SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL WARNING

• US 20140247160A1
• Filed: 03/01/2013
• Published: 09/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sandra J. Glascock
• Original Assignee: Sandra J. Glascock
• Inventors: Glascock, Sandra J.
• Application Number:
  US13/782,814
• Publication Number:
  US 20140247160A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/907
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights

Abstract

Systems and methods for traffic signal warning are provided. An example system allows using a camera mounted in front of a vehicle to continuously scan a space in front of the vehicle to detect impending traffic signals and show them on a display disposed at a back of the vehicle to inform other trailing vehicles about traffic conditions in front of the vehicle. The system may allow a driver of a trailing vehicle, for example, to see which traffic light is going to turn at the present moment, or whether there is a speed limitation on the upcoming road segment. The detected traffic signals may be displayed in several different ways, such as actual or simulated images, icons, a text, or a video, which are updated at predetermined intervals. Additionally, the system may comprise speakers to audibly communicate information about traffic conditions.

Claims

1. A traffic signal warning system, comprising:

at least one detection device configurable to continuously scan a space in front of a vehicle to detect at least one traffic signal; and

a transmitter for transmitting the at least one traffic signal to a display mounted at a back of the vehicle, wherein the display is configurable to represent a status of the at least one traffic signal to a trailing vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one detection device is further configured to take images of the at least one traffic signal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one detection device includes:

a photo camera, video camera, and image sensor.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one traffic signal includes:

a road sign, a road condition, an obstacle on a road, a traffic-controller'"'"'s signal, and a traffic light signal.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one traffic signal is displayed in the form of a video, or an actual or simulated image.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the display is further configured to represent a current velocity or change in the velocity of the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the display includes at least one speaker configured to emit audible signals associated with the at least one traffic signal.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the display is further configured to update images representing the status of the at least one traffic signal at predetermined intervals.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the display is further configured to output a signal to warn the trailing vehicle about upcoming traffic conditions in front of the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the display is integrated into a rear window of the vehicle.

11. A traffic signal warning method comprising:

continuously scanning a space in front of a vehicle to detect at least one traffic signal; and

transmitting the at least one traffic signal to a display mounted at a back of the vehicle, wherein the display is configurable to represent a status of the at least one traffic signal to a trailing vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one detection device is further configured to take images of the at least one traffic signal.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one detection device includes:

a photo camera, video camera, and image sensor.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one traffic signal includes:

a road sign, a road condition, an obstacle on a road, a traffic-controller'"'"'s signal, and a traffic light signal.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one traffic signal is displayed in the form of a video, or an actual or simulated image.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising representing on the display a current velocity or change in the velocity of the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising emitting through at least one speaker audible signals associated with the at least one traffic signal.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising updating on the display images representing the status of the at least one traffic signal at predetermined intervals.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising outputting via the display a signal to warn the trailing vehicle about upcoming traffic conditions in front of the vehicle.

20. A traffic signal warning system comprising:

at least one forward-facing camera system disposed in front of a vehicle and configurable to continuously scan a space within a field of view of the camera system to detect at least one traffic signal;

a transmitter for transmitting the at least one traffic signal to a display mounted at a back of the vehicle, wherein the display is configurable to represent a status of the at least one traffic signal to a trailing vehicle;

updating on the display images representing the status of the at least one traffic signal at predetermined intervals.