Vehicle front alert system

Abstract

A visual deceleration indicator signals to pedestrians and other vehicles that a vehicle is slowing down or coming to a stop. Illuminating devices, such as LEDs, contained in a license plate frame located in the front of the car or otherwise, are activated when the vehicle decelerates. An accelerometer or other sensory device detects deceleration and sends a signal to illuminate the LEDs, thereby letting others know the vehicle is slowing down. The license plate frame may be connected directly to a rear brake light component without the use of accelerometers or other sensors. When the brake is applied, the LEDs in the license plate frame are illuminated. The LEDs may be contained in other forms and located in different positions on the front or side of the car. The indicator might be one color to indicate braking and another color to indicate it is on, but not braking.

1 .- 2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A method of illuminating a plurality of LEDs on a housing mounted to a front face of a vehicle, the method comprising:
 obtaining electrical power from a power source of the vehicle;   detecting a deceleration of the vehicle using an accelerometer in the housing, wherein the accelerometer is powered from the power source of the vehicle;   sending a signal from the accelerometer to circuitry in the housing; and   actuating the plurality of LEDs to remain steadily illuminated with a first color upon while the deceleration is detected by the accelerometer and with a second color to indicate operation but not deceleration to indicate a status of the deceleration of the vehicle to pedestrians in front of the vehicle.   
     
     
         4 . A signaling apparatus attached to a vehicle for signaling deceleration of the vehicle comprising:
 a housing mounted to a front face of the vehicle such that the housing is at least partially visible from in front of the vehicle;   a printed circuit board containing a plurality of LEDs attached to the housing, the plurality of LEDs emitting a first color when a first signal is received and a second color when a second signal is received, wherein the first color is amber;   an electrical connection to a power source of the vehicle; and   an accelerometer, mounted in the housing, which, when detecting the deceleration of the vehicle, sends the first signal to the printed circuit board, thereby causing the plurality of LEDs to emit the first color and thereby providing a visual indication visible on the front of the vehicle for pedestrians that the vehicle is decelerating.   
     
     
         5 . The signaling apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the signaling apparatus is mounted to a license plate on the front face of the vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The signaling apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the signaling apparatus is mounted to a grill on the front face of the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The signaling apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the signaling apparatus is mounted to a windshield on the front face of the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The signaling apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the signaling apparatus is mounted to an interior side of the windshield, the signaling apparatus being inside a passenger compartment of the vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The signaling apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the signaling apparatus is mounted to an exterior side of the windshield. 
     
     
         10 . The signaling apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the signaling apparatus is mounted to a rearview mirror of the vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The signaling apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the signaling apparatus is mounted to a side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The signaling apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the signaling apparatus is mounted to a side view mirror of the vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The signaling apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the signaling apparatus incorporates a camera.