Enhanced auxiliary signaling device
First Claim
1. An auxiliary signaling device for electrical connection to a vehicle'"'"'s electrical system, comprising:
- a housing with means for attaching the housing to the rear of the vehicle;
a control unit within said housing having means for electrically connecting the unit to the electrical system of the vehicle;
said housing including a display panel with visual display means responsive to electrical signals from said control unit;
said control unit responsive to signals from said vehicle electrical system to activate visual message displays on said display panel;
said visual message displays including;
a first alphanumeric message displayed in response to a signal caused by the activation of one of two vehicle turn signals; and
a second alphanumeric message displayed in response to a signal caused by the activation of vehicle brakes;
said control unit including a microprocessor programmed to prioritize said alphanumeric messages, to display only one of said alphanumeric messages in the event that more than one signal is received from the vehicle electrical system;
said visual message displays further including a first graphic displayed in response to a signal caused by the activation of a first of two vehicle turn signals, said first graphic displayed independently of the display of any of said alphanumeric messages.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The enhanced auxiliary signaling device of the present invention includes a housing mounted on the rear of a vehicle with a control unit electrically connected to the vehicle electrical system and to a display panel on the housing to display various alphanumeric and graphic messages in response to activation of signals in the vehicle electrical system. The activation of a vehicle turn signal will cause a first alphanumeric message to be displayed along with a first graphic display. The second turn signal will display the first alphanumeric message along with a second graphic display. Activation of both turn signals will activate a second alphanumeric message, simultaneous with the first and second graphic displays. The activation of the vehicle brakes will activate a second alphanumeric message and a third graphic display. The control unit includes a microprocessor which prioritizes message displays, such that only a signal alphanumeric message display is displayed simultaneous with one or more graphic displays.
61 Citations
6 Claims
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1. An auxiliary signaling device for electrical connection to a vehicle'"'"'s electrical system, comprising:
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a housing with means for attaching the housing to the rear of the vehicle; a control unit within said housing having means for electrically connecting the unit to the electrical system of the vehicle; said housing including a display panel with visual display means responsive to electrical signals from said control unit; said control unit responsive to signals from said vehicle electrical system to activate visual message displays on said display panel; said visual message displays including; a first alphanumeric message displayed in response to a signal caused by the activation of one of two vehicle turn signals; and a second alphanumeric message displayed in response to a signal caused by the activation of vehicle brakes; said control unit including a microprocessor programmed to prioritize said alphanumeric messages, to display only one of said alphanumeric messages in the event that more than one signal is received from the vehicle electrical system;
said visual message displays further including a first graphic displayed in response to a signal caused by the activation of a first of two vehicle turn signals, said first graphic displayed independently of the display of any of said alphanumeric messages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification