Automated Flagpole System, Apparatus and Method

Abstract

An automated flagpole system with integrated remote communication capabilities is disclosed. The automated flagpole apparatus comprises a motorized lifting mechanism controlled by a controller module, enabling the flag to be raised, lowered or placed at half-staff without a user mechanically moving the flag. The automated flagpole system includes wireless communication modules that allow remote operation and monitoring via external devices such as smartphones, tablets, or computers. The remote interface enables users to issue commands, place the flag at half-staff, receive system status updates, and perform diagnostics without direct physical interaction with the flagpole apparatus.

1 . An automated flagpole system, the system comprising:
 a flag;   a flagpole having a lifting mechanism configured to raise or lower the flag when the flag is attached to the flagpole, the flagpole further comprising:
 an actuator operably connected to the lift mechanism and configured to raise or lower the lift mechanism; 
   a controller module configured to receive user input to raise or lower the flag on the flagpole;   the controller module operably connected to the actuator and configured to instruct the actuator to move the lifting mechanism to raise or lower the flag to a position; and   a remote device operatively connected to the controller module and configured to send at least a raise the flag command, a lower the flag command or a half-staff command.   
     
     
         2 . The automated flagpole system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller module is disposed of within a housing of the flagpole. 
     
     
         3 . The automated flagpole system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller module comprises at least one position senor, the position sensor configured to detect status of the lifting mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The automated flagpole system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller module is configured to communicate with an external calendar to determine if the flag must be at half-staff. 
     
     
         5 . The automated flagpole system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller module is configured to communicate with the remote device to determine if the flag must be at half-staff. 
     
     
         6 . The automated flagpole system of  claim 1 , wherein the flagpole further comprises a user interface wherein a user may use at least one input control to provide instructions to the controller module to raise or lower the flag. 
     
     
         7 . The automated flagpole system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is powered by a battery. 
     
     
         8 . An automated flagpole apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a flag;   a flagpole having a lifting mechanism configured to raise or lower the flag when the flag is attached to the flagpole, the flagpole further comprising:   an actuator operably connected to the lift mechanism and configured to raise or lower the lift mechanism;   a controller module configured to receive user input to raise or lower the flag on the flagpole;   the controller module operably connected to the actuator and configured to instruct the actuator to move the lifting mechanism to raise or lower the flag to a position.   
     
     
         9 . The automated flagpole apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the controller module is disposed of within a housing of the flagpole. 
     
     
         10 . The automated flagpole apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the controller module comprises at least one position senor, the at least one position sensor configured to detect status of the lifting mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The automated flagpole apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the controller module is configured to communicate with a remote device to determine if the flag must be at half-staff. 
     
     
         12 . The automated flagpole apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the controller module is configured to communicate with an external calendar to determine if the flag must be at half-staff. 
     
     
         13 . The automated flagpole apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the flagpole further comprises a user interface wherein a user may use at least one input control to provide instructions to the controller module to raise or lower the flag. 
     
     
         14 . The automated flagpole apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the controller module is configured to communicate with the cloud to receive instructions on raising or lowering the flag. 
     
     
         15 . The automated flagpole apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the controller module includes at least one transceiver for communicating with one or more remote device. 
     
     
         16 . A method for raising or lowering a flag utilizing an automated flagpole system, the method comprising:
 determining a position of a flag on a flagpole by a controller module of the flagpole;   communicating by the controller module with a remote device to determine if the flag must be at half-staff;   communicating by the remote device to the controller module that the flag must be at half-staff;   providing instructions to an actuator interface of the flagpole by the controller module to raise the flag from a bottom of the flagpole to half-staff or to lower the flag from a top position of the flagpole to half-staff.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the remote device has a mobile application configured to determine if a half-staff order has been issued. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the controller module includes one or more position sensors to determine the position of the flag. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the controller module is operatively connected to the cloud through a communication system. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the controller module determines the flag position utilizing a last position of the flag detected by a position sensor of the flagpole.