Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators – External alarm or indicator of movement
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-23
2001-06-19
Wu, Daniel J. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Land vehicle alarms or indicators
External alarm or indicator of movement
C340S479000, C340S464000, C340S438000, C340S439000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06249219
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As the highways become more crowded, especially during rush hours, the potential for multi-car accidents increases. Most of this can be attributed to drivers in vehicles not being able to adequately assess how fast the vehicles in front of them are braking. Braking warning devices have been described in the art that provide this capability by a variety of different mechanisms. Many of these devices, however, do not provide the degree of resolution to aptly characterize the severity of braking, and in some cases, are susceptible to the vehicle's attitude (i.e. ascending or descending a hill).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a self-contained, severe braking warning system for vehicles that continuously measures a vehicle's rate of motion and, upon braking, affects the brake light circuit proportionately to the severity of deceleration. Specifically, in certain embodiments the invention comprises an accelerometer programmed to measure deceleration forces exerted on it by a moving vehicle. The accelerometer is programmed to transmit varying output signals correlating to the deceleration forces. The system further comprises a microprocessor electrically connected to the accelerometer. The microprocessor is programmed to monitor the varying output signals from the accelerometer, calculate g-forces at any given time based upon the varying output signals, and create an output signal having a frequency based upon the deceleration forces detected by the accelerometer. The system also comprises a switch, preferably a logic-actuated switch, that is electrically connected to the microprocessor and to the brake light circuit of the moving vehicle, the brake light circuit further connected to the vehicles brake light indicators. The switch is configured to receive the output signal created by the microprocessor and to subsequently turn the brake light circuit on and off at a programmed rate correlative to the deceleration forces, thereby causing the brake light indicators to blink on and off at the programmed rate. The switch is most preferably connected to the brake light circuit such that the switch will not impede the normal functioning of the vehicle's brake light indicators during normal braking, or in the event the inventive warning system fails to operate properly or at all.
The severe braking warning system of the present invention is an improvement over existing and prior art systems in that it is designed for integration within a vehicle's computer during manufacture. Alternatively, the present invention may easily be added to an existing vehicle post-manufacture. The present invention provides an improved degree of resolution that more accurately characterizes the severity of braking in a particular situation and is not susceptible to the vehicle's attitude (i.e. climbing or descending a hill). The present invention employs a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer that, together with a microprocessor, continuously monitors the vehicles acceleration state, to provide deceleration gradients greater than {fraction (1/10)} of gravity. The present invention further interfaces with existing vehicle lighting and thus does not require any additional operational training by the driver.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3846749 (1974-11-01), Curry
patent: 4357594 (1982-11-01), Ehrlich et al.
patent: 5059947 (1991-10-01), Chen
patent: 5111181 (1992-05-01), Priesemuth
patent: 5148147 (1992-09-01), Kobres
patent: 5220307 (1993-06-01), May et al.
patent: 5309141 (1994-05-01), Mason et al.
patent: 5459449 (1995-10-01), Ravas, Jr. et al.
patent: 5736926 (1998-04-01), Winholtz
patent: 5801624 (1998-09-01), Tilly et al.
patent: 5821851 (1998-10-01), Blackmer
patent: 5828138 (1998-10-01), McIver et al.
patent: 5969602 (1999-10-01), Marks
patent: 6020814 (2000-02-01), Robert
Corzilius Brian S.
Perez Luis A.
Barrow Laura G.
Nguyen Tai T.
Wu Daniel J.
LandOfFree
Severe braking warning system for vehicles does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Severe braking warning system for vehicles, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Severe braking warning system for vehicles will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2490234