Signalling device including crash indication for automobiles

• US 6,268,793 B1
• Filed: 10/14/1999
• Issued: 07/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Francesco Rossi
• Original Assignee: Francesco Rossi
• Inventors: Rossi, Francesco
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/402,888
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 340/471, 340/463, 340/472, 340/473, 340/468, 340/436
• US Class Current: 340/471
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/5035 electronic displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0232 for measuring vehicle parameters and indicating critical, abnormal or dangerous conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/042 the advertising matter being fixed on the roof of the vehicles

Abstract

CALL ME-TELEPHONE ME is an electronic device the purpose of which is that of transmitting a telephone number and/or a message to another following vehicle. It is attached to the rear window or the rear panel of the vehicle and is composed of a luminous display. It can be switched on or off according to one'"'"'s needs simply for a few seconds or for a longer period of time. The luminous display transmits the telephone number or the message which has been programmed for the device by its installer or by whoever is in possession of the device. The programming of the message is done with the keyboard of a computer or a portable phone (an alphanumerial keyboard). Whoever is behind the vehicle and fitted with the device can read the message transmitted. CALL ME-TELEPHONE ME can have a moving display (moving message) or can be direct (direct message) according to what the characters allow in the case of the specific sentence or number of characters (geometric grouping of luminous display in the form of a Union Jack).

Claims

1. Signalling device for messages for vehicles, comprising a display (2) attached to any part of the vehicle (3) where it is visible to other drivers, at least one preprogrammed emergency message being visualizable on the display (2);

at least one crash sensor (1) connected to the display (2), a visible emergency signal through the display being automatically emitted by a vehicle involved in a crash situation;

characterized in that it comprises a receiver-transmitter (8) connected to the display (2), the receiver-transmitter in a standby position allowing decoding of emergency messages, a visible emergency signal through the display (2) being emittable by a vehicle involved in an emergency situation, the at least one crash sensor (1) being connected to the receiver-transmitter (8), an emergency signal via air through the receiver-transmitter being automatically emitted by a vehicle involved in a crash situation.

2. Signalling device as in claim 1, characterized in that an emergency signal via air through the receiver-transmitter (8) is emittable by a vehicle involved in an emergency situation.

3. Signalling device as in claim 1, characterized in that a message on the display (2) can be written with a keyboard.

4. Signalling device as in claim 1, characterized in that a message on the display (2) can be written through an electronic command-voice control.

5. Signalling device as in claim 1, characterized in that it is integrated with the connection to a device (6, 9) that allows the user to contact a police and/or central assistance service (7) automatically when the collision sensor (1) is activated.

6. Signalling device as in claim 1, characterized in that at least one touch key is integrated into the device to allow manual transmission of information that can be visualized on the display (2).

7. Signalling device as in claim 1, characterized in that the display (2) is connected to a Global Positioning System (9) and/or a Global Standard for Mobile Communication (6) so that the driver can send an S.O.S. message in the case of an accident and/or an emergency situation.