Solid-state accelerometer module and system therefor

• US 6,856,883 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2003
• Issued: 02/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chadwick Ray Traylor
• Original Assignee: Chadwick Ray Traylor
• Inventors: Traylor, Chadwick Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tan Q.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Dalena
• Application Number:
  US10/372,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20030171890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 701/70, 340/425.5, 340/463, 340/464, 340/467, 340/468, 340/479, 340/466, 340/471, 340/903, 340/441, 340/472, 340/436, 307/10.1, 307/10.8, 73/13.8
• US Class Current: 701/70
• 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: G01P 1/08 Arrangements of scales, pointers, lamps or acoustic indicators, e.g. in automobile speedometers

Abstract

A solid-state accelerometer module adapted to control the operation of the taillights in a motor vehicle for warning the driver of the trailing motor vehicle of a deceleration of the lead vehicle. A retrofit tail lamp contains the solid-state accelerometer module within its housing and by means of at least two separate lamp filaments, the tail lamp can replace the original tail lamp. A motor vehicle may have a receiving antenna and a transmitting antenna electrically connected to a receiver and a transmitter respectively located in the module. The transmitting-receiving system may be located on two different vehicles so that the following vehicle is quickly notified of the deceleration of the lead vehicle.

Claims

1. A solid-state accelerometer warning module for motor vehicles having a power supply with a light illumination voltage level, said module having, at least one accelerometer responding to the variable speed of the motor vehicle, a microprocessor having a memory for storing an algorithm controlling the operation of said microprocessor and a calculation means responsive the algorithm for generating a first variable frequency illumination level control signal representing the deceleration rate of the motor vehicle, wherein the improvement comprises:

a first antenna mounted to the front of the motor vehicle;

a receiver electrically connected between said antenna and the module, said first antenna responsive for receiving a pulse rate control signal from another motor vehicle and inputting said received signal into said microprocessor;

a transmitter electrically connected to said microprocessor for transmitting said first variable frequency illumination voltage level control signal; and

a second antenna mounted to the rear end of the motor vehicle for transmitting said voltage level control signal from the motor vehicle wherein said antennas are optical sensors and transmitters.

2. A brake light device having a plurality of concentric hollow cylindrical bodies forming an integral structure:

a first hollow cylindrical structure enclosed at one end and adapted to be inserted into the bulb socket in the brake system of a motor vehicle;

a second hollow cylindrical structure having one end connected to the other end of said first cylindrical structure, said second cylindrical structure having a solid-state accelerometer module mounted therein having, at least one accelerometer responding to the variable speed of the motor vehicle, a microprocessor having a memory for storing an algorithm controlling the operation of said microprocessor and a calculation means responsive the algorithm for generating a first variable frequency illumination voltage level control signal representing the deceleration rate of the motor vehicle; and

a third hollow enclosed cylindrical structure connected to the other end of said second cylindrical structure having at least two lamp filaments mounted coaxially therein, at least one of said filaments electrically connected for varying the intensity and frequency of said filament according to said first variable frequency illumination voltage level control signal and said other filament electrically connected to receive said control signal having a magnitude equal to the illumination voltage level of the power supply.

3. A brake light device according to claim 2 additionally including one or more rings of LEDs mounted on said second cylindrical body and surrounding said third hollow cylindrical body, said LEDs being electrically connected for varying the intensity of said LEDs according to said first variable frequency illumination voltage level control signal, and

at least one lamp filament coaxially mounted within said third hollow cylindrical body responsive to said control signal.

4. A brake light device according to claim 3 wherein said third hollow cylindrical body has a plurality of LEDs mounted within said hollow body and responsive to said control voltage.

5. A brake light device according to claim 2 wherein at least said third cylindrical structure is transparent.