Vehicle safety lighting & signaling system

• US 7,455,139 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2004
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard Cheng Lee
• Original Assignee: Richard Cheng Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Richard Cheng
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis; Christopher
• Assistant Examiner(s): OLSZEWSKI, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US10/856,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20050275193A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,642 Days
• Field of Search: 180/167, 180/169, 340/426.16, 340/426.17, 340/468
• US Class Current: 180/167
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2673 on parts worn by the driver, e.g. clothes, gloves or bags, specially adapted to provide auxiliary vehicle signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2676 Helmets
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/165 Wireless switches

Abstract

A vehicle safety lighting and signaling system includes a transmitting unit and multiple remote receiving units, each having a lighting and audible element, and that receive signals from the transmitting unit and selectively activates its signaling elements according to a predetermined signal response directed by the transmitting unit. The receiving unit includes a central processor that selectively decodes transmitted signals received from the transmitting unit and provides signals to a driver circuit that activate a visual signal, and audible signal, or both. A receiving unit may have an integral base affixed to an adjustable band, clothing or motorcycle, and that receiving unit is detachable from the base for charging and/or programming. The remote receiving units may include a band that is expandable for positioning about a cycle riders'"'"' arm or leg, and includes one or more lighting elements responsive to receiving a predetermined signal.

Claims

1. A vehicle safety lighting and signaling system, comprising:

a transmitting unit associated with a vehicle interface module which provides vehicle status signals to the transmitting unit depending on vehicle conditions, the transmitting unit transmitting a plurality of unique control signals each corresponding to at least one predetermined vehicle status signal; and

a plurality of separate signal units attached at a plurality of spaced locations on the rider of the vehicle, the signal units comprising at least right and left signal units which are attached to the right and left limbs of the rider, each having a receiver which receives control signals from the transmitting unit, a light source, and a control unit which decodes received control signals and actuates the light source when one or more predetermined control signals for the respective signal unit are received;

whereby predetermined signal units are actuated depending on current vehicle conditions.

2. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 1, wherein said transmitting unit further comprises:

an input circuit which receives vehicle status signals from the vehicle interface indicating vehicle status;

a central processing unit in communication with a memory bank and said input circuit;

a transmitter in communication with said central processing unit; and

wherein said transmitter transmits predetermined control signals dependent on received vehicle status signals.

3. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 2 wherein said memory bank comprises a look-up table which provides control information to said central processing unit corresponding to a particular vehicle status output signal combination received in said input circuit, said central processing unit controlling said transmitter to transmit predetremined control signals depending on vehicle status signals received at said input circuit, whereby different control signals for actuating different signal units are transmitted depending on current vehicle conditions.

4. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 2, further comprising a motion sensor in communication with said central processing unit wherein said motion sensor provides an input to said central processing unit to allow said transmitting unit to determine the movement status of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 2 wherein said transmitting unit further comprises a clock in communication with said transmitter which provides a timing control signal to control time periods during which control signals are transmitted by said transmitter.

6. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 1, further comprising a battery to provide power to said transmitting unit.

7. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 6, further comprising a battery charger to charge said battery.

8. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 1, wherein each signal unit further comprises:

a central processor unit in communication with the reciever; and

an antenna in communication with said receiver, wherein each signal unit receives a control signal and selectively decodes said control signal received from the transmitting unit.

9. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 8, wherein said control signal comprises a binary serial number identifying one or more said signal units.

10. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 9 wherein each signal unit further comprises a channel code selector associated with the respective signal unit which selects the channel on which the respective signal unit receives control signals, each signal unit being actuated by control signals on the selected channel for that signal unit.

11. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 8, wherein each signal unit further comprises a driver circuit in communication with the central processing unit of said signal unit which activates said light source in response to a command from said central processing unit when a control signal associated with the respective signal unit is received by said receiver.

12. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 11, further comprising a vibration generator in communication with said driver circuit.

13. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 12, wherein said driver circuit activates said vibration generator in response to a command from said central processing unit.

14. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 12, wherein at least one signal unit further comprises a timer associated with said central processing unit and having a pre-set time period, said central processing unit activating an alarm signal if the light source is on for a time period exceeding said pre-set time period.

15. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 11 wherein each signal unit further comprises an audio source, and wherein said driver circuit activates said audio source on receipt of a predetermined control signal by said receiver.

16. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 1, wherein each signal unit further comprises:

a base having a fastener device which attaches the signal unit to a rider of said vehicle; and

a body secured to said base, the body having a receiver which receives control signals from said transmitter unit, a power source, and a signaling device responsive to predetermined control signals associated with the respective signalunit to produce an output warning signal to drivers in the vicinity of the rider of said vehicle.

17. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 16, wherein said base of at least some of said signal units further comprises a band which releasably secures the base about a limb of the rider of the vehicle.

18. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 16, wherein said base further comprises a magnetic element and said body further comprises a corresponding magnetic element to retain said body adjacent said base.

19. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 16, further comprising a fastener means for releasably fastening said body to said base.

20. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 16, further comprising a charging unit having a plurality of charging bays, the body of each signal unit being receivable into any of one or more charging bays for charging said body.

21. The vehicle safety lighting and signaling system of claim 16 wherein said body is formed with a pair of charging contacts for charging said body.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the right and left signal units comprise at least right and left arm signal units which are attached to the arms of the rider.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising right and left leg signal units which are attached to the legs of the rider.

24. The system of claim 22, further comprising a back signal unit attached to the back of the rider.

25. The system of claim 23, further comprising a helmet signal unit attached to the back of a helmet worn by the driver, and a back signal unit attached to the back of the rider.