Vehicle alarm apparatus and method for preventing injury to nearby persons
First Claim
1. An alarm for a vehicle, comprising:
- transmitter means adapted for connection to the vehicle for establishing an energy field near the vehicle in a danger zone;
receiver means adapted for connection to the vehicle for receiving a signal as a result of said energy field;
processor means connected to said receiver means for determining an amplitude of said signal when no object is present in said danger zone, for determining a first threshold in accordance with and above said determined amplitude, for determining a second threshold in accordance with and below said determined amplitude, and for monitoring said signal for any amplitude variations either above said first threshold or below said second threshold which occur when the person or object enters said energy field; and
alarm means connected to said processor means for indicating a threshold crossing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle alarm for preventing injury to persons near the vehicle. Persons under and around a vehicle such as a school bus are detected by establishing an energy field and monitoring for disturbances therein. At least one transmitter establishes the energy field in areas of high risk. One or more receivers detect a signal resulting from the energy field. These signals are monitored by a processor unit for amplitude variations therein. The processor unit preferably stores the amplitude of the received signal when no persons are present and establishes one or more thresholds preferably in accordance with the stored amplitude. The received signal is subsequently monitored for variations that result in a threshold crossing indicating the unwanted presence of a person in a danger zone. When a threshold crossing is detected an alarm is activated.
44 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An alarm for a vehicle, comprising:
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transmitter means adapted for connection to the vehicle for establishing an energy field near the vehicle in a danger zone; receiver means adapted for connection to the vehicle for receiving a signal as a result of said energy field; processor means connected to said receiver means for determining an amplitude of said signal when no object is present in said danger zone, for determining a first threshold in accordance with and above said determined amplitude, for determining a second threshold in accordance with and below said determined amplitude, and for monitoring said signal for any amplitude variations either above said first threshold or below said second threshold which occur when the person or object enters said energy field; and alarm means connected to said processor means for indicating a threshold crossing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for detecting the presence of a person or object near a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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establishing an energy field near the vehicle in a zone of danger for the person; receiving a signal resulting from the energy field; determining an amplitude of the received signal without the person being present and subsequently monitoring the received signal for any amplitude variations either across a first threshold which is above the determined amplitude or across a second threshold which is below the determined amplitude, which amplitude variations occur when the person or object enters the energy field; and indicating any threshold crossings. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification