Abstract: A light emitting assembly (10) is fabricated by forming a continuous strip of aluminum heat sink (12) having a pair of fins (32) aligned with the side edges (20) and cutting the continuous strip into a plurality of elongated sections (18). The elongated sections (18) are disposed in spaced and generally parallel relationship to one another and separated by an elongated slot (26) so that adjacent elongated sections (18) are independent of one another. A plurality of light emitting diodes (24) are disposed on the mounting surface (14) of each elongated section (18). Bridges (28) constructed of a material different from the material of the heat sink (12) interconnect the elongated sections (18). An independent cover (52) is adhesively secured to the mounting surface (14) around the light emitting diodes (24) on each elongated section (18). A housing (56) spaced from the fins (32) is disposed over the assembly (10).

Abstract: LED light assemblies (20) are spaced over a geographical territory defined by a central dispatch of public service personnel operating in the geographical territory and are controlled by transmitting digital packets on a first radio frequency reserved for public safety personnel from a central transceiver (24) to repeaters (26) in the geographical territory and re-transmitting the digital packets on a different second frequency reserved for public safety personnel from the repeaters (26) to the light assemblies (20). In turn, the light assemblies (20) transmit digital radio signals on frequencies reserved for public safety personnel to the repeaters (26) for re-transmission to the central transceiver (24). A plurality of emergency signaling devices (36) transmit digital radio signals on the channels of frequencies reserved for public safety personnel to the light assemblies (20) to transmit a radio signal on the reserved frequencies to the central transceiver (24), a 9-1-1 alert or the like.

Abstract: An L.E.D. light emitting assembly (20) includes a heat sink (50) defined by independent elongated sections (52) upwardly from a base (26) in parallel relationship. L.E.D.s (72) are disposed on a mounting surface (60) and fins (64) are disposed on a heat transfer surface (62) of the elongated sections (52). The elongated sections (52) and base (26) are pivotably connected at a hinge (86). The hinge (86) can include a spring (102). A spreader (90) can pivot the elongated sections (52) about the hinge (86). A flexible stop (106) with a resilient tip (110) is attached to top ends (58) of the elongated sections (52). The elongated sections (52) are held together by a retainer (88), such as a band (104), and inserted through a narrow opening (22) of a globe (24). A deployment mechanism (84) moves the elongated sections (52) to a non-parallel position to fill the globe (24).

Abstract: An L.E.D. lamp assembly (20) includes an electrically insulative coating (24) disposed on a thermally conductive substrate (22). A plurality of light emitting diodes (26) are secured to the coating (24) and a circuit (40) is adhesively secured to the coating (24) in predetermined spaced lengths (42) along the coating (24) to establish discrete and electrically conductive spaced lengths (42) with the light emitting diodes (26) disposed between the spaced lengths (42). LED electrical leads (32) are secured to the spaced lengths (42) of the circuit (40) to electrically interconnect the light emitting diodes (26). The circuit (40) includes a foil tape (46) having an electrically conductive tape portion (48) and a coupling portion (50) disposed on the tape portion (48) for securing the foil tape (46) to the insulated substrate (22).

Abstract: An L.E.D. lamp assembly (20) includes an electrically insulative coating (24) disposed on a thermally conductive substrate (22). A plurality of light emitting diodes (26) are secured to the coating (24) and a circuit (40) is adhesively secured to the coating (24) in predetermined spaced lengths (42) along the coating (24) to establish discrete and electrically conductive spaced lengths (42) with the light emitting diodes (26) disposed between the spaced lengths (42). LED electrical leads (32) are secured to the spaced lengths (42) of the circuit (40) to electrically interconnect the light emitting diodes (26). The circuit (40) includes a foil tape (46) having an electrically conductive tape portion (48) and a coupling portion (50) disposed on the tape portion (48) for securing the foil tape (46) to the insulated substrate (22).

Abstract: A method and assembly for sensing moisture on the exterior surface of a sheet of glass (14) comprising the steps of emitting light rays from an illuminator (12) on an illuminator axis (I) intersecting the glass (14) at an illuminator angle of incidence I&thgr; to reflect the light rays on a reflection axis (R) at an angle (R&thgr;) of reflection to the glass (14) and capturing on an imaging axis (C) the reflected light rays including reflections of moisture (19) on the exterior surface of the glass (14). The method is characterized by isolating the reflection of moisture (19) from the direct reflection of the illuminator (12) to prevent the capture of the direct reflection of the illuminator (12). This can be accomplished by offsetting the imaging axis (C) from the reflection axis (R), or by stopping the direct reflection of the illuminator (12) from being captured, as with a beam stop (24).

Abstract: A method and assembly for sensing moisture on the exterior surface of a sheet of glass (16) by capturing an ambient image (A) of light rays passing through the glass (16) from the exterior to the interior surfaces thereof under ambient light conditions. The invention is characterized by illuminating (18) the glass with pulses of light rays, capturing an illuminated image of the glass containing the ambient image (A) plus the illuminated image (B) containing the reflected light from the illuminating (18) of the glass (16) between the ambient images (A), and subtracting each ambient image (A) from the next adjacent illuminated image (B) to produce a moisture signal (30).

Abstract: Two embodiments include a first image sensor (14, 114) for sensing a first image of the exterior surface of the glass (12) along a first optical axis A and a second image sensor (16, 116) for sensing a second image of the exterior surface of the glass (12) along a second optical axis B which intersects the first optical axis A at an intersection X disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the glass (12). Both embodiments include an image correlator (22) for correlating the first and second images and producing an activation signal (24) in response to coincidence of moisture (10) in the respective correlated first and second images. The rain sensor accurately interprets images of moisture that lie in a narrow measurement zone adjacent the exterior surface of the windshield while disregarding images of objects that lie outside that zone.

Abstract: An electrically driven light emitting diode (LED) assembly and the method of assembling same. The assembly includes an electrically and thermally conductive heat dissipater (10) sandwiched under an electrically insulating layer (12) with circuit traces (14) disposed over the insulating layer (12) to prevent electrical conduction between the traces (14) and the heat dissipater (10). A plurality of light emitting diodes (20) have electrical leads (22) extending laterally from opposite extremities of each LED (20) to overlie the traces (14) for electrical contact with the traces (14) for powering the LEDs (20). An independent and generally U-shaped holding device (24, 26, 28, 30 and 32), as viewed in cross section, defines a base overlying the LED (20) and a pair of legs (36, 136) depending therefrom and transversely to the electrical leads (22) between the LED (20) and the heat dissipater (10). The base defines a hole (38) and the LED (20) protrudes (39) through the hole (38) to emit light.

Abstract: A plurality of the first L1 and second L2 image sensor elements are interleaved with one another. The first image sensor elements L1 has a peak response at the first wavelength &lgr;1 for capturing an illuminated image of the glass and objects on the glass containing a first wavelength &lgr;1 from an infrared illuminator (12). The second image sensor element L2 has a peak response at a second wavelength &lgr;2 for capturing an ambient image of light rays at the second wavelength &lgr;2 passing through the glass (10) from the exterior to the interior surfaces simultaneously with the capture by the first image sensor element L1. Instead of storing two complete sequential images and differentially subtracting them, the present invention creates two simultaneous images from a specially interleaved, single imager (14).

Abstract: An electrically driven light emitting diode (LED) assembly comprising a light emitting diode (12), first (14) and second (16) electrical leads for conducting electricity to and from the light emitting diode (12), and a heat sink (18). The assembly is characterized by the first lead (14) including the heat sink (18) for conducting electricity and heat from the light emitting diode (12) through the heat sink (18). In other words, the diode (12) conducts electricity through a heat sink (18) allowing the diode (12) to be in electrical conductivity with the heat sink (18).

Abstract: A plurality of the first L1 and second L2 image sensor elements are interleaved with one another. The first image sensor element L1 has a peak response at the first wavelength &lgr;1 for capturing an illuminated image of the glass and objects on the glass containing a first wavelength &lgr;1 from an infrared illuminator (12). The second image sensor element L2 has a peak response at a second wavelength &lgr;2 for capturing an ambient image of light rays at the second wavelength &lgr;2 passing through the glass (10) from the exterior to the interior surfaces simultaneously with the capture by the first image sensor element L1. Instead of storing two complete sequential images and differentially subtracting them, the present invention creates two simultaneous images from a specially interleaved, single imager (14). A processor includes a camera control and frame capture unit (20), an image detector (22), an image storage unit (24), and a differential comparator (26).

Abstract: A method and assembly for sensing moisture on the exterior surface of a sheet of glass (16) by capturing an ambient image (A) of light rays passing through the glass (16) from the exterior to the interior surfaces thereof under ambient light conditions. The invention is characterized by illuminating (18) the glass with pulses of light rays, capturing an illuminated image of the glass containing the ambient image (A) plus the illuminated image (B) containing the reflected light from the illuminating (18) of the glass (16) between the ambient images (A), and subtracting each ambient image (A) from the next adjacent illuminated image (B) to produce a moisture signal (30).

Abstract: A method and assembly for sensing moisture on the exterior surface of a sheet of glass (14) comprising the steps of emitting light rays from an illuminator (12) on an illuminator axis (I) intersecting the glass (14) at an illuminator angle of incidence I&thgr; to reflect the light rays on a reflection axis (R) at an angle (R&thgr;) of reflection to the glass (14) and capturing on an imaging axis (C) the reflected light rays including reflections of moisture (19) on the exterior surface of the glass (14). The method is characterized by isolating the reflection of moisture (19) from the direct reflection of the illuminator (12) to prevent the capture of the direct reflection of the illuminator (12). This can be accomplished by offsetting the imaging axis (C) from the reflection axis (R), or by stopping the direct reflection of the illuminator (12) from being captured, as with a beam stop (24).

Abstract: A heat dissipater (30) of a metallic or metal material is disposed in parallel relationship to a circuit board (12). The assembly is characterized by the circuit board 12 presenting a hole (32) therethrough and surrounding each of a plurality of LEDs (20, 22 or 24). A heat sink (28) integral with each LED (20, 22 or 24) is disposed in thermal contact with the heat dissipater (30) for conveying heat from the LEDs (20, 22 and 24) to the heat dissipater (30). In other words, each LED (20, 22 or 24) extends through the hole (32) in the circuit board (12) with the light emitting portion or lens (34) extending from one of the surfaces (14 or 16) of the circuit board (12) and the heat sink (28) extending from the other one of the surfaces (14 or 16) of the circuit board (12). A thermal coupling agent (36 or 38) is disposed between the heat sink (28) and the heat dissipater (30) for providing a full thermal path between the heat sink (28) and the heat dissipater (30). In FIG.

Abstract: Two embodiments include a first image sensor (14, 114) for sensing a first image of the exterior surface of the glass (12) along a first optical axis A and a second image sensor (16, 116) for sensing a second image of the exterior surface of the glass (12) along a second optical axis B which intersects the first optical axis A at an intersection X disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the glass (12). Both embodiments include an image correlator (22) for correlating the first and second images and producing an activation signal (24) in response to coincidence of moisture (10) in the respective correlated first and second images. The rain sensor accurately interprets images of moisture that lie in a narrow measurement zone adjacent the exterior surface of the windshield while disregarding images of objects that lie outside that zone.

Abstract: An electrically driven light emitting diode (LED) assembly comprising a light emitting diode (12), first (14) and second (16) electrical leads for conducting electricity to and from the light emitting diode (12), and a heat sink (18). The assembly is characterized by the first lead (14) including the heat sink (18) for conducting electricity and heat from the light emitting diode (12) through the heat sink (18). In other words, the diode (12) conducts electricity through a heat sink (18) allowing the diode (12) to be in electrical conductivity with the heat sink (18).

Abstract: A cover 20 is hermetically sealed to the lip 18 of a container 12. A stirring shaft 26 extends between a bottom end 28 disposed in the container 12 and a top end 30 disposed outside of and above the cover 20. The container 12 includes a shaft support 32 for supporting and radially centering the bottom end 28 of the stirring shaft 26. A sanitary seal 34 hermetically seals the cover 20 about the stirring shaft 26. A plurality of mixing blades 38 extending radially from the shaft 26 in the container 12. The top end 30 of the shaft 26 includes a driving connection or coupling for receiving a rotating device for rotating the stirring shaft 26 and the mixing blades 38 for mixing the contents of the container 12. The bottom 14 of the container 12 includes an annular leg 40 for supporting the bottom 14 above the central portion 24 of a cover 20 and over the top end 30 of a stirring shaft 26 of a like container 12 assembly.

Abstract: An assembly (10) for sensing moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of a windshield (14) from a position spaced from the interior surface (18) of the windshield (14). The assembly (10) includes a focal plane detector (12) comprising a plurality of pixels (24) adapted for disposition in spaced relationship to the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14), as on the backside of the rearview mirror. An imaging lens (16) is adapted for disposition between the focal plane detector (12) and the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14) for directing light rays from moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) through the imaging lens (16) to produce a real image of the moisture (20) on said focal plane detector (12).

Abstract: A method and an assembly for sensing moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of a sheet of glass (14) by positioning an imaging lens (16) adjacent to the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14), passing light rays from moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) through the imaging lens (16) and producing first and second successive images of the moisture (20) on the glass (14), and successively directing the first and second images from the lens (16) onto a focal plane detector (12). The focal plane detector (12) is divided into rows of pixels (24) which are ligned into columns. The assembly and method are characterized by scanning the pixels (24) of each row in a first scan (FIG. 4) and producing a reference value X for each pixel (24) in response to an initial image in that pixel (24), scanning the pixels (24) of each row in a second scan (FIG.