Patent Publication Number: US-8531114-B2

Title: Illumination beacon

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/429,007, filed Dec. 31, 2010, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     The invention described herein was made in the performance of official duties by employees of the Department of the Navy and may be manufactured, used and licensed by or for the United States Government for any governmental purpose without payment of any royalties thereon. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to hand deployable illumination beacons and, more particularly, to a light weight, field modifiable illumination beacon. 
     Traditionally, infrared illumination beacons are used to emit a covert signal that is visible at long ranges by the use of night vision equipment. These illumination beacons may be used for a variety of purposes including identification of landing zones, roadways, obstructions, aircraft, vehicles, personnel, etc. However, such conventional illumination beacons may experience problems with respect to power management, including the use of large batteries in order to achieve a desired lifespan. Such large batteries may compromise the covert nature of the beacon and may be accidentally disconnected when in use, thereby hindering performance and reliable operation. Further, many prior illumination beacons are not designed for field deployment in that their respective batteries may become loose or disengaged when thrown or placed in water. Many traditional illumination beacons also have limited infrared visibility ranges. Additionally, often illumination beacons do not utilize effective placement of light sources such that field deployment of the beacons must be precise in order to provide proper signal coverage. Additionally, many prior art illumination beacons are not field customizable, nor may they be activated by a variety of external, including remotely located, triggering means. 
     According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, an illumination beacon includes a housing having an outer wall with a center plane defined by a circle, the housing further including a transparent top surface and a transparent bottom surface. An upper mounting member is supported within the housing intermediate the transparent top surface and the transparent bottom surface. A lower mounting member is supported within the housing intermediate the upper mounting member and the transparent bottom surface. An upper light source is supported by the upper mounting member and is oriented to project light upwardly through the transparent top surface. A lower light source is supported by the lower mounting member and is oriented to project light downwardly through the transparent bottom surface. A driver system is received within the housing and is operably coupled to the upper and lower light sources, the driver system being configured to activate the upper and lower light sources. A controller is received within the housing and is operably coupled to the driver system, the controller being configured to control operation of the driver system for activating the upper and lower light sources in a flashing manner. A battery is received within the housing intermediate the upper mounting member and the lower mounting member, the battery being operably coupled to the driver system for providing power to the upper and lower light sources. A power management system is operably coupled to the battery. The power management system includes a signal generator coupled to the battery and configured to generate first and second voltage signals, and an inductor coupled to the signal generator. The inductor selectively stores energy from the battery in response to the first voltage signal from the signal generator, and provides energy to power the upper and lower light sources in response to the second voltage signal to increase energy efficiency of the battery. 
     According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a illumination beacon includes a housing, a mounting member supported within the housing, and a light source supported by the mounting member and oriented to project a non-visible light external to the housing. A controller is received within the housing and is operably coupled to the light source, the controller being configured to activate the light source in one of a plurality of flashing modes. A battery is received within the housing and is operably coupled to the light source. A mode select interface is operably coupled to the controller, the controller being configured to select a flashing mode of the light source in response to input to the mode select interface. An external trigger system is operably coupled to the controller, the controller being configured to activate the light source in response to input to the external trigger system. A status indicator is operably coupled to the controller and is configured to project a visible light external to the housing in response to input to at least one of the mode select interface and the external trigger system. 
     According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, an illumination beacon includes a housing having an outer wall with a center plane defined by a circle, the housing further including a transparent top surface and a transparent bottom surface. An upper mounting member is supported within the housing intermediate the transparent top surface and the transparent bottom surface. A lower mounting member is supported within the housing intermediate the upper mounting member and the transparent bottom surface. An upper light source is supported by the upper mounting member and is oriented to project light upwardly through the transparent top surface. A lower light source is supported by the lower mounting member and is oriented to project light downwardly through the transparent bottom surface. A controller is received within the housing and is operably coupled to the upper and lower light sources, the controller being configured to control operation of the upper and lower light sources in a flashing manner. A battery holder is positioned intermediate the upper mounting member and the lower mounting member, the battery holder including a positive terminal and a negative terminal. A coin cell battery is removably received within the battery holder for electrical communication with the positive terminal and the negative terminal for providing power to the upper and lower light sources. The housing has an outer diameter of no greater than 1 inch. 
     According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of providing a light signal includes the steps of providing a housing, a light source within the housing, and a status indicator within the housing. The method further includes providing an input to a mode select interface, and illuminating the status indicator to project a visible light external to the housing. The method also includes the steps of illuminating the light source to project a non-visible light external to the housing in one of a plurality of different flashing patterns based upon the input to the mode select interface, and supplying power to the status indicator and the light source from a battery. The method further includes the steps of generating voltage signals, storing energy from the battery in a storage device in response to a first voltage signal, and supplying energy from the energy storage device to the status indicator and the light source in response to a second voltage signal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an operating system of an illustrative illumination beacon of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of an illustrative illumination beacon of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the illumination beacon of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a top plan view of the illumination beacon of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a bottom plan view of the illumination beacon of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view showing illustrative connections to the microcontroller of the operating system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic of an illustrative power management system of the operating system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic view of an illustrative battery system of the operating system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of an illustrative battery charge system of the operating system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of an illustrative emitter driver system of the operating system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view of an illustrative emitter system of the operating system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view of an illustrative mode select interface of the operating system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a table illustrating indicator status corresponding to operation of the mode select interface of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic view of an illustrative status indicator of the operating system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a table illustrating indicator status corresponding to operation of the mode select interface; 
         FIG. 15A  is a schematic view of an illustrative magnetic reed switch of the operating system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 15B  is a schematic view of an illustrative laser trigger of the operating system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic of an illustrative external trigger port of the operating system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a table illustrating indicator status corresponding to operation of the external trigger of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a flow chart of an illustrative method of operation of the illumination beacon of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 19  is a state diagram of illustrative operating modes for the operating system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of various features and components according to the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described below. The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. It will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the invention which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-3 , an illustrative illumination beacon  10  of the present disclosure includes a housing  12  receiving an operating system  20 . As further detailed herein, the housing  12  is illustratively sealed from the environment to prevent dirt and/or water from contacting the electronics of the operating system  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the illustrative housing  12  includes an outer wall  14  having arcuate portions, illustratively a circular cross-section (i.e., a center plane defining a circle  15 ). The housing  12  further includes a transparent top surface  16   a  and a transparent bottom surface  16   b  illustratively connected by a transparent side wall  17 . The housing  12  may be formed of any durable, light weight material. In one illustrative embodiment, the housing  12  is formed of a molded polymer, such as a thermoplastic with clear or infrared (IR) transparent polymer windows for permitting the transmission of light from IR emitters. More particularly, the housing  12  may be formed of symmetrical upper and lower portions  18   a  and  18   b  that are secured together along a coupling line  19 , illustratively through conventional securing means such as adhesives or heat welding, in order to provide a sealed environment for the operating system  20 . In other illustrative embodiments, the coupling line  19  may be formed of a releasable securing means, such as mating threads between the upper and lower portions  18   a  and  18   b . Due to its rugged, sealed design, the illumination beacon  10  may be used in a variety of harsh and/or underwater environments. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the housing  12  is in the form of a puck where the side wall  17  is cylindrical in nature and the top and bottom surfaces  16   a  and  16   b  are substantially planar. In such a configuration, the side wall  17  has an outer diameter of approximately 1 inch and a height of approximately 0.5 inches. The illumination beacon  10 , including housing  12  and operating system  20 , illustratively has a total weight of approximately 0.5 ounces. In an alternative embodiment, the top and bottom surfaces  16   a  and  16   b  may be convex in shape, such that the housing  12  defines a sphere. The circular cross-section of outer wall  14  assists in field deployment of the illumination beacon  10  by permitting the user to place, throw or roll the housing  12 . For example, the illumination beacon  10  may be rolled along the cylindrical side wall  17  to a desired target. 
     An upper mounting member  22  is supported within the housing  12  proximate the transparent top surface  16   a . Similarly, a lower mounting member  24  is supported within the housing  12  proximate the transparent bottom surface  16   b . Each of the mounting members  22  and  24  illustratively comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) including an electrically insulating substrate supporting conductive traces. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 1-4B , a microcontroller system  100  is illustratively supported by the upper mounting member  22  and is in electrical communication with a power management system  200 . The power management system  200  is in electrical communication with a battery system  300  and a battery charge system  400 . The microcontroller system  100  is also in communication with an emitter driver system  500  which, in turn, controls an optical emitter system  600 . More particularly, a first or upper emitter driver  500 A controls a first or upper emitter system  600 A, while a second or lower emitter driver  500 B controls a second or lower emitter system  600 B. A mode select interface  700  is also in communication with the microcontroller system  100 . The microcontroller system  100  may also be in communication with an external trigger system  800  and a status indicator  900 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the microcontroller system  100  includes a processor  102 , illustratively a microcontroller integrated chip (IC) having a memory  104 . The processor  102  illustratively includes a plurality of electrical terminals or ports to other components of the operating system  20 . The mode select interface  700  may be coupled to port  106 , while the external trigger system  800  may be coupled to port  108 . Status indicator  900  may be coupled to port  110 , and power management system  200  may be coupled to port  112 , illustratively through a voltage bus  202 . A factory reprogramming port  114  provides for communication between the processor  102  and an external computer for reprogramming operating characteristics of the processor  102 . The first emitter driver  500 A is coupled to ports  116  and  118 , while the second emitter driver  500 B is coupled to ports  120  and  122 . Processor  102  is illustratively coupled to electrical ground  124 . The processor  102  also illustratively includes a timer or clock which may be used to deactivate (i.e., power-down) or change operating modes of the illumination beacon  10  after a predetermined time of operation. 
     As further detailed herein, the processor  102  may be programmed to operate the optical emitter system  600  as desired by the user. For example, code instructions to control operation of the emitter driver system  500  may be uploaded to the memory  104  of the processor  102 . Illustratively, the code instructions of the processor  102  may provide for multiple mode control, wherein each mode may have different flash rates and/or patterns (codes) of the light sources  602  and  604 . Identification of friend or foe (IFF) information may also be provided to processor  102 . IFF is an identification system traditionally utilized for command and control that enables military and civilian (e.g., transponders onboard aircraft) interrogation systems to distinguish between friendly and foe (unfriendly) aircraft, vehicles, or forces. IFF systems may be encrypted with a special key, such that IFF transponders with the same special key will be able to decode and respond (e.g., relay messages). A major benefit of IFF is to positively identify friendly forces and to prevent friendly fire incidents. 
     As noted above, data, such as code instructions, may be provided to memory  104  of microcontroller system  100  through factory reprogramming port  114 . The factory reprogramming port  114  may include an on-board upper connection header  114 A including terminals or ports  116 , and an on-board lower connection header  114 B including terminals or ports  116 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the power management system  200  includes an exemplary boost/buck converter  208  providing a regulated DC power supply at voltage bus  202  for illumination beacon  10 . Power management system  200  is configured to extend the life of battery  300  by providing efficient power to the load devices of beacon  10 . Boost/buck converter  208  illustratively includes a signal generator  210 , a logic device  212 , a half-wave rectifier  214 , capacitors  216  and  222 , an inductor  220 , and two switches  224  and  218 . A boost/buck converter  208 , illustratively is a device that is configured to produce an output voltage magnitudes larger than an input voltage. The boost/buck converter  208  is particularly useful when connected in line with a battery powered application as it allows the output voltage to remain consistent even though the battery voltage is dropping over time. In the illustrative embodiment, the boost/buck converter  208  essentially conditions and delivers the power from the battery  28  to the electrical circuits of the illumination beacon  10 . Within the boost/buck converter  208 , there are several traditional functionalities such as a power-up disable  400  and an interfacing logic device  212 . The power-up disable  400  and logic device  212  act in tandem (if enabled by a signal) to keep the boost/buck converter  208  in the off state (disabled) and drawing little or no power while disabled. 
     Switch  218  is illustratively a diode, and switch  224  is illustratively a transistor. An exemplary transistor  224  is an enhancement mode, p-channel MOSFET transistor. In the illustrated embodiment, the signal generator  210  and the rectifier  214  cooperate to provide a square-wave voltage signal to the input of transistor  224  having alternating “high” and “low” voltage levels. In a first mode when a “high” voltage level is at the input of transistor  224 , voltage from the battery  300  is provided directly to the inductor  220  through the transistor  224 , and the diode  218  is reverse biased. As a result, the inductor  220  accumulates stored energy, and charged capacitor  222  provides power to the voltage bus  202 . In a second mode when a “low” voltage level is at the input of transistor  224 , the connection between the battery  300  and the inductor  220  is removed by the transistor  224 . As a result, the diode  218  is forward biased and the stored energy in the inductor  220  provides power to the voltage bus  202 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 7 , the battery system  300  illustratively comprises a coin cell battery  28  having a compact profile and a disc shape. A battery holder  26  is positioned intermediate the upper mounting member  22  and the lower mounting member  24 . The battery holder  26  includes a positive contact  30  and a negative contact  32  for electrically communicating with the battery  28 . More particularly, the top battery contact  30  is in communication with the power management system  200 , while the bottom battery contact  32  is coupled to electrical ground  124 . The battery holder  26  may releasably secure the battery  28  within the housing  12 , such that the battery  28  may be replaced when depleted. 
     Illustratively, the battery  28  comprises a lithium ion battery to provide enhanced performance and reduced size. In one illustrative embodiment, the battery  28  comprises a CR2450 Li-Ion (3 volt 610 m Ah) battery. Such lithium ion batteries exhibit superior temperature range tolerances, long storage life, excellent current source capabilities, and stable voltage output over their operational lifetimes. For example, illustrative generic lithium ion coin cell batteries  28  can survive in temperatures ranging from −20 degrees Celsius to 70 degrees Celsius, while providing good source capabilities from 2 milliamps continuous to as much as 30 milliamps in pulsed operation. Storage lifetime of battery  28  is illustratively upwards of 5.3 years at room temperature before cell and resulting output voltage degradation occurs. Generic baseline data for the CR2450 lithium ion coin cell battery is provided by FDK/Sanyo Batteries. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , an exemplary battery charge system  400  is provided for charging a rechargeable lithium ion type coin cell battery  28 . Battery charge system  400  illustratively includes a controller  414 , a logic rail  416 , and two transistors  410 ,  412 . Transistors  412 ,  414  are illustratively p-channel type JFET transistors, although other suitable transistors may be used. Battery charge system  400  further includes a logic NOT gate  402 , capacitors  404 ,  406 , a resistor  408 , and a charge indicator  418 . Charge indicator  418 , illustratively an LED  418 , is configured to illuminate during a charging operation of battery  300 . 
     External power input  420  and power-up disable flag  422  are provided as inputs to battery charge system  400 . Battery charge system  400  may be purchased in a COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) manner or custom built to provide a battery chemistry specific charging operation. When the battery charge system  400  is energized with a power source, it checks the voltage of battery  300 . If the battery voltage is below a preset threshold, then the battery charge system  400  fast charges the battery  28  at a constant current (current regulating mode). Battery  28  may enter float charge (float mode) when the total battery terminal voltage reaches the voltage limit, which signifies that the battery  28  has completed the charge. The logic rail  416  checks the voltage of the battery  28  and determines if the connected charge control  414  needs to operate in float mode or a current regulation mode. The logic rail  416  may also display the charge state information to an indicator LED  418 . An illustrative example of a COTS lithium ion battery charge system  400  is Maxim IC&#39;s MAX1555. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the illustrative emitter driver system  500  is configured to receive signals from the microcontroller system  100  to control activation of the emitter system  600 . In the illustrative embodiment, the emitter driver system  500  is configured in such a way to utilize a charge pump based mechanism to push higher amounts of output current to the light sources  602  and  604 . The amount of output current is typically higher than a standard lithium ion coin cell battery can source, thus allowing the light sources  602  and  604  to output the maximum amount of light according to its own manufacturer specifications. 
     During the charging phase, the input emitter signal pulse waves  502 A and  502 A′ into circuits  508 A and  508 A′ allow transistors  510 A and  510 A′ to enter into their off states, thus permitting capacitor C 1  to charge in a current regulated fashion dictated by (voltage bus  202 /(R 4 +R 3 +R 5 )). When transistors  510 A and  510 A′ enter into the on state by the input emitter signal pulse waves  502 A and  502 A′ into circuit  508 A and  508 A′, capacitor C 1  discharges through the light source  602  and R 3  in tandem with the voltage bus  202  and ground  124  dictated by ((Voltage at capacitor C 1 +voltage bus  202 )/R 3 ). The cycle then repeats according to the duty cycle of the input emitter signal pulse waves  502 A and  502 A′ into circuit  508 A and  508 A′. 
     The emitter driver system  500  of  FIG. 1  includes a first emitter driver  500 A and a second emitter driver  500 B, each including a first circuit  508 A,  508 B and a second circuit  508 A′,  508 B′, respectively. First circuit  508 A of emitter driver  500 A is configured to provide voltage to the anode of one or more emitters  602  of a top emitter system  600 A (shown in  FIG. 10 ). Second circuit  508 A′ of emitter driver  500 A is configured to connect the cathode of one or more emitters  602  of top emitter system  600 A (see  FIG. 10 ) to electrical ground  124 . Similarly, first circuit  508 B of emitter driver  500 B is configured to provide voltage to the anode of one or more emitters  604  of a bottom emitter system  600 B (shown in  FIG. 10 ). Second circuit  508 B′ of emitter driver  500 B is configured to connect the cathode of one or more emitters  604  of bottom emitter system  600 B (see  FIG. 10 ) to electrical ground  124 . Emitter driver  500 B functions in the same way as emitter driver  500 A. As such, the following description of emitter driver  500 A also applies to emitter driver  500 B. 
     Referring to first circuit  508 A of emitter driver  500 A, a resistor R 1  is connected between an output of microcontroller  100  (see terminal  116  of  FIG. 5 ) and the input of a transistor  510 A. An exemplary transistor  510 A is an enhancement mode, n-channel MOSFET transistor. When transmitter  510 A enters the on state by signal  502 A provided from microcontroller  100 , voltage from voltage bus  202  is provided to the anode of one or more emitters  602  of top emitter system  600 A (see  FIG. 10 ). Additional details of the operation of first circuit  508 A are provided above. 
     Second circuit  508 A′ includes a transistor  510 A′, resistors R 1  through R 5 , and a capacitor C 1 . An exemplary transistor  510 A is an enhancement mode, p-channel MOSFET transistor. As further detailed above, when signal  502 A′ is provided from terminal  118  of microcontroller  100  to the circuit  508 A′, transistor  510 A′ enters into its off or on state according to the duty cycle of the input emitter signal pulse waves  502 A′. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the emitter system  600  illustratively comprises upper emitter system  600 A supported by the upper mounting member  22  and lower emitter system  600 B supported by the lower mounting member  24 . Both the upper and the lower emitter systems  600 A and  600 B illustratively include optical emitters or light sources  602  and  604  supported within couplers or sockets  603  and  605  supported by mounting members  22  and  24 , respectively. The light sources  602  and  604  extend upwardly and downwardly, respectively, from mounting members  22  and  24 . The light sources  602  and  604  project light through the transparent upper and lower surfaces  16   a  and  16   b . The placement and orientation of the light sources  602  and  604  (e.g., upwardly and downwardly from mounting member  22  and  24 , respectively), promotes light exposure no matter the placement of the illumination beacon  10  (e.g., resting on surface  16   a  or surface  16   b ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , top and bottom emitter systems  600 A,  600 B may each illustratively include a plurality of emitters  602 A-N and emitters  604 A-N, respectively. Upon emitter driver  500 A of  FIG. 9  providing a voltage signal to the anodes of emitters  602 A-N and connecting the cathodes of emitters  602 A-N to ground, emitters  602 A-N of top emitter system  600 A illuminate. Similarly, upon emitter driver  500 B of  FIG. 8  providing a voltage signal to the anodes of emitters  604 A-N and connecting the cathodes of emitters  604 A-N to ground, emitters  604 A-N of bottom emitter system  600 B illuminate. 
     As noted above, each emitter  602  and  604  illustratively comprises a light source removably coupled to socket  603 ,  605  on respective mounting member  22 ,  24 . As such, the light sources  602  and  604  may be interchanged, for example between invisible light sources (e.g., infrared and ultraviolet) and visible light sources. More particularly, the illumination beacon  10  may be outfitted with light sources having wavelengths and operations that are customizable by the user. The power output, visibility, and range of the light sources may be matched to specific user requirements. 
     In one illustrative embodiment, the light sources  602  and  604  comprise infrared light sources generating light having a wavelength of 800 nm and an intensity of between 30 to 400 mw/sr. In another illustrative embodiment, the light sources  602  and  604  may comprise ultraviolet light sources generating light having a wavelength of 350 nm. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the light sources  602  and  604  may comprise visible light sources generating light having a wavelength of 550 nm. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the mode select interface  700  is operably coupled to the microcontroller system  100 , wherein the microcontroller system  100  is configured to select different operating modes of the upper and lower emitter systems  600 A and  600 B in response to upper input to the mode select interface  700 . In one illustrative example, the mode select interface  700  includes a push button or switch  702  accessible external to the housing  12 , wherein depressing the button  702  once results in activation of the light sources  602  and  604 . As further detailed herein, depressing the button  702  sequential times will result in different operating modes (i.e., flashing rates and patterns/codes) being selected by the microcontroller system  100 . 
     More particularly,  FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate a mode switching scheme of illumination beacon  10 . Referring to  FIG. 11 , mode select interface  700  is connected to an input of microcontroller  100 . Mode select interface  700  illustratively includes switch  702  connected across a capacitor  704  and in series with a resistor  706 . In the illustrated embodiment, switch  702  is a momentary pushbutton switch providing a voltage pulse to microcontroller  100  to select a mode of operation. In particular, with switch  702  open, fully charged capacitor  704  creates an open circuit by blocking current to microcontroller  100  and to resistor  706 . Each time switch  702  is closed, a voltage pulse (interrupt signal) is provided to microcontroller  100  which, as a result of programming code instructions in memory  104 , causes the illumination beacon  10  to turn on/off or to change modes of operation. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the mode of operation of beacon  10  corresponds to the number of button presses of switch  702 . When switch  702  is initially actuated, beacon  10  powers-up in a first mode, and status indicator  900  (see  FIG. 1 ) flashes twice. Switch  702  may be actuated n times corresponding to n mode changes. At each mode change, status indicator  900  flashes once to indicate the changed operating mode of beacon  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , an exemplary status indicator  900  is shown as including a resistor  902  in series with a visible light source, illustratively a light-emitting diode (LED)  904 . An output voltage pulse from microcontroller system  100  illuminates LED  904 . Referring to  FIG. 14 , LED  904  is configured to flash twice when beacon  10  is initially powered on and to flash once when the operating mode changes or when beacon  10  is powered down. Other flashing schemes may be implemented with status indicator  900  by reprogramming the microcontroller system  100 . 
     The external trigger system  800  may comprise any one of a plurality of receivers for activating the illumination beacon  10  in response to an external trigger or stimuli. In one illustrative embodiment, the external trigger system  800  comprises a magnetic read switch  802 . In another illustrative embodiment, the external trigger system  800  may comprise a laser trigger  804 . The external trigger system  800  may also comprise other energy receivers, such as a radio frequency, infrared, or ultrasonic receiver. In other illustrative embodiments, the external trigger system may comprise a mechanical device, such as a pull tab which may be pulled by an operator to activate the illumination beacon  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 15A , an exemplary magnetic reed switch system  802  is shown connected between voltage bus  202  and an input of microcontroller  100 . Magnetic reed switch system  802  illustratively includes a normally open reed switch  812  connected across a capacitor  814  and in series with a resistor  816 . With reed switch  812  open, fully charged capacitor  814  creates an open circuit by blocking current to microcontroller  100  and to resistor  816 . A permanent magnet  810  positioned in proximity to reed switch  812  causes reed switch  812  to close, thereby providing voltage from voltage bus  202  to the input of microcontroller  100 . In one embodiment, when magnet  810  is moved away from reed switch  812  causing reed switch  812  to open, beacon  10  is powered on. Alternatively, closing reed switch  812  with magnet  810  may cause beacon  10  to power on, and moving magnet  810  away from reed switch  812 , thereby opening reed switch  812 , may cause beacon to power off. In one embodiment, magnetic reed switch system  802  may also be used to change operating modes of beacon  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 15B , an exemplary laser trigger system  804  includes a receiver configured to receive a light beam  822  from an external laser. In the illustrative embodiment, the receiver comprises a photodiode  820  coupled and a transistor  824 . Photodiode  820  is configured to detect laser light beam  822 . Transistor  824  is illustratively an enhancement mode, p-channel transistor. When a laser light beam  822  is detected by photodiode  820 , a voltage pulse is provided to microcontroller to trigger an on/off event or a mode-changing event. In particular, photodiode  820  generates a current through resistor  828  upon detection of light  822 . Depending on the resistance value of resistor  828 , the current generated by photodiode  820  provides a voltage at the input of transistor  824 . Upon the voltage at the input of transistor  824  reaching a predetermined value, transistor  824  provides voltage from voltage bus  202  to microcontroller system  100  to power on or to power off beacon  10 . In one embodiment, laser trigger system  804  may also be used to change operating modes of beacon  10 . As shown in the state diagram of  FIG. 15B , when the laser light beam  822  is detected by the photodiode  820 , the trigger mode event is determined by the microcontroller system  100  to be “on”. When the photodiode  820  does not detect the laser light beam  822 , the trigger mode event is determined by the microcontroller system  100  to be “off”. 
     In certain illustrative embodiments, the laser source  822  may be used for IFF identification information and verification. For example, the beacon  10  may enter into an identification response mode where it relays back IFF information via the light sources  602  and  604 . The laser source  822  may be of any wavelength as required, as long as receiver  820  matches the source&#39;s specific wavelength. The resistors  826 ,  828  and  830  are illustratively used to current limit the input signal of the receiver  820 , either aid in amplification with transistor  824 , or reduction of the signal depending on the application of use. Capacitor  832  illustratively conditions the input signal to the microcontroller  100  as a noise reduction device. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , an exemplary external trigger port  808  is shown having a user-connectable trigger  850  connected across a capacitor  852  and in series with a resistor  854 . Trigger  850  may include a removable pull-tab, a pull-string, or other suitable user-connectable trigger device. In the illustrated embodiment, when trigger  850  is connected between contacts  856  and  858 , voltage from voltage bus  202  is provided to the input of microcontroller system  100 . When trigger  850  is removed or pulled away from at least one of contacts  856 ,  858 , a charged capacitor  814  creates an open circuit by blocking current to microcontroller  100  and to resistor  816 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment as shown in  FIG. 17 , removal or actuation of trigger  850  causes the illumination beacon  10  to activate and cause the emitters  602  and  604  to operate in a first mode, for example flashing at a first microcontroller system  100  defined rate or frequency and duration (i.e., enter a first power-up mode). Alternatively, removal or actuation of trigger  850  may cause beacon  10  to deactivate (i.e., enter a power off mode), or to change operating modes. In one illustrative embodiment, a first actuation of trigger  850  causes the illumination beacon  10  to enter the first power-up mode, a subsequent second actuation of trigger  850  causes the illumination beacon  10  to enter a second mode, for example flashing at a second microcontroller system  100  defined rate and duration (i.e., enter a second mode), and a subsequent third actuation of trigger  850  causes the illumination beacon  10  to enter a third mode, for example flashing at a third microcontroller system  100  defined rate and duration (i.e., enter a third mode). Additional subsequent actuations of trigger  850  may cause the illumination beacon  10  to enter an additional number of modes, as defined by the microcontroller system  100  as having predefined rates and durations, until the final “n” mode is achieved defining the power off mode. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 18 , an illustrative method of operation of the illumination beacon  10  is shown. The method  1000  is illustratively performed by code instructions programmed into the microcontroller memory  104 . The method illustratively begins at step  1002  where the microcontroller system  100  enters an initialization mode during initial power-up, illustratively during factory assembly by activating the illumination beacon  10  through either the mode select interface  700  or the external trigger system  800 . The system dependencies are next initialized at step  1004 . The system dependency initialization step  1004  refers to the manufacturers written drivers for the microcontroller device  100 . These drivers allow for the interface from the code written in  1000  to command and control the hardware built into the microcontroller device  100 . 
     The illustrative method  1000  continues to block  1006  wherein the microcontroller system  100  sets operation modes, including setting clock and low power mode. Operation modes  1006  refers to the various options provided by the microcontroller  100  manufacturer to allow or prevent specific operating modes. For example, clock setting refers to the clock speed at which the microcontroller  100  should operate in (illustratively Megahertz (Mhz)) and low power mode refers to whether or not the microcontroller  100  is allowed to operate with a lower source voltage. 
     Continuing at block  1008 , the microcontroller system  100  enables interface ports, timer, and interrupts. At block  1010 , an interrupt service routine is processed by the microcontroller system  100 . An illustrative service interrupt routine corresponding to activation of the mode select interface  700  is shown in  FIG. 12 , while an illustrative interrupt service routine corresponding to activation of the external trigger system  800  is shown in  FIG. 14 . Block  1008  refers to the various options provided by the microcontroller  100  manufacturer to allow or prevent specific hardware inputs, outputs, timers and interrupt devices internal to the microcontroller  100 . For example, the code in block  1008  may allow for the utilization of interface pins leading to the connected circuitry of microcontroller  100 . Also a pin on the microcontroller  100  may be designated to wait for an input and interface with the interrupt service routine (also known as a hardware interrupt). Hardware interrupts are known in the art for interrupting a processor when it requires attention. 
     At block  1012 , the microcontroller system  100  enters a sleep mode and waits for an interrupt signal at block  1014 . At block  1014 , if an interrupt signal is not received the microcontroller system  100  returns through a loop by returning to block  1012  and continues in the sleep mode. If an interrupt signal is received, illustratively through actuation of the mode select interface  700  or the external trigger system  800 , then the microcontroller system  100  continues to block  1018  where the operating system  20  wakes from the sleep mode and enters the power-up or first mode. As detailed herein, in the first mode, the microcontroller system  100  illustratively causes the light sources  602  and  604  to emit light in a flashing pattern having a first defined rate and duration. At block  1020 , the status indicator LED  904  illustratively flashes twice to provide a visible alert to the user that the device is no longer in the sleep mode and is active. Concurrently, at block  1016 , the microcontroller system  100  clears the interrupt flag and conducts housekeeping procedures. Housekeeping procedures illustratively allow the code to wait once again for a button press (hardware interrupt event) by clearing the interrupt flag and memory bits to prepare the code for the next step. 
     The process continues at block  1022  where the microcontroller system  100  looks for an interrupt signal to the first mode. If an interrupt signal is not received the process  1000  returns through a loop to block  1022  and continues in the first mode for a predetermined time as measured by timer of the microcontroller system  100 . If the microcontroller system  100  detects that the mode select switch  704  has been depressed when the operating system  20  is in the first mode, then at block  1028  the microcontroller system  100  enters the second mode. As detailed herein, this subsequent second actuation of either mode select interface  700  or trigger  850  causes the illumination beacon  10  to enter the second mode, where the light sources  602  and  604  flash at a second microcontroller system  100  defined rate and duration (i.e., enter a second mode). At block  1026 , the status indicator LED  904  illustratively flashes once to provide a visible alert to the user that the illumination beacon  100  has changed modes. Concurrently, at block  1024 , the microcontroller system  100  clears the interrupt flag and conducts housekeeping procedures. 
     The process continues at block  1028  where the microcontroller system  100  looks for an interrupt signal to the second mode. If an interrupt signal is not received the process  1000  returns through a loop to block  1028  and continues in the second mode for a predetermined time as measured by timer of the microcontroller system  100 . If the microcontroller system  100  detects that the mode select switch  704  has been depressed when the operating system  20  is in the second mode, then at block  1034  the microcontroller system  100  enters a subsequent (i.e., third) mode. As detailed herein, this subsequent actuation of either mode select interface  700  or trigger  850  causes the illumination beacon  10  to enter the next mode, where the light sources  602  and  604  flash at a third microcontroller system  100  defined frequency and duration (i.e., enter a second mode). At block  1032 , the status indicator LED  904  illustratively flashes once to provide a visible alert to the user that the illumination beacon  100  has changed modes. Concurrently, at block  1030 , the microcontroller system  100  clears the interrupt flag and conducts housekeeping procedures. 
     The process  1000  may continue for any number of subsequent modes based upon code instructions in controller memory  104 . At the microcontroller system  100  defined maximum number of modes N, the operating system illustratively returns to the sleep mode. For example, at block  1034  the microcontroller system  100  looks for an interrupt to the immediately preceding N−1 mode. More particularly, if the microcontroller system  100  detects that the mode select switch  704  has been depressed when the operating system  20  is in the preceding N−1 mode, then at block  1038  the microcontroller system  100  enters the N, illustratively sleep, mode. This subsequent actuation of either mode select interface  700  or trigger  850  N times, causes the illumination beacon  10  to enter the sleep mode, where the light sources  602  and  604  are deactivated, thereby conserving energy from the battery system  300 . At block  1038 , the status indicator LED  904  illustratively flashes three times to provide a visible alert to the user that the illumination beacon  100  has entered the sleep mode. Concurrently, at block  1036 , the microcontroller system  100  clears the interrupt flag and conducts housekeeping procedures. The process  1000  then returns to block  1012  where the microcontroller system  100  enters the sleep mode and waits for an interrupt. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 19 , illustrative first, second, and N modes are shown. Illustratively, the first mode includes repeating the cycle of blinking LED emitters  602  and  604  for 45 milliseconds, then waiting 1.8 seconds. The second mode illustratively includes repeating the cycle of blinking LED emitters  602  for 45 milliseconds, waiting 1.8 seconds, blinking LED emitters  604  for 45 milliseconds, then waiting 1.8 seconds. The N mode may be customized by programming the microcontroller system  100 . More particularly, any single or repeating cycle of LED  602  and  604  operation may be preprogrammed into the memory  104  of the microcontroller  100 . Further, the microcontroller system  100  may be field or factory reprogrammed through use of the interface headers  114 . 
     While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.