ABSOLUTE ACCELERATION SENSOR FOR USE WITHIN MOVING VEHICLES

• US 20150062936A1
• Filed: 01/07/2014
• Published: 03/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Original Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Inventors: Braunberger, Fritz, Braunberger, Beau M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,855,986 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/466
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/143 combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/442 visible on the front side of the vehicle, e.g. for pedestrians
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/444 with indication of the braking strength or speed changes, e.g. by changing shape or intensity of the indication B60Q1/1407, B60Q1/442, B60Q1/447 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/02 Headlights
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/024 Switching between high and low beam arrangement of switches B62J6/16

Abstract

A communication system for a vehicle comprises a mechanism for sensing a change in speed of the vehicle and a control device for sending a signal to a headlight activation circuit to modulate the vehicle'"'"'s headlights based upon the change in speed. In particular, a headlight of the vehicle is able to be modulated as the vehicle reduces speed and/or is decelerating as it approaches an intersection. Additionally, the headlight of the vehicle is able to be modulated as the vehicle accelerates from a stopped position or reaches a certain traveling speed. The headlight activation circuit is able to modulate the headlight between an on position and an off position or modulate the headlight between a high beam position and a low beam position. Consequently, the vehicle is better seen as it approaches likely congestion areas such as intersections and slowing or stopped traffic and attempts to enter traffic.

Claims

1. A communication system for a vehicle comprising:

a. a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a traveling speed of the vehicle;

b. a braking system engagement detector;

c. a control device; and

d. a headlight activation circuit for activating a headlight,

wherein the control device receives a signal from the vehicle speed sensor and the braking engagement detector and sends a signal to the headlight activation circuit to operate the headlight based upon the signal from the vehicle speed sensor and the braking engagement detector.

2. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the headlight activation circuit modulates the headlight between an on position and an off position.

3. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the headlight activation circuit modulates the headlight between a high beam and a low beam position.

4. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the control device sends a signal to the headlight activation circuit to modulate the headlight when the vehicle reaches a defined speed.

5. The communication system of claim 4 wherein the headlight is modulated at a rate corresponding to the speed of the vehicle.

6. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the control device sends a signal to the headlight activation circuit to modulate the headlight when the brake is applied and the vehicle slows to a defined speed.

7. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the communication system comprises a system activation detector which detects that the system has been activated and sends a signal to the control device.

8. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the communication system is installed as aftermarket-equipment.

9. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle comprises a motorcycle.

10. A communication system for a vehicle comprising:

a. an acceleration monitoring system for detecting an absolute acceleration status of the vehicle;

b. a braking system engagement detector;

c. a control device; and

d. a headlight activation circuit for activating a headlight,

wherein the control device receives a signal from the acceleration monitoring system and the braking system engagement detector sends a signal to the headlight activation circuit to operate the headlight based upon the signal from the acceleration monitoring system and the braking system engagement detector.

11. The communication system of claim 10 wherein the headlight activation circuit modulates the headlight between an on position and an off position.

12. The communication system of claim 10 wherein the headlight activation circuit modulates the headlight between a high beam and a low beam position.

13. The communication system of claim 10 wherein the control device sends a signal to the headlight activation circuit to modulate the headlight when the absolute acceleration status of the vehicle changes from zero to positive indicating that the vehicle is accelerating from a stopped position.

14. The communication system of claim 10 wherein the control device sends a signal to the headlight activation circuit to modulate the headlight when the vehicle is decelerating.

15. The communication system of claim 14 wherein the headlight is modulated at a rate corresponding to the rate of deceleration of the vehicle.

16. The communication system of claim 10 wherein the control device sends a signal to the headlight activation circuit to modulate the headlight when the brake is applied and the vehicle slows to a defined speed.

17. The communication system of claim 10 wherein the communication system comprises a system activation detector which detects that the system has been activated and sends a signal to the control device.

18. The communication system of claim 10 wherein the communication system is installed as aftermarket-equipment.

19. The communication system of claim 10 wherein the vehicle is a motorcycle.

20. A communication system for a vehicle comprising:

a. an accelerometer for detecting an acceleration status of the vehicle;

b. a braking system engagement detector;

c. a control device; and

d. a headlight activation circuit for activating a headlight,

wherein the control device receives a signal from the accelerometer and the braking system engagement detector sends a signal to the headlight activation circuit to operate the headlight based upon the signal from the accelerometer and the braking system engagement detector.

21. The communication system of claim 20 wherein the headlight activation circuit modulates the headlight between an on position and an off position.

22. The communication system of claim 20 wherein the headlight activation circuit modulates the headlight between a high beam and a low beam position.

23. The communication system of claim 20 wherein the control device sends a signal to the headlight activation circuit to modulate the headlight when the absolute acceleration status of the vehicle changes from zero to positive indicating that the vehicle is accelerating from a stopped position.

24. The communication system of claim 20 wherein the control device sends a signal to the headlight activation circuit to modulate the headlight when the vehicle is decelerating.

25. The communication system of claim 24 wherein the headlight is modulated at a rate corresponding to the rate of deceleration of the vehicle.

26. The communication system of claim 20 wherein the control device sends a signal to the headlight activation circuit to modulate the headlight when the brake is applied and the vehicle slows to a defined speed.

27. The communication system of claim 20 wherein the communication system comprises a system activation detector which detects that the system has been activated and sends a signal to the control device.

28. The communication system of claim 20 wherein the communication system is installed as aftermarket-equipment.

29. The communication system of claim 20 wherein the vehicle is a motorcycle.

30. A method of modulating a vehicle headlight comprising:

a. sensing a change in speed of the vehicle;

b. sensing that the brakes of the vehicle have been applied; and

c. modulating a headlight of the vehicle based on the change in speed and the application of the brakes.

31. A method of modulating a vehicle headlight comprising:

a. activating a headlight modulator;

b. sensing a change in speed of the vehicle; and

c. modulating a headlight of the vehicle based on the change in speed.