Auxiliary safety light system

• US 20050162265A1
• Filed: 10/26/2004
• Published: 07/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Third Eye Design, Inc.
• Original Assignee: David R. Werner, David Zima, Wayne R. Palmiter
• Inventors: Zima, David, Palmiter, Wayne R., Werner, David R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,218,214 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/468
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2676 Helmets
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/305 Indicating devices for towed vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions

Abstract

A safety lighting system comprising an H-field backscatter generator adapted to receive at least one electrical signal indicating the application of electrical power to at least one light circuit and comprising means for encoding and transmitting at least one encoded signal; a magnetic coupling receiver located separately from the H-field backscatter generator and adapted to receive the first encoded signal; and a light display electrically connected to the magnetic coupling receiver, the light display comprising at least one illuminatable lamp.

Claims

1. A safety lighting system comprising:

a. an H-field backscatter generator adapted to receive at least one electrical signal indicating the application of electrical power to at least one light circuit and comprising means for encoding and transmitting at least one encoded signal;

b. a magnetic coupling receiver located separately from said H-field backscatter generator and adapted to receive said first encoded signal; and

c. a light display electrically connected to said magnetic coupling receiver, said light display comprising at least one illuminatable lamp.

2. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 1, wherein said H-field backscatter generator further comprises an encoding microprocessor.

3. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 2, wherein said encoding microprocessor encodes said at least one encoded signal as an identification code.

4. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 3, wherein said encoding microprocessor encodes a second encoded signal to indicate the occurrence of said application of electrical power to said at least one light circuit.

5. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 4, wherein said magnetic coupling receiver further comprises a decoding microprocessor.

6. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 5, wherein said decoding microprocessor decodes said at least one encoded signal and establishes a communication link to said H-field backscatter generator.

7. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 6, wherein said decoding microprocessor causes the illumination of said at least one illuminatable lamp.

8. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 1, wherein said H-field backscatter generator is disposed upon a motorcycle comprising a tail light, and said light circuit is a tail light circuit of said motorcycle.

9. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 8, wherein said magnetic coupling receiver is disposed on a safety helmet.

10. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 9, wherein said light display is disposed upon the exterior surface of said safety helmet.

11. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 10, wherein said at least one illuminatable lamp is a light emitting diode.

12. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 10, wherein said light display comprises an array of lamps.

13. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 12, wherein said H-field backscatter generator is adapted to receive electrical signals from said tail light of said motorcycle indicating the application of electrical power to a brake circuit of said motorcycle, a left turn circuit of said motorcycle, a right turn circuit of said motorcycle, and a running light circuit of said motorcycle.

14. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 13, wherein said decoding microprocessor causes said light display to illuminate indicatively in concert with said application of electrical power to a brake circuit of said motorcycle, a left turn circuit of said motorcycle, a right turn circuit of said motorcycle, and a running light circuit of said motorcycle.

15. A safety lighting system for enhanced safety of a rider of a motorcycle, said system comprising:

a. an H-field backscatter generator disposed upon a motorcycle and adapted to receive at least one electrical signal indicating the application of electrical power to at least one light circuit of said motorcycle and comprising means for encoding and transmitting at least one encoded signal;

b. a magnetic coupling receiver disposed on a safety helmet worn by said rider and adapted to receive said first encoded signal; and

c. a light display electrically connected to said magnetic coupling receiver, said light display disposed upon the outside surface of said helmet and comprising at least one illuminatable lamp.

16. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 15, wherein said H-field backscatter generator further comprises an encoding microprocessor.

17. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 16, wherein said encoding microprocessor encodes said at least one encoded signal as an identification code.

18. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 17, wherein said encoding microprocessor encodes a second encoded signal to indicate the occurrence of said application of electrical power to said at least one light circuit of said motorcycle.

19. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 18, wherein said magnetic coupling receiver further comprises a decoding microprocessor.

20. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 19, wherein said decoding microprocessor decodes said at least one encoded signal and establishes a communication link to said H-field backscatter generator.

21. The safety lighting system as recited in claim 20, wherein said decoding microprocessor causes the illumination of said at least one illuminatable lamp.