Advanced warning lighting systems and methods

• US 10,358,082 B1
• Filed: 07/26/2018
• Issued: 07/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kinney ASWD Holding Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Kinney ASWD Holding Company LLC
• Inventors: Kinney, Gary Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Terrell, Emily C
• Application Number:
  US16/046,625
• Time in Patent Office: 362 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/114 Vehicle acceleration or deceleration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40 Bus networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/40215 Controller Area Network CAN

Abstract

An advanced warning light system of a vehicle of the present disclosure has a controller area network (CAN) bus for transmitting messages between a plurality of controllers. Further, the system has at least one controller configured for monitoring operations of a vehicle and the at least one controller transmits a message on the CAN bus when a monitored operation occurs on the vehicle that indicates that the vehicle is slowing down. Additionally, the system has a processor that receives the message from the CAN bus indicating that the vehicle is slowing down and transmits a signal to an advanced warning light that illuminates the advanced warning light to indicate to a driver following the vehicle that the vehicle is slowing down.

Claims

1. An advanced warning light system of a vehicle, comprising:

a brake light attached to a backside of the vehicle, the brake light comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), wherein a portion of the LEDs is an advanced warning light;

a controller area network (CAN) bus for transmitting messages;

at least one controller configured for monitoring operations of a vehicle prior to actuation of a brake of the vehicle, the at least one controller further configured for transmitting a message on the CAN bus when a monitored operation occurs on the vehicle prior to actuation of the brake of the vehicle, the message comprising data indicating that the vehicle is slowing down not in response to the brake being depressed; and

a processor configured for receiving the message from the CAN bus indicating that the vehicle is slowing down, the processor further configured for transmitting a signal to an advanced warning light that illuminates the advanced warning light to indicate to a driver following the vehicle that the vehicle is slowing down not in response to the brake being depressed.

2. The advanced warning light system of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is an engine controller that monitors a speed of the vehicle and a throttle position of the vehicle.

3. The advanced warning light system of claim 2, wherein the engine controller transmits a message on the CAN bus indicating the speed of the vehicle has decreased or that pressure has been removed from the accelerator.

4. The advanced warning light system of claim 3, wherein the at least one controller is a power distribution controller and the power distribution controller is configured for receiving the message from the engine controller and for transmitting a signal to an advanced warning light that illuminates the light to indicate that the vehicle is slowing down.

5. The advanced warning light system of claim 4, wherein the engine controller is configured for transmitting a message on the CAN bus indicating that pressure has been applied to a brake of the vehicle.

6. The advanced warning light system of claim 5, wherein the power distribution controller is configured for receiving the message that pressure has been applied to the brake and configured for transmitting a signal to the advanced warning light that turns off the light and for transmitting a signal to a brake light to illuminate the brake light.

7. The advanced warning light system of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is a self-driving processor that monitors a speed of the vehicle and a throttle position of the vehicle.

8. The advanced warning light system of claim 7, wherein the self-driving processor is configured for transmitting a message on the CAN bus indicating that the speed of the vehicle has decreased or that the throttle position has changed indicating that pressure has been removed from the accelerator.

9. The advanced warning light system of claim 8, wherein the at least one controller is a power distribution controller and the power distribution controller is configured for receiving the message from the self-driving processor and for transmitting a signal to an advanced warning light that illuminates the light to indicate that the vehicle is slowing down.

10. The advanced warning light system of claim 4, wherein a self-driving processor is configured for transmitting a message on the CAN bus indicating that pressure has been applied to a brake of the vehicle.

11. The advanced warning light system of claim 10, wherein the power distribution controller is configured for receiving the message that pressure has been applied to the brake and configured for transmitting a signal to the advanced warning light that turns off the light and for transmitting a signal to a brake light to illuminate the brake light.

12. The advanced warning light system of claim 1, further comprising a CAN bus interface that is communicatively coupled to the CAN bus and a light controller and further comprising an advanced warning light subsystem in electrical communication with an advanced warning light and a brake light.

13. The advanced warning light system of claim 12, wherein the CAN bus interface is configured for receiving messages from the CAN bus indicating that the vehicle is slowing down and configured for transmitting a signal to the light controller for illuminating the advanced warning light.

14. The advanced warning light system of claim 13, the light controller is configured for transmitting a signal to the advanced warning light subsystem for illuminating the advanced warning light, and the advanced warning light subsystem is configured for illuminating the advanced warning light indicating to a driver behind the vehicle that the vehicle is slowing down.

15. The advanced warning light system of claim 14, wherein the light controller comprises a first wireless transceiver and the advanced warning light subsystem comprises a second wireless transceiver and communication between the light controller and the advanced warning light subsystem occurs wirelessly.

16. The advanced warning light system of claim 14, wherein the light controller is communicatively coupled to the advanced warning light subsystem via a wire and communication between the light controller and the advanced warning light subsystem occurs over the wire.

17. The advanced warning lighting system of claim 1, wherein the advanced warning light is integral with the vehicle'"'"'s brake lights.

18. The advanced warning lighting system of claim 1, wherein the advanced warning light is integral with a helmet being worn by a motorcyclist.

19. The advanced warning lighting system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to monitor the transmission selector and transmit a message indicating that the transmission selector is in drive.

20. The advanced warning lighting system of claim 19, wherein the controller is configured to monitor the vehicle speed and transmit a message indicating that the speed of the vehicle.

21. The advanced warning lighting system of claim 20, wherein the controller is configured to monitor a throttle position and transmit a message indicating the throttle position.

22. The advanced warning lighting system of claim 1, wherein the controller is a power distribution controller, the power distribution controller is configured to activate the advanced warning light if the speed of the vehicle is greater than 20 miles per hour, the throttle position is less than three percent (3%), and the brake light is off.

23. The advanced warning lighting system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to monitor a distance of a nearest forward vehicle and a closure rate with the nearest forward vehicle.

25. The advanced warning lighting system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to monitor a vehicle speed of the nearest forward vehicle and transmit a message indicating the vehicle speed of the nearest forward vehicle.

26. The advanced warning lighting system of claim 25, wherein the controller is configured to determine if a brake light on the nearest forward vehicle is activated and transmit a message indicating whether the brake light on the nearest forward vehicle is activated.

27. The advanced warning lighting system of claim 26, wherein the controller is configured to determine if the vehicle'"'"'s brake switch is on and transmit a message indicating whether the vehicle'"'"'s brake light is on.

28. The advanced warning lighting system of claim 4, wherein the power distribution controller is further configured to activate the advanced warning light if the power distribution controller determines that the nearest forward vehicle is less than fifty feet, the nearest forward vehicle speed is greater than thirty miles per hour, the nearest forward vehicle'"'"'s brake light is on, and the vehicle'"'"'s brake switch is off.

29. The advanced warning lighting system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to monitor a manifold of the vehicle, a vacuum pressure in an engine of the vehicle, a throttle position of the vehicle, a brake position, and an engine speed, the controller further configured to transmit messages related to the manifold of the vehicle, the vacuum pressure in the engine of the vehicle, the throttle position of the vehicle, the brake position, and the engine speed.

30. The advanced warning lighting system of claim 29, wherein the controller is a power distribution controller, the power distribution controller is configured to receive the messages, determine if the vehicle is slowing down based on the messages, and activate the advanced warning light if the power distribution controller determines that the vehicle is slowing down, based on the messages related to the manifold of the vehicle, the vacuum pressure in the engine of the vehicle, the throttle position of the vehicle, the brake position, and the engine speed.

31. The advanced warning lighting system of claim 1, wherein the advanced warning light illuminates yellow in response to the vehicle slowing down not in response to the brake being depressed.

32. The advanced warning lighting system of claim 1, wherein when a driver of the vehicle depresses the brake the advanced warning light illuminates red.

24. The advanced warning lighting system of 1, wherein the controller is a power distribution controller, the power distribution controller is configured to transmit a power signal to the advanced warning light when the closure rate meets a threshold.