Abstract: An inter-vehicle optical network a plurality of lights, a plurality of optical sensors arranged around the perimeter of the vehicle configured to gather light data regarding a light intensity and gradient of incoming light, a controller communicatively coupled with the plurality of lights and the plurality of optical sensors. The controller configured to receive the light data from the plurality of optical sensors, detect in the light data a second flashing light pattern emitted by an adjacent vehicle with a rhythm, a color, and/or a light intensity, adjust the light level of each light of the plurality of lights based on the light data, adjust the first flashing light pattern in response to the second flashing light pattern, and adjust the first flashing light pattern to synchronize the first flashing light pattern with the second flashing light pattern.

Abstract: An inter-vehicle optical network a plurality of lights, a plurality of optical sensors arranged around the perimeter of the vehicle configured to gather light data regarding a light intensity and gradient of incoming light, a controller communicatively coupled with the plurality of lights and the plurality of optical sensors. The controller configured to receive the light data from the plurality of optical sensors, detect in the light data a second flashing light pattern emitted by an adjacent vehicle with a rhythm, a color, and/or a light intensity, adjust the light level of each light of the plurality of lights based on the light data, adjust the first flashing light pattern in response to the second flashing light pattern, and adjust the first flashing light pattern to synchronize the first flashing light pattern with the second flashing light pattern.

Abstract: A method of selecting a color in a multiple color LED lamp with only two external wires leading to the LED lamp. The LED lamp receives power and control signals through a power lead of the lamp. By detecting a power pulse sequence on the power lead in a first pattern, a microcontroller within the lamp controls the lamp to illuminate a first color. By detecting a power pulse sequence on the power lead in a second pattern, the microcontroller controls the lamp to illuminate a second color. The pattern detected indicates the desired color for the lamp to the microcontroller. Other patterns indicate other control instructions for the lamp.

Abstract: A method of selecting a color in a multiple color LED lamp with only two external wires leading to the LED lamp. The LED lamp receives power and control signals through a power lead of the lamp. By detecting a power pulse sequence on the power lead in a first pattern, a microcontroller within the lamp controls the lamp to illuminate a first color. By detecting a power pulse sequence on the power lead in a second pattern, the microcontroller controls the lamp to illuminate a second color. The pattern detected indicates the desired color for the lamp to the microcontroller. Other patterns indicate other control instructions for the lamp.

Abstract: A laser emitter for a traffic control preemption system, the laser emitter comprising a laser emitting diode or array configured to emit a laser beam, one or more optics coupled to the laser emitting diode and configured to shape the laser beam, and a control module configured to trigger emission of the laser beam at a predetermined frequency and for a predetermined duration in accordance with one or more requirements of the traffic control preemption system.

Abstract: A wireless head for a traffic preemption system. Implementations may include one or more optical receivers adapted to identify an optical signal transmitted by an optical transmitter included in a vehicle preemption unit mounted to a vehicle and one or more head radio transceivers adapted to identify a radio signal transmitted by a vehicle radio transceiver included in the vehicle preemption unit. A head radio frequency (RF) modem may also be included adapted to transmit one or more radio signals to an intersection RF modem. The head may be mounted to a traffic support fixture. The one or more optical receivers, one or more head radio transceivers, and the head RF modem may all be operably coupled together within the wireless head. The intersection preemption unit may be adapted to change a traffic light in favor of the vehicle to which the vehicle preemption unit is mounted.

Abstract: A traffic preemption system and related methods. Implementations may include a vehicle preemption unit mounted to a vehicle including an optical transmitter adapted to identify to an intersection preemption unit coupled with an intersection system controller the presence of the vehicle. The vehicle preemption unit may include a vehicle radio transceiver and the optical transmitter and the vehicle radio transceiver may be coupled with a vehicle controller. The intersection preemption unit may include an optical receiver and an intersection radio transceiver. The optical receiver and the intersection radio transceiver may each be coupled with an intersection controller. The intersection preemption unit may be adapted to change a traffic light in favor of the vehicle to which the vehicle preemption unit is mounted in response to an optical signal, a radio signal, or a combination of optical and radio signals from the vehicle preemption unit.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) assembly. Implementations of an LED light assembly may include a base having a circuit including a one or more LEDs, a thermally conductive polymer support coupled to the circuit, and a non-thermally conductive polymer member coupled to the thermally conductive polymer support. A non-thermally conductive polymer lens cover may be coupled to the non-thermally conductive polymer member. The non-thermally conductive polymer lens cover may be configured to enclose the circuit of the base when coupled to the non-thermally conductive polymer member.

Abstract: An integrated side-view mirror and LED spotlight wherein under electronic control the light output can be changed in type, angle, direction, intensity, pattern, focus, and other properties and can include other inputs and outputs such as traffic preemption and data interfaces, sensors, cameras, sirens, and speakers. The device includes a side-view mirror assembly that may be attached to a vehicle, a spotlight integrated therein, and a controller unit that transmits and receives electronic data to and from the spotlight. A heat-dissipation surface or mechanism may be further integrated with the LEDs. A method of operating the device includes providing a side-view mirror assembly, integrating a spotlight capable of emitting light within the side-view mirror assembly; and providing a controller unit that transmits and receives electronic data to and from the spotlight.

Abstract: An authentication system authenticates remotely generated optical control signals. A remote optical emitter transmits an optical control signal from a remote location. A remote authentication device collocated with the remote optical emitter receives an authentication challenge signal and transmits a compatible authentication response signal. A control optical signal processor positioned at a first location receives the optical control signal from the remote optical emitter and generates a control output signal in response to detection of a valid optical control signal. An authentication device is coupled by a real time data communications link with the optical signal processor and with the remote optical emitter.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) assembly. Implementations of an LED light assembly may include a base having a circuit including a one or more LEDs, a thermally conductive polymer support coupled to the circuit, and a non-thermally conductive polymer member coupled to the thermally conductive polymer support. A non-thermally conductive polymer lens cover may be coupled to the non-thermally conductive polymer member. The non-thermally conductive polymer lens cover may be configured to enclose the circuit of the base when coupled to the non-thermally conductive polymer member.

Abstract: A traffic preemption system and related methods. Implementations may include a vehicle preemption unit mounted to a vehicle including an optical transmitter adapted to identify to an intersection preemption unit coupled with an intersection system controller the presence of the vehicle. The vehicle preemption unit may include a vehicle radio transceiver and the optical transmitter and the vehicle radio transceiver may be coupled with a vehicle controller. The intersection preemption unit may include an optical receiver and an intersection radio transceiver. The optical receiver and the intersection radio transceiver may each be coupled with an intersection controller. The intersection preemption unit may be adapted to change a traffic light in favor of the vehicle to which the vehicle preemption unit is mounted in response to an optical signal, a radio signal, or a combination of optical and radio signals from the vehicle preemption unit.

Abstract: An authentication system authenticates remotely generated optical control signals. A remote optical emitter transmits an optical control signal from a remote location. A remote authentication device collocated with the remote optical emitter receives an authentication challenge signal and transmits a compatible authentication response signal. A control optical signal processor positioned at a first location receives the optical control signal from the remote optical emitter and generates a control output signal in response to detection of a valid optical control signal. An authentication device is coupled by a real time data communications link with the optical signal processor and with the remote optical emitter.

Abstract: A power supply includes a coupled inductor having a primary winding, a secondary winding and a feedback winding. A rectifier/filter is coupled to the secondary winding for supplying the load with a DC current. A power switch is coupled in series with the primary winding for switching between conductive and non-conductive states to control the flow of current through the primary winding. A first drive circuit applies a first drive signal to the control lead of the power switch for switching the power switch into the conductive state. A primary current sense circuit generates a primary current feedback signal representative of the primary winding current. An output current sense circuit generates an output current feedback signal representative of the power supply output current. A programmable reference voltage generator generates a DC reference voltage having a magnitude determined by the output current feedback signal.

Abstract: A strobe trigger pulse generator includes a power supply, an energy storage capacitor coupled to the power supply and a trigger pulse generator which intermittently energizes a trigger pulse transformer to ionize the gaseous interior of a strobe flash lamp. The trigger pulse generator includes a trigger capacitor coupled to the trigger pulse transformer. A trigger capacitor charging device is coupled between the power supply and the trigger capacitor to selectively direct a charging current to the trigger capacitor. The trigger capacitor discharge circuit is coupled to the trigger capacitor to periodically discharge the capacitor through the trigger pulse transformer to generate a high voltage trigger pulse. A charge path disabling circuit is coupled to the current flow path between the power supply and the trigger capacitor to control the charging current directed to the trigger capacitor.

Abstract: The DC to DC converter includes a coupled inductor having a primary winding and a feedback winding. A drive current regulator circuit receives a variable input voltage from the feedback winding but transmits a constant base drive current to the base terminal of the converter switching transistor. The base drive regulator circuit thereby enables the DC to DC converter to operate at high levels of efficiency over wide ranges of DC input voltages such as twelve to forty-eight volts DC.

Abstract: A strobe trigger pulse generator includes a power supply, an energy storage capacitorcoupled to the power supply and a trigger pulse generator which intermittently generates trigger pulses to energize a trigger pulse transformer. The pulse generator includes a trigger capacitor having first and second leads, the first of which is coupled to the trigger pulse transformer. A trigger capacitor charge circuit includes an input terminal coupled to the power supply and an output terminal coupled to the second lead of the trigger capacitor to establish a current flow path between the power supply and the trigger capacitor to direct a charge current to the trigger capacitor. A trigger capacitor discharge circuit is coupled to the second lead of the trigger capacitor to periodically direct a discharge current from the trigger capacitor through the trigger pulse transformer to generator a high voltage trigger pulse.

Abstract: A trigger circuit is coupled to a gas discharge lamp having anode and cathode terminals, a minimum anode voltage and a minimum holding voltage. The trigger circuit periodically transmits a trigger voltage pulse to the lamp to provide first stage ionization of the gas in the lamp. A power supply circuit charges a boost storage capacitor to a first voltage and an energy storage capacitor to a second voltage above the minimum holding but below the minimum anode voltage. The sum of the first and second voltages exceeds the lamp minimum anode voltage. A voltage controlled capacitor switching circuit includes input terminals coupled across the boost storage capacitor and across the energy storage capacitor and output terminals coupled to the anode and cathode terminals of the lamp.

Abstract: The converter delivers current to an intermittently energized load and includes a coupled inductor having a primary winding, a secondary winding and a feedback winding. A switching transistor is coupled in series with the primary winding of the inductor and switches between conductive and non-conductive states to control the flow of current through the primary winding. A positive drive circuit provides positive bias voltage to the switching transistor. A current limiting circuit senses the voltage across the base-emitter junction of the switching transistor to measure the primary winding current, removes the positive bias voltage when the primary winding current reaches a predetermined value, and thereby switches the transistor out of the conductive state into the non-conductive state.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit limits the output voltage of a DC to DC converter to a maximum desired output voltage. An output voltage sensing circuit includes a semiconductor device such as a sidac having a normal resistive region of operation as well as a negative resistance region of operation which begins at a breakover voltage and extends into a foldback region. One terminal of the sidac is coupled to sense the converter output voltage while the second terminal opposite end of the sidac is coupled to a biasing device in the form of a resistor which generates an overvoltage signal when the sidac conducts current. The overvoltage signal from the biasing resistor is coupled to a converter switching transistor disabling circuit which reduces the converter output voltage to a level below the maximum desired output voltage in response to the overvoltage signal.