Programmable emergency signalling device and system
First Claim
1. An emergency signalling system for mounting to a vehicle that generates two or more moving beams of light, the system comprising in combination:
- at least first and second signalling devices for generating the two or more moving beams of light;
each signalling device comprising a rotatable reflector driven by a motor;
a memory containing data for a plurality of visual patterns, each pattern being made by one of the two or more moving beams of light upon rotation of one of the reflectors;
a controller responsive to a user interface for selecting from the memory an appropriate one or more of the plurality of visual patterns and transferring the selected one or more patterns to a variable field of the memory; and
a means responsive to the patterns transferred to the variable field of the memory for collectively controlling the motors of the at least first and second signalling devices to generate a desired emergency signal comprising the two or more moving beams of light.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An emergency signalling system is disclosed that incorporates an emergency signalling device including a light source and reflector mounted for relative rotation in incremental steps in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions. A programmable control unit of the signalling system provides digital signals to a drive source for controlling the speed and direction of the relative rotation. In response to the digital signals, the signalling device executes a variety of different visual patterns. The signalling system can be programmed from a keyboard preferably integrated into a control head mounted to a dashboard area of a vehicle incorporating the emergency signalling system. Virtually any type of visual warning pattern based on the relative rotation of a light source and reflector can be executed by the signalling device if properly programmed.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An emergency signalling system for mounting to a vehicle that generates two or more moving beams of light, the system comprising in combination:
- at least first and second signalling devices for generating the two or more moving beams of light;
each signalling device comprising a rotatable reflector driven by a motor;
a memory containing data for a plurality of visual patterns, each pattern being made by one of the two or more moving beams of light upon rotation of one of the reflectors;
a controller responsive to a user interface for selecting from the memory an appropriate one or more of the plurality of visual patterns and transferring the selected one or more patterns to a variable field of the memory; and
a means responsive to the patterns transferred to the variable field of the memory for collectively controlling the motors of the at least first and second signalling devices to generate a desired emergency signal comprising the two or more moving beams of light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
- at least first and second signalling devices for generating the two or more moving beams of light;
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5. An emergency signalling system for a vehicle including:
- a signalling device mounted to the vehicle for broadcasting emergency signals;
a housing for the signalling device;
a first control unit within the housing for controlling the signalling device;
a second control unit external of the housing and within the vehicle;
a cable extending between the first and second control units comprising one or more data-carrying wires for serially communicating information from the first control unit to the second control unit in response to a command generated at a user input connected to the second control unit. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
- a signalling device mounted to the vehicle for broadcasting emergency signals;
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10. An emergency signalling system for a vehicle comprising in combination:
- a signalling device for generating a moving beam of light;
a base for mating the signalling device with the vehicle;
a control unit responsive to a user interface and in communication with the signalling device for changing a visual pattern of the beam of light created by the signalling device;
a diagnostic circuit responsive to a sensor for reporting a failure mode of the signalling device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
- a signalling device for generating a moving beam of light;
Specification