Acceleration Or Deceleration Patents (Class 340/467)
  • Patent number: 8405516
    Abstract: A method executes a gyroscope function to unlock a portable electronic device. A user can rotate the portable electronic device to set a predetermined rotation direction and a predetermined rotation angle for unlocking the portable electronic device. In an unlock procedure, the gyroscope detects the rotated portable electronic device and outputs detected information of the portable electronic device. If the rotation direction and the rotation angle are the same as the predetermined rotation direction and the predetermined rotation angle, the locked portable electronic device is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Po-Tai Huang, Chia-Hui Liao
  • Patent number: 8400286
    Abstract: A spacer lamp in passenger and/or goods traffic, with a light field which dispenses light according to an illuminating configuration, wherein the light field 6 has a first and a second light source, and a control unit is provided for controlling the illumination configuration of the light field, wherein the light field 6 has a first illuminating characteristic for the eye of an average adult as he approaches the light field until a predefined spacing depending on a configuration parameter is reached, and has a second illuminating characteristic different from the first one if the spacing falls short of the predefined spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gereon Johannes Pusch
  • Patent number: 8395522
    Abstract: Disclosed are an information display apparatus and a method thereof capable of allowing a user to conveniently and safely drive by displaying a sender's information corresponding to a call signal, on a windshield of a vehicle, through a display unit such as a Head-Up Display (HUD) or a projector, if the vehicle is in a running state when the call signal is received. The information display apparatus comprises a communication unit configured to receive a call signal, and a controller configured to detect a vehicle speed when the call signal is received, and configured to display a sender's information corresponding to the call signal, on a display unit, based on the vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Donguke Kweon
  • Patent number: 8358207
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for pre-attentively communicating information to a driver of a vehicle. The system includes, but is not limited to a vehicle having a passenger compartment and an illumination component mounted within the passenger compartment. The illumination component is positioned to be peripherally visible to the driver as the driver looks in the direction of vehicle travel. An electronic processing device is operatively connected to the illumination component and is configured to control illumination of the illumination component in a manner that corresponds to a condition of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John K. Lenneman, Joseph F. Szczerba
  • Patent number: 8332117
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an acceleration control apparatus, according to which accuracy for feed-forward torque may not be decreased even when a calculating accuracy for an estimated-slope torque would be decreased. Reliability of estimated slope is calculated and feedback torque is corrected, in such a manner that a gain for a feedback control portion is increased when the reliability of the estimated slope becomes lower. It is, therefore, possible to compensate a possible decrease of the accuracy of the feed-forward torque by correcting the feedback torque in accordance with the reliability of the estimated slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: Advics Co., Ltd., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masatoshi Hanzawa, Masayoshi Takeda, Hiroyuki Kodama, Hajime Kumabe
  • Patent number: 8305205
    Abstract: A vehicle display device is arranged in a vehicle having an idling stop function that automatically stops an engine when the vehicle temporarily stops. The device includes a control unit that calculates a deviation of a current instant fuel consumption with respect to an average fuel consumption in a past predetermined period of the vehicle; and a fuelometer that indicates fuel consumption information representing whether a current driving state of the vehicle decreases the average fuel consumption. When the vehicle is in the idling stop state, the fuelometer indicates that the deviation is 0 regardless of the instant fuel consumption and the average fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouji Kaneda
  • Patent number: 8294564
    Abstract: An acceleration communication system may communicate acceleration information about a vehicle to person not in the vehicle. A lighting system may be configured to be attached to the outside of the vehicle. An acceleration detector may be configured to detect acceleration of the vehicle. A light controller may be configured to cause the lighting system to illuminate when acceleration of the vehicle is detected by the acceleration detector. A deceleration detector may be configured to detect deceleration of the vehicle. The light controller may be configured to cause the lighting system to illuminate when deceleration of the vehicle is detected by the deceleration detector in a manner that is different than when acceleration of the vehicle is detected by the acceleration detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Forcelights, LLC
    Inventors: Sunny P. Smith, Gene Y. Fridman
  • Patent number: 8285474
    Abstract: Enabled is to lighten the load on a rider and to make the rider senses a turning state at the turning time of a transverse two-wheeled vehicle. A transverse acceleration (a) at a turn controlling time is detected to make a next inclination control in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration. (a) In the case of an acceleration (a)?a predetermined threshold (a0), the vehicle is left uninclined to prevent the vehicle body from being unnecessarily inclined and rocked against a small centrifugal force, thereby to improve the riding comfortableness. (b) In the case of the acceleration (a)>the threshold (a0), a riding portion is inclined such that the inclination angle ?1 may become the larger as the acceleration (a) becomes the higher. This can reduce the load on the rider against the centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Equos Research
    Inventor: Katsunori Doi
  • Publication number: 20120218098
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing deceleration rate information of a user operating a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a unit including an accelerometer, a processor, and a lighting mechanism. The processor receives from the accelerometer deceleration info of the vehicle and variably adjusts at least one aspect of the lighting mechanism, thereby quantitatively signaling the deceleration rate to a driver of a following vehicle. The unit may be mounted on an article of clothing, a bag, or the vehicle itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Mohammad Faizal Ali, Randall Jay Redding
  • Patent number: 8198995
    Abstract: A control circuit for activating at least one emergency light when a vehicle's brakes are applied is described. The control circuit includes a pressure switch configured to selectively couple a power source and an electronically-operated actuator to facilitate selectively energizing the electronically-operated actuator. The electronically-operated actuator includes at least one contact set configured to couple the power source to the at least one emergency light when the electronically-operated actuator is not energized. The control circuit also includes a manual reset circuit coupled to the pressure switch and to the electronically-operated actuator. The manual reset circuit configured to facilitate energizing the electronically-operated actuator upon receipt of an operator input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Henry Gross, Ronald David Bauerle
  • Patent number: 8144004
    Abstract: The embodiments of the invention are directed to a method and apparatus to generate pulsing lights where parameters such as frequency, degree of brightness, and the number of pulses vary depending on the duration of the brake pedal application, the time interval between consecutive brake applications, and the deceleration rate of the vehicle, as well as optionally its distance from other vehicles. The brake light control system incorporates a microprocessor having multiple inputs, including a brake pedal sensor, and its output connected via an amplifying circuit to the lights. Other inputs of the microprocessor include a deceleration sensor, a distance sensor, and an optional manual pushbutton or switch located within the driver's reach. The lights controlled by the system may include brake lights, emergency lights, or additional lights shaped into a warning triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: BLC Paws, LLC
    Inventors: Waldemar Polak, Adam Polak, J. Lee Edwards, Piotr Folkert, M. Lee Jones
  • Patent number: 8125327
    Abstract: Vehicle brake lights, hazard lights, bicycle lights, and safety lights for pedestrians, walkers, and runners. The human eye perceives light differently depending on its frequency (or wavelength) relative to the condition or degree of ambient lighting. Moreover, the human visual system perceives changes more readily than a static scene or state. Additionally, light in the green/blue part of the visual spectrum is perceived with much greater apparent intensity compared to red, particularly in low ambient light conditions. Accordingly, a lighting system and method that includes using brake lights that provide continuous changes in color during deceleration and, moreover, that uses blue, green, blue-green, yellow-green, and amber (or yellow) light or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Edward J. Ognibene
  • Patent number: 8125326
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for providing notification to the driver of a vehicle when the vehicle's speed exceeds the speed limit within a speed control zone. A vehicular speed control (VSC) utility retrieves information indicating the speed limit of the speed control zone from an information signal detected by a radio receiver. The receiver is electrically coupled to the speed sensor circuitry of the vehicle to track the vehicle's velocity. The VSC utility determines whether to activate a speed notification alarm by comparing the vehicle's velocity with the zone's speed limit. When the vehicle's velocity exceeds the speed limit of the speed control zone, the VSC utility triggers the alarm and alerts the driver of the excessive speed with an audible/visible notification. The VSC utility may re-trigger the alarm if the driver continues to exceed the speed limit while driving within close proximity of the speed control zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Greg Romp
  • Publication number: 20110267187
    Abstract: The present invention includes an illuminated sports insignia for a vehicle comprising: a sports insignia; a body portion, where said body portion is behind the sports insignia; a bulb within the body portion; and a plug extending from the body portion, where said plug provides a means to connect to a trailer hitch receptacle. In one particular embodiment, the illuminated sports insignia includes an oval shape. Alternatively, the illuminated sports insignia may include a rectangular, a square or an octagon shape. The illuminated sports insignia may be synced with the brake lights of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: STEVEN SWAN
  • Patent number: 8026801
    Abstract: A disclosed accelerator level display device 1 includes an accelerator level detection unit 12 configured to detect an accelerator level; a target accelerator level determining unit 14b configured to determine a target accelerator level for the accelerator level; and a display unit 15a, 20 configured to display a target accelerator level indicator corresponding to the target accelerator level and an accelerator level indicator corresponding to the detected accelerator level. The display unit is configured to display the target accelerator level indicator as a fixed value regardless of the target accelerator level determined by the target accelerator level determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kan Saito, Akito Adachi, Hatsuo Nakao, Hiroshi Tsujii, Osamu Komeda, Haruyuki Kodera
  • Patent number: 8005602
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle speed control device for controlling a speed of a vehicle. The vehicle speed control device includes a current location error estimation section for extracting area attribute information from the map information, for producing a location error probability distribution, a target speed calculation section for receiving the target speed correction instruction, for accessing preset data that shows an acceleration or a gradient of an acceleration which allows a driver not to feel uncomfortable, and for computing target speed values at nodes over the distance in such a way that the target speed values create a continuous curve, and a speed control section for sensing a speed of a vehicle, and for controlling a driving torque of the vehicle so that the sensed speed traces the continuous curve composed of the target speed values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Bando, Takeshi Inoue, Koichiro Tanikoshi, Masao Sakata, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Masato Imai
  • Patent number: 7982594
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for controllably illuminating automotive brake lights. In one embodiment, an automotive brake lighting system comprises a brake light including first and second light sources, a sensor to sense a level of an operating condition associated with at least one of a brake assembly or a brake pedal of a motor vehicle for illuminating the brake light, and a controller configured to monitor information provided by the sensor. The controller, in response to the level of the operating condition, selectively powers the at least one of the first or second light sources of the brake light based at least in part on the monitored information to generate a variable visual indication relating to braking of the motor vehicle from the brake light over a range of at least two different visual indications that indicate a variable braking rate of the motor vehicle over a corresponding range of at least two different braking rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Sanjeev Kumar Singh
  • Patent number: 7948366
    Abstract: A car speed alarm system is installed in a vehicle and has a modulation module and a demodulation module. The modulation module sends a car speed signal to cars behind when the car is decelerating. The cars behind use their demodulation module to read the transmitted car speed signal and notify their drivers, so that the drivers know how and when to reduce their speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventor: Shih-Hsiung Li
  • Patent number: 7944349
    Abstract: A vehicle deceleration warning apparatus is activated immediately when a driver of the vehicle intends to decelerate. The vehicle deceleration warning apparatus includes an ignition monitoring module, a first microprocessor module, a wireless transmitting module, a wireless receiving module, a second microprocessor module, and a display driving module. The ignition monitoring module receives an ignition signal and delivers it to the first microprocessor module. The first microprocessor module performs a calculation by adopting the ignition signal to generate a control signal. Then, the control signal is transmitted to the second microprocessor module wireless transmission. Finally, the second microprocessor module controls the display driving module to generate a display driving signal to a display device, such as a brake light and a warning lamp, so as to generate a warning light representing deceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: X Y E Computer Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Fu-Han Liu
  • Patent number: 7917269
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided that improves the riding comfort by decelerating before a level change, even when the speed of the vehicle is high, through deceleration control when a characteristic value, that represents the relationship between the speed and the vertical acceleration of a vehicle, exceeds a comfort demarcation line that indicates a critical value of comfort in passing over the level change. The vehicle control system includes a memory that stores level change information for level changes in a road; a vehicle speed detector; and a vehicle speed controller that calculates the characteristic value based on the detected vehicle speed and the level change information, and executes acceleration control when the calculated characteristic value exceeds the critical value of comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Miyajima, Fumiharu Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20110063100
    Abstract: A braking indication system for illuminating the brake lamps on a vehicle having an engine braking device is disclosed. The vehicle may be slowed or stopped using either the brake pedal or the engine braking device. A first electrical conduction path is established between the vehicle power source and the brake lamps when the brake pedal is pressed. A second electrical conduction path is established between the vehicle power source and the brake lamps when the engine braking device is active. Thus, the brake lamps are illuminated when either the brake pedal or the engine braking device is used to slow the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: John A. Jinksy, Russell L. Jinsky
  • Publication number: 20110043356
    Abstract: The present invention provides system, method and apparatus for energizing one or more brake lights on a vehicle without an operator of the vehicle applying a brake of the vehicle by determining an acceleration of the vehicle, energizing the brake lights on the vehicle whenever the acceleration of the vehicle equals or exceeds a braking threshold, and deenergizing the brake lights on the vehicle whenever: (a) the brake lights are energized, (b) the acceleration of the vehicle is less than the braking threshold, (c) a specified period of time has elapsed since the brake lights were energized, and (d) the operator is not applying the brake of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
    Inventors: Kenneth Adam Marlowe, Bryan Cotanch, James Parker
  • Patent number: 7881710
    Abstract: A portable communication device detects a current speed of travel of the portable communication device independent of any vehicle temporarily transporting the portable communication device. A speed based setting controller of the portable communication device compares the current speed to at least one threshold value set at the portable communication device. Responsive to the current speed exceeding the threshold value, the speed based setting controller automatically assigns a separate speed based setting to a current setting for each feature assigned to the threshold value, wherein each current setting for each feature designates the operability of that feature within the portable communication device, such that the current setting for each feature adjusts with a speed of travel as detected by the portable communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susann M. Keohane, Gerald F. McBrearty, Shawn P. Mullen, Johnny M. Shieh
  • Publication number: 20110012725
    Abstract: The brake light flashing device includes an RPM sensing/setting device that monitors the RPMs of an engine to determine whether an accelerator pedal has been released in anticipation of depression of a brake pedal. The RPM sensing/setting device is in turn wired to an in-line fuse, and a flashing device, which flashes an after-market brake light as well as pre-existing brake lights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Jimmy Foreman
  • Patent number: 7872571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for placement in a vehicle, comprising a housing, at least one lighting element, an acceleration and/or deceleration circuits and/or a moisture sensor, the device being arranged for operatively switching on the lighting element when the device, in particular the acceleration and/or deceleration circuit, experiences an acceleration or deceleration which exceeds a pre-set maximum value and/or if the device comes at least partly under water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Life Safety Products B.V.
    Inventors: Arend Michiel van der Meer, Mattheus Jacobus van der Meer
  • Patent number: 7859391
    Abstract: An automated leading-vehicle message warning system for notifying a trailing vehicle of an unsafe traveling condition preferably includes a vehicle speedometer sensor and a vehicle brake system sensor. The warning system also may include a mechanism for determining whether a real-time traveling condition between the leading and trailing vehicles is a safe traveling condition by detecting whether the trailing vehicle is traveling at a minimum safe linear distance directly behind the leading vehicle upon receipt of input signals from a speedometer sensor and a vehicle brake system sensor. The warning system may also include a plurality of transducers housed in the leading vehicle that may be selectively toggled to respective activate modes such that each of the transducers generates and transmits a unique warning signal when the trailing vehicle fails to maintain the minimum safe distance from the leading vehicle during the unsafe traveling condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Jose Solis
  • Patent number: 7853391
    Abstract: An energy-saving driving promotion system includes: a vehicle state detecting device; a current value calculating device that calculates a current value associated with an accelerator operation amount or a vehicle drive power; a recommended value calculating device that calculates a recommended value associated with the accelerator operation amount or the vehicle drive power; an indicator device that indicates a relationship between the calculated recommended value and the calculated current value; and an acceleration intention determining device that determines whether a driver intends to accelerate. If the acceleration intention determining device determines that the driver intends to accelerate, the recommended value calculating device calculates a larger recommended value when the acceleration intention determining device determines that the driver intends to accelerate than when the acceleration intention determining device determines that the driver does not intend to accelerate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Komeda, Akito Adachi, Takeshi Yamada, Yukihiro Okane, Sadamu Tsuge
  • Publication number: 20100265057
    Abstract: An attentive device applied to vehicles includes a controlling mechanism and a display panel connected thereto. Wherein, the display panel is disposed on a body of the vehicle and includes LEDs. Further, the LEDs are divided into at least two effect zones that are thence connected to the controlling mechanism. Either of the effect zones is arranged for a performance of a particular symbol, so that the LEDs in one of the effect zone would shine for exposing the symbol and preferably those in the other effect zone would extinguish or flash in case that a command is generated and transmitted by the controlling mechanism, which gives the latter drivers and passersby an impressive warning effect and efficiently promotes the driving safety by increasing the identification regarding to the status of the front driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Chung-Yu YEH
  • Patent number: 7779955
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods designed to reduce the dangers presented by certain unintentional and intentional actions by drivers of motor vehicles, and more specifically to eliminating the panic-based, unintentional acceleration of motor vehicles by drivers in emergency situations as well as the intentional abuse of motor vehicle power by drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Victor Ramon Van Saanen
  • Patent number: 7768385
    Abstract: A system includes lights coupled to a vehicle power supply source. One light is located at the vehicle's rear window. Remaining lights are independently and simultaneously operable with the one light. A mechanism is included for determining whether the vehicle is parked. Another mechanism determines whether a vehicle brake pedal has been engaged beyond a threshold level while the vehicle is not parked. A further mechanism flashes the one light and is mated to the park determining mechanism for activating the one light when the vehicle is parked and the brake pedal is engaged. The flashing mechanism is coupled to the brake pedal pressure level determining mechanism for activating the one light when the vehicle is not parked and the brake pedal is engaged beyond the threshold level. The flashing mechanism is automatically reset to a non-operating mode when the brake pedal is disengaged during parked and non-parked conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventors: John M. Juranovich, Katherine A. Juranovich
  • Patent number: 7755474
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for controllably illuminating automotive brake lights. In one embodiment, an automotive brake lighting system comprises a brake light including first and second light sources, a sensor to sense a level of an operating condition associated with at least one of a brake assembly or a brake pedal of a motor vehicle for illuminating the brake light, and a controller configured to monitor information provided by the sensor. The controller, in response to the level of the operating condition, selectively powers the at least one of the first or second light sources of the brake light based at least in part on the monitored information to generate a variable visual indication relating to braking of the motor vehicle from the brake light over a range of at least two different visual indications that indicate a variable braking rate of the motor vehicle over a corresponding range of at least two different braking rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Sanjeev Kumar Singh
  • Patent number: 7755475
    Abstract: A device for controlling the brake lights in a motor vehicle having a brake system, designed to be operated by outside forces, is described. The device includes a control device for actuating the brakes of the vehicle in such a manner that an automatic braking operation can be carried out as a function of the vehicle operating conditions, and at least one brake lamp which can be actuated by the control device or by a separate control unit. The control device or the control unit may be designed in such a manner that during an automatic braking operation, the brake lamp is switched on below a predefined boundary speed, as a function of a braking pressure determined in the activated brake of the vehicle, or as a function of a parameter correlating to the braking pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Toelge, Alexander Meske
  • Publication number: 20100117818
    Abstract: A speed-reduction alert device comprises a speed-reduction alert unit installed below a gas pedal for detecting swinging operation of the gas pedal so as to transfer a swing signal outwards; a computer main frame connected to the speed-reduction alert unit for receiving the swinging signals and controlling the flash frequencies, flash periods and change of signals of a brake light in a first car to show a deceleration of the first car to a driver of a second car so that the driver of the second car will alert the deceleration of the first car. When the gas pedal is pressed downwards for acceleration, the computer main frame will determine that it is an accelerating signal and the brake light is not actuated; and when the gas pedal is released to move upwards for deceleration, the computer main frame will determine that it is a deceleration signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: HOU-WANG KAO
  • Patent number: 7710254
    Abstract: An integrated progressive brake light system for vehicles in which different sequences of brake lights are illuminated dependent on operator activation input. The brake light system uses a progressive multiple selective illumination in which additional central oriented brake lights are actuated as metered increase of operator input to indicate the relative degree of applied braking force as will be evident to the visual interpretation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Joel H. Hill, III
  • Publication number: 20100102946
    Abstract: The embodiments of the invention are directed to a method and apparatus to generate pulsing lights where parameters such as frequency, degree of brightness, and the number of pulses vary depending on the duration of the brake pedal application, the time interval between consecutive brake applications, and the deceleration rate of the vehicle, as well as optionally its distance from other vehicles. The brake light control system incorporates a microprocessor having multiple inputs, including a brake pedal sensor, and its output connected via an amplifying circuit to the lights. Other inputs of the microprocessor include a deceleration sensor, a distance sensor, and an optional manual pushbutton or switch located within the driver's reach. The lights controlled by the system may include brake lights, emergency lights, or additional lights shaped into a warning triangle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Waldemar Polak, Adam Polak, J. Lee Edwards, Piotr Folkert, M. Lee Jones
  • Patent number: 7705748
    Abstract: The invention teaches a passive vehicle rear end warning and collision prevention method and apparatus thereof, comprising: a traveling data monitoring unit serving to monitor and sample the traveling data of present vehicle; a collision prevention information transmitting and receiving unit serving to transmit and receive the collision prevention information; an electronic control unit serving to analyze and process the sampled data so as to generate the collision prevention information and to receive the collision prevention information from other vehicle, and to control the traveling status of prevent vehicle based on the received collision prevention information so as to avoid rear end collision with other vehicle, so that the purpose of rear end warning and collision prevention is realized by receiving passively the collision prevention information from another vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Jianzhong Fu
  • Publication number: 20100085180
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to improve and upgrade the existing automobile brake system. Currently, when a motorist pushes the foot brake in the car to decelerate a Light Emitting Diode (LED) indicator mounted on the trunk and in the rear windows of a vehicle lights up to indicate slowing down and stopping. In most vehicle LED systems, the distinction between a deceleration, hard braking, and a stop cannot be indicated or differentiated. The goal of the invention is to create a braking indication system that will demonstrate how fast a car is decelerating with LED arranged in a fashion to turn on proportional to the amount of pressure applied to the brake. Once pressure is applied, the brakes are applied and the brake light will let the vehicle behind know how quickly the vehicle is slowing down by showing an approximation using the LED display. Therefore if a driver is to lightly tap on his brakes, the brake indicator will light a small amount of LED to symbolize slowing down but not stopping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Monica JoElla Mathis
  • Patent number: 7688194
    Abstract: A secondary brake light illumination circuit useful for storing excess power applied to a primary vehicle brake light illumination circuit during activation thereof and subsequently selectively discharging stored power to secondary illumination devices to provide a temporary decorative or informational display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: James Flesch
  • Patent number: 7683772
    Abstract: An integrated LED warning and vehicle lamp has a base configured to replace an existing vehicle lamp by reception into the lamp's reflector shell. The integrated warning and vehicle lamp includes first and second arrays of LEDs arranged on a support projecting from the base. One array is used to reproduce the vehicle signal and the second array provides a warning light signal. A collimator organizes light from one or more LED in a direction aligned with the intended direction of light emission from the vehicle lamp. An interface electrical circuit connects one array of LEDs to the vehicle electrical system. A warning signal electrical circuit energizes the other array to produce a variety of warning signals and/or illumination patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd J. Smith
  • Patent number: 7649447
    Abstract: This invention proposes a wireless bike brake light that can respond to braking when bikes are in motion. The invention employs a MEMS (micro electro mechanical system)-structured accelerometer chip as sensor to detect related signals. A control circuits unit processes the signals, and then sends appropriate brake light to following vehicles based. The features of the invention are that (1) It can provide extra security when serving as a brake light with independence of braking system, (2) It is easily to install and durable, (3) It can be also applied to such sports as skiing, skateboarding, etc. that are not equipped with apparent brake devices, and thus hard to incorporate brake lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Yen-Ho Lu
  • Patent number: 7646290
    Abstract: A deceleration warning device for reducing rear-end collisions in road traffic includes a sensor for detecting a longitudinal acceleration value, a control device receiving the longitudinal acceleration value, determining an acceleration limit value, and generating a warning signal if the longitudinal acceleration value exceeds the acceleration limit value, and a rear lighting display for displaying an alarm state when the control device emits a warning signal. Determination of the acceleration limit value is based upon a plurality of signals including an anti-lock braking system (ABS) signal and a brake pedal position signal. The control device is operable in one of three levels depending upon a detected quality of the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten Wey, Mike Mould, Amin Kashi, Jens Dornhege
  • Patent number: 7642913
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a sensor circuit and a nonlinear signal processing circuit. The sensor circuit detects a physical quantity and outputs a detection signal indicative of the detected physical quantity. The signal processing circuit includes a logarithmic converter, an analog-to-digital converter, and an antilogarithmic converter. The logarithmic converter produces a logarithm signal corresponding to a logarithm of the detection signal. The analog-to-digital converter digitalizes the logarithm signal. The antilogarithmic converter produces an antilogarithmic signal corresponding to an antilogarithm of the digitalized logarithm signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junji Hayakawa
  • Publication number: 20090278678
    Abstract: The invention can be used to increase the comfort and safety of road traffic by using a more appropriate notification of braking and acceleration of transport vehicles. According to the invention, the indicator includes an acceleration speed (a kick) sensor, a switch and one or more groups of sources of electric light. During the braking, the kick sensor emits a signal to the switch in order to switch the braking indication lamps so as to create a visual effect of lights running in all directions; the more intense braking is, and the more marked is this visual effect. In this manner, it is possible to imitate the increase of visible (angular) dimensions of transport vehicles, which are perceived very quickly by a human eye. In a similar way, during the acceleration of the transport vehicle the acceleration indication lights are switched so as to create an effect of lights approaching each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Aleksei Borisovich Krotkov
  • Publication number: 20090276131
    Abstract: A method of and system for detecting absolute acceleration along various axes relative to a desired movement vector while moving relative to a gravity source includes steps of determining a vertical acceleration, perpendicular to the desired movement vector and substantially anti-parallel to a gravitational acceleration due to the gravity source; determining a longitudinal acceleration, parallel to the desired movement vector and to output at vertical acceleration signal and a longitudinal acceleration signal; determining an inclination of the desired movement vector relative to the gravitational acceleration; and processing the vertical acceleration signal, the longitudinal acceleration signals and the inclination signal to produce al absolute vertical acceleration signal and an absolute longitudinal acceleration signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: VISION WORKS IP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alfred S. Braunberger, Beau M. Braunberger
  • Publication number: 20090261963
    Abstract: A vehicle deceleration warning system for efficiently warning following vehicles of a decelerating or slow moving leading vehicle. The vehicle deceleration warning system generally includes an accelerometer, a control unit electrically connected to the accelerometer, a brake light relay electrically connected to the control unit and at least one brake light electrically connected to the brake light relay. The control unit activates the brake light relay to illuminate the at least one brake light depending upon a measurement taken by the accelerometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Scott T. Ault
  • Patent number: 7602279
    Abstract: A control system (18) for an automotive vehicle (10) has a first roll condition detector (64A), a second roll condition detector (64B), a third roll condition detector (64C), and a controller (26) that uses the roll condition generated by the roll condition detectors (64A-C) to determine a wheel lift condition. Other roll condition detectors may also be used in the wheel lift determination. The wheel lift conditions may be active or passive or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Michael Edward Brewer, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers
  • Publication number: 20090251306
    Abstract: A vehicle deceleration warning device is adapted for installation on a vehicle having an accelerator mechanism, and includes a detecting unit, a warning unit and a control unit. The detecting unit is adapted to for detecting driver operation of the accelerator mechanism, and is configured to output a first signal when a vehicle driver manipulates the accelerator mechanism and to output a second signal when the vehicle driver releases the accelerator mechanism. The warning unit is adapted to be mounted on the vehicle and is operable so as to generate a warning output. The control unit is coupled to the detecting unit and the warning unit, responds to the first signal from the detecting unit by deactivating the warning unit, and responds to the second signal from the detecting unit by controlling the warning unit to generate the warning output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Chih-Ching TSENG
    Inventor: Hung-Chin Yang
  • Publication number: 20090212935
    Abstract: An anti-collision emergency braking system enables emergency information transferring from leading vehicle to trailing vehicle and enables emergency automatic braking. It comprises a central commanding element which takes input from a number of sensing elements and gives commands to other acting elements: a receiver which receives emergency signals from the leading vehicle, a transmitter which sends out emergency signals toward the trailing vehicle, an accelerometer which senses the acceleration extents of the present vehicle, an automatic braking element which applies certain amount of braking power after receiving the commands from the central commanding element, and one or more warning elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Qi Luo
  • Patent number: 7573378
    Abstract: A vehicle brake light system includes a plurality of lighting units arranged in a horizontally and vertically spaced apart relation on the rear of a vehicle. Horizontally spaced apart lighting units which are lower in position have a greater distance between their centers of gravity, and are adapted to be turned on when a larger braking force is applied to a brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, Masaaki Abe, Yuji Kuwashima, Mari Sakamoto, Hirosni Uematsu
  • Patent number: 7554435
    Abstract: A vehicle on-board unit of a host vehicle is configured to communicate with other vehicle to alert the driver of a potential braking situation in a preceding vehicle. The vehicle on-board unit has an incoming message receiving section, an incoming message relevancy section and a driver warning section. The incoming message receiving section receives a preceding vehicle message containing throttle release data of a preceding vehicle located in front of the host vehicle. The incoming message relevancy section performs a relevancy determination of the throttle release data received. The driver warning section selectively alerts a driver of the host vehicle of a potential braking situation of the preceding vehicle based upon the relevancy determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Tengler, Jack Auflick