Side viewable lighted bezel for a display device

Abstract

A monitor display unit mounted on a surface and in electronic communication with a system or device to be monitored, comprising a face plate, a back plate having at least a portion of a side edge being translucent or transparent, a logic controller, and at least one light-emitting device in electronic communication with the controller. Actuation of the light-emitting device causes light to pass through the side edge of the back plate, thereby being visible to a viewer at an angle that can be generally parallel to the surface on which the display unit is mounted.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for providing side-viewable illumination of a wall-mounted plate to allow a wider off-axis viewing angle for alerts to changes in a condition being monitored by a sensor, the apparatus comprising:
 a) a face first plate having a face, sides and an opening; 
 b) a back second plate having a front face, rear face and sides, the sides having at least a portion thereof being transparent or translucent, the first plate being configured to engage the second plate in a snap or friction fit; 
 a display having a display surface disposed in the opening of the first plate, the opening having an opening periphery; 
 a translucent portion disposed outside of the opening periphery and having a first side and a second side; 
 c) a controller; 
 d) at least one light-emitting device associated with the back disposed on a circuit board between the first plate and the second plate rear face and the at least one light-emitting device positioned such that light emitted by the at least one light-emitting device at least partially passes through the back plate first and second sides via the translucent portion; 
 e) at least one sensor in communication with the controller such that the controller can actuate or change a condition of at least one light-emitting device in response to the sensor information received by the controller; and 
 wherein the first and second sides allow a wider off-axis viewing angle to see a change in the at least one light-emitting device in response to the sensor information. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical screen in electrical communication with the controller and adapted to at least be partially received within the face plate opening wherein a backend associated with the second plate is configured to be disposed in a wall within an electrical box such that the translucent portion is located closer to a wall surface of the wall when the backend is disposed within the wall and wherein the first side is in opposition to the second side. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim  2 , further comprising means associated with the controller for providing wireless communication 1, wherein the translucent portion is frosted or roughened. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a rear face of the back plate rear face second plate has a reflective material associated therewith. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fasteners, each fastener adapted to join the face plate to the back plate port disposed in the first plate and wherein the at least one sensor is a pressure sensor. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface associated with the controller and the at least one light-emitting device is part of an array of light-emitting devices disposed about a board periphery of the circuit board. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is adapted to actuate the at least one light-emitting device translucent portion is circular and the opening is rectangular. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is adapted to control at least one of the actuation, brightness, color, sequence or pattern of light emitted from each light-emitting device of the at least one light-emitting device. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller further includes timer circuitry so as to dim, brighten or turn on or off the at least one light-emitting device according to at least one preset time interval. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising means associated with the controller for providing wireless communication. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a visual signal projection device that is adapted to be in wireless electronic communication with the controller. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus for providing side-viewable illumination of a wall-mounted plate to allow a wider off-axis viewing angle for alerts to changes in a condition being monitored by a sensor, the apparatus comprising:
 a) a face plate having a front face, a rear face, sides, disposed in a plane and a display opening; 
 b) a rear plate adapted to mount either to or within a wall or other structure, the face plate being configured to engage the rear plate in a snap or friction fit; 
 a display having a surface viewable through the display opening of the face plate, the display opening having an opening periphery; 
 a translucent bezel disposed outside of the opening periphery having a bezel edge; 
 c) a bezel having
 i) a front surface,   ii) a rear surface,   iii) exterior side edges,   iv) interior side edges,   v) a rim extending at least partially around the bezel exterior side edges and defining a recessed area, and   vi) at least one opening extending at least partially through the bezel;   
 d) at least one light-emitting device adapted to be received within the bezel opening an array of light-emitting devices disposed on a circuit board between the face plate and the rear plate and positioned such that light emitted by the array of the light-emitting devices at least partially passes through the translucent bezel whereby the light emanating from the at least one light-emitting device of the light-emitting devices is at least partially directed toward the bezel side edge such that the light is visible when viewed at an angle generally parallel to or at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the front surface face of the faceplate face plate; 
 e) a controller in electrical communication with the at least one light-emitting device devices for controlling the at least one light-emitting device; 
 f) at least one sensor in communication with the controller such that the controller can actuate or change a condition of at least one light from the light-emitting device devices in response to the sensor information received by the controller; and 
 wherein the translucent bezel allows a wider off-axis viewing angle to see a change in the at least one light-emitting device in response to the sensor information. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the face plate further comprises an electrical screen in electrical communication with the controller the display comprises a touch screen. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the bezel edge has a surface that can transmit the light in a diffused manner and the at least one light-emitting device is part of the array of light-emitting devices disposed about a board periphery of the circuit board. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the bezel edge has a surface that is frosted or roughened. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the translucent bezel is generally rectangular or square and has four corners circular, and wherein a light-emitting device is disposed proximate to each corner the opening periphery is rectangular. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one light-emitting device is at least one light-emitting diode (“LED”). 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the LED is an RGB LED the array of the light-emitting devices are disposed proximate a circuit board edge of the circuit board, the circuit board being attached to the rear plate, wherein the array provides a red or green color. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the bezel further includes a display device and a display device opening adapted to receive a portion of the display device, the display device opening having an edge that is at least partially coated with a reflective coating such that at least a portion of light from the at least one light-emitting device directed toward the display device opening edge is reflected away from the display device opening edge and back toward the bezel edge array of the light-emitting devices is disposed on a circuit board periphery of the circuit board and is associated with the rear plate. 
     
     
       20. A method of visual alert in response to an environmental condition or change in a condition to allow a wider off-axis viewing angle to changes in a the condition being monitored, the method comprising:
 a) providing an apparatus according to  claim 1 ; 
 b) positioning receiving a differential pressure signal from at least one differential sensor in an environmental location to be monitored, the differential sensor sensing pressure through a port on a face plate of a wall display, the wall display comprising: 
 the differential sensor; 
 the face plate having an opening; 
 a second plate, the face plate being configured to engage the second plate in a snap or friction fit; 
 a display unit having a face disposed in the opening of the face plate, the opening having an opening periphery; and 
 a translucent portion disposed outside of the opening periphery having a bezel edge; 
 c) instructing a controller to determine the initial condition of the sensor and to receive periodic sensor data; 
 d) comparing the periodic sensor data with prior sensor data to determine whether the difference in measurements is greater than a predetermined amount; 
 e) when the predetermined amount is exceeded, actuating a light emitting device to light in either a predetermined pattern, color, or other state so as to provide a visual alert in response to the differential pressure signal from the differential sensor and a predetermined amount being exceeded; and 
 wherein the apparatus wall display allows a wider off-axis viewing angle to see a change in the at least one light-emitting device in response to the predetermined amount being exceeded. 
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20 , further comprising resetting the controller using the display device interface, once at least one subsequent measurement after step e) is less than the predetermined amount A differential pressure sensor, the differential pressure sensor comprising:
 an enclosure comprising a front cover having a top surface and an opening, a translucent portion, and a back portion configured to be received in a utility box, wherein the opening has a first periphery and the translucent portion has a second periphery, the first periphery being within the second periphery; 
 a display having a face, the face being disposed in the opening; 
 a controller; 
 at least one light-emitting device positioned such that light emitted by the light-emitting device passes through at least a portion of the translucent portion; 
 at least one sensor in communication with the controller such that the controller can actuate or change a condition of the at least one light-emitting device in response to sensor information received by the controller; and 
 wherein the translucent portion allows a wider off-axis viewing angle to see a change in the at least one light-emitting device in response to the sensor information. 
 
     
     
       22. The apparatus differential pressure sensor of claim  20 , further comprising a visual signal projection device that is adapted to be in wireless electronic communication with the controller 21, wherein the translucent portion is frosted or rough. 
     
     
       23. The differential pressure sensor of claim 21, further comprising an array of light-emitting devices disposed on a circuit board associated with the enclosure and positioned such that the light emitted by the array of the light-emitting devices at least partially passes through the translucent portion, wherein the array includes the at least one light-emitting device. 
     
     
       24. The differential pressure sensor of claim 21, wherein the at least one light-emitting device emits a red or green color in response to the sensor information. 
     
     
       25. The differential pressure sensor of claim 21, wherein the display provides textual information indicative of the sensor information. 
     
     
       26. The differential pressure sensor of claim 21, wherein the front cover is configured to engage the back portion with a snap fit. 
     
     
       27. A method of providing a visual alert in response to an environmental condition, the method comprising:
 providing a differential pressure signal using at least one pressure sensor in an environmental location to be monitored, the pressure sensor sensing pressure through a port on a wall display, the wall display comprising:
 a display; and 
 an enclosure comprising a front cover having a top surface and an opening, a translucent portion, and a back portion configured to be received in a utility box, wherein the opening has a first periphery and the translucent portion has a second periphery, the first periphery being within the second periphery, wherein the display comprises a screen viewable through the opening; and 
 providing light in a predetermined color through the translucent portion to provide a visual alert in response to the differential pressure signal from the at least one pressure sensor, wherein the wall display allows a wider off-axis viewing angle to see the light in the predetermined color. 
   
     
     
       28. The method of claim 27, wherein the predetermined color is a green color or a red color. 
     
     
       29. The method of claim 27, wherein the light is provided by an array of light-emitting devices disposed on a circuit board associated with the enclosure and positioned such that the light emitted by the array of the light-emitting devices at least partially passes through the translucent portion. 
     
     
       30. The method of claim 27, further comprising providing textual information indicative of the differential pressure signal via the display. 
     
     
       31. An apparatus comprising:
 an enclosure comprising a front cover having a top surface and an opening, a side, and a back portion, wherein the side comprises a translucent portion;   a display and touch screen having a face, the face being in a plane of the front cover;   a controller;   at least one light-emitting device positioned such that light emitted by the light-emitting device passes through at least a portion of the translucent portion;   at least one sensor in communication with the controller such that the controller can control equipment to affect a condition of a space in response to sensor information received by the controller; and   wherein the translucent portion allows a wider off-axis viewing angle to see an indication provided by the at least one light-emitting device.   
     
     
       32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the at least one light-emitting device provides a red color or a blue color in response to a control signal from the controller. 
     
     
       33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the translucent portion comprises plastic in a side opening in the side. 
     
     
       34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one light-emitting device is provided in a side opening in the side. 
     
     
       35. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising timer circuitry soto dim, brighten or turn on or off the at least one light-emitting device according to at least one time interval. 
     
     
       36. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising a wireless communication unit. 
     
     
       37. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the at least one light-emitting device is dimmable based upon time and the touch screen is used to control the at least one light-emitting device. 
     
     
       38. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the at least one light-emitting device is linearly provided from an edge to another edge of the side. 
     
     
       39. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the at least one sensor monitors temperature. 
     
     
       40. An apparatus comprising:
 an enclosure comprising a front cover having a top surface and an opening, a side, and a back portion, wherein the side comprises a translucent portion;   a display having a face, the face being viewable by a user while facing the front cover;   a controller;   at least one light-emitting device positioned such that light emitted by the light-emitting device passes through at least a portion of the translucent portion;   at least one sensor in communication with the controller such that the controller can control the at least one light-emitting device in response to sensor information received by the controller; and   wherein the translucent portion allows a wider off-axis viewing angle to see an indication provided by the at least one light-emitting device, the indication being related to a characteristic associated with a space.   
     
     
       41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the display is a rectangular touch screen disposed in the opening, the opening being rectangular. 
     
     
       42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the apparatus is a pressure monitoring system and the sensor is remote from the enclosure. 
     
     
       43. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the apparatus is configured for mounting on a surface, wherein the surface is a wall. 
     
     
       44. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a display screen, and wherein the side comprises a left side or a right side and the light is provided along and from the left side or the right side to provide the wider off-axis viewing angle. 
     
     
       45. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a translucent bezel at the side. 
     
     
       46. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the display is attached to the front cover. 
     
     
       47. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein a color of light emitted by the at least one light-emitting device indicates an alarm status. 
     
     
       48. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein a color of light emitted by the at least one light-emitting device, wherein the color comprises a green color to indicate a first condition, a yellow color to indicate a second condition, or a red color to indicate a third condition. 
     
     
       49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the display is a digital display and pressure information is displayed on the display, and a touch screen associated with the display can be used to program the color. 
     
     
       50. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the display is configured to display a pressure condition. 
     
     
       51. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the display provides information indicative of the sensor information. 
     
     
       52. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the sensor information comprises a differential pressure and the apparatus further comprises a user interface configured to program the apparatus. 
     
     
       53. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a circuit board having a cut away portion. 
     
     
       54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the at least one light-emitting device comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices in a first array of first light-emitting devices and a second array of second light-emitting devices, wherein the controller is positioned beneath the cut away portion and between the first array of the first light-emitting devices and the second array of the second light-emitting devices. 
     
     
       55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the back portion comprises a slot located above the cut away portion. 
     
     
       56. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a circuit board having a first cut away portion and a second cut away portion, wherein the at least one light-emitting device comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices in a first array of first light-emitting devices and a second array of second light-emitting devices, wherein the controller is positioned beneath the first cut away portion and the second cut away portion and between the first array of the first light-emitting devices and the second array of the second light-emitting devices, wherein the circuit board is configured to have a first leg and a second leg, the first cut away portion being disposed between the first leg and the second leg. 
     
     
       57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the circuit board comprises a plurality of screw holes each positioned at corners of the circuit board and the front cover comprises a plurality of receptacles corresponding to the plurality of screw holes. 
     
     
       58. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a circuit board, wherein the at least one light-emitting device comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices in a first array of first light-emitting devices and a second array of second light-emitting devices are disposed on the circuit board and a strip of material is disposed between the side and at least one of the first array and the second array. 
     
     
       59. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a circuit board, a first strip of non-opaque material, and a second strip of non-opaque material, and wherein the side comprises a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the at least one light-emitting device comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices in a first array of first light-emitting devices and a second array of second light-emitting devices are disposed on the circuit board, and wherein the first strip of non-opaque material is disposed between the first side and the first array and the second strip of non-opaque material is disposed between the second side and the second array. 
     
     
       60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the first strip of non-opaque material and the second strip of non-opaque material are diffusers. 
     
     
       61. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the back portion is a back plate comprising a rim. 
     
     
       62. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the back portion comprises a rim extending around an edge of a surface, the rim defining a recess configured for reception of a circuit board. 
     
     
       63. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a circuit board having a first cut away portion and a second cut away portion, wherein the at least one light-emitting device comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices in a first array of first light-emitting devices and a second array of second light-emitting devices, wherein the controller is positioned beneath the first cut away portion and second cut away portion and between the first array of the first light-emitting devices and the second array of the second light-emitting devices, wherein the back portion has a first slot above the first cut away portion and a second slot above the second cut away portion. 
     
     
       64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the first slot is horizontal and the second slot is vertical. 
     
     
       65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the back portion has an aperture between the first slot and the second slot. 
     
     
       66. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the at least one light-emitting device comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices in a first array of first light-emitting devices and a second array of second light-emitting devices, wherein between the first array of the first light-emitting devices comprises five light emitting diodes and the second array of the second light-emitting devices comprises five light emitting diodes. 
     
     
       67. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a speaker for providing an audio alert in response to the sensor information. 
     
     
       68. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the back portion is a back plate configured to snap fit or friction fit with the side. 
     
     
       69. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the front cover and the side are integrally formed. 
     
     
       70. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the front cover is plastic. 
     
     
       71. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the at least one light-emitting device comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices, the plurality of light-emitting devices positioned in an array, wherein the array extends in a direction parallel with the side. 
     
     
       72. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the plurality of light-emitting devices comprises at least four light-emitting devices. 
     
     
       73. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the at least one light-emitting device comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices in a first array of first light-emitting devices and a second array of second light-emitting devices, wherein the display comprises a touch screen and is disposed between the first array of the first light-emitting devices comprising five light emitting diodes and the second array of the second light-emitting devices comprising five light emitting diodes. 
     
     
       74. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the side is one of a first side or a second side and the at least one light-emitting device comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices in a first array of first light-emitting devices and a second array of second light-emitting devices, wherein the first array of first light-emitting devices is linearly positioned on a circuit board along a first side and the second array of second light-emitting devices is linearly positioned on the circuit board along a second side, wherein the first side is opposite the second side. 
     
     
       75. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the at least one light-emitting device is configured to emit the light viewable through at least the side via a strip of diffusing material disposed near the at least one light-emitting device. 
     
     
       76. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the opening is rectangular and for receiving the display and the front cover is circular. 
     
     
       77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the at least one light-emitting device is provided on a circuit board, wherein the circuit board comprises a light reflective material provided on a surface of the circuit board near the at least one light-emitting device. 
     
     
       78. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the at least one light-emitting device is provided on a first circuit board, and the controller is provided closer to the front cover than the first circuit board. 
     
     
       79. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide an alert to a change in a condition of an isolation room. 
     
     
       80. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a circuit board, and wherein the at least one light-emitting device comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices in a first array of first light-emitting devices and a second array of second light-emitting devices, wherein the light-emitting devices are not disposed on the circuit board, wherein the circuit board and the light emitting-devices are positioned within the front cover, the side, and the back portion, the back portion being a back plate. 
     
     
       81. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit board is sized to fit within the second plate. 
     
     
       82. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a room pressure monitor system and the sensor is remote from the second plate and the first plate. 
     
     
       83. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a room pressure monitor system and the sensor is disposed between the second plate and the first plate. 
     
     
       84. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is a room pressure monitor system and the sensor is remote from the face plate and the rear plate. 
     
     
       85. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the translucent bezel comprises a flange. 
     
     
       86. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the translucent bezel comprises a raised edge.