Absolute acceleration sensor for use within moving vehicles

• US 10,195,989 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2016
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Original Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Inventors: Braunberger, Fritz, Braunberger, Beau M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alharbi, Adam M
• Application Number:
  US15/074,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20160200242A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/346 with automatic actuation
• 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: B60W 2050/0075 Automatic parameter input, automatic initialising or calibrating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/804 Relative longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/65 Data transmitted between vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/143 Speed control B60W30/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A communication system for a vehicle comprises a mechanism for sensing a motion status of a vehicle, a control device, plurality of data acquisition sensors, and one or more alerting device activation circuits. The communication system is customizable with the plurality of data acquisition sensors and one or more alerting device activation circuits based upon the needs of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the communication system is customized before it is installed within the vehicle. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the communication system is customizable after it is installed within the vehicle by turning on and/or turning off one or more of the data acquisition sensors and one or more alerting device activation circuits. The communication system is able to be implemented on a bus or other such fleet vehicles.

Claims

1. A communication method for a vehicle comprising:

a. sensing a stopping of a vehicle using one of a vehicle speed sensor and an accelerometer;

b. after sensing the stopping of the vehicle, sensing that the vehicle begins to move again using one of the vehicle speed sensor and the accelerometer; and

c. based on the vehicle moving again, automatically activating an alert, separate from a turn signal of the vehicle, at the vehicle in order to indicate the vehicle is moving in a left direction or a right direction.

2. The communication method of claim 1 wherein the alert comprises a lighted sign.

3. The communication method of claim 2 wherein the lighted sign comprises a lighted YIELD or a lighted MERGE symbol.

4. The communication method of claim 1 further comprising sensing an engagement of a blinker.

5. The communication method of claim 1 wherein the method is implemented within a fleet vehicle.

6. The communication method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises sensing an engagement of the brakes.

7. The communication method of claim 1 wherein the alert indicates that the vehicle is reentering traffic.

8. The communication method of claim 1 wherein the alert comprises a warning external to the vehicle.

9. The communication method of claim 8 wherein the warning is provided to a proximate vehicle in proximity to the vehicle.

10. A communication method for a vehicle comprising:

a. sensing a stopping of a vehicle using one of a vehicle speed sensor and an accelerometer;

b. after sensing the stopping of the vehicle, sensing that the vehicle begins to move again using one of the vehicle speed sensor and the accelerometer; and

c. based on the vehicle moving again, automatically activating a warning at the vehicle, separate from a turn signal of the vehicle, external to the vehicle and to a proximate vehicle in proximity to the vehicle, to indicate the vehicle is moving in a left direction or a right direction.

11. The communication method of claim 10 wherein the warning comprises a lighted sign.

12. The communication method of claim 11 wherein the lighted sign comprises a lighted YIELD or a lighted MERGE symbol.

13. The communication method of claim 10 further comprising sensing an engagement of a blinker.

14. The communication method of claim 10 wherein the method is implemented within a fleet vehicle.

15. The communication method of claim 10 wherein the method further comprises sensing an engagement of the brakes.

16. The communication method of claim 10 wherein the warning indicates that the vehicle is reentering traffic.

17. A communication method for a vehicle comprising:

a. sensing a stopping of a vehicle using one of a vehicle speed sensor and an accelerometer;

a. after sensing the stopping of the vehicle, sensing that the vehicle begins to move again using one of the vehicle speed sensor and the accelerometer; and

c. based on the vehicle moving again, automatically activating a warning at the vehicle, separate from a turn signal of the vehicle, and external to the vehicle and to a proximate vehicle in proximity to the vehicle, to indicate the vehicle is reentering traffic.

18. The communication method of claim 17 wherein the warning comprises a lighted sign.

19. The communication method of claim 18 wherein the lighted sign comprises a lighted YIELD or a lighted MERGE symbol.

20. The communication method of claim 17 further comprising sensing an engagement of a blinker.

21. The communication method of claim 17 wherein the method is implemented within a fleet vehicle.

22. The communication method of claim 17 wherein the method further comprises sensing an engagement of the brakes.