WO1997016059A2

WO1997016059A2 - The vehicle awareness alerter it is a full communication computer system for vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO1997016059A2
Application number: PCT/US1996/016554
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donald Wayne Smith
Original assignee: Donald Wayne Smith
Priority date: 1995-10-16
Filing date: 1996-10-15
Publication date: 1997-05-09
Also published as: WO1997016059A3

Abstract

A vehicle awareness alerter system which functions as a prewarning system to enhance safety by increasing awareness of the driver as well as surrounding vehicles and pedestrians. The system consists of four sections. Central control sections 1, 2 and 3 are used to activate external warnings (9, 10) using sensing devices consisting of a speed monitor (3), brake sensor, accelerator sensor and steering signal sensor (27). The fourth section is the advanced central control section which provides internal warnings (2) of surrounding vehicles and pedestrians to the driver using front (5), rear (6), right (7) and left (8) motion sensing systems in conjunction with other sensors.

Description

THE VEHICLEAWARENESS ALERTER IT IS A FULLCOMMUNICATION COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES

PREFACE

The subject matter of this invention was conceived from studying the Automatic Colorbar Signal Light Monitoring System with Analog Computer, Serial No. 05/127,251, our earlier invention. I have borrowed from this invention, to come up with the VehiAwareness Alerter, and I feel I have made substantial improvements.

However, the understanding of the basic concept of the amber caution light is that it is a warning to be careful and to be aware of what is going on around you. It is to alert one to potential danger; to alert one to changing conditions; to be made aware when this light is made to flash it usually enhances all of these definitions or is made to have a specific meaning of awareness and what to do when it is flashing or is on continuously.

The automatic red brake light that is mentioned in this invention simply allows you to know that the vehicle is in the bracing mode and that possibly the brakes are not being used to create this braking condition.

Therefore the term "automatic red brake light" is used when the vehicle is in braking, and the conventional brake is not being pushed, and the vehicle is slowing down. Both the automatic amber caution light and the automatic red brake light are used to indicate these conditions.

NOTICE THE IMPROVEMENT WITH AUTOMATIC CAUTION LIGHT AND THE AUTOMATIC RED BRAKE LIGHT IN COMPARISON TO THE CONVENTIONAL

3RD BRAKE LIGHT. The automatic amber caution light is the pre-warning signal, then the automatic red brake light follows, primarily after a vehicle continues to slow down. If the conventional brake is pushed then the vehicle slows down and the conventional brake light appears.

I am simply stating the phases in which these lights work together. The automatic amber caution light and the automatic red brake light are a vast improvement over the 3rd brake light that you find on vehicles today. Because they give a much earlier warning than the conventional 3rd brake light, which simply comes on at the same time that your conventional brake light comes on without a prewarning.

I have not included a 3rd color such as a "green go light" with the Vehicle Awareness Alerter. I have compensated for that by making adjustments with the white Alerter headlights and the automatic amber caution lights and the automatic red brake lights.

The colors that are used can be different from the ones that I specified, but they would have the same meanings and positions.

The breakdown is very simple and easy to comprehend.

The drawings enhance the breakdown. The subject material goes into detail in its explanation; and with precept and example we have attempted to set forth, in these documents, a complete understanding and comprehension of this invention, Inventor, Donald Wayne Smith

SUMMARY

Main Points

1. Preface

2. Introduction

3. Drawings and Descriptions

4. Breakdown

5. Summary and Closing

Because this is a Provisional Patent Application, I have not communicated every detail with regard to the description and discussion of this invention.

The important facts regarding the Vehicle Awareness Alerter system are covered in this report.

I claim that everything in this report is mine.

All research and development pertaining to this invention has been performed by myself.

All ideas and all discussions and information with regard to this invention are mine.

All drawings and descriptions are mine.

The undersigned petitioner declares further that all statements made herein of his/her own knowledge are true, and that all statements made on information and belief are believed to be true; and further, that these statements are made with the knowledge that willful false statements, and the like so made, are punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both, under Section 1001, Title 18 of the United States Code, and that such willful false statements may jeopardize the validity of the application or any patent issuing thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS FOR THE VEHICLE AWARENESS ALERTER UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION I win now begin to state my claims regarding my invention, the Vehicle Awareness Alerter.

1. I claim that this is the first vehicle safety computer system of this type, with all of its adaptations, making it a full computer information communication system that is the first of its type developed for any vehicle.

2. I claim that all the information and drawings and descriptions that are in the Vehicle Awareness Alerter Provisional Patent Application (Appl. No.60/005,496, Filing Date, Oct 16, 1995), are true and are my original ideas.

In addition to this, I am claiming that all the additional information and clarifications and drawings and descriptions put forth in the utility Patent Application that we are filing at this time for the Vehicle Awareness Alerter invention, are true and are my original ideas.

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ARE AMENDMENTS FOR FURTHER CLARIFICATIONS OF OUR CLAIMS, AND ARE A PART OF OUR CLAIMS:

In regard to pages 29 of 37 through 37 of 37 of the Provisional Patent Application, the description of the basic breakdown of the Vehicle Awareness Alerter system consists of my original ideas and the governing factors that are the principal functions of this invention. And this invention is built to cause these safety functions to occur automatically while a vehicle is in operation. This is a part of my claim.

With regard to the clarification of page 29 of 37 of the Provisional Patent Application, statement 8 on the left hand side of the page makes reference to an UNSAFE SIGNAL; unsafe speeds over 70 mph or whatever the law decides is unsafe on highways or freeways. Statement 8 on the right hand side of the same page states that Vehicle Awareness Alerter headlights will flash off and on as long as vehicle is operating at deemed unsafe speeds, if desired.

A. Now, to clarify this statement, the Vehicle Awareness Alerter headlights will flash off and on rapidly when vehicle is in braking. When a vehicle has slowed down to approximately 10 mph or any speed below 10 mph, the Vehicle Awareness Alerter head- lights can be set to cancel or go off completely, warning that the vehicle is coming to a complete stop. I claim that they are "braking signals" at the front of the vehicle , and that they are a new concept.

B. For further clarification, when the Alerter headlights flash off and on, alternating, this signal indicates that the vehicle is driving at an unsafe speed of 70 mph or more, or whatever the law deems unsafe.

In regard to the amendment pages that follow after page 37 of 37 of the Provisional Patent Application, there is an amendment letter that was attached to the Provisional Patent Application when we filed the Provisional Patent Application, that was a part of the Provisional Patent Application, and is a part of my claims.

That 2 page letter is a part of this amendment claim, and for further clarification we now refer to the sections numbered 1 and 2 on page 1.

1. REGARDING THE MONITOR SYSTEM: The monitor can have and does have audio signals also. For clarification, these audio signals occur as often as the monitor video screen or lighted board changes. And the same signal that is shown on the monitor screen is announced by the audio section of the monitor, if desired.

2. REGARDING THE SENSOR DEVICES:

A. The 5 sensors: forward sensors, rear sensors, right sensors, left sensors and speed

sensors, have various ways of accomplishing their objectives.

B. These are the different ways:

Radar systems

Infrared systems

Sound sensing or motion detector systems

Radio systems

Light systems

Mechanical-electrical systems

Some of the systems would function as homing systems would, or pick up signals that are sent or produced by other vehicles, that would be converted to usable information.

We claim that these are our own original theories and that the research is our own research with regard to the Vehicle Awareness Alerter communication computer package system; and this also is a further clarification of our original claims.

I believe that I have covered all of the basic theory concerning the Vehicle Awareness Alerter, its purpose and its logical functions.

We will now turn to our diagrams and make claims concerning our major component parts and their functions.

HEREAFTER WE WILL REFER TO THE VEHICLE AWARENESS ALERTER PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION IN THIS ABBREVIATED WAY: VAA PROV. PAT. APPL.

We have 4 Central Control sections.

The Vehicle Awareness Alerter Central Control circuits are linked together primarily with Smith and Sons Research and Development modules. The theory and circuitry of these modules were developed by myself, Donald Wayne Smith, and are my own original ideas.

The circuitries are submerged in a hard plastic material such as epoxy or materials of similar composition and formed into a module. This is for durability with regard to the severe conditions that they would be subjected to in a vehicle. The modules are all labeled Smith and Sons Research and Development Modules with an Identification Number beginning with 2 digit numbers or letters and up. This is also part of our claim.

PAGE 5 OF 37 OF THE VAA PROV. PAT. APPL., DRAWING ID #1,000 SHOWS

1. CENTRAL CONTROL AND 2. CENTRAL CONTROL #2.

1. CENTRAL CONTROL

The Central Control section of the Vehicle Awareness Alerter could be built in its simplest form as is shown in the VAA Prov Pat. Appl., with limited capabilities, or it could be built with the more sophisticated Central control system which would consist of the following modules: The Central Control system would use Smith and Sons Research and Developments modules 20, 21A, 22B, 23C, 24A; as well as 4 major relays, an interface board, other smaller component parts and 7 programming switches. These modules that are mentioned here are basically used to receive signals that are produced in the vehicle and are programmed to produce certain automatic functions for the rest of the computer system and for the output relays to Central Control #2 and Central Control #3 and to Advance Central Control for output. circuits. The input signals for Central Control would come from your brakelight circuit switch, your accelerator linkage sensor device or sensor switch, your speed sensor device which is the AC speed sensor signal generator, or a different speed sensor device. This Central Control also receives other signals from the rest of the Vehicle Awareness Alerter communication system.

2. CENTRAL CONTROL #2

Central Control #2 is basically a centrally located high power output controlling circuit, that consists of output relays or output power transistors, to deliver maximum power to the Alerter headlight system. It is located near the front of the vehicle, and is equipped with several input cables and output cables. The inputs are power supply circuits and controlling circuits. The outputs are circuits that supply the Alerter headlights with the current to give the proper signals.

PAGE 19 OF 37 OF THE VAA PROV. PAT. APPL., DRAWING ID# 1014 SHOWS

1. ADVANCED CENTRAL CONTROL AND SHOWS 2. CENTRAL CONTROL #3.

1. ADVANCED CENTRAL CONTROL

Advanced Central Control is better explained with the drawing located on page 21 of 37 of of the VAA Prov. Pat. Appl. We will primarily deal with Smith and Sons Research and Development modules and the module circuits that are located inside of the modules, and their logical functions.

Smith and Sons Research and Development Module F300 logic forward sensing circuits.

Smith and Sons Research and Development Module R400 rear sensing circuits.

Smith and Sons Research and Development Module R5C0 logic right sensing circuits.

Smith and Sons Research and Development Module L600 logic left sensing circuits.

Smith and SOTS Research and Development Module S700 logic speed sensing circuits.

The modules have these characteristics: For example, the F300 logic module that will be developed for receiving a signal from a radar equipped sensing system, or an infrared sensing system, may read F301 for the radar system, and may read F310 for the infrared system. This type of identification numbering holds true throughout all modules from F300 logic, R400 logic, R500 logic, L600 logic to S700 logic, etc. The modules have these characteristics: Using F300 module as an example, the first digit in the module ID (identification) number next to the letter remains the same. The other digits in the ID number will vary with the variations of the module alterations to fit the different types of sensing systems and logic systems of these modules that would be used in conjunction with these modules. The principal function is to receive the incoming signal from their sensing devices and process and modulate the signal into usable information for the Module M 1,000 logic circuits master matching computer.

Now, Smith and Sons Research and Development Module S700 logic speed sensing circuit is capable of receiving various types of signals from speed sensing devices such as a radar speed sensor or a mechanical-electrical pulse generator or a DC pulse generator, producing analog or digital signals, etc. This module S700 would also have the capabilities of producing a modulated signal digital or analog signal from its input signal. The output signal would be sent to the Smith and Sons Research Module M 1,000 logic circuits master matching computer for the prime purpose and function of giving the Smith and Sons Research and Development Module M 1,000 logic circuits master matching computer an accurately monitored signal of the speed of the vehicle in which the Vehicle Awareness Alerter system is in. The Smith and Sons Research and Development Module ID #S700 will vary as we state. The S7 in the number will remain the same. The other digits in the number will vary to fit the various alterations of the circuit of this module in order to fit the sensing devices mentioned such as the radar speed sensor system, etc. and the variations of the output signal whether analog or digital. Now we are going further into the Advanced Central Control section. Advanced Central Control also has a Smith and Sons Research and Development Module S800 logic automatic turn signal sensing circuit. This circuit receives signals from the conventional turn signal output circuits. It also receives signals from the steering sensor system that is shown on page 19 of 37 of the VAA Prov. Pat. Appl. This steering sensor system is located in 1 of 2 places on the vehicle. This automatic sensor sends the monitored signal of the steering of the steering system of the vehicle to this Module S800 logic automatic turn signal circuit. The Smith and Sons Research and Development S800 logic automatic turn signal circuit receives an analog signal from the steering sensor system that will give an analog variation signal when the steering system varies from direct straight ahead driving, to the right or to the left. This analog signal is then turned into an automatic turn signal that is governed also by Smith and Sons Research and Development Module S800 logic automatic turn signal circuits, and is fed into the Smith and Sons Research and Development Module M 1,000 logic circuits master matching computer. It is then matched with a signal from the S700 speed sensing circuit and produces the appropriate automatic turn signal and the proper shut-off time of the automatic signal from the Smith and Sons Research and Development Module S8C0 automatic turn signal circuit.

Page 21 of 37 of the VAA Prov. Pat. Appl. shows a drawing with ID #1016. This drawing shows the Smith and Sons Research and Development Module M 1,000 logic circuit master matching computer.

Now, to go further with the Advanced Central Control. The heart of Advanced Central Control is the Smith and Sons Research and Development Module M 1 ,000 logic circuit master matching computer. The primary function of this M 1,000 computer module is indicated by its name. This complex module receives the inputs from all the modules previously referred to in the Advanced Central Control section. These are the modules; F300 logic, R400 logic, R500 logic, L600 logic and S800 logic, which have modulated signals that pass into the Smith and Sons Research and Development Module M 1,000 logic circuit master matching computer. The output signal from Smith and Sons Research and Development Module S700 logic speed sensing circuit sets the governing and balancing signal that the other signals from the other modules are matched to, to produce the desired information required to cause the circuits to produce the correct signals to send to Smith and Sons Research and Development Module S2000 logic output power transistor circuits. The Smith and Sons Research and Development Module M 1,000 logic circuit master matching computer also can receive information directly from Central Control , and it can send information to Central Control . When sending information to Central Control , all outgoing information from the M 1,000 computer module, for output signals and information, is required to pass through Smith and Sons Research and Development Module S2.000 logic output power transistor circuits for the information signals to be used outside of Advanced Central Control section. And Central Control in turn sends information to Central Control #2 and Central Control #3, and the output signals appear at the Alerter headlights and the Alerter rear lighting on the vehicle. The Smith and Sons Research and Development Module M 1,000 logic circuit master matching computer, simultaneously, when sending the previous signals referred to, sends a monitor information message to the dashboard monitor display screen system and audio system. This information is a direct monitor signal that appears on the monitor screen in direct relationship to the same signals that appear at the Alerter head-lights and the Alerter rear lighting. The M 1,000 computer module also, simultaneously, sends other messages to the monitor such as signals that will appear on the monitor screen, and win be announced audibly. And this brings us back to our Vehicle Awareness Alerter Provisional Patent Application which explains in detail the functions of the monitor screen and its audio section, as well as the functions of the Alerter headlights and rear Alerter lights and signals, beginning with pages 21 of 37 through 37 of 37, and including the 2 amendment pages that follow page 37. Page 21 of 37 of the VAA Prov. Pat. Appl..Drawing ID #1016 shows Smith and Sons Research and Development Module S2000 logic output power transistor circuit.

The last module in this set:of modules in the Advanced Central Control system, is the Smith and Sons Research and Development Module S2000 logic output power transistor circuit. This module serves as a buffer for a power output circuit for the Smith and Sons Research and Development Module M 1,000 logic circuit master matching computer and as an output ciruit for the Smith and Sons Research and Development Module S800 logic automatic turn signal circuits. Module S2000 is primarily a power boosting circuit to ensure the proper amount of current for the output circuits for the Vehicle Awareness Alerter headlight circuitry and for the Vehicle Awareness Alerter rear light output circuitry, and it ensures the proper information signals for the Dashboard Monitor System.

2. CENTRAL CONTROL #3

Central Control #3 is basically a centrally located high power output controlling circuit, that consists of output relays or output power transistors, to deliver maximum power to the Alerter rear light system. It is located near the rear of the vehicle, and is equipped with several input cables and output cables. The inputs are power supply circuits and controlling circuits. The outputs are circuits that supply the Alerter rear lights with the current to give the proper signals. This rear Alerter system is a vast improvement over the third brakelight and the conventional brakelight and the conventional turn signals.

THESE CLAIMS AND AMENDMENTS FOR CLARIFICATION OF OUR CLAIMS, ALONG WITH THE COMPLETE VEHICLE AWARENESS ALERTER PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION, NO. 60/005,496, WITH FILING DATE OF OCT. 16,1995, COMPLETES OUR CLAIMS FOR OUR UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION.