Rear Brake Light System
First Claim
1. A vehicle brake light system, comprising:
- a control unit comprising at least one microprocessor;
at least one transmitter and receiver configured to be mounted to the rear of a lead vehicle;
said transmitter and receiver configured to project signals rearward of said vehicle and determine a distance between said vehicle and a trailing vehicle;
said control unit receiving electrical power from said lead vehicle and in electrical connection with one or more rear brake lights of said lead vehicle;
said at least one microprocessor calculating closing speed of said trailing vehicle relative to said lead vehicle;
said at least one microprocessor configured to pulse said one or more rear brake lights if said closing speed is above a defined threshold value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved vehicle brake light system is provided, in which a transmitter and receiver is used to determine the distance and closing velocity of a trailing vehicle relative to a lead vehicle. The distance and closing velocity are used to determine whether a trailing vehicle may cause a risk of collision upon application of the lead vehicle brakes. If the distance between the trailing vehicle and lead vehicle is deemed below a minimum threshold at a given vehicle speed, the rear brake lights are illuminated. If the closing velocity is a trailing vehicle is deemed above a threshold maximum, the system pulses the rear brake lights of the lead vehicle. This improves communication between a lead vehicle and a trailing vehicle, whereby the trailing vehicle is alerted to cease tailgating activity or alternatively to apply the brakes in order to avoid a potential rear-end collision.
22 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A vehicle brake light system, comprising:
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a control unit comprising at least one microprocessor; at least one transmitter and receiver configured to be mounted to the rear of a lead vehicle; said transmitter and receiver configured to project signals rearward of said vehicle and determine a distance between said vehicle and a trailing vehicle; said control unit receiving electrical power from said lead vehicle and in electrical connection with one or more rear brake lights of said lead vehicle; said at least one microprocessor calculating closing speed of said trailing vehicle relative to said lead vehicle; said at least one microprocessor configured to pulse said one or more rear brake lights if said closing speed is above a defined threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of activating the brake lights of a vehicle to warn trailing motorists, comprising the steps of:
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employing on a lead vehicle a control circuit having at least one microprocessor to receive input from at least one transmitter and receiver; determining distance between said lead vehicle and a trailing vehicle using said from at least one transmitter and receiver; calculating a closing speed of said trailing vehicle relative to said lead vehicle using said control circuit; determining whether said closing speed is above a maximum acceptable closing speed; pulsing at least one rear brake light if said closing speed is above said maximum acceptable closing speed. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification