Absolute acceleration sensor for use within moving vehicles

• US 9,123,249 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2014
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Original Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Inventors: Braunberger, Beau M., Braunberger, Alfred S.
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US14/220,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20140207308A1
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/70, 701/79, 701/91, 180/170, 180/197, 340/425.5, 340/439
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/104 lateral or transversal with regard to vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/447 with indication of the braking strength or speed changes, e.g. by changing the shape or intensity of the indication
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/14 by making use of gyroscopes gyroscopes per se G01C19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/162 event-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A communication system for a vehicle includes a vehicle speed sensor configured to emit a periodic function with a parameter correlated to the speed of the vehicle, an acceleration monitoring system, a braking system engagement detector to detect a braking status of the vehicle, an alerting device capable of signaling other drivers of a deceleration condition of the vehicle, and a control device. The acceleration monitoring system is configured to compute the acceleration of the vehicle from variations in the parameter of the periodic function of the vehicle speed sensor and to output a deceleration status of the vehicle. The control device is coupled to the acceleration monitoring system, the braking system engagement detector, and the alerting device, wherein the acceleration monitoring system sends signals to the control device and the control device operates the alerting device in a manner dependent on the deceleration status of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A communication device for a vehicle comprising:

a. a monitoring system for calculating an absolute acceleration of the vehicle;

b. a braking status engagement detector; and

c. a communication device that transmits a non-visible communications signal to proximate vehicles in proximity of the vehicle, the communications signal comprising a deceleration status of the vehicle.

2. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising a control device that receives a signal from the system and the braking status detector and operates the alerting device in manner dependent upon a deceleration status of the vehicle.

3. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring system receives a signal from a vehicle speed sensor based upon a speed of the vehicle.

4. The communication device of claim 3, wherein the monitoring system further comprises an acceleration monitoring system.

5. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring system further comprises an accelerometer-gyroscopic sensor.

6. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the device is installed within the vehicle as original equipment.

7. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the communications signal comprises non-visible radiation.

8. The communication device of claim 7, wherein the non-visible radiation is one of infrared and radio frequency.

9. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the communications signal is only emitted if the braking system is not engaged.

10. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising a throttle engagement detector.

11. The communication device of claim 10, wherein the communications signal is only emitted if the throttle is not engaged.

12. A method of communication for a vehicle comprising:

a. calculating an absolute acceleration of the vehicle based upon the speed of the vehicle;

b. detecting a braking status of the vehicle; and

c. if the vehicle is decelerating, emitting a non-visible signal, wherein the non-visible signal is dependent upon a deceleration status of the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

a. receiving the signal at a proximate vehicle in proximity to the decelerating vehicle; and

b. generating an alert at the proximate vehicle in order to indicate the deceleration status.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the signal comprises non-visible radiation.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the non-visible radiation is one of infrared and radio frequency.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the signal is only emitted if the braking system is not engaged.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising detecting an engagement of a throttle.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the signal is only emitted if the throttle is not engaged.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the absolute acceleration of the vehicle is calculated by an acceleration monitoring system.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the absolute acceleration of the vehicle is calculated by an accelerometer-gyroscopic sensor.

21. A method of communication between a plurality of vehicles comprising:

a. sensing a speed of a first vehicle;

b. calculating an absolute acceleration of the first vehicle based upon the speed of the vehicle;

c. emitting a non-visible signal, wherein the non-visible signal comprises a deceleration status of the vehicle;

d. receiving the signal at a second proximate vehicle in proximity to the first vehicle; and

e. generating an alert at the second proximate vehicle in order to indicate the deceleration status.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the signal comprises non-visible radiation.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the non-visible radiation is one of infrared and radio frequency.