LED warning light and communication system

• US 6,879,263 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2001
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Federal Law Enforcement Development Services, Inc., John P. Weitzel
• Original Assignee: Federal Law Enforcement Incorporated
• Inventors: Pederson, John C., Severson, Dan, Severson, Cathy Jo
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US09/993,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20020105432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.45, 340/691.1, 340/691.4, 340/691.8, 340/901, 340/902, 340/9.07, 340/908, 340/945, 340/961, 340/981, 340983-985, 340/907, 398/118, 398/128, 398/130, 398/135, 398/140, 398/172, 362/800, 345/55, 345/82
• US Class Current: 340/815.45
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/06 for indicating aircraft presence
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/042 the advertising matter being fixed on the roof of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/001 using specific devices not provided for in groups G09G3/02 - G09G3/36, e.g. using an intermediate record carrier such as a film slide; Projection systems; Display of non-alphanumerical information, solely or in combination with alphanumerical information, e.g. digital display on projected diapositive as background slide projectors per se G03B23/00 = 42 HP

Abstract

A light emitting diode (LED) warning signal light and communication device comprising a controller for generating a first observable light signal and a second non-observable light signal within said first light signal. The second light signal is formed of packets of individual pulsed light which may be processed for comparison to data stored in memory integral to a controller for communication of information to an individual through the use of pulsed light signals.

Claims

1. A light signal comprising:

a) a light support having a plurality of light emitting diodes attached thereto, said light emitting diodes receiving power from a power source;

b) a memory device attached to said light support, said memory device having data; and

c) a controller in communication with said light emitting diodes and said memory device, said controller being constructed and arranged to illuminate said light emitting diodes to simultaneously create at least one first light signal, and at least one second light signal, said first light signal being observable to the unaided eyes of an individual and said second light signal not being observable to the unaided eyes of said individual, said controller further being constructed and arranged for communication with said memory device for generation of said second light signal.

2. The light signal according to claim 1, said second light signal comprising rapid light pulses.

3. The light signal according to claim 2, wherein said rapid light pulses are grouped into at least one packet.

4. The light signal according to claim 3, wherein said at least one packet is formed into at least one combination of packets.

5. The light signal according to claim 4, said rapid light pulses each being of the same duration.

6. The light signal according to claim 4, said light signal further comprising a photo detector engaged to said support, said photo detector being in communication with said controller.

7. The light signal according to claim 6, wherein said photo detector is constructed and arranged to detect said rapid light pulses.

8. The light signal according to claim 7, said light signal further comprising a converter in communication with said photo detector and said controller, said converter being constructed and arranged to translate said detected rapid light pulses into electrical signals for communication to said controller.

9. The light signal according to claim 8, said light signal further comprising an indicator in communication with said controller.

10. The light signal according to claim 9, wherein said indicator is visible.

11. The light signal according to claim 9, wherein said indicator is audible.

12. The light signal according to claim 10, wherein said indicator is a display.

13. The light signal according to claim 8, said data comprising a plurality of first light signals and a plurality of second light signals.

14. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said controller illuminates at least two of said first light signals in at least one combination.

15. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said controller illuminates at least two of said first light signals simultaneously.

16. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light emitting diodes are grouped into sectors wherein the light emitting diodes of each of said sectors generate light having an identical wavelength.

17. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is engaged to a license plate.

18. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is engaged to an aircraft.

19. The light signal according to claim 8, where said light signal is engaged to an obstacle.

20. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is engaged to a vessel.

21. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is engaged to a vehicle.

22. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is engaged to a structure.

23. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is engaged to a tower.

24. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is engaged to a sign.

25. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is engaged to a subway car.

26. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is engaged to a railroad train.

27. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is engaged to a railroad crossing sign.

28. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is engaged to a traffic light.

29. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is engaged to a buoy.

30. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is engaged to a light post.

31. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is engaged to a marker light.

32. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is engaged to an approach light.

33. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is engaged to a runway light.

34. The light signal according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is integral to a flare.

35. A light signal comprising:

a) a light support having at least one light emitting diode attached thereto, said at least one light emitting diode receiving power from a power source;

b) a memory device attached to said light support, said memory device having data; and

c) a controller in communication with said at least one light emitting diode and said memory device, said controller being constructed and arranged to illuminate said at least one light emitting diode to simultaneously create at least one first light signal, and at least one second light signal, said first light signal being observable to the unaided eyes of an individual and said second light signal not being observable to the unaided eyes of an individual;

said controller being further constructed and arranged for communication with said memory device for generation of said second light signal.