Signal apparatus for facilitating safe backup of vehicles
First Claim
1. A system for providing guidance to a driver of a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a transmitter configured for handheld operation by a spotter, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a first signal in response to activation of an actuator of the transmitter, the first signal indicating that the vehicle is safe to move, wherein the transmitter is configured to cease transmission of the first signal in response to deactivation of the actuator of the transmitter;
a receiver positioned on or proximate to the vehicle, the 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 audible and/or visible indicator in response to the receiver detecting the first signal, wherein the first audible and/or visible indicator comprises a first one or more tones emitted from a speaker that indicate to the driver that the vehicle is safe to move.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
105 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for providing guidance to a driver of a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a transmitter configured for handheld operation by a spotter, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a first signal in response to activation of an actuator of the transmitter, the first signal indicating that the vehicle is safe to move, wherein the transmitter is configured to cease transmission of the first signal in response to deactivation of the actuator of the transmitter; a receiver positioned on or proximate to the vehicle, the 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 audible and/or visible indicator in response to the receiver detecting the first signal, wherein the first audible and/or visible indicator comprises a first one or more tones emitted from a speaker that indicate to the driver that the vehicle is safe to move. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for signaling a driver of a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a receiver positioned on or proximate the vehicle, the receiver configured to detect whether a first signal is received from one or more transmitters configured for operation by one or more spotters; and one or more indicators in communication with the receiver, wherein the one or more indicators are configured to provide a first audible and/or visible indicator in response to the receiver detecting the first signal from the one or more transmitters and a second audible and/or visible indicator in response to the receiver not detecting the first signal from the one or more transmitters, wherein the second audible and/or visible indicator comprises one or more tones emitted from a speaker that indicate to the driver that the vehicle is not safe to move. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A system for providing guidance to a driver of a vehicle, the system comprising:
a vehicle module configured to; determine whether a first electronic signal is received at a receiver; in response to determining that the first electronic signal is being received at the receiver, provide one or more audible and/or visual indicators indicating that the vehicle is safe to move; and in response to determining that the first electronic signal is not being received or determining that a second electronic signal is being received, provide one or more audible and/or visual indicators indicating that the vehicle is not safe to move. - View Dependent Claims (20)
Specification