Patent ID: 8066230

Claim:
A crossing arm system comprising: a crossing arm including a first end and a second end and a length therebetween, wherein the second end is positioned above the first end when the crossing arm is in a raised position, and wherein the second end is lowered when the crossing arm is in the lowered position; a plurality of lights connected on the crossing arm; an arm position sensor located at the second end of the crossing arm, wherein the arm position sensor is electrically connected to at least one of the lights to receive electrical power therefrom wherein at least one of the plurality of lights is positioned between the arm position sensor and the first end of the crossing arm; wherein the arm position sensor includes a charge pump configured to magnify the electrical energy received from the light to a level that is sufficient to periodically power the arm position sensor even when the electrical energy received from the light is insufficient to cause the light to illuminate; wherein when the arm position sensor includes a multi-axis accelerometer electrically connected to the charge pump, a microprocessor connected to the multi-axis accelerometer, and a pulse generator electrically connected to the microprocessor; wherein the microprocessor is configured to direct the pulse generator to send pulses having a first characteristic when the multi-axis accelerometer determines that the gate is in a lowered position relative to a reference point and send pulses at a second characteristic when the multi-axis accelerometer determines that the gate is in a raised position relative to the reference point.