IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,173,976
Granted Patent B2
US 11,173,976 · App. 16/228,039 · Granted Nov 16, 2021

Absolute acceleration sensor for use within moving vehicles

Inventors: Fritz Braunberger (Sequim, WA); Beau M. Braunberger (Upland, CA)
Assignee: VisionWorks IP Corporation
B62J6/02B60Q1/143B60Q1/442B60Q1/444
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,173,976
App. No.
16/228,039
Granted
Nov 16, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A communication system for a vehicle comprises a mechanism for sensing a change in speed of the vehicle and a control device for sending a signal to a headlight activation circuit to modulate the vehicle's headlights based upon the change in speed. In particular, a headlight of the vehicle is able to be modulated as the vehicle reduces speed and/or is decelerating as it approaches an intersection. Additionally, the headlight of the vehicle is able to be modulated as the vehicle accelerates from a stopped position or reaches a certain traveling speed. The headlight activation circuit is able to modulate the headlight between an on position and an off position or modulate the headlight between a high beam position and a low beam position. Consequently, the vehicle is better seen as it approaches likely congestion areas such as intersections and slowing or stopped traffic and attempts to enter traffic.

Claims (31)

1. An activatable communication device for a vehicle comprising:

b. a braking system detector;

c. a control device; and

c. a headlight activation circuit,

wherein the control device receives a signal from the braking system detector based on an application of the brakes and sends a signal to the headlight activation circuit to turn on the headlight based upon the signal from the braking system detector, wherein the communication device is activated by one of turning on the vehicle and pressing a button or a switch of the vehicle.

2. The activatable communication device of claim 1 wherein the headlight activation circuit modulates the headlight between an on position and an off position.

3. The activatable communication device of claim 1 wherein the headlight activation circuit modulates the headlight between a high beam and a low beam position.

4. The activatable communication device of claim 1 wherein the communication system comprises a system activation detector which detects that the system has been activated and sends a signal to the control device.

5. The activatable communication device of claim 1 wherein the communication device is installed as aftermarket-equipment.

6. The activatable communication device of claim 1 wherein the vehicle comprises a motorcycle.

7. An activatable communication system for a vehicle comprising:

a. a vehicle motion sensor;

b. a braking system detector;

c. a control device; and

d. a headlight activation circuit,

wherein the control device receives a signal from the vehicle motion sensor based on a motion of the vehicle, the braking system detector based on an application of the brakes and sends a signal to the headlight activation circuit to turn on the headlight based upon the signal from the vehicle motion sensor and the braking system detector, wherein the communication system is activated by one of turning on the vehicle and pressing a button or a switch of the vehicle.

8. The activatable communication system of claim 7 wherein the headlight activation circuit modulates the headlight between an on position and an off position.

9. The activatable communication system of claim 7 wherein the headlight activation circuit modulates the headlight between a high beam and a low beam position.

10. The activatable communication system of claim 7 wherein the control device sends a signal to the headlight activation circuit to modulate the headlight when the vehicle reaches a defined speed.

11. The activatable communication system of claim 10 wherein the headlight is modulated at a rate corresponding to the speed of the vehicle.

12. The activatable communication system of claim 7 wherein the control device sends a signal to the headlight activation circuit to modulate the headlight when the brake is applied and the vehicle slows to a defined speed.

13. The activatable communication system of claim 7 wherein the communication system comprises a system activation detector which detects that the system has been activated and sends a signal to the control device.

14. The activatable communication system of claim 7 wherein the communication system is installed as aftermarket-equipment.

15. The activatable communication system of claim 7 wherein the vehicle comprises a motorcycle.

16. The activatable communication system of claim 7 , wherein the vehicle motion sensor comprises one or a combination of a vehicle speed sensor, an accelerometer-gyroscopic sensor, an accelerometer and an acceleration monitoring system.

17. A communication method for a vehicle comprising:

a. sensing a braking of the vehicle; and

b. based on a braking of the vehicle turning on a headlight of the vehicle, wherein a communication device for sensing the braking of the vehicle and operating the vehicle headlight is first turned on, wherein the communication device is turned on by one of turning on the vehicle and pressing a button or a switch of the vehicle.

18. The communication method of claim 17 further comprising modulating the headlight between an on position and an off position.

19. The communication method of claim 18 wherein modulating comprises modulating the headlight is between a high beam and a low beam position.

20. The communication method of claim 17 wherein the vehicle comprises a motorcycle.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2018
From: BRAUNBERGER, FRITZ; BRAUNBERGER, BEAU M.
To: VISION WORKS IP CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 047834/0777 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 15708640 · Sep 19, 2017
Continuation 14149667 · Jan 7, 2014
Continuation In Part 14012854 · Aug 28, 2013
Related Publication 20190118888A1 · Apr 25, 2019