Visual Forward Warning System

Abstract

A visual forward warning system (10) mounted on a vehicle windshield (2) for informing an observer of vehicle movement. A strip (12) incorporates a plurality of lighting elements (14) in communication with a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA (18)). An accelerometer (20) is connected to the PCBA (18) along with a power source for operating the accelerometer and the PCBA. In response to a determined acceleration of the structure, the accelerometer inputs a signal representative of vehicle movement to the PCBA, which in turn provides an output signal that causes the lighting elements (14) to generate a visual output corresponding to the input signal. The visual output further includes a first output representative of steady or accelerating vehicle movement and a second output further representative of a deceleration or braking state of the vehicle.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 102832, filed January 30, 2023, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 422140, filed November 3, 2022.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to visual forward warning systems (VFAS). More specifically, the present invention teaches a visual forward warning system that is incorporated into a thin strip that can either be integrated into or attachable to the windshield of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0003] The prior art is provided by documenting examples of visual warning systems that may be installed in vehicles to notify pedestrians and other drivers if the subject vehicle is braking / slowing down.

[0004] A first example is described in U.S. Patent No. 10,981,496 to Schaye, which teaches a visual deceleration device for indicating vehicle deceleration. The housing is visible from the front of the vehicle and discloses a vehicle with a printed circuit board, electrical connections, and an accelerometer for sending signals to a plurality of LEDs to indicate the vehicle's braking status. A related method is disclosed for creating an illumination pattern of a light strip with coupled LEDs to indicate vehicle deceleration / braking.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 11,524,628 to Takori et al. teaches a vehicle notification device that uses light to inform a person outside the vehicle of a predetermined vehicle operating state. A plurality of point-like light sources are spaced apart along the upper edge of the windshield, and a reflector reflects light from the light sources forward. An outer lens transmits the light from the reflector forward. The outer lens has a micro-textured surface on at least one of its front and rear surfaces that diffuses the light transmitted through the outer lens.

[0006] Other known devices include Tim Kao's Accessory Brake Light System (U.S. Patent No. 57986910), Song's Vehicle Acceleration and Brake Indicator (U.S. Patent No. 2006 / 0125615), Cheng's Advance Warning System (U.S. Patent No. 2006 / 0250229), and Tracy's Vehicle Acceleration / Deceleration Warning Light (U.S. Patent No. 7397355). In each example, the lighting device is incorporated into some type of housing that is mounted at a predetermined location on the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention discloses a visual forward warning system (VFAS) for informing pedestrians or other drivers (collectively, observers) of the movement of a target vehicle. Specifically, the warning system provides various lighting options to indicate to an observer in front of the target vehicle whether the vehicle is maintaining a constant speed, accelerating, or decelerating, as well as to indicate a braking condition.

[0008] The warning system is provided as a thin strip, which may be made of any flexible plastic material, including but not limited to: The body incorporates a plurality of lighting elements, such as LED elements, on its forward-facing surface, the lighting elements including wiring connections that extend to a printed circuit board assembly (also referred to as a PCBA) containing an accelerometer or other vehicle operational control input (conventionally referred to as the vehicle ECM or engine control module) for illuminating the LEDs based on vehicle operation.

[0009] As will be further described, alternative variations include connection of existing vehicle motion control circuitry operable to communicate directly with the vehicle's processor or PCBA in conjunction with or in place of the accelerometer, including a PCBA that commands a first visual output via an LED representing a first motion state, either constant or accelerating, and further commands a second visual output representing a deceleration or braking state of the subject vehicle (the present invention also contemplates a second or further visual output representing an acceleration state).

[0010] To prevent distraction to the driver of the target vehicle, the forward-facing surface of the strip includes a dark (typically black) surface coating disposed over the LEDs, in this manner generally blocking glare from the driver resulting from the visual output of the LEDs.

[0011] In a first application, the strip is mechanically or adhesively attached to either the inside or outside surface of the windshield. In a more preferred application, the adhesive strip is secured to the inside surface of the windshield and communicates with the PCBA and associated accelerometer or other existing vehicle motion control circuitry via a connection strip.

[0012] In a further application, the strip is bonded between the interior layers of the vehicle's windshield by a suitable lamination process. In this variation, a separate module including the PCBA may be adhesively secured to the inside surface of the windshield, providing wirelessly commanded lighting and power for the laminated LED strip wirelessly through the windshield. Without limitation, the adhesively secured patch may include a very thin, transparent structure and may incorporate any necessary power generating coils and / or circuitry required to effect targeted communication with the laminated strip inside the windshield. To this end, the adhesively attached windshield patch may be powered by a single wire extending from the vehicle, with the laminated LED strip further incorporating any necessary circuitry to interpret the wireless signal and provide commanded targeted lighting according to either intensity, pattern, or color. Other power supply options may include providing a solar-powered strip or sheet attached to or integrated into the vehicle's ceiling and connected to the strip.

[0013] A power source is provided in the strip, which in a first application includes an additional connection extending between the PCBA and the vehicle's battery. In a further application, a portable battery can replace the dedicated mating connection for powering the PCBA, accelerometer, and LED. Another variation includes first and second strips arranged at the top edge of the windshield coupled to the driver (right) and passenger (left) sides of the vehicle, respectively, with the right / left strips providing the additional function of operating as turn signals in addition to providing a visual indication of the vehicle's travel state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] When read in conjunction with the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a vehicle alarm system according to the present invention fixed to the windshield of a vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partially cut-away view of the vehicle alarm system of FIG. 1 illustrating the connections of the strip, including the PCBA board and accelerometers, that extend to a housing mounted inside the headliner of the vehicle. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a view similar to FIG. 2, depicting a further variation having a separate module including a PCBA that is secured, such as by adhesive, to the inside surface of the windshield behind the internally laminated display strip body, providing LED lighting wirelessly commanded from the patch through the windshield. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B presents a view similar to FIG. 2A, depicting a further variation in which the solar cell sheet is integrated into the roof of the vehicle and communicates with the strip. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a view of the strip cut in plan, depicting the wiring connections going to the LEDs in the front. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side cutaway view of the peripheral arrangement generally shown in FIG. 2, depicting a variation of the invention in which the strips are bonded or laminated between layers of the windshield. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a further cutaway side view similar to FIG. 4, depicting a second variation in which the strip is secured to the inside surface of the windshield. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a peripheral view of a vehicle warning system according to a further embodiment of the present invention fixed to the windshield of a vehicle, illustrating first and second strip display portions arranged at the upper edge of the windshield associated with the driver's side and passenger's side of the vehicle, respectively. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 2 of the vehicle alarm system of FIG. 6, depicting the driver's side and passenger's side where the strip is located. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Referring to the accompanying drawings and initially to Figure 1, the present invention discloses (generally at 10) a visual forward warning system for informing pedestrians or other drivers (collectively, observers) of the movement of a target vehicle. Specifically, as further described, the warning system may be attached to a vehicle windshield 2 or incorporated by lamination between interior layers to indicate to an observer in front of the target vehicle whether the vehicle is maintaining a constant speed or accelerating or decelerating, as well as any non-constant vehicle movement conditions, with the slowest condition indicating a braking condition.

[0016] 2, the warning system includes a main strip body 12 constructed without limitation of a plastic material that can soften or harden over varying temperatures. Body 12 incorporates a plurality of lighting elements 14 arranged on a forward-facing surface. The lighting elements may include any suitable option, such as without limitation, light-emitting diodes or LED elements (the terms LED or lighting element are referred to interchangeably at 14), with wiring connections (harness shown at 16 in FIG. 3) depicted in the described embodiment extending in series or parallel to any type of processor component in the vehicle, including but not limited to a PC board member (also referred to as PCBA 18 as shown in FIGS. 4-5).

[0017] As is further known, the LED 14 is part of an electroluminescent lamp, which is generally defined as a device that converts electrical energy into light or luminescence, the term luminescence being generally associated with a solid state that produces light. In the case of electroluminescence, an electric field (voltage) applied to a thin layer of phosphor produces light. Without limitation, within the scope of the present invention, the LED may be substituted with any other suitable lighting element.

[0018] 2-3, a pair of connecting strips 15 and 17 are shown extending from an intermediate location of main strip 12 to a collective housing that joins PCBA 18 and accelerometer components 20, which may be incorporated directly into PCBA 18. As best seen in the cut-apart view of FIG. 3, wire connection 16 is divided into multiple wire segments that extend through each of connecting strips 15 / 17.

[0019] It is understood that additional embodiments may be substituted for the illustrated embodiment and contemplate either the use of a single connection strip, the use of other multiple connection strips, or the use of a wired connection 16 and associated connection strips 15 / 17 in lieu of entirely opting for any wireless connection, including but not limited to Bluetooth, NFC (Near Field Communication), or other short-range wireless connection technology, configured between the PCBA 18 and accelerometer 20 and the individual LEDs 14.

[0020] In this manner, PCBA 18 commands the visual output (illumination) of some or all of LEDs 14 based on vehicle movement sensed by accelerometer 20. Without limitation, PCBA 18 is mounted to the vehicle location depicted in FIG. 2 as being located at an inboard location 4 of the headliner coupled to the vehicle ceiling proximate to strip 12 extending along the top edge of the windshield, it being understood that the strip may be located anywhere on the windshield that is visible to a forward observer.

[0021] A power source (originating from the vehicle's battery and represented in FIG. 2 as input line 22) is provided to PCBA 18 and accelerometer 20. In further applications, a portable power source (not shown) is provided to power the PCBA, accelerometer, and LEDs and may be incorporated into a compartment (not shown) coupled to the vehicle's headliner 4.

[0022] As is further known, an accelerometer 20 is a device that measures the acceleration of vibration or movement of a structure. The force or change in movement (acceleration) caused by vibration causes the mass to "squeeze" on the piezoelectric material, creating a charge proportional to the force acting on it. Since charge is proportional to force and mass is constant, charge is also proportional to acceleration.

[0023] In this manner, the accelerometer 20 works by using an electromechanical sensor to measure dynamic acceleration, which is defined as a non-uniform acceleration force compared to a previous state. The theory behind an accelerometer is that it can detect acceleration and convert it into a measurable quantity, such as an electrical signal.

[0024] The present invention also contemplates pairing or replacing accelerometer 20 with any existing vehicle motion sensing capability associated with networked vehicle motion control circuitry (such as also coupled to vehicle engine control module or ECM components).

[0025] In implementation, PCBA 18 commands a first visual output by lighting elements 16 representing a first state of motion, either constant or accelerating (which generally represents to a forward observer that the vehicle is moving in constant motion), and commands a second (or third) visual output further representing an acceleration or deceleration / braking state of the target vehicle.

[0026] The visual output contemplated by the present invention may include a number of different representations presented by the LEDs 14 or other suitable electroluminescent elements, and may further include providing a first output in a first color (including but not limited to white) and providing a second output in a second color (including but not limited to yellow or amber). It is further contemplated and understood that the first and second visual representations may be provided according to any of varying illumination intensities or flashing patterns, etc., further utilizing either a number of different colors or a single color.

[0027] To prevent distraction to the driver of the target vehicle, the forward-facing surface of strip 12 includes a dark (typically black) surface paint, partially depicted at 24 in Figures 2-3, for clarity and to avoid obscuring the placement of lighting elements or LEDs 14. It is understood that the dark paint around the lighting elements may bleed to the rear of the strip, protecting the driver and front seat passengers from glare resulting from the visual output of the LEDs 14 on the windshield supporting strip 12.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 4, a side cutaway view of the peripheral arrangement generally shown in FIG. 2 is presented, depicting a first variation of the present invention in which strip 12 is bonded or laminated between windshield layers 2′ and 2″, which can be achieved by a variety of procedures or techniques.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a further side cutaway view similar to FIG. 4, depicting a second variant in which the strip 12 is secured to the inner surface of the windshield (represented by the inner layer 2″ of the windshield). Without being limited thereto, any adhesive means or other chemical or mechanical fastening means may be provided to secure the strip body to either the inner or outer surface of the windshield 2.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 2A, a further application of the in-glass laminated strip variation referred to in FIG. 4 is shown, where the strip 12 is again bonded between the interior layers of the vehicle windshield (previously designated 2′ and 2″ in FIG. 4) by a suitable lamination process. In this variation, a separate module 26 including a redesigned and simplified version of the PCBA (at 28) may be secured, such as by adhesive, to the interior surface of the windshield 2 behind the in-glass laminated strip body, providing wirelessly commanded (further designated 30) illumination of the internally laminated LED strip 12 through the windshield 2.

[0031] Wireless charging operates under the principle of a series of magnetic coils incorporated into the patch 26 generating an oscillating magnetic field, corresponding to a desired frequency of power, which communicates with one or more receiving antennas incorporated into the internally laminated strip body through the innermost glass layer to selectively command the illumination of the incorporated LED elements in any manner as previously described.

[0032] Without limitation, adhesively secured patch 26 may comprise a very thin, transparent structure and may incorporate any necessary circuitry (including, at a minimum, the desired coil) required to effect targeted wireless communication with strip 12 or strips (further shown in FIGS. 6-7) laminated within the windshield. To this end, adhesively secured windshield patch 26 may be powered by a single wire 32 extending from the vehicle, with the LED strip laminated within the windshield further incorporating any necessary circuitry required to interpret the wireless signal (including wireless receiver components) and provide targeted lighting commanded according to either intensity, pattern, or color.

[0033] 2B, other power supply options may include the provision of a solar-powered strip or sheet, indicated at 35, attached to or integrated into the vehicle ceiling 4 and connected to strip 12 via wires 32. Without limitation, solar-powered sheet 35 may be utilized with any type of strip, including both laminated and interior / exterior mounted types. It is further envisioned that solar-powered sheet 35 may also be supplemented by either a conventional vehicle power source as previously described and / or any portable power source.

[0034] Further alternative windshield design considerations may include, but are not limited to, the incorporation of fiber optic glass strands (not shown) into the windshield structure when the LED strips are laminated between glass layers 2′ / 2″. With this structure, patches 26 of FIG. 2A may be located anywhere in communication with the fiber optic glass strands, which are generally not visible from inside the vehicle but provide symmetrical communication with the LED strips and the circuitry of the adhesively attached patches. It is also envisioned that the arrangement of fiber optic glass strands incorporated into the windshield may be further designed to communicate with any of the inside / outside mounted type strips as described herein, with a surface input connection at the windshield.

[0035] Turning to Fig. 6, a view similar to Fig. 1 depicts a peripheral view of a vehicle alarm system according to a further embodiment of the present invention secured to a vehicle windshield 2, showing first and second windshield strips 10 arranged at the upper edge of the windshield coupled to the driver's side and passenger's side, respectively, of the vehicle. Fig. 7 provides a further view similar to that shown in Fig. 2 of the vehicle alarm system of Fig. 6, similarly depicting the driver's side and passenger's side on which the strips are located, which may be connected to a power source located within the vehicle's headliner.

[0036] It is understood that in addition to providing all of the lighting features of the single LED strip 12 variant shown in Figures 1-5, the driver (right side as viewed from a forward observer) and passenger (left side) paired strips may further provide turn signal functionality and may be tied to the vehicle ECM or other existing control circuitry in parallel with conventional vehicle turn signal lamps to accomplish this purpose. It is further understood with reference to any of the embodiments described herein that the LED strip may be arranged anywhere on the windshield without being limited to the top edge.

[0037] As the present invention is described, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the relevant art without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The detailed description and drawings are further understood to support the disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the claims. While certain best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the teachings set forth in the claims have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for carrying out the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

[0038] It is further understood that the foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the disclosure to the precise form or particular field of use disclosed. As such, various alternative embodiments and / or modifications of the disclosure, whether expressly described or implied herein, are contemplated as possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the disclosure, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made in formal detail without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is limited only by the claims.

[0039] In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, as those skilled in the art will understand, the various embodiments described herein may be modified or embodied in various other ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, this description is to be considered illustrative and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art how to make and use various embodiments of the disclosure. It is understood that the forms of the disclosure shown and described herein are set forth as representative embodiments. Equivalent elements, materials, procedures, or steps may be substituted for those typically illustrated and described herein. Moreover, certain features of the disclosure may be utilized independently of the use of other features, as will all be apparent to those skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the disclosure. Terms such as "including," "comprising," "incorporating," "consisting of," "having," and "being," as used to describe and claim the present disclosure, are intended to be construed in an inclusive manner, i.e., allowing for the presence of items, parts, or elements not expressly recited. References in the singular are also construed to refer to the plural.

[0040] Furthermore, the various embodiments disclosed herein are presented in an illustrative and descriptive sense and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure in any way. All connector references (e.g., attached, affixed, coupled, connected, etc.) are used only to aid the reader in understanding the present disclosure and should not limit the particular location, orientation, or use of the systems and / or methods disclosed herein. Therefore, connector references, if any, should be broadly construed. Moreover, such connector references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected to each other.

[0041] Additionally, all numerical terms, including but not limited to "first," "second," "third," "primary," "secondary," "main," or any other ordering and / or numerical terms, are to be used only as identifiers to aid the reader in understanding the various elements, embodiments, variations, and / or modifications of the present disclosure and should not imply any limitation as to the order or priority of any element, embodiment, variation, and / or modification, particularly with respect to other elements, embodiments, variations, and / or modifications.

[0042] It will be understood that one or more elements depicted in the drawings / diagrams may be implemented in a more separate or integrated manner, or may be removed or rendered inoperable in some cases as may be useful according to a particular application. Additionally, any hatching in the drawings / diagrams, unless otherwise specified, should be considered illustrative only and not limiting.

Claims

1. A visual forward warning system disposed on a windshield of a vehicle for informing an observer of a movement of the vehicle, comprising: a strip incorporating a plurality of lighting elements in communication with a processor component; an operation control circuit connected to the processor component; a power supply for operating the processor components that receives signals from the motion control circuitry indicative of movement of the vehicle in response to the determined acceleration of the structure; and the processor component providing an output signal that causes the lighting element to generate a visual output corresponding to the input signal.

2. 10. The visual forward warning system of claim 1, wherein the visual output further comprises a first output representing a steady or accelerating motion of the vehicle, and a second output further representing either an accelerating or decelerating state of the vehicle.

3. 10. The visual forward warning system of claim 1, wherein said operational control circuitry further comprises an accelerometer component integrated into said processor component.

4. 10. The visual forward warning system of claim 1, wherein said operational control circuitry further comprises an engine control module of said vehicle in communication with said processor component.

5. The visual forward warning system of claim 1 further comprising a dark paint film around said lighting element.

6. The visual forward warning system of claim 1 , wherein the lighting elements further comprise LEDs.

7. The visual forward warning system of claim 1 further comprising the strip configured to be attached to either an inside surface or an outside surface of the windshield.

8. 10. The visual forward warning system of claim 1, further comprising the strip configured to be bonded between interior layers of the vehicle windshield, such as in a lamination process.

9. 10. The visual forward warning system of claim 1, further comprising said power source including an additional connection provided on said strip extending between said processor component and a battery of said vehicle.

10. The visual forward warning system of claim 1 further comprising the strip constructed from a plastic material.

11. 9. The visual forward warning system of claim 8, further comprising the processor components being incorporated into a separate patch adhesively secured to the inside surface of the windshield for wirelessly commanding the lighting elements of the strip, the patch being secured to the inside surface of the windshield behind the strip.

12. 10. The visual forward warning system of claim 1, further comprising a solar-powered fascia or sheet attached to or integrated into the ceiling of the vehicle and connected to the fascia.

13. A visual forward warning system disposed on a windshield of a vehicle for informing an observer of a movement of the vehicle, comprising: a pair of strips to be positioned on a driver's side and a passenger's side of a windshield of the vehicle, each strip incorporating a plurality of lighting elements in communication with a processor component; an operation control circuit connected to the processor component; a power supply for operating the processor components that receives signals from the motion control circuitry indicative of movement of the vehicle in response to the determined acceleration of the structure; and the processor component providing an output signal that causes the lighting element to generate a visual output corresponding to the input signal.

14. 14. The visual forward warning system of claim 13, wherein the visual output further comprises a first output representative of constant or accelerating motion of the vehicle, and a second output further representative of either an accelerating or decelerating state of the vehicle.

15. 15. The visual forward warning system of claim 14, wherein said visual output further comprises a further output representing a directional state in communication with either of said strips.

16. 14. The visual forward warning system of claim 13, wherein the operational control circuitry further comprises an accelerometer component integrated into the processor component.

17. 14. The visual forward warning system of claim 13, wherein the operational control circuitry further comprises an engine control module of the vehicle in communication with the processor component.

18. 14. The visual forward warning system of claim 13, wherein the lighting elements further comprise LEDs.

19. 14. The visual forward warning system of claim 13, further comprising the strip configured to be attached to either an inside surface or an outside surface of the windshield.

20. 14. The visual forward warning system of claim 13, further comprising the strip configured to be bonded between interior layers of the vehicle windshield, such as in a lamination process.

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