Brake warning method and system

• US 6,351,211 B1
• Filed: 01/25/2000
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: M & P Ventures Incorporated
• Original Assignee: M&P Ventures Incorporated
• Inventors: Bussard, W. Brooks
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG T
• Application Number:
  US09/490,508
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 340/467, 340/468, 340/453, 340/479, 340/471, 340/472, 340/441, 340/466, 340/438
• US Class Current: 340/468
• 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

Abstract

A described embodiment of the invention is known as a brake strobe system (BSS) providing a state of the art visual warning system designed to prevent accidents and multi-car pileups. When a driver quickly and forcefully applies his brakes, a strobe light (which is built into the third brake light or all brake lights) is activated. The harder a driver brakes, the faster and brighter the strobe blinks, thereby warning other drivers of potential hazards. The BSS also has the ability to brighten or dim the strobe to compensate for weather and day or night driving conditions. It also has the ability to change modes or presets according to the speed of the vehicle. In the event that a car'"'"'s airbag deploys, the brake strobe system will automatically activate to warn other drivers and alert emergency response personnel. Also included is a manual on/off feature to augment the car'"'"'s hazard lights (which vary in speed and intensity according to the vehicle'"'"'s speed) and provide better visibility and safety for roadside stops or other emergencies. Since the strobe is activated when the hazards are on or the airbag is deployed, it will also trigger the optional audible alert system.

Claims

1. A braking force warning system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a braking force sensor for sensing braking force of the vehicle, the braking force sensor providing a braking force signal indicating the rate of braking force of the vehicle;

a processor circuit connected to receive the braking force signal, the processor circuit providing a digital signal having a frequency varying in response to the braking force signal; and

an illumination device connected to receive the digital signal and provide a visual indication of the rate of deceleration of the motor vehicle, the illumination device illuminating at the frequency of the digital signal, wherein the processor dims or brightens the light provided by the illumination device in response to signals indicating proximity, weather, night time, fog or rain, and wherein the illumination device is dimmed in response to detection of a trailing vehicle in close proximity as determined by the proximity signal.

2. A braking force warning system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a braking force sensor for sensing braking force of the vehicle, the braking force sensor providing a braking force signal indicating the rate of braking force of the vehicle;

a processor circuit connected to receive the braking force signal, the processor circuit providing a digital signal having a frequency varying in response to the braking force signal; and

an illumination device connected to receive the digital signal and provide a visual indication of the rate of deceleration of the motor vehicle, the illumination device illuminating at the frequency of the digital signal, wherein the processor dims or brightens the light provided by the illumination device in response to signals indicating proximity, weather, night time, fog or rain, and wherein at least one brake light on the vehicle is dimmed in response to detection of a trailing vehicle in close proximity as determined by the proximity signal.

3. A braking force warning system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a braking force sensor for sensing braking force of the vehicle, the braking force sensor providing a braking force signal indicating the rate of braking force of the vehicle;

a processor circuit connected to receive the braking force signal, the processor circuit providing a digital signal having a frequency varying in response to the braking force signal; and

an illumination device connected to receive the digital signal and provide a visual indication of the rate of deceleration of the motor vehicle, the illumination device illuminating at the frequency of the digital signal, wherein the illumination device provides a warning signal if a hazard light is illuminated in the vehicle, and wherein the frequency and amplitude of the signal provided to the illumination device when the hazard lights are illuminated is varied in relation to the speed of the vehicle.