Signal apparatus for facilitating safe backup of vehicles

Abstract

Systems and methods which allow a spotter external to a vehicle to provide signals to a driver of the vehicle in order to facilitate safe backup operations of the vehicle are disclosed. A wireless transmitter, in wireless communication with a receiver positioned within the vehicle, is operated by the spotter. An indicator, also in communication with the receiver, is configured to provide a plurality of audible and/or visible signals perceivable by the driver in response to a wireless signal received by the receiver from the transmitter. The audible and/or visible signals may comprise selected patterned tones and lights which inform the driver whether they should proceed to backup the vehicle or stop the vehicle.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A vehicle safety system, comprising:
 a spotter computing device;   a driver computing device configured to receive communication signals transmitted from the spotter computing device,   wherein the spotter computing device is controlled by a first individual outside of a vehicle and the driver computing device is positioned inside the vehicle and near a driver of the vehicle;   the spotter computing device:
 provides to the spotter a selector having only a first position and a second position; and 
 transmits a first signal to the driver computing device only when the selector is in the first position, and 
   the driver computing device provides at least one indicator indicating whether the vehicle is safe or not safe to move based at least on whether the driver computing device receives the first signal from the spotter computing device.   
     
     
         3 . The vehicle safety system of  claim 2 , wherein the spotter computing device ceases transmission of the first signal in response to the spotter causing the selector to move to the second position. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle safety system of  claim 2 , wherein the spotter computing device is handheld. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle safety system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one indicator comprises a visually perceptible indicator on the driver computing device. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle safety system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one indicator comprises an audibly perceptible indicator from the driver computing device. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle safety system of  claim 2 , wherein the driver computing device further includes a communication control that initiates transmissions of oral commands from the driver to the spotter computing device such that the oral commands are enunciated on the spotter computing device. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle safety system of  claim 2 , wherein the spotter computing device further includes a communication control that initiates transmissions of oral commands from the spotter to the driver computing device such that the oral commands from the spotter are enunciated on the driver computing device. 
     
     
         9 . A storage medium storing instructions configured for execution by a spotter computing device in order to:
 provide a selector having only a default position and a depressed position, wherein the selector is in the depressed position only so long as a spotter operating the spotter computing device is depressing the selector and automatically returns to the default position in response to the spotter releasing the selector; and   in response to determining that the selector is in the depressed position, transmit a signal from the spotter computing device to a driver computing device located in a vehicle, the signal indicating that the selector is in the depressed position such that the vehicle is safe to back up.   
     
     
         10 . The storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the spotter computing device to:
 in response to determining that the selector is in the default position, transmit a second signal from the spotter computing device to the driver computing device located in the vehicle, the second signal indicating that the selector is in the default position such that the vehicle is not safe to back up.   
     
     
         11 . The storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the spotter computing device to:
 provide a communication control that is selectable by the spotter;
 in response to selection by the spotter of the communication control, transmit oral commands from the spotter to the driver computing device such that the oral commands from the spotter are enunciated on the driver computing device.