Dynamic vehicle signaling device and system

• US 7,119,672 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ramesh Subbaraman
• Original Assignee: Ramesh Subbaraman
• Inventors: Subbaraman, Ramesh
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG T
• Application Number:
  US10/794,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20050195073A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 340/465, 340/463, 340/464, 340/468, 340/475, 340/478, 340/479, 200/61.27, 200/61.38, 200/202, 200/220, 362/80, 362/235, 362/545
• US Class Current: 340/465
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/346 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/381 with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect

Abstract

A turn proportioned turn signaling system for vehicles. The lamp arrays are provided signals from rotary sensors 30 from the steering column, the rack and pinion gear system, or trailer hitch mechanism that either directly affect the signaling pattern or drive a logic control unit that in turn drives the signaling pattern. The signal display panels may consist of a plurality of lamps or light emitting diodes intended to alert the surrounding people and vehicles. The display pattern selected by the logic control unit depends the magnitude and rate of turn.

Claims

1. A vehicle signaling system comprising:

one or more first detectors that measure angular displacement of a portion of a vehicle, said angular displacement having a fixed or varying magnitude and a rate of change of magnitude; and

a plurality of signaling lights in communication with said one or more first detectors that emit more than one distinctive signals as a function of said magnitude of said angular displacement;

further comprising,

a logic control unit in communication with said one or more first detectors and said plurality of lights, wherein said magnitude of said angular displacement is translated into a distinct dynamic lighting pattern reflective of said magnitude or rate;

wherein said distinct dynamic lighting pattern comprises a sequential lighting pattern such that a locus of activated lights appears to travel in a direction of a detected turn; and

wherein the speed of the apparent movement of said locus of activated lights travels at a non-linear rate over the plurality of signaling lights.

2. A vehicle signaling system according to claim 1 further comprising one or more second detectors in communication with said plurality of signaling lights, wherein said one or more second detectors measure a change of speed of said vehicle, if any, and wherein said more than one distinctive signals additionally reflect said change in speed of the vehicle.

3. A vehicle signaling system according to claim 1 further comprising detecting means in communication with said plurality of signaling lights for detecting whether said vehicle is traveling in a forward or in a reverse direction, wherein said more than one distinctive signals additionally reflect said detected direction of said vehicle.

4. A vehicle signaling system according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of signaling lights emit more than one distinctive signals as a function of said magnitude or rate of change in magnitude of said angular displacement.

5. A vehicle signaling system according to claim 1 further comprising a means for comparing said magnitude of angular displacement and a first predetermined value and automatically activating said plurality of lights when said angular displacement exceeds said first predetermined value.

6. A vehicle signaling system according to claim 5 further comprising a means for comparing said magnitude of angular displacement and one or more additional predetermined values and automatically changing said distinct lighting signal when said magnitude or rate of the angular displacement exceeds any of said one or more additional predetermined values.

7. A vehicle signaling system according to claim 1 further comprising a means for comparing said magnitude of angular displacement and a predetermined release value and automatically deactivating said plurality of lights when said angular displacement drops below said predetermined release value.

8. A vehicle signaling system according to claim 1 further comprising a timer unit and a means for determining the zero degree measurement of said one or more first detectors and automatically deactivating said plurality of lights when said one or more first detectors detect said zero degree measurement for a predetermined amount of time.