Programmable LED vehicle marker light assembly

• US 6,858,986 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2003
• Issued: 02/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonoma Circuits, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MITE Limited
• Inventors: Monk, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, THUY V
• Application Number:
  US10/392,410
• Publication Number:
  US 20040183449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 315 76- 77, 315/291, 315/293, 315/299, 315/307, 307/10.1, 307/10.8, 362/487, 362/543, 362/800, 340/815.45
• US Class Current: 315/76
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle marker light assembly including a plurality of preferably serially-connected, programmable light unit modules, each module having a microcontroller and a plurality of LEDs, which have a dual function as a marker light and, alternatively, as an emergency or warning light. In a preferred embodiment, microcontrollers of adjacent modules are programmed to communicate instructions to the light unit modules, causing the LEDs to flash in one or more predetermined patterns or sequences. In this embodiment, the light unit modules are configured in longitudinal strips or other desired forms, and are designed to operate on low amounts of current. In another preferred embodiment, a controller providing command instructions to the light unit modules causes flashing of the marker lights in the predetermined patterns or sequences. Preferably, the light unit modules include electrical circuits to provide protection against unwanted electrical noise and transients, and fail-safe circuits to revert a failed light unit module to a marker-only mode and to allow electrical communication to pass through to an adjacent light unit module.

Claims

1. A light assembly serving a dual role as a marker light, and alternatively as an emergency or warning light for a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of light unit modules in electrical communication with each other, each of the light unit modules comprising a microcontroller and a plurality of LEDs, the microcontrollers being programmed to communicate instructions to the light unit modules;

wherein in response to receiving the instructions, the light unit modules are caused to flash in one or more predetermined patterns or sequences and wherein the light unit modules function as marker lights, and as emergency or warning lights, at an operator'"'"'s control and discretion.

2. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the light unit modules communicate with each other in a serial fashion.

3. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the light unit modules communicate with each other bidirectionally.

4. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the light unit modules are serially connected and powered by a power source located on the vehicle, at an upstream end of the serial connection.

5. The light assembly of claim 4, wherein the power source comprises a vehicle battery.

6. The vehicle marker light assembly of claim 5, wherein the light unit modules are connected in series to, and powered by, the vehicle battery.

7. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the light unit modules comprise relatively thin and narrow light strips.

8. The vehicle marker light assembly of claim 7, wherein the light strips have approximately a 10:

1 or greater ratio between length and width.

9. The light assembly of claim 1, further comprising a controller in electrical communication with the microcontrollers on the light unit modules, the controller providing command instructions to the light unit modules and being manipulable by an operator to permit the operator to cause flashing of the marker lights in the predetermined patterns or sequences.

10. The light assembly of claim 9, wherein the light unit modules are serially connected, and the controller is located at an upstream end of the serial connection.

11. The light assembly of claim 9, wherein the controller is located in a vehicle cab remote from the light unit modules.

12. The light assembly of claim 11, wherein the controller communicates with the light unit modules through a wireless electrical communication.

13. The light assembly of claim 1, further comprising a connector allowing the electrical communication between the light unit modules, the connector comprising at least three wires.

14. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein each light unit module draws about 100 milliamps or less of current.

15. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the light unit modules comprise a UV stable lens.

16. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the light unit modules comprise molded optics.

17. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the light unit modules are waterproof.

18. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein each light unit module further comprises one or more electrical circuits to provide protection against unwanted electrical noise and transients.

19. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein each light unit module further comprises one or more fail-safe circuits to revert a failed light unit module to a marker-only mode and to allow electrical communication to pass through to an adjacent light unit module.

20. A light assembly serving a dual role as a marker light, and alternatively as an emergency or warning light for a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of light unit modules, each of the light unit modules comprising a microcontroller and a plurality of LEDs;

wherein the light unit modules are serially connected to a vehicle power source and are selectively programmable, allowing a vehicle operator to cause the light unit modules to flash in predetermined patterns or sequences functioning as marker lights, and alternatively as emergency or warning lights, at the operator'"'"'s control and discretion.