Visual Warning Assembly for Remote Vehicle-to-Vehicle Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle operators face difficulties in signaling each other effectively, especially in situations where verbal or line-of-sight communication is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A visual warning system comprising first and second visual warning assemblies, each with a case, antenna, lighted button, and microcontroller, configured to send and receive communications, allowing users to transmit visual signals through illumination and de-illumination of buttons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visual warning assemblies are used to transmit signals, then communication effectiveness between vehicle operators is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate visual warning assemblies that can be independently mounted on different vehicles. Each assembly operates autonomously with its own microcontroller, antenna, and lighted button, allowing distributed communication without requiring complex centralized control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a visual intermediary (illuminated buttons) to mediate communication between vehicle operators. Instead of direct verbal communication or complex electronic interfaces, the system uses visible light signals as an intermediary that can be perceived across distances and through various environmental conditions.
2Illumination intensity
If lighted buttons are used for signaling, then signal visibility is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighted buttons illuminate periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. The microcontroller controls the illumination to occur only when signaling is required, using periodic or event-driven activation patterns that provide sufficient visibility while minimizing overall energy consumption from the battery power source.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effective communication between vehicle operators by transmitting visual signals across distances, facilitating safer interactions and avoiding separation in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
Each visual warning assembly includes an antenna and is configured to send and receive communications
Implementation Method 2
a lighted button disposed on the case and configured to illuminate and de-illuminate
Data Source
AI summary
A visual warning system for transmitting a signal from a first user to a second user. The system includes a first and second visual warning assembly. Each visual warning assembly includes a case having a base and a front face and an enclosed space within the case. Each visual warning assembly also includes an antenna and a lighted button configured to illuminate and de-illuminate. Finally, each visual warning assembly includes a microcontroller disposed within the enclosed space and electrically coupled together with the antenna and lighted button. The visual warning assembly can send and receive communications having instructions to and from other visual warning assemblies. As the lighted button of the first visual warning assembly is illuminated by a user, an instruction is sent to the second visual warning assembly illuminating the lighted button of the second visual warning assembly.