SIGNAL APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING SAFE BACKUP OF VEHICLES
First Claim
1. A system for signaling a driver of a vehicle to start and stop reverse motion of the vehicle, comprising:
- a transmitter positioned outside of the vehicle and configured to transmit a first wireless signal in response to activation of the transmitter, the transmitter being configured to cease transmission of the first wireless signal upon deactivation of the transmitter;
a wireless receiver configured to detect the first wireless signal; and
one or more indicators positioned proximate the driver of the vehicle and in communication with the wireless receiver, wherein the one or more indicators are configured to provide a first set of human perceivable indicators in response to the wireless receiver detecting the first wireless signal, wherein the first set of human perceivable indicators comprises two or more tones emitted from a speaker, the two or more tones being separated by a predetermined period where another tone or no tone is emitted from the speaker, the first series of human perceivable indicators indicating to the driver that the vehicle may proceed with a reverse motion movement;
wherein the one or more indicators are further configured to provide a second set of human perceivable indicators, different than the first set, in response to the wireless receiver ceasing to receive the first wireless signal, the second set of human perceivable indicators indicating to the driver that the vehicle should not proceed with the reverse motion movement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods which allow a spotter external to a vehicle to provide signals to a driver of the vehicle in order to facilitate safe backup operations of the vehicle are disclosed. A wireless transmitter, in wireless communication with a receiver positioned within the vehicle, is operated by the spotter. An indicator, also in communication with the receiver, is configured to provide a plurality of audible and/or visible signals perceivable by the driver in response to a wireless signal received by the receiver from the transmitter. The audible and/or visible signals may comprise selected patterned tones and lights which inform the driver whether they should proceed to backup the vehicle or stop the vehicle.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for signaling a driver of a vehicle to start and stop reverse motion of the vehicle, comprising:
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a transmitter positioned outside of the vehicle and configured to transmit a first wireless signal in response to activation of the transmitter, the transmitter being configured to cease transmission of the first wireless signal upon deactivation of the transmitter;
a wireless receiver configured to detect the first wireless signal; and
one or more indicators positioned proximate the driver of the vehicle and in communication with the wireless receiver, wherein the one or more indicators are configured to provide a first set of human perceivable indicators in response to the wireless receiver detecting the first wireless signal, wherein the first set of human perceivable indicators comprises two or more tones emitted from a speaker, the two or more tones being separated by a predetermined period where another tone or no tone is emitted from the speaker, the first series of human perceivable indicators indicating to the driver that the vehicle may proceed with a reverse motion movement;
wherein the one or more indicators are further configured to provide a second set of human perceivable indicators, different than the first set, in response to the wireless receiver ceasing to receive the first wireless signal, the second set of human perceivable indicators indicating to the driver that the vehicle should not proceed with the reverse motion movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A vehicle safety kit comprising:
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a handheld wireless transmitter configured to transmit a first wireless signal only while a button of the wireless transmitter is depressed; and
a vehicle module comprising a wireless receiver and one or more indicators, the vehicle module configured for installation in a vehicle such that the one or more indicators are proximate a driver of the vehicle in order to convey one or more of visual and audible signals provided by the indicators to the driver, wherein the wireless receiver is configured to receive the first wireless signal and to initiate the one or more indicators to emit a first signal while the first wireless signal is received. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of providing backup instructions to a driver of a vehicle, comprising:
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electronically determining whether a wireless receiver positioned on or in the vehicle receives a first wireless signal transmitted from a wireless transmitter positioned outside of the vehicle; and
in response to receiving the first wireless signal, providing instructions to one or more indicators that are positioned proximate a driver of the vehicle to provide a first set of signals representative of a command to backup the vehicle;
in response to not receiving the first wireless signal, providing instructions to one or more indicators to provide a second set of signals representative of a command to not backup the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification