GB2332968A

GB2332968A - Signalling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2332968A
Application number: GB9821009A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Ray Hibberts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-09-29
Filing date: 1998-09-29
Publication date: 1999-07-07
Also published as: GB9821009D0

Abstract

A hand held signalling apparatus (10) includes a transmitter in the form of a signalling bulb (18) housed behind a transparent window (20). The transmitter is able to provide a signal including visible light, ultra violet light or infra-red radiation. The apparatus also includes a receiver which is able to detect a signal including any of these lights. It is thus possible to transmit messages between a first such signalling apparatus and a second such signalling apparatus.

Description

Signalling Apparatus The invention relates to a signalling apparatus and particularly to a portable hand held signalling apparatus.

According to the invention, there is provided a signalling apparatus including: a transmitter apparatus having means for providing a signal including visible light, ultraviolet light or infra-red radiation; and a receiver apparatus having means for detecting a signal including visible light, ultraviolet light or infra-red radiation.

Preferably the transmitter apparatus and the receiver apparatus are incorporated in a single device, a first such device being capable of detecting signals transmitted by a second such device. Preferably the device is hand holdable.

Alternatively a first device may include the transmitter apparatus and a second device the receiver apparatus.

The transmitter apparatus preferably includes means for transmitting the signal through air or through a vacuum. Preferably the transmitter apparatus includes means for transmitting the signal directly through the air or vacuum, without reflecting the signal and without requiring any wires or cables.

Preferably the transmitter apparatus includes a keypad whereby a user may type a message into the apparatus. Preferably the transmitter apparatus includes means for translating the message typed into a signal transmittable to the receiver apparatus. These means preferably include a microprocessor or other electronic device. The keypad may include conventional elements but may also be provided with single buttons representing composite signals, such as "SOS".

Preferably the receiver apparatus includes a display apparatus for displaying a signal received by the receiver apparatus. Preferably the receiver apparatus includes means for translating a received signal into a displayed message. These means may include a microprocessor or other electronic device.

The transmitter apparatus may provide a signal consisting of white light or of a narrower range of frequencies of light or a single frequency of light. The transmitter apparatus may provide a signal consisting of a combination of frequencies of light not normally found in daylight. The receiver apparatus may be sensitive to that combination of frequencies. The intensity of the light making up the signal may be greater than that of daylight.

The transmitter apparatus may provide a signal consisting of infra-red light. The signal may include a range of infra-red frequencies or a single frequency. The receiver apparatus may be sensitive to a broad range of infrared frequencies or to a particular infra-red frequency.

The transmitter apparatus may provide a signal consisting of ultraviolet light. The signal may include a range of ultraviolet frequencies or a single frequency. The receiver apparatus may be sensitive to a broad range of ultraviolet frequencies or to a particular ultraviolet frequency.

Alternatively, the transmitter apparatus may provide a signal consisting of a combination of one or more of the following: white light, coloured light, infra-red radiation and ultraviolet light. The receiver apparatus may be sensitive to the particular combination.

A plurality of transmitter/receiver pairs may be provided, the receiver apparatus in each pair being sensitive to the light of the signal provided by the transmitter apparatus in that pair. The pairs may utilise respectively different combinations of light.

The transmitter apparatus may provide a signal comprising a series of pulses of light or infra-red radiation. A particular series of pulses may represent a particular signal unit, such as a letter of the alphabet. The pulses may be all of the same duration or may be of a number of different durations.

A particular series of pulses may represent a start-up signal, for use in synchronising the transmitter and the receiver. The transmitter apparatus may include means for commencing each transmission with a start-up signal. The transmitter apparatus may include means for encrypting a signal, and the receiver apparatus may include means for deciphering an encrypted signal.

Alternatively the transmitter apparatus may provide a signal utilising different wavelengths of light each wavelength representing a different message or signal unit.

The transmitter apparatus may utilise techniques such as frequency modulation, amplitude modulation or pulse width modulation.

The receiver apparatus may detect signals over a spatially narrow or spatially broad range. Means may be provided for adjusting the spatial range over which the receiver apparatus detects signals.

According to the invention, there is also provided a method for transmitting a signal, utilising apparatus according to any of the previous definitions.

An embodiment of the invention will be described for the purpose of illustration only with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a diagrammatic perspective view of a pair of devices according to the invention, the upper device being viewed from the rear and the lower device from the front.

Referring to the drawing, a hand-held signalling device 10 includes a main body 12 having a handle 14. An on/off switch 16 is provided on the handle.

At the front of the body 12 is a signalling bulb 18 housed behind a transparent window 20.

On an upper mid-portion of the body 12 is a transparent panel 22, behind which is located receiver apparatus (not illustrated).

Towards the rear of the body, on an upper part thereof, is a keypad 24 including buttons 26 representing letters of the alphabet, numbers and optionally some composite messages such as "Hello" or "SOS". In front of and above the keypad 24 is a display screen 28, on which a typed message or a received message can be displayed, as described in more detail hereinafter.

The apparatus works as follows. A person wishing to transmit a message types that message into the keypad 24 of a first signalling device 10. The message is displayed on the screen 28. A microprocessor (not shown) within the body 12 converts that message into a series of pulses. The conversion algorithm may be any of various such available algorithms, and may incorporate encryption.

When the person presses a button indicating that the device should transmit the message, the microprocessor sends a signal to the bulb 18 which flashes on and off, this representing the series of pulses. The message commences with an identifiable start-up signal, which the receiver apparatus is able to recognise.

The receiver apparatus of a second remote signalling device 10 detects the pulses of light entering its body 12 via the transparent panel 22. A microprocessor (not shown) within this signalling device 10 converts the pulses into a message which it displays on the screen 28. The receiver apparatus may provide an audible signal that a message has been received.

The person holding the second signalling device 10 is thus able to read on the screen 25 of that device the message typed by the person holding the first signalling device.

The devices may be powered by standard 6 volt torch batteries.

There is thus provided a signalling device which is simple to use and which may be used in a very wide range of applications. The apparatus may be used as a toy, whereby children may transmit messages to one anther without the knowledge of their parents. The apparatus may also be used by walkers or by, for example, the army in outdoor training activities. The apparatus could also be used in maritime applications for sailors to send signals between ships, to aim at light buoys to help fix a vessel's position orby a coast guard to identify other boats.

The device could alternatively be used by Customs and Excise agents for surveillance purposes or by the Police for law enforcement purposes. Such apparatus could be automatically provided in cars, and set up to provide a periodic signal, allowing the car to be traced in the event of theft.

The apparatus is particularly applicable for use in under-developed areas of the world where more sophisticated communications equipment is not available.

Various modifications may be made to the above apparatus. It is not necessary for each single device to include both transmission apparatus and receiver apparatus. Instead, a first device may include transmission apparatus and a second complementary device receiver apparatus.

The apparatus may not use pulses to transmit messages. Instead, messages may be transmitted by, for example, frequency, amplitude or pulsewidth modulation of the electromagnetic waves in a similar manner to that used for radio transmission. Alternatively, different frequencies may be used to represent different messages. Various colours of light may be used, including white light, individual colours of light, combinations of colours of light, infra-red light or UV light. A plurality of transmitter/receiver pairs may be provided, the receiver apparatus in each pair being sensitive to the light of the signal provided by the transmitter apparatus in that pair. The pairs may utilise respectively different combinations of light.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. A signalling apparatus including: a transmitter apparatus having means for providing a signal including visible light, ultraviolet light or infra-red radiation; and a receiver apparatus having means for detecting a signal including visible light, ultraviolet light or infra-red radiation.
2. A signalling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the transmitter apparatus and the receiver apparatus are incorporated in a single device, a first such device being capable of detecting signals transmitted by a second such device.
3. A signalling apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the device is hand holdable.
4. A signalling apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the transmitter apparatus includes means for transmitting the signal through air or through a vacuum.
5. A signalling apparatus to claim 4 wherein the transmitter apparatus includes means for transmitting the signal directly through the air or vacuum, without reflecting the signal and without requiring any wires or cables.
6. A signalling apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the transmitter apparatus includes a keypad whereby a user may type a message into the apparatus.
7. A signalling apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the transmitter apparatus includes means for translating the typed message into a signal transmittable to the receiver apparatus.
8. A signalling apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the keypad is provided with buttons representing composite signals representing a plurality of words or letters.
9. A signalling apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the receiver apparatus includes a display apparatus for displaying a signal received by the receiver apparatus.
10. A signalling apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the receiver apparatus includes means for translating a received signal into a displayed message.
11. A signalling apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the transmitter apparatus is able to provide a signal consisting of a combination of frequencies of light not normally found in daylight.
12. A signalling apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the receiver apparatus is sensitive to the said combination of frequencies.
13. A signalling apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the transmitter apparatus is able to provide a signal wherein the intensity of the light making up the signal is greater than that of daylight.
14. A signalling apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the transmitter apparatus is able to provide a signal consisting of infra-red light.
15. A signalling apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the transmitter apparatus is able to provide a signal consisting of ultraviolet light.
16. A signalling apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the transmitter apparatus is able to provide a signal consisting of a combination of one or more of the following: white light, coloured light, infra-red radiation and ultraviolet light.
17. A signalling apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the receiver apparatus is sensitive to the said particular combination.
18. A signalling apparatus according to any preceding claim, the apparatus including a plurality of transmitter/receiver pairs, the receiver apparatus in each pair being sensitive to the light of the signal provided by the transmitter apparatus in that pair.
19. A signalling apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the pairs utilise respectively different combinations of light.
20. A signalling apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the transmitter apparatus is able to provide a signal comprising a series of pulses of light or infra-red radiation.
21. A signalling apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the transmitter apparatus is able to provide a signal comprising a series of pulses representing a particular signal unit.
22. A signalling apparatus according to claim 20 or claim 21 wherein a particular series of pulses represents a start-up signal, for use in synchronising the transmitter and the receiver.
23. A signalling apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the transmitter apparatus includes means for commencing each transmission with a start-up signal.
24. A signalling apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the transmitter apparatus includes means for encrypting a signal, and the receiver apparatus includes means for deciphering an encrypted signal.
25. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the drawing.
26. A method for transmitting a signal, the method utilising apparatus according to any preceding claim.
27. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.