Patent Publication Number: US-2016229336-A1

Title: U-Turn Safety Wireless Signal System

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELEVANT EXISTING ART 
     A quick Internet search indicates that there are no such systems in the market. 
     A quick Patent search revealed:
         Ten issued patents, all teaching of U-shape signal indicators, which are slightly different from each other.   Three of the 10 mentioned the use of wireless communication.   None mentioned the automatic shut-off of the signal, which should be the first major uniqueness of this invention.       

     None mentioned pairing between the transmitter and the sender to avoid cross activation between neighboring vehicles, which is a second major uniqueness of this invention. 
     FEDERAL GRANTS AND SPONSORSHIP 
     This invention and its entire development is managed and funded by a private inventor and never connected to any Federal or State grants and/or sponsorship. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention idea is all about the safety for vehicle before and during the U-turn. Drivers when attempting to make a U-turn, normally stay in the left lane at the traffic light and turn their left signal on. All drivers in all others lanes do not know that this driver&#39;s intention is a U-turn instead of a left turn. When the left green arrow turns on, the driver proceeds with his U-Turn. which may require him to slow down for the other incoming traffic. Other drivers at the intersections may be irritated or simply change course of action and cause a traffic accident. 
     This invention discloses an indicator device with a U-shape arrow light that is mounted on the rear of the vehicle near the left signal light. When the driver is in the left turn lane and intends to make a U-turn, he turns it on instead of the left turn signal indicating his intended U-Turn to all drivers at the intersection. This way all drivers at the traffic intersection will anticipate his move and drive accordingly. This hopefully will make the traffic less prone to accidents. The invention may also incorporate an optional LED assembly which actually spells out a message such as “making U turn” or any other pre-stored message for safety purposes. 
     This U-shape indicator is a battery operated and con rolled by a wireless button mounted on the dash board inside the vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows the overall safeUturn system architecture. 
         FIG. 2  shows the Communication between the Components. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The overall system architecture is depicted in  FIG. 1  with possible components. It is basically composed of two main components, the U-Turn Light Indicator (UTL) and the Operator Button (OB). Both are battery operated for ease of use as a retrofit system for existing vehicles. The concept can be still applied to new vehicle production where auto manufacturers incorporate the OB switch into the left turn signal switch (like one more click). The tin. would accordingly be built as a part of left signal light assembly. 
     1—The U-Turn Light Indicator (UTL) 
     This is a low-profile LED based design with light fusion lens on the top. It is:
         Battery operated. The battery may he constantly charged by the addition of a solar panel, or cell.   Wireless communication (receiver) with personalization security code (automatic pairing). Radiofrequency and Bluetooth are possible technologies.   Single unit or multiple units may be activated by the same Operator Button.   Mountable on the back and/or front of the vehicle next to the left to signal light, or any other appropriate locations. Note that there can also be an indicator light on the front left and right sides as an indicator to any vehicle turning right or left from a perpendicular plane of the vehicle from a side street.   The system with the U-Shaped Light indicators may be profit by the auto-manufacturer into the existing light assemblies, in which case the communication can utilize the electrical wiring of the car, and/or be integrated with the existing left-indicator control   Inside the U-shape led design is an LED text display with 5 letters scrolling. It displays text messages in emergency cases so drivers behind the car can get some help.       

     2—The Operator Button (OB) 
     The operator button is a low-profile button assembly. It is:
         Battery, or solar operated.   Wireless communication (transmission) with personalization security code (automatic pairing). Radiofrequency and Bluetooth are possible technologies.   Single-button user&#39;s operation for on/off and user&#39;s menu.   Manual on/off operation with max time-out timer.   Automatic shut off by a smart algorithm and hardware feedback from positional and compass sensors.   Mountable on the dashboard inside the vehicle.   The system may be prefit by the auto-manufacturer, in which case the communication can utilize the electrical wiring of the car, and/or also be activated by the left-indicator control, which could have a separate position for ‘U-turn’.   An added button to choose pre-stored messages for message display.       

     3—Communication and Control 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the Vehicle  10 , may have multiple U-Shaped Light Indicators  20  mounted, and the Operator Button  30  is coupled to these by wired or wireless communication. Wired paradigm is more likely to he used when the assembly comes pre-mounted in the vehicle. Note that the pairing using Bluetooth is less likely to cause cross interference with other proximate vehicles, users and systems. The lights may he controlled wirelessly if the system is retro-fitted and the U-Shaped Light Indicators and Operator Button are separately installed and mounted on the outside of the vehicle and dashboard separately and have less chance of utilizing the electrical components of the vehicle. A further danger indicator light may he mounted on the front left and right sides as a courtesy indicator and warning to vehicles turning right or left from a perpendicular plane of the vehicle from a side street, which would not have priority of way.