Claims
- 1-13 (Canceled)
- 14. A brake light comprising:
at least two lamps operative as conventional brake lights, wherein a light signal intensity of said lamps is held constant concurrent with braking; a lamp wherein a light signal intensity of said lamp is modulated for a predetermined first time interval concurrent with braking, and wherein said light signal intensity is held constant following said first time interval.
- 15. The brake light of claim 10 wherein modulation of said light signal intensity is prohibited for a predetermined second time interval for avoiding repetitive light signal modulation in stop and go traffic.
- 16. The brake light of claim 10 wherein said lamp with modulated light signal intensity is located in easily recognizable location in rear and central vehicle area.
- 17. The brake light of claim 10 wherein said lamps operative as conventional brake lights are located on rear tail fenders of vehicle.
- 18. A brake light controller operative to modulate light signal intensity of said brake light, comprising:
a voltage sensor operative to sense a voltage between a brake actuator switch line and electric ground; a lockout timer operative to signal a first predetermined time interval of prohibiting said light signal intensity modulation; a modulation interval timer operative to signal a second predetermined time interval of modulation of said light signal intensity; a pulse width modulator operative to drive a control element, whereby said pulse width modulator sends a modulated signal to said control element; a control element operative to control an amount of current flow through a light source, whereby controlling the light signal intensity.
- 19. The brake light controller of claim 18 wherein said voltage sensor senses changes in voltage corresponding to changes in application of vehicle brakes, said sensor sending a signal to said modulation interval timer and said lockout timer, whereby said sensor indicates initiation or termination of braking.
- 20. The brake light controller of claim 18 wherein said lockout timer sends a signal to said pulse width modulator exhibiting an initiation or an expiration of said lockout time interval.
- 21. The brake light controller of claim 18 wherein said modulation interval timer sends a signal to said pulse width modulator exhibiting an initiation or an expiration of said modulation time interval.
- 22. The brake light controller of claim 18 wherein said pulse width modulator using signals received from said timers generates and sends a control signal to said control element.
- 23. The brake light controller of claim 18 wherein said control element modulates the current flow through said light source based upon said control signal.
- 24. A method for modulating a brake light signal intensity for improved indication of vehicle braking, comprising:
detecting braking of a vehicle; modulating light signal intensity for a first predetermined time interval; holding light signal intensity constant for remainder of braking; prohibiting light signal intensity modulation for a second predetermined time interval following a braking event.
- 25. The method for modulating a brake light signal intensity of claim 24 wherein said braking detection includes detecting voltage changes between a brake actuator signal line and electric ground.
- 26. The method for modulating a brake light signal intensity of claim 24 wherein said modulation of light signal intensity includes controlling the current flow through a light source.
- 27. The method for modulating a brake light signal intensity of claim 24 wherein a modulation interval timer is utilized for timing of said first predetermined time interval.
- 28. The method for modulating a brake light signal intensity of claim 24 wherein a lockout timer is utilized for timing of said second predetermined time interval.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims priority from Provisional Application Serial No. 60/257,324 filed on Dec. 20, 2000.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60257324 |
Dec 2000 |
US |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
10027093 |
Dec 2001 |
US |
Child |
10821360 |
Apr 2004 |
US |