GB2207792A

GB2207792A - Vehicle driver warning apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2207792A
Application number: GB08818589A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Harry Wale
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-08-06
Filing date: 1988-08-04
Publication date: 1989-02-08
Also published as: GB8818589D0; GB8718594D0

Abstract

Information and/or instructions regarding hazardous or similar road conditions ahead are given by a data transmitting network arranged to transmit such data in a zone extending substantially continuously along a length of road or carriageway such as by means of a series of transmitters situated at intervals along the roadside. A data receiving device installed in a vehicle receives such data and is provided with display means comprising a plurality of visual signs which are activated in accordance with the data transmitted. The display means is shown consisting of a panel (2) having illuminable portions (4, 6, 8 and 10) each exhibiting a symbol or the like when illuminated. The portions may be illuminated singly or two or more may be illuminated together according to the information and/or instructions transmitted to the driver. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Vehicle driver warning apparatus The invention relates to vehicle driver warning apparatus, particularly including on-board reception and display of exteriorly originating information.

It has been observed on many occasions that those involved in road accidents following on from an initial occurrence, say, an accident, conditions of fog, snow and the like, express the opinion that they could have avoided being involved in the accident if they had known sooner of the situation on the road ahead. Many attempts have been made to forewarn vehicle drivers of hazards ahead such as overhead or kerb side signs on carriageways, the provision of signs, coning, and bollards, the position of which contributes to accidents in some instances.

It is now usual for motorways to be equipped with variable display signs, including variable illumination patterns conveying information to drivers regarding advisory speed limits, fog, and other hazards. These are usually put into operation at the discretion of the police. In use, when positioned on the hard shoulder or central reservation the signs are frequently obscured by high-sided vehicles.

Only on urban motorways are such signs displayed on overhead gantries.

The invention provides in accordance with one aspect thereof, apparatus for conveying to the interior of road vehicles information and instructions concerning road conditions at locations ahead, comprising a data-receiving device adapted to be installed in a vehicle, a data transmitting network arranged to provide a continuous transmission receiving zone along a length of carriageway, said data-receiving device being provided with a display comprising a plurality of visual signs capable of activation in accordance with the data transmitted.

Advantageously the transmission network may comprise a plurality of low-density transmitters at intervals along the carriageway. The transmitters may be of any convenient kind such as radio, microwave, ultrasonic, infra red or laser transmitters. Conveniently these may be located on or within permanent road side structures such as crash barriers, lighting structures, conventional road signs and the like.

Preferably, the data-receiving device may be brought into operation in conjunction with the ignition system of a vehicle to ensure continuous ability to receive transmitted data. In example described below, the data-receiving device is provided with a display incorporating an array of discrete panel portions illuminated for example by light-emitting diodes. Each panel portion may exhibit a sign in a linear outline or a shape having a predetermined meaning, thus obviating the need for language and translation, or even the ability to read.

The invention further provides in accordance with a further aspect thereof, apparatus as described in the fourth paragraph of this specification, wherein the data transmitting network is arranged automatically to emit signals initiated by critical changes in ambient temperature , incidence of fog, darnage to road-side structures supporting components of said networks and other external phenomena, in addition to signals input to and from an information source.

Advantageously, said network according to either aspect of the invention may be arranged automatically to transmit differing signals to roadside transmission receiving zones according to the distance of said zone from the locations.

There will now be described an example of apparatus according to the invention. It will be understood that the description which is to be read with reference to the drawing, is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

The drawing shows a panel 2 of a data-receiving device of apparatus according to the invention. The panel comprises in the present instance four panel portions 4, 6, 8 and 10, each provided with a light-emitting-diode (L.E.D.) display in the form of a sign, panel portion 4 showing a triangle, portion 6 a double semicircle, portion 8 a stylised numeral 3 and portion 10 a stylised "s".

Emission of light from the signs on the panel portion taken singly may be arranged in the example to have the following meanings.

Portion 4 - Roadworks, accident or contra-flow arrangements.

Portion 6 - Fog, ice, snow, flood.

Portion 8 - Reduce speed to 50 mph (80 kph).

Portion 10 - Reduce speed to 30 mph (48 kph).

More than one of the panel portions may also be illuminated at once, with the following meaning.

Portions 4 or 6 together with 8 - Reduce speed to 80 kph and no overtaking.

Portions 4 or 6 together with 10 - Reduce speed to 48 kph and no overtaking.

All four portions together - STOP IMMEDIATELY.

This arrangement is an example of one of the simplest forms of sign display, but it will be evident that more complex arrangements including additional signs may be organised.

For example, portion 4 may be used to indicate "caution" and illuminated together with portions b, or c may signify "single lane", or "pull over".

A further example may therefore be: Portion 4 - caution Portion 6 - fog, ice or frost (or any combination) Portion 8 - Road works (particularly but not exclusively contraflow) Portion 10 - Accident Portions 4 & 6 = 50 mph (80 kph) limit Portions 4 & 8 = 30 mph (48 kph) limit Portions 4 & 10 = No overtaking Portions 6 & 10 = single lane Portions 8 & 10 = Road working All portions - STOP IMMEDIATELY The transmitter network in the present example is conveniently a system related to a radio telephone network, but it is envisaged that it may be possible to devise a viable and economical system based on microwave technology and which would be internationally acceptable.The system according to the example incorporates a facility not only for identifying the type of hazard ahead but also for giving varying instructions to transmitting zones at given distances from the location of the circumstances from which the warning originates. For example, traffic 2 miles from an accident will receive a signal given by the illumination of panel portions 4 and 8 - "accident" and "50 mph limit", while at 1 mile from the accident, the signal will change to panel portions 4 and 10, "accident" and "30 mph limit".

If necessary, all four panel portions will be illuminated to bring all traffic to a halt.

The apparatus may readily be installed in existing vehicles by securing the display panel assembly to the dashboard and for example adhering a visor strip to the windscreen, the strip having an integral antenna.

Alternatively a so-called "piggy-back" connection may be made into the screened lead of the existing radio aerial. On retro-fit vehicles, the power supply may be brought in from an ignition controlled wire using a suitable connector.

Various modifications may be made with the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus for conveying to the driver of a road vehicle information and/or instructions concerning hazardous or other road conditions at one or more locations ahead, comprising a data transmitting network arranged to provide a data transmitting zone extending substantially continuously along a length of road or carriageway; and a device for receiving said transmitted data which data receiving device is installed, or adapted to be installed, in or on a vehicle and includes display means providing a plurality of visual signs or the like capable of activation in accordance with the data received.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the transmission network comprises a plurality of transmitters situated at intervals along the road or carriageway.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the transmitters are of the low-density kind.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 2 or 3 wherein the transmitters are radio, microwave, ultrasonic, infra red and/or laser transmitters.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein transmitters of the data transmitting network or one more components thereof are located, or adapted to be located, on or within road side structures such as crash barriers, lighting structures, road signs or the like.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the data transmitting network is arranged to automatically emit transmissions or signals initiated by changes in road conditions such as ambient temperature, incidence of fog, snow, ice, rain or flood or high wind or any combination thereof and/or damage to roadside structure such as those carrying transmitters or components thereof of the data transmitting network and any other hazard or phenomena, which transmissions or signals may be additional to those input to and output from an information source.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the data transmitting network is arranged to automatically transmit differing signals to roadside transmission receiving zones according to the distance of a said zone from a said location or locations ahead.

8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the data receiving device is arranged to be brought into operation in conjunction with the ignition system of a vehicle to ensure continuous ability to receive transmitted data.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the display of the data receiving device provides an array of illuminable panel portions, each panel portion exhibiting at least one sign, symbol or the like on illumination.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the panel portions are arranged to indicate data received either singly or by two or more thereof in combination with one another.

11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein display means of the data receiving device is arranged to be mounted for convenient observation from the driving position of the vehicle, an antenna to the device being carried for example by a strip or the like which can be integral with or adhesively applied to the vehicle windscreen or elsewhere in or on the vehicle, or provided by connection to an existing radio aerial of the vehicle.

12. Apparatus for conveying to the driver of a vehicle information and/or instructions concerning hazardous or other road conditions at one or more locations ahead when said apparatus is substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.