Carrying cargo reminder and method of reminding about transportation of external cargo
First Claim
1. A cargo reminder for a driver of a vehicle, comprising:
- an accelerometer;
a controller adapted to output a reminder signal upon receiving an input signal indicative of the presence of a cargo and an output signal from the accelerometer larger than a preset acceleration threshold;
an alarm connected to the controller, the alarm being triggered by the reminder signal; and
an acceleration threshold input connected to the controller and configured to allow the driver to input the preset acceleration threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cargo reminder for a driver of a vehicle includes an accelerometer, a controller to detect an acceleration change in the vehicle based on output signals from the accelerometer, and an alarm connected to the controller. Different types of alarm may be used, including a visual alarm, an audio alarm, a plug-in vibrator clip, or a combination of these alarms. In use, the alarm is triggered by the controller when the acceleration change is larger than a preset acceleration threshold. The cargo reminder may also include an acceleration threshold input to allow the driver to input the preset acceleration threshold, a delay setting input to allow the driver to input a time delay between first and second alarm triggers, and an inclinometer. A method for reminding the driver of a vehicle of an external cargo being transported is also within the scope of the instant invention.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A cargo reminder for a driver of a vehicle, comprising:
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an accelerometer; a controller adapted to output a reminder signal upon receiving an input signal indicative of the presence of a cargo and an output signal from the accelerometer larger than a preset acceleration threshold; an alarm connected to the controller, the alarm being triggered by the reminder signal; and an acceleration threshold input connected to the controller and configured to allow the driver to input the preset acceleration threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A cargo reminder for a driver of a vehicle, comprising:
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an accelerometer; a controller adapted to output a reminder signal upon receiving an input signal indicative of a presence of a cargo and an output signal from the accelerometer larger than a preset acceleration threshold; an alarm connected to the controller, the alarm being triggered by the reminder signal from the controller; an acceleration threshold input connected to the controller and configured to allow the driver to input the preset acceleration threshold; and a delay setting input connected to the controller to allow the driver to input a time delay between first and second alarm triggers, wherein the alarm is at least one of a visual alarm, an audio alarm, or a plug-in vibrator clip alarm. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for reminding a driver of a vehicle of an external cargo being transported, comprising:
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measuring an acceleration change of the vehicle with an accelerometer; generating a reminder signal by a controller adapted to generate the reminder signal upon receiving an input signal indicative of a presence of a cargo and an output signal from the accelerometer larger than a preset acceleration threshold; triggering an alarm connected to the controller by the reminder signal from the controller; and inputting the acceleration threshold into the controller via an acceleration threshold input connected thereto. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A cargo reminder for a driver of a vehicle, comprising:
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an accelerometer; means for generating a reminder to the driver that an external cargo is being transported based on a change in vehicle acceleration detected by the accelerometer; and means for inputting the acceleration threshold into a controller of the cargo reminder via an acceleration threshold input connected thereto. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification