Audible communication system

• US 6,580,374 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2001
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Martin H. Schrage
• Original Assignee: Martin H. Schrage
• Inventors: Schrage, Martin H.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US09/921,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20020101360A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 340/933, 340/905, 340/907, 340/917, 340/935, 340/936, 340/937, 340/938, 340/918, 701/300, 701/301
• US Class Current: 340/933
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages

Abstract

An audible warning system which reduces the number of land vehicle traffic accidents where there are already traffic control devices installed such as at stop signs, intersection control lights and on vehicles in conjunction with side lights, tail lights and brake lights. The accident reduction results from the monitoring of approaching traffic with a radar-type range sensing system. Sound generators, based on parametric-array technology, permit the focusing of sound into waves of a few degrees width and aiming them at a particular vehicle or pedestrian located at a particular range from the sound projector.

Claims

1. A audible communication system for use in conjunction with a vehicle for transporting at least one individual, comprising:

at least one sensor disposed within the vicinity of or at a preselected location for sensing information with respect to the vehicle as the vehicle approaches the preselected location and providing at least one signal indicative of said information;

at least one processor, said at least one processor capable of analyzing said at least one signal in order to provide at least one further signal indicative of vehicle performance characteristics and further information about the vehicle; and

means for receiving said at least one further signal from said at least one processor and for transmitting an audible message within the vehicle without electronic receiving equipment to the at least one individual within the vehicle in order to provide information relative to at least the prevention of accidents at or within the vicinity of the preselected location to the at least one individual.

2. An audible communication system for use in conjunction with a vehicle for transporting at least one individual, comprising:

at least one sensor disposed within the vicinity of or at a preselected location for sensing information with respect to the vehicle as the vehicle approaches the preselected location and providing at least one signal indicative of said information;

at least one processor, said at least one processor capable of analyzing said at least one signal in order to provide at least one further signal indicative of characteristics of the vehicle; and

a communication device for receiving said at least one further signal from said at least one processor and for audibly communicating through a glass portion of the vehicle with the at least one individual within the vehicle in order to provide said information with respect to the vehicle to the at least one individual.

3. A system as defined in claim 2, wherein said information includes a reflective signature of the vehicle indicative of the make, model and year of the vehicle;

wherein said at least one at least one processor analyses said reflective signature to determination window angle, window thickness, and window material of the vehicle; and

wherein said at least one further signal takes into consideration the refractive and reflective characteristics of the window of the vehicle such that said at least one further signal is audible by the at least one individual of the vehicle as said at least one further signal passes through the window of the vehicle.

4. An audible communication system for use in conjunction with a vehicle, comprising:

at least one sensor disposed adjacent to or at a preselected location for sensing an approaching vehicle and for producing at least one signal indicative of the sensed vehicle;

at least one processor operably connected to said at least one sensor, said at least one processor being capable of analyzing said at least one signal from said at least one sensor indicative of the sensed vehicle to determine an appropriate course of action of the sensed vehicle and/or the condition adjacent to or at the preselected location; and

a vehicle signaling device associated with the preselected location and in proximity to said at least one sensor, said vehicle signaling device being controlled by said at least one processor to provide an audible message to the sensed vehicle without electronic receiving equipment concerning course of action of the sensed vehicle or the conditions adjacent to or at the preselected location.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least one signal of the sensed vehicle further includes a vehicle type of the sensed vehicle, wherein said at least one processor analyses of said at least one signal determines window angle, window thickness, and window material of the sensed vehicle, wherein said at least one processor utilizes refractive and reflective characteristics of a window of the sensed vehicle to select said audible message from a preprogrammed listing such that said audible message is audible within the sensed vehicle as said audible message passes through the window of the sensed vehicle.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said vehicle type includes make, model and year.

7. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least one sensor is an above-road sensor.

8. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least one sensor is a road-imbedded sensor.

9. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least one processor determines a range time history of the sensed vehicle from the preselected location and an appropriate course of action for the sensed vehicle and transmits at least one further signal to said vehicle signaling device, causing said vehicle signaling device to provide said audible message to the sensed vehicle concerning an appropriate course of action for the sensed vehicle and/or conditions adjacent to or at the preselected location.

10. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said vehicle signaling device includes at least one ultrasonic projector, wherein said at least one ultrasonic projector generates at least one modulated wave directed toward the sensed vehicle, wherein said at least one modulated wave carries said audible message, wherein said audible message demodulates from said at least one modulated wave when said at least one modulated wave interacts with a glass portion of the sensed vehicle, wherein said audible message is selected from a preprogrammed list based on preselected location specific information and said analyzed data of said at least one signal from said at least one sensor indicative of the sensed vehicle.

11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said preselected location specific information includes an intersection or a curve.

12. The system as claimed in claim 10 further comprising an atmospheric monitor capable of providing a signal to said at least one processor of changes in atmospheric conditions that will impact the demodulation of said audible message, whereby said at least one processor transmits said at least one modulated wave having a waveform to compensate for the atmospheric conditions.

13. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said vehicle signaling device signals a plurality of sensed vehicles.

14. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least one sensor comprises:

a radar device for sensing the approaching vehicle and producing said at least one signal indicative of the sensed vehicle;

an analog-to-digital converter for converting said at least one signal to digital representations prior to processing; and

a comparator for indicating detection of the sensed vehicle when said digital representation exceeds a predetermined threshold.

15. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said comparator is a processor-based program.

16. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said radar device comprises an antenna and a transceiver.

17. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said vehicle signaling device comprises at least one ultrasonic projector, wherein said at least one ultrasonic projector generates a modulated wave directed toward the sensed vehicle, wherein said modulated wave carries said audible message, wherein said audible message demodulates from said modulated wave when said modulated wave interacts with a glass portion of the sensed vehicle, wherein said at least one processor selects said audible message based on information programmed into said at least one processor.

18. A method of using an audible communication system associated with a preselected location comprising the steps of:

obtaining information about a vehicle derived from at least one signal from at least one sensor disposed within the vicinity of or at a preselected location for sensing information with respect to the vehicle as the vehicle approaches the preselected location;

providing at least one signal indicative of the sensed vehicle information;

analyzing the at least one signal from the at least one sensor which is indicative of the sensed vehicle;

matching the sensed vehicle information with stored vehicle information;

analyzing the sensed vehicle information and the stored vehicle information in view of site specific information;

determining conditions at the preselected location; and

operating the vehicle signaling device disposed within the vicinity of or at the preselected location to transmit an audible message regarding the conditions at the preselected location and/or a course of action for the sensed vehicle without electronic receiving equipment.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the specific site comprises a curve, and the method further includes the steps of:

disposing the at least one sensor and the vehicle signaling device upstream of the curve;

computing the appropriate safe speed which is a threshold speed for the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from rolling over; and

estimating the actual speed of the vehicle at a specific point of curvature of the curve.

20. The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the specific site is an intersection, and the method further includes the steps of:

disposing the audible communication system at or adjacent to a traffic-signal controlled intersection;

computing, by the at least one processor, from information, the actual speed of the vehicle and a stopping distance to enable the vehicle to stop at a preselected time;

computing, by the at least one processor, the actual speed of the vehicle at a distance upstream from the intersection;

determining, by the at least one processor, whether the vehicle will be able to stop at the preselected time before it reaches the intersection; and

sending, by the at least one processor, from the determination, a signal to the vehicle signaling device to transmit an audible message to an interior of the vehicle.

21. An audible communication system for a person approaching a specific site, comprising:

at least one sensor disposed adjacent a crosswalk having a crossing light for sensing the person within the crosswalk for producing at least one signal indicative of the sensed person;

at least one processor operably connected to said at least one sensor and to the crossing light, said at least one processor for analyzing said at least one signal from said at least one sensor indicative of the sensed person and the crossing light, to determine the position of the sensed person within the crosswalk, and to determine the status of the crossing light; and

a signaling device associated with the crosswalk and disposed adjacent the crosswalk in proximity to said at least one sensor, said signaling device being controlled by said at least one processor to provide a warning to the sensed person concerning the status of the crossing light, wherein said signaling device is at least one ultrasonic projector, wherein said ultrasonic projector is directed toward the sensed person for generating a plurality of modulated waves, wherein said plurality of modulated waves demodulate to an audible message as said plurality of modulated waves reaches a focal point of said plurality of modulated waves.

22. An audible communication system for communicating between vehicles, comprising:

at least one sensor disposed within a first vehicle for producing at least one signal indicative of a second vehicle;

at least one processor operably connected to said at least one sensor, said at least one processor for analyzing said at least one signal from said at least one sensor indicative of the second vehicle;

a signaling device disposed on or within the first vehicle, said signaling device being controlled by said at least one processor to provide an audible message to the second vehicle; and

said signaling device includes at least one ultrasonic projector, wherein said at least one ultrasonic projector generates at least one modulated wave directed toward the second vehicle, wherein said at least one modulated wave carries said audible message, wherein said audible message demodulates from said at least one modulated wave when said at least one modulated wave interacts with a glass portion of the second vehicle, wherein said at least one processor determines the performance characteristics of the second vehicle and an appropriate course of action for the second vehicle based on site-specific information programmed into said at least one processor.

23. An audible communication system for communicating between a person and a vehicle, comprising:

a device having at least one sensor disposed therein for producing at least one signal indicative of the vehicle;

at least one processor operably connected to said at least one sensor, said at least one processor for analyzing said at least one signal from said at least one sensor indicative of the sensed vehicle, to determine the position of the sensed vehicle relative to the person, and to determine a vehicle classification of the sensed vehicle;

a signaling device disposed on or within said device, said signaling device being controlled by said at least one processor to provide an audible message to the sensed vehicle; and

said signaling device comprises at least one ultrasonic projector, wherein said at least one ultrasonic projector generates at least one modulated wave directed toward the sensed vehicle, wherein said modulated wave carries said audible message, wherein said audible message demodulates from said at least one modulated wave when said at least one modulated wave interacts with a glass portion of the sensed vehicle, wherein said at least one processor determines the sensed vehicle characteristics and selects an audible message that matches an appropriate waveform to be intelligible within the sensed vehicle.

24. The system as claimed in claim 23, wherein said device is capable of being handheld.

25. An audible communication system for communicating with an object within a pathway, comprising:

plurality of sensors disposed adjacent to boundaries of the pathway for producing at least one signal indicative of the sensed object;

at least one processor operably connected to each said plurality of sensors, said at least one processor for analyzing said at least one signal from said plurality of sensors indicative of the sensed object to determine the position of the sensed object with respect to at least one said plurality of sensors;

a signaling device disposed adjacent to boundaries of the pathway, said signaling device being controlled by said at least one processor to provide an audible message to the sensed object; and

said signaling device comprises at least one ultrasonic projector, wherein said at least one ultrasonic projector generates at least one modulated wave directed toward the sensed object, wherein said at least one modulated wave carries said audible message, wherein said audible message demodulates from said at least one modulated wave when said modulated wave interacts with a glass portion of the sensed object or demodulates in air in the proximity of the sensed object, wherein said at least one processor determines the distance to the sensed object and selects an audible message that matches an appropriate waveform for said audible message to demodulate as said at least one modulated wave reaches the sensed object.

26. The audible communication system as defined in claim 25, wherein the sensed object is a water vessel.

27. The audible communication system as defined in claim 25, wherein the sensed object is a person.

28. The audible communication system as defined in claim 25, wherein the sensed object is a land vessel.

29. The audible communication system as defined in claim 25, wherein the sensed object is an aircraft.

30. An audible communication system for communicating between a person operating said system and occupants in a room of a building, comprising:

a device having at least one sensor disposed therein for producing at least one signal indicative of a window of the building;

at least one processor operably connected to said at least one sensor, said at least one processor for analyzing said at least one signal from said at least one sensor indicative of the sensed window, to determine the position of the sensed window of the room of the building relative to the person operating said system;

a signaling device disposed on or within said device, said signaling device being controlled by said at least one processor to provide an audible message to the occupants in the room of the building;

said signaling device comprises at least one ultrasonic projector, wherein said ultrasonic projector generates at least one modulated wave directed toward the sensed window, wherein said at least one modulated wave carries said audible message, wherein said audible message demodulates from said at least one modulated wave when said at least one modulated wave interacts with sensed window; and

said at least one processor determines characteristics of the sensed window and selects an audible message that matches an appropriate waveform for said audible message to be intelligible within the room of the building.

31. The system as claimed in claim 30 wherein said window characteristics include a window angle, a window thickness, and a window material.

32. The system as claimed in claim 30, wherein said device is capable of being handheld.

33. An audible communication system comprising:

at least one wave projector means for generating as a primary wave an ultrasonic wave, said ultrasonic wave interacts with a nonlinear medium wherein a secondary wave at an audible frequency is produced;

wherein said at least one wave projector means comprising a plurality of individual units operably connected together for emitting said primary wave;

aiming means operably connected to each of said units for changing the direction of said ultrasonic wave for positioning a focal point on the non-linear medium;

ultrasonic wave focussing means for providing coordinates of the non-linear medium to said aiming means to adjust said units; and

wherein said ultrasonic wave focussing means comprising a microwave radar device.

34. The system as defined in claim 33, wherein said aiming means comprising at least one phase-shifter and at least one power amplifier.

35. The system as defined in claim 33, wherein said ultrasonic wave is a carrier wave modulated by a message, wherein said message is selected from a processor-based matrix of the nonlinear medium characteristics.

36. The system as defined in claim 33, wherein the non-linear medium is an automobile, aircraft or watercraft windshield.

37. The system as defined in claim 33, wherein the non-linear medium is air in the proximity of a person.

38. The system as defined in claim 33, wherein the non-linear medium is a building window.

39. The system as defined in claim 33, further comprising at least two ultrasonic wave projector means defining a pathway or a channel, whereby said ultrasonic wave is directed towards the non-linear medium when the non-linear medium drifts outside the pathway or the channel.

40. The system as defined in claim 33, wherein said ultrasonic wave focussing means comprises:

an antenna;

a transceiver;

an analog-to-digital converter; and

a general-purpose digital computer networked together.

41. The system as defined in claim 40, wherein said antenna is a microwave antenna and said transceiver is a microwave transceiver.

42. The system as defined in claim 40, wherein said antenna is a laser light emitter and said transceiver is a laser transceiver.

43. The system as defined in claim 40, wherein said antenna is a radio antenna and said transceiver is a radio transceiver.

44. The system as defined in claim 40, wherein said antenna is an acoustic antenna and said transceiver is an acoustic transceiver.

45. The system as defined in claim 33, wherein said at least one wave projector means comprises:

a general purpose digital computer with storage;

a digital-to-analog converter; and

an amplifier operably connected to each other.

46. A method of using non-linear output for generating an audible message to at least one individual within an approaching vehicle comprising the steps of:

generating an output radar wave directed towards a roadway;

detecting a returning radar wave of the output radar wave after being reflected off the approaching vehicle;

converting the returning radar wave from an analog to a digital signal;

comparing the characteristics of the digital signal with stored information with respect to the vehicle;

determining an appropriate waveform for selecting a digital message;

computing whether the vehicle will stop before reaching a predetermined position;

converting the digital message to an analog signal; and

transmitting the analog signal to the approaching vehicle,

whereby the analog signal is demodulated upon interacting with the glass portion of the approaching vehicle to the audible message.

47. A method of transmitting an audible message to at least one person located in a passenger compartment of a vehicle located at a distance from a sound projector comprising the steps of:

detecting distance of the vehicle from a predetermined location; and

transmitting a modulated signal in the direction of the vehicle indicative of the distance of the vehicle from a predetermined location, wherein the modulated signal is of a prescribed waveform such that as the modulated signal interacts with a glass portion of the vehicle an audible message is produced inside the passenger compartment.

48. An audible communication system comprising:

range sensing means for determining the distance and speed of an approaching vehicle; and

ultrasonic sound projection means in communication with said range sensing means, wherein said ultrasonic projector generates a modulated wave directed toward the vehicle, wherein said modulated wave carries an audible message, wherein said audible message demodulates from said modulated wave when said modulated wave interacts with a glass portion of the vehicle.

49. The system as defined in claim 48, wherein said ultrasonic sound projection means comprises,

a general purpose digital computer, with storage to store modulated waves, to process data communicated by said range sensing means and to generate said modulated wave;

a digital-to-analog converter;

an amplifier; and

at least one ultrasonic sound projection means for directing said modulated wave generated by said digital computer operably connected to each other.

50. An audible communication system comprising:

ultrasonic wave projector means for generating as a primary wave an ultrasonic wave modulated by an audible message;

wherein said ultrasonic wave projector means comprises a plurality of individual units together defining an array; and

means for moving said units relative to each other to thereby vary the focal point of converging said ultrasonic waves upon a non-linear medium.

51. An intersection audible communication system attached to a traffic light comprising:

a vehicle detection apparatus; and

an ultrasonic wave generator in communication with said vehicle detection apparatus, wherein said ultrasonic wave generator generates an ultrasonic wave as a primary wave wherein a secondary wave at an audible frequency is produced when said primary wave interacts with a nonlinear medium.

52. A system as defined in claim 51, wherein said vehicle detection apparatus comprises:

a radar antenna;

a transceiver;

an analog-to-digital converter; and

a general-purpose digital computer operably connected to each other.

53. A system as defined in claim 51, wherein said ultrasonic wave generator comprises:

a general purpose digital computer with storage to store a plurality of primary waves and a processor to process vehicle information provided by said vehicle detecting apparatus, said processor generating said primary wave;

a digital-to-analog converter;

an amplifier; and

at least one ultrasonic sound projector for directing said primary wave generated by said processor operably connected to each other.

54. An audible communication system for use in conjunction with a vehicle for transporting at least one individual, comprising

at least one sensor disposed within the vicinity of or at a preselected location for sensing information with respect to a plurality of approaching vehicles to the preselected location and providing at least one signal indicative of said information for each vehicle of the plurality of approaching vehicles;

at least one processor, said at least one processor capable of analyzing said at least one signal in order to provide at least one further signal indicative of characteristics for each vehicle of the plurality of approaching vehicles; and

a communication device for receiving said at least one further signal from said at least one processor and for audibly communicating through a glass portion of each of the plurality of vehicles with the at least one individual within each vehicle in order to provide a message to the at least one individual.

55. The system as claimed on claim 54, wherein said at least one sensor detects each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles within a line of sight of said at least one sensor, whereby all vehicles in line are detectable.

56. An audible communication system in conjunction with a vehicle for warning an approaching vehicle and/or pedestrian, comprising:

at least one sensor disposed on or within the vehicle for producing at least one signal indicative of the actual speed of the vehicle;

at least one processor operably connected to said at least one sensor, said at least one processor analyzes said at least one signal from said at least one sensor, wherein said at least one processor determines a maximum safe stopping distance for the vehicle and generates a modulated wave directed outward from the vehicle to warn of possible collision;

at least one signaling device disposed on or within the vehicle, said at least one signaling device being controlled by said at least one processor to direct said modulated wave to the approaching vehicle and/or pedestrian;

wherein said modulated wave carries an audible message; and

wherein said audible message demodulates from said modulated wave when said modulated wave interacts with a glass portion of the approaching vehicle or in the air adjacent to the pedestrian.

57. An audible communication system for communicating between a vehicle and a living being, comprising:

at least one sensor disposed on or within the vehicle for producing at least one first signal indicative of the vehicle performance characteristics;

at least one processor disposed on or within the vehicle being operably connected to said at least one sensor, said at least one processor being capable of analyzing said at least one first signal, said at least one processor being further capable of generating at least one second signal indicative of a carrier waveform based on the vehicle performance characteristics; and

at least one ultrasonic projector disposed on or within the vehicle, said at least one ultrasonic projector being controlled by said at least one processor, said at least one ultrasonic projector being further capable of analyzing said at least one second signal and generating at least one modulated wave for carrying an audible message a predetermined distance from the vehicle;

whereby the living being is capable of hearing said audible message when positioned at or near said predetermined distance from the vehicle.

58. An audible communication system for communicating between a vehicle and a living being, comprising:

at least one sound projector disposed on or within the vehicle being capable of generating at least one modulated wave; and

said at least one modulated wave comprising an inaudible carrier wave and an audible message,

said inaudible carrier wave being capable of carrying said audible message a predetermined distance from the vehicle, and

said audible message being capable of demodulation from said inaudible carrier wave at said predetermined distance;

whereby the living being is capable of hearing said audible message when positioned at or near said predetermined distance from the vehicle.

59. An audible communication system for communicating with an object within a pathway, comprising at least one sensor disposed in a proximity of the pathway for producing at least one signal indicative of the object and further being capable of generating at least one modulated wave, wherein said at least one modulated wave comprises an inaudible carrier wave and an audible message, wherein said audible message demodulates from said inaudible carrier wave when said modulated wave interacts with a glass portion of the object or demodulates in air in the proximity of the object.