US3976970A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and device for analizing and validating signals usable in warning systems for road-signs
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-12-02
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Granted: 1976-08-24
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Expires: 1994-12-02
Abstract
Abstract Two orientated magnetic field generating means such as permanent magnets are embedded in a roadway at some distance from each other before a road-sign, said magnets extending on the whole width of the roadway. When a vehicle equipped with a detector crosses said magnets, signals of pseudo-sinusoidal shape are generated. Said signals are applied to elements converting them to calibrated pulses corresponding to the two alternations of the signals. The order of said ulses is checked to validate only pulses appearing in a predetermined order, thus eliminating direction ambiguity. The time separating two pulses is also checked to validate only pairs of pulses comprised in a predetermined time period, thus eliminating interferences from outside. The pairs of pulses are transmitted to at least one time window circuit which is adjusted to a predetermined period of time. Only pairs of pulses appearing within said predetermined period are validated. Said pairs of pulses are counted and their number is compared with a predetermined number; they are then transmitted to a warning device. By providing two time window circuits adjusted to different periods of time, the system can be used both for indicating road-signs and as a kinemometer, the two magnets being then separated by a distance which is a function of the authorized speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre Edmond Tuffet
- 👤 Bernard Paul Cuq
- 👤 Jean Margot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:29
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962; G08G1/0967; G08G1/096708; G08G1/096716; G01; G01R; G01R29/00; G01R29/02; G01R29/027; G01R29/0273; G08G1/096733; G08G1/09675; G08G1/096766; G08G1/096783
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A road-sign warning system for a vehicle, comprising first and second orientated magnetic means to generate localized magnetic fields, provided in the road at some distance from each other, sensor means arranged on said vehicle, said sensor means generating a signal of sinusoidal shape when the vehicle is passing over one of said magnetic means, means for converting said signal into a pair of pulses corresponding to the two alternations of said signal, arrival order means for checking the arrival order of said pulses and for transmitting said pulses only when the pulses follow one another within a predetermined order and time period, means for receiving said successive pairs of pulses transmitted by said arrival order means, for checking the time separating said pair of pulses, and for transmitting only pairs of pulses contained within a predetermined time period, at least one time window means for transmitting successive pairs of pulses contained within a predetermined time window, a counting means counting the pairs of pulses transmitted by said arrival order means and passing the output of the time window means if this number corresponds to a predetermined number of pairs of pulses, and warning means for receiving said passed pulses and emitting a warning signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A road-sign warning system for a vehicle, comprising first and second orientated magnetic means to generate localized magnetic fields, provided in the road at some distance from each other, sensor means arranged on said vehicle, said sensor means generating a signal of sinusoidal shape when the vehicle is passing over one of said magnetic means, means for converting said signal into a pair of pulses corresponding to the two alternations of said signal, arrival order means for checking the arrival order of said pulses and for transmitting said pulses only when the pulses follow one another within a predetermined order and time period, means for receiving said successive pairs of pulses transmitted by said arrival order means, for checking the time separating said pair of pulses, and for transmitting only pairs of pulses contained within a predetermined time period, at least one time window means for transmitting successive pairs of pulses contained within a predetermined time window, a counting means counting the pairs of pulses transmitted by said arrival order means and passing the output of the time window means if this number corresponds to a predetermined number of pairs of pulses, and warning means for receiving said passed pulses and emitting a warning signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A road-sign warning system according to claim 1, comprising a clock for supplying the time brackets and time windows for said receiving means and said at least one time window means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A road-sign warning system according to claim 1, said window means comprising two time window circuits in parallel, adjusted to different time windows selectively to pass pairs of pulses separated by different time periods.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
A road-sign warning system according to claim 1, said window means comprising a first time window circuit adjusted to a first time window for transmitting pulses originating from two successive magnetic means which are located at a short distance from each other, for giving a warning of a road-sign corresponding to a road condition, and a second time window circuit adjusted to a second time window for transmitting pulses originating from two successive magnetic means located in the roadway at a distance depending on a speed-limit condition and generated when a vehicle passes over said magnetic means at a speed exceding said speed-limit, said first and second time window circuits being parallel connected for the selective transmission of a pair of pulses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
142 words
A road-sign warning system comprising orientated magnets embedded in the roadway to generate magnetic fields, a sensor mounted on a vehicle, said sensor generating a sinusoidal shaped signal when crossing said magnets, means for converting said signal to calibrated pulses, means for checking the order of said pulses and comparing them with a predetermined order and passing only those pairs of pulses appearing in the predetermined order, means for checking the time separating said pulses and passing only those pairs of pulses comprised within a predetermined time period, a radio receiver on said vehicle, a zonal emitter provided in the system outside the vehicle, means for energizing said receiver through said pairs of pulses, and a loudspeaker provided on the vehicle in order that energization of said receiver transmits to the driver of the vehicle an audible signal emitted by said emitter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
142 words
A road-sign warning system comprising orientated magnets embedded in the roadway to generate magnetic fields, a sensor mounted on a vehicle, said sensor generating a sinusoidal shaped signal when crossing said magnets, means for converting said signal to calibrated pulses, means for checking the order of said pulses and comparing them with a predetermined order and passing only those pairs of pulses appearing in the predetermined order, means for checking the time separating said pulses and passing only those pairs of pulses comprised within a predetermined time period, a radio receiver on said vehicle, a zonal emitter provided in the system outside the vehicle, means for energizing said receiver through said pairs of pulses, and a loudspeaker provided on the vehicle in order that energization of said receiver transmits to the driver of the vehicle an audible signal emitted by said emitter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A road-sign warning system according to claim 5, wherein said magnets embedded in the roadway are electromagnets having coils which can be selectively activated by said emitter for transmitting an audible signal to an equipped vehicle crossing said electromagnets.
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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) | 1979-08-24 | 1980-02-23 | 1980-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-24 | 1984-02-23 | 1984-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-24 | 1988-02-23 | 1988-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |