GB2490905A

GB2490905A - Proximity alarm to alert HGV or LGV that a cyclist or motorbike is approaching

Info

Publication number: GB2490905A
Application number: GB201108213A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dave Lacey; Shawn Nathan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-17
Filing date: 2011-05-17
Publication date: 2012-11-21
Also published as: GB201108213D0

Abstract

A proximity alarm system comprises two transceiver units which communicate wirelessly on a predefined bandwidth, each transceiver having proximity sensors and visual alarm means. One transceiver may be associated with a motorcycle or bicycle via an elastic band; the other may be associated with a heavy goods vehicle, large goods vehicle or other vehicle. The alarm means may show the direction, orientation and/or distance of the approaching vehicle. The range of the proximity alarm system may be up to 1km and may vary depending on the speed of travel of the vehicles.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

DAVE LACEY AND SHAWN NATHAN

FOR

A TRAffSPORT LOCATION NOTIFICATION SYSTEM AND DEVICES

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a transport location notification system and devices therefore.

Background

Roads and highways are increasingly crowded in today's modern world as increasing numbers of vehicles, increasing trade and increasing desire for mobility all combine to create the situations for crowding on roads.

At the same time more efficient forms of transport, both in fuel and space, are becoming commoner for many. Cycling and motorcycling in particular are increasingly popular ways to avoid the consequences of road crowding and improve the size of the user's carbon footprint for travel.

Crowded roads and increasing occurrence of two wheeled transport tends to lead to higher incidences of road injuries and death, particularly because two wheeled transport tends to be more difficult to notice given its size and possible speed differentials, and may pass unnoticed by for example a vehicle turning a at a intersection, or changing lanes on a motorway.

Prior Art

Accordingly patent applications have been filed in the past in an effort to deal with this problem, including the following: European patent application EP 2 165 883 (TON) discloses a device for the avoidance of accidents between a vehicle and a road-user, wherein the device comprises: a sensor combination comprising a pressure-sensitive sensor and a proximity sensor and a processing unit linked to the sensor combination, wherein the proximity sensor is a sensor based upon a biomass-discriminative detection technology.

Granted European patent EP 2 162 872 (SCHWINDT) relates to a collision warning device for motor vehicles, having a positioning system for locating objects at the front end of the vehicle, and a control device for analyzing data from the positioning system and for emitting a warning signal upon an impending risk of collision, having a detection module for detecting the course of guardrails based on the data of the positioning system, characterized in that a further warning function is implemented in the control device, which calculates a parameter for the transverse dynamics of the vehicle required for avoiding a collision with the guardrail based on the dynamic state of the vehicle and based on the detected course of the guardrails; said further warning function emits a warning signal if this parameter is greater than a predetermined value German patent application DE 10 2007 059 735 (POMERLEAU et al) discloses a system for detecting objects and vehicles comprising: a pair of cameras mounted on a host vehicle, and arranged with respect to each other in a narrow-baseline orientation and directed rearwardly from a front section of the host vehicle so as to view an area along a side of the host vehicle and beyond a back end of the host vehicle;a processor that detects an object or vehicle and that derives an approximate range based upon an input image from each of the pair of cameras; and an output device that reports detection of the object or vehicle within a predetermined range of the host vehicle.

United Kingdom patent application GB 2 432 948 (COWLEY) discloses detection apparatus for use with a vehicle, said apparatus comprising a tag device for location on the vehicle, a detection device selectively positionable externally of the vehicle and said tag and detection device, when active, communicate via at least one signal cmission to allow detection within a range of the vehicle, wherein said range extends beyond at least part of the plan area of the vehicle, to which the tag device is filled, and the at least one signal is transmitted using a light media.

European patent application EP 1 705 496 (AUDONE) discloses a device for detecting the relative position between at least two vehicles designed to supply at output at least the information associated to the distance between the two vehicles and to the angle that the direction of advance of a vehicle forms with the straight line joining the two vehicles, said device being characterized in that it comprises a radio transceiver apparatus communicating with a transceiving antenna conveniently set on a top portion of the vehicle; said radio transceiver apparatus being designed to perform alternatively: steps of transmission of a known signal having pre-set spectral characteristics; and steps of identification and reception of the known signal coming from another vehicle; said device further comprising a numeric processing unit designed to process the signals picked up by said antenna and selected, in so far as they have been recognized, by said numeric unit for calculation of said distance and of said angle.

European patent application EP 1 678 016 (TON) discloses a device for avoiding traffic accidents where at least one vehicle with four or more wheels and another type of road user are involved and where said road user comes into contact with at least part of a side of the vehicle, which vehicle is provided with means by means of which the presence of another road user in the vicinity of the side of the vehicle can be established by the driver of the vehicle, the device comprising: at least one proximity sensor provided with said means fixed in or on the relevant side of the vehicle by means of which the presence of an object within a strip of selectable width from the side of the vehicle can be detected, which proximity sensor is linked to an alarm sounding device by means of which the driver can be alerted if the sensor is activated.

Granted United States patent US 7 265 665 (BOUCHARD et al) discloses a method of improving the safety of a group of members in a territory, the method comprising: providing to each member a transmitter and a receiver to transmit and receive an RF signal such that each member can inform other members of its presence in a pre-determined range, and can be informed of the presence of other members by detecting the RF signal emitted by other members located in the range, the receiver further providing an alarm signal to warn of said presence; observing the members in the territory and determining if the alarm signal has been provided for the observed members; and when the alarm has not been provided, notifying the observed members of failure to receive the RE signal, therefore increasing the safety level of the group of members within the territory.

In contrast the present invention provides a system and devices for alerting a drivers and/or riders to each others' presence by means of a transportable multi-location set-up communicating wirelessly.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a transport location notification system containing at least two transceiver devices communicating wirelessly on a predefined bandwidth, with each transceiver having visual proximity indicators and alarm means.

In preferred embodiments one transceiver device is located in use on or in a motorcycle, pedal cycle, or bike.

Typically this transceiver device will be on the handlebars on a robustly formed mount, and it is envisaged that the device may be detached for security reasons and may additionally provide other features such as lighting.

The other transceiver is envisaged to be typically located in a heavy or large goods vehicle (LGV), heavy goods vehicle (HGV), or other vehicle.

LGVs in particular typically have greatly reduced visibility parameters, especially with regards to bikes that are well below a typical LGV or other high seat vehicle's driver viewpoint.

Therefore using the system the driver of an LGV is alerted to the presence of a bike within a predefined are or vicinity of the LGV either by an alert that is audible, visual or both.

For example on approach of an intersection or crossroads the vehicle driver would be alerted to the presence of a bike approaching the intersection and would accordingly take extra care.

Additionally or in the alternative the device encourages the driver of the LGV to be sure to maintain a careful and safe road position, at least until such time as the driver has been able to ascertain the location of the bike.

In addition the bike rider is alerted to the presence of the LGV by at least an audible or visual alert. Further embodiments may have a physical alert also such as a vibration alert.

This is likely to be of use in examples where the bike riders needs to be alerted to a presence of another vehicle using the system in order to maintain a more cautious attitude.

In preferred embodiments the bike rider will be shown the proximity and attitude of the LGV additionally by use of indication lights or a visual display unit (VDU) wherein said VDU displays the relative locations of vehicles and bikes with the system installed, and a device on the person or bike.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Descjption of Figures Figure 1 shows an overhead isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the bike device;

S

Figure 2 shows an isometric view from below of the preferred embodiment of the bike device; Figure 3 shows a view from below of the embodiment; Figures 4 show three views of the embodiment of the previous Figures; Figures 5 show two isometric views of the preferred embodiment of the LGV device; and Figures 6 show three views of the preferred embodiment of Figures 5.

Detailed Descjption of Figures The preferred system is comprised of two devices as pictured, linked together over a radio frequency. This frequency is envisaged to be predefined at manufacture and standardised.

The devices consist of a bike unit and a vehicle unit; both communicate with each other and provide visual proximity indicators and sound alarms when near each other, thus warning both the bike rider and the vehicle driver that the other is there.

The pictured bike device embodiment is primarily made of (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) ABS; other plastic, polymer blend or polymer mixture may be applicable and are included herein.

Back painted plastic for power (light emitting diodes) LEDs including a power LED and preferably proximity LED and orientation LEDs, printed circuit board (PCB), RFID (radio-frequency identification) tag or transceiver for wireless communication within the system, typically at least one 3V coin battery or rechargeable lithium ion battery, speaker for audible alerts, preferably the facility to connect to personal computers or a standard data port such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) or Micro B inlet, and some fixing means to the bike or vehicle.

In the pictured embodiments the attachment to the bike is by an ABS bayonet fixing bike attachment (1) which has an indent that fits over an elongate member and an elasticated band fixing (2), which is envisaged to loop over the handlebars. In this way it may be easily removed from the bike when necessary, by separation between the attachment 1 and fixing 2.

Ideally the preferred embodiment of the bike device may be accommodated easily within a standard sized pocket, in order that a rider can easily remove and carry the expensive portion of the device.

in the preferred embodiments of the bike device it is envisaged that the device is provided with a motion sensor such vibration caused by movement of the bike will turn the device on, automatically sending out radio waves to other devices in the system.

In some embodiments of the system the devices may be provided with accelerometers which enable the device to monitor the speed at which it is travelling and adjust the range of the sensors accordingly, such as for example to allow sensing of other devices at a greater distance when travelling faster.

Preferably vehicle devices are connected to the vehicle power supply. Some embodiments may include further features such as satellite navigation.

In the pictured embodiment the bike device indicates its proximity to a truck, using three colours: green, orange, red which are capable of being shown on the LED. In some embodiments the red LED may be separate, in order that users with colour blindness are not mistaken in dangerous situations.

In the pictured embodiment the LGV device also indicates its proximity to a bike using the three colours: green, orange, red. Furthermore it indicates its orientation to a bike using lights around the device such as front, behind, left, right.

The LGV device may have a greater range or distance of data acquisition than that of the bike device and in turn is equipped with a screen (3) to display greater amounts of information, with more detail.

It is likely that the display 3 will show a representation of the vehicle so that the user may easily correspond the warning to their situation.

Additionally the LGV device is likely to be equipped with greater connectivity, being provided with a plurality of ports.

Claims

Claims 1. A transport location notification system containing at least two transceiver devices communicating wirelessly on a predefined bandwidth, with each transceiver having visual proximity sensors and alarm means.
2. A transport location notification system according to claim I wherein at least one device has visual proximity indicators.
3. A transport location notification system according to claim 1 wherein at least one device has visual orientation indicators.
4. A transport location notification system according to claims I to 3 wherein one transceiver device is located in use on or in a motorcycle, pedal cycle, or bike.
5. A transport location notification system according to claim 4 wherein another device is located in use in a heavy or large goods vehicle or other vehicle.
6. A device according to claim 5 that has a range of over 1 kilometre.
7. A device according to a system according to any of the preceding claims which is attached by an elasticated band to a bike.
8. A device according to a system according to any of the preceding claims including a motion sensor.
9. A device or system according to any preceding claim wherein the proximity range relates to the speed of travel of a device.