Proximity alert system

• US 9,481,300 B1
• Filed: 11/05/2015
• Issued: 11/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christopher A. Lutawan
• Original Assignee: Christopher A. Lutawan
• Inventors: Lutawan, Christopher A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai
• Application Number:
  US14/933,051
• Time in Patent Office: 362 Days
• Field of Search: 340/435, 340/436, 340/438, 340/540, 340/541, 701/23, 701/36, 438/148
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/25 to the sides of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/30 providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/205 using a head-up display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/70 characterised by an event-triggered choice to display a specific image among a selection of captured images
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/042 using inductive or magnetic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A proximity alert system includes a vehicle that may be driven on a roadway. A proximity alert is coupled to the vehicle and the proximity alert detects obstacles around the vehicle when the vehicle is driven on the roadway. The proximity alert is electrically coupled to the turn signal such that the proximity alert is turned on when the turn signal is actuated. The proximity alert generates an alarm sequence when the turn signal is actuated and the proximity alert detects the obstacle. Thus, the proximity alert alerts a driver of the vehicle to the presence of the obstacles when the vehicle changes lanes on the roadway. The proximity alert generates an all clear sequence when the turn signal is actuated and the proximity alert does not detect the obstacle. Thus, the proximity alert facilitates the driver to safely change lanes on the roadway.

Claims

1. A proximity alert system comprising:

a vehicle being configured to be driven on a roadway, said vehicle has a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a dashboard, a windshield, a turn signal and an audible alarm; and

a proximity alert being coupled to said vehicle wherein said proximity alert is configured to detect obstacles around said vehicle when said vehicle is driven on the roadway, said proximity alert being electrically coupled to said turn signal such that said proximity alert is turned on when said turn signal is actuated, said proximity alert generating an alarm sequence when said turn signal is actuated and said proximity alert detects the obstacle wherein said proximity alert is configured to alert a driver of the vehicle to a presence of the obstacles when said vehicle changes lanes on the roadway, said proximity alert generating an all clear sequence when said turn signal is actuated and said proximity alert does not detect the obstacle wherein said proximity alert is configured to facilitate the driver to safely change lanes on the roadway;

wherein;

said proximity alert comprises a control being coupled to said vehicle, said control including;

a processor being electrically coupled to said turn signal, said processor being electrically coupled to said audible alarm;

an electronic memory being electrically coupled to said processor, said electronic memory storing audio data, said audio data comprising a verbal all clear message and a verbal warning message; and

a pair of cameras, each of said cameras being coupled to said vehicle wherein each of said cameras is configured to monitor an area around said vehicle, each of said cameras being electrically coupled to said control, each of said cameras having a lens, said lens being directed away from said vehicle wherein each of said cameras is configured to capture video footage of the area around said vehicle;

wherein each of said cameras includes a motion sensor, said motion sensor being positioned on said lens wherein said motion sensor is configured to detect the obstacles when said vehicle is driven on the roadway.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said pair of cameras comprises a first camera and a second camera, said first camera being positioned on said first lateral side, said second camera being positioned on said second lateral side.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said first camera is turned on when said turn signal is actuated to a left turn position, said processor generating said alert sequence when said motion sensor corresponding to said first camera detects the obstacle and said turn signal is actuated to said left turn position, said processor generating said all clear sequence when said first camera does not detect the obstacle and said turn signal is actuated to said left turn position.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein said second camera is turned on when said turn signal is actuated to a right turn position, said processor generating said alert sequence when said motion sensor corresponding to said second camera detects the obstacle and said turn signal is actuated to said right turn position, said processor generating said all clear sequence when said second camera does not detect the obstacles and said turn signal is actuated to said right turn position.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a projector being coupled to said dashboard, said projector selectively projecting an image onto said windshield wherein said image is configured to be visible to the driver, said projector being electrically coupled to said processor.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein:

said proximity alert includes a pair of cameras;

said projector displays an image captured by said cameras when said processor generates said alarm sequence and when said processor generates said all clear sequence, said audible alarm emitting said verbal warning message when said processor generates said alarm sequence, said audible alarm emitting said verbal all clear message when said processor generates said all clear sequence.

7. A proximity alert system comprising:

a vehicle being configured to be driven on a roadway, said vehicle having a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a dashboard, a windshield, a turn signal and an audible alarm; and

a proximity alert being coupled to said vehicle wherein said proximity alert is configured to detect obstacles around said vehicle when said vehicle is driven on the roadway, said proximity alert being electrically coupled to said turn signal such that said proximity alert is turned on when said turn signal is actuated, said proximity alert generating an alarm sequence when said turn signal is actuated and said proximity alert detects the obstacle wherein said proximity alert is configured to alert a driver of the vehicle to a presence of the obstacles when said vehicle changes lanes on the roadway, said proximity alert generating an all clear sequence when said turn signal is actuated and said proximity alert does not detect the obstacle wherein said proximity alert is configured to facilitate the driver to safely change lanes on the roadway, said proximity alert comprising;

a control being coupled to said vehicle, said control including;

a processor being electrically coupled to said turn signal, said processor being electrically coupled to said audible alarm, and

an electronic memory being electrically coupled to said processor, said electronic memory storing audio data, said audio data comprising a verbal all clear message and a warning message,

a pair of cameras, each of said cameras being coupled to said vehicle wherein each of said cameras is configured to monitor an area around said vehicle, each of said cameras being electrically coupled to said control, each of said cameras having a lens, said lens being directed away from said vehicle wherein each of said cameras is configured to capture video footage of the area around said vehicle, each of said cameras including a motion sensor, said motion sensor being positioned on said lens wherein said motion sensor is configured to detect the obstacles when said vehicle is driven on the roadway, said pair of cameras comprising a first camera and a second camera, said first camera being positioned on said first lateral side, said second camera being positioned on said second lateral side, said first camera being turned on when said turn signal is actuated to a left turn position, said processor generating said alert sequence when said motion sensor corresponding to said first camera detects the obstacle and said turn signal is actuated to said left turn position, said processor generating said all clear sequence when said first camera does not detect the obstacle and said turn signal is actuated to said left turn position, said second camera being turned on when said turn signal is actuated to a right turn position, said processor generating said alert sequence when said motion sensor corresponding to said second camera detects the obstacle and said turn signal is actuated to said right turn position, said processor generating said all clear sequence when said second camera does not detect the obstacles and said turn signal is actuated to said right turn position, and

a projector being coupled to said dashboard, said projector selectively projecting an image onto said windshield wherein said image is configured to be visible to the driver, said projector being electrically coupled to said processor, said projector displaying an image captured by said cameras when said processor generates said alarm sequence and when said processor generates said all clear sequence, said audible alarm emitting said verbal warning message when said processor generates said alarm sequence, said audible alarm emitting said verbal all clear message when said processor generates said all clear sequence.