Vehicle blind spot occupation warning system

• US 7,965,197 B1
• Filed: 02/07/2008
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eric D. Engelmann
• Original Assignee: Eric D. Engelmann
• Inventors: Engelmann, Eric D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Previl; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/012,807
• Time in Patent Office: 1,230 Days
• Field of Search: 340/903, 340/933, 340942-943, 340437-439, 340/441, 340445-436, 701/1, 701/96, 701/300
• US Class Current: 340/903
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0023 the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A vehicle blind spot occupation warning system includes a vehicle that has a front end, a rear end, a first lateral side and a second lateral side. A first rear view mirror is mounted on the first lateral side and a second rear view mirror is mounted on the second lateral side. A pair of heat detecting sensors is provided. Each of the first and second lateral sides has one of the sensors attached thereto and the sensors are positioned adjacent to the rear end. The heat detecting sensors detect heat from vehicles positioned at least within 30 feet laterally and rearwardly of the first and second lateral sides. At least one light emitter is in communication with the heat detecting sensors and emits light when the first or second sensor detects heat.

Claims

1. A warning system to detect vehicles in a driver'"'"'s blind spot, said warning system including:

a vehicle having a front end, a rear end, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, a first rear view mirror being mounted on said first lateral side, a second rear view mirror being mounted on said second lateral side;

a pair of heat detecting sensors, each of said first and second lateral sides having one of said heat detecting sensors attached thereto, each of said heat detecting sensors being positioned adjacent to said rear end, said heat detecting sensors detecting heat from vehicles positioned at least within 30 feet laterally and rearwardly of said first and second lateral sides; and

a first light emitter being in communication with a first sensor of said pair of heat detecting sensors and emitting light when said first sensor detects heat, a second light emitter being in communication with a second sensor of said pair of heat detecting sensors and emitting light when said second sensor detects heat, said first light emitter being mounted on said first rear view mirror, said second light emitter being mounted on said second rear view mirror.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second sensors including a transmitter, each of said first and second light emitters including a receiver to receive a wireless signal from a corresponding one of said first and second sensors.

3. The system according to claim 1, further including a pair of clips, each of said first and second light emitters having one of said clips attached thereto, said clips releasably securing said first and second light emitters to a corresponding one of said first and second rear view mirrors.

4. The system according to claim 1, further including an actuator being electrically coupled to said first and second light emitters, said actuator being actuated to turn said first and second light emitters on or off.

5. A warning system to detect vehicles in a driver'"'"'s blind spot, said warning system including:

a vehicle having a front end, a rear end, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, a first rear view mirror being mounted on said first lateral side, a second rear view mirror being mounted on said second lateral side;

a pair of heat detecting sensors, each of said first and second lateral sides having one of said heat detecting sensors attached thereto, each of said heat detecting sensors being positioned adjacent to said rear end, said heat detecting sensors detecting heat from vehicles positioned at least within 30 feet laterally and rearwardly of said first and second lateral sides;

a first light emitter being in communication with a first sensor of said pair of heat detecting sensors and emitting light when said first sensor detects heat, a second light emitter being in communication with a second sensor of said pair of heat detecting sensors and emitting light when said second sensor detects heat, said first light emitter being mounted on said first rear view mirror, said second light emitter being mounted on said second rear view mirror;

each of said first and second sensors including a transmitter, each of said first and second light emitters including a receiver to receive a wireless signal from a corresponding one of said first and second sensors;

a pair of clips, each of said first and second light emitters having one of said clips attached thereto, said clips releasably securing said first and second light emitters to a corresponding one of said first and second rear view mirrors; and

an actuator being electrically coupled to said first and second light emitters, said actuator being actuated to turn said first and second light emitters on or off.

6. A warning system to detect vehicles in a driver'"'"'s blind spot, said warning system including:

a vehicle having a front end, a rear end, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, a first rear view mirror being mounted on said first lateral side, a second rear view mirror being mounted on said second lateral side;

a pair of heat detecting sensors, each of said first and second lateral sides having one of said heat detecting sensors attached thereto, each of said heat detecting sensors being positioned adjacent to said rear end, said heat detecting sensors detecting heat from vehicles positioned at least within 30 feet laterally and rearwardly of said first and second lateral sides;

at least one light emitter being in communication with said heat detecting sensors and emitting light when said first or second sensor detects heat; and

a clip being attached to said at least one light emitter, said clip being coupled to rear view mirror mounted within the vehicle.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein each of said first and second sensors including a transmitter, said at least one light emitter including a receiver to receive a wireless signal from said first and second sensors.

8. The system according to claim 6, further including a sound emitter being in communication with said heat detecting sensors and emitting an audible sound when one of said heat detecting sensors detects heat.

9. The system according to claim 8, further including an actuator being electrically coupled to said at least one light emitter and said sound emitter to turn said at least one light emitter and said sound emitter on or off.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein each of said first and second sensors including a transmitter, said at least one light emitter including a receiver to receive a wireless signal from said first and second sensors.