Communications: electrical – External condition vehicle-mounted indicator or alarm
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-24
2001-05-22
Pope, Daryl (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
External condition vehicle-mounted indicator or alarm
C340S905000, C340S902000, C340S903000, C340S904000, C340S906000, C455S039000, C455S039000, C455S059000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236336
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
Applicants' invention relates to a vehicular traffic information system which warns, or otherwise advises, motorists of various traffic hazards and conditions in their particular operating vicinity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various systems have been proposed to inform motorists of traffic hazards. Some systems use modulated carrier signals to convey traffic information. Others, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,148 assigned to the assignee of the present invention, use unmodulated carrier signals to convey traffic information.
Regardless of the type of system used, a problem exists in that the traffic information being communicated may either become distorted or otherwise compromised by interference from nearby signals, such as police radar. The present invention is provided to solve this and other problems while at the same time simply accomplishing these objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a traffic information warning system for conveying traffic information from a traffic advisory site. The traffic advisory site may comprise an emergency vehicle, a roadside hazard, or the like.
In accordance with the invention, the system comprises a transmitter adapted for placement at the advisory site and a receiver.
The transmitter includes an oscillator for transmitting a first carrier signal and a second signal. The first carrier signal has a first carrier frequency and the second carrier signal has a second carrier frequency. The first and second carrier frequencies are within a range of frequencies. The transmitter further has a modulator for modulating the first carrier signal with a modulating signal reflective of a traffic situation. The second carrier signal is an unmodulated signal. The first carrier frequency and the second carrier frequency are spaced apart by a predetermined frequency difference (PDF). The particular message transmitted is defined both by PDF, as well as by the modulating signal.
The receiver includes scanning circuitry, in the form of a programmed microprocessor, for scanning across a predetermined frequency range to detect the first and second detected carrier signals within the range of frequencies. The receiver determines the frequency difference of two carrier signals. The receiver further includes a demodulator for retrieving a first retrieved modulating signal about the first detected carrier signal. The receiver demodulates the first retrieved modulating signal for use as additional messages. The receiver also includes means for announcing a message regarding the traffic situation. It is contemplated that the announcing means includes a visual display, an audible device, or both.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
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International Search Report mailed May 13, 1999 for PCT/US98/27823.
Oliva David C.
Thistlethwaite Phillip
Cobra Electronics Corp.
Pope Daryl
Wallenstein & Wagner Ltd.
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