US5477209A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote controlled safety light having increased noise discrimination
Assignee: Adonis Inc
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Filing: 1994-07-01
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Granted: 1995-12-19
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Expires: 2014-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A motorcycle helmet, snowmobile helmet, or other apparel worn by riding a vehicle is coupled with a brake light assembly. The brake light assembly includes a receiver circuit for receiving an encoded radio frequency (RF) signal from a transmitter located on the vehicle. The receiver circuit turns on the brake light for a predetermined amount of time after the brake signal is received. The transmitter is turned off for a second predetermined amount of time after the encoded signal is transmitted. The second predetermined amount of time is less than the first predetermined amount of time. The second predetermined amount of time is advantageously a pseudo random of time. The radio-controlled brake light system advantageously increases noise immunity and spurious illumination of the brake light in response to signals from other riders or operators.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond G. Benson, Jr.
- 👤 John J. Robinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:05
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/2661; B60Q1/2673; B60Q1/2676; A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/0406; A42B3/0433; A42B3/0453; B60Q1/44; B62; B62J; B62J6/00; B62J6/16; B62J6/165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A radio-controlled brake light system, comprising: a transmitter which provides an encoded signal in response to a brake operation, the transmitter disabling transmission of the encoded signal for a first period of time after the encoded signal is transmitted; a receiver which provides a control signal in response to the encoded signal; and a light source coupled to the receiver; wherein the receiver provides the control signal so that the light source emits light for a predetermined amount of time after the encoded signal is received, wherein the predetermined amount of time is greater than the first period of time, whereby said disabling transmission of the encoded signal for the period of time reduces interference to other radio-controlled brake light systems operating in a small area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A radio-controlled brake light system, comprising: a transmitter which provides an encoded signal in response to a brake operation, the transmitter disabling transmission of the encoded signal for a first period of time after the encoded signal is transmitted; a receiver which provides a control signal in response to the encoded signal; and a light source coupled to the receiver; wherein the receiver provides the control signal so that the light source emits light for a predetermined amount of time after the encoded signal is received, wherein the predetermined amount of time is greater than the first period of time, whereby said disabling transmission of the encoded signal for the period of time reduces interference to other radio-controlled brake light systems operating in a small area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the receiver includes: a microprocessor; and a regenerative receiver coupled to the microprocessor, the regenerative receiver providing the encoded signal to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor provides the control signal to the light source for the predetermined amount of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the encoded system is an AM signal representative of a code.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the encoded signal includes a start bit, the start bit being a predetermined time period of low amplitude transmission, and a bit code indicative of the ID code, the bit code including a logic high, the logic high being a second predetermined time period of low amplitude transmission followed by a third predetermined time period of high amplitude transmission and, the logic low being a fourth predetermined time period of low amplitude transmission followed by the third predetermined time period of high amplitude transmission.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter further includes an RF generator and a microprocessor coupled to the RF generator, the RF generator providing the encoding signals in response to second control signals from the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor times the first period of time after the encoded signal is transmitted before transmitting another encoded system, the first period of time being a pseudo random period of time related to the encoded signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the period of time is a pseudo random period of time related to the encoded signal.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of illuminating a remote-controlled brake light in a brake light system including a transmitter and a receiver, comprising the steps of: transmitting an encoded signal in response to a braking operation, from the transmitter; preventing the transmitter from transmitting another encoded signal for a first period of time after the encoded signal is transmitted; and receiving the encoded signal from the transmitter; and illuminating light from the brake light in response to the receiver receiving the encoded signal, wherein said illuminating the light is for a second predetermined period of time greater than the first period of time, whereby said preventing the transmitter from transmitting step reduces interference to other remote controlled brake lights.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of illuminating a remote-controlled brake light in a brake light system including a transmitter and a receiver, comprising the steps of: transmitting an encoded signal in response to a braking operation, from the transmitter; preventing the transmitter from transmitting another encoded signal for a first period of time after the encoded signal is transmitted; and receiving the encoded signal from the transmitter; and illuminating light from the brake light in response to the receiver receiving the encoded signal, wherein said illuminating the light is for a second predetermined period of time greater than the first period of time, whereby said preventing the transmitter from transmitting step reduces interference to other remote controlled brake lights.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the first period of time is a pseudo random period of time related to the encoded signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of comparing the encoded signal to a stored code in the receiver.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the encoded signal is an amplitude modulated radio frequency signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the first period of time is a pseudo random period of time related to the encoded signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the second period of time is at least six times longer than the first period of time.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus for use with a helmet or other article in a remote controlled brake light system, the system including a transmitter for transmitting an encoded signal in response to a brake operation, the transmitter preventing transmission of the encoded signal for a first period of time after initiation of the braking operation, the encoded signal including a transmitted ID code, the apparatus comprising: an ID code circuit which stores a receiver ID code; an antenna; a receiver circuit coupled to the antenna; a control circuit coupled to the receiver circuit and the ID circuit; and a light source coupled to the control circuit; wherein the receiver circuit receives the encoded signal at the antenna from an external source, the receiver circuit decoding the encoded signal to provide the transmitted ID code to the control circuit, the control circuit comparing the transmitted ID code to the ID receiver code stored in the ID circuit and providing a control signal for a predetermined amount of time when the transmitted ID code equals the ID receiver code stored in the ID code circuit; the light source emitting light in response to the control signal, the predetermined amount of time being greater than the first period of time.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus for use with a helmet or other article in a remote controlled brake light system, the system including a transmitter for transmitting an encoded signal in response to a brake operation, the transmitter preventing transmission of the encoded signal for a first period of time after initiation of the braking operation, the encoded signal including a transmitted ID code, the apparatus comprising: an ID code circuit which stores a receiver ID code; an antenna; a receiver circuit coupled to the antenna; a control circuit coupled to the receiver circuit and the ID circuit; and a light source coupled to the control circuit; wherein the receiver circuit receives the encoded signal at the antenna from an external source, the receiver circuit decoding the encoded signal to provide the transmitted ID code to the control circuit, the control circuit comparing the transmitted ID code to the ID receiver code stored in the ID circuit and providing a control signal for a predetermined amount of time when the transmitted ID code equals the ID receiver code stored in the ID code circuit; the light source emitting light in response to the control signal, the predetermined amount of time being greater than the first period of time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the control circuit is a microprocessor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the encoded signal is an amplitude modulated signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the encoded signal has a carrier frequency of 310 megahertz or 390 megahertz.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the microprocessor is put in a sleep mode for a particular amount of time in order to reduce power consumption of the apparatus.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the predetermined amount of time is approximately two seconds.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the encoded signal includes a 600 microsecond transmission of low amplitude signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the encoded signal is a start bit followed by a four bit signal indicative of the transmitted ID code.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-12-18 | 1999-06-19 | 1999-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-18 | 2003-06-19 | 2003-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-18 | 2007-06-19 | 2007-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |