Remote vehicle hazard and communication beacon
A hazard beacon has an interface to a vehicle wiring harness configured to detect that vehicle emergency indicators have been deployed, a plurality of separately strobe capable light segments forming a hazard symbol, and a microcontroller controlling operation of the plurality of separately strobe capable light segments.
1. A system comprising:
an interface to a vehicle wiring harness configured to detect that vehicle emergency indicators have been deployed;
a plurality of separately strobe capable light segments forming a hazard symbol;
a microcontroller controlling operation of the plurality of separately strobe capable light segments;
wherein the microcontroller activates the plurality of separately strobe capable light segments in a strobing manner in response to detection that vehicle emergency indicators have been deployed;
wherein the interface to a vehicle wiring harness is a wired tether to the vehicle; and
wherein the microcontroller can detect disconnection of the tether and activates the plurality of separately strobe capable light segments in a strobing manner in response to detection of disconnection of the tether.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the interface to a vehicle wiring harness comprises a wireless interface providing the detection that vehicle emergency indicators have been deployed.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hazard symbol comprises a warning triangle.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of separately strobe capable light segments forming a hazard symbol are arranged into nested triangles having contrasting appearance when not illuminated.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of separately strobe capable light segments forming a hazard symbol are translucent.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of separately strobe capable light segments forming a hazard symbol are transparent.
7. A system comprising:
an interface to a vehicle wiring harness configured to detect that vehicle emergency indicators have been deployed;
a plurality of separately strobe capable light segments forming a hazard symbol;
a microcontroller controlling operation of the plurality of separately strobe capable light segments; and
an on-board power supply that can power the microcontroller and the plurality of separately strobe capable light segments
wherein the microcontroller activates the plurality of separately strobe capable light segments in a strobing manner in response to detection that vehicle emergency indicators have been deployed;
wherein the interface to a vehicle wiring harness is a wired tether to the vehicle; and
wherein the microcontroller can detect disconnection of the tether and activates the plurality of separately strobe capable light segments in a strobing manner in response to detection of disconnection of the tether.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the hazard symbol comprises a warning triangle.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of separately strobe capable light segments forming a hazard symbol are arranged into nested triangles having contrasting appearance when not illuminated.
10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of separately strobe capable light segments forming a hazard symbol comprise a plurality of thin LED strips affixed with respect to a panel of automotive glass on the vehicle.
11. The system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of separately strobe capable light segments forming a hazard symbol are translucent.
12. The system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of separately strobe capable light segments forming a hazard symbol are transparent.