Alert system for prevention of collisions with low visibility mobile road hazards

• US 7,079,024 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ramon Alarcon
• Original Assignee: Ramon Alarcon
• Inventors: Alarcon, Ramon
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John
• Application Number:
  US10/851,415
• Publication Number:
  US 20040263330A1
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.11, 340/901, 340/904, 340/944, 340/435, 340/436, 340/463
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/006 Portable traffic signalling devices G08B5/004 takes precedence; emergency signalling devices to be placed on roads or vehicles B60Q7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/161 Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication

Abstract

A presence detection system comprising, among other things, a radio transmitter and receiver is described herein. The transmitter includes a motion detection circuit, a microprocessor, and a radio frequency modulator. The motion detection circuit is configured to direct a motion detected signal to the microprocessor upon the transmitter being moved in a predetermined manner. The microprocessor is configured to generate an encoded message that includes a preamble denoting a beginning of the encoded message, an identification code denoting a type of transmitter, and a check message (such as a checksum) containing information about content of the encoded message. Finally, the radio frequency modulator is configured to modulate the encoded message at a transmitting frequency.

Claims

1. An system, comprising:

a transmitting unit that includes a motion detection circuit, a microprocessor, and a radio frequency modulator,

wherein the motion detection circuit is configured to direct a motion detected signal to the microprocessor upon the apparatus being moved in a predetermined manner,

the microprocessor is configured to generate an encoded message that includes an identification code denoting a type of transmitter, and

the radio frequency modulator is configured to modulate the encoded message at a transmitting frequency; and

a receiving unit that includes a radio frequency receiver, a microprocessor, and an output,

wherein the radio frequency receiver receives the encoded message at the transmitted frequency,

the microprocessor is configured to determine the identification code, and

the output is configured to alert a user of the presence of the transmitting unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit further includes a source of electrical power that includes a battery coupled to the transmitting unit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit further includes a source of electrical power that includes an energy harvesting device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the energy harvesting device is an electro-mechanical generator.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the energy harvesting device includes a photo-voltaic cell.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit further includes a mechanical fastener.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the mechanical fastener affixes the transmitter unit to a bicycle.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the mechanical fastener affixes the transmitter unit to a person.

9. A transmitting unit, comprising:

a motion detection circuit;

a microprocessor; and

a radio frequency modulator;

wherein the motion detection circuit is configured to direct a motion detected signal to the microprocessor upon the transmitting unit being moved in a predetermined manner,

the microprocessor is configured to generate an encoded message that includes an identification code denoting a type of transmitter responsive to the motion detected signal, and

the radio frequency modulator is configured to modulate the encoded message at a transmitting frequency; and

the microprocessor is configured to cease generating the encoded message upon the motion detection circuit not generating a motion detected signal for a predetermined time.

10. The transmitting unit of claim 9, wherein the motion detecting circuit includes a mass attached to a flexible electrical contact, wherein the mass is configured to move the flexible electrical contact to make contact with at least one rigid electrical contact upon a motion of a predetermined magnitude.

11. The transmitting unit of claim 9, wherein the motion detecting circuit includes an accelerometer.

12. The transmitting unit of claim 9, wherein the motion detecting circuit includes wheel revolution sensor.

13. The transmitting unit of claim 9, wherein the motion detecting circuit includes a substantially round electrically conductive mass between a first and second fixed electrical contacts, wherein the mass is configured to roll and make contact with both of the fixed electrical contacts upon a motion of a predetermined magnitude and direction.

14. The transmitting unit of claim 9, wherein the transmitting unit further includes a source of electrical power that includes a battery coupled to the transmitting unit.

15. The transmitting unit of claim 14, wherein the transmitting unit further includes a source of electrical power that includes an energy harvesting device.

16. The transmitting unit of claim 15, wherein the energy harvesting device is an electro-mechanical generator.

17. The transmitting unit of claim 15, wherein the energy harvesting device includes a photo-voltaic cell.

18. The transmitting unit of claim 15, further including a voltage leveling circuit.

19. The transmitting unit of claim 9, wherein the encoded message is transmitted according to a varying schedule.

20. The transmitting unit of claim 9, wherein the transmitting unit further includes a mechanical fastener.

21. The transmitting unit of claim 20, wherein the mechanical fastener affixes the transmitter unit to a bicycle.

22. The transmitting unit of claim 20, wherein the mechanical fastener affixes the transmitter unit to a person.

23. The transmitting unit of claim 9, further including a disable switch configured to cause the microprocessor to cease generating the encoded message.

24. A receiving unit, comprising:

a radio frequency receiver;

a microprocessor; and

an output,

the microprocessor is configured to cause the radio frequency receiver to transition from a power conservation state to an operational power state according to a predetermined schedule,

the radio frequency receiver is configured to receive the encoded message at a transmitted frequency,

the microprocessor is further configured to determine an identification code within the encoded message, and

the output is configured to alert a user of the presence of a transmitting unit corresponding to the predetermined identification code.

25. The receiving unit of claim 24, wherein the output of an audible output.

26. The receiving unit of claim 24, wherein the output is a visual output.

27. The receiving unit of claim 24, wherein the radio frequency receiver is configured to transition from an operational power state to a power conservation state for a predetermined time.

28. The receiving unit of claim 24, wherein the radio frequency receiver is configured to transition from an operational power state to a power conservation state responsive to a recently received encoded message.

29. The receiving unit of claim 24, wherein the receiving unit further includes a source of electrical power that includes a battery coupled to the receiving unit.

30. The receiving unit of claim 24, wherein the receiving unit further includes a source of electrical power that includes an energy harvesting device.

31. The receiving unit of claim 24, wherein the energy harvesting device includes a photo- voltaic cell.

32. The receiving unit of claim 24, wherein the receiving unit further includes a mechanical fastener.

33. The receiving unit of claim 24, wherein the mechanical fastener affixes the transmitter unit to an automobile.

34. The receiving unit of claim 24, further including a motion detection circuit configured to cause the radio frequency receiver to transition from a power conservation state to an operational power state.

35. The receiving unit of claim 24, further including a voltage leveling circuit.