System for producing warning signals perceivable by an automobile driver in response to remote warning sounds

• US 4,209,769 A
• Filed: 10/16/1978
• Issued: 06/24/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jack E. Chronerberry
• Original Assignee: Jack E. Chronerberry
• Inventors: Chronerberry, Jack E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Application Number:
  US05/951,722
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 340/31 R, 340/32, 340/33, 340/34, 340/558-560, 340/1, 179/1 VE
• US Class Current: 340/902
• 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: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal

Abstract

A system for receiving remote warning sounds reflected from a roadway surface supporting an automobile includes a sound transducer mounted in the underside of a fender well of the vehicle for producing an audio frequency electrical signal in response to the received reflected warning sounds. The system includes an audio amplifier connected to the sound transducer for amplifying the audio frequency signal. The output of the audio amplifier is connected to inputs of a plurality of tone decoder circuits. Each tone decoder circuit is responsive to an audio frequency signal in a predetermined frequency band. The frequency bands of the plurality of tone decoder circuits are mutually exclusive. Each tone decoder circuit produces an output signal having a first logic level if an electrical signal having a frequency within its frequency range is received from the audio amplifier and a second logic level if no such electrical signal is received. If any of the tone decoders receive an input signal within their respective ranges, a warning light visible to the automobile driver is turned on and a second sound transducer is activated to produce warning sound audible to the automobile driver.

Claims

1. A system for detecting warning sounds external to a vehicle and producing a corresponding warning signal to a driver of a vehicle, said system comprising in combination:

a. sound transducer means for receiving warning sound signals reflected from a roadway supporting said vehicle and producing an electrical audio frequency signal in response to said received warning sound signals, said sound transducer means being oriented downward to efficiently detect reflected warning sound signals approaching said vehicle from any lateral direction with respect to said vehicle while tending to block out detection of unreflected sound signals;

b. audio amplifier means responsive to said audio frequency electrical signal for amplifying said audio frequency electrical signal;

c. tone detector circuit means coupled to an output of said audio amplifier means for producing an output signal having a first level if the output signal produced by said audio amplifier is within a predetermined range of frequencies and a second level if said output of said audio amplifier means is not within said predetermined range of frequencies; and

d. warning indicator means responsive to said tone detector circuit means for producing said warning signal in response to said first level, said warning signal being readily perceivable by the driver of said vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said tone detector means includes a plurality of phase locked loop tone decoder circuits, each responsive to audio frequency electrical signals in a separate predetermined frequency range, said predetermined frequency ranges being mutually exclusive.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said frequency ranges is approximately 500 hertz in width.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said frequency ranges lie within the range of frequencies from approximately 1000 hertz to approximately 3500 hertz.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said sound transducer means includes a ceramic microphone oriented vertically downward toward said roadway, whereby said ceramic microphone is approximately equally responsive to reflected warning sound waves approaching said vehicle from any lateral direction with respect to said vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said warning indicator means includes a warning light mounted in the driver'"'"'s compartment of said vehicle, said warning light being lit when a warning sound having a frequency in one of said frequency ranges is received by said transducer sensing means.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said warning indicator means includes an audio transducer for producing a characteristic audio frequency signal when said tone detecting means produces said first level.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said audio amplifier means includes an integrated circuit audio amplifier.

9. The system of claim 2 wherein said phase locked loop tone decoder circuits are integrated circuits.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said sound transducer means includes a microphone mounted at the top of a fender cavity of the vehicle, the microphone being oriented approximately downward to efficiently detect ones of said reflected warning sound signals entering said fender cavity from the bottom opening of said fender cavity.