Method and apparatus for automated transfer of collision information
First Claim
1. For use in an automobile, a device for acquiring collision information comprising:
- a sensor detecting an impact to a vehicle containing the collision recorder; and
a wireless communications controller coupled to the sensor and to a memory containing information relating to the impact, the vehicle, or both, wherein the controller, in response to detection of the impact, automatically attempts to establish a wireless communications link to a counterpart wireless communications controller within another vehicle subject to a recent impact, and responsive to successfully establishing a wireless communications link to the counterpart wireless communication controller, exchanges at least a portion of the information within the memory for corresponding information from the counterpart wireless communications controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device within an automobile comprises or includes a wireless communications controller which, upon detection of impact, attempts to establish a wireless communications link to each of any counterpart wireless communications controllers which are within vehicles also subject to a recent impact, and therefore presumably involved in the collision. Vehicle identification information and information collected regarding the collision, such as vehicle speed, location, direction of travel, impact direction and magnitude, point of impact, etc., are automatically exchanged between vehicles involved in the collision and may be later retrieved from either vehicle, preserving objective information for accident reconstruction by police and insurance companies.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. For use in an automobile, a device for acquiring collision information comprising:
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a sensor detecting an impact to a vehicle containing the collision recorder; and
a wireless communications controller coupled to the sensor and to a memory containing information relating to the impact, the vehicle, or both, wherein the controller, in response to detection of the impact, automatically attempts to establish a wireless communications link to a counterpart wireless communications controller within another vehicle subject to a recent impact, and responsive to successfully establishing a wireless communications link to the counterpart wireless communication controller, exchanges at least a portion of the information within the memory for corresponding information from the counterpart wireless communications controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An automobile, comprising:
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at least one control system;
a sensor detecting an impact to the automobile;
a nonvolatile memory containing identification information relating to the automobile and measurement information from the at least one control system captured upon detection of the impact to the automobile; and
a wireless communications controller coupled to the sensor and to the memory, wherein the controller, in response to detection of the impact, automatically attempts to establish a wireless communications link to a counterpart wireless communications controller within another vehicle subject to a recent impact, and responsive to successfully establishing a wireless communications link to the counterpart wireless communication controller, exchanges at least a portion of the information within the memory for corresponding information from the counterpart wireless communications controller. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of acquiring collision information, comprising:
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detecting an impact to a vehicle; and
responsive to detection of the impact, automatically attempting to establish a wireless communications link between a wireless communications controller coupled to a memory within the vehicle and containing information relating to the impact, the vehicle, or both and a counterpart wireless communications controller within another vehicle subject to a recent impact; and
responsive to successfully establishing a wireless communications link between the wireless communications controller and the counterpart wireless communication controller, exchanging at least a portion of the information within the memory for corresponding information from the counterpart wireless communications controller. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification