Controller for a backup alarm system

• US 5,440,288 A
• Filed: 08/05/1994
• Issued: 08/08/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation (Hoppy Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: DesignTech International Incorporated
• Inventors: Gottlieb, Mark, Powell, Harry
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent
• Application Number:
  US08/286,208
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• Field of Search: 340/901, 340/902, 340/904, 340/435, 340/463, 340/474
• US Class Current: 340/463
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/00 Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a control system for a backup alarm. The system of the present invention allows an operator of a vehicle which employs a backup alarm warning system to either activate or deactivate the backup alarm warning system as desired. In the system of the present invention, if the vehicle operator places the vehicle in reverse a selected number of times, within a predetermined time period, then this can either activate or deactivate the backup alarm system.

Claims

1. A backup alarm controller to be connected between a reverse light and a backup alarm device, comprising:

a first circuit means for determining a number of times that the reverse light is powered within a predetermined period of time; and

a second circuit means for controlling whether the backup alarm device is powered up based on the number of times that the reverse light is powered within the predetermined period of time as determined by the first circuit means, such that if the reverse light is powered a first predetermined number of times during the predetermined period of time, the backup alarm is powered up when the reverse light is powered, and if the reverse light is powered a second predetermined number of times during the predetermined period of time, the backup alarm is not powered up when the reverse light is powered.

2. The backup alarm controller according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit means comprises a control means for outputting a first signal when the reverse light is powered once during the predetermined period of time and for outputting a second signal when the reverse light is powered twice during the predetermined period of time.

3. The backup alarm controller according to claim 2, wherein the control means comprises a flip-flop.

4. The backup alarm controller according to claim 2, wherein the second circuit means comprises a transistor which supplies power to the backup alarm device when the first signal is output by the first circuit means and which cuts off power to the backup alarm device when the second signal is output by the first circuit means.

5. The backup alarm controller according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit means comprises a switching control means which is open when the reverse light is powered once during the predetermined period of time and which is closed when the reverse light is powered twice during the predetermined period of time.

6. The backup alarm controller according to claim 5, wherein the second circuit means comprises a transistor which supplies power to the backup alarm device when the switching control means is closed and which cuts off power to the backup alarm device when the switching control means is open.

7. A backup alarm controller to be used in a vehicle comprising:

an input to a reverse light of the vehicle;

first circuitry for determining a number of times that the reverse light is powered within a predetermined period of time; and

second circuitry for controlling whether a backup alarm is powered up based on the number of times that the reverse light is powered within the predetermined period of time as determined by the first circuitry, such that if the reverse light is powered a first predetermined number of times during the predetermined period of time, the backup alarm is powered UP when the reverse light is powered, and if the reverse light is powered a second predetermined number of times during the predetermined period of time, the backup alarm is not powered up when the reverse light is powered.

8. The backup alarm controller according to claim 7, wherein the first circuitry comprises a control circuit for outputting a first signal when the reverse light is powered once during the predetermined period of time and for outputting a second signal when the reverse light is powered twice during the predetermined period of time.

9. The backup alarm controller according to claim 8, wherein the control circuit comprises a flip-flop.

10. The backup alarm controller according to claim 8, wherein the second circuitry comprises a transistor which supplies power to the backup alarm when the first signal is output by the first circuitry and which cuts off power to the backup alarm when the second signal is output by the first circuitry.

11. The backup alarm controller according to claim 7, wherein the first circuitry comprises a switching control circuit which is open when the reverse light is powered once during the predetermined period of time and which is closed when the reverse light is powered twice during the predetermined period of time.

12. The backup alarm controller according to claim 11, wherein the second circuitry comprises a transistor which supplies power to the backup alarm when the switching control circuit is closed and which cuts off power to the backup alarm when the switching control circuit is open.

13. A backup alarm to be used in a vehicle comprising:

an input to a reverse light of the vehicle;

first circuitry for determining a number of times that the reverse light is powered within a predetermined period of time; and

second circuitry for controlling whether a backup alarm warning is issued based on the number of times that the reverse light is powered within the predetermined period of time as determined by the first circuitry, such that if the reverse light is powered a first predetermined number of times during the predetermined period of time., the backup alarm is powered up when the reverse light is powered, and if the reverse light is powered a second predetermined number of times during the predetermined period of time, the backup alarm is not powered up when the reverse light is powered.

14. The backup alarm according to claim 13, wherein the first circuitry comprises a control circuit for outputting a first signal when the reverse light is powered once during the predetermined period of time and for outputting a second signal when the reverse light is powered twice during the predetermined period of time.

15. The backup alarm according to claim 14, wherein the control circuit comprises a flip-flop.

16. The backup alarm according to claim 14, wherein the second circuitry comprises a transistor which allows issuing of the alarm warning when the first signal is output by the first circuitry and which prevents issuing of the alarm warning when the second signal is output by the first circuit means.

17. The backup alarm according to claim 13, wherein the first circuitry comprises a switching control circuit which is open when the reverse light is powered once during the predetermined period of time and which is closed when the reverse light is powered twice during the predetermined period of time.

18. The backup alarm according to claim 17, wherein the second circuitry comprises a transistor which allows issuing of the alarm warning when the switching control circuit is closed and which prevents issuing of the alarm warning when the switching control circuit is open.