AUTOMATIC VEHICLE DRIVER AID SYSTEM

• US 3,775,743 A
• Filed: 03/30/1971
• Issued: 11/27/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Harry R. Carter
• Original Assignee: Harry R. Carter
• Inventors: Carter, Harry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Claffy, Kathleen H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Myers, Randall P.
• Application Number:
  US05/129,376
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 340/31R,32,33,34,62,52R
• US Class Current: 340/905
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096725 where the received information generates an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09675 where a selection from the received information takes place in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element

Abstract

An automatic driver aid system for a vehicle which includes means to alert the driver of approaching conditions and regulations requiring his caution, such as stop signs, school caution zones, dangerous intersections, etc., and means to warn the driver upon violation of certain traffic regulations such as speed limits, emergencies, etc.

Claims

1. An automatic vehicle driver aid system comprising a receiver mounted on said vehicle for receiving related sets of electrical signals from transmitters located along roadways, said related sets of signals each representing caution and danger indications for road conditions and regulations, means including an AC to DC converter interconnected with said receiver for analyzing said electrical signals and selectively producing caution signals and danger signals, first indicating means mounted on said vehicle and responsive to said caution signals for alerting the driver to conditions requiring caution, and second indicating means mounted on said vehicle and responsive to said danger signals for alerting the driver of the need for immediate corrective action, said electrical signals being in the form of AC signals of different frequencies, a first selected frequency signal representing said caution condition and a second selected frequency signal representing said danger condition, said analyzing means including a first circuit having a first filter tuned to said first selected frequency signal, and a second circuit having a second filter tuned to said second selected frequency signal, and analyzing means further including a first AC to DC converter and a first pulse stretcher connected in series and interposed between said first filter and said first indicating means, a second AC to DC converter and a second pulse stretcher connected in series with and interposed between said second filter and said second indicating means, said first and second indicating means including an amber and a red lamp respectively, and said system further includes third indicating means having a green lamp, said analyzing means further includes an INHIBIT gate interposed between said second stretcher and said red lamp, and a time delay circuit interposed between said second stretcher and said INHIBIT gate for turning off said red lamp after a predetermined time period set by said time delay circuit and lighting said green lamp.

2. The driver aid system according to claim 1 which further includes an additional plurality of filters, each detecting a particular frequency signal received from a transmitter disposed along the roadside representing a particular maximum speed limit, a plurality of means for converting particular frequency signals into a first corresponding digital electrical sIgnal N1, means for generating a second digital signal N2 representing the actual speed of the vehicle, means for comparing said first and seond digital signals and generating a violation signal when the condition N2>

N1 exists, and fourth indicating means actuated by said violation signal.

3. The driver aid system according to claim 2 including means for turning off said red lamp when the condition N2 <

or = N1 exists within a predetermined time period after said violation indicating means is first actuated.

4. The driver aid system according to claim 3 wherein said turning off means includes pulse stretching means for producing a first output signal for said predetermined time period when N1<

N2, said comparing means generates a second output signal indicative of N1 >

or = N2, a coincidence gate responsive to the simultaneous presence of said output signals and connected to turn on said green lamp.

5. The driver aid system according to claim 4 including a first buzzer connected to generate an audible sound having a selected characteristic when said red lamp is energized.

6. The driver aid system according to claim 5 including a first timer and second buzzer connected to generate an audible signal having a second selected characteristic actuable after said red lamp is actuated for a period of time beyond a period of time set by said first timer.

7. The driver aid system according to claim 6, including means for generating an electrical signal to turn off the ignition system of the vehicle when said violation lamp is continuously actuated for a predetermined time period beyond the time period provided by said first timer.

8. The driver aid system according to claim 7, including means for generating said ignition turn off signal when the number of actuations of said violation lamp excceds a predetermined number during a predetermined time period.