Apparatus for monitoring traffic signals and alerting drivers

• US 6,985,073 B1
• Filed: 12/20/2004
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Duc Doan
• Original Assignee: Duc Doan
• Inventors: Doan, Duc
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUNG
• Application Number:
  US11/015,893
• Time in Patent Office: 386 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/457, 340/474, 340/426.19, 340/901, 340/907, 340/942, 356/218, 356/401, 250/206, 250/208.1, 362/487
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/535 to prevent rear-end collisions, e.g. by indicating safety distance at the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages

Abstract

The invention provides traffic safety apparatus including light-to-frequency converters for monitoring the status of traffic signals and tail lights of same lane close proximity preceding vehicles and when dangerous or potentially dangerous conditions are detected, visually and/or audibly providing an alert signal to the driver. The monitored information can be real-time recorded in the drivers vehicle and if desired, transmitted by wireless to off-vehicle receivers. Recording the information in the vehicle establishes an operational history that can be important for such uses as accident reconstruction, whereas information transmitted by wireless can be recorded by entities such as law enforcement, thereby adding an additional measure of traffic safety as well as providing documentation of driving infractions.

Claims

1. Vehicle safety apparatus for monitoring traffic lights comprising:

a) color detection means for detection of traffic light colors red, yellow and green;

b) a plurality of warning devices including visual display means and an audio speaker;

c) color-to-frequency converter means for converting said traffic light colors to respective electronic frequencies; and

d) processor controller means for processing said frequencies to produce signals for activating said warning devices to alert the vehicle driver of unsafe traffic conditions depending on the color detected by said color detection means; and

e) wherein said warning devices are activated when said color detection means detects the color red.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said color detection means includes at least one photodiode array for detection of said traffic light colors.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 configured to activate said warning devices when the color green is not detected by said color detection means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further including color detection means for monitoring the tail light colors of immediately preceding vehicles, converting said tail light colors to respective electronic frequencies and processing the resultant frequencies to alert the vehicle driver of unsafe traffic conditions depending on the color detected by said color detection means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a data recorder for accessible storing of processed information and wireless means for transmitting said processed information for reception by receivers exterior of the vehicle.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a real-time video recording device located interior of said vehicle for monitoring said driver and a global positioning device for determining location of said vehicle.

7. A vehicle safety mechanism comprising:

a) photodiode color scanner means for detecting selected colors;

b) a color-to-frequency converter for converting said colors into respective electronic frequencies;

c) a microcontroller for processing said respective frequencies and generating signals indicative of said colors;

d) visual display means for alerting the driver of said vehicle of unsafe traffic conditions depending on the color detected by said photodiode color scanner means; and

e) wherein said photodiode color scanner means detects sequential traffic stop light colors and the tail light colors of immediately preceding vehicles.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said warning devices are activated when said color detection means detects the color red.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 configured to activate said warning devices when the color green is not detected by said color detection means.

10. The mechanism of claim 7 further including audio means for alerting the driver of unsafe traffic conditions.

11. The mechanism of claim 7 further including recording means for storing said frequency processed signals indicative of said colors and wireless radio means for transmitting said signals.

12. Vehicular apparatus for monitoring and dissemination of vehicular traffic light information, comprising:

means for monitoring traffic light colors from at least one monitoring device;

means for converting said traffic light colors to respective electronic frequencies;

a microprocessor for processing said respective electronic frequencies for conformance with pre-selected requirements and transmitting anomaly signals to at least one display warning device configured and located for alerting the driver of the vehicle depending on the color detected by said means for monitoring traffic light colors; and

wherein said at least one warning device is activated when said means for monitoring traffic light colors detects the color red.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 configured to activate said at least one warning device when the color green is not detected by said means for monitoring traffic light colors.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said traffic light colors include traffic stop light colors, and tail light colors of immediately preceding vehicles.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said apparatus includes an accessible storage medium for storing processed color detected information and wireless transmission of said information for observer cognizance exterior of said vehicle.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said at least one of monitoring device is a real-time video recording device located interior of said vehicle.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 further including a global positioning device for determining location of said vehicle.

18. Traffic apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

scanner means for detecting selected colors;

means for converting said colors into respective electronic frequencies;

means for processing said frequencies and generating electronic signals indicative of said colors;

warning device means responsive to said electronic signals for alerting the driver of said vehicle of unsafe traffic conditions depending on the color detected by said scanner means; and

wherein said scanner means detects sequential traffic stop light colors and said warning device means is activated when said scanner means does not detect a safe passage color.

19. The traffic apparatus of claim 18 wherein said safe passage color is green.

20. The traffic apparatus of claim 18 wherein said scanner means detects the tail light colors of immediately preceding vehicles and said warning device means is activated when said scanner means detects an unsafe tail light color.

21. The traffic apparatus of claim 20 wherein said unsafe tail light color is red.

22. The traffic apparatus of claim 18 wherein said apparatus includes means for storing processed color detected information and means for wireless transmission of said information exterior of said vehicle.