Red light accident warning

• US 20080068146A1
• Filed: 09/16/2006
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jack D. Cauldwell
• Original Assignee: Jack D. Cauldwell
• Inventors: Cauldwell, Jack D.
• Application Number:
  US11/521,760
• Publication Number:
  US 20080068146A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/02 Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux G01R33/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

This invention comprises a warning device that is intended to assist in the prevention of automobile accidents that result from drivers moving into an intersection where another driver is already moving through the intersection. A sensor, that can detect the movement of other vehicles directly in front of the host vehicle is utilized, with a warning system that actuates if the host vehicle begins to move forward, while other vehicle traffic from another direction is concurrently moving in front of the host vehicle.

Claims

1. A warning device that cautions host vehicles to enter an intersection common area with care, due to the presence of other vehicles that have been detected as moving through the intersection common area in front of the host vehicle, prior to the host vehicle entering the intersection common area, comprising:

a. a detection means, that is able to determine movement of vehicles within a detection area, where said detection means is mounted on the front portion of a vehicle, and which defines a detection area forward of the host vehicle;

b. an alarm means that alerts the host vehicle of detected movement of other vehicles through the detection area.

2. A warning device, as recited in claim 1, in which the detection means comprises a magnetic field sensor which is able to detect movement of metal mass that affect magnetic fields, when said metal masses move through the detection area.

3. A warning device, as recited in claim 1, in which the detection means comprises a sonar emitter, which emits a sonar pulse into the detection area, and which is able to detect movement of objects capable of reflecting a sonar pulse, as moving through the detection area.

4. A warning device, as recited in claim 1, in which the detection means comprises a doppler type wave emitter/detector, which uses changes in wavelength to detect movement of objects through the detection area.

5. A warning device, as recited in claim 1, in which the detection means comprises a laser emitter/detector, which uses light waves to detect movement of objects through the detection area.

6. A warning device, as recited in claim 1, in which the alarm means comprises a warning light that is actuated when any movement of another vehicle is detected within the detection area, and said warning light remains activated until the host vehicle begins to move forward into the intersection common area.

7. A warning device, as recited in claim 1, in which the alarm means comprises a warning light that is actuated when any movement of another vehicle is detected within the detection area, and said warning light remains activated for a desired period of time after the host vehicle begins forward movement.

8. A warning device, as recited in claim 1, in which the alarm means comprises an audible alarm that is actuated when any movement of another vehicle is detected within the detection area, and said audible alarm remains activated until the host vehicle begins to move forward into the intersection common area.

9. A warning device, as recited in claim 1, in which the alarm means comprises an audible alarm that is actuated when any movement of another vehicle is detected within the detection area, and said audible alarm remains activated for a desired period of time after the host vehicle begins forward movement.

10. A warning device, as recited in claim 1, in which the alarm means comprises an audible alarm that is activated when after movement of another vehicle is detected within the detection area, with said audible alarm activating only after the host vehicle begins forward movement.