Sequenced guiding systems for vehicles and pedestrians

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods wherein sequential signals are emitted from a plurality of signaling modules positioned in an array which demarcates a route or boundaries to be followed by a pedestrian or vehicle.

1 . A system for marking a route, path or boundary, said system comprising:
 a plurality of signaling modules, each module comprising a signaling device, a radiofrequency apparatus and a control circuitry;   the modules being positionable in an array which marks a route, path or boundary;   whereby the modules positioned in the array will undergo radiofrequency communication with one another and the control circuitry will cause the signaling devices of the modules to emit signals in sequence from a first-positioned module of the array to a last-positioned module of the array; and   wherein the modules are programmed to self detect their sequential order in the array and to self-adapt to changes in the positional order of the modules, elimination of one or more modules within the array and insertion of one or more additional modules within the array, thereby maintaining the emitting of signals in sequence from a first-positioned module of the array to a last-positioned module of the array.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the radiofrequency communication between the modules is wireless. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the signaling devices emit visible warning signals. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the signaling devices emit warning signals which are not visible but which may be received and sensed by apparatus operative to receive and sense said warning signals. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 4  further comprising apparatus operative to receive and sense said warning signals. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the signaling devices comprise light emitters which emit flashes or periods of light. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the signaling devices comprise devices selected from the group of: incandescent lamps; light emitting diodes; discharge tubes; stroboscopic lights; fluorescent lights; light emitters that emit visible light; light emitters that emit light which is not visible but which is detectable by a sensor, infrared lights, ultraviolet lights; microwave emitters and radio frequency emitters. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein each module further comprises a power source. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 8  wherein each module comprises a power source selected from: batteries; photovoltaic cells; wind energy; and thermal energy. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the control circuitry in the modules may be programmed or reprogrammed from a smartphone, laptop computer, tablet computer or other portable device. 
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 10  wherein the control circuits comprise a mesh network. 
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 10  wherein the control circuits comprise position-determining apparatus selected from: proximity sensors; global positioning receivers and RFID devices to facilitate determination of the respective positions of modules in the array. 
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 10  wherein the control circuits are operative to determine when a module of the array becomes missing or non-functional and to allow a replacement module to assume that identified module's position in the array. 
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the control circuits are adapted to allow some of the modules within the array to be grouped in one or more subsets and to thereafter cause the signaling devices on the modules within each subset to emit warning signals that are simultaneous or otherwise different from warning signals emitted by other modules that are not within that subset. 
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the modules are adapted to emit warning signals which can be viewed or received and sensed from one vantage point but not from another vantage point. 
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 15  wherein the warning signals can be viewed or received and sensed by traffic traveling in a first direction but not by traffic traveling in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 15  wherein the signal emitters emit flashes or periods of light and wherein the modules comprise baffles which cause the emitted flashes or periods of light to be viewed or received and sensed from one vantage point but not from another vantage point. 
     
     
         18 - 25 . (canceled)