Abstract: A light signaling device related to the operating state of a system has at least one light and circuits of detection of a failure of this or these lights, in which each light comprises m branches in parallel each composed of n light emitting diodes in series, and a branch selector; where m and n are integers such that m?2 and n?1. This invention also relates to a process for management of such device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for composing an illumination pattern includes a user interface (102) capable of receiving input commands (106), wherein the input commands (106) are directed to the selection of at least one illumination region (148, 150, 152 and 154). The method and apparatus further includes a processor (104) coupled to the user interface (102) to receive the user input (106) and thereupon generate input signals (108), which provided to the processor (104). The processor (104), in response to the input signals (108) thereupon generates an illumination pattern, wherein illumination pattern includes a plurality of illumination commands for a selected region (240), a selected color (244) for the selected region (240), and a timing (246) for the illumination of the selected region (240) at the selected color (244).

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for management of a light signaling device related to the operating state of a system comprising several lights each comprising several branches of several light elements, that includes a step for dynamic management of redundancy if a branch of a light should fail. This invention also relates to a device making use of this process.

Abstract: An emergency lighting arrangement and an emergency lighting apparatus, the arrangement being configured to be coupled to a supply network and the arrangement comprising an electronic ballast for igniting and burning a fluorescent lamp, the emergency lighting apparatus comprising a battery (Batt), recharge device (3) for recharging the battery from the supply network, a supply device (4) for supplying the battery voltage further, and a control unit (B), which is configured to control the devices of the emergency lighting apparatus. The electronic ballast of the emergency lighting system is a controllably dimmable ballast, and the emergency lighting apparatus further comprises a dimming control unit (C) for controlling the dimming of the electronic ballast.

Abstract: A light monitoring system provides a sensing unit coupled to a luminaire. The sensing unit monitors both the input and the output of the luminaire for both current and voltage. In this manner, a variety of problems with the luminaire can be detected by the sensor and this information can be passed to monitoring equipment that is either hard-wired or remotely coupled to the sensing unit.

Abstract: A light control device and method are provided for receiving an audible signal from an audio speaker and outputting a light control signal, whereby the light control signal controls the illumination of a light source placed near the audio speaker.

Abstract: A solid state light apparatus ideally suited for use in traffic control signals having a Self Diagnostic/Predictive Failure Analysis (SD/PFA) function facilitating a real time status of the signal as well as prediction of failure years in advance of the actual failure. Unlike incandescent signals, all LED based signals degrade over time until they are no longer in DOT light output specifications. Current state of the art solid state signals must be periodically monitored to see if the light output is in specification. This is done by having DOT or contracted personnel ascend in a bucket truck and place a light meter on the signal typically on an annual basis. A signal system with SD/PFA coupled with a modem or RF link provides real time data, without the use of a bucket truck on the status of the signal. The system also provides data which allows the determination via an algorithm of when the signal will go below light output specifications in the future.

Abstract: A display apparatus for selectively controlling the illumination of two dependent visual indicators with a single control line. The apparatus includes two visual indicators, two amplifiers, and a logic circuit. The same end of the two visual indicators connect to a conductive terminal. A first amplifier connects between the line and the other end of one indicator and a second amplifier connects between the line and the other end of the other indicator. A combination of signals applied to the two inputs selectively illuminates one or both indicators with one signal from the control line. The inventive circuit designs of the present invention are compact in size, elegant in its simplicity and operation, and miserly in its power consumption. Therefore, a minimal amount of power will be used to highly illuminate one or two visual indicators being dependent on one another with the use of a single control pin of an IC.

Abstract: A display apparatus for selectively and independently controlling the illumination of two diode indicator lights with a single control line. The apparatus includes first and second diode indicator means connected in parallel with one another, with the cathode to anode direction of the first diode indicator means being opposite the second diode indicator means. A circuit means is provided which is adapted to selectively provide one of high, low and medium voltage levels on a control output line responsive to combinations of high and low DATA and ENABLE signals. One of the first and second diode indicator means being switched on when the output line voltage level is high, the other being switched on when the voltage level is low and neither indicator means being switched on when the voltage level is medium.

Abstract: On a rear plate of a vacuum envelope are provided a plurality of electron guns for emitting electron beams to a phosphor screen, and deflection devices for deflecting the plurality of electron beams emitted from the respective electron guns so as to dividedly scan a plurality of regions of the phosphor screen by the electron beams. Each of the deflection devices has a horizontal deflection coil and a vertical deflection coil. The horizontal deflection coils of the deflection devices are connected to one another in series, and the vertical deflection coils of the deflection devices are connected to one another in series. All the deflection devices are driven by a common deflection driving circuit which has a horizontal deflection driving circuit connected to the horizontal deflection coils and a vertical deflection driving circuit connected to the vertical deflection coils.

Abstract: Electron gun with band-shaped beams that includes a vacuum chamber extend in a longitudinal direction, a beam window running in the longitudinal direction along the vacuum chamber, and a cathode control-electrode system positioned within the vacuum chamber in the longitudinal direction. The cathode control-electrode system includes at least one substantially straight cathode positioned substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cathode control-electrode system and the at least one substantially straight cathode has bulges formed at defined distances. The bulges are shaped to produce a substantially homogeneous current density distribution along the at least one substantially straight cathode and support units are located in the cathode control-electrode system to correspond with the bulges. The bulges are removably couplable to the support units.

Abstract: A phosphor screen in a display device is scanned by separate electron beams in order to generate images of different frequency content in one color in substantially the same part of the phosphor screen. The different images can be perceived as a composite image for some time. The individual electron beams can be modulated by means of a cathode modulator on the basis of a high frequency and a low frequency component of an electronic image signal or on the basis of an image component and a text component of an electronic image signal. The modulations of the individual electron beams may be slightly delayed relative to one another in order to avoid overloading of the phosphor material.

Abstract: An image display apparatus in which luminance contrast is produced by the act of scanning of electron beams is disclosed. The apparatus of this invention includes: a screen including a plurality of picture elements each having a plurality of miniature luminescent units which respectively exhibit luminescence in response to the application of a plurality of electron beams, the picture elements being arranged in lines and columns; electron-beam generating means for generating the plurality of electron beams which respectively define the plurality of miniature luminescent units in each of the picture elements; control means for controlling emission of the plurality of electron beams so that the number of the miniature luminescent units which exhibit luminance in each of the picture elements may be controlled in accordance with a video signal; and/or means for controlling emission the period of time available for the emission of at least one of the plurality of electron beams.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for communicating from the secondary side of an isolation transformer (6) to receiver means, the primary of said transformer being connected via a power cable to a circuit fed with a periodic voltage from a constant-current generator, said receiver means being connected to said circuit. More particularly, switch means (30) are arranged for generating communicating signals by momentarily affecting the impedance on the secondary side so as to generate one or more voltage pulses on the primary side (8) of the transformer for propagation along the cable to said receiver means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying electric lamps likely to fail due to a violated internal atmosphere monitor voltage through a resistor in order to ascertain a increasing internal resistance of the lamp. The apparatus of the present invention preferably includes a power supply and a resistor in series with the electric lamp. The apparatus further includes a data acquisition system for comparing a voltage drop across the resistor at a predetermined time with a predetermined minimum value. The method of the present invention utilizes the circuit of the apparatus and includes the steps of establishing a predetermined minimum value of voltage drop across the resistor for acceptable lamps, placing a test lamp in series with the battery and resistor, and supplying voltage to the test lamp for a test interval of time.

Abstract: A dual mode high intensity aircraft approach lighting system includes a plurality of lights interconnected by means of power wiring. An improved subsystem for detecting lamp failures is disclosed which permits a positive identification of individual failed lamps at a remote location, such as the control tower of an airport, for instance. The subsystem hardware consists of an operational monitor processor, three lamp controllers, one for each of three lighting loops, one remote lamp transceiver module per lamp, and existing ac loop wiring. The operational monitor processor board initiates a reset of the lamp controller and remotely installed transceiver units by sending a SAMPLE ALL signal to each lamp controller. A comprehensive test of all lamps in each of the three lighting loops is performed. The first lamp controller board sequentially polls each lamp for operational status in the first loop.

Abstract: A multi-beam electron gun for a color cathode ray tube (CRT) includes a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal inline beams, where each inline array of beams provides the three primary colors of red, green and blue and adjacent inline beam arrays simultaneously trace adjacent horizontal scan lines on the color CRT's display screen. The beams in each horizontal inline array of beams are focused on a common spot on the display screen, with the three beams deflected across the screen in unison. Each inline array of beams is modulated in accordance with that portion of the video image which they form allowing adjacent, vertically spaced inline arrays to write different video image information on the screen in simultaneously forming adjacent portions of the color video image.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting the non-operating condition of a load which is connected in series with an electronic switch wherein a comparator has a first input which is connected to the junction point between the load and the electronic switch and has a second input which is a reference voltage such that when the load fails the comparator produces an output to indicate such condition and wherein the reference voltage is lower than the normal voltage when the load is operating properly and is higher than when the load is in the inoperative condition.

Abstract: A lamplight failure detection system for detecting lamplight failure in a lamplight circuit, the lamplight circuit having a plurality of lamplight units connected with the secondary side circuits of each of a plurality of current transformers, the current transformers having their primary side circuits connected in series to an alternating current power supply.

Abstract: A plurality of current transformers connected in series provide secondary winding sides respectively connected to lamps. A constant-current source is provided to supply constant current to these lamps. Each lamp is connected to the corresponding terminal unit including a short-circuit switch for short-circuiting the secondary winding side of the transformer when the lamp is disconnected. A master station issues a request for detecting a disconnected lamp or checking whether or not failure occurs in the terminal unit to each terminal unit in the form of an instant power interruption. Each terminal unit has a proper identification time assigned thereto.

Abstract: In a series lamp circuit designed to connect lamps to the secondary windings of current transformers connected in series with a constant-current power supply, the series lamp circuit provides a disconnected lamp detecting means and a short-circuit switch for each lamp. The short-circuit switch serves to short-circuit the secondary windings of the transformers in response to the output of the detecting means. By actuating the short-circuit switch, the short-circuit switch is switched off during a short-circuit releasing time defined uniquely for a lamp at each predetermined inspection period. The power device side serves to detect the quantity of disconnected lamps on the basis of the output voltage and current and detect an OFF operating time of the short-circuit switch on the basis of an output voltage waveform of the power supply. Hence, it is possible to identify which lamp is disconnected and display the identified result on a display. An alarm is issued when the disconnected lamp is detected.

Abstract: An emergency lighting system comprising a central monitoring and control unit, a plurality of single point lighting units and a communication system linking all of these units and being configured with a loop topology. Addressing of single point units around the loop is achieved via a protocol whereby a first address is issued by the central unit to the first unit in the loop. This first unit then stores this address as its own and increments the address number before passing it on to the next unit in the loop and so on. When the last unit in the loop finally passes its own incremented address number back to the central unit this provides the central unit with the necessary information to determine the number of single point units in the system.

Abstract: A television receiver for providing a non-interlaced display of a received television signal intended for interlaced display includes a cathode ray tube having first and second cathodes, control grids and a fluorescent screen, a circuit for applying a first video signal to the first cathode such that the first cathode emanates a first electron beam in response to the first video signal, a circuit for applying a second video signal to the second cathode such that the second cathode emanates a second electron beam in response to the second video signal, a deflection device for horizontally and vertically deflecting the first and second electron beams from the first and second cathodes simultaneously and a deflection compensating device provided between the first and second cathodes and the fluorescent screen for making the second electron beam impinge upon the fluorescent screen between the lines scanned by the first electron beam such that the second electron beam forms a visual display with lines 1/2 line int

Abstract: An emergency lighting system of an advanced type which, through the use of an appropriate microprocessor, can be used to check the recharging current and voltage of the batteries and detect faults in the circuit and the fluorescent or incandescent lamps, with the programming and performance of a functional test over a programmable period, with a visual display and the programming and performance of an independence test at programmable intervals. The results of the periodical fault tests and the independence test are communicated to a centralized control and monitoring unit which can be activated remotely and is also capable of receiving and transmitting operating orders to the individual emergency units. A microprocessor circuit for performing the periodical functional test on the connected lamps, and for programming and performance of the independence test at programmable intervals, providing an indication of defective lamps and deactivating one or more lamps, is included in the battery unit.

Abstract: A color cathode ray tube with a shadow mask has a screen partitioned into a plurality of elemental screen areas and electron guns positioned and corresponding to the respecting elemental screen areas, the electron guns generating electron beams to scan the screen. The shadow mask includes effective regions having a number of apertures passed through by the electron beams to impinge on the screen and a non-effective region adjacent to the effective regions. Phosphors as a signal source are deposited on the non-effective regions or the boundaries between the elemental screen areas to emit a light signal by electron beam excitation. A photo-electric transducer is provided facing the shadow mask and to detect the light signal for feed back to a deflection system to control the electron beam deflection.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a control system which permits operation of electrically powered apparatus in any one of several active modes from a controller mounted remotely from the apparatus. The system is particularly useful for controlling the operation of at least a pair of light sources. The system permits switching, from the controller, energizing power from an energized light source to a de-energized light source. Electrical communication between the controller of the system and the light head can be provided by only two electrical conductors.

Abstract: A circuit status indicating device is used to monitor separate circuits to indicate their on/off status. Each circuit conducts an AC operating signal when switched to "on" status and an AC non-operating signal when switched to "off" status. The AC non-operating signal can be zero or some fraction of the AC operating signal, depending on the type of contact switches used in the circuit being monitored. A separate LED is provided for each circuit monitored. A separate AC input signal corresponding to one of the AC operating and non-operating signals in each monitored circuit is received and compared with a modified AC reference signal to produce an AC comparison output signal. A DC reference signal is compared with the AC comparison output signal and produces a DC output signal when the AC comparison output signal exceeds the DC reference signal.

Abstract: A flat cathode-ray tube wherein a horizontally uniform sheet-like electron beam is vertically deflected and modulated with a video signal, with the modulated electron beam irradiating a portion of a phosphor screen, includes a modulation electrode assembly arranged by n electrode groups, each consisting of at least one first electrode group and at least one second electrode group, the first electrode group having vertically elongated stripe electrodes, each having one or n (n is an integer of 2 or more) openings or slits corresponding to each pel and which are aligned in the horizontal direction on at least one plane such that all openings are equidistantly formed, the second electrode group having the same construction as the first electrode group or being arranged such that vertically elongated stripe electrodes, each having n openings or slits corresponding to n pels along the horizontal direction are aligned on at least one plane to equidistantly form the openings along the horizontal direction, all the o

Abstract: An improved broad beam electron gun having a hot cathode assembly which is comprised of cathode means for generating a substantially hemispherical space-charge distribution, the cathode means including electron emitting structures having principal electron emissive surfaces which lie in hypothetical cylindrical-shaped surfaces, the axes of revolution of which are coincident with the major axis of symmetry of the electron emitting structure, the major axis of symmetry being orthogonal to the plane of the anode, the electron emitting structures variously including concave filament sections which form a tip, cylinders and coils, and wherein an electron beam of broad, uniform cross-sectional area is obtained without a shaping grid.

Abstract: A lamp circuit is provided having a constant current-type AC power source and a plurality of isolation transformers coupled in series with the AC power source. The secondary circuit of each isolation transformer is connected to an electric lamp. The output voltage of the constant current-type AC power source is detected to determine the times when the output voltage crosses the zero voltage level. A disconnected lamp in the circuit results in a distortion of the output voltage waveform due to the magnetic-saturation characteristics of the isolation transformer coupled to the disconnected lamp. The output voltage waveform is integrated over time between the time periods when the output voltage signal crosses the zero axis. The result of the integration is compared with a reference value. When the integrated value exceeds the reference value, an alarm signal is generated. The number of disconnected lamps may also be determined and displayed.

Abstract: A solid-state switching system which produces one or more switching signals in response to a power circuit current's reaching a preset level or levels whereby remote control of associated apparatus may be effected without independent control circuits.

Abstract: A voltage detecting means, such as a voltage winding, a zener diode or the like, is connected across a power source and is operative when the voltage applied thereto exceeds a predetermined value owing to a disconnection of a main lamp also connected across said power source. A disconnection indicating means, such as a lamp, is connected to the voltage detecting means and is energized when the volage detecting means operates.

Abstract: In a luminous indicator circuit, a plurality of luminous elements are connected in series relation to form a series circuit which is supplied through a constant current device. A solid state switching device is placed in parallel with each luminous element (e.g., LED). A control circuit including switches connected to a D.C. source determines the conduction of each solid state switch, so that the associated luminous element is controlled independently of the other luminous elements in the series circuit. The control circuit includes switching means which supplies voltage to the indicator circuit only when at least one luminous element is activated. Circuit protection against unwanted transient voltages is provided.

Abstract: In a display device having a plurality of signal lamps, each lamp is coupled to a signal contact through a first decoupling diode and a test voltage having a voltage lower than that of the signal voltage is coupled to each lamp by means of a series resistance and second diode to generate a current acting both to pre-heat the lamp and for use in indicating lamp failure with a further diode coupled to the second diode providing an input to testing means giving an indication of a lamp failure.