Deceleration rate indicator apparatus

Abstract

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.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus comprising:
 an accelerometer;   a processor coupled to the accelerometer;   a lighting mechanism coupled to and controlled by the processor;   the processor configured to compare the deceleration rate of the vehicle to a threshold value and to vary operation of the lighting mechanism if the deceleration rate of the vehicle is greater than the threshold value.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the processor is configured sample a deceleration rate of a vehicle in a first mode of operation while an engine of the vehicle is on and the vehicle is stationary to obtain and store a first data set. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the processor is configured to sample the deceleration rate of the vehicle in the first mode of operation while the vehicle maintains a predetermined speed to obtain and store a second data set. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the processor is configured to sample the deceleration rate of the vehicle in the first mode of operation while the vehicle decelerates to a stop to obtain and store a third data set and to derive the threshold value from one or more of the first data set, the second data set and the third data set. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the operation of the lighting mechanism comprises a pattern, a color, a flash rate, a size, or a brightness of the lighting mechanism. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the lighting mechanism includes a first section and a second section, the first section including a plurality of first lights, the second section including a plurality of second lights. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the lighting mechanism flashes at a rate proportional to a deceleration rate of the vehicle. 
     
     
         28 . An apparatus comprising:
 an accelerometer;   a processor coupled to the accelerometer;   a lighting mechanism coupled to and controlled by the processor;   the processor configured to vary operation of the lighting mechanism in response to a change in acceleration or deceleration.   
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the processor is configured to vary operation of the lighting mechanism if the deceleration rate of the vehicle is greater than the threshold value, wherein the threshold value is derived from the plurality of data sets. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the processor is configured sample a deceleration rate of a vehicle in a first mode of operation to obtain and store a plurality of deceleration rate data sets and to compare the deceleration rate data sets in a second mode of operation to a threshold value. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the plurality of deceleration rate data sets include a deceleration rate of the vehicle while an engine of the vehicle is on and the vehicle is stationary. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the plurality of deceleration rate data sets include a deceleration rate of the vehicle while the vehicle maintains a predetermined speed. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the plurality of deceleration rate data sets include a deceleration rate of the vehicle while the vehicle decelerates to a stop. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the plurality of deceleration rate data sets include a deceleration rate of the vehicle while the vehicle maintains a predetermined speed. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the plurality of deceleration arte data sets include a deceleration rate of the vehicle while the vehicle maintains a predetermined speed. 
     
     
         36 . An apparatus comprising:
 an accelerometer;   a processor coupled to the accelerometer;   a lighting mechanism coupled to and controlled by the processor;   the processor configured to receive a signal from the accelerometer and to actuate the lighting mechanism as a function of the signal.   
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36  wherein the processor is configured to select a first value or a second value as a function of an input and to compare the signal to the selected value. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the processor is configured to select the first value or the second value as a function of the signal. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the processor is configured to select the first value or the second value as a function of the signal over a period of time. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the processor is configured to select the first value or the second value as a function of a number of events over a period of time.