Motorcycle detection and notification system and associated method

• US 8,179,240 B1
• Filed: 07/31/2009
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ryan M. Orefice
• Original Assignee: Ryan M. Orefice
• Inventors: Orefice, Ryan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US12/533,773
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 340/435, 340/436, 340/471, 340/472, 340/903, 348/148
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/161 Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication

Abstract

The present invention concerns that of a new and improved motorcycle-emergency vehicle detection and notification system for use when a motorcycle is in operation in vehicular traffic. As a result, costly and tragic accidents are prevented and, more importantly, precious lives are saved as the system gives a clear indication to avoid a lane change, and to yield to the motorcyclist or emergency vehicle as they approach. By offering both an audible and visual indication that it is, or is not, safe to change lanes, the present invention adds significantly to the safety of a vehicle when driving along streets and highways, which are becoming increasingly congested.

Claims

1. A motorcycle detection and notification system for detecting said proximity of a vehicle to an automobile, said system comprising:

a transmitter adapted to be attached to a vehicle, said transmitter comprising

a housing;

a frequency selector within said housing;

wherein one of a unique frequency signal is selected from said frequency selector;

wherein said unique frequency signals comprise a first frequency signal, a second frequency signal, and a third frequency signal;

wherein a unique frequency signal is generated by said transmitter upon selection of a frequency signal from said frequency selector;

a receiver adapted to be attached to an automobile dashboard and further adapted to be in operational communication with an automobile computer relay;

an automobile side mirror;

said receiver further being in operational communication with said transmitter and said automobile side mirror;

wherein said receiver generates a first image in said automobile side mirror upon receipt of a first frequency signal from said transmitter;

wherein said receiver generates a second image in said automobile side mirror upon receipt of a second frequency signal from said transmitter;

wherein said receiver generates a third image in said automobile side mirror upon receipt of a third frequency signal from said transmitter.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiver further comprises:

a plurality of light emitting diode indicator lights comprising a first indicator light, a second indicator light, and a third indicator light;

wherein said first indicator light flashes upon receipt by said receiver of said first frequency signal generated by said transmitter;

wherein said second indicator light flashes upon receipt by said receiver of said second frequency signal generated by said transmitter;

wherein said third indicator light flashes upon receipt by said receiver of said third frequency signal generated by said transmitter.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said receiver further comprises:

a plurality of light emitting diode vicinity lights wherein said vicinity lights illuminate upon receipt by said receiver of a frequency signal generated by said transmitter.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said vicinity lights are aligned along a face of said housing;

wherein said vicinity lights increasingly illuminate as a vehicle approaches an automobile.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said vicinity lights progress in a series of colors starting on said left with green, with yellow in said middle, and red on said right.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a sound emitting device wherein said sound emitting device emits a sound upon receipt by said receiver of a frequency signal generated by said transmitter.

7. A motorcycle detection and notification system for detecting said proximity of a vehicle to an automobile, said system comprising:

a transmitter adapted to be attached to a vehicle and further adapted to be in operational communication with a power supply of said vehicle, said transmitter comprising

a housing;

a frequency selector within said housing;

wherein one of a unique frequency signal is selected from said frequency selector;

wherein said unique frequency signals comprise a first frequency signal, a second frequency signal, and a third frequency signal;

wherein a unique frequency signal is generated by said transmitter upon selection of a frequency signal from said frequency selector;

a receiver adapted to be attached to an automobile dashboard and further adapted to be in operational communication with an automobile computer relay;

an automobile side mirror;

said receiver further being in operational communication with said transmitter and said automobile side mirror;

wherein said receiver generates a first image in said automobile side mirror upon receipt of a first frequency signal from said transmitter;

wherein said receiver generates a second image in said automobile side mirror upon receipt of a second frequency signal from said transmitter;

wherein said receiver generates a third image in said automobile side mirror upon receipt of a third frequency signal from said transmitter.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said receiver further comprises:

a plurality of light emitting diode indicator lights comprising a first indicator light, a second indicator light, and a third indicator light;

wherein said first indicator light flashes upon receipt by said receiver of said first frequency signal generated by said transmitter;

wherein said second indicator light flashes upon receipt by said receiver of said second frequency signal generated by said transmitter;

wherein said third indicator light flashes upon receipt by said receiver of said third frequency signal generated by said transmitter.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said receiver further comprises:

a plurality of light emitting diode vicinity lights wherein said vicinity lights illuminate upon receipt by said receiver of a frequency signal generated by said transmitter.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said vicinity lights are aligned along a face of said housing;

wherein said vicinity lights increasingly illuminate as a vehicle approaches an automobile.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said vicinity lights progress in a series of colors starting on said left with green, with yellow in said middle, and red on said right.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a sound emitting device wherein said sound emitting device emits a sound upon receipt by said receiver of a frequency signal generated by said transmitter.

13. A motorcycle detection and notification system for detecting said proximity of a vehicle to an automobile, said system comprising:

a passive transmitter adapted to be attached to a vehicle and further adapted to be in operational communication with a power supply of said vehicle, said transmitter comprising

a durable housing;

a frequency selector within said housing;

wherein one of a unique frequency signal is selected from said frequency selector;

wherein said unique frequency signals comprise a first frequency signal, a second frequency signal, and a third frequency signal;

wherein a unique frequency signal is automatically generated by said transmitter upon selection of a frequency signal from said frequency selector;

a receiver adapted to be attached to an automobile dashboard and further adapted to be in operational communication with an automobile computer relay;

an automobile side mirror;

said receiver further being in operational communication with said transmitter and said automobile side mirror;

wherein said receiver generates a first image in said automobile side mirror upon receipt of a first frequency signal from said transmitter;

wherein said receiver generates a second image in said automobile side mirror upon receipt of a second frequency signal from said transmitter;

wherein said receiver generates a third image in said automobile side mirror upon receipt of a third frequency signal from said transmitter.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said receiver further comprises:

a plurality of light emitting diode indicator lights comprising a first indicator light, a second indicator light, and a third indicator light;

wherein said first indicator light flashes upon receipt by said receiver of said first frequency signal generated by said transmitter;

wherein said second indicator light flashes upon receipt by said receiver of said second frequency signal generated by said transmitter;

wherein said third indicator light flashes upon receipt by said receiver of said third frequency signal generated by said transmitter.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said receiver further comprises:

a plurality of light emitting diode vicinity lights wherein said vicinity lights illuminate upon receipt by said receiver of a frequency signal generated by said transmitter.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said vicinity lights are aligned along a face of said housing;

wherein said vicinity lights increasingly illuminate as a vehicle approaches an automobile.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said vicinity lights progress in a series of colors starting on said left with green, with yellow in said middle, and red on said right.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a sound emitting device wherein said sound emitting device emits a sound upon receipt by said receiver of a frequency signal generated by said transmitter.