Systems and methods for performing vehicle collision-avoidance warning via sensor pulse

• US 10,274,595 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2013
• Issued: 04/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Kirk, James C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): Littlejohn, Jr., Mancil
• Application Number:
  US13/888,216
• Publication Number:
  US 20130321177A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,185 Days
• Field of Search: 340901-904, 340945, 340946, 340961, 340933, 340947, 340953, 342 29, 342 36, 342450, 342456, 342 59, 701120, 701 16
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/42 Arrangement or adaptation of brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 43/00 Arrangements or adaptations of instruments arrangements of cameras B64D47/08; aeronautical measuring instruments per se G01C
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/00 Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for camouflage F41H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/66 Radar-tracking systems; Analogous systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/765 with exchange of information between interrogator and responder
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/93 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/934 on airport surfaces, e.g. while taxiing
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9329 cooperating with reflectors or transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/04 Display arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/04 Anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/045 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. determination of anti-collision manoeuvers radar or analogous systems specially adapted for anti-collision between aircraft G01S13/933
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/065 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. for taxiing or rolling

Abstract

Systems and methods for embedding a warning signal in a sensor pulse. When a taxi anticollision system of a host aircraft senses a threat headed for the aircraft, a warning signal is embedded in a sensor pulse to warn the offending vehicle that it is in the field of view of the host aircraft'"'"'s sensor and is moving on a trajectory that is threatening collision with the host aircraft. Alternately, the radar issues a dedicated pulse for reading and alerting the receiving device.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

at least one antenna;

a radio frequency identification (RFID) device in signal communication with the at least one antenna, the RFID device configured to provide identification information via the at least one antenna in response to a read pulse received at the at least one antenna;

a receiver in signal communication with the at least one antenna;

a processor configured to;

receive a signal from the at least one antenna;

determine whether identification information included in the received signal matches identification information of the RFID device; and

if the identification information of the received signal matches the identification information of the RFID device, then generate an alert signal; and

an output device configured to provide an alert based on the generated alert signal.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to

determine status of the receiver, and

deactivate the RFID device if the status of the receiver is in at least one of an off state or a standby state.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is located on a vehicle.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the vehicle comprises an airport support vehicle.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the vehicle comprises an aircraft.

6. A device located on a host vehicle, the device comprising:

a transceiver; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver, the processor configured to;

transmit a read pulse via the transceiver;

receive a return signal based on the read pulse;

determine whether a target identified by the return signal is on a collision course with the host vehicle;

determine whether the return signal includes identification information; and

generate a warning signal if the target and the host vehicle are determined to be on the collision course,

wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit the warning signal,

wherein the warning signal comprises the identification information if determined to be included in the return signal.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the processor determines whether a target identified by the return signal is on the collision course with the host vehicle by tracking the target based on a plurality of received return signals.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the device is located on a vehicle.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the vehicle comprises an aircraft.

10. A method comprising:

at at least one antenna, receiving a read pulse;

at a radio frequency identification (RFID) device in signal communication with the at least one antenna, providing identification information via the at least one antenna in response to a read pulse received at the at least one antenna;

at a processor,

receiving a signal from the at least one antenna;

determining whether identification information included in the received signal matches identification information of the RFID device;

if the identification information of the received signal matches the identification information of the RFID device, then generating an alert signal; and

at an output device, outputting an alert based on the generated alert signal.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising at the processor:

determining the status of a receiver coupled to the at least one antenna; and

deactivating the RFID device if the status of the receiver is in at least one of an off state or a standby state.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the device is located on a vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the vehicle comprises an airport support vehicle.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the vehicle comprises an aircraft.