voltage. In contrast to the arrangements known in the prior art, two accumulators can be connected to the microcontroller control according to the invention. When the fully charged state of the reserve accumulator is reached, the system automatically switches to the main accumulator. To prevent self-discharge of the reserve accumulator, it is periodically recharged with a small charging current. If the main accumulator also reaches the fully charged state, the charging current is reduced accordingly and only a small charging current flows for the trickle charge.
The reserve accumulator is expediently arranged together with the controller in the base block above the flat outdoor advertising medium. The main accumulator, which is advantageously designed for a larger capacity, can be attached in the lower region of the flat outdoor advertising medium, for example on a support.

The discharge control implemented in the microcontroller regulates the discharge of the batteries. Depending on the specified program, the main accumulator is first discharged until the deep discharge threshold is reached and then switched over to the reserve accumulator. At the same time, a battery controller implemented in the microcontroller takes into account the amounts of energy actually present in the two accumulators. This balancing is carried out by a signed measurement of the charge and discharge currents using a shunt on both batteries. The result of this balancing is available in the microcontroller as a value for further switching operations and can be output by pressing a button on a two-line LCD display. Depending on the energy content, components of the overall system can then be added or removed continuously be switched off. This results in a staggered deep discharge protection, the limits of which can be infinitely adjusted using the software of the microcontroller.

An asymmetrical luminaire is fitted in the lighting box, which is equipped with a fluorescent lamp for almost uniform basic lighting of the advertising space to be illuminated. In order to optimize the energy yield, low-voltage fluorescent lamps for operating voltages from 12 to 24 V are used.
The additionally adjustable spotlights, which are also included in the lighting box, enable the design of islands of light. They are particularly suitable for illuminating parts of the advertising material to highlight certain areas with effective advertising.

In order to be able to use these spotlights effectively, a random generator is implemented in the microcontroller, which enables the individual halogen lamps to be switched on and off in a different order. If the weekly timer issues a switch-on or switch-off command, the random generator is activated and the individual halogen spotlights are switched on or off one after the other. An additional buck converter circuit, in combination with the microcontroller, enables the additional lighting to be shown and hidden smoothly to prevent an abrupt change of light on the advertising space. This is particularly important when the large outdoor advertising media are set up near roads and an abrupt change in the illuminance could impair the safety of road users, especially the drivers. The dimming times can be freely set in the application program of the microcontroller.

The lighting box is advantageously detachably connected to the base block and is located at a defined distance from the advertising space to be illuminated. The arrangement on the upper frame of the flat outdoor advertising medium ensures effective protection of the system against willful damage.

A control circuit for digital voice memories is implemented in the microcontroller, which enables several different voice memories or voice memory cascades to be addressed directly and thus via a corresponding program in the microcontroller either at preset times, when people approach by an additional PIR sensor or by selecting one To activate the matrix keyboard. The valid activation type is determined in the applications program. When a voice memory is activated, an LF amplifier is switched on at the same time, which intensifies the output signal of the voice memory to the required volume. In addition, the amplifier is equipped with an ambient noise-dependent volume control.

The LED ticker generator integrated in the lighting box is activated by the central control at pre-programmed times or when people are approaching on the sidewalk by a PIR sensor. In this circuit arrangement, a conventional LED ticker generator with a serial interface is used. The serial interface enables direct communication with the microcontroller and thus also direct programming and control of the LED ticker generator. There is also the option of programming the LED ticker generator from a central point via radio modernization. This means that up-to-date information can be downloaded to the LED ticker generator transmitted and displayed on this. The LED ticker generator is activated at previously set times in combination with a PIR sensor. As a result, a message is only issued at the preset time if at least one passer-by is in the area of the large outdoor advertising medium, in the so-called contact zone. A timer activates the output for a certain period of time. But the message is only output if the PIR sensor registers at least one passer-by in the contact zone during this period. This enables an efficient and energy-saving mode of operation of the overall system.
The control is expediently supplemented by an internal charger for connecting the system to an external voltage source in order to ensure the recharging of the energy store in the event of insufficient energy supply, and by an excess manager which guarantees the immediate release of consumers when the energy store is full.

The basic block, in which the reserve accumulator and the control system are located, is divided by several partition walls to safely accommodate the individual components. The central control system can expediently be reached from the outside by opening a lockable cover. It is attached so that it can be operated from the outside, but cannot be removed through the service opening. For reasons of theft protection, it is advisable to close the housing with special screws that can only be removed with a special tool.

The lighting device according to the invention can be attached several times next to one another on a flat outdoor advertising medium in this case only one of the basic blocks has to be provided with a complete system control and the other lighting devices are actuated by this control. The basic blocks of the individual lighting devices are then expediently connected to one another via a data cable (master-slave functional principle).

In order to be able to align the solar panel in a favorable direction of irradiation, a rotatably mounted, lockable holder for the panel box is fastened on the top of the base block, inside which the connecting cable to the central control is laid. Additional information carriers are integrated in the two information blocks attached to the side frame of the flat outdoor advertising medium. These can be: a conventional digital weather station module, which enables information on temperature, humidity, general weather tendency, air pressure, air pressure tendency and the like, a date and time display that is coupled with the microcontroller and the DCF radio clock module, a four-line LCD -Display and a membrane keyboard for interactive intervention in the transmission of information.

In addition, the charging current currently generated can be displayed on a two-line LCD display.

• die Unabhängigkeit des Einsatzortes von einer Netzspannungsanschlußmöglichkeit,
• die Vielseitigkeit der Steuerungsmöglichkeiten durch die Programmierbarkeit des Microcontrollers,
• die Möglichkeit der unbegrenzten Anzahl an Schaltspielen,
• die gemeinsame Steuerungsmöglichkeit mehrerer werbewirksamer, technischer Effekte wie beispielsweise das Zusammenspiel von speziellen Strahleranordnungen für Lichtinselbildungen und auditiven oder visuellen Werbemedien,
• die energiesparende Lichterzeugung durch Kompaktleuchtstofflampen, die unabhängig von einer Netzstromversorgung mit regenerativer Energie aus Solarpaneelen in Verbindung mit einem Solarakkumulator betrieben werden,
• die einfache Montage und Demontage der Beleuchtungseinrichtung,
• der Aufbau der Gesamtanlage als Bausteinsystem, wodurch je nach Erfordernissen einzelne Komponenten der Beleuchtungseinrichtung zu einem System kombiniert werden können,
• die durch den Einsatz des Microcontrollers ermöglichte einfache Kopplung von mehreren autarken Beleuchtungseinrichtungen nach dem Master-Slave-Funktionsprinzip, wodurch der Schaltungsaufwand bei der Parallelschaltung mehrerer solarbetriebener Beleuchtungseinrichtungen reduziert wird,
• die Aufstellungsmöglichkeit der Beleuchtungseinrichtung ohne die erforderlichen Genehmigungsverfahren für Erdarbeiten sowie der Wegfall der sonst notwendigen Installationen für den Netzanschluß, wodurch die Kosten für Verlegung und Material sowie die Kosten für Stromverbrauch entfallen.

The arrangement according to the invention is characterized by a number of advantages. These include in particular:

• independence of the place of use from a mains voltage connection option,
• the versatility of the control options through the programmability of the microcontroller,
• the possibility of an unlimited number of switching cycles,
• the joint control option for several effective, technical effects such as the interaction of special spotlight arrangements for light island formation and auditory or visual advertising media,
• Energy-saving light generation using compact fluorescent lamps, which are operated independently of a mains power supply with regenerative energy from solar panels in connection with a solar accumulator,
• the simple assembly and disassembly of the lighting device,
• the construction of the entire system as a modular system, which means that individual components of the lighting system can be combined to form a system, depending on requirements
• the simple coupling of several self-sufficient lighting devices based on the master-slave functional principle, which is made possible by the use of the microcontroller, thereby reducing the switching effort when connecting several solar-powered lighting devices in parallel,
• the possibility of installing the lighting device without the necessary approval procedures for earthworks as well as the elimination of the other necessary installations for the network connection, which eliminates the costs for installation and material as well as the costs for electricity consumption.

• Figur 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Beleuchtungseinrichtung in montierter Form;
• Figur 2 eine Seitenansicht der Beleuchtungseinrichtung;
• Figur 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht der Tafelträger mit Zusatzeinrichtungen;
• Figur 4 die Unteransicht der Beleuchtungsbox;
• Figur 5 die Seitenansicht der Beleuchtungsbox
• und Figur 6 ein Blockschaltbild der Gesamtanordnung.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. In the accompanying drawing:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of the lighting device according to the invention in assembled form;
• Figure 2 is a side view of the lighting device;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of the table support with additional devices;
• Figure 4 shows the bottom view of the lighting box;
• Figure 5 shows the side view of the lighting box
• and FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the overall arrangement.

The overall arrangement is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The lighting device contains the modules panel box 1, base block 2 and lighting box 3, which are connected to one another and to the table support 14 by stable profile rails and can be assembled and disassembled as required. The base block 2 forms the basic building block of the self-sufficient lighting device and contains the interchangeable reserve accumulator 5 and the central control unit 6 for the entire system.

On the top surface 7 of the base block 2 there is a twilight switch 21 in the front area and behind it a panel box 1 rotatably arranged by means of a pivot bearing 8, in which a solar module is integrated which can be rotated in the direction of solar radiation that is optimal for energy generation. The solar energy generated to power the system is temporarily stored in the reserve accumulator 5 located in the basic block 2.

FIG. 3 shows the board support 14, in each of which an information block 9 is integrated as a further component of the lighting device. The info block 9 contains display elements for system data, for example a weather station module 10, a DCF radio clock module 12, an LCD display 13 as well as a membrane keyboard 11 and additionally a PIR sensor 19.
The operability of the central control unit 6 and the replacement of the reserve accumulator 5 is ensured by coverable openings 7 in the base block 2.

The lighting box 3 explained in FIGS. 4 and 5 is arranged on the base block 2 at right angles to the advertising surface 4. In it are an asymmetrical lamp 15 used for light generation with a low-voltage fluorescent lamp, the associated reflector 16 for concentration of radiation on the advertising surface 4 to be illuminated, if necessary switchable spot position 17 which can be controlled in its position, a loudspeaker 18 for indicating acoustic effects and in the inclined end face of the LED ticker generator 20 is arranged.

A comprehensive plastic coating of all housing surfaces of the modules ensures that the system is largely weatherproof.

The interaction of the functional elements is explained in the block diagram shown in FIG. 6.

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

1

Panel box

2nd

Base block

3rd

Lighting box

4th

Advertising space

5

Reserve accumulator

6

central control

7

Base block top surface

8th

Swivel bearing

9

Info block

10th

Weather station module

11

Membrane keyboard

12th

DCF radio clock module

13

LCD display

14

Table support

15

asymmetrical light

16

reflector

17th

Spotlights

18th

speaker

19th

PIR sensor

20th

LED ticker generator

21

Twilight switch

Claims (9)

Area outdoor advertising medium with lighting device, characterized in that - the lighting device is operated with solar energy, - The entire lighting device is controlled by a central system controller (6) with a microcontroller and - The solar energy is stored in two separately controllable accumulators, in which the state of charge is recorded with battery controllers and the operating temperature is recorded with temperature sensors. Outdoor advertising medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighting device has modular assemblies, each consisting of a base block (2), a lighting box (3) and a panel box (1). Outdoor advertising medium according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one of the accumulators is attached in the upper area and a further accumulator in the lower area of the flat outdoor advertising medium. Outdoor advertising medium according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting box (3) has at least one asymmetrical light (15) and spotlight (17) controlled by the microcontroller. and / or contains a loudspeaker (18) and an LED ticker (19). Outdoor advertising medium according to claim 4, characterized in that the components of the lighting box (3) are controlled via two switching channels, one of the two channels being assigned a dimmer and a random generator. Outdoor advertising medium according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - A charge controller for two accumulators and a discharge control with deep discharge protection and battery controller are integrated in the micro controller of the central system controller (6), - The system control (6) is designed so that the output of various advertising messages, such as auditory messages via the voice memory and visual messages via the LED ticker generator is coordinated and - A serial interface for programming is available on the microcontroller. Outdoor advertising medium according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the panel box (1) can be pivoted about a horizontal axis and has a locking facility. Outdoor advertising medium according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central control (6) and one of the accumulators are arranged in a base block provided with closable openings, which has compartments divided by partitions, wherein the reserve accumulator (5) is located in a compartment on a movable carriage and the central control (6) is arranged in a compartment whose opening is smaller than the dimensions of the central control (6). Outdoor advertising medium according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control circuit for a plurality of voice memories is present in the microcontroller, which makes it possible, according to an application program implemented in the microcontroller, to output the advertising messages at preset times when passers-by approach using a PIR Sensor or by selection via a keyboard input.

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