Emitter assembly for use in an optical traffic preemption system
First Claim
1. An optical signal emitter assembly for remotely controlling traffic signal lights and adapted to be affixed to an authorized vehicle, the optical emitter assembly comprising:
- a housing;
a light source for converting a supply voltage into a power signal capable of activating the light source;
timing means coupled to the power supply and the light source, for controlling the repetition rate and duration of light pulses; and
collimating means including a honeycomb element having a plurality of cells, with each cell having an opening that extends form a front through to a rear of the cell, said element being positioned in front of the light source, for collimating the light pulses emitted by the light source thereby resulting in a pulsed light beam capable of activating a first photodetector channel coupled to the traffic signal lights to be controlled, while not activating other photodetector channels proximate to the first photodetector channel, but coupled to other traffic signal lights which are not to be controlled.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical signal emitter assembly emits light pulses which are received by an optical traffic preemption system detector. The optical signal emitter assembly employs a honeycomb element positioned in front of a light source which collimates light emitted by the optical signal emitter assembly. The optical signal emitter assembly is convertible from a stand-alone unit containing power supply circuitry, timing circuitry, and a light source in a single housing, to a unit wherein the light source can be mounted independently from a housing containing the power supply circuitry and the timing circuitry.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An optical signal emitter assembly for remotely controlling traffic signal lights and adapted to be affixed to an authorized vehicle, the optical emitter assembly comprising:
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a housing; a light source for converting a supply voltage into a power signal capable of activating the light source; timing means coupled to the power supply and the light source, for controlling the repetition rate and duration of light pulses; and collimating means including a honeycomb element having a plurality of cells, with each cell having an opening that extends form a front through to a rear of the cell, said element being positioned in front of the light source, for collimating the light pulses emitted by the light source thereby resulting in a pulsed light beam capable of activating a first photodetector channel coupled to the traffic signal lights to be controlled, while not activating other photodetector channels proximate to the first photodetector channel, but coupled to other traffic signal lights which are not to be controlled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An optical signal emitter assembly for remotely controlling traffic signal lights and adapted to be affixed to an authorized vehicle, the optical emitter assembly comprising:
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a housing having first joining means; a front bezel having second joining means, wherein the second joining means is adapted to be joined with the first joining means; electrical connection means for connecting components in the housing with components in the front bezel; a light source positioned in the front bezel, for emitting light pulses; a power supply for converting a supply voltage into a power signal capable of activating the light source; timing means coupled to the power supply and the light source, for controlling the repetition rate and duration of light pulses; and collimating means including a honeycomb element having a plurality of cells, with each cell having an opening that extends from a front through to a rear of the cell, said element being positioned in the front bezel and in front of the light source, for collimating the light pulses emitted by the light source thereby resulting in a pulsed light beam capable of activating a first photodetector channel coupled to the traffic signal lights to be controlled, while not activating other photodetector channels proximate to the first photodetector channel, but coupled to other traffic signal lights which are not to be controlled. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. The optical signal emitter assembly of c)aim 18 and further comprising mounting means coupled to the front bezel base, for mounting the front bezel base to a vehicle.
Specification