Louis Lane Johnson, JR
Engineers at Kentucky Dr, Denver, CO

6175305, Jan 16, 2001

Jan 30, 1996

8/594343

Louis E. Johnson - Golden CO
Robert C. Minnick - Pueblo CO

B60Q 144

340479

A stoplamp modulator module electronic device for use in a currently produced vehicle to provide an improved rear signal light to reduce rear-end collisions. The electronic device is adapted for attachment to a standard center high-mount stoplamp installed in the rear of the vehicle. The device is designed specifically to visually alert, using light signals, a trailing vehicle that the vehicle with electronic device is traveling below a predetermined threshold velocity or has stopped. The device receives power from the vehicle's battery voltage and is connected to a chassis ground. Also, the device receives inputs from the brake-light switch and the vehicle speed pulser. The electronic device includes appropriate interfaces for receiving pulse inputs giving an indication of the vehicle's velocity. Also, the device includes counters and logic to determine if the vehicle is at a high or low velocity and power circuits to actuate one or more lamps in the stoplamp when the vehicle is below the threshold velocity. The lamp or lamps when below the threshold velocity are energized to display designated flash rate patterns and intensities to alert the trailing vehicle.