Vehicle notification system

• US 6,965,321 B1
• Filed: 09/09/2003
• Issued: 11/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Abbas Arab
• Original Assignee: Abbas Arab
• Inventors: Arab, Abbas
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAI, ANNE VIET NGA
• Application Number:
  US10/657,347
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 340901-905, 340/693.6, 340/693.9, 701/117
• US Class Current: 340/901
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages

Abstract

A vehicle notification system includes a control panel removably positionable inside a vehicle and including a transceiving mechanism for identifying imminent environmental conditions. The system further includes a plurality of transceivers disposed at predetermined locations exterior of a vehicle housing the control panel. The plurality of transceivers selectively send a plurality of input signals to the transceiving mechanism and for identifying an imminent environmental condition, respectively. The transceiving mechanism includes a display panel housed by the control panel for providing visual information regarding an imminent environmental condition. The transceiving mechanism may further include an input mechanism connected to the control panel for receiving driver-identification information so that one of the plurality of transceivers can identify a driver of a vehicle.

Claims

1. A system for notifying a driver of a vehicle of imminent environmental conditions, said system comprising:

a control panel removably positionable inside a vehicle and including transceiving means for identifying imminent environmental conditions, said control panel further including a male member having a substantially pyramid shape, said male member being directly connected to a bottom surface of said control panel;

a plurality of transceivers disposed at predetermined locations exterior of a vehicle housing said control panel, said plurality of transceivers selectively sending a plurality of input signals to said transceiving means and for identifying an imminent environmental condition, respectively;

a mounting bracket for connecting said control panel to a vehicle, said mounting bracket including a base plate having planar top and bottom surfaces, said top surface having a surface area less than a surface area of said bottom surface, said mounting bracket further including a female receiving member having a substantially pyramid shape, said female receiving member being directly conjoined to said top surface of said base plate; and

wherein a user selectively inserts said male member into said female receiving member such that said control panel can be removably attached to said mounting bracket;

a speaker connected to said control panel and for providing audible identification of an imminent environmental condition.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said transceiving means comprises a display panel housed by said control panel and for providing visual information regarding an imminent environmental condition.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said display panel comprises an LCD.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said transceiving means further comprises a sensor connected to said display panel and for housing said transceiving means.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said transceiving means further comprises input means connected to said control panel for receiving driver-identification information so that one of said plurality of transceivers can identify a driver of a vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said control panel further comprises means for calculating a vehicle speed and distance from one of said plurality of transceivers so that a vehicle can be notified whether or not to proceed beyond said one plurality of transceivers.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for reading a personal identification card so that an identity of a person may be recognized by said system and transmitted to a remote location.

8. A system for notifying a driver of a vehicle of imminent environmental conditions, said system comprising:

a control panel removably positionable inside a vehicle and including transceiving means for identifying imminent environmental conditions, said transceiving means including a display panel housed by said control panel and for providing visual information regarding an imminent environmental condition, said control panel further including a male member having a substantially pyramid shape, said male member being directly connected to a bottom surface of said control panel;

a plurality of transceivers disposed at predetermined locations exterior of a vehicle housing said control panel, said plurality of transceivers selectively sending a plurality of input signals to said transceiving means and for identifying an imminent environmental condition, respectively;

a mounting bracket for connecting said control panel to a vehicle, said mounting bracket including a base plate having planar top and bottom surfaces, said top surface having a surface area less than a surface area of said bottom surface, said mounting bracket further including a female receiving member having a substantially pyramid shape, said female receiving member being directly conjoined to said top surface of said base plate; and

wherein a user selectively inserts said male member into said female receiving member such that said control panel can be removably attached to said mounting bracket;

a speaker connected to said control panel and for providing audible identification of an imminent environmental condition.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said transceiving means further comprises a sensor connected to said display panel and for housing said transceiving means.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said transceiving means further comprises input means connected to said control panel for receiving driver-identification information so that one of said plurality of transceivers can identify a driver of a vehicle.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein said control panel further comprises means for calculating a vehicle speed and distance from one of said plurality of transceivers so that a vehicle can be notified whether or not to proceed beyond said one plurality of transceivers.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein said display panel comprises an LCD.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising means for reading a personal identification card so that an identity of a person may be recognized by said system and transmitted to a remote location.

14. A system for notifying a driver of a vehicle of imminent environmental conditions, said system comprising:

a control panel removably positionable inside a vehicle and including transceiving means for identifying imminent environmental conditions, said control panel further including a male member having a substantially pyramid shape, said male member being directly connected to a bottom surface of said control panel, said transceiving means including a display panel housed by said control panel and for providing visual information regarding an imminent environmental condition, said transceiving means further including input means connected to said control panel for receiving driver-identification information so that one of said plurality of transceivers can identify a driver of a vehicle;

a plurality of transceivers disposed at predetermined locations exterior of a vehicle housing said control panel, said plurality of transceivers selectively sending a plurality of input signals to said transceiving means and for identifying an imminent environmental condition, respectively;

a mounting bracket for connecting said control panel to a vehicle, said mounting bracket including a base plate having planar top and bottom surfaces, said top surface having a surface area less than a surface area of said bottom surface, said mounting bracket further including a female receiving member having a substantially pyramid shape, said female receiving member being directly conjoined to said top surface of said base plate; and

wherein a user selectively inserts said male member into said female receiving member such that said control panel can be removably attached to said mounting bracket;

a speaker connected to said control panel and for providing audible identification of an imminent environmental condition.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said transceiving means further comprises a sensor connected to said display panel and for housing said transceiving means.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said control panel further comprises means for calculating a vehicle speed and distance from one of said plurality of transceivers so that a vehicle can be notified whether or not to proceed beyond said one plurality of transceivers.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein said display panel comprises an LCD.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for reading a personal identification card so that an identity of a person may be recognized by said system and transmitted to a remote location.