Speed awareness system

• US 20060220820A1
• Filed: 03/14/2006
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alan Taylor
• Original Assignee: Alan Taylor
• Inventors: Taylor, Alan
• Application Number:
  US11/374,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20060220820A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/466
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/54 for indicating speed outside of the vehicle

Abstract

A motor vehicle having means for indicating the speed of the vehicle, which is visible from outside of the vehicle. The speed indicating means may be in the form of a sign, which may be placed on the rear of the vehicle or in the rear window of the vehicle.

Claims

1-48. -48. (canceled)

49. A motor vehicle, comprising means for indicating the speed of the vehicle, wherein the speed of the vehicle is visible from outside of the vehicle.

50. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 49 having a sign to show the speed of the vehicle.

51. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 50, wherein the sign is:

(i) provided on the outside of the vehicle;

(ii) on a rear of the vehicle;

(iii) within the vehicle and visible through a window thereof, (iv) within the vehicle and visible through a rear window thereof, or any combination thereof.

52. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 49, wherein the speed indicating means derives speed information from a vehicle speedometer.

53. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 52, wherein the speed indicating means is:

(i) in a wired connection with the speedometer;

(ii) in a wireless connection with the speedometer;

(iii) calibrated relative to the speedometer, or any combination thereof.

54. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 49, wherein the speed indicating means is powered by a vehicle electrical power supply.

55. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 49, wherein a power supply independent of a vehicle electrical power supply is provided for the speed indicating means.

56. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 55, wherein the independent power supply comprises a battery.

57. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 49, wherein the speed indicating means is an illuminated sign.

58. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 57, wherein:

the sign is arranged to become brighter as the speed of the vehicle increases;

the sign is arranged to become brighter when the vehicle is braking;

a color of the sign is arranged to change as the speed of the vehicle moves from one range to another;

the sign is arranged to appear in a different color every 10 miles or 10 km per hour, or any combination thereof.

59. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 49, wherein the speed indicating means is linked to a GPS system, which includes speed limit information, such that the nature of the speed indication can be altered in accordance with the actual speed limit applying to a particular section of road.

60. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 59, wherein:

(i) the motor vehicle speed that is within a prescribed speed limit is arranged to appear in one color and a motor vehicle speed over a prescribed speed limit is shown in another color;

(ii) the speed indicating means is arranged to flash when the motor vehicle speed is over a prescribed speed limit;

(iii) the speed indicating means is arranged to appear brighter when the motor vehicle speed is over a prescribed speed limit, or any combination thereof.

61. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 49, wherein the speed indicating means is in the form of a flexible membrane configured to be adhered to a window of the motor vehicle.

62. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 61, wherein the membrane-type speed indicating means allows visibility out of the window of the vehicle.

63. A speed indicating means for a motor vehicle, wherein the speed indicating means indicates the speed in manner where the speed is visible from outside of the vehicle.

64. The means as claimed in claim 63, wherein the speed indicating means comprises a sign to show the speed of the vehicle.

65. The means as claimed in claim 63, wherein the speed indicating means is arranged to derive its speed information from a vehicle speedometer.

66. The means as claimed in claim 63, wherein the speed indicating means comprises an illuminated sign.

67. The means as claimed in claim 63, wherein the speed indicating means is linked to a GPS system, which includes speed limit information, such that the nature of the speed indication can be altered in accordance with the actual speed limit applying to a particular section of road.

68. The means as claimed in claim 63, wherein the speed indicating means is in the form of a flexible membrane configured to be adhered to a window of the motor vehicle.

69. In combination, a motor vehicle and means for indicating the speed of the vehicle, wherein speed indicated by the means is visible from outside of the vehicle.