Proximity detection and warning system having a light pulse sensor and circuit responsive only to particular select frequencies
First Claim
1. An optical proximity collision avoidance system mounted on a medium of transportation comprising;
- optical detecting means responsive to a pulsed light source in the visible and near visible range mounted on another medium of transportation;
detection preventive means preventing detection of unwanted light sources;
said detection preventive means preventing detection of all light from sources other than a prescribed pulsed light source including a pulsed light source mounted on said medium of transportation;
distance determining means for determining the relative distance of a detected pulsed light source;
direction determining means determining the relative direction of a detected pulsed light source;
indicating means indicating the relative direction of said detected pulsed light source; and
alarm indicating means indicating the detection of a prescribed pulsed light source within a distance determined by said distance determining means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A proximity detecting and warning system for use in collision avoidance, particularly with aircraft. The system responds to pulsed light sources within a selected frequency band and particularly the frequency of aircraft strobe and rotating beacon light sources while disregarding any other natural steady state light sources as well as man-made light sources such as street lighting and ground lighting sources. The system detects pulsed light sources on aircraft or vehicles within the proximity of the transmitter and provides a visual and audible alarm to a pilot or operator. The alarm occurs when another aircraft is within the detection envelope which typically extends in an elliptical pattern around the transmitter in all directions with a detection range of up to approximately three miles. The circuit is designed to detect the strobe or rotating beacons having frequencies standardized by Federal Regulations which also require that these sources be illuminated at all times during flight. The proximity sensing system has a light pulse detector, a circuit for limiting the response of the device to the particular frequencies selected, and processing circuits which process received signals to discriminate between the selected frequencies and activates the visual and audible alarms.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An optical proximity collision avoidance system mounted on a medium of transportation comprising;
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optical detecting means responsive to a pulsed light source in the visible and near visible range mounted on another medium of transportation; detection preventive means preventing detection of unwanted light sources;
said detection preventive means preventing detection of all light from sources other than a prescribed pulsed light source including a pulsed light source mounted on said medium of transportation;distance determining means for determining the relative distance of a detected pulsed light source; direction determining means determining the relative direction of a detected pulsed light source; indicating means indicating the relative direction of said detected pulsed light source; and alarm indicating means indicating the detection of a prescribed pulsed light source within a distance determined by said distance determining means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification