Vehicle hazard warning system

• US 6,690,291 B1
• Filed: 04/21/2000
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Prodesign Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Prodesign Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: McAlpine, Donald L., Cardillo, Alfredo
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/553,816
• Time in Patent Office: 1,390 Days
• Field of Search: 340/901, 340/902, 340/904, 340/905, 340/936, 340/935, 340/539
• US Class Current: 340/901
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0058 responsive to externally generated signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/18 including a device to audibly, visibly, or otherwise signal the existence of unusual or unintended speed to the driver of the vehicle devices primarily intended for indicating speed to other traffic B60Q1/54
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/00 Input parameters relating to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/146 Speed limiting
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0965 responding to signals from another vehicle, e.g. emergency vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096758 where no selection takes place on the transmitted or the received information
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element

Abstract

A road hazard warning system provides a warning to a motorist driving a vehicle of a stationary or moving hazard. A warning system includes a transmitter located near the road hazard that generates a radio frequency (RF) warning signal. A receiver is located in the vehicle and receives the RF warning signal. A receiver is located in the vehicle and receives the RF warning signal. The receiver is preferably integrated with an electronic device associated with the vehicle. The electronic device is at least one of a vehicle radio system, a tape player, a compact disc player, a television, an in-car computer, a video game, a telephone, and a global positioning system. The electronic device generates a warning output signal to a speaker or a display when the RF warning signal is detected by the receiver. A vehicle electronics interface is connected to the electronic device and provides a vehicle speed signal to the electronic device. The RF warning system contains data specifying a localized temporary speed limit. The electronic device compares the localized temporary speed limit with the vehicle speed signal and generates a second warning output signal with the vehicle speed signal and generates a second warning output signal if the vehicle speed exceeds the temporary speed limit. A vehicle speed controller is connected to the electronic device and reduces the vehicle speed if the vehicle speed exceeds the localized temporary speed limit.

Claims

1. A system for providing a warning of a road hazard to a motorist driving a vehicle, comprising:

a transmitter located near said road hazard that generates a radio frequency (RF) warning signal;

a receiver located in said vehicle that receives said RF warning signal directly from said transmitter; and

an electronic device connected to said receiver and located in said vehicle that generates a warning output signal to one of an audio and visual output device connected to said electronic device when said RF warning signal is detected by said receiver, wherein said electronic device is at least one of a vehicle radio system, a tape player, a compact disc player, a television, an in-car computer, a video game, a telephone, and a global positioning system,

wherein said receiver and said electronic device form an integrated circuit;

a processor, an input/output (I/O) interface and memory connected to said electronic device; and

a direction indicator connected to said processor for generating at least one of an audio signal and a visual signal that indicates a location of said road hazard relative to said vehicle.

2. The warning system of claim 1 further comprising:

a vehicle electronics interface connected to said I/O interface for generating a vehicle speed signal.

3. The warning system of claim 1 wherein said road hazard is at least one of a fire truck, a police vehicle, an ambulance, a school zone, a school bus, a construction site, a delivery vehicle, a repair vehicle, and an accident scene.

4. The warning system of claim 2 wherein said RF warning signal contains data specifying a localized temporary speed limit, and wherein said processor decodes said localized temporary speed limit from said data.

5. The warning system of claim 3 wherein said processor compares said localized temporary speed limit with said vehicle speed signal and generates a second warning output signal to notify said motorist that said vehicle speed exceeds said localized temporary speed limit.

6. The warning system of claim 4 further comprising

a vehicle speed controller connected to said processor wherein the processor reduces said vehicle speed if said vehicle speed exceeds said localized temporary speed limit.

7. The warning system of claim 1 wherein said direction indicator includes a plurality of antennas connected to said receiver and said processor.

8. The warning system of claim 1 wherein said RF warning signal specifies one of a plurality of different warning levels.

9. The warning system of claim 8 wherein said electronic device outputs a plurality of different output signals based on said one of said plurality of different warning signals.

10. The warning system of claim 1 wherein said electronic device is a cellular telephone, and wherein an antenna of said cellular telephone receives said RF warning signals.

11. A system for providing a warning of a road hazard to a motorist driving a vehicle, comprising:

a transmitter located near said road hazard that generates a radio frequency (RF) warning signal;

a first receiver located in said vehicle that receives said RF warning signal directly from said transmitter; and

a radio system, located in said vehicle and including a processor, a second receiver, and an audio speaker, that receives RF signals and generates audio signals having volume level,

wherein when said first receiver detects said RF warning signal, said processor of said radio system lowers said volume level; and

a direction indicator connected to one of said first receiver and said radio system, wherein when said first receiver detects said RF warning signal, said direction indicator provides an output signal that indicates a direction of said hazard relative to said vehicle.

12. The hazard warning system of claim 11 wherein when said first receiver detects said RF warning signal, said processor generates an audible warning signal after lowering said volume to alert said motorist of said road hazard.