DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to a fan. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for indicating an operational status of the fan and a method thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Generally, a fan, for example a ceiling fan is electrically powered with the help of electric motors and mounted on the ceiling of a room. The ceiling fan has one or more fan blades to circulate air. The ceiling fan is controlled either with the help of a switch mounted on a switch board or with the help of a remote control. The speed of the fan is controlled via a regulator or through the remote control. With advent in technology, ceiling fans are also controlled via user devices such as mobile phones, whereby an application installed on the user device allows switching the fan ON/OFF or regulate the speed of the fan. However, the control of the ceiling fan is a one-way communication as the ceiling fan does not provide any feedback related to the control command received through the switch/remote.
[003] Further, it is difficult for the user to identify the current speed of the fan by just looking at the fan as there is no feedback or indication from the ceiling fan regarding the operational status of the fan. Therefore, the currently known ceiling fan leads to the difficulty for the user to understand the status of the ceiling fan and then, accordingly control the fan.
[004] In view of the above, there is a need in the art for a system and a method for indicating an operational status of a fan which solves at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] In one aspect, the present invention is directed towards a system for indicating an operational status of a fan. The system has an input device for allowing a user to select an input corresponding to an operation of the fan. The system further has a light unit provided on the fan. The system has a Motor Control Unit (MCU) connected to the input device and a motor of the fan. The MCU is configured to receive the selected input from the input device. The MCU is configured to operate the fan based on the selected input. The system further has an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) connected to the MCU and the light unit of the fan. The ECU is configured to receive the input from the MCU. The ECU is configured to illuminate the light unit based on the received input from the MCU, thereby indicating an operational status of the fan.
[006] In a further embodiment of the invention, the light unit is disposed on a bottom of a hub of the fan, and the light unit is provided with a plurality of segments. Each of the plurality of segments is provided with a light source to illuminate and each segment is configured to illuminate individually or in combination depending upon the selected input, thereby indicating the operational status of the fan.
[007] In a further embodiment of the invention, the input device is a switch to be operated to select the input corresponding to the operation of the fan. The MCU is configured to analyse the operation of the switch to determine an information at which the fan is to be operated; provide a control signal to the motor to rotate the fan at the selected input; and provide the control signal to the ECU to illuminate the light unit depending on the control signal to display the operational status of the fan.
[008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the input device is a user device which communicates with a signal receiver. The signal receiver is connected with the ECU. The ECU is configured to analyse the input provided at the user device to determine an information at which the fan is to be operated and provide the information to the MCU. The MCU provides a control signal to the motor to rotate the fan at the selected input, and the ECU is configured to provide the control signal to the light unit to illuminate the light unit depending on the control signal to display the operational status of the fan.
[009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the MCU or the ECU determines a speed of the fan corresponding to the input received from the user, generates the control signal to rotate the fan at the determined speed, provide the control signal to the motor to rotate the fan at the determined speed, and provide the control signal to the ECU to illuminate the light unit to display the speed of the fan, thereby indicating the operational status of the fan.
[010] In another aspect, the present invention is directed towards a method for indicating an operational status of a fan. The method has the steps of: receiving, by an input device, an input from a user corresponding to an operation of the fan; receiving, by a Motor Control Unit (MCU), the selected input from the input device; operating, by the MCU, the fan at the selected input based on the received input from the input device; and illuminating, by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), a light unit of the fan based on the received input from the MCU (108), thereby indicating an operational status of the fan.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the light unit is disposed on a bottom of a hub of the fan. The light unit is provided with a plurality of segments and each of the plurality of segments is provided with a light source to illuminate. Each segment is configured to illuminate individually or in combination depending upon the selected input, thereby indicating the operational status of the fan.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the method has the steps of analysing, by the MCU, the operation of the input device to determine the information at which the fan is to be operated, the input device is a switch operated to select the input corresponding to the operation of the fan; providing, by the MCU, a control signal to the motor to rotate the fan at the selected input; and providing, by the MCU, the control signal to the ECU to illuminate the light unit depending on the control signal to display the operational status of the fan.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the method has the steps of analysing, by the ECU, the input provided by the input device to determine the information at which the fan is to be operated, the input device is a user device connected with a signal receiver; providing, by the ECU, the information to the MCU; providing, by the MCU, a control signal to the motor to rotate the fan at the selected input; and providing, by the ECU, the control signal to the light unit to illuminate the light unit depending on the control signal to display the operational status of the fan.
[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the method has the steps of determining, by the MCU or the ECU, a speed of the fan corresponding to the input received from the user; generating, by the MCU or the ECU, the control signal to rotate the fan at the determined speed; providing, by the MCU, the control signal to the motor to rotate the fan at the determined speed; and illuminating, by the ECU, the light unit to display the speed of the fan based on the control signal, thereby indicating the operational status of the fan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[015] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system for indicating an operational status of a fan, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows the fan, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows an illustrative representation of a speed mode of the fan, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows an illustrative representation of a timer indication mode of the fan, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 shows an illustrative representation of a sleep indication mode of the fan, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 shows a method flow diagram for indicating the operational status of the fan, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[016] The present invention is directed towards indicating an operational status of a fan whereby the invention provides visual feedback to a user regarding the operational status of the fan. The present invention provides a system and a method for indicating the operational status of the fan.
[017] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the system 100 for indicating the operational status of the fan 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The fan 200 is preferably a ceiling fan as shown in figure 2. The fan 200 comprises a hub 210 housing a motor 202, and a plurality of blades 220 extends radially outward from the hub 210. In an embodiment, the fan is a ceiling fan, preferably the fan with a Brushless DC electric motor (BLDC). In an embodiment, the hub 210 comprises a light unit 230. The light unit 230 has a plurality of segments configured in a circular manner to form a ring like structure, and each segment has a light source. In an embodiment, the light source is a Light Emitting Diode (LED) source or any other similar light source. Each segment/light source is configured to illuminate individually or in combination depending upon the operational status of the fan 200. As shown, the light unit 230 is provided on the fan 200. Specifically, the light unit 230 is on a bottom of the hub 210 of the fan 200 with a viewing of 120 degrees allowing the light unit 230 to be seen by the user in the standing position. In an embodiment, the disposition of the light unit 230 is on the bottom of the hub 210, wherein the light unit 230 is stationary. Further, the fan 200 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction, however the light unit 230 remains stationary for displaying the operational status of the fan 200.
[018] As shown in figure 1, the system 100 comprises an input device 102, a signal receiver 106, a Motor Control Unit (MCU) 108, an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 110, and the light unit 230. In an embodiment, a single control unit can be configured to perform the functionality of the MCU 108 and the ECU 110. In an embodiment, the MCU 108 is connected to the input device 102 and the motor 202 of the fan 200. In an embodiment, the input device 102 allows the user to select an input corresponding to an operation of the fan 200. In a non-limiting embodiment, the input corresponds to a speed of the fan 200. The MCU 108 receives a selected input from the input device 102. Then, the MCU 108 operates the fan 200 based on the selected input.
[019] In a non-limiting embodiment, the signal receiver 106 is an Infrared (IR) transmitter-receiver module. The system 100 incorporates the IR transmitter-receiver module to enable a seamless communication between a remote control and a microcontroller of the fan 200. The IR transmitter embedded in the remote control emits modulated infrared light pulses encoded with control signals corresponding to one or more user inputs. The control signals are received by the IR receiver unit on an interface of the fan 200. The IR receiver demodulates the incoming IR pulses to retrieve the encoded signal, which is then processed by the microcontroller to execute the desired function. Therefore, the interaction ensures reliable and precise control of the speed of the fan 200 and the corresponding LED pattern changes of the light unit 230.
[020] Furthermore, the ECU 110 is connected to the MCU 108 and the light unit 230 of the fan 200. The ECU 110 receives the input from the MCU 108. Based on the received input from the MCU 108, the ECU 110 illuminates the light unit 230, thereby indicating an operational status of the fan 200.
[021] In a non-limiting embodiment, the MCU 108 or the ECU 110 determines the speed of the fan 200 corresponding to the input received from the user. The MCU 108 or the ECU 110 generates the control signal to rotate the fan 200 at the determined speed. The MCU 108 then provides the control signal to the motor 202 to rotate the fan 200 at the determined speed. The MCU 108 provides the control signal to the ECU 110 and the ECU 110 illuminates the light unit 230 to display the speed of the fan 200 for indicating the operational status of the fan 200.
[022] In an embodiment, the input device 102 can be a switch 104 and/or a user device 116 for allowing the user to select the speed of the fan 200. The switch 104 is operable to switch ON and OFF the fan 200. Therefore, the switch 104 is operated to select the speed of the fan. In an embodiment of the present invention, the switch 104 is a toggle switch. The toggle switch allows the switch 104 to be toggled to vary/regulate the speed of the fan 200. As shown, the switch 104 is connected with the MCU 108, wherein the MCU 108 controls a motor 202 of the fan 200 depending upon an input provided to the switch 104. In this regard, when the switch 104 is operated/toggled, the MCU 108 analyses the operation of the switch 104 to determine speed information at which the fan 200 is to be operated and accordingly provides a control signal to the motor 202 to rotate the fan 200 at a selected/desired speed. Simultaneously, the MCU 108 is also configured to provide the control signal to the ECU 110. The ECU 110 is connected with the light unit 230, wherein the light unit 230 is illuminated depending on the control signal to display the speed of the fan 200, thereby indicating the operational status of the fan 200.
[023] In yet another embodiment, the signal receiver 106 is provided and the user device 116 is connected with the signal receiver 106. Therefore, the user device 116 communicates with the signal receiver 106. The signal receiver 106 is configured to receive the input through the user device 116. The signal receiver 106 comprises an Infrared (IR) receiver and a communication module for allowing connectivity over wi-fi, BLE, Zigbee, and the like. The user device 116 accordingly can be selected from a remote controller which communicates with the signal receiver 106 via IR or an electronic device such as a mobile phone installed with an application which communicates with the signal receiver 106 over wi-fi, BLE, Zigbee. The application on the user device 116 can be controlled either via audio or touch or an input key. The signal receiver 106 is connected with the ECU 110, wherein the input provided to the user device 116 is received by the ECU 110. The ECU 110 analyses the input to determine a speed information at which the fan 200 is to be operated and provides the speed information to the MCU 108. The MCU 108 accordingly provides the control signal to the motor 202 to rotate the fan 200 at a selected/desired speed. Simultaneously, the ECU 110 provides the control signal to the light unit 230, wherein the light unit 230 is illuminated depending on the control signal to display the speed of the fan 200, thereby indicating the operational status of the fan 200.
[024] As discussed hereinbefore, the light unit 230 comprises of a ring like structure with the plurality of segments, and the segments are illuminated individually or in combination depending upon the operational status of the fan 200.
[025] Figure 3 shows an illustrative representation of a speed mode 300 being indicated by the fan 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As depicted in Figure 3, at 302, the light unit 230 is in off condition i.e., none of the segments are illuminated which is indicative of the speed of the fan 200 being zero or the power is OFF. Then, at 304, only first segment is illuminated which is indicative of the fan speed being one. Similarly, at 306 and 308, the fan speed is at two and three respectively, whereby first to second segments, and first to third segments are simultaneously illuminated. The same happens at 310 and 312. At 314, the fan 200 is running at full speed and hence, all segments are illuminated. Thus, the speed of the fan 200 is indicated by illuminating different segments of the fan 200 and the user can easily interpret the speed at which the fan 200 is working.
[026] Further, the present invention is configured to indicate a timer mode and a sleep mode of the fan 200 whereby one or more segments of the light unit 230 can be illuminated individually or in combination depending upon the operational mode of the fan 200. In this regard, the present invention is configured to receive the input from the user device 116 to actuate the timer mode or the sleep mode, and upon receiving the input, the ECU 110 is configured to actuate the respective mode.
[027] Figure 4 shows an illustrative representation of the timer mode 400 of the fan 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As depicted in Figure 4, the timer mode works by illuminating the one or more segments to indicate the time duration to the user. As shown, by way of an example, one segment is illuminated intermittently whereby the segment is illuminated for a pre-determined time period and then switched off for a pre-determined time period and then illuminated again to indicate that the timer mode is for one hour. This cycle continues for one hour until the timer mode is complete and the fan 200 is switched OFF. Similarly, if the timer mode is activated for two hours, then two segments of the light unit 230 are illuminated intermittently. Accordingly, the user is displayed the operational status of the fan 200.
[028] Figure 5 shows a sleep indication mode 500 for indicating the operational status of the fan 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure 5, at 502, the segments of the light unit 230 is not illuminated. Then, at 504 and 506, the segments are illuminated and then, finally at 508, the entire segment is illuminated. This indicates that the fan 200 is in sleep ON mode. In another embodiment, for sleep OFF mode, the fan 200 is illuminated as shown in 508. Then, the light unit 230 gradually fades from 506 to 502 to show the operational status of the fan 200 to the user.
[029] Figure 6 shows a method flow diagram 600 for indicating the operational status of the fan 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The method is carried out on the system 100 as discussed hereinabove. The method starts at 602, wherein the input is received from the user corresponding to the operation of the fan. In a non-limiting embodiment, the input corresponds to select the speed of the fan 200 by the input device 102. In an embodiment, the input device 102 can be one of the switch 104 and the user device 116. Therefore, the input is received from the user either through an application from the user device 116 or through a switch/toggle switch 104 to select the speed of the fan 200. If the input is received through the switch/toggle switch 104, then the same is sent to the MCU 108. If the input is received through the application from the user device 116, the same is received by the signal receiver 106 and sent to the ECU 110. Then, at step 604, the method includes the step of processing the received input from the user. The MCU 108 is responsible for receiving and processing the selected input from the input device 102. Further, at step 606, the method 600 includes the step of operating the motor 202 of the fan 200 by the MCU 108 at the selected input based on the received input from the input device 102. The MCU 108 operates the motor 202 for the airflow by the fan 200 if the power is supplied through the switch/toggle switch 104. Simultaneously, at step 608, the method includes the step of illuminating, by the ECU 110, the light unit 230 of the fan 200 based on the received input from the MCU 108, thereby indicating the operational status of the fan 200. In an embodiment, the light unit 230 is the ring like structure having the plurality of segments for illumination. Therefore, the operating status of the fan 200 is displayed to the user via the central hub 210 of the fan 200 or through the user device 116 as well.
[030] In an embodiment, the light unit 230 is disposed on the bottom of the hub 210 of the fan 200. The light unit 230 is provided with the plurality of segments as described hereinabove. Each of the plurality of segments is provided with the light source to illuminate. Each segment illuminates individually or in combination depending upon the speed selected, thereby indicating the operational status of the fan 200.
[031] In a non-limiting embodiment, the MCU 108 or the ECU 110 determines the speed of the fan 200 corresponding to the input received from the user. The MCU 108 or the ECU 110 generates the control signal to rotate the fan 200 at the determined speed. The MCU 108 then provides the control signal to the motor 202 to rotate the fan 200 at the determined speed. The MCU 108 provides the control signal to the ECU 110 and the ECU 110 illuminates the light unit 230 to display the speed of the fan 200 for indicating the operational status of the fan 200.
[032] In an embodiment, when the input device 104 is the switch 104, the MCU 108 analyses the operation of the switch 104 to determine the speed information at which the fan 200 is to be operated. The MCU 108 further provides a control signal to the motor 202 to rotate the fan 200 at the selected speed. Then, the ECU 110 receives the control signal by the MCU 108 to illuminate the light unit 230 depending on the control signal to display the speed of the fan 200, thereby indicating the operational status of the fan 200.
[033] In yet another embodiment, when the input device 102 is the user device 116, the ECU 110 analyses the input provided at the user device 116 to determine the speed information at which the fan 200 is to be operated. The ECU 110 then provides the speed information to the MCU 108. Based on the speed information received from the ECU 110, the MCU 108 provides the control signal to the motor 202 to rotate the fan 200 at the selected speed. The ECU 110 also provides the control signal to the light unit 230 to illuminate the light unit 230 depending on the control signal to display the speed of the fan 200, thereby indicating the operational status of the fan 200.
[034] Advantageously, the present invention provides a system and a method for indicating the operational status of the fan, whereby the light unit illuminates in segments and patterns and therefore, it is easy and convenient for the user to see and recognize the pattern to know the current operational status of the fan. Hence, the present invention provides a better user experience and comfort since the light unit is directly visible to the user.
[035] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
,CLAIMS:1. A system (100) for indicating an operational status of a fan (200), the system (100) comprising:
an input device (102) for allowing a user to select an input corresponding to an operation of the fan (200);
a light unit (230) provided on the fan (200);
a Motor Control Unit (MCU) (108), the MCU (108) being connected to the input device (102) and a motor (202) of the fan (200), the MCU (108) being configured to receive the selected input from the input device (102), and the MCU (108) being configured to operate the fan (200) based on the selected input; and
an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (110), the ECU (110) being connected to the MCU (108) and the light unit (230) of the fan (200), the ECU (110) being configured to receive the input from the MCU (108), and the ECU (110) being configured to illuminate the light unit (230) based on the received input from the MCU (108), thereby indicating an operational status of the fan (200).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light unit (230) being disposed on a bottom of a hub (210) of the fan (200), and the light unit (230) is provided with a plurality of segments, each of the plurality of segments being provided with a light source to illuminate, each segment is configured to illuminate individually or in combination depending upon the selected input, thereby indicating the operational status of the fan (200).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input device (102) is a switch (104), the switch (104) is configured to be operated to select the input corresponding to the operation of the fan (200), wherein the MCU (108) is configured to analyse the operation of the switch (104) to determine an information at which the fan (200) is to be operated; provide a control signal to the motor (202) to rotate the fan (200) at the selected input; and provide the control signal to the ECU (110) to illuminate the light unit (230) depending on the control signal to display the operational status of the fan (200).

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input device (102) is a user device (116) which communicates with a signal receiver (106), the signal receiver (106) is connected with the ECU (110), wherein the ECU (110) is configured to analyse the input provided at the user device (116) to determine an information at which the fan (200) is to be operated; provide the information to the MCU (108), the MCU (108) provides a control signal to the motor (202) to rotate the fan (200) at the selected input, and the ECU (110) being configured to provide the control signal to the light unit (230) to illuminate the light unit (230) depending on the control signal to display the operational status of the fan (200).

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the MCU (108) or the ECU (110) determines a speed of the fan (200) corresponding to the input received from the user, generates the control signal to rotate the fan (200) at the determined speed, provide the control signal to the motor (202) to rotate the fan (200) at the determined speed, and provide the control signal to the ECU (110) to illuminate the light unit (230) to display the speed of the fan (200), thereby indicating the operational status of the fan (200).

6. A method (600) for indicating an operational status of a fan (200), the method (600) comprising:
receiving, by an input device (102), an input from a user corresponding to an operation of the fan (200);
receiving, by a Motor Control Unit (MCU) (108), the selected input from the input device (102);
operating, by the MCU (108), the fan (200) based on the received input from the input device (102); and
illuminating, by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (110), a light unit (230) of the fan (200) based on the received input from the MCU (108), thereby indicating an operational status of the fan (200).

7. The method (600) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the light unit (230) being disposed on a bottom of a hub (210) of the fan (200), and the light unit (230) is provided with a plurality of segments, each of the plurality of segments being provided with a light source to illuminate, each segment is configured to illuminate individually or in combination depending upon the selected input, thereby indicating the operational status of the fan (200).

8. The method (600) as claimed in claim 6, the method (600) comprising the steps of:
analysing, by the MCU (108), the operation of the input device (102)to determine an information at which the fan (200) is to be operated, the input device (102) being a switch (104) operated to select the input corresponding to the operation of the fan;
providing, by the MCU (108), a control signal to the motor (202) to rotate the fan (200) at the selected input; and
providing, by the MCU (108), the control signal to the ECU (110) to illuminate the light unit (230) depending on the control signal to display the operational status of the fan (200).

9. The method (600) as claimed in claim 6, the method (600) comprising the steps of:
analysing, by the ECU (110), the input provided by the input device (102) to determine an information at which the fan (200) is to be operated, the input device (102) being a user device (116) connected with a signal receiver (106);
providing, by the ECU (110), the information to the MCU (108);
providing, by the MCU (108), a control signal to the motor (202) to rotate the fan (200) at the selected input; and
providing, by the ECU (110), the control signal to the light unit (230) to illuminate the light unit (230) depending on the control signal to display the operational status of the fan (200).

10. The method (600) as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, the method (600) comprising the steps of:
determining, by the MCU (108) or the ECU (110), a speed of the fan (200) corresponding to the input received from the user;
generating, by the MCU (108) or the ECU (110), the control signal to rotate the fan (200) at the determined speed;
providing, by the MCU (108), the control signal to the motor (202) to rotate the fan (200) at the determined speed; and
illuminating, by the ECU (110), the light unit (230) to display the speed of the fan (200) based on the control signal, thereby indicating the operational status of the fan (200).