Advanced audio safety apparatus

• US 20020118103A1
• Filed: 02/13/2002
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph A. Tabe
• Original Assignee: Joseph A. Tabe
• Inventors: Tabe, Joseph A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,989,740 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive

Abstract

An audio safety apparatus for vehicles and equipment that operate in a reverse mode using Electro-mechanical or mechanical means adaptable to various electro-mechanical applications. The apparatus is used for cars, buses, trucks, planes or any other vehicle that moves and has a battery as part of its power supply. The audio safety apparatus has a backing safety system, a school bus stop sign arm safety system, and a driver information safety system. Through a system of hardware connected to a CPU (central processing unit), a sound chip and a waterproof speaker, the apparatus is programmed to recognize dangerous vehicle situations and alert the operator of a vehicle in an audible manner before accidents occur. The audio safety apparatus includes a driver inspection program for use before the vehicle is put in operation or put to motion. With the voice auditory warnings, the apparatus is programmed to sound when the vehicle is backing or unloading occupants, or any other potentially dangerous activity in which a passerby to the vicinity of the vehicle or the operator of the said vehicle may become subjected to injuries.

Claims

1. An audio safety apparatus for a vehicle or transportation equipment having a transmission, braking and backing means for transmitting communication signals, comprising:

a switch terminal responsive to enabling audio signal communication for a predetermined mechanical condition of a vehicle, said conditions having a potential to cause injury.

a logic switch, for transmitting coded data in communication with a data defined means, said means responsive for enabling voice auditory and signal communication with a processing unit,

a central processing unit for relaying and retrieving signals in communication with plurality switches responsive for voice auditory communication,

means for transforming said signal communication into selective human voice auditory signal,

a system of hardware with an internal logical interface means in communication with said central processing unit,

a voltage suppressor in communication with said internal logical interface means responsive for filtering unwanted voltage,

a braking chip in communication with said central processing unit,

an automatic controller in communication with said switch, enabling a controlled energy source for comparing coded signals with requisite target for enabling voice auditory and signal responses,

a database system responsive for a data dictionary in communication with said system of hardware for broadcasting selective defined voice auditory and signals,

a sound chip in communication with said database system, responsive for said output, for emitting voice auditory sound and signal responses in warning of a potentially predetermined mechanical operation associated with the operation of a vehicle,

a processor in communication with said database system; and

an amplifier in communication with said sound chip, for generating an amplified voice auditory and signal communication.

2. An audio safety apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said activation switch being in communication with a vehicle'"'"'s transmission, outputting a prescribed selective human voice auditory response and signal when said transmission is motioned in a reverse mode, for communication with passer-by thereof.

3. An audio safety apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said braking chip is responsive to activating voice and signal communication when a vehicle'"'"'s brake is applied.

4. An audio safety apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said voice and signals are emitted to a delay, for delaying signals in repeating times.

5. A safety apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined mechanical operation is a prescribed mechanical or electromechanical operation of a vehicle'"'"'s components.

6. A safety apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hardware component includes communication devices for transmitting and receiving signals or electrical pulses responsive for enabling defined selective voice auditory sound through a waterproof speaker.

7. A safety apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined mechanical condition is an extended motion of a school vehicle stop sign arm attached to the side of a vehicle, responsive for allowing current pulses to flow to at least an input terminal, enabling selected voice auditory signal communication for broadcasting thereof.

8. A safety device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined mechanical condition is the motion of a tailgate of a dumping vehicle or a raised bed of a front-end loader vehicle, responsive for allowing current pulses to enable selected voice auditory communication for broadcasting thereof.

9. A safety device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said amplifier is responsive for empowering a broadcasting auditory sound through a waterproof speaker, said speaker located near a noise producing portion of the said vehicle, or built inside

a mirror housing, or built inside a housing of a tail light or mounted at a mirror brackets.

10. A safety warning process for communicating with pedestrians, vehicle drivers, and vehicle passengers thereof, said process comprising steps:

to activate a switch terminal, said switch terminal responsive for signal communication in response to predetermined mechanical conditions of a vehicle, said condition having a potential to cause injury to at least a passer-by;

to provide current pulses from said switch terminal means to at least a device, responsive for outputting voice auditory signal communication;

to transform said current pulses into control voltage responsive to enabling signal communication, for emitting voice auditory messages when a switch circuitry is completed;

to divide said voltage into a predetermined controlled voltage and comparing said voltage with pre-selected data, generating an output signal thereof;

to emitting an educational safety steps for safeguarding accidents, enabling a voice auditory response comprehensively communicating to a driver and a passer-by within the vicinity or surrounding of the vehicle;

to amplifying said voice auditory and signals response to an external and internal speaker capable of transmitting said sound signal response within a localized covering area, to individuals both inside and outside of a vehicle.

11. The safety warning process for alerting pedestrians, vehicle driver, vehicle passengers, according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined mechanical condition of a vehicle occurs when a transmission is shifted to a reverse mode, enabling electrical pulses responsive for a prescribed voice auditory signal communication.

12. The safety warning process for alerting pedestrians, vehicle drivers, and vehicle passengers, according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined mechanical condition of a vehicle occurs when a school bus stop sign arm is extended, enabling electrical pulses responsive for a prescribed voice auditory signal communication from a defined data source.

13. The safety warning process for alerting pedestrians, vehicle drivers, and vehicle passengers, according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined mechanical condition of a vehicle occurs when a driver attempts to release a vehicle'"'"'s parking brake, enabling electrical pulses responsive for a prescribed voice auditory signal communication.

14. The safety warning process for alerting pedestrians, vehicle drivers, and vehicle passengers, according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined mechanical condition of a vehicle occurs when any of a vehicle'"'"'s tailgate is open, or a vehicle'"'"'s bed is raised, or a cement mixer vehicle is performing a funnneling operation.

15. The safety warning process for alerting pedestrians, vehicle drivers, and vehicle passengers, according to claim 10, wherein said voice auditory response and signal communication are enabled by a processor and produced by a sound chip.

16. The safety warning process for alerting pedestrians, vehicle drivers, and vehicle passengers, according to claim 10, wherein said voice auditory response may be selected from a predefined set of sound chip, responsive for voice auditory response.

17. The safety warning process for alerting pedestrians, vehicle drivers, and vehicle passengers, according to claim 10, wherein said sound signal response is selected from a predefined set of sound chip, responsive for prescribed voice and or horn auditory signals.

18. The safety warning process for alerting pedestrians, vehicle drivers, and vehicle passengers, according to claim 10, including means;

said means repeating said voice auditory and or horn auditory response over a predetermined delay intervals.

19. An audio safety device, as claimed in 1, wherein said switch terminal is responsive for automatic means, for initiating electrical pulses thereof.

20. An audio safety device, as claimed in 19, wherein said automatic means comprises a transmission shifting into a reverse mode, a parking brake releasing, a stop sign arm extending, a mixer vehicle funneling concrete, vehicle tailgate, or vehicle bed raised.