Networked communication devices
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Accused Products
Abstract
An aircraft emergency lighting system includes a plurality of light units arranged to guide passengers to and to identify exits in an emergency. The light units communicate wirelessly with a remote master control unit operable from the cockpit using a low power spread spectrum signal centered on a single frequency to avoid interference with onboard aircraft control and communication systems. The light units are arranged to receive and transmit any signal to and from the master controller whereby only some of the light units need be within range of the master controller. The light units include battery operated LEDs and cycle between an inoperable (sleep) condition and an operable (awake) condition to conserve power consumption and extend battery life.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1-36. -36. (canceled)
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37. A system for a vehicle such as an aircraft, said system comprising a plurality of networked communication devices arranged to communicate wirelessly with a master controller using spread spectrum communication to control operation of said devices and/or to provide information relating to the status of said devices, and wherein said devices are arranged to receive/transmit any signal so that signals to and from said master controller are cascaded between said devices in a random manner and-wherein each device has its own battery power source and is arranged to cycle between an operable (awake) condition in which it can receive/transmit a signal and an inoperable (sleep) condition in which it does not receive/transmit a signal and said devices cycle between the operable and inoperable conditions in a random manner.
- 53. In a passenger vehicle, a wireless emergency lighting system for guiding passengers to an exit, the system comprising a master controller and a plurality of battery operated light units arranged, when illuminated, to identify a route to said exit, each light unit being capable of receiving and transmitting a spread spectrum signal and being arranged to receive and retransmit any signal so that signals to and from said master controller are cascaded between said light units in a random manner, wherein each light unit is arranged to cycle between an operable (awake) condition in which it can receive and transmit a signal and an inoperable (sleep) condition in which it does not receive and transmit a signal, wherein said light units are arranged to cycle between said operable and inoperable conditions in a random manner.
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56. A method of operating an emergency lighting system comprising providing a plurality of light units each capable of receiving and transmitting a spread spectrum signal, arranging said light units to receive/transmit any signal so that signals to and from a master controller are cascaded between said light units in a random manner, providing each light unit with its own battery power source, arranging each light unit to cycle between an operable (awake) condition in which it can receive/transmit a signal and an inoperable (sleep) condition in which it does not receive/transmit a signal, and arranging said light units to cycle between said operable and inoperable conditions in a random manner.
Specification