Vehicle signaling device

• US 20050073430A1
• Filed: 10/10/2001
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek Tno
• Original Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek Tno
• Inventors: Ploeg, Jeroen, van der Knaap, Albertus, Kusters, Leonardus, Benschop, Aart, Verburg, Dirk
• Application Number:
  US10/399,000
• Publication Number:
  US 20050073430A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/901
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies

Abstract

A signalling aapparatus for a motor vehicle is provided with communication means for receiving information coming from another motor vehicle and for broadcasting information intended for a nearby motor vehicle, and with sensor means for providing inforation about the status or status change of thr respective motor vehicle with regard to at least the safety of this vehicle. A computer is present for determining, on the ground of the information coming from the sensor means and/or on the ground of the received information, information to be broadcast and further action signals. In addition, means are present to enable, on the ground of the action signals, realization of a status change of the respective motor vehicle, which means are formed by a signalling element for making observable a signalling knowable for the driver of the vehicle or of a nearby vehicle.

Claims

1. A signalling apparatus for a motor vehicle, provided with communication means for receiving information coming from another motor vehicle and for broadcasting information with regard to at least the safety of the first-mentioned motor vehicle to a further nearby vehicle, characterized in that

sensor means are present for providing information about the status or a status change of the respective motor vehicle with regard to at least the safety of this vehicle, as well as

a computer which is arranged for generating action signals and information to be broadcast, on the ground of a combination of the information provided by the sensor means and information received from a nearby vehicle, and -means to enable, on the ground of these action signals, initiation of a status change of the respective vehicle or of a nearby vehicle, which means comprise a signalling element for making observable a signalling knowable for the driver of the respective vehicle or the nearby vehicle.

2. A signalling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer is arranged to generate combined information for the information to be broadcast by

weakened transfer of an extent of exceptionality of the information received from the nearby vehicle and/or

enhancement of the extent of exceptionality of the combined information depending on the information provided by the sensor means.

3. A signalling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication means are arranged on the front side and rear side of the vehicle.

4. A signalling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication means comprise at least one infrared transmitter and infrared receiver.

5. A signalling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication means are formed by connecting means which enable a line-of-sight connection between two vehicles driving within view of each other, as well as radio connecting means, wherein, when according to the line-of-sight a connection between two vehicles driving within view of each other has been established, a data transmission by the broadcasting vehicle to the receiving vehicle is realized with the aid of the radio connection.

6. A signalling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the information to be broadcast is formed by a single safety status signal.

7. A signalling apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that in the vehicle a display is present for displaying, on the ground of a received safety status signal, a warning signal for the driver of this vehicle.

8. A signalling apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that at the back of the vehicle, a display is present for displaying, on the ground of a received signal and on the ground of signals produced by the sensor means, a warning signal for the driver of a following vehicle.

9. A signalling apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the vehicle is provided with brake lights for displaying, on the ground of a received safety status signal, a warning signal for the driver of a following vehicle.

10. A signalling apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the warning signal is in the form of a warning triangle which lights up to an increasing extent as to its dimensions according as the safety status signal represents a greater danger.

11. A signalling apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the means for enabling a status change of the vehicle or of a nearby vehicle are formed by brake energization means controlled by the safety status signal.

12. A signalling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor means comprise means indicating the position of the brake pedal.

13. A signalling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor means comprise means determining the speed and/or the acceleration of the vehicle.

14. A signalling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor means comprise a global positioning system, which functions as sensor for measuring at least the position of the respective vehicle.