Sequenced guiding systems for vehicles and pedestrians
First Claim
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1. A system for marking a route, path or boundary, said system comprising:
- a plurality of signaling modules, each module comprising a signaling device, a radiofrequency apparatus and a control circuitry;
the modules being positionable in an array which marks a route, path or boundary;
said control circuitry being useable to cause the modules to alternately operate in a mode selected from at least;
i) a sequential mode wherein the modules positioned in an array emit signals in sequence from a first-positioned module of the array to a last-positioned module of the array and ii) a simultaneous mode wherein at least some of the modules in the array emit signals simultaneously;
whereby the modules positioned in the array will undergo radiofrequency communication with one another and the control circuitry will cause the signaling devices of the modules to emit signals in accordance with the selected mode; and
wherein, when operating in sequential mode, the modules are programmed to self detect their sequential order in the array and to self-adapt to changes in the positional order of the modules or elimination of one or more modules within the array and insertion of one or more additional modules within the array, thereby maintaining the emitting of signals in sequence from a first-positioned module of the array to a last-positioned module of the array.
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Abstract
Devices, systems and methods wherein sequential signals are emitted from a plurality of signaling modules positioned in an array which demarcates a route or boundaries to be followed by a pedestrian or vehicle.
38 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for marking a route, path or boundary, said system comprising:
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a plurality of signaling modules, each module comprising a signaling device, a radiofrequency apparatus and a control circuitry; the modules being positionable in an array which marks a route, path or boundary; said control circuitry being useable to cause the modules to alternately operate in a mode selected from at least;
i) a sequential mode wherein the modules positioned in an array emit signals in sequence from a first-positioned module of the array to a last-positioned module of the array and ii) a simultaneous mode wherein at least some of the modules in the array emit signals simultaneously;whereby the modules positioned in the array will undergo radiofrequency communication with one another and the control circuitry will cause the signaling devices of the modules to emit signals in accordance with the selected mode; and wherein, when operating in sequential mode, the modules are programmed to self detect their sequential order in the array and to self-adapt to changes in the positional order of the modules or elimination of one or more modules within the array and insertion of one or more additional modules within the array, thereby maintaining the emitting of signals in sequence from a first-positioned module of the array to a last-positioned module of the array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for guiding a pedestrian or vehicle to a desired destination within a geographic area, building, campus, structure or the like, said method comprising the steps of:
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A) obtaining or providing a system which comprises a plurality of modules, each module comprising a signaling device, a radiofrequency apparatus and control circuitry, said control circuitry being useable to cause the modules to alternately operate in a mode selected from at least;
i) a sequential mode wherein the modules positioned in an array emit signals in sequence from a first-positioned module of the array to a last-positioned module of the array and ii) a simultaneous mode wherein at least some of the modules in the array emit signals simultaneously, wherein the modules are positionable in an array which marks a route, and wherein the control circuits of the modules are operative to communicate with one another on a particular route via the radiofrequency apparatus and to cause the signaling devices of the modules to emit guidance signals in accordance with the selected mode;B) positioning modules of the system along routes to a plurality of possible destinations; C) programming a transmitter for a selected one of the possible destinations, thereby causing the transmitter to transmit control signals which selectively trigger the modules located on the particular route to emit sequential guidance signals to the selected destination in accordance with the selected mode; and
,D) causing the transmitter to be carried by the pedestrian or vehicle so that the pedestrian or vehicle may follow the sequential guidance signals to the selected destination. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method for guiding pedestrians or vehicles along an intended path of travel having at least first and second boundaries, said method comprising the steps of:
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obtaining a plurality of signal emitting modules which undergo radiofrequency communication with one another and which include control circuitry comprising a mesh network which causes the modules to emit signals in sequence from a first-positioned module of the array to a last-positioned module of the array; and positioning a first array of signal emitting modules in sequence along a first boundary of the intended path of travel; positioning a second array of signal emitting modules in sequence along a second boundary of the intended path of travel; programming the control circuitry so as to pair modules in the first array with adjacently positioned modules in the second array; whereby the modules communicate among themselves via the mesh network, without reference to a common master signal, to cause each pair of modules to emit signals in unison and in sequential order from the first pair to the last pair.
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Specification