Vehicle safety lighting & signaling system

• US 20050275193A1
• Filed: 05/28/2004
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard Cheng Lee
• Original Assignee: Richard Cheng Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Richard Cheng
• Granted Patent: US 7,455,139 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/468
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2673 on parts worn by the driver, e.g. clothes, gloves or bags, specially adapted to provide auxiliary vehicle signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2676 Helmets
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/165 Wireless switches

Abstract

A vehicle safety lighting and signaling system includes a transmitting unit and multiple remote receiving units, each having a lighting and audible element, and that receive signals from the transmitting unit and selectively activates its signaling elements according to a predetermined signal response directed by the transmitting unit. The receiving unit includes a central processor that selectively decodes transmitted signals received from the transmitting unit and provides signals to a driver circuit that activate a visual signal, and audible signal, or both. A receiving unit may have an integral base affixed to an adjustable band, clothing or motorcycle, and that receiving unit is detachable from the base for charging and/or programming. The remote receiving units may include a band that is expandable for positioning about a cycle riders'"'"' arm or leg, and includes one or more lighting elements responsive to receiving a predetermined signal.

Claims

1. A vehicle safety lighting and signaling system, comprising:

a vehicle providing an input;

a transmitting unit transmitting at least one unique signal in response to said input; and

one or more remote receiving units having a lighting element and responsive to said unique signal to illuminate said lighting element.

2. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 1, wherein said transmitting unit further comprises:

an input circuit to receive input from a vehicle;

a CPU in communication with a memory bank and said input circuit;

a transmitter in communication with said CPU; and

wherein said transmitter transmits said signal in response to said input.

3. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 2 wherein said signal further comprises a control signal.

4. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 3 wherein said control signal corresponds to a single remote receiving unit.

5. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 2 wherein said memory comprises a look-up table to provide a control signal to said CPU corresponding to a particular input signal combination received in said input circuit.

6. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 1, further comprising a motion sensor in communication with said CPU wherein said motion sensor provides an input to said CPU to allow said transmitting unit to determine the status of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 1 further comprising a battery to provide power to said transmitting unit.

8. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 7, further comprising a battery charger to charge said battery.

9. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 1 wherein said receiving unit further comprises:

a central processor unit;

a receiver in communication with said central processing unit; and

an antenna in communication with said receiver, wherein said receiving unit receives a transmitted signal and selectively decodes said transmitted signal received from the transmitting unit.

10. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 9, said transmitted signal comprises a binary serial number identifying one or more said receiving units.

11. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 10 wherein said receiving unit further comprises a channel code selector, wherein said transmitted signal is transmitted on a said channel.

12. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 1 wherein said receiving unit further comprises a driver circuit in communication from said CPU and in response activates said light source.

13. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 12, further comprising a vibration generator in communication with said driver circuit.

14. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 13, wherein said driver circuit may selectively activate said vibration generator in response to a transmitted signal.

15. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 13, further comprising a timer, wherein said timer if the signal is on for a period of time longer than a pre-set period in order to remind the rider it is activated. Vibrating signal may also inform the user of when the batteries in the unit are low and need to be recharged.

16. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 1, wherein said remote receiving unit further comprises:

a base, attachable to a rider of said vehicle;

a body, attachable to said base, and comprising a receiver, power source, and a signaling device response to said signal.

17. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 16, wherein said base further comprises a band.

18. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 16, wherein said base further comprises a clip, and said body further comprises a slot receiving said clip to retain said body adjacent said base.

19. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 16, wherein said base further comprises a magnetic element and said body further comprises a corresponding magnetic element to retain said body adjacent said base.

20. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 16, further comprising a fastener means for releasably fastening said body to said base.

21. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 16 wherein said body is formed with a pair of charging pins and a pair of charging ports positioned on said body wherein two said bodies may be placed adjacent so said charging pins are aligned with said charging ports.

22. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 16, wherein said body is formed with a pair of charging ports, and wherein two or more said bodies are insertable into a charging sleeve having a charging pin for each body, wherein said charging pins are aligned with said charging port.

23. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 1, further comprising a clock in communication with said transmitter and providing a control signal

24. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 1 wherein said receiving unit further comprises an audio source, and wherein said driver circuit activates said audio source.

25. A method of providing an increased level of safety to a rider of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

providing a vehicle safety lighting and signaling system, said system comprising;

a transmitting unit transmitting at least one unique signal in response to said input; and

one or more remote receiving units having a lighting element and responsive to said unique signal to illuminate said lighting element;

wherein said transmitting unit receives an input from said vehicle;

sensing the condition of said input from said vehicle; and

selectively illuminating one or more of said lighting elements in response to said input.