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PM Technology Awarded Patent For Rear-End Collision Avoidance System

28 March 2000

PM Technology Awarded Patent For Rear-End Collision Avoidance System

   BOCA RATON, Fla., March 27 PM Technology today announced
that it has received a patent for an automotive safety system that may have
significant value in reducing the frequency and severity of front to back
collisions caused by emergency braking and driver inattention. The system
consists of micro-electronic circuitry which causes vehicle hazard warning
lights to automatically activate under circumstances of rapid deceleration and
to remain activated until normal vehicle operation is resumed. In this manner,
motorists are provided with the earliest possible warning of excessive slowing
by vehicles in front of them and reaction times in applying their own brakes
or taking other evasive action are greatly reduced.
    U. S. Patent 6023221 entitled "System To Activate Automobile Hazard
Warning Lights" utilizes an accelerometer and microcontroller to sense and
determine when vehicle deceleration exceeds a safe level and to initiate the
automatic warning. The microcontroller is also programmed to automatically
deactivate the warning lights when a series of accelerations consistent with a
resumption of normal vehicle operation is electronically recorded. At the
same time, the vehicle operator may choose to cancel an automatic activation
or manually activate the warning lights by use of a conventional hazard
warning control switch.
    Paul Michelotti, president of PM Technology and inventor of the system,
states that "rear-end collision avoidance is one of the foremost objectives of
the Intelligent Vehicle Initiative as defined by the U. S. Department of
Transportation and a great deal of current research and development work by
other entities is focused on a radar device that automatically disconnects
cruise control and applies braking under circumstances of close proximity or
rapid closure. Our system does not conflict with the radar concept and a
combination of these technologies would create a valuable synergism that would
be more effective than either system operating alone. We also believe that
most drivers would prefer to remain in control of their vehicles and take
their own evasive action whenever possible. Our system is a step in that
direction."
    PM Technology, a member of ITS America, has provided a disclosure of this
technology to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the
Transportation Research Board and several manufacturers in an effort to
promote further development and implementation.  Anyone interested in
obtaining additional information may direct their inquiry to the following
address:

    Paul Michelotti, President
    PM Technology
    2850 Banyan Blvd Circle NW
    Boca Raton, FL 33431