Programmable emergency signalling device and system

• US 6,100,791 A
• Filed: 10/06/1994
• Issued: 08/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Federal Signal Corporation
• Original Assignee: Federal Signal Corporation
• Inventors: Benner, Michael, Bader, Joseph F., Hilburger, Dennis James, Gieffers, Ward, Kekeis, Kent Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): TONG, NINA C
• Application Number:
  US08/319,123
• Time in Patent Office: 2,133 Days
• Field of Search: 340/471, 340/472, 340/531, 340/332, 340/490, 340/815.19, 340/331, 340/458, 362/35, 362/80
• US Class Current: 340/331
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle

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.

Claims

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.

2. The emergency signalling system of claim 1 wherein the motor is a reversible motor.

3. The emergency signalling system of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a first control unit contained in a common housing with the signalling devices and in serial communication with a second control unit contained within the vehicle.

4. The emergency signalling system of claim 1 wherein each of the signalling devices includes a sensor for resolving an orientation of the reflector.

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.

6. The emergency signalling system of claim 5 wherein the first control unit comprises a memory containing a plurality of alternative signalling patterns for the signalling device.

7. The emergency signalling system of claim 5 wherein the signalling device includes a reversible motor.

8. The emergency signalling system of claim 7 wherein the signalling device includes a position sensor for detecting an orientation of a beam generated by the signalling device.

9. The emergency signalling system of claim 8 wherein the first control unit includes a means responsive to a signal from the position sensor.

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.

11. The emergency signalling system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the sensor includes means for detecting the absence of a light beam at the signalling device.

12. The emergency signalling system as set forth in claim 11 wherein the diagnostic circuit includes means for audibly alerting a user of the failure mode.