Self-contained, removable, wireless turn signal system for motor vehicles and trailers

• US 8,816,840 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2010
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SmartSignals Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Classic Safety Products, LLC
• Inventors: Peterson, John Samuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/798,219
• Time in Patent Office: 1,609 Days
• Field of Search: 340/465, 340463-464, 340/468, 340472-473, 340/478, 340/482, 340/488, 340506-508, 340/514, 340/425.5, 340/458, 340/475
• US Class Current: 340/465
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2615 mounted on the vehicle body, e.g. with magnets
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/38 using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/10 Retrofit arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/04 characterised by the provision of a light source housing portion adjustably fixed to the remainder of the device
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/08 characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/51 Attachment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

A wireless, removable vehicle signaling control and illumination apparatus for use on antique vehicles lacking original equipment vehicle signaling devices. The system utilizes a miniature digital radio transceiver inside a lamp housing to provide wireless control of the lamp. This signaling system provides a previously unavailable removable automotive signaling solution for antique vehicle owners who want improved illumination and safety features of modern automotive lighting while leaving the vehicle in “original” and “unmodified” condition, which is of such value to antique vehicle owners.

Claims

1. A system for an antique vehicle to generate traffic illumination signals comprising a self contained, removable signal control unit, adapted for placement inside said antique vehicle and responsive to manual commands from a driver of said antique vehicle to generate radio control signals associated with different vehicle traffic signals, an illumination device responsive to said radio control signals to generate different traffic control signals visible from outside said antique vehicle, said illumination device having light emitting diodes housed in a transparent enclosure, illumination circuitry for energizing said diodes, said enclosure, light emitting diodes and illumination circuitry combined into a single, integral package adapted for mounting in a preexisting socket coupled to a antique vehicle power source.

2. A wireless signaling control and illumination system for antique vehicles comprising:

a wireless, removable, in-antique-vehicle signal control unit that controls vehicular traffic illumination lamps on antique vehicles, a transceiver lamp unit having mounted inside an ultra-miniature radio and IC microprocessor code generator/decoder, electrically configured to receive from and or transmit instructions from the control unit in order to control illumination of the lamp unit, wherein at least one lamp unit circuitry is housed in a readily-removable housing and or optionally mounted inside an automotive light bulb to be received in an existing light bulb socket of the antique vehicle.

3. A wireless traffic and illumination system for antique vehicles as described in claim 2 further comprising at least one high power Light Emitting Diode (LED) for illumination.

4. A wireless traffic and illumination system for antique vehicles as described in claim 2 further comprising a fault-detection logic configured to alert the operator of a fault in the system.

5. A wireless traffic and illumination system for antique vehicles as described in claim 2 wherein the microprocessor controls the oscillation of the LED array duty cycle and brightness in the function of producing flashing and solid illumination of the LED array.

6. A wireless traffic and illumination system for antique vehicles as described in claim 2 wherein the transceiver lamp housing holds:

the miniature radio and IC microprocessor code generator/decoder, light source in operative arrangement with the lens to provide illumination, a lens, a magnet, and a power source.

7. A wireless traffic and illumination system for antique vehicles comprising:

a wireless, removable, in-antique-vehicle traffic signal control unit with radio transceiver that controls system signals and illumination; and

at least one transceiver lamp unit including a miniature radio transceiver and IC microprocessor code generator/decoder;

a light source electrically connected to the transceiver lamp unit and configured to receive radio transmissions from the in-antique-vehicle signal control unit in order to control illumination of the transceiver lamp, wherein the radio transceiver, IC microprocessor code generator/decoder are inside an automotive light bulb housing on the antique vehicle.

8. A wireless traffic and illumination system for antique vehicles as described in claim 7 further comprising at least one high power Light Emitting Diode (LED) for illumination.

9. A wireless traffic and illumination system for antique vehicles as described in claim 7 further comprising a fault-detection logic configured to alert the operator of a fault in the system.

10. A wireless traffic and illumination system for antique vehicles as described in claim 7 wherein the microprocessor controls the oscillation of the LED array duty cycle and brightness in the function of producing flashing and solid illumination of the LED array.

11. A wireless traffic and illumination system for antique vehicles as described in claim 7 wherein the transceiver lamp further comprises a housing that is readily attachable to and removable from the antique vehicle and configured to hold:

the miniature radio and IC microprocessor code generator/decoder;

a light source in operative arrangement with the lens to provide illumination;

a lens to focus the light source;

a magnet; and

a power source.

12. A method of retrofitting an antique vehicle to have traffic signals without permanently altering the antique vehicle comprising:

providing a wireless, removable, in-vehicle signal control unit with miniature radio for controlling system traffic signals and illumination, and removably placing the control unit in a passenger compartment of an antique vehicle and arranged to be readily manipulated by an operator of the antique vehicle, and providing at least one radio controlled traffic signal lamp unit having mounted inside a miniature radio remote control and IC microprocessor code generator/decoder, electrically connected to the signal lamp unit and configured to receive and or transmit radio transmissions from and to the in-antique-vehicle signal control unit in order to control illumination of the traffic signal lamp unit, and, the step of removably mounting the traffic signal lamp with miniature radio and circuit inside an existing bulb socket on the antique vehicle and or within a housing removabably placed on the body of the antique vehicle.

13. A method of retrofitting an antique vehicle with traffic signals as described in claim 12 where the removable traffic signal lamp is powered by a battery and is removably attached with a magnet.

14. A method of retrofitting an antique vehicle with temporarily-mounted traffic signal lamps with the step of removably placing a remote control, wireless signal control unit in a passenger compartment of the antique vehicle, and removably placing a radio controlled light bulb unit with at least one miniature radio and microprocessor contained inside the bulb housing, and the step of the antique vehicle driver actuating the radio controlled light bulb from the signal control unit to change the illumination and oscillation of the radio controlled bulb for traffic indication or safety illumination of the antique vehicles.

15. A method of retrofitting an antique vehicle with traffic signals as described in claim 14 where the light source for the traffic signal lamp is at least one light emitting diode (LED).

16. A method of retrofitting an antique vehicle with traffic signals as described in claim 14 wherein the system uses fault detection to provide confirmation of working signals while or before the vehicle is in motion.

17. A method of retrofitting an antique vehicle with traffic signals wherein the method comprises the step of inserting a automotive light bulb unit with miniature embedded radio circuit inside the bulb housing, and the step of removably placing the bulb unit on a antique vehicle for actuation of oscillation and brightness of the light bulb by remote control by a driver of the antique vehicle, and the step of placing and actuating a self-contained and readily removable remote control device to control and or change the illumination and traffic signal meaning of the automotive light bulb by the remote control controller unit.

18. A method of retrofitting an antique vehicle with traffic signals as described in claim 17 wherein the light bulb with miniature embedded radio uses at least one high power light emitting diode to provide a light source.

19. A method of retrofitting an antique vehicle with traffic signals as described in claim 17 where the radio is a transceiver capable of repeating and or confirming messages and can warn the antique vehicle operator of faults in the system.

20. A wireless traffic and illumination system for antique vehicles as described in claim 17 wherein the bulb unit further comprises, a housing with a magnet and a power source.