Signaling system for vehicles travelling in a convoy
First Claim
1. A signaling system for vehicles traveling in a convoy including first and second vehicles, comprising:
- an external signaling device for mounting on a first vehicle to signal other vehicles that the first vehicle is traveling with the convoy;
an internal signaling device disposed on the first vehicle for communicating messages between the first and second vehicles;
a transmit/receive device for transmitting and receiving the messages communicated between the first and second vehicles; and
a controller coupled to the external signaling system, the internal signaling system, and the transmit/receive device for controlling operation of the signaling system.
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Abstract
A signaling system for vehicles traveling in a convoy includes an external signaling system for informing nearby drivers of the convoy and an internal signaling device for communicating messages between the convoy members. Each convoy vehicle includes a signaling system. The external signaling systems can include flashing lamps that can be synchronized with other systems such that the external signaling systems for each convoy member flash at the same time. In one embodiment, the internal signaling system includes a series of buttons each for sending predetermined messages to other convoy vehicles. The internal signaling system can include a screen for displaying messages received from other convoy vehicles.
21 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A signaling system for vehicles traveling in a convoy including first and second vehicles, comprising:
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an external signaling device for mounting on a first vehicle to signal other vehicles that the first vehicle is traveling with the convoy;
an internal signaling device disposed on the first vehicle for communicating messages between the first and second vehicles;
a transmit/receive device for transmitting and receiving the messages communicated between the first and second vehicles; and
a controller coupled to the external signaling system, the internal signaling system, and the transmit/receive device for controlling operation of the signaling system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for signaling by first and second vehicles in a convoy, comprising:
first and second signaling systems each including an external signaling device for generating external signals visible to other drivers on a roadway indicating that the first and second vehicles are members of the convoy;
an internal signaling device for communicating messages between the first and second vehicles;
a transmit/receive device for sending and receiving the messages between the first and second vehicles; and
a controller for controlling operation of the signaling system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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15. A method for first and second vehicles traveling in tandem to communicate, comprising:
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generating a visible signal from a first external signaling device on the first vehicle and a second visible signal from a second external signaling device on the second vehicle to inform other drivers that the first and second vehicles are driving in tandem; and
communicating messages between the first and second vehicles via a first internal signaling device in the first vehicle and a second internal signaling device in the second vehicle.
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Specification