MXPA97001898A

MXPA97001898A - An optical signaling device, especially for one piece of r

Info

Publication number: MXPA97001898A
Application number: MXPA/A/1997/001898A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Koczi Wolfgang
Original assignee: Fdi Finanzdienstleistungsinstitut Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 1995-07-17
Filing date: 1997-03-13
Publication date: 1997-06-01

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical signaling device, more particularly to a clothing article, consisting of at least two light sources that actively illuminate 5, which are preferably designed to emit lights of different colors and are connected to a circuit of control 3 for activating the light sources 5 at a predetermined rate, the control circuit 3 is connected to a switch, key 2 or the like for manual activation and / or deactivation. To obtain an optical signaling device which can be activated not only manually, but also externally, the light sources 5 can be activated manually (switch position I) or by remote control (switch position II). By means of the remote control system with the light sources 5 they can be activated by means of a receiver 4. As a result, many identical optical signaling devices can be activated simultaneously by a coordinator or automatically in, for example massive events (very crowded), so that an enhanced optical effect is achieved. According to a characteristic of the invention, the colors of the light sources 5 can correspond to those of certain clubs, organizations or nationality

Description

AN OPTICAL SIGNALING DEVICE, SPECIALLY FOR ONE PIECE OF CLOTHING.

The invention relates to an optical signaling device, more particularly to an article of clothing, as stated in the preamble of Claim 1. It is known that the articles of clothing for security of the wearer are provided with optical signaling devices , for example, reflectors, or with reflecting tapes, small plates or the like illuminated from a light source. There are also helmets equipped with lamps or projectors, to allow the user to work with both hands with the greatest freedom of movement possible in dark environments. Various articles of clothing are also known that have optical signaling devices to produce optical effects intended for entertainment or for advertising purposes. DE-OS 39 00 417 discloses a graphic display device consisting of a plurality of discrete light sources that are part of an image which is printed on a clothing article. The illustration can be animated by activating a control circuit that operates the light sources. US 4 875 144 describes a similar invention, wherein a plurality of glass fibers are worked on a clothing article, the tips of the fibers extend through the fabric of the article of clothing and are distributed according to the different images . In all these devices the lighting sequence of the light sources is manually activated via a control circuit. One of the objects of the invention is to provide an optical signaling device, more particularly for a clothing article, which produces the purely aesthetic or entertainment optical effect and is not only manually controlled, but can also be externally activated. through, for example, a coordinator for signals sent in particular. The problem to which the invention relates is solved by the particularities of the characterized part of Claim 1. The light sources can be activated both manually and by remote control. For example, the one using the optical signaling device can activate the control circuit manually, after the light sources connected to the control circuit are activated at a predetermined rate. For example, a sympathizer of a football club can express his or her pleasure when a goal has been scored. The possibility of acting by remote control allows the light sources of the optical signaling device to be activated when certain events occur. For example, in a sporting event, a goal is scored, for example, a coordinator can activate the optical signaling device, or said device is activated automatically if the line is passed. According to another characteristic of the invention, a large number of identical optical signaling devices can be activated simultaneously and in synchronism by means of a remote control. The result is an enhanced optical effect. The synchronous activation is effected by the wireless transmission of the information required by the controlled activation of the light sources. For example, in a football stadium when a goal has been scored a coordinator can activate all the signaling devices of a sympathetic club simultaneously by means of the remote control.

According to the features of Claim 3 the activation of the remote control of the light sources can be carried out by high frequency, infrared light or acoustic signals. The remote control class can be selected according to various aspects, such as the presence of certain transmission facilities, guide lines, transmission characteristics, etc. For example, in stadiums, loudspeaker installations are usually present, by means of which activation of the remote control of the optical signaling devices can be made without the installation of special transmission facilities. According to another characteristic of the invention the colors of the light sources correspond to those of certain clubs, organizations or nationalities. In this way, the members of such clubs, organizations or nationalities can show themselves as such and demonstrate their affiliation. The light sources can also be colored differently by registration with different colors. This economically allows uniform colors to be obtained, which are not, for example, in the color spectrum of available light sources such as, for example, light emitting diodes. With the light sources arranged in the form of a matrix, a sufficient number of light sources, symbols or graphics can be displayed in a similar manner as in the advertising panels. Preferably, the optical signaling device according to the invention takes the form of a head cap, for example, in the shape of a baseball helmet. This cap, which is currently favored particularly by sports amateurs and young people is thus adapted in a practical way that those who wear them like, while at the same time the tip of the cap can prevent the dazzle by light or similar effect that bothers the user. On the other hand, the light sources arranged on the caps can not be hidden very easily, for example, by the spectator in front of the stadium. Since the optical signaling device must be arranged in the direction of vision of the wearer, it is advantageous to have the cap as it accompanies the movements of the head that carries it. Of course, other varied applications, variations and alterations of the construction can be made within the scheme of the invention. For example, at sporting events, spectators 'and / or athletes' hats or clothing can be provided with light elements that can be illuminated and turned off, for example, by remote control. Each person who uses them can connect and disconnect their own light element, or a coordinator or one of the participants can choose to connect and disconnect the light elements of all those that take them by remote control, for example, through a transmitter . In sporting events where two or more groups of club supporters are present, each group can use the lighting elements of their own club and only the elements of one group or the other can be connected and disconnected by the interested coordinator. Similar signaling devices can also be used for advertising purposes in advertising places, in advertising signs, company indicators, etc. Other features of the invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings which demonstrate the following: Fig. 1 a block circuit diagram of an embodiment of the optical signaling device, Fig. 2 a block circuit diagram of the control system shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a detailed block circuit diagram of an embodiment of an external control system (remote control) and a receiver of the optical signaling device, Fig. 4 a circuit diagram of the activation by remote control of a plurality of optical signaling devices and Figs. 5a different embodiments of the device of a 5c optical signaling. With reference to Fig. 1, an optical signaling device comprises a voltage source 1, a changeover switch 2, a control system 3, a receiver 4 and light sources 5. The voltage source is advantageously formed by accumulators or low voltage batteries. In many applications, the supply of voltage or overvoltage can be considered by means of solar cells. In the illustrated embodiment, switch 2 has three contacts available for the selection of the three functions; I internal control (manual control), II external control (remote control), III "out of service" (inoperative). In the position of the switch I the internal control system 3 is activated and operates the light sources 5 in a pre-programmed rhythm. In the position of the switch II the receiver 4 is activated allowing thus the reception of the external control signals (remote control). In the position of the switch III the connection to the voltage supply is interrupted, so that no operation is possible. Instead of using a switch, the operational mode can also be switched by means of a key, the operational mode is changed with each depression of the key. In the drawings the light sources 5 are shown as light-emitting diodes. The use of LEDs makes the colors yellow, orange, red, green and blue possible. To obtain other colors, colored transparent plastic parts are placed correspondingly in front of the light source. Caution should be exercised since the light sources have an adequate illumination intensity for an adequate optical effect. The optical signaling device is characterized by low consumption of high and low voltage and manufacturing costs. Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the control system 3 shown in Fig. 1. The control system 3 comprises an oscillator 6 which generates a convenient frequency synchronization signal which regulates a logic circuit 7. Apart from the lighting command As required by the light sources, the operating logic circuit 7 may consist of a single counter or an individually programmed digital integrated circuit (Cl). With a meter the LEDs 5 can be illuminated in sequence, while all the required switching sequences can be programmed using Cl more complex or microcontrollers. Fig. 3 shows the required transmission device with the external (remote) control of the optical signaling device transmitting the control pulses, and also an embodiment of the receiver of the optical signaling device shown in Fig. 1. The actual circuit of the The transmitter consists of a trigger circuit 8, an encoder 9 and a transmitter 10 with transmitting antenna 1 1. In the simplest case, the trigger circuit 8 consists of a key that can be operated, for example, by a coordinator when a certain event takes place. However, the trigger pulse may also originate in a light barrier or sensor, which supplies a signal when a predetermined threshold is exceeded. After said triggering, an encoder 9 or a coding sequence is activated. The encoder 9 contains the information required to control the light sources 5 in the actual receiving circuit. The transmitter 10 is modulated with the codes generated and the signal is radiated by the antenna 1 1. The transmission is carried out by means of a signal circuit of high frequency in the corresponding frequency band. The transmission energy is adjusted according to the required margin and the regulations in force. A receiving antenna 12 receives the signals from the remote control and feeds a receiver 3. A decoder 14 obtains the information of the received signal and is fed to an operation circuit 15 which operates the light sources 5. The activation of the remote control it allows certain light sources of a plurality of identical optical signaling devices to be operated synchronously thereby achieving a greater optical effect. If the remote control is made by infrared light, an infrared light emitting diode or an infrared laser is used, and an infrared photodiode is used, for example, in place of the receiving antenna 12; In the case of remote control by acoustic signals, a speaker acts as the transmitter and the microfilm as the receiver. The acoustic remote control can be advantageous in cases where acoustic installations already exist. In the case of a stadium, for example, loudspeaker installations are usually present which can be used to transmit the control signals for the optical signaling device. The signals may be outside the hearing range of the human ear (eg ultrasonic) or in the audible frequency range. Since the microphones are very cheap, the optical signaling devices can have a very reasonable price and therefore accecible for the vast majorities. Another advantage of acoustic control lies in the propagation properties of sound waves, which are favorable for this application. The microphones on the optical signaling devices must not be adjusted to the transmitting device (loudspeaker). On the other hand, the optical signaling devices can be activated by means of certain sequences of notes such as, for example, a particular melody that characterizes a sports club. In musical events it is also conceivable that the lighting elements are automatically activated at the same time as the music. Fig. 4 is a basic circuit diagram for activating the remote control of a plurality of optical signaling devices. A large number of spectators in, for example, a stadium have signage devices in the form of, for example, baseball caps 16 with light sources 5. If a goal is scored during a football game, a coordinator can activate a trigger circuit 8, for example, by pressing a button and thus switching to a transmitter 10. If the remote control is made by means of infrared light, the signals are radiated by infrared light, the control signals are radiated by infrared light 1 1 whose transmission image and rectification characteristic R is selected according to the regulations. If all the optical signaling devices 16 of all the sympathizers are activated simultaneously, a wide rectification characteristic R is selected if possible. If a controlled activity is to be carried out, a characteristic R of narrow rectification of the transmission diode 1 1 will be necessary. With a suitable narrow beam transmission, theoretically different signal forms or even information atoms can be "written" in the spectator area. The signaling devices according to the invention would also be convenient for the switching of information or advertising elements. In the case of super-regional events, remote control could also be conceived by means of high-frequency satellite signals. Figures 5a to 5c show a number of embodiments of the optical signaling device according to the invention. 5a shows an article of clothing in the form of a baseball cap with integrated light-emitting diodes 5. The entire electronic system, the voltage supply and the receiving device required for the reception of remote control signals (receiving antenna with transmission high frequency or photodiode with optical transmission) are integrated into the baseball cap. Depending on the remote control used, the cap contains a receiving antenna, a photodiode or a microphone. The light emitting diodes 5 are activated by the received control signals. The embodiments shown in Fig. 5b are bars consisting of light sources and a crank or handle 17 containing the electronic system, the voltage supply and the reception circuit. In the illustration on the right, optical fibers 18 are used, which are attached to the active lighting elements in the handle and transmit light to the end of the fibers. In the realization of the left the light sources are integrated in a plastic piece 19. The lighting bars are activated and the particular sequences of the lighting are passed by a remote control pulsation. In Fig. 5c the optical signaling device is placed on or integrated in a shirt 20. The active light sources are arranged in the form of a matrix 21. Depending on the number, arrangement and color of the light sources of the matrix 21 it is possible to display letters, text or graphics such as, for example, the score of goals and the state of the game in a football game. The information necessary for the correct operation of the individual lighting elements is transmitted together with the signal from the remote control. The necessary electronic system, the voltage supply and the receiving device is also integrated into the shirt. Embodiments of the invention are not limited to the illustrated examples. The device according to the invention can also have a sailboat closure and be placed in any article of clothing. The possible uses of the signaling device according to the invention are versatile and not limited to the exemplary embodiments described. However, events that are very crowded (massive), such as sporting events or concerts are the ones that should be preferred. For greater optical effect, it is preferable to use in dark rooms for nighttime darkness. For example, if a goal is scored in a football match, the colors of the marker club are illuminated simultaneously and cyclically in all the supporters equipped with said signaling device, thus encouraging the team in question. Without the use of cables, for example, the state of the game in a football match can also be broadcast and displayed on the clothes of the spectators. The existing public lighting arrays can also be used to present small propaganda texts or company logos. In concerts this device can also be used to express the enthusiasm of the people.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- An optical signaling device, more particularly for a clothing article consisting of at least two light sources that actively illuminate, which are designed to emit light of different colors and which are connected to a control circuit for activating the light sources in a predetermined rhythm, the control circuit is connected to a switch, key or the like for manual activation and / or deactivation, characterized in that the light sources can be activated manually or by remote control. 2.- An optical signaling device according to the

Claim 1, characterized in that a large number of optical signaling devices can be simultaneously activated in synchronization by the remote control system. 3. An optical signaling device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the remote control is used by high frequency, infrared light or acoustic signals. 4. An optical signaling device according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the colors of the light sources correspond to those of certain clubs, organizations or nationalities. 5. An optical signaling device according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the different coloration of the light sources is performed by registration with different colors. 6. - An optical signaling device according to at least one of the claims, characterized in that the light sources are arranged in the form of a matrix. 7. An optical signaling device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical signaling device takes the form of a cap, for example, in the shape of a baseball cap. The invention relates to an optical signaling device, more particularly to a clothing article, consisting of at least two light sources that actively illuminate 5, which are preferably designed to emit lights of different colors and are connected to a circuit 3 to activate the light sources 5 at a predetermined rate, the control circuit 3 is connected to a switch, key 2 or the like for manual activation and / or deactivation. To obtain an optical signaling device which can be activated not only manually, but also externally, the light sources 5 can be activated manually (switch position I) or by remote control (interrptor II position). By means of the remote control system the light sources 5 can be activated by means of a receiver 4. As a result, many identical optical signaling devices can be activated simultaneously by a coordinator or automatically in, for example, mass events (very busy), so that an enhanced optical effect is achieved. According to a characteristic of the invention, the colors of the light sources 5 may correspond to those of certain clubs, organizations or nationalities. (Fig. 1)