Vehicular hazard warning system

• US 6,081,188 A
• Filed: 06/08/1998
• Issued: 06/27/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Emergency Warning Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: Emergency Warning Systems Limited
• Inventors: Saul, Andrew M. II, Kutlucinar, Iskender V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Application Number:
  US09/093,189
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/463, 340/468, 340/471, 340/472, 340/479, 340/903, 340/440
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/46 for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights or hazard lights
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

An apparatus and method warn drivers of a hazardous condition experienced by another driver. The apparatus generally includes a warning indicator, such as for example a strobe light, coupled to a vehicle warning controller. The vehicle warning controller is connected between a power source and a plurality of vehicle detecting circuits which detect the activation of a safety device. Vehicle detecting circuits can include an antilock braking system (ABS) detecting circuit, an airbag deployment detecting circuit, a rollover protection detecting circuit and an obstacle detector detecting circuit. When at least one of the vehicle'"'"'s detecting circuits detects the activation of a safety device due to a hazardous condition, a signal is sent to the vehicle warning controller. The warning indicator is activated in response to a signal from the vehicle'"'"'s warning controller. Therefore, driver intervention is alleviated in warning other motorists of potential danger.

Claims

1. A vehicular hazard warning system comprising:

(a) at least one sensor being triggered by an event and producing a signal;

(b) at least one controller for receiving said signal and determining whether to activate a vehicle safety device;

(c) at least one detecting circuit which detects activation of a vehicle safety device by said controller; and

(d) at least one hazard warning indicator which is detectable externally to a vehicle containing the warning system, said hazard warning indicator being activated in response to the detected activation of said safety device.

2. The vehicular warning system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one warning indicator is a light or auditory signal.

3. The vehicular warning system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one warning indicator is a horn.

4. The vehicular warning system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one warning indicator is a high intensity light.

5. The vehicular warning system according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of said detection circuits.

6. The vehicular warning system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one detecting circuit is an antilock brake deployment detecting circuit.

7. The vehicular warning system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one detecting circuit is an airbag deployment detecting circuit.

8. The vehicular warning system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one detecting circuit is a rollover protection activation detecting circuit.

9. The vehicular warning system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one detecting circuit is an obstacle detector detecting circuit.

10. A vehicle having a vehicular hazard warning system comprising:

(a) at least one sensor being triggered by an event and producing a signal;

(b) at least one controller for receiving said signal and determining whether to activate a vehicle safety device;

(c) at least one detecting circuit which detects activation of a vehicle safety device by said controller; and

(d) at least one hazard warning indicator which is detectable externally to a vehicle containing the warning system, said hazard warning indicator being activated in response to the detected activation of said safety device.

11. A method for activating a vehicular hazard warning system comprising the steps:

(a) detecting a hazardous condition;

(b) communicating the detected hazardous condition to a control unit;

(c) determining whether the hazardous condition exceeds a predetermined threshold;

(d) activating at least one safety device if potentially hazardous condition exceeds the predetermined threshold;

(e) monitoring said control unit for activation of said vehicle safety device (f) detecting activation of said safety device; and

(g) activating said warning hazard system in response to the detected activation of said safety device.

12. The method for activating a hazard warning system according to claim 11, wherein the step of activating said warning hazard system comprises illuminating a light or sounding an auditory signal or both.

13. The method for activating a hazard warning system according to claim 11, wherein the step of activating said warning hazard system comprises sounding a horn.

14. The method for activating a hazard warning system according to claim 11, wherein the step of activating said warning hazard system comprises illuminating a light.

15. The method for activating a hazard warning system according to claim 14, wherein the light is a high intensity light.

16. The method for activating a hazard warning system ac cording to claim 11, wherein the step of detecting the activation of a safety device comprises detecting activation of an antilock braking system .

17. The method for activating a hazard warning system according to claim 11, wherein the step of detecting the activation of a safety device comprises detecting activation deployment of an airbag or airbags.

18. The method for activating a hazard warning system according to claim 11, wherein the step of detecting the activation of a safety device comprises detecting activation of a rollover protection system.

19. The method for activating a hazard warning system according to claim 11, wherein the step of detecting the activation of a safety device comprises detecting the presence of an obstacle.

20. The method for activating a hazard warning system according to claim 11, further comprising the step of reset ting said hazard warning system.

21. A vehicular hazard warning system comprising:

(a) at least one sensor being triggered by detecting a hazardous driving condition and producing a signal;

(b) at least one controller for receiving said signal;

(c) at least one detecting circuit which receives an indication from said controller of a hazardous driving condition;

(d) at least one hazard warning indicator which is detectable externally to a vehicle containing the warning system, said hazard warning indicator being activated in response to an indication from said at least one detecting circuit.