Signal apparatus for facilitating safe backup of vehicles
First Claim
1. A system for signaling a driver of a vehicle to start and stop reverse motion of the vehicle, comprising:
- a transmitter positioned outside of the vehicle and configured to transmit a first signal in response to activation of the transmitter, the transmitter being configured to cease transmission of the first signal upon deactivation of the transmitter;
a receiver configured to detect the first signal; and
one or more indicators positioned proximate the driver of the vehicle and in communication with the receiver, wherein the one or more indicators are configured to provide a first set of human perceivable indicators in response to the receiver detecting the first signal, wherein the first set of human perceivable indicators comprises two or more tones emitted from a speaker, the two or more tones being separated by a predetermined period where another tone or no tone is emitted from the speaker, the first series of human perceivable indicators indicating to the driver that the vehicle may proceed with a reverse motion movement;
wherein the one or more indicators are further configured to provide a second set of human perceivable indicators, different than the first set, in response to the receiver ceasing to receive the first signal, the second set of human perceivable indicators indicating to the driver that the vehicle should not proceed with the reverse motion movement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods which allow a spotter external to a vehicle to provide signals to a driver of the vehicle in order to facilitate safe backup operations of the vehicle are disclosed. A wireless transmitter, in wireless communication with a receiver positioned within the vehicle, is operated by the spotter. An indicator, also in communication with the receiver, is configured to provide a plurality of audible and/or visible signals perceivable by the driver in response to a wireless signal received by the receiver from the transmitter. The audible and/or visible signals may comprise selected patterned tones and lights which inform the driver whether they should proceed to backup the vehicle or stop the vehicle.
52 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for signaling a driver of a vehicle to start and stop reverse motion of the vehicle, comprising:
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a transmitter positioned outside of the vehicle and configured to transmit a first signal in response to activation of the transmitter, the transmitter being configured to cease transmission of the first signal upon deactivation of the transmitter; a receiver configured to detect the first signal; and one or more indicators positioned proximate the driver of the vehicle and in communication with the receiver, wherein the one or more indicators are configured to provide a first set of human perceivable indicators in response to the receiver detecting the first signal, wherein the first set of human perceivable indicators comprises two or more tones emitted from a speaker, the two or more tones being separated by a predetermined period where another tone or no tone is emitted from the speaker, the first series of human perceivable indicators indicating to the driver that the vehicle may proceed with a reverse motion movement; wherein the one or more indicators are further configured to provide a second set of human perceivable indicators, different than the first set, in response to the receiver ceasing to receive the first signal, the second set of human perceivable indicators indicating to the driver that the vehicle should not proceed with the reverse motion movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of providing backup instructions to a driver of a vehicle, comprising:
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electronically determining whether a receiver positioned on or in the vehicle receives a first signal transmitted from a transmitter positioned outside of the vehicle; and in response to receiving the first signal, providing instructions to one or more indicators that are positioned proximate a driver of the vehicle to provide a first set of signals representative of a command to backup the vehicle; in response to not receiving the first signal, providing instructions to one or more indicators to provide a second set of signals representative of a command to not backup the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification