US Patent 8144030 Personal signal device with automatic switching based on orientation

A personal signal device for automatically displaying one of a plurality of patterns automatically based on the orientation of the device, such as is useful in the direction of vehicular traffic, is described. The device typically comprises a plurality of lights, often high intensity LEDs, an orientation sensor and a controller that illuminates a portion of the LEDs depending upon the orientation information provided by the sensor. The device can be adapted to couple to a user's arm or hand such as being coupled with a glove.