AU2011205072A1

AU2011205072A1 - Vehicle Speed Caution Light

Info

Publication number: AU2011205072A1
Application number: AU2011205072A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Konstantin Dimitrov
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-04-16
Filing date: 2011-07-29
Publication date: 2011-08-18

Abstract

A caution light apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one light source configured to generate light of different wavelengths, each wavelength corresponding to a particular color, and logic connected to the at least one light source, the logic configured to determine the speed of the vehicle and, depending on a speed range which the speed of the vehicle is within, drive the at least one light source to radiate light of a particular wavelength. - 15 -

Description

CAUTION LIGHT APPARATUS TECHNICAL FIELD [001] This disclosure relates generally to caution lights, and, more specifically, to a caution light apparatus assigned to indicate the speed range of a vehicle to foregoing or preceding vehicle drivers or pedestrians. BACKGROUND [0021 The approaches described in this section could be pursued but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as the prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section. [0031 One possible way to keep attention of a driver on the road or a pedestrian crossing the road consists in using a caution light in vehicles. Typically, such caution light is mounted to any visible part of a vehicle, e.g., to front and rear bumpers, and is configured to generate light of different wavelengths subject to vehicle operation modes. [0041 The great number of currently existing caution lights irradiates light of two different wavelengths, i.e. provide two different colors. One of these colors is used when a vehicle slows down, while another is used when the vehicle speeds up. The driver of a preceding vehicle or the pedestrian trying to cross the road can take particular steps based on one of these colors. For instance, the driver of the preceding vehicle can decide either to press an acceleration pedal when he/she sees that the foregoing vehicle begins accelerating, or to press a stop pedal when he/she sees that - 1 the foregoing vehicle begins decelerating. Thus, the probability of taking right actions by drivers of preceding vehicles can be increased, which allows decreasing a collision rate. [005] However, the known two-wavelength caution lights are not capable of providing (even approximately) information about the speed range of the foregoing vehicle. They just inform the driver of the preceding vehicle that the foregoing vehicle begins slowing down or speeding up. In the meantime, the knowledge of the possible speed range of the foregoing vehicle can be very useful to the driver of the preceding vehicle. For instance, if the driver of the preceding vehicle has little driving experience days, i.e., is a beginner in vehicle driving, he/she can orientate to speed range information provided by the caution light mounted to the rear part of the foregoing vehicle. This can help the beginning driver feel confident on the road and increase safety on roads. [006] Some of other known caution lights are capable of providing information concerning the current speed of a particular vehicle in a numerical format. It was demonstrated by psychological research study that while knowing the speed of a vehicle vehicleries extremely useful information allowing other drivers and pedestrians to determine their actions on the road much more accurately, thus preventing a number of road incidents, the drivers actually express privacy concerns about showing the actual speed in a numerical format to the outside world. On top of that, the exact number does not give any further information comparing to knowing "roughly" what the speed is. SUMMARY [007] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it -2intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. [008] In accordance with various embodiments and the corresponding disclosure thereof, a caution light apparatus is provided. The apparatus provides useful information "roughly" indicating the speed range of a vehicle to drivers of other vehicles or pedestrians which can use it for taking right actions, thereby allowing the collision rate to be decreased. [009] According to one embodiment, the caution light apparatus comprises: at least one light source configured to generate light of different wavelengths, each wavelength corresponding to a particular color, and logic connected to the light source, the logic configured to determine the speed of the vehicle and, depending on a speed range which the speed of the vehicle is within, drive the at least one light source to radiate light of a particular wavelength. [0010] In some embodiments, the at least one light source comprises a multimode light emitting diode (LED). The multimode LED can be a LED strip including a plurality of LEDs capable of irradiating at different wavelengths. [0011] In some other embodiments, the at least one light source comprises a set of LEDs capable of irradiating different colors. The set of LEDs can be embedded within a single housing. [00121 In yet other embodiments, the at least one light source is mounted to one or more of vehicle headlights, vehicle taillights, a vehicle front bumper, a vehicle rear bumper, a vehicle front window, a vehicle rear window and a crash helmet. [0013] According to another embodiment, the logic is configured to determine the speed of the vehicle based on data obtained from vehicle speedometer electronics or a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The GPS receiver can be also -3embedded into the caution light apparatus. [00141 According to yet another embodiment, the logic is further configured to alter the intensity of the light generated by the at least one light source depending on one or more of an acceleration level, a deceleration level and a speed range. [0015] According to yet another embodiment, the logic is configured to drive the at least one light source to generate the low intensity light of a particular wavelength when the speed of the vehicle is closer to the beginning of the speed range and to generate the high intensity light of the same wavelength when the speed of the vehicle is closer to the end of the speed range, or vice versa. [0016] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of various aspects may be employed, and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which: [0018] Fig. 1 illustrates a caution light apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment; [0019] Fig. 2 illustrates a caution light system according to an exemplary embodiment; and [0020] Fig. 3 illustrates the front and rear of a vehicle with -4indication of possible places for mounting the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [00211 1The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. These example embodiments, which are also referred to herein as "examples" are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. The embodiments can be combined, other embodiments can be utilized, or structural, logical and electrical changes can be made without departing from the scope of what is claimed. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [0022] In this document, the terms "a" or "an" are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term "or" is used to refer to a nonexclusive "or", such that "A or B" includes "A but not B", "B but not A", and "A and B", unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, all publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in this document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as though individually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s) should be considered supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls. [0023] The embodiments disclosed herein relate to caution lights providing information approximately indicating the speed range of a vehicle to drivers of other vehicles or pedestrians which -5can use it for taking right actions, thereby decreasing road incidents. [0024] Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates a caution light apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, the apparatus may comprise a bedding 102, a board 104 with one or more light sources 106 mounted thereon, and logic 108 connected to the one or more light sources 106. [0025] The bedding 102 is used as a mechanical support for the board 104 and the logic 108. In certain embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be design without the bedding 102, and have all necessary components within a housing or any other structure. [0026] The logic 108 is configured to drive the light sources 106 to generate light of different wavelengths subject to vehicle operation modes, such as acceleration and deceleration. The logic 108 can be part of the apparatus 100, i.e. be attachable to the bedding 102, or can be implemented as a separable device connected to the apparatus 100. [0027] As used hereinafter, the term "board" refers to a printed circuit board (PCB) used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components using conductive pathways, tracks or signal traces etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate. The board 104 is used to provide mechanical support and electrical connection for the light sources 106. Furthermore, the board 104 allows coupling each of the light sources 106 to the logic 108 driving them. Although Fig. 1 shows the rectangular board 104, those skilled would understand that any other form of the board 104 can be used depending on particular assignments and designs of the apparatus 100. [0028] As used hereinafter, the term "light source" relates to any device serving as a source of artificial visible electromagnetic radiation. The light sources 106 can be one of the following: light -6bulbs, electron stimulated luminescence light bulbs, xenon lamps, xenon-filled flash lamps, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic LEDs, polymer LEDs, LED lamps. Although Fig. 1 shows a matrix of the light sources 106 with size 4x8, where 4 is a number of rows and 8 is a number of columns, it should apparent for those skilled in the art that any number of the light sources 106 can be used depending on particular assignments and designs of the apparatus 100. [0029] In one embodiment, the light sources 106 can be combined to form a multimode light source capable of changing the wavelength range of its radiation. The known example of such a multimode source is a multimode LED. [0030] In one other embodiment, the light sources 106 can form a matrix of light sources similar to that shown in Fig. 1. One or more rows or columns of the matrix can be presented by the light sources 106 configured to generate light of a particular wavelength in response to a particular vehicle operation mode. The known example of such matrixes is different LED strips which are now widely used. [0031] As used hereinafter, the term "logic" relates to digital electronics consisting of small electronic circuits called logic gates that can be used to create combinational logic. The logic 108 used herein can comprise one or more microcontrollers or microprocessors which can be programmed, e.g., to drive only some of the light sources 106 at a given moment of time. [0032] In one embodiment, the logic 108 can be configured to drive one or more of the light sources 106 to radiate light of a particular wavelength when the vehicle comprising the apparatus 100 begins slowing down and to drive the rest light sources 106 to radiate light of other wavelength when the vehicle comprising the apparatus 100 begins speeding up. [0033] In one other embodiment, the logic 108 can be configured to drive one or more of the light sources 106 to radiate light of a particular wavelength depending on a speed range the -7speed of the vehicle is within. Relative to the apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 1, it can be implemented in the following way. Assume that the whole speed range of the vehicle is divided into four speed subranges, e.g., as follows: a first subrange corresponds to speeds under 50 km/h, a second subrange corresponds to speeds 50-80 km/h, a third subrange corresponds to speeds 80-100 km/h, and a fourth subrange corresponds to speeds 100 km/h and above. Assume also that one of the shown four rows of the light sources 106 corresponds to one of said subranges. When the vehicle comprising the apparatus 100 stands still or its speed is under 50 km/h, the logic 108 drives the light sources 106 of a first row (from above) to generate a first color. As soon as the speed of the vehicle exceeds 50 km/h, the logic 108 drives the light sources 106 of the first row to stop radiating and the light sources 106 of a second row to begin generating a second color distinct from the first color. As the speed of the vehicle reaches other subranges (third and fourth), a similar procedure is performed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present disclosure is not limited to the above mentioned example. For instance, any other number of rows or columns of the matrix of the light sources 106 and also any other different colors can be used when implementing the present disclosure. [0034] In yet one embodiment, the logic 108 can be configured to alter the intensity of light generated by the light sources 106 depending on a vehicle acceleration level, a vehicle deceleration level, or a speed range within the speed of the vehicle is within. [0035] In yet another embodiment, when the speed of the vehicle is closer to the beginning of a speed range, the logic can be configured to drive the light source to generate the low intensity light of a particular wavelength, and, when the speed of the vehicle is closer to the end of the speed range, the logic is configured to drive the light source to generate the high intensity light of the -8bulbs, electron stimulated luminescence light bulbs, xenon lamps, xenon-filled flash lamps, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic LEDs, polymer LEDs, LED lamps. Although Fig. 1 shows a matrix of the light sources 106 with size 4x8, where 4 is a number of rows and 8 is a number of columns, it should apparent for those skilled in the art that any number of the light sources 106 can be used depending on particular assignments and designs of the apparatus 100. [0029] In one embodiment, the light sources 106 can be combined to form a multimode light source capable of changing the wavelength range of its radiation. The known example of such a multimode source is a multimode LED. [0030] In one other embodiment, the light sources 106 can form a matrix of light sources similar to that shown in Fig. 1. One or more rows or columns of the matrix can be presented by the light sources 106 configured to generate light of a particular wavelength in response to a particular vehicle operation mode. The known example of such matrixes is different LED strips which are now widely used. [0031] As used hereinafter, the term "logic" relates to digital electronics consisting of small electronic circuits called logic gates that can be used to create combinational logic. The logic 108 used herein can comprise one or more microcontrollers or microprocessors which can be programmed, e.g., to drive only some of the light sources 106 at a given moment of time. [0032] In one embodiment, the logic 108 can be configured to drive one or more of the light sources 106 to radiate light of a particular wavelength when the vehicle comprising the apparatus 100 begins slowing down and to drive the rest light sources 106 to radiate light of other wavelength when the vehicle comprising the apparatus 100 begins speeding up. [0033] In one other embodiment, the logic 108 can be configured to drive one or more of the light sources 106 to radiate light of a particular wavelength depending on a speed range the -7speed of the vehicle is within. Relative to the apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 1, it can be implemented in the following way. Assume that the whole speed range of the vehicle is divided into four speed subranges, e.g., as follows: a first subrange corresponds to speeds under 50 km/h, a second subrange corresponds to speeds 50-80 km/h, a third subrange corresponds to speeds 80-100 km/h, and a fourth subrange corresponds to speeds 100 km/h and above. Assume also that one of the shown four rows of the light sources 106 corresponds to one of said subranges. When the vehicle comprising the apparatus 100 stands still or its speed is under 50 km/h, the logic 108 drives the light sources 106 of a first row (from above) to generate a first color. As soon as the speed of the vehicle exceeds 50 km/h, the logic 108 drives the light sources 106 of the first row to stop radiating and the light sources 106 of a second row to begin generating a second color distinct from the first color. As the speed of the vehicle reaches other subranges (third and fourth), a similar procedure is performed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present disclosure is not limited to the above mentioned example. For instance, any other number of rows or columns of the matrix of the light sources 106 and also any other different colors can be used when implementing the present disclosure. [0034] In yet one embodiment, the logic 108 can be configured to alter the intensity of light generated by the light sources 106 depending on a vehicle acceleration level, a vehicle deceleration level, or a speed range within the speed of the vehicle is within. [0035] In yet another embodiment, when the speed of the vehicle is closer to the beginning of a speed range, the logic can be configured to drive the light source to generate the low intensity light of a particular wavelength, and, when the speed of the vehicle is closer to the end of the speed range, the logic is configured to drive the light source to generate the high intensity light of the -8same wavelength, or vice versa. [0036] Fig. 2 illustrates a caution light system 200 comprising the apparatus 100 and different devices connected to the apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, such devices can include a vehicle a power source 202 (e.g., an accumulator), a speedometer 204 and a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver 206. The power source 202 is assigned to continuously feed the logic 108 which in turn supplies power to the corresponding light sources 106 when it is time for their driving. The speedometer 204 and the GPS receiver 206 are used to provide data concerning the current speed of the vehicle to the logic 108. The GPS receiver can be also part of the apparatus 100, i.e. be embedded into the apparatus 100. [0037] In one embodiment, the logic 108 can be configured to process the data received from the speedometer 204 and the GPS receiver 206 and, based on the results of processing, determine which of the light sources 106 should be driven. The processing of the speed data by the logic 108 can be briefly described in the following way. At first, the logic 108 receives the speed data from the speedometer 204 and/or the GPS receiver 206, the speed data indicating the current speed of the vehicle. Then, the logic 108 determines a speed range the current speed of the vehicle corresponds to, and, after the speed range is determined, drives the corresponding light sources 106 designated to the speed range. [0038] Fig. 3 illustrates the front and rear of a vehicle 300 with indication of possible places for mounting the apparatus 100 thereto according to exemplary embodiments, the apparatus 100 being depicted as a shaded rectangle. As shown, the apparatus 100 can be mounted inside the vehicle 300 to a front windscreen 302 and a rear windscreen 304, and/or outside the vehicle 300 to a front bumper 306 and a rear bumper 308. Relative to the apparatus 100 mounted to the front windscreen 302 or the front bumper 306, -9it is mainly assigned to keep attention of pedestrians trying to cross the road in front of the vehicle 300. In this case, the apparatus lets the pedestrians know whether the vehicle 300 begins slowing down or speeding up. By using such information, the pedestrians can choose right time for crossing the road. As for the apparatus 100 mounted to the rear windscreen 304 or the rear bumper 308, it is essentially used to increase attention of drivers of preceding vehicles by providing them color-coded speed range information. Being aware of the approximate speed of the vehicle 300, the drivers of the preceding vehicles can choose right time to press a gas pedal or a stop pedal. [0039] The present disclosure is not limited to be mounted to the above-described places of the vehicle 300. The apparatus 100 can be also embedded into headlights 310 and taillights 312 of the vehicle 300. Similar to the aforesaid, the apparatus 100 embedded into the headlight 310 is generally assigned to provide warning lights to the pedestrians, while the apparatus 100 within the taillight 312 is especially used to caution the drivers of the preceding vehicles. Furthermore, other possible place for the apparatus 100 can be also found within direction lights (not shown) of the vehicle 300. [0040] Although the above-mentioned possible places for mounting the apparatus 100 have been described with respect to the vehicle 300, those skilled in the art would understand that the apparatus 100 can be also mounted to identical or similar places inside or outside other types of vehicles, such as trucks and motorcycles. In one embodiment, the apparatus 100 can be mounted to crash helmets mainly used by motorcyclists. [00411 Thus, the caution light apparatus has been described. The apparatus provides color-coded information concerning the speed range of a particular vehicle. The knowledge of such information helps the drivers of the preceding vehicles and the pedestrians take right actions, thereby decreasing road incidents. - 10 - [0042] Although embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes can be made to these example embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. - 11 -

Claims

1. A caution light apparatus, comprising: at least one light source configured to generate light of different wavelengths, each wavelength corresponding to a particular color; and logic connected to the at least one light source, the logic configured to determine the speed of the vehicle and, depending on a speed range which the speed of the vehicle is within, drive the at least one light source to radiate light of a particular wavelength.

2. The caution light apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source comprises a multimode light emitting diode (LED).

3. The caution light apparatus of claim 2, wherein the multimode LED is a LED strip including a plurality of LEDs capable of irradiating at different wavelengths.

4. The caution light apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source comprises a set of LEDs of different colors.

5. The caution light apparatus of claim 4, wherein the set of LEDs of different colours are embedded within a single circuit board. - 12 -

6. The caution light apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is mounted to one or more of: vehicle headlights, vehicle taillights, a vehicle front bumper, a vehicle rear bumper, a vehicle front windscreen, a vehicle rear windscreen and a crash helmet.

7. The caution light apparatus of claim 1, wherein the logic is configured to determine the speed of the vehicle based on data obtained from a vehicle speedometer.

8. The caution light apparatus of claim 1, wherein the logic is configured to determine the speed of the vehicle based on data obtained from a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver mounted into the vehicle.

9. The caution light apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, and wherein the logic is configured to determine the speed of the vehicle based on data obtained from the GPS receiver embedded in the caution light apparatus.

10. The caution light apparatus of claim 1, wherein the logic is further configured to alter the intensity of light generated by the at least one light source depending on one or more of: an acceleration level, a deceleration level and a speed range. - 13 -

11. The caution light apparatus of claim 10, wherein, when the speed of the vehicle is closer to the beginning of the speed range, the logic is configured to drive the at least one light source to generate the low intensity light of a particular wavelength, and, when the speed of the vehicle is closer to the end of the speed range, the logic is configured to drive the at least one light source to generate the high intensity light of the same wavelength, or vice versa.

12. The caution light apparatus of claim 1, wherein the logic comprises one or more of: a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a chip, a computer. - 14 -