Warning light controller

Abstract

A controller for a warning light is disclosed. The controller is composed of a housing, a light emitting element and a control unit. The control unit is in operable communication with the light emitting element of the controller and a light emitting element of a warning light. The controller instructs the light emitting element of the warning light and the light emitting element of the controller to display light in the same lighting mode, which allows vehicle operators to immediately know the lighting mode of the warning light by viewing the lighting mode of the controller.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A controller for a warning light comprising:
 a controller housing configured for mounting within a vehicle;   a light emitting element for signaling an input by an operator of the vehicle, wherein the light emitting element is at a side periphery of the housing;   a control unit configured for receiving operational input from the operator of the vehicle, wherein the control unit is connected to the light emitting element and to a the warning light and further wherein the control unit can control both the light emitting element and the warning light in a same lighting mode, further wherein the controller housing and light emitting element have a same appearance and style as a housing and a light emitting element of the warning light adapted for placement outside of the vehicle and configured for signaling those outside of the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is connected to a plurality of the warning lights, wherein the controller simultaneously controls the plurality of warning lights. 
     
     
         3 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit connection to the light emitting element and the warning light is a wired connection. 
     
     
         4 . The controller of  claim 2 , wherein the control unit connection to the light emitting element and the warning light is a wireless connection. 
     
     
         5 . The controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless transmitter electrically connected to the control unit, wherein the wireless transmitter controls a wireless receiver in the warning light. 
     
     
         6 . The controller of  claim 5 , wherein the wireless receiver controls the warning light. 
     
     
         7 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting element of the controller housing turns off automatically after a preset period of time. 
     
     
         8 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the controller instructs the warning light to turn off automatically after a preset period of time. 
     
     
         9 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting element of the controller housing can be turned off manually. 
     
     
         10 . The controller of  claim 1  wherein the light emitting element of the controller housing is around the entire periphery of the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The controller of  claim 1  wherein the light emitting element of the controller housing is around 80% of the periphery of the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The controller of  claim 1  wherein the light emitting element of the controller housing and the warning light is a LED light. 
     
     
         13 . A method of controlling a warning light, comprising:
 activating the warning light disposed on an exterior of a vehicle by a controller disposed within the vehicle, wherein the controller comprises a controller housing; a light emitting element at a side periphery of the controller housing for signaling an input by an operator of the vehicle; and a control unit configured for receiving operational input from the operator of the vehicle, wherein the controller housing and light emitting element have a same appearance and style as a housing and a light emitting element of the warning light, further wherein the control unit is connected to the light emitting element and to the warning light and yet further wherein the control unit can control both the light emitting element and the warning light in a same lighting mode, and instructing the warning light to display a light emitting pattern for signaling those outside of the vehicle.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising instructing the controller to display a light emitting pattern. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising synchronizing the warning light light emitting pattern and the controller light emitting pattern. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising instructing the controller to turn off the light emitting pattern. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the controller light emitting pattern is turned off automatically. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the peripheral light emitting element is around the entire side periphery of the housing.