ZA200506079B - A motor vehicle control device - Google Patents

Description

Co , 2005/0: 74

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[001] Each year numerous motorists and passengers are injured in accidents occurring mostly on public roads as a result of negligent driving. In many instances such accidents may even result in the death of the motorist or his passengers.

[002] It has been determined that negligent driving in the form of excessive speeds is the major cause of such accidents.

[003] A further problem associated with high accident rates is that some road surfaces, after being damaged, deteriorate rapidly and requires regular maintenance.

It often occurs that these damaged road surfaces can not be repaired timeously as a result of which, temporary road signs need to be erected, indicating that motorists should proceed with caution or slow down to a recommended speed.

[004] In many instances these temporary road signs are ignored by motorists or removed by pedestrians, thus endangering the lives of motorists and their passengers.

[005] Numerous methods exist to attempt to control the speeds at which motorists travel. Such methods include inter alia road signs, stationary cameras, speed bumps and road blocks. Disadvantages normally associated with these methods are that they are costly, time consuming and only temporarily.

[006] A further disadvantage, particularly associated with stationary speed cameras and road blocks, is that motorists can easily accelerate to unsafe speeds after either having avoided same or having passed through it.

[007] The danger of excessive speeds is further enhanced while driving at night.

Every so often a motorist refuses or neglects to dim his vehicle's headlights when approaching oncoming traffic, hence temporarily blinding other motorists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[008] The invention provides a vehicle speed control system which includes at least one receiver which is locatable onboard a vehicle and which is capable of receiving a signal from a first transmitter, a processor which is in communication with the receiver and which is capable to process and generate a response to the received signal, a second transmitter which is in communication with the processor and which is capable of transmitting the response from the processor to at least one function control unit onboard the vehicle.

[009] The first transmitter may be positioned at a remote location alongside a road or alternatively it may be positioned on and across the road surface.

[0010] The signal may be a data carrying signal and may include data relating to a first recommended travelling speed, road conditions and weather conditions.

[0011] The generated response may be a second recommended speed which is calculated by utilising the information received from the receiver and overriding the first recommended travelling speed.

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[0012] The function control unit of the vehicle may be a switch which is in communication with the speed control unit of the vehicle or, alternatively with an onboard computer of the vehicle.

[0013] The invention also provides for a vehicle light control system which includes at least one receiver which is locatable inside a vehicle and which is capable to receive a signal from a first transmitter, a processor which is in communication with the receiver and which is capable to process and generate a response to the received signal, a second transmitter which is in communication with the processor and which is cable of transmitting the response from the processor to at least one function control unit onboard the vehicle.

[0014] The first transmitter may be positioned at a remote location alongside a road or it may be positioned on and across the road surface. The first transmitter may also be positioned onboard an alternate vehicle.

[0015] The signal may include information such as the road and weather conditions or onboard information of the alternate vehicle.

[0016] The generated response may be a demand function which is transmitted via the second transmitter to the function control unit of the vehicle.

[0017] The demand function may be a demand to switch on the lights of the vehicle during poor visibility or alternatively to reduce the intensity of the lights of the vehicle to avoid blinding motorists of oncoming traffic.

[0018] The invention further provides for a method of controlling the excessive speed at which a motorist travels which method includes the steps of transmitting a signal to

: ‘ 5 © an onboard receiver which is in communication with a processor, the processor processing and generating a response to the received signal, transmitting the generated response via a second transmitter to a functional control unit onboard the vehicle enabling the vehicle to respond to the generated response.

[0019] The signal may include information such as a recommended travelling speed, road conditions and weather conditions.

[0020] The invention further extends to a method for controlling the lights of a vehicle which method includes the steps of transmitting a signal to an onboard receiver which is in communication with a processor, the processor processing and generating a response to the received signal, transmitting the generated response via a second transmitter to a functional control unit onboard the vehicle enabling the vehicle to respond to the generated response.

[0021] The signal may be transmitted from a transmitter positioned at a remote location near a road or alternatively it may be positioned onboard an alternate vehicle.

[0022] The response may include a demand function for switching the vehicle's lights on or off, alternatively for dimming the lights of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

:

Fig 1 is a flow diagram of the invention; and

Fig 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle travelling along a road and receiving a signal from a first transmitter.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a flow diagram 10 wherein a first transmitter 12 transmits a signal 14 to a receiver 16. A processor 18 processes and generates a response signal 20 to the signal 14 received from the receiver 16.

The response 20 is transmitted to a function control unit 24 via a second transmitter 22,

[0025] The first transmitter 12 is positioned at a permanent remote location 30A or a temporarily remote location 30B as is more clearly illustrated in Figure 2 and is capable to store and transmit pre-programmed information. Alternatively, the first transmitter 12 is positioned across the road surface 31.

[0026] The pre-programmed information includes inter alia data relating to the weather conditions such as visibility, rain and wind conditions. These conditions are measured with conventional methods such as light, water and wind sensitive measuring devices and are pre-programmed and stored readily to be transmitted by the first transmitter 12 when activated.

[0027] The signal 14 also includes a pre-programmed recommended speed at which a motorist should travel founded on the specific road conditions. These specific road conditions include data with respect to the layout of the road and the road surface condition, e.i whether it is a dirt or tar surface.

[0028] The receiver 16 is preferably positioned and secured onboard a vehicle 32 in any suitable location. For example, it may be secured to the tyres 34 or alternatively on the body 36 of the vehicle 32. It may even be secured to the inside of the vehicle 32.

[6029] The response 20 generated by the processor 18 is a function demand such as a demand to reduce speed to a newly recommended speed for a specific rf 7 distance, founded on the pre-programmed recommended speed and the specific weather and road conditions. The processor 18 is positioned and secured onboard the vehicle in a similar manner as the receiver 16. The response 20 is transmitted to the function control unit 24 via a second transmitter 22 which is also positioned and secured onboard the vehicle 32.

[0030] The function control unit 24, upon receipt of the function demand, directs the vehicle to respond in a specific manner for example to immediately reduce speed equal to the newly recommended speed.

[0031] The function control unit 24 is an onboard computer, known in the art, or alternatively is a switch (not shown) which is in direct communication with a specific control unit of the vehicle 32 such as the accelerator.

[0032] Figure 3 illustrates a flow diagram 10A of an alternative embodiment of the invention. First transmitters 40A and 40B respectively are positioned and secured onboard a first and second vehicle (not shown). A signal 42 is transmitted between the first transmitters 40A and 40B.

[0033] The signal 42 include inter alia information such as the statuses of the vehicles’ lights i.e whether they are switched on or off, and whether they are shinning at maximum or reduced intensity.

[0034] For convenience only one vehicle's response will be described hereinafter.

[0035] The signal 42 is transmitted to a receiver 44A which in turn is processes by a processor 46A in communication with the receiver 44A. A response 48A is generated by the processor 46A and transmitted, via a second transmitter S0A to a function control unit 52A of the relevant vehicle. The response 48A includes a plurality of demand functions such as inter alia a demand to reduce the light intensity of the vehicle because a second vehicle is approaching. The light intensity of the vehicle will then be reduced via the function control unit 52A of the vehicle.

[0036] After the second vehicle has passed, the signal 42 will be discontinued and the function control unit will automatically restore the original condition, i.e the lights will be adjusted to a higher intensity.

[0037] It should be noted that the second vehicle, and even alternate vehicle's, will respond in a similar manner and it should therefore not be construed to limit the invention in any manner as such response is not described fully herein.

Claims (1)

1. A vehicle speed control system which includes at least one receiver which is locatable onboard a vehicle and which is capable to receive a signal from a first transmitter, a processor which is in communication with the receiver and which is capable to process and generate at least one response to the received signal, a second transmitter which is in communication with the processor and which is capable to transmit the response from the processor to at least one function control unit of the vehicle.

2. A vehicle speed control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first transmitter is positioned at a remote location alongside a road.

3. A vehicle speed control system as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the first transmitter is positioned on and across the road surface. 4 A vehicle speed control system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the signal is a data carrying signal.

5. A vehicle speed control system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the data carrying signal include data relating to a first recommended travelling speed.

6. A vehicle speed control system as claimed in any one of claims 4 or 5 wherein the data carrying signal include data relating to the road conditions.

7. A vehicle speed control system as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the data carrying signal include data relating to the weather conditions.

8. A vehicle speed control system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the generated response is a second recommended travelling speed.

9. A vehicle speed control system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the second recommended travelling speed is calculated by utilising the data received from the receiver.

10. A vehicle speed control system as claimed in any one of claims 8 or 9 wherein the generated response has an overrides the first recommended travelling speed.

11. A vehicle speed control system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the function control unit of the vehicle is a switch.

12. A vehicle speed control system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the switch is in communication with the speed control unit of the vehicle.

13. A vehicle speed control system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 12 wherein the function control unit is in communication with an onboard computer of the vehicle.

14. A vehicle light control system which includes at least one receiver which is locatable onboard a vehicle and which is capable to receive a signal from a first transmitter, a processor which is in communication with the receiver and which is capable to process and generate at least one response to the received signal, a second transmitter which is in communication with the processor and which is capable to transmit the response from the processor to at least one function control unit of the vehicle.

15. A vehicle light control system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the first transmitter is positioned at a remote location alongside a road.

16. A vehicle light control system as claimed in any one of claims 14 or 15 wherein the first transmitter is positioned on and across a road surface.

17. A vehicle light control systems as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the first transmitter is positioned onboard an alternate vehicle.

18. A vehicle light control system as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the signal is a data carrying signal.

19. A vehicle light control system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the data carrying signal includes data relating to weather conditions.

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20. A vehicle light control system as claimed in any one of claims 18 or 19 wherein the data carrying signal includes data relating to onboard information of an alternate vehicle.

21. A vehicle light control system as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20 wherein the generated response is a demand function which is transmitted via a second transmitter to the function control unit.

22. A vehicle light control system as claimed in claim 21 wherein the demand function is a demand to switch on the lights of a vehicle.

23. A vehicle light control system as claimed in any one of claims 21 or 22 wherein the demand function is a demand to reduce the intensity of the lights of the vehicle.

24. A vehicle light control system as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23 wherein the demand function is a demand to switch off the lights of the vehicle.

25. A method for controlling the speed of a vehicle which includes the steps of transmitting a signal from a remote location to a receiver onboard a vehicle which is in communication with a processor, the processor processing and generating a response to the signal, transmitting the response via a second transmitter to a function control unit onboard the vehicle enabling the vehicle to respond to the response.

26. A method for controlling the speed of a vehicle as claimed in claim 25 wherein the signal is a data carrying signal.

27. A method for controlling the speed of a vehicle as claimed in 26 wherein the data carrying signal include data relating to a recommended travelling speed.

28. A method for controlling the speed of a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 26 or 27 wherein the data carrying signal include data relating to weather conditions.

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29. A method for controlling the speed of a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 28 wherein the data carrying signal include data relating to the road conditions.

30. A method for controlling the lights of a vehicle which includes the steps of transmitting a signal from a remote location to a receiver onboard a vehicle which is in communication with a processor, the processor processing and generating a response fo the signal, transmitting the response via a second transmitter to a function control unit onboard the vehicle enabling the vehicle to respond to the response.

31. A method for controlling the lights of a vehicle as claimed in claim 30 wherein the signal is transmitted from a transmitter positioned near a road.

32. A method for controlling the lights of a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 30 or 32 wherein the signal is transmitted from a transmitter positioned onboard an alternate vehicle.

33. A method for controlling the lights of a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 32 wherein the signal is a data carrying signal.

34. A method for controlling the lights of a vehicle as claimed in claim 33 wherein the data carrying signal includes data relating to the weather conditions.

35. A method for controlling the lights of a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 33 or 34 wherein the data carrying signal includes data relating to the road conditions.

36. A method for controlling the lights of a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 35 wherein the data carrying signal includes data relating to onboard information of an alternate vehicle.

37. A method for controlling the lights of a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 36 wherein the response is a demand function.

38. A method for controlling the lights of a vehicle as claimed in claim 37 wherein the demand function includes a demand to switch off the lights of the vehicle.

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30. A method of controlling the lights of a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 37 or 38 wherein the demand function includes a demand to switch on the lights of the vehicle.

40. A method for controlling the lights of a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 37 to 39 wherein the demand function includes a demand to reduce the intensity of the lights of the vehicle.

41. A vehicle speed control system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

42. A vehicle light control system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

43. A method for controlling the speed of a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

44. A method for controlling the lights of a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS _29 DAY OF JULY 2005 Ltr FOR THE APPLICANT BEZUIDENHOUTS HEPPLE BOTHA INC