Collision detection and warning system for automobiles
First Claim
1. A collision detection and warning system for an automobile having a multi-speaker audio system, comprising:
- a plurality of sensors mounted to an exterior surface of an automobile for cooperatively detecting the presence of an obstacle in a plurality of danger zones;
a control unit for processing signals received from said sensors;
an interface electrically connected to said control unit and to the automobile audio system for providing an audible warning to a driver that an obstacle has been detected in one of said danger zones by one or more of said sensors;
means in said control unit for varying said audible warning so as to indicate to the driver in which danger zone the obstacle is located;
a plurality of sensor mounting assemblies, each sensor mounting assembly including an outer mounting plate for removable attachment to the exterior surface of the automobile and defining an opening for adjustably receiving one of said sensors; and
wherein each said sensor mounting assembly further includes an inner mounting plate for removable attachment to the interior surface of the automobile, said inner mounting elate having a ball and socket configuration for adjustably receiving one of said sensors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A collision detection and warning system for an automobile having left and right audio speakers and left and right turn signals includes at least four sensors and a control module. The sensors may be mounted on exterior surfaces of the automobile, such as on sides of the front and back bumpers, and are connected to the control module and the automobile'"'"'s electrical system. The sensors are mounted in mounting assemblies and can be angularly oriented. Each corresponding front and back pair of sensors may detect an obstacle in the driver'"'"'s “blind spot” when oriented in an appropriate beam splitting arrangement. Upon obstacle detection and actuation of a respective turn signal, the control system sends an alarm tone to the automobile'"'"'s audio speaker on the side of the car nearest the danger and/or activates a respective alarm light to indicate the direction of danger.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A collision detection and warning system for an automobile having a multi-speaker audio system, comprising:
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a plurality of sensors mounted to an exterior surface of an automobile for cooperatively detecting the presence of an obstacle in a plurality of danger zones; a control unit for processing signals received from said sensors; an interface electrically connected to said control unit and to the automobile audio system for providing an audible warning to a driver that an obstacle has been detected in one of said danger zones by one or more of said sensors; means in said control unit for varying said audible warning so as to indicate to the driver in which danger zone the obstacle is located; a plurality of sensor mounting assemblies, each sensor mounting assembly including an outer mounting plate for removable attachment to the exterior surface of the automobile and defining an opening for adjustably receiving one of said sensors; and wherein each said sensor mounting assembly further includes an inner mounting plate for removable attachment to the interior surface of the automobile, said inner mounting elate having a ball and socket configuration for adjustably receiving one of said sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A collision detection and warning system for an automobile having a multi-speaker audio system, comprising:
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a plurality of sensors mounted to an exterior surface of an automobile for cooperatively detecting the presence of an obstacle in a plurality of danger zones; a control unit for processing signals received from said sensors; an interface electrically connected to said control unit and to the automobile audio system for providing an audible warning to a driver that an obstacle has been detected in one of said danger zones by one or more of said sensors; means in said control unit for varying said audible warning so as to indicate to the driver in which danger zone the obstacle is located; wherein said control unit is electrically connected to left and right turn signal controls of the automobile and includes means for suppressing said audible warning unless a respective turn signal control is actuated; a plurality of sensor mounting assemblies, each sensor mounting assembly including an outer mounting plate for removable attachment to the exterior surface of the automobile and defining an opening for adjustably receiving one of said sensors; and wherein each said sensor mounting assembly further includes an inner plate for removable attachment to the interior surface of the automobile, and said inner plate having a ball and socket configuration for adjustably receiving one of said sensors. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification