Light detection and signaling system

• US 4,117,457 A
• Filed: 03/23/1976
• Issued: 09/26/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John S. Latta
• Original Assignee: John S. Latta
• Inventors: Latta, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US05/669,677
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 315/149, 315/150, 315/152, 315/158, 315/157, 315/155, 315/156, 315/200 A, 315/159, 250/209, 250/201, 340/52 R, 340/52 H, 340/134, 340/84, 340/87, 180/98
• US Class Current: 340/432
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1423 Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/314 Ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/40 Indexing codes relating to other road users or special conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/01 Electric circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/04 Rear lights

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.

Claims

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.

2. The detection and signaling system of claim 1 and further including:

means for obscuring light from impinging selected portions of said second photosensitive surface for enabling illumination of said means for emitting light in high ambient light conditions.

3. The detection and signaling system of claim 1 wherein said first and second photosensitive surfaces are responsive to different frequency spectrums.

4. The detection and signaling system of claim 1 wherein said first photosensitive surface is disposed within a transparent lens configuration.

5. The detection and signaling system of claim 4 wherein said lens configuration has a pyramidal shape.

6. The detection and signaling system of claim 4 wherein said lens configuration has a spherical shape.

7. The detection and signaling system of claim 1 and further including:

a housing for being securely attached to a two-wheeled vehicle;

said photosensitive surfaces and said circuit means being mounted within said housing for detecting headlights of a motor vehicle approaching said two-wheeled vehicle from any direction; and

said means for emitting light being mounted on said two-wheeled vehicle for visibility by the rider of said two-wheeled vehicle and by the driver of said approaching motor vehicle, such that said means for emitting light alerts both the rider and the driver of their approaches.

8. The detection and signaling system of claim 1 and further including:

a housing for being securely attached to a pedestrian;

said photosensitive surfaces and said circuit means being mounted within said housing for detecting headlights of a motor vehicle approaching the pedestrian from any direction; and

said means for emitting light being mounted on the pedestrian for visibility by the pedestrian and by the driver of said approaching motor vehicle such that said means for emitting light alerts both the pedestrian and the driver of their approaches.