SIGNAL EMITTER-RECEIVER DEVICE FOR WARNING ABOUT HIGHWAY INCIDENTS

Abstract

 The invention relates to a signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents configured to be installed in a first vehicle (100), comprising: a programmable integrated circuit (2); an emitter (3) configured to emit a first signal (101) from the first vehicle (100); a receiver (4) configured to receive a second signal (201) emitted by a second vehicle or object (200); and a manual activation module (5) configured to activate and deactivate the emitter (3). The device (1) comprises a travel direction monitoring module (6) which has a digital accelerometer (7) configured to detect abnormal movements of the first vehicle (100), and a digital compass (8) configured to detect the travel direction of the first vehicle (100) and to record periodic data thereof during its normal movement.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a signal emitter-receiver device, particularly between vehicles, for warning about highway incidents, which has been particularly designed to be installed in vehicles of any type, whether they are private or assistance vehicles, or in highway signaling elements.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Highway incidents endanger the safety of occupants in both moving and stopped vehicles that are located close to the incident. These incidents often occur on a daily basis and vary in nature, for example: vehicles that have broken down, vehicles that have been in accidents, traffic jams, road construction, the presence of individuals or animals walking along the shoulder, obstruction of the roadway due to obstacles (fallen trees, branches, rocks, spilled goods...), slipper surface (ice, water, oil...), weather conditions endangering travel (fog, rain, snow...), infrastructures in poor conditions (potholes, sinkholes...), narrowing of lanes or presence of heavy-duty vehicles, among others.

[0003] All this renders it necessary to provide prior warning to the drivers of vehicles close to the incident in order to prevent risky situations that can cause an accident. Some devices are known today which allow warning the drivers of vehicles close to an incident.

[0004] The simplest devices include emergency warning triangles, particularly conceived to notify of the presence of vehicles that are broken down or that have been in an accident. This visual system signaling has various drawbacks. The most important drawback is the risk of the person placing the triangle being run over. Another drawback is that it is not an instant system, but rather requires considerable time to be put in place. Its effectiveness precisely depends to a large extent on said placement, because it if is not arranged in the appropriate place it may go unnoticed by the drivers of nearby vehicles.

[0005] Other known systems are based on the use of signal emitter-receiver devices between vehicles configured to be installed inside vehicles. Generally, each of these devices comprises a casing in which there are integrated an emitter configured to emit a first signal from a first vehicle and a receiver configured to receive a second signal coming from a second vehicle or object. In turn, the casing also integrates a manual activation module configured to activate and deactivate the emitter. These devices also have important defects affecting their proper operation.

[0006] Firstly, they are not very selective when it comes to not interfering with the travel of other vehicles that are not affected by the incident. In other words, warning signals are often send to vehicles traveling in other directions or on other roadways when it is actually not necessary. This is due to the lack of precision in the orientation of the first signal, which furthermore does not take into account the vehicle running direction. Likewise, the device lacks safety elements that assure the emission of warning signals automatically, for example in the event of a serious accident in which the occupants are left unconscious.

[0007] Secondly, the structural configuration of these devices is not the most suitable as they normally comprise a casing that is not very robust, which can break easily in the case of an accident and be rendered useless. Furthermore, the location and shape of the different components in the device is not the most suitable either, reducing the efficiency thereof. Finally, the installation and operating regiment are not very flexible, especially for being adapted to vehicles that are already traveling.

[0008] The present invention solves the aforementioned problems by means of a signal emitter-receiver device for instant warning about highway incidents, comprising a travel direction monitoring module which allows emitting a first warning signal when abnormal movement of the vehicle takes place, orienting said signal according to the travel direction prior to said abnormal movement. In turn, the device of the present invention has an optimized configuration and compact design that improve its operating efficiency, and which at the same time assures its durability and makes it easier for users to use it.

Description of the Invention

[0009] The signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents of the present invention is configured to be installed in vehicles of any type, whether they are vehicles for private use or public use (ambulances, police vehicles, tow trucks, etc.). In particular cases, it is also possible to install the device in fixed signaling objects.

[0010] Said device comprises a programmable integrated circuit; an emitter configured to emit a first signal from a first vehicle; a receiver configured to receive a second signal emitted by a second vehicle or object; and a manual activation module configured to activate and deactivate the emitter.

[0011] The programmable integrated circuit is preferably selected from ZigBee, Microchip or Radiometrix modules, depending on the power consumption, propagation measurement and distance from the first signal. They are preferably integrated in the device as a child module in a printed circuit board (PCB).

[0012] Preferably both the first signal (emitted signal) and the second signal (received signal) are radio frequency signals within the free ISM band, for example at 868 Hz or 2.4 GHz. The emission of the first signal is preferably put out in broadcast mode, i.e., to a multitude of receiver nodes simultaneously, being able to be open or having its own exclusive protocol for the device of the present invention. It is provided that both the emission of the first signal and the reception of the second signal also have coverage even when traveling in a tunnel. Finally, infrared signals can also be used in particular cases.

[0013] The device of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a travel direction monitoring module which has:

• a digital accelerometer configured to detect abnormal movements of the first vehicle; and
• a digital compass configured to detect the travel direction of the first vehicle and to record periodic data thereof during its normal movement;

where said travel direction monitoring module works in collaboration with the programmable integrated circuit to emit the first signal when the digital accelerometer detects abnormal movement, said signal being oriented according to the last data recorded by the digital compass.

[0014] This module is basic for assuring proper automatic mode operation of the device, for example, in the event of a serious accident in which the occupants are left unconscious, and in which the orientation of the vehicle has changed with respect to the travel direction of the lane in which it was traveling.

[0015] Movement monitoring is based on the digital accelerometer. Both sudden accelerations and decelerations, for example starting from ± 1.5 G, are contemplated as abnormal movements. A sudden deceleration is usually linked to the unwanted stopping of the vehicle, either because of an accident or a breakdown. Travel direction monitoring is based on the magnetometer or digital compass, for example of the tilt compensated LSM303/HMC6352 type.

[0016] The device of the present invention comprises a series of additional modules that improve the performance thereof and are conceived to increasing operating efficiency. In this regard, one of the main factors to be taken into account is the autonomy of the device and how easy it is to charge electrically. To that end, the device comprises a power supply module which has a rechargeable and interchangeable battery, for example a lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery, as it is a lightweight, high-capacity, high-performance battery that is rapidly recharged.

[0017] The device is provided with several options to charge the battery. According to a first option, the device comprises a USB port to charge the battery by means of connecting an external power source, for example from the battery of the vehicle. Said USB can also be used to retrieve information from the device (1), for example the data collected shortly before an incident. According to a second option, the device itself comprises a solar cell to charge the battery by means of solar energy, for example by means of 6 V/25 mA solar panels. The device additionally comprises a charge controller controlling the process of charging the battery, whether it is done from the external source or from the solar cell.

[0018] To increase autonomy, the device additionally comprises an energy efficient operating module configured to prolong the lifetime of the rechargeable battery, for example, to establish operating periods in the emission of the first signal and/or reception of the second signal, to activate/deactivate the device in listening mode, etc.

[0019] The device of the present invention comprises a series of indicators to suitably warn the user about an incident and to inform said user of the state of the device at all times. In this regard, the device comprises a luminous charge indicator indicating the charge of the rechargeable battery; a luminous emission indicator that is activated when the first signal is emitted; an acoustic reception indicator that is activated when the second signal is received; and a luminous indicator indicating the presence of electric current in the device. The luminous indicators will preferably be LED-type indicators with suitable colors.

[0020] Likewise, the device of the present invention has an optimized configuration and compact design that improve its operating efficiency, and which at the same time assures its durability and makes it easier for users to use it. In this regard, the device comprises a casing, with a front face and a back face, having a compact configuration, and in the front face of which there is arranged a button for the manual activation module. In turn, the back face comprises support means which allow the repeated assembly and disassembly of the device on a surface of the first vehicle.

[0021] Said surface is usually on the inside of the front windshield and close to the driver, such that the emitter is oriented towards the outside and the receiver towards the inside of the vehicle. Nevertheless, its repeated assembly and disassembly capacity make it possible that it is sometimes convenient to assembly the device on the rear windshield or in the side windows.

[0022] The compact configuration of the casing allows said casing to be very robust, resistant and reliable, assuring operation thereof after an accident. Preferably, the back face has a circular configuration, whereas the front face has a spherical portion configuration from which a cylindrical portion is prolonged. Both faces preferably constitute two disassemblable bodies attached by means of screws, which form an inner cavity housing the different components, in addition to the electronics required for proper operation. The material used will preferably be plastic, among others materials.

[0023] The emission indicator preferably wraps around the perimeter of the button, both having a triangular shape, said emission indicator being configured to produce a blinking light, thereby favoring its being seen.

[0024] The support means preferably consist of double-sided adhesive tape arranged around the perimeter on the back face, making the repeated assembly and disassembly thereof by the user easier.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] A series of drawings which help to better understand the invention and which are expressly related to a preferred embodiment of said invention presented as a non-limiting example thereof is very briefly described below.

Figure 1 depicts a block diagram showing the operation of the device of the present invention.

Figure 2 depicts a view of the front face of the device,

Figure 3 depicts a view of the back face of the device.

Figure 4 depicts a first profile view of the device.

Figure 5 depicts a second profile view of the device.

Figure 6 depicts an elevational view of the support means.

Figure 7 depicts a schematic view of a first example of the application of the device in a two-way, two-lane highway.

Figure 8 depicts a schematic view of a second example of the application of the device in a highway having two lanes each way separated by a median.

Figure 9 depicts a schematic view of a third example of the application of the device in a two-way, two-lane highway with road construction.

Description Detailed of the Invention

[0026] Figure 1 shows a block diagram depicting the operation of the device of the present invention. As can be seen, the device (1) comprises a programmable integrated circuit (2); an emitter (3) configured to emit a first signal (101) from a first vehicle (100); a receiver (4) configured to receive a second signal (201) emitted by a second vehicle or object (200); and a manual activation module (5) configured to activate and deactivate the emitter (3).

[0027] The device of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a travel direction monitoring module (6) which has:

• a digital accelerometer (7) configured to detect abnormal movements of the first vehicle (100); and
• a digital compass (8) configured to detect the travel direction of the first vehicle (100) and to record periodic data thereof during its normal movement;

where said travel direction monitoring module (6) works in collaboration with the programmable integrated circuit (2) to emit the first signal (101) automatically when the digital accelerometer (7) detects an abnormal movement, said signal (101) being oriented according to the last data recorded by the digital compass (8).

[0028] The device comprises a power supply module (9) which has a rechargeable and interchangeable battery (10). The device (1) is provided with several options to charge the battery (10). According to a first option, the device comprises a USB port (11) to charge the battery (10) by means of connecting an external power source. According to a second option, the device itself comprises a solar cell (12) to charge the battery (10) by means of solar energy. The device additionally comprises a charge controller (13) controlling the process of charging the battery (10), whether it is done from the external source or from the solar cell (12).

[0029] The device additionally comprises an energy efficient operating module (14) configured to prolong the lifetime of the rechargeable battery (10).

[0030] The device of the present invention comprises a series of indicators to suitably warn the user about an incident and to inform said user of the state of the device at all times. In this regard, the device comprises a luminous charge indicator (15) indicating the charge of the rechargeable battery (10); a luminous emission indicator (16) that is activated when the first signal (101) is emitted; an acoustic reception indicator (18), or speaker, that is activated when the second signal (201) is received; and a luminous indicator (17) indicating the presence of electric current in the device (1).

[0031] Figures 2 and 3 show the front and back configuration of the emitter-receiver device (1) in further detail, whereas Figures 4 and 5 show the side configuration thereof in further detail. It can be seen in said figures that the device (1) comprises a casing (20), with a front face (21) and a back face (22), having a compact configuration on the inside of which the most sensitive elements are arranged, such as the programmable integrated circuit (2), the emitter (3), the receiver (4) and the modules (5, 6, 9), and in the front face (21) of which there is arranged a button (19) for the manual activation module (5). In turn, the back face (22) comprises support means (23) which allow the repeated assembly and disassembly of the device (1) on a surface (S) of the first vehicle (100).

[0032] Preferably, the back face (22) has a circular configuration, whereas the front face (21) has a spherical portion configuration (24) from which a cylindrical portion (25) is prolonged. Both faces preferably constitute two disassemblable bodies attached by means of screws (27), which form an inner cavity housing the different components, in addition to the electronics required for proper operation.

[0033] The emission indicator (16) preferably wraps around the perimeter of the button (19), both having a triangular shape, said emission indicator (16) being configured to produce a blinking light, thereby favoring its being seen.

[0034] Figure 6 shows an elevational view of the support means (23) which, as can be seen, consist of double-sided adhesive tape (26) arranged around the perimeter on the back face (22), making the repeated assembly and disassembly thereof by the user easier.

[0035] Figure 7 shows a schematic view of a first example of the application of the device in a two-way, two-lane highway. As can be seen, a first vehicle (100) that has been in an accident is located on the shoulder, while other vehicles (200) travel close to same. The first vehicle (100) has experienced a change in orientation with respect to the travel direction of the lane in which it was traveling. However, the first warning signal (101) is being oriented according to the last data recorded by the digital compass (8), i.e., the travel direction moments before the accident, such that said signal (101) is conveniently oriented, for example at an angle between 14:00 and 16:00, as shown in the drawing, regardless of the final position of the first vehicle (100), and only to the vehicles (200) traveling in the same direction, without interfering with the rest. Said vehicles (200) also have the device (1) of the present invention to receive the first warning signal (101). The digital accelerometer (7) is the reason that the first signal (101) is emitted automatically at the time the vehicle (100) involved in the accident stops.

[0036] Figure 8 shows a schematic view of a second example of the application of the device in a highway having two lanes each way separated by a median. As can be seen, a first vehicle (100) traveling on a roadway detects a vehicle (300) that has suffered an accident and emits a first warning signal (101) to a second vehicle (200) traveling towards the accident. Said second vehicle (200) receives the first signal (101) and once it has been warned, the driver pushes the manual activation module (5) to no longer receive said signal, being capable of subsequently emitting a second signal (201) as a response or warning to other vehicles behind it.

[0037] Figure 9 shows a schematic view of a third example of the application of the device in a two-way, two-lane highway with road construction. In this particular case, the presence of road construction in the roadway is notified, the device (1) of the present invention being installed on a fixed signaling object (200) and emitting a second road construction signal (201). A first vehicle (100) equipped with the device (1) receives said road construction signal (201).

Claims

1. A signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents configured to be installed in a first vehicle (100), comprising a programmable integrated circuit (2); an emitter (3) configured to emit a first signal (101) from the first vehicle (100); a receiver (4) configured to receive a second signal (201) emitted by a second vehicle or object (200); and a manual activation module (5) configured to activate and deactivate the emitter (3); said device (1) being characterized in that it comprises a travel direction monitoring module (6) which has:

• a digital accelerometer (7) configured to detect abnormal movements of the first vehicle (100); and

• a digital compass (8) configured to detect the travel direction of the first vehicle (100) and to record periodic data thereof during its normal movement;

where said travel direction monitoring module (6) works in collaboration with the programmable integrated circuit (2) to emit the first signal (101) when the digital accelerometer (7) detects abnormal movement, said signal (101) being oriented according to the last data recorded by the digital compass (8).

2. The signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents according to claim 1, characterized in that the first signal (101) is a radio frequency signal within the ISM band.

3. The signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it comprises a power supply module (9) which has a rechargeable and interchangeable battery (10).

4. The signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a USB port (11) to charge the battery (10) by means of connecting an external power source.

5. The signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents according to any of the preceding claims 3 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a solar cell (12) to charge the battery (10) by means of solar energy.

6. The signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents according to any of the preceding claims 3 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a charge controller (13) controlling the process of charging the battery (10).

7. The signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents according to any of the preceding claims 3 to 6, characterized in that it comprises an energy efficient operating module (14) configured to prolong the lifetime of the rechargeable battery (10).

8. The signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents according to any of the preceding claims 3 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a luminous charge indicator (15) indicating the charge of the rechargeable battery (10).

9. The signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a luminous emission indicator (16) that is activated when the first signal (101) is emitted.

10. The signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises an acoustic reception indicator (18) that is activated when the second signal (201) is received.

11. The signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a luminous indicator (17) indicating the presence of electric current in the device (1).

12. The signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a casing (20), with a front face (21) and a back face (22), having a compact configuration, and in the front face (21) of which there is arranged a button (19) for the manual activation module (5); and in that said back face (22) comprises support means (23) which allow the repeated assembly and disassembly of the device (1) on a surface (S) of the first vehicle (100).

13. The signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents according to claim 12, characterized in that the back face (22) has a circular configuration; and in that the front face (21) has a spherical portion configuration (24) from which is prolonged a cylindrical portion (25).

14. The signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents according to any of the preceding claims 12 to 13, characterized in that the emission indicator (16) wraps around the perimeter of the button (19), both having a triangular shape; and in that the emission indicator (16) is configured to produce a blinking light.

15. The signal emitter-receiver device for warning about highway incidents according to any of the preceding claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the support means (23) consist of a double-sided adhesive tape (26) arranged around the perimeter on the back face (22).

Drawing