Patent US2416424A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3874475A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vehicle closing speed limiter and performance monitoring systems
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-07-23
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1993-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle closing speed limiter and performance monitoring system is disclosed which generates a first train of pulses at a frequency directly related to vehicle actual speed. Also, a signal is transmitted from a preceding vehicle, representing said preceding actual vehicle speed, to an on-following vehicle when the two vehicles are traveling in the same direction and substantially in the same lane of traffic. The on-following vehicle, which receives the transmitted signal, compares the preceding vehicle speed frequency with its own speed frequency. When the on-following vehicle speed exceeds the speed of the preceding vehicle, the on-following vehicle is slowed by a generated first force proportional to the thus determined closing speed, said first force being applied to the on-following vehicle''s throttle mechanism in opposition to the force of pressure applied by the vehicle operator''s foot, thereby reducing the closing speed to zero. Also disclosed is a means for measuring the deviation of vehicle steering angle with time, such that when the time integral of the steering deviation exceeds a predetermined value, the vehicle is slowed to a speed corresponding to engine idle speed by automatically disconnecting the accelerator foot pedal from the vehicle''s throttle mechanism. This embodiment of the invention prevents the vehicle operator from operating the vehicle at normal speeds when said operator is intoxicated, ill, or inhibited by vehicle malfunction. And further disclosed is means for recording the various speed and steering deviation parameters on an endless magnetic recording device to establish a limited time history of the vehicle performance.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert A Permut
- 👤 Ronald M Permut
- 👤 Alan R Permut
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60W; B60W30/00; B60W30/14; B60W30/143; B60W30/146; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/0008; B60K31/06; B60K31/08; B60W2520/00; B60W2520/10; B60W2520/105; B60W2540/00; B60W2540/18; B60W2554/00; B60W2554/80; B60W2554/802; B60W2554/804; B60W2710/00; B60W2710/06; B60W2710/0605; B60W2754/00; B60W2754/10; B60W2754/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
447 words
A system for controlling the closing speed between two vehicles traveling in the same direction and substantially in the same lane of traffic, the system comprising: first means coupled in each of said vehicles for generating a first sequence of pulses at frequencies which are directly related to each vehicles own speed, respectively: direction means in each vehicle for determining the direction of travel or heading of each vehicle, with further means for converting said direction of travel or heading of each vehicle to a discrete digital code, transmitting means coupled in each vehicle for transmitting rearward from said vehicles a continuous electromagnetic energy beam including modulation means to transmit digitally coded signals which represent the vehicle''s own speed and own direction, further means coupled in each vehicle for limiting the zone of influence of said transmitted coded signals to a predetermined distance and angular beam width extending rearward from said vehicles so as to establish a predetermined and limited zone of influence with respect to vehicles following in train behind the transmitting vehicle, receiving means coupled in each vehicle for receiving said coded transmitted signals, said coded signals representing the speed and direction of the vehicle in front of the receiving vehicle, when the receiving vehicle is within said zone of influence and substantially in the same lane of traffic with the vehicle in front, second means in each vehicle coupled to said receiving means for decoding said speed and direction signals received from said transmitting vehicle to provide a first output which is frequency related to the speed of said transmitting vehicle and a second output which is digitally coded to represent the direction of travel or heading of said transmitting vehicle when said receiving vehicle is within the said zone of influence of said transmitting vehicle, third means in each vehicle coupled to said first means to provide a third output which is frequency related to said receiving vehicle''s own speed and a fourth output coupled to said direction means which is digitally coded to represent the direction of travel or heading of said receiving vehicle, fourth means in each vehicle coupled to said third means for digitally determining the frequency difference between said first output and said third output when the said second output and said fourth output are substantially the same, fifth means in each vehicle coupled to said fourth means to provide a fifth output when the frequency of said third output exceeds or is greater than the frequency of said first output providing said second output and said fourth outputs are substantially the same, sixth means coupled in each vehicle for providing a first force proportional to said fifth output.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
447 words
A system for controlling the closing speed between two vehicles traveling in the same direction and substantially in the same lane of traffic, the system comprising: first means coupled in each of said vehicles for generating a first sequence of pulses at frequencies which are directly related to each vehicles own speed, respectively: direction means in each vehicle for determining the direction of travel or heading of each vehicle, with further means for converting said direction of travel or heading of each vehicle to a discrete digital code, transmitting means coupled in each vehicle for transmitting rearward from said vehicles a continuous electromagnetic energy beam including modulation means to transmit digitally coded signals which represent the vehicle''s own speed and own direction, further means coupled in each vehicle for limiting the zone of influence of said transmitted coded signals to a predetermined distance and angular beam width extending rearward from said vehicles so as to establish a predetermined and limited zone of influence with respect to vehicles following in train behind the transmitting vehicle, receiving means coupled in each vehicle for receiving said coded transmitted signals, said coded signals representing the speed and direction of the vehicle in front of the receiving vehicle, when the receiving vehicle is within said zone of influence and substantially in the same lane of traffic with the vehicle in front, second means in each vehicle coupled to said receiving means for decoding said speed and direction signals received from said transmitting vehicle to provide a first output which is frequency related to the speed of said transmitting vehicle and a second output which is digitally coded to represent the direction of travel or heading of said transmitting vehicle when said receiving vehicle is within the said zone of influence of said transmitting vehicle, third means in each vehicle coupled to said first means to provide a third output which is frequency related to said receiving vehicle''s own speed and a fourth output coupled to said direction means which is digitally coded to represent the direction of travel or heading of said receiving vehicle, fourth means in each vehicle coupled to said third means for digitally determining the frequency difference between said first output and said third output when the said second output and said fourth output are substantially the same, fifth means in each vehicle coupled to said fourth means to provide a fifth output when the frequency of said third output exceeds or is greater than the frequency of said first output providing said second output and said fourth outputs are substantially the same, sixth means coupled in each vehicle for providing a first force proportional to said fifth output.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein the vehicle is of the type operable by an operator and including a throttle mechanism to which an operator-produced force is appliable to control vehicle speed, said system including means for applying the said first force produced by said sixth means to said throttle mechanism in a direction which is opposite to the direction in which the operator-produced force is appliable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein said receiving means include means for receiving aperiodically any one of a plurality of said coded signals, said coded signals representing said transmitting vehicle variable speeds and variable direction of travel or heading of said transmitting vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein said second means includes gating means for disabling said fourth means and thus said fifth output in the event that the receiving vehicle is not within the zone of influence of said transmitting vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 2 wherein the vehicle is of a type operable by an operator including means for the receiving vehicle operator to over-ride said first force produced by said sixth means to said throttle mechanism to provide vehicle passing or over-taking of said transmitting vehicle at the option of the receiving vehicle operator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein each received coded signal includes a first direction code defining the direction in which said transmitting vehicle is heading, whether in motion or not, said system further including means for providing a second direction code defining the receiving vehicle heading, whether in motion or not, including direction code comparison means for controlling said fifth means to supply said fifth output only when said first and second direction codes are substantially the same.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 1 further including gating means coupled to said fourth means and said fifth means for selectively inhibiting the supply of said first force to said throttle mechanism when the frequency of the first output is equal to or greater than the frequency of the third outpuT.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 2 wherein the vehicle is of the type operable by an operator further including gating means for disabling said first force produced by said sixth means when the receiving vehicle departs said zone of influence of the transmitting vehicle by operator induced vehicle speed reduction such that said third output is equal to or less than said first output.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 8 wherein the vehicle is of a type operable by an operator including gating means for disabling said first force produced by said sixth means when said receiving vehicle departs said transmitting vehicle''s said zone of influence by said operator election to change lanes of traffic.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |