Vehicular hazard warning system

• US 6,229,438 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2000
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Emergency Warning Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: Emergency Warning Systems Limited
• Inventors: Saul, Andrew M. II, Kutlucinar, Iskender V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Application Number:
  US09/551,950
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/463, 340/468, 340/471, 340/472, 340/479, 340/903, 340/447
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/46 for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights or hazard lights
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

An apparatus and method warn drivers of a hazardous condition experienced by another driver. The apparatus generally includes a warning indicator, such as for example a strobe light, coupled to a vehicle warning controller. The vehicle warning controller is connected between a power source and a plurality of vehicle detecting circuits which detect the activation of a safety device. Vehicle detecting circuits can include an antilock braking system (ABS) detecting circuit, an airbag deployment detecting circuit, a rollover protection detecting circuit and an obstacle detector detecting circuit. When at least one of the vehicle'"'"'s detecting circuits detects the activation of a safety device due to a hazardous condition, a signal is sent to the vehicle warning controller. The warning indicator is activated in response to a signal from the vehicle'"'"'s warning controller. Therefore, driver intervention is alleviated in warning other motorists of potential danger.

Claims

1. A vehicular hazard warning system comprising:

(a) at least one sensor being triggered by an event and producing a signal;

(b) at least one controller for receiving said signal and determining whether to activate a vehicle safety device;

(c) at least one detecting circuit which detects activation of a vehicle safety device by said controller; and

(d) at least one hazard warning indicator activated in response to the detected activation of said safety device.

2. The vehicular warning system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one detecting circuit is an obstacle detector detecting circuit.

3. The vehicular warning system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one warning indicator is a light or auditory signal.

4. The vehicular warning system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one warning indicator is a horn.

5. The vehicular warning system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one warning indicator is a high intensity light.

6. The vehicular warning system according to claim 1, wherein said hazard warning indicator is detectable internally.

7. A vehicle having a vehicular hazard warning system comprising:

(a) at least one sensor being triggered by an event and producing a signal;

(b) at least one controller for receiving said signal and determining whether to activate a vehicle safety device;

(c) at least one detecting circuit which detects activation of a vehicle safety device by said controller; and

(d) at least one hazard warning indicator being activated in response to the detected activation of said safety device.

8. The vehicle having a vehicular hazard warning system according to claim 7, wherein said at least one detecting circuit is an obstacle detector detecting circuit.

9. The vehicle having a vehicular hazard warning system according to claim 8, wherein said at least one warning indicator is a light or auditory signal.

10. The vehicle having a vehicular warning system according to claim 8, wherein said at least one warning indicator is a horn.

11. The vehicle having a vehicular warning system according to claim 8, wherein said at least one warning indicator is a high intensity light.

12. The vehicle having a vehicular warning system according to claim 7, wherein said hazard warning indicator is detectable internally.

13. A vehicular hazard warning system comprising:

(a) at least one sensor detecting a hazardous condition and producing a signal;

(b) at least one controller for receiving said signal, determining whether the hazardous condition exceeds a predetermined threshold and activating at least one safety device if hazardous condition exceeds said predetermined threshold;

(c) at least one detecting circuit which detects activation of said vehicle safety device by said at least one controller; and

(d) at least one hazard warning indicator being activated in response to the detected activation of said safety device.

14. The vehicular warning system according to claim 13, wherein said at least one detecting circuit is an obstacle detector detecting circuit.

15. The vehicular warning system according to claim 14, wherein said at least one warning indicator is a light or auditory signal.

16. The vehicular warning system according to claim 14, wherein said at least one warning indicator is a horn.

17. The vehicular warning system according to claim 14, wherein said at least one warning indicator is a high intensity light.

18. The vehicular warning system according to claim 13, wherein said hazard warning indicator is detectable internally.