RF wireless permanently mounted searchlight

• US 8,552,842 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2004
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xylem Ip Holdings LLC (Xylem, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Xylem Ip Holdings LLC (Xylem, Inc.)
• Inventors: Naval, Rufino U., Lee, Richard W., McDonough, William B.
• Primary Examiner(s): HOLLOWAY III, EDWIN C
• Application Number:
  US11/019,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20050248930A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,213 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/12.22, 340/12.23, 340/12.5, 340/13.25, 340/12.17, 340/12.24, 362/85, 362/37, 362/477
• US Class Current: 340/12.22
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/245 Searchlights, e.g. adjustable from within the vehicle adjustable headlights B60Q1/06
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

The invention provides apparatus for controlling a search lamp using a wireless transmitter and receiver. The transmitter responds to user inputs by providing a wireless digitally encoded modulation signal containing information indicating at least one operation in a set of operations the search lamp is able to perform. The receiver responds to the wireless digitally encoded modulation signal by providing a control signal for controlling the functionality of the search lamp. The functionality may include, for example, moving the search lamp left/right and/or up/down, a sweep on/off @ +/−45 degrees; X/Y/Z movement (Z when motors run simultaneously); Diagonal sweep (motors run simultaneously); Fast/Slow sweep (50%/100%). The transmitter and receiver are programmable to communicate on a unique 16 bit digital code setting that provides about 65K different code settings, which may also include a random code setting.

Claims

1. Apparatus for controlling a search lamp having driver motors for moving the search lamp, comprising:

a wireless searchlight transmitter configured to;

receive user inputs containing information about controlling the functionality of the search lamp, including turning the search lamp on and off, moving the search lamp left or right, moving the search lamp up or down, moving the search lamp diagonally, sweeping the search lamp with continuous movement, moving the search lamp at a fast speed or a slow speed, and initiating a learn mode, and

provide signaling containing information about the user inputs, the signaling being transmitted using FM wireless digitally encoded modulation on a fixed frequency with an N bit digital code setting that provides 2^N different digital code settings; and

a wireless searchlight receiver/controller configured to;

receive the signaling, and

provide corresponding signaling containing information for controlling the functionality of the search lamp, based at least partly on the signaling received,

wherein the wireless searchlight transmitter is configured to activate a learn mode when the user inputs include slow and fast buttons being depressed.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the FM wireless digitally encoded modulation is based on using an FM Frequency Shift Key (FSK) scheme at a data rate of less than a 1000 bits per second with a transmitter frequency of 433.92 MHz UHF that is crystal controlled, so as to substantially minimize FM interference in relation to signals generated from other surrounding devices otherwise broadcasting typically in a range of about 303-390 MHz, including garage door openers, lighting controls and ceiling fan controls.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a complete transmission from the wireless searchlight transmitter to the wireless searchlight receiver/controller comprises a synchronization frame having N bits of unique address information, N/2 bits of key code information, and an N/2-bit checksum.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the synchronization frame may be repeated multiple time, each time a valid key closure is detected and is repeated as long as a key on a keypad is depressed by a user.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a complete transmission from the wireless searchlight transmitter to the receiver comprises a synchronization frame having N bits of unique address information, N/2 bits of key code information, and an N/2-bit checksum.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the FM wireless digitally encoded modulation is based on using a pulse-position modulation (PPM) scheme.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the N bit digital code setting is a random code setting.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless searchlight receiver/controller is programmed to automatically shut the search lamp off after a predetermined period of time.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless searchlight transmitter includes a sweep key for initiating a back and forth movement of the search lamp.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the sweep key is a toggle switch for turning the back and forth movement on and off.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless searchlight transmitter includes a fast key for initiating a fast movement of the search lamp and a slow key for initiating a slow movement of the search lamp.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the fast movement remains on until the slow key is pressed, and the slow movement remains on until the fast key is pressed.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless searchlight transmitter includes directional keys for initiating horizontal, vertical or diagonal movement of the search lamp for positioning the search light.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the horizontal, vertical or diagonal movement of the search lamp continues until one or more depressed key are released.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the diagonal movement is initiated by simultaneously depressing horizontal and vertical keys.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises the search lamp having the driver motors for moving the search lamp.

20. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signaling contains information about a special learn code instead of normal slow and fast commands.

17. Apparatus comprising:

a search lamp configured with driver motors for moving the search lamp;

a wireless searchlight transmitter configured to;

receive user inputs containing information about controlling the functionality of the search lamp, including turning the search lamp on and off, moving the search lamp left or right, moving the search lamp up or down, moving the search lamp diagonally, sweeping the search lamp with continuous movement, moving the search lamp at a fast speed or a slow speed, and initiating a learn mode, and

provide signaling containing information about the user inputs, the signaling being transmitted using FM wireless digitally encoded modulation on a fixed frequency with an N bit digital code setting that provides 2^N different digital code settings; and

a wireless searchlight receiver/controller configured to;

receive the signaling, and

provide corresponding signaling containing information for controlling the functionality of the search lamp, based at least partly on the signaling received; and

the FM wireless digitally encoded modulation being based on using an FM Frequency Shift Key (FSK) scheme at a data rate of less than a predetermined number of bits per second (BPS) with a transmitter frequency of 433.92 MHz UHF that is crystal controlled, so as to substantially minimize FM interference in relation to signals generated from another surrounding device otherwise broadcasting typically in a range of about 303-390 MHz, including garage door openers, lighting controls and ceiling fan controls,

wherein the wireless searchlight transmitter is configured to activate a learn mode when the user inputs include slow and fast buttons being depressed.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a complete transmission from the wireless searchlight transmitter to the wireless searchlight receiver/controller comprises a synchronization frame having N bits of unique address information, N/2 bits of key code information, and an N/2-bit checksum.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the synchronization frame may be repeated multiple time, each time a valid key closure is detected and is repeated as long as a key on a keypad is depressed by a user.

21. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the signaling contains information about a special learn code instead of normal slow and fast commands.