Combined motion detector/transmitter for a traffic information warning system

• US 5,612,685 A
• Filed: 03/20/1996
• Issued: 03/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cobra Electronics Corp. (Cedar Electronics Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Cobra Electronics Corp. (Cedar Electronics Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Oliva, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rushing, Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US08/618,855
• Time in Patent Office: 363 Days
• Field of Search: 340/901, 340/902, 340/905, 340/435, 340/455, 340/463, 340/541, 340/904, 455/34.1, 455/34.2, 455/59
• US Class Current: 340/901
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/56 for presence detection presence detection using near field arrangements G01V3/00, e.g. G01V3/08, G01V3/12; burglar, theft or intruder alarms with electrical actuation G08B13/22 - G08B13/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/86 Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/91 for traffic control G01S13/93 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/92 for velocity measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0965 responding to signals from another vehicle, e.g. emergency vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3233 particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems

Abstract

A combined motion detector/transmitter device for a traffic information warning system is disclosed. The device includes first and second oscillators for transmitting first and second carrier signals, respectively. The first carrier signal has a first carrier signal frequency and the second carrier signal has a second carrier signal frequency. The carrier signals are used to transmit a message regarding a traffic situation based upon either the magnitude of the frequency difference between the first and second carrier signal frequencies or the specific frequency locations of the carrier signals. The first and second oscillators also set up first and second disturbance fields, respectively. A first reflected signal receiver is associated with the first oscillator and receives a first reflected signal when a target is within the first disturbance field. A second reflected signal receiver is associated with the second oscillator and receives a second reflected signal when a target is within the second disturbance field. First and second detector circuits are provided for detecting the presence or absence of a moving target in the first and second disturbance fields, respectively. Finally, the device includes an indicator for indicating the detected presence of a moving target in either the first or second disturbance fields.

Claims

1. A combined motion detector/transmitter for a traffic information warning system for conveying a message regarding a traffic situation comprising:

a first oscillator for transmitting a first unmodulated carrier signal and for setting up a first disturbance field, the first unmodulated carrier signal having a first carrier signal frequency;

a second oscillator for transmitting a second unmodulated carrier signal and setting up a second disturbance field, the second unmodulated carrier signal having a second carrier signal frequency, wherein the difference in magnitude between the first carrier signal frequency and the second carrier signal frequency specifies the message regarding the traffic situation;

a first reflected signal receiver associated with the first oscillator for receiving a first reflected signal when a target is within the first disturbance field;

a second reflected signal receiver associated with the second oscillator for receiving a second reflected signal when a target is within the second disturbance field;

a first detector circuit for detecting the presence or absence of a moving target in the first disturbance field;

a second detector circuit for detecting the presence or absence of a moving target in the second disturbance field; and

,

an indicator for indicating the detected presence of a moving target in either the first or second disturbance field.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the indicator includes an audible sound.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the audible sound is a voice-synthesized message.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the indicator includes a visible display.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein a pair of patch antennas are connected to the first oscillator to transmit the first unmodulated carrier signal.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein a pair of patch antennas are connected to the second oscillator to transmit the second unmodulated carrier signal.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein a first receiver antenna is connected to the first reflected signal receiver to receive the first reflected signal when a target is in the first disturbance field, the first receiver antenna being a patch antenna.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein a second receiver antenna is connected to the second reflected signal receiver to receive the second reflected signal when a target is in the second disturbance field, the second receiver antenna being a patch antenna.

9. A combined motion detector/transmitter for a traffic information warning system for conveying a message regarding a traffic situation comprising:

a first oscillator for transmitting a first unmodulated carrier signal and for setting up a first disturbance field, the first unmodulated carrier signal having a first carrier signal frequency;

a second oscillator for transmitting a second unmodulated carrier signal and setting up a second disturbance field, the second unmodulated carrier signal having a second carrier signal frequency, wherein the frequency locations of the first and second unmodulated carrier signals specify the message regarding the traffic situation;

a first reflected signal receiver associated with the first oscillator for receiving a first reflected signal when a target is within the first disturbance field;

a second reflected signal receiver associated with the second oscillator for receiving a second reflected signal when a target is within the second disturbance field;

a first detector circuit for detecting the presence or absence of a moving target in the first disturbance field;

a second detector circuit for detecting the presence or absence of a moving target in the second disturbance field; and

,

an indicator for indicating the detected presence of a moving target in either the first or second disturbance field.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the indicator includes an audible sound.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the audible sound is a voice-synthesized message.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein the indicator includes a visible display.

13. The device of claim 9 wherein a pair of patch antennas are connected to the first oscillator to transmit the first unmodulated carrier signal.

14. The device of claim 9 wherein a pair of patch antennas are connected to the second oscillator to transmit the second unmodulated carrier signal.

15. The device of claim 9 wherein a first receiver antenna is connected to the first reflected signal receiver to receive the first reflected signal when a target is in the first disturbance field, the first receiver antenna being a patch antenna.

16. The device of claim 9 wherein a second receiver antenna is connected to the second reflected signal receiver to receive the second reflected signal when a target is in the second disturbance field, the second receiver antenna being a patch antenna.