System that warns in advance of occupants exiting or entering a parked vehicle

Abstract

A system for protecting the safety of occupants exiting and entering a vehicle has sensors on the interior, exterior and remotely of the vehicle and one or more imaging devices that project an image onto the pavement supporting the vehicle as well as optional data input devices all communicating with a system controller. The system anticipates that the occupant will be leaving the vehicle and the time it will take for the occupant to fully exit the vehicle. The system further controls the imaging devices to warn the drivers of oncoming traffic of the occupant's egress and warn or block the egress of the occupant should a particularly dangerous condition exist.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system that warns one or more drivers of an approaching vehicle in advance of one or more occupants that are about to enter or exit a parked vehicle, comprising:
 a controller within the parked vehicle;   one or more sensors detecting an action of the one or more occupants of the parked vehicle that are performing normal preparations to exit or enter the parked vehicle, wherein the one or more sensors are in communication with the controller; and   one or more imaging devices producing an image that is visible by the one or more drivers of the approaching vehicle, wherein   the one or more imaging devices are in communication with the controller;   the controller activates the one or more imaging devices before the one or more occupants opens a door of the parked vehicle at an activation time determined by a historical data of the occupant's routine in preparation for entering or exiting the parked vehicle as measured by the one or more sensors.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more imaging devices projects a visible image on a surface for viewing by the one or more drivers of the approaching vehicles. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the surface for viewing the image is the pavement for supporting the vehicles. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein one or more external inputs that communicate conditions influencing a optimum activation time of the one or more imaging devices. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the one ore more external inputs communicates but is not limited to the speed of traffic passing the parked vehicle or distance between the parked vehicle and oncoming traffic or passing traffic. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more external inputs includes but is not limited to an ambient light level, a weather conditions, a road conditions, a road configuration or a pavement conditions. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the controller adjusts the activation time of the imaging devices relative to the occupant's progress with preparing to exit or enter the parked vehicle depending on the one or more external inputs. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the occupant sensor inputs include but are not limited to a weight, a height, an electronic, or another measure to identify the occupant. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the occupant sensor inputs include but are not limited to a shift control position, an emergency brake, an ignition switch, a dome light, a visor mirror, a cigarette lighter, a rear view mirror position, a safety belt buckle, an inside door handle proximity, an inside door handle, a door position, a remote lock control, a door key lock and an outside door handle. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the controller activates the door lock upon activating the one or more imaging devices and deactivates the door lock when conditions are safe for exiting or entering the parked vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the controller activates a sensory alarm inside of the parked vehicle communicating to the one or more occupants with a light, a sound or a vibration. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the vehicle is but is not limited to the list: i. a personal, ii. a commercial, iii. a public service, iv. a defense; v. a construction, vi. an air travel, vii. a public transit, vii. a freight, viii. a water travel, ix. a rail transportation, x. a monorail, xi. a hovercraft, xii. people-movers, xiii. gondolas, xiv. lifts, and xv. recreational vehicles. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the controller is a microprocessor. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the image portrays a keep out area projected on the supporting pavement by the one or more imaging devices. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the controller utilizes a learning algorithm to dynamically adjust a weighting factor assigned to each of the plurality of sensors based on a past behavior of the occupant. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the controller can actively change which imaging device is activated in real time. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the controller can actively change the images that are projected in real time. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the controller can change the image based on the vehicles environment and passenger activity. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the controller includes an input device for communicating a custom image to the controller. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the external inputs are communicated wirelessly.