Apparatus for assisting vehicle operators with backup operations

• US 7,692,557 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2006
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel L. Schnore, Donald A. Medina
• Original Assignee: Daniel L. Schnore, Donald A. Medina
• Inventors: Medina, Donald A., Schnore, Daniel L.
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US11/602,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20080117030A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,233 Days
• Field of Search: 340/988, 340/431, 340/618, 340/623, 340/625, 116/109, 116/227, 116/229, 732/90.R, 733/05, 733/13, 733/17, 200/230, 200/84.R
• US Class Current: 340/988
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/002 for parking purposes, e.g. for warning the driver that his vehicle has contacted or is about to contact an obstacle warning arrangements in garages E04H6/42

Abstract

An apparatus for providing instructions to an operator of a single motor vehicle or a vehicle having a trailer attached during backing up procedures, said apparatus comprising: a transmitter unit for wirelessly transmitting data, wherein the transmitter unit includes a plurality of predefined directives and a plurality of activation means wherein each of the plurality of activation means is capable of transmitting one of the plurality of predefined directives; and a receiver unit for wirelessly receiving data from the transmitter, wherein the receiver unit includes a plurality of indicator means wherein each of the plurality of indicators means is capable of indicating one of the plurality of predefined directives; wherein the predefined directives include at least a backdown directive, a stop directive, a left directive, a right directive, and a forward directive, and wherein in trailer operations mode, the activation means corresponding to the right directive results in the indicator means corresponding to the left directive being activated in the receiver unit and the activation means corresponding to the left directive results in the indicator means corresponding to the right directive being activated in the receiver unit.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing instructions to an operator of a motor vehicle having a trailer attached during backing up procedures, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a transmitter unit for wirelessly transmitting data, wherein the transmitter unit includes a plurality of predefined directives and a plurality of activation means wherein each of the plurality of activation means is capable of transmitting one of the plurality of predefined directives; and

(b) a receiver unit for wirelessly receiving data from the transmitter, wherein the receiver unit includes a plurality of indicator means wherein each of the plurality of indicators means is capable of indicating one of the plurality of predefined directives;

wherein the predefined directives include at least a backdown directive, a stop directive, a left directive, a right directive, and a forward directive, and wherein the activation means corresponding to the right directive results in the indicator means corresponding to the left directive being activated in the receiver unit and the activation means corresponding to the left directive results in the indicator means corresponding to the right directive being activated in the receiver unit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitter unit and the receiver unit each further comprise a microphone and speaker to enable voice communications.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of activation means on the transmitter unit comprise a plurality of actuating buttons and the plurality of indicator means on the receiver unit comprise a plurality of indicator lights which emit light upon activation.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of indicator means on the receiver unit comprise a plurality of audible messages which are played upon activation.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an attachment means on the receiver unit adapted to attach the receiver unit to the dashboard of an automobile.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an attachment means on the receiver unit adapted to attach the receiver unit to the steering column of a automobile.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an attachment means on the transmitter unit adapted to attach the transmitter unit to the dashboard of a boat.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a security means on the transmitter unit and receiver unit to secure the transmission of data from the transmitter unit to the receiver unit.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an attachable sensor means for detecting a water depth and a depth transmitter, wherein when the sensor means detects that it is submerged in water a signal is transmitted to the receiver unit to indicate a water depth of the trailer.

10. An apparatus for providing instructions to an operator of a motor vehicle attached during backing up procedures, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a transmitter unit for wirelessly transmitting data, wherein the transmitter unit includes a plurality of predefined directives and a plurality of activation means wherein each of the plurality of activation means is capable of transmitting one of the plurality of predefined directives;

(b) a receiver unit for wirelessly receiving data from the transmitter, wherein the receiver unit includes a plurality of indicator means wherein each of the plurality of indicators means is capable of indicating one of the plurality of predefined directives; and

(c) a selection means for selecting an operation mode, wherein possible operation modes include a trailer mode and a single vehicle mode;

wherein the predefined directives include at least a backdown directive, a stop directive, a left directive, a right directive, and a forward directive, and wherein when the trailer mode is selected, the activation means corresponding to the right directive results in the indicator means corresponding to the left directive being activated in the receiver unit and the activation means corresponding to the left directive results in the indicator means corresponding to the right directive being activated in the receiver unit.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the transmitter unit and the receiver unit each further comprise a microphone and speaker to enable voice communications.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of activation means on the transmitter unit comprise a plurality of actuating buttons and the plurality of indicator means on the receiver unit comprise a plurality of indicator lights which emit light upon activation.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of indicator means on the receiver unit comprise a plurality of audible messages which are played upon activation.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising an attachment means on the receiver unit adapted to attach the receiver unit to the dashboard of an automobile.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising an attachment means on the receiver unit adapted to attach the receiver unit to the steering column of a automobile.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising an attachment means on the transmitter unit adapted to attach the transmitter unit to the dashboard of a boat.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a security means on the transmitter unit and receiver unit to secure the transmission of data from the transmitter unit to the receiver unit.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising an attachable sensor means for detecting a water depth and a depth transmitter, wherein when the sensor means detects that it is submerged in water a signal is transmitted to the receiver unit to indicate a water depth of the trailer.