Absolute acceleration sensor for use within moving vehicles

• US 9,643,538 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2015
• Issued: 05/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Original Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Inventors: Braunberger, Alfred S., Braunberger, Beau M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arthur Jeanglaud, Gertrude
• Application Number:
  US14/807,688
• Publication Number:
  US 20160152181A1
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 701 1, 701 70, 701301
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/104 lateral or transversal with regard to vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/447 with indication of the braking strength or speed changes, e.g. by changing the shape or intensity of the indication
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/14 by making use of gyroscopes gyroscopes per se G01C19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/162 event-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A communication system for a vehicle includes a vehicle speed sensor configured to emit a periodic function with a parameter correlated to the speed of the vehicle, an acceleration monitoring system, a braking system engagement detector to detect a braking status of the vehicle, an alerting device capable of signaling other drivers of a deceleration condition of the vehicle, and a control device. The acceleration monitoring system is configured to compute the acceleration of the vehicle from variations in the parameter of the periodic function of the vehicle speed sensor and to output a deceleration status of the vehicle. The control device is coupled to the acceleration monitoring system, the braking system engagement detector, and the alerting device, wherein the acceleration monitoring system sends signals to the control device and the control device operates the alerting device in a manner dependent on the deceleration status of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A collision avoidance device for a vehicle comprising:

a. a monitoring system for calculating an absolute acceleration of the vehicle;

b. a communication device that transmits a non-visible communications signal to proximate vehicles in proximity of the vehicle, the communications signal comprising a deceleration status of the vehicle; and

c. a control device that receives a signal from the monitoring system and operates the communication device in a manner dependent upon a deceleration status of the vehicle.

2. The collision avoidance device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring system receives a signal from a vehicle speed sensor based upon a speed of the vehicle.

3. The collision avoidance device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring system further comprises an acceleration monitoring system.

4. The collision avoidance device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring system further comprises an accelerometer-gyroscopic sensor.

5. The collision avoidance device of claim 1, wherein the device is installed within the vehicle as original equipment.

6. The collision avoidance device of claim 1, wherein the communications signal comprises non-visible radiation.

7. The collision avoidance device of claim 6, wherein the non-visible radiation is one of infrared and radio frequency.

8. The collision avoidance device of claim 1, comprising a braking engagement detector.

9. The collision avoidance device of claim 8, wherein the communications signal is only emitted if the braking system is not engaged.

10. The collision avoidance device of claim 1, further comprising a throttle engagement detector.

11. The collision avoidance device of claim 10, wherein the communications signal is only emitted if the throttle is not engaged.

12. A collision avoidance system for a vehicle comprising:

a. a monitoring device for calculating a deceleration of the vehicle;

b. a communication device that transmits a non-visible communications signal to a nearby vehicle that the vehicle is decelerating; and

c. a control device that receives a signal from the monitoring device and operates the communication device based upon the deceleration of the vehicle,

wherein the collision avoidance system is configured as an after-market accessory for the vehicle.

13. The collision avoidance system of claim 12, wherein the signal comprises non-visible radiation.

14. The collision avoidance system of claim 13, wherein the non-visible radiation is one of infrared and radio frequency.

15. The collision avoidance system of claim 12, wherein the signal is only emitted if the braking system is not engaged.

16. The collision avoidance system of claim 12, further comprising detecting an engagement of a throttle.

17. The collision avoidance system of claim 16, wherein the signal is only emitted if the throttle is not engaged.

18. The collision avoidance system of claim 12, wherein the absolute acceleration of the vehicle is calculated by an acceleration monitoring system.

19. The collision avoidance system of claim 12, wherein the absolute acceleration of the vehicle is calculated by an accelerometer-gyroscopic sensor.

20. A method of communication between a plurality of vehicles comprising:

a. sensing a deceleration of a first vehicle;

b. based upon the deceleration of the first vehicle, emitting a non-visible signal, wherein the non-visible signal comprises a deceleration status of the vehicle;

c. receiving the signal at a second proximate vehicle in proximity to the first vehicle; and

e. generating an alert at the second proximate vehicle in order to indicate the deceleration status.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the signal comprises non-visible radiation.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the non-visible radiation is one of infrared and radio frequency.