Light detection and signaling system
First Claim
1. A system for detecting and signaling the presence of a moving localized incident light source having an intensity located at a distance from the system wherein the system and the localized incident light source move with respect to each other, comprising:
- a first photosensitive surface for detecting the intensity of the localized incident light source, said first photosensitive surface having a configuration for detecting said intensity of the localized incident light source in a 360°
arc contained within a horizontal plane surrounding said first photosensitive surface and for generating a first output signal representative of said intensity of the localized incident light source;
a second photosensitive surface optically isolated from said first photosensitive surface being nonresponsive to the localized incident light source and being substantially responsive to ambient light for generating a second output signal representative of a predetermined level of ambient light;
first circuit means for receiving said first and second output signals of said first and second photosensitive surfaces and for generating a third output signal in response to receipt of both of said first and second output signals;
second circuit means responsive to said third output signal for generating a fourth output signal having a frequency, said frequency of said fourth output signal being directly related to said intensity of the localized incident light source detected by said first photosensitive surface; and
means for emitting light connected to said first and second circuit means responsive to said fourth output signal for being selectively illuminated to flash on and off at a variable rate of flash, said flash rate increasing as the distance between the system and the localized incident light source moving with respect to each other decreases.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A light detection and signaling system for attachment to a bicycle, pedestrian, or to any other object. The system includes a housing having a first photosensitive surface mounted therein for detecting the headlights of a vehicle approaching from any direction. The system further includes at least one light source mounted for visibility, along with circuitry responsive to detection of the vehicle headlights for illuminating the light source. A second photosensitive surface may also be provided to receive largely ambient light and to be nonresponsive to the lights of an approaching vehicle, along with circuitry to allow the illumination of the light source only when the second photosensitive surface detects the absence of a predetermined level of ambient light.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A system for detecting and signaling the presence of a moving localized incident light source having an intensity located at a distance from the system wherein the system and the localized incident light source move with respect to each other, comprising:
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a first photosensitive surface for detecting the intensity of the localized incident light source, said first photosensitive surface having a configuration for detecting said intensity of the localized incident light source in a 360°
arc contained within a horizontal plane surrounding said first photosensitive surface and for generating a first output signal representative of said intensity of the localized incident light source;a second photosensitive surface optically isolated from said first photosensitive surface being nonresponsive to the localized incident light source and being substantially responsive to ambient light for generating a second output signal representative of a predetermined level of ambient light; first circuit means for receiving said first and second output signals of said first and second photosensitive surfaces and for generating a third output signal in response to receipt of both of said first and second output signals; second circuit means responsive to said third output signal for generating a fourth output signal having a frequency, said frequency of said fourth output signal being directly related to said intensity of the localized incident light source detected by said first photosensitive surface; and means for emitting light connected to said first and second circuit means responsive to said fourth output signal for being selectively illuminated to flash on and off at a variable rate of flash, said flash rate increasing as the distance between the system and the localized incident light source moving with respect to each other decreases. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification