U.S. patent application number 16/719577 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-23 for automobile accident detection and notification.
The applicant listed for this patent is Eaton Intelligent Power Limited. Invention is credited to Nam Chin Cho, Parth Joshi.
Application Number | 20200126414 16/719577 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65435375 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200126414 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cho; Nam Chin ; et
al. |
April 23, 2020 |
Automobile Accident Detection and Notification
Abstract
A street light fixture includes an audio sensor configured to
detect a sound and to generate an electrical signal from the sound.
The street light fixture further includes a controller configured
to determine whether the sound is produced by an automobile
accident based on the electrical signal. The street light fixture
further includes a light source configured to provide a visual
notification of the automobile accident in response to the
controller determining that the sound is produced by the automobile
accident.
Inventors: |
Cho; Nam Chin; (Peachtree
City, GA) ; Joshi; Parth; (Sugar Hill, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Eaton Intelligent Power Limited |
4 Dublin |
|
IE |
|
|
Family ID: |
65435375 |
Appl. No.: |
16/719577 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16109101 |
Aug 22, 2018 |
10546494 |
|
|
16719577 |
|
|
|
|
62549296 |
Aug 23, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21W 2111/02 20130101;
H04W 4/38 20180201; G08G 1/095 20130101; G08G 1/0104 20130101; G08G
1/0116 20130101; H04W 4/70 20180201; F21S 8/085 20130101; H04W 4/90
20180201; F21W 2131/103 20130101; H04W 4/46 20180201 |
International
Class: |
G08G 1/095 20060101
G08G001/095; H04W 4/70 20060101 H04W004/70; H04W 4/90 20060101
H04W004/90; H04W 4/38 20060101 H04W004/38; G08G 1/01 20060101
G08G001/01 |
Claims
1. A street light fixture, comprising: a light source configured to
emit a light; an audio sensor configured to detect a sound and to
generate an electrical signal from the sound; a controller
configured to determine whether the sound is produced by an
automobile accident based on the electrical signal; and a
transmitter configured to transmit one or more wireless signals,
wherein the controller is configured to send a notification message
using the one or more wireless signals, wherein the notification
message includes information indicating the automobile accident and
a location of the street light fixture.
2. The street light fixture of claim 1, wherein the controller is
configured to control the light source to generate a visual
notification of the automobile accident in response to the
controller determining that the sound is produced by the automobile
accident.
3. The street light fixture of claim 2, wherein the visual
notification includes a flashing light emitted by the light
source.
4. The street light fixture of claim 1, wherein the controller is
configured to determine whether the sound is produced by the
automobile accident by comparing the electrical signal received
from the audio sensor against one or more stored audio data of
sounds known to result from car accidents.
5. The street light fixture of claim 1, wherein the one or more
wireless signals are compliant with a wireless wide area network
communication standard.
6. The street light fixture of claim 1, wherein the power provided
to the light source and the controller includes a first power
provided to the light source and a second power provided to a
regulator that generates a power signal that is provided to the
controller.
7. The street light fixture of claim 5, wherein the controller is
configured to send a second notification message to a second street
light fixture via the transmitter in response to the controller
determining that the sound is produced by the automobile
accident.
8. The street light fixture of claim 1, wherein the one or more
wireless signals are compliant with a vehicle-to-vehicle
communication standard.
9. The street light fixture of claim 1, further comprising a
receiver configured to receive wireless signals compliant with a
vehicle-to-vehicle communication standard, wherein the controller
is configured to receive a vehicle-to-vehicle message via the
receiver and wherein the controller is configured to determine
whether the vehicle-to-vehicle message indicates an occurrence of a
second automobile accident.
10. The street light fixture of claim 9, wherein the light source
is configured to provide a visual notification of the second
automobile accident in response to the controller determining that
the vehicle-to-vehicle message indicates the occurrence of the
second automobile accident.
11. A street light fixture, comprising: a light source; a receiver
configured to receive one or more incoming wireless signals that
are compliant with a vehicle-to-vehicle communication standard,
wherein the one or more incoming wireless signals include a
vehicle-to-vehicle message; a controller configured to control the
light source and to determine whether the vehicle-to-vehicle
message indicates an occurrence of an automobile accident; and a
transmitter configured to transmit a notification message in
response to the controller determining that the vehicle-to-vehicle
message indicates the occurrence of the automobile accident,
wherein the notification message includes information indicating
the occurrence of the automobile accident and a location of the
street light fixture.
12. The street light fixture of claim 11, wherein the controller is
configured to control the light source to generate a visual
notification in response to the controller determining the
vehicle-to-vehicle message indicates the occurrence of the
automobile accident.
13. The street light fixture of claim 12, wherein the visual
notification includes a flashing light emitted by the light
source.
14. The street light fixture of claim 11, wherein the transmitter
is configured to transmit the notification message using one or
more outgoing wireless signals compliant with a wireless wide area
network communication standard.
15. The street light fixture of claim 11, further comprising a
power source device that provides power to the light source and the
controller.
16. A street light fixture, comprising: a light source; an audio
sensor configured to detect a sound and to generate an electrical
signal from the sound; a controller configured to control the light
source, to receive the electrical signal from the audio sensor, and
to determine whether the sound is produced by an automobile
accident based on the electrical signal; and a transceiver
configured to transmit one or more wireless signals, wherein the
controller is configured to send a notification message via the
transceiver in response to the controller determining that the
sound is produced by the automobile accident and wherein the
notification message includes information indicating a location of
the street light fixture.
17. The street light fixture of claim 16, wherein a power provided
to the light source and the controller includes a first power
provided to the light source and a second power provided to a
regulator that generates a power signal that is provided to the
controller.
18. The street light fixture of claim 16, wherein the transceiver
is configured to transmit the notification message using the one or
more wireless signals and wherein the one or more wireless signals
are compliant with a wireless wide area network communication
standard.
19. The street light fixture of claim 16, wherein the transceiver
is configured to transmit the notification message using the one or
more wireless signals and wherein the one or more wireless signals
are compliant with a vehicle-to-vehicle communication standard.
20. The street light fixture of claim 16, wherein the controller is
configured to control the light source to generate a visual
notification in response to the controller determining that the
sound is produced by the automobile accident.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of and claims
priority to U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.
16/109,101, filed Aug. 22, 2018 and titled "Automobile Accident
Detection And Notification," which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
Section 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/549,296, filed Aug. 23, 2017 and titled "Automobile Accident
Detection And Notification" The entire contents of all of the
preceding applications are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to automobile
accident detection, and more particularly to automobile accident
detection and notification capability integrated into outdoor light
fixtures.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Automobile accidents are common occurrences. When an
automobile accident occurs, there may be a need to contact the
police and/or emergency service providers such as an emergency
medical service provider and a fire department. The individuals
involved in an accident can call the police and emergency service
providers. Others that witnessed the accident also call the police
and emergency service providers. However, in some cases, the people
involved in an accident may be too injured to call, and others may
also fail to contact the police and emergency service providers for
a number of reasons. Further, when one automobile accident occurs,
other subsequent accidents may follow as a result of the first
accident and the lack of early notification. A traffic jam may also
result from the accident because of the lack of early notification
of the accident to enable other drivers to take different routes.
Thus, in some cases, a solution that provides notifications of
automobile accidents to other drivers as well as to police and
emergency service providers is desirable.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to automobile
accident detection, and more particularly to automobile accident
detection and notification integrated into outdoor light fixtures.
In an example embodiment, a street light fixture includes an audio
sensor configured to detect a sound and to generate an electrical
signal from the sound. The street light fixture further includes a
controller configured to determine whether the sound is produced by
an automobile accident based on the electrical signal. The street
light fixture further includes a light source configured to provide
a visual notification of the automobile accident in response to the
controller determining that the sound is produced by the automobile
accident.
[0005] In another example embodiment, a street light fixture
includes a light source and a receiver configured to receive one or
more incoming wireless signals that are compliant with a
vehicle-to-vehicle communication standard, where the one or more
incoming wireless signals include a vehicle-to-vehicle message. The
street light fixture further includes a controller configured to
control the light source and to determine whether the
vehicle-to-vehicle message indicates an occurrence of an automobile
accident. The street light fixture also includes a transmitter
configured to transmit a notification message using one or more
outgoing wireless signals compliant with the vehicle-to-vehicle
communication standard in response to the controller determining
that the vehicle-to-vehicle message indicates the occurrence of the
automobile accident.
[0006] In another example embodiment, a street light fixture
includes a light source and an audio sensor configured to detect a
sound and to generate an electrical signal from the sound. The
street light fixture further includes a controller configured to
control the light source, to receive the electrical signal from the
audio sensor, and to determine whether the sound is produced by an
automobile accident based on the electrical signal. The street
light fixture also includes a transceiver configured to transmit
one or more wireless signals, where the controller is configured to
send a notification message via the transceiver in response to the
controller determining that the sound is produced by the automobile
accident.
[0007] These and other aspects, objects, features, and embodiments
will be apparent from the following description and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a light fixture that detects automobile
accidents and provides a notification of the accident according to
an example embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a light fixture that detects automobile
accidents and provides a notification of the accident according to
another example embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a light fixture that detects automobile
accidents and provides a notification of the accident according to
another example embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a light fixture that detects automobile
accidents and provides a notification of the accident according to
another example embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a light fixture that detects automobile
accidents and provides a notification of the accident according to
another example embodiment; and
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a system of light fixtures that detect
automobile accidents and provide notifications of the accidents
according to an example embodiment.
[0015] The drawings illustrate only example embodiments and are
therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The elements and
features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale,
emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the
principles of the example embodiments. Additionally, certain
dimensions or placements may be exaggerated to help visually convey
such principles. In the drawings, the same reference numerals used
in different figures may designate like or corresponding, but not
necessarily identical elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0016] In the following paragraphs, example embodiments will be
described in further detail with reference to the figures. In the
description, well known components, methods, and/or processing
techniques are omitted or briefly described. Furthermore, reference
to various feature(s) of the embodiments is not to suggest that all
embodiments must include the referenced feature(s).
[0017] Turning now to the figures, example embodiments are
described. FIG. 1 illustrates a light fixture 100 that detects
automobile accidents and provides a notification of the accident
according to an example embodiment. For example, the light fixture
100 may be a street light fixture. In some example embodiments, the
light fixture 100 includes a power source 102, a light source 104,
a controller 106, and an audio sensor 112. The light fixture 100
may also include a memory device 108 and a voltage regulator
110.
[0018] In some example embodiments, the power source 102 may
receive AC power and generate power compatible with the light
source 104. For example, the power source 102 may generate DC power
that provides a constant current to the light source 104. The power
source 102 may also generate the DC power at a voltage level that
is compatible with the light source 104. In some example
embodiments, the light source 104 may include one or more discrete
LEDs, one or more organic LEDs (OLEDs), an LED chip on board that
includes one or more discrete LEDs, and/or an array of discrete
LEDs. In some alternative embodiments, the light source 104 may
include another type of light source without departing from the
scope of this disclosure.
[0019] In some example embodiments, the power source 102 may also
provide power to the regulator 110. The regulator may generate one
or more power signals to provide power compatible with the
controller 106 and other components of the light fixture 100. In
some alternative embodiments, the regulator 110 may be integrated
in the power source 102 or may be omitted. For example, the power
source 102 may be a multi-channel power source that provides
multiple power signals that are compatible with multiple components
of the light fixture 100.
[0020] In some example embodiments, the audio sensor 112 may be a
sound transducer that receives sound and generates an electrical
signal that is provided to the controller 106. For example, the
audio sensor 112 may include one or more microphones. To
illustrate, the audio sensor 112 may include an array of
microphones that are located at different locations in the lighting
fixture 100 to more effectively receive sounds. The microphones may
be analog or digital microphones.
[0021] In some example embodiments, the controller 106 may include
a microcontroller or a microprocessor. The controller 106 may
execute software code that is stored in the memory device 108 to
perform the operations of the controller 106. For example, the
memory device 108 may be a non-volatile memory device (e.g., flash
memory), that is used to store software code as well as data used
and/or generated by the controller 106. In some alternative
embodiments, the memory device 108 may be integrated in the
controller 106 without departing from the scope of this
disclosure.
[0022] In some example embodiments, the controller may determine
whether a sound received or detected by the audio sensor 112 is
produced by an automobile accident. For example, the controller 106
may compare a sound received or detected by the audio sensor 112
against one or more sounds that are known to be produced by car
accidents. The one or more sounds that are known to result from car
accidents may be stored in the memory device 108. To illustrate,
the controller 106 may compare the electrical signal from the audio
sensor 112 against audio data stored in the memory device 108 to
perform the comparison. For example, the controller 106 may perform
signal processing operations to determine whether the received
sound corresponds to a stored sound as can be readily understood by
those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this
disclosure. If the controller 106 determines that the sound
received by the audio sensor 112 resulted from an automobile
accident, the lighting fixture 100 may provide a visual
notification. For example, the controller 106 may control the light
source 104 to provide the visual notification.
[0023] In some example embodiments, the controller 106 may control
the light source 104 to flash the light emitted by the light source
104, to emit a particular color light (e.g., red light), etc. For
example, the light source 104 may include multiple groups of LEDs,
where the current through one or more of the groups of LEDs is
controllable by the controller 106. To illustrate, the controller
106 may output one or more controls signals that control one or
more transistors that are coupled to one or more groups of LEDs to
control current flow through the one or more groups of LEDs. The
controller 106 may control current flow through one or more of the
groups of LEDs by turning on or off the transistors using the
control signals.
[0024] By providing visual notification, such as flashing a light
and/or emitting a light that has a particular color, other drivers
may be alerted to slow down, which may avoid further accidents.
Other drivers may also take alternate routes after noticing the
visual notification, which may result in reducing the extent of the
traffic that results from the accident. The visual notification may
also indicate a reasonably accurate location of the accident for
police and other emergency responders.
[0025] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting fixture 100
may include other components without departing from the scope of
this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, some of the
components of the lighting fixture 100 may be integrated into a
single component without departing from the scope of this
disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, one or more of the
components of the lighting fixture 100 may be omitted without
departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative
embodiments, the controller 108 may control the power source 102 to
control the power provided to the light source 104 in order to
provide the visual notification, for example, by turning on and off
the power provided to the light source 104. For example, the
controller 108 may control the power source 102 via an electrical
connection 114.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a light fixture 200 that detects
automobile accidents and provides a notification of the accident
according to another example embodiment. For example, the light
fixture 200 may be a street light fixture. In some example
embodiments, the light fixture 200 corresponds to the light fixture
100 with the addition of a notification transceiver 202 (i.e., a
transmitter and a receiver) and operates in a substantially similar
manner as the light fixture 100. To illustrate, the light fixture
200 may include the power source 102, the light source 104, the
controller 106, the memory device 108, the regulator 110, and the
audio sensor 112. The power source 102 or the regulator 110 may
provide power to the notification transceiver 202.
[0027] In some example embodiments, upon the controller 106
determining that the sound detected or received by the audio sensor
112 is produced by an automobile accident as described with respect
to the lighting fixture 100, the controller 106 may send a
notification message indicating the accident has occurred via the
notification transceiver 202 instead of or in addition to
controlling the light source 104 to provide a visual notification
of the accident. For example, the controller 106 can send the
notification message using a wireless signal that is compliant with
a wide area wireless communication standard, such as GSM, CDMA, or
another wireless communication standard.
[0028] To illustrate, the light fixture 200 may send a notification
(e.g., an audio message, a text message, etc.) to one or more of a
police department, a fire department, an emergency medical service
provider, etc., for example, identifying the location of the light
fixture 200. For example, the location may be provided as a GPS
location, a street address, mile marker, etc. The location of the
lighting fixture 200 may be stored in the memory device 108 or in
another memory device during installation of the lighting fixture
200 or after installation, for example, by sending the location
information wirelessly to the lighting fixture 100. The controller
106 may retrieve the location information from the memory device
108 and send the location information in or along with the accident
notification message.
[0029] In some example embodiments, the controller 106 can send the
notification message wirelessly to other light fixtures using the
notification transceiver 202 or another transceiver. For example,
one or more other light fixtures that are within a particular range
of the light fixture 200 may receive the notification message and
start providing visual (e.g., flashing their lights, emitting
particular color lights, etc.) or other notifications that alert
drivers of the accident and that may guide police and emergency
service providers to the scene of the accident.
[0030] By providing the notification message wirelessly, the light
fixture 200 enables quickly alerting the police and emergency
service providers. In accidents involving people unable to contact
the police or others themselves, the notification message may be a
critical tool to get emergency help to the scene quickly,
particularly when other people are not available to help.
[0031] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting fixture 200
may include other components without departing from the scope of
this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, some of the
components of the lighting fixture 200 may be integrated into a
single component without departing from the scope of this
disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, one or more of the
components of the lighting fixture 200 may be omitted without
departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative
embodiments, the lighting fixture 200 may include a separate
transmitter and a separate receiver instead of the notification
transceiver 202. In some alternative embodiments, the lighting
fixture 200 may include a transmitter instead of the notification
transceiver 202.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a light fixture 300 that detects
automobile accidents and provides a notification of the accident
according to another example embodiment. For example, the light
fixture 300 may be a street light fixture. In some example
embodiments, the light fixture 300 corresponds to the light fixture
100 with the addition of a notification transceiver 202 (i.e., a
transmitter and a receiver) and operates in a substantially similar
manner as the light fixture 100. To illustrate, the light fixture
300 may include the power source 102, the light source 104, the
controller 106, the memory device 108, and the regulator 110
described above with respect to the light fixture 100. In some
example embodiments, the light fixture 300 may also include a
transceiver 302. The controller 106 may use the transceiver 302 to
receive and transmit messages wirelessly according to a
vehicle-to-vehicle communication protocol and compliant with a
vehicle-to-vehicle communication standard, such as IEEE 802.11.p.
The power source 102 or the regulator 110 may provide power to the
transceiver 302.
[0033] In some example embodiments, a vehicle may send a message
using wireless signals compliant with a vehicle-to-vehicle
communication standard. For example, a vehicle that is involved in
an automobile accident may send a message indicating the occurrence
of the accident.
[0034] To illustrate, the vehicle may have an accelerometer that
detects abrupt changes in the speed of the vehicle. Alternatively,
the vehicle may determine that the vehicle is involved in an
accident using other means as can be contemplated by those of
ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.
[0035] In some example embodiments, the controller 106 may receive
wireless signals from a vehicle via the transceiver 302 and process
a message included in the signals to determine whether the message
indicates the occurrence of an accident. Upon determining from the
message that an accident has occurred, the controller 106 may use
the transceiver 302 to transmit to other vehicles one or more
notification messages using wireless signals compliant with the
vehicle-to-vehicle communication standard. The controller 106 may
also control the light source 104 to provide a visual notification
as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0036] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting fixture 300
may include other components without departing from the scope of
this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, some of the
components of the lighting fixture 300 may be integrated into a
single component without departing from the scope of this
disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, one or more of the
components of the lighting fixture 300 may be omitted without
departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative
embodiments, the lighting fixture 300 may include a separate
transmitter and a separate receiver instead of the transceiver
302.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a light fixture 400 that detects
automobile accidents and that provides a notification of the
accident according to another example embodiment. For example, the
light fixture 400 may be a street light fixture. In some example
embodiments, the light fixture 400 corresponds to the light fixture
300 with the addition of the notification transceiver 202. The
light fixture 400 operates in a substantially similar manner as the
light fixtures 100, 200, and 300. To illustrate, the light fixture
400 may include the power source 102, the light source 104, the
controller 106, the memory device 108, the regulator 110, and the
transceiver 302.
[0038] In some example embodiments, upon the controller 106
determining that the message received from a vehicle via the
transceiver 302 indicates the occurrence of an automobile accident,
the controller 106 may send a notification message via the
notification transceiver 202 indicating the occurrence of the
accident in a similar manner as described with respect to the light
fixture 200 of FIG. 2. In some example embodiments, the controller
106 may send a notification message via the notification
transceiver 202 instead of or in addition to the controller 106
sending a notification message to other vehicles using the
transceiver 302 as described with respect to the light fixture 300.
In some example embodiments, the controller 106 may control the
light source 104 to provide a visual notification of the accident
as described with respect to the light fixture 100 in addition to
sending a notification message via the transceiver 202 and a
notification message via the transceiver 302.
[0039] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting fixture 400
may include other components without departing from the scope of
this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, some of the
components of the lighting fixture 400 may be integrated into a
single component without departing from the scope of this
disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, one or more of the
components of the lighting fixture 400 may be omitted without
departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative
embodiments, the lighting fixture 400 may include a separate
transmitter and a separate receiver instead of the transceiver 202
and/or 302. In some alternative embodiments, the lighting fixture
400 may include a transmitter instead of the notification
transceiver 202.
[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates a light fixture 500 that detects
automobile accidents and that provides a notification of the
accident according to another example embodiment. For example, the
light fixture 500 may be a street light fixture. In some example
embodiments, the light fixture 500 may include the power source
102, the light source 104, the controller 106, the memory device
108, the regulator 110, the audio sensor 112, and the transceivers
202, 302 described above. The controller 106 may determine whether
an accident had occurred and provide one or more notifications as
described above with respect to FIGS. 1-4.
[0041] In some example embodiments, the light fixture 500 includes
an accelerometer 502 that can detect some vibrations in the light
fixture 500. The power source 102 or the regulator 110 may provide
power to the accelerometer 502. The accelerometer 502 may detect
vibrations of the light fixture 500 that may occur when the light
fixture 500 is moved resulting from an accident. To illustrate, an
automobile accident may be a single vehicle or a multi-vehicle
crash that results in the light fixture 500 being shaken or
otherwise damaged.
[0042] In some example embodiments, the accelerometer 502 may
provide information to the controller 106 indicating that the light
fixture 500 is damaged. The accelerometer 502 may also provide
other information, such as information indicating vibrations in
resulting from other causes such as wind, to the controller 106.
The controller 106 may receive the information from the
accelerometer 502 and determine whether the information indicates
the occurrence of an accident. Upon determining that the
information from the accelerometer 502 indicates the occurrence of
an accident, the controller 106 may provide one or more
notifications as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-4. In some
alternative embodiments, the light fixture 500 may detect damage to
the light fixture 500 caused by automobile accidents using other
means without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
[0043] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting fixture 500
may include other components without departing from the scope of
this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, some of the
components of the lighting fixture 500 may be integrated into a
single component without departing from the scope of this
disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, one or more of the
components of the lighting fixture 500 may be omitted without
departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative
embodiments, the lighting fixture 500 may include a separate
transmitter and a separate receiver instead of the transceiver 202
and/or 302. In some alternative embodiments, the lighting fixture
500 may include a transmitter instead of the notification
transceiver 202.
[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates a system 600 of light fixtures that
detect automobile accidents and provide notifications of the
accidents according to an example embodiment. The system 600 may
include multiple light fixtures including light fixtures 602, 604,
606, 608. The light fixtures 602, 604, 606, 608 may each correspond
to one of the light fixtures 100-500 described above. In some
example embodiments, the light fixture 602 may receive a sound
resulting from the accident between vehicles 612 and 614. For
example, the light fixture 602 may be close enough to the location
of the accident to successfully receive the sound such that the
light fixture 602 can process the sound to determine whether an
accident has occurred. For example, the light fixture 602 may
include the controller 106 described above with respect to the
light fixtures 100-500 that can process the sound and determine
whether the sound indicates an accident. In some example
embodiments, the light fixtures 604-608 may be too far from the
location of the accident to successfully receive the sound
resulting from the accident.
[0045] In some example embodiments, the light fixture 602 may
receive from the vehicle 612 a message, based on a
vehicle-to-vehicle communication protocol, indicating that the
respective vehicle 612 is involved in the automobile accident. For
example, the light fixture 602 may receive a message transmitted by
a vehicle that is within or close to a general boundary 620. In
some example embodiments, the light fixture 602 may also receive a
similar message from the vehicle 614 based on the
vehicle-to-vehicle communication protocol. For example, the light
fixture 602 may be close enough to the location of the accident to
successfully receive the messages from one or both vehicles 612,
614, and the light fixtures 604-608 may be too far from the
location of the accident to successfully receive the messages from
the vehicles 612, 614. The light fixture 602 may determine whether
the messages received from the vehicles 612, 614 indicate the
occurrence of the accident in a similar manner as described above
with respect to the light fixtures 100-500.
[0046] In some example embodiments, upon determining that an
accident has occurred based on the sound generated by the accident,
based on the message received from one or both of the vehicles 612
and 614, or other means, the light fixture 602 may provide a visual
notification, such as a flashing light, a particular color light,
etc. Alternatively or in addition, the light fixture 602 may send a
notification message to nearby vehicles, such as the vehicles 610,
616, using vehicle-to-vehicle communication protocol. Alternatively
or in addition, the light fixture 602 may send a notification
message to other light fixtures, such as the light fixtures 604,
606, 608, and/or send a notification message, for example, via a
tower 618, to the police, emergency service providers, etc. One or
more of the light fixtures 604, 606, 608 may provide a visual
notification in response to receiving the notification message from
the light fixture 602. The notification message sent by the light
fixture 602 to other vehicles, to other light fixtures, and/or via
the tower 618 may include address information indicating the
location of the light fixture 602, for example, as a street
address, a GPS location, etc.
[0047] Visual notifications provided by the light fixture 602 and
the other light fixtures 604-608 may help guide police and
emergency service providers to the location of the automobile
accident. The visual notifications may also help other drivers to
take alternate routes. Notification messages sent to police,
emergency service providers, etc., for example, via the tower 618
may result in help arriving quickly at accident locations. The
notification messages sent to nearby vehicles by the light fixture
602 may help other drivers to take alternate routes.
[0048] In some alternative embodiments, the light fixture 602 may
determine that the accident between vehicles 612 and 614 has
occurred by other means as may be contemplated by those of ordinary
skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. In some
alternative embodiments, more than one light fixture may
successfully receive a sound resulting from an automobile accident
and provide visual and/or other notifications upon determining that
the sound indicates the accident.
[0049] In some alternative embodiments, more than one light fixture
may successfully receive a message from a vehicle involved in an
automobile accident and provide visual and/or other notifications
upon determining that the message indicates the accident.
[0050] Although particular embodiments have been described herein
in detail, the descriptions are by way of example. The features of
the example embodiments described herein are representative and, in
alternative embodiments, certain features, elements, and/or steps
may be added or omitted. Additionally, modifications to aspects of
the example embodiments described herein may be made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of
the following claims, the scope of which are to be accorded the
broadest interpretation so as to encompass modifications and
equivalent structures.
* * * * *