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US 2004/0056779 A1Published application
Transportation signaling device
OwnerRodger H. Rastinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for generating buoy light signals using a collimated light source. The system provides for communication of system conditions and ambient conditions, and can provide homeland security monitoring. The system senses motion of the buoy and compensates the direction of lighting, and optionally acoustics, being generated out over a body of water. Numerous other transportation related embodiments are described including devices for providing user comfort when flying, automotive signaling, auto parking control, sports bottles, visors, and lures.
Claims161
An apparatus for outputting signals from a marker buoy, comprising:
- a laser light source configured for projecting at least one beam of light;
- housing for retaining said collimated light source, and configured for attachment to a buoy;
- electromechanical actuators for varying the horizontal and vertical angle of said collimated light source;
- a tilt sensor;
- a control system which generates signals to modulate the movement of said electromechanical actuators in response to signals from said tilt sensor to maintain desired directions of light projections despite buoy motion;
- an electronic compass for registering compass orientation from which buoy horizontal orientation and the horizontal direction of devices coupled to said buoy may be determined;
- a means for directing a beam of audio sounds and/or speech in a selected horizontal (compass) angle from said apparatus and dispersed over a horizontal angle from ten degrees to thirty degrees;
- wherein said audio sounds and/or speech generated is responsive to the horizontal (compass) direction from the buoy giving listeners an indication of angular position in relation to said buoy;
- sensors for registering the status of said apparatus and/or systems coupled to said buoy;
- sensors for registering ambient conditions at said buoy;
- wherein said sensors are selected from the group of ambient sensors consisting of air temperature, fog intensity, fog distance, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, sky obscuration, wave activity, water temperature, light intensity, audio transducers and video imagers;
- a radio frequency communications link configured for conveying sensor data from said apparatus at said buoy and for receiving remote control commands to said apparatus.
9 more elements
An apparatus for powering a marker buoy comprising:
- an electrical generator configured to generate an electrical current in response to a mechanical input;
- wherein said electrical generator is configured for mounting on a marker buoy;
- a mechanical coupling attaching the mechanical input of said generator to an fixed anchor or to an elongated member joining to said fixed anchor;
- an electrical energy storage device;
- a power system for receiving energy from said electrical generator and conditioning it for storage on said electrical energy storage device;
- and
- a solar collector assembly coupled to said power system, for converting ambient light energy to electrical energy for storage on said electrical energy storage device;
- wherein said mechanical input is a lever arm extending from said generator.
5 more elements
An apparatus for powering a marker buoy comprising:
- a fuel tank configured for retention in the base of a buoy;
- a fuel cell for converting chemical energy from the fuel in said fuel tank to electrical energy, said fuel cell configured for secure retention in the base of said buoy;
- an electrical energy storage device configured for temporarily storing electrical energy from said fuel cell;
- fuel level sensor configured to generate a signal in response to retained fuel level;
- and
- a circuit for communicating said retained fuel level indication over a radio communication link to a remote location.
3 more elements
An apparatus for preventing loss of synchronization on a vehicle driven by multiple propellers through a fluid, comprising:
- means for sensing fluid motion along the hull of said vehicle proceeding toward the propellers;
- means for estimating fluid motion conditions that will occur at said propellers in response to pressure gradient measurements;
- and
- means for rapidly altering the rotational speed of the propellers based on said fluid motion estimation to maintain synchronization between propellers.
1 more element
A method of controlling propeller speed when maintaining synchronization, comprising:
- (a) estimating the necessary load compensation to prevent synchronization loss;
- wherein said estimates are based on measured fluid flow patterns;
- (b) varying the field current in generators in response to said load compensation signals;
- wherein said generators are mechanically coupled to the rotating outputs driving said propellers.
1 more element
A method for maintaining timeclocks in synchronization, comprising:
- (a) modifying a power output signal at predetermined times;
- (b) drawing power from the output for operating a clock or time-keeping device;
- (c) detecting said modification of said power output;
- and
- (d) adjusting said clock or time-keeping device according to the difference between the time being kept and the time associated with the predetermined time.
2 more elements
An apparatus for providing a comfortable resting position, comprising:
- a flexible base configured for being supported on a substantially flat surface forward of the seated position of the user;
- wherein the underside of said flexible base is configured for securely resting on a tray table from the rear of a airline seat;
- a face ring shaped for supporting the head of the user over a cavity within the base;
- openings between said cavity within said flexible base and the ambient air for providing ventilation;
- hand-arm supports for extending down below the height of a tray table and configured for receiving the hands or arms in a relaxed position.
2 more elements
An apparatus for displaying positions and routes on a map display in response to data received from web sites, comprising:
- a map database containing street and roadway information;
- a map display program at map server web site configured for displaying portions of said map database in response to user control or data received from a web site;
- and
- an interface for collecting location specific information from a non-mapping web site and displaying the information over the street and roadway information generated by the map display program;
- wherein said location specific information can include animation data depicting nodes along a route;
- wherein said location specific information can include graphic elements provided by said non-mapping web site.
3 more elements
An apparatus for displaying temporal related messages with limited user intervention, comprising:
- a display array;
- a user interface adapted with audio output and microphone input;
- an electronic controller operably connected to said user interface, and said display array;
- a speech to text converter within said controller for converting selected user input through said microphone to text for display on said display;
- and
- wherein said electronic controller is adapted to convert user commands to selected data output on said display which may include user voiced messages which are converted to messages displayed on said display array;
- wherein said voice input may be converted to display commands in response to display command context.
4 more elements
An apparatus for tracking tool location to prevent loss, comprising:
- a portable housing with self contained power source configured for being carried by a user as a tracking unit;
- an RFID transceiver within said tracking unit configured for challenging RFID units attached to tools to be kept track of;
- an annunciator for indicating the status or location of tools being tracked;
- memory for retaining a list of tools and status for each tool;
- a computer processor executing instructions from memory and controlling the operation of said RFID transceiver and said annunciator;
- and
- programming configured to execute on said computer processor for,
- attempting communication with RFID units associated with each tool,
- annunciating tools from the list of tools from which a response to the challenge is not received.
6 more elements
An apparatus for applying a liquid repair material to pavement cracks and voids, comprising:
- a base adapted for mounting to a vehicle;
- means for sensing cracks and voids in a pavement surface and generating a responsive signal, said means for sensing cracks being mounted on said base;
- a mechanical translation stage attached to said base;
- a reservoir for retaining liquid repair materials;
- a nozzle adapted for dispensing liquid repair materials from said reservoir and mounted to said translation stage;
- whereby said nozzle mounted to said translation stage is adapted for positioned dispensement of liquid repair material from said reservoir over selected portions of said pavement surface;
- a flow control assembly coupled to said nozzle for regulating the flow of said liquid repair material from said reservoir;
- an electronic controller device operably coupled to said mechanical translation stage, said flow control assembly and said means for sensing;
- and
- said electronic controller adapted to generate control signals for positioning said nozzle on said translation stage to align with said cracks and voids in said pavement and for activating said flow control assembly to dispense a sufficient quantity of liquid repair materials through said nozzle for sealing and or repairing said cracks and voids in said pavement.
7 more elements
An apparatus for dispensing fluids for consumption, comprising
- a fluid container configured to retain a water or a beverage;
- a valve coupled to said fluid container configured for being opened by mouth or one hand for accessing the fluid contents of said fluid container;
- and
- a means for restricting the amount of fluid which can be consumed from said fluid container in response to opening of said valve;
- wherein said restricted amount of fluid comprises a between approximately five percent and thirty five percent of the total fluid container volume.
2 more elements
An apparatus for dispensing fluids for consumption, comprising
- a housing configured for retaining fluid including water and beverages;
- a first fluid chamber in said housing;
- a valve coupled to said first fluid chamber configured for being opened by mouth or one hand for accessing the fluid contents of said first fluid chamber;
- and
- a second fluid chamber sealed against said first fluid chamber for retaining a reserve quantity of fluid;
- and
- means for unsealing second fluid chamber from said first fluid chamber to access the reserve quantity of fluid.
4 more elements
A visor frame comprising:
- a structural frame member configured to wrap around a portion of the head of the wearer;
- supports extending at intervals from the structural frame member;
- at least one elongated tension member slidable engaged with said supports whose ends are attached near the ends of said structural frame;
- and
- a means for adjusting the tension applied through said elongated tension member and said supports to said structural frame thereby changing the tension with which the visor frame is retained on the head of a wearer.
2 more elements
A toy apparatus, comprising:
- a power source;
- at least one environmental sensor;
- an audio output;
- a radio frequency response circuit configured to detect a challenge from a radio frequency transceiver held in sufficient proximity;
- and
- a microcontroller circuit configured for generating an audio output in response to said detected challenge, the signal response from said environmental sensor, and/or time delays determined by said microcontroller.
3 more elements
A fishing lure, comprising:
- a housing having a slight positive buoyancy in water;
- wherein said housing is configured in the shape of a bait item and contains;
- at least one hook assembly extending from said housing;
- an anchor point configured for attachment of a leader line;
- an electrical power source;
- and
- a fluid propulsion system receiving drive power from said electrical power source, wherein motion is imparted to said housing and limited by the length of said leader line.
4 more elements
An apparatus for outputting signals from a marker buoy, comprising:
- collimated light source configured for projecting at least one beam of light;
- housing for retaining said collimated light source, and configured for attachment to a buoy;
- means for varying the horizontal and vertical angle of said collimated light source;
- and
- means for sensing the motion of a buoy to which said collimated source is attached and modulating said horizontal and said vertical angle of said collimated light source to maintain desired directions of light projections despite buoy motion.
2 more elements
An apparatus for powering a marker buoy comprising:
- an electrical generator configured to generate an electrical current in response to a mechanical input;
- wherein said electrical generator is configured for mounting on a marker buoy;
- a mechanical coupling attaching the mechanical input of said generator to a location subject to less motion than experienced by said buoy;
- an electrical energy storage device;
- a power system for receiving energy from said electrical generator and conditioning it for storage on said electrical energy storage device.
2 more elements
An apparatus for powering a marker buoy comprising:
- a fuel tank configured for retention in the base of a buoy;
- a fuel cell for converting chemical energy from the fuel in said fuel tank to electrical energy, said fuel cell configured for secure retention in the base of said buoy;
- an electrical energy storage device configured for temporarily storing electrical energy from said fuel cell.
An apparatus for providing a comfortable resting position, comprising:
- a flexible base configured for being supported on a substantially flat surface forward of the seated position of the user;
- a face ring shaped for supporting the head of the user over a cavity within the base;
- and
- openings between said cavity within said flexible base and the ambient air for providing ventilation.
1 more element
An apparatus for reducing the extraneous loads placed on a vehicle engine during acceleration, comprising:
- acceleration pedal sensor configured to sense if attempted acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold;
- and
- a control circuit for disengaging the air conditioning clutch in response to attempted acceleration exceeding said threshold.
A system for registering vehicles automatically, comprising:
- a electronic imager configured for capturing wide angle and zoomed images;
- a computer configured to perform image processing;
- programming operable on said computer for,
- zooming in to the image of the license plate of a vehicle;
- extracting license plate information from said image;
- registering status of vehicle;
- checking history of vehicle;
- displaying relevant information about vehicle to user.
5 more elements
An apparatus for reserving a parking space, comprising:
- housing configured for attachment to a parking space;
- means for detecting the proximity of a vehicle parking over said housing;
- an audio alarm configured for generating a loud alarm sequence;
- a wireless communication link;
- and
- a control circuit that activates said audio alarm upon said means detecting a parking vehicle, unless communication is received over said wireless communication link indicating that the vehicle is that of the space owner.
3 more elements
In a tape measure having an elongated ruled measure which extends from a housing, the improvement comprises:
- a recess in the side of the tape measure adapted for receiving and retaining a small notepad.
In a tape measure having an elongated ruled measure which extends from a housing, the improvement comprises:
- electronically readable markings on the elongated ruled measure;
- and
- a reader assembly adapted to generate signals in response to reading of said electronically readable markings on said extended elongated ruled measure;
- an output device for annunciating measurements;
- and
- a controller operably connected to said reader assembly and said output device and adapted to generate length readings which are annunciated on said output device in response to the extension of said elongated ruled measure.
3 more elements
In a tape measure having an elongated ruled measure which extends from a housing, the improvement comprises:
- electronically readable markings on the elongated ruled measure;
- and
- a reader assembly adapted to generate signals in response to reading of said electronically readable markings on said extended elongated ruled measure;
- a controller circuit operably connected to said reader assembly and adapted to communicate with a display enabled device for registering the associated measurements.
1 more element
An apparatus for securing articles being transported in a moving vehicle, comprising:
- at least one flexible bladder adapted for deployment within a storage area of a vehicle;
- means for filling and emptying said bladder;
- a control device for regulating said means for the filling and emptying of said bladder;
- wherein control device activates said bladder which expands to a predetermined pressure to retain articles within said storage area and prevent rattling or shifting of contents, and may be emptied so that articles may be added or removed form said storage area.
1 more element
An apparatus for verifying that the lights on an automobile trailers are operating correctly, comprising:
- a housing;
- a connector adapted for establishing an electrical connection with the lighting receptacle plug from a trailer;
- a voltage source adapted for generating a voltage across selected connections;
- a current sensor adapted to sense current flow through said connections in response to the voltage generated by said voltage source;
- a controller connected to said current source and adapted to sense if said current flow is within a predetermined range of current;
- and
- an annunciator operatively coupled to said controller and adapted to indicate if the current draw through said connections is within a predetermined range.
4 more elements
An apparatus for applying a liquid repair material to fill pavement cracks and voids, comprising:
- means for sensing cracks and voids in a pavement surface and generating a responsive signal, said means for sensing cracks being mounted on said base;
- a mechanical translation stage attached to said base;
- a reservoir for retaining liquid repair materials;
- a nozzle adapted for dispensing liquid repair materials received from a reservoir and mounted to said translation stage;
- whereby said nozzle mounted to said translation stage is adapted for positioned dispensement of liquid repair material from said reservoir over selected portions of said pavement surface;
- a flow control assembly coupled to said nozzle for regulating the flow of said liquid repair material from said reservoir;
- an electronic controller device operably coupled to said mechanical translation stage, said flow control assembly and said means for sensing;
- and
- said electronic controller adapted to generate control signals for positioning said nozzle on said translation stage to align with said cracks and voids in said pavement and for activating said flow control assembly to dispense a sufficient quantity of liquid repair materials through said nozzle for sealing and or repairing said cracks and voids in said pavement.
6 more elements
An apparatus for manually dispensing liquid repair material onto cracks and voids in a pavement surface, comprising:
- a shaft adapted for being positioned manually;
- means for sensing cracks and voids in a pavement surface and generating a responsive signal, said means for sensing cracks being mounted on said base;
- a mechanical translation stage attached to said shaft;
- a nozzle adapted for dispensing liquid repair materials from a source of a fluid repair material;
- whereby said nozzle mounted to said translation stage is adapted for positioned dispensement of liquid repair material from said reservoir over selected portions of said pavement surface;
- a flow control assembly coupled to said nozzle for regulating the flow of said liquid repair material from said reservoir;
- an electronic controller device operably coupled to said mechanical translation stage and said means for sensing;
- and
- said electronic controller adapted to generate control signals for positioning said nozzle on said shaft to align with said cracks and voids in said pavement.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.