SIGNALING DEVICE FOR AN AUTOMOBILE

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of automobiles. More specifically, the present invention relates to signaling devices provided on automobiles.

Description of the Related Art

[0002] The number of automobiles on the roads is ever increasing. With the advancement in the technology, the automobiles hitting the roads are not only faster but have increased control and maneuverability. Management and control of such fast moving traffic on the roads have been an issue of concern since the advent of the use of automobiles for transportation. Automobiles are available in various shapes and sizes. For example, Cars: 4-Door Sedans,2-Door Coupes, Station Wagons, Convertibles, Sports Cars; Light Trucks: Mini Vans, SUVs, Pickup Trucks, Vans; 2,3,4 wheeled, hatchback, three box, buses, trucks etc. Such a wide range of shapes and sizes adds to the concern of authorities to ensure a smooth movement of the traffic on the roads. There are mechanisms such as fly-overs, lane markings, road warning signs and various traffic rules to enable smoother movement of traffic.

[0003] To ensure smooth traffic movement, communication amongst the automobile drivers on the road is the most important aspect. Various means of communication amongst automobile drivers on the road are horns, turn signal indicator, flashes, high/low beam headlights, etc. For example, automobile drivers use horns to announce their presence in case a vehicle ahead is blocking their way, flashes are used while overtaking etc.

[0004] Turn signal indicators are used by the drivers to indicate intended direction of motion of the automobile. Also, turn signal indicators are sometimes misused by automobile drivers to communicate to the following traffic vehicle(s) to overtake from the side for which the signal is turned on. For example, it is observed on the high speed zones such as highways that an automobile is parked on one side of the road with one turn signal indicator turned on. This is done to indicate to the following traffic that they can overtake the automobile on the side indicated by the turn signal indicator. Also, while driving on highways, the drivers use the turn signal indicator to communicate to the following automobile that it can overtake on the side indicated by the turn signal lamp. Such use of turn signal indicators may rather be called a 'misuse', as it can lead to a miscommunication and lead to serious accidents.

[0005] This system of communicating the side for overtaking to the traffic behind using turn signal indicator has the following disadvantages. The use of the same device - turn signal indicator - for communicating intention of turning, changing lanes, and for communicating the side from which the automobile may be overtaken creates confusion. For example, on two way highways, such use of turn signal indicator to communicate the side for overtaking to the following traffic is confusing and can be dangerous for the traffic coming from the opposite direction as they might construe it as the intention of the driver to turn. At the same time, the traffic behind the automobile is confused whether the automobile is indicating the side for overtaking or is about to change lane or take a turn. Such a dangerous practice is quite prevalent on the highways. With high speeds, the problem becomes still more dangerous. This makes the use of turn signal indicator to communicate the side for overtaking, accident-prone.

[0006] In the light of the foregoing discussion, there is a need for a system for an automobile to communicate to the following traffic, the side from which they may overtake the automobile without creating an ambiguous situation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An objective of the invention is to provide a system for an automobile to unambiguously communicate to the following traffic, the side from which they may overtake the preceding automobile.

[0008] Another objective of the invention is to increase the effectiveness of communication amongst the traffic on the road.

[0009] Yet another objective of the invention is to enable smoother movement of traffic on the roads.

[0010] Still yet another objective of the invention is to reduce the number of road accidents.

[0011] Accordingly, the present invention provides a system for an automobile for communicating to the following traffic the side from which the traffic may overtake the automobile. The system comprises a signal generating device and a plurality of overtaking indicators mounted on the automobile. Signal generating device is capable of generating a signal. Signal generating device sends the signal to one of the overtaking indicator. The overtaking indicator is activated on receiving the signal from the signal generating device. The signal is deciphered, by the following traffic, as the communication from the driver that the following traffic may overtake the automobile on the side indicated by the overtaking indicator. The system further comprises a driver-interface for the driver to operate the signal generating device and also a corresponding display on the instrument panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more detailed description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to various embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for communicating to the following traffic the side from which the traffic may overtake the automobile, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates different shapes and forms of overtaking indicators, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Various embodiments of the present invention provide a system for an automobile for communicating to the following traffic the side, which may be either left or right, from which the traffic may overtake the automobile, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG.1 is a block diagram illustrating a system 100 for an automobile 102 to communicate to the following traffic the side, which may be either left or right, from which the traffic may overtake the automobile, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. System 100 comprises a signal generating device 104 and a plurality of overtaking indicators 106a and 106b. FIG. 1 also shows automobiles 102a and 102b, which represent a part of the traffic, which is behind automobile 102 and moving in the same direction. Signal generating device 104 is mounted on automobile 102. Automobile 102 is a wheeled vehicle, which may or may not carry its own motor/engine. In various embodiments of the invention, automobile 102 is a car, bus, truck, van, and the like. For example, automobile 102a is a bus and automobile 102b is a van.

[0017] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, signal generating device 104 generates a signal 108. In an embodiment, signal generating device 104 comprises means for sending the generated signal 108 to overtaking indicators 106. Overtaking indicators 106 receive signal 108 from signal generating device 104 and get activated depending upon signal 108. Signal 108 is an asynchronous event. In various embodiments, signal 108 is in the form of electric charge, sound or light. Signal 108 is deciphered by at least one of the rest of the automobiles in the following traffic on the road - automobile 102a and 102b. Automobile 102a deciphers signal 108 to be a communication of the side from which automobile 102a may overtake automobile 102. Therefore, automobile 102a is assured that automobile 102 does not intend to take a turn and instead is allowing automobile 102a to overtake from the side communicated.

[0018] In various embodiments, signal 108 may be in the form of light, sound or both. Typical colour of the light of signal 108 may be orange. However, it may be apparent that any other colour may be possible. In an embodiment, signal 108 is in the form of light, which blinks at a predetermined rate.

[0019] Overtaking indicators 106 may be mounted on automobile 102 at the rear end, visible for the traffic behind automobile 102. For example, overtaking indicators 106a and 106b are mounted at the rear of automobile 102 and are visible to the traffic following automobile 102. In an embodiment, overtaking indicators 106 are also provided inside automobile 102 to communicate to the driver of automobile 102 the status of overtaking indicators 106a and 106b mounted at the rear of automobile 102. For example, an overtaking indicator may be mounted at the instrument panel of automobile 102. In accordance with various embodiments, overtaking indicator 106 may be a light, a sound device, or both, a detailed description of which is given with reference to FIG. 2.

[0020] In an embodiment, system 100 further includes a driver interface 110 for the driver of automobile 102 to operate signal-generating device 104. The driver of the automobile 102 operates signal-generating device 104 to generate signal 108. In various embodiments, driver interface 110 may be in the form of various types of switches. For example, toggle switches and the like. Driver interface 110 may be a separate switch on the dashboard or may be incorporated on the combination switch assembly generally mounted on the steering column.

[0021] In an embodiment, signal-generating device 104 generates signal 108 continuously for a predetermined time on being operated by the driver of automobile 102 using a driver-interface 110.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates different shapes and forms of overtaking indicators 106, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Overtaking indicator 106 may have various shapes and forms such as overtaking indicators 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, and 106f. Overtaking indicators 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e and 106f are light-devices, which get activated on receiving signal 108. Overtaking indicators 106a-c are in the form of pair of arrows pointing upwards and indicate the side for overtaking to be left whereas, corresponding overtaking indicators 106d-f indicate the side for overtaking to be right. It may be apparent to person skilled in the art that overtaking indicators 106a-f can take any shape or form. However, in all shapes and forms, overtaking indicators 106, on receiving signal 108, get activated and are able to communicate the side from which automobile 102 may be overtaken by the rest of the following traffic.

[0023] In an example, the indication may be performed using light or sound or both.

[0024] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, system 100 further comprises a display mounted on the instrument panel of the automobile for indicating the status of overtaking indicators 106

[0025] The present invention enables a driver of an automobile to communicate the side from which the automobile may be overtaken by the traffic following the automobile. Any confusion which may arise in case a turn signal indicator is turned on or off, is totally eliminated. Thus, the present invention increases the effectiveness of communication amongst the traffic and thus, increases road safety. As a result, the movement of traffic is smoother and the efficiency of the system for controlling and managing the movement of traffic on the road is also increased. Consequently, the present invention reduces the number of road accidents arising out of any miscommunication.

[0026] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

We Claim:

1. A signaling device for an automobile for communicating to the traffic the side from which the traffic may overtake the automobile, the system comprising a signal generating device for generating a signal and a plurality of overtaking indicators, the signal generating device having means for sending the signal to the overtaking inicators, each overtaking indicator having means for receiving the signal from the signal generating device and means for getting activated on receiving the signal from the signal generating device.

2. The signaling device of claim 1, wherein the activated overtaking indicator is deciphered by the following traffic as the side from which overtaking may be performed.

3. The signaling device of claim 1, wherein the signal is an asynchronous event.

4. The signaling device of claim 1, wherein the overtaking indicators are mounted at the rear of the automobile.

5. The signaling device of claim 1 further comprising a driver-interface for a driver of the automobile to operate the signal generating device.

6. The signaling device of claim 1 further comprising a display for indicating the status of the overtaking indicators.

7. The signaling device of claim 1 further comprising means for operating the signal generating device, the means being operable by a driver of the automobile.

8. The signaling device of claim 1 including the indication is by means of light.

9. The signaling device of claim 1 wherein the indication is by means of sound.