Systems, apparatus, and methods for signaling sudden deceleration
First Claim
1. A sensor and control apparatus for modifying a vehicle lighting system comprising:
- a support frame supporting a deceleration sensor unit comprising an accelerometer, a power storage unit, and a microprocessor controller;
means for attaching the support frame to a fixed element of the vehicle;
a first electrical connector configured for connection to the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system through an existing electrical connector configured for connection to a brake lamp;
a second electrical connector configured for connection to a brake light of the vehicle;
a charging circuit coupled to said first electrical connector and to an energy storage component and configured for conveying power diverted from the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system to said energy storage component; and
a bypass circuit coupled to said first and second electrical connectors and configured to deliver power directly to said brake lamp when braking is indicated by the vehicle electrical system;
an illumination circuit coupled to the power storage unit and configured to provide electrical power through the second electrical connector to illuminate the brake lamp;
wherein;
the accelerometer measures acceleration in three orthogonal axes for each time t and provides an output signal for each time t representing measured acceleration values at time t for each of said three axes to the microprocessor;
said microprocessor controller comprises control logic configured to;
compare a combination of said three measured acceleration values at time t to a first threshold value andissue a first signal to activate the illumination circuit in the event said combination of three measured acceleration values at time t is greater than or equal to said combination of first threshold values.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for indicating sudden deceleration may involve modifying a vehicle brake lighting system with a support frame supporting a deceleration sensor, microcontroller, an energy storage component, and power circuitry. A portable deceleration warning system includes a portable sensor unit with an accelerometer, a transmitter, a power supply, and a microprocessor, and at least one portable illumination unit with a light emitter, a receiver, and a power supply. The portable sensor unit mounts reversibly to a vehicle and the portable illumination unit can be worn by an operator or passenger of the vehicle or be temporarily attached to the vehicle.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A sensor and control apparatus for modifying a vehicle lighting system comprising:
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a support frame supporting a deceleration sensor unit comprising an accelerometer, a power storage unit, and a microprocessor controller; means for attaching the support frame to a fixed element of the vehicle; a first electrical connector configured for connection to the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system through an existing electrical connector configured for connection to a brake lamp; a second electrical connector configured for connection to a brake light of the vehicle; a charging circuit coupled to said first electrical connector and to an energy storage component and configured for conveying power diverted from the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system to said energy storage component; and a bypass circuit coupled to said first and second electrical connectors and configured to deliver power directly to said brake lamp when braking is indicated by the vehicle electrical system; an illumination circuit coupled to the power storage unit and configured to provide electrical power through the second electrical connector to illuminate the brake lamp; wherein; the accelerometer measures acceleration in three orthogonal axes for each time t and provides an output signal for each time t representing measured acceleration values at time t for each of said three axes to the microprocessor; said microprocessor controller comprises control logic configured to; compare a combination of said three measured acceleration values at time t to a first threshold value and issue a first signal to activate the illumination circuit in the event said combination of three measured acceleration values at time t is greater than or equal to said combination of first threshold values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for installing an apparatus for modifying a vehicle lighting system, said apparatus comprising:
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a support frame supporting a deceleration sensor unit comprising an accelerometer, an energy storage component, and a microprocessor controller; a first electrical connector configured for connection to the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system through an existing electrical connector configured for connection to a brake lamp; a second electrical connector configured for connection to a brake light of the vehicle; a charging circuit coupled to said first electrical connector and to said energy storage component and configured for conveying power diverted from the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system to said energy storage component; and a bypass circuit coupled to said first and second electrical connectors and configured to deliver power directly to said brake lamp when braking is indicated by the vehicle electrical system; and an illumination circuit coupled to the power storage unit and configured to provide electrical power through the second electrical connector to illuminate the brake lamp; said method comprising; mounting the apparatus to the vehicle, connecting said first electrical connector to an electrical connector configured for connection to a brake lamp, and connecting said second electrical connector to a brake light of the vehicle.
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11. A portable deceleration warning system comprising:
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a portable sensor unit comprising an accelerometer, means for reversibly mounting the sensor unit to a vehicle, a transmitter, a power supply, and a microprocessor; a first portable illumination unit comprising a light emitter, a receiver, a power supply, and at least one of;
means for reversible attachment to the vehicle and means for reversible attachment to an operator or passenger of the vehiclewherein; the accelerometer measures acceleration of the vehicle in three orthogonal axes for each time t and provides acceleration values for each of said three axes to the microprocessor; the microprocessor is configured to determine whether or not a combined acceleration value for said three axes at time t exceeds a first threshold for combined values for said three axes at time t and, if the first threshold value is exceeded, to cause the transmitter to send a first signal to the receiver to energize the light emitter; the first threshold value for the combined acceleration values is variable in proportion to one or more of the acceleration values for said three axes; and the portable sensor unit is configured for attachment to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification