Blind spot warning apparatus, assembly and method

• US 9,840,192 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2015
• Issued: 12/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steven G. Downey
• Original Assignee: Steven G. Downey
• Inventors: Downey, Steven G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fan, Hongmin
• Application Number:
  US14/626,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20150232021A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/525 automatically indicating risk of collision between vehicles in traffic or with pedestrians, e.g. after risk assessment using the vehicle sensor data
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/547 for issuing requests to other traffic participants; for confirming to other traffic participants they can proceed, e.g. they can overtake
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A blind spot warning apparatus, system and method provide for an electrically-actuated blind spot detection sensor that is electronically or wirelessly connected to a programmable logic controller (“PLC”). The PLC is then electronically or wirelessly connected to at least one electrically-actuated light-emitting fixture that can be affixed to the exterior surface of a first vehicle. The light fixture is positioned to be easily visualized by the driver of a second vehicle. Visualization is accomplished by using letters, words, symbols or other warning indicia within the fixture to convey a visual warning to the driver of the second vehicle. Light fixture actuation is controlled by the PLC as to both the position of the second vehicle relative to the first vehicle and to the amount of time that the second vehicle remains in a particular blind spot position as detected by the detection sensor and processed via the PLC.

Claims

1. A blind spot warning apparatus that is used with a first vehicle and/or a trailer, the apparatus comprising:

an electrical supply source;

at least one PLC electrically connected to the electrical supply source;

at least one proximity sensor;

at least one light fixture; and

a visual indicator electrically connected to the at least one light fixture, the visual indicator comprising letters, words, symbols or other warning indicia to convey a visual warning to the driver of a second vehicle that is in proximity to the first vehicle and/or the trailer;

wherein the at least one PLC uses the at least one proximity sensor to sense when a vehicle enters a blind spot of the first vehicle and/or trailer;

initiates a timing sequence upon entry of the vehicle into the blind spot of the first vehicle and/or trailer;

stops the timing sequence if the vehicle moves out of the blind spot within a preprogrammed period of time;

actuates the visual indicator if the vehicle remains within the blind spot after the preprogrammed period of time, but not before, thereby causing a light emission that is visible to the driver of the vehicle after the preprogrammed period of time; and

stops the display once the vehicle moves out of the blind spot, thereby causing the light emission to stop.

2. The blind spot warning apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the at least one proximity sensor is electrically connected to or, alternatively, wirelessly in communication with, the at least one PLC; and

the at least one light fixture is electrically connected to or, alternatively, wirelessly in communication with, the at least one PLC.

3. The blind spot warning apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a secondary sensor that senses ambient light conditions; and

means for adjusting the intensity of light emitted from the visual indicator based on the ambient light that is sensed by the secondary sensor.

4. The blind spot warning apparatus of claim 1 wherein multiple PLCs are provided for the at least one proximity sensor and the at least one light fixture.

5. The blind spot warning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one proximity sensor and the at least one light fixture are mountable to a portion of the first vehicle.

6. A method of providing a warning to the driver of a vehicle that the vehicle has entered into and remains within a blind spot of a first vehicle, method comprising the steps of:

providing the apparatus of claim 1;

mounting a proximity sensor to the first vehicle;

using the proximity sensor to sense when a vehicle enters a blind spot of the first vehicle;

initiating a timing sequence with the PLC upon entry of the vehicle into the blind spot of the first vehicle;

stopping the timing sequence if the vehicle moves out of the blind spot within a preprogrammed period of time;

actuating a display with a visual indicator if the vehicle remains within the blind spot a after the preprogrammed period of time, but not before, thereby causing a light emission that is visible to the driver of the vehicle after the preprogrammed period of time; and

stopping the display once the vehicle moves out of the blind spot, thereby causing the light emission to stop.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of providing an ambient light sensor and adjusting light intensity based on the ambient light that is sensed by the ambient light sensor.