Patent Application
20090115593
The present invention generally relates to a warning system for motor vehicles, and more particularly relates to systems and methods for warning a first motor vehicle (e.g., a rear motor vehicle) that it is approaching a second motor vehicle (e.g., a leading motor vehicle) too rapidly.
It has long been a safety design goal to provide systems that alert drivers of neighboring vehicles to dangers that they might not otherwise be aware of. For example, modern vehicles are provided with turn signals that give notice to neighboring drivers of an impending turn. Hazard lights may be activated that warn neighboring drivers of road hazards, stalled vehicles, and the like. Brake lights warn drivers approaching from the rear that the brakes of a vehicle in front have been activated and the vehicle is slowing, perhaps to a stop. Unfortunately, unless a driver happens to be viewing traffic approaching from the rear (e.g. utilizing rear-view and/or side-view mirrors), the driver may not be able to take any affirmative action to warn, (as for example by tapping the brake pedal to illuminate the brake lights) a driver approaching from the rear that he is approaching at an excessive speed.
Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide systems and methods for automatically warning the driver of a motor vehicle that it is approaching another vehicle too rapidly. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.
Various exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a system for warning a driver of a first motor vehicle that it is approaching a second motor vehicle. One system comprises a detector that monitors a predetermined region for the presence of the first motor vehicle and an alarm device. The system also comprises a processor coupled to the detector and the alarm device, wherein the processor is in cooperation with the detector to determine a speed of the first motor vehicle and to activate the alarm device if the speed at which the first motor vehicle is approaching the second motor vehicle is greater than a predetermined speed.
Another system comprises means for determining a speed at which a first motor vehicle is approaching a second motor vehicle, wherein the determining means is coupled to the first motor vehicle. The system also comprises means for warning the driver of the first motor vehicle if the speed is greater than the threshold speed, wherein the warning means is coupled to the determining means.
Methods are provided for warning a driver of a first motor vehicle that it is approaching a second motor vehicle too rapidly. One method comprises the steps of detecting a speed at which the first motor vehicle is approaching the second motor vehicle and transmitting a warning to the driver of the first motor vehicle if the speed is greater than a threshold speed.
The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
Detector 110 may be any device, hardware, and/or software capable of detecting the presence of one or more objects (e.g., another motor vehicle) in an area 105 behind motor vehicle 50 and the rate of approach of any such objects. In one exemplary embodiment, detector 110 may be a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) system. In other embodiments, detector 110 may comprise a laser detection and ranging (LADAR) system, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system, a camera system (e.g., a video camera, a 3-dimensional three-dimensional (3D) imaging device, and/or a 3D time-of-flight (TOF) camera), or the like.
Warning device 120 may be any device capable of capturing the attention of the driver of other proximate vehicles. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention, warning device 120 is a light (e.g. a motor vehicle brake lamp and/or hazard lamp); however, it should be clear that other visual and/or audible alarms may be employed. These visual and/or audible alarms may generate one or more of a plurality of predetermined warning patterns.
Referring again to
Processor 140 is a device, hardware, and/or software configured to receive signals from detector 110 indicating the presence of a vehicle to the rear and also indicating the rate at which the vehicle is approaching. Processor 140 processes the received signals and actuates warning device 120 when predetermined conditions exist. In one embodiment, processor 140 is configured to actuate warning device 120 if a vehicle to the rear is detected and is approaching at a speed greater than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 5 to 10 meters/second).
Processor 140 also receives signals indicative of braking force, acceleration, and/or speed of motor vehicle 50 from sensor 130 and processes these signals. Referring to the chart shown in
Although processor 140 has been discussed as being a separate and distinct component, it is contemplated that processor 140 may be integrated with detector 110, and/or that detector 110 may perform one or more of the operations discussed above with respect to processor 140.
If a motor vehicle is detected, the speed at which the motor vehicle is approaching or closing in on motor vehicle 50 is calculated to determine if the motor vehicle is approaching at a speed greater than a threshold speed (step 330). In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the threshold approach or closing speed is in the range of about 5 meters/second to about 10 meters/second. If the other motor vehicle is approaching at a rate less than the threshold speed, detector 110 continues to monitor the environment (step 350).
If the other motor vehicle is approaching at a rate greater than the threshold speed, a warning device (e.g., warning device 120) is actuated (step 340). The warnings transmitted by warning device 120 may be any of the warnings discussed above with reference to warning device 120 of
If a motor vehicle is detected, the speed at which the motor vehicle is approaching motor vehicle 50 is calculated to determine if the motor vehicle is approaching at a speed greater than a first threshold speed (step 430). If the other motor vehicle is approaching at a rate less than the first threshold speed, detector 110 continues to monitor the environment (step 470). If the other motor vehicle is approaching at a rate greater than the first threshold speed, it is then determined if the other motor vehicle is approaching at a rate greater than a second threshold rate of approach (step 440).
If the other motor vehicle is approaching motor vehicle 50 at a rate less than the second threshold rate but greater than the first threshold, a warning device (e.g., warning device 120) transmits a first warning (step 450). The first warning may be, for example, turning ON the brake lamps and/or hazard lamps of motor vehicle 50.
If the other motor vehicle is approaching motor vehicle 50 at a rate greater than the second threshold rate, the warning device transmits a second warning (step 460). The second warning may be, for example, rapidly flashing the brake lamps and/or hazard lamps of motor vehicle 50 or another more-urgent warning. As illustrated in
If a motor vehicle is detected, the rate at which motor vehicle 50 is braking is calculated to determine if motor vehicle 50 is braking at a rate greater than a threshold rate (step 530). In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the threshold braking rate is about 5 m/sec2.
When the braking rate of motor vehicle 50 is less than the threshold rate, the speed at which the motor vehicle is approaching motor vehicle 50 is calculated to determine if the other motor vehicle is approaching at a speed greater than a threshold speed (step 540). In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the threshold speed is in the range of about 5 meters/second to about 10 meters/second.
If the other motor vehicle is approaching at a rate less than the threshold speed, a warning device (e.g., warning device 120) is commanded to actuate a first warning (step 550). In one embodiment, the first warning is turning ON the brake lamps of motor vehicle 50, although other warnings are contemplated by various embodiments of the invention.
If the other motor vehicle is approaching at a rate greater than the threshold speed while motor vehicle 50 is braking at a rate less the threshold braking rate, the warning device actuates a second warning (step 560). In one embodiment, the second warning is turning ON the brake lamps and the hazard lamps of motor vehicle 50, although other embodiments of the invention contemplate the use of other types of warnings.
When motor vehicle 50 is braking at a rate greater the threshold braking rate, the speed at which the other motor vehicle is approaching motor vehicle 50 is calculated to determine if the other motor vehicle is approaching at a speed greater than a threshold speed (step 570). If the other motor vehicle is approaching at a rate less than the threshold speed, the warning device actuates the second warning (step 560).
If the other motor vehicle is approaching at a rate greater than the threshold speed, the warning device actuates a third warning (step 580). The third warning may be, for example, rapidly flashing the brake lamps and/or hazard lamps of motor vehicle 50 or some other type of visual and/or audible cue indicating a very urgent warning. As illustrated in
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.
