Emergency warning system for vehicles

• US 6,714,127 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2002
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Vehicle Technologies Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brian S. Corzilius, Luis A. Perez
• Inventors: Corzilius, Brian S., Perez, Luis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lai, Anne V.
• Application Number:
  US10/115,788
• Publication Number:
  US 20030201884A1
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 340/436, 340/467, 340/479, 340/902, 340/903, 342/357.1, 701/301
• US Class Current: 340/467
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/444 with indication of the braking strength or speed changes, e.g. by changing shape or intensity of the indication B60Q1/1407, B60Q1/442, B60Q1/447 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/162 event-triggered

Abstract

A vehicular warning system is disclosed that transmits information concerning a moving vehicle'"'"'s rate of deceleration and magnetic orientation to surrounding vehicles carrying the warning system. Auditory and/or visual alerts are generated within surrounding vehicles carrying the inventive warning system to warn the driver therein of the rapidly decelerating vehicle ahead.

Claims

1. A severe braking warning system comprising

a. an accelerometer programmed to measure deceleration forces exerted on it by a moving first vehicle in which said system is installed and to transmit varying output signals correlating to said deceleration forces;

b. a microprocessor electrically connected to said accelerometer, said microprocessor programmed to monitor said varying output signals from said accelerometer;

c. a compass module electrically connected to said microprocessor and configured to detect a magnetic orientation of said first vehicle and transmit to said microprocessor an output signal corresponding to said magnetic orientation;

d. a radio frequency transceiver electrically connected to said microprocessor, said transceiver designed to transmit radio frequency signals to a second transceiver of a second braking warning system upon activation by said microprocessor, said transmitted radio frequency signals corresponding to said deceleration forces exerted on said first vehicle and corresponding to said magnetic orientation of said first vehicle;

e. said radio frequency transceiver further designed to receive radio frequency signals from a severe braking warning system installed in a second vehicle, said received radio frequency signals corresponding to a deceleration level and magnetic orientation of said second vehicle;

f. an alerting device electrically connected to said microprocessor, said alerting device is configured to convey visual or auditory alerts within said first vehicle upon activation by said microprocessor;

g. said microprocessor programmed to compare said received signals from said transceiver to said first vehicle'"'"'s magnetic orientation to determine whether said second vehicle'"'"'s orientation is within a pre-programmed angular range with respect to said first vehicle'"'"'s orientation, whereby when said second vehicle is within said angular range, said microprocessor is programmed to activate said aural indicator to transmit said auditory alerts within said first vehicle; and

h. said microprocessor is further programmed to ignore said received signals from said transceiver when said first vehicle is traveling at a deceleration rate corresponding to a pre-programmed deceleration rate value.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first and second vehicles are motorized vehicles.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said motorized vehicles are selected from the group of motorcycles, automobiles, three-wheel all-terrain vehicles, buses, vans, motor homes, sport utility vehicles, construction vehicles, trucks, and remote-controlled vehicles.

4. A warning system comprising:

a. an accelerometer programmed to measure deceleration forces exerted on it by a moving vehicle in which said system is installed and to transmit varying output signals correlating to said deceleration forces;

b. a microprocessor electrically connected to said accelerometer, said microprocessor programmed to monitor said varying output signals from said accelerometer;

c. a compass module electrically connected to said microprocessor and configured to detect a magnetic orientation of said vehicle and transmit to said microprocessor an output signal corresponding to said magnetic orientation;

d. a radio frequency transceiver electrically connected to said microprocessor, said transceiver designed to transmit radio frequency signals to a second transceiver of a second braking warning system, said transmitted radio frequency signals corresponding to said deceleration forces exerted on said vehicle and corresponding to said magnetic orientation of said first vehicle;

e. said radio frequency transceiver further designed to receive radio frequency signals from a remote transmitter capable of sending messages understood by said warning system, said messages corresponding to messages selected from presence, location, and type of hazardous situation;

f. an alerting device electrically connected to said microprocessor, said alerting device configured to transmit visual or auditory alerts within said vehicle upon activation by said microprocessor; and

g. said microprocessor is further programmed to ignore said received signals from said transceiver when said first vehicle is traveling at a deceleration rate corresponding to a pre-programmed deceleration rate value.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said remote transmitter is installed on a non-motorized vehicle.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said non-motorized vehicle is selected from the group of bicycles, tricycles, scooters, skateboards, skates, wagons, and ride-on toys.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein said remote transmitter is installed at or near a potentially hazardous area.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said area is selected from the group of on-road construction sites, off-road constructions sites, school zones, hospital zones, and accident sites.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein said remote transmitter is installed on an emergency vehicle.

10. The system of claim 4, wherein said alerts generated correspond to a type of potential hazard where or near where said remote transmitter is installed.