Systems and methods for providing alerts relative to airbag deployment

Abstract

An airbag deployment alert system comprises an alert triggering system at least partially disposed in electrical communication with an airbag triggering system of the vehicle configured to broadcast an alert message concurrent to activation of said airbag triggering system. Upon sensing a collision, the accelerometer assembly of the airbag triggering system generates and electrical signal which is used to inflate the airbag. The same signal may also be utilized to activate the airbag deployment alert system and broadcast an alert message to other vehicles so equipped.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An airbag deployment alert system:
 an alert triggering system at least partially disposed in electrical communication with an airbag triggering system of the vehicle configured to broadcast an alert message concurrent to activation of said airbag triggering system.   
     
     
         2 . The airbag deployment alert system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said alert triggering system is configured to broadcast an alert message directly to each of a plurality of other vehicles 
     
     
         3 . The airbag deployment alert system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said alert triggering system is further disposed in electrical communication with an accelerometer sensor of the airbag triggering system of the vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The airbag deployment alert system as recited in  claim 3  wherein said alert message is broadcast concurrent to generation of an electrical signal by said accelerometer sensor sufficient to activate the airbag triggering system of the vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The airbag deployment alert system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said alert message is broadcast directly from a first vehicle to each other vehicle of said plurality of vehicles. 
     
     
         6 . The airbag deployment alert system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said alert message is broadcast from a mobile device disposed within said first vehicle directly to at least one other mobile device disposed in each of said plurality of vehicles. 
     
     
         7 . The airbag deployment alert system of a vehicle as recited in claim  16  wherein said alert message is broadcast concurrent to generation of an electrical signal by said accelerometer sufficient to activate the airbag triggering system of the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . A method of alerting drivers in the vicinity of an airbag deployment event comprising:
 providing an alert triggering system in electrical communication with an airbag triggering system of a vehicle;   the alert triggering system disposed to generate and broadcast an alert upon receiving a signal sufficient to activate the airbag triggering system.   
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 8  wherein the alert is broadcast directly to the drivers. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 8  wherein the alert is broadcast to authorities operating in the vicinity of the airbag deployment event. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 8  wherein the alert comprises an audible component, audible to the drivers in the vicinity of the airbag deployment event. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 8  wherein the alert comprises a visual component, visually perceptible by the drivers in the vicinity of the airbag deployment event. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 8  wherein the alert includes data associated with a position of the airbag deployment event. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 8  wherein the alert is broadcast to a mobile device associated with the drivers in the vicinity of the airbag deployment event.