Signaling lamp monitor
A signaling lamp monitor is configured to add a communication function to a signaling lamp such as a stack signaling lamp easily and at a low cost. The signaling lamp monitor includes a detector that detects light emitted from the signaling lamp, a controller that generates a detection signal at least based on the detection, and a transmitter that transmits the detection signal by wireless communication. The transmitter is provided with an antenna disposed above the detector.
1. A signaling lamp monitor configured to be attached to a signaling lamp that indicates information by light, the signaling lamp monitor comprising:
a detector configured to detect light from the signaling lamp;
a first board having a first surface on which the detector is mounted;
a controller configured to generate a detection signal based on a detected state by the detector;
a second board having a second surface on which the controller is mounted; and
a transmitter configured to transmit the detection signal,
wherein the controller is configured to check the detected state at timings of a first interval,
when the detected state is changed at a given timing, the controller is configured to generate the detection signal before a next timing subsequent to the given timing comes, and
the first surface is perpendicular to the second surface.
2. The signaling lamp monitor according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to generate the detection signal at timings of a second interval that is longer than the first interval when the detected state remains unchanged at consecutive timings of the first interval.
3. The signaling lamp monitor according to claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the detection signal by wireless communication.
4. The signaling lamp monitor according to claim 1 , wherein the transmitter comprises an antenna disposed above the detector.
5. The signaling lamp monitor according to claim 1 , further comprising a solar battery for supplying electric power to the transmitter.
6. The signaling lamp monitor according to claim 1 , wherein the first interval is predetermined prior to the detection of the light from the signaling lamp by the detector.
7. The signaling lamp monitor according to claim 1 , wherein the detector comprises a plurality of light detection elements arranged along a length of the signaling lamp.
8. The signaling lamp monitor according to claim 7 , wherein the plurality of light detection elements are vertically spaced apart from each other.
9. A signaling device, comprising:
a signaling lamp; and
the signaling lamp monitor of claim 1 attached to the signaling lamp.