Code 3, Inc.

Richard Nelson Brower

Daniel Scott Pursley

Christopher Reineke Barber

Kevin Thomas Mitchell

An array () of multiple light heads () for a vehicle () has a primary Controller Area Network (CAN) serial data bus () to carry first serial communications among spaced-apart CAN nodes () communicatively coupled thereto. The first serial communications initiate a flash sequence from the array via second serial communications provided to the multiple light heads communicatively coupled to a nested CAN serial data bus (). An array controller () segregates the nested CAN serial data bus from the primary CAN serial data bus while providing a communications bridge between nodes of the two buses. Accordingly, light heads on the nested bus provide self-identification and diagnostic information to other nodes such as a computer () configuration utility () featuring a graphical user interface ().

Nested serial network configuration for array of serially connected light heads

In connection with a ground transportation vehicle light head () powered by a battery-based voltage source () supplying positive () and reference (i.e., ground) () voltages that define a voltage difference () applied across a number of multiple series-connected high-power light-emitting diodes (HP LEDs) () and current regulator circuitry () electrically connected to them, ultra-low dropout circuit techniques are disclosed for increasing a portion of the voltage difference available from the battery-based voltage source to forward bias and thereby maximize the number of the multiple series-connected HP LEDs emitting light by maintaining a low voltage drop () across the current regulator circuitry. By maintaining the low voltage drop and making available from the battery-based voltage source an increased portion of the voltage difference, at least one additional HP LED is capable of being forward biased to thereby maximize the number of multiple series-connected HP LEDs emitting light from the light head.

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St. Louis, MO, United States of America

Richard Nelson Brower