A reversing alarm for a vehicle emits an audible signal in the form of pulses of broad band sound when the vehicle is put into reverse gear. The broad band sound allows persons in the vicinity to locate the vehicle, as the human brain is able to process broad band sound to pinpoint the location of the sound source in a way which is not possible with single tone sounds. The alarm is implemented via a simple electronic circuit which uses a zener diode as a signal generator 20 to generate the broad band sound.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation of PCT/GB01/01196 filed on Mar. 19, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference.
A back up alarm system for a vehicle including a sensor for generating a vehicle motion status signal with a vehicle reverse gear engaged. The vehicle motion status signal includes a base electrical signal when the vehicle is stationary and the vehicle motion status signal includes a threshold electrical signal when the vehicle is moving in a reverse direction. A controller is operatively connected to the sensor and receives the vehicle motion status signal from the sensor. The controller activates a first alarm in response to the base electrical signal including at least one of an audible warning signal and a visual warning signal. In response to the threshold electrical signal, the controller activates a second alarm including at least one of an audible warning signal and a visual warning signal.
An apparatus for modifying sound audibilized from an audio component in a vehicle comprising a processor connected to the audio component and for controlling the operation thereof. A sensor is connected to a gear box of the vehicle for sensing a position of a gear in the vehicle and further connected to the processor. The sensor senses the position of the gear and determines if the gear is in one of a first position or a second position and causes the processor to modify the audibilized sound based on the determination from a first sound level to a second sound level.
