Vehicle mounted pedestrian sensor system
First Claim
1. A sensor system mounted to a vehicle for detecting the presence of pedestrians when the pedestrians come within a pre-selected range of the vehicle, comprising:
- a plurality of motion detectors with at least one motion detector mounted to the front, rear, left side and right side of the vehicle;
a control box mounted in the vehicle and electrically interconnected with the motion detectors for receiving signals therefrom;
an operator alert and control panel mounted within the vehicle cab and manually operable by the vehicle operator, the operator alert and control panel electrically interconnected to the control box and the motion detectors;
the operator alert and control panel including a plurality of indicator lamps with each indicator lamp associated with one specific motion detector and the indicator lamps capable of activation to illuminate in specific colors for indicating to the operator whether a pedestrian is beyond or has come within the range of the motion detectors and that a dangerous condition exists about the vicinity of the vehicle;
a test mode for indicating whether the system is functioning properly or requires servicing;
a standby lamp for indicating when the vehicle has come to a complete stop and when the vehicle is moving;
an auto mode lamp for indicating that the sensor system is ready for use in conjunction with the operation of the vehicle; and
an integral sensing switch attached to mechanical elements of the vehicle and for immediately communicating to the control box that the vehicle has been brought to a stop or that the vehicle is moving so that the motion detectors and the indicator lamps can be readied for activation should a pedestrian come within the pre-set range of the motion detectors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle mounted sensor system for detecting the presence of objects and individuals adjacent a vehicle such as a commuter bus includes at least four motion detectors mounted to the front, back and both sides of the vehicle, an electrical control box for receiving and interpreting signals generated by the motion detectors, and a display and control panel having indicator lamps that light in response to one or more of motion detectors being triggered by the presence of an individual within the preset detection range. The control panel also includes a tone or alarm that will also sound in response to the detection of the presence of an individual. An integral sensing switch is interconnected to the control box and either the transmission, the drive shaft or a wheel hub for detecting when the vehicle comes to a stop so that the sensor system can be immediately activated; and when the vehicle resumes motion, the sensor system goes to a standby mode until the integral sensing switch detects the next stoppage of the vehicle and the system is activated.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A sensor system mounted to a vehicle for detecting the presence of pedestrians when the pedestrians come within a pre-selected range of the vehicle, comprising:
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a plurality of motion detectors with at least one motion detector mounted to the front, rear, left side and right side of the vehicle;
a control box mounted in the vehicle and electrically interconnected with the motion detectors for receiving signals therefrom;
an operator alert and control panel mounted within the vehicle cab and manually operable by the vehicle operator, the operator alert and control panel electrically interconnected to the control box and the motion detectors;
the operator alert and control panel including a plurality of indicator lamps with each indicator lamp associated with one specific motion detector and the indicator lamps capable of activation to illuminate in specific colors for indicating to the operator whether a pedestrian is beyond or has come within the range of the motion detectors and that a dangerous condition exists about the vicinity of the vehicle;
a test mode for indicating whether the system is functioning properly or requires servicing;
a standby lamp for indicating when the vehicle has come to a complete stop and when the vehicle is moving;
an auto mode lamp for indicating that the sensor system is ready for use in conjunction with the operation of the vehicle; and
an integral sensing switch attached to mechanical elements of the vehicle and for immediately communicating to the control box that the vehicle has been brought to a stop or that the vehicle is moving so that the motion detectors and the indicator lamps can be readied for activation should a pedestrian come within the pre-set range of the motion detectors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A sensor system mounted to a vehicle for detecting the presence of pedestrians when the pedestrians come within a pre-set sensing range of the vehicle, comprising:
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a plurality of motion detectors with at least one motion detector mounted to the front of the vehicle, one motion detector mounted to the rear of the vehicle, one motion detector mounted to the left side of the vehicle, and one motion detector mounted to the rear of the vehicle;
a control box mounted in the vehicle and electrically interconnected to the motion detectors for receiving signals from the motion detectors when the sensor system is in the automatic mode;
an operator alert and control panel mounted within the vehicle cab and manually operable by the vehicle operator, the operator alert and control panel electrically interconnected to the control box and the motion detectors;
the operator alert and control panel including a plurality of indicator lamps with each indicator lamp associated with one specific motion detector and the indicator lamps capable of actuation to illuminate in specific colors for indicating to the operator whether pedestrians are beyond the sensing range of the motion detectors or whether pedestrians have been detected within the sensing range of the motion detectors and that a dangerous condition exists about the vicinity of the vehicle;
a test mode lamp for indicating whether the sensor system is functioning properly or whether the sensor system requires servicing;
a standby lamp for indicating that the vehicle has come to a complete stop and when the vehicle is in motion;
an auto mode lamp for indicating that the sensor system is ready for use in conjunction with the operation of the vehicle; and
means for determining vehicle operation modes so that the sensor system can be in the standby mode when the vehicle is in motion and in the automatic mode with the sensor system activated when the vehicle comes to a stop. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A sensor system for signaling to an approaching train that a vehicle has passed the crossing guards and has entered the railway crossing zone through which the train track runs, comprising:
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a first vehicle sensor mounted atop of one crossing guard and a second vehicle sensor mounted atop the other crossing guard, the sensors capable of sensing any vehicle that has passed beyond the crossing guards and has entered the railway crossing zone;
a power supply box located adjacent one crossing guard for receiving the signals from the sensors and for generating and transmitting signals of a specific frequency to approaching train;
a train control sensor box located within the train for receiving the transmitted signals from the power supply box indicating to the train operator that a vehicle has entered the railway-crossing zone;
a safe indicator lamp located on the train control sensor box for illuminating and signaling to the train operator that no vehicle has entered the railway-crossing zone;
a danger indicator lamp located on the train control sensor box for illuminating and signaling to the train operator that a dangerous condition exists at the railway crossing zone and that the train must be brought to a halt before reaching the railway crossing zone; and
an alarm speaker located on the train control sensor box for producing an audible warning sound concomitant with the illumination of the danger indicator lamp thus alerting the train operator that the train must be brought to a halt before reaching the railway crossing zone. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification