GB2468502A

GB2468502A - Driver aid

Info

Publication number: GB2468502A
Application number: GB0904161A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Plaza
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-11
Filing date: 2009-03-11
Publication date: 2010-09-15
Also published as: GB0904161D0

Abstract

An aid for warning drivers of large vehicles (1&2) such as lorries or trucks of the presence of other road users such as cyclists in their blind spot comprises transponders (Fig 6), receivers (3) and a dashboard display (Fig 5). The vehicle is equipped with one or more receivers each having a sensory field. Where more than one receiver is used they can be mounted along the length of the vehicle in such a way that the sensory fields overlap(4). In preferable embodiments the receivers may be powered by the vehicle and only become active when the vehicle indicator (2, Fig 5) is used. Road users such as cyclists or pedestrians are provided with a transponder which may be in the form of a wrist strap or key fob. When the wearer enters the sensory field, the receiver activates an associated LED (1, Fig 5) on the dashboard display. Preferably the LED remains lit whilst the road user remains in the sensory field.

Description

I

Title -Driver Aid.

This invention relates to a transponder and receiver system for the use on any type of vehicle and for the safety of all members of the public.

Most drivers of vehicles and in particular drivers of large vehicles such as lorries have areas to rear of the vehicle that are difficult to see, these areas are known as blind spots'.

These blind spots become areas of serious danger for cyclist, motorcyclist, pedestrians and indeed anything else not seen by the driver, the risk then becomes far greater if the vehicle is turning as the blind spot area becomes considerably larger and with such a large blind spot this could quite easily result in a cyclist not being seen resulting in a serious injury or even a fatality.

Statement of invention -To overcome this the present invention proposes a transponder and receiver system. A series of receiver sensors fitted the length of both sides of the vehicle with a dashboard display alerting the driver of potential hazards within the drivers bind spot, this display is only triggered when a transponder which could be used by any member of the public passes into the receivers sensory field. The receivers on the vehicle would only become active when the driver uses their indicators, if the driver was to indicate to turn left then only the receivers on the left hand side of the vehicle would become active and if the driver was to indicate to turn right then only the receivers on the right hand side of the vehicle would become active.

The transponder which would be carried by members of the public who are at risk such as cyclist would carry the small transponder on something like a key ring or wrist strap the transponder sends out a signal that is paired with the vehicle receiver, the receiver will only recognise the transponder is signal so that the drivers dashboard display is not triggered by any false signals.

Advantages -Using this type of transponder and receiver system the number of road traffic injuries and fatalities can be considerably reduced Preferably the vehicle would be fitted with a minimum of four receivers sensors down the length of both sides of the vehicle with the sensory pattern slightly over lapping each other to ensure that the full length of the vehicle is covered. I would also preferably like to have a variety of transponder designs to suit the individual.

Introduction and description of drawings 1 to 6.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying diagrams.

Diagram 1 introduction -Diagram 1 illustrates the area that a driver of a large vehicle is unable to see when looking in their rear view mirrors.

Diagram 1 description -Diagram 1 illustrates the rear view numbered 2 seen by a driver sat in the cab numbered 1, the area numbered 3 is the blind spot that the driver in cab numbered 1 is unable to see.

Diagram 2 introduction -Diagram 2 shows side profile of a large vehicle fitted with a transponder receiver system to alert the driver that a member of the public that is carrying the transponder is within the receiver sensory field.

Diagram 2 description -Diagram 2 illustrates the possible positioning of the transponder receivers sensors numbered 3 which are fitted and powered to the large vehicle numbered 1 and 2.

Diagram 3 introduction -Diagram 3 illustrates the rear view of a large vehicle fitted with the transponder receiver that has been activated by the driver indicating to turn left.

Diagram 3 description -Diagram 3 illustrates the transponder receiver sensory field numbered 4 which is emitted from the sensor number 3 which is fitted to the large vehicle numbered 2 activated by the driver indicating to turn lefl which also illuminates number 5.

Diagram 4 introduction -Diagram 4 illustrates a birds eye view fitted with 4 activated transponder receiver sensors and their sensory fields.

Diagram 4 description -The area numbered 4 is the area that is covered by the four transponder receivers evenly fitted the length of the large vehicle numbered 3. The transponder receivers are activated by the driver of the large vehicle numbered I and 2 by the use of the indicator to signal that they are turning left numbered 5, the transponder receiver sensory field is set so that they slightly overlap ensuring that the whole length of the vehicle is covered. The transponder receivers numbered 3 are powered by the vehicle numbered 1 and 2.

Diagram 5 introduction -Diagram 5 illustrates a typical dashboard display with a diagram of a vehicle that has the same number of L.E.D as the same number of transponder receivers fitted to the vehicle, the L.E.D are displayed to replicate the positioning of the transponder receivers on the vehicle so that when an L.E.D does illuminate the driver of the vehicle would learn the position of the possible danger such as a cyclist. Only 1 L.E.D would illuminate depending on which transponder receiver was triggered. For example the bottom left hand L.E.D illuminated then the driver would be aware that a hazard such as a cyclist is in range of the left hand most rear. If the cyclist was to continue down the length of the vehicle then the illuminated L.E.D would turn off and the next L.E.D would illuminate as the cyclist passes from the transponder receiver

sensory field to the next.

Diagram 5 description -The L.E.D display numbered 1 is activated by the driver using their indicator number 3 which when also used illuminates direction indicator numbered 2 in this case turning left, the L.E.D display numbered I is also positioned so that it is easily visible by the driver of the vehicle.

Diagram 6 introduction -Diagram 6 shows 3 types of transponder designs, diagram 1/3 is a type key ring fob that can be attached to a bunch of keys and carried around this can be made in many different colours, shapes and sizes. Diagram 2/3 is a wrist strap that can be worn like a watch this can also be supplied in many different sizes and colours. And diagram 3/3 is a Velcro strap that can be fitted to various different objects such as a bicycle frame once again this can also be supplied in many different sizes and colours.

Diagram 6 description -1/3 illustrates a typical key ring fob numbered 2 with the transponder chip numbered 1 fitted within the key ring fob casing allowing the transponder chip numbered 1 to carried easily and also providing the transponder chip with protection.

2/3 illustrates a wrist strap numbered 3 with different size settings, fitted with the transponder chip numbered 1 in the centre.

3/3 illustrates a Velcro strap numbered 4 fitted with the transponder chip 1. The Velcro strap is designed so that the transponder can be fitted to most shapes and sizes.

Claims

Claims 1. A system that uses a transponder and a transponder receiver to alert drivers of large vehicles of possible hazards such as cyclist which can not be seen when looking in to the rear view mirrors with a visual dashboard display.
2. A dashboard display according to claim 1, the dashboard display uses an illuminated L.E.D to alert the driver the positioning of a member of the public carrying a transponder.The dashboard display is oniy active when the driver uses the turning signal knowTl as the indicator, when the indicator is used to signal a left turn the left side of the circuit becomes active. The L.E.D on the dashboard only illuminates when a transponder carried by a member of the public passes into the transponder receivers sensory field. The L.E.D then extinguishes once the transponder carried by the member of the public leaves thatsensory field.
3. Transponder receivers according to claim 1, the transponder receivers are fitted down the length of both sides of the vehicle at equal distances. These transponder receivers are only active when the driver of the vehicle uses the turning signal known as the indicator, when the indicator is used for turning left then only the transponder receivers fitted to the left hand side of the vehicle become active. The sensory field of each transponder receiver is set so that they have a slight overlap to ensure that the whole length of the vehicle is covered. When a transponder carried by a member of the public passes into the sensory field of the transponder receiver the triggered receiver illuminates the dashboard L.E.D that is paired to that receiver. The transponder receivers fitted to the vehicle only recognise the signal that is emitted by the transponders that are carried by members of the public ensuring that receivers are only triggered by the transponder.
4. Transponder according to claim 1, the transponder is carried by members of the public this transponder transmits a signal that is recognised by the transponder receiver fitted to the vehicle and is only recognisable to the transponder receiver. This transponder will only trigger the transponder receiver when the transponder passes through the transponderreceiver sensory field.