GB2402534A

GB2402534A - Traffic warning device

Info

Publication number: GB2402534A
Application number: GB0304418A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Richard Swift
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-08
Filing date: 2003-02-27
Publication date: 2004-12-08
Also published as: GB0300351D0; GB0304418D0

Abstract

A device warning of traffic flow irregularities utilises inter vehicle radio communications 3 and 6 to activate visual or audible warning messages. Speed sensor 5 and a direction finding device 2 are used to establish whether the traffic ahead is proceeding at a substantially lower velocity. Sensing means 7 is provided to detect whether a vehicle is involved in an accident and trigger the broadcast of an appropriate coded signal. Optional features include GPS positioning, localised deactivation using roadside transmissions, broadcasting of vehicle data and automated cellular telecommunications to emergency services.

Description

1 2402534

A SLOW MOVING OR STATIONARY TRAFFIC INDICATOR

SYSTEM WITH VEHICLE STATUS MONITORING

This invention relates to a slow moving or stationary traffic indicator system with a vehicle status monitoring facility As time marches on and vehicles go faster, or should be allowed to go faster problems can occur on fog bound motorways and A roads. This invention is very much in keeping with the notion of " engineering for a safer world ".

In poor Disability drivers need a built in warning system to let them know if they are approaching slow or stationary traffic - this invention is such a system. The technology may be a little like that of IFF equipment on fighter planes. I know that there are those at the Department of Transport who might favour a speed limiter circuit - I am not in favour of any such modification to this system. In the event of the equipment failing as older electronic equipment seems to do from time to time. It would be one thing for a driver to simply ignore a false warning signal from this system but quite another if a malfunction were to immobilize his vehicle miles from anywhere. In recognition of other needs I have incorporated a " vehicle status monitoring " facility. This should enable law enforcement authorities to easily check if the vehicle in question has say a current MOT certificate insurance and road tax. It is hoped that this system will be made a legal requirement for ALL road vehicles by say 2006 perhaps being fitted to older vehicles at the MOT test.

According to the present invention - see fig 1, there is a radio transmitter 3 with a range of 2 miles, linked to a micro-processor 1, a radio direction finder or electronic compass 2, a radio receiver 4 and a speed sensor 5 together with a shock detector 7 all linked to the micro-processor 1. There is also an in vehicle driver warning system 6 which may be a digitally recorded voice warning, buzzer or dashboard light also coupled to the micro-proc- -essor 1.

It is suggested that the systems radio receiver is directly coupled to the vehicles battery and is thus on all the time. Then if the vehicle, say vehicle (A) exceeds the speed of about 47 mph for say 30 seconds the micro-processor will scan forwards of the vehicle to detect any slower moving vehicles in front. A vehicle say vehicle (B) in front of vehicle (A) doing say less than 38 mph will be sending out the coded " slow moving vehicle ahead signal which will be picked up by vehicle (A). Vehicle (C) say travailing in the opposite direction at say only 30 mph and transmitting the " slow vehicle ahead " warning signal will have its signal ignored by both vehicles (A) and (B) 's radio systems by use of the micro-processors linked radio direction finder or electronic compass circuits. On motorways this will mean that signals from vehicles on bridges ate should also be ignored. In addition on the enterance and exit roads of motorway service stations or for turn-offs onto B roads unit 10 see fig. 2 may be used to switch off/on the vehicles transmitter 3, by way of a short range say 1/10th mile range radio transmitter 12 powered by solar cells 11 linked to rechargeable batteries 13.

With reference to Fig 1 the shock detector 7 is fitted so that the vehicles radio transmitter 3 may send out a different coded signal should it be involved in an accident - - depending upon cost considerations there may also be a global positioning system fitted to a mobile phone circuit so that the authorities may be directly alerted in the event of an accident With reference to Fig 1 unit 8 is an optional extra part of the system for luxuary vehicles consisting of a mobile phone link to say the AAm RACtc which may be activated by the driver holding down an in built switch for say 30 seconds to avoid accidental triggering which then may send a pre- recorded message " vehicle broken down....etc "together with the vehicles location details.

Figure 3 shows a hand held electronic device for certified garages to use in conjunction with section 9 of the micro-processor in figure 1. This is the vehicle status monitoring facility. It is suggested that the microprocessor 1 is programmed only to operate with a given coded signal for a given time period unless a new code is entered into the system by unit 18 in fig. 3. Unit 18 has a key pad for this 15, pins 17 to couple with holes at 9 on the micro-processor 1, The coded signal being visable on unit 18 on its display 16. By this system the correct code may only be entered if the vehicle has a current MOT certificate, road tax and insurance. The police etc may then have a version of this system which may be able to interrogate another vehicles radio system to obtain details about it's registration, road tax, insurance owner etc. For vehicles with the optional unit 8 fitted it is suggested that garages make deals with motoring organizations like the AA, RAC etc so that this part of the system will only be made " live " if the motorist has paid his renewal premium again another coded signal being used to activate this circuit.

With reference to figure 1 this system may optionally include forward scanning radar switched on only in conditions of fog or other very poor Disability conditions this system shown as item 19 on the drawing. A less expensive option than radar being a forward scanning infra-red unit shown as item / option 20.

Either of these options working as an obstruction detection system in conjunction with this systems micro-processor triggering a visiable or audiable warning if these systems are working and an obsticle is detected in the path of the vehicle equipped with this system.

Claims

1. A slow moving or stationary vehicle warning indicator system.

Comprising a micro-processor, radio transmitter / receiver with a range of about 2 miles,electronic compass and or radio direction finder, vehicle speed sensor, shock sensor and in vehicle driver warning system of a light, digital!' recorded voice or buzzer.

2. A slow moving or stationary vehicle warining system as claimed in claim 1 able to give drivers a warning of slow or stationary vehicles in their path while superflous signals from vehicles to the side and or rear of the faster moving vehicle are ignored by means of the radio direction finder / electronic compass and micro-processor circuits.

3. A slow moving or stationary vehicle warning system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 which may be switched on or off at certain locations eg motorway service stations etc by means of very short range solar powered road side studs.

4. A slow moving or stationary vehicle warning system as claimed in claim 1, 2, Or 3 which is able to send out a different warning signal in the event of another vehicle fitted with this system being involved in an accident by means of a shock sensor.

5. A slow moving or stationary vehicle indicator system as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 which incorporates a special radio-electronic coding system able to indicate if the vehicle has a current MOT certificate, road tax or insuran ce. The correct signalling codes only being put into the vehicles electronics by a certified MOT garage having a special codeing machine able to do this.

6. A slow moving or stationary vehicle indicator system as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4,or 5 with the option of another electronic circuit able upon activation to give the location of the vehicle directly to a motoring organization to which the motorist activating the system may belong. Again activation of this circuit being done by an approved garage with the special codeing machine.

7. A slow moving or stationary vehicle warning system and other circuits as substantially described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 3 of the accompanying drawings.

B. A slow moving or stationary vehicle indicator system as claimed in claim 1 -7 above which may be able to alert the police or ambulance ate via a built in mobile phone link and shock sensor in the event of an accident.

9. A slow moving or stationary vehicle indicator system as claimed in claim 1 - 8 wherein it may form part of the cars alarm system and send out a coded signal to the police if the vehicle is stolen.

10. A slow moving or stationary vehicle indicator system as claimed In :lalrn l - 9 w]-erein lt may contain al; electronic noney transfer system pat. appllc. No. 0300770.5

11. A s].ow moving Or stationary vel-lcle indicator system as claimed in c]si..rs L-10.vheren 1: may be fitted with a global positioning system for use with the motoring organization alert function set out in claim 6, for use with alerting the police as per claims 8 or 9. ]'hi.s system then giving the appropriate authori1:i.es information as to the equipped vehicles location.

12. A slow moving or stationary vehicle indicator system as claimed In clains 1--11 wherein it may additionally be fitted Wit]1 forward scanning radar for Else in very poor Disability and fog thereby being able to detect obs..rtctive vehicles iJ1 this vehicles path even if they are not fitted with a version of this system.

13. A slow moving or stationary vehicle Indicator system as claimed in claims 1-12 wherein it may optionally be fitted with a forward scanning infra--red object detector for rise in poor visabili.ty or fog coed-, tLOllS, activated as its Optional radar of claim 12 may be by appropriate dash board switches. Again this.syslem then being able to detect vehicles not necessarily fisted Judith a version of this system.

14. A slow moving or- stationary vehicle indicator system as claimed in claims 1--13 wherein the road side studs mentioned in claim 3 may be used especially in locations where a B road or A road run parallel to a motorway. 'l'hese then being vised to switch off the low speed warning signal of vehicles on these stretches of road so as to avoid false signals being sent to motorway delvers giving then misleading warnings about slow traffic which in this case may Befell not be on the sane road as themselves.

1->. A slow moving or stationary vehicle indicator system as cl.al.med in 'alms 1-1/ ah,_- n, ., addition Lo one electronic data storage mentioned in claim to the equipped vehicle may be able to have stored on this system its drivers 10(CT and associated vehicle ownership details.

16. A slow moving or stationary vehicle indicator system as claimed In clams I-15 wherein ic May have fitted with it a number of shock sensors =. g. one at the front and one at the rear or more.

17. A slow moving or stationary vehicle Indicator system as claimed in claims 1--16 wherein equipped slow moving vehicles may send out radio signals not only to warn other faster moving traLfc behind them hilt also to any road side sign system equipped t:O receive such signals and then be able to give electronic road side Slgn 1nforn!ation to faster following mol:orists even if they do not have this syst:em fitted.

18. A slow moving or stationary vehicle indicator system as claimed In claims 1-1 7 wherein if fitted with a radar or infra--red forward scanner its processor will be able to filter the information received from 1:hese systems so as not lo give the driver a radar or other image picture which may be distracting hut only lo give a warning of a slower moving vehicle in hits path.

I 9. A slow morlng or statloraary vehicle indicator system as claimed in claims 1-18 wherein its electronics may be able to assess the signal strength of a vehicle in front of the said vehicle and to alter the warning signal given to the driver of the faster moving vehicle approaching the slower moving vehicle depending upon how strong its received signal is indicating just how close that vehicle might be. Giving a stronger warning signal if the vehicle is not very far in front of the following faster vehicle and a less Urgent l<'arnlng signal if the slower moving vehicle is some distance say over one mile in front of the faster moving vehicle behlod.