Vehicle interface system and method
First Claim
1. An interface system utilizing an inertia sensor for actuating a vehicle light said inertia sensor comprising:
- at least two conductive surfaces;
a mobile conductive mass against and electrically connecting said surfaces and capable of moving along said surfaces in response to inertia;
processing means connected to said inertia sensor for monitoring resistance between said surfaces, to thereby determine or perform actuation of said light upon a predetermined change in said resistance.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-contained portable interface system (10) coordinates vehicle light response on separate vehicles. A power interface (13) plugs into a cigarette lighter (14) on the first vehicle (16). A turn signal detector (18) releasably engages a turn signal lever arm (22) on the first vehicle (16) for the purpose of detecting actuation of turn signal lights on the first vehicle (16). A flasher switch (25) is disposed on the turn signal detector (18) for concurrently actuating turn signal lights on the second vehicle (12). A control unit (24) communicates via a ribbon cable (42) to the power interface (13) and the turn signal detector (18). The control unit (24) has a light sensing switch (28), which is actuated by atmospheric light, for switching park lights of the second vehicle (12) during the absence of light. An inertia sensor (56) detects deceleration of the first vehicle (16) and causes actuation of brake lights of the second vehicle (12) in response to the deceleration. Finally, a first harness connector (32) interfaces the control unit (24) with a second harness connector (34) of the second vehicle (12).
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An interface system utilizing an inertia sensor for actuating a vehicle light said inertia sensor comprising:
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at least two conductive surfaces; a mobile conductive mass against and electrically connecting said surfaces and capable of moving along said surfaces in response to inertia; processing means connected to said inertia sensor for monitoring resistance between said surfaces, to thereby determine or perform actuation of said light upon a predetermined change in said resistance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An inertia sensor for detecting actuation of brakes on a vehicle, comprising:
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at least two conductive surfaces; a mobile conductive mass against and electrically connecting said surfaces and capable of moving along said surfaces in response to inertia; processing means for monitoring resistance between said surfaces, said processing means for performing said actuation of said brakes upon a predetermined change in said resistance. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for detecting actuation of brakes by monitoring inertia of a vehicle utilizing an inertia sensor, the sensor comprising:
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providing at least a pair of conductive surfaces; riding a mobile conductive material mass against said surfaces by force of gravity, said mobile conductive mass rides upon an arcuate surface; a processing means connected to said inertia sensor monitoring resistance between said rails to thereby determine said actuation of said brakes upon a predetermined change in said resistance.
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14. An inertia sensor for coordinating vehicle brake response on a first vehicle with vehicle brake response on a second vehicle comprising:
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at least two conductive surfaces; a mobile conductive mass against and electrically connecting said surfaces in response to inertia; processing means connected to said inertia sensor for monitoring resistance between said surfaces to thereby determine or perform actuation of brakes on said second vehicle upon a predetermined change in said resistance occurring in response to actuation of brakes of said first vehicle.
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Specification