Systems and methods for simulating motion with sound

• US 8,779,935 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2007
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vladimir Savchenko
• Original Assignee: Vladimir Savchenko
• Inventors: Savchenko, Vladimir
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barakat, Mohamed
• Application Number:
  US12/438,127
• Publication Number:
  US 20100289663A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,520 Days
• Field of Search: 340901-952, 340/467, 340/551, 340/547, 324/174, 324/179, 362/459
• US Class Current: 340/688
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/008 for signaling silent vehicles, e.g. for warning that a hybrid or electric vehicle is approaching
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10

Abstract

A movement warning system for notifying a proximal entity of the approach of a vehicle comprising a sensor system, a controlling mobile device, and a signal generator system. The sensor system generates motion data indicative of movement of the vehicle. The controlling mobile device generates at least one warning signal based on the motion data. The signal generator system generates at least one warning based on the to at least one warning signal. The signal generator generates the warning such that the proximal entity perceives the warning.

Claims

1. A movement warning system for notifying a proximal entity of the approach of a vehicle comprising at least one wheel, comprising:

a sensor system for generating motion data indicative of movement of the vehicle, where the sensor system comprises

at least one magnet supported by the at least one heel such that the at least one magnet rotates with the at least one wheel along a magnet path, and

a magnetic field sensor supported in a fixed relationship to the magnet path, where the magnetic field sensor generates the motion data based on changes direction of a magnetic field established by the magnet relative to the magnetic field sensor;

a controlling mobile device for generating at least one warning signal based on at least one of linear speed distance traveled and acceleration of the vehicle where the at least one of the linear speed, distance traveled, and acceleration is calculated based on the motion data and a diameter of the at least one wheel; and

a signal generator system for generating at least one warning based on the at least one warning signal;

whereby

the signal generator generates the warning such that the proximal entity perceives the warning.

2. A movement warning system as recited in claim 1, in which the controlling device is a portable computing device.

3. A movement warning system as recited in claim 1, in which the sensor system comprises a motion detector.

4. A movement warning system as recited in claim 1, in which the sensor system comprises an accelerometer.

5. A movement warning system as recited in claim 4, in which the accelerometer generates data indicative of movement in three orthogonal directions.

6. A movement warning system as recited in claim 1, in which the controlling device generates the at least one warning signal based on at least one digital audio file.

7. A movement warning system as recited in claim 6, in which each digital audio file is associated with a mode of operation of movement warning software running on the controlling mobile device.

8. A movement warning system as recited in claim 1, in which:

the controlling mobile device generates the at least one warning signal based on a plurality of digital audio files; and

each digital audio file is associated with a mode of operation of movement warning software running on the controlling mobile device.

9. A movement warning system as recited in claim 8, in which the movement warning software running on the controlling mobile device operates in at least one mode selected from the group of modes comprising SLEEP mode, IDLE mode, START mode, ACCELERATION mode, DECELERATION mode, and COASTING MODE.

10. A movement warning system as recited in claim 1, in which the signal generator system comprises an amplifier and a transducer, where the amplifier amplifies the at least one warning signal and the transducer generates an audible sound signal based on the at least one amplified warning signal.

11. A movement warning system as recited in claim 1, in which the signal generator system comprises an amplifier and a transducer, where the amplifier amplifies the at least one warning signal and the transducer generates a low frequency sound signal based on the at least one amplified warning signal.

12. A sensor system for detecting movement of a wheel of a vehicle, comprising:

at least one magnet supported by the wheel such that the at least one magnet rotates with the wheel along a magnet path; and

a magnetic field sensor supported in a fixed relationship to the magnet path;

whereby

the magnetic field sensor generates the motion data based on changes of angular direction of a magnetic field established by the magnet relative to the magnetic field sensor; and

at least one of linear speed, distance traveled and acceleration of the vehicle is calculated based on the motion data and a diameter of the wheel.

13. A sensor system as recited in claim 12, in which:

the wheel is supported by an axle; and

the magnetic field sensor is supported in a fixed relationship relative to the axle.

14. A sensor system as recited in claim 12, in which the at least one magnet is supported by the wheel such that the at least one magnet rotates with the wheel along a magnet path.