U.S. patent application number 15/726656 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-25 for cloud-based remote diagnostics for smart signage.
The applicant listed for this patent is GE Lighting Solutions, LLC. Invention is credited to Justin Langlais, Kenneth Craig Nemeth, Truong-Khoa Nguyen, Alin Ionut Petrescu, Shahzil Rana, Jean-Francois Richard.
Application Number | 20180308403 15/726656 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63854115 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180308403 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rana; Shahzil ; et
al. |
October 25, 2018 |
CLOUD-BASED REMOTE DIAGNOSTICS FOR SMART SIGNAGE
Abstract
Provided is a method and a remote diagnostic system that can be
used for signage applications that includes a plurality of
LED-based signs, each having one or more corresponding LED signage
drivers, one or more controllers for real-time monitoring and
controlling the LEDs in the LED-based signs, a commissioning
application ("app") for commissioning, the one or more controllers,
an information system or cloud network for storing information
received from and sending commands to, the one or more controllers
related to the LED-based signs, and at least one sensor.
Inventors: |
Rana; Shahzil; (Lachine,
CA) ; Richard; Jean-Francois; (Lachine, CA) ;
Petrescu; Alin Ionut; (Lachine, CA) ; Nemeth; Kenneth
Craig; (Lachine, CA) ; Nguyen; Truong-Khoa;
(Lachine, CA) ; Langlais; Justin; (Lachine,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GE Lighting Solutions, LLC |
East Cleveland |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63854115 |
Appl. No.: |
15/726656 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62488019 |
Apr 20, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09G 3/32 20130101; G09F
9/33 20130101; G06Q 10/20 20130101; G09G 2330/12 20130101; G09G
3/006 20130101; G09G 2370/022 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G09G 3/00 20060101
G09G003/00; G09G 3/32 20060101 G09G003/32; G09F 9/33 20060101
G09F009/33 |
Claims
1. A remote diagnostic system for signage applications, the system
comprising: one or more light emitting diode-based signs comprising
a plurality of light emitting diodes, each having one or more
corresponding light emitting diode signage drivers; one or more
controllers configured to perform real-time monitoring and
controlling the light emitting diodes in the light emitting
diode-based signs; a commissioning application configured to
commission the one or more controllers; an information system in a
cloud network, for storing information received from the one or
more controllers and the commissioning application, related to the
one or more light emitting diode-based signs; and one or more
sensors in communication with the one or more controllers to sense
parameter information of the one or more light emitting diode-based
signs.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the light emitting diode-based
signs are in different physical locations.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the commissioning application is
web-based.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the commissioning application is
browser-based interface accessible via a remote computer
system.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the commissioning application is
an application running natively on the remote computer system.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein a user accesses the commissioning
application and the commissioning application transmits a signal to
the one or more controllers requesting the parameter information
corresponding to the one or more light emitting diode-based
signs.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein a user accesses the cloud network
to view details and parameter information received from the one or
more controllers in the LED-based signs, wherein the information is
pushed to the information system on the cloud network from the one
or more controllers and the commissioning application.
8. The system of claim 6, wherein the parameter information
comprises one or more of status of LED signage driver, status of
the light emitting diodes, electrical parameters of an light
emitting diode-based signs, status of the one or more controllers,
location of the one or more light emitting diode-based signs,
elevation or height of the one or more light emitting diode-based
signs, and overall operational status of the one or more light
emitting diode-based sign.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more controllers are
disposed within the one or more light emitting diode-based signs
and in electrical communication with the plurality of light
emitting diodes, and configured to: (i) monitor a status of the
light emitting diodes and control the light emitting diodes in
real-time, and (ii) transmit status information to and receive
instructions from the commissioning application over the cloud
network.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein each controller of the one or
more controllers comprises: one or more microcontrollers; an
internal power supply interface to be connected with the power
supply of the one or more light emitting diode-based signs; and at
least one communication network.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one communication
network comprises at least one of an ethernet interface and a
wireless network interface.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more sensors are
disposed within each one or more controllers and connected
thereto.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more sensors are
external to each one or more controllers and connected thereto.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more sensors
comprises one or more of lights sensors, vibration sensors,
humidity sensors, or temperature sensors to obtain further
parameter information associated with the light emitting
diode-based signs.
15. A controller for a light emitting diode sign, the controller
being disposed within or adjacent to the light emitting diode-based
sign and in electrical communication with a plurality of light
emitting diodes thereof, and configured to: (i) monitor a status of
the light emitting diodes and control the light emitting diodes in
real-time, and (ii) transmit status information to and receive
instructions from a commissioning application, over a cloud
network, for monitoring and controlling the light emitting diodes
of the light emitting diode-based sign.
16. The controller of claim 15, wherein a user accesses the
commissioning application and the commissioning application
transmits a signal to the controller requesting the parameter
information corresponding to the light emitting diode-based
sign.
17. The controller of claim 16, wherein the parameter information
comprises one or more of status of LED signage driver, status of
the light emitting diodes, electrical parameters of an light
emitting diode-based signs, status of the one or more controllers,
location of the one or more light emitting diode-based signs,
elevation or height of the one or more light emitting diode-based
signs, and overall operational status of the one or more light
emitting diode-based sign.
18. The controller of claim 17, wherein the controller comprises:
one or more microcontrollers; an internal power supply interface to
be connected with the power supply of the one or more light
emitting diode-based signs; and at least one communication
interface.
19. The controller of claim 18, wherein the controller further
comprises a sensor sensing the parameter information of the light
emitting diode-based sign.
20. The controller of claim 19, wherein the controller interfaces
with a sensor sensing the parameter information wherein the sensor
is external to the controller and connected thereto.
21. A method for remotely controlling a light emitting diode-based
sign over a cloud network, the method comprising: providing a one
or more light emitting diode-based signs, each having one or more
corresponding light emitting diode signage drivers; commissioning,
via a commissioning application, one or more controllers for
monitoring and controlling the light emitting diodes in the light
emitting diode-based signs; performing, via the one or more
controllers, real-time monitoring and controlling of the light
emitting diode-based signs; sensing, via one or more sensors in
communication with the one or more controllers, status information
of the light emitting diodes, and transmitting the status
information to an information system or database which is housed
remotely or on a cloud network for storing the information from the
one or more controllers and to the commissioning application.
Description
I. TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to cloud-based
remote diagnostic system. In particular, the present invention
relates to a cloud-based remote diagnostic system for smart signage
applications.
II. BACKGROUND
[0002] In many current signage systems, a user may learn of a
failure in a sign only after it has occurred. Additionally, the
user would only learn of this when they are on-site, for example,
to view the sign. Furthermore, in many current signage systems, the
user may only be able to repair a failed sign after dismantling it
to diagnose the failure and identify any failed components. This
process often necessitates a second trip to the sign to make any
repairs or replacements.
III. SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0003] Given the aforementioned deficiencies, needed is a remote
diagnostic system that can be used for signage applications.
[0004] The embodiments allow users to commission, monitor, control,
and maintain signage applications. The ability to diagnose and
detect live data allows these users to identify and diagnose faults
early and reduce repair times, as well as system down-time. The
embodiments also provide the flexibility to schedule preventative
maintenance. At a component level, the system provides users with
an ability to identify faults down to the individual component
level.
[0005] Under certain circumstances, an embodiment provides a
plurality of LED-based signs, each having one or more corresponding
LED signage drivers. Also included are one or more controllers for
real-time monitoring and controlling the LEDs in the LED-based
signs, along with a commissioning application ("app") for
commissioning the one or more controllers. An information system or
database, housed remotely or on a cloud platform, is configured to
store information received from the one or more controllers related
to the LED-based signs. At least one sensor (e.g. a camera or the
like) is provided.
[0006] In other embodiments of the present invention a smart
signage controller for an LED-based sign is provided. The
controller is disposed within the LED-based sign, housed in a
separate enclosure near the LED-based sign, or within the building
the sign is attached to) and in electrical communication with a
plurality of LEDs of the LED based sign. The controller is
configured to monitor a status of the LEDs and control the LEDs in
real-time. The controller is also configured to transmit status
information to and receive instructions from a commissioning
application, over a communication network (e.g., Internet, WiFi),
for monitoring and controlling the LEDs of the LED-based sign.
After commissioning, the controller separately communicates over
the internet, for example, to the cloud network to transmit
data.
[0007] The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and
features of various embodiments, which should be construed to be
merely illustrative of various potential applications of the
disclosure. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying
the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining
various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other
aspects and a more comprehensive understanding may be obtained by
referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to
the scope defined by the claims.
IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a cloud-based remote
diagnostics system for signage applications that can be implemented
in one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating an example of an
LED-based sign including a controller of the system shown in FIG. 1
that can be implemented within one or more embodiments of the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the controller of the
system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 that can be implemented within one or
more embodiments of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of
remotely controlling an LED-based sign that can be implemented
within one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating an example of use of the
system of FIG. 1 that can be implemented within one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustrating a detailed example of
usage of the system of FIG. 1 that can be implemented within one or
more embodiments of the present invention.
[0014] The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred
embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure.
Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the novel
aspects of the present disclosure should become evident to a person
of ordinary skill in the art. This detailed description uses
numerical and letter designations to refer to features in the
drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and
description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of
embodiments of the invention.
V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0015] As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. It
must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely
exemplary of various and alternative forms. As used herein, the
word "exemplary" is used expansively to refer to embodiments that
serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures
are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated
or minimized to show details of particular components.
[0016] In other instances, well-known components, apparatuses,
materials, or methods that are known to those having ordinary skill
in the art have not been described in detail in order to avoid
obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art.
[0017] As noted above, the embodiments provide an ability to
detect, identify, and prevent faults within and an entire signage
system remotely. More specifically, failure can be determined prior
to arrival, such that any required replacement components can be
purchased remotely, and upon diagnosis of the problem, and brought
to the sign on the first trip. If the data from the signage system
exhibits signs of future failure, selective preventative
maintenance can also be performed.
[0018] The embodiments of the present invention include a
cloud-based remote diagnostics system, as shown and described below
with reference to FIGS. 1-3. The system includes a software-type
commissioning application which is configured to commission a
plurality of smart signage controllers within LED-based signs.
[0019] The plurality of smart signage controllers are capable of
obtaining real-time ("live") parameters from a signage system, and
relaying such parameters to a cloud based information system via
wired and/or wireless communication. The parameters to be
transmitted may include one or more of: status of LED signage
driver; status of LED module in a sign; electrical parameters of an
LED sign (e.g., present current, voltage, and/or power status);
controller status. The parameters can also include location of a
sign; elevation or height of a sign; and overall sign status. The
system therefore reduces the time and costs for replacing or
repairing LED-based signs within a signage system.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a signage system 100 includes a
plurality of LED-based signs 110, each having one or more
corresponding LED signage drivers 115. One or more controllers 120
provide real-time monitoring and controlling four LEDs 116 (as
depicted in FIG. 2) in each LED-based sign 110. A commissioning
application ("app") 130 commissions the one or more controllers
120. An information system or database, which is housed remotely or
on a cloud network or platform 140, stores information received
from and send commands to, the one or more controllers 120 related
to the LED-based signs 110. The signage system 100 also includes at
least one sensor 150 (e.g. a camera or the like).
[0021] The LED-based signs 110 can be found in the same or remote
locations, spaced apart from each other. For example, one LED-based
sign 110 on the system 100 can be in one state and another
LED-based sign 110 can be located in a different state. That is,
the LED-based signs 110 do not have to be physically
co-located.
[0022] The LED-based signs 110 typically include a plurality of
LEDs 116, as depicted in FIG. 2, and an associated driver 115 for
driving the operation of the LEDs in each LED-based sign 110. The
LED driver 115 can be designed to operate the LEDs 116 having
different or same sets of electrical requirements, or any other
suitable driver for the purposes set forth herein.
[0023] The commissioning application 130 initiates the monitoring
and controlling of the LEDs 116 of the LED-based signs 110. The
commissioning application 130 can be web-based or a browser-based
interface accessible via a remote computer system e.g., a laptop,
mobile device or personal computer (PC). Alternatively, according
to other embodiments, the commissioning application 130 can also be
an application contained completely on the device used to perform
the commissioning process (e.g., an application running on a smart
phone).
[0024] In accordance with the embodiments, the commissioning
application 130 can enable installers of the LED-based signs 110 to
connect the controller 120 to a wireless data communications
connection (e.g., local WiFi connection), as well as "push"
parameter information, related to the LED-based signs 110, to the
controller 120. This information is pushed to the cloud-based
information system on cloud network 140 or the commissioning
application 130 at the user device. Separately, this information is
also pushed by the commissioning application 130 to the cloud-based
information system or cloud network 140.
[0025] By way of example, the commissioning application 130 can
communicate with the controller(s) 120 directly over a
communication network (e.g., Internet or WiFi) or via the
information system on the cloud network 140. Although only one
controller 120 is shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is not so
limited and can include any number of controllers 120, as
necessary. The number of controllers 120 corresponds to the number
of LED-based signs 110.
[0026] A user can access the commissioning application 130 and send
a signal to the controller 120 of each LED-based sign 110,
requesting parameter information corresponding to the LED-based
sign 110. Alternatively, the user can access the parameters from a
user interface in the cloud network 140. The parameters to be
transmitted via the controller 120, at the LED-based sign 110, can
include one or more of: status of LED signage driver 115; status of
LEDs 116 in an LED-based sign 110; electrical parameters of an
LED-based sign 110 (e.g., present current, voltage, and/or power
status); controller 120 status; location of the LED-based sign 110;
elevation or height of the LED-based sign 110; and overall
LED-based sign 110 status.
[0027] In the embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the controller 120
can be disposed within the LED-based sign 110 and in electrical
communication with a plurality of LEDs 116. The controller 120 can
be configured to monitor a status of the LEDs 116 and control the
LEDs 116 in real-time. The controller 120 can also transmit status
information to, and receive instructions from, the commissioning
application 130 as depicted in FIG. 1. This communication can occur
via a communication network (e.g., WiFi) or via the cloud network
140 and provides for monitoring and controlling the LEDs 116 of the
LED-based sign 110.
[0028] The controller 120 can monitor and control the
above-mentioned parameters and transfer related parameter data to
the cloud-based information system on cloud network 140. The
controller 120 can also transfer related parameter data directly to
the commissioning application 130, via the cloud-based information
system on cloud network 140. Details regarding the controller 120
will be discussed below with reference to FIG. 3.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the controller of the
system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 that can be implemented within one or
more embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, each
controller 120 can comprise one or more microcontrollers 122, and
an internal power supply interface 124 to be connected with the
power supply of the LED-based sign 110. Each controller 120 can
also include an amplifier 126, an LED dimming module 127, an
Ethernet module/interface 128, a WiFi module/interface 129, or
monitoring circuits (not shown). Each controller 120 can include
one or more communications modules which may be implemented as, but
not limited to, an Ethernet module/interface 128, WiFi
module/interface 129.
[0030] The controller 120 main be connected to a plurality of
sensors 150 as depicted in FIG. 1. The sensors 150 can be disposed
on the controller 120, and/or external to the controller 120. The
plurality of sensors 150 can include e.g., lights sensors,
vibration sensors, humidity sensors, or temperature sensors to
obtain further parameter information associated with the LED-based
sign 110.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method
400 for remotely controlling the LED-based sign 110 within one or
more of the embodiments. The method 400 begins at operation 410,
where a plurality of LED-based signs are provided, each having one
or more corresponding LED signage drivers. The method 400 continues
at operation 420, where a commissioning application at a user
device, commissions one or more controllers for monitoring and
controlling the LEDs in the LED-based sign.
[0032] At operation 430, the one or more controllers perform
real-time monitoring and controlling of the LEDs in the LED-based
sign by sensing, via a sensor in communication with the one or more
controllers, status information of the LEDs. From operation 430,
the process continues to operation 440 where the status information
is transmitted to the information system or cloud database which is
housed remotely or on the cloud network, and/or directly to the
commissioning application at the user device.
[0033] The system 100 can provide a user with diagnostics on the
condition of a signage system. The system 100 can also identify one
or more faults in the signage that may occur throughout its
lifecycle, an example of which is depicted in FIG. 5.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating an example of use of the
system 100 of FIG. 1, implementable within the embodiments. As
shown in FIG. 5, at the commissioning application 130, an installer
can display and configure new and existing signage systems and
create a digital representation of signage systems in the cloud.
The cloud-based information system on the cloud network 140, can
monitor and diagnose the signage systems.
[0035] The cloud-based information system on the cloud network 140
can also track service of life of the LED drivers 115, display
failures via a map, issue system and/or component failure alarms
and other preemptive warnings/alarm messages. For example, the
system can issue warnings based on historical failure data obtained
via the controllers 120 at the LED-based signs 110.
[0036] The controllers 120 can detect anomalies, monitor the
signage system components and monitor interactions with other
components. The controllers 120 can also receive controller
configuration and reconfigure themselves and send the parameter
information to the cloud-based information system and/or the cloud
network. As such, the system 100 is able to perform diagnostics on
the data obtained from the controllers 120, such as faults in the
LED-based signs 110.
[0037] These faults can include, but are not limited to, one or
more of LED light intensity, LED driver failure, LED module
failure, electric shock hazard, potential fire, ice/snow build-up,
flashing sign, extreme wind, or earthquake detection; or the like.
Once diagnostics have been performed, a user of the system 100 may
then be notified of a complete status of the signage system. In the
embodiments, such notifications may be configurable, and may be in
the form of text message, e-mail, web report, or visual indicators,
or the like.
[0038] As understood by persons of skill in the art, any relevant
data communications can be performed by many suitable
configurations and protocols, wireless and/or wired. Wireless
communication may comprise one or more of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE,
ZigBee, 6 lowpan; or the like. Wired communication may comprise one
or more of Ethernet or Fibre Optics, or the like.
[0039] Additional detailed examples of operations performed via the
controller 120, commissioning application 130, the cloud network
140 of the system 100 are described below with reference to FIG.
6.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustrating a detailed example of
usage of the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with the embodiments.
As shown in FIG. 6, the controller 120 can further obtain driver
configuration information from the cloud network 140. The
controller 120 can also authenticate with the cloud and
authenticate/accept the commissioning (e.g., phone) application
connection. Additionally, it can act as a web client, monitor ports
for data, and commission a physical reset button. The commissioning
reset button resets the controller 120 to a factory state when
pressed. The controller 120 can also include a configuration
storage.
[0041] Further, the commissioning application 130 can illustrate
drivers 115 to be changed, confirm controller configuration, and
tell the information system on the cloud network 140 to reset the
controller 120. The commissioning application 130 can also
authenticate with the cloud system or network 140, create/edit
assets in the information system on the cloud network 140, read
controller information (e.g., barcode info), scan driver 115
barcodes, and send driver 115 configuration to the controller
120.
[0042] The cloud system or network 140 can create customer
accounts, display locations and details of the LED-based signs 110
(i.e., assets), reset controller configuration, perform client
creation and authentication, track service life of drivers and
perform dimming of the LEDs 116 via the drivers 115. The controller
120 dims the LEDs 116 based on the dimming schedule. The dimming
schedule may be pre-configured on the device or it may be received
from the cloud network 140 or commissioning application 130.
[0043] In accordance with the embodiments, the present invention
can permit a user to commission, monitor, control, and maintain
signage applications. Generally, an ability to diagnose and detect
live data would allow users to identify faults at an appropriate
time, in order to reduce time needed to repair, as well as
potentially reduce system down-time. Having such an ability may
provide flexibility to schedule preventative maintenance.
Furthermore, the disclosed system may provide its user with an
ability to identify faults down to the individual component; for
example, a fault in an individual LED signage driver in a given
sign.
[0044] One possible technical advantage includes the ability to
detect, identify, and prevent faults within an entire signage
system, from a location which is remote from the signs. The present
disclosure may allow a failure to be determined prior to arrival of
a technician, such that the required replacement components can be
purchased immediately and brought to the site of failure on the
first trip of the technician. If the data from the signage system
shows signs of future failure, selective preventative maintenance
is also now an option.
[0045] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or apparatuses and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ
from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
* * * * *