GB2343258A

GB2343258A - Excess speed alarm for road vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2343258A
Application number: GB9924220A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Edward Dickinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-10-30
Filing date: 1999-10-14
Publication date: 2000-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-14
Also published as: GB9823671D0; GB9924220D0; GB2343258B

Abstract

A device to enable the driver to select the vehicle speed at which an audible and/or visual alarm will be activated. A further function to consist of a timed, audible signal, which will encourage driver alertness at night, especially on motorways etc. In conjunction with the siting of suitable coded message devices at the roadside/road surface, receive signals which, after the device has been suitably pre-set, will activate all functions, including a variety of hazard warnings, automatically. A range of visual and audible messages may be used with this device.

Description

EXCESS SPEED ALARM FOR ROAD VEHICLES DESCRIPTION 1. This invention basically relates to a device which can be easily fitted and preset, to suit any road vehicle, enabling the driver to select the vehicle speed at which an audible and visual alarm will be activated. Ease of fitting, simplicity of operation and cheapness of production represent the objectivity behind this invention.

2. An additional feature would be the ability to pre-set the alarm to a timed signal which could be used to ensure alertness, particularly on long motorway journeys and at night. This is later referred to as a form of snooze alarm.

3. In a more sophisticated version of the speed alarm, a small transmitter/receiver or sensor, used in conjunction with roadside/surface reflectors, or coded message devices, would enable speed selection to be automatic.

4. In a more sophisticated version the additional function of a snooze alarm, to preserve driver alertness, would be pre-set to recognize, and be activated by, the scanning of a form of coded signal as the vehicle crosses coded message devices, or reflective strips in the road such as lane markings etc.

5. The device would require a low voltage power supply, preferably from the vehicle battery.

6. It is anticipated that dimensions of the device would be approximately 200mm wide by 200mm deep with a maximum height of 50mm. (see Fig 1) so as not to restrict the driver's view ahead.

7. The device would ideally be sited above the vehicle dashboard, in such a position in front of the driver to ensure both a clear view of the visual alarm, which should be a bright red light, together with ease of operation. Simple Velcro patches would allow easy installation and subsequent change of position.

8. Various methods of monitoring the vehicle speed have already been suggested for similar devices, some involving a linkage with the existing speedometer. This device would involve the input of a pulse, taken either from the existing speedometer cable or from a separate magnetic sensor, located preferably on the underbody of the vehicle, to measure revolutions of the drive shaft to the wheels.

The pulse rate generated, per minute, would be in proportion to the vehicle speed. (see fig 2) 9. Additional sensors or a transmitter/receiver device for automatic activation would be linked to the device and sited in the most suitable location on the vehicle for effective operation. (see fig 2) 10. The speed alarm would incorporate electronic circuits which would compare a function of the shaft rotation pulse rate with a similarly derived function, which has been previously set and stored in the manner described in para. 14 below. When the stored function is matched, or exceeded by the sensed function an alarm, both visual and audible, is created. A simple block schematic diagram can be seen in Fig 3 (attached) showing general principles. Modem electronics allow for several ways in which this can be achieved and a more detailed example of one possible method is described in para 11.

11. In this example, the frequency picked up by the sensor is converted to a DC voltage, which is linearly related to speed. This is converted to a digital message which, when in setting mode, is fed into one of the available alarm memories creating a set speed code. The function of the operating button is then changed to operate the speed alarm, which allows the set speed code to be passed to the comparator.

In this mode any speed code produced by the sensor which matches or exceeds the set speed from the memory will activate the alarm until the vehicle speed is reduced to a level just below the set speed. A second memory, accessed by further altering the function of the operating button, is programmed by the up/down control to set a reading on the display which will represent the chosen speed. Both memories will be activated together simply by ganging the appropriate switches but the settings need not be exactly the same, each being individually programmed. A 30mph limit display may be coupled to a 33mph alarm set, for example, allowing for slight variations in maintaining vehicle speed. Five different set speeds may be used, as shown in the sample circuit, or more if appropriate, each with a separate memory bank. A separat-asnooze alarm"timer and control are also connected to the alarm with setting via the up/down control. A display priority logic being incorporated in the event of speed alarm and snooze alarm being used at the same time. See Fig 4 (attached) 12. Automatic activation would involve incorporation, within the device, of digital sensing together with hazard warning detectors. An example of how this may be achieved, with both an separate unit and with a unit incorporated in the vehicle's own on-board electronics, is shown in Figs 5,6 & 7 (attached).

In this case a coded message, received by a vehicle sensor, advises the appropriate speed limit to a speed memory switch which has selection/decision logic and this is able to override the relevant manually operated switches. Similarly, a hazard code will stimulate a snooze alarm response, possibly as a result of crossing lane markings.

13. The addition of other functions such as approaching hazard warnings etc. may also be incorporated in the device so that an intermittent alarm will be activated alerting the driver to either a general hazard or a specific hazard, using variable visual displays and audible messages. An example of how this may be done is shown in Fig 6 (attached).

14. The device may be limited to possibly 5 speed bands, each controlled by a separate push button. Each button, together with a +/-control, could firstly be used to pre-set the chosen, nominal speed readings onto an incorporated display. To set the appropriate pulse rate at which the alarm would activate, it would then be necessary to drive the vehicle at the chosen speed, constantly, using the existing speedometer as a reference, for a set period with the button depressed in the setting mode. This procedure would be repeated for each selector button to give the range of chosen speeds and would be equally relevant for kilometres per hour or miles per hour. (see Fig 2) Chosen speeds could be relevant to the normal speed restrictions in the area of use. Switching to operation mode will enable the same switches to be used for operation of the device.

15. The device would have to be reset if moved to a different vehicle.

16. A separate push button would control the snooze alarm with +/-settings for the time interval, which can be shown on the display. (see Fig 1). In the more sophisticated version, this may also display messages such as LANE CHANGE or HAZARD AHEAD, when the alarm would be automatically activated as the vehicle crossed lane or other, suitably sited warning reflectors in the road, equating to the existing hazard warnings/road signs.

17. The audible alarm may be substituted by short verbal messages such as"WATCH YOUR SPEED"or "STAY ALERT"or"BEWARE, HAZARD AHEAD".

18. There are various means by which coded messages may be sited at the roadside or in the road surface for scanning by an on-board sensor. For ease of siting and least disruption to traffic flow a stud or staple, with a coded message on the head is favoured, subject to development and a rapid means of placement. Spacing to be dependent on suitable trials. A light sensitive sensor may be suitable for the detection of painted road markings.

19. The siting of reflectors at the roadside or coded message devices in the road surface would require the co-operation and action of the responsible authority.

20. Although both the simple and automatically activated versions of this device are designed to be used on any vehicle this does not preclude the inclusion of these functions in new vehicles while still on the production line and incorporation into their on-board electronics system.

Claims

EXCESS SPEED ALARM FOR ROAD VEHICLES CLAIMS 1. A small electronic device, easily fitted to any road vehicle which, together with associated sensors, can be easily set and activated to provide audible and visual warning to the driver when pre-set speed limits, based on specific pulse rates, have been reached or exceeded.
2. A small electronic device as claimed in Claim 1 which is pre-set for various pulse rates by driving constantly at the various relevant speeds for a short period of time, with the relevant control button depressed. The relevant speed being maintained by driver reference to the existing speedometer.
3. A small electronic device as claimed in Claim 1 where the relevant control button can be activated automatically by recognition of a coded message or reflected signal from a suitably positioned coded device or reflector at the roadside or road surface.
4. A small electronic device as claimed in Claim 1 which includes a pre-set timer which, when activated by the driver will result in an intermittant, audible and visual alarm signal to be used to combat driver fatigue, particularly at night and on motorways.
5. A small electronic device as claimed in Claim 4, in which the audible and visual alarm will be activated immediately, as an alertness alarm, should the vehicle sensors cross any hazard warning in the form of a coded message or reflected signal.
6. The siting of reflectors or coded devices at the roadside or the road surface which will be recognized by the device claimed in claim 3.
7. The siting of reflectors or coded devices at the road side or the road surface, which will be recognized by the device claimed in claim 5.
8. An easily fixed stud or staple, incorporating a reflector or coded device, as claimed in claims 5 & 6, a number of which can be placed on or sited in the road surface to form a suitably positioned line that will be recognized by the appropriate sensor of any vehicle passing over it.

8. The incorporation of any or all functions described in claims 1-5 within the in-car electronics of a new vehicle or any add-on system.

9. An easily fixed stud or staple, incorporating a reflector or coded device, as claimed in claims 6 and 7, a number of which can be placed on, or sited in the road surface to form a suitably positioned line that will be recognized by the appropriate sensor of any vehicle passing over it.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows EXCESS SPEED ALARM FOR ROAD VEHICLES CLAIMS (REVISED) 24'h. Feb 2000 1. A small electronic device, easily fitted to any road vehicle, which, together with associated sensors, can be easily set and activated to provide audible and visual warning to the driver when pre-set speed limits, based on specific pulse rates, have been reached or exceeded. It is suggested that the principle uniqueness of this claim from those of similar, other inventions will lie in the combination of features, which includes the method ofpre-programming by the driver, an example of which is shown in Fig. 4 on page 2/5. In this invention the device is pre-set for various pulse rates by driving constantly at the relevant chosen speeds, for an appropriately short period of time, with the relevant control button depressed in a pre-set mode. The relevant speed being maintained by driver reference to the existing speedometer. Later adjustments can easily be made by a driver on the move, to allow for different speeds and changes from miles to kilometres per hour limits when crossing borders etc. In"display set mode", using the same control button, the applicable speed restriction can be entered on the visual display so that this will show when the same button is then used to activate the relevant speed alarm.

2. A small electronic device as claimed in claim 1 where the relevant control button, after being pre-set, can be activated automatically by recognition of a coded message or reflected signal from a suitably positioned coded device or reflector at the roadside or road surface.

3. A small electronic device as claimed in claim 1 which includes a pre-set timer which, when activated by the driver will result in an intermittant, audible and visual alarm signal to be used to combat driver fatigue, particularly at night and and on motorways.

4. A small electronic device as claimed in claim 3, in which the audible and visual alarm will be activated immediately, as an alertness alarm, should the vehicle sensors cross any hazard warning in the form of a coded message or reflected signaL 5. The siting of reflectors or coded devices at the roadside or road surface, which will be recognised by the device claimed in claim 2.

6. The siting of reflectors or coded devices at the roadside or road surface, which will be recognized by the device claimed in claim 4.

7. The incorporation of any or all functions described in claims 1-4 within the in-car electronics of a new vehicle or any add-on system.