Forward warning system for motor vehicles
First Claim
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1. A forward warning method for vehicle, comprising:
- gathering information from one or more vehicle instruments,determining a safe stopping distance for a vehicle based on the information, andmanipulating a light source on the basis of the safe stopping distance to create an image on a surface that automatically adjusts to delineate a zone of danger,wherein the zone of danger is an area of the surface in front of the vehicle, extending from within a car'"'"'s length in front of the vehicle to the safe stopping distance for the vehicle, within which the vehicle would be unable to safely stop and which is therefore unsafe for passing vehicles to enter;
wherein the information from one or more vehicle instruments comprises the speed of the vehicle, vehicle weight, weather information, and route slope.
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Abstract
A new forward warning system includes one or more light sources (such as lasers) mounted on a vehicle and coupled to one or more of the vehicle'"'"'s instruments, which control its motion. The vehicle'"'"'s instrumentation is used to estimate the required stopping distance of the vehicle on which the light source is mounted. When the light source is moved quickly, it “draws” an image on the road surface. The image created on the road surface by the light is based on the vehicle'"'"'s instrumentation and indicates to other motorists where a danger zone exists in front of the vehicle, just as brake lights warn motorists behind the vehicle that it is slowing or stopped.
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8 Claims
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1. A forward warning method for vehicle, comprising:
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gathering information from one or more vehicle instruments, determining a safe stopping distance for a vehicle based on the information, and manipulating a light source on the basis of the safe stopping distance to create an image on a surface that automatically adjusts to delineate a zone of danger, wherein the zone of danger is an area of the surface in front of the vehicle, extending from within a car'"'"'s length in front of the vehicle to the safe stopping distance for the vehicle, within which the vehicle would be unable to safely stop and which is therefore unsafe for passing vehicles to enter; wherein the information from one or more vehicle instruments comprises the speed of the vehicle, vehicle weight, weather information, and route slope. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification