Vehicle warning system controller

• US 5,736,925 A
• Filed: 06/21/1996
• Issued: 04/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Astrazeneca UK Limited (Astrazeneca PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weldon Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Dawson, Terry, Knauff, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): LA, ANH V
• Application Number:
  US08/666,120
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 340/468, 340/469, 340/471, 340/463, 340/464, 340/815.45, 340/815.65, 340/472, 340/473, 340/479, 362/61, 362/32, 362/80
• US Class Current: 340/468
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 11/00 Arrangement of monitoring devices for devices provided for in groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q9/00

Abstract

A vehicle warning system controller is disclosed which controls and synchronizes all annunciators installed on a vehicle. The vehicle light control system takes a modular approach to vehicle light control. The first module is an operator module that accepts control commands from an operator and provides visual feedback to the operator. The second module is a central module which processes the commands and controls the attached annunciators and accessories. The vehicle light control system of the present invention has the ability to interface with and control several types of annunciators.

Claims

1. A vehicle warning system controller, wherein said vehicle includes a power source and multiple arrangements of annunciator installed generally about the periphery of said vehicle, said controller comprising:

an operator module having a mode selection switch in communication with said power source, wherein said mode selection switch is actuable to derive a primary and secondary mode condition;

a central control module, comprising

a processor in communication with said operator module, wherein said processor is responsive in the presence of said primary mode condition for deriving a predetermined first pattern of annunciator signals, and wherein said processor is responsive in the presence of said secondary mode condition for deriving a predetermined second pattern of annunciator signals; and

an annunciator driver in communication with said processor, wherein said annunciator driver is responsive in the presence of said predetermined first pattern of annunciator signals for activating said multiple arrangements of annunciator in accordance with a first predetermined flashing pattern, and wherein said annunciator driver is responsive in the presence of said predetermined second pattern of annunciator signals for activating said multiple arrangements of annunciator in accordance with a second predetermined flashing pattern.

wherein each annuniciator is comprised of a stroboscopic and incandescent lamp pair.

2. The vehicle warning system controller of claim 1, further comprising an LED patterned display in communication with said multiple arrangements of annunciator, wherein each LED of said LED patterned display is bi-colored and is in communication with each lamp in said lamp pair, and wherein each LED is responsive to the activation of the incandescent lamp in a corresponding annunciator for generating a first color output, and wherein each LED is further responsive to the activation of the strobe lamp in said corresponding annunciator for generating a second color output for indicating the activation of each of said lamps.

3. The vehicle warning system controller of claim 2, wherein said operator module further comprises a vehicle diagram, wherein each said LED of said LED patterned display is positioned on said vehicle diagram to correspond with the position of each of said corresponding annunciators on said vehicle.

4. The vehicle warning system controller of claim 1, further comprising:

a first mode indicator LED in communication with said mode selection switch, wherein said first mode indicator is responsive in the presence of said primary mode condition to generate a visually perceptable signal; and

a second mode indicator LED in communication with said mode selection switch, wherein said second mode indicator is responsive in the presence of said secondary mode condition to generate a visually perceptable signal.

5. The vehicle warning system controller of claim 1, wherein said multiple arrangements of annunciators comprise:

a first arrangement of lightheads installed about said vehicle;

a second arrangement of lightheads installed about said vehicle; and

a third arrangement of lightheads installed about said vehicle, wherein said first predetermined flashing pattern comprises said third arrangement of lightheads activating in an alternating pattern with said first and second arrangement of lightheads, and wherein said second predetermined pattern comprises said first arrangement of lightheads activating in an alternating pattern with said second arrangement of lightheads,

wherein each of said lightheads is comprised of a stroboscopic and incandescent lamp pair.

6. The vehicle warning system controller of claim 5, further comprising:

a first annunciator arrangement indicator LED in communication with said annunciator driver, wherein said first annunciator arrangement indicator LED is responsive in the presence of the activation of said first arrangement of lightheads to generate a visually perceptible signal;

a second annunciator arrangement indicator LED in communication with said annunciator driver, wherein said second annunciator arrangement indicator LED is responsive in the presence of the activation of said second arrangement of lightheads to generate a visually perceptible signal; and

a third annunciator arrangement indicator LED in communication with said annunciator driver, wherein said third annunciator arrangement indicator LED is responsive in the presence of the activation of said third arrangement of lightheads to generate a visually perceptible signal.

7. The vehicle warning system controller of claim 1, further comprising an ambient light sensor in communication with said processor, wherein said ambient light sensor derives a dim condition signal, wherein said processor is responsive in the presence of said primary mode condition and said dim condition signal for deriving a predetermined third pattern of lighthead signals, wherein said processor is responsive in the presence of said secondary mode condition and said dim condition signal for deriving a predetermined fourth pattern of lighthead signals, wherein said annunciator driver is responsive in the presence of said predetermined third pattern of lighthead signals for activating said arrangements of annunciators in accordance with a third predetermined flashing pattern, and wherein said annunciator driver is responsive in the presence of said predetermined fourth pattern of lighthead signals for activating said arrangements of annunciators in accordance with a fourth predetermined flashing pattern.

8. The vehicle warning system controller of claim 7, further comprising a dim mode indicator LED in communication with said processor, wherein said dim mode indicator LED is responsive in the presence of said dim condition signal for generating a visually perceptable signal.

9. The vehicle warning system controller of claim 7, further comprising:

a second mode selection switch, wherein said second mode selection switch is actuable in a first position to derive a strobe disable signal, wherein said mode selection switch is actuable in a second position to derive an incandescent lamp disable signal, wherein said second mode selection switch is actuable in a third position;

wherein said annunciator driver comprises;

a strobe lamp driver in communication with said processor and said second mode selection switch, wherein said strobe lamp driver is responsive in the presence of said predetermined first pattern of annunciator signals for activating said strobe lamps in said arrangements of annunciators in accordance with said first predetermined pattern, wherein said strobe lamp driver is responsive in the presence of said predetermined second pattern of annunciator signals for activating said strobe lamps in said arrangements of annunciators in accordance with said second predetermined flashing pattern, and wherein said strobe driver is responsive in the presence of said strobe disable signal for preventing the activation of said strobe lamps; and

an incandescent lamp driver in communication with said processor and said second mode selection switch, wherein said incandescent lamp driver is responsive in the presence of said predetermined first pattern of annunciator signals for activating said incandescent lamps in said arrangements of annunciators in accordance with said first predetermined flashing pattern, wherein said incandescent lamp driver is responsive in the presence of said predetermined second pattern of annunciator signals for activating said incandescent lamps in said arrangements of annunciators in accordance with said second predetermined flashing pattern, and wherein said incandescent lamp driver is responsive in the presence of said incandescent lamp disable signal for preventing the activation of said incandescent lamps.

10. The vehicle warning system controller of claim 9, further comprising a lamp selection bi-color LED in communication with said second mode selection switch, wherein said lamp selection bi-color LED is responsive to said first position of said second mode selection switch for generating a first color, wherein said lamp selection bi-color LED is responsive to said second position of said second mode selection switch for generating a second color, and wherein said lamp selection bi-color LED is responsive to said third position of said second mode selection switch for generating said first and second colors.

11. A vehicle warning system controller, wherein said vehicle includes a power source, multiple arrangements of annunciators mounted generally about the periphery of said vehicle, a series of vehicle system inputs for monitoring vehicle electrical system components and a series of vehicle system outputs for controlling said vehicle system components, said controller comprising:

an operator module having a mode selection switch in communication with said power source, wherein said mode selection switch is actuable to derive a primary secondary mode condition;

a central control module, comprising;

a processor in communication with said operator module, wherein said processor is responsive in the presence of said primary mode condition for deriving a predetermined first pattern of annunciator signals, wherein said processor is responsive in the presence of said secondary mode condition for deriving a predetermined second pattern of annunciator signals;

an annunciator driver in communication with said processor, wherein said annunciator driver is responsive in the presence of said predetermined first pattern of annunciator signals for activating said arrangements of annunciator in accordance with a first predetermined flashing pattern, and wherein said annunciator driver is responsive in the presence of said predetermined second pattern of annunciator signals for activating said arrangements of annunciator in accordance with a second predetermined flashing pattern; and

a vehicle system driver in communication with said processor and said vehicle system inputs, wherein said vehicle system driver is responsive in the presence of said vehicle system inputs and outputs for operating said corresponding vehicle system components, wherein each annunciator is comprised of a stroboscopic and incandescent lamp pair.

12. The vehicle warning system controller of claim 11, further comprising a steering diode array in communication with said vehicle system inputs.

13. A vehicle warning system controller for controlling an array of annunciator mounted upon an ambulance, said ambulance having a reverse sensor actuable to derive a reverse condition signal, a backup light, a brake sensor actuable to derive a brake condition signal, a brake light, a left turn switch actuable to derive a left turn signal, a left turn light, a right turn switch actuable to derive a right turn signal, a right turn light, a hazard switch actuable to derive a hazard signal, a door switch actuable to derive a door open condition signal, a door light, a parking brake sensor actuable to derive a parking brake condition signal, a parking brake light, a horn switch actuable to derive a horn signal, a horn, and a power source which generates a voltage potential with respect to the chassis of said ambulance, wherein said array of annunciator comprise a set of "A" lightheads, a set of "B" lightheads and a set of "C" lightheads, wherein each of said lightheads include incandescent lamps and strobe lamps, said control system comprising:

an operator module, comprising

a first mode selection switch in communication with said power source and said ground, wherein said first mode selection switch is actuable to derive a primary mode condition and a secondary mode condition;

a first bi-color LED in communication with said first mode selection switch, said first bi-color LED responsive in the presence of said primary mode condition for generating a first color, and responsive in the presence of said secondary mode condition for generating a second color;

a second mode selection switch in communication with said power source and said ground, wherein said second mode selection switch is actuable to derive a strobe driver disable signal and an incandescent driver disable signal;

a second bi-color LED in communication with said second mode selection switch, wherein said second bi-color LED is responsive in the presence of said strobe only mode condition for generating a first color, responsive in the presence of said incandescent only mode condition for generating a second color and responsive in the presence of said combination mode condition for generating first and second colors;

an array of "A" lighthead bi-color monitor LEDs in communication with said array of "A" lightheads, wherein said array of "A" lighthead bi-color monitor LEDs are arranged diagrammatically to represent each "A" lighthead position on said vehicle, wherein each said "A" lighthead bi-color monitor LED generates a first color in response to activation of its corresponding strobe lamp and a second color in response to activation of its corresponding incandescent lamp;

an array of "B" lighthead bi-color monitor LEDs in communication with said array of "B" lightheads, wherein said array of "B" lighthead bi-color monitor LEDs are arranged diagrammatically to represent each "B" lighthead position on said vehicle, wherein each said "B" lighthead bi-color monitor LED generates a first color in response to activation of its corresponding strobe lamp and a second color in response to activation of its corresponding incandescent lamp;

an array of "C" lighthead bi-color monitor LEDs in communication with said array of "C" lightheads, wherein said array of "C" lighthead bi-color monitor LEDs are arranged diagrammatically to represent each "C" lighthead position on said vehicle, wherein each said "C" lighthead bi-color monitor LED generates a first color in response to activation of its corresponding strobe lamp and a second color in response to activation of its corresponding incandescent lamp;

an ambient light sensor responsive to diminished ambient light to derive a dim mode control signal condition;

a central module, comprising

a processor in communication with said operator module, wherein said processor is responsive in the presence of said primary mode condition for deriving a primary indicator signal and a predetermined primary pattern of "A" lighthead signals, "B" lighthead signals and "C" lighthead signals, wherein said processor is responsive in the presence of said secondary mode condition for deriving a secondary indicator signal and a predetermined secondary pattern of "A" lighthead signals and "B" lighthead signals, wherein said processor is responsive in the presence of said dim mode control signal condition and said primary mode condition for deriving a dim indicator signal and a predetermined primary dim pattern of "A" lighthead signals, "B" lighthead signals and "C" lighthead signals, wherein said processor is responsive in the presence of said dim mode condition and said secondary mode condition for deriving a dim indicator signal and a predetermined secondary dim pattern of "A" lighthead signals and "B" lighthead signals;

a primary mode indicator LED in communication with said processor, wherein said primary mode indicator LED is responsive in the presence of said primary indicator signal for effecting a visually perceptable signal;

a secondary mode indicator LED in communication with said processor, wherein said secondary mode indicator LED is responsive in the presence of said secondary indicator signal for effecting a visually perceptable signal;

a dim mode indicator LED in communication with said processor, wherein said dim mode indicator LED is responsive in the presence of said dim indicator signal for effecting a visually perceptable signal;

a reverse sensor monitor LED in communication with said reverse sensor, wherein said reverse sensor monitor LED is responsive in the presence of said reverse condition signal for producing a first color indicative of a first polarity of said reverse condition signal and for producing a second color indicative of a second polarity of said reverse condition signal;

a brake sensor monitor LED in communication with said brake sensor, wherein said brake sensor monitor LED is responsive in the presence of said brake condition signal for producing a first color indicative of a first polarity of said brake condition signal and for producing a second color indicative of a second polarity of said brake condition signal;

a left turn monitor LED in communication with said left turn switch, wherein said left turn monitor LED is responsive in the presence of said left turn signal for producing a first color indicative of a first polarity of said left turn signal and for producing a second color indicative of a second polarity of said left turn signal;

a right turn monitor LED in communication with said right turn switch, wherein said right turn monitor LED is responsive in the presence of said right turn signal for producing a first color indicative of a first polarity of said right turn signal and for producing a second color indicative of a second polarity of said right turn signal;

a hazard switch monitor LED in communication with said hazard switch, wherein said hazard switch monitor LED is responsive in the presence of said hazard signal for producing a first color indicative of a first polarity of said hazard signal and for producing a second color indicative of a second polarity of said hazard signal;

a door switch monitor LED in communication with said door switch, wherein said door switch monitor LED is responsive in the presence of said door open condition signal for producing a first color indicative of a first polarity of said door open condition signal and for producing a second color indicative of a second polarity of said door open condition signal;

a parking brake sensor monitor LED in communication with said parking brake sensor, wherein said parking brake sensor monitor LED is responsive in the presence of said parking brake condition signal for producing a first color indicative of a first polarity of said parking brake condition signal and for producing a second color indicative of a second polarity of said parking brake condition signal;

a horn switch monitor LED in communication with said horn switch, wherein said horn switch monitor LED is responsive in the presence of said horn signal for producing a first color indicative of a first polarity of said horn signal and for producing a second color indicative of a second polarity of said horn signal;

a reverse sensor optical isolator in communication with said reverse sensor, wherein said reverse sensor optical isolator is responsive in the presence of said reverse condition signal for effecting a visually perceptable signal;

a reverse light driver in communication with said reverse sensor optical isolator, wherein said reverse light driver is responsive in the presence of said reverse light signal to activate said backup light;

a reverse light monitor LED in communication with said reverse light driver, wherein said reverse light monitor LED is responsive in the presence of said reverse light signal for effecting a visually perceptable signal;

a brake sensor optical isolator in communication with said brake sensor, wherein said brake sensor optical isolator is responsive in the presence of said brake condition signal for generating a brake light signal;

a brake light driver in communication with said brake sensor optical isolator, wherein said brake light driver is responsive in the presence of said brake light signal to activate said brake light;

a brake light monitor LED in communication with said brake light driver, wherein said brake light monitor LED is responsive in the presence of said brake light signal to generate light;

a left turn optical isolator in communication with said left turn switch, wherein said left turn optical isolator is responsive in the presence said left turn signal to generate a left turn light signal;

a left turn light driver in communication with said left turn optical isolator, wherein said left turn light driver is responsive in the presence of said left turn light signal to activate said left turn light;

a left turn light monitor LED in communication with said left turn light driver, wherein said left turn light monitor LED is responsive in the presence of said left turn light signal for effecting a visually perceptable signal;

a right turn optical isolator in communication with said right turn switch, wherein said right turn optical isolator is responsive in the presence said right turn signal to generate a right turn light signal;

a right turn light driver in communication with said right turn optical isolator, wherein said right turn light driver is responsive in the presence of said right turn light signal to activate said right turn light;

a right turn light monitor LED in communication with said right turn light driver, wherein said right turn light monitor LED is responsive in the presence of said right turn light signal for effecting a visually perceptable signal;

a hazard switch optical isolator in communication with said hazard switch, wherein said hazard switch optical isolator is responsive in the presence of said hazard signal for generating left and right turn light signals;

a door switch optical isolator in communication with said door switch, wherein said door switch optical isolator is responsive in the presence of said door open condition signal for generating a door light signal;

a door light driver in communication with said door switch optical isolator, wherein said door light driver is responsive in the presence of said door light signal to activate said door light;

a door light monitor LED in communication with said door light driver, wherein said door light monitor LED is responsive in the presence of said door light signal for effecting a visually perceptable signal;

a parking brake sensor optical isolator in communication with said parking brake sensor, wherein said parking brake sensor optical isolator is responsive in the presence of said parking brake condition signal to generate a parking brake light signal;

a parking brake light driver in communication with said parking brake sensor optical isolator, wherein said parking brake light driver is responsive in the presence of said parking brake light signal to activate said parking brake light;

a parking brake light monitor LED in communication with said parking brake light driver, wherein said parking brake light monitor LED is responsive in the presence of said parking brake light signal for effecting a visually perceptable signal;

a horn switch optical isolator in communication with said horn switch, wherein said horn switch optical isolator is responsive in the presence of said horn signal to generate a horn activation signal;

a horn driver in communication with said horn switch optical isolator, wherein said horn driver is responsive in the presence of said horn activation signal to activate said horn;

a horn monitor LED in communication with said horn driver, wherein said horn monitor LED is responsive in the presence of said horn activation signal for;

an "A" strobe driver in communication with said processor and said second mode selection switch, wherein said "A" strobe driver is responsive in the presence of said "A" lighthead signal to activate said strobe lamps of said "A" lightheads, wherein said "A" strobe driver is responsive in the presence of said strobe driver disable signal for preventing the activation of said strobe lamps of said "A" lightheads;

a "B" strobe driver in communication with said processor and said second mode selection switch, wherein said "B" strobe driver is responsive in the presence of said "B" lighthead signal to activate said strobe lamps of said "B" lightheads, wherein said "B" strobe driver is responsive in the presence of said strobe driver disable signal for preventing the activation of said strobe lamps of said "B" lightheads;

a "C" strobe driver in communication with said processor and said second mode selection switch, wherein said "C" strobe driver is responsive in the presence of said "C" lighthead signal to activate said strobe lamps of said "C" lightheads, wherein said "C" strobe driver is responsive in the presence of said strobe driver disable signal for preventing the activation of said strobe lamps of said "C" lightheads;

an "A" incandescent driver in communication with said processor and said second mode selection switch, wherein said "A" incandescent driver is responsive in the presence of said "A" lighthead signal to activate said incandescent lamps of said "A" lightheads, wherein said "A" incandescent driver is responsive in the presence of said incandescent driver disable signal for preventing the activation of said incandescent lamps of said "A" lightheads;

a "B" incandescent driver in communication with said processor and said second mode selection switch, wherein said "B" incandescent driver is responsive in the presence of said "B" lighthead signal to activate said incandescent lamps of said "B" lightheads, wherein said "B" incandescent driver is responsive in the presence of said incandescent driver disable signal for preventing the activation of said incandescent lamps of said "B" lightheads;

a "C" incandescent driver in communication with said processor and said second mode selection switch, wherein said "C" incandescent driver is responsive in the presence of said "C" lighthead signal to activate said incandescent lamps of said "C" lightheads, wherein said "C" incandescent driver is responsive in the presence of said incandescent driver disable signal for preventing the activation of said incandescent lamps of said "C" lightheads.