Track alert system for automobile racing

• US 5,734,315 A
• Filed: 11/17/1995
• Issued: 03/31/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wayne D. Skeen
• Original Assignee: Wayne D. Skeen
• Inventors: Skeen, Wayne D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US08/559,907
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 340/323 R, 340/902, 340/539, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 455/34.1, 455/166.1, 463/6, 472/85
• US Class Current: 340/323.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages

Abstract

A track alert system for automobile racing employs a transmitter for transmitting a selected one of a plurality of channel signals, each of which is indicative of a particular race track flag condition, a receiver capable of receiving each of the transmitted channel signals, and a priority/tone generator coupled to the receiver for prioritizing two or more simultaneously received channel signals and for generating a particular tone corresponding to a received, prioritized channel signal. The transmitter is fixedly positioned at a chosen location on a race track and is controlled by a track flag operator. A receiver and priority/tone generator are mounted in each of the race cars participating in a race. The generated tone corresponding to a track flag condition is received through an ear piece worn by each race car driver. A reset switch mounted in each race car enables the driver to turn off a generated tone once it has been recognized.

Claims

1. A track alert system for automobile racing, the track alert system comprising:

a transmitter fixedly positioned proximate a race track for being controlled by a track flag operator, the transmitter being operative for transmitting one or more of a plurality of channel signals selected by the track flag operator, each transmitted channel signal being indicative of a particular race track flag condition; and

receiver means mounted in each of a plurality of participating race cars for receiving each of the transmitted channel signals, the receiver means including priority circuit means for prioritizing two or more simultaneously received channel signals and tone generation circuit means for generating a particular audible tone corresponding to a received, prioritized channel signal, said receiver means further comprising an ear piece worn by each race car driver for communicating the generated audible tone to the driver.

2. A track alert system for automobile racing as in claim 1 wherein said receiver means further comprises reset circuitry and a reset switch operative by the driver for turning off a generated tone following its recognition.

3. A method for alerting race track drivers of a flag condition on the track, the method comprising:

providing a transmitter fixedly positioned proximate the race track for being controlled by a track flag operator;

transmitting one or more of a plurality of channel signals selected by the track flag operator, each transmitted channel signal being indicative of a particular race track flag condition; and

providing receiver means mounted in each of a plurality of participating race cars for receiving each of the transmitted channel signals, the receiver means including priority circuit means for prioritizing two or more simultaneously received channel signals and tone generation circuit means for generating a particular audible tone corresponding to a received, prioritized channel signal, the receiver means including an ear piece worn by each race car driver for communicating the generated audible tone to the driver.