Deceleration rate indicator apparatus

摘要

An apparatus for providing deceleration rate information of a user operating a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a unit including an accelerometer, a processor, and a lighting mechanism. The processor receives from the accelerometer deceleration info of the vehicle and variably adjusts at least one aspect of the lighting mechanism, thereby quantitatively signaling the deceleration rate to a driver of a following vehicle. The unit may be mounted on an article of clothing, a bag, or the vehicle itself.

主权项

1. A method for providing deceleration rate information of a user operating a vehicle, the method comprising:
providing an apparatus including an accelerometer, a processor coupled to the accelerometer, and a lighting mechanism coupled to and controlled by the processor; initializing the apparatus, wherein initializing the apparatus includes:
sampling a deceleration rate of the vehicle while the engine is on and the vehicle is stationary to obtain a first data set;sampling a deceleration rate of the vehicle while the vehicle maintains a predetermined speed to obtain a second data set;sampling a deceleration rate of the vehicle while the vehicle decelerates to a stop to obtain a third data set; and storing the first data set, the second data set, and the third data set in the processor; sampling a deceleration rate of the vehicle; comparing the deceleration rate of the vehicle to a threshold value stored in the processor; and varying operation of the lighting mechanism if the deceleration rate of the vehicle is greater than the threshold value.