Vehicle U-turn safety alert system

• US 8,610,595 B1
• Filed: 08/16/2012
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Salmaan F. F. M. S. Aleteeby
• Original Assignee: Salmaan F. F. M. S. Aleteeby
• Inventors: Aleteeby, Salmaan F. F. M. S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US13/587,208
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 701/301, 701/93, 340/907, 340/475, 340/436, 340/425.5, 340/435, 340901-903, 340/465, 340/466, 340/988, 340/9, 342/104, 342/107, 342/109, 382/181, 382/207
• US Class Current: 340/901
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096741 where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

The vehicle U-turn safety alert system is a system for alerting a driver of a vehicle whether it is safe or unsafe to make a U-turn driving maneuver. The system incorporates an electronic system that measures the distance away and speed of an approaching vehicle. The system functions to calculate the time it would take for the approaching vehicle to reach the turning vehicle and displays this time as a digital readout. Visual and audible alerts inform the driver as to whether the U-turn maneuver can be safely accomplished.

Claims

1. A U-turn safety alert system comprising:

first position and speed sensor determining the time it would take for a first vehicle to perform a U-turn maneuver disposed along roadway;

second position and speed sensor determining time it would take for an approaching second vehicle to collide with the first vehicle performing the U-turn maneuver disposed along roadway;

a display device disposed in the first vehicle for displaying the second vehicle'"'"'s approach time;

a computer for comparing the estimated time of the first vehicle and the displayed approach time of the second vehicle; and

a signal generator for alerting a driver of the first vehicle if the second vehicle'"'"'s approach time is insufficient to safely accomplish the U-turn maneuver to avoid collision with the second vehicle.

2. The U-turn safety alert system according to claim 1, wherein said display device includes at least a digital readout display.

3. The U-turn safety alert system according to claim 1, wherein said signal generator includes an LED array.

4. The U-turn safety alert system according to claim 1, wherein said signal generator includes a buzzer.

5. The U-turn safety alert system according to claim 1, wherein said signal generator includes an array of LEDs and an audible buzzer;

said array of LEDs includes at least two colors for selectively indicating safe and not safe U-turn conditions;

said audible buzzer for indicating not safe U-turn conditions.

6. The U-turn safety alert system according to claim 5, further comprising a control box disposed along roadway for transmitting a signal to said first vehicle the safe and not safe U-turn conditions.