sfl display symbol all 4 lights on

Virtual GuardianTM European Patent 1189772, U.S. Patent # 6,240,346

is a new safety system for the ground transportation industry and within U.S. patent # 6,240,346 referenced as Tailgate Alert Distance Determining Light Equipment (TADDLE).

Along with imagery, using vehicle speed and time, it samples forward and rearward range from the resident vehicle to determine when to trigger the Safe Follow Lights (SFL) display comprised of 4 lights. SFL can be any shape, located on the back of the resident vehicle such as in the corners of the rear window and/or in addition to a driver’s compartment indicator.

Through reference of the computed Safe Follow Distance (SFD) and higher priority critical vehicle overtake/closure issues, the SFL mode changes.

SFL Display symbol

all 4 lights on

SFL Display symbol

all lights off


When the SFL display changes, it indicates a different inter-vehicle speed relationship. SFL has eleven (11) total easily understood display modes, designed to get the drivers attention when necessary, without distraction.

Along with concurrent imagery, time and date stamped SFL modes are copied from temporary storage to non-volatile (permanent) storage upon an event of significance such as; air bag deployment, a driver activated switch to mark an event or when a predetermined vehicle deceleration threshold occurs, making post-event data available for analysis.

As specified within U.S. patent # 6,240,346, although variations in SFL modes may change through further research and development, current SFL modes and their associated vehicle threat levels can be easily understood after review of the following presentation.

SFL Displaysymbol lights on

The red vehicle in this presentation has

Virtual GuardianTM installed & considered the resident vehicle.

When traveling less than 10 mph to stopped with no adjacent vehicle forward or rear range/closure detected, all 4 SFL lights are on steady to augment the resident vehicle’s brake indicator

lights. This is considered the “Idle mode” U.S. Patent # 6,240,346

SFL Displaysymbol lights off

When Virtual GuardianTM senses that the resident vehicle is traveling greater than 10 mph and no forward or rearward range/closure is detected from other vehicle(s), all 4 SFL lights

are off, standing by to detect the nearest vehicle threat.

This is considered the “Standby mode” U.S. Patent # 6,240,346

Zone 1 Safe Follow Distance (SFD) encroachment by the resident vehicle on a leading vehicle traveling over 10 MPH triggers Safe Follow

Light (SFL) display

Within the first ½ of the SFD, both upper SFL are on steady

SFL Display symbol U.S. Patent # 6,240,346

Zone 2SFL display changes after the resident vehicle penetrates

the first ½ of the SFD (zone 1) following a lead vehicle traveling over 10 MPH

Within 50% to 25% of SFD, both upper safe follow lights (SFL) blink simultaneously.


Zone 3

SFL display changes again after the resident vehicle penetrates the first 3/4 of the SFD (zone 1 & 2) on a lead vehicle traveling

over 10 MPH

Within the last 25% of a leading SFD, the upper safe follow lights (SFL) blink alternately.



Zone 4SFD encroachment by a trailing vehicle behind the resident

vehicle traveling over 10 MPH, triggers SFL display

Within the first ½ of a trailing SFD, both lower safe follow lights (SFL) are on steady


Zone 5SFL display changes after a trailing vehicle penetrates the first

½ of the SFD (zone 4) behind a resident vehicle traveling over 10 MPH

Within 50% to 25% of SFD, both lower safe SFL blink simultaneously.


Zone 6

SFL display changes again when a trailing vehicle penetrates the first 3/4 of the SFD (zone 4 & 5) behind the resident

vehicle traveling over 10 MPH

Within 25% of a trailing SFD, both lower safe follow lights (SFL) alternate


Level 1

SFL display changes overriding lower priority SFD zone displays when closure with a lead vehicle is greater than 30 mph,

indicating that the closure issue is isolated to the lead vehicle.

When a closure issue greater than 30 mph is isolated to the lead vehicle, SFL illuminate alternating both left/both right


Level 2 SFL display changes overriding lower priority SFD zone

displays when trailing vehicle closure is greater than 30 mph, indicating the closure issue is isolated to the trailing vehicle

When a closure issue greater than 30 mph is isolated to the trailing vehicle, SFL illuminate alternating both upper/both lower


Level 3 SFL display changes to level 3 overriding all other SFL

display modes when either an A or B condition exists… A) when a 30 mph closure issue is present between both

the leading and trailing vehicles, an impending pile-up exists, a combination of both level 1 & 2 (condition A)

Overtake is greater than 30 mph to both the lead vehicle and resident vehicle, SFL illuminate alternating diagonally


Level 3 (continued)or

SFL display also changes to level 3 overriding all other SFL display modes when…

B) a 30 mph closure issue exists upon a vehicle traveling less than 10 mph to stopped (condition B)

When overtake is greater than 30 mph on any vehicle traveling slower than 10 mph to stopped, SFL illuminate alternating diagonally


is a new safety system for the ground transportation industry that will reduce accidents, decrease injury rates, save lives, relieve personal stress and liabilities. It is an exciting new product that is destined for public consumption.

Canadian patent pendingThis concludes the presentation, any questions can answered through the following contact.

World Accountability, Inc 117 W. Brantwood aveElk Grove, IL 60007847-952-0746www.WorldAccountability.comGary.Pignato@comcast.net

http://www.worldaccountability.com/

sfl display symbol all 4 lights on

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